Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
BROMELIAD FORAGING SPECIALIZATION AND DIET SELECTION OF PSEUDOCOLAPTES LAWRENCII (FURNARIIDAE)

Over 50 species of Neotropical birds have been recorded foraging for animal prey in bromeliads. Of these bird species, Pseudocolaptes lawrencii is one of the most specialized. At a montane rainforest site in Costa Rica, 74% of its documented foraging efforts were in epiphytic bromeliads. P. lawrencii selected large bromeliads and foraged for arthropods within leaf litter and organic debris trapped in the plants. Based on our analyses of the bromeliad prey base and bird stomach contents, P. lawrencii was an opportunistic predator of the litter-inhabiting arthropods. Birds consumed dermapter- ans, orthopterans, arachnids, and coleopterans in proportions equal to the prey's avail- ability and did not select for prey size. However, P. lawrencii avoided isopods. P. la- wrencii did not consume aquatic insect larvae, which were the largest component of the bromeliad prey base and occurred in 80% of bromeliads sampled. Resumen. - Mas de 50 especies de aves Neotropicales han sido estudiadas mientras forrajean por animates en bromelias. De estas especies de aves, Pseudocolaptes lawrencii es una de las mas especializadas. En un bosque tropical montanoso en Costa Rica, se encontro que el 74% de los atentos de forrajeo fueron en bromelias epifiticas. Pseudo- colaptes lawrencii selecciono bromelias grandes y forrajeo en las hojas y los escombros org£nicos atrapados en las bromelias. Basado en nuestro an&lisis de los animales encon- trados en las bromelias y el contenido estomacal de las aves, concluimos que P. lawrencii es un predador oportunistico de los artr6podos que viven en los escombros organicos. Las aves consumieron dermapteros, orthopteros, aracnidos y coleopteros en proporciones idSnticas a la disponibilidad de estas presas. No se encontr6 selecci6n de presas, sin embargo, P. lawrencii evito isopodos. No consumi6 larvas de insectos acua*ticos, la presa mas abundante y se encontr6 en un 80% de las bromelias estudiadas.
Immediate Memory and Electro Physiologic Effects of Prefrontal Cortex Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on a Chronic Traumatic Brain InjurySurvivor: A Case Report

Ongoing memory impairment is a common long-term consequence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) that negatively impacts everyday function. Traditional rehabilitation to improve memory function focuses on use of external and/or internal behavioral memory strategies, the benefits of which are supported by varying levels of evidence. This case report examined immediate behavioral and electrophysiological effects of three conditions of left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on auditory working memory in a chronic TBI survivor with persisting post-injury memory problems. Pre- and post-tDCS behavioral memory performance was measured, as were auditory event-related potentials (P300 activity) and power of alpha and theta EEG bands. Behavioral and electrophysiological results were specific to tDCS condition, with anodal tDCS, versus cathodal and sham, significantly enhancing memory function and related cortical activity. Rehabilitation implications of these findings are discussed.
Are People Naïve Probability Theorists? A Further Examination of the Probability Theory + Variation Model

Two experiments tested predictions derived from the Probability Theory? +? Variation (PTV) model. PTV model assumes that judgments follow probability theory, but systematic errors arise from noise in the judgments. Experiment 1 compared the PTV model to a configural weighted averaging model in joint probability judgment and found more support for the PTV model in diagnostic cases. Specifically, noise was negatively correlated with semantic coherence and conjunction and disjunction fallacies increased when order effects produced more noise in conjunctions and disjunctions. Consistent with both models, judgments adhered stochastically to the addition law. Contrary to the integration rules of the PTV model, we failed to find increased noise in disjunctions compared to conjunctions. Experiment 2 tested predictions of the PTV model for conditional probability judgment. Consistent with the PTV model, noise was negatively correlated with semantic coherence in conditional probabilities and judgments adhered stochastically to Bayes' theorem. Conversion errors were generally more prevalent than conditional reversals, a finding that is not fully consistent with the PTV model. In general, the quantitative fit of the PTV model was relatively better for overlapping and subset problems compared to identical, independent and mutually exclusive problems, especially for semantic coherence.
Moving beyond ‘wishing and hoping’: internationalisation and student experiences of inclusion and engagement

There is clear evidence from a number of studies conducted over the last decade that the student experience of internationalisation in universities around the world can be both positive and negative. In this paper we explore these polarised views of internationalisation as they are recorded in the literature. We argue there is evidence of too much emphasis on ‘wishing and hoping’ that benefits will flow from cultural diversity on campus and not enough emphasis on strategic and informed intervention to improve inclusion and engagement. We start by exploring what happens when students are forced into cross-cultural encounters without additional actions and interventions and go on to discuss what we can learn from examples of successful inclusion and engagement in multi-cultural classrooms. We suggest that there are at least three things we should focus on in order to enhance students' engagement with cultural diversity and ensure that real benefits for student learning result from culturally diverse campuses and classrooms. These are alignment of the formal and informal curriculum, a focus on task design and management and new approaches to professional development of academic staff. The need for reflective practice, which includes ongoing and focussed evaluation of the effectiveness of interventions, is also highlighted.
Construction and Characteristics of a Recombinant Single- Chain Antibody Fragment against Bacterial Type III Secretion

Pseudomonas aeruginosa , a Gram-negative pathogen, causes life-threatening infections. Lung injury and the development of sepsis depend largely on expression of the virulence genes associated with the type III secretion system of this bacterium. The type III secretion system functions as a molecular syringe to deliver type III secretory toxins directly into the cytosol of eukaryotic cells and also acts to inhibit innate immune mechanisms, thereby preventing bacterial clearance. Antibodies against PcrV, the cap structure in the translocational needle of type III secretory apparatus of P. aeruginosa , block toxin translocation of the type III secretion system. We have been investigating the therapeutic use of a recombinant anti-PcrV single-chain antibody. In this chapter, as a preliminary step toward an antibody-based immunotherapy against bacterial infections, we summarize our experience of constructing a recombinant single-chain antibody (called scFv166), in which the heavy (V H ) and light chain (V L ) variable regions of the anti-PcrV monoclonal IgG are joined by a flexible peptide linker. The practical methodologies used to make recombinant scFv166 against a bacterial protein component are described in detail. onto a nitrocellulose membrane, and then immu nostained with scFv166 and a horseradish peroxidase-conjugated anti-c-myc IgG secondary antibody, and the blot was developed with ECL.
Analyse monitoring data 'convenant Campylobacter aanpak pluimveevlees in Nederland'

Pluimveevlees kan besmet zijn met de ziekteverwekkende bacterie Campylobacter. Dit kan een risico vormen voor de volksgezondheid als de consument onvoldoende keukenhygiene in acht neemt, bijvoorbeeld door rauw vlees in aanraking te laten komen met andere producten of vlees onvoldoende te verhitten. Een besmetting veroorzaakt meestal diarree, maar kan ook tot ernstigere klachten leiden, zoals het prikkelbare darmsyndroom. Het RIVM heeft een objectieve risicomaat gebruikt om metingen van aantallen Campylobacter-bacterien op kippenvlees om te zetten naar een indicator voor het aantal te verwachten zieken. Het risico blijkt per slachthuis te kunnen verschillen. Met deze informatie kunnen daardoor specifieke maatregelen worden ingezet. In 2008 is een convenant getekend tussen de pluimveesector (vertegenwoordigd door NEPLUVI) en het ministerie van VWS. Dit convenant bepaalde dat karkassen van vleeskuikens in zestien slachthuizen in 2009 en 2010 wekelijks zouden worden getest. Gemeten zijn de aantallen Campylobacter op het vel en de aantallen Campylobacter op de filet van de vleeskuikens, nadat ze in de slachthuizen waren gekoeld. De aantallen Campylobacter waren tijdens de zomermaanden tot een factor tien hoger dan in de wintermaanden. Deze informatie is nu benut om met wiskundige modellen te berekenen wat de blootstelling van de consument was bij de bereiding van kipfilet in de keuken. Deze schatting van de blootstelling is vervolgens gecombineerd met een zogenoemde dosis-responsrelatie, die de kans op ziekte aangeeft als mensen bepaalde hoeveelheden bacterien binnenkrijgen. Het gemiddelde risico van een portie kipfilet bleek in de zomermaanden hoger te zijn dan in de winter. Er zijn duidelijke verschillen aangetroffen tussen de risico's van producten die van verschillende slachterijen afkomstig waren. Twee van de zestien slachthuizen lieten een duidelijk verhoogd risico zien. De periodes van hoger risico vielen niet altijd samen met de zomerperiode. Dit wijst erop dat er ook andere oorzaken aan de orde waren, zoals de proceshygiene in de slachterijen of een hoge besmettingsgraad bij pluimveehouders. Elf slachterijen produceerden vlees waarvan het risico lager dan het gemiddelde was. De sector is inmiddels begonnen maatregelen te treffen, zoals een betere slachthygiene of een betere afstelling van de apparatuur. In samenwerking met onder andere het RIVM zet NEPLUVI dit onderzoek voort om nauwkeurigere analyses te kunnen maken, onder andere van de effecten van de getroffen maatregelen.
Association of depressive symptoms with dietary habits among Japanese physicians

The aim of this study was to determine the association of depressive symptoms with dietary habits among physicians working in hospitals in Japan. We mailed an anonymous questionnaire with the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology and items about dietary habits to 10,000 randomly selected physicians. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the association of depressive symptoms with dietary habits. The participants comprised 3862 physicians (3025 men and 837 women). Among the respondents, 252 (8.3%) men and 88 (10.5%) women were determined to be in depressive symptoms. For men, “never eat a balanced diet” (Odds ratio; 95% confidence interval, 2.54; 1.70 - 3.80), and for women “eat quite small meals” (3.81; 1.14 - 13.1), “always eat until full” (4.40; 1.48 - 13.1), and “never eat a balanced diet” (3.05; 1.49 - 6.23) were associated with depressive symptoms. For men, “do not eat too much” (0.57; 0.39 - 0.83) was associated with prevention of depression. Physicians should recognize the important role of healthy dietary habits in good mental health. Hospitals should intervene to help physicians address depressive symptoms and dietary habits.
Patterns of composition, richness and phylogenetic diversity of woody plant communities of Quillaja saponaria Molina (Quillajaceae) in the Chilean sclerophyllous forest

ABSTRACT Sclerophyllous forest is among the most representative types of woody plant communities in central Chile where Quillaja saponaria is considered to be one of the most important species. In this study, we analysed the main factors that explain the geographical patterns of variation in composition, richness and phylogenetic diversity of woody plant communities in the Chilean sclerophyllous forest where Quillaja saponaria is present. Vegetation surveys were performed for trees and shrubs in thirty-nine sites from 30° to 38° of latitude South in the Mediterranean biome of Chile. Composition, richness, alfa diversity and phylogenetic diversity metrics of the communities were calculated and associated with spatial (latitude, longitude and altitude), climate (annual mean temperature, annual precipitation, aridity), and disturbance variables (type of adjacent vegetation matrix) using multiple regression models. Sixty taxa were identified, distributed in 29 families, including 23 trees and 37 shrubs. A significant effect of the type of adjacent vegetation matrix (i.e. agricultural land, commercial forestry plantation or natural forest) on diversity and composition of the sampled communities was found. Significant effects of latitude on diversity, and altitude, latitude and annual mean temperature on composition were also found. Metrics of phylogenetic diversity and structure were only associated with altitude and latitude. In conclusion, diversity, composition and phylogenetic structure patterns of sclerophyllous forest communities are associated with spatial and climate variables, and anthropogenic disturbance has also caused important changes in these communities.
Disposal of obsolete computers framework to reduce environmental effect of disposed computer materials in higher institutions of learning in Africa

Disposal of obsolete computers (DOC) in higher institutions in Africa poses a major environmental problem to many African people. The question of how to dispose obsolete computers and computer technologies in a safe manner has become a cause of concern to many African people, especially when toxic emissions pollute the air, water, and soil posing a serious health and environmental hazard to the community. This study investigates the methods of disposing and recycling of obsolete computers, and its environmental effect on plants and animals in Africa. A case study approach is used. Participants were selected from three African countries Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa based on their historical background in Africa regarding e-waste. Semi-structured, open ended interview questions were used to gather evidence from the participants regarding how obsolete computers are disposed from their institutions and the possible effect of the disposed computers on the environment. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and coded. The findings revel that the most common method of disposing obsolete computers is through dumping, dismantling of parts for resale by children and open field burning of unwanted parts. This burning process produces toxic material which is associated with high health risks. Based on the findings, a proposed Disposal of Obsolete Computers Framework (DOCF) was developed to guide higher institutions in Africa to opt for appropriate methods of disposing computers. The framework will not only assist higher institution in selecting a better option of disposing obsolete computers, but also will improve the hazardous environmental conditions which animals and plants find themselves.
Terahertz pulse imaging for tree-ring analysis: a preliminary study for dendrochronology applications

Time-domain terahertz reflection imaging is presented as a novel method of measuring otherwise inaccessible tree rings in wooden cultural heritage for the purpose of tree-ring crossdating. Axial and lateral two-dimensional terahertz images of obscured ring patterns are statistically validated with respect to their corresponding optical photographs via adapted dendrochronological methods. Results are compared to similar analysis of x-ray images of a wood specimen.
Daytime cooling efficiency and diurnal energy balance in Phoenix, Arizona, USA

Summer daytime cooling efficiency of various land cover is investigated for the urban core of Phoenix, Arizona, using the Local-Scale Urban Meteorological Parameterization Scheme (LUMPS). We examined the urban energy balance for 2 summer days in 2005 to analyze the daytime cooling-water use tradeoff and the timing of sensible heat reversal at night. The plausibility of the LUMPS model results was tested using remotely sensed surface temperatures from Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) imagery and reference evapotranspiration values from a meteorological station. Cooling efficiency was derived from sensible and latent heat flux differences. The time when the sensible heat flux turns negative (sensible heat flux transition) was calculated from LUMPS simulated hourly fluxes. Results indicate that the time when the sensible heat flux changes direction at night is strongly influenced by the heat storage capacity of different land cover types and by the amount of vegetation. Higher heat storage delayed the transition up to 3 h in the study area, while vegetation expedited the sensible heat reversal by 2 h. Cooling efficiency index results suggest that overall, the Phoenix urban core is slightly more efficient at cooling than the desert, but efficiencies do not increase much with wet fractions higher than 20%. Industrial sites with high impervious surface cover and low wet fraction have negative cooling efficiencies. Findings indicate that drier neighborhoods with heterogeneous land uses are the most efficient landscapes in balancing cooling and water use in Phoenix. However, further factors such as energy use and human vulnerability to extreme heat have to be considered in the cooling-water use tradeoff, especially under the uncertainties of future climate change.
Prognostic and Remaining Life Prediction of Electronic Device under Vibration Condition Based on CPSD of MPI

Prognostic of electronic device under vibration condition can help to get information to assist in condition-based maintenance and reduce life-cycle cost. A prognostic and remaining life prediction method for electronic devices under random vibration condition is proposed. Vibration response is measured and monitored with acceleration sensor and OMA parameters, including vibration resonance frequency, especially first-order resonance frequency, and damping ratio is calculated with cross-power spectrum density (CPSD) method and modal parameter identification (MPI) algorithm. Steinberg vibration fatigue model which considers transmissibility factor is used to predict the remaining life of electronic component. Case study with a test board is carried out and remaining life is predicted. Results show that with this method the vibration response characteristic can be monitored and predicted.
A Frame-Based Conjugate Gradients Direct Search Method with Radial Basis Function Interpolation Model

In this paper, we propose a new hybrid direct search method where a frame-based PRP conjugate gradients direct search algorithm is combined with radial basis function interpolation model. In addition, the rotational minimal positive basis is used to reduce the computation work at each iteration. Numerical results for solving the CUTEr test problems show that the proposed method is promising.
XXIV Genetic variability of FCR with suboptimal food and prospects for selection

F eed cost represents a high part of production cost in chickens. So, feed efficiency is a key factor of poultry production profitability. Genetic selection of standard broiler chickens has resulted in a huge decrease in feed conversion ratio. Nowadays, as high quality feedstuffs price and human population both increase, there is a growing interest in improving efficiency of birds on alternative diets, for economical and ethical reasons. These diets could include low cost feedstuffs or by products of agriculture that are not consumed by humans. However, these alternative diets often show low and variable quality. Moreover, this approach is a kind of challenge since selection is usually made on high quality diets in order to express the growth genetic potential of modern genotypes. This review aims at evaluating the potential interest in using alternative and lower quality diets in a selection for feed efficiency, keeping in mind that the diet quality may interact with the selection criteria used to reach this goal.
Does Racial Segregation Affect White Households ?

While numerous studies have investigated whether racial segregation is associated with housing, educational or health outcomes of black and white households, finding the exact mechanism behind this relationship is not an easy task. According to the theory of Cutler and Glaeser (1997), racial segregation leads to greater segregation of skills which results in racial disparities in various outcomes. Although this theory is convincing, their empirical model, by design, does not properly address what their theory argues. This paper divides blacks and white samples into those with high skill and those with low skill to test whether the impact of racial segregation differs by the level of education, as suggested by Cutler and Glaeser (1997). We also introduce a new measurement of education dissimilarity index to identify how segregation of skills affects various individuals’ welfare outcomes, including wage, homeownership and high school dropout. Using the data from the Decennial Census and the American Community Survey, our preliminary results show that segregation of skills has a stronger statistical association with individual’s wage, housing and education outcomes than segregation of race. We also find that this relationship differs by the level of skills: segregation of skills has positive association wage and homeownership for high skilled whites, while it positively affects the likelihood of being a single mom for low skilled blacks. In the future, we plan to further look into this relationship to identify causal mechanism of racial and skill segregation by using instrumental variables. 1 Email: choijung@usc.edu 2 Email: richardkg@usc.edu 3 Email: millermj@usc.edu