Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of basic limnological aspects of some crater lakes in the Cordillera Volcánica Central, Costa Rica

Crater lakes share some morphological characteristics such as size, shape, situation inside a crater, usually high elevation, which have a definite impact on their limnology. In Costa Rica there are several crater lakes that may serve as an example of small tropical lakes to examine some relationships between morphometry and stratification. The results of different limnological expeditions to four such lakes are presented. The lakes are Barva, Botos, Cerro Chato and Hule. These lakes differ in their size and altitude. During each expedition the water transparency, the vertical profiles of oxygen and temperature were measured in a station at the middle of each lake as part of a more compressive study. The lakes were visited on several occasions for at least one year or more. The lakes which were relatively deep for their size, as judged from their relative depth such as Barva (Zmax= 7 m, Zr=6.2, 2840 masl) and Cerro Chato (Zmax= 18 m, Zr=9.6, 1020 masl), showed signs of frequent stratification, although at higher elevations and in the shallow Barva Lake this stratification may lasts only for short periods, whereas in deeper Cerro Chato Lake the mixing is mainly seasonal. On the other hand, Botos Lake (Zmax= 9 m, Zr=2.5, 2600 masl) that is relatively shallow for their size and widely exposed to the wind action, is clearly continuous polymictic, notwithstanding that its absolute depth is similar to smaller Barva, and finally Hule, a deep, exposed lake, but at low elevation is clearly oligomictic. Keywords: limnology, crater lakes, water column, morphometry, Costa Rica.
Evaluation of natural transmission of bovine leukaemia virus within dairy herds of Argentina

The purpose of this study was to describe patterns of seroconversion to bovine leukaemia virus and to estimate the main parameters needed for future model building. A longitudinal study was carried out between February 1999 and November 2001 in seven commercial dairy farms in Argentina using 1535 lactating cows. Time-interval parameters were analysed using a parametric survival model with shared frailty, time until infection was analysed using a Bayesian interval-censoring survival model and the infection transmission parameter (β) was estimated by a generalized linear model. The reproduction ratio (R0) was calculated. In total, 1000 cows tested positive and 494 tested negative. The predicted median age at infection was 4·6 years for seroconverted cows. For infected herds, the proportion of positive calves was as high as for infected cows and showed a large proportion of infected breeding heifers. Peaks in the overall average incidence per season-year were observed during autumn and spring. Results reveal that the period around parturition is a high-risk period. Moreover, heavily infected herds seem to have an increased proportion of young stock infected. The overall β was estimated as 2·9/year (95% CI 1·9–3·7) and combined with a relatively long infectious period it resulted in a high reproductive ratio (R0=8·9). Therefore, a high effectiveness of control measures needs to be achieved to eradicate the disease.
The role of the electrogenic sodium pump in modulation of pacemaker discharge of Aplysia neurons

The discharge of Aplysia pacemaker neurons varies with temperature over the range 10 to 22°C. Three types of frequency‐temperature plots are found, with maximal discharge at lowest, intermediate or highest temperatures. In the presence of ouabain, however, all cells show maximal discharge at the highest temperature, suggesting that the steady state activity of an electrogenic sodium pump is an important determinant of membrane excitability. The average magnitude of pump current, as indicated by the applied current necessary to restore discharge to control values after ouabain application, was about 4 namps at 20°C but near zero at 10°C. These neurons may be excellent models of mammalian thermoreceotprs.
Diversity Management and Integration: From Ideas to Concepts

Walking in the streets of (especially bigger) cities everywhere in the world we can hear a fascinating plurality of dialects and languages, and detect the diverse physical and cultural characteristics and features of individuals—in short, one of the common characteristics of urban environments is a fascinating diversity of diversities. In rural environments, pluralities and diversities might be less obvious and numerous; however, they can be found everywhere. Travelling in the countryside reveals a number of asymmetries and diversities—such as specific geographic and/or climatic features of the territory, diverse density of populations, different levels of social and economic development, diverse architecture, etc. Ethnic, linguistic, religious and cultural diversities are just a few kinds and dimensions of diversities and asymmetries that exist in contemporary societies. However, considering their social impacts, roles and importance in history—especially in the past two centuries—they can be considered to be important factors of social and historic developments. In many ways, ethnicity—as a specific social phenomenon and (political) concept, but especially as diverse and distinct collective entities that have emerged and evolved in specific historic circumstances (in Europe since the seventeenth century) into (modern) nations and developed their specific ethnic identities, ways of life and cultures—conditioned the elaboration, development and evolution of the concept of nation-states. This concept is built on the myth of ethnic homogeneity, which perceives
Ju n 20 05 Spatial Hypersurfaces in Causal Set Cosmology

Within the causal set approach to quantum gravity, a discrete analog of a spacelike region is an “antichain”, which is a set of unrelated elements. In the continuum spacetime approximation of the theory, a moment-of-time hypersurface is well represented by an “inextendible” antichain. We define a richer structure corresponding to a “thickening” of this antichain which contains nontrivial geometric and topological information. We find that covariant observables can be associated with such thickened antichains and transitions between them, within classical stochastic growth models of causal sets. This construction highlights the difference between the covariant measure on causal set cosmology and the standard sum-over-histories approach: the measure is assigned to completed histories, rather than to restricted spacetime regions. The resulting re-phrasing of the sum-over-histories formulation may be fruitful in other approaches to quantum gravity. Electronic address: smajor@hamilton.edu Electronic address: drideout@hamilton.edu Electronic address: ssurya@rri.res.in
Ultra low energy (ULE) implant dose and activation monitoring

This paper describes newly developed techniques to accurately measure the 4pp sheet resistance without the influences of probe penetration. Also, the electrically active surface dopant density (NSURF) is measured directly with a single non-penetrating, non-damaging and non-contaminating EM-probe. There are two types of EM-probes available; one for capacitance-voltage (CV) applications and the other for current-voltage (IV) applications. It was found that the EM-probe 4pp could measure source-drain extensions (SDE) structures and p/n ultra-shallow junction (USJ) structures. Conventional 4pp were found to be limited to about 30 to 40 nm and deeper. Variations in dose and sheet resistance reveal valuable information about the ion implantation and annealing processes which seems to be a powerful characterization tool.
Allopurinol attenuates oxidative stress and cardiac fibrosis in angiotensin II-induced cardiac diastolic dysfunction.

AIMS Oxidative stress and fibrosis is implicated in cardiac remodeling and failure. We tested whether allopurinol could decrease myocardial oxidative stress and attenuate cardiac fibrosis and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in angiotensin II (AngII)-induced hypertensive mice. METHODOLOGY We used 8-week-old male C57BL/6J mice, in which angiotensin II was subcutaneously infused for 4 weeks to mimic cardiac remodeling and fibrosis. They were treated with either normal saline or allopurinol in daily doses, which did not lower blood pressure. RESULTS Allopurinol improved diastolic dysfunction in angiotensin II-induced hypertensive mice, which was associated with the amelioration of cardiac fibrosis. However, allopurinol showed no effect on the increased systolic blood pressure by angiotensin II infusion. The ratio of reduced glutathione (GSH) to oxidized glutathione (GSSG) [GSH/GSSG] was decreased and malondialdehyde levels were increased in the hearts of AngII-treated mice. Allopurinol also inhibited both the decrease in the GSH/GSSG ratio and the increase in malondialdehyde levels in the heart. Infusion of AngII-induced upregulation of transfer growth factor (TGF)-β1, Smad3 expression and downregulation of Smad7 expression. Treatment with allopurinol reduced cardiac levels of TGF-β1, Smad3, and increased Smad7 expression. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that allopurinol prevents pathological remodeling of the heart in AngII-induced hypertensive mice. The antioxidative effect of allopurinol contributes to the regression of AngII-induced cardiac diastolic dysfunction. These effects of allopurinol to prevent cardiac fibrosis are mediated at least partly through modulation of the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway.
The Impact of Internet on China's Labor Market: Empirical Study Based on CFPS Data

More and more scholars get interested in the impact of informatization on labor markets.Using the data on using Internet from Chinese Family Panel Studies(CFPS) in 2008,this paper estimates the return of Internet using to workers' wage and incomes and compares the differences in the return of internet using between the workers in the urban and those in the rural areas.The findings show that regardless of age,gender,education,national groups,marital and health status,using internet can bring a contribution about 60% of the workers' income in general.However the return rate in the rural areas can be high to about 78%,while the return rate in urban area is relatively lower to about 38%. By using other variables of the internet using and the method of PSM,the findings are nearly the same.These findings all support that the conclusion that using internet can greatly raise the income level of workers,and especially to the workers in rural areas
A hybrid methodology of field-testing and simulation to develop tactical vehicle communication architectures with optimal performance

For years, antenna integration on tactical vehicles has been provided through field-test results and engineering experience. While this generally offers an adequate solution; test time, cost and schedule can often be reduced and better solutions can be obtained by incorporating computational electromagnetic (CEM) and cosite modeling into the antenna integration process. Modeling and simulation compliments field-testing in a hybrid approach. Analysis of extensive and complicated scenarios that are not easily field-testable can often be effectively simulated. Additionally, modeling allows for multiple variations of a test scenario to expand the solution space and show causal relationships between test entities (antenna-to-antenna or antenna-to-platform). This type of analysis can be used to answer "what-if" questions, thus providing new insight into test results. On the other hand, electromagnetic and cosite modeling is not a stand-alone practice. Field-testing is a critical component to the hybrid approach in that it incorporates the totality of a system in the testing process. In many cases the models may be simplified or given more detail based on collected field-test data. Field-testing also plays an important role in model validation and is extremely valuable as the final proof of the integrated solution. The hybrid approach of field-testing and simulation has been successfully applied to several army platform communication system integration projects. These projects will be used as examples to illustrate the important advantages of using the hybrid technique
Hand-Held Mobile Augmented Reality for Collaborative Problem Solving: A Case Study with Sorting

Due to the advances in mobile technology, mobile augmented reality has been widely used for many disciplines. The ubiquity nature of mobile augmented reality supports a flexible, engaging and entertaining learning environment. However, most mobile devices are hand-held, and they require multitasking (mobile information processing and learning) that is a major hurdle for learning. This paper investigates the effects of multitasking of hand-held mobile augmented reality for problem solving. We design and implement a robust framework, and conduct a case study of sorting activities with two distinct groups: individual and collaborative pair settings. Experimental results demonstrate that 1) there is no significant difference between two groups in sorting without our proposed system, 2) there is a significant improvement with collaborative sorting with our proposed system. Test statistics confirm that our proposed system significantly improve collaborative pair sorting activities.
Requirement of Specific Intrahelical Interactions for Stabilizing the Inactive Conformation of Glycoprotein Hormone Receptors*

Systematic analysis of structural changes induced by activating mutations has been frequently utilized to study activation mechanisms of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). In the thyrotropin receptor and the lutropin receptor (LHR), a large number of naturally occurring mutations leading to constitutive receptor activation were identified. Saturating mutagenesis studies of a highly conserved Asp in the junction of the third intracellular loop and transmembrane domain 6 suggested a participation of this anionic residue in a salt bridge stabilizing the inactive receptor conformation. However, substitution of all conserved cationic residues at the cytoplasmic receptor surface did not support this hypothesis. Asp/Glu residues are a common motif at the N-terminal ends of α-helices terminating and stabilizing the helical structure (helix capping). Since Asp/Glu residues in the third intracellular loop/transmembrane domain 6 junction are not only preserved in glycoprotein hormone receptors but also in other GPCRs we speculated that this residue probably participates in an N-terminal helix-capping structure. Poly-Ala stretches are known to form and stabilize α-helices. Herein, we show that the function of the highly conserved Asp can be mimicked by poly-Ala substitutions in the LHR and thyrotropin receptor. CD and NMR studies of peptides derived from the juxtamembrane portion of the LHR confirmed the helix extension by the poly-Ala substitution and provided further evidence for an involvement of Asp in a helix-capping structure. Our data implicate that in addition to well established interhelical interactions the inactive conformation of GPCRs is also stabilized by specific intrahelical structures.
Influence of anxiety and reported stressful life events on relapses in multiple sclerosis: a prospective study

Objective Self-reported stressful life events and infections have been associated with relapses in multiple sclerosis. Also, anxiety has been reported to influence other diseases of unpredictable course. To study relation of self-reported stressful life events, levels of anxiety, and episodes of infection, with relapses of the disease in women with multiple sclerosis. Methods This is a one-year prospective study. Thirty seven women with multiple sclerosis were regularly seen every four weeks, for one year. They were keeping diaries of events they considered stressful. These events were ranked according to the Holmes and Rahe Social Readjustment Rating Scale. Their anxiety levels were assessed with the Hamilton rating scale for anxiety. Relapses and episodes of infection were verified at additional visits. Results were studied using a survival analysis model adapted for several recurrent events. Results A total of 291 stressful events, 37 episodes of infection, and 48 relapses, were registered. High level of anxiety were stongly related to the number and the severity of reported stressful events during the preceding period and with the advent of a relapse in the following period (Hamilton score greater than 18 is associated with 4.2 times the rate of relapsing and three or more reported stressful events with 5.7 times the rate of relapsing). Conclusions Anxiety and self-reported stressful events may in fact be two measures of the same underlying emotional factor, which plays an important role on the course of the disease, in addition to episodes of infection.
A Box-Covering-Based Routing Algorithm for Large-Scale SDNs

A routing algorithm is the pivotal and core issue in network communication. Traditional networks often use distributed routing algorithms that lead to difficulties in controlling network routes and accessing information concerning global topology. A software-defined network (SDN) is a new network framework that separates the network control plane from the forwarding/data plane. SDNs can access global topology through SDN controllers and make forwarding decisions based on flow tables. In this paper, we propose a box-covering-based routing (BCR) algorithm using a renormalization method that is applied to research the fractal dimensions of large-scale networks. We divide the entire SDN network into some subnets using a box-covering method, find the shortest path in every subnet and between subnets, and embed the proposed BCR algorithm code inside the SDN controller. We then design a testbed based on the Ryu controller and the Mininet platform for this algorithm. The results show that the proposed BCR algorithm has good low-latency performance and is suitable for a large-scale SDN.
Do OECD countries cheat with their national tax revenue forecasts

Nowadays, a solid budget serves as an important quality signal for the electorate. Therefore, politicians might face an incentive to influence tax revenue forecasts which are widely regarded as a key element for budget setups. Looking at the time period from 1996 to 2012, we systematically analyze whether national tax revenue forecasts in 18 OECD countries are biased through political distortions. Based on several theoretical approaches drawn from the theories of political economy, we test four hypotheses using panel estimation techniques. We find strong support for partisan politics. Left governments seem to overestimate tax revenues more than right ones to satisfy their electorate with additional expenditure plans. Contrary to the theoretical prediction based on the common pool problem, we find that more fragmented governments and parliaments tend to produce more pessimistic tax revenue forecasts. One reason might be that at least one of the incumbents will stay in office and will be part of the next government, too. We do not find empirical evidence for political business cycles or an influence of the reelection probability on tax revenue forecasts at all.
Cloning and sequencing of sakP encoding sakacin P, the bacteriocin produced by Lactobacillus sake LTH 673.

Sakacin P is a heat-stable, unmodified peptide bacteriocin produced by Lactobacillus sake LTH 673. The strain was isolated from fermented dry sausages and is well adapted to this habitat. The bacteriocin inhibits the growth of the opportunistic food pathogens Enterococcus faecalis and Listeria monocytogenes and therefore, it may improve the hygienic status of fermented food, i.e. meat products. Oligonucleotide probes were designed from the N-terminal amino acid sequence of sakacin P and used to identify sakP, the structural gene of sakacin P, on the chromosome of L. sake LTH 673. SakP was cloned into Escherichia coli NM554 and the nucleotide sequence of the gene and its adjacent regions were determined. Sakacin P appears to be synthesized as a prepeptide of 61 amino acids which is proteolytically processed to the mature bacteriocin consisting of 43 amino acids. Sequencing of the cloned fragment also revealed the presence of two other open reading frames orfX and orfY, which are located upstream and downstream of sakP, respectively, putatively encoding proteins of 52 and 98 amino acids, respectively. The functions of both ORFs remain unknown. Primer extension analysis revealed a promoter upstream of sakP. Two transcripts of approximately 0.35 and 1.0 kb were detected by Northern hybridization encoding either only sakP, or both sakP and orfY, respectively.
[Studies on the activity and immunohistochemistry of heme oxygenase in Schistosoma japonicum].

OBJECTIVE To explore the activity of heme oxygenase and immunolocate the enzyme in the adult worms of Schistosoma japonicum. METHODS Microsomal protein was isolated from the homogenate of adult S. japonicum, heme degradation and effect of different pH conditions and buffers on degrading reaction were investigated by incubating microsomal protein with hemin. The slices of whole worm and cells of S. japonicum were prepared, distribution of HO in schistosome was studied by immunofluorescent and alkaline phosphatase(AP)-immunocytochemical assays. RESULTS Microsomal protein of adult worms can degrade the heme in vitro, the activity being 56.7 nmol bilirubin/(mg.min). The optimal pH was 8.7. Immunofluorescent and AP-immunocytochemical assays revealed that the HO distributed dispersively in the worm, and located in cytoplasm. CONCLUSION The presence of HO was firstly proved in S. japonicum.
Role of Cyclin Kinase Inhibitor p21 in Systemic Autoimmunity1 2

The cyclin kinase inhibitor protein p21 affects multiple processes relevant to the immune system, including cell cycle progression, replicative senescence, hemopoietic stem cell quiescence, and apoptosis. Therefore, malfunction of this protein may be a contributor to the pathogenesis of systemic autoimmunity. Here, we report that mixed background p21-deficient 129/Sv × C57BL/6 mice showed increased in vitro and in vivo T cell cycling and activation, moderate hypergammaglobulinemia and, at low penetrance, anti-chromatin autoantibodies. Homeostatic anti-self MHC/peptide ligand-induced proliferation of p21-deficient T cells was also enhanced. However, lymphoid organ enlargement was very mild, presumably due to increased apoptosis of the rapidly dividing cells. Moreover, the older p21-deficient mice had kidney pathology representing a similar, but slightly more advanced, state than that seen in the control mice. The timing and severity of the above serologic, cellular, and histologic manifestations in p21-deficient mice were unaffected by gender. Thus, p21 deficiency significantly enhances T cell activation and homeostatic proliferation, and can induce mild autoimmune manifestations at a low incidence without gender bias, but does not in itself generate the full spectrum of lupus-like disease.
Serum Dioxin, Testosterone, and Gonadotropins in Veterans of Operation Ranch Hand

&NA; We studied whether exposure to Agent Orange and its contaminant, 2,3,7,8‐tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin (dioxin), during the Vietnam War is related to current testosterone, folliclestimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, or testicular abnormalities, sperm count, sperm abnormalities, or testicular volume. The index subjects were veterans of Operation Ranch Hand, the unit responsible for aerial herbicide spraying in Vietnam from 1962 to 1971. The referent cohort comprises Air Force veterans who served in Southeast Asia during the same period but were not involved with spraying herbicides. Referents were matched to Ranch Hands on date of birth, race, and military occupation. We found no consistent or meaningful association between serum dioxin levels and any of these outcome variables. (Epidemiology 1996;7:352‐357)