Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Utility Calculating Map Gridding User Recruitment Task Publishing Model Map Gridding Model User Recruitment Model Utility Calculating Model Sensing Targets Map Gridded User UtilityTask Requesters

Mobile crowdsensing recruits a group of mobile users to cooperatively perform a common sensing job with their smart devices. As a special issue, photo crowdsensing allows users to utilize the built-in cameras of mobile devices to take photos for an event or a target. Then, the photos can be used in numerous application areas, such as target reconstruction, scenario reduction and so on. Therefore, photo crowdsensing has attracted considerable attention recently due to the rich information that can be provided by images. In this paper, we focus on using the photos to make reconstructions for the specific targets. Furthermore, we develop a user recruitment system for efficient photo collecting in mobile crowdsensing (RSMC), where the task requesters publish a sensing task to the users, and the map is gridded according to the locations of the sensing targets. Then, we use a semi-Markov model to calculate the user’s utility for the sensing task. Finally, a user recruitment strategy is devised to recruit the optimal k users for finishing the sensing task. We conduct extensive simulations based on three widely used realworld traces: roma/taxi, epfl and geolife. The results show that compared with other recruitment strategies, RSMC takes the largest number of efficient photos for the sensing task.
AGRICULTURAL POLICY RESEARCH IN SOUTH AFRICA: CHALLENGES FOR THE FUTURE

In an earlier paper (Vink, 1993) an attempt was made to provide a view of the changing policy environment for agriculture in South Africa and of the policy based research that supported those changes, and to propose an agenda for further research. The purpose in this paper is to revisit the 1993 agenda, thus the paper is organised around the original items on that agenda. Progress in each of the identified areas is assessed, and some thoughts are provided about its relevance today. This discussion is used as a basis for a new agenda for policy research in agriculture.
Synthesis of New bis 1- and 5-Substituted 1H-Tetrazoles via Huisgen-Type 1,3-Dipolar Cycloadditions

The synthesis and characterization of one symmetrical bis-1-substituted-1H-tetrazole (69%) via a Huisgen-type 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition, as well as, one symmetrical aza-linked bis-5-substituted-1H-tetrazole (57%) via a classic Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition followed by a reductive aza-coupling under greener reaction conditions are described. The main reason behind these tetrazole-based ligands is to construct novel Metal-Organic Framework (MOF) architectures to evaluate their CO2 capture properties under relative humidity conditions. It is worthy to note that both herein reported products have not been synthesized nor isolated, anywhere. Besides, the synthesis of new ligands to fabricate novel MOFs with potential application in environmental remediation has become a highly valued field of opportunity for synthetic chemists and materials engineers.
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome ( POTS ) : Diagnosis and Management

DOI: 10.21276/sjams.2017. 5.12. 49 Abstract: Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is multifactorial clinical syndrome poorly understood but important cause of orthostatic intolerance resulting from cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction. It‘s defined by an excessive increase in heart rate with assumption of upright posture without orthostatic hypotension. Individuals affected by POTS are mainly young (aged between 15 years and 40 years) and predominantly female. Many overlapping pathophysiologies are behind POTS, including an autonomic neuropathy in the lower body, hypovolemia, hyperadrenergic states, mast cell activation and autoantibodies. Clinically, it‘s form of chronic orthostatic intolerance associated with a > 6-month history of symptoms (palpitations, dizziness and occasionally syncope) that are relieved by recumbence. POTS have similarities to a number of other disorders, e.g., chronic fatigue syndrome, EhlersDanlos Syndrome, vasovagal syncope, and inappropriate sinus tachycardia. We aim in this article to review the characteristics of POTS and outline possible pathophysiological mechanisms of this syndrome, as well as current and investigational treatments.
Dynamic price jumps: The performance of high frequency tests and measures, and the robustness of inference

This paper provides an extensive evaluation of high frequency jump tests and measures, in the context of using such tests and measures in the estimation of dynamic models for asset price jumps. Specifically, we investigate: i) the power of alternative tests to detect individual price jumps, most notably in the presence of volatility jumps; ii) the frequency with which sequences of dynamic jumps are correctly identified; iii) the accuracy with which the magnitude and sign of a sequence of jumps, including small clusters of consecutive jumps, are estimated; and iv) the robustness of inference about dynamic jumps to test and measure design. Substantial differences are discerned in the performance of alternative methods in certain dimensions, with inference being sensitive to these differences in some cases. Accounting for measurement error when using measures constructed from high frequency data to conduct inference on dynamic jump models is also shown to have an impact. The sensitivity of inference to test and measurement construction is documented using both artificially generated data and empirical data on both the S&P500 stock index and the IBM stock price. The paper concludes by providing guidelines for empirical researchers who wish to exploit high frequency data when drawing conclusions regarding dynamic jump processes.
Modal verbs in basque and head-movement

* I am very grateful . to Itziar Laka, Howard Lasnik, Jon Ortiz de Urbina, Juan Uriagereka and Myriam Uribe-Etxebarria for interesting comments and discussion. This research has been economically supported by afellowship from the Department of Education, Universities and Investigation of the Basque Government. (1) I v.rilllimit the exa~ples to the verb nahi (want); however, the same basic facts hold, with some slight differences, of other verbs like behar (have to), ahal (can), ezin (cannot),. (2) Following former works in the literature, I adopt the following conventions: A = Absolutive case; D = Dative case; E = Ergative case; PL = Plural number. -TZEA stands for the infinitival affix. As is well known, Basque inflection shows Agreement not orily with subjects but also with objects and indirect objects. This agreement is represented by assigning a number for the person (1 = first person, . 4 = first person plwal, . ) followed by the case to which it corresponds.
GazeVR: A Toolkit for Developing Gaze Interactive Applications in VR/AR

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 GazeVR: A Toolkit for Developing Gaze Interactive Applications in VR/AR Anonymous Author(s)
Evaluation of stress and acclimation to new environments , procedures or equipment in Göttingen Minipigs using behavioral and physiological stress indicators

Introduction Swine, including domestic farm breeds and miniature breeds, are increasingly utilized in biomedical research because of similar anatomical and physiological traits to humans. Despite the benefits of swine models, specific accommodations have been made to work with laboratory swine due to their particular social, behavioral and husbandry needs. It is well established that swine are highly social and intelligent animals that require substrate for successful behavioral management because of their hard-wired rooting behavior (Ellegaard et al. 2010; Grandin 2014; Panepinto 2014). Therefore, if the swine model is being used as a dermatologic or surgical model, the research/veterinary group must make thoughtful considerations to prevent irritation, bleeding or infection of the wound site. Single-housing on slatted hard flooring without substrate may have been the standard alternative to maintain the integrity of a wound care dressing and bandage. However, barren enclosures, single housing and hard surfaces without substrate do not provide cushion, thermoregulation, rooting or social opportunities (Grandin 1986, 2014, 2015, 2016; Panepinto 1986, 2001, 2009, 2014, 2015, 2016; Smith and Swindle 2006). To that end, it is important that animal welfare and behavioral studies are conducted to assess an animal’s wellbeing within the specifications set forth by a research environment. This paper describes a collaborative effort of animal vendors, equipment manufacturers, researchers, veterinarians and swine behaviorists in developing a protective jacket for swine which will endure manipulation, be easy to apply and remove by handlers, minimize stress, and provide comfort. We believe that this team approach of consulting experts in the field ensures the highest standard of care for our research animals.
New national and regional bryophyte records, 25

Marion Island: (1) stream at the eastern foot of Repetto’s Hill, 46° 50 9 400 S, 37° 459 05 0 E, 100–180 m alt. , on bare moist soil on denuded slopes, forming extensive almost monospecific patches, occasionally with an admixture of Plagiochila heterodonta, 29 April 1999, Ochyra & V.R. Smith 2474/99 & 2485/99 (KRAM); (2) in the spring area of Van den Boogaard River at south-eastern foot of Tafelberg, 46° 53 9 250 S, 37° 489 40 0 E, 380 m alt. , on wet bare earth on the steep bank of the river near the waterfall, with a small admixture of Bartramia patens and Brachythecium austrosalebrosum, 13 April 1999, Ochyra & V.R. Smith 865/99 (KRAM); (3) between Tafelberg and First Red Hill, 46° 53 9 30 0 S, 37° 47 9 500 E, 450 m alt. , on moist pocket of soil between boulders of grey lava rocks intermixed with Philonotis tenuis and with smaller admixture of Philonotis scabrifolia and Plagiochila heterodonta, 13 April 1999, Ochyra & V.R. Smith 893/99 & 896/99 (KRAM). A pan-south-temperate species, widely distributed but generally scattered in the Nothofagus zone along the western fringes of South America from central Chile to Tierra del Fuego, and infrequent on the Falkland Islands, in South Africa, south-eastern Australia, on Tasmania and in New Zealand and its offshore islands, then extending southwards to the Subantarctic as well as to the maritime Antarctic, and deeply penetrating into the tropics along the high elevations of the Andes north to Venezuela, reaching its highest elevation of 4500 m in Colombia (Ochyra & Newton, 1985; Ochyra, 1998). In the Subantarctic, A. cardotii has so far been known to be relatively frequent on South Georgia (Newton, 1977) and Macquarie Island (Selkirk, Seppelt & Selkirk, 1990) and very rare on Îles Kerguelen (Ochyra & Newton, 1985), but the latter archipelago is bryologically very under-investigated. On Marion Island in the Kerguelen Province of the Subantarctic A. cardotii is a rare and widely scattered species. Marion plants frequently produce spherical tubers but they are entirely sterile as is the case with South Georgian and Kerguelen material. In the Subantarctic, this species is known to produce sporophytes abundantly only on Macquarie Island (Bergstrom & Selkirk, 1987). 2. Cephaloziella dentata (Raddi) Steph.
Improving soil moisture and runoff simulations at 3 km over Europe using land surface data assimilation

Abstract. Accurate and reliable hydrologic simulations are important for many applications such as water resources management, future water availability projections and predictions of extreme events. However, the accuracy of water balance estimates is limited by the lack of large-scale observations, model simulation uncertainties and biases related to errors in model structure and uncertain inputs (e.g., hydrologic parameters and atmospheric forcings). The availability of long-term and global remotely sensed soil moisture offers the opportunity to improve model estimates through data assimilation with complete spatiotemporal coverage. In this study, we assimilated the European Space Agency (ESA) Climate Change Initiative (CCI) derived soil moisture (SM) information to improve the estimation of continental-scale soil moisture and runoff. The assimilation experiment was conducted over a time period 2000–2006 with the Community Land Model, version 3.5 (CLM3.5), integrated with the Parallel Data Assimilation Framework (PDAF) at a spatial resolution of 0.0275∘ (∼3 km) over Europe. The model was forced with the high-resolution reanalysis COSMO-REA6 from the Hans Ertel Centre for Weather Research (HErZ). The performance of assimilation was assessed against open-loop model simulations and cross-validated with independent ESA CCI-derived soil moisture (CCI-SM) and gridded runoff observations. Our results showed improved estimates of soil moisture, particularly in the summer and autumn seasons when cross-validated with independent CCI-SM observations. The assimilation experiment results also showed overall improvements in runoff, although some regions were degraded, especially in central Europe. The results demonstrated the potential of assimilating satellite soil moisture observations to produce downscaled and improved high-resolution soil moisture and runoff simulations at the continental scale, which is useful for water resources assessment and monitoring.
Are Eastern European Taylor Reaction Functions Asymmetric in Inflation or Output? Empirical Evidence for Four Countries

Do central banks in Eastern European countries react asymmetrically and in a nonlinear fashion to changes in inflation and output? We address this question by expanding the standard Taylor reaction function for the four inflation-targeting countries Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Romania. We do so by taking explicitly inflation rates below or above target and output below or above potential, the so-called state of the economy, into account. The results reveal that there are indeed substantial asymmetries in the reaction function of the Czech, Polish, and Romanian central banks, which are only evident when the combination of inflation and output thresholds is explicitly modeled in one estimation equation. For these three central banks, nonlinearities in the inflation and output response also could be verified.
The Feasibility of Picture-Based Insurance (PBI): Smartphone Pictures for Affordable Crop Insurance

This paper describes and tests the feasibility of Picture-Based Crop Insurance (PBI), a new way to deliver affordable and easy-to-understand insurance. Under PBI, loss assessments are based on damage visible from a time-series of pictures taken by the farmer using regular smartphones. PBI aims at boosting uptake, trust, and understanding of insurance by reducing basis risk as well as costs of and delays in loss assessment, and by engaging farmers to participate directly, with one s own pictures being more tangible than other indices. Results from a pilot implementation in the rice-wheat belt of India speak to PBI being a feasible and valuable alternative to existing insurance products. Damage is visible from smartphone pictures, farmers can take pictures of sufficient quality for loss assessment, and PBI helps reduce severe downside basis risk at minimal cost. Acknowledgement : We gratefully acknowledge Braulio Britos and Matt Krupoff for excellent research assistance; and Azad Mishra, Siddhesh Karekar, Dr. Mann S. Toor, Koen Hufkens, Michael Mann, and Eli Melaas. We received valuable suggestions from participants at G ttingen University, PARM K-Sharing and Learning Workshop; IPA s 3rd Annual Researcher Gathering on Financial Inclusion and Social Protection; CEAR Academic Pre-Conference in Microinsurance; and the Regional Dialogue on The Role of Agricultural Research in the Design, Implementation, and Evaluation of Agricultural Insurance. Funding support was provided by the CGIAR Research Program on Policies, Institutions, and Markets (PIM) and the International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie).
NLRC5 negatively regulates LTA‐induced inflammation via TLR2/NF‐κB and participates in TLR2‐mediated allergic airway inflammation

NLRC5, the largest member of the Nod‐like receptor (NLR) family, has been reported to play a pivotal role in regulating inflammatory responses. Recent evidence suggests that NLRC5 participates in Toll‐like receptor (TLR) signaling pathways and negatively modulates nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) activation. In this study, we investigated the interaction between NLRC5 and TLR2 in the NF‐κB inflammatory signaling pathway and the involvement of NLRC5 in TLR2‐mediated allergic airway inflammation. We knocked down TLR2 and NLRC5, respectively in the RAW264.7 macrophage cell line by small interfering RNA (siRNA) and then stimulated the knockdown cells with lipoteichoic acid (LTA). In comparison with the negative siRNA group, the level of NLRC5 expression was lower in the TLR2 siRNA group, with a reduction in the NF‐κB‐related inflammatory response. Conversely, in the NLRC5 knockdown cells, after LTA‐treated the level of TLR2 expression did not change but the expression levels of both NF‐κB pp65 and NLRP3 increased remarkably. Thus, we hypothesize that NLRC5 participates in the LTA‐induced inflammatory signaling pathway and regulates the inflammation via TLR2/NF‐κB. Similarly, in subsequent in vivo experiments, we demonstrated that the expression level of NLRC5 was significantly increased in the ovalbumin‐induced allergic airway inflammation. However, this effect disappeared in TLR2‐deficient (TLR2 −/−) mice and was accompanied by reduced levels of NF‐κB expression and airway inflammation. In conclusion, NLRC5 negatively regulates LTA‐induced inflammatory response via a TLR2/NF‐κB pathway in macrophages and also participates in TLR2‐mediated allergic airway inflammation.
The road to lysosome‐related organelles: Insights from Hermansky‐Pudlak syndrome and other rare diseases

Lysosome‐related organelles (LROs) comprise a diverse group of cell type‐specific, membrane‐bound subcellular organelles that derive at least in part from the endolysosomal system but that have unique contents, morphologies and functions to support specific physiological roles. They include: melanosomes that provide pigment to our eyes and skin; alpha and dense granules in platelets, and lytic granules in cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells, which release effectors to regulate hemostasis and immunity; and distinct classes of lamellar bodies in lung epithelial cells and keratinocytes that support lung plasticity and skin lubrication. The formation, maturation and/or secretion of subsets of LROs are dysfunctional or entirely absent in a number of hereditary syndromic disorders, including in particular the Hermansky‐Pudlak syndromes. This review provides a comprehensive overview of LROs in humans and model organisms and presents our current understanding of how the products of genes that are defective in heritable diseases impact their formation, motility and ultimate secretion.
Sexual Relationship Power and Safe Sex Communication Among Partnered Women in the Dominican Republic

Introduction: Research is needed to identify influences on safe sex communication among specific culture groups. This study aimed to (1) describe sexual behaviors and indicators of sexual power among partnered Dominican women and (2) identify which of these indicators are significantly associated with safe sex communication. Methodology: Cross-sectional surveys, grounded in the theory of gender and power, were conducted with 100 partnered women at a clinic in southeastern Dominican Republic. Linear regression modeling was used to identify significant associations. Results: Self-efficacy (β = 0.48), total personal monthly income (β = 0.21), and history of sexually transmitted infection (β = 0.19) were significantly associated with higher level of partner safe sex communication. Discussion: Nurse clinicians, educators, and researchers should consider self-efficacy, personal income, and history of sexually transmitted infection when addressing communication in HIV prevention efforts among Dominican women.
Orthogonal chemical functionalization of patterned Au/TiW substrate for selective immobilization of nanoparticles

The evolution of nanobiosensors stresses the need for multi-material nanopatterned surfaces to enhance sensing performances. Titanium tungsten (TiW) has been mastered and routinely implemented in nanoelectronic devices, in a reproducible way and at industrial production scales. Such a material may be envisioned for use in (bio)chemical nanoelectronic sensors, but the surface functionalization of such material has yet to be studied. In the present article, the orthogonal chemical functionalization of patterned Au on TiW substrates has been explored for the first time. Surface functionalizations were assessed by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, polarization modulation infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry imaging. Au/TiW patterned substrates were functionalized with mercapto-undecamine. Thanks to the orthogonality of thiol/Au versus phosphonic acid/TiW reactions, only the Au features were modified leading to the amine derivatized surface. This allowed for the localizing of carboxy-functionalized nanoparticles by electrostatic interaction on Au with a selectivity above 10 when compared to TiW.
A Case Series of Staphylococcus lugdunensis Infection in Cancer Patients at an Academic Cancer Institute in the United States

Background Staphylococcus lugdunensis is a coagulase-negative staphylococcus (CoNS) that is a part of the normal human skin flora. Even though it belongs to CoNS family, it can cause severe and destructive infections in a similar fashion to Staphylococcus aureus. Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI), bacteremia and endocarditis are amongst the most common clinical presentations. Diagnosis and clinical presentation of infections caused by S. lugdunensis in cancer patients is limited. Materials and Methods We performed a retrospective chart review of 24 patients who had cultures positive for S. lugdunensis. Out of 24 patients, 14 patients were diagnosed with a true infection and 10 other patients were considered to be colonized with this pathogen. We analyzed clinical manifestation, treatment and response to therapy. Results SSTI was the most common presentation in our study patients. All patients diagnosed with SSTI had a prior surgery or an invasive procedure at the affected site. Five urinary tract infections (UTIs), one catheter-associated bloodstream infection, and a deep pelvic abscess were other reported infections in our study. We observed that S. lugdunensis remains susceptible to a variety of antibiotics, with all isolates susceptible to vancomycin and linezolid and most remain susceptible to fluoroquinolone and trimethoprim/ sulfamethoxazole. All 14 patients received antibiotics and improved. Conclusion In our case series, SSTI was common and diagnosed in 50% of the patients with clinically significant isolates for S. lugdunensis. This is consistent with prior studies indicating that S. lugdunensis is a significant pathogen in SSTIs. UTI was the second most common infection type in our patient population.