Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Size-based insight into the structure and function of reef fish communities

What would reef fish communities look like without humans? Effective ecosystem management and conservation requires a clear understanding of community structure and the processes that drive it. Relatively undisturbed reef fish communities appear to be inverted biomass pyramids (IBPs) with greater biomass of large-bodied predatory fishes compared to smaller fishes at lower trophic-levels. However, the processes that might give rise to IBPs are subject to debate. In this thesis I show that biomass pyramids and size spectra are equivalent and interchangeable representations of community structure. Key constraints on the slopes of size spectra – particularly mean community predator-to-prey-mass ratio (PPMR) – also constrain the shapes of biomass pyramids, meaning that IBPs are unlikely for closed communities. There are surprisingly few quantitative descriptions of biomass pyramids, and PPMR has not been estimated on reefs. I undertook a detailed case-study and quantify fish community size-structure using underwater visual surveys and empirically estimate PPMR using stable isotopes at a relatively undisturbed island chain in Haida Gwaii, BC. I observe an IBP, but the PPMR estimate suggests that the community should be a stack or bottom-heavy. There is 4-5 times more biomass at the largest body-sizes than would be expected given observed PPMR. I hypothesise that the most plausible explanation is energetic subsidies. Using the same fish assemblage I show how two foundational components of habitat complexity (substrate rugosity and kelp canopy characteristics) shape fish community size-structure. Higher kelp canopy cover and density leads to more biomass across all size classes, whereas higher substrate rugosity boosts the biomass of smaller-bodied fishes and leads to a more even distribution of biomass across size classes. Finally, I step back to the global scale and estimate baseline biomass spectra for the world’s reef fishes, accounting for local ecological variation. Current reef fish biomass is less than half of the baseline expectation and 90% of the largest (> 1 kg), most functionally-important, individuals are absent. In addition to providing the first global description of how humans have shaped reef biomass pyramids, my thesis gives new insight into how size-based processes underlie the structure and function reef fish communities. keywords inverted biomass pyramids; ecological baselines; biomass size spectra; energetic subsidies; reef fish; kelp forests and coral reefs
Reindeer range inventory in western Alaska from computer-aided digital classification of LANDSAT data

An inventory of reindeer-range resources was conducted for the USDA Soil Conservation Service of 1.6 million hectares of wildlands in western Alaska using clustering techniques with digital Landsat data. Computer-aided digital analysis produced a provisional map of rangeland types which was used to design the field collection of vegetation and soil types data. This field data facilitated refinement of the inventory map and was used to describe the map units. The informational classes important to range resources were wet, moist and alpine tundra, tidal marsh, brush and open spruce forest. A significant feature of the study was the extraction of acreage figures by administrative boundaries within the study area. In addition to soil and vegetation association map products (at scales of 1:250,000 and 1:63,360) acreage values were tallied from the digital data for each of the four grazing permit areas established by the Bureau of Land Management.
Domain discovery method for topological profile searches in protein structures.

We describe a method for automated domain discovery for topological profile searches in protein structures. The method is used in a system TOPStructure for fast prediction of CATH classification for protein structures (given as PDB files). It is important for profile searches in multi-domain proteins, for which the profile method by itself tends to perform poorly. We also present an O(C(n)k + nk(2)) time algorithm for this problem, compared to the O(C(n)k + (nk)(2)) time used by a trivial algorithm (where n is the length of the structure, k is the number of profiles and C(n) is the time needed to check for a presence of a given motif in a structure of length n). This method has been developed and is currently used for TOPS representations of protein structures and prediction of CATH classification, but may be applied to other graph-based representations of protein or RNA structures and/or other prediction problems. A protein structure prediction system incorporating the domain discovery method is available at http://bioinf.mii. lu.lv/tops/.
On Visualization, Screening, and Classification of Cell Cycle-Regulated Genes in Yeast

Weproposeanewandintegratedapproachforvisualization, screening, andpredictionofgenefunctionsusing microarray data, based on multidimensional scaling (MDS), nonlinear dimension reduction andwavelet transform (DWT). This approached is applied to analyze the cell cycle of yeast in Spellmanet al. [2]. (a) MDS
Compilation and critical review of GMPEs for the GEM-PEER Global GMPEs Project

SUMMARY: Ground-motion prediction equations (GMPEs) relate a ground-motion parameter (e.g. peak ground acceleration, PGA) to a set of explanatory variables describing the source, wave propagation path and site conditions. In the past five decades many hundreds of GMPEs for the prediction of PGA and linear elastic response spectral ordinates have been published. We discuss the pre-selection of GMPEs undertaken within the framework of the GEM-PEER Global GMPEs Project. The pre-selection criteria adopted were consistent with the current state-ofthe-art in ground-motion characterization and sought to retain only the most robust GMPEs. Consideration of broad tectonic regionalization (e.g. shallow crustal seismicity in tectonically-active areas, stable continental regions and subduction zones) was made but it was assumed (based on previous studies) that strong regional differences were not present within these tectonic classes. In total about thirty GMPEs were pre-selected for closer inspection and testing to obtain a final set of ground-motion models.
Variables

Tara ( Caesalpinia spinosa ) is an Andean legume which has an economic importance for their active substances and derivate products. However, there are not morphometric studies which allow characterizing populations to have genetic material for breeding or conservation programs. In the present study morphometric variables are analyzed to identify agro-morphological characteristics which permit differentiate populations. Ten variables of pod and seed from Yauyos and Ayacucho were analyzed; the comparison of means was evaluated using the Mann-Whitney. To determine the relationship between variables a Spearman correlation analysis between populations and taking in account the whole population was performed. According to these results, linear regression models were implemented. Finally, principal component analysis (PCA) was used to visualize patterns in the data. Of the ten variables studied, all showed significant differences (p < 0.01) except the large of the pod and the number of seeds per fruit
Parkfield earthquake: Stress-driven creep on a fault with spatially variable rate-and-state friction parameters

[1] We investigate the coseismic and postseismic deformation due to the M w 6.0 2004 Parkfield, California, earthquake. We produce coseismic and postseismic slip models by inverting data from an array of 14 continuous GPS stations from the SCIGN network. Kinematic inversions of postseismic GPS data over a time period of 3 years show that afterslip occurred in areas of low seismicity and low coseismic slip, predominantly at a depth of ~5 km. Inversions suggest that coseismic stress increases were relaxed by predominantly aseismic afterslip on a fault plane. The kinetics of afterslip is consistent with a velocity-strengthening friction generalized to include the case of infinitesimal velocities. We performed simulations of stress-driven creep using a numerical model that evaluates the time-dependent deformation due to coseismic stress changes in a viscoelastoplastic half-space. Starting with a coseismic slip distribution, we compute the time-dependent evolution of afterslip on a fault plane and the associated displacements at the GPS stations. Data are best explained by a rate-strengthening model with frictional parameter (a - b) = 7 x 10 -3 , at a high end of values observed in laboratory experiments. We also find that the geodetic moment due to creep is a factor of 100 greater than the cumulative seismic moment of aftershocks. The rate of aftershocks in the top 10 km of the seismogenic zone mirrors the kinetics of afterslip, suggesting that postearthquake seismicity is governed by loading from the nearby aseismic creep. The San Andreas fault around Parkfield is deduced to have large along-strike variations in rate-and-state frictional properties. Velocity strengthening areas may be responsible for the separation of the coseismic slip in two distinct asperities and for the ongoing aseismic creep occurring between the velocity-weakening patches after the 2004 rupture.
The Influence of Thermal Properties and Canopy- Intercepted Snow on Passive Microwave Transmissivity of a Scots Pine

While many microwave studies related to tree emission have been undertaken, a few have considered the effect of phenological change on the emission from coniferous trees. The permittivity of vegetation tissue is known to be influenced by water content, while the water content and phase is sensitive to temperature in particular at temperatures below freezing. In addition to temperature, canopy-intercepted snow might also modify the tree emission and transmissivity in the microwave range. In this paper, a season-long experiment was designed to quantify the effect of snow accumulation and temperature on the observed microwave transmissivity from tree. A ground-based, upward-pointing multifrequency radiometer was used to monitor the microwave emissivity of a single coniferous tree at a site in Northern Finland. Radiometer measurements were combined with measurements of the canopy-intercepted snow cover and tree skin temperature. This paper presents two important findings. First, the tree transmissivity was strongly correlated with tree skin temperature under subzero temperature conditions, but uncorrelated with skin temperature changes above freezing. Second, although the tree transmissivity was slightly affected by the snow accumulation on the tree canopy, the overall influence on tree emission was statistically insignificant in this paper.
Use of personal mobile devices to record patient data by Canadian emergency physicians and residents.

OBJECTIVE Use of personal mobile devices to record patient data appears to be increasing, but remains poorly studied. We sought to determine the extent and reasons that Canadian emergency physicians (EPs) and emergency medicine residents use personal mobile devices to record patient data in the emergency department (ED). METHODS A national survey was distributed to Canadian EPs and residents between 27/02/17 and 23/03/17. This captured demographics, frequency, and purpose of personal mobile device use to record patient data in the ED. It also asked about obtaining consent, security of information, implications for patient care, and knowledge of relevant regulations. RESULTS The response rate was 23.1% (406 participants). A third (31.5%) reported using personal mobile devices to record patient data. Most (78.1%) did so more than once a month, and 7.0% did so every shift. Reasons cited included beliefs that using personal mobile devices to record patient data improves care by consultants (36.7%), expedites care (31.3%), and advances medical education (32.8%). Consent was rarely or never documented and a minority of participants (10.9%) indicated they did not obtain consent. More than half of participants (53.2%) reported being unaware of applicable regulations. CONCLUSIONS This is the first Canadian study on the use of personal mobile devices to record patient data in the ED. Our findings demonstrate current practice may risk privacy breaches. Personal mobile device use to record patient data in the ED is common and Canadian EPs and residents believe that this practice enhances patient care.
A Finite-Time Control for a Pneumatic Cylinder Servo System Based on a Super-Twisting Extended State Observer

In this paper, a finite-time control is proposed based on an extended state observer (ESO) for a pneumatic cylinder servo system. First, an ESO is designed to estimate the friction and varying loads using a super-twisting algorithm. Then, a finite-time controller is designed using a power integrator technology to ensure stability and improve control performances of the pneumatic cylinder servo system. Furthermore, both the effectiveness of the proposed ESO and the finite-time convergence of the closed-loop system are accordingly proven. Finally, experimental results demonstrate that both the control precision and the response rapidity are improved by applying the developed techniques.
Students' Perception of Computer Based Test (CBT) for Examining Undergraduate Chemistry Courses

CBT has been seen as an alternative to the unmanageable population of undergraduate students in Nigerian universities. This notwithstanding, the peculiar nature of some courses hinders its total implementation. This study was conducted to investigate the students’ perception of CBT for undergraduate chemistry courses in University of Ilorin. To this end, it examined the potential for using student feedback in the validation of assessment. A convenience sample of 48 students who had taken test on CBT in chemistry was surveyed and questionnaire was used for data collection. Data analysis demonstrated an auspicious characteristics of the target context for the CBT implementation as majority (95.8%) of students said they were competent with the use of computers and 75% saying their computer anxiety was only mild or low but notwithstanding they have not fully accepted the testing mode with only 29.2% in favour of it, due to the impaired validity of the test administration which they reported as being many erroneous chemical formulas, equations and structures in the test items even though they have nonetheless identified the achieved success the testing has made such as immediate scoring, fastness and transparency in marking. As quality of designed items improves and sufficient time is allotted according to the test difficulty, the test experience will become favourable for students and subsequently CBT will gain its validation in this particular context.
Underfunding of Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Benefit Guarantee Insurance: An Overview of Theory and Evidence

I review the theoretical literature on defined-benefit pension plans, particularly focusing on the issue of plan underfunding and benefit guarantee insurance schemes. Under reasonable assumptions underfunding can be an equilibrium outcome even in the absence of benefit insurance. The introduction of benefit guarantee funds was a reaction to the problem of underfunding, and I summarize the ensuing problems of moral hazard and adverse selection. I then discuss the still rather small body of empirical research on the subject and propose directions for future research.
ATVB In Focus Immunity and Atherosclerosis

A number of studies have shown activation of the immune system throughout various stages of atherosclerosis. Recent observations have suggested that activation of immune responses may promote atherosclerosis on one hand by inducing and perpetuating arterial inflammation, whereas on the other hand, selective activation of certain immune functions may inhibit atherosclerosis and arterial inflammation. These observations suggest the possibility that selective suppression of proatherogenic immune responses or selective activation of antiatherogenic immune responses may provide new approaches for atherosclerosis prevention and treatment. Several antigens activating immune responses affecting development of atherosclerosis have been identified. These immune responses may be modulated by presenting the antigens together with different types of adjuvants as well as through the route of administration. In this review, we summarize recent experimental studies using immunomodulatory approaches for treatment of atherosclerosis. (Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2005;25:18-28.)
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current advertisement on the radio says that a new diagnostic tool, electron beam tomography (EBT, a scanner that is much more rapid and capable of showing more detail than the better-known CT scanner), can detect lung cancer in its early stages, thereby possibly increasing the survival rate for this common form of cancer from 14 percent to 80 percent over a period of five years (Heart Check America n.d
What is the difference? Evidence on the distribution of wealth, health, life expectancy, and health insurance coverage

There is a literature of long standing that considers the relationship between income and differentials in mortality and morbidity, but information on differentials over the distribution of accumulated wealth have been far more scarce and subject to measurement problems. This paper provides evidence from the Survey of Consumer Finances, which is designed as a survey of wealth, on the distribution of wealth and income and how those distributions have shifted in recent years. Particular attention is paid to the distribution of wealth across minority groups and across age groups. The paper also examines the relationship between wealth and health status, life expectancy, and health insurance coverage. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Making a Spectacle of Yourself: The Effect of Glasses and Sunglasses on Face Perception

We investigated the effect of wearing glasses and sunglasses on the perception of social traits from faces and on face matching. Participants rated images of people wearing no glasses, glasses and sunglasses on three social traits (trustworthiness, competence and attractiveness). Wearing sunglasses reduced ratings of trustworthiness. Participants also performed a matching task (telling whether two images show the same person or not) with pairs of images both wearing no glasses, glasses or sunglasses, and all combinations of eyewear. Incongruent eyewear conditions (e.g., one image wearing glasses and the other wearing sunglasses, etc.) reduced performance. Further analysis comparing performance on congruent and incongruent eyewear trials showed that our effects were driven by match trial performance, where differences in eyewear decreased accuracy. For same-eyewear-condition pairs, performance was poorer for pairs of images both wearing sunglasses than no glasses. Our results extend and update previous research on the effect of eyewear on face perception.
Revitalization of the historical parks and gardens.

Introduction Historical parks and gardens are very important historical resources which hold social, cultural and political historical evidence. They have been created to fulfill the requirements of fashion and the understanding of parks and gardens as recreational areas for the determined period of time. “As a direct correlation of expression among human and nature, gardens are obtaining a global significance and are a testimony of culture, style, period and the originality of an artist. The landscape of Latvia, with the development of Riga, countryside castles and manors, and small towns, has become abundant with historical gardens; continuous, professional maintenance and recognition of their value are most important in their preservation. Historical gardens, parks and city garden areas are significant components of Latvian cultural heritage, which maintenance by the future generations is necessary to the interests of society of Latvia and Europe” [8]. Over time, historical territories might lose their characteristics due to changes of functions, new constructions or ecological issues. As regards the preservation and maintenance of historical parks and gardens, usually terms such as restoration, renovation and reconstruction are used. These concepts involve activities which differ in their objectives and results though their everyday applications may overlap.
Simultaneous measurement of the B 0 meson lifetime and mixing frequency with B 0 →D* - ℓ + v ℓ decays

We measure the B 0 lifetime t B 0 and the B 0 - B¯ 0 oscillation frequency D m d with a sample of approximately 14000 exclusively reconstructed B 0 ! D * 2 , 1 n , signal events, selected from 23 million BB¯ pairs recorded at the Y (4 S ) resonance with the BABAR detector at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center. The decay position of the other B is determined with the remaining tracks in the event, and its b -quark ﬂavor at the time of decay is determined with a tagging algorithm that exploits the correlation between the ﬂavor of the b quark and the charges of its decay products. The lifetime and oscillation frequencies are measured simultaneously with an unbinned maximum-likelihood ﬁt that uses, for each event, the measured difference in decay times of the two B mesons ( D t ), the calculated uncertainty on D t , the signal and background probabilities, and b -quark tagging information for the other B . The results are t B 0 5 (1.523 2 0.023 1 0.024 6 0.022) ps and D m d 5 (0.492 6 0.018 6 0.013) ps 2 1 . The statistical correlation coefﬁcient between t B 0 and D m d is 2 0.22.
Atlas of Meteorites

A complete visual reference for meteorite classification, this atlas combines high resolution optical microscope images with detailed descriptions. It provides a systematic account of meteorites and their most important classification parameters, making it an essential resource for meteorite researchers. Each chapter starts with a description of the meteorite class, with a summary of the mineralogical, chemical and isotopic characteristics of the group. The full-color images are taken in plane- and cross-polarized light and reflected light, and arranged to highlight textural variations in meteorites. Specimens are grouped to show the effects of increasing thermal alteration and shock, as well as variations in chondrule size and type. Chapters on iron meteorites, pallasites and mesosiderites are included, photographed as mounts in reflected light, to show the range of textural variations that accompany these meteorites. Images from the book can be downloaded from www.cambridge. org/9780521840354.