nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Biodiversity and ecological long term plots in Southern Patagonia to support sustainable land management: The case of PEBANPA network

Historically, interactions and trends between biodiversity, ecosystem function (EF) and land use practices in southern Patagonia (Argentina) have been largely undocumented and poorly understood. Since 2002, 1214 permanent and semi permanent plots within the PEBANPA Network have enabled researchers to monitor and assess functions and trends among vegetation parameters, biodiversity, forest dynamics, soil physicochemical characteristics, and land use management. The objectives of this manuscript are to communicate the role and rationale of the PEBANPA Network, summarize examples of the main results found within the network and provide guidance to decision makers with respect to advancing sustainable land management in southern Patagonia. As examples, rangeland health indices, seedling and sapling regeneration under different timber managed forests, litterfall and seeds production under silvopastoral use, and soil carbon content impacted by livestock grazing have all been assessed. Vegetation and environmental variables including soil respiration, soil water infiltration, soil water retention capacity, soil erosion, and litter cover were measured under different grazing intensities. Livestock and forestry production have caused changes in the original floristic patterns, with several areas experiencing desertification. Heavy stocking rates have caused the greatest impacts on grassland soil carbon (C) loss as a consequence of soil erosion. We were able to conclude that low medium grazing intensities yield the most positive impacts for biodiversity and soil physicochemical characteristics. Studies regarding levels of seedling and sapling regeneration post harvest of timber further supported the importance of long term monitoring due to the strongest evidence of interactions occurring 20 to 30 years after harvest. Distribution patterns of vascular plants and epigaeic coleopterons diversity revealed statistically significant differences among geographical zones and dominant vegetation types. The PEBANPA Network helps southern Patagonia address the challenges of unsustainable land management and climate change through monitoring ecosystem function and services. Long term monitoring of biodiversity and ecosystem function help decision makers better understand the impacts of land use practices, develop well informed policies and secure present and future human well being.
Selecting cost effective and policy relevant biological indicators for European monitoring of soil biodiversity and ecosystem function

Soils provide many ecosystem services that are ultimately dependent on the local diversity and belowground abundance of organisms. Soil biodiversity is affected negatively by many threats and there is a perceived policy requirement for the effective biological monitoring of soils at the European level. The aim of this study was to evaluate and recommend policy relevant, cost effective soil biological indicators for biodiversity and ecosystem function across Europe. A total of 18 potential indicators were selected using a logical sieve based approach. This paper considers the use of indicators from the 'top down' (i.e. concerned with the process of indicator selection) rather than from the 'bottom up' detail of how individual indicators perform at specific sites and with specific treatments. The indicators assessed a range of microbial, faunal and functional attributes, newer nucleic acids based techniques, morphological approaches and process based measurements. They were tested at 6 European experimental sites already in operation and chosen according to land use, climatic zone and differences in land management intensity. These were 4 arable sites, one each in Atlantic, Continental, Mediterranean and Pannonian climate zones, and 2 grassland sites, one each in Atlantic and Continental zones. At each site we sampled three replicated plots of contrasting management intensity and, while the treatments varied from site to site, their disturbance effects were quantified in terms of land use intensity. The field sampling and laboratory analysis were standardised through a combination of ISO protocols, or standard operating procedures if the former were not available. Sites were sampled twice, in autumn 2012 and spring or autumn 2013, with relative costs of the different indicators being determined each time. A breakdown of the cost effectiveness of the indicators showed the expected trade off between effort required in the field and effort required in the laboratory. All the indicators were able to differentiate between the sites but, as no single indicator was sensitive to all the differences in land use intensity, we suggest that an indicator programme should be based upon a suite of different indicators. For monitoring under the European climatic zones and land uses of this study, indicators for ecosystem functions related to the services of water regulation, C sequestration and nutrient provision would include a minimum suite of: earthworms; functional genes; and bait lamina. For effective monitoring of biodiversity all taxonomic groups would need to be addressed.
Measurements of Retinal Perfusion Using Laser Speckle Flowgraphy and Doppler Optical Coherence Tomography.
Venue: Investigative ophthalmology visual science

This study evaluated the validity of retinal perfusion measurements using laser speckle flowgraphy (LSFG) by means of in vitro experiments and direct comparison with dual beam Doppler optical coherence tomography (D OCT) in a healthy Caucasian population.  The flow velocity of scattering solution pumped through a glass capillary was measured at 17 different flow velocities (range, 0.5 47 mm/s) using LSFG. The flow within the glass capillary was produced by a computer controlled infusion pump. In vivo, three consecutive LSFG scans were obtained in 20 eyes of 20 healthy Caucasian subjects before and after pharmacological pupil dilation. Relative flow volume (RFV) the primary output parameter of LSFG, was comparatively validated relative to absolute measurements of retinal blood flow and velocity as obtained from D OCT.  In the in vitro experiments, RFV was found to saturate at a level of approximately 700 arbitrary units (au) or 23.5 mm/s of actual velocity. In vivo, RFV was in significant agreement with absolute blood flow measurements as obtained from D OCT in arteries (r 0.69, P 0.001) and veins (r 0.74, P 0.001) However, linear regression analysis revealed significant positive zero offset values for RFV of 223.4 and 282.7 au in arteries and veins, respectively.  Measurements of RFV were successfully obtainable, reproducible, and not influenced by pharmacological pupil dilation. Nevertheless, our data revealed flaws in the LSFG method of measuring retinal perfusion in Caucasians. Adjustment to the technique is required to address apparent issues with RFV, especially saturation effects with higher arterial flow rates. The present dataset may provide a valuable tool to do so. (Clinicaltrials.gov number NCT02582411)
Adaptive Fuzzy Tracking Control of Nonlinear Systems With Asymmetric Actuator Backlash Based on a New Smooth Inverse
Venue: IEEE Transactions on Cybernetics

This paper is concentrated on the problem of adaptive fuzzy tracking control for an uncertain nonlinear system whose actuator is encountered by the asymmetric backlash behavior. First, we propose a new smooth inverse model which can approximate the asymmetric actuator backlash arbitrarily. By applying it, two adaptive fuzzy control scenarios, namely, the compensation based control scheme and nonlinear decomposition based control scheme, are then developed successively. It is worth noticing that the first fuzzy controller exhibits a better tracking control performance, although it recourses to a known slope ratio of backlash nonlinearity. The second one further removes the restriction, and also gets a desirable control performance. By the strict Lyapunov argument, both adaptive fuzzy controllers guarantee that the output tracking error is convergent to an adjustable region of zero asymptotically, while all the signals remain semiglobally uniformly ultimately bounded. Lastly, two comparative simulations are conducted to verify the effectiveness of the proposed fuzzy controllers.
Adaptive dynamic surface error constrained control for MIMO systems with backlash like hysteresis via prediction error technique

In this paper, we are concerned with the problem of adaptive dynamic surface error constrained control for a class of nonlinear multiple input multiple output systems with unknown backlash like hysteresis nonlinearities. By transforming the tracking errors into new virtual error variables which are incorporated into the proposed prescribed performance control strategy, the prescribed steady state and transient performance can be ensured. Compared with the existing methods, we introduce the prediction error which is generated between the system state and the serial parallel estimation model to construct the adaptive laws for neural network weights. The proposed prediction error technique can be used to compensate the tracking error, which implies that a higher accuracy of the identified neural network model is achieved. It is shown that the proposed control approach can guarantee that all the signals of the resulting closed loop systems are bounded and the output tracks the desired trajectory, while the tracking error are confined all times within the prescribed bounds. Finally, a simulation example is provided to confirm the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Properties as Well as the Phenolic Content of the Extract from Hancornia speciosa Gomes
Venue: PloS one

Hancornia speciosa Gomes (Apocynaceae) is a fruit tree, popularly known as mangabeira, and it is widely distributed throughout Brazil. Several parts of the plant are used in folk medicine, and the leaf and bark extracts have anti inflammatory, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, and antimicrobial properties. In this study, we investigated the chemical composition of the ethanolic extract of Hancornia speciosa leaves (EEHS) and its antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic activities as well as the mechanisms involved in cell death. The chemical compounds were identified by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC MS/MS) The antioxidant activity of the EEHS was investigated using the method that involves the scavenging of 2,2 diphenyl 1 picrylhydrazyl free radicals as well as the inhibition of oxidative hemolysis and lipid peroxidation induced by 2,2' azobis (2 amidinopropane) in human erythrocytes. The antimicrobial activity was determined by calculating the minimum inhibitory concentration, minimum bactericidal concentration, minimum fungicidal concentration, and zone of inhibition. Kasumi 1 leukemic cells were used to assess the cytotoxic activity and mechanisms involved in cell death promoted by the EEHS. The chemical compounds identified were quinic acid, chlorogenic acid, catechin, rutin, isoquercitrin, kaempferol rutinoside, and catechin pentoside. The EEHS demonstrated antioxidant activity via the sequestration of free radicals, inhibition of hemolysis, and inhibition of lipid peroxidation in human erythrocytes incubated with an oxidizing agent. The antimicrobial activity was observed against American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) and hospital strains of bacteria and fungi, filamentous fungi and dermatophytes. The cytotoxic activity of the EEHS was induced by apoptosis, reduction of the mitochondrial membrane potential, and activation of cathepsins. Together, these results indicate the presence of phenolic compounds and flavonoids in the EEHS and that their antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic activities in acute myeloid leukemia cells are mediated by apoptosis.
Anti inflammatory activity of aqueous extract and bioactive compounds identified from the fruits of Hancornia speciosa Gomes (Apocynaceae)
Venue: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

BackgroundHancornia speciosa Gomes (Apocynaceae) popularly known as "mangabeira," has been used in folk medicine to treat inflammatory disorders, hypertension, dermatitis, diabetes, liver diseases and gastric disorders. Although the ethnobotany indicates that its fruits can be used for the treatment of ulcers and inflammatory disorders, only few studies have been conducted to prove such biological activities. This study investigated the anti inflammatory properties of the aqueous extract of the fruits of H. speciosa Gomes as well as its bioactive compounds using in vivo experimental models.MethodsThe bioactive compounds were identified by High Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with diode array detector (HPLC DAD) and Liquid Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrometry (LC MS) The anti inflammatory properties were investigated through in vivo tests, which comprised xylene induced ear edema, carrageenan induced peritonitis and zymosan induced air pouch. The levels of IL 1b, IL 6, IL 12 and TNF a were determined using ELISA.ResultsRutin and chlorogenic acid were identified in the extract as the main secondary metabolites. In addition, the extract as well as rutin and chlorogenic acid significantly inhibited the xilol induced ear edema and also reduced the cell migration in both carrageenan induced peritonitis and zymosan induced air pouch models. Reduced levels of cytokines were also observed.ConclusionThis is the first study that demonstrated the anti inflammatory activity of the extract of H. speciosa fruits against different inflammatory agents in animal models, suggesting that its bioactive molecules, especially rutin and chlorogenic acid are, at least in part, responsible for such activity. These findings support the widespread use of Hancornia speciosa in popular medicine and demonstrate that its aqueous extract has therapeutical potential for the development of herbal drugs with anti inflammatory properties.
Research On and Activities For Mathematically Gifted Students

The aim of this Topical Survey is to give a brief overview of the current state of research on and activities for mathematically gifted students around the world, being of interest to educational researchers, research mathematicians, mathematics teachers, teacher educators, curriculum designers, doctoral students, and other stakeholders. The focal topics include empirical, theoretical and methodological issues related to the following themes:  Mathematical Promise in Students of Various Ages; Pedagogy and Programs that contribute to the development of mathematical talent, gifts and passion; and Teacher Education. Current and historical research and suggestions for new research paths are included in each category.
Change in Poland but what change Assumptions of Law and Justice party foreign policy

The deep reform of the state announced by Law and Justice party (PiS) and its unquestioned leader, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, and presented as the "Good Change" to a great extent also influences foreign, especially European, policy. Though PiS's political project has been usually analysed in terms of its relation to the post 1989, so called 3rd Republic institutional political model and the results of the socio economic transformation of the last 25 years, there is no doubt that in its alternative concept for Poland, the perception of the world, Europe and Poland's place in it, plays a vital role. The "Good Change" concept implies the most far reaching reorientation in foreign policy in the last quarter of a century, which, at the level of policy declarations made by representatives of the government circles and their intellectual supporters implies the abandonment of a number of key assumptions that shaped not only policy but also the imagination of the Polish political elite and broad society as a whole after 1989.
Associations between depression and specific childhood experiences of abuse and neglect: A meta analysis.
Venue: Journal of affective disorders

Research documents a strong relationship between childhood maltreatment and depression. However, only few studies have examined the specific effects of various types of childhood abuse/neglect on depression. This meta analysis estimated the associations between depression and different types of childhood maltreatment (antipathy, neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and psychological abuse) assessed with the same measure, the Childhood Experience of Care and Abuse (CECA) interview.  A systematic search in scientific databases included use of CECA interview and strict clinical assessment for major depression as criteria. Our meta analysis utilized Cohen's d and relied on a random effects model.  The literature search yielded 12 primary studies (reduced from 44) with a total of 4372 participants and 34 coefficients. Separate meta analyses for each type of maltreatment revealed that psychological abuse and neglect were most strongly associated with the outcome of depression. Sexual abuse, although significant, was less strongly related. Furthermore, the effects of specific types of childhood maltreatment differed across adult and adolescent samples.  Our strict criteria for selecting the primary studies resulted in a small numbers of available studies. It restricted the analyses for various potential moderators.  This meta analysis addressed the differential effects of type of childhood maltreatment on major depression, partially explaining between study variance. The findings clearly highlight the potential impact of the more "silent" types of childhood maltreatment (other than physical and sexual abuse) on the development of depression.
Crystallization behavior of cubic boron nitride from an amorphous BN precursor via high pressure, high temperature treatment with controlled water addition

Crystallization behavior of cubic boron nitride (c BN) from amorphous boron nitride (a BN) by high pressure, high temperature (HP HT) treatment with the intentional addition of a controlled amount of water was studied. The a BN precursor was prepared by pyrolysis of a boric acid urea complex with urea/boric acid 2 at 1000 degC for 3 h under an ammonia atmosphere. Hexagonal BN (h BN) were initially crystallized from a BN containing 2 mass% of water after HP HT treatment at 7.7 GPa and 1200 degC, and the formation of c BN was observed after 5 min. The crystallization of c BN from a BN containing 8 mass% of water after HP HT treatment at 7.7 GPa and 1200 degC was observed even after 1 min, indicating that the crystallization of c BN was promoted by increasing the amount of water added. In addition, since neither h BN nor c BN was crystallized from a BN without intentional water addition after the same HP HT treatment, the addition of water promoted the crystallization of both h BN and c BN from a BN. Since no transformation from h BN to c BN was observed during HP HT treatment at 7.7 GPa and 1200 degC, it was concluded that c BN was directly crystallized from a BN. After HP HT treatment at 7.7 GPa and 1650 degC for 1 min, both h BN and c BN were crystallized from a BN containing 8 mass% of water. These results clearly indicate that the addition of water has a positive effect on crystallization of c BN from a BN.
Sozdanie novoi serii aneuploidnykh linii u khlopchatnika (Gossypium hirsutum L. s identifikatsiei otdel'nykh khromosom s pomoshch'iu translokatsionnykh i SSR markerov

The use of monosomic lines significantly increases the effectiveness of molecular genetic analysis and the development of superior quality breeding lines via substitutions by alien chromosomes. A complete set of aneuploid series for each cotton chromosome was required. Simple sequence repeats (SSR) have been applied as useful markers for understanding cotton genetics. Several DNA markers have already been assigned to the individual chromosomes of Gossypium hirsutum. The primary objective of this paper is to report the creation of new monosomic lines and the use of chromosome specific simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers and translocation lines for chromosome identification to confirm chromosome specificity of monosomic lines in the Uzbek collection. Here, we summarize data on the development of a monosomic stock collection of cotton (G. hirsutum L. from Uzbekistan, including the origin of 95 primary monosomics, their cytogenetic characteristics, morphological features and their identification by translocation tests and chromosome SSR markers. Our results indicated several different monosomic lines identified by chromosomes 2, 4, 6 and telosome 11 of the At subgenome and chromosomes 18 and 22 of the Dt subgenome, 22 monosomes were identified as duplicates of three monosomes (chromosomes 2, 4 and 6) Chromosome 4 of the At subgenome was recovered more frequently (18 times) than chromosome 2 of the At subgenome (4 times) and chromosome 6 of the At subgenome (3 times) during pollen irradiation at different doses and in the progeny of the desynaptic plants. These lines will be useful for molecular mapping and enhancement of Upland cotton.
Road Extraction From Very High Resolution Remote Sensing Optical Images Based on Texture Analysis and Beamlet Transform
Venue: IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Applied Earth Observations and Remote Sensing

Road extraction from very high resolution sensors is a very popular topic in panchromatic and multispectral remote sensing image analysis. Despite the vast number of methods proposed in the literature to deal with this problem, in practice, most are quite limited and do not account for geometric and radiometric variability. Our aim is to propose a novel road extraction approach able to efficiently extract roads and reduce computation time using texture analysis and multiscale reasoning based on the beamlet transform. The proposed methodology consists of two stages: 1) road edge candidate selection and 2) multiscale reasoning with the beamlet transform. In the first step, mathematical morphology is applied to distinguish rectilinear structures, and road edge candidates are identified using the Canny edge detector. In the second phase, multiscale reasoning using the beamlet transform allows local and global information to be combined. Global information is introduced to distinguish main road axes at coarser scales, and local segments in finer scales, which are aggregated to reconstruct the road network. Rules based on the spatial relationships between segments belonging to different levels of resolution are also introduced at this stage. The experiments are performed based on the images acquired from the city of Port au Prince in Haiti during the earthquake of January 2010. The results demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of our algorithm.
Hybrid network on chip architectures for accelerating deep learning kernels on heterogeneous manycore platforms
Venue: 2016 International Conference on Compliers, Architectures, and Sythesis of Embedded Systems (CASES)

In recent years, designing specialized manycore heterogeneous architectures for deep learning kernels has become an area of great interest. However, the typical on chip communication infrastructures employed on conventional manycore platforms are unable to handle both CPU and GPU communication requirements efficiently. Hence, in this paper, our aim is to enhance the performance of heterogeneous manycore architectures through the design of a hybrid NoC consisting of both wireline and wireless links. To this end, we specifically target the resource intensive backpropagation algorithm commonly used as the training method in deep learning. For backpropagation, the proposed hybrid NoC achieves 1.9x reduction in network latency and improves the network throughput by a factor of 2 with respect to a highly optimized mesh NoC. These network level improvements translate into 25% savings in full system energy delay product (EDP) This demonstrates the capability of the proposed hybrid and heterogeneous manycore architecture in accelerating deep learning kernels in an energy efficient manner.