Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Investigation of the applicability of dielectric relaxation properties of amino acid solutions within the resonant recognition model

The resonant recognition model (RRM) is a physicomathematical approach used to analyze the interactions of a protein and its target, using digital signal processing methods. The RRM is based on the finding that there is a significant correlation between the spectra of numerical presentation of protein sequences and their biological activities. Initially, the electron-ion interaction potential was used to represent each amino acid in the protein sequences. In this paper, the dielectric constant (/spl epsiv/') and dielectric loss tangent (tan /spl delta/) parameters have been determined for their possible use in the RRM. These parameters are based on the values of capacitance and conductance obtained experimentally for 20 amino acid solutions using dielectric spectroscopy for the case of the real component of dielectric permittivity; the parameter used is the dielectric increment (/spl Delta//spl epsiv/'), the difference between dielectric constant of the amino acid solution and that of the solvent alone. The results of multiple cross-spectral analyses have shown that parameters analyzed generate in the consensus spectrum one dominant peak corresponding to the common biological activity of proteins studied, allowing the conclusion that these new parameters are suitable for use in the RRM approach.
Napping in English preschool children, and the association with parents’ attitudes

Background: Age-independent variability in children’s napping duration may be influenced by parental preference and attitudes, and children’s availability or lack of opportunity to nap. This study examined English preschool children’s napping duration, frequency and location, and the association of daily nap duration with parents’ attitudes towards napping. Methods: Parents of 3-year-old children in deprived and non-deprived areas of a town in North-East England were interviewed about their attitudes towards child napping, and completed 4-day/5-night sleep diaries documenting their children’s daytime and
Power and bit allocation for link adaptation in MIMO-OFDM wireless systems

This work deals with a power and bit allocation algorithm applied to MIMO-OFDM systems. Particularly, the V-BLAST transceiver structure is envisaged as a potential candidate for such approach. Simulation results show that the clever allocation of resources (power and transmission modes) in accordance to the channel represents a great improvement in the performance of the system in terms of goodput.
Fully Nonparametric Regression for Bounded Data Using Dependent Bernstein Polynomials

ABSTRACT We propose a novel class of probability models for sets of predictor-dependent probability distributions with bounded domain. The proposal extends the Dirichlet–Bernstein prior for single density estimation, by using dependent stick-breaking processes. A general model class and two simplified versions are discussed in detail. Appealing theoretical properties such as continuity, association structure, marginal distribution, large support, and consistency of the posterior distribution are established for all models. The behavior of the models is illustrated using simulated and real-life data. The simulated data are also used to compare the proposed methodology to existing methods. Supplementary materials for this article are available online.
The contribution of electronic communication media to the design process: communicative and cultural implications

Innovation in a company's design process is increasingly a matter of cooperation between the company and its customers. New information and communication technology (ICT) possibilities such as electronic communication (EC) media generate even more opportunities for companies to collaborate with customers during the early stages of research and development. This exploratory study examined the design process of five Dutch firms and the cultural and communicative implications of cooperation in the design process between the supplier and the customer using EC media. We found that the selected use of EC media for communication between R&D and customers has a positive effect on the design process. We also discovered that the characteristics of the most suitable EC media depend on the design activity and that the corporate and professional cultures of both the company and its customers involved in the cooperation seem to affect the communication media used. Finally, the future use of new ICT in the design area is discussed.
Implementation of strategic green orientation in supply chain

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a research model that defines the inter‐relationships between strategic green orientation, integrated product development, supply chain coordination, green performance outcomes and business unit performance. This paper aims to address innovation issues by integrating strategic orientation, internal business practices, supply chain coordination, and performance outcomes measures.Design/methodology/approach – The international data of 711 firms accessed through the International Manufacturing Strategy Survey (IMSS IV) are used to validate this model.Findings – A firm's strategic green orientation involves past green practices, implementation of innovative environment improvement program and future commitment for environmental practices. This strategic green orientation is supported by a set of inter‐organizational innovation practices such as integrated product development practices, effective coordination of supply chain network and relevant and measurable .
Time Series Momentum and Market Stability

We propose a continuous-time heterogeneous agent model consisting of fundamental, momentum, and contrarian traders to explain the significant time series momentum. We show that the market under-reacts in short-run and overreacts in long-run when momentum traders dominate the market, which provides profit opportunity for time series momentum strategies with short-time horizons and reversal with long-time horizons. We find momentum strategies with short horizons stabilise the market while the effect becomes opposite with longer horizons. The results provide an insight into the profitability of time series momentum documented in recent empirical studies.
Glutamate, Glutamate Receptors, and Downstream Signaling Pathways

Glutamate is a nonessential amino acid, a major bioenergetic substrate for proliferating normal and neoplastic cells, and an excitatory neurotransmitter that is actively involved in biosynthetic, bioenergetic, metabolic, and oncogenic signaling pathways. Glutamate signaling activates a family of receptors consisting of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) and ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs), both of which have been implicated in chronic disabling brain disorders such as Schizophrenia and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and multiple sclerosis. In this review, we discuss the structural and functional relationship of mGluRs and iGluRs and their downstream signaling pathways. The three groups of mGluRs, the associated second messenger systems, and subsequent activation of PI3K/Akt, MAPK, NFkB, PLC, and Ca/CaM signaling systems will be discussed in detail. The current state of human mGluR1a as one of the most important isoforms of Group I-mGluRs will be highlighted. The lack of studies on the human orthologues of mGluRs family will be outlined. We conclude that upon further study, human glutamate-initiated signaling pathways may provide novel therapeutic opportunities for a variety of non-malignant and malignant human diseases.
Power and DOA Estimation for Array Processing with DFP and BFGS Algorithm

To increase the capacity of mobile communications, it is important to accurately estimate the power and the directions of arrival (DOA) of sources. An efficient algorithm is proposed for this purpose with Davidon Fletcher Powell (DFP) and Broyden Fletcher Goldfarb Shanno (BFGS) algorithm. To estimate DOA and power of sources, the method optimizes the DOA and power parameters of a cost function simultaneously with DFP&BFGS Algorithm. The simulation results show that the proposed algorithm can simultaneously estimate the DOA and powers of signals accurately.
The Ccr4-Not Complex Independently Controls both Msn2-Dependent Transcriptional Activation—via a Newly Identified Glc7/Bud14 Type I Protein Phosphatase Module—and TFIID Promoter Distribution

ABSTRACT The Ccr4-Not complex is a conserved global regulator of gene expression, which serves as a regulatory platform that senses and/or transmits nutrient and stress signals to various downstream effectors. Presumed effectors of this complex in yeast are TFIID, a general transcription factor that associates with the core promoter, and Msn2, a key transcription factor that regulates expression of stress-responsive element (STRE)-controlled genes. Here we show that the constitutively high level of STRE-driven expression in ccr4-not mutants results from two independent effects. Accordingly, loss of Ccr4-Not function causes a dramatic Msn2-independent redistribution of TFIID on promoters with a particular bias for STRE-controlled over ribosomal protein gene promoters. In parallel, loss of Ccr4-Not complex function results in an alteration of the posttranslational modification status of Msn2, which depends on the type 1 protein phosphatase Glc7 and its newly identified subunit Bud14. Tests of epistasis as well as transcriptional analyses of Bud14-dependent transcription support a model in which the Ccr4-Not complex prevents activation of Msn2 via inhibition of the Bud14/Glc7 module in exponentially growing cells. Thus, increased activity of STRE genes in ccr4-not mutants may result from both altered general distribution of TFIID and unscheduled activation of Msn2.
Determinants of Stock Price Movement in Nigeria: (Evidence from the Nigerian Stock Exchange)

Stock prices serve as the basis for the assessment of whether a firm is breaking even or not. These prices are relevant metrics of returns to stakeholders, therefore the value attached to them matters so much to both existing and prospective investors in the capital market. This study thus examined by a means of robust analysis, factors that determine stock price movement in Nigeria for the period 2001 – 2011. Data were sourced from the financial statements of 99 listed firms in the Nigerian Stock Exchange. The analysis of the data sourced was done with the Ordinary Least Square (OLS) method. The results suggest that earnings per share, book value per share and dividend cover serve as factors in the determination of stock prices. The results of the study thus calls for recommendation that the government and policy makers in Nigeria should implement more stringent rules, backed up by legislations that will enhance the information reported in the financial statements of firms listed on the Nigeria Stock Exchange as well as compelling listed firms to adopt IFRS. Also, the accounting information reported in the capital market should constantly reposition itself in response to changing expectations. This implies that it should be viewed as an open system and in other words, feedback both from within and outside its environment should drive the constant repositioning of accounting information. Keywords: Earnings Per Share; Dividend Per Share; Book Value Per Share; Stock Market;
Megacity ozone air quality under four alternative future scenarios

The impact of the megacities of the world on global tropospheric ozone, and conversely, the extent to which megacities are influenced by emissions of ozone precursors from outside of the megacities is examined under the four alternative RCP ("Representative Concentration Pathway") emissions scenarios. Despite accounting for about 6% of present-day anthropogenic emissions of ozone precursor species, the contribution of emissions from megacities to global tropospheric ozone is calculated to be 0.84%. By 2100 this contribution falls to between 0.18% and 0.62% depending on the scenario, with the lower value being for the most-polluting of the four future emissions scenarios due to stringent controls on ozone precursor emissions from highly populated areas combined with a stronger tropospheric background ozone field. The higher end of this range is from the least-polluting of the four emissions scenarios, due to lower background tropospheric ozone combined with the use of a simpler downscaling methodology in the construction of the scenario, which results in higher emissions from megacities. Although the absolute impact of megacities on global ozone is small, an important result of this study is that under all future scenarios, future air quality in megacities is expected to be less influenced by local emissions within the cities, but instead more influenced by emission sources outside of the cities, with mixing ratios of background ozone projected to play an increasing role in megacity air quality throughout the 21st century. Assumptions made when downscaling the emissions scenarios onto the grids used in such modelling studies can have a large influence on these results; future generations of emissions scenarios should include spatially explicit representations or urban development suitable for air quality studies using global chemical transport models. © 2012 Author(s).
A Commentary on Short Questionnaires for Assessing Usability

Usability is an important aspect of any interactive system, but only one aspect leading to its success. Thus, when evaluating a system, it is useful to have short questionnaires that can lead to reliable, sensitiveandvalidmeasuresofusability.Inthiscommentary,Idiscusstwopapersthataimtodevelop two such measures: one is for a four-item usability metric and the other a single-item usability.Whilst care is taken in both cases to produce suitable metrics, the processes have flaws that influence the value of these metrics. The underlying problem seems to lie with the application of psychometric methods when there are better methods available in this context. Even allowing for this, in the end there remains the problem of construct validity that undermines any such efforts.
State Fiscal Crises: Are Rapid Spending Increases to Blame?

During recessions, state governments frequently face substantial midyear budget shortfalls. Numerous states are now experiencing such crises again. These fiscal crises are often blamed on the cyclical decline in revenue growth or reductions in federal aid. Others have suggested that enacting rapid spending increases during expansionary years - rather than using the revenue windfalls for tax cuts or increases in rainy day funds - may be an important contributing factor to those budget shortfalls. Using data from the 2001 recession, we find support for that "overspending" hypothesis. While neither the mere presence nor the size of a rainy day fund were significant predictors of fiscal stress, faster increases in spending are positively and significantly associated with fiscal stress. When rainy day funds work, it is the strength of their withdrawal rules that matter. These results have important implications for fiscal policy choices. States that restrain spending growth during expansionary years and implement strong rainy day fund withdrawal rules are likely to face less severe fiscal crises during recessions.
On the security of location determination and verification methods for wireless networks

Location awareness in wireless networks could improve existing security systems. Access control or intrusion detection mechanisms would greatly benefit if reliable location information of connected devices was available. This article describes and classifies relevant location determination and location verification approaches. Further on, it validates their applicability, performance and security properties in the aspect of their possible integration into security relevant systems.
Calreticulin reveals a critical Ca2+ checkpoint in cardiac myofibrillogenesis

Calreticulin (crt) is an ubiquitously expressed and multifunctional Ca2+-binding protein that regulates diverse vital cell functions, including Ca2+ storage in the ER and protein folding. Calreticulin deficiency in mice is lethal in utero due to defects in heart development and function. Herein, we used crt − / − embryonic stem (ES) cells differentiated in vitro into cardiac cells to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying heart failure of knockout embryos. After 8 d of differentiation, beating areas were prominent in ES-derived wild-type (wt) embryoid bodies (EBs), but not in ES-derived crt − / − EBs, despite normal expression levels of cardiac transcription factors. Crt − / − EBs exhibited a severe decrease in expression and a lack of phosphorylation of ventricular myosin light chain 2 (MLC2v), resulting in an impaired organization of myofibrils. Crt − / − phenotype could be recreated in wt cells by chelating extracellular or cytoplasmic Ca2+ with EGTA or BAPTA, or by inhibiting Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinases (CaMKs). An imposed ionomycin-triggered cystolic-free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]c) elevation restored the expression, phosphorylation, and insertion of MLC2v into sarcomeric structures and in turn the myofibrillogenesis. The transcription factor myocyte enhancer factor C2 failed to accumulate into nuclei of crt − / − cardiac cells in the absence of ionomycin-triggered [Ca2+]c increase. We conclude that the absence of calreticulin interferes with myofibril formation. Most importantly, calreticulin deficiency revealed the importance of a Ca2+-dependent checkpoint critical for early events during cardiac myofibrillogenesis.
Mean–Variance Hedging

Suppose discounted asset prices in a financial market are given by a P-semimartingale S. Mean–variance hedging is the problem of approximating, with minimal mean-squared error, a given payoff by the final value of a self-financing trading strategy. Mean–variance portfolio selection consists of finding a self-financing strategy whose final value has maximal mean and minimal variance. In both cases, this leads to projecting a random variable in L2(P) onto a space of stochastic integrals of S, and, apart from proving closedness of that space, the main difficulty is to find more explicit descriptions of the optimal integrand. Both problems have a wide range of applications, and many examples and solution techniques can be found in the literature. Nevertheless, challenging open questions still remain. Keywords: hedging; portfolio choice; quadratic criterion; variance-optimal martingale measure; mean– variance trade-off; linear– quadratic stochastic control; backward stochastic differential equations
Epitaxial growth of Cu(In, Ga)Se2 on GaAs(110)

Epitaxial Cu(In, Ga)Se2 (CIGS) films were grown on (110)-oriented GaAs substrates using a hybrid sputtering and evaporation process. The morphological and structural properties were determined by scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, x-ray diffraction, and electron backscatter diffraction. Pronounced faceting was observed on the surfaces of the films and Ga diffusion was observed at higher growth temperatures from the substrates into the films. The (220)/(204) surface of CIGS was found to be unstable under the growth conditions. The resulting surface consists entirely of {112} type facets with no observable (220)/(204)-oriented surfaces. The epitaxial temperature for the (220)/(204) layers is considerably lower than that on any other surface tested and is attributed to the reduced diffusion distance required for adatoms to reach growth sites. The surface is proposed to grow by rapid nucleation and gradual growth of Se terminated steps across Se terminated surface terraces. This causes the.
Large centric diatoms allocate more cellular nitrogen to photosynthesis to counter slower RUBISCO turnover rates

Diatoms contribute ~40% of primary production in the modern ocean and encompass the largest cell size range of any phytoplankton group. Diatom cell size influences their nutrient uptake, photosynthetic light capture, carbon export efficiency, and growth responses to increasing pCO2. We therefore examined nitrogen resource allocations to the key protein complexes mediating photosynthesis across six marine centric diatoms, spanning 5 orders of magnitude in cell volume, under past, current and predicted future pCO2 levels, in balanced growth under nitrogen repletion. Membrane bound photosynthetic protein concentrations declined with cell volume in parallel with cellular concentrations of total protein, total nitrogen and chlorophyll. Larger diatom species, however, allocated a greater fraction (by 3.5 fold) of their total cellular nitrogen to the soluble RUBISCO carbon fixation complex than did smaller species. Carbon assimilation per unit of RUBISCO large subunit (C RbcL-1 s-1) decreased with cell volume, from ~8 to ~2 C RbcL-1 s-1 from the smallest to the largest cells. Whilst a higher allocation of cellular nitrogen to RUBISCO in larger cells increases the burden upon their nitrogen metabolism, the higher RUBISCO allocation buffers their lower achieved RUBISCO turnover rate to enable larger diatoms to maintain carbon assimilation rates per total protein comparable to small diatoms. Individual species responded to increased pCO2, but cell size effects outweigh pCO2 responses across the diatom species size range examined. In large diatoms a higher nitrogen cost for RUBISCO exacerbates the higher nitrogen requirements associated with light absorption, so the metabolic cost to maintain photosynthesis is a cell size-dependent trait.
An Access Point-Based FEC Mechanism for Video Transmission Over Wireless LANs

Forward Error Correction (FEC) is one of the most common means of performing packet error recovery in data transmissions. FEC schemes typically tune the FEC rate in accordance with feedback information provided by the receiver. However, the feedback and FEC rate calculation processes inevitably have a finite duration, and thus the FEC rate implemented at the sender may not accurately reflect the current state of the network. Thus, this paper proposes an Enhanced Random Early Detection Forward Error Correction (ERED-FEC) mechanism to improve the quality of video transmissions over Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs). In contrast to most FEC schemes, the FEC redundancy rate is calculated directly at the Access Point (AP). Moreover, the redundancy rate is tuned in accordance with both the wireless channel condition (as indicated by the number of packet retransmissions) and the network traffic load (as indicated by the AP queue length). The experimental results show that the proposed ERED-FEC mechanism achieves a significant improvement in the video quality compared to existing FEC schemes without introducing an excessive number of redundant packets into the network.