Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Role for MyD88 Signaling in Murine Gammaherpesvirus 68 Latency

ABSTRACT Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are known predominantly for their role in activating the innate immune response. Recently, TLR signaling via MyD88 has been reported to play an important function in development of a B-cell response. Since B cells are a major latency reservoir for murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (MHV68), we investigated the role of TLR signaling in the establishment and maintenance of MHV68 latency in vivo. Mice deficient in MyD88 (MyD88−/−) or TLR3 (TLR3−/−) were infected with MHV68. Analysis of splenocytes recovered at day 16 postinfection from MyD88−/− mice compared to those from wild-type control mice revealed a lower frequency of (i) activated B cells, (ii) germinal-center B cells, and (iii) class-switched B cells. Accompanying this substantial defect in the B-cell response was an approximately 10-fold decrease in the establishment of splenic latency. In contrast, no defect in viral latency was observed in TLR3−/− mice. Analysis of MHV68-specific antibody responses also demonstrated a substantial decrease in the kinetics of the response in MyD88−/− mice. Analysis of wild-type × MyD88−/− mixed-bone-marrow chimeric mice demonstrated that there is a selective failure of MyD88−/− B cells to participate in germinal-center reactions as well as to become activated and undergo class switching. In addition, while MHV68 established latency efficiently in the MyD88-sufficient B cells, there was again a ca. 10-fold reduction in the frequency of MyD88−/− B cells harboring latent MHV68. This phenotype indicates that MyD88 is important for the establishment of MHV68 latency and is directly related to the role of MyD88 in the generation of a B-cell response. Furthermore, the generation of a B-cell response to MHV68 was intrinsic to B cells and was independent of the interleukin-1 receptor, a cytokine receptor that also signals through MyD88. These data provide evidence for a unique role for MyD88 in the establishment of MHV68 latency.
Firm Heterogeneity and the Long-Run Effects of Dividend Tax Reform

To study the long-run effect of dividend taxation on aggregate capital accumulation, we build a dynamic general equilibrium model in which there is a continuum of firms subject to idiosyncratic productivity shocks. We find that a dividend tax cut raises aggregate productivity by reducing the frictions in the reallocation of capital across firms. Our baseline model simulations show that when both dividend and capital gains tax rates are cut from 25 and 20 percent, respectively, to the same 15 percent level permanently, the aggregate long-run capital stock increases by about 4 percent.
Scholarship @ GEORGETOWN LAW Scholarship @ GEORGETOWN LAW

: Darwin‘s (1871) observation that evolution has produced in us certain emotions responding to right and wrong conduct that lack any obvious basis in individual utility is a useful springboard from which to clarify the role of emotion in moral judgment. The problem is whether a certain class of moral judgments is ―constituted‖ or ―driven by‖ emotion (Greene 2008, p. 108) or merely correlated with emotion while being generated by unconscious computations (e.g., Huebner et al. 2008). With one exception, all of the ―personal‖ vignettes devised by Greene and colleagues (2001, 2004) and subsequently used by other researchers (e.g., Koenigs et al. 2007) in their fMRI and behavioral studies of emotional engagement in moral judgment involve violent crimes or torts. These studies thus do much more than highlight the role of emotion in moral judgment; they also support the classical rationalist thesis that moral rules are engraved in the mind.
Seasonal Climate of the Tropical Atlantic Sector in the NCAR Community Climate System Model 3: Error Structure and Probable Causes of Errors

The Community Climate System Model version 3 (CCSM3) has a dipolelike pattern with a cold bias in the northern Tropics and a warm bias in the southeastern Tropics, which is reminiscent of the observed pattern of climate variability in boreal spring. Along the equator, in contrast, in boreal spring CCSM3 exhibits striking westerly winds with easterly winds in the upper troposphere, in turn reminiscent of the observed pattern of climate variability in boreal summer. The westerly winds cause a deepening of the eastern thermocline that keeps the east warm despite enhanced coastal upwelling. Thus, the bias in the seasonal cycle of the coupled model appears to project at least partially onto the spatial patterns of natural climate variability in this sector. Information about the origin of the bias in CCSM3 is deduced from a comparison of CCSM3 with a simulation using specified historical SST to force the Community Atmospheric Model version 3 (CAM3). The patterns of bias in CAM3 resemble those apparent in CCSM3, including the appearance of substantially intensified subtropical bands of sea level pressure (SLP), indicating that the problem may be traced to difficulties in the atmospheric component model. Positive SLP bias also appears in the western tropical region, which may be related to deficient Amazonian precipitation. The positive SLP bias seems to be the cause of the anomalous westerly trade winds in boreal spring, and those in turn appear to be responsible for the anomalous deepening of the thermocline in the southeastern Tropics.
Exploring interpersonal recognition as a facilitator of students’ academic and professional identity formation in higher education

ABSTRACT A large body of work shows that the development of students’ academic and professional identity positively predicts achievement in higher education. Despite this, there is also evidence that students have great difficulty developing both types of identity. Drawing from Honneth’s [2003a. Behovet for anerkendelse. En tekstsamling [The Need for Personal Recognition. A Text Collection. Redigeret af Rasmus Willig. København: Hans Reitzels Forlag; Honneth, A. 1992 [2006]. Kamp om anerkendelse [The Struggle for Recognition]. København: Hans Reitzels Forlag] work on the importance of recognition, we examined the perceived barriers to forming an academic and professional identity in a qualitative study among 26 Danish and 11 Australian university students. The results reveal that while both types of identity formations were contingent on different forms of recognition, there was also evidence that students perceived all three forms of interpersonal recognition (respect, solidarity, empathy) beneficial in forming academic and professional identity. More specifically, students needed interpersonal recognition as a response to validate an academic identity, and also as a creating source for developing a professional identity. Lacking social interaction possibilities with educators hindered recognition and students’ identity formations.
Electronic Customer Relationship Management (eCRM): Opportunities and Challenges in a Digital World

Electronic customer relationship management (eCRM) is seen to arise from the consolidation of traditional CRM with the e-business applications marketplace and has created a flurry of activity among companies. eCRM is the proverbial double-edged sword, presenting both opportunities and challenges for companies considering its adoption and implementation. This paper explores the marketing opportunities eCRM creates for companies such as enhanced customer interactions and relationships as well as personalisation options, all of which are potential sources of competitive advantage. It also explores the challenges confronting companies implementing eCRM such as managing an on-line channel, data integration issues and information technology (IT) architecture challenges. Directions for future research are also suggested.
Blind equalization of frequency-selective channels by sequential importance sampling

This paper introduces a novel blind equalization algorithm for frequency-selective channels based on a Bayesian formulation of the problem and the sequential importance sampling (SIS) technique. SIS methods rely on building a Monte Carlo (MC) representation of the probability distribution of interest that consists of a set of samples (usually called particles) and associated weights computed recursively in time. We elaborate on this principle to derive blind sequential algorithms that perform maximum a posteriori (MAP) symbol detection without explicit estimation of the channel parameters. In particular, we start with a basic algorithm that only requires the a priori knowledge of the model order of the channel, but we subsequently relax this assumption and investigate novel procedures to handle model order uncertainty as well. The bit error rate (BER) performance of the proposed Bayesian equalizers is evaluated and compared with that of other equalizers through computer simulations.
Certificateless Remote Anonymous Authentication Schemes for WirelessBody Area Networks

Wireless body area network (WBAN) has been recognized as one of the promising wireless sensor technologies for improving healthcare service, thanks to its capability of seamlessly and continuously exchanging medical information in real time. However, the lack of a clear in-depth defense line in such a new networking paradigm would make its potential users worry about the leakage of their private information, especially to those unauthenticated or even malicious adversaries. In this paper, we present a pair of efficient and light-weight authentication protocols to enable remote WBAN users to anonymously enjoy healthcare service. In particular, our authentication protocols are rooted with a novel certificateless signature (CLS) scheme, which is computational, efficient, and provably secure against existential forgery on adaptively chosen message attack in the random oracle model. Also, our designs ensure that application or service providers have no privilege to disclose the real identities of users. Even the network manager, which serves as private key generator in the authentication protocols, is prevented from impersonating legitimate users. The performance of our designs is evaluated through both theoretic analysis and experimental simulations, and the comparative studies demonstrate that they outperform the existing schemes in terms of better trade-off between desirable security properties and computational overhead, nicely meeting the needs of WBANs.
Support Theory for Preconditioning

We present support theory, a set of techniques for bounding extreme eigenvalues and condition numbers for matrix pencils. Our intended application of support theory is to enable proving condition number bounds for preconditioners for symmetric, positive definite systems. One key feature sets our approach apart from most other works: We use support numbers instead of generalized eigenvalues. Although closely related, we believe support numbers are more convenient to work with algebraically. This paper provides the theoretical foundation of support theory and describes a set of analytical tools and techniques. For example, we present a new theorem for bounding support numbers (generalized eigenvalues) where the matrices have a known factorization (not necessarily square or triangular). This result generalizes earlier results based on graph theory. We demonstrate the utility of this approach by a simple example: block Jacobi preconditioning on a model problem. Also, our analysis of a new class of preconditioners, maximum-weight basis preconditioners, in [E. G. Boman, D. Chen, B. Hendrickson, and S. Toledo, Numer. Linear Algebra Appl. , to appear] is based on results contained in this paper.
Star formation history of galaxies from z = 0 to z = 0.7 : A backward approach to the evolution of star-forming galaxies

Aims. We investigate whether the mean star formation activity of star-forming galaxies from $z=0$ to $z=0.7$ in the GOODS-S field can be reproduced by simple evolution models of these systems. In this case, such models might be used as first-order references for studies at higher z to decipher when and to what extent a secular evolution is sufficient to explain the star formation history in galaxies. Methods. We selected star-forming galaxies at $z=0$ and at $z=0.7$ in IR and in UV to have access to all the recent star formation. We focused on galaxies with a stellar mass ranging between 10 10 and $10^{11}~M_{\odot}$ for which the results are not biased by the selections. We compared the data to chemical evolution models developed for spiral galaxies and originally built to reproduce the main characteristics of the Milky Way and nearby spirals without fine-tuning them for the present analysis. Results. We find a shallow decrease in the specific star formation rate (SSFR) when the stellar mass increases. The evolution of the SSFR characterizing both UV and IR selected galaxies from $z=0$ to $z=0.7$ is consistent with the models built to reproduce the present spiral galaxies. There is no need to strongly modify of the physical conditions in galaxies to explain the average evolution of their star formation from $z=0$ to $z=0.7$. We use the models to predict the evolution of the star formation rate and the metallicity on a wider range of redshift and we compare these predictions with the results of semi-analytical models.
Acquisition of vigilance in Kannada-English speaking children : A pilot study

Vigilance refers to the readiness to respond to a stimulus. It requires observer to maintain and remain alert to specified stimuli for prolonged periods of time. This study was designed to investigate differences if any, in performance on vigilance task in children across different age groups and gender in the Indian context. Forty healthy children from four age groups (3-5; 5-7; 7-9; 9-11 years) completed a vigilance task of 15 minutes duration using Cognispeed software. The reported indices included vigilance scores i.e., average recognition frequency (%) and mean reaction time (msec) across age and gender. Results showed a significant increase in vigilance scores as age increased and no significant gender differences. Higher vigilance scores were obtained for older children compared to younger children. The mean reaction time decreased with increasing age. No differences were observed across gender of participants. This study provided age specific distributions of vigilance performance and findings are consistent with the hypothesis that cognitive inhibition develops during the primary school years.
Robust H∞ Filtering for Lipschitz Nonlinear Systems via Multiobjective Optimization

In this paper, a new method of H filtering for Lipschitz nonlinear systems is proposed in the form of an LMI optimization problem. The proposed filter has guaranteed decay rate (exponential convergence) and is robust against unknown exogenous disturbance. In addition, thanks to the linearity of the proposed LMIs in the admissible Lipschitz constant, it can be maximized via LMI optimization. This adds an extra important feature to the observer, robustness against nonlinear uncertainty. Explicit bound on the tolerable nonlinear uncertainty is derived. The new LMI formulation also allows optimizations over the disturbance attenuation level ( H cost). Then, the admissible Lipschitz constant and the disturbance attenuation level of the H filter are simultaneously optimized through LMI multiobjective optimization.
Resolvin D1 Reverts Lipopolysaccharide-Induced TJ Proteins Disruption and the Increase of Cellular Permeability by Regulating IκBα Signaling in Human Vascular Endothelial Cells

Tight Junctions (TJ) are important components of paracellular pathways, and their destruction enhances vascular permeability. Resolvin D1 (RvD1) is a novel lipid mediator that has treatment effects on inflammatory diseases, but its effect on inflammation induced increase in vascular permeability is unclear. To understand whether RvD1 counteracts the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced increase in vascular cell permeability, we investigated the effects of RvD1 on endothelial barrier permeability and tight junction reorganization and expression in the presence or absence of LPS stimulation in cultured Human Vascular Endothelial Cells (HUVECs). Our results showed that RvD1 decreased LPS-induced increased in cellular permeability and inhibited the LPS-induced redistribution of zo-1, occludin, and F-actin in HUVECs. Moreover, RvD1 attenuated the expression of IκBα in LPS-induced HUVECs. The NF-κB inhibitor PDTC enhanced the protective effects of RvD1 on restoration of occludin rather than zo-1 expression in LPS-stimulated HUVECs. By contrast, the ERK1/2 inhibitor PD98059 had no effect on LPS-induced alterations in zo-1 and occludin protein expressions in HUVECs. Our data indicate that RvD1 protects against impairment of endothelial barrier function induced by LPS through upregulating the expression of TJ proteins in HUVECs, which involves the IκBα pathway but not the ERK1/2 signaling.
Sexual dimorphism of radiomorphological features of frontal sinus

Objective: Radiographs of the frontal sinus have been used in personal identification due to its uniqueness configuration. Largely there has been little agreement regarding the reliability of frontal sinus in gender determination. This study was performed to verify the dependability of radiomorphologic features of the frontal sinus in the assessment of sexual dimorphism. Methodology: A total of 100 paranasal radiographs were evaluated for sexual dimorphic features including number of scallops on the sinuses' superior border, unilateral/bilateral presence or absence of partial septa, number of partial septa, and unilateral/bilateral presence or absence of supraorbital cells. Results: Application of discriminative analysis to the data accurately identified the gender in merely 65.7% of cases. Conclusion: Therefore the radiomorphologic features of frontal sinus alone have limited value in gender determination and may be used as an auxiliary method.
A hybrid simplification algorithm for triangular meshes

This paper deals with a hybrid simplification method for triangular meshes. Our approach is based on a first simplification step where vertices are clustered, followed by an iterative edge collapse step. More precisely, vertices are first clustered into surface patches through an adaptive segmentation process (using both absolute discrete curvature and principal component analysis); the edge collapse process is based on quadratic error metrics.
Obesity and Cancer Progression: Is There a Role of Fatty Acid Metabolism?

Currently, there is renewed interest in elucidating the metabolic characteristics of cancer and how these characteristics may be exploited as therapeutic targets. Much attention has centered on glucose, glutamine and de novo lipogenesis, yet the metabolism of fatty acids that arise from extracellular, as well as intracellular, stores as triacylglycerol has received much less attention. This review focuses on the key pathways of fatty acid metabolism, including uptake, esterification, lipolysis, and mitochondrial oxidation, and how the regulators of these pathways are altered in cancer. Additionally, we discuss the potential link that fatty acid metabolism may serve between obesity and changes in cancer progression.
On kinematic waves II. A theory of traffic flow on long crowded roads

This paper uses the method of kinematic waves, developed in part I, but may be read independently. A functional relationship between flow and concentration for traffic on crowded arterial roads has been postulated for some time, and has experimental backing (§2). From this a theory of the propagation of changes in traffic distribution along these roads may be deduced (§§2, 3). The theory is applied (§4) to the problem of estimating how a ‘hump’, or region of increased concentration, will move along a crowded main road. It is suggested that it will move slightly slower than the mean vehicle speed, and that vehicles passing through it will have to reduce speed rather suddenly (at a ‘shock wave’) on entering it, but can increase speed again only very gradually as they leave it. The hump gradually spreads out along the road, and the time scale of this process is estimated. The behaviour of such a hump on entering a bottleneck, which is too narrow to admit the increased flow, is studied (§5), and methods are obtained for estimating the extent and duration of the resulting hold-up. The theory is applicable principally to traffic behaviour over a long stretch of road, but the paper concludes (§6) with a discussion of its relevance to problems of flow near junctions, including a discussion of the starting flow at a controlled junction. In the introductory sections 1 and 2, we have included some elementary material on the quantitative study of traffic flow for the benefit of scientific readers unfamiliar with the subject.
Bridging the gap between the total and additional test-case prioritization strategies

In recent years, researchers have intensively investigated various topics in test-case prioritization, which aims to re-order test cases to increase the rate of fault detection during regression testing. The total and additional prioritization strategies, which prioritize based on total numbers of elements covered per test, and numbers of additional (not-yet-covered) elements covered per test, are two widely-adopted generic strategies used for such prioritization. This paper proposes a basic model and an extended model that unify the total strategy and the additional strategy. Our models yield a spectrum of generic strategies ranging between the total and additional strategies, depending on a parameter referred to as the p value. We also propose four heuristics to obtain differentiated p values for different methods under test. We performed an empirical study on 19 versions of four Java programs to explore our results. Our results demonstrate that wide ranges of strategies in our basic and extended models with uniform p values can significantly outperform both the total and additional strategies. In addition, our results also demonstrate that using differentiated p values for both the basic and extended models with method coverage can even outperform the additional strategy using statement coverage.
European attempts to govern African youths by raising awareness of the risks of migration: ethnography of an encounter

ABSTRACT Contemporary EU governance of migration outside its territorial borders aims to control mobility through policing measures, but also to shape the subjectivities of potential migrants so that they ‘discipline themselves’ to fit European immigration priorities. This is illustrated by the organisation by intergovernmental and non-governmental agencies, in several African countries, of ‘information’ campaigns and participatory activities to convince youths to stay rather than emigrate. Through an ethnographic account of my encounter with the leaders of a youth group involved in participatory activities in Dakar (Senegal), this article explores the assumption that youths can be governed in this way. I argue that awareness-raising initiatives had little hold over the thoughts of local youths, and were reappropriated by the association leaders I met. This was largely due to ‘discontinuities’ between agencies’ and local youths’ perceptions of migration and development, as well as NGOs’ past and present work with youth group leaders. Theoretically, these conclusions add to research emphasising the force of human mobility over EU policing measures, whilst also highlighting the agentive role of local dynamics.