Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Expanding and Retracting From the Self: Gains and Costs in Switching Self-Associations

We report 2 experiments to assess the strength of forming and breaking associations to the self, familiar others, and unfamiliar others in a simple shape–label matching task. In each experiment, participants first formed shape–person associations (e.g., triangle-self). Subsequently, they had to relearn the associations with the shapes and labels rearranged (self→stranger in Experiment 1; self→friend in Experiment 2) and they carried out a matching task in which they judged whether shape–label stimuli were as newly instructed or re-paired. There were faster responses and fewer errors on match trials for newly formed self-associated stimuli. In contrast, after switching, reaction times were slower and accuracy was reduced on mismatch trials involving shapes previously associated with the self. The strength of the self-advantage in forming the new association on match trials correlated with the difficulty in switching from the old self-associated shape on mismatch trials. The results indicate that self-reference enhances the binding of associations in memory; this facilitates associations to new stimuli, but there is a cost of interference from old associations.
Prognostic impact of alkaline phosphatase measured at time of presentation in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

Background Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) has been shown to be a prognostic factor in several subgroups of patients due to its promotion of vascular calcification. However, the prognostic impact of serum ALP level in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients with a relatively low calcification burden has not been determined. We aimed to investigate the association of ALP level measured at time of presentation on clinical outcomes in patients with STEMI requiring primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods A total of 1178 patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI between 2007 and 2014 were retrospectively enrolled from the INTERSTELLAR registry and classified into tertiles by ALP level (<64, 65–82, or >83 IU/L). The primary study outcome was a major adverse cardiac or cerebrovascular event (MACCE), defined as the composite of all-cause death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke, and ischemia-driven revascularization. Results Median follow-up duration was 25 months (interquartile range, 10–39 months). The incidence of MACCE significantly increased as ALP level increased, that is, for the <64, 65–82, and >83 IU/L tertiles incidences were 8.7%, 11.7%, and 15.7%, respectively; p for trend = 0.003). After adjustment for potential confounders, the adjusted hazard ratios for MACCE in the middle and highest tertiles were 1.69 (95% CI 1.01–2.81) and 2.46 (95% CI 1.48–4.09), respectively, as compared with the lowest ALP tertile. Conclusions Elevated ALP level at presentation, but within the higher limit of normal, was found to be independently associated with higher risk of MACCE after primary PCI in patients with STEMI.
A Modified Grid Diversity Operator for Discrete Optimization and its Application to Wind Farm Layout Optimization Problems

One of the important factors for any effective metaheuristic optimization algorithms is its ability to maintain a diverse population throughout the generations. Specifically, diversity maintenance can lead to exploration of novel areas of the search space, and hence potentially locate better solutions. Recently, a novel diversity technique called the Grid Diversity Operator was introduced, providing improved results on a suite of continuous optimization problems. Here, we extend the grid diversity operator to support discrete optimization problems and validate its performance by experimenting with a range of wind farm layout optimization problem scenarios. The experimental results showed performance improvements for the quality of solutions found especially for the farm scenarios with obstacles.
Algebraic brane dynamics on SU(2): excitation spectra

We analyze the dynamics of D2-branes on SU(2) within a recently proposed matrix model, which works for finite radius of SU(2). The spectrum of single-brane excitations turns out to be free of tachyonic modes. It is similar to the spectrum found using DBI and CFT calculations, however the triplet of rotational zero modes is missing. This is attributed to a naive treatment of the quantum symmetries of the model. The mass of the lightest states connecting two different branes is also calculated, and found to be proportional to the arc length for small angles.
Is Relative Risk Aversion Time-varying ? Evidence from Households ’ Portfolio Choice Data

We analyze whether relative risk aversion is time-varying with households’ portfolio choice data. We first derive theoretical predictions on how risky shares respond to wealth fluctuations in a portfolio choice model with both external habits and timevarying labor income. Our analytical results indicate that: (1) for each household, there are two channels through which the risky share responds to wealth fluctuations, the habit channel and the income channel; (2) across households, there are heterogenous responses through the habit channel: those who experience large negative income shocks reduce their share of risky assets; and (3) two potential mis-identification problems arise when both the heterogeneity and the income channel are ignored. Second, we test the theoretical predictions with data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics. Contrary to the existing literature, our empirical results show positive evidence of habit formation preferences after correcting those two mis-identification problems.
Crystallography of a Lewis-Binding Norovirus, Elucidation of Strain-Specificity to the Polymorphic Human Histo-Blood Group Antigens

Noroviruses, an important cause of acute gastroenteritis in humans, recognize the histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs) as host susceptible factors in a strain-specific manner. The crystal structures of the HBGA-binding interfaces of two A/B/H-binding noroviruses, the prototype Norwalk virus (GI.1) and a predominant GII.4 strain (VA387), have been elucidated. In this study we determined the crystal structures of the P domain protein of the first Lewis-binding norovirus (VA207, GII.9) that has a distinct binding property from those of Norwalk virus and VA387. Co-crystallization of the VA207 P dimer with Ley or sialyl Lex tetrasaccharides showed that VA207 interacts with these antigens through a common site found on the VA387 P protein which is highly conserved among most GII noroviruses. However, the HBGA-binding site of VA207 targeted at the Lewis antigens through the α-1, 3 fucose (the Lewis epitope) as major and the β-N-acetyl glucosamine of the precursor as minor interacting sites. This completely differs from the binding mode of VA387 and Norwalk virus that target at the secretor epitopes. Binding pocket of VA207 is formed by seven amino acids, of which five residues build up the core structure that is essential for the basic binding function, while the other two are involved in strain-specificity. Our results elucidate for the first time the genetic and structural basis of strain-specificity by a direct comparison of two genetically related noroviruses in their interaction with different HBGAs. The results provide insight into the complex interaction between the diverse noroviruses and the polymorphic HBGAs and highlight the role of human HBGA as a critical factor in norovirus evolution.
Robust Power Allocation Algorithms for Wireless Relay Networks

Resource allocation promises significant benefits in wireless networks. In order to fully reap these benefits, it is important to design efficient resource allocation algorithms. Here, we develop relay power allocation (RPA) algorithms for coherent and noncoherent amplify-and-forward (AF) relay networks. The goal is to maximize the output signal-to-noise ratio under individual as well as aggregate relay power constraints. We show that these RPA problems, in the presence of perfect global channel state information (CSI), can be formulated as quasiconvex optimization problems. In such settings, the optimal solutions can be efficiently obtained via a sequence of convex feasibility problems, in the form of second-order cone programs. The benefits of our RPA algorithms, however, depend on the quality of the global CSI, which is rarely perfect in practice. To address this issue, we introduce the robust optimization methodology that accounts for uncertainties in the global CSI. We show that the robust counterparts of our convex feasibility problems with ellipsoidal uncertainty sets are semi-definite programs. Our results reveal that ignoring uncertainties associated with global CSI often leads to poor performance, highlighting the importance of robust algorithm designs in practical wireless networks.
Competition and Exit: Evidence from Switzerland

This paper provides evidence on the relation between the intensity of product market competition and the probability of exit. We adopt a natural experiment approach towards analyzing the impact of a tightening of Swiss antitrust legislation on exit probabilities. Based on a sample of more than 68,000 firms from all major sectors of the Swiss economy, we find that the exit probability of non-exporting firms increased significantly, whereas the exit probability of exporting firms remained largely unaffected. Our results support the notion that there is a positive relationship between the intensity of product market competition and the probability of exit.
Simultaneous Projector-Camera Self-Calibration for Three-Dimensional Reconstruction and Projection Mapping

Automatic calibration of structured-light systems, generally consisting of a projector and camera, is of great importance for a variety of practical applications. We propose a novel optimization approach for geometric calibration of a projector-camera system that estimates the intrinsic, extrinsic, and distortion parameters of both the camera and projector in an automatic fashion using structured light. Our approach benefits from a novel multifactor objective function that finds maximum-likelihood estimates from noisy point correspondences using constraints on focal lengths and resolves ambiguities estimating the fundamental matrix by enforcing epipolar geometry on the rectified noisy data. This new formulation allows estimation of all calibration parameters simultaneously and minimization is ensured by a greedy descent algorithm that decreases the cost function at each iteration. This provides more accurate parameter estimation, reconstruction accuracy, and robustness to noise and poor initialization compared to previous methods. Experimental results demonstrate the stability and robustness of our method, and show that the proposed solution outperforms a currently leading approach to an automatic geometric projector-camera calibration.
A threat risk modeling framework for Geospatial Weather Information System (GWIS) a DREAD based study

Over the years, the focus has been on protecting network, host, database and standard applications from internal and external threats. The Rapid Application Development (RAD) process makes the web application extremely short and makes it difficult to eliminate the vulnerabilities. Here we study web application risk assessment technique called threat risk modeling to improve the security of the application. We implement our proposed mechanism the application risk assessment using Microsoft's threat risk DREAD model to evaluate the application security risk against vulnerability parameters. The study led to quantifying different levels of risk for Geospatial Weather Information System (GWIS) using DREAD model.
Satellite-based Observations Of SurfaceTurbulent Stress During Severe Weather

Vector surface turbulent stresses are estimated from vector winds determined from space-borne scatterometers. Scatterometer vector winds differ subtly from in situ observations of vector winds. These differences are exaggerated for severe storm conditions, which is advantageous for determining surface stress. A physically based model for surface stress is developed to link surface turbulent stress to nearsurface winds, and to explain the observed qualitative differences between in situ and scatterometer winds. The improvements in this model compared with previous formulations are in the near-surface boundary conditions on wind speed and a vertical offset (i.e., displacement height) of the log-wind profile, due to wave modification of the surface. The boundary condition for wind speed implies that there must be a vertical offset, which can be used to derive the displacement height. This formulation represents a first estimate of the dependence of displacement height on wave characteristics. One advantage of this approach is that it removes sea state dependency from Charnock’s constant. Strengths and weaknesses are discussed for this model and for its application in determining scatterometer-based vector surface turbulent stress.
THE PATTERNS OF LABELING OF GERMINAL-CENTER CELLS WITH TRITIATED DEOXYCYTIDINE

Autoradiographic studies of lymphoid tissue with tritiated thymidine ([3H]TdR) have repeatedly demonstrated that thymus lymphocytes and germinal-center cells of lymph nodes and spleen are characterized by a weak labeling, whereas the majority of lymph node lymphocytes which occur outside of the germinal centers are intensely labeled (1-7) . An earlier study on mice by Osogoe and Ueki (8), on the other hand, has revealed that thymus lymphocytes are much more intensely labeled in vivo with tritiated deoxycytidine ([3H]CdR) than with [3 H]TdR, and that the intensity of [ 3H]TdR labeling of these cells is significantly decreased by the simultaneous administration of unlabeled CdR . These findings indicate that, in thymus lymphocytes, CdR which is circulating in a considerable amount (9) is utilized for the formation of DNAthymine and hence the incorporation of [3H]TdR into DNA-thymine in these cells is remarkably decreased . As for the synthesis of DNA-thymine in the germinal-center cells of lymph node and other lymphoid tissues, any evidence in support of such a utilization of CdR has not yet been obtained . The present study was therefore undertaken to examine the patterns of labeling of the germinal-center cells with [3H]CdR in comparison with those labeled with [ 3 H]TdR, and to gain further information on the utilization of CdR in lymphocytes by autoradiographic techniques.
Understanding the communicative processes of baby boomer women adjusting to retirement: Connecting micro and macro discourses

Gettings, Patricia E. Ph.D., Purdue University, May 2016. Understanding the Communicative Processes of Baby Boomer Women Adjusting to Retirement: Connecting Micro and Macro Discourses. Major Professor: Steven R. Wilson. Baby Boomers are changing the face of retirement in the United States. For example, retirement traditionally refers to the time when an individual who has worked full-time for the majority of her life chooses to entirely and permanently exit the workforce, but now includes a range of formations (e.g., bridge employment). Baby Bo retirement because they have worked a broader range of jobs for longer periods of time than ever before. Transitioning to retirement implicates processes of adjusting beyond just a employment status as retirees potentially confront instrumental (e.g., where to live), relational (e.g., changes in routine with spouse/partner) and identity (e.g., aging) shifts. This study pairs organizational discourse perspectives and the normative theory of social support to analyze micro and macro discourses about how Baby Boomer women experience the transition to retirement. Regarding micro-discourses, retirees often experience retirement as part of a couple since most have a self-defined partner. Hence, retirement involves communicative processes of adjusting as partners (re)negotiate roles and behaviors that have existed for many years. Regarding macro-discourses, the
Verbal and N onverbal Representations of Numbers in the Human Brain Il

Il Stanis~as Dehaene There is a domain of language in which we are all, in some sense, bilinguals: the domain of numbers. Like any other category of words, numbers can be spoken (/four! , /forty/) or spelled out (FOUR, FORTY). However, we are all familiar with a third symbolic notation , Arabie numerals (4,40). Furthermore, numbers can also be conveyed in nonsymbolic ways such as sets of dots (::). The human brain must contain mental representations and processes for recognizing, understanding, and producing these various notations of numbers and for translating b~tween them. Hence the number domain provides a manageably restricted area within which to study the representation of symbolic information in the human brain and the interplay between verbal and nonverbal formats of representation. The lessons that numbers can teach us about the organization of symbol systems in the human brain may also turn out to be generalizable to other linguistic domains. The Quantity Representation Moyer and Landauer's (1967) seminal study of number comparison provided the fust strong evidence for a quantity representation of numbers in human adults. Measuring the rime that it takes to select the larger of two digits, they found a distance effect: number comparison becomes systematically slower as the distance between the two 179 "".
Effects of situational variables on offensive performance indicators in elite water polo

Abstract The aim of this study was to assess the effect of quality of opposition, starting quarter score and match location on offensive performance indicators in the First Spanish Professional Water Polo League. Eighty-eight matches from the 2011–2014 domestic league seasons were notated post-event using a computerised notational analysis system. The dependent variables were team offensive performance indicators, and the independent variables were situational variables (quality of opposition, starting quarter score and match location). Univariate analyses (ANOVA test; Student’s t-test, Kruskal–Wallis test, Mann–Whitney U test and Generalized Linear Model test) indicated that “Even attacks”, “Counterattacks”, “Goals”, “No goal shots”, “Even shots”, “Counterattack shots”, “Shots zone 4, 5, and 6”, “Drive shots” and “Shots after 2 flakes”, were influenced by a least one of the three situational variables. Two-way ANOVA analyses were applied in order to study, not only the main effects of the situational variables on “Counterattacks” and “Goals”, but also the interaction effect. Although the interaction effects were not significant, the adjusted effects of the situational variables were obtained and the findings emphasise the need for match analysts and coaches to consider single and adjusted potential effects of quality of opposition, starting quarter score and match location, during assessments of the offensive performance indicators of water polo performance.
Mitochondrial genomes are retained by selective constraints on protein targeting

Mitochondria are energy-producing organelles in eukaryotic cells considered to be of bacterial origin. The mitochondrial genome has evolved under selection for minimization of gene content, yet it is not known why not all mitochondrial genes have been transferred to the nuclear genome. Here, we predict that hydrophobic membrane proteins encoded by the mitochondrial genomes would be recognized by the signal recognition particle and targeted to the endoplasmic reticulum if they were nuclear-encoded and translated in the cytoplasm. Expression of the mitochondrially encoded proteins Cytochrome oxidase subunit 1, Apocytochrome b, and ATP synthase subunit 6 in the cytoplasm of HeLa cells confirms export to the endoplasmic reticulum. To examine the extent to which the mitochondrial proteome is driven by selective constraints within the eukaryotic cell, we investigated the occurrence of mitochondrial protein domains in bacteria and eukaryotes. The accessory protein domains of the oxidative phosphorylation system are unique to mitochondria, indicating the evolution of new protein folds. Most of the identified domains in the accessory proteins of the ribosome are also found in eukaryotic proteins of other functions and locations. Overall, one-third of the protein domains identified in mitochondrial proteins are only rarely found in bacteria. We conclude that the mitochondrial genome has been maintained to ensure the correct localization of highly hydrophobic membrane proteins. Taken together, the results suggest that selective constraints on the eukaryotic cell have played a major role in modulating the evolution of the mitochondrial genome and proteome.
THE ROLE OF DIFFUSIVITY QUENCHING IN FLUX-TRANSPORT DYNAMO MODELS

In the nonlinear phase of a dynamo process, the back-reaction of the magnetic field upon the turbulent motion results in a decrease of the turbulence level and therefore in a suppression of both the magnetic field amplification (the α-quenching effect) and the turbulent magnetic diffusivity (the η-quenching effect). While the former has been widely explored, the effects of η-quenching in the magnetic field evolution have rarely been considered. In this work, we investigate the role of the suppression of diffusivity in a flux-transport solar dynamo model that also includes a nonlinear α-quenching term. Our results indicate that, although for α-quenching the dependence of the magnetic field amplification with the quenching factor is nearly linear, the magnetic field response to η-quenching is nonlinear and spatially nonuniform. We have found that the magnetic field can be locally amplified in this case, forming long-lived structures whose maximum amplitude can be up to ∼2.5 times larger at the tachocline and up to ∼2 times larger at the center of the convection zone than in models without quenching. However, this amplification leads to unobservable effects and to a worse distribution of the magnetic field in the butterfly diagram. Since the dynamo cycle period increases when the efficiency of the quenching increases, we have also explored whether the η-quenching can cause a diffusion-dominated model to drift into an advection-dominated regime. We have found that models undergoing a large suppression in η produce a strong segregation of magnetic fields that may lead to unsteady dynamo-oscillations. On the other hand, an initially diffusion-dominated model undergoing a small suppression in η remains in the diffusion-dominated regime.
Low-Cost Gamification of Online Surveys: Improving the User Experience through Achievement Badges

Gamification of online surveys has been shown to be effective for improving user experience and data quality. However, the precise effects of isolated game elements is unknown and survey gamification requires a lot of effort. This work proposes the use of just a single game element as a novel low-cost approach. It presents evaluation results from a case study where an existing survey was gamified using the popular game element of achievement badges. Results show that the badges improved the user experience but did not influence the respondents' behavior. These benefits are similar to related work but have been achieved with a lower effort. In summary, the case study indicates our low-cost approach to be viable and efficient for survey gamification, and achievement badges to be well-suited for gamified online surveys.