Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Coordinated Regulation of PPARγ Expression and Activity through Control of Chromatin Structure in Adipogenesis and Obesity

The nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) is required for differentiation and function of mature adipocytes. Its expression is induced during adipogenesis where it plays a key role in establishing the transcriptome of terminally differentiated white fat cells. Here, we review findings indicating that PPARγ expression and activity are intricately regulated through control of chromatin structure. Hierarchical and combinatorial activation of transcription factors, noncoding RNAs, and chromatin remodelers allows for temporally controlled expression of PPARγ and its target genes through sequential chromatin remodelling. In obesity, these regulatory pathways may be altered and lead to modified PPARγ activity.
The Size Distribution of Kuiper Belt Objects

We describe analytical and numerical collisional evolution calculations for the size distribution of icy bodies in the Kuiper belt. For a wide range of bulk properties, initial masses, and orbital parameters, our results yield power-law cumulative size distributions, NC ∝ r-q, with qL ≈ 3.5 for large bodies (with radii r ≳ 10–100 km) and qS ≈ 2.5–3 for small bodies (with radii r ≲ 0.1–1 km). The transition between the two power laws occurs at a break radius rb ≈ 1–30 km. The break radius is more sensitive to the initial mass in the Kuiper belt and the amount of stirring by Neptune than to the bulk properties of individual Kuiper belt objects (KBOs). Comparisons with observations indicate that most models can explain the observed sky surface density σ(m) of KBOs for red magnitudes R ≈ 22–27. For R ≲ 22 and R ≳ 28, the model σ(m) is sensitive to the amount of stirring by Neptune, suggesting that the size distribution of icy planets in the outer solar system provides independent constraints on the formation of Neptune.
An Examination of Preservice Teachers’ Capacity to Create Mathematical Modeling Problems for Children

This study examined preservice teachers’ (PSTs) capacity to create mathematical modeling problems (MMPs) for grades 1 to 3. PSTs created MMPs for their choice of grade level and aligned the mathematical content of their MMPs with the relevant mathematics curriculum. PSTs were given criteria adapted from Galbraith’s MMP design principles to guide their work. These criteria were then used to evaluate the resulting MMPs, leading to findings and implications relevant to two areas—mathematics teacher education, and the design and evaluation of MMPs for young children. Results highlight an inclination toward creating problems for higher grade levels as well as concerns regarding both the PSTs’ proficiency with the curriculum content and their capacity to create MMPs for particular content areas. Findings contribute to an important international conversation about the need for further research and development of resources aimed at supporting the integration of mathematical modeling in early childhood mathematics education.
Shear Bond Strength of an Etch-and-rinse Adhesive to Er:YAG Laser- and/or Phosphoric Acid-treated Dentin

Background and aims. Er:YAG laser irradiation has been claimed to improve the adhesive properties of dentin; therefore, it has been proposed as an alternative to acid etching. The aim of this in vitro study was to investigate the shear bond strength of an etch-and-rinse adhesive system to dentin surfaces following Er:YAG laser and/or phosphoric acid etching. Materials and methods. The roots of 75 sound maxillary premolars were sectioned below the CEJ and the crowns were embedded in auto-polymerizing acrylic resin with the buccal surfaces facing up. The buccal surfaces were ground using a diamond bur and polished until the dentin was exposed; the samples were randomly divided into five groups (n=15) according to the surface treatment: (1) acid etching; (2) laser etching; (3) laser etching followed by acid etching; (4) acid etching followed by laser etching and (5) no acid etching and no laser etching (control group). Composite resin rods (Point 4, Kerr Co) were bonded to treated dentin surfaces with an etch-and-rise adhesive system (Optibond FL, Kerr Co) and light-cured.After storage for two weeks at 37°C and 100% humidity and then thermocycling, bond strength was measured with a Zwick Universal Testing Machine at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min. Data was analyzed using parametric and non-parametric tests (P<0.05). Results. Mean shear bond strength for acid etching (20.1±1.8 MPa) and acid+laser (15.6±3.5 MPa) groups were significantly higher than those for laser+acid (15.6±3.5 MPa), laser etching (14.1±3.4 MPa) and control (8.1±2.1 MPa) groups. However, there were no significant differences between acid etching and acid+laser groups, and between laser+acid and laser groups. Conclusion. When the cavity is prepared by bur, it is not necessary to etch the dentin surface by Er:YAG laser following acid etching and acid etching after laser etching.
Concentration-Dependent Effects of Caspofungin on the Metabolic Activity of Aspergillus Species

ABSTRACT The minimum effective concentration (MEC) used to assess the in vitro antifungal activity of caspofungin against Aspergillus spp. is a qualitative endpoint requiring microscopic examination of hyphae. We therefore developed a tool for the quantitative assessment of caspofungin activity against Aspergillus spp. at clinically applicable concentrations. Susceptibility to caspofungin (0.008 to 8 μg/ml) was studied for 9 A. fumigatus, 8 A. flavus, and 12 A. terreus isolates based on the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute M38-A protocol. After 48 h of incubation, the MEC was defined microscopically, and metabolic activity assessed with a modified XTT assay, using 100 μg of the tetrazolium salt XTT/ml and 6.25 μM menadione. A significant reduction in metabolic activity was demonstrated at the MEC (0.25 to 0.5 μg/ml) for all Aspergillus spp. and was more pronounced for A. flavus (median metabolic activity, 25% of control) compared to A. fumigatus and A. terreus (median metabolism, 42 and 53%, respectively), allowing determination of MEC with the XTT assay (93 to 100% agreement with microscopic MEC). Fungal metabolism tended to reach the lowest levels (median, 17 to 38% of control) one to two dilutions higher than the MEC, at the minimum metabolic activity concentration (MMC). For 5 of 9 A. fumigatus isolates, 6 of 12 A. terreus isolates, and 1 of 8 A. flavus isolates, a paradoxical increase in metabolism was observed at concentrations greater than the MMC. Sigmoid (Emax) or bell-shaped models described accurately (median R2 = 0.97) the concentration-dependent metabolic changes in the absence or presence, respectively, of paradoxical response. Assessment of metabolic activity may provide useful quantitative endpoints for in vitro studies of caspofungin against Aspergillus spp.
The Discovery of a State-Dependent Hard Tail in the X-Ray Spectrum of the Luminous Z Source GX 17+2

We report results of a BeppoSAX (0.1-200 keV) observation of the Z-type low-mass X-ray binary GX 17+2. The source was on the so-called horizontal and normal branches. Energy spectra were selected based on the source position in the X-ray hardness-intensity diagram. The continuum could be fairly well described by the sum of a ~0.6 keV blackbody, contributing ~10% of the observed 0.1-200 keV flux, and a Comptonized component, resulting from upscattering of ~1 keV seed photons by an electron cloud with temperature of ~3 keV and optical depth of ~10. Iron K line and edge were also present at energies of ~6.7 and ~8.5 keV, respectively. In the spectra of the horizontal branch, a hard tail was clearly detected at energies above ~30 keV. It could be fit by a power law of photon index ~2.7, contributing ~8% of the source flux. This component gradually faded as the source moved toward the normal branch, where it was no longer detectable. We discuss the possible origin of this component and the similarities with the spectra of atoll sources and black hole X-ray binaries.
Aligning Enterprise Systems with the Organisation A Sensemaking Perspective

This paper explores the alignment of enterprise systems and organisations on the post-adoptive phase. A research model is presented focusing on the alignment decisions in the managerial search process for solutions to business problems related to enterprise systems. Based on the research model we propose research questions for future research, particularly to analyse how managerial identity would affect the alignment decisions.
Haootia quadriformis n. gen., n. sp., interpreted as a muscular cnidarian impression from the Late Ediacaran period (approx. 560 Ma)

Muscle tissue is a fundamentally eumetazoan attribute. The oldest evidence for fossilized muscular tissue before the Early Cambrian has hitherto remained moot, being reliant upon indirect evidence in the form of Late Ediacaran ichnofossils. We here report a candidate muscle-bearing organism, Haootia quadriformis n. gen., n. sp. , from approximately 560 Ma strata in Newfoundland, Canada. This taxon exhibits sediment moulds of twisted, superimposed fibrous bundles arranged quadrilaterally, extending into four prominent bifurcating corner branches. Haootia is distinct from all previously published contemporaneous Ediacaran macrofossils in its symmetrically fibrous, rather than frondose, architecture. Its bundled fibres, morphology, and taphonomy compare well with the muscle fibres of fossil and extant Cnidaria, particularly the benthic Staurozoa. Haootia quadriformis thus potentially provides the earliest body fossil evidence for both metazoan musculature, and for Eumetazoa, in the geological record.
Continuous Gait-Pattern Generation for Biped Robots

In this paper, we propose a new method to generate C continuous gait motion for biped robots. The method is based on the enhanced inverted pendulum model, which can easily handle angular momentum around the center of gravity. Using our method, it is possible to plan motion paths for biped robots without discontinuity in the acceleration even during switching from single support phase to double support phase, and vice versa.
Factors influencing young men's decision to undergo health screening in Malaysia: a qualitative study

Objectives Uptake of health screening is low in men, particularly among those aged <40 years. This study aimed to explore factors that influence health screening behaviour in younger men. Design This qualitative study employed an interpretive descriptive approach. Two trained researchers conducted in-depth interviews (IDIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) using a semi-structured topic guide, which was developed based on literature review and behavioural theories. All IDIs and FGDs were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Two researchers analysed the data independently using a thematic approach. Participants and setting Men working in a banking institution in Kuala Lumpur were recruited to the study. They were purposively sampled according to their ethnicity, job position, age and screening status in order to achieve maximal variation. Results Eight IDIs and five FGDs were conducted (n=31) and six themes emerged from the analysis. (1) Young men did not consider screening as part of prevention and had low risk perception. (2) The younger generation was more receptive to health screening due to their exposure to health information through the internet. (3) Health screening was not a priority in young men except for those who were married. (4) Young men had limited income and would rather invest in health insurance than screening. (5) Young men tended to follow doctors' advice when it comes to screening and preferred doctors of the same gender and ethnicity. (6) Medical overuse was also raised where young men wanted more screening tests while doctors tended to promote unnecessary screening tests to them. Conclusions This study identified important factors that influenced young men's screening behaviour. Health authorities should address young men's misperceptions, promote the importance of early detection and develop a reasonable health screening strategy for them. Appropriate measures must be put in place to reduce low value screening practices.
Algebraic complexity theory

Algebraic complexity theory investigates the computational cost of solving problems with an algebraic flavor. Several cost measures are of interest. We consider arithmetic circuits, which can perform the (exact) arithmetic operations +, -, *, / at unit cost, and take their size ( = sequential time) or their depth (=parallel time) as cost functions. This is a natural "structured" model of computation for the computation of rational func­ tions over any ground field. If inputs can be represented by strings over a finite alphabet-as is the case for polynomials over OJ-we can also use a "general" model such as Turing machines or Boolean circuits. The complexity of a problem is the minimal cost (in the measure under con­ sideration) sufficient to solve it. Its investigation splits into two tasks, which require very different methodologies. The first task is the design of good algorithms, proving upper bounds on the complexity. The second, usually more difficult task, is the discovery of intrinsic properties ("in­ variants") of problems, and estimation of the progress that an algorithm can make, say step by step, in terms of these invariants, thus proving lower bounds on the cost of any conceivable algorithm. Within the wider field of complexity theory, few areas have had similar success in establishing matching upper and lower bounds on the complexity of many natural problems. Our subject takes its questions from computer science, mainly numerical and symbolic computation. The approach is mathematical, and some problems, by their nature, require fairly sophisticated methods. Classifying our problems under the perspective of polynomial time, they fall into three categories. In the first category (Sections 2 and 3
Noise reduction for NMR FID signals via Gabor expansion

The parameters in a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) free induction decay (FID) signal contain information that is useful in biological and biomedical applications and research. A real time-sampled FID signal is well modeled as a finite mixture of modulated exponential sequences plus noise. The authors propose to use the generalized Gabor expansion for noise reduction, where the generalized Gabor expansion represents a signal in terms of a collection of time-shifted and frequency-modulated versions of a single sequence (prototype sequence). For FID signal-fitting, the authors choose the exponential sequence as the prototype function. Using the generalized Gabor expansion and exponential prototype sequences for FID model-fitting, an NMR FID signal can be-well represented by the Gabor coefficients distributed in the joint time-frequency domain (JTFD). The Gabor coefficients reflect the weights of modulated exponential sequences in a signal. One of the important features is that the nonzero Gabor coefficients of a modulated exponential sequence will span a very small area in the JTFD, whereas the Gabor coefficients of the noise will not. If the exponent constant of the prototype sequence in the generalized Gabor expansion matches that of a modulated exponential sequence in the signal, then only one of the Gabor coefficients is nonzero in the JTFD. This is a very important property since it can be exploited to separate a signal from noise and to estimate modulated exponential sequence parameters.
Director Ownership, Governance, and Performance

Abstract We study the impact of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act on the relationship between corporate governance and company performance. We consider 5 measures of corporate governance during the period 1998–2007. We find a significant negative relationship between board independence and operating performance during the pre-2002 period, but a positive and significant relationship during the post-2002 period. Our most important contribution is a proposal of a governance measure, namely, dollar ownership of the board members, that is simple, intuitive, less prone to measurement error, and not subject to the problem of weighting a multitude of governance provisions in constructing a governance index.
School Climate and the Latino-White Achievement Gap

ABSTRACT The goal of this study was to address disparities of academic achievement and school-based factors to help ameliorate them. The study sought to examine the relationship bet ween school climate and the achievement gap between Latino and White students. Achievement gap was defined at the school level as the difference in percentage of White and Latino students who passed the state standardized test. School climate was measured by a survey of teacher perceptions of school climate. Significant relationships were found between school climate and achievement gap, indicating school climate as a potential avenue for promoting equity in education.
Nursing Workload in Intensive Care Unit Trauma Patients: Analysis of Associated Factors

Background From the perspective of nurses, trauma patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) demand a high degree of nursing workload due to hemodynamic instability and the severity of trauma injuries. This study aims to identify the factors related to the high nursing workload required for trauma victims admitted to the ICU. Methods This is a prospective, cross-sectional study using descriptive and correlation analyses, conducted with 200 trauma patients admitted to an ICU in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. The nursing workload was measured using the Nursing Activities Score (NAS). The distribution of the NAS values into tertiles led to the identification of two research groups: medium/low workload and high workload. The Chi-square, Fisher's exact, Mann-Whitney and multiple logistic regression tests were utilized for the analyses. Findings The majority of patients were male (82.0%) and suffered blunt trauma (94.5%), with traffic accidents (57.5%) and falls (31.0%) being prevalent. The mean age was 40.7 years (±18.6) and the mean NAS was 71.3% (±16.9). Patient gender, the presence of pulmonary failure, the number of injured body regions and the risk of death according to the Simplified Acute Physiology Score II were factors associated with a high degree of nursing workload in the first 24 hours following admission to the ICU. Conclusion Workload demand was higher in male patients with physiological instability and multiple severe trauma injuries who developed pulmonary failure.
Classification of Log Files with Limited Labeled Data

We address the problem of anomaly detection in log files that consist of a huge number of records. In order to achieve this task, we demonstrate label propagation as a semi-supervised learning technique. The strength of this approach lies in the small amount of labelled data that is needed to label the remaining data. This is an advantage since labelled data needs human expertise which comes at a high cost and becomes infeasible for big datasets. Even though our approach is generally applicable, we focus on the detection of anomalous records in firewall log files. This requires a separation of records into windows which are compared using different distance functions to determine their similarity. Afterwards, we apply label propagation to label a complete dataset in only a limited number of iterations. We demonstrate our approach on a realistic dataset from an ISP.
Symmetric informationally complete quantum measurements

We consider the existence in arbitrary finite dimensions d of a positive operator valued measure (POVM) comprised of d2 rank-one operators all of whose operator inner products are equal. Such a set is called a “symmetric, informationally complete” POVM (SIC–POVM) and is equivalent to a set of d2 equiangular lines in Cd. SIC–POVMs are relevant for quantum state tomography, quantum cryptography, and foundational issues in quantum mechanics. We construct SIC–POVMs in dimensions two, three, and four. We further conjecture that a particular kind of group-covariant SIC–POVM exists in arbitrary dimensions, providing numerical results up to dimension 45 to bolster this claim.
An absence of attentional bias: statistics anxiety is unique among anxieties

The first purpose of the project was to examine the internal consistency and structure of the English version of the Statistical Anxiety Rating Scale (STARS). Participants were 202 (79% females) psychology undergraduates at James Cook University. Participants completed the STARS, the Statistical Anxiety Scale, and the Attitudes toward Statistics scale. Acceptable internal consistency reliabilities, ranging from . 81 to . 94, were found in this sample. Approximate fit indices suggest that a correlated six first-order factor model best describes the data in contrast to theoretical considerations suggesting that a six factor model with two correlated superordinate factors (i.e. statistics anxiety and attitudes toward statistics) best describes the data. The second purpose of the project was to examine the role of attentional bias in statistics anxiety in three experiments. Participants were 94 (73% females), 99 (68% females), and 104 (67% females) psychology undergraduates at James Cook University, respectively. These participants had either never taken a statistics course before but expected to enrol in one in the future, were currently enrolled in a statistics course, or had successfully completed at least one statistics course but were not currently enrolled in a statistics course. Participants completed the emotional Stroop task and the dot probe task, the STARS, the Social Desirability Scale, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. No statistically significant differences were found across the experiments, indicating an absence of attentional bias in statistics anxiety. Implications include a reconsideration of the cognitive mechanisms underlying statistics anxiety. Specifically, individuals with statistics anxiety might be interpreting danger based on the absence of safety indicators instead of the presence of danger indicators. Alternatively, another form of cognitive bias, such as an interpretation bias might underlie statistics anxiety. Future research should be conducted to compare the plausibility of these two explanations.
Sexual appeal in print media advertising: effects on brand recall and fixation time

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of sexual appeal in print media on consumers’ brand recall. More specifically, the differences between the fixation time on the “image” and “logo” elements in advertisements, with and without sexual appeal, were verified. Design/methodology/approach The correct research is experimental in nature, and divided into three stages: choosing the print advertisements to be viewed by the participants with eye tracking, capturing participants’ eye movements using a special eye tracking equipment and completing the questionnaire for calculating the number of brands recalled by the participants. Findings The authors have identified that there are no statistically relevant differences between the number of brands recalled, whether the advertisement does or does not have any sexual appeal. Practical implications The use of sexual appeal in advertisements on print media must be made with caution, and several implications for the textile and apparel industry are expressed in the conclusions. Originality/value The study’s relevance is threefold: the authors present more recent results about the relationship between sexual appeal and brand recall, as the most recent research study of a similar type was published in the late 1990s; they adopt key concepts from the neuromarketing field in an attempt to connect memory with the capacity of different components of the advertisements, to attract the visual attention of consumers; and they present results for three different product categories (alcohol, apparel and perfume).