Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gasoline Price Spikes and Regional Gasoline Content Regulation: A Structural Approach

This paper studies the degree to which gasoline price spikes in California, Illinois and Wisconsin over 1995 to 2001 can be explained by regulatory differentiation - gasoline sold in California, Illinois and Wisconsin is chemically different than gasoline sold in other locations as a result of local regulation supplementary to the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. I specify a structural model based on the production optimization problem of refiners and estimate wholesale prices for jet fuel, diesel and four blends of gasoline in each geographic market. I then simulate a counterfactual in which gasoline in the three states meets federal requirements. Comparing the results from the counterfactual to the initial model, allows me to distinguish the degree to which prices spikes in these markets are the result of regulatory differentiation, rather than geographic heterogeneity. I estimate that 72, 92 and 91 percent of price spikes created by refinery fires in California, Illinois and Wisconsin could be mitigated by compatibility with federal RFG standards. Moreover, I also quantify the effect of two other factors thought to increase gasoline prices, (i) changes in refinery ownership and (ii) limited expansion of domestic refining capacity.
HALOTIS - high accurate logic timing simulator

This paper present a novel logic-timing simulator that includes the degradation delay model (DDM) called HALOTIS. DDM obtains high accuracy in glitches treatment and it has been included in HALOTIS simulation engine. Also, it is possible to estimate switching activity using it, and the results show a high accuracy in simulations when these are compared to HSPICE.
Structure and Location of the Regulatory β Subunits in the (αβγδ)4 Phosphorylase Kinase Complex* ♦

Background: Structural information concerning the phosphorylatable regulatory β subunit of phosphorylase kinase was lacking. Results: Chemical, biochemical, biophysical, and computational approaches revealed secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structures for this subunit. Conclusion: The β subunit is helical and forms the β4-bridged core in the (αβγδ)4 kinase complex. Significance: These findings reveal the architecture of the complex, which provides an explanation for the conformational changes in its bridged core associated with activating β-phosphorylation. Phosphorylase kinase (PhK) is a hexadecameric (αβγδ)4 complex that regulates glycogenolysis in skeletal muscle. Activity of the catalytic γ subunit is regulated by allosteric activators targeting the regulatory α, β, and δ subunits. Three-dimensional EM reconstructions of PhK show it to be two large (αβγδ)2 lobes joined with D2 symmetry through interconnecting bridges. The subunit composition of these bridges was unknown, although indirect evidence suggested the β subunits may be involved in their formation. We have used biochemical, biophysical, and computational approaches to not only address the quaternary structure of the β subunits within the PhK complex, i.e. whether they compose the bridges, but also their secondary and tertiary structures. The secondary structure of β was determined to be predominantly helical by comparing the CD spectrum of an αγδ subcomplex with that of the native (αβγδ)4 complex. An atomic model displaying tertiary structure for the entire β subunit was constructed using chemical cross-linking, MS, threading, and ab initio approaches. Nearly all this model is covered by two templates corresponding to glycosyl hydrolase 15 family members and the A subunit of protein phosphatase 2A. Regarding the quaternary structure of the β subunits, they were directly determined to compose the four interconnecting bridges in the (αβγδ)4 kinase core, because a β4 subcomplex was observed through both chemical cross-linking and top-down MS of PhK. The predicted model of the β subunit was docked within the bridges of a cryoelectron microscopic density envelope of PhK utilizing known surface features of the subunit.
Autoimmune thyroiditis induced in mice depleted of particular T cell subsets. III. Analysis of regulatory cells suppressing the induction of thyroiditis.

It has previously been demonstrated that T cell clones with potentials to induce autoimmune thyroiditis exist in lymphoid organs from normal healthy individuals. The present study investigates the nature of regulatory cells co-existing in a normal lymphoid cell population to prevent the activation of these thyroiditis-inducing T cells. T cell-depleted (C57BL/6 x C3H/He) F1 mice (B cell mice) were prepared by adult thymectomy and injection of anti-thymocyte serum, followed by lethal X-irradiation and bone marrow reconstitution. Typical thyroiditis was induced in these B cell mice by i.v. administration of Lyt-1dull T cells but not of whole T cells from normal syngeneic mice. Additional injection of normal thymocytes into B cell mice which had been transferred with the Lyt-1 dull T cells resulted in complete prevention of thyroiditis induction. Mature thymocytes were responsible for this regulatory function and such regulatory cell activity was also found in peripheral lymphoid cells such as spleen cells. These regulatory cells exerted their capacity to prevent thyroiditis in cell dose-dependent and injection timing-dependent manners; thyroiditis was prevented when they were injected in cell doses of greater than 1.5 x 10(7)/mouse and before the initiation of the thyroiditis lesion. Most interestingly, the phenotypes of regulatory cells were Thy-1+ and L3T4+. Since the thyroiditis-inducing Lyt-1 dull T cells has previously been shown to be of L3T4+, these results indicate that there exist functionally heterogeneous subsets in an L3T4+ T cell population and that some L3T4+ T cells function as regulatory cells to prevent the activation of thyroiditis-inducing L3T4+ T cells co-existing in the normal lymphoid cell population.
Nonlinear optical phenomena in fluoride glass and hybrid fibres

This thesis investigates nonlinear optical phenomena in non-silica fibres, in a first part utilising a fluoride fibre, followed by the exploration of hybrid fibres with an organic single crystal inside a fibre capillary. The unique properties of 55ZrF4, 18BaF2, 6LaF3, 4AlF3, 17NaF (ZBLAN) glass allow the creation of optical fibres with a highly extended transmission window on the longer wavelength side. We investigated the properties of ZBLAN fibres in order to optimise supercontinuum (SC) generation in a ZBLAN fibre pumped by an optic parametric amplifier. To study applications of the ZBLAN SC we integrated the SC into a pump-probe setup, being used as a near-infrared broadband probe source. We have carried out proof-of-principle measurements on an organic copolymer thin-film, showing the possibility of utilising a ZBLAN SC, allowing to extend the usability of broadband sources to the nearand mid-infrared, while simplifying the usage of the setup. The second part of this thesis explores the possibilities of hybrid fibres by using a hollow-core silica capillary with an organic single-crystal inside. We have developed and optimised a method to grow an organic semiconducting crystal inside a hollow core capillary based on the Bridgman-technique. We could demonstrate the filling of the inner capillary for diameters down to 1 m and with different materials based on the anthracene structure, opening up possibilities for various hybrid fibres. The quality of the single-crystals was evaluated by micro-Raman and X-ray diffraction measurements. We could access nonlinear properties of the crystal by coupling light with an energy lower than the band-gap into the fibre. Stimulated by two-photon absorption photo-luminescence from the fibre core was observed for the hybrid fibre. The results obtained for the hybrid fibres gives rise to a vast amount of possibilities for different hybrid fibres with tailored optical properties of organic materials and their optimisation in the guiding of light.
Video Object Segmentation with Multivalued Neural Networks

The aim of this work is to present a segmentation method to detect moving objects in video scenes, based on the use of a multivalued discrete neural network to improve the results obtained by an underlying segmentation algorithm. Specifically, the multivalued neural model (MREM) is used to detect and correct some of the deficiencies and errors off the well-known mixture of Gaussians algorithm. Experimental results, using video scenes publicly available from the Internet, show an increase of the visual quality of the segmentation, that could improve for subsequent analysis phases, such as object tracking or behavior studies.
Disease Death and cardiovascular events after bacteriuria among adult women with chronic kidney disease

Correspondence: Robert M Perkins Bassett Healthcare, Nephrology Department, One Atwell Dr, Cooperstown NY 13326, USA Tel +1 607 547 3282 Email robert.perkins@bassett.org Background: The impact of bacteriuria on mortality and cardiovascular risk has not been previously reported for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Objective: To assess the relationship between outpatient episodes of bacteriuria and mortality and cardiovascular risk among women with CKD. Design: Retrospective cohort study using an electronic health database from an integrated healthcare system in central Pennsylvania. Subjects: Adult women with CKD receiving primary care at Geisinger Health System between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2009 were eligible, and were followed through December 31, 2010 for study outcomes. Main measures: The study exposure was bacteriuria, defined as an outpatient urine culture with bacterial growth of 10 cfu/mL. Treatment history (antibiotic prescription within 90 days) was identified. Study outcomes were death and the composite of hospitalization for myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, or stroke. Multivariate-adjusted Cox models incorporated all bacteriuria episodes and antibiotic prescriptions in time-dependent fashion (in addition to other covariates) to account for the cumulative impact of infections, treatment, and hospitalization during follow-up. Key results: 6807 women were followed for a median (interquartile range) of 5.2 (3.4, 5.9) years. In adjusted models, each untreated bacteriuria episode was associated with an increased risk of death (hazard ratio [HR] 1.56, 95% CI 1.35–1.81) and the composite cardiovascular outcome (HR 1.32, 95% CI 1.05–1.65); treated episodes were not associated with an increased risk of death or cardiovascular events. Conclusion: Among female patients with CKD, untreated bacteriuria occurring in the outpatient setting is associated with an increased risk of death and cardiovascular morbidity.
Fuzzy identification using fuzzy neural networks with stable learning algorithms

In general, fuzzy neural networks cannot match nonlinear systems exactly. Unmodeled dynamic leads parameters drift and even instability problem. According to system identification theory, robust modification terms must be included in order to guarantee Lyapunov stability. This paper suggests new learning laws for Mamdani and Takagi-Sugeno-Kang type fuzzy neural networks based on input-to-state stability approach. The new learning schemes employ a time-varying learning rate that is determined from input-output data and model structure. Stable learning algorithms for the premise and the consequence parts of fuzzy rules are proposed. The calculation of the learning rate does not need any prior information such as estimation of the modeling error bounds. This offer an advantage compared to other techniques using robust modification.
Loss of Rap1 Induces Telomere Recombination in the Absence of NHEJ or a DNA Damage Signal

Shelterin the Ends The ends of linear chromosomes suffer two problems: They cannot be replicated to their termini, resulting in loss of terminal sequences; and they can be mistakenly sensed as DNA double-strand breaks, activating DNA repair pathways that can result in serious genome derangement. These problems are solved by the addition of telomeres, repeat sequences at the ends of chromosomes, which are shielded by a protein complex called shelterin. Sfeir et al. (p. 1657) show that the mouse Rap1 protein, which is part of the shelterin complex and which binds to a second shelterin protein called TRF2, helps prevent telomeres undergoing unscheduled homologous recombination. Such recombination could threaten telomere integrity by generating sequence exchanges between sister telomeres resulting in critically shortened telomeres. The mammalian telomere protein Rap1 prevents the ends of chromosomes from undergoing unscheduled homologous recombination. Shelterin is an essential telomeric protein complex that prevents DNA damage signaling and DNA repair at mammalian chromosome ends. Here we report on the role of the TRF2-interacting factor Rap1, a conserved shelterin subunit of unknown function. We removed Rap1 from mouse telomeres either through gene deletion or by replacing TRF2 with a mutant that does not bind Rap1. Rap1 was dispensable for the essential functions of TRF2—repression of ATM kinase signaling and nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ)—and mice lacking telomeric Rap1 were viable and fertile. However, Rap1 was critical for the repression of homology-directed repair (HDR), which can alter telomere length. The data reveal that HDR at telomeres can take place in the absence of DNA damage foci and underscore the functional compartmentalization within shelterin.
The ecology of extended-spectrum &bgr;-lactamases (ESBLs) in the developed world

Background Since the initial appearance in the 1980s, Enterobacteriaceae producing extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) have increased in prevalence and emerged as a major antimicrobial-resistant pathogen. The source of these antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in the developed world is an area of active investigation. Methods A standard internet search was conducted with a focus on the epidemiology and potential sources of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae in the developed world. Results The last decade has witnessed several major changes in the epidemiology of these bacteria: replacement of TEM and SHV-type ESBLs by CTX-M-family ESBLs, emergence of Escherichia coli ST131 as a prevalent vehicle of ESBL, and spread of ESBL-producing E. coli in the community. The most studied potential sources of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae in humans in the community include food and companion animals, the environment and person-to-person transmission, though definitive links are yet to be established. Evidence is emerging that international travel may serve as a major source of introduction of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae into the developed world. Conclusions ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae has become a major multidrug-resistant pathogen in the last two decades, especially in the community settings. The multifactorial nature of its expansion poses a major challenge in the efforts to control them.
A Laccase with HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitory Activity from the Broth of Mycelial Culture of the Mushroom Lentinus tigrinus

A 59 kDa laccase with inhibitory activity against HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (IC50 = 2.4 μM) was isolated from the broth of mycelial culture of the mushroom Lentinus tigrinus. The isolation procedure involved ion exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and CM-cellulose, and gel filtration by fast protein liquid chromatography on Superdex 75. The laccase was adsorbed on both types of ion exchangers. About 95-fold purification was achieved with a 25.9% yield of the enzyme. The procedure resulted in a specific enzyme activity of 76.6 U/mg. Its N-terminal amino acid sequence was GIPDLHDLTV, which showed little similarity to other mushroom laccase and other Lentinus tigrinus strain laccase. Its characteristics were different from previously reported laccase of other Lentinus tigrinus strain. Maximal laccase activity was observed at a pH of 4 and at a temperature of 60°C, respectively. This study yielded the information about the potentially exploitable activities of Lentinus tigrinus laccase.
Rechallenge to Carboplatin in Children with Low Grade Glioma and Carboplatin Hypersensitivity Reactions

Background: Carboplatin based regimens have demonstrated activity in pediatric patients with low grade gliomas (LGG). However, carboplatin hypersensitivity reactions (CHRs) may be a major problem leading to premature cessation of an effective therapy. The objectives of this study were to describe the prevalence, characteristics and management of CHR. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of children with LGG treated between January 1994 and July 2015 with carboplatin and vincristine who had a documented CHR. We identified two groups: the first was treated following the schema proposed by Packer et al., and re-exposed to carboplatin using a desensitization protocol; the second was treated according to protocol SIOP LGG 2004 and re-exposed with the infusion time prolonged. Results: CHRs were observed in 16 patients (34%) out of 47. Hypersensitivity reactions occurred in 6 patients (20.7%) of the first, and 10 patients (55.5%) of the second group, respectively. The grade 2 reactions were the most common. The median number of carboplatin doses administered at the first episode of CHR was 7 (range, 3–9) for the first group, and 8.5 (range, 5–11) for the second, respectively. Six patients were re-exposed to carboplatin using a desensitization protocol; 10 with a prolonged infusion time. Overall success rate for re-exposition was 43.75% (100% and 10%, respectively) (P = 0.001). Conclusions: Our results show that re-exposure is a safe alternative to abandoning carboplatin. Desensitization showed greater effectiveness compared to a prolonged infusion time, which allowed the patients to receive effective treatment without adverse reactions.
Efficient Longitudinal Seismic Fragility Assessment of a Multispan Continuous Steel Bridge on Liquefiable Soils

The increased failure potential of aging U.S. highway bridges and their susceptibility to damage during extreme events necessitates the development of efficient reliability assessment tools to prioritize maintenance and rehabilitation interventions. Reliability communication tools become even more important when considering complex phenomena such as soil liquefaction under seismic hazards. Currently, two approaches are widely used for bridge reliability estimation under soil failure conditions via fragility curves: liquefaction multipliers and full-scale two- or three-dimensional bridge-soil-foundation models. This paper offers a computationally economical yet adequate approach that links nonlinear finite-element models of a three-dimensional bridge system with a two-dimensional soil domain and a one-dimensional set of p-y springs into a coupled bridge-soil-foundation CBSF system. A multispan continuous steel girder bridge typical of the central and eastern United States along with heterogeneous liquefiable soil profiles is used within a statistical sampling scheme to illustrate the effects of soil failure and uncertainty propagation on the fragility of CBSF system components. In general, the fragility of rocker bearings, piles, embankment soil, and the probability of unseating increases with liquefaction, while that of commonly monitored components, such as columns, depends on the type of soil overlying the liquefiable sands. This component response depen- dence on soil failure supports the use of reliability assessment frameworks that are efficient for regional applications by relying on simplified but accepted geotechnical methods to capture complex soil liquefaction effects.
Optimal Spatial Adaptation for Patch-Based Image Denoising

A novel adaptive and patch-based approach is proposed for image denoising and representation. The method is based on a pointwise selection of small image patches of fixed size in the variable neighborhood of each pixel. Our contribution is to associate with each pixel the weighted sum of data points within an adaptive neighborhood, in a manner that it balances the accuracy of approximation and the stochastic error, at each spatial position. This method is general and can be applied under the assumption that there exists repetitive patterns in a local neighborhood of a point. By introducing spatial adaptivity, we extend the work earlier described by Buades et al. which can be considered as an extension of bilateral filtering to image patches. Finally, we propose a nearly parameter-free algorithm for image denoising. The method is applied to both artificially corrupted (white Gaussian noise) and real images and the performance is very close to, and in some cases even surpasses, that of the already published denoising methods
Lipreading by Neural Networks: Visual Preprocessing, Learning, and Sensory Integration

We have developed visual preprocessing algorithms for extracting phonologically relevant features from the grayscale video image of a speaker, to provide speaker-independent inputs for an automatic lipreading ("speechreading") system. Visual features such as mouth open/closed, tongue visible/not-visible, teeth visible/notvisible, and several shape descriptors of the mouth and its motion are all rapidly computable in a manner quite insensitive to lighting conditions. We formed a hybrid speechreading system consisting of two time delay neural networks (video and acoustic) and integrated their responses by means of independent opinion pooling - the Bayesian optimal method given conditional independence, which seems to hold for our data. This hybrid system had an error rate 25% lower than that of the acoustic subsystem alone on a five-utterance speaker-independent task, indicating that video can be used to improve speech recognition.
Stellar, gas and dark matter content of barred galaxies

We select a sample of galaxies from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 7 (SDSS-DR7) where galaxies are classified, through visual inspection, as hosting strong bars, weak bars or as unbarred galaxies, and make use of HI mass and kinematic information from the Arecibo Legacy Fast ALFA (ALFALFA) survey catalog, to study the stellar, atomic gas and dark matter content of barred disk galaxies. We find, in agreement with previous studies, that the bar fraction increases with increasing stellar mass. A similar trend is found with total baryonic mass, although the dependence is not as strong as with stellar mass, this due to the contribution of gas. The bar fraction shows a decrease with increasing gas mass fraction. This anticorrelation between the likelihood of a galaxy hosting a bar with the gas richness of the galaxy results from the inhibiting effect the gas has in the formation of bars. We also find that for massive galaxies with stellar masses larger than 10$^{10} M_{\odot}$, at fixed stellar mass, the bar fraction decreases with increasing global halo mass (i.e. halo mass measured up to a radius of the order of the HI disk extent).