Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A mathematical analysis of second messenger compartmentalization

Intracellular compartmentalization of second messengers can lead to microdomains of elevated concentration that are thought to be involved in ensuring signaling specificity. Most experimental evidence for this compartmentalization involves the second messenger adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), which is degraded by phosphodiesterases (PDEs). One possible way of creating these compartments, supported by recent experiments, is to spatially separate the source of cAMP from regions of elevated PDE concentration. To quantify this possibility, we study here a simplified geometry in two dimensions (2D) and in three dimensions (3D), containing a cAMP point source and regions with different degradation constants. Using the symmetry of our geometry, we are able to derive steady state solutions for the cAMP concentration as a function of the system parameters. Furthermore, we show, using analytics as well as direct numerical simulations, that for physiologically relevant time scales the steady state solution has been reached. Our results indicate that elevating the degradation constant throughout the cell, except for a small microdomain surrounding the source, requires an unphysiologically high cellular PDE concentration. On the other hand, a tight spatial relationship of localized PDEs with the cAMP source can result in functional microdomains while maintaining a physiologically plausible cellular PDE concentration.
A critique of how to specify the participant group size for usability studies: a practitioner's guide by Macefield

This critique addresses important issues overlooked by Macefield in his recent paper in JUS. The participant group size depends on the purpose of the test. It also depends on test quality---if poor methodology is used, participant group size is unimportant. Evaluator quality and number of involved evaluators affect usability studies more than participant group size. The Comparative Usability Evaluation (CUE) studies have shown that it is infeasible or impossible to find all serious usability problems on a typical website. This critique argues that five users are enough to drive a useful iterative cycle.
Characterization of Transcriptional Repressor Gene MSX1 Variations for Possible Associations with Congenital Heart Diseases

Background The human heart consists of several cell types with distinct lineage origins. Interactions between these cardiac progenitors are very important for heart formation. The muscle segment homeobox gene family plays a key role in the cell morphogenesis and growth, controlled cellular proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis, but the relationships between the genetic abnormalities and CHD phenotypes still remain largely unknown. The aim of this work was to evaluate variations in MSX1 and MSX2 for their possible associations with CHD. Methods We sequenced the MSX1 and MSX2 genes for 300 Chinese Han CHD patients and 400 normal controls and identified the variations. The statistical analyses were conducted using Chi-Square Tests as implemented in SPSS (version 19.0). The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium test of the population was carried out using the online software OEGE. Results Six variations rs4647952, rs2048152, rs4242182, rs61739543, rs111542301 and rs3087539 were identified in the MSX2 gene, but the genetic heterozygosity of those SNPs was very low. In contrast, the genetic heterozygosity of two variations rs3821949 near the 5’UTR and rs12532 within 3’UTR of the MSX1 gene was considerably high. Statistical analyses showed that rs3821949 and rs12532 were associated with the risk of CHD (specifically VSD). Conclusions The SNPs rs3821949 and rs12532 in the MSX1 gene were associated with CHD in Chinese Han populations.
Modeling covariance risk in Merton's ICAPM

We propose a new method for constructing the hedge component in Merton's ICAPM that uses a daily summary measure of economic activity to track time-varying investment opportunities. We then use nonparametric projections to compute a robust estimate of the conditional covariance between stock market returns and our daily economic activity index. We find that the new conditional covariance risk measure plays an important role in explaining time variation in the equity risk premium. Specification tests as well as out-of-sample forecasts of aggregate stock returns suggest that the new covariance risk measure performs well compared to alternative covariance measures previously proposed in the literature.
Fluoride varnishes and caries incidence decrease in preschool children: a systematic review

The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate whether conclusive evidence exists that the professional application of fluoride varnish decreases dental caries incidence in preschool children. We searched the electronic databases BBO, LILACS, MEDLINE and Cochrane to identify controlled clinical trials that evaluated the development of cavitated caries lesions in children up to six years of age. Two researchers performed a critical appraisal of the studies selected for inclusion. Five-hundred and thirteen articles were found but only eight met our inclusion criteria. Most of these eight studies were of poor methodological quality. They were also heterogeneous in relation to participants’ previous caries experience, type of intervention administered to the control group, children’s exposure to other sources of fluoride, and varnish ap plication interval. The absolute differences between caries incidences in the control and test groups ranged from 0.30 to 1.64 and the preventive fractions varied from 5% to 63%. Fluoride varnish may be effective to decrease dental caries incidence in preschoolers, but more randomized clinical trials of better methodological quality are necessary to provide conclusive evidence in this respect.
A Review of Household Behaviors for Preventing Obesity in Children

With obesity on the rise in children as well as adults, finding ways to prevent childhood obesity has become a pressing concern for both health care providers and parents. Yet, determining the best prevention method is difficult because the problem does not have a single cause and there are few scientific studies examining the impacts of specific interventions. This report reviews 17 behaviors proposed for maintaining healthy weight in children that could possibly be altered in the home setting. The behaviors were ranked on the basis of evidence that, if practiced, they (1) could prevent obesity, (2) would be unlikely to cause harm, and (3) might improve aspects of child well-being aside from maintaining a healthy body weight. Under these criteria, the behaviors that could most strongly be recommended for children were reducing â€œscreen timeâ€ (time spent watching TV or videotapes, using the computer, or playing video games); playing outside more often; and consuming appropriate portion sizes, especially when drinking sugar-sweetened beverages and eating away from home.
The contribution of twin studies to the understanding of the aetiology of asthma and atopic diseases

The prevalence of asthma and other atopic diseases has increased markedly during the past decades and the reasons for this are not fully understood. Asthma is still increasing in many parts of the world, notably in developing countries, and this emphasizes the importance of continuing research aimed at studying the aetiological factors of the disease and the causes of its increase in prevalence. Twin studies enable investigations into the genetic and environmental causes of individual variation in multifactorial diseases such as asthma. Thorough insight into these causes is important as this will ultimately guide the development of preventive strategies and targeted therapies. This review explores the contribution of twin studies to the understanding of the aetiology of asthma and atopic diseases.
Determinants of Preference for Contingent Employment

This paper explores the determinants of preference for contingent employment using a national probability sample of temporary workers and independent contractors. A multi-level model of preference and multivariate analyses indicate that the opportunity cost of contract work, number of job opportunities, prior experience, human and financial capital, access to health benefits, prior experience, and work-family factors predict preference for contingent employment. These results are moderated by gender and by type of contingent work arrangement. Temporary workers differ from independent contractors and men differ from women with respect to which factors are associated with preference. The implications for organization human resource policy and social policy are discussed.
Radio Map Filter for Sensor Network Indoor Localization Systems

Sensor Network Indoor Localization Systems (SNILS) gain a significant attention these years, due to their ease of deployment and inexpensiveness. Ranging methods play basic role in the localization system, in which the RSSI (received signal strength indicator)-based ranging technique attracts the most attention. But the accuracy of the RSSI-based localization method remains a big challenge, because of the severe fading effects in the indoor environment. In this paper, a radio map method is proposed to improve the accuracy of the RSSI-based SNILS. This method contains two phases. The first phase is the radio map setting up phase. The radio maps are a set of probability density functions (pdf) indicating the radio fading pattern in the concerned environment, which are setup by a cooperative target. The second phase is the target tracking phase. Position probability matrixes (PPM) are used to indicate the positions of the targets, which are calculated by refering the stored radio maps according to the real-time RSSI values. To improve the localization accuracy, a radio map based Bayesian filter is proposed to iteratively calculate the PPM to speed up the convergence of the variance. Fully distributed algorithms of the localization method and the filter are designed and are implemented in the MICA2 system. The experimental accuracy is shown to be less than 1 meter with 80% probability, much better than current RSSI-based SNILS.
An Analysis of the Labor Supply and Fertility of Married Women with Grouped Data from the 1970 U.s. Census an Analysis of the Labor Supply and Fertility of Married Women with Grouped Data from the 1970 U.s. Census

The major objective of this study is to evaluate the results of previous studies of the labor supply and completed fertility of married women which used group (by SMSA) cross-sectional data from the 1940, 1950, and 1960 u.S. Censuses. Generalized Least Squares is used to estimate a two-equation model for five-year, age-of-wife cohorts (between ages 30 and 54) for both. the non-Spanish white and black populations. Two data sets are used: SMSA averages from the 1970 Census published data, similar to those employed in previous studies, and averages calculated from an extract of the 1970 Public Use Sample. The latter permits more accurate measurement and the use of superior estimation methods, including corrections for sample selection bias. In general, coefficient estimates with the 1970 published averages closely approximate those estimated with data from the three preceding censuses. Most importantly, the uncompensated wife's wage and husband's income elasticities are quite similar to previous estimates, except in the case of the white fertility equation. Continued evidence is also provided for a dominant discouraged-worker effect of tran~itory labor market conditions. The findings with the 1970 Public Use Sample averages differ substantially from those obtained with the published averages. Most importantly, the effects of the wife's wage upon labor supply are insignificant and of varying sign. Correction for sample selection bias fails to reverse this pattern. The estimated labor supply effects of husband's income are significantly negative, as expected, for the whites, but insignificant for the blacks, as are the nonlabor income coefficients for both races. Evidence of a dominant discouraged-worker effect persists but is weaker than in studies with published data. The estimates of the fertility equation for whites are as equally weak as those obtained with the published data. For the blacks, only the wife's wage and the proportion rural of the population have significant effects of the expected sign in contrast to significant effects of all the economic variables with the published data. (:;10, An Analysis of the Labor Supply and Fertility of Married Women with Grouped Data from the 1970 U.S. Census
Response of metallothionein concentrations in a freshwater bivalve (Anodonta grandis) along an environmental cadmium gradient

Surficial (oxic) sediments, overlying water, and specimens of the freshwater bivalve Anodonta grandis were collected by divers at 11 littoral lacustrine sites located along a geochemical gradient of pH, [Cd], Dl, and [Z n in an area influenced by mining and smelting activities. The molluscs were dissected (gills; 1 hepatopancreas; remaining tissues) and analyzed for Cd, Cu, Zn, and metallothioneins (MT). Tissue concentrations of MT in A. grandis varied between 100 and 440 nmol metal binding sites (g dry wt- l. Metallothionein levels in the gills, the remaining tissues, and the whole organism were significantly correlated (P < 0.01) with tissue Cd concentrations. In contrast, correlations between [MT] and tissue levels of Cu or Zn were weak or nonexistent. The intersite variations in MT concentrations were best related, not to total dissolved metal concentrations at the time of sampling, nor to extractable metal concentrations in the sediments, but to the free Cd2+ concentration at the sediment-water interface, as estimated from sediment-water sorptive equilibria. These observations suggest that Cd2’ activity is the key environmental factor to which metallothionein levels in A. grandis are responding in the studied lakes. The mollusc condition indices (C.I. = 1,000 x total dry wt of flesh of the animals/total intervalval volume) deteriorated as Ld concentrations in the tissues increased.
The Optical Polarization of Near-Infrared-selected Quasi-Stellar Objects

Optical broadband polarimetry is presented for near-infrared color-selected active galactic nuclei (AGNs) classified as quasi-stellar objects (QSOs) based on their Ks-band luminosity. More than 10% of a sample of 70 QSOs discovered in the Two Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS) with J-Ks > 2 and M < -23 show high broadband linear polarization (P > 3%), and values range to a maximum of P ~ 11%. High polarization tends to be associated with the most luminous objects at Ks and with QSOs having the highest near-IR-to-optical flux ratios. The 2MASS QSO sample includes objects possessing a wide range of optical spectral types. High polarization is seen in two of 22 broad emission-line (type 1) objects, but ~ of the QSOs of intermediate spectral type (type 1.5-1.9) are highly polarized. None of the nine QSOs classified as type 2 exhibit P > 3%. It is likely that the unavoidable inclusion of unpolarized starlight from the host galaxy within the observation aperture results in reduced polarization for the narrow emission-line objects. The high polarization of 2MASS-discovered QSOs supports the conclusion inferred from their near-IR and optical colors: that the nuclei of many of these objects are obscured to some degree by dust. Correlations between optical polarization and near-IR luminosity and color imply that the dominant polarizing mechanism in the sample is scattering of AGN light into our line of sight by material located in relatively unobscured regions near the nucleus. The broadband polarization properties of the 2MASS QSO sample are compared to those of other, predominantly radio-quiet, QSOs and are found to be consistent with the idea that the orientation of AGNs to the line of sight plays a major role in determining their observed properties.
Bayesian structural learning and estimation in Gaussian graphical models

We propose a new stochastic search algorithm for Gaussian graphical models called the mode oriented stochastic search. Our algorithm relies on the existence of a method to accurately and efficiently approximate the marginal likelihood associated with a graphical model when it cannot be computed in closed form. To this end, we develop a new Laplace approximation method to the normalizing constant of a G-Wishart distribution. We show that combining the mode oriented stochastic search with our marginal likelihood estimation method leads to excellent results with respect to other techniques discussed in the literature. We also describe how to perform inference through Bayesian model averaging based on the reduced set of graphical models identified. Finally, we give a novel stochastic search technique for multivariate regression models. Some key words: Bayesian model averaging; Covariance estimation; Covariance selection; Gaussian graphical models; Multivariate regression; Stochastic search.
The sizes of disc galaxies in intermediate-redshift clusters

We examine how the location of star formation within disc galaxies depends on environment at intermediate redshift. This is achieved by comparing emission-line (rem) and rest-frame B-band (rB) scalelengths for matched samples of 50 field and 19 cluster, star-forming, disc galaxies, with 0.25 ≤z≤ 1.0 and MB≤−19.5 mag. We find that at a given rB the majority of our cluster galaxies have rem smaller than those in the field, by 25 per cent on average. These results are compared with studies of local galaxies, which find a very similar behaviour. From the relations of rem and rB versus B-band absolute magnitude (MB) we infer that the difference between the intermediate-z cluster and field samples is mostly attributable to variation in rem at a given MB, while the rB versus MB relation is similar for the two samples.
Decision Making : A Cognitive Function Approach

This paper presents a cognitive function approach to decision-making. Traditional approaches are usually based on single-agent models that typically attempt to capture sequential information processing. They are limited to the account of cognitive functions such as observation, interpretation, planning and action execution. Multi-agent models enable the capture of both sequential and parallel information processing. From this perspective, cognitive functions are extended to interactive supervision, cooperation, coordination, negotiation and delegation. An agent is typically conceived as a society of other agents. Since a natural decision made by an agent results from the combination of mini-decisions made by other agents whether those are intrinsic or extrinsic to the agent, an extended theory of cognitive functions is required. This is what this paper is about. Examples are provided from the aeronautics domain.
Using Big Data for Predicting Freshmen Retention

Traditional research in student retention is survey-based, relying on data collected from questionnaires, which is not optimal for proactive prediction and real-time decision (student intervention) support. Machine learning approaches have their own limitations. Therefore, in this research, we propose a big data approach to formulating a predictive model. We used commonly available (student demographic and academic) data in academic institutions augmented by derived implicit social networks from students’ university smart card transactions. Furthermore, we applied a sequence learning method to infer students’ campus integration from their purchasing behaviors. Since student retention data is highly imbalanced, we built a new ensemble classifier to predict students at-risk of dropping out. For model evaluation, we use a real-world dataset of smart card transactions from a large educational institution. The experimental results show that the addition of campus integration and social behavior features refined using the ensemble method significantly improve prediction accuracy and recall.
Reaching Market Equilibrium Merely by Bilateral Barters

Motivated by emission and resource markets, this paper considers repeated, bilateral barters between owners of commodity bundles, contingent claims, or property rights. Focus is on feasible, voluntary exchanges, driven only by differences in substitution rates. No coordination is ever needed. The modelling complies with adaptive learning, behavioral economics, and decentralized decision-making. Presuming transferable utility, the paper provides sufficient conditions for convergence to market equilibrium. It is expedient that some parties have differentiable objectives or make strictly feasible choices.
Reward, Motivation and Creativity: Moderated By the Need for Power

Indeed, although many scholars and practitioners are interested in understanding how to motivate individuals to be more creative, whether and how rewards affect creativity remain unclear. Therefore, in this paperr we have examined how reward, motivation and creativity are moderated by the need for power. Specifically, the study examined how the anticipation of individually administered reward for knowledge or for skills (eg praise, recognition, reinforcement, awards, incentives, performance pay plans) was linked to the employee creative performance in the workplace with intrinsic motivation as a mediating variable of this relationship and the need for power as a moderating variable of the relationship between intrinsic motivation and creativity. Questionnaire as research instrument was used and was distributed to 301 employees from Zhongxing Telecommunication Equipment (ZTE), Baidu, Roche, along with other 6 enterprises was used. In total, 275 usable responses were analyzed through SPSS. Standard procedures were used to process and represent findings. Pearson correlation analysis and multiple regressions were then applied to test the hypotheses. Findings – The study reaches three main conclusions. First, reward for knowledge and reward for skills are positively related to employee creativity. Second, intrinsic motivation mediates the relationship between reward for knowledge and for skills with creativity. Third the need for power moderates the relationship between the intrinsic motivation and employee’s creativity such that individuals with a high need for power will exhibit intrinsic motivation for a greater creativity when reward for knowledge or reward for skill is high.
The Coevolution of Network Ties and Perceptions of Team Psychological Safety

Which comes first—team social networks or emergent team states (e.g., team climate)? We argue that team members' social network ties and team members' climate perceptions coevolve over time as a function of six reciprocal and co-occurring processes. We test our conceptual framework in a 10-month longitudinal study of perceptions of team psychological safety and social network ties in 69 work teams and find considerable support for our hypotheses. Our main results suggest that perceptions of psychological safety predict network ties. The more psychologically safe team members perceive their team to be, the more likely they are to ask their teammates for advice and to see them as friends, and the less likely they are to report difficult relationships with them. At the same time, network ties predict psychological safety. Team members adopt their friends' and advisors' perceptions of the team's psychological safety and reject the perceptions of those with whom they report a difficult relationship. Our framework and findings suggest that conceptual models and tests of unidirectional or team-level effects are likely to substantially misrepresent the mechanisms by which network ties and emergent team states coevolve.