Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The role of quality ladders in a Ricardian model of trade with nonhomothetic preference.

The literature on North-South trade has explored conditions under which international trade might be a factor magnifying income disparities between the advanced North and the backward South. Little attention has yet been placed on the effect of trade on countries that do not display substantial dissimilarities concerning capital endowments. We show that even when no single country is technologically more advanced than any other one and productivity changes are uniform and identical in all countries, international trade may still be a source of income divergence. Income divergence will be experienced when comparative advantages induce patterns of specialisation that, although optimal for each country at some initial point in time, do not offer the same scope for improvements in terms of subsequent quality upgrading of final products.
Helicobacter pylori Infection Is Associated with the Presence of Thyroid Nodules in the Euthyroid Population

Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with extragastric diseases. The thyroid may be one of the targets of chronic inflammation. Here, we sought to investigate whether H. pylori infections were associated with the presence of thyroid nodules. A total of 988 euthyroid subjects from China were included in this cross-sectional study. Four hundred thirty-five (44.0%) subjects were diagnosed as having thyroid nodules, and 486 (49.2%) were diagnosed with H. pylori infections. The thyroid nodules group had a higher proportion of H. pylori infections than the control group (P = 0.002). Free thyroxine (FT4) levels were lower and the prevalence of thyroid nodules was higher in patients with H. pylori infection compared to those without infection, even after adjustment for age, gender, and body mass index (BMI; all P < 0.05). The prevalence of H. pylori infection showed a decreasing trend as serum FT4 level increased (P trend = 0.020). Stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that H. pylori infection was significantly associated with the risk of thyroid nodules (odds ratio: 1.390, 95% confidence interval: 1.059–1.824, P = 0.018). Our results suggested that H. pylori infections were positively associated with the presence of thyroid nodules in the euthyroid population, whose thyroid functions were in the reference range.
Efficient MCS selection for MBSFN transmissions over LTE networks

Long Term Evolution (LTE), the next-generation network beyond 3G, is designed to support the explosion in demand for bandwidth-hungry multimedia services that are already experienced in wired networks. To support Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Services (MBMS), LTE offers functionality to transmit MBMS over a Single Frequency Network (MBSFN), where a time-synchronized common waveform is transmitted from multiple cells for a given duration. This significantly improves the Spectral Efficiency (SE) compared to conventional MBMS operation. The achieved SE is mainly determined by the Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS) utilized by the LTE physical layer. In this paper we propose and evaluate four approaches for the selection of the MCS that will be utilized for the transmission of the MBSFN data. The evaluation of the approaches is performed for different users' distribution and from SE perspective. Based on the SE measurement, we determine the most suitable approach for the corresponding users' distribution.
The Convergence of Contrastive Divergences

The Convergence of Contrastive Divergences Alan Yuille Department of Statistics University of California at Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA 90095 yuille@stat.ucla. edu Abstract This paper analyses the Contrastive Divergence algorithm for learning statistical parameters. We relate the algorithm to the stochastic approxi- mation literature. This enables us to specify conditions under which the algorithm is guaranteed to converge to the optimal solution (with proba- bility 1). This includes necessary and sufﬁcient conditions for the solu- tion to be unbiased. 1 Introduction Many learning problems can be reduced to statistical inference of parameters. But inference algorithms for this task tend to be very slow. Recently Hinton proposed a new algorithm called contrastive divergences (CD) [1]. Computer simulations show that this algorithm tends to converge, and to converge rapidly, although not always to the correct solution [2]. Theoretical analysis shows that CD can fail but does not give conditions which guarantee convergence [3,4]. This paper relates CD to the stochastic approximation literature [5,6] and hence derives elementary conditions which ensure convergence (with probability 1). We conjecture that far stronger results can be obtained by applying more advanced techniques such as those described by Younes [7]. We also give necessary and sufﬁcient conditions for the solution of CD to be unbiased. Section (2) describes CD and shows that it is closely related to a class of stochastic ap- proximation algorithms for which convergence results exist. In section (3) we state and give a proof of a simple convergence theorem for stochastic approximation algorithms. Section (4) applies the theorem to give sufﬁcient conditions for convergence of CD. 2 Contrastive Divergence and its Relations The task of statistical inference is to estimate the model parameters ω ∗ which minimize the Kullback-Leibler divergence D(P 0 (x)||P (x|ω)) between the empirical distribution func-
A Maturity Model for Green ICT: The Case of the SURF Green ICT Maturity Model

This paper discusses the development and evaluation of a maturity model for Green ICT. We d escribe how the model was developed with the input of a number of Green ICT experts before it was released to the general public. The model consists of three domains with attributes on Green ICT that encompass both Greening of ICT as well as Greening by ICT. The quality of the model and its accuracy to capture the full scope of Green ICT has been evaluated through an online survey. We evaluated the quality of the model on relevancy of attributes, whether the attributes were well defined and whether the domains were complete. Twenty participants contributed meaningfully. Two attributes were considered to be irrelevant and six new attributes were suggested. With these results the quality of the maturity model can be improved. Our next step is to test the usefulness of the model by seeing how it is used in practice. We hope this paper inspires more work on testing the quality and usefulness of models and frameworks on Green ICT.
Berberine Antifungal Activity in Fluconazole-Resistant Pathogenic Yeasts: Action Mechanism Evaluated by Flow Cytometry and Biofilm Growth Inhibition in Candida spp.

ABSTRACT The incidence of fungal infections and, in particular, the incidence of fungal antibiotic resistance, which is associated with biofilm formation, have significantly increased, contributing to morbidity and mortality. Thus, new therapeutic strategies need to be developed. In this context, natural products have emerged as a major source of possible antifungal agents. Berberine is a protoberberine-type isoquinoline alkaloid isolated from the roots, rhizomes, and stem bark of natural herbs, such as Berberis aquifolium, Berberis vulgaris, Berberis aristata, and Hydrastis canadensis, and of Phellodendron amurense. Berberine has been proven to have broad antibacterial and antifungal activity. In the present study, the potential antifungal effect of berberine against fluconazole-resistant Candida and Cryptococcus neoformans strains, as well as against the biofilm form of Candida spp. , was assessed. The antifungal effect of berberine was determined by a broth microdilution method (the M27-A3 method of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute) and flow cytometry techniques, in which the probable mechanism of action of the compound was also assessed. For biofilm assessment, a colorimetric 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to determine the susceptibility of sessile cells. The isolates used in the study belonged to the Laboratory of Bioprospection and Experiments in Yeast (LABEL) of the Federal University of Ceará. After 24 and 72 h, fluconazole-resistant Candida and Cryptococcus neoformans strains showed berberine MICs equal to 8 μg/ml and 16 μg/ml, respectively. Cytometric analysis showed that treatment with berberine caused alterations to the integrity of the plasma and mitochondrial membranes and DNA damage, which led to cell death, probably by apoptosis. Assessment of biofilm-forming isolates after treatment showed statistically significant reductions in biofilm cell activity (P < 0.001).
Welfare Regime Transformation in Indonesia: A Citizenship Debate

This article discusses Indonesian welfare regime outlook by using citizenship framework. It is argued that transformation of Indonesian welfare regime from productivist characteristic to universalism has been disrupted by the discourse of communitarian citizenship and market citizenship that has become path-dependency of welfare configuration in contemporary Indonesia . This circumstance has become an endogenous factor that obstructs innovations and changes within an administrative body of universal social protection. By using evidences from Indonesia experiences , this article can be used to develop a further understanding on the complexity of relations between welfare provision and citizenship in the context of developing countries.
Adrenomedullin: a smart road from pheochromocytoma to treatment of pulmonary hypertension

In 1993, Kitamura et al. 1 isolated a new peptide from human pheochromocytoma cells, stimulating cAMP production in human platelets and inducing systemic hypotension in rats. Due to its origin of discovery, i.e. the medulla of the adrenal gland, it was named adrenomedullin 1. Adrenomedullin is a 52-amino acid peptide hormone with structural homology to calcitonin gene-related peptide 2. Together with pro-adrenomedullin N-terminal 20-peptide, adrenomedullin is generated by post-translational splicing from its precursor, pro-adrenomedullin 3. Initially, it was believed that adrenomedullin is only expressed in tumour cells, but subsequent studies revealed that it is a multifunctional peptide, synthesised by a huge variety of mammalian tissues, including myocardium, central nervous system, kidney, and reproductive and digestive organs 2, 4. In addition, adrenomedullin is produced by endothelial and smooth muscle cells of both the systemic and pulmonary circulation 5. Adrenomedullin regulates cardiopulmonary functions and vascular tone as both a circulating hormone and as a local autocrine/paracrine mediator 6. The haemodynamic effects of adrenomedullin are predominantly mediated by cAMP production resulting from activation of two Gs-protein-coupled plasma membrane receptors of the calcitonin peptide family: the calcitonin receptor-like receptor and the receptor activity-modifiying protein-2 or -3 2. Moreover, adrenomedullin mediates smooth muscle cell hyperpolarisation by activating ATP-sensitive K+ channels 7, stimulates the release of vasodilatory prostaglandins 8, and elicits endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation secondary to nitric oxide (NO) formation 8, 9. Inasmuch as adrenomedullin reduces pulmonary vascular tone and improves tissue oxygenation 10, supplementation of exogenous adrenomedullin may be a rationale in the …
A Quantitative Analysis of GSM Air Interface Based on Radiating Columns and Prediction Model

This paper explains the cause of nonlinearity in floor attenuation hither to left unexplained. The performance degradation occurring in air interface for GSM signals is quantitatively analysed using the concept of Radiating Columns of buildings. The signal levels were measured using Wireless Network Optimising Drive Test Tool (E6474A of Agilent Technologies). The measurements were taken in reflected signal environment under usual fading conditions on actual GSM signals radiated from base stations. A mathematical model is derived from the measurements to predict the GSM signal levels in different floors. It was applied on three buildings and found that the predicted signal levels deviated from the measured levels with in +/2 dB for all floors. It is more accurate than the prediction models based on Floor Attenuation Factor. It can be used for planning proper indoor coverage in multi storey buildings. Keywords—GSM air interface, nonlinear attenuation, multistory building, radiating columns, ground conduction and floor attenuation factor.
Country Image Repair Strategies During an Asymmetrical Conflict: An Analysis of the Gaza Conflict in 2014

ABSTRACT In recent decades, more and more countries have become involved in violent conflicts with non-state actors (NSAs), such as Al-Qaeda and ISIS. One of the main reasons why democratic states find it difficult to achieve victory in such asymmetrical conflicts is the tendency of NSAs to work within civilian populations; when democratic states try to fight the NSAs, they lose in the media battle, which tends to focus on civilian casualties. Photos of dead civilians and destruction lead to increasing criticism of the democratic state. As can be expected, state representatives try to restore their state’s media image. The article integrates theories and models from crisis communication and image repair to suggest a new model that examines media strategies used by state representatives during asymmetrical conflicts. The case study is based mainly on qualitative content analysis backed up by quantitative analysis of interviews given by Israeli representatives to the non-Israeli English media during the Gaza conflict in the summer of 2014. According to the model, a state’s representatives can use three kinds of strategies to repair their country image: source, message, and audience. The model can be used to analyze the image repair efforts of democratic countries during asymmetrical conflicts.
Testing the cuing hypothesis for the AV speech detection advantage

Seeing the moving face of the talker permits better detection of speech in noise compared to not seeing their face. We report on an experiment that examined the basis of this AV facilitation effect. This work follows up research by [1] and [2] that developed a procedure for demonstrating an AV speech detection effect and [3] that showed that this facilitation occurred regardless of whether participants knew the language of test. In the current experiment we tested to see if AV facilitation occurred because participants were cued to when to pay attention by relatively simply properties of the visual speech of the talker (e.g., when the talker’s mouth opened wide). This cuing idea was tested for two types of auditory and visual information that altered the naturalness of speech but maintained many simply cues. The first alteration was to present the AV stimuli backwards, e.g., (both speech and vision played timereversed). The second used a computer-generated face (Baldi) with synthesised speech. We also tested with a human talker with time-forward presentation. Our findings indicated that AV facilitation only occurred for the time forward human talker presentation; we discuss these results with respect to different types of AudioVisual cuing.
MALDI Imaging Mass Spectrometry Profiling of N-Glycans in Formalin-Fixed Paraffin Embedded Clinical Tissue Blocks and Tissue Microarrays

A recently developed matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization imaging mass spectrometry (MALDI-IMS) method to spatially profile the location and distribution of multiple N-linked glycan species in frozen tissues has been extended and improved for the direct analysis of glycans in clinically derived formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues. Formalin-fixed tissues from normal mouse kidney, human pancreatic and prostate cancers, and a human hepatocellular carcinoma tissue microarray were processed by antigen retrieval followed by on-tissue digestion with peptide N-glycosidase F. The released N-glycans were detected by MALDI-IMS analysis, and the structural composition of a subset of glycans could be verified directly by on-tissue collision-induced fragmentation. Other structural assignments were confirmed by off-tissue permethylation analysis combined with multiple database comparisons. Imaging of mouse kidney tissue sections demonstrates specific tissue distributions of major cellular N-linked glycoforms in the cortex and medulla. Differential tissue distribution of N-linked glycoforms was also observed in the other tissue types. The efficacy of using MALDI-IMS glycan profiling to distinguish tumor from non-tumor tissues in a tumor microarray format is also demonstrated. This MALDI-IMS workflow has the potential to be applied to any FFPE tissue block or tissue microarray to enable higher throughput analysis of the global changes in N-glycosylation associated with cancers.
The role of the communicative approach and cooperative learning in higher education

It has been widely accepted that language is not only a system of rules, but a dynamic resource for the creation of meaning. In that sense, it is essential to distinguish between knowing various grammatical rules and being able to use these rules effectively when communicating. This view has underpinned one of the most popular approaches to language - communicative language teaching. The aim of this paper is to present the growing importance of focusing on the processes and means towards the learning of a foreign language (FL) rather than the products of a language. With communication at the centre of any FL curriculum, cooperative language learning assumes one of the leading positions in the language teaching-learning process. The paper will try to show the positive effects of cooperative language learning and teaching, as based on the results obtained from the survey carried out on a group of students at the tertiary level of education. It will point out to the fact that cooperative language learning provides students with the necessary social and academic skills, promoting productivity and achievement, which are also the aims of communicative language teaching. The survey results might also be used to give further implications for the creation of FL curriculum.
Dynamics in Developing Cortex

The complexity of the brain is overwhelming. How do we identify the essential aspects of structure and connect them to function? A complete model of the brain would be a numerical quagmire. Instead, we rely on effective interactions between pairs of neurons and endeavor to relate these interactions to observed phenomena. As a model system, we focus on neurons in primary visual cortex that respond selectively to motion in one direction only. The development of direction selectivity requires visual stimulation during a critical period. Neurons tend to become selective for the same direction as their neighbors. We consider correlations as an effective interaction that could mediate the development of coherent direction domains in a new analysis of the study of Li and van Hooser (2008). This dataset consists of hundreds of simultaneously recorded neurons in several animals monitored during different training paradigms. We show that correlations in a population of developing neurons are connected to the outcome of development. Further, we show that development changes correlations. Finally, this dataset shows the development of direction and orientation responses at a much finer spatial scale than in previous work. We show evidence that there are significant shifts in the preferred orientations of single cells, which have not been detected previously. The second half of the thesis deals with theoretical studies of mechanisms for direction selectivity. First, we study noise sensitivity in a common model for direction selectivity, which is based on feedforward network structure. We show that excitatory inputs alone cannot generate high levels of direction selectivity, even in noiseless conditions with ideal tuning. However, in direction-selective neurons, inhibitory inputs appear to have the same structure as excitatory inputs. Taking this into account, the model neuron becomes robustly direction-selective. Finally, we show that direction-selective neurons can emerge in a random cortical network. The fraction of direction-selective neurons increases with the strength of inhibition. We consider general feature selectivity in the network and calculate the receptive field of a neuron analytically. This provides a framework for studying how recurrent connections with minimal structure shape a receptive field.
PKC Enhances the Capacity for Secretion by Rapidly Recruiting Covert Voltage-Gated Ca2+ Channels to the Membrane

It is unknown whether neurons can dynamically control the capacity for secretion by promptly changing the number of plasma membrane voltage-gated Ca2+ channels. To address this, we studied peptide release from the bag cell neurons of Aplysia californica, which initiate reproduction by secreting hormone during an afterdischarge. This burst engages protein kinase C (PKC) to trigger the insertion of a covert Ca2+ channel, Apl Cav2, alongside a basal channel, Apl Cav1. The significance of Apl Cav2 recruitment to secretion remains undetermined; therefore, we used capacitance tracking to assay secretion, along with Ca2+ imaging and Ca2+ current measurements, from cultured bag cell neurons under whole-cell voltage-clamp. Activating PKC with the phorbol ester, PMA, enhanced Ca2+ entry, and potentiated stimulus-evoked secretion. This relied on channel insertion, as it was occluded by preventing Apl Cav2 engagement with prior whole-cell dialysis or the cytoskeletal toxin, latrunculin B. Channel insertion reduced the stimulus duration and/or frequency required to initiate secretion and strengthened excitation-secretion coupling, indicating that Apl Cav2 accesses peptide release more readily than Apl Cav1. The coupling of Apl Cav2 to secretion also changed with behavioral state, as Apl Cav2 failed to evoke secretion in silent neurons from reproductively inactive animals. Finally, PKC also acted secondarily to enhance prolonged exocytosis triggered by mitochondrial Ca2+ release. Collectively, our results suggest that bag cell neurons dynamically elevate Ca2+ channel abundance in the membrane to ensure adequate secretion during the afterdischarge.