Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modelling the nova rate in galaxies

We compute theoretical nova rates as well as type Ia SN rates in galaxies of different morphological type (Milky Way, ellipticals and irregulars) by means of detailed chemical evolution models, and compare them with the most recent observations. The main difference among the different galaxies is the assumed history of star formation. In particular, we predict that the nova rates in giant ellipticals such as M 87 are ∼100-300 nova yr −1 , about a factor of ten larger than in our Galaxy (∼25 nova yr −1 ), in agreement with very recent estimates from HST data. The best agreement with the observed rates is obtained if the recurrence time of novae in ellipticals is assumed to be longer than in the Milky Way. This result indicates that the star formation rate in ellipticals, and in particular in M 87, must have been very efficient at early cosmic epochs. We predict a nova rate for the LMC of 1.7 nova yr −1 , again in agreement with observations. We compute also the K- and B-band luminosities for ellipticals of different luminous mass and conclude that there is not a clear trend for the luminosity specific nova rate with luminosity among these galaxies. However, firm conclusions about ellipticals cannot be drawn because of possible observational biases in observing these objects. The comparison between the specific nova rates in the Milky Way and the LMC indicates a trend of increasing nova rate passing from the Galaxy towards late-type spirals and Magellanic irregulars.
The Neuropeptide VGF Produces Antidepressant-Like Behavioral Effects and Enhances Proliferation in the Hippocampus

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is upregulated in the hippocampus by antidepressant treatments, and BDNF produces antidepressant-like effects in behavioral models of depression. In our previous work, we identified genes induced by BDNF and defined their specific roles in hippocampal neuronal development and plasticity. To identify genes downstream of BDNF that may play roles in psychiatric disorders, we examined a subset of BDNF-induced genes also regulated by 5-HT (serotonin), which includes the neuropeptide VGF (nonacronymic). To explore the function of VGF in depression, we first investigated the expression of the neuropeptide in animal models of depression. VGF was downregulated in the hippocampus after both the learned helplessness and forced swim test (FST) paradigms. Conversely, VGF infusion in the hippocampus of mice subjected to FST reduced the time spent immobile for up to 6 d, thus demonstrating a novel role for VGF as an antidepressant-like agent. Recent evidence indicates that chronic treatment of rodents with antidepressants increases neurogenesis in the adult dentate gyrus and that neurogenesis is required for the behavioral effects of antidepressants. Our studies using [3H]thymidine and bromodeoxyuridine as markers of DNA synthesis indicate that chronic VGF treatment enhances proliferation of hippocampal progenitor cells both in vitro and in vivo with survival up to 21 d. By double immunocytochemical analysis of hippocampal neurons, we demonstrate that VGF increases the number of dividing cells that express neuronal markers in vitro. Thus, VGF may act downstream of BDNF and exert its effects as an antidepressant-like agent by enhancing neurogenesis in the hippocampus.
Reexamining the Relationship between Debt Mix and Growth in Japan

In examing how the relative weight of bank loans in total corporate debt is related to the firm’s market-tobook ratio—a proxy for expected growth—Hoshi, Kashyap and Scharfstein (1993) find a negative association for Japan, while Anderson and Makhija (1999) find a positive one. We argue that the negative relation, as predicted by the Diamond (1991) model, might be reversed for top-growth firms and/or in circumstances of unusually high uncertainty. That is, in the lower range of growth spectrum, firms with better prospects do take more bonds in their debt mix. But in the higher range of growth, firms with more growth potential take more monitored debt, reflecting, amongst other factors, the higher information and contracting costs of public debt faced by very fast growers. Extreme external uncertainty should have effects in the same direction as as unusual growth potential. Using data on Japanese firms for 1983-97, we do find a predominantly positive relation in the years immediately around the Japanese crash. For less turbulent years, we find the positive relation only for highgrowth firms. In general, the relation is clearly U-shaped, with most firms being on the negative-sloping section most of the time, but with many firms on the positive-sloped section in 1990-1992. We also look at the subsets singled out by Hoshi, Kashyap and Scharfstein (1993) and Anderson and Makhija (1999). Keiretsu firms do not behave significantly different from non-keiretsu ones, suggesting that in the 80s and 90s keiretsu firms were already fairly independent in their financing decisions and that extra costs and benefits from bank loans were either small or roughly offsetting each other. Firms that faced restrictions in issuing bonds, pre-1990, continued to behave differently from other firms long after the restrictions were lifted.
Homogenization and Numerical Simulation of Flow in Geometries with Textile Microstructures

The simulation of the liquid composite molding process is an important step for the manufacturing of composites with textile reinforcements. However, its fast direct numerical simulation is impossible on the microscale due to computational complexity reasons. We have to resort to the macroscale instead. Here, an essential task is the fast and accurate prediction of the permeability of textile microstructures. For textiles composed of impermeable yarns, we discuss the homogenization of the Stokes equations. This leads to Darcy's law on the macroscale and gives the permeability via the so-called unit cell problems. These equations are then discretized and solved numerically. For textiles composed of permeable yarns, the porosity on both scales is accounted for by a fictitious domain approach in the form of the Stokes/Brinkman equations. The results of our permeability computations in textiles are validated and compared to experimental data.
A Stereovision-Based Lane Detector for Marked and Non-Marked Urban Roads

This paper presents a lane detection system that combines stereovision-specific techniques with grayscale image processing for maximizing the robustness and applicability against the difficult conditions found on the urban roads, marked or non marked. The lane marking features are extracting using a fast and robust dark-light-dark transition detector that's aware of the perspective effect. The clothoid lane model is matched to the extracted features using line segment fitting for two distance intervals, under special constraints that ensure correctness. Freeform lane border detection, independent of the geometry constraints, driven by lane marking features only, is used to solve the situations not suited for clothoid representation. Intensive validation techniques are used for tracking initialization, and for monitoring of the noise level on the road, in order to avoid false positives. The results of each detection method are fused together in a Kalman filter based framework.
Empirical Investigations of the CORAS Language for Structured Brainstorming

An exhaust gas purifying apparatus for a hybrid car, which is of the heater catalyst type and which is provided with an electric motor 1 for driving the hybrid car, a battery 2 for supplying electric power to the electric motor 1, a power generator 3 for charging the battery 2, an internal-combustion engine 4 for driving the power generator 3, and a controller 5 for controlling the operation of the internal-combustion engine 4. The internal-combustion engine 4 is equipped with a catalyst 9 installed in an exhaust pipe 8 for purifying exhaust gas, and a heater 9 for heating the catalyst 9 under the control of the controller 5 to enhance its catalytic action. The controller 5 actuates the internal-combustion engine 4 after the catalyst 9 is heated by the heater 9.
Hsp90 inhibition increases SOCS3 transcript and regulates migration and cell death in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Epigenetic or transcriptional silencing of important tumor suppressors has been described to contribute to cell survival and tumorigenesis in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Using gene expression microarray analysis, we found that thousands of genes are repressed more than 2-fold in CLL compared to normal B cells; however therapeutic approaches to reverse this have been limited in CLL. Following treatment with the Hsp90 inhibitor 17-DMAG, a significant number of these repressed genes were significantly re-expressed. One of the genes significantly repressed in CLL and up-regulated by 17-DMAG was suppressor of cytokine signaling 3, (SOCS3). SOCS3 has been shown to be silenced in solid tumors as well as myeloid leukemia; however little is known about the regulation in CLL. We found that 17-DMAG induces expression of SOCS3 by via the activation of p38 signaling, and subsequently inhibits AKT and STAT3 phosphorylation resulting in downstream effects on cell migration and survival. We therefore suggest that SOCS3 is an important signaling protein in CLL, and Hsp90 inhibitors represent a novel approach to target transcriptional repression in B cell lymphoproliferative disorders which exhibit a substantial degree of gene repression.
Open-Market Repurchase Announcements, Actual Repurchases, and Stock Price Behavior in Inefficient Markets

In the efficient market framework, it seems difficult to explain why a firm would actually buy back its outstanding shares after the stock price goes up in response to an open-market repurchase announcement. We introduce the subject of market inefficiency in a way similar to the explanation of Shleifer and Vishny (1990, 1997) and reexamine corporate open-market repurchase strategy and stock price behavior. In contrast to previous studies dealing with open-market repurchase signaling, we establish a signaling equilibrium without the assumption that an announcement of open-market repurchase intention is a firm-commitment. In an inefficient market, the stock price of a firm may be undervalued when the market is subject to temporal pessimistic noise. Since the firm can earn capital gains by buying its outstanding shares at a bargain price, the firm has a strong incentive to execute stock repurchases even after it makes an announcement of repurchase intention. Empirically, our model predicts positive performance of long-run stock returns as well as positive announcement effects following open-market repurchase announcements.
Bandwidth enhancement using dual-band frequency selective surface with Jerusalem cross elements for 2.4/5.8 GHz WLAN antennas

A dual-band FSS with Jerusalem cross elements was proposed to improve the bandwidth of U-slot patch antennas. From studies, it is shown that the simulation data in general agree with the measurement results for the U-slot patch antennas implemented with a FSS. The U-slot patch antenna using a FSS with Jerusalem cross elements has been proven to provide dual-band and wide-band operation for WLAN applications.
Inclusion of HIV education into a third-year Communication course for students of Engineering and the Built Environment

University graduates enter the workplace having immediate influence and, frequently, progress rapidly to managerial positions. The knowledge-sharing space a university allows can go beyond set curricula to ensure these graduates acquire information on and develop appropriate attitudes to health and social problems into the workplace. Five streams of engineers and construction students were asked to volunteer for a six-month pilot study as part of their Professional Communication Studies course. The study was aligned with the aims of the National Strategic Plan for HIV, STIs and TB (2012-2016) which addresses the structural, social, economic and behavioural factors driving the HIV and TB epidemics. The study sample consisted of 41 students, out of a group of 56, who voluntarily attended a weekend workshop and presented their research on the topic of HIV. Results indicated that while the majority of students were knowledgeable about the infection, transmission and treatment options, there was incorrect knowledge concerning other issues such as stigma and workplace discrimination. Conclusions described the experience as positive and reported that the debates in the focus groups on social and public issues were valued. The group's recommendation was that this theme and the assignment should be included in the core course and not be a voluntary additional item.
RanBP9 Plays a Critical Role in Neonatal Brain Development in Mice

RanBP9 is known to act as a scaffolding protein bringing together a variety of cell surface receptors and intracellular targets thereby regulating functions as diverse as neurite and axonal outgrowth, cell morphology, cell proliferation, myelination, gonad development, myofibrillogenesis and migration of neuronal precursors. Though RanBP9 is ubiquitously expressed in all tissues, brain is one of the organs with the highest expression levels of RanBP9. In the neurons, RanBP9 is localized mostly in the cytoplasm but also in the neurites and dendritic processes. We recently demonstrated that RanBP9 plays pathogenic role in Alzheimer’s disease. To understand the role of RanBP9 in the brain, here we generated RanBP9 null mice by gene-trap based strategy. Most of Ran−/− mice die neonatally due to defects in the brain growth and development. The major defects include smaller cortical plate (CP), robustly enlarged lateral ventricles (LV) and reduced volume of hippocampus (HI). The lethal phenotype is due to a suckling defect as evidenced by lack of milk in the stomachs even several hours after parturition. The complex somatosensory system which is required for a behavior such as suckling appears to be compromised in Ran−/− mice due to under developed CP. Most importantly, RanBP9 phenotype is similar to ERK1/2 double knockout and the neural cell adhesion receptor, L1CAM knockout mice. Both ERK1 and L1CAM interact with RanBP9. Thus, RanBP9 appears to control brain growth and development through signaling mechanisms involving ERK1 and L1CAM receptor.
Design fluency subsequent to onset of aphasia: a distinct pattern of executive function difficulties?

ABSTRACT Background: Executive function problems commonly co-occur with aphasia and influence language and communication performance as well as aphasia treatment outcomes and prognosis. Prior research, however, has focused on a restricted set of executive skills. Aims: This study examined further the integrity of executive functioning and its relationship to language performance in individuals with aphasia by utilising a design fluency measure, which assesses executive skills like initiation, planning, and cognitive flexibility. To examine domain-general versus domain-specific executive problems and determine the distinctiveness of the aphasic group’s performance pattern, adults with right hemisphere brain damage (RHD) were included. The hypotheses examined were: (a) compared to adults with no brain damage, the aphasic and RHD groups would display design fluency impairments; (b) the design fluency performances of aphasic and RHD groups would be quantitatively but not qualitatively similar; and (c) the design fluency performances of the aphasic and RHD groups would be related to their language abilities, as well as their performance of other executive and cognitive measures. Methods and Procedures: Participants with aphasia, RHD, or no brain damage completed the Ruff Figural Fluency Test (RFFT; Ruff, 1996), the results of which were quantitatively (i.e., number of unique designs, a perseverative error ratio) and qualitatively analysed (i.e., number and maximum length of orderly patterns, design complexity, number, and types of non-repetition errors), along with a formal cognitive-linguistic test battery and a verbal fluency task. Outcomes and Results: The traditional, quantitative RFFT scores of the aphasia, and RHD groups were significantly lower than those of the control group. Only the RHD group significantly differed from the control group when qualitative RFFT variables were analysed. RFFT performances correlated with language and other cognitive test scores, with some differences in the number and nature of these associations across the aphasic and RHD groups. Conclusions: The current design fluency findings indicated that executive function deficits involving initiation, planning, self-monitoring, and cognitive flexibility commonly co-occur with aphasia. These results supported previous research by identifying executive function impairments in many, however, not all individuals with aphasia, and by confirming influential associations between executive function and language, and communication measures. Inclusion of individuals with RHD indicated that such executive function difficulties and a potent relationship between executive functioning and language skills are not only unique to those with aphasia but also prevalent in other patient populations and consistent with the contribution of domain-general factors in acquired cognitive impairments.
SREBP-1 Has a Prognostic Role and Contributes to Invasion and Metastasis in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP-1) is a well-known nuclear transcription factor involved in lipid synthesis. Recent studies have focused on its functions in tumor cell proliferation and apoptosis, but its role in cell migration and invasion, especially in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is still unclear. In this study, we found that the expression of SREBP-1 in HCC tissues was significantly higher than those in matched tumor-adjacent tissues (p < 0.05). SREBP-1 was expressed at significantly higher levels in patients with large tumor size, high histological grade and advanced tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage (p < 0.05). The positive expression of SREBP-1 correlated with a worse 3-year overall and disease-free survival of HCC patients (p < 0.05). Additionally, SREBP-1 was an independent factor for predicting both 3-year overall and disease-free survival of HCC patients (p < 0.05). In vitro studies revealed that downregulation of SREBP-1 inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in both HepG2 and MHCC97L cells (p < 0.05). Furthermore, wound healing and transwell assays showed that SREBP-1 knockdown prominently inhibited cell migration and invasion in both HepG2 and MHCC97L cells (p < 0.05). These results suggest that SREBP-1 may serve as a prognostic marker in HCC and may promote tumor progression by promoting cell growth and metastasis.
Near-infrared Imaging of Early-Type Galaxies. II. Global Photometric Parameters

An imaging survey of 341 nearby early-type galaxies in the near-infrared K-band atmospheric window (2.2 μm) is described. The galaxies primarily reside in 13 nearby rich clusters (85%), while some additional galaxies are drawn from loose groups (12%) and the general field (3%). Surface photometry was measured for the entire sample. Detailed corrections were derived from an extensive grid of seeing-convolved r1/4 models and then applied to the isophotal surface brightness, aperture magnitude, and ellipticity profiles. Global photometric parameters were derived from this seeing-corrected photometry. More than 25% of the sample has been observed at least twice, and these repeat measurements demonstrate the small internal uncertainties on the derived global photometric parameters. Extensive comparisons with aperture photometry from the literature demonstrate that the photometric system is fully consistent with other photometric systems to ≤0.01 mag and confirm the estimates of internal random uncertainties. Additional global parameters are drawn from the literature in a homogeneous manner in order to construct a large catalog of galaxy properties: 95% of the galaxies have a velocity dispersion, 69% have a Mg2 index, 80% have an optical reff and ⟨μ⟩eff, 82% have a Dn, and 81% have a derived optical - infrared color measurement. This large data set provides excellent source material for investigations of the physical origins of the global scaling relations of early-type galaxies, velocity fields in the local universe, and comparisons to higher redshift early-type galaxies.
Whole-Brain Neural Dynamics of Probabilistic Reward Prediction

Predicting future reward is paramount to performing an optimal action. Although a number of brain areas are known to encode such predictions, a detailed account of how the associated representations evolve over time is lacking. Here, we address this question using human magnetoencephalography (MEG) and multivariate analyses of instantaneous activity in reconstructed sources. We overtrained participants on a simple instrumental reward learning task where geometric cues predicted a distribution of possible rewards, from which a sample was revealed 2000 ms later. We show that predicted mean reward (i.e., expected value), and predicted reward variability (i.e., economic risk), are encoded distinctly. Early on, representations of mean reward are seen in parietal and visual areas, and later in frontal regions with orbitofrontal cortex emerging last. Strikingly, an encoding of reward variability emerges simultaneously in parietal/sensory and frontal sources and later than mean reward encoding. An orbitofrontal variability encoding emerged around the same time as that seen for mean reward. Crucially, cross-prediction showed that mean reward and variability representations are distinct and also revealed that instantaneous representations become more stable over time. Across sources, the best fitting metric for variability signals was coefficient of variation (rather than SD or variance), but distinct best metrics were seen for individual brain regions. Our data demonstrate how a dynamic encoding of probabilistic reward prediction unfolds in the brain both in time and space. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Predicting future reward is paramount to optimal behavior. To gain insight into the underlying neural computations, we investigate how reward representations in the brain arise over time. Using magnetoencephalography, we show that a representation of predicted mean reward emerges early in parietal/sensory regions and later in frontal cortex. In contrast, predicted reward variability representations appear in most regions at the same time, and slightly later than for mean reward. For both features, representations dynamically change >1000 ms before stabilizing. The best metric for encoding variability is coefficient of variation, with heterogeneity in this encoding seen between brain areas. The results provide novel insights into the emergence of predictive reward representations.