Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Does a one-size recommendation system fit all? the effectiveness of collaborative filtering based recommendation systems across different domains and search modes

Collaborative filtering (CF) is a personalization technology that generates recommendations for users based on others' evaluations. CF is used by numerous e-commerce Web sites for providing personalized recommendations. Although much research has focused on refining collaborative filtering algorithms, little is known about the effects of user and domain characteristics on the accuracy of collaborative filtering systems. In this study, the effects of two factors—product domain and users' search mode—on the accuracy of CF are investigated. The effects of those factors are tested using data collected from two experiments in two different product domains, and from two large CF datasets, EachMovie and Book-Crossing. The study shows that the search mode of the users strongly influences the accuracy of the recommendations. CF works better when users look for specific information than when they search for general information. The accuracy drops significantly when data from different modes are mixed. The study also shows that CF is more accurate for knowledge domains than for consumer product domains. The results of this study imply that for more accurate recommendations, collaborative filtering systems should be able to identify and handle users' mode of search, even within the same domain and user group.
Human Capital Policies and the Distribution of Income: A Framework for Analysis and Literature Review

Income and wage inequality increased rapidly in a number of OECD economies. This report surveys the literature on the determinants of wage and income inequality and presents a framework for analyzing policy. The focus is on human capital policies, but other policies that could also reduce income inequality are considered. The report concludes that increased income inequality in OECD economies reflects greater wage inequality and higher skill premia and that the most likely cause of the rise in skill premia is technical change that has increased the demand for skills and education, though changes in labor market institutions, such as minimum wage laws and the importance of union bargaining, are also likely to have played some role. Although increasing the supply of skills may have some beneficial effects, the most useful policies to reduce inequality would be those that can close the gap of skills between the top and the bottom of the income distribution, such as policies to improve the quality of secondary schooling and to encourage on-the-job training.
The Quasi-Reversibility Method for Thermoacoustic Tomography in a Heterogeneous Medium

In this paper we consider thermoacoustic tomography as the inverse problem of determining from lateral Cauchy data the unknown initial conditions in a wave equation with spatially varying coefficients. This problem also occurs in several applications in the area of medical imaging and nondestructive testing. Using the method of quasi-reversibility, the original ill-posed problem is replaced with a boundary value problem for a fourth order partial differential equation. We find a weak $H^2$ solution of this problem and show that it is a well-posed elliptic problem. Error estimates and convergence of the approximation follow from observability estimates for the wave equation, which are proved using a Carleman estimate. We derive a numerical scheme for the solution of the quasi-reversibility problem by a $B$-spline Galerkin method, for which we give error estimates. Finally, we present numerical results supporting the robustness of this method for the reconstruction of initial conditions from full and limited boundary data.
Mast cells in pathological and surgical scars

AIM To investigate the role of mast cells in surgical and pathological scar reactions by their identification and quantification using immunohistochemistry. METHODS Surgical scars and pathological scar reactions were stained immunohistochemically for tryptase to identify mast cells. These were quantified in the scar tissue and surrounding dermis. Statistical analyses were performed to test the hypothesis that mast cell numbers were different in the varying types of scar reaction. RESULTS A significant difference was found between the mean number of mast cells in periocular scars compared with keloids, hypertrophic scars, and surgical scars from other sites (p<0.05). No significant difference was found in mast cell numbers between the other scar types either within the lesions or surrounding dermis. There were significantly more mast cells in the dermis than in the scar tissue itself, except for the small group of periocular scars. The ratio of mast cells in the lesion compared with the dermis was not significantly different between the scar types, except for the periocular scars. CONCLUSIONS Mast cell numbers are similar in and around keloid, hypertrophic, and surgical scars. The increased number of mast cells at periocular scar sites was contrary to expectation since keloids are rare at this site. Absolute mast cell numbers may not be an accurate measure of tissue concentrations of active mast cell products. Further comparisons between immunological characteristics of keloid and periocular scars may elucidate specific immunological abnormalities of keloid scars, and this has implications for the development of immunotherapy.
A highly conserved c‐fms gene intronic element controls macrophage‐specific and regulated expression

The c‐fms gene encodes the receptor for macrophage colony‐stimulating factor‐1. This gene is expressed selectively in the macrophage cell lineage. Previous studies have implicated sequences in intron 2 that control transcript elongation in tissue‐specific and regulated expression of c‐fms. Four macrophage‐specific deoxyribonuclease I (DNase I)‐hypersensitive sites (DHSs) were identified within mouse intron 2. Sequences of these DHSs were found to be highly conserved compared with those in the human gene. A 250‐bp region we refer to as the fms intronic regulatory element (FIRE), which is even more highly conserved than the c‐fms proximal promoter, contains many consensus binding sites for macrophage‐expressed transcription factors including Sp1, PU.1, and C/EBP. FIRE was found to act as a macrophage‐specific enhancer and as a promoter with an antisense orientation preference in transient transfections. In stable transfections of the macrophage line RAW264, as well as in clones selected for high‐ and low‐level c‐fms mRNA expression, the presence of intron 2 increased the frequency and level of expression of reporter genes compared with those attained using the promoter alone. Removal of FIRE abolished reporter gene expression, revealing a suppressive activity in the remaining intronic sequences. Hence, FIRE is shown to be a key regulatory element in thefms gene.
An African Swine Fever Virus ERV1-ALRHomologue, 9GL, Affects Virion Maturation and Viral Growth in Macrophages and Viral Virulence in Swine

ABSTRACT The African swine fever virus (ASFV) genome contains a gene,9GL, with similarity to yeast ERV1 andALR genes. ERV1 has been shown to function in oxidative phosphorylation and in cell growth, while ALR has hepatotrophic activity. 9GL encodes a protein of 119 amino acids and was highly conserved at both nucleotide and amino acid levels among all ASFV field isolates examined. Monospecific rabbit polyclonal antibody produced to a glutathione S-transferase–9GL fusion protein specifically immunoprecipitated a 14-kDa protein from macrophage cell cultures infected with the ASFV isolate Malawi Lil-20/1 (MAL). Time course analysis and viral DNA synthesis inhibitor experiments indicated that p14 was a late viral protein. A9GL gene deletion mutant of MAL (Δ9GL), exhibited a growth defect in macrophages of approximately 2 log10 units and had a small-plaque phenotype compared to either a revertant (9GL-R) or the parental virus. 9GL affected normal virion maturation; virions containing acentric nucleoid structures comprised 90 to 99% of all virions observed in Δ9GL-infected macrophages. The Δ9GL virus was markedly attenuated in swine. In contrast to 9GL-R infection, where mortality was 100%, all Δ9GL-infected animals survived infection. With the exception of a transient fever response in some animals, Δ9GL-infected animals remained clinically normal and exhibited significant 100- to 10,000-fold reductions in viremia titers. All pigs previously infected with Δ9GL survived infection when subsequently challenged with a lethal dose of virulent parental MAL. Thus, ASFV9GL gene deletion mutants may prove useful as live-attenuated ASF vaccines.
Biogeography of Photosynthetic Light-Harvesting Genes in Marine Phytoplankton

Background Photosynthetic light-harvesting proteins are the mechanism by which energy enters the marine ecosystem. The dominant prokaryotic photoautotrophs are the cyanobacterial genera Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus that are defined by two distinct light-harvesting systems, chlorophyll-bound protein complexes or phycobilin-bound protein complexes, respectively. Here, we use the Global Ocean Sampling (GOS) Project as a unique and powerful tool to analyze the environmental diversity of photosynthetic light-harvesting genes in relation to available metadata including geographical location and physical and chemical environmental parameters. Methods All light-harvesting gene fragments and their metadata were obtained from the GOS database, aligned using ClustalX and classified phylogenetically. Each sequence has a name indicative of its geographic location; subsequent biogeographical analysis was performed by correlating light-harvesting gene budgets for each GOS station with surface chlorophyll concentration. Conclusion/Significance Using the GOS data, we have mapped the biogeography of light-harvesting genes in marine cyanobacteria on ocean-basin scales and show that an environmental gradient exists in which chlorophyll concentration is correlated to diversity of light-harvesting systems. Three functionally distinct types of light-harvesting genes are defined: (1) the phycobilisome (PBS) genes of Synechococcus; (2) the pcb genes of Prochlorococcus; and (3) the iron-stress-induced (isiA) genes present in some marine Synechococcus. At low chlorophyll concentrations, where nutrients are limited, the Pcb-type light-harvesting system shows greater genetic diversity; whereas at high chlorophyll concentrations, where nutrients are abundant, the PBS-type light-harvesting system shows higher genetic diversity. We interpret this as an environmental selection of specific photosynthetic strategy. Importantly, the unique light-harvesting system isiA is found in the iron-limited, high-nutrient low-chlorophyll region of the equatorial Pacific. This observation demonstrates the ecological importance of isiA genes in enabling marine Synechococcus to acclimate to iron limitation and suggests that the presence of this gene can be a natural biomarker for iron limitation in oceanic environments.
Developing a Partial Equilibrium Model of an Urban Water System

This Productivity Commission staff working paper (by Andrew Barker, Tim Murray and John Salerian) was released March 2010. Urban water and its management have been the subject of much public debate. The timing and choice of investments to augment water supply, different approaches to water pricing, and the tools of demand management have all been the subject of discussion. Outlined in this paper is a model that can be used to quantify the costs and benefits of policy options to improve outcomes in urban water systems. An earlier version of the paper was presented at the Australian Conference of Economists on 30 September 2009, and was awarded the prize for best contributed paper. The views expressed in this paper are those of the staff involved and do not necessarily reflect those of the Productivity Commission.
Millisecond Oscillations in X-ray Binaries

The end of at least one cable is connected to a float and the other end exerts a tractive effort on one or a number of collecting vehicles which land on the bottom at predetermined points with respect to the point of landing of the ballast which is provided with a pile, anchored in the sea bed, then freed from the float and the vehicle. Means initially secured to the ballast and then detached therefrom serve to convert the upward motion of the float to a displacement of the collecting vehicle along the sea floor.
Ram pressure stripping of disk galaxies. From high to low density environments

Galaxies in clusters and groups moving through the intracluster or intragroup medium (abbreviated ICM for both) are expected to lose at least a part of their interstellar medium (ISM) by the ram pressure they experience. We perform high resolution 2D hydrodynamical simulations of face-on ram pressure stripping (RPS) of disk galaxies to compile a comprehensive parameter study varying galaxy properties (mass, vertical structure of the gas disk) and covering a large range of ICM condi- tions, reaching from high density environments like in cluster centres to low density environments typical for cluster outskirts or groups. We find that the ICM-ISM interaction proceeds in three phases: firstly the instantaneous stripping phase, secondly the dynamic intermediate phase, thirdly the quasi-stable continuous viscous stripping phase. In the first phase (time scale 20 to 200 Myr) the outer part of the gas disk is displaced but only partially unbound. In the second phase (10 times as long as the first phase) a part of the displaced gas falls back (about 10% of the initial gas mass) despite the constant ICM wind, but most displaced gas is now unbound. In the third phase the galaxy continues to lose gas at a rate of about 1 Myr −1 by turbulent viscous stripping. We find that the stripping efficiency depends slightly on the Mach number of the flow, however, the main parameter is the ram pressure. The stripping efficiency does not depend on the vertical structure and thickness of the gas disk. We discuss uncertainties in the classic estimate of the stripping radius of Gunn & Gott (1972, ApJ, 176, 1), which compares the ram pressure to the gravitational restoring force. In addition, we adapt the estimate used by Mori & Burkert (2000, ApJ, 538, 559) for spherical galaxies, namely the comparison of the central pressure with ram pressure. We find that the latter estimate predicts the radius and mass of the gas disk remaining at the end of the second phase very well, and better than the Gunn & Gott (1972, ApJ, 176, 1) criterion. From our simulations we conclude that gas disks of galaxies in high density environments are heavily truncated or even com- pletely stripped, but also the gas disks of galaxies in low density environments are disturbed by the flow and back-falling material, so that they should also be pre-processed.
Affective and cognitive empathy in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder

The broad construct of empathy incorporates both cognitive and affective dimensions. Recent evidence suggests that the subjects with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) show a significant impairment in empathic ability. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cognitive and affective components of empathy in adolescents with ASD compared to controls. Fifteen adolescents with ASD and 15 controls underwent paper and pencil measures and a computerized Multifaceted Empathy Test. All measures were divided into mentalizing and experience sharing abilities. Adolescents with ASD compared to controls showed deficits in all mentalizing measures: they were incapable of interpreting and understanding the mental and emotional states of other people. Instead, in the sharing experience measures, the adolescents with ASD were able to empathize with the emotional experience of other people when they express emotions with positive valence, but were not able to do so when the emotional valence is negative. These results were confirmed by the computerized task. In conclusion, our results suggest that adolescents with ASD show a difficulty in cognitive empathy, whereas the deficit in affective empathy is specific for the negative emotional valence.
Sampling Capacity Underlies Individual Differences in Human Associative Learning

Though much work has studied how external factors, such as stimulus properties, influence generalization of associative strength, there has been limited exploration of the influence that internal dispositions may contribute to stimulus processing. Here we report 2 studies using a modified negative patterning discrimination to test the relationship between global processing and generalization. Global processing was associated with stronger negative patterning discrimination, indicative of limited generalization between distinct stimulus compounds and their constituent elements. In Experiment 2, participants pretrained to adopt global processing similarly showed strong negative patterning discrimination. These results demonstrate considerable individual difference in capacity to engage in negative patterning discrimination and suggest that the tendency toward global processing may be one factor explaining this variability. The need for models of learning to account for this variability in learning is discussed.
A national evaluation of treatment outcomes for cocaine dependence.

BACKGROUND This national study focused on posttreatment outcomes of community treatments of cocaine dependence. Relapse to weekly (or more frequent) cocaine use in the first year after discharge from 3 major treatment modalities was examined in relation to patient problem severity at admission to the treatment program and length of stay. METHODS We studied 1605 cocaine-dependent patients from 11 cities located throughout the United States using a naturalistic, nonexperimental evaluation design. They were sequentially admitted from November 1991 to December 1993 to 55 community-based treatment programs in the national Drug Abuse Treatment Outcome Studies. Included were 542 patients admitted to 19 long-term residential programs, 458 patients admitted to 24 outpatient drug-free programs, and 605 patients admitted to 12 short-term inpatient programs. RESULTS Of 1605 patients, 377 (23.5%) reported weekly cocaine use in the year following treatment (dropping from 73.1% in the year before admission). An additional 18.0% had returned to another drug treatment program. Higher severity of patient problems at program intake and shorter stays in treatment (<90 days) were related to higher cocaine relapse rates. CONCLUSIONS Patients with the most severe problems were more likely to enter long-term residential programs, and better outcomes were reported by those treated 90 days or longer. Dimensions of psychosocial problem severity and length of stay are, therefore, important considerations in the treatment of cocaine dependence. Cocaine relapse rates for patients with few problems at program intake were most favorable across all treatment conditions, but better outcomes for patients with medium- to high-level problems were dependent on longer treatment stays.
Technology Implementation Management in Law Enforcement

Increasingly, government agencies are facing the challenge of effective implementation of information technologies critical to their digital government programs and initiatives. This article reports two usercentric evaluation studies of COPLINK, an integrated knowledge management system that supports and enhances lawenforcement officers’crime-fighting activities. Specifically, the evaluations concentrate on system usability and user acceptance in the law enforcement setting. The article describes the study designs, highlights the analysis results, and discusses their implications for digital government research and practices. Findings from these studies provide valuable insights into digital government system evaluation and, at the same time, shed light on how government agencies can design adequate management interventions to foster technology acceptance and use.
An Anti-CD34 Antibody-Functionalized Clinical-Grade POSS-PCU Nanocomposite Polymer for Cardiovascular Stent Coating Applications: A Preliminary Assessment of Endothelial Progenitor Cell Capture and Hemocompatibility

In situ endothelialization of cardiovascular implants has emerged in recent years as an attractive means of targeting the persistent problems of thrombosis and intimal hyperplasia. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of immobilizing anti-CD34 antibodies onto a POSS-PCU nanocomposite polymer surface to sequester endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) from human blood, and to characterize the surface properties and hemocompatibility of this surface. Amine-functionalized fumed silica was used to covalently conjugate anti-CD34 to the polymer surface. Water contact angle, fluorescence microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy were used for surface characterization. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were seeded on modified and pristine POSS-PCU polymer films. After 7 days, adhered cells were immunostained for the expression of EPC and endothelial cell markers, and assessed for the formation of EPC colonies. Hemocompatibility was assessed by thromboelastography, and platelet activation and adhesion assays. The number of EPC colonies formed on anti-CD34-coated POSS-PCU surfaces was not significantly higher than that of POSS-PCU (5.0±1.0 vs. 1.7±0.6, p>0.05). However, antibody conjugation significantly improved hemocompatibility, as seen from the prolonged reaction and clotting times, decreased angle and maximum amplitude (p<0.05), as well as decreased platelet adhesion (76.8±7.8 vs. 8.4±0.7, p<0.05) and activation. Here, we demonstrate that POSS-PCU surface immobilized anti-CD34 antibodies selectively captured CD34+ cells from peripheral blood, although only a minority of these were EPCs. Nevertheless, antibody conjugation significantly improves the hemocompatibility of POSS-PCU, and should therefore continue to be explored in combination with other strategies to improve the specificity of EPC capture to promote in situ endothelialization.
The News Media, Civil War, and Humanitarian Action

The civil wars - and the ensuing humanitarian crises - that have been prominent features of the first post-Cold War decade have revealed a close and active relationship among a triangle of institutions: the news media, governments, and humanitarian organisations. This three-way relationship has elicited considerable commentary, with the media often depicted as the decisive casual link between a given crisis and how governments and aid groups behave. This volume looks at institutional interactions between the news media, both print and electronic, government policy makers and humanitarian agencies. Case studies from Liberia, northern Iraq, Somalia, the former Yugoslavia, Haiti, and Rwanda distill some of the experiences gained from calamities that have elicited widely varying coverage and responses. Acknowledging that the three groups have differing agendas, limitations, and constituencies, the book nevertheless indentifies a common interest in improving the quality of interactions for the benefit of victims.
JCSDA Community Radiative Transfer Model ( CRTM )

The US Joint Center for Satellite Data Assimilation (JCSDA) has developed its beta version of community radiative transfer model (CRTM). The CRTM is being implemented in the NCEP data assimilation system and is expected to produce significant impacts on utilization of current and future satellite instruments due to its flexible interface, advanced radiative transfer physical processes and efficiency and effectiveness of numerical computational schemes. The advanced physics in the CRTM includes Optimal Spectrum Sampling (OSS), land microwave emissivity, discrete ordinate method and successive order of interaction scheme for scattering and emitting atmospheres, to name a few.