Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Conantokins: From “sleeper” activity to drug development

The conantokins belong to a distinctive family of Conus peptides which are known to have sleepinducing activity in young mice, and are found to be inhibitors of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. This paper presents an overview of the various conantokins characterized so far, with focus on the biochemistry, solution structures in the absence or presence of divalent cations, function as selective NMDA receptor antagonists, and potential as therapeutic agents for some neurological conditions associated with NMDA receptor dysfunction.
A Fully Electronic System for the Time Magnification of Ultra-Wideband Signals

We present the first experimental demonstration of a fully electronic system for the temporal magnification of signals in the ultra-wideband regime. The system employs a broadband analog multiplier and uses chirped electromagnetic-bandgap structures in microstrip technology to provide the required signal dispersion. The demonstrated system achieves a time-magnification factor of five in operation on a 0.6-ns time-windowed input signal with up to 8-GHz bandwidth. We discuss the advantages and limitations of this technique in comparison to recent demonstrations involving optical components
Multiplicative and Implicative Importance Weighted Averaging Aggregation Operators with Accurate Andness Direction

Importance weighted averaging aggregation opera- tors play a key role in utilizations of electronic data and informa- tion resources for retrieving, fusing, and extracting information and knowledge, as needed for decision making. Two central issues in the choice of such operators are the kind of importance weighting and the andness (or conjunction degree) of the operator. We present and discuss two main kinds of importance weighting, namely multi- plicative and implicative, each yielding a particular kind of operator for a particular kind of aggregation problems. Importance weight- ing generalizations of each kind are proposed for each of two classes of averaging operators, namely the Power Means and the Ordered Weighted Averaging operators, each in a De Morgan dual form for increased efficacy. For each class is proposed a function for a rather accurate direct control of the andness. Operators of the same kind appear to behave rather similarly at the same andness, independent of the class of averaging operators generalized.
Crisis Response Strategies in Finland and Spain

Crises are common in today's unpredictable environment rising the importance of crisis response strategies. Two societies in Europe are chosen: Finland, where trust in society is generalized to institutions, and Spain, where trust in society remains on the level of individuals. Using the results of the European Communication Monitor 2013 survey on crisis communication, we explored three hypotheses: “certain types of crises are often met with certain types of strategies,” “cultural context makes some crises more likely than others,” and “cultural context makes some response strategies more likely than others. ” We find evidence for all three hypotheses and discuss our findings about perceived differences in the two societies. The results show that the cultural context plays an important role for crisis communication.
LIMITS ON REDDENING AND GAS-TO-DUST RATIOS FOR SEVEN INTERMEDIATE REDSHIFT DAMPED Lyα ABSORBERS FROM DIFFUSE INTERSTELLAR BANDS

We present equivalent width measurements and limits of six diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs, λ4428, λ5705, λ5780, λ5797, λ6284, and λ6613) in seven damped Lyα absorbers (DLAs) over the redshift range 0.091 ⩽ z ⩽ 0.524, sampling 20.3 ⩽ log N(H i) ⩽ 21.7. DIBs were detected in only one of the seven DLAs, that which has the highest reddening and metallicity. Based upon the Galactic DIB–N(H i) relation, the λ6284 DIB equivalent width upper limits in four of the seven DLAs are a factor of 4–10 times below the λ6284 DIB equivalent widths observed in the Galaxy, but are not inconsistent with those present in the Magellanic Clouds. Assuming the Galactic DIB–E(B − V) relation, we determine reddening upper limits for the DLAs in our sample. Based upon the E(B − V) limits, the gas-to-dust ratios, N(H i)/E(B − V), of the four aforementioned DLAs are at least ∼5 times higher than that of the Galactic interstellar medium. The ratios of two other DLAs are at least a factor of a few times higher. The best constraints on reddening derive from the upper limits for the λ5780 and λ6284 DIBs, which yield E(B − V) ⩽ 0.08 for four of the seven DLAs. Our results suggest that, in DLAs, quantities related to dust, such as reddening and metallicity, appear to have a greater impact on DIB strengths than does H i gas abundance; the organic molecules, likely responsible for DIBs in DLA-selected sight lines, are underabundant relative to sight lines in the Galaxy of similarly high N(H i). With regard to the study of astrobiology, this could have implications for the abundance of organic molecules in redshifted galaxies. However, since DLAs are observed to have low reddening, selection bias likely plays a role in the apparent underabundance of DIBs in DLAs.
WEKA: a machine learning workbench

WEKA is a workbench for machine learning that is intended to aid in the application of machine learning techniques to a variety of real-world problems, in particular, those arising from agricultural and horticultural domains. Unlike other machine learning projects, the emphasis is on providing a working environment for the domain specialist rather than the machine learning expert. Lessons learned include the necessity of providing a wealth of interactive tools for data manipulation, result visualization, database linkage, and cross-validation and comparison of rule sets, to complement the basic machine learning tools. <<ETX>>
Design and Simulation of 64-Point FFT Using Radix-4 Algorithm for OFDM Applications

OFDM technology promises to be a key technique for achieving the high data capacity and spectral efficiency requirements for wireless communication systems in future. Fast Fourier transform (FFT) processing is one of the key procedures in popular orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) communication systems. A parallel and pipelined Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) processor for use in the Orthogonal Frequency division Multiplexer (OFDM) . Unlike being stored in the ROM, the twiddle factors in our pipelined FFT processor can be accessed directly. The radix 4 FFT is proposed. Finally, the pipelined 64-point FFT processor can be completely implemented using Xilinx 13.2 software.
Taxonomic and functional characteristics of microbial communities and their correlation with physicochemical properties of four geothermal springs in Odisha, India

This study describes microbial diversity in four tropical hot springs representing moderately thermophilic environments (temperature range: 40–58°C; pH: 7.2–7.4) with discrete geochemistry. Metagenome sequence data showed a dominance of Bacteria over Archaea; the most abundant phyla were Chloroflexi and Proteobacteria, although other phyla were also present, such as Acetothermia, Nitrospirae, Acidobacteria, Firmicutes, Deinococcus-Thermus, Bacteroidetes, Thermotogae, Euryarchaeota, Verrucomicrobia, Ignavibacteriae, Cyanobacteria, Actinobacteria, Planctomycetes, Spirochaetes, Armatimonadetes, Crenarchaeota, and Aquificae. The distribution of major genera and their statistical correlation analyses with the physicochemical parameters predicted that the temperature, aqueous concentrations of ions (such as sodium, chloride, sulfate, and bicarbonate), total hardness, dissolved solids and conductivity were the main environmental variables influencing microbial community composition and diversity. Despite the observed high taxonomic diversity, there were only little variations in the overall functional profiles of the microbial communities in the four springs. Genes involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates and carbon fixation were the most abundant functional class of genes present in these hot springs. The distribution of genes involved in carbon fixation predicted the presence of all the six known autotrophic pathways in the metagenomes. A high prevalence of genes involved in membrane transport, signal transduction, stress response, bacterial chemotaxis, and flagellar assembly were observed along with genes involved in the pathways of xenobiotic degradation and metabolism. The analysis of the metagenomic sequences affiliated to the candidate phylum Acetothermia from spring TB-3 provided new insight into the metabolism and physiology of yet-unknown members of this lineage of bacteria.
The emergence of the intra-rural digital divide: a critical review of the adoption of ICTs in rural areas and the farming community.

The impact of ICTs on (rural) development is a much contested issue. Contrary to the proponents of ICTs who take an optimistic view and highlight the positive (potential) effects of ICTs, another strand takes a pessimistic view stressing that the existing socio-economic inequalities do not allow for such prospects; the so- called 'digital divide' is highlighted as one of the most visible components of the current development divide. In the present paper a brief review of the evolution of the concept 'digital divide' is followed by an outline of research findings showing an urban-rural divide. Further, based on a review of the available international literature, in both developing and developed countries, and examples from Greece it is argued that the adoption and use of ICTs by farmers (especially as far as ICTs are being envisaged as powerful extension tools) and their potential impact needs to be approached with caution. Findings suggest the emergence of an intra-rural digital divide which, in turn, may be detrimental to human development, and thus to sustainable rural development. It is therefore maintained that the dominant, 'supply-driven' policy approach needs to be reversed; to this end, the experience from the fields of sustainable rural development and rural extension, especially of participatory processes, is invaluable.
Blind MIMO channel identification from second order statistics using rank deficient channel convolution matrix

For multiuser systems, several direct blind identification algorithms require that the linear multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system have a full rank convolution matrix. This condition requires that the system transfer function be irreducible and column reduced. We show that this restrictive identification condition can be relaxed for some direct blind identification methods to accommodate more practical scenarios. Algorithms such as the outer-product decomposition algorithm only require minor length adjustment to its processing window without the column-reduced condition. This result allows direct blind identification methods to be applicable to MIMO without requiring a full-rank channel convolution matrix.
The Implications of Literacy Teaching Models

First year students often experience a culture shock as certain literacy practices at the university level are different from their experiences in high schools. Some major challenges that students encounter include students’ ability to maintain academic integrity practices in their studies, to comprehend complex academic texts to outline key ideas, and to communicate confidently and effectively in diverse academic genres. As these challenges are common, often universities offer activities to assist students’ with their academic enculturation process. The three popular literacy teaching models currently in practice are the generic, embedded and literacies models. All the three models offer challenges in their effective practice. By evaluating the ethnographic data from the models used at UNSW Canberra Academic Language Learning Unit (ALL), this paper argues that in line with Lea and Street’s (2006) discussion, literacies is the most effective approach for developing students’ lifelong skills for effective communication, reading and critical thinking. Literary teaching should involve an advanced inquiry into writing practices in diverse disciplines helping students’ identifying and practicing using language devices and rhetorical structures in academic genres.
The elephant in the room: multi-authorship and the assessment of individual researchers

When a group of individuals creates something, credit is usually divided among them. Oddly, that does not apply to scientific papers. The most commonly used performance measure for individual researchers is the h-index, which does not correct for multi-authorship. Each author claims full credit for each paper and each ensuing citation. This mismeasure of achievement is fuelling a flagrant increase in multi-authorship. Several alternatives to the h-index have been devised, and one of them, the individual h-index (hI), is logical, intuitive and easily calculated. Correcting for multi-authorship would end gratuitous authorship and allow proper attribution and unbiased comparisons.
Risk perceptions and risk attitudes among Chinese consumers: the toxic capsule crisis

The toxic capsule crisis (TCC) shocked China in 2012, and seriously harmed consumer confidence. Based on a firsthand survey in 12 provinces with 850 observations, this paper examines Chinese consumers’ risk perceptions and risk attitudes about drugs after the TCC. The empirical results suggest that Chinese consumers’ risk perceptions (attributed likelihood of a drug safety accident occurrence) and risk attitudes (measured as level of concern about drug labeling) are weakly negatively correlated, but that risk perceptions are positively correlated with consumer concern about drug safety problems in general. Risk perception was higher among male consumers and those from rural areas, reporting a religious faith, of higher education, and with a family member who has experienced problems caused by drug safety problems. Those reporting a higher level of concern about drug safety issues, with a higher level of understanding of TCC, who reported less frequent physical examinations, and who searched for information after the TCC also had a higher level of risk perception. Being or having a family member who engaged in the health industry and being more satisfied with the government response to the TCC decreased risk perception. Regarding risk attitude, older consumers, those with a higher level of education and with a self-reported religious faith, and those less prepared including those who did not purchase health insurance, do not have health exams as frequently, and who do not take measures of protection and isolation when ill are more concerned about drug labeling information.
High-dose glucocorticoids increase serum levels of soluble IL-6 receptor alpha and its ratio to soluble gp130: an additional mechanism for early increased bone resorption.

OBJECTIVE Glucocorticoids (GCs) at pharmacological doses stimulate bone resorption. Mechanisms of this action are unclear. The osteoclastogenic cytokine interleukin (IL)-6 acts through an oligomeric receptor consisting of two subunits, gp80 (or IL-6 receptor alpha, IL-6Ralpha) and gp130; both exist in membrane and soluble forms. Soluble IL-6Ralpha (sIL-6Ralpha) enhances, while sgp130 inhibits IL-6 signalling. In vitro, GCs enhance many effects of IL-6 by up-regulation of IL-6Ralpha. The aim of the present study was to assess acute changes of IL-6 system in the peripheral blood of patients given high-dose GCs. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Serum levels of IL-6, sIL-6Ralpha, sgp130 and bone turnover markers were assessed before and each day during treatment in 24 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients undergoing high-dose (prednisolone, 15 mg/kg per day), short-term (3 to 5 days) intravenous GC therapy for relapse at the Regional Multiple Sclerosis Centre. RESULTS An immediate and marked fall of osteocalcin and an early increase of C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen were already noticed at day 2 (P < 0.001 and P < 0.02, respectively); both became more apparent in the subsequent days. IL-6 was always below or near the detection limit of our ELISA. sgp130 showed a slight increase. sIL-6Ralpha significantly increased, peaking at day 4 (P < 0.01). However, inter-individual variability of response was noticed. Four patients showed a slight decrease, while no change was observed in one patient and an increase was noticed in the remaining nineteen (maximum change ranging from +10% to +67% with respect to baseline). In these patients, a significant increase of sIL-6Ralpha/sgp130 ratio was apparent. No correlation was found between bone turnover markers and any measured component of the IL-6 system. CONCLUSIONS sIL-6Ralpha and sIL-6Ralpha/sgp130 ratio are precociously increased in the peripheral blood of the vast majority of patients given high-dose, intravenous GCs. The increase of systemically available sIL-6Ralpha conceivably results in the enhancement of IL-6-dependent osteoclastogenesis. The role of such a mechanism in the bone loss observed in inflammatory and immune-mediated diseases (where abundancy of IL-6 in the bone microenvironment is expected) requires further investigation.
Consumption Volatility and the Cross-Section of Stock Returns

I derive and test multi-horizon implications of a consumption-based equilibrium model featuring fluctuating expected growth and volatility. My setup allows consumption dynamics to be estimated jointly with covariance risk prices in a single-stage generalized method of moment, and then inferences from asset pricing tests reflect uncertainty coming from factor estimation. I show that changes in consumption volatility are the key driver for explaining major asset pricing anomalies across risk horizons, while other factors play no or a secondary role. Value stocks and past long-term losers pay higher average returns mainly because they covary more negatively with these changes than what other stocks do.
The Protein Architecture of Human Secretory Vesicles Reveals Differential Regulation of Signaling Molecule Secretion by Protein Kinases

Secretory vesicles are required for release of chemical messengers to mediate intercellular signaling among human biological systems. It is necessary to define the organization of the protein architecture of the ‘human’ dense core secretory vesicles (DCSV) to understand mechanisms for secretion of signaling molecules essential for cellular regulatory processes. This study, therefore, conducted extensive quantitative proteomics and systems biology analyses of human DCSV purified from human pheochromocytoma. Over 600 human DCSV proteins were identified with quantitative evaluation of over 300 proteins, revealing that most proteins participate in producing peptide hormones and neurotransmitters, enzymes, and the secretory machinery. Systems biology analyses provided a model of interacting DCSV proteins, generating hypotheses for differential intracellular protein kinases A and C signaling pathways. Activation of cellular PKA and PKC pathways resulted in differential secretion of neuropeptides, catecholamines, and β-amyloid of Alzheimer's disease for mediating cell-cell communication. This is the first study to define a model of the protein architecture of human DCSV for human disease and health.
Discrepancies in risk preference in other-regarding decision making

We explored the discrepancies in risk preference in other-regarding decision making from the perspective of construal level theory. We recruited 166 university undergraduates to participant in a 2 (other: close or distant) × 2 (role of the decision maker: deciding for others vs. predicting the decisions of others) × 2 (domain: gain or loss) experiment. Results showed that participants were more risk seeking in distant other-regarding decisions than in close other-regarding decisions, when predicting the decisions of others than when deciding for others, and in the loss domain than in the gain domain. Such effects were stronger in the gain domain than in the loss domain. These findings suggest that people’s risk preferences in other-regarding decision making are changeable, depending on whom they decide for and which role they play.
Solving Nonlinear Stochastic Diffusion Models with Nonlinear Losses Using the Homotopy Analysis Method

This paper deals with the construction of approximate series solutions of diffusion models with stochastic excitation and nonlinear losses using the homotopy analysis method (HAM). The mean, variance and other statistical properties of the stochastic solution are computed. The solution technique was applied successfully to the 1D and 2D diffusion models. The scheme shows importance of choice of convergence-control parameter to guarantee the convergence of the solutions of nonlinear differential Equations. The results are compared with the Wiener-Hermite expansion with perturbation (WHEP) technique and good agreements are obtained.
The Complexity of DNF of Parities

We study depth 3 circuits of the form OR-AND-XOR, or equivalently -- DNF of parities. This model was first explicitly studied by Jukna (CPC'06) who obtained a 2{Ω(n) lower bound, using graph theoretic arguments, for explicit functions. Several related models have gained attention in the last few years, such as parity decision trees, the parity kill number and AC0-XOR circuits. For a Boolean function f on the n dimensional Boolean cube, we denote by DNFParity(f) the least integer s for which there exists an OR-AND-XOR circuit, with OR gate of fan-in s, that computes f. We summarize some of our results: For any affine disperser f for dimension k, it holds that DNFParity(f) is bounded below by 2{n-2k. By plugging Shaltiel's affine disperser (FOCS'11) we obtain an explicit 2{n-no(1) lower bound. We give a non-trivial general upper bound by showing that DNFParity(f) < O(2n / n) for any function f on n bits. This bound is shown to be tight up to an O(log n) factor. We show that for any symmetric function f it holds that DNFParity(f) < 1.5n poly(n). Furthermore, there exists a symmetric function f for which this bound is tight up to a polynomial factor. For threshold functions we show tighter bounds. For example, we show that the majority function has DNFParity complexity of 2{n/2 poly(n). This is also tight up to a polynomial factor. For the inner product function IP on n inputs we show that DNFParity(IP) = 2{n/2}-1. Previously, Jukna gave a lower bound of Ω(2n/4) for the DNFParity complexity of this function. We further give bounds for any low degree polynomial. Finally, we obtain a 2n-o(n) average case lower bound for the parity decision tree model using affine extractors.
A role for the IgH intronic enhancer Eμ in enforcing allelic exclusion

The intronic enhancer (Eμ) of the immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) locus is critical for V region gene assembly. To determine Eμ's subsequent functions, we created an Igh allele with assembled VH gene but with Eμ removed. In mice homozygous for this Eμ-deficient allele, B cell development was normal and indistinguishable from that of mice with the same VH knockin and Eμ intact. In mice heterozygous for the Eμ-deficient allele, however, allelic exclusion was severely compromised. Surprisingly, this was not a result of reduced suppression of V-DJ assembly on the second allele. Rather, the striking breakdown in allelic exclusion took place at the pre-B to immature B cell transition. These findings reveal both an important role for Eμ in influencing the fate of newly arising B cells and a second checkpoint for allelic exclusion.
Probabilistic coherence spaces are fully abstract for probabilistic PCF

Probabilistic coherence spaces (PCoh) yield a semantics of higher-order probabilistic computation, interpreting types as convex sets and programs as power series. We prove that the equality of interpretations in Pcoh characterizes the operational indistinguishability of programs in PCF with a random primitive. This is the first result of full abstraction for a semantics of probabilistic PCF. The key ingredient relies on the regularity of power series. Along the way to the theorem, we design a weighted intersection type assignment system giving a logical presentation of PCoh.