Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Racial, Ethnic, and Immigrant Threat

Objectives: The racial threat perspective argues that racial minorities are subjected to greater punishment in places with large or growing minority populations. However, prior research has focused largely on Black populations while devoting limited attention to potential “Latino threat” or “immigrant threat” effects. To address these gaps, this study explores the effects of racial, ethnic, and immigrant threat on sentence disposition (jail, prison, or community corrections) and sentence length. Methods: Using 2000 through 2006 data from the Florida Department of Corrections Guideline database, we use multilevel modeling techniques to explore the effects of racial, ethnic, and immigrant threat on state criminal sentencing. Results: The results provide support for racial/ethnic threat theory among Black but not Latino defendants. Black defendants are more likely to be sentenced to prison and are given longer sentences in counties with growing Black populations. In contrast, Latino sentences are not significantly influenced by Latino population growth. Results provide no support for immigrant threat positions. Conclusions: Overall, our findings offer a complex picture for racial/ethnic and immigrant threat. However, one pattern remains clear. Within Florida courts, Black defendants continue to be the prime targets for effects of racial threat and resulting disadvantages in criminal sentencing.
Improving MIMO phase noise estimation by exploiting spatial correlations

Phase locked loops (PLL) for RF carrier synthesis often employ oscillators that insert a considerable amount of time varying phase noise into the received signal. That noise must then be removed in the digital baseband receiver. This phase noise is an indivisible superposition of noise components from receiver and transmitter. Regarding systems with multiple transmit and receive antennas (MIMO) and if multiple PLL for carrier synthesis are used each of the superposed phase noise processes per transmit and receive antenna pair can be measured at the receiver. This paper provides a new scheme for high SNR scenarios that exploits spatial correlation between these overlaying phase noise processes at the receiver in order to improve estimation and compensation of the phase noise. Therefore the Wiener filter approach is applied.
Scalable and fault-tolerant support for variable bit-rate data in the exedra streaming server

We describe the design and implementation of the Exedra continuous media server, and experimentally evaluate alternative resource management policies using a prototype system that we built. Exedra has been designed to provide scalable and efficient support for variable bit-rate media streams whose compression efficiency leads to reduced storage space and bandwidth requirements in comparison to constant bit-rate streams of equivalent quality. We examine alternative disk striping policies, and quantify the benefits of innovative techniques for storage space allocation, buffer management, and resource reservation, which we developed to achieve both predictability and high-performance in handling disk and network data transfers of variable size. Additionally, we investigate the differences between diverse data replication schemes over disk arrays, and compare methods for disk access time reservation that enable tolerance of disk failures at minimal cost. Overall, we demonstrate the feasibility of building network media servers that exploit the latest advances in media compression technology towards reducing the cost of wide-scale streaming services for stored data.
Assessment of lumbar spinal canal morphology with digital computed tomography.

BACKGROUND The study of lumbar spine pathology requires adequate preparation and knowledge of the normal structure of this part of the spine. The main goal of the study was to assess spinal canal morphology with computed tomography. The sagittal and interpedicular dimensions and surface area were considered the most important measurements. An additional goal was to assess the shape of the spinal canal and intervertebral joint angles. MATERIAL AND METHODS Computed tomography was used to assess the lumbar spinal canals of 42 people to an accuracy of 0.01 using a special console for digital analysis. RESULTS The mean sagittal dimension showed minor differences and ranged from 15.75+/-0.886 at the L3 level to 17.77+/-1.619 at the L5 level. The mean interpedicular dimension was significantly different between the levels, increasing from 24.75+/-2.173 at L3 to 34.57+/-3.332 at L5. Similar results were obtained as regards the mean surface area of the spinal canal. The surface area was 277.2+/-36.15 mm2 at the L3 level, compared to 297+/-9.90 mm2 at L4 and 386.5+/-50.55 mm2 at L5. The spinal canal shape at the L4-L5 level was triangular or trefoil in all 42 patients. No significant differences were found between the angles of right and left intervertebral joints. CONCLUSIONS Our results do not differ from those described in literature. A sagittal dimension over 15 mm, and an interpedicular dimension of more than 25 mm are characteristic of a normal spinal canal. The results constitute reference data for further studies concerning lumbar stenosis.
A Wideband Circularly Polarized Antenna with a Multiple-Circular-Sector Dielectric Resonator

This paper presents the design of a wideband circularly polarized antenna using a multiple-circular-sector dielectric resonator (DR). The DR is composed of twelve circular-sector DRs with identical central angles of 30∘ but with different radii. A genetic algorithm is utilized to optimize the radii of the twelve circular-sector DRs to realize wideband circular polarization. The proposed antenna is excited using an aperture-coupled feeding technique through a narrow rectangular slot etched onto the ground plane. An antenna prototype is experimentally verified. The measured −10 dB reflection and 3 dB axial ratio (AR) bandwidths are 31.39% (1.88–2.58 GHz) and 19.30% (2.06–2.50 GHz), respectively, covering the operating bands of the following systems: UMTS-2100 (2.145 GHz), WiMAX (2.3 GHz), and Wi-Fi (2.445 GHz). A measured peak gain of 7.65 dBic at 2.225 GHz and gain variation of less than 2.70 dBic within the measured 3 dB AR bandwidth are achieved. In addition, the radiation patterns of the proposed antenna are presented and discussed.
Online Edge Caching and Wireless Delivery in Fog-Aided Networks With Dynamic Content Popularity

Fog radio access network (F-RAN) architectures can leverage both cloud processing and edge caching for content delivery to the users. To this end, F-RAN utilizes caches at the edge nodes (ENs) and fronthaul links connecting a cloud processor to ENs. Assuming time-invariant content popularity, existing information-theoretic analyses of content delivery in F-RANs rely on offline caching with separate content placement and delivery phases. In contrast, this paper focuses on the scenario in which the set of popular content is time-varying, hence necessitating the online replenishment of the ENs’ caches along with the delivery of the requested files. The analysis is centered on the characterization of the long-term normalized delivery time (NDT), which captures the temporal dependence of the coding latencies accrued across multiple time slots in the high signal-to-noise ratio regime. Online edge caching and delivery schemes are investigated for both serial and pipelined transmission modes across fronthaul and edge segments. Analytical results demonstrate that, in the presence of a time-varying content popularity, the rate of fronthaul links sets a fundamental limit on the long-term NDT of F-RAN system. Analytical results are further verified by numerical simulation, yielding important design insights.
The Ras/Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Pathway Inhibitor and Likely Tumor Suppressor Proteins, Sprouty 1 and Sprouty 2 Are Deregulated in Breast Cancer

Sprouty (Spry) proteins were found to be endogenous inhibitors of the Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway that play an important role in the remodeling of branching tissues. We investigated Spry expression levels in various cancers and found that Spry1 and Spry2 were down-regulated consistently in breast cancers. Such prevalent patterns of down-regulation may herald the later application of these isoforms as tumor markers that are breast cancer specific and more profound than currently characterized markers. Spry1 and 2 were expressed specifically in the luminal epithelial cells of breast ducts, with higher expression during stages of tissue remodeling when the epithelial ducts are forming and branching. These findings suggest that Sprys might be involved as a modeling counterbalance and surveillance against inappropriate epithelial expansion. The abrogation of endogenous Spry activity in MCF-7 cells by the overexpression of a previously characterized dominant-negative mutant of Spry, hSpry2Y55F resulted in enhanced cell proliferation in vitro. The hSpry2Y55F stably expressing cells also formed larger and greater number of colonies in the soft-agar assay. An in vivo nude mice assay showed a dramatic increase in the tumorigenic potential of hSpry2Y55F stable cells. The consistent down-regulation of Spry1 and 2 in breast cancer and the experimental evidence using a dominant-negative hSpry2Y55F indicate that Spry proteins may actively maintain tissue integrity that runs amok when their expression is decreased below normal threshold levels. This alludes to a previously unrecognized role for Sprys in cancer development.
A Novel Pyridazinone Derivative Inhibits Hepatitis B Virus Replication by Inducing Genome-Free Capsid Formation

ABSTRACT Here we first identified a novel pyridazinone derivative, compound 3711, as a nonnucleosidic hepatitis B virus (HBV) inhibitor in a cell model system. 3711 decreased extracellular HBV DNA levels by 50% (50% inhibitory concentration [IC50]) at 1.5 ± 0.2 μM and intracellular DNA levels at 1.9 ± 0.1 μM, which demonstrated antiviral activity at levels far below those associated with toxicity. Both the 3TC/ETV dually resistant L180M/M204I mutant and the adefovir (ADV)-resistant A181T/N236T mutant were as susceptible to 3711 as wild-type HBV. 3711 treatment induced the formation of genome-free capsids, a portion of which migrated faster on 1.8% native agarose gel. The induced genome-free capsids sedimented more slowly in isopycnic CsCl gradient centrifugation without significant morphological changes. 3711 treatment decreased levels of HBV DNA contained in both secreted enveloped virion and naked virus particles in supernatant. 3711 could interfere with capsid formation of the core protein (Cp) assembly domain. A Cp V124W mutant, which strengthens capsid interdimer interactions, recapitulated the effect of 3711 on capsid assembly. Pyridazinone derivative 3711, a novel chemical entity and HBV inhibitor, may provide a new opportunity to combat chronic HBV infection.
2001 Volvo Award Winner in Basic Science Studies: Effect of Nutrient Supply on the Viability of Cells From the Nucleus Pulposus of the Intervertebral Disc

Study Design. Disc cell viability was analyzed in relation to nutrient supply and cellular demand in vitro in a diffusion chamber. Objective. To determine relations among nutrient supply, nutrient concentrations. and cell viability. Summary of Background Data. Although a fall in nutrient supply has long been thought the cause of disc degeneration in vivo, little information exists about the effects of nutrient levels or supply on cell viability and metabolism. Methods. Isolated bovine nucleus cells were cultured in agarose gels in a diffusion chamber up to 13 days. Nutrients were supplied to the open sides of the chamber and diffused through the gel to the center, 12.5 mm away from the nutrient supply, in a configuration analogous to that of the disc in vivo. Profiles of cell viability and concentration of glycosaminoglycans across the chamber were measured in relation to cell density and medium composition. Results. Cells remained viable across the chamber at low cell densities. However, at higher densities, cells in the center of the chamber died. The viable distance from the nutrient supply fell with an increase in cell density. Glucose was a critical nutrient. Survival was also poor at acidic pH (6.0). At 0% oxygen, disc cells survived up to 13 days with no loss of viability, but produced very little proteoglycan. Conclusions. The results support the idea that maximum cell density in the disc is regulated by nutritional constraints, and that a fall in nutrient supply reduces the number of viable cells in the disc and thus leads to degeneration.
A Tiered Approach Towards an Incremental BPEL to BPMN 2.0 Migration

This report describes the challenges and experiences with the incremental migration of a BPEL to a BPMN 2.0 process engine. The transition is motivated by a strategic reorientation towards the new standard as well as end of life of the previous product. The solution reflects the preliminary steps of integrating the new platform into the existing application and support for parallel operation. This paper further describes the incrementally executed reverse engineering of process definitions and migration of instances by applying four different, tiered strategies in an economically viable way. The report concludes by detailing the lessons learned to provide additional guidance for attempts to apply the detailed approach.
Factors influencing chemotaxis of the polymorphonuclear leucocyte.

The method used for studying chemotaxis was the photographic trace technique devised by Harris (1953). Human polymorphs from a drop of blood obtained by finger-prick were made to adhere to a coverslip and were then washed three times with physiological saline in order to remove, as far as possible, any trace of serum. The cells were incorporated in a slide-coverslip preparation which was incubated at 370, and their movement relative to a test object was recorded photographically. A chemotactic response was shown by a polarisation of the traces made by the leucocytes in the vicinity of the test object. The test object in the present experiments was a small clump of Staphylococcus albus.
The Impact of Season Success on New Coach-Athlete Relationships

Abstract The purpose of this study was to explore potential changes throughout a competitive season on student-athletes' perceptions of their relationships with new coaches, based on the team's success during the season. It was hypothesized that student-athletes' perceptions would significantly improve when they experienced a successful season, more so than student-athletes who experienced a non-successful season. A total of forty-eight female collegiate team sport student-athletes from a Division I university participated in this study. At the beginning and end of the season, participants completed the long direct Coach-Athlete Relationship Questionnaire (CART-Q; Jowett & Ntoumanis, 2004; Rhind & Jowett, 2008), which examines the closeness, commitment and complementarity of the coach-athlete relationship. Results indicated significant changes in the interactions for the closeness and commitment dependent variables, with the non-successful group's scores significantly decreasing, while the successful group's scores did not significantly change. Findings from this study indicate that aspects of the student-athletes' perceptions of the coach-athlete relationship may change throughout the competitive season relative to the team's success.
Immunity after treatment of human schistosomiasis: association between cellular responses and resistance to reinfection

Previous studies have demonstrated the development of an age-dependent resistance to reinfection after chemotherapeutic cure of the helminthic parasite Schistosoma mansoni. Here we report on a longitudinal investigation of cell-mediated responses in infected individuals before and after treatment which was designed to outline those parameters important in mediating a protective response. A well-defined study group of 89 individuals with an age range of 9 to 35 years was selected from an area of high S. mansoni transmission in the Machakos district of Kenya. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferation and cytokine production (interleukin-2 [IL-2], gamma interferon IL-5, IL-4, and tumor necrosis factor) in response to different crude life cycle-stage antigens of S. mansoni were assessed longitudinally in vitro before, 3 months after, and 1 year after treatment. Detailed statistical analyses of the results from this study have indicated a clear negative association between the proliferative responses to adult- and schistosomulum-stage antigens and subsequent reinfection intensity in older individuals (14 to 35 years) which was not present in the younger individuals (9 to 13 years). This association was significant even after the effects of age, sex, and exposure had been accounted for in multiple regression analyses. Cytokines were detected predominantly in response to adult worm and egg antigen extracts. An inverse association between the two cytokines gamma interferon and IL-5 was detected in response to all antigens at the three time points investigated, indicating cross-regulation in the production of these two mediators. Differences in antigen-specific cytokine levels between the two age groups were detected, with significantly higher IL-5 levels detected in the older (more resistant) age group. An inverse correlation between this cytokine and reinfection was detected but could not be dissociated from the effects of age and exposure in multiple regression analysis.
The Field-tested and Grounded Technological Rule as Product of Mode 2 Management Research

The relevance problem of academic management research in organization and management is an old and thorny one. Recent discussions on this issue have resulted in proposals to use more Mode 2 knowledge production in our field. These discussions focused mainly on the process of research itself and less on the products produced by this process. Here the focus is on the so-called field-tested and grounded technological rule as a possible product of Mode 2 research with the potential to improve the relevance of academic research in management. Technological rules can be seen as solution-oriented knowledge. Such knowledge may be called Management Theory, while more description-oriented knowledge may be called Organization Theory. In this article the nature of technological rules in management is discussed, as well as their development, their use in actual management practice and the potential for cross-fertilization between Management Theory and Organization Theory.
RAD1, an excision repair gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is also involved in recombination

The RAD1 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is required for the incision step of excision repair of damaged DNA. In this paper, we report our observations on the effect of the RAD1 gene on genetic recombination. Mitotic intrachromosomal and interchromosomal recombination in RAD+, rad1, rad52, and other rad mutant strains was examined. The rad1 deletion mutation and some rad1 point mutations reduced the frequency of intrachromosomal recombination of a his3 duplication, in which one his3 allele is deleted at the 3' end while the other his3 allele is deleted at the 5' end. Mutations in the other excision repair genes, RAD2, RAD3, and RAD4, did not lower recombination frequencies in the his3 duplication. As expected, recombination between the his3 deletion alleles in the duplication was reduced in the rad52 mutant. The frequency of HIS3+ recombinants fell synergistically in the rad1 rad52 double mutant, indicating that the RAD1 and RAD52 genes affect this recombination via different pathways. In contrast to the effect of mutations in the RAD52 gene, mutations in the RAD1 gene did not lower intrachromosomal and interchromosomal recombination between heteroalleles that carry point mutations rather than partial deletions; however, the rad1 delta mutation did lower the frequency of integration of linear plasmids and DNA fragments into homologous genomic sequences. We suggest that RAD1 plays a role in recombination after the formation of the recombinogenic substrate.
Interpersonal needs and values authenticity, belonging, independence and narcissism

The nature of human well-being has been debated in psycho logical research since the beginning of the study of human behaviour. Mechanistic perspectives regard humans to be independent objects motivated by external contingencies, with needs to be both selfsufficient and self-enhancing. Organismic perspectives describe humans as having innate self-organisational tendencies, which partly depend on qualities of relat ionships with others. Basic needs for well-being include being self-determined and socially integrated . Both perspective s claim empirical support. Drawing on Self-Determination Theory (SOT), the present study proposed that basic needs for well-being include autonomy and relatedness, and ego-defensive needs that undermine health include independence, control and narcissism. To compare the effects of different needs on well-being, the present study measured people' s perceived needs and the satisfaction of those needs, within the context of interpersonal interactions. Participants were sourced from the student population at a Melbourne university (N = 82), and various internet website forums (N = 171). Included were 82 participants who had received a diagnosis of socia l anxiety in the past two years. A new measure, the Interpersonal Needs Scale (INS) was developed to tap the strength of values for the five needs of interest, and the degree to which needs are satisfied. Factor analysis on the INS produced four value subsca les: these were named Authenticity and Belonging, comprising autonomy and relatedness items, and Independence and Narcissism, both including Control items. The final version of the INS showed satisfactory reliabili ty and validity. Results for Study I indicated that for the present sample, Authenticity and Belonging values were associated with overall
A Medium-Chain Fatty Acid, Capric Acid, Inhibits RANKL-Induced Osteoclast Differentiation via the Suppression of NF-κB Signaling and Blocks Cytoskeletal Organization and Survival in Mature Osteoclasts

Fatty acids, important components of a normal diet, have been reported to play a role in bone metabolism. Osteoclasts are bone-resorbing cells that are responsible for many bone-destructive diseases such as osteoporosis. In this study, we investigated the impact of a medium-chain fatty acid, capric acid, on the osteoclast differentiation, function, and survival induced by receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (MCSF). Capric acid inhibited RANKL-mediated osteoclastogenesis in bone marrow-derived macrophages and suppressed RANKL-induced IκBα phosphorylation, p65 nuclear translocation, and NF-κB transcriptional activity. Capric acid further blocked the RANKL-stimulated activation of ERK without affecting JNK or p38. The induction of NFATc1 in response to RANKL was also attenuated by capric acid. In addition, capric acid abrogated M-CSF and RANKL-mediated cytoskeleton reorganization, which is crucial for the efficient bone resorption of osteoclasts. Capric acid also increased apoptosis in mature osteoclasts through the induction of Bim expression and the suppression of ERK activation by M-CSF. Together, our results reveal that capric acid has inhibitory effects on osteoclast development. We therefore suggest that capric acid may have potential therapeutic implications for the treatment of bone resorption-associated disorders.