Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Christian Campus-Ministry Groups at Public Universities and Opposition to Same-Sex Marriage

This study investigates Christian campus-ministry groups at public universities to understand how these groups may be associated with students same-sex marriage attitudes. Based on a multilevel modeling analysis with 292 students from 30 such groups, we found the religious tradition of the campus-ministry group moderated how student participation in the group and student religious conservatism were associated with opposition to same-sex marriage. Specifically, greater participation in evangelical Protestant or Catholic campus-ministry groups was positively associated with opposition to same-sex marriage, whereas the association was not significant for students in mainline Protestant groups. Moreover, the association between student religious conservatism and opposition was positive and significant in evangelical Protestant and Catholic groups, but was not significant in mainline Protestant groups. This shows that the association between student religious beliefs and opposition to gay marriage may be different depending on the type of campus-ministry group a student attends. Implications and limitations also are discussed.
Ubiquity, diversity and physiological characteristics of Geodermatophilaceae in Shapotou National Desert Ecological Reserve

The goal of this study was to gain insight into the diversity of culturable actinobacteria in desert soil crusts and to determine the physiological characteristics of the predominant actinobacterial group in these crusts. Culture-dependent method was employed to obtain actinobacterial strains from desert soil samples collected from Shapotou National Desert Ecological Reserve (NDER) located in Tengger Desert, China. A total of 376 actinobacterial strains were isolated and 16S rRNA gene sequences analysis indicated that these isolates belonged to 29 genera within 18 families, among which the members of the family Geodermatophilaceae were predominant. The combination of 16S rRNA gene information and the phenotypic data allowed these newly-isolated Geodermatophilaceae members to be classified into 33 “species clusters,” 11 of which represented hitherto unrecognized species. Fermentation broths from 19.7% of the isolated strains showed activity in at least one of the six screens for antibiotic activity. These isolates exhibited bio-diversity in enzymatic characteristics and carbon utilization profiles. The physiological characteristics of the isolates from different types of crusts or bare sand samples were specific to their respective micro-ecological environments. Our study revealed that members of the family Geodermatophilaceae were ubiquitous, abundant, and diverse in Shapotou NDER, and these strains may represent a new major group of potential functional actinobacteria in desert soil.
Ontology-based recommendation for points of interest retrieved from multiple data sources

Introduction of powerful mobile devices and increasing availability of online services make it possible to develop a wide range of mobile applications. Making recommendations to the users on their mobile devices based on their location is a well-known application area of location based services. In this work we introduce an ontology based approach to find reasonable recommendations for sites (Points of Interest) like restaurants, hotels, and touristic places. We extend an existing OWL ontology in order to keep semantic relationships between different site types. Our application populates this ontology with site instances collected from several data sources, namely Google Maps, GeoNames, DBpedia and a local database. During this integration process, solutions for ontology mapping, site categorization, and duplicate site detection are developed. The ontology is then used to make recommendations on a mobile augmented reality application based on user's inputs on his device.
Bone Morphometric Evaluation around Immediately Placed Implants Covered with Porcine-Derived Pericardium Membrane: An Experimental Study in Dogs

Objective. To investigate whether porcine-derived bioresorbable pericardium membrane coverage enhances the osseointegration around implants placed in fresh extraction sockets. Study Design. Twenty-four commercially available endosseous implants were placed in the fresh extraction sockets of the mandibular first molar of mature beagles (n = 6). On one side, implants and osteotomy sites were covered with porcine-derived bioresorbable pericardium membranes, whereas on the other side, no membranes were used. After 6 weeks, samples were retrieved and were histologically processed for histomorphometric analysis. Results. The histological observation showed that bone loss and soft tissue migration in the coronal region of the implant were evident for the control group, whereas bone fill was evident up to the neck of the implant for the membrane-covered group. Bone-to-implant contact was significantly higher for the membrane-covered group compared to the control group, 75% and 45% (P < 0.02), respectively. Conclusion. The experimental membranes proved to regenerate bone around implants placed in fresh extraction sockets without soft tissue intrusion.
Color context analysis based efficient real-time flame detection algorithm

In this study, we propose a novel color context analysis based efficient real-time flame detection algorithm (CCAFDA). To measure the relevance of color context of every two adjacent flames in flame image sequences, two new flame feature vectors are defined: one is the flame detection context based dynamic feature row vector and the other is the optimal flame feature area vector. The proposed algorithm uses the flame detection context based dynamic feature row vector and the optimal flame feature area vector as the joining point between every two adjacent flames and then according to the relationship of color context of multiple frames as well as the relevance between the adjacent pixels, selects the area of optimal flame feature in real time and adjusts the area of optimal flame feature dynamic. The proposed methods only scans the optimal flame feature area in each frame rather than scans every single pixel for each frame, and then uses the burning degree of the optimal flame feature area as a measurement to estimate the burning degree of the whole fire flames. To compare with the conventional method which scans the whole flame video through point by point scanning in RGB color space, the proposed methods improved the efficiency which can detect the flame status in video stream in real time. Experiments show the proposed algorithm improved the efficiency for detection and estimate of the boiler flame.
Renegotiations, Discretion and Contract Renewals An Empirical Analysis of Public-Private Agreements

This paper studies how renegotiations influence ongoing contractual relationships. By using an original dataset of 252 expired public-private contracts in the French car park sector, we explore the link between renegotiations and subsequent contract renewals. We show that renegotiation types, frequencies and scopes influence the probability of renewing a contract when the public authorities have the discretionary power to renew with the same private partner. These findings suggest a positive, negative or neutral influence on contractual surplus depending on the type of renegotiations and contract considered.
Latino Attitudes Toward Ballot Propositions That Target Immigrants

In response to an increase in undocumented immigrants in the United States, several states have proposed and passed ballot measures that are intended to target immigrants, particularly Latinos. Yet, previous research has often failed to focus on Latino viewpoints in relation to these measures and the restrictions therein. As such, I utilize the 2006 Latino National Survey to examine how different sectors of the U.S. Latino population view policies that have been the focus of ballot initiatives targeting immigrants. I first make the distinction between native-born and foreign-born Latinos to determine whether opinions concerning proposed restrictions on immigrants differ between these groups. Furthermore, I examine whether foreign-born Latinos who are more assimilated into U.S. society differ in their attitudes on these measures than more recent immigrants. Results indicate a clear distinction with U.S.-born Latinos exhibiting more nativist views toward immigrants and restrictive measures than foreign-born Latinos.
04 06 5 v 1 1 0 A pr 2 00 0 Eigenfunctions of GL ( N , R ) Toda chain : The Mellin-Barnes representation

The recurrent relations between the eigenfunctions for GL(N, R) and GL(N−1, R) quantum Toda chains is derived. As a corollary, the Mellin-Barnes integral representation for the eigenfunctions of a quantum open Toda chain is constructed for the N -particle case. E-mail: kharchev@vitep5.itep. ru E-mail: dlebedev@vitep5.itep. ru
Essay Assessment with Latent Semantic Analysis

Latent semantic analysis (LSA) is an automated, statistical technique for comparing the semantic similarity of words or documents. In this article, I examine the application of LSA to automated essay scoring. I compare LSA methods to earlier statistical methods for assessing essay quality, and critically review contemporary essay-scoring systems built on LSA, including the Intelligent Essay Assessor, Summary Street, State the Essence, Apex, and Select-a-Kibitzer. Finally, I discuss current avenues of research, including LSA's application to computer-measured readability assessment and to automatic summarization of student essays.
D-branes, open string vertex operators, and Ext groups

In this paper we explicitly work out the precise relationship between Ext groups and massless modes of D-branes wrapped on complex submanifolds of Calabi-Yau manifolds. Specifically, we explicitly compute the boundary vertex operators for massless Ramond sector states, in open string B models describing Calabi-Yau manifolds at large radius, directly in BCFT using standard methods. Naively these vertex operators are in one-to-one correspondence with certain sheaf cohomology groups (as is typical for such vertex operator calculations), which are related to the desired Ext groups via spectral sequences. However, a subtlety in the physics of the open string B model has the effect of physically realizing those spectral sequences in BRST cohomology, so that the vertex operators are actually in one-to-one correspondence with Ext group elements. This gives an extremely concrete physical test of recent proposals regarding the relationship between derived categories and D-branes. We check these results extensively in numerous examples, and comment on several related issues.
Selectivity for interaural time difference in the owl's midbrain

The barn owl uses the interaural difference in the timing of sounds to determine the azimuth of the source. When the sound has a wide frequency band, localization is precise. When localizing tones, however, the barn owl errs in a manner that suggests that it is confused by phantom targets. We report a neural equivalent of these phenomena as they are observed in the space-specific neuron of the owl's inferior colliculus. When stimulated with a tone, the space- specific neuron discharges maximally at interaural time differences (ITDs) that differ by one period of the stimulus tone. Changing the stimulus frequency changes the period of the ITD-response functions, but 1 ITD evokes, in most neurons, a maximal response, regardless of frequency. This ITD is the characteristic delay (CD). When stimulated with noise, there is a maximal response only to ITDs at or near the CD. Thus, the space-specific neuron can unambiguously signal the CD, provided that the signal contains more than 1 frequency. The preferential response to a single ITD, which is observed with noise stimuli, was also observed when the summed waveform of the best frequency and another tone, F2, was presented. The response of the space-specific neuron to these 2-tone stimuli could not be accounted for by the summing or averaging of the ITD-response functions obtained with the best frequency or F2 alone, suggesting that nonlinear neural processes are involved.
The toxicity of tau in Alzheimer disease: turnover, targets and potential therapeutics

• Introduction • Pathological modifications of tau ‐ Tau phosphorylation ‐ Tau truncation ‐ NFTs are not the primary toxic species • Tau turnover and possible deficits in Alzheimer disease • Tau toxicity in Alzheimer disease • Potential ‘tau‐centric’ therapeutic strategies ‐ Tau aggregation inhibitors ‐ Microtubule stabilizing agents ‐ Tau immunotherapy ‐ Autophagy activators ‐ Mitochondria targeted therapies • Summary and conclusions
tRNAHis-guanylyltransferase establishes tRNAHis identity

Histidine transfer RNA (tRNA) is unique among tRNA species as it carries an additional nucleotide at its 5′ terminus. This unusual G−1 residue is the major tRNAHis identity element, and essential for recognition by the cognate histidyl-tRNA synthetase to allow efficient His-tRNAHis formation. In many organisms G−1 is added post-transcriptionally as part of the tRNA maturation process. tRNAHis guanylyltransferase (Thg1) specifically adds the guanylyate residue by recognizing the tRNAHis anticodon. Thg1 homologs from all three domains of life have been the subject of exciting research that gave rise to a detailed biochemical, structural and phylogenetic enzyme characterization. Thg1 homologs are phylogenetically classified into eukaryal- and archaeal-type enzymes differing characteristically in their cofactor requirements and specificity. Yeast Thg1 displays a unique but limited ability to add 2–3 G or C residues to mutant tRNA substrates, thus catalyzing a 3′ → 5′ RNA polymerization. Archaeal-type Thg1, which has been horizontally transferred to certain bacteria and few eukarya, displays a more relaxed substrate range and may play additional roles in tRNA editing and repair. The crystal structure of human Thg1 revealed a fascinating structural similarity to 5′ → 3′ polymerases, indicating that Thg1 derives from classical polymerases and evolved to assume its specific function in tRNAHis processing.
Metabolic changes one year after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding operation in morbidly obese subjects

Introduction Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is effective for weight reduction in severely obese patients. However, the data about its effect on metabolic syndrome (MS) are limited. Aim To assess weight loss and changes of metabolic parameters 1 year after LAGB in a prospective, nonrandomized single center cohort study in morbidly obese subjects. Material and methods Physical examination, body weight (BW) parameters and metabolic profile were assessed at baseline and 1 year after LAGB in morbidly obese subjects. The incidence of MS was evaluated according to National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. Results One year after the operation data from 90 patients out of 103 were available. Mean excess weight (EW) loss of 33.1% was associated with a significant improvement in all metabolic parameters: decrease of hypertension by 15.8%, hypertriglyceridemia by 42.6%, and hyperglycemia by 46.3%; and increase in high density lipoprotein cholesterol by 48.3%. This resulted in the resolution of MS in 44.2% of subjects. The significant change in the distribution of MS components was observed with the highest frequency of 4 components before and 2 components after surgery. Patients with MS at baseline lost 29.9% of EW compared to 44.3% in those without MS (p = 0.009). Conclusions The LAGB resulted in effective reduction of BW parameters in morbidly obese subjects 1 year after the operation. Along with the weight loss, resolution of MS and a significant shift towards decrease in the number of MS components was observed. Patients with MS were more resistant to the weight loss.
Interleukin-19 Mediates Tissue Damage in Murine Ischemic Acute Kidney Injury

Inflammation and renal tubular injury are major features of acute kidney injury (AKI). Many cytokines and chemokines are released from injured tubular cells and acts as proinflammatory mediators. However, the role of IL-19 in the pathogenesis of AKI is not defined yet. In bilateral renal ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI)-induced and HgCl2-induced AKI animal models, real-time quantitative (RTQ)-PCR showed that the kidneys, livers, and lungs of AKI mice expressed significantly higher IL-19 and its receptors than did sham control mice. Immunohistochemical staining showed that IL-19 and its receptors were strongly stained in the kidney, liver, and lung tissue of AKI mice. In vitro, IL-19 upregulated MCP-1, TGF-β1, and IL-19, and induced mitochondria-dependent apoptosis in murine renal tubular epithelial M-1 cells. IL-19 upregulated TNF-α and IL-10 in cultured HepG2 cells, and it increased IL-1β and TNF-α expression in cultured A549 cells. In vivo, after renal IRI or a nephrotoxic dose of HgCl2 treatment, IL-20R1-deficient mice (the deficiency blocks IL-19 signaling) showed lower levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in serum and less tubular damage than did wild-type mice. Therefore, we conclude that IL-19 mediates kidney, liver, and lung tissue damage in murine AKI and that blocking IL-19 signaling may provide a potent therapeutic strategy for treating AKI.
Effects of Malting and Fermentation on the Composition and Functionality of Sorghum Flours

Sorghum is a cereal native to sub-Saharan Africa and grows well in temperate and tropical areas of the world. USA and Nigeria are the number one producers of sorghum in the World and Africa respectively. In Tanzania, Sorghum is produced in dry land regions and production is still on subsistence bases. Commonly grown cultivars include both improved and local cultivars. Sorghum is consumed as porridge and as malted and distilled beverages in Africa and Asia and used as syrup, animal feed and ethanol production in the US and other developed countries. Production and Utilization Sorghum is a cereal native to sub-Saharan Africa and grows well in temperate and tropical areas of the world where other staple cereals such as maize, wheat and rice cannot grow well (Rami et al, 1998; Haussamann et al, 2000). About 45million hectares of sorghum are being cultivated in the world (FAO, 2005) and USA is the number one producer followed by Nigeria, India, Mexico, China, Argentina, Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia,Australia, Burkina Faso, Brazil, (Murty and Kumar, 1995; Dicko et al; 2005;
Exploring Local and Overall Ordinal Information for Robust Feature Description

This paper aims to build robust feature descriptors by exploring intensity order information in a patch. To this end, the local intensity order pattern (LIOP) and the overall intensity order pattern (OIOP) are proposed to effectively encode intensity order information of each pixel in different aspects. Specifically, LIOP captures the local ordinal information by using the intensity relationships among all the neighbouring sampling points around a pixel, while OIOP exploits the coarsely quantized overall intensity order of these sampling points. These two kinds of patterns are then separately aggregated into different ordinal bins, leading to two kinds of feature descriptors. Furthermore, as these two kinds of descriptors could encode complementary ordinal information, they are combined together to obtain a discriminative and compact mixed intensity order pattern descriptor. All these descriptors are constructed on the basis of relative relationships of intensities in a rotationally invariant way, making them be inherently invariant to image rotation and any monotonic intensity changes. Experimental results on image matching and object recognition are encouraging, demonstrating the superiorities of our descriptors over the state of the art.
ARSON: THE CRIMINAL AND THE CRIME

Arson is often a manifestation of mental abnormality. Such cases, where the offence is committed without financial motive, have been interpreted as the result of unconscious sexual conflicts, or as obsessive compulsive or passive-aggressive behaviour. Perhaps because the use of fire to destroy makes the crime specific in law, or because firesetters may be more attracted by fire than by its damage, psychological ex planations have concentrated on linking the criminal with the crime and differentiating arsonists from other offenders. Although " pyro mania " as a diagnosis is obsolete, " firebug " is still a popular word. In this paper we attempt a psychiatric, sociological and psycho logical assessment of fifty male arsonists who were diagnosed as psychiatrically abnormal either at trial or in prison, and referred to Grendon Psychiatric Prison for investigation and treatment. Grendon receives cases from all the prisons in England and Wales. Most admissions are in the diagnostic categories of psychoneurosis and personality disorder. The small number of receptions who are psychotic, mentally subnormal or psychopathic within the meaning of the Mental Health Act 1959 are transferred to National Health Service hospitals. Our sample, therefore, is a diagnostically limited group. This study arose from the observation that many arsonists behave in the Grendon milieu as " model prisoners," superficially polite, undemanding and co-operative, in contrast with many of their more obtrusive fellow-inmates. We proceeded to examine our sample descriptively and comparatively, to test the hypothesis that non profit incendiary fire-setters have specific behavioural and social characteristics.
Research Paper No . 2008 / 03 Aid and Growth in Fragile States

The literature on aid has come a long way in recent years, and as a result we now know much more about aid effectiveness than possibly ever before. But significant gaps in knowledge remain. One such gap is the effectiveness of aid in the so-called ‘fragile states’, countries with critically low policy and institutional performance ratings. The current paper addresses this void by examining possible links between aid and economic growth in fragile states. It finds that: (i) growth would have been 1.4 percentage points lower in highly fragile states in the absence of aid to them, compared to 2.5 percentage points in other countries; (ii) highly fragile states from a per capita income growth perspective can only efficiently absorb approximately one-third of the amounts of aid that other countries can, and; (iii) while from the same perspective most fragile states are under-aided, to the extent that they could efficiently absorb greater amounts of aid than they currently receive, many of the highly fragile states are substantially over-aided in this sense. The overall conclusion is that donors need to look very closely at their aid to the sub-set of fragile states deemed in this paper as highly fragile.