Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Giant Pulses from the Millisecond Pulsar B1821–24

We have carried out a survey for "giant pulses" in five millisecond pulsars. We detect individual pulses from the high- pulsar B1821-24 with energies exceeding 50 times the mean pulse energy. These giant pulses are concentrated in a narrow phase window coincident with the power-law nonthermal pulse seen in hard X-rays. This is the third example of the giant-pulse phenomenon. It supports the idea that large B-fields in the outer magnetosphere are critical to the formation of such pulses and further suggests a direct connection between giant pulses and high-energy emission.
Dynamic, non-linear cache architecture for power-sensitive mobile processors

Today, mobile smartphones are expected to be able to run the same complex, algorithm-heavy, memory-intensive applications that were originally designed and coded for general-purpose processors. All the while, it is also expected that these mobile processors be power-conscientious as well as of minimal area impact. These devices pose unique usage demands of ultra-portability, but also demand an always-on, continuous data access paradigm. As a result, this dichotomy of continuous execution versus long battery life poses a difficult challenge. This paper explores a novel approach to mitigating mobile processor power consumption, with a nonlinear degradation in execution speed. The concept relies on using dynamic application memory behavior to intelligently target adjustments in the cache to significantly reduce overall processor power, taking into account both the dynamic and leakage power footprint of the cache subsystem. The simulation results show a significant reduction in power consumption of approximately 16% to 19%, while only incurring a nominal increase in execution time and area.
Archived Paraffin-Embedded Cancer Specimens fromMessenger RNA Isoform Signatures in Prostate Cancer Two-Dimensional Transcriptome Profiling : Identification of Updated

The expression of specific mRNA isoforms may uniquely reflect the biological state of a cell because it reflects the integrated outcome of both transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation. In this study, we constructed a splicing array to examine f1,500 mRNA isoforms from a panel of genes previously implicated in prostate cancer and identified a large number of cell type–specificmRNA isoforms.We also developed a novel ‘‘two-dimensional’’ profiling strategy to simultaneously quantify changes in splicing and transcript abundance; the results revealed extensive covariation between transcription and splicing in prostate cancer cells. Taking advantage of the ability of our technology to analyze RNA from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues, we derived a specific set of mRNA isoform biomarkers for prostate cancer using independent panels of tissue samples for feature selection and crossanalysis. A number of cancer-specific splicing switch events were further validated by laser capture microdissection. Quantitative changes in transcription/RNA stability and qualitative differences in splicing ratio may thus be combined to characterize tumorigenic programs and signature mRNA isoforms may serve as unique biomarkers for tumor diagnosis and prognosis. (Cancer Res 2006; 66(8): 4079-88)
Independent Component Analysis and Receptive Fields

This report surveys the literature that uses Independent Component Analysis on natural images and natural image sequences to understand receptive field properties of cells in the visual cortex. I present studies which compare ICA filters/basis functions with spatial, spatio-temporal, spatio-chromatic and stereo properties of receptive fields of simple and complex cells. The intuition behind the ICA algorithm is explained. Finally, I present results of some neurophysiological experiments which conclude that the present comparison of the results of ICA with receptive fields is not justified and more careful studies are needed.
Dealing with others: investigations on automatic and controlled processes in Social Cognitive Neuroscience.

iii 1 Social Cognitive Neuroscience 1 1.1 Neuroscience and the social domain 1 1.2 Social is special 1 1.3 Defining Social Cognitive Neuroscience 3 1.4 Methods in Social Cognitive Neuroscience 3 1.5 Domains of Social Cognitive Neuroscience 4 Understanding others 5 Understanding oneself 5 Self-regulation 6 Processes that occur between self and others (social environment) 6 Internally-focused vs. externally focused processes 6 Automatic vs. controlled processes 7 1.6 The perception-behavior relationship, automated vs. controlled processes and the purpose of this thesis 7 2 Automatic and controlled mechanisms of action understanding in social
Domain Patterns of Co-Cr Sputtered Films with Low Coercivity

Co-Cr films were prepared on polyimide substrates at temperature TS=27°C by RF sputtering. The film thickness was varied from 0.2 ¿m to 2 ¿m. Films thus formed had low coercivity. When the c-axis orientation was good, reentrant perpendicular hysteresis loops could be obtained. In these films, we used the Bitter method to observe domain patterns as functions of the thickness h and the c-axis orientation ¿¿50. The stripe domains and wall motion could be observed clearly in thick films with good c-axis orientation. The relation between the stripe domain period D and the thickness h could be explained in terms of wall motion. The dependence of h and ¿¿50 on the squareness ratio of the in-plane hysteresis loop Mr(¿)/Ms were studied. We calculated the Mr(¿)/Ms versus ¿¿50 and h based on a model assuming the ¿* effect. Good agreement between experimental and calculated values was obtained.
Dissociating Linguistic Processes in the Left Inferior Frontal Cortex with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Is the left inferior frontal cortex (LIFC) a single functional region, or can it be subdivided into distinct areas that contribute differently to word processing? Here we used transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to investigate anterior and posterior LIFC when the meaning and sound of words were being processed. Relative to no stimulation, TMS of the anterior LIFC selectively increased response latencies when participants focused on the meaning of simultaneously presented words (i.e., synonym judgments) but not when they focused on the sound pattern of the words (i.e., homophone judgments). In contrast, the opposite dissociation was observed in the posterior LIFC, where stimulation selectively interfered with the phonological but not the semantic task. This double dissociation shows functionally distinct subdivisions of the LIFC that can be understood in terms of separable corticocortical connections linking the anterior LIFC to temporal pole regions associated with semantic memory and the posterior LIFC to temporoparietal regions involved in auditory speech processing.
VICTIMIZATION AND FEAR OF CRIME IN ROMANIA AND HUNGARY: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS (English version)

Using multivariate analyses on cross-sectional data from the European Social Survey Round 3–2006/2007 conducted on representative samples of persons aged 15 and over in Romania (N=2139) and Hungary (N=1518), this comparative study will explore the relationships between victimization, trust in the police and fear of crime in two Eastern European neighboring countries that recently became EU member states. Socio-demographic and personal -level indicators which are likely to influence people’s perception of safety will also be examined. Based on the number of crimes reported to the police in 2005, total crime rates in Hungary appear to be significantly higher than in Romania. However, the fear of victimization is, on average, significantly more intense in Romania than in Hungary. Although results show that in both countries, persons with higher levels of trust in the poli ce are less likely to be afraid of being victimized, direct and indirect experience with victimization is the most important predictor of fear of crime in Hungary and Romania a. Consistent with previous research, gender, age, and urban residency are additional significant correlates of fear of crime.
The Subthalamic Nucleus Is One of Multiple Innervation Sites for Long-Range Corticofugal Axons: A Single-Axon Tracing Study in the Rat

The frontal cortex provides strong excitatory inputs to the subthalamic nucleus (STN), and these cortico-STN inputs play critical roles in the control of basal ganglia activity. It has been assumed from anatomical and physiological studies that STN is innervated mainly by collaterals of thick and fast conducting pyramidal tract axons originating from the frontal cortex deep layer V neurons, implying that STN directly receives efferent copies of motor commands. To more closely examine this assumption, we performed biotinylated dextran amine anterograde tracing studies in rats to examine the cortical layer of origin, the sizes of parent axons, and whether or not the cortical axons emit any other collaterals to brain areas other than STN. This study revealed that the cortico-STN projection is formed mostly by collaterals of a small fraction of small-to-medium-sized long-range corticofugal axons, which also emit collaterals that innervate multiple other brain sites including the striatum, associative thalamic nuclei, superior colliculus, zona incerta, pontine nucleus, multiple other brainstem areas, and the spinal cord. The results imply that some layer V neurons are involved in associative control of movement through multiple brain innervation sites and that the cortico-STN projection is one part of this multiple corticofugal system.
Lemmas on Demand for Satisfiability Solvers

We investigate the combination of propositional SAT checkers with satisﬁability procedures for domain-speciﬁc theories such as linear arithmetic, arrays, lists and the combination thereof. Our procedure realizes a lazy approach to satisﬁability checking of Boolean constraint formulas by iteratively reﬁning Boolean formulas based on lemmas generated on demand by the decision procedures.
Opportunities for communication in integrated settings : young deaf children

The integration of deaf children into mainstream schools was heralded by the 1981 Education Act, but has been dogged by conflict about the appropriateness of two dominant approaches to communication. The oral/aural approach, most often followed, is concerned with teaching deaf children to learn to listen and listen to learn. The emphasis has been on the need to 'normalize' deaf children in order to promote their learning and development. The manual/visual approach has focused on sign usage to promote a child's development as a communicator and learner and can be tailored to the child's prospective membership of Deaf/deaf and hearing cultures. The aim of this study is to explore both the oral/aural and the manual/visual approach in relation to young deaf children's experiences of integration. Rather than focusing on modality specific aspects of communication, this study examines the wide range of both resources and strategies deaf children have for interaction in a variety of educational environments, using modality independent tools. This permits a broader examination of deaf children's opportunities for communication in integrated settings than has previously been undertaken. The research involved detailed analysis of direct observation data collected in nursery and reception classes over a period of eighteen months, during which time the experiences of a group of deaf children and matched hearing peers were compared and contrasted. It is argued that the preoccupations of professionals, and their purposes in promoting particular approaches to language and communication need to be challenged if deaf children are not to be disabled by oppressive practices in the name of integration. It is recommended that further research should aim to advance inclusive and empowering education for deaf children through more adequately recognizing the contribution of Deaf/deaf people to processes of enquiry.
Stimulation of Human Dendritic Cells by Wild-Type and M Protein Mutant Vesicular Stomatitis Viruses Engineered To Express Bacterial Flagellin

ABSTRACT Vesicular stomatitis viruses (VSVs) containing wild-type (wt) or mutant matrix (M) proteins are being developed as candidate vaccine vectors due to their ability to induce innate and adaptive immunity. Viruses with wt M protein, such as recombinant wild-type (rwt) virus, stimulate maturation of dendritic cells (DC) through Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) and its adaptor molecule MyD88. However, M protein mutant viruses, such as rM51R-M virus, stimulate both TLR7-positive and TLR7-negative DC subsets. The goal of this study was to determine whether the ability of rwt and rM51R-M viruses to induce maturation of human DC can be enhanced by engineering these vectors to express bacterial flagellin. Flagellin expressed from the rwt virus genome partially protected human DC from VSV-induced shutoff of host protein synthesis and promoted the production of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and IL-1β. In addition, DC infected with rwt virus expressing flagellin were more effective at stimulating gamma interferon (IFN-γ) production from CD8+ allogeneic T cells than DC infected with rwt virus. Although rM51R-M virus effectively stimulated human DC, flagellin expressed from the rM51R-M virus genome enhanced the production of cytokines. Furthermore, mice immunized with both rwt and rM51R-M viruses expressing flagellin had enhanced anti-VSV antibody responses in vivo. Therefore, rwt and rM51R-M viruses expressing flagellin may be promising vectors for the delivery of foreign antigen due to their potential to stimulate DC function.
[Heterogeneity of costs of diabetic patients: the Cost of Diabetes Mellitus Study].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Health economic studies in patients with diabetes mellitus have demonstrated that a large proportion of the excess cost is caused by the treatment of specific complications. It was the aim of this study to analyse the distribution of per capita cost of a large cohort of diabetic patients in order to develop new strategies for a better identification and care of high-risk patients. METHODS The analysis was based on anonymous data on patients with diabetes and an age-matched control group from a large cohort of subjects insured by a large statutory health insurance fund (AOK Hesse) (n=305736). Costs were fully assessed and related to the state of complications and other criteria. RESULTS The average cost was 5262 euros per diabetic patient and year. Excess costs due to the diabetes were estimated at 2507 euros. Costs were unevenly distributed, depending on the presence of complications. The average excess cost of patients with at least one complication was i 3730 euros (469 for patients without complication). In particular, patients on hemodialysis, after kidney transplantation or with lower leg amputation, stroke or with gangrene or foot ulcer incurred great costs. 5.3% of all diabetic patients incurred costs of > or = 20000 euros per year, totalling up to 33.6% of all costs of diabetic patients. Another 9.5% of patients incurred costs of between 10000 euros and 20000 euros per year. Both groups were responsible for 59.6% of total costs. In contrast, 55% of the patients incurred costs of < 2500 euros per year, amounting to 11.8% of all costs. CONCLUSIONS There is a considerable variation of cost incurred in the management of diabetic patients, as demonstrated in a large population-based cohort of diabetics. This increased cost was largely due to the presence of complications. High-risk patients should be identified as early as possible so that they can receive intensive care to avoid the expensive complications of the disease.
Evolution, social norms, and the sustainability of common property resources

De nombreuses ressources communes telles que les pecheries, les forets, ou les pâturages, sont menacees de surexploitation. Pour tenter de comprendre les raisons de la degradation des ressources communes, les economistes mobilise la theorie des jeux, soumise aux hypotheses de rationalite parfaite des individus. Toutefois, de nombreuses etudes empiriques et experimentales montrent que les acteurs exploitant les ressources ne se conforment pas toujours aux predictions de l'equilibre de Nash. En complement des approches classiques, la theorie des jeux evolutionnistes constitue un outil alternatif pour etudier les facteurs qui permettent une gestion durable des ressources communes. Cette theorie suppose que les agents economiques sont dotes d'une rationalite limitee. Le but de notre travail s'inscrit dans ce courant de litterature. Il s'agit d'analyser comment des interactions entre individus adoptant un comportement d'imitation peuvent rendre compte des resultats obtenus dans la litterature empirique et experimentale. Notre travail comporte essentiellement trois applications (chapitres 4, 5 et 6). Dans la premiere, nous proposons un modele qui rend compte de la concurrence tres forte que l'on rencontre dans certaines situations ou les ressources sont tres gravement surexploitees. Dans une deuxieme application, nous montrons que lorsque les utilisateurs ont la possibilite de sanctionner ceux qui surexploitent, il est possible de reduire partiellement les pressions sur la ressource. Dans le troisieme modele, nous etudions comment les communautes locales arrivent a mettre en place des systemes de droits de propriete, toujours dans le but de limiter la surexploitation.
Identification of a Novel Isoform of Mouse Dentin Matrix Protein 1: Spatial Expression in Mineralized Tissues

Dentin matrix protein 1 (Dmp1) is an acidic phosphoprotein first identified by cDNA cloning from a rat tooth library. Northern blot hybridization of a variety of tissues detected Dmp1 mRNAs only in odontoblasts, suggesting that this protein was odontoblast specific. In situ hybridization studies showed expression of Dmp1 in odontoblasts with transient expression in secretory ameloblasts. The purpose of this study was to isolate and characterize a mouse Dmp1 cDNA and determine its spatial expression pattern related to other mineralizing tissues. A mouse molar cDNA library was screened with a32P‐labeled Dmp1 polymerase chain reaction amplification product in order to isolate a full‐length clone. DNA sequence analysis of the largest mouse Dmp1 cDNA (2802 base pairs [bp]) revealed an open reading frame of 1509 nucleotides encoding a 503 amino acid protein with a single polyadenylation signal. Comparison with rat and bovine Dmp1 sequence showed high homology and the identification of a 45 bp (15 amino acid) insert, representing an alternative spliced mRNA. This 45 bp segment was shown to represent a small exon by DNA analysis of a mouse genomic Dmp1 clone. In situ hybridization studies revealed a much broader Dmp1 tissue expression pattern than previously reported. Dmp1 transcripts were detected in the odontoblast and ameloblasts, osteoblasts, and cementoblasts. Our data indicate that Dmp1 is alternatively spliced, and the primary full‐length transcript contains a 45 bp insert which is encoded by a small exon. Therefore, Dmp1 is not a tooth‐specific protein but rather is expressed in a number of mineralizing tissues including enamel, bone, and cementum.
Students with dyslexia: research projects at Northumbria University

Northumbria University has about 700 registered disabled students, the majority of whom (around 58 per cent) are registered as having dyslexia and account for approximately two per cent of the total student population. Therefore dyslexic students represent the largest single group of disabled students and are those with whom most staff are likely to come into contact. The research authors were keen to ascertain whether there was a difference in academic performance between dyslexic and non-dyslexic students in respect of degree classification and assignment marks and to investigate whether dyslexic students generally felt supported in their academic studies. Research involved both qualitative and quantitative strands and the areas explored include pre expectations; general support throughout study; methods, flexibility and clarity of learning tasks, in particular assessment and levels of performance throughout and at the end of their study. This research is ongoing, however, findings have proved invaluable as a basis in the construction of good practice guidelines in dealing with the pedagogic needs of this diverse student group
Why Is Climate Sensitivity So Unpredictable?

Uncertainties in projections of future climate change have not lessened substantially in past decades. Both models and observations yield broad probability distributions for long-term increases in global mean temperature expected from the doubling of atmospheric carbon dioxide, with small but finite probabilities of very large increases. We show that the shape of these probability distributions is an inevitable and general consequence of the nature of the climate system, and we derive a simple analytic form for the shape that fits recent published distributions very well. We show that the breadth of the distribution and, in particular, the probability of large temperature increases are relatively insensitive to decreases in uncertainties associated with the underlying climate processes.
Selective Promoter Recognition by Chlamydial σ28 Holoenzyme

ABSTRACT The σ transcription factor confers the promoter recognition specificity of RNA polymerase (RNAP) in eubacteria. Chlamydia trachomatis has three known sigma factors, σ66, σ54, and σ28. We developed two methods to facilitate the characterization of promoter sequences recognized by C. trachomatis σ28 (σ28 Ct). One involved the arabinose-induced expression of plasmid-encoded σ28 Ct in a strain of Escherichia coli defective in the σ28 structural gene, fliA. The second was an analysis of transcription in vitro with a hybrid holoenzyme reconstituted with E. coli RNAP core and recombinant σ28 Ct. These approaches were used to investigate the interactions of σ28 Ct with the σ28 Ct-dependent hctB promoter and selected E. coli σ28 (σ28 Ec)-dependent promoters, in parallel, compared with the promoter recognition properties of σ28 EC. Our results indicate that RNAP containing σ28 Ct has at least three characteristics: (i) it is capable of recognizing some but not all σ28 EC-dependent promoters; (ii) it can distinguish different promoter structures, preferentially activating promoters with upstream AT-rich sequences; and (iii) it possesses a greater flexibility than σ28 EC in recognizing variants with different spacing lengths separating the −35 and −10 elements of the core promoter.
Individuals’ insight into intrapersonal externalities

An intrapersonal externality exists when an individual’s decisions affect the outcomes of her future decisions. It can result in decreasing or increasing average returns to the rate of consumption, as occurs in addiction or exercise. Experimentation using the Harvard Game, which models intrapersonal externalities, has found differences in decision making between drug users and control subjects, leading to the argument that these externalities influence the course of illicit drug use. Nevertheless, it is unclear how participants who behave optimally conceptualise the problem. We report two experiments using a simplified Harvard Game, which tested the differences in contingency knowledge between participants who chose optimally and participants who did not. Those who demonstrated optimal performance exhibited both a pattern of correct responses and systematic errors to questions about the payoff schedules. The pattern suggested that they learned explicit knowledge of the change in reinforcement on a trail-by-trial basis. They did not have, or need, a full knowledge of the historical interaction leading to each payoff. We also found no evidence of choice differences between participants who were given a guaranteed payment and participants who were paid contingent on their performance, but those given a guaranteed payment were able to report more contingency knowledge as the experiment progressed, suggesting that they explored more rather than settling into a routine. Experiment 2 showed that using a fixed inter-trial interval did not change the results.