Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Satellites of simulated galaxies: survival, merging and their relationto the dark and stellar haloes

We study the population of satellite galaxies formed in a suite of N-body/gasdynamical simulations of galaxy formation in a A cold dark matter universe. The simulations resolve nearly 10 most luminous satellites around each host, and probe systems up to six or seven magnitudes fainter than the primary. We find little spatial or kinematic bias between the dark matter and the satellite population. The radius containing half of all satellites is comparable to the half-mass radius of the dark matter component, and the velocity dispersion of the satellites is a good indicator of the virial velocity of the halo; σ sat /V vir ∼0.9 ± 0.2. Applied to the Local Group, this result suggests that the virial velocity of the Milky Way and M31 might be substantially lower than the rotation speed of their disc components; we find V MW vir ∼109 ± 22 km s -1 and V M31 vir ∼ 138 ± 35 km s -1 , respectively, compared to V MW rot ∼220 km s -1 and V M31 rot ∼260 km s -1 . Although the uncertainties are large, it is intriguing that both estimates are significantly lower than expected from some semi-analytic models, which predict a smaller difference between V vir and V rot . The detailed kinematics of simulated satellites and dark matter are also in good agreement: both components show a steadily decreasing velocity dispersion profile and a mild radial anisotropy in their velocity distribution. By contrast, the stellar halo of the simulated galaxies, which consists predominantly of stellar debris from disrupted satellites, is kinematically and spatially distinct from the population of surviving satellites. This is because the survival of a satellite as a self-bound entity depends sensitively on mass and on time of accretion and surviving satellites are significantly biased toward low-mass systems that have been recently accreted by the galaxy. Our results support recent proposals for the origin of the systematic differences between stars in the Galactic halo and in Galactic satellites: the elusive 'building blocks' of the Milky Way stellar halo were on average more massive, and were accreted (and disrupted) earlier than the population of dwarfs that has survived self-bound until the present.
Immunomodulatory Activity of Dietary Fiber: Arabinoxylan and Mixed-Linked Beta-Glucan Isolated from Barley Show Modest Activities in Vitro

High intake of dietary fiber is claimed to protect against development of colorectal cancer. Barley is a rich source of dietary fiber, and possible immunomodulatory effects of barley polysaccharides might explain a potential protective effect. Dietary fiber was isolated by extraction and enzyme treatment. A mixed-linked β-glucan (WSM-TPX, 96.5% β-glucan, Mw 886 kDa), an arabinoxylan (WUM-BS-LA, 96.4% arabinoxylan, Mw 156 kDa), a mixed-linked β-glucan rich fraction containing 10% arabinoxylan (WSM-TP) and an arabinoxylan rich fraction containing 30% mixed-linked β-glucan (WUM-BS) showed no significant effect on IL-8 secretion and proliferation of two intestinal epithelial cell lines, Caco-2 and HT-29, and had no significant effect on the NF-κB activity in the monocytic cell line U937-3κB-LUC. Further enriched arabinoxylan fractions (WUM-BS-LA) from different barley varieties (Tyra, NK96300, SB94897 and CDCGainer) were less active than the mixed-linked β-glucan rich fractions (WSM-TP and WSM-TPX) in the complement-fixing test. The mixed-linked β-glucan rich fraction from NK96300 and CDCGainer showed similar activities as the positive control while mixed-linked β-glucan rich fractions from Tyra and SB94897 were less active. From these results it is concluded that the isolated high molecular weight mixed-linked β-glucans and arabinoxylans from barley show low immunological responses in selected in vitro test systems and thus possible anti-colon cancer effects of barley dietary fiber cannot be explained by our observations.
Workers’ Remittances: An Important and Stable Source of External Development Finance

• Remittance flows are the second-largest source, behind FDI, of external funding for developing countries. In 2001, workers’ remittance receipts of developing countries stood at $72.3 billion, much higher than total official flows and private non-FDI flows, and 42 percent of total FDI flows to developing countries (table 7.1). Remittances to low-income countries were larger as a share of GDP and imports than were those to middle income countries. Remittances are also more stable than private capital
Nonlinear Aspects of the BOLD Response in Functional MRI

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) using blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) contrast has progressed rapidly and is commonly used to study function in many regions of the human brain. This paper introduces a method for characterizing the linear and nonlinear properties of the hemodynamic response. Such characterization is essential for accurate prediction of time-course behavior. Linearity of the BOLD response was examined in the primary visual cortex for manipulations of the stimulus amplitude and duration. Stimuli of 1, 2, 4, and 8 s duration (80% contrast) and 10, 20, 40, and 80% contrast (4 s duration) were used to test the hemodynamic response. Superposition of the obtained responses was performed to determine if the BOLD response is nonlinear. The nonlinear characteristics of the BOLD response were assessed using a Laplacian linear system model cascaded with a broadening function. Discrepancies between the model and the observed response provide an indirect measure of the nonlinearity of the response. The Laplacian linear system remained constant within subjects so the broadening function can be used to absorb nonlinearities in the response. The results show that visual stimulation under 4 s in duration and less than 40% contrast yield strong nonlinear responses.
The Two Paradigms of Software Design

The dominant view of design in information systems and software engineering, the Rational Design Paradigm, views software development as a methodical, plan-centered, approximately rational process of optimizing a design candidate for known constraints and objectives. This paper synthesizes an Alternative Design Paradigm, which views software development as an amethodical, improvisational, emotional process of simultaneously framing the problem and building artifacts to address it. These conflicting paradigms are manifestations of a deeper philosophical conflict between rationalism and empiricism. The paper clarifies the nature, components and assumptions of each paradigm and explores the implications of the paradigmatic conflict for research, practice and education.
Gender Differences in Cooperation: Experimental Evidence on High School Students

The emergence of cooperation among unrelated human subjects is a long-standing conundrum that has been amply studied both theoretically and experimentally. Within the question, a less explored issue relates to the gender dependence of cooperation, which can be traced back to Darwin, who stated that "women are less selfish but men are more competitive". Indeed, gender has been shown to be relevant in several game theoretical paradigms of social cooperativeness, including prisoner's dilemma, snowdrift and ultimatum/dictator games, but there is no consensus as to which gender is more cooperative. We here contribute to this literature by analyzing the role of gender in a repeated Prisoners' Dilemma played by Spanish high-school students in both a square lattice and a heterogeneous network. While the experiment was conducted to shed light on the influence of networks on the emergence of cooperation, we benefit from the availability of a large dataset of more 1200 participants. We applied different standard econometric techniques to this dataset, including Ordinary Least Squares and Linear Probability models including random effects. All our analyses indicate that being male is negatively associated with the level of cooperation, this association being statistically significant at standard levels. We also obtain a gender difference in the level of cooperation when we control for the unobserved heterogeneity of individuals, which indicates that the gender gap in cooperation favoring female students is present after netting out this effect from other socio-demographics factors not controlled for in the experiment, and from gender differences in risk, social and competitive preferences.
New Measurements of the Motion of the Zodiacal Dust

Using the Wisconsin Hα Mapper (WHAM), we have measured at high spectral resolution and high signal-to-noise ratio the profile of the scattered solar Mg I λ5184 Fraunhofer line in the zodiacal light. The observations were carried out toward 49 directions that sampled the ecliptic equator from solar elongations of 48° (evening sky) to 334° (morning sky) plus observations near +47° and +90° ecliptic latitude. The spectra show a clear prograde kinematic signature that is inconsistent with dust confined to the ecliptic plane and in circular orbits influenced only by the Sun's gravity. In particular, the broadened widths of the profiles, together with large amplitude variations in the centroid velocity with elongation angle, indicate that a significant population of dust is on eccentric orbits. In addition, the wide, flat-bottomed line profile toward the ecliptic pole indicates a broad distribution of orbital inclinations extending up to about 30°-40° with respect to the ecliptic plane. The absence of pronounced asymmetries in the shape of the profiles limits the retrograde population to less than 10% of the prograde population, and also places constraints on the scattering phase function of the particles. These results do not show the radial outflow or evening-morning velocity amplitude asymmetry reported in some earlier investigations. The reduction of the spectra included the discovery and removal of extremely faint, unidentified terrestrial emission lines that contaminate and distort the underlying Mg I profile. This atmospheric emission is too weak to have been seen in earlier, lower signal-to-noise ratio observations, but it probably affected the line centroid measurements of previous investigations.
DEMONSTRATION OF HEAVY AND LIGHT CHAIN ANTIGENIC DETERMINANTS ON THE CELL-BOUND RECEPTOR FOR ANTIGEN

High-rate antibody-forming cells and immunological memory cells can be selectively retained if filtered through a column coated with relevant antigen. This trapping can be blocked if the cells are incubated with an anti-immunoglobulin serum prior to column passage. A similar blocking is not observed when cells are treated with an anti-lymphocyte serum, thereby excluding the possibility that any antibodies combining with surface structures could cause this effect. By the use of antisera specific for heavy or light chain antigens, it was possible to locate such antigens in the antigen-binding receptor areas of immune cells. Criss-cross studies using antisera specific for gamma 1 or gamma 2a heavy chains showed that the membrane receptor has the same heavy chain as will be present in the eventual product of that cell, the humoral antibody.
Planar Probe Coaxial-Waveguide Power Combiner/Divider

A novel axially symmetric oversized coaxial waveguide power combiner/divider, which utilizes a planar probe array to transform multiway input to a central oversized coaxial waveguide, is presented in this paper. The use of a coaxial waveguide allows standard transverse electromagnetic design theory to be used, and the characteristics of the coaxial taper transition and the planar probe array are analyzed in detail. A design procedure is also established for the structure. A ten-way planar probe coaxial-waveguide power combiner/divider over the Ku-band is designed and measured. The measured results show a reasonable agreement with the simulated results. The measured 15-dB return-loss bandwidth is approximately 4.3 GHz, and a maximum amplitude imbalance of plusmn 1 dB and a phase imbalance of plusmn5deg are observed in the 11.5-16-GHz band. Furthermore, the isolation between the peripheral ports is also discussed.
Combination of Active Components of Xiexin Decoction Ameliorates Renal Fibrosis Through the Inhibition of NF-κB and TGF-β1/Smad Pathways in db/db Diabetic Mice

Xiexin decoction, a herbal therapeutic agent commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine, is recognized for its beneficial effects on diabetic nephropathy exerted through the combined action of multiple components, including Rhizoma Coptidis alkaloids (A), Radix et Rhizoma Rhei polysaccharides (P), and Radix Scutellaria flavones (F). Our previous studies have shown that a combination of A, P, and F (APF) exhibits renoprotective effects against diabetic nephropathy. This study was aimed at determining the effects of APF on renal fibrosis in diabetic nephropathy and elucidating the underlying molecular mechanisms. To evaluate the effects of APF, in vivo, db/db diabetic mice were orally administered a low or high dose of APF (300 or 600 mg/kg, respectively) once a day for 8 weeks. We evaluated the blood and urine indices of metabolic and renal function, renal tissue histopathology, renal inflammation, and fibrosis. APF treatment significantly ameliorated glucose and lipid metabolism dysfunction, decreased urinary albumin excretion, normalized creatinine clearance, and reduced the morphological changes in renal tissue. Additionally, APF administration in db/db diabetic mice reduced the elevated levels of renal inflammation mediators such as intercellular adhesion molecule-1, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, and active nuclear factor κB (NF-κB). APF treatment also reduced type I and IV collagen, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), and TGF-β1 type II receptor expression levels, and decreased the phosphorylation of Smad2/3 in the kidneys of db/db diabetic mice. These results suggest that APF reduces renal fibrosis in diabetic nephropathy through the NF-κB and TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathways. In vitro, APF treatment reduced cell proliferation and protein expression of α-smooth muscle actin, collagen I, TGF-β1 and NF-κB in mesangial cells cultured with high glucose concentrations. Our findings indicate that treatment with multi-component herbal therapeutic formulations may be a useful approach for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy.
Impact of 2D and 3D Vision on Performance of Novice Subjects Using da Vinci Robotic System

Abstract Purpose of the study: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of 3D and 2D vision on performance of novice subjects using da Vinci robotic system. Methods: 224 nurses without any surgical experience were divided into two groups and executed a motor task with the robotic system in 2D for one group and with the robotic system in 3D for the other group. Time to perform the task was recorded. Results: Our data showed significant better time performance in 3D view (24.67 ± 11.2) than in 2D view (40.26 ± 17.49, P < 0.001). Conclusions: Our findings emphasized the advantage of 3D vision over 2D view in performing surgical task, encouraging the development of efficient and less expensive 3D systems in order to improve the accuracy of surgical gesture, the resident training and the operating time.
Evaluation of a MEMS-Based Dual Metal-Layer Thin-Film Microelectrode Array for Suprachoroidal Electrical Stimulation

A double metal-layer thin-film platinum microelectrode array was fabricated for implantation between sclera and choroid based on MEMS processing techniques and photosensitive polyimide material. The array was composed of 60 stimulating sites (6 × 10) and four selectable returning electrodes. The diameter of each stimulating electrode was 350 μm with a center-to-center spacing of 750 μm. The transient voltage responses of the electrode to current pulse stimulation indicated a charge-injection capacity greater than 52.1 μC/cm2. Acute in vivo animal experiments showed that the implicit time of electrically evoked potentials (EEPs) was 17.09 ± 1.45 ms at a threshold current of 25.55 ± 5.43 μA for a full-row of simultaneously stimulated electrodes (i.e. current applied simultaneously to each of the 10 electrodes). Individual electrode stimulation threshold was 48.57 ± 6.90 μA. The corresponding threshold charge densities were 13.28 ± 2.82 μC/cm2 and 25.24 ± 3.59 μC/cm2, respectively. The spatial spread of the maximally recorded P1 response in the EEPs indicated a correspondence between the retinal stimulation site and the focal response location in the cortex. This method of array fabrication is suitable for acute suprachoroidal stimulation, and has a potential use for the fabrication of a visual prosthesis.
Multi-robot coverage and exploration on Riemannian manifolds with boundaries

Multi-robot coverage and exploration are fundamental problems in robotics. A widely used, efficient and distributable algorithm for achieving coverage of a convex environment with Euclidean metrics is that proposed by Cortes which is based on the discrete-time Lloyd’s algorithm. This algorithm is not directly applicable to general Riemannian manifolds with boundaries that are non-convex and are intrinsically non-Euclidean. In this paper we generalize the control law based on minimization of the coverage functional to such non-Euclidean spaces punctured by obstacles. We also propose a practical discrete implementation based on standard graph search-based algorithms. We demonstrate the applicability of the proposed algorithm by solving efficient coverage problems on a sphere and a torus with obstacles, and exploration problems in non-convex indoor environments.
A Proposal of Automatic Selection of Coarse-grained Semantic Classes for WSD

We present a very simple method for selecting Base Level Concepts using some basic structural properties of WordNet. We also empirically demonstrate that these automatically derived set of Base Level Concepts group senses into an adequate level of abstraction in order to perform class-based Word Sense Disambiguation. In fact, a very naive Most Frequent classifier using the classes selected is able to perform a semantic tagging with accuracy figures over 75%.
Active Tracking System with Rapid Eye Movement Involving Simultaneous Top-down and Bottom-up Attention Control

Visual tracking of complex objects has been studied extensively in the field of robot vision, visual servoing, and surveillance. Detection of reliable low level visual features has been crucial, in the literature, for the stability of tracking in cluttered scene. However, using only low level features for tracking tends to be illusory for practical vision systems, and the selection of reliable visual features is still an important unsolved issue. In recent studies it has been stressed the importance of high-level features in guiding control for long-duration tracking (Matsugu et al., 2006; Li et al., 2007; Yang et al., 2007), computer vision (Sun & Fisher, 2003), and visual search (Lee et al., 2005). Recent cognitive neuro-psychological as well as brain imaging studies also revealed a role of top-down attention in visual search task in human vision system (Patel & Sathian, 2000; Hopfinger et al., 2000; Corbetta & Shulman, 2002; Navalpakkam & Itti, 2006). In this chapter, we present a new object tracking vision system that incorporates both top-down and bottom-up attention processes. Tracking a specific object using both low-level and high-level features is not new and was previously studied (Isard & Blake, 1998) in a stochastic framework. The proposed active vision system in this chapter is task-oriented and tracks a specific object (i.e., person). The tracking process is initiated by the top-down process which is activated by robust object detection module (Matsugu & Cardon, 2004; Matsugu et al., 2004). Subsequent feature selection for tracking involves simultaneous
Projection Iterative Methods for Multivalued General Variational Inequalities

In this paper, we introduce a new class of variational inequalities involving two operators. Using the projection technique, we establish the equivalence between the multivalued general variational inequalities and the fixed point problems. This equivalent formulation is used to suggest and analyze some iterative algorithms for solving the multivalued general variational inequalities. We also discuss the convergence analysis of these iterative methods. Several special cases are also discussed.
Jihadi fiction: radicalisation narratives in the contemporary novel

ABSTRACT As Ulrich Beck suggests in World at Risk, fear of Islamist extremism has become a dominant strand in contemporary perceptions of risk. In the media, a set of ‘stock’ radicalisation narratives have emerged in which, typically, a misguided loner is brainwashed into embracing a violent perversion of Islam. In the background, the wider Muslim community is accused of a dangerous complicity and complacency. This essay explores some notable attempts in fiction to unpick such popular radicalisation narratives. In novels by John Updike and Sunjeev Sahota, the psychological and faith dimensions of suicide bombing are a key focus, attempting to explore from the inside, how an educated young Muslim might be impelled along the path to martyrdom. In texts by Mohsin Hamid and J.M. Coetzee, the ideological staging of ‘radicalisation’ and ‘fundamentalism’ themselves is brought into question. Current counterterrorist measures include indefinite detention of US citizens without trial, while in the UK, over two million public sector workers have been recruited to the largest surveillance exercise ever codified in British law. In this context, the essay shows how recent fiction has attempted to trouble the frames of representation through which a perpetual state-of-emergency is passed off as our ‘new normal’.
VW LMi: tightest quadruple system known. Light-time effect and possible secular changes of orbits

Tightest known quadruple system VW LMi consists of contact eclipsing binary with P 12 = 0.477551 d and detached binary with P 34 = 7.93063 d revolving in rather tight, 355.0-d orbit. This paper presents new photometric and spectroscopic observations yielding 69 times of minima and 36 disentangled radial velocities for the component stars. All available radial velocities and minima times are combined to better characterize the orbits and to derive absolute parameters of components. The total mass of the quadruple system was estimated at 4.56 M ⊙ . The detached, non-eclipsing binary with orbital period P = 7.93 d is found to show apsidal motion with U ≈ 80 yr. Precession period in this binary, caused by the gravitational perturbation of the contact binary, is estimated to be about 120 yr. The wide mutual orbit and orbit of the non-eclipsing pair are found to be close to coplanarity, preventing any changes of the inclination angle of the non-eclipsing orbit and excluding occurrence of the second system of eclipses in future. Possibilities of astrometric solution and direct resolving of the wide, mutual orbit are discussed. Nearby star, HD 95606, was found to form loose binary with quadruple system VW LMi.