Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
SatProbe: Low-energy and fast indoor/outdoor detection based on raw GPS processing

Indoor-outdoor (IO) detection provides very useful hints for a mobile device to perform context-aware services. To that end, GPS presents a viable solution by relating a device's IO status with its positioning performance, which depends on the device's exposure to the open sky. This approach, however, is prohibitively expensive in terms of energy consumption and response time. Recent work has thus been focused on exploiting low-energy sensors such as light, cellular, and magnetic sensors to infer the IO status indirectly, at the cost of reduced adaptability or explicit user involvement. In this paper, we propose an improving solution to this problem. Our method, called SatProbe, reverts to the GPS approach for its directness and robustness, but avoids its drawback by extracting only the number of visible satellites from the raw GPS data, instead of going through extensive computation to obtain a final position. This metric provides a clear indicator of the IO status, yet can be obtained with great efficiency. Experiments on 79 raw GPS traces with 2595 detection points across a variety of environments show that SatProbe produces higher detection accuracy than previous solutions, with more than an order of magnitude reductions in energy consumption and detection time.
Task‐related preparatory modulations multiply with acoustic processing in monkey auditory cortex

We characterised task‐related top‐down signals in monkey auditory cortex cells by comparing single‐unit activity during passive sound exposure with neuronal activity during a predictable and unpredictable reaction‐time task for a variety of spectral‐temporally modulated broadband sounds. Although animals were not trained to attend to particular spectral or temporal sound modulations, their reaction times demonstrated clear acoustic spectral‐temporal sensitivity for unpredictable modulation onsets. Interestingly, this sensitivity was absent for predictable trials with fast manual responses, but re‐emerged for the slower reactions in these trials. Our analysis of neural activity patterns revealed a task‐related dynamic modulation of auditory cortex neurons that was locked to the animal's reaction time, but invariant to the spectral and temporal acoustic modulations. This finding suggests dissociation between acoustic and behavioral signals at the single‐unit level. We further demonstrated that single‐unit activity during task execution can be described by a multiplicative gain modulation of acoustic‐evoked activity and a task‐related top‐down signal, rather than by linear summation of these signals.
Progesterone Rapidly Decreases Brain Edema: Treatment Delayed up to 24 Hours Is Still Effective

Cerebral edema is a serious side effect of traumatic brain injury. We have previously established that progesterone injections, initiated within 1 h after cortical contusion injury, reduced edema when assessed 3 days later. To determine how rapidly progesterone can reduce edema, male and female rats were given the hormone 1 h after damage to the medial frontal cortex, and edema levels were assessed between 2 h and 7 days postinjury. Progesterone decreased edema with 6 h of the injury and continued to be effective for the duration of treatment. In addition, we assessed whether progesterone injections are effective when delays are imposed between injury and initiation of treatment. Male and female rats received progesterone after postinjury delays 6, 24, or 48 h. Progesterone was effective in reducing edema when treatment was delayed until 24 h after injury.
Clinical Application of the AFRRI BAT Computer Program

The Biodosimetry Assessment Tool (BAT) is a computer program developed by the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute (AFRRI) as an aid to provide early diagnostic information (clinical signs and symptoms, physical dosimetry, etc.) to health care providers responsible for the initial management of radiation casualties after a major radiation incident. It is designed primarily to permit collection, integration, and archiving of data obtained from patients accidentally exposed to ionizing radiation. BAT also provides an early estimate of radiation dose using the timing of prodromal symptoms, clinical data, and various aspects of the time-dependent hematology profile. Collection of relevant data is facilitated by use of structured templates and user-friendly software. The BAT software is illustrated here using five historical cases from the U.S. Radiation Accident Registry maintained by the Radiation Emergency Assistance Center/Training Site (REAC/TS) for the U.S. Department of Energy.
The Potential Effects of Minimum Wage Changes on Naval Accessions

In 2014 and 2015, U.S. policymakers debated the potential economic impacts of raising the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour. Proponents for an increase in the minimum wage argue that it will help the economy since more people will have the ability to purchase more goods. Opponents believe that an increase in the minimum wage will reduce the number of jobs and increase the price of goods. This MBA report demonstrates that raising the minimum wage could have a positive effect on the military’s ability to recruit personnel because an increased minimum wage will increase the number of prospective recruits. This report examines how the minimum wage originated from the Federal Labor Standards Act of 1938 and morphed into what it is today. Then it examines how a price floor affects the market’s demand for labor and utilizes the two-sector and search models to demonstrate how the minimum wage market correlates to military ascensions. Finally, the report examines studies that show the different effects raising the minimum wage can have on the labor pool and how this can impact military personnel acquisitions.
Exercise increases SOCS‐3 expression in rat skeletal muscle: potential relationship to IL‐6 expression

Suppressor of cytokine signalling‐3 (SOCS‐3) has been implicated in the onset of insulin resistance in non‐muscle tissue. Thus, we examined the effects of exercise training on SOCS‐3 expression and the potential role of SOCS‐3 in muscle. Female Sprague‐Dawley rats (5–8 months) were treadmill trained for 12 weeks and the muscles were removed 24 h after the last bout of exercise. Exercise training increased SOCS‐3 mRNA expression by 80% and 154% in the plantaris and soleus muscle, respectively. To mimic the effects of increased SOCS‐3 expression, SOCS‐3 cDNA was cotransfected with a NF‐kappa B (NF‐κB) luciferase construct into cultured C2C12 myotubes. SOCS‐3 overexpression increased NF‐κB transcriptional activity by 27‐fold. The proximal region of the IL‐6 gene promoter contains a NF‐κB consensus site, which contributes to increased IL‐6 expression in various tissues. SOCS‐3 cDNA was cotransfected into cultured C2C12 myotubes with either the IL‐6 luciferase construct or a mutated NF‐κB IL‐6 luciferase construct. SOCS‐3 overexpression increased IL‐6 transcriptional activity by 15‐fold, however, when the NF‐κB site was mutated SOCS‐3 failed to increase IL‐6 transcriptional activity. We subsequently found that IL‐6 mRNA expression was elevated in the plantaris and soleus muscles of the trained animals compared to the sedentary animals. Finally, exercise induced a significant reduction in IκBα and increased phosphorylation of Iκκ suggesting that NF‐κB activation was elevated after exercise training. These data suggest that training‐induced elevations in SOCS‐3 expression in skeletal muscle may contribute to the exercise‐induced increase in IL‐6 expression through alterations in the mechanisms that mediate NF‐κB activity.
The Tromsø Heart Study: Serum apolipoprotein Al concentration in relation to future coronary heart disease

Abstract. The concentrations of apolipoprotein AI, a major peptide of high density lipoprotein (HDL), have been measured by immunoelectrophoresis in samples of serum from twelve subjects who subsequently developed a coronary event during 2 years of follow‐up and compared with those in serum from sixteen matched control subjects. The mean apolipoprotein AI concentration in the cases was significantly lower than that in the controls, independently of the serum total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations. There was no significant difference between the cases and controls in mean HDL cholesterol:apolipoprotein AI ratio. Within several case‐control pairs, however, the difference in apolipoprotein AI concentration was proportionately much less than that in HDL cholesterol. On discriminant function analysis, apolipoprotein AI concentration was a less powerful predictor of coronary heart disease than was HDL cholesterol.
PACAP promotes neural stem cell proliferation in adult mouse brain

In recent years, it has become evident that neural stem cells in the adult mammalian brain continuously generate new neurons, mainly in the hippocampus and olfactory bulb. Although different growth factors have been shown to stimulate neurogenesis in the adult brain, very little is known about the role of neuropeptides in this process. Pituitary adenylate cyclase‐activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a neuropeptide with pleiotropic effects acting through three receptors to which it has high affinity, namely, PACAP receptor 1 (PAC1), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) receptor 1, and VIP receptor 2. We show that PAC1 is expressed in the neurogenic regions of the adult mouse brain, namely the ventricular zone of the lateral ventricle and the hippocampal dentate gyrus. Cultured neural stem cells isolated from the lateral ventricle wall of adult mice express PAC1 and proliferate in vitro in response to two PAC1 agonists, PACAP and Maxadilan, but not VIP at physiologic concentrations, indicating PAC1 as a mediator of neural stem cell proliferation. Pharmacologic and biochemical characterization of PACAP‐induced neural stem cell proliferation revealed the protein kinase C pathway as the principal signaling pathway, whereas addition of epidermal growth factor synergistically enhanced the proliferating effect of PACAP. Further in vitro characterization of the effect of PACAP on neural stem cells showed PACAP capable of stimulating ex novo in vitro formation of multipotent neurospheres with the capacity to generate both neuronal and glial cells. Finally, intracerebroventricular infusion of PACAP increases cell proliferation in the ventricular zone of the lateral ventricle and the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. We conclude that PACAP, through PAC1, is a potent mediator of adult neural stem cell proliferation. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Improving training in laboratory medicine.

In this issue of Clinical Chemistry , we publish a proposal for curriculum content of residency training in laboratory medicine and for evaluation of resident competency (1). The proposal was developed by the Academy of Clinical Laboratory Physicians and Scientists (ACLPS) and covers residency training in all areas of laboratory medicine. Why have we chosen to publish this curriculum? Why did we publish the entire document, rather than just the portion related to clinical chemistry? Why is the curriculum important to the readers of Clinical Chemistry —particularly PhD and MD laboratory directors? In a broad sense, the first reason for publishing the document is that it represents a comprehensive, well-written template for curriculum content for training of residents in laboratory medicine. Because Clinical Chemistry is a leading journal in laboratory medicine, we know that many of those individuals who are responsible for training pathology residents are among our readers and are members of AACC, which publishes the journal. Now is an important time to address the curriculum of residency programs. As the authors of the curriculum document clearly state in their introduction, the field of laboratory medicine and training in pathology have changed dramatically since the last consensus recommendations were published in 1995 (2). At that time, routine molecular diagnostics was just beginning, the clinical use of pharmacogenomics was only being hinted at, “proteomics” consisted of 2-dimensional gels and serum protein electrophoresis, point-of-care testing was primarily portable glucose meters, and electronic medical records existed only in the VA system. Simultaneous to this explosion of knowledge and technology, the length of residency training in pathology was decreased by 1 year for both combined anatomic pathology/clinical …
Cephalic sensory pathways in the central nervous system of larval Manduca sexta (Lepidoptera : Sphingidae).

Central projections of neurons innervating sensory structures on the head of larval Manduca sexta were traced by using methods of anterograde cobalt-diffusion. Regions of the deutocerebrum and tritocerebrum in the brain receive input from the antenna, labrum, maxilla, labial palps, hypopharynx and other unidentified regions of the buccal cavity. Antennal, maxillary and labial inputs project to the larval antennal centre (LAC) of the deutocerebrum. Stemmatal neurons and a few antennal neurons project into the protocerebrum. The suboesophageal ganglion (SEG) receives input from mechanosensory neurons in all parts of the head and its sensory appendages. Some mechanosensory neurons project further to the first thoracic ganglion. In addition to receiving input from chemosensory neurons of the maxilla, the SEG may also receive chemosensory input from epipharyngeal sensilla of the labrum.
Mobile Phones and Mozambique Farmers: Less Asymmetric Information and More Trader Competition?

We investigate the impact of search costs of farmers and traders on prices, by measuring to what extent the introduction of mobile phones in Mozambique has affected maize producer prices, retail market prices and margins. Estimations are based on weekly recorded producer and retail market prices of white maize grain, from July 1997 to December 2009, for 15 major producer markets in Mozambique. We find a margin increase varying from 6.4% to 11.5%, and a drop in producer prices of 8.1% to 14.0%, supporting a bias of benefits towards traders. Hence, not less asymmetric information and more trader competition, but rather the reverse: traders benefit more from exploiting mobile phone opportunities. Estimation results are robust to non-random roll-out of the mobile phone network and various other threats. Margin impacts correlate significantly with terminal market prices. Household survey data yield an impact on farm-gate prices that is consistent with the key result of this study. Several farmer characteristics reveal a weak but plausible correlation with the drop in farm-gate prices.
Pharyngeal and Laryngeal Pemphigus

PEMPHIGUS is a non-infectious disease characterized by successive, intermittent or continuous crops of vesicles and bullae appearing on any part of the body, most commonly on the mouth, face and trunk. The disease may present in 55 per cent, of the cases with oral or pharyngeal manifestations, the skin lesions may not appear except after the lapse of a long time which may be months or years. Unless the laryngologist is aware of this condition, he may miss many cases and may lose precious time before active treatment is started.
Circulating levels of matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases in patients with incisional hernia

Incisional hernia formation is a common complication to laparotomy and possibly associated with alterations in connective tissue metabolism. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) are closely involved in the metabolism of the extracellular matrix. Our aim was to study serum levels of multiple MMPs and TIMPs in patients with and without incisional hernia. Out of 305 patients who underwent laparotomy, 79 (25.9%) developed incisional hernia over a median follow‐up period of 3.7 years. Pooled sera from a subset (n = 72) of these patients were screened for MMP‐1, MMP‐2, MMP‐3, MMP‐7, MMP‐8, MMP‐9, MMP‐10, MMP‐12, MMP‐13, TIMP‐1, TIMP‐2, and TIMP‐4 using a multiplex sandwich fluorescent immunoassay supplemented with gelatin zymography. The screening indicated differences in serum MMP‐9 and TIMP‐1 levels. Consequently, MMP‐9 and TIMP‐1 levels were measured in serum in the whole patient cohort with enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. There were no significant differences in either MMP‐9 (p = 0.411) or TIMP‐1 (p = 0.679) levels between hernia and hernia‐free patients. MMP‐9 was significantly increased in smokers compared with nonsmokers (p = 0.016). In conclusion, a possible involvement of MMPs and TIMPs in the pathogenesis of incisional hernia formation was not reflected systemically.
A Reconfigurable Magneto-Electric Dipole Antenna Using Bent Cross-Dipole Feed for Polarization Diversity

A single-feed wideband polarization-reconfigurable magneto-electric dipole antenna is presented in this letter. A bent cross dipole with one p-i-n diode inserted into each of its four arms is utilized to excite the antenna. The proposed antenna can be reconfigured to provide a pair of orthogonal linear polarizations by controlling the <sc>on </sc>/<sc>off</sc> states of four p-i-n diodes. A prototype of the proposed antenna is designed, fabricated, and measured. An overlapped impedance bandwidth (<inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$S$</tex-math></inline-formula> <sub>11</sub> < −14 dB or SWR <1.5) of 23.2% covering 1.86–2.35 GHz is achieved for both polarizations. The antenna shows a stable gain of 8 ± 0.6 dBi across the operating band. Details of the simulated and measured reflection coefficient, gain, and radiation patterns are presented.
A conformational switch in syntaxin during exocytosis: role of munc18

Syntaxin 1, an essential protein in synaptic membrane fusion, contains a helical autonomously folded N‐terminal domain, a C‐terminal SNARE motif and a transmembrane region. The SNARE motif binds to synaptobrevin and SNAP‐25 to assemble the core complex, whereas almost the entire cytoplasmic sequence participates in a complex with munc18‐1, a neuronal Sec1 homolog. We now demonstrate by NMR spectroscopy that, in isolation, syntaxin adopts a ‘closed’ conformation. This default conformation of syntaxin is incompatible with core complex assembly which requires an ‘open’ syntaxin conformation. Using site‐directed mutagenesis, we find that disruption of the closed conformation abolishes the ability of syntaxin to bind to munc18‐1 and to inhibit secretion in PC12 cells. These results indicate that syntaxin binds to munc18‐1 in a closed conformation and suggest that this conformation represents an essential intermediate in exocytosis. Our data suggest a model whereby, during exocytosis, syntaxin undergoes a large conformational switch that mediates the transition between the syntaxin–munc18‐1 complex and the core complex.
Gα13 and Rho Mediate Endosomal Trafficking of CXCR4 into Rab11+ Vesicles upon Stromal Cell-Derived Factor-1 Stimulation

CXCR4, like other G protein-coupled receptors, signals via heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins) to regulate gene transcription, migration, development, growth, and transformation. We describe a formerly uncharacterized function of a G protein: a role in receptor trafficking. We previously showed that CXCR4 and the TCR physically associate and form a heterodimer upon stromal cell-derived factor-1 or CXCL12 (SDF-1) stimulation in human T cells to prolong ERK activation and, thereby, lead to gene upregulation and cytokine secretion. The CXCR4–TCR heterodimers occur on the cell surface and in an intracellular compartment in response to SDF-1. Neither the intracellular compartment to which the CXCR4–TCR heterodimers localize nor the mechanism for localization has been elucidated. In this article, we characterize molecular mechanisms required for postendocytic trafficking of CXCR4. Upon SDF-1 stimulation, CXCR4 localizes to Rab11+ vesicles, a recycling compartment near the microtubule organizing center and Golgi apparatus. This trafficking requires the CXCR4 C-terminal tail domain but not the CXCR4 ubiquitination sites. The TCR also constitutively localizes to this Rab11+ compartment. Trafficking of CXCR4 into the Rab11+, TCR-containing endosomes requires actin polymerization. Furthermore, inhibiting Rho activation or depleting Gα13 prevented trafficking of CXCR4 into the Rab11+ endosomes without hindering the ability of CXCR4 to endocytose. These results indicated that, upon SDF-1 treatment, Gα13 and Rho mediate the actin polymerization necessary for trafficking CXCR4 into the Rab11+, recycling endosomal compartment, which also contains constitutively recycling TCR and, thus, CXCR4–TCR heterodimers. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Gα13 as a mediator of receptor trafficking.
Synthesis And Anti-Hiv Activity Of Cyclic Pyrimidine Phosphonomethoxy Nucleosides And Their Prodrugs: A Comparison Of Phosphonates And Corresponding Nucleosides

Cyclic phosphonomethoxy pyrimidine nucleosides that are bioisosteres of the monophosphate metabolites of HIV reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitors AZT, d4T, and ddC have been synthesized. The RT inhibitory activities of the phosphonates were reduced for both dideoxy (dd) and dideoxydidehydro (d4) analogs compared to the nucleosides. Bis-isopropyloxymethylcarbonyl (BisPOC) prodrugs were prepared on selected compounds and provided > 150-fold improvements in antiviral activity.
A New Tri-Band Bandpass Filter Based on Stub-Loaded Step-Impedance Resonator

A tri-band bandpass filter designed based on a stub-loaded step-impedance resonator (SIR) is proposed. The resonant behavior of the stub-loaded SIR is analyzed. By properly controlling the impedance ratio K1, the length ratio (α) and the length ratio (r) of the stub-loaded SIR, the center frequencies are designed at 1.575, 2.4, and 3.5 GHz, respectively, corresponding to the GPS, WLAN and WiMAX applications. Furthermore, a 0° feed structure is used to provide at least one transmission zero near passband edge of each passband, resulting in high selectivity. Experimental results show good agreement with the simulated results.
Linking Disparate Approaches to the Study of Social Norms: An Example from Northern Siberia

This article examines altruistic social norms among the Dolgans and the Nganasans in Arctic Siberia, drawing on and integrating experimental game theory and semiotic approaches. The article demonstrates the complementarity of these two methodologies in order to more fully understand how sharing is promoted over individual selfaggrandizement in a communal-resource property regime. Any theory of social norms should be of some practical benefit for solving current environmental dilemmas, as well as for increasing understanding of the factors lending sustainability to human-environment relationships. With that goal in mind, the article presents results of experimental games conducted in the Taimyr Autonomous Region in 2003, along with an analysis of indigenous communication (sayings, aphorisms, taboos, etc.) aimed at the promotion of altruistic social norms. A synthesis of the two approaches is outlined with implications for the broader literature on hunting peoples across the north and beyond.