Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hardness of Computing and Approximating Predicates and Functions with Leaderless Population Protocols

Population protocols are a distributed computing model appropriate for describing massive numbers of agents with limited computational power. A population protocol "has an initial leader" if every valid initial configuration contains a single agent in a special "leader" state that helps to coordinate the computation. Although the class of predicates and functions computable with probability 1 is the same whether or not there is an initial leader (semilinear functions and predicates), it is not known whether a leader is necessary for fast computation. Efficient population protocols are generally defined as those computing in polylogarithmic in $n$ (parallel) time. We consider leaderless population protocols, regarding the computation finished when a configuration is reached from which a different output is no longer reachable. In this setting we show that a wide class of functions and predicates computable by population protocols are not efficiently computable (they require at least linear time to stabilize on a correct answer), nor are some linear functions even efficiently approximable. For example, the widely studied parity, majority, and equality predicates cannot be computed in sublinear time. Moreover, it requires at least linear time for a population protocol even to approximate any linear function with a coefficient outside of $\mathbb{N}$: for sufficiently small $\gamma > 0$, the output of a sublinear time protocol can stabilize outside the interval $f(m) (1 \pm \gamma)$ on infinitely many inputs $m$. We also show that it requires linear time to exactly compute a wide range of semilinear functions (e.g., $f(m)=m$ if $m$ is even and $2m$ if $m$ is odd). Finally, we show that with a sufficiently large value of $\gamma$, a population protocol can approximate any linear $f$ with nonnegative rational coefficients, within approximation factor $\gamma$, in $O(\log n)$ time.
Bridging the Gap between Onshore and Offshore Innovations by the European Wind Power Supply Industry: A Survey-Based Analysis

This paper provides an in-depth analysis of investment decisions and shifts related to onshore and offshore wind power supply chains. Insights about cost reductions are generated from analyzing project financing data, using a 'European learning curve' derived from a European learning system. In doing so, we take into account the limited number of leading technology suppliers in the global market. Experience curve analysis and insights from qualitative research are used to discuss the market entry barriers to the offshore wind power market. We also use data generated from a questionnaire survey circulated among the European wind power industry. From the analysis we conclude that the adoption of offshore technology has been evolving over time when companies from closely related industries, and not start-up companies, started to enter the offshore market. For policy-makers, it is essential to acknowledge that sophisticated industry structures need to be established, and that barriers to adoption among the players in the onshore supply industry, which seem to differ, can be effectively removed.
Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss after Rapid Reduction of Blood Pressure in Malignant Hypertension

Although circulatory impairment of the cochlea would be intuitively a possible cause of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL), definite proof is lacking. A 46-year-old man developed bilateral SSHL immediately after rapid reduction of the blood pressure in malignant hypertension. Vertigo and left-sided hearing impairment and tinnitus resolved spontaneously a few hours after onset. The right-sided hearing loss and tinnitus persisted, and the hearing loss improved only 17 dB after 3 months of treatment. This case may provide an in vivo human model of SSHL caused by ischemia. Bilateral involvement is possible in SSHL if the circulatory disturbance is systemic. In addition, a poorer prognosis is anticipated on the side with the more severe initial attack.
Inflnite Dimensional Spaces and Cartesian Closedness

Infinite dimensional spaces frequently appear in physics; there are several approaches to obtain a good categorical framework for this type of space, and cartesian closedness of some category, embedding smooth manifolds, is one of the most requested condition. In the first part of the paper, we start from the failures presented by the classical Banach manifolds approach and we will review the most studied approaches focusing on cartesian closedness: the convenient setting, diffeology and synthetic differential geometry. In the second part of the paper, we present a general settings to obtain cartesian closedness. Using this approach, we can also easily obtain the possibility to extend manifolds using nilpotent infinitesimal points, without any need to have a background in formal logic.
EGFR Assays in Lung Cancer

The development of small-molecule inhibitors of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) resulted in new therapeutic options for patients with advanced lung cancer. It was clear from the experience with targeted therapy for breast cancer that a new standardized assay procedure for assessing and predicting the effects of therapeutic agents must be developed. Three academic groups almost simultaneously reported the discovery of somatic mutations in the exons 18 to 21 of the tyrosine kinase (TK) domain of EGFR that correlated with a high likelihood of response to EGFR TK inhibitors. This observation revolutionized understanding of EGFR in lung carcinogenesis and resulted in numerous retrospective studies that correlated patient's response and molecular profile of the lung adenocarcinoma. The results of these studies indicate that clinical benefits from treatment with EGFR TK inhibitors are variable between the different subsets of patients. Multiple methodologic approaches were used including mutational analysis, fluorescence in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemistry. Conflicting results reflect the lack of standardization of the methodology and interpretation. Sample types, sample processing, and storage should also be taken into consideration as another potentially confounding factor. Therefore, it is important to standardize the approach and decide which assays are best to predict patient response to targeted therapies. It is also essential to determine the most cost-effective way to integrate EGFR molecular assays into clinical practice. This review will address practical aspects of each of the currently proposed assays. Difficulties in standardization of these assays in a clinical practice will be discussed.
Transcriptional regulation of the small GTPase RhoB gene by TGFß‐induced signaling pathways

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the mechanism of transcriptional induction of the small GTPase RhoB gene by the transforming growth factor β (TGFß) signaling pathway and the role of this regulation in TGFß‐induced cell migration. To achieve our goals, we utilized a combination of siRNAmediated gene silencing, adenovirus‐mediated gene transfer receptor and MAPK inhibition, transactivation assays, and DNA‐protein interaction assays in human HaCaT keratinocytes. We found that the RhoB gene is a direct transcriptional target of TGFß. We show that TGFß activates an early MEK/ERK pathway and that this activation is required for the recruitment of Smad3 to a novel, nonclassical, Smad binding element in the proximal RhoB promoter, in a p53‐dependent manner. This element is overlapping with a CCAAT box that constitutively binds nuclear factor Y. Mutagenesis of this site abolished the Smad‐mediated transactivation of the RhoB promoter. Finally, silencing of RhoB gene expression via siRNA or utilization of a dominant negative form of RhoB significantly inhibited TGFß‐induced migration of HaCaT keratinocytes and DU145 prostate cancer cells. Our findings establish RhoB as a direct transcriptional target of TGFß in human keratinocytes and identify an important role of RhoB in TGFß‐induced cell migration. —Vasilaki, E. , Papadimitriou, E. , Tajadura, V. , Ridley, A. J., Stournaras, C. , Kardassis, D. Transcriptional regulation of the small GTPase RhoB gene by TGFß‐induced signaling pathways. FASEB J. 24, 891–905 (2010). www.fasebj. org
Characterization of the plasmid from Escherichia coli RDEC-1 that mediates expression of adhesin AF/R1 and evidence that AF/R1 pili promote but are not essential for enteropathogenic disease

RDEC-1, an Escherichia coli strain that adheres to rabbit mucosa and causes an attaching, effacing lesion, expresses the pilus adhesin AF/R1 which determines in vitro attachment to rabbit intestinal brush borders. In order to determine the role of AF/R1 pili in the pathogenesis of enteropathogenic diarrhea in rabbits, we localized the genes for AF/R1 expression, constructed an AF/R1- strain, and compared the virulence of the AF/R1+ and AF/R1- strains with particular attention to the development of attaching, effacing lesions. We introduced Tn5 into the 86-megadalton (MDa) conjugative plasmid known to mediate expression of AF/R1 pili and transferred the derivative plasmids into laboratory strain HB101. Transconjugant M5 was found to contain the 86-MDa plasmid from RDEC-1 and to express AF/R1 pili. Pilus expression on M5 was confirmed by reaction with antiserum raised against purified AF/R1 pili and allowed the bacteria to adhere to the rabbit ileum in an in vitro assay. Three Tn5 insertions in the 86-MDa plasmid were obtained which resulted in loss of AF/R1 expression. Part of the plasmid was mapped, including a region necessary for AF/R1 pilus expression. AF/R1- mutant strain M34 was constructed, and its pathogenesis was investigated. M34 produced disease in rabbits but was less virulent than the parent. The characteristic effacing lesions of RDEC-1 and enteropathogenic E. coli developed in the intestine of rabbits infected with either M34 or RDEC-1, although with M34 they were much less frequent and did not involve the small bowel. We conclude that AF/R1 pilus expression is not essential for the attaching, effacing lesion but serves as an accessory virulence factor which promotes an initial interaction of RDEC-1 with normal epithelial cells.
Theory of current transmission switches and its application to design of a novel current-mode CMOS ternary Schmitt trigger

Guided by the switch-signal theory, this paper introduces design theory suitable for current-mode CMOS circuits at switch level. On this basis, the operations of current transmission switch used to describe the action of threshold-controllable switch in Schmitt trigger are established, and a novel current-mode CMOS ternary Schmitt trigger with ternary output current or/and voltage signal is presented. The two hysteresis current values of ternary Schmitt trigger are controlled by only sizing the transistor aspect ratio. The main properties of the circuit are its simple structure, fully adjustable hysteresis and suitable for low-voltage applications. A design example and the HSPICE simulation results with a power supply of 1.5V are given
Orthogonal Beamforming for Multiuser Wireless Communications: Achieving higher received signal strength and throughput than with conventional beamforming.

For multiuser communications, a base station (BS) simultaneously transmits data to a number of users who employ the same frequency. This can be accomplished with the help of feedback or a channel to maintain the accuracy of received data; however, what results is a high complexity system. Therefore, this article proposes an alternative beamforming method for multiuser communications called orthogonal beamforming (OBFM). A number of beams are formed in predefined directions at the same time with all beams employing the same frequency. To avoid interference from other users operating at the same frequency, all beams are orthogonal to one another. The system performance of the proposed concept is compared to the zero-forcing (ZF) algorithm. A constructed prototype is tested in a real environment, confirming that the proposed OBFM provides a higher received signal strength and a higher throughput compared with conventional beamforming. Also, the proposed systems provide a lower bit error rate (BER).
Mechanical comparison of monofilament nylon leader and orthopaedic wire for median sternotomy closure.

OBJECTIVES To compare the mechanical properties of monofilament nylon leader and orthopaedic wire for median sternotomy closure in the dog. MATERIALS AND METHODS Median sternotomy was performed in 14 canine cadaver sternums with the manubrium intact. The sternotomy was closed with either 80 lb monofilament nylon leader or 20G orthopaedic stainless steel wire in a peristernal figure of 8 pattern. Constructs were loaded in a servohydraulic material testing machine. Load at yield, maximum load, stiffness, displacement and mode of failure were compared between constructs subjected to a single cycle load to failure. RESULTS No significant differences were found in load at yield, maximum load, stiffness or displacement between the monofilament nylon leader and the stainless steel wire constructs. No implant failure was evident in the stainless steel wire constructs. Four of the monofilament nylon leader constructs failed by pulling of the nylon through the crimp. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Monofilament nylon leader is mechanically comparable to stainless steel wire and potentially a suitable alternative for closure of median sternotomy in the dog.
Epidemiological Study of Resistance to Nalidixic Acid and Other Antibiotics in Clinical Yersinia enterocolitica O:3 Isolates

ABSTRACT Forty-six Yersinia enterocolitica O:3 clinical isolates resistant to nalidixic acid were studied. The use of molecular typing techniques, other indicators of resistance patterns, the plasmid profile, and the presence of genes that encode aminoglycoside-modifying enzyme production suggested to us a clonal dissemination of the studied strains.
Investigation of acute toxicity of cadmium-arsenic mixtures to Daphnia magna with toxic units approach

The acute toxicities of cadmium chloride (CdCl2.H2O), arsenic trioxide (AS2O3), and their mixtures to Daphnia magna were investigated by employing the statistical method of aquatic toxicity. The data obtained were statistically evaluated with probit analysis method (SPSS 17.0). The 24 h LC50 of Cd and As to Daphnia magna was estimated to be 44 µg L-1 for Cd, and 509 µg L-1 for As, respectively. With Behrens-Karber method the 24 h LC50 of these metals was found to be 46 µg L-1 and 509 µg L-1, respectively. The 2 methods were in good agreement. The results suggested that D. magna is more sensitive to the 90% Cd + 10% As mixture than either metal alone. Toxic units (TUs) and additional index (AI) showed that all mixtures were synergistic.
DNA sequence copy number increase at 8q: A potential new prognostic marker in high‐grade osteosarcoma

Histologic response to chemotherapy is currently the best prognostic parameter in high‐grade osteosarcoma but it can be evaluated only after several weeks of chemotherapy. Thus a prognostic parameter known at the time of diagnosis would be of great clinical benefit. In the present study, we present the results of 31 primary high‐grade osteosarcomas analyzed by comparative genomic hybridization (CGH). CGH allows for genome‐wide screening of a tumor by detecting alterations in DNA sequence copy number. The most frequent aberrations were copy number increases at 1q21 in 58% of the tumors and at 8q (8q21.3‐q22 in 52% and 8cen‐q13 in 45%), followed by copy number increases at 14q24‐qter (35%) and Xp11.2‐p21 (35%). The most common losses were detected at 6q16 (32%) and 6q21‐q22 (32%). Patients with a copy number increase at 8q21.3‐q22 and/or at 8cen‐q13 had a statistically significant poor distant disease‐free survival (p = 0.003) and showed a trend toward short overall survival (p = 0.04). Patients with a copy number increase at 1q21 showed a trend toward short overall survival (p = 0.04). Thus, specific genetic aberrations detected at the time of the diagnosis could be used in prognostic evaluation of high‐grade osteosarcoma. Int. J. Cancer (Pred. Oncol.) 84:114–121, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Biomechanics and functional morphology of a climbing monocot

Climbing monocots can develop into large bodied plants despite being confined by primary growth. In our study on Flagellaria indica we measured surprisingly high stem biomechanical properties (in bending and torsion) and we show that the lack of secondary growth is overcome by a combination of tissue maturation processes and attachment mode. This leads to higher densities of mechanically relevant tissues in the periphery of the stem and to the transition from self-supporting to climbing growth. The development of specialised attachment structures has probably underpinned the evolution of numerous other large bodied climbing monocot taxa.
Three Cultures of Management: The Key to Organizational Learning

Why do so many organizations fail to learn? According to Schein, organizational learning failures may be caused, not by resistance to change, human nature, or poor leadership, but by the lack of communication among three "cultures. " The culture of operators evolves locally in an organization or unit and is based on human interaction. Operators may use their learning ability to thwart management's efforts to improve productivity. The engineering culture represents the design elements of the technology underlying the organization and how the technology is to be used. Engineers, whose reference group is outside the organization, share common educational, work, and job experiences. They are preoccupied with designing humans out of systems rather than into them. The executive culture revolves around maintaining an organization's financial health and deals with boards, investors, and capital markets. As executives, whose reference group is also outside the organization, are promoted, they become more impersonal, seeing people more as a cost than as a capital investment. When organizations attempt to redesign or reinvent themselves, says Schein, the cultures collide and failure occurs. Executives and engineers are task focused and assume that people are the problem. Executives band together and depersonalize their employees. Executives and engineers can't agree on how to make organizations work better while keeping costs down. Enough mutual understanding must be created among the cultures to evolve solutions that all groups can commit to. First, says the author, we must recognize the concept of culture. Next we must acknowledge that engineers or executives alone cannot solve problems, but must work together. Third, we must conduct cross-cultural dialogues. Each culture must learn how to learn and to analyze its own culture
An up-to-date familial and suprafamilial classification of succulent plants

Summary: We provide a short discussion of how the use of molecular data and sophisticated analytical methods has expanded our knowledge about the phylogenetic relationships among flowering plants and how this affects the familial and suprafamilial classification of succulents. A tree diagram illustrates the current hypothesis on their interrelationships and a table lists all 83 families that include succulent representatives (c.12,500 species from c.690 genera), together with information on taxonomic diversity (i.e. number of estimated species and genera) and architectural types of succulence. Furthermore, we briefly discuss some important recent modifications to the family classification of flowering plants and provide arguments for the proposed changes as far as succulents are concerned. In particular, we focus on the controversially discussed family classification of the monocotyle-donous order Asparagales and provide arguments for a revised classification that considers the distinct variation patterns in this clade.
Horizontal and vertical intra-industry in the processed food sector

For the first time in the food trade literature, the determinants of intra-industry trade (IIT) in horizontally differentiated products and vertically differentiated products are separately tested using the most recent theoretical models of IIT. For both 1980 and 1990, the econometric results confirm country- and industry- specific determinants proposed by these models for explaining horizontal and vertical IIT in the European processed food sector.
Acceptance and commitment therapy for fibromyalgia: A randomized controlled trial

Fibromyalgia (FM) is characterized by widespread pain and co‐morbid symptoms such as fatigue and depression. For FM, medical treatments alone appear insufficient. Recent meta‐analyses point to the utility of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), but effects are moderate. Within the continuous development of CBT, the empirical support for acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) has increased rapidly. ACT focuses on improving functioning by increasing the patient's ability to act in accordance with personal values also in the presence of pain and distress (i.e., psychological flexibility). However, no study has yet explored the utility of ACT in FM.
The Stock Market is Just a Game

The CAPM is a powerful tool to analyse stock markets. Yet, empirical anomalies remain, e.g.: the equity premium or low risk free interest rate puzzle, IPO stock price behavior around unlock dates and high trading volumes. This paper links corporate finance and asset pricing models and derives these anomalies as rational equilibrium behaviour. The main ingredient is the observation that a firm's value is endogenous. It depends on effort decisions of shareholders which are determined by their holdings and therefore ultimately by the stock price. It is argued that merging corporate finance and asset pricing helps to further understand stock markets.
Oxidative Stress, Antioxidant Status and Infl ammation in Chronic Bronchitis and Pulmonary Emphysema

Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is characterized by a complex range of pathological changes including both pulmonary and systemic effects. Several mechanisms contribute to the variable intermediate and clinically relevant disease phenotypes, such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and systemic disease.
Consumer Attitudes Towards Multi-Channel Retailers' Web Sites: The Role of Involvement, Brand Attitude, Internet Knowledge, and Visit Duration

The study examines how different consumers evaluate online shopping sites set upby bricks-and-mortar retailers. In particular, it examines how differences in consumers' informationprocessing abilities and motivation as well as in their predispositionstowards a site's material affect their attitudes towards that site and theamount of time they spend at the site. The postulated relationships are depicted in theform of a path diagram. The sites assessed were two electronic shopping sitesbelonging to well established casual wear multi-channel retailers. Findings suggestedthat attitudes towards a retailers brand (predisposition) transfers to attitudestowards the retailer's shopping site. The characteristics of the web site werefound to moderate the impact of involvement, Internet knowledge and Internetexperience, on both attitudes towards a site and the visit duration.