Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The determinants of local government transparency: a preliminary analysis

In this paper we contribute to the literature on government transparency by attempting to provide an answer to the question of what drives in local government transparency levels. Our main objective is to discern whether transparency is mainly driven by the leadership, capacity and other political traits of the local governments themselves ("supply-side determinants") or, on the other hand, is contingent upon social, cultural and/or other exogenous factors ("demand-side" determinants). We test the hypotheses derived from this theoretical framework using the results of the newly developed Municipal Transparency Index (MTI) which was applied to all Portuguese municipalities for the first time in 2013. Preliminary findings indicate that municipalities run by male mayors, with a larger number of consecutive terms in office, and larger margins of victory in local elections display lower levels of transparency. On the demand-side, the unemployment rate and the average age of the municipal population emerge as the best predictors and are both negatively associated with transparency.
DSP Control of Gyrator-Behaved Switch Mode Converter

Recent advances in DSP technology, such as those found in the TI C2000 family, make possible the practical exploration and eventual economical implementation of switch mode converters topologies that, until now, were conceived as a curiosity or at best, of theoretical value only. Applying the DSP capabilities, we explored in this study the characteristics and advantages of a double-bridge, Gyratorbehaved switch-mode DC-DC converter. This paper introduces the Gyrator behaved topology, proposes a user-friendly method for simulation-based DSP code development and debugging, and demonstrates the agreement between theoretical predictions and experimental results that were obtained on a laboratory prototype.
An efficient simplified behavioral model for RF power amplifiers

We present efficient simplified behavioral models for power amplifier(PA) and its digital predistorter(DPD). Even though the many promising models have been proposed, more rigorous derivation and improvements in terms of performance and complexity are needed. In this paper, new approach is attempted to tackle the above. After building basis set based on simple rules, the new efficient and simplified models are derived by adding only the appropriate basis into the previous composite bases. The experimental results show that the proposed models for the PA and DPD outperform the conventional models.
The Deterministic Time-Linearity of Service Provided by Fading Channels

In the paper, we study the service process S(t) of an independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) Nakagami-m fading channel, which is defined as the amount of service provided, i.e., the integral of the instantaneous channel capacity over time t. By using the Moment Generation Function (MGF) approach and the infinitely divisible law, it is proved that, other than certain generally recognized curve form or a stochastic process, the channel service process S(t) is a deterministic linear function of time t, namely, S(t)=cm* · t where cm* is a constant determined by the fading parameter m. Furthermore, we extend it to general i.i. d. fading channels and present an explicit form of the constant service rate cp*. The obtained work provides such a new insight on the system design of joint source/channel coding that there exists a coding scheme such that a receiver can decode with zero error probability and zero high layer queuing delay, if the transmitter maintains a constant data rate no more than cp*. Finally, we verify our analysis through Monte Carlo simulations.
Extraction of urban built-up areas from nighttime lights using artificial neural network

Abstract The spatial distribution of urban areas at the national and regional scales is critical for urban planners and governments to design sustainable and environment-friendly future development plans. The nighttime lights (NTL) data provide an effective way to monitor the urban at different scales however is usually achieved by using empirical threshold-based algorithms. This study proposed a novel Artificial Neural Network (ANN) approach, using moderate resolution imageries as NTL, MODIS NDVI and land surface temperature data, to map urban areas. Both random and maximum dissimilarity distance algorithm sampling methods were considered and compared. The validation of the urban areas extracted from MDA-based ANN against the 2011 US national land cover data showed a reasonable quality (overall accuracy = 97.84; Kappa = 0.74) and achieved more accurate result than the threshold method. This study demonstrates that ANN can provide an effective, rapid, and accurate alternative in extracting urban built-up areas from NTL.
Phylogeny.fr: robust phylogenetic analysis for the non-specialist

Phylogenetic analyses are central to many research areas in biology and typically involve the identification of homologous sequences, their multiple alignment, the phylogenetic reconstruction and the graphical representation of the inferred tree. The Phylogeny.fr platform transparently chains programs to automatically perform these tasks. It is primarily designed for biologists with no experience in phylogeny, but can also meet the needs of specialists; the first ones will find up-to-date tools chained in a phylogeny pipeline to analyze their data in a simple and robust way, while the specialists will be able to easily build and run sophisticated analyses. Phylogeny.fr offers three main modes. The ‘One Click’ mode targets non-specialists and provides a ready-to-use pipeline chaining programs with recognized accuracy and speed: MUSCLE for multiple alignment, PhyML for tree building, and TreeDyn for tree rendering. All parameters are set up to suit most studies, and users only have to provide their input sequences to obtain a ready-to-print tree. The ‘Advanced’ mode uses the same pipeline but allows the parameters of each program to be customized by users. The ‘A la Carte’ mode offers more flexibility and sophistication, as users can build their own pipeline by selecting and setting up the required steps from a large choice of tools to suit their specific needs. Prior to phylogenetic analysis, users can also collect neighbors of a query sequence by running BLAST on general or specialized databases. A guide tree then helps to select neighbor sequences to be used as input for the phylogeny pipeline. Phylogeny.fr is available at: http://www.phylogeny. fr/
OpAL: Applying Opinion Mining Techniques for the Disambiguation of Sentiment Ambiguous Adjectives in SemEval-2 Task 18

The task of extracting the opinion expressed in text is challenging due to different reasons. One of them is that the same word (in particular, adjectives) can have different polarities depending on the context. This paper presents the experiments carried out by the OpAL team for the participation in the SemEval 2010 Task 18 -- Disambiguation of Sentiment Ambiguous Adjectives. Our approach is based on three different strategies: a) the evaluation of the polarity of the whole context using an opinion mining system; b) the assessment of the polarity of the local context, given by the combinations between the closest nouns and the adjective to be classified; c) rules aiming at refining the local semantics through the spotting of modifiers. The final decision for classification is taken according to the output of the majority of these three approaches. The method used yielded good results, the OpAL system run ranking fifth among 16 in micro accuracy and sixth in macro accuracy.
OntoViBe: An Ontology Visualization Benchmark

A variety of ontology visualizations have been presented in the last couple of years. The features of these visualizations often need to be tested during their development or for evaluation purposes. However, in particular for the testing of special concepts and combinations thereof, it can be difficult to find suitable ontologies. We have developed OntoViBe, an ontology covering a wide variety of OWL 2 language constructs for the purpose of testing ontology visualizations. We describe the design principles underlying OntoViBe and present the supported features in coverage matrices. Finally, we load OntoViBe with ontology visualization tools and point to some noteworthy aspects of the respective visualizations that become apparent and demonstrate how OntoViBe can be used for testing ontology visualizations.
Re-examining Automatic Keyphrase Extraction Approaches in Scientific Articles

We tackle two major issues in automatic keyphrase extraction using scientific articles: candidate selection and feature engineering. To develop an efficient candidate selection method, we analyze the nature and variation of keyphrases and then select candidates using regular expressions. Secondly, we re-examine the existing features broadly used for the supervised approach, exploring different ways to enhance their performance. While most other approaches are supervised, we also study the optimal features for unsupervised keyphrase extraction. Our research has shown that effective candidate selection leads to better performance as evaluation accounts for candidate coverage. Our work also attests that many of existing features are also usable in unsupervised extraction.
Information identities and testing hypotheses: Power analysis for contingency tables.

An information theoretic approach to the evaluation of 2×2 contingency tables is proposed. By investigating the relationship between the Kullback-Leibler divergence and the maximum likelihood estimator, information identities are es- tablished for testing hypotheses, in particular, for testing independence. These identities not only validate the calibration of p values, but also yield a unified power analysis for the likelihood ratio test, Fisher's exact test and the Pearson- Yates chi-square test. It is shown that a widely discussed exact unconditional test for the equality of binomial parameters is ill-posed for testing independence, and that using this test to criticize Fisher's exact test as being conservative is logically flawed.
Multimodal Layered Transdimensional Inversion of Seismic Dispersion Curves With Depth Constraints

MuLTI (Multimodal Layered Transdimensional Inversion) is a Markov chain Monte Carlo implementation of Bayesian inversion for the probability distribution of shear wave velocity (Vs) as a function of depth. Based on Multichannel Analysis of Surface Wave methods, it requires as data (i) a Rayleigh‐wave dispersion curve and (ii) additional layer depth constraints, the latter we show significantly improve resolution compared to conventional unconstrained inversions. Such depth constraints may be drawn from any source (e.g., boreholes, complementary geophysical data) provided they also represent a seismic interface. We apply MuLTI to a Norwegian glacier, Midtdalsbreen, in which ground‐penetrating radar was used to constrain internal layers of snow, ice, and subglacial sediments, with transitions at 2 and 25.5 m, and whose Vs is assumed to be in the range 500–1,700, 1,700–1,950, and 200–2,800 m/s, respectively. Synthetic modeling demonstrates that MuLTI recovers the true model of Vs variation with depth. Significantly, compared to inversions without depth constraints, in this synthetic case MuLTI not only reduces by about a factor of 10 the error between the true and the best fitting model, but also reduces by a factor of 2 the vertically averaged spread of the distribution of Vs based on the 95% credible intervals. We further show that using frequencies above about 100 Hz lead to unconverged solutions due to mode ambiguities associated with fine spatial structures. For our acquired data on Midtdalsbreen, we use 14‐100 Hz data for which MuLTI produces a large‐scale converged inversion.
Methodological Issues in Cohort Studies That Relate Sodium Intake to Cardiovascular Disease Outcomes: A Science Advisory From the American Heart Association

Background— The results of cohort studies relating sodium (Na) intake to blood pressure–related cardiovascular disease (CVD) are inconsistent. To understand whether methodological issues account for the inconsistency, we reviewed the quality of these studies. Methods and Results— We reviewed cohort studies that examined the association between Na and CVD. We then identified methodological issues with greatest potential to alter the direction of association (reverse causality, systematic error in Na assessment), some potential to alter the direction of association (residual confounding, inadequate follow-up), and the potential to yield false null results (random error in Na assessment, insufficient power). We included 26 studies with 31 independent analyses. Of these, 13 found direct associations between Na and CVD, 8 found inverse associations, 2 found J-shaped associations, and 8 found null associations only. On average there were 3 to 4 methodological issues per study. Issues with greater potential to alter the direction of association were present in all but 1 of the 26 studies (systematic error, 22; reverse causality, 16). Issues with lesser potential to alter the direction of association were present in 18 studies, whereas those with potential to yield false null results were present in 23. Conclusions— Methodological issues may account for the inconsistent findings in currently available observational studies relating Na to CVD. Until well-designed cohort studies in the general population are available, it remains appropriate to base Na guidelines on the robust body of evidence linking Na with elevated blood pressure and the few existing general population trials of the effects of Na reduction on CVD.
Polymeric Microspheres for Medical Applications

Synthetic polymeric microspheres find application in a wide range of medical applications. Among other applications, microspheres are being used as bulking agents, embolic- or drug-delivery particles. The exact composition of the spheres varies with the application and therefore a large array of materials has been used to produce microspheres. In this review, the relation between microsphere synthesis and application is discussed for a number of microspheres that are used for different treatment strategies.
An Evolutionary Genomic Approach to Identify Genes Involved in Human Birth Timing

Coordination of fetal maturation with birth timing is essential for mammalian reproduction. In humans, preterm birth is a disorder of profound global health significance. The signals initiating parturition in humans have remained elusive, due to divergence in physiological mechanisms between humans and model organisms typically studied. Because of relatively large human head size and narrow birth canal cross-sectional area compared to other primates, we hypothesized that genes involved in parturition would display accelerated evolution along the human and/or higher primate phylogenetic lineages to decrease the length of gestation and promote delivery of a smaller fetus that transits the birth canal more readily. Further, we tested whether current variation in such accelerated genes contributes to preterm birth risk. Evidence from allometric scaling of gestational age suggests human gestation has been shortened relative to other primates. Consistent with our hypothesis, many genes involved in reproduction show human acceleration in their coding or adjacent noncoding regions. We screened >8,400 SNPs in 150 human accelerated genes in 165 Finnish preterm and 163 control mothers for association with preterm birth. In this cohort, the most significant association was in FSHR, and 8 of the 10 most significant SNPs were in this gene. Further evidence for association of a linkage disequilibrium block of SNPs in FSHR, rs11686474, rs11680730, rs12473870, and rs1247381 was found in African Americans. By considering human acceleration, we identified a novel gene that may be associated with preterm birth, FSHR. We anticipate other human accelerated genes will similarly be associated with preterm birth risk and elucidate essential pathways for human parturition.
Prediction of bearing capacity of pile foundation in karst area based on model of metabolic GM (1,1)

There are many methods to predict the bearing capacity of bridge pile foundation in karst area, and the accuracy of each method is different. In order to find out that the bearing capacity of pile foundation in karst area is affected by the change of cave size and predict the bearing capacity of pile foundation in karst area better, this paper is based on the engineering characteristics of pile foundation in karst area and the gray system theory and the finite element numerical simulation. The numerical simulation models of different cave sizes were used to analyze the changing rules of the bearing capacity of piles when the cave size was changed. At the same time, a metabolic GM (1,1) model was established, and the time response of pile foundation bearing capacity was deduced. Compared with the original GM (1,1) model, the P-S curve obtained from the FEM simulation was predicted. Finally, the engineering formula is used to validate the predicting formula of the pile bearing capacity in karst area. The results show that the bearing capacity of pile foundation in karst area is significantly affected by the size of caverns, of which the influence by cave caverns is the most obvious, and the bearing capacity of pile foundations decreases with the increase of cave spans. When the hole span increases from 6m to 9m, The bearing capacity decreased by 33.44%. Compared with the bearing capacity obtained by numerical simulation of the finite element method, the prediction error of the pile foundation by the metabolic GM (1,1) model can reach 1% and the precision is high. The obtained bearing capacity and precision of the obtained pile prediction formula can be used to predict the bearing capacity of pile foundation in karst area, which has some theoretical and engineering practical value.
EEG-fMRI Methods for the Study of Brain Networks during Sleep

Modern neuroimaging methods may provide unique insights into the mechanism and role of sleep, as well as into particular mechanisms of brain function in general. Many of the recent neuroimaging studies have used concurrent EEG and fMRI, which present unique technical challenges ranging from the difficulty of inducing sleep in the MRI environment to appropriate instrumentation and data processing methods to obtain artifact free data. In addition, the use of EEG-fMRI during sleep leads to unique data interpretation issues, as common approaches developed for the analysis of task-evoked activity do not apply to sleep. Reviewed are a variety of statistical approaches that can be used to characterize brain activity from fMRI data acquired during sleep, with an emphasis on approaches that investigate the presence of correlated activity between brain regions. Each of these approaches has advantages and disadvantages that must be considered in concert with the theoretical questions of interest. Specifically, fundamental theories of sleep control and function should be considered when designing these studies and when choosing the associated statistical approaches. For example, the notion that local brain activity during sleep may be triggered by local, use-dependent activity during wakefulness may be tested by analyzing sleep networks as statistically independent components. Alternatively, the involvement of regions in more global processes such as arousal may be investigated with correlation analysis.
Ectopic Expression of Constitutively Activated RACB in Barley Enhances Susceptibility to Powdery Mildew and Abiotic Stress1

Small RAC/ROP-family G proteins regulate development and stress responses in plants. Transient overexpression and RNA interference experiments suggested that the barley (Hordeum vulgare) RAC/ROP protein RACB is involved in susceptibility to the powdery mildew fungus Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei. We created transgenic barley plants expressing the constitutively activated RACB mutant racb-G15V under control of the maize (Zea mays) ubiquitin 1 promoter. Individuals of the T1 generation expressing racb-G15V were significantly more susceptible to B. graminis when compared to segregating individuals that did not express racb-G15V. Additionally, racb-G15V-expressing plants showed delayed shoot development from the third leaf stage on, downward rolled leaves, and stunted roots. Expression of racb-G15V decreased photosynthetic CO2-assimilation rates and transpiration of nonstressed leaves. In contrast, racb-G15V-expressing barley leaves, when detached from water supply, showed increased water loss and enhanced transpiration. Water loss was associated with reduced responsiveness to abscisic acid in regard to transpiration when compared to segregants not expressing racb-G15V. Hence, RACB might be a common signaling element in response to both biotic and abiotic stress.
The Qo site of the mitochondrial complex III is required for the transduction of hypoxic signaling via reactive oxygen species production

Mammalian cells increase transcription of genes for adaptation to hypoxia through the stabilization of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) protein. How cells transduce hypoxic signals to stabilize the HIF-1α protein remains unresolved. We demonstrate that cells deficient in the complex III subunit cytochrome b, which are respiratory incompetent, increase ROS levels and stabilize the HIF-1α protein during hypoxia. RNA interference of the complex III subunit Rieske iron sulfur protein in the cytochrome b–null cells and treatment of wild-type cells with stigmatellin abolished reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation at the Qo site of complex III. These interventions maintained hydroxylation of HIF-1α protein and prevented stabilization of HIF-1α protein during hypoxia. Antioxidants maintained hydroxylation of HIF-1α protein and prevented stabilization of HIF-1α protein during hypoxia. Exogenous hydrogen peroxide under normoxia prevented hydroxylation of HIF-1α protein and stabilized HIF-1α protein. These results provide genetic and pharmacologic evidence that the Qo site of complex III is required for the transduction of hypoxic signal by releasing ROS to stabilize the HIF-1α protein.