Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cortical Adenylyl Cyclase 1 Is Required for Thalamocortical Synapse Maturation and Aspects of Layer IV Barrel Development

Experimental evidence from mutant or genetically altered mice indicates that the formation of barrels and the proper maturation of thalamocortical (TC) synapses in the primary somatosensory (barrel) cortex depend on mechanisms mediated by neural activity. Type 1 adenylyl cyclase (AC1), which catalyzes the formation of cAMP, is stimulated by increases in intracellular Ca2+ levels in an activity-dependent manner. The AC1 mutant mouse, barrelless (brl), lacks typical barrel cytoarchitecture, and displays presynaptic and postsynaptic functional defects at TC synapses. However, because AC1 is expressed throughout the trigeminal pathway, the barrel cortex phenotype of brl mice may be a consequence of AC1 disruption in cortical or subcortical regions. To examine the role of cortical AC1 in the development of morphological barrels and TC synapses, we generated cortex-specific AC1 knock-out (CxAC1KO) mice. We found that neurons in layer IV form grossly normal barrels and TC axons fill barrel hollows in CxAC1KO mice. In addition, whisker lesion-induced critical period plasticity was not impaired in these mice. However, we found quantitative reductions in the quality of cortical barrel cytoarchitecture and dendritic asymmetry of layer IV barrel neurons in CxAC1KO mice. Electrophysiologically, CxAC1KO mice have deficits in the postsynaptic but not in the presynaptic maturation of TC synapses. These results suggest that activity-dependent postsynaptic AC1–cAMP signaling is required for functional maturation of TC synapses and the development of normal barrel cortex cytoarchitecture. They also suggest that the formation of the gross morphological features of barrels is independent of postsynaptic AC1 in the barrel cortex.
Oophorectomy, Menopause, Estrogen, and Cognitive Aging: The Timing Hypothesis

Background: The concept of neuroprotective effects of estrogen in women remains controversial. Objective: To explore the timing hypothesis in relation to cognitive aging and dementia. Methods: We reviewed existing literature, conducted some reanalyses, and combined results graphically. Results: Current evidence suggests that estrogen may have either protective effects or harmful effects on the brain depending on age, type of menopause (natural versus surgical), or stage of menopause. The comparison of women with ovarian conservation versus women who underwent bilateral oophorectomy provided evidence for a sizeable neuroprotective effect of estrogen in women in the premenopausal years (most commonly before age 50 years). Several case-control studies and cohort studies also showed a neuroprotective effect in women who received estrogen treatment in the early postmenopausal phase (most commonly at ages 50–60 years). However, recent clinical trials showed that women who initiated estrogen treatment in the late postmenopausal phase (ages 65–79 years) experienced an increased risk of dementia and cognitive decline. Conclusion: The neuroprotective effects of estrogen depend on age, type of menopause, and stage of menopause (timing hypothesis).
Risikomessung im Kreditgeschäft: Eine empirische Analyse bankinterner Ratingverfahren

Ratingverfahren dienen zur Abschatzung der zukunftigen Zahlungsfahigkeit von (potentiellen) Kreditnehmern. Die Verfahren legen Daten des Rechnungswesens sowie Einschatzungen von Kreditsachbearbeitern zugrunde. Die Qualitat der bankinternen Ratingverfahren stellt eine wesentliche Determinante des Erfolgs im Kreditgeschaft dar. Auf Basis von Daten uber interne Bonitatsbewertungen von Kreditnehmern, die von vier deutschen Grosbanken zur Verfugung gestellt wurden, wird eine empirische Analyse der den Daten zugrundeliegenden Ratingsysteme vorgenommen. Hierbei zeigt sich, das bei Ausgestaltung der Systeme als Scoring-Modelle deutliche Unterschiede zwischen quantitativen und qualitativen Kriterien existieren. Desweiteren kann nachgewiesen werden, das sowohl im Vergleich zwischen Kredit- und Anleiheratings als auch im Interbankenvergleich der Kreditratings Unterschiede in der Reagibilitat der Systeme auf Bonitatsveranderungen bestehen. In Gestalt des Rating-Momentum wird die Frage der Informationseffizienz von Ratingsystemen einer Prufung unterzogen.
Impulsive Purchase behaviour in Social Commerce: the Role of Social Influence

Social commerce (s-commerce), the use of social media to support e-commerce, has become pervasive nowadays. This paper aims to investigate into an important type of consumer behaviour that could generate considerable economic values for s-commerce: impulsive purchase. Specifically, we focus on the role of peer influence. Based on social influence theory, the process via which a consumer changes a peer’s behaviour is interpreted along two dimensions: informational and normative. To further explore the factors which lead to these influencing processes and impulsive consumptions, the reflective-impulsive model of consumer behaviour is adopted, which suggests that peripheral cues decide impulsive behaviour. As a result, a research model connecting peripheral cues with influencing processes and impulsive behaviour is proposed. Via a survey of Sina Weibo users, 303 responses were obtained to empirically teste the model. The results indicate that consumers’ expertise and trustworthiness are significantly related to both types of social influence they could exert on peers. Further, the s-commerce system’s support for personalization and social interaction could notably facilitate consumers’ exchange of social support, and therefore significantly facilitate social influence.
Jornalismo alternativo na era digital: análise de reportagens da Agência Pública

Propomos uma contribuicao que visa o aprofundamento dos debates sobre jornalismo alternativo e o uso da internet a partir do estudo de caso da Agencia Publica. O objetivo e identificar de que maneira se apresenta o jornalismo difundido por este tipo de iniciativa e, em segundo, se ele se constitui como um tipo alternativo. As reportagens aprofundadas da Agencia Publica, por um lado, se distanciam do modelo preconizado pelo mercado, e, por outro lado,, se assemelham a um genero de texto jornalistico que ja esta consolidado socialmente, muito comum em revistas jornalisticas comerciais. Para o desenvolvimento desta pesquisa, realizamos uma analise dos elementos de construcao de duas reportagens. Este trabalho implica na identificacao de elementos estruturais do conteudo, da linguagem, o lugar do jornalista, uso de recursos midiaticos e selecao de fontes e demais informacoes utilizadas para a construcao da reportagem, considerando a internet como plataforma de difusao.
Long-term cocaine use and antiretroviral therapy are associated with silent coronary artery disease in African Americans with HIV infection who have no cardiovascular symptoms.

BACKGROUND Long-term use of cocaine (⩾15 years) and antiretroviral therapy (ART) have been implicated in cardiovascular complications. Nevertheless, the individual and combined effects of ART and cocaine use on silent coronary artery disease have not been fully investigated.Methods: Computed tomography coronary angiography was performed for 165 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)– infected African American study participants aged 25–54 years in Baltimore, Maryland, with contrast-enhanced 64-slice multidetector computed tomography imaging.Result: Significant (⩾50%) coronary stenosis was detected in 24 (15%) of 165 participants. The prevalence of significant stenosis among those who had used cocaine for ⩾15 years and had received ART for ⩾6 months was 42%. Exact logistic regression analysis revealed that long-term cocaine use(adjusted odds ratio, 7.75; 95% confidence interval, 2.26–31.2) and exposure to ART for ⩾6 months(adjusted odds ratio, 4.35; 95% confidence interval, 1.30–16.4) were independently associated with the presence of significant coronary stenosis. In addition, after controlling for confounding factors,both stavudine use for ⩾6 months or combivir use for ⩾6 months were independently associated with the presence of significant coronary stenosis.Conclusions: Long-term exposure to ART may be associated with silent coronary artery disease;however, the magnitude of increased risk associated with ART was much lower than the risk associated with cocaine use or traditional risk factors. Cardiovascular monitoring and aggressive modification of cardiovascular risk factors are essential for reducing the risk of coronary artery disease in HIV-infected individuals. Extensive efforts should also be made to develop effective cocaine use cessation programs for HIV-infected cocaine users.
Controlling the rotation of asymmetric top molecules by the combination of a long and a short laser pulse

Received 17 November 2008; published 4 February 2009We describe theoretically and experimentally a laser-based method to control the rotations of asymmetric topmolecules in three-dimensional space. Our method relies on keeping one axis of a molecule essentially ﬁxed inspace along the polarization vector of a nanosecond laser pulse termed the long pulse and forcing themolecule to rotate about the aligned axis by an orthogonally polarized, femtosecond laser pulse termed theshort pulse . Experimentally, we use femtosecond timed Coulomb explosion to image the three-dimensional 3D alignment of the 3,5-diﬂuoroiodobenzene molecule as a function of time after the short pulse. Strong 3Dalignment is observed a few picoseconds after the short pulse and is repeated periodically, reﬂecting directlythe revolution of the molecular plane about the aligned axis. Our numerical results, based on nonperturbativesolution of the time-dependent Schrodinger equation, are in good agreement with the experimental ﬁndings andserve to unravel the underlying physical mechanism of the observations. The experiments and theory explorethe inﬂuence of the laser parameters on the rotational control, in particular the role played by the intensity ofthe long and the short laser pulses. To illustrate the generality of our method, we illustrate its applicability toa molecule 3,4-dibromothiophene , with signiﬁcantly different inertia and polarizability tensors. Finally, ourtheory shows that the strong 3D alignment obtained by the combined laser pulse method can be converted into ﬁeld-free alignment by rapid truncation of the long laser pulse.DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevA.79. 023404 PACS number s : 42.50. Hz, 33.15. Bh, 33.80. b, 42.65. Re
A framework for generating prioritised test scenarios using firefly optimisation technique

The intention of this research is to generate test scenarios for concurrent and composite states in state machines using firefly optimisation algorithm. We have used state-based coverage criterion such as state coverage, transition coverage, transition pair coverage, etc. to evaluate the efficiency of our proposed algorithm. The proposed approach is useful for feasible test scenario generation. Generating exhaustive test scenarios for all concurrent interdependent sequences is exponential in size. As a result, in this paper, we find the important test scenarios in the presence of concurrency in composite models.
Children's spontaneous comparisons from 26 to 58 months predict performance in verbal and non-verbal analogy tests in 6th grade

Comparison supports the development of children’s analogical reasoning. The evidence for this claim comes from laboratory studies. We describe spontaneous comparisons produced by 24 typically developing children from 26 to 58 months. Children tend to express similarity before expressing difference. They compare objects from the same category before objects from different categories, make global comparisons before specific comparisons, and specify perceptual features of similarity/difference before non-perceptual features. We then investigate how a theoretically interesting subset of children’s comparisons – those expressing a specific feature of similarity or difference – relates to analogical reasoning as measured by verbal and non-verbal tests in 6th grade. The number of specific comparisons children produce before 58 months predicts their scores on both tests, controlling for vocabulary at 54 months. The results provide naturalistic support for experimental findings on comparison development, and demonstrate a strong relationship between children’s early comparisons and their later analogical reasoning.
A Simple Parallel Algorithm for Spectral Sparsification

We describe a simple algorithm for spectral graph sparsification, based on iterative computations of weighted spanners and uniform sampling. Leveraging the algorithms of Baswana and Sen for computing spanners, we obtain the first distributed spectral sparsification algorithm. We also obtain a parallel algorithm with improved work and time guarantees. Combining this algorithm with the parallel framework of Peng and Spielman for solving symmetric diagonally dominant linear systems, we get a parallel solver which is much closer to being practical and significantly more efficient in terms of the total work.
A new submaximal cycle ergometer test for prediction of VO2max

Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) is an important, independent predictor of cardiovascular health and mortality. Despite this, it is rarely measured in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to create and evaluate a submaximal cycle ergometry test based on change in heart rate (HR) between a lower standard work rate and an individually chosen higher work rate. In a mixed population (n = 143) with regard to sex (55% women), age (21–65 years), and activity status (inactive to highly active), a model included change in HR per unit change in power, sex, and age for the best estimate of VO2max. The association between estimated and observed VO2max for the mixed sample was r = 0.91, standard error of estimate = 0.302 L/min, and mean measured VO2max = 3.23 L/min. The corresponding coefficient of variation was 9.3%, a significantly improved precision compared with one of the most commonly used submaximal exercise tests, the Åstrand test, which in the present study was estimated to be 18.1%. Test–retest reliability analysis over 1 week revealed no mean difference in the estimated VO2max (−0.02 L/min, 95% confidence interval: −0.07–0.03). The new test is low‐risk, easily administered, and valid for a wide capacity range, and is therefore suitable in situations as health evaluations in the general population.
A lipopeptide‐encoding sequence upstream from the IysA gene of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

An open reading frame (ORF) of 141 bp was observed upstream from the Pseudomonas aeruginosa lysA gene. The translation product of this ORF contains a signal peptide with a lipoprotein box, fle‐Ala‐Ala‐Cys, at the predicted signal peptidase cleavage site. The Escherichia coli phoA gene without its signal sequence was fused in frame to this ORF in a broad host‐range plasmid. The resulting construct expressed a hybrid protein exhibiting alkaline phosphatase activity in phoA mutants of both E. coli and P. aeruginosa. This indicates that the ORF encodes a peptide, part of which acts as an export signal. The hybrid peptide was identified by immunoblotting with alkaline phosphatase antiserum. The accumulation of a precursor form was observed when P. aeruginosa cells carrying this gene fusion on a plasmid were treated with globomycin. Moreover, the mature form could be labelled with 2‐[3H]‐glycerol, indicating that lipidic residues may be linked to the hybrid protein. Taken together, these results strongly suggest that the ORF encodes a lipopeptide. We propose that the gene is called IppL.
LED based street lighting with automatic intensity control using solar PV

Due to increasing concerns about global warming and climate change, renewable energy sources like wind and solar are receiving greater attention from researchers world-wide. Solar PV is an excellent source of energy available all over the globe but in DC form. If it can be utilized without converting this into AC, it can be really energy efficient. LEDs for lighting purposes have become extremely popular lately due to their higher lumens yield with less wattage consumption; also, they work on DC. So, Solar PV-LED is an ideal combination for outdoor lighting. This paper explores this combination for street lighting purposes. Depending on the yield of the solar PV and the traffic scenario, the intensity of the street light is being adjusted from 0% to 100% automatically by making use of a DC-DC converter. The street light is being equipped with a Li-ion battery whose charging and discharging are also controlled by DC-DC converters. This paper explores the combination of a solar PV with MPPT supplying power to a street light equipped with LEDs with automatic intensity control through a DC-DC converter.
The strained state cosmology

Starting from some relevant facts concerning the behavior of the universe over large scale and time span, the analogy between the geometric approach of General Relativity and the classical description of an elastic strained material continuum is discussed. Extending the elastic deformation approach to four dimensions it is shown that the accelerated expansion of the universe is recovered. The strain field of space-time reproduces properties similar to the ones ascribed to the dark energy currently called in to explain the accelerated expansion. The strain field in the primordial universe behaves as radiation, but asymptotically it reproduces the cosmological constant. Subjecting the theory to a number of cosmological tests confirms the soundness of the approach and gives an optimal value for the one parameter of the model, i.e. the bulk modulus of the space-time continuum. Finally various aspects of the Strained State Cosmology (SSC) are discussed and contrasted with some non-linear massive gravity theories. The possible role of structure topological defects is also mentioned. The conclusion is that SSC is at least as good as the ΛCDM standard cosmology, giving a more intuitive interpretation of the physical nature of the phenomena.
Entry of Herpes Simplex Virus 1 and Other Alphaherpesviruses via the Paired Immunoglobulin-Like Type 2 Receptor α

ABSTRACT Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) enters cells either via fusion of the virion envelope and host cell plasma membrane or via endocytosis, depending on the cell type. In the study reported here, we investigated a viral entry pathway dependent on the paired immunoglobulin-like type 2 receptor α (PILRα), a recently identified entry coreceptor for HSV-1 that associates with viral envelope glycoprotein B (gB). Experiments using inhibitors of endocytic pathways and ultrastructural analyses of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells transduced with PILRα showed that HSV-1 entry into these cells was via virus-cell fusion at the cell surface. Together with earlier observations that HSV-1 uptake into normal CHO cells and those transduced with a receptor for HSV-1 envelope gD is mediated by endocytosis, these results indicated that expression of PILRα produced an alternative HSV-1 entry pathway in CHO cells. We also showed that human and murine PILRα were able to mediate entry of pseudorabies virus, a porcine alphaherpesvirus, but not of HSV-2. These results indicated that viral entry via PILRα appears to be conserved but that there is a PILRα preference among alphaherpesviruses.
Image Interpretation Using Bayesian Networks

The problem of image interpretation is one of inference with the help of domain knowledge. In this paper, we formulate the problem as the maximum a posteriori (MAP) estimate of a properly defined probability distribution function (PDF). We show that a Bayesian network can be used to represent this PDF as well as the domain knowledge needed for interpretation. The Bayesian network may be relaxed to obtain the set of optimum interpretations.
The reactive energy of transient EM fields

We give a physically compelling definition of the instantaneous reactive energy density associated with an arbitrary time-domain electromagnetic field in vacuum. In Heaviside-Lorentz units, where ε0 = μ0 = 1, it is given in terms of the energy density U(r, t) and the Poynting vector S(r, t). The fact that the energy of an EM field in vacuum generally flows at speeds less than c was noted almost a century ago by Bateman [3, page 6]. To the best of my knowledge, this important insight has remained undeveloped and largely unappreciated. I believe this phenomenon, and its relation to reactive energy as detailed, are fundamental features of electromagnetic fields which ought to be studied both theoretically and experimentally.
Is Other Comprehensive Income Reported in the Income Statement More Value Relevant? The Role of Financial Statement Presentation

This study examines (a) whether other comprehensive income (OCI) is more value relevant when reported in a more prominent and transparent location in financial statements, (b) how economic condition affects value relevance of OCI reported in different locations, and (c) whether value relevance of OCI is affected by the implementation of Accounting Standard Update (ASU) 2011-05, which requires reporting OCI in either a combined statement of income and comprehensive income or a separate statement of comprehensive income (SCI), and prohibits reporting OCI only in the statement of changes in shareholders’ equity (SSE). Using manually collected data for the period 2000-2012, we find that investors consistently priced OCI reported in the SSE during the entire test period. We also find that investors priced OCI reported in the SCI only during recent financial crisis period (2007-2009) when the magnitude and volatility of OCI significantly increased. Further evidence shows that this finding is not driven by the investment bias of transient investors. Finally, we find that value relevance of OCI decreases for firms that changed the reporting location of OCI from SSE to SCI following the implementation of ASU 2011-05 compared with firms that did not change the reporting location. As investors are expected to be more capable of incorporating information reported in a more transparent location into price, this study explores some plausible explanations for the puzzling finding and calls for future research.
Robust tracking control of an electrically driven robot: adaptive fuzzy logic approach

This paper is concerned with the robust tracking control of an electrically driven robot with the model uncertainties in the robot dynamics and the motor dynamics. The motors driving the joints of the robot are assumed to be equipped with only the joint position and the current measurement devices. Adaptive fuzzy logic and adaptive backstepping method are employed to provide the solution to the control problem. The suggested method does not require the measurement of the velocity nor the acceleration. Simulation results from a two-link electrically driven robot show the satisfactory performance of the proposed control scheme even in the presence of internal model uncertainties in both the robot and motor dynamics and external disturbances
Weight changes in Alzheimer's disease patients with increased aberrant motor behavior

Weight loss and behavioral disturbances are frequent over the course of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and are risk factors for poor outcome. We investigated the impact of aberrant motor behavior (AMB) on weight changes in older adults with AD. The hypothesis that patients with AMB are more likely to lose weight than patients without AMB was assessed.