Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Transcriptome profiling of developing photoreceptor subtypes reveals candidate genes involved in avian photoreceptor diversification

Avian photoreceptors are a diverse class of neurons, comprised of four single cones, the two members of the double cone, and rods. The signaling events and transcriptional regulators driving the differentiation of these diverse photoreceptors are largely unknown. In addition, many distinctive features of photoreceptor subtypes, including spectral tuning, oil droplet size and pigmentation, synaptic targets, and spatial patterning, have been well characterized, but the molecular mechanisms underlying these attributes have not been explored. To identify genes specifically expressed in distinct chicken (Gallus gallus) photoreceptor subtypes, we developed fluorescent reporters that label photoreceptor subpopulations, isolated these subpopulations by using fluorescence‐activated cell sorting, and subjected them to next‐generation sequencing. By comparing the expression profiles of photoreceptors labeled with rhodopsin, red opsin, green opsin, and violet opsin reporters, we have identified hundreds of differentially expressed genes that may underlie the distinctive features of these photoreceptor subtypes. These genes are involved in a variety of processes, including phototransduction, transcriptional regulation, cell adhesion, maintenance of intra‐ and extracellular structure, and metabolism. Of particular note are a variety of differentially expressed transcription factors, which may drive and maintain photoreceptor diversity, and cell adhesion molecules, which may mediate spatial patterning of photoreceptors and act to establish retinal circuitry. These analyses provide a framework for future studies that will dissect the role of these various factors in the differentiation of avian photoreceptor subtypes. J. Comp. Neurol. 523:649–668, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The effects of a supervisor's active intervention in subordinates' judgments, directional goals, and perceived technical knowledge advantage on audit team judgments

ABSTRACT: Prior research shows that an audit supervisor’s active intervention in a subordinate’s judgment distorts that judgment. However, subordinates’ judgments are only one input into audit team judgments. How do supervisors finalize audit team judgments after actively intervening in their subordinates’ judgments? In an experiment using audit teams, supervisors with weaker or stronger goals to reach a client-preferred conclusion either were or were not asked to first actively coach a subordinate’s judgment (i.e., active intervention) before reviewing it and finalizing the audit team’s judgment. Supervisors’ intervention influenced subordinates’ inputs, which, in turn, supervisors incorporated into their final judgments. More interestingly, intervention biased supervisors’ final judgments, controlling for supervisor directional goal strength and for concurrent effects on subordinates’ inputs. However, supervisors distorted their judgments less as they perceived a larger technical knowledge advantage ove.
Numerical modelling of a peripheral arterial stenosis using dimensionally reduced models and kernel methods

In this work, we consider 2 kinds of model reduction techniques to simulate blood flow through the largest systemic arteries, where a stenosis is located in a peripheral artery, i.e., in an artery that is located far away from the heart. For our simulations, we place the stenosis in one of the tibial arteries belonging to the right lower leg (right posterior tibial artery). The model reduction techniques that are used are on the one hand dimensionally reduced models (1‐D and 0‐D models, the so‐called mixed‐dimension model) and on the other hand surrogate models produced by kernel methods. Both methods are combined in such a way that the mixed‐dimension models yield training data for the surrogate model, where the surrogate model is parametrised by the degree of narrowing of the peripheral stenosis. By means of a well‐trained surrogate model, we show that simulation data can be reproduced with a satisfactory accuracy and that parameter optimisation or state estimation problems can be solved in a very efficient way. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that a surrogate model enables us to present after a very short simulation time the impact of a varying degree of stenosis on blood flow, obtaining a speedup of several orders over the full model.
Surface nanoscale axial photonics (SNAP) at the silica microcapillary with ultrathin wall

We demonstrate SNAP microresonators fabricated in silica capillary fiber with ultrathin walls by local annealing with a focused CO2 laser and internal etching with hydrofluoric acid. We investigate the introduced capillary wall nonuniformity and demonstrate the feasibility of advanced microfluidic sensing with SNAP microresonators.
What is to Be Distributed

I take up the "What is equality? " controversy begun by Amartya Sen in 1979 by critically considering utility (J. S. Mill), primary goods (John Rawls), property rights (John Roemer) and basic capabilities in terms of what is to be distributed according to principles and theories of social justice. I then consider the four most general principles designed to answer issues raised by the Equality of Welfare principle, Equality of Opportunity for Welfare principle, Equality of Resources principle and Equality of Opportunity for Resources principle. I consider each with respect to the more general normative principle that whatever theory of social or distributive justice we accept should be as ambition sensitive and endowment insensitive as feasible in real world circumstances. In this context I take up the problems of expensive tastes, expensive disabilities, lowered or manipulated preferences or 'needs,' and differential needs versus differential talents and abilities. I argue that the best solution is to adopt a modified version of Rawls' theory which takes primary social goods as that which is to be distributed but which demands a Basic Rights principle that insures basic subsistent rights (as well as basic security rights) as the most fundamental principle of morality (and social justice), and then demands that Rawls' Difference Principle be applied lexically to the 'material' goods of income, wealth, and leisure time, but done so that the social basis of self-respect is never undermined.
Categorization of concealed radioactive waste for microwave treatment

In the nuclear industry, various microwave or conventional heating techniques are being utilized for processing of radioactive waste in order to reduce its hazardous effects to facilitate the safe disposal. In this paper, the microwave treatment of radioactive waste is explored by estimating the dielectric properties of various nuclear gradable materials such as concretes concealed in a non-metallic container using the time domain technique. The main focus here is to monitor the changes in the dielectric properties along with the loss factor of investigating media which can be useful in order to process the radioactive waste materials concealed in the non-metallic container.
Analytical Solution for Electromagnetic Torque in Surface Permanent-Magnet Motors Using Conformal Mapping

We present an analytical method for the calculation of electromagnetic torque in surface permanent-magnet (PM) motors. Our method uses conformal mapping to calculate the electromagnetic torque by integrating the Maxwell stress tensor inside the air gap. It uses the radial and tangential components of the flux density in the slotted air-gap produced by the currents flowing in the three-phase armature winding. We demonstrate our analytical solution on a 7-kW four-pole surface PM motor and compare the results with finite-element solutions. We present the results for various angular spans of permanent magnets and various sizes of the slot opening to confirm the validity of the analytical approach.
Bequest Division and Income Inequality: Comparative Dynamics of Markov Branching Processes

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between income inequality and bequest division rules, an old but untouched topic addressed by Sir Josiah Stamp nearly seventy years ago. We show that the bequest income transition rule for each child should be linearly combined to form an inter-generational income transition rule which dominates the dynamics of the underlying stochastic processes. The various bequest division rules correspond to different linear combinations of parent-child bequest transition, and hence distinct intergenerational mobility matrix. Under different assumptions about parents' information background, we derive conditions needed to establish the causal relationship between more equal bequest division and better income distribution in the sense of second-degree stochastic dominance. Copyright 1995 by The London School of Economics and Political Science.
Behaviour of stock markets’ memories

In this article, we show that the memory of markets has nonchaotic behaviour. Its time trend is neutral and nonlinearity tests such as Brock, Dechert, Sheinkman (BDS) rejects nonlinearity in stock markets’ memories. The estimation of fractional differencing parameters is carried out by various methods such as Maximum Likelihood Estimation (MLE), Nonlinear Least Squares (NLS), Hurst exponents, Gewek, Porter- Hudak (GPH), wavelet transformation, and Whittle. Also Lyapunov exponents are estimated by two methods of Rosenstein and Jacobian. Results of Lyapunov exponent estimation shows memory of markets are not chaotic. Furthermore, there are no any Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity (ARCH) effects in memory of markets. ARCH test is more specific than the BDS test and it may powerful test for detecting possible ARCH effects. All of tests show memory of markets has random behaviour.
Equilibrium Search with Continuous Productivity Dispersion: Theory and Non-Parametric Estimation

In this article we develop an equilibrium search model with a continuous distribution of firm productivity types within a given labor market. We characterize equilibrium, derive expressions for the endogenous equilibrium wage distributions, and characterize the set of wage distributions that can be generated by the model. We develop a structural nonparametric estimation method for the productivity distribution. We estimate the model using French longitudinal survey data on labor supply, and we compare the results with those from a French panel data set of firms. The results are informative on the degree to which firms exploit search frictions.
PCR‐Based Diversity Estimates of Artificial and Environmental 18S rRNA Gene Libraries

ABSTRACT. Environmental clone libraries constructed using small subunit ribosomal RNA (rRNA) or other gene‐specific primers have become the standard molecular approach for identifying microorganisms directly from their environment. This technique includes an initial polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification step of a phylogenetically useful marker gene using universal primers. Although it is acknowledged that such primers introduce biases, there have been few studies if any to date systematically examining such bias in eukaryotic microbes. We investigated some implications of such bias by constructing clone libraries using several universal primer pairs targeting rRNA genes. Firstly, we constructed artificial libraries using a known mix of small cultured pelagic arctic algae with representatives from five major lineages and secondly we investigated environmental samples using several primer pairs. No primer pair retrieved all of the original algae in the artificial clone libraries and all showed a favorable bias toward the dinoflagellate Polarella glacialis and a bias against the prasinophyte Micromonas and a pennate diatom. Several other species were retrieved by only one primer pair tested. Despite this, sequences from nine environmental libraries were diverse and contained representatives from all major eukaryotic clades expected in marine samples. Further, libraries from the same sample grouped together using Bray–Curtis clustering, irrespective of primer pairs. We conclude that environmental PCR‐based techniques are sufficient to compare samples, but the total diversity will probably always be underestimated and relative abundance estimates should be treated with caution.
A Model of the Evolution of Duopoly: Does the Asymmetry between Firms Tend to Increase or Decrease?

This paper is an attempt to identify some of the factors that affect the evolution of market structure in a model of dynamic competition between two firms. The stochastic evolution of the state of competition depends on the respective effort rates of the firms. The question is whether the current leader works harder than the laggard—does the ‘gap’ between firms tend to increase or decrease? We show that several effects are at work. The state tends to evolve in the direction where joint payoffs are greater. Since joint payoffs are related to joint product-market profits less joint effort costs, there are two classes of effect: the joint-profit effect and various joint-cost effects. The latter result in part from the pattern of profits, and in part from endpoint effects that give relief from efforts. Asymptotic expansions illuminate these influences. Moreover, we show by numerical simulation that there is another kind of joint-cost effect. The pattern of joint effort costs can influence the pattern of evolution of market structure, and the evolution of the pattern of market structure can influence the pattern of efforts, in a mutually self-reinforcing manner. In particular, there may be equilibria in which this last effect means that the laggard works harder than the leader even though all the other effects work in favour of the leader.
Regular point processes and their detection

A class of point processes that possess intensity functions are studied. The processes of this class, which seem to include most point processes of practical interest, are called regular point processes (RPP's). Expressions for the evolution of these processes and especially for their joint occurrence statistics are derived. Compound RPP's, which are RPP's whose intensity functions are themselves stochastic processes, are shown to be RPP's whose intensity functions are given as the causal minimum mean-squared-error (MMSE) estimates of the given intensity functions. The superposition of two independent RPP's is shown to yield an RPP whose intensity is given as a causal least squares estimate of the appropriate combination of the two given intensity functions. A general likelihood-ratio formula for the detection of compound RPP's is obtained. Singular detection cases are characterized. Detection procedures thai use only the total number of counts are discussed. As an example, the optimal detection scheme for signals of the random-telegraph type with unknown transition intensities is derived.
Automatic red-eye detection and correction system for mobile sevices

This paper presents an automatic red-eye detection and correction system. In order to detect red eye, we propose to use two information sources: color around the eyes and eye's round shape. The color information is from the red, highlight, and skin masks. Eye-shape is from our proposed real-time 2-dimensional grouping algorithm called ARTS. Our correction method promises to a natural-looking result. We designed the hardware using Verilog HDL, and successfully built and tested it using an FPGA device, a USB interface board, and a two-megapixel CMOS sensor. With a TSMC 0.25-mum ASIC library, the gate count was 325,167 gates, and the maximum data arrival time was 41.8 [MHz].
Metropolitan Geographies of US Climate Action: Cities, Suburbs, and the Local Divide in Global Responsibilities

Planning for climate change is now occurring at multiple, sometimes interlocking scales of ecological governance and policy formulation. Within the context of this journal's past calls for fresh work on the ‘spatialities of (un)sustainability’, particularly around climate action, this paper examines new geographies of local climate policy within six major US metropolitan regions located in six different smart growth states. The methodological assumption of the paper is that these putatively pro-planning states in the USA should provide a particularly fertile legal and policy arena within which metropolitan-scale action might emerge. Focusing empirically on the US Mayors Climate Action Agreement, though, the discussion highlights an uneven local geography of planning for global climate change, with central cities apparently accepting responsibility and, in general, suburban municipalities concomitantly free-riding. Policy and research implications of these metropolitan geographies of (in) action are discussed in light of the extant literature on cities, planning, and the governance of climate action.
Evaluating the service quality of major air carriers: a DEA approach

Consumers suffer from important information asymmetries with respect to safety quality, being the case that when a passenger boards a plane she does not know whether she is choosing a safe or risky airline. However, service quality is more directly perceived by passengers. In this paper, we apply data envelopment analysis (DEA) methodology to synthesise some partial indicators of safety and service quality. We measure these quality variables by using 11 complementary indicators: three corresponding to the safety dimension and eight to the service dimension. The relative performance of each airline is discussed according to the results of these partial indicators, and DEA methodology is used to obtain a better understanding of the overall picture of safety and service quality. As consumers are usually better informed about the service quality of airlines, we will study the interrelationship between these two sides of global quality, trying to anticipate if some of the misinformation regarding air transport safety could be reduced.
The impact of human resource capabilities on internal customer satisfaction and organisational effectiveness

This study examined the impact of human resource (HR) capabilities on internal customer satisfaction and organisational effectiveness. It drew on data from HR managers and line managers; a total of 238 valid matches was obtained. Structural equation modelling was employed to examine the proposed model. The results showed that some HR capabilities appear to be linked to internal customer satisfaction and organisational effectiveness. The implications for practitioners were to modify and emphasise certain HR practices, and to emphasise the role of internal customers for organisational effectiveness enhancement. These findings revealed the importance of internal customers in enhancing employee morale, organisational commitment, employee productivity, turnover rate and the organisation's ability to attract talent.
The Impact of Monetary Policy on the Exchange Rate: A High Frequency Exchange Rate Puzzle in Emerging Economies

This study investigates the impact of monetary policy shocks on the exchange rates of Brazil, Mexico and Chile. We find that even a focus on 1 day exchange rate changes following policy events – which reduces the potential for reverse causality considerably – fails to lend support for the view that associates unexpected interest rate hikes with immediate appreciations. This lack of empirical backing for the predictions of standard open economy models persists irrespective of whether we use the US Dollar or effective exchange rates, whether changes in the policy rate that were followed by exchange rate interventions are excluded, whether “contaminated” events are dropped from the analysis or whether we allow for non-linearities. We argue that it is difficult to attribute this stronger version of the exchange rate puzzle to fiscal dominance, as unexpected rate increases are not associated with increases in risk premia, and similar results are obtained in the case of Chile – a country that has had the highest possible short-term credit rating since 1995 and a debt/GDP ratio below 10%.
Party Dissolutions and Democratic Consolidation: The Turkish Case

Political party competition constitutes an important component of democratic consolidation. In this respect, party dissolutions are generally regarded as impeding consolidation of democracies. This study addresses the relationship between party dissolutions and democratic consolidation, and offers an analysis of recent dissolutions of religiously and ethnically oriented political parties in Turkey. Drawing on Geoffrey Pridham's distinction between ‘negative’ and ‘positive’ democratic consolidation, the study concludes that the dissolutions of religiously oriented parties have contributed to the former while the dissolutions of ethnically oriented political parties have not. Meanwhile, the possible dissolution of the Adalet ve Kalkınma Partisi (AKP), representing 46.6 per cent of the population, would constitute a challenge to ‘positive’ democratic consolidation.
Functional and genomic characterisation of a xenograft model system for the study of metastasis in triple-negative breast cancer

ABSTRACT Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) represents 10-20% of all human ductal adenocarcinomas and has a poor prognosis relative to other subtypes. Hence, new molecular targets for therapeutic intervention are necessary. Analyses of panels of human or mouse cancer lines derived from the same individual that differ in their cellular phenotypes but not in genetic background have been instrumental in defining the molecular players that drive the various hallmarks of cancer. To determine the molecular regulators of metastasis in TNBC, we completed a rigorous in vitro and in vivo characterisation of four populations of the MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer line ranging in aggressiveness from non-metastatic to spontaneously metastatic to lung, liver, spleen and lymph node. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array analyses and genome-wide mRNA expression profiles of tumour cells isolated from orthotopic mammary xenografts were compared between the four lines to define both cell autonomous pathways and genes associated with metastatic proclivity. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) demonstrated an unexpected association between both ribosome biogenesis and mRNA metabolism and metastatic capacity. Differentially expressed genes or families of related genes were allocated to one of four categories, associated with either metastatic initiation (e.g. CTSC, ENG, BMP2), metastatic virulence (e.g. ADAMTS1, TIE1), metastatic suppression (e.g. CST1, CST2, CST4, CST6, SCNNA1, BMP4) or metastatic avirulence (e.g. CD74). Collectively, this model system based on MDA-MB-231 cells should be useful for the assessment of gene function in the metastatic cascade and also for the testing of novel experimental therapeutics for the treatment of TNBC. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper. Summary: Four MDA-MB-231 cell line variants were evaluated for spontaneous metastatic capacity. DNA SNP arrays and RNA-Seq analysis of xenografted tumour cells were conducted to identify genes associated with metastatic proclivity.