Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
BDIE architecture for rational agents

Several successful rational agents have been developed based on the belief-desire-intention (BDI) model In these agents, output actions are usually limited to be primitive. The whole calculation processes of getting the actions must be represented in the plans. Thus, for complex cases, plan library may be hard to create and maintain. This will prevent further applications of the model. In this paper, we will introduce a belief-desire-intention-experience (BDIE) model, which incorporates experience functions into the basic BDI model By this model, some successful algorithms can be involved into the plans of the agents. This provides a way to enrich the agent's abilities without increasing designing difficulty. As an example, a vessel agent is created using this model reinforcement learning and global path planning algorithms are involved in the agent's decision of navigation. The experiment results show that the agent is able to work well with the experience functions.
The Idea of Global CO2 Trade

The US ahs been criticized for wanting to earn a fortune on a global CO2 market. However, compared to the situation without trade and provided that such a market is designed so that it does not pay to cheat, a global CO2 market may provide the world with an epoch-making means of cost-effective control which can solve future global environmental problems.
Ca2+‐independent caspase‐3 but not Ca2+‐dependent caspase‐2 activation induced by oxidative stress leads to SH‐SY5Y human neuroblastoma cell apoptosis

Continuous and long‐lasting exposure to tert‐butylhydroperoxide (t‐BOOH) increased the number of apoptotic SH‐SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells both in the presence and in the absence of the intracellular Ca2+ ion chelator 1,2‐bis(o‐aminophenoxy)ethane‐N,N,N′,N′‐tetraacetic acid (BAPTA). In addition, t‐BOOH exposure induced activation of CPP32, as demonstrated by poly‐(ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage, and of ICH‐1L caspases. Exposure to t‐BOOH also induced a time‐dependent release of cytochrome c. Interestingly, in the presence of BAPTA, CPP32 activation still occurred, whereas ICH‐1L activation was blocked. Ac‐DEVD‐CHO, an inhibitor of CPP32 activity, prevented the appearance of apoptotic cells, whereas the inhibitor of ICH‐1L activity Z‐VDVAD‐FMK did not. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that in SH‐SY5Y neuroblastoma cells exposure to continuous and long‐lasting oxidative stress induced activation of caspase‐3 that was independent of intracellular Ca2+ ion concentration ([Ca2+]i) elevation but led to cell apoptosis. In contrast, caspase‐2 activation was dependent on [Ca2+]i increase but did not result in apoptosis. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ultra-Deepwater Gulf of Mexico Oil and Gas: Energy Return on Financial Investment and a Preliminary Assessment of Energy Return on Energy Investment

The purpose of this paper is to calculate the energy return on financial investment (EROFI) of oil and gas production in the ultra-deepwater Gulf of Mexico (GoM) in 2009 and for the estimated oil reserves of the Macondo Prospect (Mississippi Canyon Block 252). We also calculated a preliminary Energy Return on Investment (EROI) based on published energy intensity ratios including a sensitivity analysis using a range of energy intensity ratios (7 MJ/$, 12 MJ/$, and 18 MJ/$). The EROFI for ultra-deepwater oil and gas at the well-head, ranged from 0.019 to 0.022 barrels (BOE), or roughly 0.85 gallons, per dollar. Our estimates of EROI for 2009 ultra-deepwater oil and natural gas at the well-head ranged from 7–22:1. The independently-derived EROFI of the Macondo Prospect oil reserves ranged from 0.012 to 0.0071 barrels per dollar (i.e., $84 to $140 to produce a barrel) and EROI ranged from 4–16:1, related to the energy intensity ratio used to quantify costs. We believe that the lower end of these EROI ranges (i.e., 4 to 7:1) is more accurate since these values were derived using energy intensities averaged across the entire domestic oil and gas industry. Time series of the financial and preliminary EROI estimates found in this study suggest that the extraction costs of ultra-deepwater energy reserves in the GoM come at increasing energetic and economic cost to society.
FRD3 Controls Iron Localization in Arabidopsis1

The frd3 mutant of Arabidopsis exhibits constitutive expression of its iron uptake responses and is chlorotic. These phenotypes are consistent with defects either in iron deficiency signaling or in iron translocation and localization. Here we present several experiments demonstrating that a functional FRD3 gene is necessary for correct iron localization in both the root and shoot of Arabidopsis plants. Reciprocal grafting experiments with frd3 and wild-type Arabidopsis plants reveal that the phenotype of a grafted plant is determined by the genotype of the root, not by the genotype of the shoot. This indicates that FRD3 function is root-specific and points to a role for FRD3 in delivering iron to the shoot in a usable form. When grown under certain conditions, frd3 mutant plants overaccumulate iron in their shoot tissues. However, we demonstrate by direct measurement of iron levels in shoot protoplasts that intracellular iron levels in frd3 are only about one-half the levels in wild type. Histochemical staining for iron reveals that frd3 mutants accumulate high levels of ferric iron in their root vascular cylinder, the same tissues in which the FRD3 gene is expressed. Taken together, these results clearly indicate a role for FRD3 in iron localization in Arabidopsis. Specifically, FRD3 is likely to function in root xylem loading of an iron chelator or other factor necessary for efficient iron uptake out of the xylem or apoplastic space and into leaf cells.
Expression Stabilities of Candidate Reference Genes for RT-qPCR in Chinese Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) under a Variety of Conditions

Reverse transcription-quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) is a powerful method for evaluating patterns of gene expression. Jujube whole-genome sequencing has been completed, and analysis of gene function, an important part of any follow-up study, requires the appropriate selection of reference genes. Indeed, suitable reference gene selection for RT-qPCR is critical for accurate normalization of target gene expression. In this study, the software packages geNorm and NormFinder were employed to examine the expression stabilities of nine candidate reference genes under a variety of conditions. Actin-depolymerizing factor 1 (ACT1), Histone-H3 (His3), and Polyadenylate-binding protein-interacting protein (PAIP) were determined to be the most stably expressed genes during five stages of fruit development and ACT1, SiR-Fd, BTF3, and Tubulin alpha chain (TUA) across different tissues/organs. Whereas ACT1, Basic Transcription factor 3 (BTF3), Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GADPH), and PAIP were the most stable under dark conditions. ACT1, PAIP, BTF3, and Elongation factor 1- gamma (EF1γ) were the most stably expressed genes under phytoplasma infection. Among these genes, SiR-Fd and PAIP are here first reported as stable reference genes. When normalized using these most stable reference genes, the expression patterns of four target genes were found to be in accordance with physiological data, indicating that the reference genes selected in our study are suitable for use in such analyses. This study provides appropriate reference genes and corresponding primers for further RT-qPCR studies in Chinese jujube and emphasizes the importance of validating reference genes for gene expression analysis under variable experimental conditions.
Urban and Rural Differences in Use of Earned Income Credits: A Study of Minnesota's Working Family Credit

This article examines receipt rates of Minnesota's earned income credit program by households on welfare from 1992 through 1999. We examine urban and rural differences in the rate of receipt throughout time and in the factors contributing to receipt. Our tabulations show that the central counties of the Minneapolis—St. Paul standard metropolitan statistical area (SMSA) have the lowest receipt rates, although rates are increasing for all regions and the disparities are diminishing through time. We find that a number of policy variables, household characteristics, and local labor market variables differentially affect receipt probabilities. Information from this research might help policy makers and designers of low-income programs construct improved policies that help families more quickly exit poverty.
Cholinergic Deafferentation After Focal Cerebral Infarct in Rats

Background and Purpose For a better understanding of neuronal network disturbances after stroke, we investigated the changes in the cholinergic system after experimental focal infarct. Methods We quantitatively evaluated the highly sensitive acetylcholinesterase histochemistry and local glucose utilization 7 days after left middle cerebral artery occlusion in Wistar rats. Results In all rats with occlusion, ihe ipsilateral frontal cortex and the nucleus basalis Meynert developed no infarct, whereas the subcortical striatum did. In the frontal cortex on the occlusion side, the acetylcholinesterase-positive fiber density was significantly (p<0.05) reduced; a computer-assisted image-analyzing system quantified approximately 1.0 m/mm3 brain cortex acetylcholinesterase-positive fibers in the ipsilateral frontal cortex layers II-IV and approximately 9.7 m/mm3 brain cortex acetylcholinesterase-positive fibers in the contralateral frontal cortex layers II-IV. Local glucose utilization was also significantly (p<0.05) decreased in the ipsilateral frontal cortex compared to the contralateral side and shamoperated animals. Conclusions These results suggest that functional disturbances and disruption of the cholinergic pathway between the frontal cortex and the nucleus basalis Meynert occur after middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats.
Pricing Timer Options

In this paper, we discuss a newly introduced exotic derivative called the “Timer Option”. Instead of being exercised at a fixed maturity date as a vanilla option, it has a random date of exercise linked to the accumulated variance of the underlying stock. Unlike common quadratic-variation-based derivatives, the price of a timer option generally depends on the assumptions on the underlying variance process and its correlation with the stock (unless the risk-free rate is equal to zero). In a general stochastic volatility model, we first show how the pricing of a timer call option can be reduced to a one-dimensional problem. We then propose a fast and accurate almost-exact simulation technique coupled with a powerful (model-free) control variate. Examples are derived in the Hull and White and in the Heston stochastic volatility models.
Effects of hotel employees' perception of wage justice: the case of South Korea

The purpose of this study is to examine whether the results of the previous studies on the relationship between wage justice and employees' attitude are also found within Korean hotels that have adopted a unique wage system. The data were collected through a survey done with employees of five Korean hotels. The results are similar to those of previous studies. However, the present study found that employees' satisfaction with the wage system is also important, and job insecurity partially affects the relationship between wage justice and employees' attitude as well as the relationship between employees' satisfaction with the wage system and their attitude. Managerial implication, limitations and directions for future studies are suggested.
The identification and correction of outlier based on wavelet transform of traffic flow

There are many outliers in traffic flow data for various reasons. It has a serious impact on the data analysis and use. There are three main ways to identify anomalies but they each have definite limitations, especially when identifying and correcting the first category and the second category of outlier at the same time. In order to solve this problem, this paper presents a new way to identify anomalies based on wavelet transform and identify outlier by the use of the wavelet transform modulus maxima , then pass the amendment of the outlier through inverse transform the wavelet transform coefficient. Evidence shows that this method can be used to identify and correct the two types of outlier simultaneously and the results are obvious.
Single Clonal Origin of a High Proportion of Legionella pneumophila Serogroup 1 Isolates from Patients and the Environment in the Area of Paris, France, over a 10-Year Period

ABSTRACT Arbitrarily primed PCR with three primers and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis were used to characterize a set of 75 clinicalLegionella pneumophila serogroup 1 isolates, with no apparent epidemiological link, obtained from 24 hospitals in Paris, France, from 1987 to 1997. Unexpectedly, 25 clinical isolates from 15 hospitals had an identical profile (termed type A) by both methods. The same profile was subsequently found in 16 of 64 randomly selected environmental L. pneumophila serogroup 1 isolates from 15 different sites in the Paris area. There was no evidence of geographic clustering or a peak incidence of type A isolation. Type A has not been found in France outside the Paris area, suggesting that a particular type of L. pneumophila serogroup 1 is specifically present in the Paris water distribution network.
Choices within Collective Labour Agreements a La Carte in the Netherlands

In recent years European employers, unions and governments have developed initiatives that offer employees the right to exchange certain items within an agreed package of employment conditions. So far, the available evidence on the use of such 'cafeteria systems' is largely based on survey data rather than on actual choices. We analyse the actual choices made by the employees of Radboud University Nijmegen in the years 2002-2004. The results cast doubt on the efficiency and the effectiveness of employee choices within collective agreements, contradict the unions' push for working time reduction and question wage moderation and policies on work-life balance.
Signaling through Accounting Accruals vs. Financial Policy: Evidence from Bank Loan Loss Provisions and Dividend Changes

This study examines substitution or complementarity relationships between discretionary loan loss provisions (LLP) and dividend signals. The statistical tests and results presented in this study indicate that bank managers may signal simultaneously with an accounting policy (i.e., discretionary LLP) and a financial policy (i.e., dividend change). This finding primarily points out the possibility that a bank manager with an incentive to mitigate asymmetric information can select multiple signals to maximize signaling effects. Thus, LLP signaling is a complementary (rather than a substitute) signaling device of dividend signaling.
Optimal Monetary Policy in a Cash-in-Advance Economy

The issue of optimal monetary policy within a particular general equilibrium model of the monetary transmission mechanism is addressed. The model analyzed is a member of the recent class of liquidity models of the monetary business cycle. The nature of the trading frictions that define these models introduces a role for activist monetary policy. In particular, to the extent that the central bank can adjust liquidity more rapidly than the private sector, there is a welfare-improving role for monetary policy. In contrast to traditional policy prescriptions for aggregate demand management, this is a prescription for liquidity management. Copyright 1994 by Oxford University Press.
Protective Effect of Salvianolic Acid B on Chronic Pancreatitis Induced by Trinitrobenzene Sulfonic Acid Solution in Rats

Objectives: To investigate the effects of salvianolic acid B (Sal-B) on pancreatic damage in experimental chronic pancreatitis. Methods: Chronic pancreatitis was induced by infusion of trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid into the pancreatic duct in male Sprague-Dawley rats. From the beginning of 5 weeks, the rats in group 2 were treated with Sal-B by gavage for 8 weeks. Salvianolic acid B was given at a daily dose of 10 mg/kg body weight. At the end of 12 weeks, the levels of serum biochemical indexes were measured on an automatic biochemical analyzer; serum hyaluronic acid and laminin levels were determined by radioimmunoassay; pancreatic tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) was analyzed, and the degree of pancreatic damage was determined. Results: The level of serum biochemical indexes were similar in all groups (P > 0.05 for all). Salvianolic acid B treatment did not obviously reduce hyaluronic acid and laminin concentration in blood (P > 0.05). Salvianolic acid B treatment decreased MDA concentration in pancreatic tissue (P < 0.01). Salvianolic acid B clearly improved pancreatic histological findings and prevented the activation of pancreatic stellate cells. Conclusions: Sal-B treatment decreased MDA concentration in pancreatic tissue, attenuated morphological pancreatic damage, and prevented the activation of pancreatic stellate cells in experimental chronic pancreatitis.
Exchange Rate Uncertainty, Forward Contracts, and International Portfolio Selection

In this paper, ex ante efficient portfolio selection strategies are developed to realize potential gains from international diversification under flexible exchange rates. It is shown that exchange rate uncertainty is a largely nondiversiflable factor adversely affecting the performance of international portfolios. Therefore, it is essential to effectively control exchange rate volatility. For that purpose, two methods of exchange risk reduction are simultaneously employed: multicurrency diversification and hedging via forward exchange contracts. The empirical findings show that international portfolio selection strategies designed to control both estimation and exchange risks almost consistently outperform the U.S. domestic portfolio in out-of-sample periods. SINCE GRUBEL [11] APPLIED MODERN portfolio theory (MPT) to international investment, various authors, such as Levy and Sarnat [17], Solnik [20], and Lessard [16], have examined the gains from international diversification of investment portfolios. For the purpose of establishing the gains from international diversification, these studies constructed international portfolios using historical risk and return data from a period of fixed or relatively stable exchange rates and showed that internationally diversified portfolios dominated purely domestic portfolios in terms of mean-variance efficiency. From the standpoint of today's investors, however, the previous studies fail to offer operational guidance for international diversification for two important reasons. First, it is now questionable whether the past findings are still relevant under the current flexible exchange rate regime. Second, by being "ex post" in nature, the past studies ignored the issue of estimation risk, or parameter uncertainty, and therefore may have overstated the realizable portion of the potential gains from international diversification. Fluctuating exchange rates are likely to mitigate the potential gains from international diversification by making investment in foreign securities more risky. As will be shown later, a fluctuating exchange rate contributes to the risk of foreign investment not only through its own variance but also through its "positive" covariances with the local stock market returns. During our sample period of 1980 through 1985, for example, exchange rate volatility is found to account for about fifty percent of the volatility of dollar returns from investment in the stock markets of such major countries as Germany, Japan, and the U.K. Furthermore, the exchange rate changes vis-'a-vis the U.S. dollar are found to be
Characterization of rubble on the frequency band [300MHz–3GHz]

This letter describes an innovative method of characterization of rubble on the frequency band [300MHz–3GHz]. Some simulations and measurements have been done to deduce the electromagnetic behavior through the rubble with specific dielectric properties and different configurations. The key of our characterizations method are presented, measurement and simulation results are illustrated and discussed.
Insight on character recognition for calligraphy digitization

Character recognition plays a major role in electronic conversion of handwritten script and inscription images into a digital form for the preserving the precious content of prehistoric documents. The script in materialistic form may be deteriorated over time and lost as time passes by. Hence, it is really imperative to take necessary measures to digitally archive the scripts. Character recognition is the predominant technique that includes stages of preprocessing the script images and undergo machine learning to recognize individual character from them. A comprehensive study on such character recognition efforts done for various languages both National and International level like Arabic, Thai, Chinese, English, Kannada, Devanagari, Marathi and Tamil was done and the essence of materials, methods and techniques used have been presented in this paper. This work envisioned to analyze the potentials for developing a sys-tem for developing a system Tamil character recognition system.
Critical regulation of TGFβ signaling by Hsp90

Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) controls a diverse set of cellular processes by activating TGFβ type I (TβRI) and type II (TβRII) serine-threonine receptor kinases. Canonical TGFβ signaling is mediated by Smad2 and Smad3, which are phosphorylated in their SXS motif by activated TβRI. The 90-kDa heat-shock protein (Hsp90) is a molecular chaperone facilitating the folding and stabilization of many protein kinases and intracellular signaling molecules. Here, we present evidence identifying a critical role for Hsp90 in TGFβ signaling. Inhibition of Hsp90 function by using small-molecule inhibitors such as 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17AAG), and also at the genetic level, blocks TGFβ-induced signaling and transcriptional responses. Furthermore, we identify TβRI and TβRII as Hsp90-interacting proteins in vitro and in vivo and demonstrate that inhibition of Hsp90 function increases TβR ubiquitination and degradation dependent on the Smurf2 ubiquitin E3 ligase. Our data reveal an essential level of TGFβ signaling regulation mediated by Hsp90 by its ability to chaperone TβRs and also implicate the use of Hsp90 inhibitors in blocking undesired activation of TGFβ signaling in diseases.
Organisational downsizing and new venture creation in transitional economies: a study of managerial effectiveness in transition

This paper explores ways of helping managers of large state-owned companies in transitional economies to acquire skills that may help them to downsize and to create small businesses. Following a review of literature on the needs of transitional economies, on experiences of downsizing in Western countries, on downsizing approaches and strategies, on the creation and development of small business, and on the development of management skills for organisational change, it has been possible to propose some guidelines to enable managers in countries such as those of Eastern and Central Europe deal with the problems of large, overstaffed and loss-making state-owned companies, to downsize them and turn them into smaller and more effective. It is concluded that management training and development is essential for the successful implementation of downsizing of large organisations and the creation of small and effective businesses.