Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Local Policy Networks : Actors, Challenges and Cooperation in the Case of the German Energy Transition

The German Energiewende is a project of national concern. The term subsumes Germany's e orts to transform the energy system towards a green energy supply. Moreover, it represents the German response to major national and global challenges, and aims to sustain the challenged German forerunner position in supporting green technologies. Major policy problems that are addressed with this far-reaching project are the global climate change, the corresponding need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as well as Germany's over dependence on foreign energy resources, and the wish to opt out of nuclear energy. This thesis follows current research ndings, in arguing that urban as well as rural areas are decisive for a successful transition process and moreover, the renunciation from fossil fuels, nationally as well as globally. An orchestration of the opportunities and challenges that both types of areas face, will be crucial for an a ordable, secure, and sustainable energy provision. Rural counties as well as urban areas vary distinctively in the extent to which they address sustainability, climate change, and energy related challenges. This thesis applies a relational perspective to add to the evolving body of literature which analyzes what determines the distinct local energy policy-making processes and outcomes. Therefore, this thesis combines the encompassing policy subsystem view of the Advocacy Coalition Framework with the study of policy networks, and understands policy-making as the interplay of diverse actors who collaborate in order to shape policy outcomes around a certain policy problem in their favor. This thesis aims to describe, characterize, and compare local energy policy subsystems, focusing on three central elements of policy subsystems: Actors, problems, and collaboration. A mixed-methods design is applied in order to study regional similarities and di erences in who participates in the process, which policy problems are (perceived as) salient, and how discourses and collaboration evolve over time. Data was collected through a Discourse Network Analysis as well as with an online survey, questioning actors actively engaged in local energy policy-making. A comparative research design was chosen in order to identify similarities and di erences between urban and rural areas as well as between those counties that are more and those counties that are less successful in implementing the energy transition. The results show that di erences between urban and rural areas exist, concerning the composition of actors and their presence in the discourse as well as regarding the policy issues that are perceived to be salient. Furthermore, the results indicate that the development of network structures di ers between successful and less successful counties, and that belief similarity and perceived agreement are drivers of collaboration within local energy policy networks.
Taking advantage of correlation in stochastic computing

In recent years, shrinking size in integrated circuits has imposed a big challenge in maintaining the reliability in conventional computing. Stochastic computing has been seen as a reliable, low-cost, and low-power alternative to overcome such issues. Stochastic Computing (SC) computes data in the form of bit streams of 1s and 0s. Therefore, SC outperforms conventional computing in terms of tolerance to soft error and uncertainty at the cost of increased computational time. Stochastic Computing with uncorrelated input streams requires streams to be highly independent for better accuracy. This results in more hardware consumption for conversion of binary numbers to stochastic streams. Correlation can be used to design Stochastic Computation Elements (SCE) with correlated input streams. These designs have higher accuracy and less hardware consumption. In this paper, we propose new SC designs to implement image processing algorithms with correlated input streams. Experimental results of proposed SC with correlated input streams show on average 37% improvement in accuracy with reduction of 50–90% in area and 20–85% in delay over existing stochastic designs.
Processes of recovery through routine or specialist treatment for borderline personality disorder (BPD): a qualitative study

Abstract Background: Recovery processes in borderline personality disorder (BPD) are poorly understood. Aims: This study explored how recovery in BPD occurs through routine or specialist treatment, as perceived by service users (SUs) and therapists. Methods: SUs were recruited from two specialist BPD services, three community mental health teams, and one psychological therapies service. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 48 SUs and 15 therapists. The “framework” approach was used to analyse the data. Results: The findings were organized into two domains of themes. The first domain described three parallel processes that constituted SUs’ recovery journey: fighting ambivalence and committing to taking action; moving from shame to self-acceptance and compassion; and moving from distrust and defensiveness to opening up to others. The second domain described four therapeutic challenges that needed to be addressed to support this journey: balancing self-exploration and finding solutions; balancing structure and flexibility; confronting interpersonal difficulties and practicing new ways of relating; and balancing support and independence. Conclusions: Therapies facilitating the identified processes may promote recovery. The recovery processes and therapeutic challenges identified in this study could provide a framework to guide future research.
Knockdown of orexin type 1 receptor in rat locus coeruleus increases REM sleep during the dark period

The locus coeruleus (LC) regulates sleep/wakefulness and is densely innervated by orexinergic neurons in the lateral hypothalamus. Here we used small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to test the role of LC orexin type 1 receptor (OxR1) in sleep–wake control. In sleep studies, bilateral OxR1 siRNA injections led to an increase of time spent in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which was selective for the dark (active) period, peaked at approximately 30% of control during the second dark period after injection and then disappeared after 4 days. Cataplexy‐like episodes were not observed. The percentage time spent in wakefulness and non‐REM (NREM) sleep and the power spectral profile of NREM and REM sleep were unaffected. Control animals, injected with scrambled siRNA, had no sleep changes after injection. Quantification of the knockdown revealed that unilateral microinjection of siRNAs targeting OxR1 into the rat LC on two consecutive days induced a 45.5% reduction of OxR1 mRNA in the LC 2 days following the injections when compared with the contralateral side receiving injections of control (scrambled) siRNAs. This reduction disappeared 4 days after injection. Similarly, unilateral injection of OxR1 siRNA into the LC revealed a marked (33.5%) reduction of OxR1 staining 2 days following injections. In contrast, both the mRNA level and immunohistochemical staining for tyrosine hydroxylase were unaffected. The results indicate that a modest knockdown of OxR1 is sufficient to induce observable sleep changes. Moreover, orexin neurons, by acting on OxR1 in the LC, play a role in the diurnal gating of REM sleep.
Production of Infectious Chimeric Hepatitis C Virus Genotype 2b Harboring Minimal Regions of JFH-1

ABSTRACT To establish a cell culture system for chimeric hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 2b, we prepared a chimeric construct harboring the 5′ untranslated region (UTR) to the E2 region of the MA strain (genotype 2b) and the region of p7 to the 3′ UTR of the JFH-1 strain (genotype 2a). This chimeric RNA (MA/JFH-1.1) replicated and produced infectious virus in Huh7.5. 1 cells. Replacement of the 5′ UTR of this chimera with that from JFH-1 (MA/JFH-1.2) enhanced virus production, but infectivity remained low. In a long-term follow-up study, we identified a cell culture-adaptive mutation in the core region (R167G) and found that it enhanced virus assembly. We previously reported that the NS3 helicase (N3H) and the region of NS5B to 3′ X (N5BX) of JFH-1 enabled replication of the J6CF strain (genotype 2a), which could not replicate in cells. To reduce JFH-1 content in MA/JFH-1.2, we produced a chimeric viral genome for MA harboring the N3H and N5BX regions of JFH-1, combined with a JFH-1 5′ UTR replacement and the R167G mutation (MA/N3H+N5BX-JFH1/R167G). This chimeric RNA replicated efficiently, but virus production was low. After the introduction of four additional cell culture-adaptive mutations, MA/N3H+N5BX-JFH1/5am produced infectious virus efficiently. Using this chimeric virus harboring minimal regions of JFH-1, we analyzed interferon sensitivity and found that this chimeric virus was more sensitive to interferon than JFH-1 and another chimeric virus containing more regions from JFH-1 (MA/JFH-1.2/R167G). In conclusion, we established an HCV genotype 2b cell culture system using a chimeric genome harboring minimal regions of JFH-1. This cell culture system may be useful for characterizing genotype 2b viruses and developing antiviral strategies.
An Autoregulatory Pathway Establishes the Definitive Chromatin Conformation at the Pit-1 Locus

ABSTRACT The transcription factor Pit-1 (POU1-F1) plays a dominant role in cell lineage expansion and differentiation in the anterior pituitary. Prior studies of the mouse Pit-1 (mPit-1) gene revealed that this master regulatory locus is activated at embryonic day 13.5 (E13.5) by an early enhancer (EE), whereas its subsequent expression throughout adult life is maintained by a more distal definitive enhancer (DE). Here, we demonstrate that the sequential actions of these two enhancers are linked to corresponding shifts in their proximities to the Pit-1 promoter. We further demonstrate that the looping of the definitive enhancer to the mPit-1 promoter is critically dependent on a self-sustaining autoregulatory mechanism mediated by the Pit-1 protein. These Pit-1-dependent actions are accompanied by localized recruitment of CBP and enrichment for H3K27 acetylation within the Pit-1 locus. These data support a model in which the sequential actions of two developmentally activated enhancers are linked to a corresponding shift in higher-order chromatin structures. This shift establishes an autoregulatory circuit that maintains durable expression of Pit-1 throughout adult life.
β2 Integrin-mediated Cell-Cell Contact Transfers Active Myeloperoxidase from Neutrophils to Endothelial Cells*

Background: How endothelial cells (ECs) could acquire exogenous neutrophil myeloperoxidase (MPO) is unknown. Results: ECs acquired enzymatically active MPO directly from neutrophils, via β2 integrin-mediated cell-cell contact independent of extracellular MPO release. Conclusion: Neutrophils directly transfer MPO to ECs by cell-cell contact. Significance: Direct delivery of MPO to ECs may contribute to the vascular pathology and dysfunction seen in atherosclerosis and vasculitides. Atherosclerosis and vasculitis both feature inflammation mediated by neutrophil-endothelial cell (EC) contact. Neutrophil myeloperoxidase (MPO) can disrupt normal EC function, although the mechanism(s) by which MPO is transferred to ECs are unknown. We tested the hypothesis that close, β2 integrin-dependent neutrophil-EC contact mediates MPO transfer from neutrophils to ECs. We used sensitive MPO assays and flow cytometry to detect MPO in ECs and demonstrate that ECs acquired MPO when contacted by neutrophils directly but not when ECs and neutrophils were separated in Transwells. The transfer was dependent on neutrophil number, exposure time, and incubation temperature. Transfer occurred in several EC types, increased with endotoxin, was not accompanied by MPO release into the medium, and was not abrogated by inhibiting degranulation to secretagogues. Confocal microscopy showed MPO internalization by ECs with cytoplasmic and nuclear staining. Neutrophils and ECs formed intimate contact sites demonstrated by electron microscopy. Blocking CD11b or CD18 β2 integrin chains, or using neutrophils from CD11b gene-deleted mice, reduced MPO transfer. EC-acquired MPO was enzymatically active, as demonstrated by its ability to oxidize the fluorescent probe aminophenyl fluorescein in the presence of a hydrogen peroxide source. The data suggest an alternative to EC uptake of soluble MPO, namely the cell contact-dependent, β2 integrin-mediated transfer from neutrophils. The findings could be of therapeutic relevance in atherosclerosis and vasculitis.
Taoist and Confucian Values Evident in the Travel Motivations of Contemporary Chinese Tourists: The Importance of Self-cultivation

ABSTRACT This research aims to explore the underlying structure of Chinese tourist motivation as influenced by traditional Chinese cultural value systems that are based on Taoism and Confucianism. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected through 256 respondents who are Chinese citizens in mainland China. The results show that self-cultivation, as a core Taoist and Confucian principle, plays an important role in shaping Chinese tourist motivations. In addition, this research highlights the predominance of nature in Chinese tourist preferences. The findings have significant implications for tourism marketers in understanding Chinese tourists and their needs and wants from a cultural perspective.
A nonlinear diffusion model for electricity prices and derivatives

In this paper, we first develop a one-factor diffusion model for electricity prices, which is based on a power transformation of CIR process. We show that the new model is tractable and we are able to derive the analytical solutions for future and future option prices. To enhance the model's ability to capture the prices spikes, we extend it to a time-changed model where the price is modelled by a nonlinear CIR process time changed by Levy subordinators. We employ the eigenfunction expansion methods to obtain the closed-form solutions for the derivatives. Our empirical study indicates the new models have the potential to capture the main features of electricity data better than the competing models.
Retrieval of context-aware applications on mobile devices: how to evaluate?

This paper discusses the issue of evaluation of context-aware retrieval applications. We begin by describing MoBe, a specific architecture that allows automatic download and execution of context-aware applications on mobile devices. In MoBe, the most relevant applications are selected by matching context and application descriptors. Since several alternatives for descriptors implementation exist, it is important to compare their effectiveness. To this aim, we develop a TREC-like benchmark, in which the collection is made up by a set of application descriptors and the topics are made up by context descriptors. We then use the benchmark to evaluate the effectiveness of different descriptors components, and of structured and unstructured (i.e., free text) data, finding results that are somehow useful for future MoBe development. We also discuss the issue of the evaluation methodology for highly interactive and novel applications like context-aware retrieval systems, and MoBe in particular.
Afro‐Descendants in Peru: Do Beauty and Race Matter in the Labor Market?

This is a first study about labor discrimination against Afro‐descendants in Peru. We randomly assigned Afro‐Peruvian and white surnames and photographs (subjectively beautiful, homely looking, or not photos) to 3,828 fictitious resumes, sent for unskilled, technical, and professional occupations. We find an unprecedented, sizeable beauty premium in unskilled occupations (232.5 percent), no effect of looks in technical occupations, and a beauty penalty in professional occupations (–71.3 percent). Overall, whites receive 19.37 percent more callbacks than similarly qualified Afro‐Peruvians; this racial discrimination affects only Afro‐Peruvian females, and particularly those employed in technical occupations. These results remain unaltered when we restrict the sample to those markedly “Afro” surnames. Our findings unveil different dynamics of discrimination across job categories, which tend to be overlooked by the existing literature.
Influence of aflatoxin B1 on the kinetic disposition, systemic bioavailability and tissue residues of doxycycline in chickens

1. Disposition kinetics of doxycycline (doxy) was studied in healthy chickens and chickens experimentally intoxicated with aflatoxin B1 by intravenous, oral or intramuscular (i.m.) injection, in a single dose of 15 mg/kg body weight. In addition, the tissue distribution and residual pattern of the drug were determined in healthy and intoxicated chickens. 2. The maximum serum concentrations of doxy were reached 1.97 and 2.37 h after oral, and 1.57 and 2.92 h after i.m. dosage in healthy and aflatoxic birds, respectively. 3. The volumes of distribution and total body clearances were higher in aflatoxic birds (1.75 l/kg and 14.61 ml/kg/min) than in healthy chickens (0.93 l/kg and 4.6 ml/kg/min). Data relating to intravenous injection were analysed using a two-compartment open model curve fit. 4. Lower values of systemic bioavailability were observed in intoxicated birds (30.9 and 33.9%) than healthy ones (43.7 and 57.3%) after oral and i.m. administration, respectively. 5. The highest concentration of doxy residues were present in liver, kidney and serum followed by heart and muscles. Doxy residue concentrations in edible tissues was below the EEC limit 6 d after cessation of oral or i.m. medication with 15 mg/kg body weight twice daily for 5 successive days.
The actions of excitatory amino acids on motoneurones in the feline spinal cord.

1. Combined recording or ionophoretic electrodes of the concentric type were used to investigate the depolarizing responses of DL‐homocysteate (DLH) and L‐glutamate in cat lumbar motoneurones. 2. Typically, DLH responses were slow both in onset and recovery, while glutamate responses were fast in onset and recovery and were frequently accompanied by a post‐response hyperpolarization. 3. DLH responses (smaller than those necessary to evoke firing) were accompanied by a stable decrease in GM. This decrease was usually more than could be accounted for by anomalous rectification of the membrane. 4. Small glutamate responses were accompanied by either a small decrease, no change or a small increase in GM. There was a biphasic change in GM during large responses: GM decreased during the rising phase and early part of the response plateau and thereafter increased as the depolarization was maintained. It is proposed that the high conductance state during glutamate application (but not the depolarization itself) is a manifestation of glutamate uptake. 5. Firing evoked by DLH was stable during very long applications of the drug. Firing evoked by glutamate was usually of short duration, despite the maintained depolarization. 6. No reversal potential for the DLH responses could be demonstrated, but the responses decreased in size both with hyperpolarization and depolarization of the membrane. A 'null point' of the response in the negative direction was found to be approximately ‐95 mV. 7. DLH resonses were insensitive to changes in the internal Cl concentration. When the external K concentration was increased by K+ ionophoresis, the DLH responses became smaller. It is concluded that the DLH response is probably mediated via a decrease in K+ conductance and that the availability of this conductance channel is potential dependent. 8. Changes in the sizes of evoked potentials (e.p.s.p.s, i.p.s.p.s and a.h.p.s) with DLH and glutamate responses were investigated. The size of each of these evoked potentials was inversely related to GM during the responses; thus they all showed stable increases during DLH responses. E.p.s.p.s recorded during DLH were of longer half‐width and time‐to‐peak than the control, but there was no change in the maximum slope (V.sec‐1). When e.p.s.p.s decreased in size with glutamate the time‐to‐peak remained constant. 9. Acidic amino acids have been implicated as natural excitatory transmitters. The consequence of our results for the mechanism of excitatory transmission is therefore discussed.
The chemosensory appendage proteome of Amblyomma americanum (Acari: Ixodidae) reveals putative odorant‐binding and other chemoreception‐related proteins

Proteomic analyses were done on 2 chemosensory appendages of the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum. Proteins in the fore tarsi, which contain the olfactory Haller's organ, and in the palps, that include gustatory sensilla, were compared with proteins in the third tarsi. Also, male and female ticks were compared. Proteins were identified by sequence similarity to known proteins, and by 3‐dimensional homology modeling. Proteomic data were also compared with organ‐specific transcriptomes from the tick Rhipicephalus microplus. The fore tarsi express a lipocalin not found in the third tarsi or palps. The fore tarsi and palps abundantly express 2 proteins, which are similar to insect odorant‐binding proteins (OBPs). Compared with insect OBPs, the tick OBP‐like sequences lacked the cysteine absent in C‐minus OBPs, and 1 tick OBP‐like sequence had additional cysteines that were similar to C‐plus OBPs. Four proteins similar to the antibiotic protein microplusin were found: 2 exclusively expressed in the fore tarsi and 1 exclusively expressed in the palps. These proteins lack the microplusin copper‐binding site, but they are modeled to have a significant internal cavity, potentially a ligand‐binding site. Proteins similar to the dust mite allergens Der p7 and Der f 7 were found differentially expressed in female fore tarsi. A protein exclusively expressed in the fore tarsi has similarities to Neto, which is known to be involved in clustering of ionotropic glutamate receptors. These results constitute the first report of OBP‐like protein sequences in ticks and point to several research avenues on tick chemosensory reception.
Event-triggered stabilization for singular systems based on sampled-data

In this paper, we mainly focus on the problem of the event-triggered stabilization for linear singular systems based on sampled data. A event-triggered mechanism is proposed to reduce the number of data sampling and transmissions. By modeling the event-triggered control system as an input-delay singular system with sampled-data error and constructing a proper Lyapunov functional, a new sufficient condition for admissibility of closed loop system is obtained, which has taken the feature of sample-induced delay into consideration. Then, co-design algorithm for the state feedback controller and event-triggered mechanism parameters are proposed by means of linear matrix inequalities approach. Finally, a numerical example is given to show the effectiveness of the results.