Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Functional Advantages of Conserved Intrinsic Disorder in RNA-Binding Proteins

Proteins form large macromolecular assemblies with RNA that govern essential molecular processes. RNA-binding proteins have often been associated with conformational flexibility, yet the extent and functional implications of their intrinsic disorder have never been fully assessed. Here, through large-scale analysis of comprehensive protein sequence and structure datasets we demonstrate the prevalence of intrinsic structural disorder in RNA-binding proteins and domains. We addressed their functionality through a quantitative description of the evolutionary conservation of disordered segments involved in binding, and investigated the structural implications of flexibility in terms of conformational stability and interface formation. We conclude that the functional role of intrinsically disordered protein segments in RNA-binding is two-fold: first, these regions establish extended, conserved electrostatic interfaces with RNAs via induced fit. Second, conformational flexibility enables them to target different RNA partners, providing multi-functionality, while also ensuring specificity. These findings emphasize the functional importance of intrinsically disordered regions in RNA-binding proteins.
Fast Patch-Based Image Hybrids Synthesis

To synthesize a variety of texture images from examples in common PCs is an important topic in computer graphics. This paper proposed a novel patch-based image hybrids synthesis method, which can generate plausible results with visual diversity. First, image analysis was performed to build an effective data structure for synthesizing samples in a fast way which can maintain the texture structure. In the image analysis phase, the candidate patch set was built for each position. Then, various hybrid images were generated using patch-based texture synthesis method. Poisson editing algorithm and deblurring techniques were further adopted to optimize the results. Various experiments showed that this new method can hybrid sample images with large color difference, which can also overcome the less smooth boundary problem of the conventional synthesis methods.
Nominal Exchange Rates and Monetary Fundamentals: Evidence from a Small Post-Bretton Woods Panel

We study the long-run relationship between nominal exchange rates and monetary fundamentals in a quarterly panel of 18 countries extending from 1973.1 to 1997.1. Our analysis is centered on two issues. First, we test whether exchange rates are cointegrated with long-run determinants predicted by economic theory. These results generally support the hypothesis of cointegration. The second issue is to re-examine the ability for monetary fundamentals to forecast future exchange rate returns. Panel regression estimates and forecasts confirm that this forecasting power is significant.
Safety in AI-HRI: Challenges Complementing User Experience Quality

Contemporary research in human-robot interaction (HRI) predominantly focuses on the user’s experience while controlling a robot. However, with the increased deployment of artiﬁcial intelligence (AI) techniques, robots are quickly becoming more autonomous in both academic and industrial experimental settings. In addition to improving the user’s interactive experience with AI-operated robots through personalization, dialogue, emotions, and dynamic behavior, there is also a growing need to consider the safety of the interaction. AI may not account for the user’s less likely responses, making it possible for an unaware user to be injured by the robot if they have a collision. Issues of trust and acceptance may also come into play if users cannot always understand the robot’s thought process, creating a potential for emotional harm. We identify challenges that will need to be addressed in safe AI-HRI and provide an overview of approaches to consider for them, many stemming from the contemporary research.
Understanding palm-based imaginary interfaces: the role of visual and tactile cues when browsing

Imaginary Interfaces are screen-less ultra-mobile interfaces. Previously we showed that even though they offer no visual feedback they allow users to interact spatially, e.g., by pointing at a location on their non-dominant hand. The primary goal of this paper is to provide a deeper understanding of palm-based imaginary interfaces, i.e., why they work. We perform our exploration using an interaction style inspired by interfaces for visually impaired users. We implemented a system that audibly announces target names as users scrub across their palm. Based on this interface, we conducted three studies. We found that (1) even though imaginary interfaces cannot display visual contents, users' visual sense remains the main mechanism that allows users to control the interface, as they watch their hands interact. (2) When we remove the visual sense by blindfolding, the tactile cues of both hands feeling each other in part replace the lacking visual cues, keeping imaginary interfaces usable. (3) While we initially expected the cues sensed by the pointing finger to be most important, we found instead that it is the tactile cues sensed by the palm that allow users to orient themselves most effectively. While these findings are primarily intended to deepen our understanding of Imaginary Interfaces, they also show that eyes-free interfaces located on skin outperform interfaces on physical devices. In particular, this suggests that palm-based imaginary interfaces may have benefits for visually impaired users, potentially outperforming the touchscreen-based devices they use today.
À Propos : a Proactive Retrieval System for Document Writing

Writing professional documents such as reports or scientific papers are situations in which finding relevant information is extremely important. Seeking for relevant information is known to be difficult. Proactive search systems that relieve writers from the need for conducting explicit search therefore seem attractive. However presenting peripheral information can interrupt the main task at hand, writing. Our previous study with the proactive retrieval system IntelliGent™ showed that the three main requirements for such a system to succeed are (1) to present highly relevant information (2) at the moment in the writing process when the information is most urgent and (3) in a way that interferes least with the writers' task. In line with these results, we describe how the project À Propos intends to achieve these goals.
Propofol Inhibits Ketamine-Induced c-fos Expression in the Rat Posterior Cingulate Cortex

Ketamine, a noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, has psychotomimetic activity. NMDA receptor antagonists cause morphological damage in the posterior cingulate cortex, which may be the brain region responsible for their psychotomimetic effects. Benzodiazepines are effective in preventing these effects through gamma-aminobutyric acid A (GABAA) receptor activation. We investigated the effect of propofol, which has both GABAA receptor-activating and NMDA receptor-suppressing activity, on ketamine-induced c-fos expression in the rat posterior cingulate cortex. Propofol or vehicle was continuously infused IV. Fifteen minutes later, 100 mg/kg ketamine or isotonic sodium chloride solution was injected intraperitoneally. Two hours later, brain sections were prepared, and c-fos expression was detected using immunohistochemical methods. Propofol significantly inhibited ketamine-induced c-fos expression in the posterior cingulate cortex. Propofol itself did not induce c-fos expression in this brain region. We conclude that propofol may be able to inhibit ketamine-induced psychotomimetic activity and neuronal damage. Implications: In the present study, we demonstrated that the clinically relevant dose of propofol significantly inhibited ketamine-induced c-fos expression in the rat posterior cingulate cortex. This finding implies that propofol may inhibit ketamine-induced psychotomimetic activity and neuronal damage. (Anesth Analg 1998;87:1416-20)
Size effects on tensile and fatigue behaviour of polycrystalline metal foils at the micrometer scale

Tensile and fatigue properties of as-rolled and annealed polycrystalline Cu foils with different thicknesses at the micrometer scale were investigated. Uniaxial tensile testing results showed that with decreasing foil thickness the uniform elongation decreases for both as-rolled and annealed foils, whereas the yield strength and ultimate tensile strength increase for as-rolled foils, but decrease for the annealed foils. For both the as-rolled or annealed foils, bending fatigue resistance decreases with decreasing the foil thickness. Deformation and fatigue damage behaviour of the free-standing foils were characterised as a function of foil thickness. In addition, the fatigue strength of various small-scale Cu foils was compared to understand the physical mechanisms of size effects on mechanical properties of the metallic material at micrometer scales.
Analysis of cooperative non-regenerative relay networks with adaptive modulation in generalized fading channels

This article analyzes the performance of CSI-assisted cooperative amplify-and-forward (CAF) relay networks that employ both the optimal power allocation strategy among collaborating nodes and adaptive M-ary quadrature amplitude modulation (M-QAM) technique in Nakagami-m wireless fading environments. In particular, we advocate a simple yet unified numerical approach based on the marginal moment generating function (MGF) of the total received SNR to derive tight approximations or upper and lower bounds for the average bit error rate (ABER), mean achievable spectral efficiency, and outage probability performance metrics. The proposed analytical framework is sufficiently general to characterize the performance of adaptive-link CAF relay networks over a wide range of fading distributions (i.e., not restricted to Rayleigh fading) with independent but non-identically distributed (i.n.d) fading statistics across the spatially distributed diversity paths. Numerical results reveal that the optimal transmit power allocation among cooperative nodes in a practical CAF relay topologies could lead to a further substantial increase in the mean spectral efficiency compared to the equal power assignment case but at the expense of higher network overhead. The accuracies of our analytical results have been validated via Monte Carlo simulations.
Does gambling type moderate the links between problem gambling, emotion regulation, anxiety, depression and gambling motives

ABSTRACT The aim of this study is to assess the link between emotion regulation, depression, anxiety and gambling motives among a population of regular gamblers, distinguishing between strategic and chance game players. We recruited 287 regular gamblers online, including both problem (PG) and non-problem gamblers (NPG). All participants completed online questionnaires to screen for problem gambling (SOGS) and to assess emotion regulation (ERQ), anxiety and depression (HADS) and gambling motives (GMQ-F). In this sample, 33.4% of participants were PG. PG scored significantly higher than NPG on the GMQ-F (except for the social subscale) and HADS, but not in ERQ. Gamblers who played both strategic and chance games displayed more frequent and severe gambling problems and had higher depression and anxiety scores than those playing only strategic games. Overall, enhancement and financial motives and depression significantly predicted PG. Finally, the study found that gambling type moderates the relationship between problem gambling and expressive suppression, depression and gambling motives. The results show the intricate relationship between gambling motives and psychiatric symptoms (in particular, depression) in PG. Mixed and strategic gamblers share common motives, but coping, financial and enhancement were stronger among PG. Finally, they emphasize the differences between different types of gamblers.
Understanding predicted shifts in diazotroph biogeography using resource competition theory

We examine the sensitivity of the biogeography of nitrogen fixers to a warming climate and increased aeo- lian iron deposition in the context of a global earth system model. We employ concepts from the resource-ratio theory to provide a simplifying and transparent interpretation of the results. First we demonstrate that a set of clearly defined, eas- ily diagnosed provinces are consistent with the theory. Us- ing this framework we show that the regions most vulnera- ble to province shifts and changes in diazotroph biogeogra- phy are the equatorial and South Pacific, and central Atlantic. Warmer and dustier climates favor diazotrophs due to an in- crease in the ratio of supply rate of iron to fixed nitrogen. We suggest that the emergent provinces could be a standard diagnostic for global change models, allowing for rapid and transparent interpretation and comparison of model predic- tions and the underlying mechanisms. The analysis suggests that monitoring of real world province boundaries, indicated by transitions in surface nutrient concentrations, would pro- vide a clear and easily interpreted indicator of ongoing global change.
On the accuracy of the ADI-FDTD method

We present an analytical study of the alternating-direction implicit finite-difference time-domain (ADI-FDTD) method for solving time-varying Maxwell's equations and compare its accuracy with that of the Crank-Nicolson (CN) and Yee FDTD schemes. The closed form of the truncation error is obtained for two and three dimensions. The dependence of the truncation error on the square of the time step multiplied by the spatial derivatives of the fields is found to be a unique feature of the ADI-FDTD scheme. We illustrate the limitation on accuracy imposed by these truncation error terms by simulating a simple parallel-plate structure excited by a low-frequency voltage source. Excellent agreement is obtained between field data computed with the implicit CN scheme using time steps greatly exceeding the Courant limit and field data computed with the explicit Yee scheme. Such results are not obtained with ADI-FDTD.
Performance of the fuzzy VI-CFAR detector in non-homogeneous environments

In this paper, we applied the concept of fuzzy logic to improve the performance of the Variability Index Constant False Alarm Rate (VI-CFAR) detector. The VI-CFAR detector is an intelligent detector which uses data from the reference window to compute two second-order statistics (the variability index VI and the mean ratio MR) to select one of the three detectors, namely, the Cell Averaging-CFAR, the Greatest-Of-CFAR and the Smallest-Of-CFAR. The proposed fuzzy VI-CFAR consists of establishing a new detection strategy based on the fuzzification of the two statistics as well as the three detectors. Some inference rules are then used to select the appropriate fuzzy detector. The final decision is obtained through defuzzification using the centre of gravity formula. Simulation results show that the fuzzy VI-CFAR detector outperforms the classical VI-CFAR in homogeneous and non-homogeneous environments.
Alternating Minimization for Mixed Linear Regression

Here, In denotes the n×n identity matrix, 1n×1 the n×1 vector of 1’s, and similarly, 0n×1 the n×1 vector of 0’s. Finding a solution to the mixed linear equations problem amounts to finding a subset S ⊆ [2n + 1] of the 2n + 1 constraints, and vectors β, β ∈ R, so that β satisfies the equalities XSβ = yS , and β the equalities XScβ2 = ySc . Note that S cannot contain i and n+ i, since these equalities are mutually exclusive. The consequence is that we have β i ∈ {0, 1}, with β i = 1− β (2) i . Thus if the first 2n constraints are satisfied, the final constraint, therefore, can only be satisfied if we have ∑
Towards Personalized Maps: Mining User Preferences from Geo-textual Data

Rich geo-textual data is available online and the data keeps increasing at a high speed. We propose two user behavior models to learn several types of user preferences from geo-textual data, and a prototype system on top of the user preference models for mining and search geo-textual data (called PreMiner) to support personalized maps. Different from existing recommender systems and data analysis systems, PreMiner highly personalizes user experience on maps and supports several applications, including user mobility & interests mining, opinion mining in regions, user recommendation, point-of-interest recommendation, and querying and subscribing on geo-textual data.
YouTube Politics: YouChoose and Leadership Rhetoric During the 2008 Election

ABSTRACT The present study employs both qualitative and quantitative research methods to examine the discourse of leadership in the YouTube video clips of 16 candidates who competed in the 2008 U.S. presidential race. The introduction and farewell videos of the candidates included on the YouChoose portion of YouTube are inductively analyzed for leadership utterances. Common categories are constructed through a grounded theory approach, while frequencies of the appearance of leadership traits are discovered through a content analysis of the data. The findings are then compared with relevant literature to determine the nature of presidential campaigns within the participatory culture of YouTube. The study suggests that the YouChoose videos favor the candidate's character over political experience and explores the possibility that the medium promotes passive (rather than active) political engagement on the part of the user. The idea of the construction of the YouTube audience as a “postmodern constituency” is also proposed. Finally, the implications of the study are discussed.
An Architectural Pattern for Real-Time Control Software

In this paper, we introduce a high-level design pattern that can be applied to a broad class of real-time systems. This pattern, which we call Recursive Control, provides a systematic method for dealing with what are traditionally considered ancillary software functions (system start up and shut down, failure detection and recovery, on-line maintenance, etc.). In many large systems, such functions represent as much as 80% of all the code written yet they are still given lower priority in system design. The result are systems that are difficult to control and evolve. The Recursive Control pattern implements a clear separation between the control aspects and the serviceproviding aspects of a real-time system allowing each to be defined and modified independently. The pattern can be applied recursively which means that it is applicable across a wide range of levels and scopes, starting from the highest system architectural level down to individual components. We also show how two basic features of the object paradigm, inheritance and encapsulation, can be used to great advantage to simplify the realization and increase the effectiveness of the Recursive Control pattern.
Special Topic: Biosynthesis and Regulation of Secondary Metabolites in Microorganisms Asm8, a Specific Lal-type Activator of 3-amino-5-hydroxy- Benzoate Biosynthesis in Ansamitocin Production

The highly potent antitumor agent ansamitocin P3 is a macrolactam isolated from Actinosynnema pretiosum ATCC 31565. A 120-kb DNA fragment was previously identified as the ansamitocin biosynthetic gene cluster, and contains genes for polyke-tide assembly, precursor synthesis, post-polyketide synthesis modification, and regulation. Within the biosynthetic gene cluster, asm8 encodes an 1117-amino-acid protein with a high degree of similarity to the large ATP-binding LuxR family-type regulators. In the current study, we determined that inactivation of asm8 by gene replacement in ATCC 31565 resulted in the complete loss of ansamitocin production, and that complementation with a cloned asm8 gene restored ansamitocin biosynthesis. Interestingly, the disruption of asm8 decreased the transcription of genes responsible for 3-amino-5-hydroxybenzoate (AHBA) formation, the starter unit required for ansamitocin biosynthesis. Subsequently, feeding of exogenous AHBA to the asm8 mutant restored ansamitocin biosynthesis, which showed that Asm8 is a specific positive regulator in AHBA biosynthesis. In addition , investigation of asm8 homologs identified two new ansamitocin producers, and inactivation of the asm8 homolog in A. pretiosum ATCC 31280 abolished ansamitocin production in this strain. Characterization of the positive regulator Asm8 and discovery of the two new ansamitocin producers paves the way for further improving production of this important antitumor agent. Like their plant-derived maytansinoid counterparts [1], an-samitocins (e.g., ansamitocin P-3; AP-3) demonstrate potent antitumor activity by specifically inhibiting eukaryotic mi-tosis [2]. The antibody-conjugated drug Kadcyla uses may-tansinoid as the active compound, and was approved in February 2013 by the United States Food and Drug Administration for treating breast cancer [3]. Produced by Acti-nosynnema pretiosum subsp. auranticum ATCC 31565 (hereafter referred to as ATCC 31565), these microbial me-tabolites belong to an important class of polyketide natural products called ansamycins [2]. All ansamycin antibiotics are macrolactams, and are characterized by an amide-linkage-terminated benzoic acid or a naphthalenic chromophore bridged by an aliphatic polyketide. Typical ansamycins include rifamycin, ansamitocin, and macbecins. Biosynthesis of ansamycin antibiotics involves the formation of 3-amino-5-hydroxybenzoate (AHBA) as the starter unit for the assembly of the polyketide chain. The first three steps of the AHBA pathway are very similar to the shikimate pathway, but later steps are differentiated by the introduction of glutamine-derived nitrogen, to give 3,4-dideoxy-4-amino-D-arabino-heptulosonic acid 7-phosphate (aminoDAHP). Cyclization and dehydration of amino-DAHP generates 5-deoxy-5-amino-3-dehydroquinic acid
Auction Design with Avoidable Fixed Costs: An Experimental Approach

Advances in information technology and computational power have opened the doors for auctioneers to explore a range of auction formats by considering varying degrees of bid expressivity and different payment rule, e.g., single price vs. discriminatory prices. While it is clear that one can design more complicated auctions, it is still not clear if should do so and which auction parameters have the greatest impact on the performance on cost and efficiency. The purpose of this paper is to gain some insight into this question, via analytical and experimental methods.
Figures of Merit for Indirect Time-of-Flight 3D Cameras: Definition and Experimental Evaluation

Indirect Time-of-Flight (I-TOF) cameras can be implemented in a number of ways, each with specific characteristics and performances. In this paper a comprehensive analysis of the implementation possibilities is developed in order to model the main performances with a high level of abstraction. After the extraction of the main characteristics for the high-level model, several figures of merit (FoM) are defined with the purpose of obtaining a common metric: noise equivalent distance, correlated and uncorrelated power responsivity, and background light rejection ratio. The obtained FoMs can be employed for the comparison of different implementations of range cameras based on the I-TOF method: specifically, they are applied for several different sensors developed by the authors in order to compare their performances.
Low-decoherence flux qubit

A flux qubit can have a relatively long decoherence time at the degeneracy point, but away from this point the decoherence time is greatly reduced by dephasing. This limits the practical applications of flux qubits. Here we propose a new qubit design modified from the commonly used flux qubit by introducing an additional capacitor shunted in parallel to the smaller Josephson junction (JJ) in the loop. Our results show that the effects of noise can be considerably suppressed, particularly away from the degeneracy point, by both reducing the coupling energy of the JJ and increasing the shunt capacitance. This shunt capacitance provides a novel way to improve the qubit.