Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On model identification of a class of unbounded systems with application to navigation instrument error modeling

An unbounded system model is proposed to represent the error behavior inherent in many navigation instruments or associated with their environments. The model consists of an unbounded deterministic part with unknown constant parameters plus a stochastic part with unknown probability distributions. A simple robust strategy is given to identify the unknown parameters and the second-order statistics of the stochastic part from data. The strategy is sequential, i.e., the deterministic part is first identified and then the statistics of the stochastic part are identified from appropriate residuals. Convergence properties, including the rate of convergence, of parameter estimates are given in terms of conditions which can be easily verified in practical applications. An example involving the use of experimental data to identify an error model for a shipboard velocity measuring system is presented to illustrate the technique.
Can oil tax policy change exploration levels?: Empirical evidence from Alaska oil legislation

ABSTRACT The main contribution of this paper is to examine the effect of a change in Alaska’s oil tax policy such as the 2007 Alaska’s Clear and Equitable Share (ACES) on the production of oil in Alaska, controlling for changes in macroeconomic conditions such as crude oil prices and interest rates. An autogressive distributed lag (ARDL) approach is employed to quarterly data for 1986:q1–2013:q1. The results show that the 2007 ACES has a significantly adverse effect on Alaska oil production in the both short- and long run. It is also found that the oil price plays a determinant role in influencing the short- and long-run behavior of Alaska oil production. Finally, the interest rate has been a significant effect on oil production in the short run, but has little impact in the long run.
Biomarkers of ambient air pollution and lung cancer: a systematic review

The association between ambient air pollution exposure and lung cancer risk has been investigated in prospective studies and the results are generally consistent, indicating that long-term exposure to air pollution may cause lung cancer. Despite the prospective nature and consistent findings of these studies, causality assessment can benefit from biomarker research. In the present systematic review, we assess the contribution of intermediate biomarkers in epidemiological studies, to ascertain whether their measurement reinforces causal reasoning. We have reviewed 524 papers which described the relationships between ambient air pollution and biological markers of dose and early response. The evidence for each marker was evaluated using assessment criteria which rate a group of studies from A (strong) to C (weak) on amount of evidence, replication of findings, and protection from bias. Biomarkers that scored A or B for all three criteria are included here. The markers that fulfilled the inclusion criteria are: 1-hydroxypyrene, DNA adducts, chromosomal aberrations, micronuclei, oxidative damage to nucleobases, and methylation changes. These biomarkers cover the whole spectrum of disease onset and progression from external exposure to tumour formation and some have also been suggested as risk predictors of future cancer, reinforcing causal reasoning. However, methodological issues such as confounding, publication bias and use of surrogate tissues instead of target tissues in studies on these markers are of concern. The identified biological markers have potential to shed light on the pathways of carcinogenesis, thus defining the association more clearly for public health interventions.
Cysteine residues in the Vif protein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 are essential for viral infectivity

The infectivity factor of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), Vif, contains two cysteine residues which are highly conserved among animal lentiviruses. We introduced substitutions of leucine for cysteine residues in the vif gene of a full-length HIV-1 clone to analyze their roles in viral infection. Mutant viruses containing substitutions in either Cys-114, Cys-133, or both displayed a vif-negative infection phenotype similar to that of an isogeneic vif deletion mutant, namely, a cell-dependent complete to partial loss of infectivity. The vif defect could be complemented by cotransfection of mutant viral DNA with a Vif expression vector, and there was no evidence that recombination contributed to the repair of the vif deficiency. The viral protein profile, as determined by immunoblotting, in cells infected with cysteine substitution mutants and that in wild-type virus were similar, including the presence of the 23-kDa Vif polypeptide. In addition, immunoblotting with an antiserum directed against the carboxyl terminus of gp41 revealed that gp41 was intact in cells infected with either wild-type or vif mutant HIV-1, excluding that Vif cleaves the C terminus of gp41. Our results indicate that the cysteines in HIV-1 Vif are critical for Vif function in viral infectivity.
Influence of platelet‐derived growth factor on osseous remodeling properties of a variable‐thread tapered dental implant in vivo

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effect of platelet-derived growth factor (rhPDGF-BB) on the promotion of osteogenesis around variable-thread tapered implants in an animal model. MATERIAL AND METHODS Twenty-four variable-thread tapered implants were inserted in the tibia of 12 rabbits. Twelve sites received additional rhPDGF-BB released from a presoaked xenogenic bone block that was fixed supracrestally. Primary outcomes were bone-to-implant contact (BIC; in % ± SD) and percentage of medullary bone fill around the implants (PMF; in % ± SD) after 3 weeks (PDGF n = 6, no PDGF n = 6) and 6 weeks (PDGF n = 6, no PDGF n = 6). RESULTS Considerable crestal and medullary bone remodeling could be found around all implants. After 3 weeks, both BIC and PMF values were higher in the no PDGF group (BIC: 63% ± 10 with PDGF vs. 85% ± 5 with no PDGF; PMF: 57% ± 10 with PDGF vs. 74% ± 4 with no PDGF). After 6 weeks, the BIC difference between the two groups was less distinct (BIC: 78% ± 17 with PDGF vs. 72% ± 25 with no PDGF), whereas the PDGF group showed higher PMF values (PMF: 77% ± 5 with PDGF vs. 56% ± 10 with no PDGF). CONCLUSIONS The addition of rhPDGF-BB decreases early osseous crestal and medullar healing properties around dental implants. In a later phase, an increase in the cortical area as well as an increased medullar bone formation was seen. This response is likely to provide stronger secondary stability and stability in suboptimal situations involving poor-quality bone.
Methods of parentage analysis in natural populations

The recent proliferation of hypervariable molecular markers has ushered in a surge of techniques for the analysis of parentage in natural and experimental populations. Consequently, the potential for meaningful studies of paternity and maternity is at an all‐time high. However, the details and implementation of the multifarious techniques often differ in subtle ways that can influence the results of parentage analyses. Now is a good time to reflect on the available techniques and to consider their strengths and weaknesses. Here, we review the leading techniques in parentage analysis, with a particular emphasis on those that have been implemented in readily useable software packages. Our survey leads to some important insights with respect to the utility of the different approaches. This review should serve as a useful guide to anyone who wishes to embark on the study of parentage.
Propagule pressure and colony social organization are associated with the successful invasion and rapid range expansion of fire ants in China

We characterized patterns of genetic variation in populations of the fire ant Solenopsis invicta in China using mitochondrial DNA sequences and nuclear microsatellite loci to test predictions as to how propagule pressure and subsequent dispersal following establishment jointly shape the invasion success of this ant in this recently invaded area. Fire ants in Wuchuan (Guangdong Province) are genetically differentiated from those found in other large infested areas of China. The immediate source of ants in Wuchuan appears to be somewhere near Texas, which ranks first among the southern USA infested states in the exportation of goods to China. Most colonies from spatially distant, outlying areas in China are genetically similar to one another and appear to share a common source (Wuchuan, Guangdong Province), suggesting that long‐distance jump dispersal has been a prevalent means of recent spread of fire ants in China. Furthermore, most colonies at outlier sites are of the polygyne social form (featuring multiple egg‐laying queens per nest), reinforcing the important role of this social form in the successful invasion of new areas and subsequent range expansion following invasion. Several analyses consistently revealed characteristic signatures of genetic bottlenecks for S. invicta populations in China. The results of this study highlight the invasive potential of this pest ant, suggest that the magnitude of international trade may serve as a predictor of propagule pressure and indicate that rates and patterns of subsequent range expansion are partly determined by the interplay between species traits and the trade and transportation networks.
Dok-2 Adaptor Protein Regulates the Shear-dependent Adhesive Function of Platelet Integrin αIIbβ3 in Mice*

Background: Dok proteins are negative regulators of immunoreceptor signaling and, potentially, integrin adhesion receptors. Results: Deficiency of Dok-2 results in enhanced shear-dependent integrin adhesion in platelets, leading to accelerated platelet thrombus growth. Conclusion: Dok-2 is a shear-specific negative regulator of blood clot formation. Significance: Dok-2 regulates biomechanical platelet adhesion, and targeting this molecule may provide new avenues to regulate thrombosis. The Dok proteins are a family of adaptor molecules that have a well defined role in regulating cellular migration, immune responses, and tumor progression. Previous studies have demonstrated that Doks-1 to 3 are expressed in platelets and that Dok-2 is tyrosine-phosphorylated downstream of integrin αIIbβ3, raising the possibility that it participates in integrin αIIbβ3 outside-in signaling. We demonstrate that Dok-2 in platelets is primarily phosphorylated by Lyn kinase. Moreover, deficiency of Dok-2 leads to dysregulated integrin αIIbβ3-dependent cytosolic calcium flux and phosphatidylinositol(3,4)P2 accumulation. Although agonist-induced integrin αIIbβ3 affinity regulation was unaltered in Dok-2−/− platelets, Dok-2 deficiency was associated with a shear-dependent increase in integrin αIIbβ3 adhesive function, resulting in enhanced platelet-fibrinogen and platelet-platelet adhesive interactions under flow. This increase in adhesion was restricted to discoid platelets and involved the shear-dependent regulation of membrane tethers. Dok-2 deficiency was associated with an increased rate of platelet aggregate formation on thrombogenic surfaces, leading to accelerated thrombus growth in vivo. Overall, this study defines an important role for Dok-2 in regulating biomechanical adhesive function of discoid platelets. Moreover, they define a previously unrecognized prothrombotic mechanism that is not detected by conventional platelet function assays.
Two-Level VSC Based Predictive Direct Torque Control of the Doubly Fed Induction Machine With Reduced Torque and Flux Ripples at Low Constant Switching Frequency

In this paper, a new predictive direct torque control (DTC) strategy of the doubly fed induction machine (DFIM) is presented. It is especially designed to operate at a considerably low constant switching frequency, reducing the electromagnetic torque and rotor flux ripples, in order to provide good steady-state and fast dynamic performances. This control is convenient for high power drive and generator applications, with restricted switching frequency. The DFIM is connected to the grid by the stator and the rotor is fed by a two level voltage source converter. In addition, this control method allows to implement a technique that reduces the switching power losses of the converter. Finally, experimental results show that the proposed DTC method effectively reduces the torque and flux ripples at low switching frequency, even under variable speed operation conditions.
Contrast-enhanced ultrasound guided biopsy of superficial toraco-abdominal and neck lesions. Initial experience in 20 patients.

AIM In the diagnostic workup of superficial located tumors, percutaneous biopsy plays an important role. However, a successful retrieval of an adequate tissue sample is achievable in only 80-90% of the cases, mainly due to tissue inhomogenities. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) was successfully used to optimize the percutaneous biopsy in several tumors. The aim of our study was to assess the feasibility of CEUS as a direct guiding method for percutaneous biopsy of superficial toraco-abdominal and neck tumors. MATERIAL AND METHODS Twenty patients aged 12-75 years with superficial toraco-abdominal and neck masses were studied. CEUS guided biopsy was performed using the contrast harmonic imaging technique with 9 MHz broadband linear transducer (10 cases) or 3.5MHz transducer (10 cases). The needle (18 G Bard coupled on an automatic device Bard Magnum) was directed in arterial phase into the enhanced, perfused areas. The following parameters were recorded: maximal length of the tumor, perfusion pattern, number of passages, length of the specimen, rate of complications. RESULTS The mean maximal length of the tumor was 6.95 cm (range 4-10.6 cm). CEUS guided biopsy was technical successful in 100% of patients. The mean number of passages needed to sample a good specimen was 1.6, range 1-3. The mean length of the specimen was 1.18 cm, range 0.8-1.4cm. The perfusion patterns of the tumors in our series were: P1-non-enhancing mass- 11.1 %, P2 peripherally enhancing mass with non-enhancing central area -5.6%, P3 diffusely enhancing mass with scattered non-enhancing areas -77.7 % and P4 completely homogeneously enhancing masses -5.6% of patients. The sensitivity of CEUS guided biopsy in the diagnosis of superficial tumors was 100%. For adenopathies a sub-typing was possible in all cases. There was only one minor hematoma around the punctured tumor in one patient. CONCLUSIONS In our series 83% of the tumors had a perfusion pattern (P2 and P3) that may lead to sampling errors in case of US guided biopsy. CEUS guided biopsy of toraco-abdominal and neck tumors is a feasible technique that improves the sensitivity of percutaneous biopsy to 100%.
Work for Passion or Money? Variations in Artists’ Labor Supply

Summary This paper assesses the relative impact of work for money or work for passion on Norwegian artists by examining artists’ labor supply. Our contribution is twofold. The first is to test the work-preference model and the second is to investigate the impact of arts grants on artists’ labor supply. The empirical specification draws two distinctions: between arts and non-arts income and between labor and non-labor income. Non-labor income is divided into three different sources: (1) spouse's income, (2) income from financial assets and social benefits, and (3) arts grants and subsidies. Our contribution adds to the literature by estimating the significance of these various income sources on the time allocated to arts work, non-arts work, and leisure. The results provide convincing evidence for the work-preference model, and ad hoc evidence shows that art grants have a significant positive effect on the supply of arts hours. This finding supports arts policy and shows the impact of art grants on artists’ motivation to work on their arts. The causality of wages on supply is demonstrated by estimating the effects of wage shocks (grants) on arts labor supply using fixed-effect and difference-in-difference methods.
Possibilities and Challenges of Teaching Integrated Math and Social Studies for Social Justice: Two Teacher Educators' Collaborative Self-Study

In this paper, we—one mathematics teacher educator and one social studies teacher educator—describe a project where we collaborated to model teaching integrated mathematics and social studies for social justice in our methods courses. We encountered varied challenges in our efforts to prepare teacher candidates for socialjustice-oriented lessons. These challenges included teacher candidates’ perception of authority/credibility of their professors who were foreign females from the “Third World”, teacher candidates’ deficit views on minoritized students, and the limited time and resources for teacher collaboration in teacher education. Despite these challenges, we believe this kind of project is necessary to move forward in teacher preparation for social justice education.
Telepresent intubation supervision is as effective as in-person supervision of procedurally naive operators.

BACKGROUND Telepresence is emerging in clinical and educational settings as a potential modality to provide expert guidance during remote airway management. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of telepresent versus in-person supervision of tracheal intubation. MATERIALS AND METHODS A randomized, crossover study was performed in a university medical simulation center with 48 first- and second-year medical students with no formal procedural training in tracheal intubation. Each participant was assigned to receive each of four study arms in random sequence: (1) direct laryngoscopy (DL) with in-person supervision, (2) DL with telepresent supervision, (3) videolaryngoscopy (VL) with in-person supervision, and (4) VL with telepresent supervision. Telepresence was established with a smartphone (Apple [Cupertino, CA] iPhone(®)) via FaceTime(®) connection. The primary outcome measure was the time to successful intubation. Secondary outcome measures included first pass success rate and the number of blade and tube attempts. RESULTS There was no significant difference between in-person and telepresent supervision for any of the outcomes. The median difference (in-person versus telepresent) for time to intubation was -3 s (95% confidence interval [CI], -20 to 14 s). The odds ratio for first attempt success was 0.7 (95% CI, 0.3-1.3), and the rate ratio for extra number of blade attempts (i.e., attempts in addition to first) was 1.1 (95% CI, 0.7-1.7) and 1.4 (95% CI, 0.9-2.2) for extra number of tube attempts. CONCLUSIONS In this study population of procedurally naive medical students, telepresent supervision was as effective as in-person supervision for tracheal intubation.
AMPK and Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Signaling Regulates K-Ras Plasma Membrane Interactions via Cyclic GMP-Dependent Protein Kinase 2

ABSTRACT K-Ras must localize to the plasma membrane and be arrayed in nanoclusters for biological activity. We show here that K-Ras is a substrate for cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinases (PKGs). In intact cells, activated PKG2 selectively colocalizes with K-Ras on the plasma membrane and phosphorylates K-Ras at Ser181 in the C-terminal polybasic domain. K-Ras phosphorylation by PKG2 is triggered by activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and requires endothelial nitric oxide synthase and soluble guanylyl cyclase. Phosphorylated K-Ras reorganizes into distinct nanoclusters that retune the signal output. Phosphorylation acutely enhances K-Ras plasma membrane affinity, but phosphorylated K-Ras is progressively lost from the plasma membrane via endocytic recycling. Concordantly, chronic pharmacological activation of AMPK → PKG2 signaling with mitochondrial inhibitors, nitric oxide, or sildenafil inhibits proliferation of K-Ras-positive non-small cell lung cancer cells. The study shows that K-Ras is a target of a metabolic stress-signaling pathway that can be leveraged to inhibit oncogenic K-Ras function.
Overlap in Facebook Profiles Reflects Relationship Closeness

ABSTRACT We assessed the association between self-reported Inclusion of Other in the Self (IOS) and Facebook overlap. Ninety-two participants completed online measures of IOS and investment model constructs. Researchers then recorded Facebook data from participants’ profile pages. Results from multilevel models revealed that IOS predicted Facebook overlap. Furthermore, Facebook overlap was associated with commitment and investment in ways comparable to self-reported IOS. These findings suggest that overlap in Facebook profiles can be used to measure relationship closeness.
Enhancement of Light Extraction for InGaN LEDs by Means of Beveled Sapphire and Cup-Shaped Copper Sheeting

In this letter, InGaN light-emitting diode (LED) structures fabricated with beveled sapphire substrates and embedded in cup-shaped copper sheets are presented. Using Trace-Pro simulation, the shaped sapphire with an optimum beveled angle of 75° was determined to enhance the light extraction of LEDs. The thermal dissipation for high power LEDs can be improved by embedding them in cup-shaped copper sheets. At an injection current of 350 mA, the output powers of LED with conventional structure and LEDs with original and beveled sapphires, both embedded in cup-shaped copper sheets, are 325.4, 372.6, and 395.6 mW, respectively, while the power efficiencies are 27.6%, 31.5%, and 33.3%, respectively. It indicates that the light extraction and output power of LED devices can be enhanced with the aid of beveled sapphires and cup-shaped copper sheets.
Comprehensive functional analysis of chymotrypsin C (CTRC) variants reveals distinct loss-of-function mechanisms associated with pancreatitis risk

Objective The digestive enzyme chymotrypsin C (CTRC) protects against pancreatitis by promoting degradation of trypsinogen, thereby curtailing potentially harmful trypsinogen activation. Loss-of-function variants in CTRC increase the risk for chronic pancreatitis. The aim of the present study was to perform comprehensive functional analysis of all missense CTRC variants identified to date. Design We investigated secretion, activity and degradation of 27 published and five novel CTRC mutants. We also assessed the effect of five mutants on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Results None of the mutants exhibited a gain of function, such as increased secretion or activity. By contrast, 11 mutants showed marked loss of function, three mutants had moderate functional defects, whereas 18 mutants were functionally similar to wild-type CTRC. The functional deficiencies observed were diminished secretion, impaired catalytic activity and degradation by trypsin. Mutants with a secretion defect caused ER stress that was proportional to the loss in secretion. ER stress was not associated with loss-of-function phenotypes related to catalytic defect or proteolytic instability. Conclusions Pathogenic CTRC variants cause loss of function by three distinct but mutually non-exclusive mechanisms that affect secretion, activity and proteolytic stability. ER stress may be induced by a subset of CTRC mutants, but does not represent a common pathological mechanism of CTRC variants. This phenotypic dataset should aid in the classification of the clinical relevance of CTRC variants identified in patients with chronic pancreatitis.
Exploiting the Distinctiveness of Blogs to Overcome Geographic Isolation

This paper explores the distinctiveness of the blog as a new kind of text and the capacity for blogs to connect and engage students in distinctively different ways. Web 2.0 provides many opportunities to connect otherwise geographically isolated people. Further, Web 2.0 texts, such as blogs, cultivate new techno-social communicative practices. To take advantage of blogs in rural educational settings, an understanding of the affordances of these new texts must inform English curriculum development and teaching. The paper discusses the ways in which blogs differ from other texts, and how opportunities for co-authorship may be used to overcome geographical isolation for students.