Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Private School Choice and Character: More Evidence from Milwaukee

We examine the effects of Milwaukee’s school voucher program on adult criminal activity and paternity suits. Using matched student-level data, we find that exposure to the program in 8th or 9th grade predicts lower rates of conviction for criminal activity and lower rates of paternity suits by ages 25 to 28. Specifically, exposure to the MPCP is associated with a reduction of around 53 percent in drug convictions, 86 percent in property damage convictions, and 38 percent in paternity suits. The program effects tend to be largest for males and students with lower levels of academic achievement at baseline.
Vehicles detection and tracking in videos for very crowded scenes

Counting and tracking vehicles in very crowded scenes is a very challenging problem, where many products require discipline conditions to deal with. In this paper, a novel algorithm for automatically counting the number of moving vehicles and estimating their velocities and paths in regular and very crowded scenes, under different conditions, is presented. In this method, interest points are detected and trajectories are calculated independently where confusing trajectories are removed. Initial clustering of the interest points based on proposed mathematical relations is performed. The number of moving vehicles is estimated by grouping the initial clusters based on a new adaptive background construction method, maximum sub-rectangle sum algorithm and disjoint set data structure. Our algorithm has been applied to a collected dataset representing very crowded traffic scenes, where it showed an excellent high accuracy. In addition, it has low storage and computational requirements, which promotes it for real time applications.
FINE ROOT ARCHITECTURE OF NINE NORTH AMERICAN TREES

The fine roots of trees are concentrated on lateral branches that arise from perennial roots. They are important in the acquisition of water and essential nutrients, and at the ecosystem level, they make a significant contribution to biogeochemical cycling. Fine roots have often been studied according to arbitrary size classes, e.g., all roots less than 1 or 2 mm in diameter. Because of the size class approach, the position of an individual root on the complex lateral branching system has often been ignored, and relationships between the form of the branching root system and its function are poorly understood. The fine roots of both gymnosperms and angiosperms, which formed ectomycorrhizae (EM) and arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) fungal associations, were sampled in 1998 and 1999. Study sites were chosen to encompass a wide variety of environments in four regions of North America. Intact lateral branches were collected from each species and 18 561 individual roots were dissected by order, with distal roots numbered as first-order roots. This scheme is similar to the one commonly used to number the order of streams. Fine root diameter, length, specific root length (SRL; m/g), and nitrogen (N) concentration of nine North American tree species (Acer saccharunz, Juniperus monosperma, Liriodendron tulipifera, Picea glauca, Pinus edulis, Pinus elliottii, Pinus resinosa, Populus balsamifera, and Quercus alba) were then compared and contrasted. Lateral roots 75% of the total number and length of individual roots sampled in all species except Liriodendron tulipifera. Both SRL and N concentration decreased with increasing root order in all nine species, and this pattern appears to be universal in all temperate and boreal trees. Nitrogen concentrations ranged from 8.5 to 30.9 g/kg and were highest in the first-order "root tips. " On a mass basis, first- order roots are expensive to maintain per unit time (high tissue N concentration). Tissue N appears to be a key factor in understanding the C cost of maintaining first- and second- order roots, which dominate the display of absorbing root length. There were many sig- nificant differences among species in diameter, length, SRL, and N concentration. For example, two different species can have similar SRL but very different tissue N concen- trations. Our findings run contrary to the common idea that all roots of a given size class function the same way and that a common size class for fine roots works well for all species. Interestingly, fine root lateral branches are apparently deciduous, with a distinct lateral branch scar. The position of an individual root on the branching root system appears to be important in understanding the function of fine roots.
Human plasma ATP concentration.

BACKGROUND Human plasma ATP concentration is reported in many studies as roughly 1000 nmol/L. The present study tested the hypothesis that the measured plasma ATP concentration is lower if ATP release from formed blood elements is inhibited during blood sample processing. A second hypothesis was that pretreatment with aspirin to inhibit platelets would reduce the measured plasma concentration of ATP. METHODS Blood was sampled from the antecubital vein in 20 healthy individuals 30 and 60 min after ingestion of aspirin (325 mg) or placebo. Aliquots of each blood sample were added to the usual EDTA/saline solution to inhibit ATP catabolism, or to a new stabilizing solution designed to both stop ATP catabolism and inhibit ATP release from blood elements. The stabilizing solution contained NaCl, EDTA, tricine buffer, KCl, nitrobenzylthioinosine, forskolin, and isobutylmethylxanthine. Plasma ATP was measured with the luciferin-luciferase assay with standard additions in each sample to determine ATP content. Hemoglobin concentration was used as an index of sample hemolysis, and the plasma ATP concentration was corrected for the hemolysis component. RESULTS Aspirin pretreatment had no effect on plasma ATP concentrations. However, use of the stabilizing solution resulted in mean (SD) ATP concentrations 8-fold lower than the use of EDTA alone [28 (16) vs 236 (201) nmol/L; P <0.001]. CONCLUSION When precautions are taken to inhibit ATP release from blood elements during sample preparation, human venous plasma ATP concentration is much lower than previously reported.
Designing and Implementing a Basel II Compliant PIT-TTC Ratings Framework

From 'The Basel Handbook' a description of a framework for calculating both "point-in-time" (PIT) and "through-the-cycle" (TTC) PDs, to enable banks to achieve Basel II compliance at an advanced level. The framework described here reflects broadly the one implemented globally in May 2005 at Barclays Capital.
A liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method for the quantification of urinary albumin using a novel 15N-isotopically labeled albumin internal standard.

Recent studies suggest that microalbuminuria confers increased cardiovascular risk, even in nondiabetic and nonhypertensive persons (1)(2). Clinically, the testing of microalbuminuria uses immunochemical methods. Controversy exists, however, regarding the accuracy of immunochemical and chromatographic methods for quantifying urine albumin (3). We earlier reported on liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) for measurement of urinary albumin with bovine serum albumin (BSA) as an internal standard (4). We now report the preparation of 15N-labeled albumin as an internal standard and the validation of its use in an LC-MS assay for quantifying low concentrations of albumin in the urine of patients. The Pichia pastoris strain GS115/His+Muts (Invitrogen) was used to synthesize 15N-labeled human serum albumin (HSA) [see details in the Data Supplement that accompanies the online version of this Letter at http://www.clinchem. org/content/vol53/issue3]. A Q-TOF Premier™ mass spectrometer (Waters/Micromass) was used to characterize the 15N-labeled HSA and study its fragmentation. Loo et al. (5) previously reported the generation of source-induced fragmentation of intact proteins in an electrospray ionization source of …
Rescue of Progeria in Trichothiodystrophy by Homozygous Lethal Xpd Alleles

Although compound heterozygosity, or the presence of two different mutant alleles of the same gene, is common in human recessive disease, its potential to impact disease outcome has not been well documented. This is most likely because of the inherent difficulty in distinguishing specific biallelic effects from differences in environment or genetic background. We addressed the potential of different recessive alleles to contribute to the enigmatic pleiotropy associated with XPD recessive disorders in compound heterozygous mouse models. Alterations in this essential helicase, with functions in both DNA repair and basal transcription, result in diverse pathologies ranging from elevated UV sensitivity and cancer predisposition to accelerated segmental progeria. We report a variety of biallelic effects on organismal phenotype attributable to combinations of recessive Xpd alleles, including the following: (i) the ability of homozygous lethal Xpd alleles to ameliorate a variety of disease symptoms when their essential basal transcription function is supplied by a different disease-causing allele, (ii) differential developmental and tissue-specific functions of distinct Xpd allele products, and (iii) interallelic complementation, a phenomenon rarely reported at clinically relevant loci in mammals. Our data suggest a re-evaluation of the contribution of “null” alleles to XPD disorders and highlight the potential of combinations of recessive alleles to affect both normal and pathological phenotypic plasticity in mammals.
Sybil attack defending trusted AODV in ad-hoc netwok

Security is most essential for communication in ad-hoc network to secure data delivery between source node and destination node. A very well known harmful attack is Sybil attack where a node pretends multiple identities of several target nodes. In this paper, we have introduced an on-demand trusted approach to defend Sybil attack. We have chosen a on-demand routing protocol, AODV and proposed a trust computation based sybil attack avoidance mechanism in AODV, by enhancing the protocol along with the context aware TOR (Trusted On-demand Routing) model. In proposed model, three major modules: Node Manager, Trust Module and Decision Manager are included. Decision Manager secures the routing path on basis of the trust value, computed in the Trust Module. Node Manager reacts accordingly to AODV in response. Our analysis and simulation results show the effectiveness of our proposal against sybil attack.
Design and analysis of subwavelength RMPA using double folded I shaped ENG metamaterial

This paper presents design of a subwavelength patch antenna using epsilon negative metamaterial. Firstly, the metamaterial is designed at resonant frequency of reference rectangular patch antenna at 5.2 GHz and then this designed metamaterial is applied underneath the reference patch antenna. Addition of ENG metamaterial underneath the patch antenna decreases its resonant frequency. Simulation results shows that as the number ENG metamaterial layer underneath the patch increases the resonant frequency of reference antenna shift gradually to the lower side.
D thermal modeling of a solid oxide electrolyzer cell ( SOEC ) for syngas production by H 2 O / CO 2 co-electrolysis

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) can be operated in a reversed mode as electrolyzer cells for electrolysis of H2O and CO2. In this paper, a 2D thermal model is developed to study the heat/mass transfer and chemical/electrochemical reactions in a solid oxide electrolyzer cell (SOEC) for H2O/CO2 co-electrolysis. The model is based on 3 sub-models: a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model describing the fluid flow and heat/mass transfer; an electrochemical model relating the current density and operating potential; and a chemical model describing the reversible water gas shift reaction (WGSR) and reversible methanation reaction. It is found that reversible methanation and reforming reactions are not favored in H2O/CO2 co-electrolysis. For comparison, the reversible WGSR can significantly influence the co-electrolysis behavior. The effects of inlet temperature and inlet gas composition on H2O/CO2 co-electrolysis are simulated and discussed. Copyright a 2012, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights
Systems Perspectives and Levels of Analysis : A Systemic Framework for Examining Organizational Interactions

Up to now, systems theory is still a fundamental means that provides us with explanations about organizational interaction. The purpose of this paper is to develop a systemic framework that assists students of organizations concerning organizational interactions to assign an appropriate theoretical perspective and analytical level that help achieving their research objectives. Our methodology to portray such a guiding framework builds upon adapting Scott’s (2003) typology of organization theories. This is to classify traditional organization studies into distinctive systems perspectives according to their view of organizational interaction. We then use Blau’s (1957) typology of analytical levels to demonstrate how organization studies focus on different system levels as they analyze organizational interactions. Through combining systems perspectives with levels of analysis, we draw our results about organizational interactions. We found that organization studies adopting close rational and natural systems perspectives employ social psychological or structural analysis. This is to demonstrate interactions among individual participants or organizational work groups as they accomplish organizational goals. Otherwise, studies that are drawn upon open rational and natural perspectives employ social psychological, structural and ecological analysis. This is to reveal inter-personal, inter-groups or inter-organizational interactions as they cope with changes in organizational environment.
Combining regular decimation and dual graph contraction for hierarchical image segmentation

The Bounded Irregular Pyramid (BIP) is a hierarchical structure for image representation whose aim is to combine concepts from regular and irregular pyramids. The data structure is a combination of the simplest regular and irregular structures: the 2× 2/4 regular one and the simple graph representation. However, simple graphs only take into account adjacency relationships, being unable to correctly encode the topology of the image. This paper proposes a new version of the BIP, where the regular decimation process is now merged with a stochastic graph decimation strategy. Experiments demonstrate that this new irregular pyramid is able to provide qualitative good segmentation results and to preserve the topology of the input image at higher levels of its hierarchy. Keyworks image segmentation; regular pyramid; irregular pyramid; dual graph data struc-
Influenza Surveillance and Incidence in a Rural Area in China during the 2009/2010 Influenza Pandemic

Background Most influenza surveillance is based on data from urban sentinel hospitals; little is known about influenza activity in rural communities. We conducted influenza surveillance in a rural region of China with the aim of detecting influenza activity in the 2009/2010 influenza season. Methods The study was conducted from October 2009 to March 2010. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to confirm influenza cases. Over-the-counter (OTC) drug sales were daily collected in drugstores and hospitals/clinics. Space-time scan statistics were used to identify clusters of ILI in community. The incidence rate of ILI/influenza was estimated on the basis of the number of ILI/influenza cases detected by the hospitals/clinics. Results A total of 434 ILI cases (3.88% of all consultations) were reported; 64.71% of these cases were influenza A (H1N1) pdm09. The estimated incidence rate of ILI and influenza were 5.19/100 and 0.40/100, respectively. The numbers of ILI cases and OTC drug purchases in the previous 7 days were strongly correlated (Spearman rank correlation coefficient [r] = 0.620, P = 0.001). Four ILI outbreaks were detected by space-time permutation analysis. Conclusions This rural community surveillance detected influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 activity and outbreaks in the 2009/2010 influenza season and enabled estimation of the incidence rate of influenza. It also provides a scientific data for public health measures.
Floating Point Hardware for Embedded Processors in FPGAs: Design Space Exploration for Performance and Area

Although the use of floating point hardware in FPGAs has long been considered unfeasible or relegated to use only in expensive devices and platforms, this is no longer the case. This paper describes fully-fledged implementations of single-precision floating point units for a MIPS processor architecture implementation. These coprocessors take as little room as 6% of a medium-sized FPGA, while the processor CPU may take only 2% of the same device. The space exploration process described here values the area and performance metrics and considers variations on the choice of synthesis tool, floating point unit generation method and architectural issues like clocking schemes. The conducted experiments show reductions of up to 22 times in clock cycles count for typical floating point application modules, compared to the use of software-emulated floating point processing.
Designing a human computer interface system based on cognitive model

The proposed work to focus on Human Computer Interface (HCI) system, which is design by the tasks based on cognitive model of KLM model and cognitive complexity theory in GOMS model. The test plan construct the numerical ability of mathematical solving problems based on ninth and tenth standard level, logical reasoning, perceptual speed accuracy of the student and brain dominant students in gender. The development of interface design provides to evaluate the students cognitive skill and behavior by the formation of usability metrics. An evaluation can be performed based on laboratory with end user for examine the human factor experts determines the exact task in the test plan.
Frontal Bone Insufficiency in Gsk3β Mutant Mice

The development of the mammalian skull is a complex process that requires multiple tissue interactions and a balance of growth and differentiation. Disrupting this balance can lead to changes in the shape and size of skull bones, which can have serious clinical implications. For example, insufficient ossification of the bony elements leads to enlarged anterior fontanelles and reduced mechanical protection of the brain. In this report, we find that loss of Gsk3β leads to a fully penetrant reduction of frontal bone size and subsequent enlarged frontal fontanelle. In the absence of Gsk3β the frontal bone primordium undergoes increased cell death and reduced proliferation with a concomitant increase in Fgfr2-IIIc and Twist1 expression. This leads to a smaller condensation and premature differentiation. This phenotype appears to be Wnt-independent and is not rescued by decreasing the genetic dose of β-catenin/Ctnnb1. Taken together, our work defines a novel role for Gsk3β in skull development.
Kainic Acid-induced F-344 Rat model of Mesial Temporal Lobe Epilepsy: Gene Expression and Canonical Pathways

Mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) is a severe neurological condition of unknown pathogenesis for which several animal models have been developed. To obtain a better understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms and identify potential biomarkers of lesion progression, we used a rat kainic acid (KA) treatment model of MTLE coupled with global gene expression analysis to examine temporal (four hours, days 3, 14, or 28) gene regulation relative to hippocampal histopathological changes. The authors recommend reviewing the companion histopathology paper (Sharma et al. 2008) to get a better understanding of the work presented here. Analysis of filtered gene expression data using Ingenuity Pathways Analysis (Ingenuity Systems, http://www.ingenuity.com) revealed that a number of genes pertaining to neuronal plasticity (RhoA, Rac1, Cdc42, BDNF, and Trk), neurodegeneration (Caspase3, Calpain 1, Bax, a Cytochrome c, and Smac/Diablo), and inflammation/immune-response pathways (TNF-α, CCL2, Cox2) were modulated in a temporal fashion after KA treatment. Expression changes for selected genes known to have a role in neuronal plasticity were subsequently validated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Notably, canonical pathway analysis revealed that a number of genes within the axon guidance signaling canonical pathway were up-regulated from Days 3 to 28, which correlated with aberrant mossy fiber (MF) sprouting observed histologically beginning at Day 6. Importantly, analysis of the gene expression data also identified potential biomarkers for monitoring neurodegeneration (Cox2) and neuronal/synaptic plasticity (Kalrn).
Loss Analysis of Permanent-Magnet Motors With Concentrated Windings—Variation of Magnet Eddy-Current Loss Due to Stator and Rotor Shapes

In this paper, we investigate losses, including magnet eddy-current loss of permanent-magnet synchronous motors with concentrated windings. A 3-D finite-element method that considers carrier harmonics of pulsewidth modulation inverters is utilized to calculate the losses in each part of the motor separately. A simple linear magnetic circuit model is also introduced in order to understand the mechanism of eddy-current loss generation in the magnet. First, the measured and calculated results are compared to verify the validity of the analysis. Next, the variation of the losses due to the stator and rotor shapes is investigated, for instance, concentrated and distributed stator windings and interior and surface-mounted permanent magnets. It is clarified that the eddy-current loss of the permanent magnet in the concentrated winding motor is much larger than that in the distributed winding motor. The difference of the loss generation mechanism due to the rotor shape is also clarified.
Towards a Relation Extraction Framework for Cyber-Security Concepts

In order to assist security analysts in obtaining information pertaining to their network, such as novel vulnerabilities, exploits, or patches, information retrieval methods tailored to the security domain are needed. As labeled text data is scarce and expensive, we follow developments in semi-supervised Natural Language Processing and implement a bootstrapping algorithm for extracting security entities and their relationships from text. The algorithm requires little input data, specifically, a few relations or patterns (heuristics for identifying relations), and incorporates an active learning component which queries the user on the most important decisions to prevent drifting from the desired relations. Preliminary testing on a small corpus shows promising results, obtaining precision of . 82.
MEMS-Based 180$^{\circ}$ Phase Switch for Differential Radiometers

In this paper, a new uniplanar 180° phase switch suitable for space differential radiometers is proposed. It is based on two dc-contact-microelectromechanical system (MEMS) single-pole-double-throw switches that switch between two different back-to-back coplanar-to-slotline transitions. Since these transitions are multimodal structures, rigorous multimodal models are developed to analyze them and to assess the effects of the unwanted coplanar odd mode. These models are capable of predicting under what conditions the transitions produce a good wideband, 180°-phase-shift and/or matching behavior; they are applied to the design of the 180° phase switch. A compact implementation of the phase switch in the frequency range 14-20 GHz is fabricated using the FBK-irst eight-mask surface micromachining process, featuring a 180° phase-shift bandwidth of 35% for a maximum phase error of 5° and insertion loss better than 2 dB. Experimental results show a very good agreement with the multimodal model predictions. The designed dc-contact MEMS switches fulfill the typical requirements of differential radiometers, featuring measured mechanical switching and release times of 100 and 15 ¿s, respectively.