Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nonconvex Sparse Spectral Clustering by Alternating Direction Method of Multipliers and Its Convergence Analysis

Spectral Clustering (SC) is a widely used data clustering method which first learns a low-dimensional embedding U of data by computing the eigenvectors of the normalized Laplacian matrix, and then performs k-means on UT to get the final clustering result. The Sparse Spectral Clustering (SSC) method extends SC with a sparse regularization on UUT by using the block diagonal structure prior of UUT in the ideal case. However, encouraging UUT to be sparse leads to a heavily nonconvex problem which is challenging to solve and the work (Lu, Yan, and Lin 2016) proposes a convex relaxation in the pursuit of this aim indirectly. However, the convex relaxation generally leads to a loose approximation and the quality of the solution is not clear. This work instead considers to solve the nonconvex formulation of SSC which directly encourages UUT to be sparse. We propose an efficient Alternating Direction Method of Multipliers (ADMM) to solve the nonconvex SSC and provide the convergence guarantee. In particular, we prove that the sequences generated by ADMM always exist a limit point and any limit point is a stationary point. Our analysis does not impose any assumptions on the iterates and thus is practical. Our proposed ADMM for nonconvex problems allows the stepsize to be increasing but upper bounded, and this makes it very efficient in practice. Experimental analysis on several real data sets verifies the effectiveness of our method.
Characterization of motifs which are critical for activity of the cyclic AMP-responsive transcription factor CREB

Cyclic AMP mediates the hormonal stimulation of a number of eukaryotic genes by directing the protein kinase A (PK-A)-dependent phosphorylation of transcription factor CREB. We have previously determined that although phosphorylation at Ser-133 is critical for induction, this site does not appear to participate directly in transactivation. To test the hypothesis that CREB ultimately activates transcription through domains that are distinct from the PK-A site, we constructed a series of CREB mutants and evaluated them by transient assays in F9 teratocarcinoma cells. Remarkably, a glutamine-rich region near the N terminus appeared to be important for PK-A-mediated induction of CREB since removal of this domain caused a marked reduction in CREB activity. A second region consisting of a short acidic motif (DLSSD) C terminal to the PK-A site also appeared to synergize with the phosphorylation motif to permit transcriptional activation. Biochemical experiments with purified recombinant CREB protein further demonstrate that the transactivation domain is more sensitive to trypsin digestion than are the DNA-binding and dimerization domains, suggesting that the activator region may be structured to permit interactions with other proteins in the RNA polymerase II complex.
An Analysis of Optimal Government Size for Growth: A Case Study of Pakistan

The government size is important for the development of the economy. We estimated optimum government size for growth in Pakistan by using Heerden (2008) methodology for period from 1973 to 2012. The results for the optimal size of the government show that all the variables are significant. The optimal size of the government size or equivalently the optimal size of the public spending is found to be around 17 percent of the GDP. The actual size of the government spending in current years is 18 percent. This finding is very much interesting since it highlights that the current size of government in Pakistan is above the optimum level or size. There is scope of reduction in ratio of total government spending to the GDP in Pakistan.
Adult Education and Earnings: Evidence from Britain

This paper uses the National Child Development Study to investigate the relationship between adult schooling and labour market earnings for men. In line with several other studies, the findings suggest that there are returns to all educational qualifications acquired early in life. A variety of statistical models are estimated to try to measure the causal effect of adult education on earnings. Careful analysis reveals that there are no genuine returns to additional qualifications awarded in middle adulthood. The central conclusion of this paper is that rates of return to human capital are greater for individuals who were educated early in life.
Regulation of Multilineage Gene Expression and Apoptosis during in vitro Expansion of Human Bone Marrow Stromal Cells with Different Cell Culture Media

The aim of the present study was to analyze the effect of 3 different expansion media on the expression of marker genes of mesenchymal differentiation (bone, cartilage, fat) as well as apoptosis and senescence during repeated passaging in human bone marrow stromal cells (hBMSCs) in order to identify potential expansion strategies for the use of these cells into tissue-engineered growth of bone. Medium 1 (EGF, PDGF, low Glc, 2% FCS) was associated with the highest proliferation rate compared to medium 2 (β-mercaptoethanol, high Glc DMEM, 15% FCS) and medium 3 (low Glc DMEM, 10% FCS). Real time RT-PCR indicated the lowest levels of expression of osteonectin, core binding factor-α 1, lipoprotein lipase and cartilage oligo matrix protein in medium-1 cultures as compared to media 2 and 3. Early passages expressed higher levels of peroxisome proliferator-activator receptor-γ2 in medium 1 than in media 2 and 3, whereas no difference of Sox-9 expression was noticed among the 3 media. Expression of apoptosis- and senescence-related genes (Bax, BCL-2 and P16INK4a) exhibited the lowest level of Bax/BCL-2 ratio and P16INK4a gene expression of hBMSC in medium 1. In conclusion, the replacement of FCS by recombinant EGF and PDGF promoted rapid proliferation of hBMSCs without inducing differentiation of hBMSCs. It also inhibited expression of apoptosis-related genes and limited replicative senescence during repeated passaging. Media with the lowest possible FCS content and replacement by EGF and PDGF thus should be used for 2D culturing during expansion of hBMSCs, whereas β-mercaptoethanol and high concentrations of FCS can help to commence osteogenic differentiation.
Efficiency analysis of UAE banks using data envelopment analysis

Purpose - The current study aims to explore and measure the profitability, marketability, and social disclosure efficiency of UAE banks using a nonparametric frontier method – data envelopment analysis (DEA). Design/methodology/approach - In order to estimate the relative efficiency of the Emirati banks based on three different dimensions: profitability, marketability and social disclosure, a sample of 20 listed Emirati banks in 2009 is first selected. Second, a disclosure index to measure the extent of their social disclosure is developed and utilized. Third, the input-oriented version of DEA model is deployed to estimate their technical and scale efficiency. Findings - Based on nonparametric Wilcoxon signed rank test, paired-difference Research limitations/implications - The sample is small, although it includes all relevant Emirati banks. Moreover, follow-up research using panel data derived from the UAE banking sector are required to test and generalize the current results. Originality/value - The paper is original in its approach by introducing social disclosure as a new empirical dimension to the literatures of banking efficiency analysis using DEA.
Purification, Cloning, and Characterization of an Acidic Ectoprotein Phosphatase Differentially Expressed in the Infectious Bloodstream Form of Trypanosoma brucei*

We purified an ecto-phosphatase of 115 kDa (TryAcP115) specifically expressed by bloodstream forms ofTrypanosoma brucei. The corresponding gene coded for a 45-kDa protein potentially including a signal peptide, a membrane-spanning domain and an N-terminal domain containing 8N-glycosylation sites. There was no significant sequence homology with other phosphatases. Antiserum to the Escherichia coli recombinant N-terminal domain, Petase7, recognized a protein of 55 kDa in Western blots after deglycosylation of the TryAcP115 protein by N-glycosidase F. Immunofluorescence and trypsin treatment of living parasites showed that TryAcP115 was localized to the surface of the parasite and that its N-terminal domain was oriented extracellularly. The recombinant N-terminal domains, expressed inE. coli and Leishmania amazonensis, harbored phosphatase activity against Tyr(P)-Raytide, Ser(P)-neurogranin, and ATP. The enzymatic properties of native TryAcP115 and the recombinant proteins for the substrate Tyr(P)-Raytide were virtually identical and included: (i) K m and V maxvalues of 15 nm and 200 pmol/min/mg, (ii) no requirement for divalent cations, and (iii) sensitivity to vanadate, sodium fluoride, and tartrate, but insensitivity to okadaic acid and tetramisole. Although the function of TryAcP115 remains unknown, a differentially expressed, unique ecto-phosphatase could regulate growth or influence parasite-host interactions and might provide a useful target for chemotherapy.
Multi-Domain Neural Machine Translation

We present an approach to neural machine translation (NMT) that supports multiple domains in a single model and allows switching between the domains when translating. The core idea is to treat text domainsasdistinctlanguagesandusemultilingual NMT methods to create multi-domain translation systems; we show that this approach results in significant translation quality gains over fine-tuning. We also explore whether the knowledge of pre-specified text domains is necessary; turns out that it is after all, but also that when it is not known quite high translation quality can be reached, and even higher than with known domains in some cases.
Local Electoral Rewards from Centralized Social Programs: Are Mayors Getting the Credit?

This paper uses variation in the timing of the Mexican antipoverty program's introduction across municipalities to identify its impact on the share of votes for the local incumbent party. Evidence is found that voters reward the mayor's party for the central benefit to their constituencies, accounting on average for 2.8 additional percentage points in the share of votes for the mayor's party. The analysis of party alignment shows that this electoral effect cannot be explained as a reward for the federal incumbent in local elections. Alternative explanations are examined, and it is shown that the effect for the local incumbent is heterogeneous for the different political parties and varies with characteristics of the municipalities, being stronger where the mayor faced more contestable elections, in capital cities of the states and in predominantly urban, more educated and relatively wealthier municipalities. Findings are consistent with the hypothesis that politicians have incentives to engage in signaling strategies to link themselves to the transfer program.
Multi-state analysis of marital status life tables: theory and application.

Abstract A multi-state life table, also known as a multi-dimensional or an increment-decrement life-table, is a generalization of the conventional life table. Members of a birth cohort are followed as they age, and move between various states of life. In this paper, the mathematical theory of multi-state life table construction is reviewed. It is shown that the mathematics becomes simple if the matrix approach, initiated by Rogers for the design of multi-regional life tables, is adopted. The theory is used to construct a multi-state nuptiality table for Belgium. An innovative feature of multi-state analysis is that the life tables obtained for each of the marital states are interrelated, since an individual leaving a particular status enters another which eventually may be left again. Life table functions not only depend on age but also on current and/or previous marital status. In the paper it is shown how the patterns of marital change, experienced by Belgian women as they age, differ with their marital.
A systematic approach to designing a wide‐current range, MOS capacitor‐based switched‐capacitor DC‐DC converter with an augmenting LDO

Switched‐capacitor DC‐DC converters (SC DC‐DC) are analyzed for loss sources, voltage regulation integrity, start‐up latency, and ripple size, while the trade‐offs between these metrics are derived. These analyses are used to design a SC DC‐DC that achieves high efficiency in a wide load current range. Four‐way interleaving was employed to reduce the output ripple and efficiency loss due to this ripple. The design can be reconfigured to achieve gains of 1/3 and 2/5 for inputs ranging between 1.4 and 3.6 V to generate output voltage range of 0.4 to 1.27 V and can supply peak load current of 22 mA. It uses thin‐oxide MOS capacitors for their high density and achieves 75.4% peak efficiency with an input frequency of 100 MHz and a load capacitor of 10 nF. An augmenting LDO that only regulates during sudden load transients helps the converter respond fast to these transients. The chip was implemented using a 65‐nm standard CMOS process.
Forecasting versus Envisioning: A New Window on the Future

Abstract In this essay I examine the ways in which the future has evolved from sweeping vision to technocratic projection. I argue that despite the centrality of a focus on the future in all of planning, forecasting alone is an inadequate and unsatisfying way to arrive at a concept of the future that can truly guide planning. In fact, projections of future needs and costs have become instruments by which powerful interests justify their efforts to impose their projects on the populace. I close by arguing that modern forecasting methods nevertheless can be used to explore alternative futures and the planning policies that they imply or suggest. In that way, forecasting can actually become a central part of collaborative planning.
The Arabidopsis Purple Acid Phosphatase AtPAP10 Is Predominantly Associated with the Root Surface and Plays an Important Role in Plant Tolerance to Phosphate Limitation1[W][OA]

Induction of secreted acid phosphatase (APase) is a universal response of higher plants to phosphate (Pi) limitation. These enzymes are thought to scavenge Pi from organophosphate compounds in the rhizosphere and thus to increase Pi availability to plants when Pi is deficient. The tight association of secreted APase with the root surface may make plants more efficient in the utilization of soil Pi around root tissues, which is present in organophosphate forms. To date, however, no systematic molecular, biochemical, and functional studies have been reported for any of the Pi starvation-induced APases that are associated with the root surface after secretion. In this work, using genetic and molecular approaches, we identified Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) Purple Acid Phosphatase10 (AtPAP10) as a Pi starvation-induced APase that is predominantly associated with the root surface. The AtPAP10 protein has phosphatase activity against a variety of substrates. Expression of AtPAP10 is specifically induced by Pi limitation at both transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels. Functional analyses of multiple atpap10 mutant alleles and overexpressing lines indicated that AtPAP10 plays an important role in plant tolerance to Pi limitation. Genetic manipulation of AtPAP10 expression may provide an effective means for engineering new crops with increased tolerance to Pi deprivation.
Spontaneous Thymocyte Apoptosis Is Regulated by a Mitochondrion-Mediated Signaling Pathway1

Most thymocytes that have not successfully rearranged their TCR genes or that express a receptor with subthreshold avidity for self-Ag/MHC enter a default apoptosis pathway, death by neglect. Spontaneous thymocyte apoptosis (STA), at least in part, may mimic this process in vitro. However, the molecular mechanism(s) by which thymocytes undergo this spontaneous apoptosis remains unknown. Here, we report that caspsase-1 and caspase-3 are activated during STA, but these caspases are dispensable for this apoptotic process. The inhibition of STA by a pan-caspase inhibitor, zVAD, suggests that multiple caspase pathways exist. Importantly, the early release of cytochrome c from mitochondria closely correlates with the degradation of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL and a decrease in the ratios of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL to Bax during STA. These findings suggest that the degradation of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL may favor Bax to induce cytochrome c release from mitochondria, which subsequently activates downstream caspases in STA. Our data provide the first biochemical insight into the molecular mechanism of STA.
The Political Economy of Military Spending in the United States

This is a timely collection of essays utilizing the political economy approach to military spending, primarily by the United States. The articles deal specifically with the relationships between defense spending and: (a) political-business cycles, public opinion and the US-Soviet relationship; (b) military action - i.e. war; (c) economic performance - the trade deficit, guns versus butter issues and fiscal policy.
Modeling Classifiers for Virtual Internships Without Participant Data

Virtual internships are online simulations of professional practice where students play the role of interns at a fictional company. During virtual internships, participants complete activities and then submit write-ups in the form of short answers, digital notebook entries. Prior work used classifiers trained on participant data to automatically assess notebook entries from these learning environments. However, when teachers create new internships using available authoring tools, no such data exists. We evaluate a method for generating classifiers using specifications provided by teachers during their authoring process instead of participant data. Our models rely on Latent Semantic Analysis based and Neural Network based semantic similarity approaches in which notebook entries are compared to ideal, expert generated responses. We also investigated a Regular Expression based model. The experiments on the proposed models on unseen data showed high precision and recall values for some classifiers using a similarity based approach. Regular Expression based classifiers performed better where the other two approaches did not, suggesting that these approaches may complement one another in future work.
Contextual keyword spotting in lecture video with deep convolutional neural network

We present a Keyword Spotting (KWS) system for lecture video that uses Deep Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) architecture. The CNN architecture enables us to use lecture video speech data that was taken under a diverse condition as a training dataset without any specialized feature. We also employ the language model and word stemming on the resulting transcript to correct misspelling and error automatically. Our model yield an average accuracy of 69.01% which is 34.53% improvement from the baseline model. We also show that an augmentation of the training dataset improves the model robustness against the testing dataset.
Proteomic analysis of bovine skeletal muscle hypertrophy

Myostatin plays a major role in muscle growth and development and animals with disruption of this gene display marked increases in muscle mass. Little is known about muscle physiological adaptations in relation to this muscle hypertrophy. To provide a more comprehensive view, we analyzed bovine muscles from control, heterozygote and homozygote young Belgian blue bulls for myostatin deletion, which results in a normal level of inactive myostatin. Heterozygote and homozygote animals were characterized by a higher proportion of fast‐twitch glycolytic fibers in Semitendinosus muscle. Differential proteomic analysis of this muscle was performed using two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis followed by mass spectrometry. Thirteen proteins, corresponding to 28 protein spots, were significantly altered in response to the myostatin deletion. The observed changes in protein expression are consistent with an increased fast muscle phenotype, suggesting that myostatin negatively controls mainly fast‐twitch glycolytic fiber number. Finally, we demonstrated that differential mRNA splicing of fast troponin T is altered by the loss of myostatin function. The structure of mutually exclusive exon 16 appears predominantly expressed in muscles from heterozygote and homozygote animals. This suggests a role for exon 16 of fast troponin T in the physiological adaptation of the fast muscle phenotype.
The Unemployment Gender Gap During the 2007 Recession

Women fared decidedly better than men during the most recent recession. By August 2009, the unemployment rate for men had hit 11.0 percent, while that for women held at 8.3 percent. This 2.7 percentage point unemployment gender gap--the largest in the postwar era--appears to reflect two factors: first, men were much more heavily represented in the industries that suffered the most during the downturn. Second, there was a much sharper increase in the percentage of men who--prompted, perhaps, by a decline in household liquidity--rejoined the labor force but failed to find a job.
Fast color reduction using approximative c-means clustering models

In this paper we propose an efficient color reduction framework that employs c-means clustering to extract optimal colors. The processing consists of three stages: preprocessing, c-means clustering, and creation of the output image. The main goal of the first stage is to transform the pixel matrix into a list of records, which indicates what colors are present in the image and how many times they appear. To achieve this, first we apply a static color quantization scheme that aligns the 16.7 million possible colors with 140 thousand grid points, and build the histogram of this quantized image. Then we mark least frequent quantized colors to be ignored during the clustering stage, the amount of such marks being controlled by the pixel inclusion parameter. Leaving out 2-5% of the image pixels can reduce the number of colors to 500-5000 in most images. This limited set of colors together with frequency information consists the input of the c-means clustering process performed in the second stage. Before creating the final output image, the marked quantized colors are mapped to the closest cluster. Thorough numerical tests were performed on 500 randomly chosen images using both fuzzy and hard c-means clustering. Evaluations revealed that hard c-means is more suitable than fuzzy c-means for the given problem, both in terms of accuracy and efficiency. The proposed method performs quicker 2-3 times than other recent reported solutions.
Substitution of lysine for arginine at position 42 of human transforming growth factor-alpha eliminates biological activity without changing internal disulfide bonds

Transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) is a growth-promoting protein that binds to the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor. To identify critical residues that govern TGF-alpha-EGF receptor binding, we prepared site-specific substitution mutants of TGF-alpha. Mutant proteins were tested in receptor-binding and mitogenesis assays. Semiconservative substitutions at positions 4, 12, 18, and 45 decreased biological activity 2.1- to 14-fold. The conservative substitution of lysine for arginine at position 42 completely eliminated biological activity. Amino acid composition analysis of proteolytic fragments from TGF-alpha and the Lys-42 mutant indicated that these proteins contained the same disulfide bonds. These studies suggest that arginine 42 may be a contact point for TGF-alpha-EGF receptor interaction.