Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Solar-like oscillation amplitudes and line-widths as a probe for turbulent convection in stars

Abstract Excitation of solar-like oscillations is attributed to turbulent convection and takes place at the upper-most part of the outer convective zones. Amplitudes of these oscillations depend on the efficiency of the excitation processes as well as on the properties of turbulent convection. We present past and recent improvements on the modeling of those processes. We show how the mode amplitudes and mode line-widths can bring information about the turbulence in the specific cases of the Sun and α Cen A.
B2B E-commerce Services and Developing Countries: Disentangling Myth from Reality.

The adoption of B2B e-commerce applications based on the Internet and the World Wide Web is being promoted in some quarters as offering producer firms in developing countries new exchange mechanisms that enable them to compete on a more equal basis in world markets. In this optimistic view B2B e-commerce promises a radical shift in the way in which international buyers and sellers trade with one another. The argument presented in this paper challenges the efficacy of this outlook. Evidence obtained from research involving an attribute analysis of 184 e-marketplaces and interviews with 75 enterprises and 37 key informants in two major sectors in three developing countries suggests that Internet-based B2B e-commerce is not as effective in reducing transaction costs or in opening the doors to global markets as the optimists would have us believe. The evidence also suggests that Internet-based B2B ecommerce has only marginally altered the way in which international buyers and sellers in the garments/apparel and horticulture/agriculture sectors trade with one another. The paper concludes that policies aimed at promoting ‘e-readiness’ are unlikely to succeed on terms that maximise benefits for developing country producers if they fail to give careful attention to the specific characteristics and positioning of these firms within global value chains, and to the digital applications they use to deal with operational challenges.
A Mathematical Approach to Gauging Influence by Identifying Shifts in the Emotions of Social Media Users

Although an extensive research literature on influence exists in fields like social psychology and communications, the advent of social media opens up new questions regarding how to define and measure influence online. In this paper, we present a new definition of influence that is tailored uniquely for online contexts and an associated methodology for gauging influence. According to our definition, influence entails the capacity to shift the patterns of emotion levels expressed by social media users. The source of influence may be the content of a user's message or the context of the relationship between exchanging users. Regardless of the source, measuring influence requires first identifying shifts in the patterns of emotion levels expressed by users and then studying the extent that these shifts can be associated with a user. This paper presents a new quantitative approach that combines the use of a text analysis program with a mathematical algorithm to derive trends in levels of emotions expressed in social media and, more importantly, detect breakpoints when those trends changed abruptly. First steps have also been taken to predict future trends in expressions (as well as quantify their accuracy). These methods constitute a new approach to quantifying influence in social media that focuses on detecting the impact of influence (e.g., shifts in levels of emotions expressed) as opposed to focusing on the dynamics of simple social media counts, e.g., retweets, followers, or likes.
A modular approach to the design and analysis of authentication and key exchange protocols (extended abstract)

We prcscnt a general framework for constructing and analyzing authentication protocols in realistic models of communication networks. This framework provides a sound formalization for the authentication problem and suggests simple and attractive design principles for general authentication and key exchange protocols. The key element in our appronch io a modular treatment of the authentication problem in cryptographic protocols; thii applies to the definition of accurity, to the design of the protocols, and to their analysis. In particulnr, following this modular approach, we show how to systematically transform solutions that work in a model of idaalizcd authenticated communications into solutions that are secure in the realistic setting of communication channels controlled by an active adversary. Using these principles we construct and prove the security of simple and practical authentication and key-exchange protocols. In particular, we provide a security analysis of aomo well-known key exchange protocols (e.g. authenticated Dlfllc-Hcllman key exchange), and of some of the techniques underlying the design of several authentication protocols that are currently being deployed on a large scale for the Intornot Protocol and other applications.
Ambiguity Function Analysis for UMTS-Based Passive Multistatic Radar

There has been a growing interest in passive radar systems in the research community over the last decade because of the several merits they offer, including ease of deployment, low cost, and non-detectability of the receivers. During the same period, the idea of distributed MIMO radar and its advantages under the coherent and non-coherent operating scenarios has been extensively studied. Keeping these benefits it mind, in this paper, we consider a UMTS-based passive multistatic radar with distributed antennas. We compute the ambiguity profiles of this radar system under both the coherent and non-coherent modes. The non-coherent processing mode improves the target detection performance by obtaining spatially diverse looks of the target. On the other hand, coherent processing enhances the resolution of target localization. We use numerical examples to demonstrate our analytical results.
Far-field Azimuth localization based on time delay of arrival estimation

This paper addresses the issue of the Far-Field Sound Source Localization (SSL) based on Time Delay of Arrival (TDOA) Estimation. We propose the use of sound sources' excitation characteristics for TDOA estimation, and Azimuth localization. Our approach localizes multi-sources using only two observed mixtures captured by two microphones. The method has been performed on real stereo mixtures, recorded in a normalized 5.1 Dolby studio. The localization performance is compared to other techniques in terms of objective metrics, essentially Localization Success Rate (LSR), and Average Localization Error (ALE). Experiments show that the proposed technique is straightforward and promises the most accurate results with a precision of 3 degrees.
Mining KANSEI fuzzy rules from photos on the internet

In this paper, we propose a method of mining KANSEI fuzzy rules from photos on the Internet. KANSEI is a Japanese word which means human impressions and KANSEI engineering is a method for translating KANSEI into product parameters through the analysis of data. In KANSEI engineering, some quantitative data are required for analyzing KANSEI and conventional approach uses questionnaire to collect quantitative data. However, questionnaire tends to become strained for subjects in order to collect enough data. The proposed method is an improved version of the method which authors have proposed. With the conventional system, fuzzy rules of KANSEI can be extracted from some questionnaire data and the system also requires heavy questionnaire surveys. The main purpose of the proposed method is to enable the method to work without questionnaire data by using photo data and tags on the Internet. By preparing learning data from the Internet and improving algorithms, the proposed method can extract fuzzy rules of correspondence of colors to impressions. The experimental results show that the proposed method worked efficiently.
Akt- or MEK-mediated mTOR inhibition suppresses Nf1 optic glioma growth.

BACKGROUND Children with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) develop optic pathway gliomas, which result from impaired NF1 protein regulation of Ras activity. One obstacle to the implementation of biologically targeted therapies is an incomplete understanding of the individual contributions of the downstream Ras effectors (mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase [MEK], Akt) to optic glioma maintenance. This study was designed to address the importance of MEK and Akt signaling to Nf1 optic glioma growth. METHODS Primary neonatal mouse astrocyte cultures were employed to determine the consequence of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K)/Akt and MEK inhibition on Nf1-deficient astrocyte growth. Nf1 optic glioma-bearing mice were used to assess the effect of Akt and MEK inhibition on tumor volume, proliferation, and retinal ganglion cell dysfunction. RESULTS Both MEK and Akt were hyperactivated in Nf1-deficient astrocytes in vitro and in Nf1 murine optic gliomas in vivo. Pharmacologic PI3K or Akt inhibition reduced Nf1-deficient astrocyte proliferation to wild-type levels, while PI3K inhibition decreased Nf1 optic glioma volume and proliferation. Akt inhibition of Nf1-deficient astrocyte and optic glioma growth reflected Akt-dependent activation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Sustained MEK pharmacologic blockade also attenuated Nf1-deficient astrocytes as well as Nf1 optic glioma volume and proliferation. Importantly, these MEK inhibitory effects resulted from p90RSK-mediated, Akt-independent mTOR activation. Finally, both PI3K and MEK inhibition reduced optic glioma-associated retinal ganglion cell loss and nerve fiber layer thinning. CONCLUSION These findings establish that the convergence of 2 distinct Ras effector pathways on mTOR signaling maintains Nf1 mouse optic glioma growth, supporting the evaluation of pharmacologic inhibitors that target mTOR function in future human NF1-optic pathway glioma clinical trials.
Touch & detach: physics-based unbinding and observation of complex virtual objects in 3d space

The main contribution of this study is the stable and intuitive detach method, named "Touch & Detach," for 3D complex virtual objects using gesture-based operations in mixed reality space. In general modeling software, parts of a complex 3D object are grouped in a multi-level hierarchy for efficient operation and ungrouping is necessary for observing or manipulating a part in detail. Our method uses real-world bond metaphors (such as glue or a joint) to prevent incorrect operations and improve the system's operational feeling and responsiveness. This paper presents the details of our proposed method and an informal user study.
The role of conflict in executive control in bilingual young adults

This study examined differences in executive control between monolingual and bilingual speakers in one verbal and one nonverbal behavioral task. Each task had two versions examining different components of executive function: one version that required active inhibition and one version that also required conflict monitoring and resolution. Members of the bilingual group also completed a self-reported survey about their language proficiency and use, the Language Experience and Proficiency Questionnaire (Marian, Blumenfeld, & Kaushanskaya, 2007). Responses on this survey were analyzed in order to determine the relationship between proficiency in a second language and performance on the tasks. Results indicated that bilingual speakers may have an advantage in active inhibition on the nonverbal task. However, bilinguals were outperformed by monolinguals in the verbal task. Furthermore, the bilingual advantage in the nonverbal task was predicted most robustly by speaking proficiency in the second language, but the bilingual disadvantage in the verbal task had no correlation to second language proficiency.
Effective schema-based XML query optimization techniques

Use of path expressions is a common feature in most XML query languages, and many evaluation methods for path expression queries have been proposed recently. However, there are few researches on the issue of optimizing regular path expression queries. In this paper, two kinds of path expression optimization principles are proposed, named path shortening and path complementing, respectively. The path shortening principle reduces the querying cost by shortening the path expressions with the knowledge of XML schema. While the path complementing principle substitutes the user queries with the equivalent lower-cost path expressions. The experimental results show that these two techniques can largely improve the performance of path expression query processing.
Non-isospectral Multi-component AKNS Equations and New Integrable Couplings

Positive and negative hierarchies of non-isospectral multi-component AKNS equations are derived from an arbitrary order matrix spectral problem. Moreover, new non-isospectral multi-component integrable couplings of the resulting soliton hierarchies are constructed by enlarging the associated matrix spectral problem. Mathematics Subject Classification: 35Q58
Face Location Using A Dynamic Model of Retinal Feature Extraction

We describe a novel dynamic vision scheme and its application for locating face images. The approach is based on a biologically motivated feature extraction model involving retinal sampling along M-type lattices and small oscillatory eye movements. The bounding box of the face is then found based on the conspicuity surface emerging while scanning the input and deriving the features. Simulation results on over 400 images showed an error rate of less than 5 % and demonstrated the applicability of our approach.
An Automated Cluster Finder: The Adaptive Matched Filter

We describe an automated method for detecting clusters of galaxies in imaging and redshift galaxy surveys. The adaptive matched filter (AMF) method utilizes galaxy positions, magnitudes, and—when available—photometric or spectroscopic redshifts to find clusters and determine their redshift and richness. The AMF can be applied to most types of galaxy surveys, from two-dimensional (2D) imaging surveys, to multiband imaging surveys with photometric redshifts of any accuracy (2.5 dimensional [2½D]), to three-dimensional (3D) redshift surveys. The AMF can also be utilized in the selection of clusters in cosmological N-body simulations. The AMF identifies clusters by finding the peaks in a cluster likelihood map generated by convolving a galaxy survey with a filter based on a model of the cluster and field galaxy distributions. In tests on simulated 2D and 2½D data with a magnitude limit of r′≈23.5, clusters are detected with an accuracy of Δz≈0.02 in redshift and ~10% in richness to z≲0.5. Detecting clusters at higher redshifts is possible with deeper surveys. In this paper we present the theory behind the AMF and describe test results on synthetic galaxy catalogs.
d-chiro-Inositol is absorbed but not synthesised in rodents

d-chiro-inositol (DCI) and pinitol (1d-3-O-methyl-chiro-inositol) are distinctive inositols reported to possess insulin-mimetic properties. DCI-containing compounds are abundant in common laboratory animal feed. By GC–MS of 6 m-HCl hydrolysates, Purina Laboratory Rodent Diet 5001 (diet 5001) contained 0·23 % total DCI by weight with most found in the lucerne and soya meal components. In contrast, only traces of l-chiro-inositol were observed. The DCI moiety was present in a water-soluble non-ionic form of which most was shown to be pinitol. To measure the absorption of dietary inositols, rats were fed diet 5001 in a balance study or given purified pinitol or [2H6]DCI. More than 98 % of the total DCI fed to rats as diet 5001, purified pinitol or [2H6]DCI was absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Rats chronically on diet 5001 consumed 921 μmol total DCI/kg body weight per d but excreted less than 5·3 % in the stools and urine, suggesting that the bulk was metabolised. The levels of pinitol or DCI in plasma, stools or urine remained relatively stable in mice fed Purina PicoLab® Rodent Diet 20 5053 over a 5-week period, whereas these values declined to very low levels in mice fed a pinitol/DCI-deficient chemically defined diet. To test whether DCI was synthesised or converted from myo-inositol, mice were treated with heavy water or [2H6]myo-inositol. DCI was neither synthesised endogenously from 2H-labelled water nor converted from [2H6]myo-inositol. DCI and pinitol in rodents appear to be derived solely from the diet.
Fast harmonic estimation using a low resolution pitch for low bit rate harmonic coding

This paper describes a fast harmonic estimation, referred to Delta Adjustment (DA), using a low resolution pitch. The presented DA method is based on modification of the Generalized Dual Excitation (GDE) technique [1] which was proposed to improve speech enhancement performance. We introduce the GDE technique and modify it to be suitable for low bit rate harmonic coding that uses only an integer pitch estimate. Unlike the GDE, the DA matches a frequency-warped version of the original spectrum that conforms to a fixed pitch at all harmonic bands. In addition, complexity and performance of the presented method are described in comparison with those of the conventional Fractional Pitch (FP) based harmonic estimation. Experimental results showed that the DA algorithm significantly reduces the complexity of the FP method while maintaining the performance.
Mycoplasma Gallisepticum: Current and Developing Means to Control the Avian Pathogen Description of Problem

SUMMARY Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) is a persistent, highly transmissible chicken and turkey pathogen. Infections of the organism can yield significant losses in performance and associated economics to all sectors of the poultry industry. In this paper, potential and realized effects of MG on the poultry industry are discussed along with currently available and developing control methods. Available methods of MG control largely include stringent biosecurity and biosurveillance practices within the turkey and broiler sectors of the poultry industry and live attenuated MG vaccine strains that are approved for use only within the commercial egg layer industry. Although largely effective, MG breaks within these industries still occur, demonstrating that further means of control are required. Alternative means for consideration include bacterins and subunit vaccines, although their applicability may be limited by associated vaccination protocols. Further means under consideration include novel live attenuated MG strains and recombinant bacterial and viral species. Optimally, control methods would be applicable to all poultry and be safe, cost effective, and efficacious. Current research regarding novel MG vaccines is addressed herein. Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) is a major pathogen of gallineaceous and certain nongalli-neaceous avian species [1, 2]. This highly transmissible organism is the etiologic agent of chronic respiratory disease in chickens and infectious sinusitis in turkeys. Clinical symptoms of MG infections in these avian species include 1 To whom correspondence should be addressed: jdevans@msa-msstate.ars. usda.gov. to the substantial performance and production losses, MG has been described as the most economically important of the 4 pathogenic Myco-plasma species affecting poultry, which also in
Mycophenolic Acid Overcomes Imatinib and Nilotinib Resistance of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Cells by Apoptosis or a Senescent-Like Cell Cycle Arrest

We used K562 cells sensitive or generated resistant to imatinib or nilotinib to investigate their response to mycophenolic acid (MPA). MPA induced DNA damage leading to cell death with a minor contribution of apoptosis, as revealed by annexin V labeling (up to 25%). In contrast, cell cycle arrest and positive staining for senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity were detected for a large cell population (80%). MPA-induced cell death was potentialized by the inhibition of autophagy and this is associated to the upregulation of apoptosis. In contrast, senescence was neither decreased nor abrogated in autophagy deficient K562 cells. Primary CD34 cells from CML patients sensitive or resistant to imatinib or nilotinib respond to MPA although apoptosis is mainly detected. These results show that MPA is an interesting tool to overcome resistance in vitro and in vivo mainly in the evolved phase of the disease.
Dually flat structure with escort probability and its application to alpha-Voronoi diagrams

This paper studies geometrical structure of the manifold of escort probability distributions and shows its new applicability to information science. In order to realize escort probabilities we use a conformal transformation that flattens so-called alpha-geometry of the space of discrete probability distributions, which well characterizes nonadditive statistics on the space. As a result escort probabilities are proved to be flat coordinates of the usual probabilities for the derived dually flat structure. Finally, we demonstrate that escort probabilities with the new structure admits a simple algorithm to compute Voronoi diagrams and centroids with respect to alpha-divergences.
Levels of Multiplexity in Entrepreneur’s Networks: Implications for Dynamism and Value Creation

Abstract Relationships and networks are important to how entrepreneurs create value. However, many aspects about relationships and networks remain poorly understood because their characteristics are often reduced to one-dimensional variables or dichotomous measures. This paper unpacks the concept of multiplexity and proposes a hierarchy of four different levels (social, relational, strategic, and closed). Each level is associated with a different level of dynamism which governs how rapidly entrepreneurs can alter their network. The hierarchy of multiplexity and associated levels of dynamism, have implications regarding different value creation processes that are associated with these network conditions.
VARIATION IN POLLINATOR PREFERENCE BETWEEN TWO IPOMOPSIS CONTACT SITES THAT DIFFER IN HYBRIDIZATION RATE

Abstract Pollinator-mediated reproductive isolation is often a principal factor in determining the rate of hybridization between plant species. Pollinator preference and constancy can reduce interspecific pollen transfer between otherwise interfertile, coflowering species. The importance of this ethological isolation can be assessed by comparing the strength of preference and constancy of pollinators in contact sites that differ in the frequency of hybrid individuals. We observed visitation by hummingbirds and hawkmoths in natural single-species patches and artificial mixed-species arrays in two Ipomopsis aggregata/I. tenuituba contact sites—one with few hybrids, and one in which hybrids are abundant. Pollinator preference and constancy were stronger at the low-frequency hybrid site, especially for hawkmoths (Hyles lineata). Hawkmoths at the low-frequency hybrid site showed significant preference and constancy for I. tenuituba, while at the high-frequency site hawkmoths visited both species equally. One hypothesis that might explain these differences in hawkmoth foraging is that warmer nights at the low-frequency hybrid site allow for nocturnal foraging where the light-colored corollas of I. tenuituba have a visibility advantage. These differences in hawkmoth behavior might in turn affect hummingbirds differently at the two sites, through changes in nectar resources, leading to greater pollinator-mediated isolation at the low-frequency hybrid site. Our results suggest that differences in pollinator behaviors between sites can have both direct and indirect effects on hybridization rates between plant species.