Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Thinking Strategically About Thinking Strategically

We introduce a model of managerial problem formulation which proposes that a key decision criterion for choosing among alternative managerial problem statements is the computational complexity (K-complexity) of the required solution algorithm of alternative problem statements. We distill many typical managerial problems to their canonical algorithmic structures and group them into classes on the basis of their K-complexity. P-type problems (canonically easy ones) require solution algorithms of complexity that is at most a polynomial function of the number of the variables of the problem, NP-type problems (canonically hard ones) require solution algorithms of complexity that is a higher-than-any-polynomial function of the number of problem variables. We show that a model in which managers prefer to solve P-hard problems over solving NP-hard problems explains many observed patterns of managerial behavior and cognition. We consider within-complexity-class choices among alternative problem statements and introduce the notion of computational landscapes to examine the marginal costs and benefits of additional calculative thinking in situations where competitors are either more or less inclined to engage in computationally deep reasoning tasks.
Light cigarette smoke‐induced emphysema and NFkB activation in mouse lung

Pulmonary emphysema is a common consequence of chronic cigarette smoke exposure. Although light cigarette (LC) exposure is supposed to be less hazardous, few experimental studies support this assumption. Our aim was to study lung injury by morphometrical and biochemical methods in mouse exposed to LC. C57BL/6 groups were subjected to smoke from 3, 6 or 12 LC for 60 days and compared to mice exposed to ambient air (EAA). Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), histology and stereology, lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and western blot were performed in mouse lungs. The cellular content of BAL was 95% alveolar macrophages in all groups except in mice exposed to 3 LC, where 23% neutrophils were observed. Emphysema was found in 12 LC parallel to increased volume density (Vv) of airspaces from 61.0±0.6 (EAA) to 80.9±1.0 (12 LC) and decreased Vv of elastic fibers from 17.8±0.9 (EAA) to 11.8±0.6 (12 LC). All exposed groups to LC showed low TBARS levels compared to EAA. Lung tissue from mouse exposed to 12 LC showed decreased TIMP‐2 and increased MMP‐12 detection, which suggests an imbalance in extracellular matrix (ECM). Increased TNF‐α and NFκB detection were observed in exposed groups to LC when compared to EAA. The data suggest that LC is so dangerous to lungs as full‐flavor cigarettes inducing ECM imbalance and emphysema.
Integrated Position and Speed Loops Under Sliding-Mode Control Optimized by Differential Evolution Algorithm for PMSM Drives

In this paper, to improve the robustness and realize the precision positioning as well as speed control of the servo drive system, an integrated sliding-mode control (ISMC) optimized by differential evolution (DE-ISMC) algorithm is proposed. ISMC guarantees that a motor can reach at given position with given speed, and given speed is set first. ISMC, which is combined with speed regulator and position regulator, is different from the conventional sliding-mode control (SMC) replacing speed regulator. ISMC can guarantee that motor speed is controlled under position control mode, which is a novelty and an advantage of ISMC in this paper. To achieve good control performance of ISMC, parameters of it should be chosen exactly, so DE algorithm is selected to optimize them. The most significant influence factor of DE algorithm is the optimization iteration. Once parameters of ISMC are optimized under convergent iteration, servo system performance reaches given indices in the shortest time. Experimental results indicate that robustness of the servo system is improved; correctness and effectiveness of DE-ISMC are verified.
Antibiotic Resistance Genes and Taxa Analysis from Mat and Planktonic Microbiomes of Antarctic Perennial Ice-covered Lake Fryxell and Lake Bonney

The perennial ice-covered lakes of the Antarctic McMurdo Dry Valleys harbor oligotrophic microbial communities that are separated geographically from other aquatic systems. Their microbiomes include planktonic microbes as well as lift-off mat communities that emerge from the ice. We used ShortBRED to quantify the antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) from metagenomes of lift-off mats emerging from ice, and from filtered water samples of Lake Fryxell and Lake Bonney. The overall proportion of ARG hits was similar to that found in temperate-zone rural water bodies with moderate human inputs. Specific ARGs showed distinct distributions for the two lakes, and for mat versus planktonic sources. Metagenomic taxa distributions showed that mat phototrophs consisted mainly of cyanobacteria or betaproteobacteria, whereas the water column phototrophs were mainly protists. An enrichment culture of the betaproteobacterium Rhodoferax antarcticus from a Lake Fryxell mat sample showed an unusual mat-forming phenotype not previously reported for this species. Its genome showed no ARGs associated with betaproteobacteria, but had ARGs consistent with a minor Pseudomonas component. The Antarctic lake mats and water showed specific ARGs distinctive to the mat and water sources, but overall ARG levels were similar to those of temperate water bodies with moderate human inputs.
Sumoylation Regulates Multiple Transcription Factors to Control Lens Differentiation

The mammalian small ubiquitin‐like modifier SUMO contains three major isoforms that can be conjugated to a board range of substrates. However, whether SUMO1 and SUMO2 have similar or different roles in regulating differentiation remains unknown. Using vertebrate lens as a testing system, we demonstrate here for the first time that SUMO1 and SUMO2 display distinct roles in mediating lens differentiation. First, SUMO1 is more abundant than SUMO2 with distinct cellular localizations and conjugation patterns during mouse lens differentiation; Second, SUMO1 but not SUMO2 occupied the major crystallin gene promoters. Third, in an FGF‐induced cell differentiation model, increased SUMO1‐ but decreased SUMO2‐modifications were observed in multiple protein species and overexpression of SUMO‐2 but not SUMO‐1 inhibits FGF‐induced cell differentiation. Mechanistically, we demonstrate for the first time that SUMO‐1 and SUMO‐2 differentially regulates Pax‐6, an important transcription factor involved in control of brain and eye development. Furthermore, sumoylation also modulates SP‐1, Maf‐1 and Prox‐1 to control expression of the differentiation‐related genes. Together, our results establish distinct roles of SUMO1 and SUMO2 in regulating cell differentiation. Mechanistically, sumoylation modulates several transcription factors to regulate cell differentiation. (Supported by NIH Grant 1R01EY018380)
Grouping of co-planar local features

In this work an adaptive method for accurate and robust grouping of local features belonging to planes of interior scenes and object planar surfaces is presented. For arbitrary set of images acquired from different views, the method organizes a huge number of local SIFT features to fill the gap between low-level vision (front end) and high level vision, i.e., domain specific reasoning about geometric structures. The proposed method consists of three steps: exploration, selection, and merging with verification. The exploration is a data driven technique that proposes a set of hypothesis clusters. To select the final hypotheses a matrix of preferences is introduced. It evaluates each of the hypothesis in terms of number of features, error of transformation, and feature duplications and is applied in quadratic form in the process of maximization. Then, merging process combines the information from multiple views to reduce the redundancy and to enrich the selected representations. As demonstrated by experimental results, the proposed method is an example of unsupervised learning of planar parts of the scene and objects with planar surfaces.
Model Predictive Control Based Ramp Minimization in Active Distribution Network Using Energy Storage Systems

Abstract The growing integration of renewable energy sources, especially the residential photovoltaic (PV) systems, in the distribution networks (DNs) aggravates the ramp-events in transmission system. To address this issue, we propose a novel look ahead dispatch model for the ramp minimization in DNs using distributed energy storage systems (ESSs). The dispatch problem considering the scheduling of ESSs is modeled as a finite-horizon optimization problem and is carried out using model predictive control (MPC) method that takes both current and future information into account. In addition, the optimal power flow in DN is formulated as a second-order cone programing problem to guarantee the global optimality. Numerical results on IEEE 37-bus distribution network show that our proposed model not only brings about 74% reduction of maximum ramp but also yields the near-minimum system operating cost.
Multiple access technique in a high-speed free-space optical communication link: independent component analysis

Abstract. Increasing usage and higher demand for wireless traffic are causing a critical need for increased bandwidth and capacity communication networks. Accordingly, multipoint free-space optical communication (FSOC) links are beginning to draw significant attention as a valuable and promising solution for satisfying new network requirements. Extensive interest has focused on investigating and developing hardware design solutions to perform multiuser FSOC. However, to meet the low size, weight, and power needs of this technology, we propose using a robust and solid signal-processing method, namely independent component analysis (ICA), to implement an optical multiple access technique. A high-speed, multipoint free space optical system composed of two independent users and two receiving sensors is introduced. FastICA and joint approximate diagonalization of eigenmatrices algorithms are exploited for multiuser detection, and extensive analysis of power ratio, data rate difference, computational complexity, achievable system capacity, turbulence generation accuracy, and turbulence severity effects on signal reconstruction is performed. Experimental results demonstrate that ICA provides suitable source separation for all tested configurations. Additionally, transmission parameters that maximize signal reconstruction performances were identified.
Modeles de regularisation en discrimination et classification bayesienne

Le theme du present travail est l'exploitation extensive de la parametrisation de banfield et raftery (1993), d'une part dans le cadre de la regularisation en discrimination, et d'autre part dans le cadre de la classification bayesienne. Friedman (1989) a propose une technique de regularisation (r. D. A. ) en discrimination sous hypotheses de normalite, qui est efficace mais qui a l'inconvenient de proposer des regles de decision opaques et difficiles a interpreter. Grace a la decomposition spectrale des matrices variance, nous proposons 14 modeles de discrimination. De la sorte, on propose une modelisation complete des schemas de regularisation et on selectionne le meilleur modele comme etant celui qui minimise le taux d'erreur de classement evalue par validation croisee. En classification, notre contribution est d'integrer la prise en compte de la decomposition spectrale des matrices variance des composants des melanges gaussiens consideres. De la meme facon que pour la discrimination, nous proposons differents modeles. Suivant le chemin trace par diebolt et robert (1994), nous utilisons l'echantillonnage de gibbs pour estimer les parametres, et nous le combinons avec les facteurs de bayes pour trouver le meilleur modele et evaluer le nombre de composantes
Are Inert Gases Inert? Hyperbaric Nitrogen and Hyperoxia Stimulate Singlet O2 Production in Solitary Complex Neurons of the Dorsocaudal Medulla in Rat Brain Slices

InertGas Narcosis (IGN, or N2 Narcosis) at hyperbaric pressure is alimiting factor in US Naval diving operations; however, little is known aboutthe mechanisms underlying this CNS disorder. It has been hypothesized that inertgases such as N2 interact with O2 at hyperbaric pressureto form collision complexes that generate singlet oxygen (1O2). If true then 1O2 maycontribute, in part, to onset of IGN. Accordingly, we predict that hyperbaric nitrogen (HBN2) willinteract with O2‐sensitive neurons in the caudal solitary complex(cSC) to generate 1O2. The goals of this study were to 1)develop an in vitro system for measuring 1O2 productionin real time in the mammalian CNS; 2) determine the effect of hyperoxia (0.4→0.95 atmospheres absolute, ATA) on 1O2production at normobaric pressure; and 3) determine the effect of HBN2(up to 6.6ATA N2) on 1O2 production duringhyperoxia (0.95ATA O2). The fluorescent probe Singlet Oxygen SensorGreen (SOSG) was used to detect 1O2 production in thebrain slices of rat medulla oblongata (P16‐40, male/female, 400μm, 30–36°C). Fluorescence intensity of cSC neurons was measured at 1–2.5min intervalsand correlated with 1O2 production using one of two NikonTE2000 inverted microscopes; one microscope was automated for use inside asealed hyperbaric chamber (MWP=85psig). Confocalimaging indicated that SOSG reaction product during excitation was confined tothe soma, proximal processes and fibers. Results show that increasing pO2 from 0.4 to 0.95 ATA increased the rate of 1O2 production. Ascorbate (1–4mM),an inhibitor of 1O2, decreased the rate of 1O2production in control O2 and hyperoxia in a dose‐dependent manner. Exposure to HBN2 (0.25ATA/min) at maximum depth (10 min) followed by decompression (0.5ATA/min) back to sea level caused a post‐dive transientincrease in 1O2 that lasted at least 10min. These findings demonstrate 1O2 can be measured in CNS neurons in brain slices using SOSG and that 1O2production is stimulated by normobaric hyperoxia. Additionally, exposure to HBN2 increases 1O2 production but not untilde compression. This suggests that 1O2production is activated by compression to at least 6.6ATA N2, decompression or both. Thus, we postulate that 1O2 generated subsequent to exposure to HBN2 may contribute to IGN and decompression sickness.
Development of Trainer Kit Quality Control (TKQC) on Motorcycle Electrical Competencies

This study aims to produce Trainer Kit Quality Control (TKQC) on motorcycle electrical competencies, and the effectiveness of TKQC is obtained in improving understanding of the basics of motorcycle electrical lighting systems. Research methods using research and development (Research and Development). First test respondents (small scale) were 18 students and 4 automotive teachers, while second test (largescale) were 36 students and 7 automotive teachers. Data collection instruments were by questionnaires, the results of small and large scale testing were used to revise TKQC. The results showed that TKQC was developed in accordance with the basic competencies of motorcycle electricity, produced at a low cost, simple, flexible, practical, based on the average response of practitioners 81.06% or it means good, and experts response showing an average of 82.39% or it means in good qualifications. The results of large-scale trials on 5 components namely visibility, interesting, simple, useful and accurate as a whole showed an average of 94.70% for teachers and showed an average of 93.36% for students is included in very good qualifications. The effectiveness of TKQC seems to be seen in students who are more enthusiastic and eager to learn, TKQC makes it easy for students in the learning process, TKQC is easy to operate, students can learn independently. Keywords—trainer kit; quality control; competency; wiringharness motorcycle
SUPPRESSION OF 3D FLOW INSTABILITIES IN TIGHTLY PACKED TUBE BUNDLES

We study the generation of three-dimensional vorticity in tightly packed tube bundles. In par- ticular, our goal is to investigate which condi- tions (if any) enable the flow to remain two- dimensional for Re > 180. We calculated two- and three-dimensional flow through periodic ro- tated square tube bundles with tight packing, P/D = 1.5, using a high resolution pseudo- spectral code with penalization. The cylinder is modelled as a rigid harmonic oscillator forced by the flow-induced lift. We find that at Re = 200 cylinder motion completely suppresses the three- dimensional instability. At Re = 1000 cylinder motion does not suppress the three-dimensional instability, although the flow does have increased spanwise correlation. The tight packing does not suppress the three-dimensional instability.
Sound generation by impulse excited plates coupled to acoustics cavities.

This paper is concerned with vibroacoustics in the time domain. One of the aims is to compare results given by an semi-analytical technique based on the resonance modes with a finite difference technique. An other goal is to describe the response of a fluid-loaded plate (displacement of the structure and sound pressure in the fluid) coupled to a rigid cavity when it is excited by a Ricker wavelet and to see the influence of the excitation on the response of system.
Low‐dose cadmium (Cd) exposure up‐regulates glutathione (GSH) synthesis in cultured choroid plexus

Having shown in primary cultures of rat choroid plexus that Cd induced oxidative stress and stimulated apical choline uptake, we aim to elucidate the role of GSH in cellular adaptation to Cd exposure. Choroid plexus primary cultures were exposed for 12 h to 0 or 500 nM CdCl2. Immunoblot and qRT‐PCR analyses indicated heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) gene and protein were induced 50‐fold at 12 h. Heat‐shock protein 70 (HSP70) gene and protein were maximally induced at 6 h, and metallothionein‐1 (MT‐1) mRNA was induced 50‐fold at 12 h. Catalytic and modifier subunits of glutamate‐cysteine ligase (GCL), the rate‐limiting enzyme in GSH synthesis, also were induced. GCLC protein peaked at 6 h, while GCLM peaked at 9 h; the respective genes were induced 5‐fold and 4‐fold at 12 h. We also assayed GSH and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) after 12‐h exposure to 0 or 250 nM CdCl2 100 μM buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), an inhibitor of GCL. Cd increased GSH by 2‐fold and GSSG by 30‐fold. BSO reduced GSH by 92% and further decreased GSH:GSSG ratios in Cd‐treated cells. Furthermore, BSO enhanced induction of HO‐1, HSP70, MT‐1, GCLC and GCLM, stimulation of choline uptake, and cytotoxicity in Cd‐treated cells. Thus, as the epithelium adapts to Cd exposure GSH synthesis is up‐regulated at transcriptional and translational levels. GSH may facilitate cell survival and temper stress‐induced changes in choline transport.
HST/ACS Associations: the Next Step after WFPC2

After the release of the successful WFPC2 associations, the CADC, ST-ECF and STScI are now working on joint pipeline software to produce associations of images from the HST’s Advanced Camera for Surveys instrument. Although the basic approach is very similar to the WFPC2 associations (Durand et al., 2004) there are some fundamental differences because of the high level of geometric distortion of the ACS optics. The core of the ACS association pipeline will perform image combination using the Drizzle method and hence there will be no need to constrain the position angle of associated observations as was done with WFPC2. Our goals are the production of high quality products for the HST archive users and eventual ‘publication’ of these products within the Virtual Observatory.
Patterns of sexual variation in hominoid mandibular morphology: a framework for interpreting the hominin fossil record

For many species, sexual dimorphism is one of the major sources of intraspecific variation. This is the case in some extant great apes, such as gorillas and orangutans, and to a lesser degree in humans, chimpanzees and bonobos. This variation has been well documented in various aspects of these species skeletal anatomy, including differences in the size and shape of the body, cranium, canines, and cresting of males and females, but less is known about sexually dimorphic variation of great ape mandibles. This is particularly important for building robust analog models to interpreting variation in the early hominin fossil record which preserves a large proportion of isolated mandibles and partial mandibles. Here we describe the phenotypical expression of sexual dimorphism in the mandible of six extant hominoid species, including humans, using geometric morphometrics. Our analyses show that the extent of sexual dimorphism in mandibular size and shape amongst the species studied is not the same, as well as the presence of significant differences in the degree of sexual dimorphism being expressed at different sections of the mandible. Furthermore, we find significant differences in how sexual dimorphism is expressed phenotypically even amongst closely related species with small divergence times. We discuss the potential pathways leading to such variation and the implications for extinct hominin variability.
Constitutive Inhibition of Transient Receptor Potential Canonical Type 6 (TRPC6) by O-GlcNAcylation at Threonine-221

Transient receptor potential canonical type 6 (TRPC6) is a non-voltage gated cation channel that principally conducts calcium to regulate signaling in cardiac, vascular, neuronal and other cells. Abnormally increased TRPC6 expression/conductance and genetic gain of function mutations contribute to fibrosis, hypertrophy, proteinuria, and edema, notably linked to its stimulation of nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) signaling. Hyperglycemia (HG) also activates TRPC6/NFAT as a cause of diabetic renal disease. While prior work linked HG-TRPC6 activation to oxidant stress, the role of another major HG modification - O-GlcNAcylation, is unknown. Here we show TRPC6 is constitutively O-GlcNAcylated, TRPC6 and O-GlcNAc transferase proteins interact, this modification potently suppresses basal channel conductance and NFAT activity, and it is unaltered by HG. Proteomics identifies O-GlcNAcylation at Ser14, Thr70, and Thr221 in the N-terminus ankyrin-4 (AR4) and neighboring linker (LH1) domains of TRPC6. Of these, T221 is most impactful as a T221A mutation increases basal NFAT activity 11-fold, TRPC6 conductance 75-80% vs wild-type, and when expressed in cardiomyocytes amplifies NFAT-pro-hypertrophic gene expression. T221 is highly conserved and mutating homologs in TRPC3 and TRPC7 also markedly elevates basal NFAT activity. Molecular models predict electrostatic interactions between T221 O-GlcNAc and Ser199, Glu200, and Glu246, and we find similarly elevated NFAT activity from alanine substitutions at these coordinating sites as well. Thus, O-GlcNAcylation at T221 and its interaction with coordinating residues in AR4-LH1 is required for basal TRPC6 channel conductance and regulation of NFAT.
Limit laws for a family of random circuits

We consider a family of graphs C(n; i; s; a) that represents logic circuits with indegree i and restricted outdegree s, arising by n progressive additions of random gates to a starting circuit of a isolated nodes. We prove that its growing behaviour can be modelled via a generalized P¶olya urn model. The asymptotic properties of the processes associated to the urn are used to obtain a strong law and a central limit theorem for the number of terminal nodes in the graph. A similar procedure is used to obtain a strong law and a central limit theorem for outputs in random recursive circuits with unrestricted outdegree.