Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Formation of massive stars by growing accretion rate

We perform calculations of pre-main sequence evolution of stars from 1 to $85 M_{\odot}$ with growing accretion rates $\dot{M}$. The values of $\dot{M}$ are taken equal to a constant fraction $\tilde{f}$ of the rates of the mass outflows observed by Churchwell ([CITE]) and Henning ([CITE]). The evolution of the various stellar parameters is given, as well as the evolution of the disc luminosity; electronic tables are provided as a supplement to the articles. Typically, the duration of the accretion phase of massive stars is $\simeq$ $3 \times 10^5 \mathrm{yr}$ and there is less than $10\%$ difference in the time necessary to form a 8 or $80 M_{\odot}$ star. If in a young cluster all the proto-stellar cores start to accrete at the same time, we then have a relation $M(t)$ between the masses of the new stars and the time t of their appearance. Since we also know the distribution of stellar masses at the end of star formation (IMF), we can derive the star formation history $N(t)$. Interestingly enough, the current IMF implies two peaks of star formation: low mass stars form first and high mass star form later.
Regulation of an RNA granule during spermatogenesis: acetylation of MVH in the chromatoid body of germ cells

During mammalian spermatogenesis, the mouse VASA homolog (MVH; also known as DDX4), a germ-cell-specific DEAD-box type RNA-binding protein, localizes in a germline-specific RNA granule termed the chromatoid body (CB). Genetic analyses have revealed that MVH is essential for progression through spermatogenesis, although the molecular mechanisms of its function remain elusive. We found that the acetyltransferase Hat1, and its cofactor, p46, are specifically colocalized with MVH in the CB and acetylate MVH at Lys405, leading to inactivation of its RNA-binding activity. Notably, the acetylation is developmentally regulated, paralleling the temporally regulated colocalization of Hat1 and p46 in the CB. We have identified 858 mRNAs as MVH targets, a large proportion of which correspond to previously known translationally arrested genes. Importantly, eIF4B mRNA, a target of MVH, is selectively released from the MVH–ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex when MVH is acetylated, paralleling an increase in eIF4B protein. These findings reveal a previously unknown signaling pathway that links acetylation to RNA processing in the control of spermatogenesis.
A Framework for Finding Distributed Data Mining Strategies That are Intermediate Between Centralized

Distributed data mining is emerging as a fundamental computational problem. A common approach with distributed data mining is to build separate models at geographically distributed sites and then to combine the models. At the other extreme, all of the data can be moved to a central site and a single model built. With the commodity internet and large data sets the former approach is the quickest but often the least accurate, while the latter approach is more accurate but generally quite expensive in terms of the time required. Of course there are a variety of intermediate strategies in which some of the data is moved and some of the data is left in place, analyzed locally, and the resulting models are moved and combined. These intermediate cases are becoming of practical signi cance with the explosion of ber and the emergence of high performance networks. In this paper, we examine this intermediate case in the context in which high performance networks are present and the cost function represents both computational and communication costs. We reduce the problem to a convex programming problem so that standard techniques can be applied. We illustrate our approach through the analysis of an example showing the complexity and richness of this class of problems.
The doctrine of individual ministerial responsibility in British Government : theory and practice in a new regime of parliamentary accountability

By 1966 it had become clear that the doctrine of individual ministerial responsibility, which lay at the heart of the British constitution, had failed to evolve in order to meet the requirements of modern government. This thesis puts forward a review of the doctrine's operation and theoretical basis over a seventeen year period, starting with the advent of new organs of parliamentary scrutiny under the second Wilson Government. It is argued that individual ministerial responsibility can best be understood with reference to four distinct, yet interlocking elements. One of these, accountability, was the focus of significant change between 1966 and 1983. During these years, it was possible to discern the emergence of a new regime of parliamentary accountability. Within this, the traditional methods of scrutiny continued to operate, but they were joined by new Select Committees and the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration. These new organs had the effect of increasing the quantity and enhancing the quality of scrutiny which could be brought to bear on ministers and civil servants. In a real sense, ministers became more accountable to Parliament for their role responsibilities, while the civil servants' accountability to their superiors in the administrative hierarchy, to their ministerial masters, and most importantly, to Parliament, was enhanced. In particular, the operation of the new Select Committees created a situation where the de lure statement of civil service non-accountability to Parliament came into obvious conflict with the emerging de facto accountability to this source. Individual ministerial responsibility remains a useful description of how British government is organised and operates. The doctrine should not be viewed as a constitutional myth, although one of its elements, sanctions, is nearer to myth than reality. The period 1966-83 witnessed no "revival" of this element, only a few false starts.
SHARP Online: An Adaptive Hypermedia System Applied to Mathematical Problem Solving

In this article we present the development of a web application called SHARP Online: An Adaptive Hypermedia System Applied to Mathematical Problem Solving. The pedagogical basis of this application is found in the support techniques for heuristic learning in mathematical problem solving developed according to the Schoenfeld model. The adaptivity of this tool is achieved by way of the utilization of an adaptive algorithm which has been developed for it and is described in this article. This algorithm implements mechanisms that make it possible for the user to construct mathematical knowledge adaptively using training methods. This application also provides the teacher with the following complete set of tools for managing the entire process: the inclusion of contents through a collaborative application with support; a shared work space; the adaptivity of the algorithm variables; and the supervision of the students' progress, etc. through specific modules. This application was originally developed for educational contexts in the area of teaching mathematics, and therefore includes a module for editing and visualizing mathematical formulas for a Web environment.
Distributed Kalman filtering with minimum-time consensus algorithm

Fueled by applications in sensor networks, these years have witnessed a surge of interest in distributed estimation and filtering. A new approach is hereby proposed for the Distributed Kalman Filter (DKF) by integrating a local covariance computation scheme. Compared to existing well-established DKF methods, the virtue of the present approach lies in accelerating the convergence of the state estimates to those of the Centralized Kalman Filter (CKF). Meanwhile, an algorithm is proposed that allows each node to compute the averaged measurement noise covariance matrix within a minimal discrete-time running steps in a distributed way. Both theoretical analysis and extensive numerical simulations are conducted to show the feasibility and superiority of the proposed method.
Indicative Bidding in Auctions with Costly Entry ∗

When selling a business by auction, investment banks frequently use indicative bids – nonbinding preliminary bids – to select a limited number of bidders for participation in the auction. We show that if participation in the auction is costly, indicative bids can be informative: a symmetric equilibrium exists in weakly-monotone strategies; but bidder types “pool” over a finite number of bids, so the highest-value bidders are not always selected. We show how equilibrium changes with the number of potential bidders and the participation cost. We also characterize equilibrium play when the number of potential bidders is large, and show that both revenue and bidder surplus are higher than when entry into the auction is unrestricted.
Capital Market Response to SFAS Nos. 8 and 52

This study investigates the capital market response to Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) policy deliberations on foreign currency translations (FCT) by concentrating on five specific events associated with such deliberations. Examining the possible effects of these events, we argue that a market response to FASB policy deliberations on FCT could result from the effects of new information or from the effects of expected changes in managerial decisions. The tests utilized in this paper are designed to detect effects of both types. Generally, no apparent significant market reaction to three of the five events was observed. We found an apparent weak but significant reaction to one event and inconclusive results for a fifth.
The Representation of Visual Working Memory

Visual working memory (VWM) is a construct hypothesized to store a small amount of accurate perceptual information that can be brought to bear on a task. Much research concerns the construct’s capacity and the precision of the information stored. Two prominent theories of VWM representations have emerged: slot-based and continuous-resource mechanisms. Prior modeling work suggests that a continuous resource that varies over trials with variable capacity and a potential to make localization errors best accounts for the empirical data. Questions remain regarding the variability in VWM capacity and precision. Using a novel eye-tracking paradigm, we demonstrate that VWM facilitates search and exhibits effects of fixation frequency and recency, particularly for prior targets. Whereas slot-based memory models cannot account for the human data, a novel continuous-resource model provides a better fit and identifies the relevant resource as item activation.
Multiprocess parallel antithetic coupling for backward and forward Markov Chain Monte Carlo

Antithetic coupling is a general stratification strategy for reducing Monte Carlo variance without increasing the simulation size. The use of the antithetic principle in the Monte Carlo literature typically employs two strata via antithetic quantile coupling. We demonstrate here that further stratification, obtained by using k > 2 (e.g., k = 3– 10) antithetically coupled variates, can offer substantial additional gain in Monte Carlo efficiency, in terms of both variance and bias. The reason for reduced bias is that antithetically coupled chains can provide a more dispersed search of the state space than multiple independent chains. The emerging area of perfect simulation provides a perfect setting for implementing the k-process parallel antithetic coupling for MCMC because, without antithetic coupling, this class of methods delivers genuine independent draws. Furthermore, antithetic backward coupling provides a very convenient theoretical tool for investigating antithetic forward coupling. However, the generation of k > 2 antithetic variates that are negatively associated, that is, they preserve negative correlation under monotone transformations, and extremely antithetic, that is, they are as negatively correlated as possible, is more complicated compared to the case with k = 2. In this paper, we establish a theoretical framework for investigating such issues. Among the generating methods that we compare, Latin hypercube sampling and its iterative extension appear to be generalpurpose choices, making another direct link between Monte Carlo and quasi Monte Carlo.
antiapoptotic mediator sphingosine-1-phosphate Apoptotic cells promote macrophage survival

http://bloodjournal.hematologylibrary. org/content/108/5/1635.full. html Updated information and services can be found at: (973 articles) Phagocytes  (4939 articles) Immunobiology  (746 articles) Apoptosis  Articles on similar topics can be found in the following Blood collections http://bloodjournal.hematologylibrary. org/site/misc/rights.xhtml#repub_requests Information about reproducing this article in parts or in its entirety may be found online at: http://bloodjournal.hematologylibrary. org/site/misc/rights.xhtml#reprints Information about ordering reprints may be found online at: http://bloodjournal.hematologylibrary. org/site/subscriptions/index.xhtml Information about subscriptions and ASH membership may be found online at:
Gene Combination Transfer to Block Autoimmune Damage in Transplanted Islets of Langerhans

Islet transplantation therapy would be applicable to a wider range of diabetic patients if donor islet acceptance and protection were possible without systemic immunosuppression of the recipient. To this aim, gene transfer to isolated donor islets ex vivo is one method that has shown promise. This study examines the combined effect of selected immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory genes known to extend the functional viability of pancreatic islet grafts in an autoimmune system. These genes, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), and interleukin (IL)-1 receptor antagonist protein (IRAP), were transferred to isolated NOD donor islets ex vivo then transplanted to NODscid recipients and evaluated in vivo after diabetogenic T-cell challenge. The length of time the recipient remained euglycemic was used to measure the ability of the transgenes to protect the graft from autoimmune destruction. Although the results of these cotransfections gave little evidence of a synergistic relationship, they were useful to show that gene combinations can be used to more efficiently protect islet grafts from diabetogenic T cells.
G-Quadruplex Forming Oligonucleotides as Anti-HIV Agents

Though a variety of different non-canonical nucleic acids conformations have been recognized, G-quadruplex structures are probably the structural motifs most commonly found within known oligonucleotide-based aptamers. This could be ascribed to several factors, as their large conformational diversity, marked responsiveness of their folding/unfolding processes to external stimuli, high structural compactness and chemo-enzymatic and thermodynamic stability. A number of G-quadruplex-forming oligonucleotides having relevant in vitro anti-HIV activity have been discovered in the last two decades through either SELEX or rational design approaches. Improved aptamers have been obtained by chemical modifications of natural oligonucleotides, as terminal conjugations with large hydrophobic groups, replacement of phosphodiester linkages with phosphorothioate bonds or other surrogates, insertion of base-modified monomers, etc. In turn, detailed structural studies have elucidated the peculiar architectures adopted by many G-quadruplex-based aptamers and provided insight into their mechanism of action. An overview of the state-of-the-art knowledge of the relevance of putative G-quadruplex forming sequences within the viral genome and of the most studied G-quadruplex-forming aptamers, selectively targeting HIV proteins, is here presented.
Multistage SPIT detection in transit VoIP

Spam in telephony refers to unsolicited, automatically dialed, pre-recorded phone calls often used for marketing or phishing. Spam in telephony can affect the productivity of human beings and deprive legitimate users of phone network resources. Spam over Internet Telephony (SPIT) is a challenge and can become a major threat when telephony completely shifts to VoIP. Email anti-Spam techniques are typically not applicable to SPIT detection: SPIT detection needs to be near real-time; call content is not available for processing before the call is established; there are only a small number of features available for examination; and signaling messages of spammer and non-spammer are similar. SPIT detection in transit VoIP operator is a non-trivial task because of the high call volume and the unavailability of direct interaction with a caller or a callee. In this paper we present a multistage SPIT detection framework that addresses these issues. Our framework blocks SPIT based on the social relationships and statistical features of the caller. The framework consists of three modules: a blacklist, a statistical module, and a trust module. For achieving better results and resource optimization, we provide feedback on where these modules should be placed in the transit network. Our experimental results show that the detection response time increases slightly after system deployment, but this increase is not noticeable to the callers. Besides SPIT detection the framework can also detect flooding, vishing and number scan attacks.
Introducing global scaling parameters into Ncut

Gaussian similarity is usually used in spectral clustering. It generates the affinity matrix by mainly considering point-to-point distances in a local region with respect to the scaling parameters Δ. As a result, global information is not considered. To address this problem, we design a mapping and rescaling framework (referred as M-R framework) to introduce global scaling parameters into spectral clustering. The M-R framework is applied on Normalized Cut to form the M-R Ncut algorithm which obtains remarkable performance improvements in our experimental evaluations.
Using UML(VR) for Supporting the Automated Test Data Generation

Software testing is the most common practice of software quality assurance. In this paper we will present a method of supporting the test data generations using the information from different kinds of UML diagrams. This method is based on the UML(VR) concept which is the extension of the standard UML with vertical relations which define in the formal way the relations between elements from different kinds of diagram. Using these vertical relations we are able to use UML as a base for test data generation for different kinds of tests (module-based, requirement-based, etc.). Such an approach gives us a unique possibility to choose the testing method driven by actual needs.
US Black vs White disparities in foetal growth: physiological or pathological?

BACKGROUND Birthweight for gestational age is lower in US Black infants than in US White infants. It is unknown, however, whether this difference is 'normal' (i.e. physiological) or reflects pathological foetal growth restriction. METHODS We applied an analytic approach based on foetuses at risk to compare gestational age-specific rates of live birth, 'revealed' small-for-gestational-age (SGA), and neonatal mortality among singleton infants >or=22 weeks of gestation and >or=500 g born in 1998-2000 to US White (n = 9 012 194), US-born Black (n = 1 554 382), and foreign-born Black (n = 200 395) mothers. Graphical methods and Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were used to compare outcomes in the three ethnic groups. RESULTS Rates of live birth and neonatal mortality were highest at all gestational ages in US-born Blacks, lowest in Whites, and intermediate in foreign-born Blacks. The revealed SGA pattern cohered much more closely with the observed pattern for neonatal mortality when SGA was defined based on a single, overall standard of birthweight for gestational age than when based on ethnic group-specific standards. CONCLUSION The closer coherence of revealed SGA and neonatal mortality rates based on a single standard and the intermediate pattern among foreign-born Blacks strongly suggest that Black-White differences in birthweight for gestational age are pathological, rather than physiological.
Reducing the Intensity and Volume of Interval Training Diminishes Cardiovascular Adaptation but Not Mitochondrial Biogenesis in Overweight/Obese Men

Objective The purpose of this research was to determine if the adaptations to high intensity interval training (HIT) are mitigated when both intensity and training volume (i.e. exercise energy expenditure) are reduced. Methods 19 overweight/obese, sedentary males (Age: 22.7±3.9 yrs, Body Mass Index: 31.4±2.6 kg/m2, Waist Circumference: 106.5±6.6 cm) performed 9 sessions of interval training using a 1-min on, 1-min off protocol on a cycle ergometer over three weeks at either 70% (LO) or 100% (HI) peak work rate. Results Cytochrome oxidase I protein content, cytochrome oxidase IV protein content, and citrate synthase maximal activity all demonstrated similar increases between groups with a significant effect of training for each. β-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase maximal activity tended to increase with training but did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.07). Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1α and silent mating type information regulator 2 homolog 1 protein contents also increased significantly (p = 0.047), while AMP-activated protein kinase protein content decreased following the intervention (p = 0.019). VO2peak increased by 11.0±7.4% and 27.7±4.4% in the LO and HI groups respectively with significant effects of both training (p<0.001) and interaction (p = 0.027). Exercise performance improved by 8.6±7.6% in the LO group and 14.1±4.3% in the HI group with a significant effect of training and a significant difference in the improvement between groups. There were no differences in perceived enjoyment or self-efficacy between groups despite significantly lower affect scores during training in the HI group. Conclusions While improvements in aerobic capacity and exercise performance were different between groups, changes in oxidative capacity were similar despite reductions in both training intensity and volume.
Malnutrition in Patients with Acute Stroke

Stroke is a devastating event that carries a potential for long-term disability. Malnutrition is frequently observed in patients with stroke, and dysphagia contributes to malnutrition risk. During both the acute phase of stroke and rehabilitation, specific nutritional interventions in the context of a multidisciplinary team effort can enhance the recovery of neurocognitive function. Early identification and management of malnutrition with dietary modifications or specific therapeutic strategies to ensure adequate nutritional intake should receive more attention, since poor nutritional status appears to exacerbate brain damage and to contribute to adverse outcome. The main purpose of nutritional intervention should be the prevention or treatment of complications resulting from energy-protein deficit. This paper reviews the evaluation and management of malnutrition and the use of specialized nutrition support in patients with stroke. Emphasis is given to enteral tube and oral feeding and to strategies to wean from tube feeding.
Using MELT to improve or explore your GCC-compiled source code

This paper introduces the MELT framework and domain-specific language to extend the GCC compiler. It explains the major internal representations (Gimple, Tree-s, . . . ) and the overall organization of GCC. It shows the major features of MELT and illustrates why extending and customizing the GCC compiler using MELT is useful (for instance, to use GPGPUs thru OPENCL). It gives some concrete advices and guidelines for development of such extensions with MELT.