Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multi-coset sampling for power spectrum blind sensing

Power spectrum blind sampling (PSBS) consists of a sampling procedure and a reconstruction method that is able to recover the unknown power spectrum of a random signal from the obtained sub-Nyquist-rate samples. It differs from spectrum blind sampling (SBS) that aims to recover the spectrum instead of the power spectrum of the signal. In this paper, a PSBS solution is first presented based on a periodic sampling procedure. Then, a multi-coset implementation for this sampling procedure is developed by solving the so-called minimal sparse ruler problem, and the coprime sampling technique is tailored to fit into the PSBS framework as well. It is shown that the proposed multi-coset implementation based on minimal sparse rulers offers advantages over coprime sampling in terms of reduced sampling rates, increased flexibility and an extended range of estimated auto-correlation lags. These benefits arise without putting any sparsity constraint on the power spectrum. Application to sparse power spectrum recovery is also illustrated.
Detection of Streptavidin-Biotin Complexes Using a Highly Sensitive AlGaN/GaN-Based Extended-Gate MISHEMT-Type Biosensor

In this paper, we propose an AlGaN/GaN-based extended-gate metal-insulator-semiconductor high electron mobility transistor (MISHEMT)-type biosensor for detecting streptavidin-biotin complexes. We measure the drain current of the fabricated sensor, which varies depending on the antibody-antigen reaction of streptavidin with biotin molecules. To confirm the immobilization of biotin polyethylene glycol (PEG) thiol, we analyze the Au surface of a GaN sample using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The proposed biosensor shows higher sensitivity than Si-based extended-gate metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET)-type biosensor. In addition, the proposed AlGaN/GaN-based extended-gate MISHEMT-type biosensor exhibits better long-term stability, compared to the conventional AlGaN/GaN-based MISHEMT-type biosensor.
A selective Gβγ-linked intracellular mechanism for modulation of a ligand-gated ion channel by ethanol

The current understanding about ethanol effects on the ligand-gated ion channel (LGIC) superfamily has been restricted to identify potential binding sites within transmembrane (TM) domains in the Cys-loop family. Here, we demonstrate a key role of the TM3–4 intracellular loop and Gβγ signaling for potentiation of glycine receptors (GlyRs) by ethanol. We discovered 2 motifs within the large intracellular loop of the GlyR α1 subunit that are critical for the actions of pharmacological concentrations of ethanol. Significantly, the sites were ethanol-specific because they did not alter the sensitivity to general anesthetics, neurosteroids, or longer n-alcohols. Furthermore, Gβγ scavengers selectively attenuated the ethanol effects on recombinant and native neuronal GlyRs. These results show a selective mechanism for low-ethanol concentration effects on the GlyR and provide a mechanism on ethanol pharmacology, which may be applicable to other LGIC members. Moreover, these data provide an opportunity to develop new genetically modified animal models and novel drugs to treat alcohol-related medical concerns.
Molecular Evidence of Persistent Echovirus 13 Meningoencephalitis in a Patient with Relapsed Lymphoma after an Outbreak of Meningitis in 2000

ABSTRACT Enteroviral meningoencephalitis was diagnosed in a patient with an immunodeficiency syndrome acquired after treatment with rituximab for a relapsed primary B-cell lymphoma. A second meningoencephalitic episode was diagnosed 6 months later and was successfully treated with a combination of immunoglobulins and pleconaril. The infection was persistent since the enterovirus genome was detected in five sequential specimens of cerebrospinal fluid collected over 9 months. An echovirus 13 isolate was isolated in the first three samples. The viral sequence encoding the VP1 capsid protein of the three isolates was determined and was compared with that of four control viruses. The virus isolates recovered from the patient shared >99% nucleotide sequence similarity with one another. In a phylogenetic tree, they were directly related to a control virus obtained from a patient hospitalized in 2000 during an outbreak of enterovirus meningitis. The epidemiological origin of a chronic echovirus infection in a patient with immune deficiency suggests that the echovirus had been continuously circulating in the general population after the outbreak that had revealed its emergence.
AN ATTITUDE DE TERMINATION SYSTEM WITH MEMS GYROSCOPE DRIFT COMPENSATION FOR SMALL SATELLITES

OF THESIS AN ATTITUDE DETERMINATION SYSTEM WITH MEMS GYROSCOPE DRIFT COMPENSATION FOR SMALL SATELLITES This thesis presents the design of an attitude determination system for small satellites that automatically corrects for attitude drift. Existing attitude determination systems suffer from attitude drift due to the integration of noisy rate gyro sensors used to measure the change in attitude. This attitude drift leads to a gradual loss in attitude knowledge, as error between the estimated attitude and the actual attitude increases. In this thesis a Kalman Filter is used to complete sensor fusion which combines sensor observations with a projected attitude based on the dynamics of the satellite. The system proposed in this thesis also utilizes a novel sensor called the stellar gyro to correct for the drift. The stellar gyro compares star field images taken at different times to determine orientation, and works in the presence of the sun and during eclipse. This device provides a relative attitude fix that can be used to update the attitude estimate provided by the Kalman filter, effectively compensating for drift. Simulink models are developed of the hardware and algorithms to model the effectiveness of the system. The Simulink models show that the attitude determination system is highly accurate, with steady state errors of less than 1 degree.
Digest: Selection on life histories drives the formation of functional mitonuclear associations *

The relative importance of interactions between mitochondrial and nuclear genes on adaptation has gained increased attention (see Wolff et al. 2014), although experimental systems to make direct tests of its importance are scarce. Mitonuclear epistasis is when nuclear and mitochondrial genes interact, often at the protein level, and variation in these interactions may result in phenotypic differences (Paliwal et al. 2014). These interactions are often found in the mitochondria where the energy-generating electron transport chain (ETC) is located, and consists of both nuclear and mitochondrial proteins. The study by Đorđević et al. (2016) sought to clearly determine whether specific mitonuclear genotypes are involved in the evolution of ETC functioning in the seed beetle Acanthoscelides obtectus. Đorđević et al. measured a variety of physiological and life history phenotypes in mitonuclear introgression lines to establish that the mitonuclear combination potentially affects fitness in female seed beetles (Fig. 1). The production of these earlybreeding (E) and late-breeding (L) lines represents a key resource in addressing the relative importance of mitonuclear genotypes. The 160 generations of recurrent selection for reproductive timing ensures a relatively clean genetic background compared to the genetic “noise” that would be found in natural populations. The results show that mitonuclear genetic effects are important in life-history adaptation. They demonstrated that mitonuclear coadaptation (as determined by ETC functioning) was evident when nuclear and mitochondrial genetic backgrounds were retained (E/E and L/L), but
An Interface Usability Test for the Editor Musical

This paper presents a usability test conducted for a music composition edutainment software called Editor Musical. The software, which offers creative virtual learning environments, has been developed in collaboration between the University of Sao Paulo, Laboratorio de Sistemas Integraveis (LSI) da Escola Politecnica da Universidade de Sao Paulo (USP) and the Sao Paulo State Symphony Orchestra, Coordenadoria de Programas Educacionais da Orquestra Sinfonica do Estado de Sao Paulo (OSESP). This paper focuses on the description of a usability test applied to children between 8 and 9 years old. The goal of the test was to verify the easiness of its use and to elaborate a final report that will guide the development of new improved versions of the software.
Towards policy relevant environmental modeling: contextual validity and pragmatic models

"What makes for a good model? " In various forms, this question is a question that, undoubtedly, many people, businesses, and institutions ponder with regards to their particular domain of modeling. One particular domain that is wrestling with this question is the multidisciplinary field of environmental modeling. Examples of environmental models range from models of contaminated ground water flow to the economic impact of natural disasters, such as earthquakes. One of the distinguishing claims of the field is the relevancy of environmental modeling to policy and environment-related decision-making in general. A pervasive view by both scientists and decision-makers is that a "good" model is one that is an accurate predictor. Thus, determining whether a model is "accurate" or "correct" is done by comparing model output to empirical observations. The expected outcome of this process, usually referred to as "validation" or "ground truthing," is a stamp on the model in question of "valid" or "not valid" that serves to indicate whether or not the model will be reliable before it is put into service in a decision-making context. In this paper, I begin by elaborating on the prevailing view of model validation and why this view must change. Drawing from concepts coming out of the studies of science and technology, I go on to propose a contextual view of validity that can overcome the problems associated with "ground truthing" models as an indicator of model goodness. The problem of how we talk about and determine model validity has much to do about how we perceive the utility of environmental models. In the remainder of the paper, I argue that we should adopt ideas of pragmatism in judging what makes for a good model and, in turn, developing good models. From such a perspective of model goodness, good environmental models should facilitate communication, convey  not bury or "eliminate"  uncertainties, and, thus, afford the active building of consensus decisions, instead of promoting passive or self-righteous decisions.
Uniform Topologies on Types

We study the robustness of interim correlated rationalizability to perturbations of higher-order beliefs. We introduce a new metric topology on the universal type space, called uniform weak topology, under which two types are close if they have similar first-order beliefs, attach similar probabilities to other players having similar first-order beliefs, and so on, where the degree of similarity is uniform over the levels of the belief hierarchy. This topology generalizes the now classic notion of proximity to common knowledge based on common p-beliefs (Monderer and Samet (1989)). We show that convergence in the uniform weak topology implies convergence in the uniform strategic topology (Dekel, Fudenberg, and Morris (2006)). Moreover, when the limit is a finite type, uniform-weak convergence is also a necessary condition for convergence in the strategic topology. Finally, we show that the set of finite types is nowhere dense under the uniform strategic topology. Thus, our results shed light on the connection between similarity of beliefs and similarity of behaviors in games.
Carbon fluxes in the Canadian Arctic: patterns and drivers of bacterial abundance, production and respiration on the Beaufort Sea margin

During August 2009, measurements of bacterial abundance and nucleic acid content were made along with production and respiration in coastal waters of the Beaufort Sea (Arctic Ocean), an area influenced by the Mackenzie River inflow. The main purpose was to evaluate bacterial organic carbon processing with respect to local sources, mainly primary production and river inputs. Bacterial production and abundance generally decreased from river to offshore waters and from surface to deep waters. In contrast, the percentage of high nucleic acid bacteria was higher in deep waters rather than in surface or river waters. Statistical analyses indicated that bacterial production was primarily controlled by temperature and the availability of labile organic matter, as indicated by total dissolved amino acid concentrations. Direct comparisons of bacterial carbon demand and primary production indicated net heterotrophy was common in shelf waters. Net autotrophy was observed at stations in the Mackenzie River plume, suggesting that the carbon fixed in plume waters helped fuel net heterotrophy in the Beaufort Sea margin.
Amplification of Uncertainty in Illiquid Markets ∗ ( JOB MARKET PAPER ) Elias

This paper argues that the capacity of financial markets to aggregate information is diminished in times of distress, resulting in countercyclical economic uncertainty. I build upon a rational expectations equilibrium model that delivers this result from the combination of (i) countercyclical funding constraints faced by informed financial intermediaries, and (ii) the dispersed nature of information in the economy. During downturns, informed traders become increasingly exposed to non-fundamental price fluctuations (noise trading risk), which reduces information-based trading and the informativeness of asset prices. Uncertainty can spike quite dramatically as conditions deteriorate due to amplification mechanisms that arise from the dispersed nature of information, and the presence of information externalities in a dynamic environment. I show that heightened uncertainty leads to increased risk premia, Sharpe ratios, and stock price volatility even when attitude towards risk and the unconditional volatility of fundamentals remain constant. I also trace the implications for real investment decisions when firms learn about productivity from the observation of stock prices: uncertainty affects welfare by reducing the accuracy of investment and also reduces its level as a precautionary response of firms. The mechanism outlined suggests that the success of public liquidity provision in stabilizing markets depends crucially on the distribution of liquidity across agents. JEL codes: E23, E32, G12, G14, G23
Mobile Stress Interventions: Mechanisms and Implications

According to the American Psychological Association, 49% of the U.S. population su ﬀ ers from chronic, daily stress. Chronic stress also has signiﬁcant long-term behavioral and physical health consequences, including an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, anxiety and depression. In this work, we examine how smartphones and mobile sensing can help address the short and long-term consequences of stress. First, we deﬁne a conceptual framework for thinking about the interaction between real-time pervasive devices and the real-time physiology of stress. Second, using this framework, we propose a set of guidelines or requirements for pervasive just-in-time intervention (JITI) systems. Third, based on these guidelines, we specify a three-layer software/hardware architecture to support just-in-time interventions for stress. Several themes emerge from this discussion, including the need for robust and accurate context-sensitive forecasting of future stress. Fourthly we describe our experiments and results demonstrating the feasibility of forecasting future stress from current measurements and the e ﬀ ectiveness of the intervention management approach. Finally we discuss the broader implications of mobile-based stress interventions. Whilst this work focuses on chronic stress, we believe the ideas presented are generalizable to other types of just-in-time pervasive interventions.
HuR (Elavl1) and HuB (Elavl2) Stabilize Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 mRNA During Seizure-Induced Mmp-9 Expression in Neurons

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (Mmp-9) is involved in different general and cell-type–specific processes, both in neuronal and non-neuronal cells. Moreover, it is implicated in an induction or progression of various human disorders, including diseases of the central nervous system. Mechanisms regulating activity-driven Mmp-9 expression in neurons are still not fully understood. Here, we show that stabilization of Mmp-9 mRNA is one of the factors responsible for the neuronal activity-evoked upregulation of Mmp-9 mRNA expression in hippocampal neurons. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the molecular mechanism related to this stabilization is dependent on the neuronal seizure-triggered transiently increased binding of the mRNA stability-inducing protein, HuR, to ARE1 and ARE4 motifs of the 3′UTR for Mmp-9 mRNA as well as the stably augmented association of another mRNA-stabilizing protein, HuB, to the ARE1 element of the 3′UTR. Intriguingly, we demonstrate further that both HuR and HuB are crucial for an incidence of Mmp-9 mRNA stabilization after neuronal activation. This study identifies Mmp-9 mRNA as the first HuB target regulated by mRNA stabilization in neurons. Moreover, these results are the first to describe an existence of HuR-dependent mRNA stabilization in neurons of the brain.
A Framework for Machine Learning based Multi Agent System

: Applications which can facilitate decision making are gaining importance. They can be found in domains like process control, air traffic control, inventory management, airline reservation etc. Developing applications for these domains have several flaws. First, they do not achieve the desired goal. Second, even if they do, their implementation and maintenance is very costly. Agent oriented system offers a qualitative change in this position. An agent learns from its environment, manipulates itself and coordinates with other agents in the system. Researchers have designed many agents but they were unable to solve complex dynamic applications of this kind. It is still an open problem for the researchers to let the agent learn and adapt as per requirements. In this paper, we addressed this issue. We have focused on design and development of multi agent system (MAS) which can reason and learn for environment. We have chosen Airline reservation as our case study.
Curcumin Extract for Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE To assess the efficacy of curcumin in delaying development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in the prediabetic population. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS This randomized, double-blinded, placebo- controlled trial included subjects (n = 240) with criteria of prediabetes. All subjects were randomly assigned to receive either curcumin or placebo capsules for 9 months. To assess the T2DM progression after curcumin treatments and to determine the number of subjects progressing to T2DM, changes in β-cell functions (homeostasis model assessment [HOMA]-β, C-peptide, and proinsulin/insulin), insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), anti-inflammatory cytokine (adiponectin), and other parameters were monitored at the baseline and at 3-, 6-, and 9-month visits during the course of intervention. RESULTS After 9 months of treatment, 16.4% of subjects in the placebo group were diagnosed with T2DM, whereas none were diagnosed with T2DM in the curcumin-treated group. In addition, the curcumin-treated group showed a better overall function of β-cells, with higher HOMA-β (61.58 vs. 48.72; P < 0.01) and lower C-peptide (1.7 vs. 2.17; P < 0.05). The curcumin-treated group showed a lower level of HOMA-IR (3.22 vs. 4.04; P < 0.001) and higher adiponectin (22.46 vs. 18.45; P < 0.05) when compared with the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS A 9-month curcumin intervention in a prediabetic population significantly lowered the number of prediabetic individuals who eventually developed T2DM. In addition, the curcumin treatment appeared to improve overall function of β-cells, with very minor adverse effects. Therefore, this study demonstrated that the curcumin intervention in a prediabetic population may be beneficial.
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for the treatment of depression. Systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) may be useful in the treatment of depression but results from trials have been inconclusive to date. AIMS To assess the efficacy of rTMS in treating depression. METHOD We conducted a systematic review of randomised controlled trials that compared rTMS with sham in patients with depression. We assessed the quality of design of all studies and conducted a meta-analysis of data from trials with similar rTMS delivery. RESULTS We included a total of 14 trials. The quality of the included studies was low. Pooled analysis using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression showed an effect in favour of rTMS compared with sham after 2 weeks of treatment (standardised mean difference=-0.35; 95% CI -0.66 to -0.04), but this was not significant at the 2-week follow-up (standardised mean difference=-0.33; 95% CI -0.84 to 0.17). CONCLUSIONS Current trials are of low quality and provide insufficient evidence to support the use of rTMS in the treatment of depression.
A Cytotoxic and Anti-inflammatory Campesterol Derivative from Genetically Transformed Hairy Roots of Lopezia racemosa Cav. (Onagraceae)

The genetically transformed hairy root line LRT 7.31 obtained by infecting leaf explants of Lopezia racemosa Cav with the Agrobacterium rhizogenes strain ATCC15834/pTDT, was evaluated to identify the anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic compounds reported previously for the wild plant. After several subcultures of the LRT 7.31 line, the bio-guided fractionation of the dichloromethane–methanol (1:1) extract obtained from dry biomass afforded a fraction that showed important in vivo anti-inflammatory, and in vitro cytotoxic activities. Chemical separation of the active fraction allowed us to identify the triterpenes ursolic (1) and oleanolic (2) acids, and (23R)-2α,3β,23,28-tetrahydroxy-14,15-dehydrocampesterol (3) as the anti-inflammatory principles of the active fraction. A new molecule 3 was characterized by spectroscopic analysis of its tetraacetate derivative 3a. This compound was not described in previous reports of callus cultures, in vitro germinated seedlings and wild plant extracts of whole L. racemosa plants. The anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities displayed by the fraction are associated to the presence of compounds 1–3. The present study reports the obtaining of the transformed hairy roots, the bioguided isolation of the new molecule 3, and its structure characterization.