Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Tunable Functionality of α,β‐Unsaturated Carbonyl Compounds Enables Their Differential Application in Biological Systems

α,β‐Unsaturated carbonyl compounds as potential drug candidates is a controversial topic since their potential Michael acceptor activity can lead to cell damage and cytotoxicity. Nevertheless, the α,β‐unsaturated carbonyl functionality can be employed as a tool to fine tune biological activity by directly manipulating this entity. Depending on their electronic properties, α,β‐unsaturated carbonyl functionalities display different reactivities, namely Michael addition, radical scavenging, oxidation or double bond isomerization. Modifying the α‐position of the α,β‐unsaturated carbonyl system, a concept that has not been widely explored, could produce new, very interesting derivatives. Currently in drug development, irreversible binding in active sites has proven to be one answer to drug resistance in cancer treatment. Overall, natural products containing the α,β‐unsaturated carbonyl unit possess multiple biological activities that could be transferred into novel pharmaceutical agents.
International Asset Pricing with Risk-Sensitive Agents

We propose a frictionless general equilibriummodel in which two international consumers with recursive preferences trade two consumption goods and a complete set of date- and state-contingent securities. Consumption home bias and concern for the temporal distribution of risk generate rich dynamics for international prices and quantities. In our model, exchange rate movements are as volatile as they are in the data. Furthermore, both the volatility of the exchange rate movements and risk premia are endogenously time varying and history dependent.
Fault analysis and prediction of transmission line based on fuzzy K-Nearest Neighbor algorithm

As the lifeblood of the electric power system, the fault of transmission lines directly threaten the safe operation of the power system. Thus, effective and accurate fault prediction and positioning analysis of transmission lines, has important practical value and economic significance to the security of the power system. To solve the asymmetry of transmission line fault problem, the paper proposes a novel approach to utilize the fuzzy K-NN(K-Nearest Neighbor) classifier to predict the fault types and position analysis of the fault line. During the training phase, the proposed approach uses analysis of the connection between the training data to obtain relevant cluster center features to greatly reduce the amount of data, thus improve the efficiency of fuzzy K-NN algorithm in the test phase. In particular, when data classification of category boundaries is not obvious, the application of fuzzy theory can effectively solve the deviation problem produced via only K-NN algorithm. Experimental results show that the predictive results of the fuzzy K-NN has a better efficiency and accuracy than those of the ordinary K-NN algorithm.
Implications of a Single Highly Cited Article on a Journal and Its Citation Indexes: A Tale of Two Journals

Citation indexes such as journal impact factor are increasingly used to evaluate the quality of a scholarly work and/or assess one's scientific contributions. However, this simplistic approach has increasingly been refuted with publication gaming and incorrect applications to rank one's academic significance. These indexes are being game not only by researchers but also subtly by journal editors. Although the attention drawn from the public pertaining to such misbehaviors from editors is limited, the associated implications cannot be undermined. In this article, the focus will be on the motivations, impacts, and lessons learnt from how single highly cited article can have on the reactions from and the reputation of two academic journals: Folia Phoniatrica et Logopaedica and Acta Crystallographica Section A. For the former, it adopted an unconventional approach to improve its prominence in the field while the latter reiterates the correct and the original intent of citation indexes, as well as the importance of good editorial governance. From these incidents, few considerations are proposed to assist in minimising the recurrence of possible publication gaming in the editorial process. However, the inherent ethical values of an individual should still take precedence of any preventive measure.
MobZombies: A Wearable Sensor For A Playground Style Electronic Game

MobZombies is a combination wearable sensor device and mobile game with a unique user interface. The game control requires physical, embodied movement that couples the wearable sensor to the game play. By walking or running and turning the wearable sensor controls the action within the game. We use a small sensor platform custom designed for MobZombies, together with software written for a hand-held computer, which serves as the main computational and display device. In the MobZombies game, the player is being chased by a swarm of brain-eating zombies and must move their avatar by using their body motion to direct the avatar away from the attacking swarm. This project is an investigation directed to research the use of wearable sensors as a platform for electronic games that are inspired from the physical nature of traditional pre-digital playground activities.
Early experience with the AcrySof toric IOL for the correction of astigmatism in cataract surgery.

OBJECTIVE The AcrySof toric IOL (tIOL) became available in Canada in 2006, thereby giving surgeons another option in the correction of astigmatism during cataract surgery. The purpose of this paper is to report the early experience of the acrylic AcrySof tIOL. DESIGN Observational clinical study. PARTICIPANTS One hundred eleven eyes, including 41 bilateral patients. METHODS Patients were implanted with the AcrySoftIOL by 1 surgeon between April and September 2007. The eyes were followed for 6 months and pre- and postrefractive outcomes were summarized. RESULTS Preoperatively, the mean refractive cylinder was -1.25 D compared with -0.32 D postoperative. At 6 months, 95.5% of eyes remained within 10 degrees of planned axis. Two eyes of 1 patient (1.8%) required bilateral repositioning at 2 weeks postoperative for significant rotation off axis. CONCLUSIONS Based on our early postoperative experience, we have found the AcrySof tIOL to be successful in reducing moderate levels of astigmatism.
Increased Level of Matrix Metalloproteinases 2 and 9 in the Ripening Process of the Human Cervix1

Abstract The human uterine cervix is a fibrous organ with a high connective tissue content. An extensive remodeling of the connective tissue prior to parturition, i.e., cervical ripening, requires the presence of proteolytic enzymes. The exact mechanism of cervical ripening has not been clarified. We evaluated in vivo distribution and expression of matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 (MMP-2 and MMP-9) in the human cervix at term pregnancy and immediately after parturition compared with the nonpregnant state. Cervical biopsies were obtained from term pregnant, postpartum, and nonpregnant women. MMP-2 and MMP-9 proteins were localized by immunohistochemistry. Messenger RNA levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were evaluated by relative quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using an invariable internal standard. The mRNA levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were increased in the cervix at term pregnancy and postpartum compared with the nonpregnant state. Cervical stromal fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells were identified as main sources of MMP-2, whereas the MMP-9 protein was observed exclusively in invading leukocytes. These data indicate the involvement of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the cervical ripening process.
Recent Trends in Sex Ratios at Birth in China

DEMOGRAPHERS REGULARLY CALCULATE SEX RATIOS (the number of males per 100 females) for two quite different purposes. First, if they are assumed to be accurate, they indicate the gender balance in a society. This balance is determined by the sex ratio at birth and by sex-specific mortality and migration over the life course. Study of the sex ratios of various age groups allows the estimation of these demographic parameters. The measured sex ratio at birth can be compared with a suitably selected "standard" sex ratio reflecting known biological patterns to determine the degree to which infants of one sex suffer excess mortality. Second, if the sex ratios are thought to be incorrectly measured, they may be examined to determine the degree to which one gender group is systematically undercounted in a register, survey, or census (Johansson, 1984). In the first instance, the data can be used to directly identify a social problem such as gender-determined abortion or infanticide. In the second instance, the immediate aim is to correct a statistical error such as accidental underenumeration or concealment of information. Identification of the sources of such errors may also reveal an underlying bias against some individuals in a society based on their gender. In this article, I analyze data from the One Percent Survey of China, carried out by the State Statistical Bureau in 1987. The sex ratios of births and young children calculated from these data are higher than those found in other recent Chinese surveys and censuses and indicate a serious and growing problem of "missing" female births. Three potential explanations for this phenomenon are discussed below.
A comparative study of hospitality and tourism graduates in Australia and Hong Kong

This paper evaluates the career experiences and perceptions of graduates from the School of Hotel and Tourism Management at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the School of Hospitality, Tourism and Marketing at Victoria University in Melbourne, Australia towards the programmes that they undertook. The two cohorts of graduates exhibited broadly similar career histories and expressed similar attitudes towards the quality, strengths and weaknesses of their respective programmes. In both cases, female students dominate the graduate cohort and about half of the respondents were found to have left the tourism or hospitality field within 3–5 years after graduation. Graduates believe that their general business and general education subjects play a stronger role in acquiring their first and current jobs than specialist tourism, hotel management and food service subjects. The findings highlight the challenge facing the university sector in attempting to balance the desire to provide a broadly grounded liberal education with the student desire for practical training. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The magnetosome proteins MamX, MamZ and MamH are involved in redox control of magnetite biomineralization in Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense

Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense uses intracellular chains of membrane‐enveloped magnetite crystals, the magnetosomes, to navigate within magnetic fields. The biomineralization of magnetite nanocrystals requires several magnetosome‐associated proteins, whose precise functions so far have remained mostly unknown. Here, we analysed the functions of MamX and the Major Facilitator Superfamily (MFS) proteins MamZ and MamH. Deletion of either the entire mamX gene or elimination of its putative haem c‐binding magnetochrome domains, and deletion of either mamZ or its C‐terminal ferric reductase‐like component resulted in an identical phenotype. All mutants displayed WT‐like magnetite crystals, flanked within the magnetosome chains by poorly crystalline flake‐like particles partly consisting of haematite. Double deletions of both mamZ and its homologue mamH further impaired magnetite crystallization in an additive manner, indicating that the two MFS proteins have partially redundant functions. Deprivation of ΔmamX and ΔmamZ cells from nitrate, or additional loss of the respiratory nitrate reductase Nap from ΔmamX severely exacerbated the magnetosome defects and entirely inhibited the formation of regular crystals, suggesting that MamXZ and Nap have similar, but independent roles in redox control of biomineralization. We propose a model in which MamX, MamZ and MamH functionally interact to balance the redox state of iron within the magnetosome compartment.
Real‐virtual fusion model for traffic animation

In this paper, we present an innovative, animated traffic simulation method that we designed to feature an enhanced sense of reality and diversity of traffic flows. Instead of the typical one‐off initialization, our simulation method includes continuous, real trajectory data input providing an interactive control function that maximizes the characteristics of real‐world traffic flows. Our fusion models represent a comprehensive integration of the interactions among real‐data‐driven and virtual vehicles, thus depicting accurately the irregularity of traffic flows. Test results showed that animations generated via our proposed method depict inverse and irregular vehicle driving behaviors throughout the entire traffic flow.
ING1a expression increases during replicative senescence and induces a senescent phenotype

The ING family of tumor suppressor proteins affects cell growth, apoptosis and response to DNA damage by modulating chromatin structure through association with different HAT and HDAC complexes. The major splicing isoforms of the ING1 locus are ING1a and INGlb. While INGlb plays a role in inducing apoptosis, the function of ING1a is currently unknown. Here we show that alternative splicing of the ING1 message alters the INGla:INGlb ratio by ~30‐fold in senescent compared to low passage primary fibroblasts. INGla antagonizes INGlb function in apoptosis, induces the formation of structures resembling senescence‐associated heterochromatic foci containing heterochromatin protein 1 gamma, the accumulation of senescence‐associated β‐galactosidase activity and promotes senescent cell morphology and cell cycle arrest. Phenotypic effects may result from differential effects on gene expression since ING1a increases levels of both retinoblastoma and the p16 cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor and ING1a and ING1b have opposite effects on the expression of proliferating nuclear cell antigen (PCNA), which is required for cell growth. Gene expression appears to be altered by targeting of HDAC complexes to gene promoters since INGla associates with several‐fold higher levels of HDAC1 in senescent, compared to replication‐competent cells and ING1 is found on the PCNA promoter by chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis. These data demonstrate a novel role for the ING1 proteins in differentially regulating senescence‐associated chromatin remodeling vs. apoptosis and support the idea that altered ratios of the ING1 splicing isoforms may contribute to establishing the senescent phenotype through HDAC and HAT complex‐mediated effects on chromatin structure.
Measuring Smallholder Commercialization Decisions and Interactions in Ethiopia

This paper measures the market orientation in land allocation, crop choices and commercialization of smallholders in rural Ethiopia and estimates their intensity and interaction at agricultural enterprise levels. It employs different relevant econometric estimation techniques including seemingly unrelated regression (SUR), Tobit model, univariate and seemingly unrelated bivariate probit models. The results indicated that households’ land allocation and crop choices between staples and cash crops were strongly and negatively correlated, suggesting that production of staples and cash crops were competing for limited resources but their crop choices were determined by similar underlying covariates. Moreover, crop and livestock commercialization scales were strongly and positively correlated, implying that the scale of commercialization in one enterprise enhanced commercialization in the other and households’ scale of commercialization in the two enterprises was determined by common underlying factors. However, their crop and livestock commercialization status were independent and their determinants were basically different. Key words: Market orientation, crop choice, commercialization, SUR model, bivariate probit.
Latino and Latina First Year College Students: Factors Important to Their Persistence

Fiona MacKinnon, Advisor One of the greatest challenges of the American higher education system in the 21 century is to improve the enrollment, retention, and graduation rates of the Latino and Latina college student population. The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of first-year Latino/a college students’ self-reported perceptions and experiences related to persistence and retention to the sophomore year. The focus was on Latino/a students who entered Bowling Green State University (BGSU), a mid-sized public regional state university in Ohio, in the fall semesters of 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001. Pertinent issues related to the first-year Latino/a college student experience were addressed in this study: (a) demographic descriptors of entering and continuing Latino/a college students, (b) perceptions of their educational experiences, (c) educational and social concerns, and (d) factors related to their persistence. To answer the research questions, this study used a combination of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. Descriptive statistics, such as frequencies, chisquare tests, and percentages, as well as t-tests and logistic regression were used to analyze the quantitative data. For the four year period, a total of 313 Latino/a students enrolled for their first year at BGSU. Two questionnaires developed by the Office of Institutional Research to administer to all new students were used to collect data for these students. Demographic and financial aid information were collected for the 313 students while 170 completed the BGSU First Year Student Questionnaire and 107 completed the
Development of Advanced Terrestrial DMB System

This paper introduces an advanced terrestrial DMB (AT-DMB) system which is being developed in Korea. The aim of AT-DMB development is to provide better resolution video service on large size displays (over 24 inches) or additional data broadcasting services with increased data. In order to achieve higher data rates while maintaining backward compatibility to conventional T-DMB receivers, a hierarchical modulation method is applied. For the hierarchical modulation method, DQPSK/QPSK and DQPSK/BPSK methods are chosen for the AT-DMB standard. Coherent detection based on decision directed (DD) channel estimation and scalable video coding extensions of MPEG 4 AVC are also adopted. An AT-DMB system can deliver 2 Mbps of effective data, which is enough for Standard Definition (SD) picture quality. The performance of an AT-DMB system is verified through computer simulation and small scale field experimental broadcasting. With this successful result, AT-DMB is legislated as new T-DMB standards (TTAS. KO.07-0070) June of this year.
A non-verbal analogue to the verbal transformation effect.

The verbal transformation effect, the phenomenon in which continued listening to recorded repetitions of a stimulus produces perceptual illusory changes in normal listeners, has been elicited by a variety of speech stimuli, including isolated vowels, consonant‐vowel nonsense syllables, words, phrases, and sentences. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effectiveness of non‐speech sounds as auditory stimuli in eliciting a non‐verbal analog to this perceptual phenomenon. A total of five stimuli, three pure tones (250, 1000, and 4000 Hz), white noise, and a five‐note musical motif, were repeatedly presented for a five‐minute period to each of 25 adult listeners. Results indicate that the transformations elicited by the non‐speech sounds are similar to those produced by speech stimuli in number of forms elicited, specific forms, and types of transformations. However, listeners usually require more repetitions of the non‐speech stimuli before perceiving transformations. Implications of these .
Household Food Security in the United States in 2010

An estimated 85.5 percent of American households were food secure throughout the entire year in 2010, meaning that they had access at all times to enough food for an active, healthy life for all household members. The remaining households (14.5 percent) were food insecure at least some time during the year, including 5.4 percent with very low food security—meaning that the food intake of one or more household members was reduced and their eating patterns were disrupted at times during the year because the household lacked money and other resources for food. The prevalence rate of very low food security declined from 5.7 percent in 2009, while the change in food insecurity overall (from 14.7 percent in 2009) was not statistically significant. The typical food-secure household spent 27 percent more on food than the typical food-insecure household of the same size and household composition. Fifty-nine percent of all food-insecure households participated in one or more of the three largest Federal food and nutrition assistance programs during the month prior to the 2010 survey.
Retrograde intrarenal surgery for lower pole renal calculi smaller than one centimeter

Objectives: Recently there has been an increasing interest in the application of retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) for managing renal calculi. In this review we discuss its application for the management of lower calyceal (LC) stones less than 10 mm in maximum dimension. Materials and Methods: Literature was reviewed to summarize the technical development in flexible ureterorenoscopy and its accessories. Further, the indications, outcome and limitations of RIRS for LC calculi < 1 cm were reviewed. Results: Use of access sheath and displacement of LC stone to a more favorable location is increasingly employed during RIRS. Patients who are anticoagulated or obese; those with adverse stone composition and those with concomitant ureteral calculi are ideally suited for RIRS. It is used as a salvage therapy for shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) refractory calculi but with a lower success rate (46-62%). It is also increasingly being used as a primary modality for treating LC calculi, with a stone-free rate ranging from 50-90.9%. However, the criteria for defining stone-free status are not uniform in the literature. The impact of intrarenal anatomy on stone-free rates after RIRS is unclear; however, unfavorable lower calyceal anatomy may hamper the efficacy of the procedure. The durability of flexible ureteroscopes remains an important issue. Conclusions: RIRS continues to undergo significant advancements and is emerging as a first-line procedure for challenging stone cases. The treatment of choice for LC calculi < 1 cm depends on patient's preference and the individual surgeon's preference and level of expertise.
Are Green Jobs Real Jobs? The Case of Photovoltaic Power in Italy

The European Union has made the promotion of renewable energies a key objective of its energy, environmental, and industrial policies. The underlying assumption is that several benefits may be delivered: Preventing the perceived environmental externalities, insuring energy security through reduced import dependency of conventional energy sources, promoting innovation and creating new jobs. This paper addresses this latter issue. Unfortunately, a fair assessment of the net occupational impact of green subsidies is quite complex because, among other reasons, reliable data are lacking. We try to estimate whether subsidies to solar power in Italy actually created more jobs than they destroyed (or prevented the creation thereof) because of the negative macroeconomic effect of higher electricity prices.