Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Textual Analysis of Barack Obama's Campaign Discourse Regarding His Race

This study is a textual analysis of Barack Obama's nine most noteworthy speeches from 2004 to 2009 during his rise to prominence and presidential campaign. Because Obama was considered an inspiring speaker and because he was the first African American to win either a major party's presidential nomination or a general • • presidential election, this study examines how Obama's use of language about his race may have contributed to his success. Previous research has shown that use of six rhetorical devices resonates with the American people: abstraction, democratic speech. conversational speech, valence messages, conciliatory messages and imagery. The study analyzed Obama's speeches for use of these devices in relation to his race. In the nine speeches studied, Obama addressed his race twenty-nine times and used all six rhetorical devices frequently when doing so. Recurring themes he discussed using these devices were the American dream, heritage and family, and unity. His overarching message about hi s race was that racial differences and a negative history of race relations could be overcome because the U.S . is a land of possibility, and he offered himself as proof of that idea. Previous research shows that the rhetorical devices Obama used to present this message about his race are those that would have helped him connect with his audience and appeal to the public. Thus, Obama's use of rhetorical devices and presentation of a positive message about his race may have helped him win votes to become the first African American president of the United tates.
Metonymic processing: a cognitive ability relevant to translators, editors and language teachers

‘Metonymic processing’, the ability to recognize relatedness through shared features, associations or part-whole relations, is a basic cognitive ability, which can be listed along with other abilities, such a matching, selecting, ordering and recombining. The ability to use language communicatively relies heavily on the ability to recognise metonymic relations, not just at word level, but also at sentence and discourse level. This paper proposes a ‘general theory of metonymy’ which shows the commonality between linguistic phenomena as diverse as: sense/reference, words categories, hyponyms/superordinates, synonymy, Indirect Speech Acts, textual cohesion and discourse metonymy. What are the practical implications of this? Much of the work of translators, editors and language teachers involves metonymic processing, because texts and translations, edited texts and the originals, and learner utterances and target utterances are related metonymically, that is, closely related, not literally equivalent nor metaphorically related. An awareness of this may go some way to making translators, editors and language teachers better practitioners.
Effect of transport stress on respiratory disease, serum antioxidant status, and serum concentrations of lipid peroxidation biomarkers in beef cattle.

OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of transportation stress on serum concentrations of oxidative stress biomarkers of calves. ANIMALS 105 crossbred beef steer calves (mean [+/-SD] body weight, 207 +/- 21.2 kg). PROCEDURE Calves were assembled at 1 location in Tennessee, and pretransit (day -3) blood samples were collected. Calves were allotted randomly by body weight into 2 groups. Calves were transported 1,930 miles to a feedlot in Texas, and 1 group received tilmicosin phosphate (33 microg/kg, s.c.) upon arrival. Calves were weighed and blood samples collected on the day of arrival (day 1) and on days 15, 22, and 28. Calves were scored daily for signs of bovine respiratory disease (BRD). Serum total antioxidant capacity (TACA) and serum malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations were determined. RESULTS Transportation stress significantly decreased mean serum TACA concentrations (from 147 +/- 31.2 U/mL to 133 +/- 20.1 U/mL) and significantly increased serum MDA concentrations (from 10.9 +/- 18.3 microg/mL to 30.2 +/- 50.5 microg/mL). Calves that died had a 43% increase in serum MDA concentration on day 1, compared with calves that lived (42.2 +/- 67.0 microg/mL vs 29.4 +/- 49.4 microg/mL, respectively). Calves that had > or =3 episodes of BRD had 2-fold higher serum MDA concentrations on day 1 than healthy calves. Tilmicosin-treated calves had a 20.8% significantly greater average daily gain and significantly greater serum TACA concentration than nontreated calves on day 28. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Transportation stress increases serum concentrations of oxidative stress biomarkers that are related to episodes of BRD and mortality in calves.
Letter to the editor: Comments on Stuart et al. (2016): "Myosin content of individual human muscle fibers isolated by laser capture microdissection".

to the editor: In a recent paper, Stuart et al. ([7][1]) conclude that muscle fibers isolated by laser capture microdissection (LCM) from the human vastus lateralis muscle 1 ) are all hybrid fibers containing mixtures of fast and slow myosin heavy chain (MYH) isoforms, and 2 ) contain significant
Nostalgia: a ‘forgotten’ psychological disorder

Nostalgia, a psychopathological condition affecting individuals who are uprooted, whose social contacts are fragmented, who are isolated and who feel totally frustrated and alienated, was first described in the 17th century and was a problem of considerable interest to physicians in the 18th and 19th centuries. by the 20th century it seemed to have disappeared, but reappeared under other labels.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing and Slow Wave Sleep: A Putative Mechanism of Action

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is considered highly efficacious for the treatment of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and has proved to be a valid treatment approach with a wide range of applications. However, EMDR’s mechanisms of action is not yet fully understood. This is an active area of clinical and neurophysiological research, and several different hypotheses have been proposed. This paper discusses a conjecture which focuses on the similarity between the delta waves recorded by electroencephalography during Slow Wave Sleep (SWS) and those registered upon typical EMDR bilateral stimulation (eye movements or alternate tapping) during recurrent distressing memories of an emotionally traumatic event. SWS appears to have a key role in memory consolidation and in the reorganization of distant functional networks, as well as Eye Movements seem to reduce traumatic episodic memory and favor the reconsolidation of new associated information. The SWS hypothesis may put forward an explanation of how EMDR works, and is discussed also in light of other theories and neurobiological findings.
Dominant Frequency Increase Rate Predicts Transition from Paroxysmal to Long-Term Persistent Atrial Fibrillation

Background— Little is known about the mechanisms underlying the transition from paroxysmal to persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). In an ovine model of long-standing persistent AF we tested the hypothesis that the rate of electric and structural remodeling, assessed by dominant frequency (DF) changes, determines the time at which AF becomes persistent. Methods and Results— Self-sustained AF was induced by atrial tachypacing. Seven sheep were euthanized 11.5±2.3 days after the transition to persistent AF and without reversal to sinus rhythm; 7 sheep were euthanized after 341.3±16.7 days of long-standing persistent AF. Seven sham-operated animals were in sinus rhythm for 1 year. DF was monitored continuously in each group. Real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, patch clamping, and histological analyses were used to determine the changes in functional ion channel expression and structural remodeling. Atrial dilatation, mitral valve regurgitation, myocyte hypertrophy, and atrial fibrosis occurred progressively and became statistically significant after the transition to persistent AF, with no evidence for left ventricular dysfunction. DF increased progressively during the paroxysmal-to-persistent AF transition and stabilized when AF became persistent. Importantly, the rate of DF increase correlated strongly with the time to persistent AF. Significant action potential duration abbreviation, secondary to functional ion channel protein expression changes (CaV1.2, NaV1.5, and KV4.2 decrease; Kir2.3 increase), was already present at the transition and persisted for 1 year of follow up. Conclusions— In the sheep model of long-standing persistent AF, the rate of DF increase predicts the time at which AF stabilizes and becomes persistent, reflecting changes in action potential duration and densities of sodium, L-type calcium, and inward rectifier currents.
Phosphorylation of Stim1 at serine 575 via netrin-2/Cdo–activated ERK1/2 is critical for the promyogenic function of Stim1

A functional link is identified between Cdo and Stim1 that leads to NFATc3 activation. Stim1 is required for muscle differentiation via activation of the calcineurin/NFAT pathway. The netrin-2–mediated activation of NFATc3 is coincident with an interaction between Cdo and Stim1 via ERK-mediated phosphorylation of Stim1 at Ser-575.
Fatty acid transfer from intestinal fatty acid binding protein to membranes: electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions Published, JLR Papers in Press, May 1, 2005. DOI 10.1194/jlr.M500140-JLR200

Intestinal fatty acid binding protein (IFABP) is thought to participate in the intracellular transport of fatty acids (FAs). Fatty acid transfer from IFABP to phospholipid membranes is proposed to occur during protein-membrane collisional interactions. In this study, we analyzed the participation of electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions in the collisional mechanism of FA transfer from IFABP to membranes. Using a fluorescence resonance energy transfer assay, we examined the rate and mechanism of transfer of anthroyloxy-fatty acid analogs a) from IFABP to phospholipid membranes of different composition; b) from chemically modified IFABPs, in which the acetylation of surface lysine residues eliminated positive surface charges; and c) as a function of ionic strength. The results show clearly that negative charges on the membrane surface and positive charges on the protein surface are important for establishing the “collisional complex,” during which fatty acid transfer occurs. In addition, changes in the hydrophobicity of the protein surface, as well as the hydrophobic volume of the acceptor vesicles, also influenced the rate of fatty acid transfer. Thus, ionic interactions between IFABP and membranes appear to play a primary role in the process of fatty acid transfer to membranes, and hydrophobic interactions can also modulate the rates of ligand transfer.
Illusions of Opportunity: The American Dream in Question

Examining the "American Dream" and the vision of America as "the land of opportunity", this text measures the ideal against the reality, calculating exactly how much opportunity is available relative to the number of households reliant on it. This measure reveals that even in the 1960s opportunity was drying up, and in the late-20th century, nearly a quarter of American families cannot find adequate work. The author of this study shows how this happened, and how the signs have been constantly misread, manipulated or ignored by American leaders. He demonstrates that neither global competition nor governmental interference are the real culprits. Americans still share the belief that all American citizens should be able to sustain themselves, their families and communities decently. This book reveals how the American Dream might become reality again.
The crisis in education

Education has become a burning issue in our soceity. In the political arena, for parents and children in the home as well as in the classroom, it is steeped in controversy. Dr Boyson marshalls the facts and takes a fresh view of the ideas. However controversial his conclusions, he sets the terms in which the discussion will have to be carried on.
System and Circuit Models for Microwave Antennas

This paper describes how circuit and system models are derived for antennas from measurement of the input reflection coefficient. Circuit models are used to optimize the antenna performance and to calculate the radiated power and the transfer function of the antenna. System models are then derived for transmitting and receiving antennas. The most important contribution of this study is to show how microwave structures can be integrated into the simulation of digital communication systems. This enables system designers to predict the effect of the microwave subsystem on the digital signals and calculate the resulting bit error rate
On gauge/string correspondence and mirror symmetry

We consider a mirror dual of the Berkovits-Vafa A-model for the BPS superstring on AdS5 × S5 in the form of a deformed superconifold. Via geometric transition, the theory has a dual description as the hermitian gaussian one-matrix model. We show that the A-model amplitudes of AdS2 × S4 branes, breaking the superconformal symmetry as U(2,2|4) → OSp(4*|4), are evaluated in terms of observables in the matrix model. As such, upon the usual identification gYM2 = gs, these can be expanded as Drukker-Gross circular 1/2-BPS Wilson loops in the perturbative regime of = 4 SYM.
Theory and Application of Reward Shaping in Reinforcement Learning

Applying conventional reinforcement to complex domains requires the use of an overly simplified task model, or a large amount of training experience. This problem results from the need to experience everything about an environment before gaining confidence in a course of action. But for most interesting problems, the domain is far too large to be exhaustively explored. We address this disparity with reward shaping—a technique that provides localized feedback based on prior knowledge to guide the learning process. By using localized advice, learning is focused into the most relevant areas, which allows for efficient optimization, even in complex domains. We propose a complete theory for the process of reward shaping that demonstrates how it accelerates learning, what the ideal shaping rewards are like, and how to express prior knowledge in order to enhance the learning process. Central to our analysis is the idea of the reward horizon, which characterizes the delay between an action and accurate estimation of its value. In order to maintain focused learning, the goal of reward shaping is to promote a low reward horizon. One type of reward that always generates a low reward horizon is opportunity value. Opportunity value is the value for choosing one action rather than doing nothing. This information, when combined with the native rewards, is enough to decide the best action immediately. Using opportunity value as a model, we suggest subgoal shaping and dynamic shaping as techniques to communicate whatever prior knowledge is available. We demonstrate our theory with two applications: a stochastic gridworld, and a bipedal walking control task. In all cases, the experiments uphold the analytical predictions; most notably that reducing the reward horizon implies faster learning. The bipedal walking task demonstrates that our reward shaping techniques allow a conventional reinforcement learning algorithm to find a good behavior efficiently despite a large state space with stochastic actions.
Parametric modeling of diverse antennas designed for IR and MB-OFDM UWB systems

This paper presents and compares the parametric modeling of several types of antennas designed for IR (Impulse Radio) and MB-OFDM (Multi-Band Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) UWB systems. Parametric models, based on the singularity expansion method, are computed in order to model the transfer functions and the impulse responses of antennas. Thus, the complexity and the accuracy of time/frequency models of diverse UWB antennas are analyzed.
Air Pollution and Health: Correlation or Causality? The Case of the Relationship between Exposure to Particles and Cardiopulmonary Mortality

ABSTRACT William Dab (M.D., Ph.D.) was responsible for the project as the general representative of the APPA. Claire Ségala (M.D., MPH, SEPIA) was the main researcher. The other members of the working group are Frédéric Dor (Ph.D., Institut de Veille Sanitaire), Bernard Festy (president of the APPA), Philippe Lameloise (AIRPARIF), Yvon Le Moullec (Laboratoire d'Hygiène de la Ville de Paris), Alain Le Tertre (MSc, Institut de Veille Sanitaire), Sylvia Médina (M.D., MSc, Institut de Veille Sanitaire), Philippe Quénel (M.D., Ph.D., Institut de Veille Sanitaire), Benoît Wallaert (PU-PH, Faculté de Médecine de Lille) and Denis Zmirou (M.D., Ph.D., MCU-PH Faculté de Médecine de Grenoble). Many epidemiologic studies have observed, in different contexts, a slight short-term relationship between particles in air and cardiopulmonary mortality, even when air quality standards were respected. The causality of this relationship is important to public health because of the number of people exposed. Our aim was to make a critical assessment of the arguments used in 15 reviews of published studies. We explain the importance of distinguishing validity from causality, and we systematically analyze the various criteria of judgment within the context of ecologic time studies. Our conclusion is that the observed relationship is valid and that most of the causality criteria are respected. It is hoped that the level of exposure of populations to these particles be reduced. In Europe, acting at the root of the problem, in particular on diesel emissions, will also enable the reduction of levels of other pollutants that can have an impact on health. In the United States, the situation is more complicated, as particles are mainly secondary. It is also essential to continue with research to become better acquainted with the determinants of personal global exposures and to better understand the toxic role of the various physicochemical factors of the particles.
Analyse de l'impact de la régulation sur la prise de risque par les banques

Cette etude se propose d'examiner l'impact de la regulation sur la prise de risque par les banques. Il en resulte que l'activite bancaire est intrinsequement sujette a des risques, du fait de l'imperfection de l'information ou du cadre macroeconomique qui a favorise d'une part la liberalisation financiere pour les pays en developpement, et d'autre part les innovations pour les pays developpes. En outre, elle administre deux applications theoriques. La premiere s'appuyant sur le modele de Zhang et al (2008), etablit une relation negative entre le ratio de fonds propres et la propension des banques a prendre des risques. Plus le niveau du ratio est eleve et moins les banques s'engagent dans les activites risquees. La deuxieme application, basee sur le modele de Blum (2007), nous a permis de montrer qu'un ratio de solvabilite peut inciter a la prise de risques. Ainsi, au-dela de l'imposition d'un capital reglementaire, l'introduction d'un ratio de levier dans le dispositif macro-prudentiel s'avere etre une necessite.
A docking interaction study of the effect of critical mutations in ribonuclease a on protein‐ligand binding

Enzymes with ribonucleolytic activity play a pivotal role in gene expression and cellular homeostasis by altering the levels of cellular RNA. Ribonuclease A has been the most well studied of such enzymes whose histidine residues (His12 and His119) play a crucial role in the catalytic mechanism of the protein. The ligands chosen for this study, 2′CMP and 3′CMP, act as competitive substrate analog inhibitors of this enzyme. Using molecular graphics software freely available for academic use, AutoDock and PyMol, we demonstrate that substitution of either histidine residue by alanine causes marked changes in the distances between these critical residues of the enzyme. The ligands in the docked conformation (particularly on mutation of His119 to Ala) compensate for the altered free energy and hydrogen bonding abilities in these new protein‐ligand complexes.
Prostaglandin E2 Induces Expression of Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor–κB Ligand/Osteoprotegrin Ligand on Pre‐B Cells: Implications for Accelerated Osteoclastogenesis in Estrogen Deficiency

Estrogen deficiency causes bone loss as a result of accelerated osteoclastic bone resorption. It also has been reported that estrogen deficiency is associated with an increase in the number of pre‐B cells in mouse bone marrow. The present study was undertaken to clarify the role of altered B lymphopoiesis and of the receptor activator of nuclear factor‐κB ligand (RANKL), a key molecule in osteoclastogenesis, in the bone loss associated with estrogen deficiency. In the presence of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), the activity to form tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)‐positive osteoclast‐like cells was significantly greater in bone marrow cells derived from ovariectomized (OVX) mice than in those from sham‐operated mice. Northern blot analysis revealed that PGE2 increased the amount of RANKL messenger RNA (mRNA) in bone marrow cells, not only adherent stromal cells but nonadherent hematopoietic cells; among the latter, RANKL mRNA was more abundant in OVX mice than in sham‐operated mice and was localized predominantly in B220+ cells. Flow cytometry revealed that most B220+ cells in bone marrow were RANKL positive and that the percentage of RANKL‐positive, B220low cells was higher in bone marrow from OVX mice than in that from sham‐operated mice. The increase in the expression of RANKL and the percentage of these cells in OVX mice was abolished by the administration of indomethacin in vivo. PGE2 also markedly increased both the level of RANKL mRNA and cell surface expression of RANKL protein in the mouse pre‐B cell line 70Z/3. Finally, osteoclastogenic response to PGE2 was reduced markedly by prior depletion of B220+ cells, and it was restored by adding back B220+ cells. Taken together with stimulated cyclo‐oxygenase (COX)‐2 activity by tumor necrosis factor α (TNF‐α) and interleukin‐1 (IL‐1) in estrogen deficiency, these results suggest that an increase in the number of B220+ cells in bone marrow may play an important role in accelerated bone resorption in estrogen deficiency because B220+ cells exhibit RANKL on the cell surface in the presence of PGE2, thereby leading to accelerated osteoclastogenesis.
Low-voltage-ride-through (LVRT) capability of a phase-shifted-PWM STATCOM using the modular multilevel cascade converter based on single-star bridge-cells (MMCC-SSBC)

This paper has an experimental discussion on low-voltage-ride-through (LVRT) capability of a phase-shifted-PWM STATCOM using the modular multilevel cascade converter based on single-star bridge-cells (MMCC-SSBC). The cluster-balancing control, that produces a significant effect on the LVRT capability, is modeled and analyzed with focus on either low-pass filter (LPF) or moving average filter (MAF) to attenuate the 100Hz (double the line frequency) component inherent in each dc capacitor voltage. The cluster-balancing control using the MAF is better in transient performance than that using the LPF. A three-phase downscaled system rated at 150 V and 10 kVA is designed, constructed, and tested to verify the LVRT capability of the SSBC-based STATCOM under the severest single-phase, two-phase, and three-phase voltage sags with a voltage depth of 100%. Experimental waveforms show that the STATCOM continues operating stably as if no voltage sag occurred.