Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Conceptualizing Social and Political Conflict in Games: Hegemony, Agonism and the Post-Political in Crusader Kings II, Democracy 3 and SimCity

EXTENDED ABSTRACT Most games use conflict—understood either as a competition between specific subjects, or more broadly as a player’s struggle with the game system in order to overcome its challenges and/or achieve the best score—as their core mechanic. Conflict is thus a very common theme of games: they often depict wars, revolutions, political struggles, or individual, character-based conflicts. Inevitably, these representations are intertwined with social and political discourses, and the interplay between the construction of these depictions and their ideological context is a vital field for cultural analysis.
Measuring Conceptual Similarity by Spreading Activation over Wikipedia’s Hyperlink Structure

Keyword-matching systems based on simple models of semantic relatedness are inadequate at modelling the ambiguities in natural language text, and cannot reliably address the increasingly complex information needs of users. In this paper we propose novel methods for computing semantic relatedness by spreading activation energy over the hyperlink structure of Wikipedia. We demonstrate that our techniques can approach state-of-the-art performance, while requiring only a fraction of the background data.
Unsafe Time Handling in Smartphones

Time manipulation, typically done using gettime() and settime(), happens extensively across all software layers in smartphones, from the kernel, to the framework, to millions of apps. This paper presents the first study of a new class of software bugs on smartphones called sleep-induced time bugs (SITB). SITB happens when the phone is suspended, due to the aggressive sleeping policy adopted in smartphones, in the middle of a time critical section where time is being manipulated and delay caused by unexpected phone suspension alters the intended program behavior. We first characterize time usages in the Android kernel, framework, and 978 apps into four categories and study their vulnerabilities to system suspension. Our study shows time manipulation happens extensively in all three software layers, totaling 1047, 1737 and 7798 times, respectively, and all four usage patterns are vulnerable to SITBs. We then present a tool called KLOCK, that makes use of a set of static analyses to systematically identify sleep-induced time bugs in three of the four time usage categories. When applied to five different Android Linux kernels, KLOCK correctly flagged 63 SITB-vulnerable time manipulation instances as time bugs.
From the big bang theory to the theory of a stationary universe.

We consider chaotic inflation in the theories with the effective potentials phi^n and e^{\alpha\phi}. In such theories inflationary domains containing sufficiently large and homogeneous scalar field \phi permanently produce new inflationary domains of a similar type. We show that under certain conditions this process of the self-reproduction of the Universe can be described by a stationary distribution of probability, which means that the fraction of the physical volume of the Universe in a state with given properties (with given values of fields, with a given density of matter, etc.) does not depend on time, both at the stage of inflation and after it. This represents a strong deviation of inflationary cosmology from the standard Big Bang paradigm. We compare our approach with other approaches to quantum cosmology, and illustrate some of the general conclusions mentioned above with the results of a computer simulation of stochastic processes in the inflationary Universe.
How special are Brightest Group and Cluster Galaxies

We use the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) to construct a sample of 625 brightest group and cluster galaxies (BCGs) together with control samples of non-BCGs matched in stellar mass, redshift and colour. We investigate how the systematic properties of BCGs depend on stellar mass and on their privileged location near the cluster centre. The groups and clusters that we study are drawn from the C4 catalogue of Miller et al. but we have developed improved algorithms for identifying the BCG and for measuring the cluster velocity dispersion. Since the SDSS photometric pipeline tends to underestimate the luminosities of large galaxies in dense environments, we have developed a correction for this effect which can be readily applied to the published catalogue data. We find that BCGs are larger and have higher velocity dispersions than non-BCGs of the same stellar mass, which implies that BCGs contain a larger fraction of dark matter. In contrast to non-BCGs, the dynamical mass-to-light ratio of BCGs does not vary as a function of galaxy luminosity. Hence BCGs lie on a different Fundamental Plane than ordinary elliptical galaxies. BCGs also follow a steeper Faber-Jackson relation than non-BCGs, as suggested by models in which BCGs assemble via dissipationless mergers along preferentially radial orbits. We find tentative evidence that this steepening is stronger in more massive clusters. BCGs have similar mean stellar ages and metallicities to non-BCGs of the same mass, but they have somewhat higher a/Fe ratios, indicating that star formation may have occurred over a shorter time-scale in the BCGs. Finally, we find that BCGs are more likely to host radio-loud active galactic nuclei than other galaxies of the same mass, but are less likely to host an optical active galactic nucleus (AGN). The differences we find are more pronounced for the less massive BCGs, i.e. they are stronger at the galaxy group level.
Gene Expression Classification Using a Fuzzy Point Symmetry Based PSO Clustering Technique

The growth of biomedical and biological research has changed the shape after introduction of microarray technology. Several unsupervised clustering techniques have been introduced in order to explain and interpret the microarray gene expression data sets. A new clustering technique using fuzzy point symmetric concept has been proposed which utilizes particle swarm optimization as the underline optimization strategy. This paper has deployed the clustering of microarray data as a single objective optimization problem. The efficacy of the proposed fuzzy clustering technique which poses the symmetric property is compared with some well known clustering algorithms utilizing the properties of symmetry and genetic algorithms over some gene-microarray datasets which are publicly available. Biological and statistical analysis have been carried out to validate the obtained clustering results.
New insights into the regulation of cholesterol efflux from the sperm membrane

Cholesterol is an essential component of the mammalian plasma membrane because it promotes membrane stability without comprising membrane fluidity. Given this important cellular role, cholesterol levels are tightly controlled at multiple levels. It has been clearly shown that cholesterol redistribution and depletion from the sperm membrane is a key part of the spermatozoon′s preparation for fertilization. Some factors that regulate these events are described (e.g., bicarbonate, calcium) but the mechanisms underlying cholesterol export are poorly understood. How does a hydrophobic cholesterol molecule inserted in the sperm plasma membrane enter the energetically unfavorable aqueous surroundings? This review will provide an overview of knowledge in this area and highlight our gaps in understanding. The overall aim is to better understand cholesterol redistribution in the sperm plasma membrane, its relation to the possible activation of a cholesterol transporter and the role of cholesterol acceptors. Armed with such knowledge, sperm handling techniques can be adapted to better prepare spermatozoa for in vitro and in vivo fertilization.
Flexible Virtual Channel Power-Gating for High-Throughput and Low-Power Network-on-Chip

Power-gating is a representative circuit level technique to mitigate leakage power. While in low-power Network-on-Chip (NoC) design, the former fine-grained power-gating methods will decrease network performance due to serial wake-up latency and head-of-line blocking. Therefore, we propose a flexible Virtual Channel (VC) management scheme for fine-grained power-gating to achieve high throughput and low-power. The proposed power-gating method with the early wake-up is evaluated by using some synthetic workloads. When compared with an optimized early wake-up power-gating technique, it can improve performance effectively in medium and high network loads, and increases the network throughput by 15.7%~44.1% for different synthetic loads, while keeps network power consumption as low as the optimized method. For the PARSEC application traces of token based protocol, it can significantly decrease packet latency by 20.3% on average, however only increases less than 3.6% peak power when compared with the optimized method.
Adaptation as statistical learning: An individual differences study

ADAPTATION AS STATISTICAL LEARNING: AN INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES STUDY Kelly Enochson, Ph.D. George Mason University, 2015 Dissertation Director: Dr. Steven Weinberger A rich body of research has shown that language learners can track and use distributional information in the input to acquire multiple levels of linguistic structure (see krogh et al., 2013 for a review). There is reason to believe, however, that learning about the statistics of the input is not confined to language acquisition, but is part of ongoing language experience. In particular, language processing appears to be influenced by expectations—e.g., about probable sounds, words, structures—which are dynamic and can be rapidly updated based on the current linguistic environment (e.g., fine et al., 2013). If a general mechanism like statistical learning underlies both acquisition and later processing and use, a clear prediction is made: performance on an independent measure of statistical learning should correlate with ability to adapt native language expectations based on novel information. This dissertation reports three sets of experiments designed to address this prediction. The first set of experiments serves as proof of concept, demonstrating that response time data can be collected accurately and efficiently over the web using crowdsourcing services like amazon mechanical turk. The second set of experiments explores the relationship between statistical learning ability and syntactic adaptation, showing that the two processes co-vary within an individual. The third set of experiments tests whether statistical learning also underlies phonetic adaptation, addressing the novel prediction that syntactic adaptation and phonetic adaptation are driven by the same underlying cognitive
Market Segmentation and Product Technology Selection for Remanufacturable Products

Remanufacturing is a production strategy whose goal is to recover the residual value of used products. Used products can be remanufactured at a lower cost than the initial production cost, but consumers value remanufactured products less than new products. The choice of production technology influences the value that can be recovered from a used product. In this paper, we solve the joint pricing and production technology selection problem faced by a manufacturer that considers introducing a remanufacturable product in a market that consists of heterogeneous consumers. Our analysis discusses the market and technology drivers of product remanufacturability and identifies some phenomena of managerial importance that are typical of a remanufacturing environment.
Lipopolysaccharide Induces Up-Regulation of TGF-α through HDAC2 in a Rat Model of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is characterized by alveolar simplification with decreased alveolar number and increased airspace. Previous studies suggested that transforming growth factor-α (TGF-α) may contribute to arrested alveolar development in BPD. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) control cellular signaling and gene expression. HDAC2 is crucial for suppression of inflammatory gene expression. Here we investigated whether HDAC2 was involved in the arrest of alveolarization, as well as the ability of HDAC2 to regulate TGF-α expression in a rat model of BPD induced by intra-amniotic injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Results showed that LPS exposure led to a suppression of both HDAC1 and HDAC2 expression and activity, induced TGF-α expression, and disrupted alveolar morphology. Mechanistic studies showed that overexpression of HDAC2, but not HDAC1, suppressed LPS-induced TGF-α expression. Moreover, the HDAC inhibitor TSA or downregulation of HDAC2 by siRNA both significantly increased TGF-α expression in cultured myofibroblasts. Finally, preservation of HDAC activity by theophylline treatment improved alveolar development and attenuated TGF-α release. Together, these findings indicate that attenuation of TGF-α-mediated effects in the lung by enhancing HDAC2 may have a therapeutic effect on treating BPD.
Intuitionistic Fuzzy QUALIFLEX Method for Optimistic and Pessimistic Decision Making

Intuitionistic fuzzy sets are suitable for capturing imprecise or uncertain decision information in multiple criteria decision analysis. In addition, optimism and pessimism generally affect the manner in which subjective judgments are construed. This paper proposes an outranking model, a QUALIFLEX method, for relating optimism and pessimism within the intuitionistic fuzzy decision environment. This paper treats the influences of optimism and pessimism differently by using the unipolar bivariate model. In addition, the proposed method investigates all possible permutations of alternatives with respect to the consequences of all criteria. A ranking procedure is employed to compare intuitionistic fuzzy values by using the inclusion comparison probability.
PENGARUH KEPERCAYAAN DAN RESIKO TERHADAP SIKAP DAN PERILAKU DALAM MENGGUNAKAN APLIKASI MOBILE BERBASIS ANDROID

The aim of this research is to test the impact risk and trust variable toward behavior with attitude of android mobile application user as mediating variable. Total sample that used in this research 100 respondent. Base on test, instrument that used in this research are valid and reliable. This research used Component Based SEM (Partial Least Square) as method analysis. The output from this research are: (1) Trust and attitude are mediating variable in relations between risk toward attitude and behavior; (2) Risk as attitude form factor and people attitude to use android mobile applications; (3) Risk had negative relations with trust and attitude, as high risk perceived will reduce trust toward applications and attitude; (4) Trust had positive relations toward attitude and attitude had positive relations toward behavior in used android mobile applications.
Reply: Suicide: The Persisting Challenge

constantly reviewed the situation and immediately introduced appropriate treatment. The patient and relatives were grateful for speedy recoveries. After she had seen me writing this opinion on the chart, I recall the ward sister saying, “But Dr Sim, you are accepting the full responsibility. ” I replied that that was why they paid me more. It is much easier to follow this course, for no time was wasted in debating policy with the team, whose only advantage is to ensure that nobody is to blame.
Timescales of Soft X-Ray Variability and Physical Constraints in Active Galactic Nuclei

We present soft X-ray variability timescales for 65 active galactic nuclei (AGNs) derived from ROSAT Position Sensitive Proportional Counter pointing data. For these 65 objects with obvious exponential increasing or decreasing patterns in their light curves, we use the exponential timescales and find they are more suitable for analyzing ROSAT light-curve data. We also discuss some physical constraints on the central engine implied by our results. Assuming that this soft X-ray variability exponential timescale is approximately equal to the thermal timescale of the standard accretion disk, we obtain the accretion rate, the size of the soft X-ray radiation region, and the compactness parameter for 37 AGNs, using their recently estimated central black hole masses. For 12 of these 37 AGNs, the radii of the gravitational instability in the standard thin accretion disks are obtained using the central black hole masses and the calculated accretion rates. These are consistent with the results from the reverberation mapping method. These results provide supporting evidence that such gravitational instabilities contribute to the formation of the broad-line regions in AGNs.
Receiver Anonymity for Unicast Frames by using IEEE 802 . 11-Compliant MAC Protocol

Mix based systems used for real-time bidirectional traffic actually does very limited mixing, and hence are vulnerable to powerful adversaries. In this paper, we explore the design of a MIX-net based anonymity system in mobile ad hoc networks. The objective is to hide the source-destination relationship in end to end transmission. We survey existing MIX route determination algorithms that do not account for dynamic network topology changes, which may result in high packet loss rate and large packet latency. We then introduce adaptive algorithms to over-come this problem. We also focus on the notion of providing anonymity support at MAC layer in wireless networks, which employs the broadcast property of wireless transmission. We design an IEEE 802.11-compliant MAC protocol that provides receiver anonymity for unicast frames and offers better reliability than pure broadcast protocol.
The Comparison of the Immunologic Properties of Stem Cells Isolated from Human Exfoliated Deciduous Teeth, Dental Pulp, and Dental Follicles

Aim. To compare the effects of various mesenchymal stem cells, those isolated from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHEDs), dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs), and dental follicle stem cells (DFSCs), on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Method. Mesenchymal stem cells were isolated from three sources in the orofacial region. Characterization and PCR analyses were performed. Lymphocytes were isolated from healthy peripheral venous blood. Lymphocytes were cocultured with stem cells in the presence and absence of IFN-γ and stimulated with anti-CD2, anti-CD3, and anti-CD28 for 3 days. Then, lymphocyte proliferation, the number of CD4+FoxP3+ T regulatory cells, and the levels of Fas/Fas ligand, IL-4, IL-10, and IFN-γ in the culture supernatant were measured. Results. The DFSCs exhibited an enhanced differentiation capacity and an increased number of CD4+FoxP3+ T lymphocytes and suppressed the proliferation and apoptosis of PBMCs compared with SHEDs and DPSCs. The addition of IFN-γ augmented the proliferation of DFSCs. Furthermore, the DFSCs suppressed IL-4 and IFN-γ cytokine levels and enhanced IL-10 levels compared with the other cell sources. Conclusion. These results suggest that IFN-γ stimulates DFSCs by inducing an immunomodulatory effect on the PBMCs of healthy donors while suppressing apoptosis and proliferation and increasing the number of CD4+FoxP3+ cells.
The Domestication Syndrome Genes Responsible for the Major Changes in Plant Form in the Triticeae Crops

The process of crop domestication began 10,000 years ago in the transition of early humans from hunter/gatherers to pastoralists/farmers. Recent research has revealed the identity of some of the main genes responsible for domestication. Two of the major domestication events in barley were (i) the failure of the spike to disarticulate and (ii) the six-rowed spike. The former mutation increased grain yield by preventing grain loss after maturity, while the latter resulted in an up to 3-fold increase in yield potential. Here we provide an overview of the disarticulation systems and inflorescence characteristics, along with the genes underlying these traits, occurring in the Triticeae tribe.
Causes of missed nursing care: qualitative responses to a survey of Australian nurses

ABSTRACT There is a growing nursing literature that views missed nursing care as an inevitable consequence of work intensification associated with the rationing of the human and material resources required to deliver care. A modified MISSCARE survey was administered to 4431 nurses and midwives in New South Wales in November 2014. This paper reports on 947 responses to an open question contained in the survey which asked respondents ‘Is there anything else you would like to tell us about missed care? ’ Responses were analysed using qualitative content analysis and focused upon both the causes and impact of missed care. Analysis identified two major causes of missed care: the impact of work intensification and staffing issues. Participants associated work intensification with patient acuity and cost containment, while the staffing issues identified included: undermining prescribed staffing ratios; skill mix; changing workloads across shifts; and poor support from other staff. Respondents identified insufficient resources, albeit staffing or other resources, to meet patient care needs reflecting findings in similar studies. Missed or delayed nursing care in this context is associated with resource issues leading nurses to ration the care they can provide. While work intensification is not a new phenomenon, its increasing use in the public hospital sector across a number of OECD countries has become a major consequence of new public management (NPM) strategies aimed at cost containment.
A Routing Protocol using Out-of-band Control for MANETs

Conserving energy is an essential consideration in designing routing protocols for mobile ad hoc networks. The majority of the work reported in the literature focuses on designing energy aware metrics to take place of the existing ones, and the improvements were not significant. In this paper, we propose a novel energy conserving routing protocol which use dedicated data and control channels instead of a single channel for both purposes, and the control channel, which we refer to as out-of-band channel, is used for control traffic. The proposed protocol, we refer to as ECOBR (Energy Conserving Out-of-Band Routing), can easily be applied to other routing protocols for wireless ad hoc and sensor networks. We theoretically analyze the effectiveness and efficiency of the ECOBR and give a rough condition which guarantees the effectiveness of the ECOBR. Simulation results show that ECOBR have a significant improvement in conserving energy in comparison with the AODV routing protocol when working over IEEE 802.11 MAC.
Seascapes of fear: evaluating sublethal predator effects experienced and generated by marine mammals

The notion that predators can affect their prey without killing them is widely supported in the ecological literature yet rarely applied by marine mammal studies. We present three case studies in which patterns of time allocation by individual marine mammal foragers were used to index the sublethal effects of predators on bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp.), harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), and dugongs (Dugong dugon). In each case, foraging individuals optimized energy gain and safety from predators by spending less time in more profitable but dangerous patches or decreasing their use of risky feeding tactics that would increase net energy gain. By implication, marine mammals are subject to the non consumptive effects of their predators (i. e., to intimidation), and fear can mediate their impacts on their resources. We suggest, therefore, that future studies quantify patterns of time allocation to measure sublethal effects of predators on marine mammals, as well as the capacity of marine mammals to have sublethal effects on their own prey. We argue that such an approach is important because non consumptive effects may be of greater magnitude than lethal effects of predators, and information on sublethal effects of predators can inform conservation plans and studies of community structure.