Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Global Scientific Workshop on Spatio-Temporal Management of Noise

Marine fauna, especially cetaceans, rely on sound for a range of biological functions and are susceptible to the effects of marine noise pollution (e.g. Richardson et al., 1995). However noise, despite its implicit classification as a pollutant by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), is not subject to the same level of regulation as other pollutants. Spatio-temporal restrictions (STRs), including marine protected areas (MPAs), offer one of the most effective means to protect cetaceans and their habitats from the cumulative and synergistic effects of noise as well as from other anthropogenic stressors (Weilgart, 2006), as the various threats confronting cetaceans do not occur in isolation. For example, there is evidence that anthropogenic noise could interact with cetacean by-catch or ship collisions, preventing animals from sensing fishing gear or oncoming vessels and making them more vulnerable to injury or death (Todd et al., 1996; Andre et al., 1997). However, despite great potential, at present very few MPAs are large enough to reduce ensonification (i.e. exposure) of cetaceans to noise from human activities in the ocean (Hoyt, this report). This consensus report creates a conceptual foundation for utilising marine protected areas and other STRs to help improve this situation. The efficient transmission of sound underwater (as compared to transmission in air) increases the geographical scale of the potential effects of anthropogenic noise pollution, which may interfere with biological processes at considerable geographical scales. Therefore, some reduced ensonification may be conferred if predetermined levels of intense mid-frequency sounds are excluded from areas tens of kilometres away from critical habitats (implying an STR on the order of 100 km 2 to 1,000 km 2). However, protection from intense low-frequency sounds might require larger distances of hundreds of kilometres from sound sources and areas of STR on the order of at least 10,000 km 2 to 100,000 km 2. There have been various strategies aimed at increasing the size of MPAs and their level of protection. The United Nations (UN) and other initiatives and congresses have suggested protecting 20-30 per cent of the oceans in some way (Roberts et al., 2006) and regional treaties such as The Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans in the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and contiguous Atlantic area (ACCOBAMS) are cooperating in the implementation of these goals. However, less than 1 per cent of the surface of the world ocean currently has any protected status, …
Index Analyzing and Behavior Effect Evaluating of Controlling Shareholders in Listed Companies

In recent years 'the agency problem' among controlling shareholders and medium & small shareholders has become the focus of corporate governance reform in listed companies. The controlling shareholders are the most important risk undertakers in management and also the main forces to create profits. Hence, the only way to solve above-mentioned problems is to evaluate behaviors of controlling shareholders correctly and based on which to construct a consistent rule to protect medium & small shareholders. The profit structures of controlling shareholders decide their choice of actions. Starting from analyzing factors influencing the profit structures, this paper constructed the index system which evaluates controlling shareholder's behaviors, taking listed companies in China as samples. The result indicates that the index of behaviors of controlling shareholders in China is low and their behaviors will bring strong negative externality, which can be restrained only by constructing a series of systems to increase the cost of controlling shareholders "private profits"
Adolescent blood pressure, body mass index and skin folds: sorting out the effects of early weight and length gains

Background Although there is longstanding evidence of the short-term benefits of promoting rapid growth for young children in low-income settings, more recent studies suggest that early weight gain can also increase the risk of chronic diseases in adults. This paper attempts to separate the effects of early life weight and length/height gains on blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), sum of skin folds and subscapular/triceps skin fold ratio at 14–15 years of age. Methods The sample comprised 833 members of a prospective population-based birth cohort from Brazil. Conditional size (weight or height) analyses were used to express the difference between observed size at a given age and expected size based on a regression, including all previous measures of the same anthropometric index. A positive conditional weight or height indicates growing faster than expected given prior size. Results Conditional weights at all age ranges were positively associated with most outcomes; each z-score of conditional weight at 4 years was associated with an increase of 6.1 mm in the sum of skin folds (95% CI 4.5 to 7.6) in adolescence after adjustment for conditional length/height. Associations of the outcomes with conditional length/height were mostly negative or non-significant—each z-score was associated with a reduction of 2.4 mm (95% CI −3.8 to −1.1) in the sum of skin folds after adjustment for conditional weight. No associations were found with the skin fold ratio. Conclusion The promotion of rapid length/height gain without excessive weight gain seems to be beneficial for long-term outcomes, but this requires confirmation from other studies.
Serum erythropoietin in patients with myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia

Summary. Serum erythropoietin levels (s‐Epo) were measured by radioimmunoassay in 61 consecutive anaemic patients (Hb<12 g/dl) with myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia (MMM). S‐Epo was inversely correlated with Hb (r= ‐0.48, P<0.0001). When observed s‐Epo values were compared with predicted levels based on the relationship between s‐Epo and Hb in control subjects, all but eight patients (87%) had s‐Epo levels appropriate for the degree of anaemia. The observed/predicted (O/P) s‐Epo ratio was significantly lower in patients with signs of active disease, and a significant inverse correlation was found between the O/P ratio and erythrokinetic measurement of the extent of erythropoiesis (r=0.31; P=0.02). Circulating Epo levels were appropriate for the variations in Hb during the postsplenectomy period in three patients. In conclusion, this study does not support the idea that therapy with erythropoietin should be extensively used in anaemic patients with MMM, but rather that it should be considered only in selected cases.
Review on Key-Aggregate Searchable Encryption (KASE) for Group Data Sharing

An efficient cryptographic approach for data sharing where data is shared among a group of users as Data sharing is an important functionality in cloud storage. How to securely and efficiently share a collection of data related to any subject areas with others in cloud storage. Development of new novel concept of KeyAggregate Searchable Encryption (KASE). This concept is implemented through development of a concrete key-aggregate searchable encryption framework scheme. This scheme is described as where a data owner only needs to generate and distribute a single aggregate key to a data user for sharing a large number of documents and on the other side user only needs to submit a single aggregate trapdoor to the cloud server, so that he/she can query over the shared documents by the help of generated single aggregate trapdoor. This proposed scheme is perfectly more secure and practically efficient. It is an effective method which is considered as best solution to build a practical data sharing system based on public cloud storage. A detailed review of various methods used for data access controls and encryption is presented and a brief comparison among the discussed methods is given.
Nanotechnology-Based Drug Delivery Systems for Melanoma Antitumoral Therapy: A Review

Melanoma (MEL) is a less common type of skin cancer, but it is more aggressive with a high mortality rate. The World Cancer Research Fund International (GLOBOCAN 2012) estimates that there were 230,000 new cases of MEL in the world in 2012. Conventional MEL treatment includes surgery and chemotherapy, but many of the chemotherapeutic agents used present undesirable properties. Drug delivery systems are an alternative strategy by which to carry antineoplastic agents. Encapsulated drugs are advantageous due to such properties as high stability, better bioavailability, controlled drug release, a long blood circulation time, selective organ or tissue distribution, a lower total required dose, and minimal toxic side effects. This review of scientific research supports applying a nanotechnology-based drug delivery system for MEL therapy.
Detection of lung cancer.

To the Editor. — In their recent editorial, Fontana and Sanderson (1980; 244:592) questioned the American Cancer Society's (ACS) recent recommendation concerning the use of annual chest x-ray films to screen asymptomatic smokers for lung cancer. While the rationale for the Society's recommendation is described in detail elsewhere, 1 Fontana and Sanderson raise several points that deserve specific responses. First, they state that "the chest roentgenogram is much more likely to disclose the presence of curable lung cancer than are symptoms or a physical examination. " The ACS is aware that x-ray films can detect cancers in asymptomatic persons and that the cancers often appear to be detected in early stages. The Society is also aware, however, of the many biases that can cause an interpretation of staging information and case-survival rates to overestimate the effectiveness of a screening program. These include the lead-time bias, the length bias, patient-selection bias, and the possibility
Comparative Study of Antioxidant Potential of Selected Dietary Vitamins; Computational Insights

Density functional theory (DFT) was used to explore the antioxidant properties of some naturally occurring dietary vitamins, and the reaction enthalpies related to various mechanisms of primary antioxidant action, i.e., hydrogen atom transfer, single electron transfer–proton transfer, and sequential proton loss–electron transfer were discussed in detail. B3LYP, M05-2X, and M06-2X functionals were utilized in this work. For aqueous phase studies, the integral equation formalism polarized continuum model (IEF–PCM) was employed. From the outcomes, hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) was the most probable mechanism for the antioxidant action of this class of compounds. Comparison of found results with experimental data (available in literature), vitamin C possesses the lowest enthalpy values for both proton affinity (PA) and bond dissociation energy (BDE)in the aqueous phase, suggesting it as the most promising candidate as an antioxidant. Accordingly, these computational insights encourage the design of structurally novel, simple vitamins which will be more economical and beneficial in the pharmaceutical industry.
The Oxylipin Signal Jasmonic Acid Is Activated by an Enzyme That Conjugates It to Isoleucine in Arabidopsis

Despite its importance in a variety of plant defense responses, our understanding of how jasmonic acid (JA) functions at the biochemical level is limited. Several amino acid conjugates of JA were tested for their ability to complement the JA-insensitive Arabidopsis thaliana mutant jar1-1. Unlike free JA, JA-Ile inhibited root growth in jar1-1 to the same extent as in the wild type, whereas JA-Val, JA-Leu, and JA-Phe were ineffective inhibitors in both genotypes. Thin-layer chromatography and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of products produced in vitro by recombinant JAR1 demonstrated that this enzyme forms JA-amido conjugates with several amino acids, including JA-Ile. JA-Val, -Leu, -Ile, and -Phe were each quantified in Arabidopsis seedlings by GC-MS. JA-Ile was found at 29.6 pmole g−1 fresh weight (FW) in the wild type but was more than sevenfold lower in two jar1 alleles. JA-Leu, -Val, and -Phe were present at only low levels in both genotypes. Expression of wild-type JAR1 in transgenic jar1-1 plants restored sensitivity to JA and elevated JA-Ile to the same level as in the wild type. The ethylene precursor 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) conjugated to JA was also found in plant tissue at 18.4 pmole g−1 FW. JA-ACC was determined not be an effective jasmonate root inhibitor, and surprisingly, was twofold higher in the mutants than in the wild type. This suggests that another JA-conjugating enzyme(s) is present in Arabidopsis. Synthesis of JA-ACC might provide a mechanism to coregulate the availability of JA and ACC for conversion to the active hormones JA-Ile and ethylene, respectively. We conclude that JAR1 is a JA-amino synthetase that is required to activate JA for optimal signaling in Arabidopsis. Plant hormone activation by conjugation to amino acids and the enzymes involved in their formation were previously unknown.
Visualizing the Content of a Children’s Story in a Virtual World: Lessons Learned

We present the problem of “bringing text to life” via 3D interactive storytelling, where nat-ural language processing (NLP) techniques are used to transform narrative text into events in a virtual world that the user can interact with. This is a challenging problem, which requires deep understanding of the semantics of a story and the ability to ground those semantic elements to the actors and events of the 3D world’s graphical engine. We show how this problem has motivated interesting extensions to some classic NLP tasks, identify some of the key lessons learned from the work so far, and pro-pose some future research directions.
Liver Receptor Homolog 1 Is a Negative Regulator of the Hepatic Acute-Phase Response

ABSTRACT The orphan nuclear receptor liver receptor homolog 1 (LRH-1) has been reported to play an important role in bile acid biosynthesis and reverse cholesterol transport. Here, we show that LRH-1 is a key player in the control of the hepatic acute-phase response. Ectopic expression of LRH-1 with adenovirus resulted in strong inhibition of both interleukin-6 (IL-6)- and IL-1β-stimulated haptoglobin, serum amyloid A, and fibrinogen β gene expression in hepatocytes. Furthermore, induction of the hepatic inflammatory response was significantly exacerbated in HepG2 cells expressing short hairpin RNA targeting LRH-1 expression. Moreover, transient-transfection experiments and electrophoretic mobility shift and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed that LRH-1 regulates this cytokine-elicited inflammatory response by, at least in part, antagonizing the CCAAT/enhancer binding protein β signaling pathway. Finally, we show, by using LRH-1 heterozygous mice, that LRH-1 is involved in the control of the inflammatory response at the hepatic level in vivo. Taken together, our results outline an unexpected role for LRH-1 in the modulation of the hepatic acute-phase response.
Voltage-insensitive Gating after Charge-neutralizing Mutations in the S4 Segment of Shaker Channels

Shaker channel mutants, in which the first (R362), second (R365), and fourth (R371) basic residues in the S4 segment have been neutralized, are found to pass potassium currents with voltage-insensitive kinetics when expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Single channel recordings clarify that these channels continue to open and close from −160 to +80 mV with a constant opening probability (P o). Although P o is low (∼0.15) in these mutants, mean open time is voltage independent and similar to that of control Shaker channels. Additionally, these mutant channels retain characteristic Shaker channel selectivity, sensitivity to block by 4-aminopyridine, and are partially blocked by external Ca2+ ions at very negative potentials. Furthermore, mean open time is approximately doubled, in both mutant channels and control Shaker channels, when Rb+ is substituted for K+ as the permeant ion species. Such strong similarities between mutant channels and control Shaker channels suggests that the pore region has not been substantially altered by the S4 charge neutralizations. We conclude that single channel kinetics in these mutants may indicate how Shaker channels would behave in the absence of voltage sensor input. Thus, mean open times appear primarily determined by voltage-insensitive transitions close to the open state rather than by voltage sensor movement, even in control, voltage-sensitive Shaker channels. By contrast, the low and voltage-insensitive P o seen in these mutant channels suggests that important determinants of normal channel opening derive from electrostatic coupling between S4 charges and the pore domain.
Applications of molecular spectroscopy methods to the study of metal dusting corrosion.

The interrogation of molecular vibrations in crystalline and amorphous solids by Raman and infrared spectroscopy methods can provide a wealth of revealing information concerning the composition, morphology, and spatial distribution of the extant phases. When these measurements are made in situ, such as during processes taking place in extreme environments (e.g., elevated temperature and pressure, oxidizing or reducing), where phases are evolving and/or dissipating, it is also possible to derive kinetic and mechanistic parameters. This paper summarizes the possibilities and limitations involved in using various types of Raman and infrared measurement methods to study metal dusting corrosion. Applications of conventional, microprobe, and imaging molecular spectroscopy approaches are discussed, with examples taken directly from metal dusting investigations. Some perspective is offered concerning the origin of observable condensed matter phonons emanating from the surface films and the carbon particles that accompany carbon dusting on various types of metals and alloys. Concepts for the systematic investigation of carbon dusting chemistry using molecular spectroscopy methods are presented.
Polynomial degree vs. quantum query complexity

The degree of a polynomial representing (or approximating) a function f is a lower bound for the quantum query complexity of f. This observation has been a source of many lower bounds on quantum algorithms. It has been an open problem whether this lower bound is tight. We exhibit a function with polynomial degree M and quantum query complexity (M/sup 1.321./). This is the first superlinear separation between polynomial degree and quantum query complexity. The lower bound is shown by a new, more general version of quantum adversary method.
Optimizing parallel applications for wide-area clusters

Recent developments in networking technology cause a growing interest in connecting local area clusters of workstations over wide area links, creating multilevel clusters, or metacomputers. Often, latency and bandwidth of local area and wide area networks differ by two orders of magnitude or more. One would expect only very coarse grain applications to achieve good performance. To test this intuition, we analyze the behavior of several existing medium-grain applications on a wide-area multicluster. We find that high performance can be obtained if the programs are optimized to take the multilevel network structure into account. The optimizations reduce intercluster traffic and hide intercluster latency, and substantially improve performance on wide area multiclusters. As a result, the range of metacomputing applications is larger than previously assumed.
Distension of central great vein decreases sympathetic outflow in humans

Classic canine studies suggested that central great vein distension evoked a reflex tachycardia (“Bainbridge reflex”). Our recent reports suggest that distension of human forearm veins evokes reflex increases in muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) and blood pressure (BP). It is unknown whether these responses are evoked by the same reflex system. We hypothesized that distension in inferior vena cava (IVC) in humans would not evoke tachycardia, but lead to a decrease in MSNA. IVC distension (echocardiography) was induced with 2‐min head‐down tilt (HDT, ~13°, N=13) and 2‐min lower body positive pressure (LBPP, 40 mmHg, N=10) in 2 visits. HDT induced IVC distension (20.6±1.3 to 23.1±1.4 mm, P<0.001), and a small increase in mean BP (Finometer, 82.4±2.4 to 84.7±2.7 mmHg, P=0.005), and a significant decrease in MSNA (14.5±2.0 to 9.3±2.0 bursts/min, P<0.001, N=10). HR did not change significantly (61.6±3.4 to 61.1±3.3 beats/min. P=0.37) during the HDT. LBPP also induced IVC distension (Δ2.4±0.2 mm, P<0.001), a small increase in BP (Δ2.0±0.7 mmHg, P<0.01), no increase in HR (P=0.34). These data suggest that central venous distension does not lead to tachycardia but a decrease in systemic sympathetic outflow in humans. Thus, central venous distension and peripheral venous distension evoke high dissimilar autonomic responses. These reflexes (peripheral vs. central venous distension) are not evoked by the same reflex mechanism. Supported by P01 HL096570 and UL1 TR000127.
Robust Eigenvector Algorithms for Blind Deconvolution of MIMO Linear Channels

This paper presents eigenvector algorithms (EVAs) for blind deconvolution of multiple-input multiple-output infinite impulse response (MIMO-IIR) channels (convolutive mixtures). One of the attractive features of the proposed EVA is that it is insensitive to Gaussian noises which are added to the outputs of the channels; hence the proposed EVA is referred to as a "robust" eigenvector algorithm (REVA). Simulation results show the validity of the REVA.
All-Path Reachability Logic

This paper presents a language-independent proof system for reachability properties of programs written in non-deterministic (e.g. concurrent) languages, referred to as all-path reachability logic. It derives partial-correctness properties with all-path semantics (a state satisfying a given precondition reaches states satisfying a given postcondition on all terminating execution paths). The proof system takes as axioms any unconditional operational semantics, and is sound (partially correct) and (relatively) complete, independent of the object language; the soundness has also been mechanized (Coq). This approach is implemented in a tool for semantics-based verification as part of the \(\mathbb K\) framework.
Exercise Alleviates Osteoporosis in Rats with Mild Chronic Kidney Disease by Decreasing Sclerostin Production

Chronic kidney disease–mineral bone disorder (CKD–MBD), comprising mineral, hormonal, and bone metabolic imbalance, is a major CKD-related issue; it causes osteoporosis prevalence in CKD patients. Osteocyte-derived sclerostin inhibits the osteogenic Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway; its levels rise when kidney function declines. Exercise modulates the physiological functions of osteocytes, potentially altering sclerostin production. It may aid bone and mineral electrolyte homeostasis in CKD. Mild CKD was induced in rats by partial nephrectomy. They were divided into: sham (no CKD), CKD, and CKD + exercise (8 weeks of treadmill running) groups. Micro-CT scanning demonstrated that the CKD + exercise-group rats had a higher bone mineral density (BMD) of the spine and femoral metaphysis and higher femoral trabecular bone volume than the CKD-group rats. Bone formation rates were not significantly different. The CKD + exercise-group rats had lower serum sclerostin (157.1 ± 21.1 vs 309 ± 38.1 pg/mL, p < 0.05) and CTX-1 (bone resorption marker) levels. Immunohistochemistry revealed higher tibial β-catenin concentrations in the CKD + exercise-group rats. Serum FGF-23, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), calcium, and phosphate levels showed no significant differences between these groups. Thus, exercise improves BMD and bone microstructure in mild CKD by inhibiting sclerostin production, but does not alter serum minerals.