Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hyperbolic Problems in the Whole Scale of Sobolev-Type Spaces of Periodic Functions

We study one-dimensional linear hyperbolic systems with $L^{\infty}$-coefficients subjected to periodic conditions in time and reflection boundary conditions in space. We derive a priori estimates and give an operator representation of solutions in the whole scale of Sobolev-type spaces of periodic functions. These spaces give an optimal regularity trade-off for our problem.
Computers, Wages and Working Hours in Italy

In this paper, the relationships between wages, working hours and the use of computers in the workplace are analysed for the Italian labour market. After addressing several econometric issues (mostly overlooked by previous literature) on the appropriate procedure for evaluating computer effects, we found that only for higher-level white collars the wage premium associated with computer usage is substantial; for lower qualifications, the effect vanishes. The use of computers at work increases the number of hours worked, although this effect is small. Moreover, since hourly wages have a negative impact on hours worked, computers seem to exert little, if any, impact on working time.
p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Is the Central Regulator of Cyclic AMP-Dependent Transcription of the Brown Fat Uncoupling Protein 1 Gene

ABSTRACT It is well established that catecholamine-stimulated thermogenesis in brown fat requires β-adrenergic elevations in cyclic AMP (cAMP) to increase expression of the uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) gene. However, little is known about the downstream components of the signaling cascade or the relevant transcription factor targets thereof. Here we demonstrate that cAMP- and protein kinase A-dependent activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in brown adipocytes is an indispensable step in the transcription of the UCP1 gene in mice. By phosphorylating activating transcription factor 2 (ATF-2) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) coativator 1α (PGC-1α), members of two distinct nuclear factor families, p38 MAPK controls the expression of the UCP1 gene through their respective interactions with a cAMP response element and a PPAR response element that both reside within a critical enhancer motif of the UCP1 gene. Activation of ATF-2 by p38 MAPK additionally serves as the cAMP sensor that increases expression of the PGC-1α gene itself in brown adipose tissue. In conclusion, our findings illustrate that by orchestrating the activity of multiple transcription factors, p38 MAPK is a central mediator of the cAMP signaling mechanism of brown fat that promotes thermogenesis.
Nominal Logic with Equations Only

Many formal systems, particularly in computer science, may be captured by equations modulated by side conditions asserting the “freshness of names”; these can be reasoned about with Nominal Equational Logic (NEL). Like most logics of this sort NEL employs this notion of freshness as a first class logical connective. However, this can become inc onvenient when attempting to translate results from standard equational logic to the nominal setti ng. This paper presents proof rules for a logic whose only connectives are equations, which we call Nominal Equation-only Logic (NEoL). We prove that NEoL is just as expressive as NEL. We then give a simple description of equality in the empty NEoL-theory, then extend that result to describe freshness in the empty NEL-theory.
SPITZER SPECTROSCOPY OF THE GALACTIC SUPERNOVA REMNANT G292.0+1.8: STRUCTURE AND COMPOSITION OF THE OXYGEN-RICH EJECTA

We present mid-infrared (mid-IR; 5–40 μm) spectra of shocked ejecta in the Galactic oxygen-rich supernova remnant (SNR) G292.0+1.8, acquired with the Infrared Spectrograph onboard the Spitzer Space Telescope. The observations targeted two positions within the brightest oxygen-rich feature in G292.0+1.8. Emission lines of [Ne ii] λ12. 8, [Ne iii] λλ15. 5,36.0, [Ne v] λ24. 3, and [O iv] λ25. 9 μm are detected from the shocked ejecta. In marked contrast to what is observed in Cassiopeia A, no discernible mid-IR emission from heavier species such as Mg, Si, S, Ar, or Fe is detected in G292.0+1.8. We also detect a broad emission bump between 15 and 28 μm in spectra of the radiatively shocked O-rich ejecta in G292.0+1.8. We suggest that this feature arises from either shock-heated Mg2SiO4 (forsterite) dust in the radiatively shocked O-rich ejecta or collisional excitation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the blast wave of the SNR. If the former interpretation is correct, this would be the first mid-IR detection of ejecta dust in G292.0+1.8. A featureless dust continuum is also detected from nonradiative shocks in the circumstellar medium around G292.0+1.8. The mid-IR continuum from these structures, which lack mid-IR line emission, is seen in Chandra images as bright X-ray filaments, is well described by a two-component silicate dust model. The temperature of the hot dust component (Md ∼ 2 × 10−3 M☉) is ∼115 K, while that of the cold component (roughly constrained to be ≲3 M☉) is ∼35 K. We attribute the hot component to collisionally heated dust in the circumstellar shocks in G292.0+1.8, and attribute the cold component to dust heated by the hard FUV radiation from the circumstellar shocks. Using average O/Ne and O/Si mass ratios measured for a sample of ejecta knots in the X-rays, our models yield line strengths consistent with mass ratios MO/MNe ≈ 3, MO/MSi ≳ 61, and MO/MS ≈ 50. These ratios (especially the large O/Ne mass ratio) are difficult to reproduce with standard nucleosynthesis models of well-mixed supernova ejecta. This reinforces the conclusions of existing X-ray studies that the reverse shock in G292.0+1.8 is currently propagating into the hydrostatic nucleosynthetic layers of the progenitor star, and has not yet penetrated the layers dominated by explosive nucleosynthetic products.
Exploring Antiurolithic Effects of Gokshuradi Polyherbal Ayurvedic Formulation in Ethylene-Glycol-Induced Urolithic Rats

Gokshuradi Yog (GY) is a polyherbal ayurvedic formulation used traditionally for several decades in India for the treatment of urolithiasis. The aim of the present study was to determine the underlying mechanism of GY action in the management of calcium oxalate urolithiasis. The effect of Gokshuradi polyherbal aqueous extracts (GPAEs) was studied on various biochemical parameters involved in calcium oxalate formation by employing in vitro and in vivo methods. GPAE exhibited significant antioxidant activity against 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical and inhibited lipid peroxidation in the in vitro experiments. The rat model of urolithiasis induced by 0.75% ethylene glycol (EG) and 1% ammonium chloride (AC) in water caused polyuria, weight loss, impairment of renal function, and oxidative stress and decreased antioxidant enzyme activities in untreated control groups. However, GPAE- (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) treated groups caused diuresis accompanied by a saluretic effect and revealed significant increase in antioxidant enzyme activities along with decreased oxalate synthesizing biochemical parameters at higher doses. This study revealed the antiurolithic effect of GPAE mediated possibly through inhibiting biochemical parameters involved in calcium oxalate formation, along with its diuretic and antioxidant effects, hence supporting its use in the treatment of calcium oxalate urolithiasis.
An Infinite Hidden Markov Model for Short-term Interest Rates

The time-series dynamics of short-term interest rates are important as they are a key input into pricing models of the term structure of interest rates. In this paper we extend popular discrete time short-rate models to include Markov switching of infinite dimension. This is a Bayesian nonparametric model that allows for changes in the unknown conditional distribution over time. Applied to weekly U.S. data we find significant parameter change over time and strong evidence of non-Gaussian conditional distributions. Our new model with a hierarchical prior provides significant improvements in density forecasts as well as point forecasts. We find evidence of recurring regimes as well as structural breaks in the empirical application.
IMAGE-BASED UNSTRUCTURED 3D MESH GENERATION FOR MEDICAL APPLICATIONS

We present a dimension-independent algorithm for non-uniform meshing of voxel geometries, e.g. stemming from segmented medical images. The basic algorithms uses spacetrees (generalized octrees for arbitrary dimension) to build a hierarchical representation of the image information. The resolution of the spacetree can depend on several parameters, such as homogeneity of the material, or application dependent criteria. Arbitrary Cartesian refinement rules can be used, in addition to the usual isotropic binary refinement. This is particularly important for images with anisotropic voxel sizes. Also, the balancing level can be freely chosen. In a second stage, a non-uniform simplicial or hybrid mesh is generated with guaranteed element quality. Again, this part is completely dimension independent. In order to achieve smooth material boundaries, we introduce the marching simplices algorithm for 2D and 3D. Marching simplices generalize the Cartesian volumetric marching tetrahedra method to general simplicial meshes. Our algorithm also handles cases where the separating surface passes through mesh vertices. This avoids degeneracies and allows one to shift vertices to the surface where appropriate, thus significantly reducing the number of cut simplices. The implementation of the algorithmic components makes use of generic programming to maximize reuse, flexibility and composability. We strive for maximal independence of algorithmic components, thus paving the way toward a meshing toolbox which allows to build mesh generators adapted to particular applications. For example, in the context of maxillo-facial surgery simulation special mesh generation options can be applied to the vincinity of cuts. Mesh generation for large models can require large computational resources. The algorithms described here lend themselves to parallelization, which is planned for the near future. Meshing of large geometries is a good candidate for a Grid service, which is currently under development. ∗This work was supported by the European Union under research grants IST-1999-10378 and IST-2001-37153
Quantification of Attention in Mismatch Negativity(MMN) under Controlled Stimulus Parameters

Quantification of Attention in Mismatch Negativity(MMN) under Controlled Stimulus Parameters Eun-Jung Ha and Dukhwan Lim Department of Otolaryngolog, Konkuk University, Seoul, Graduate Program in Audiology, Hallym University, Chunchon, Section of Audiology and Audiology & Speech Pathology Research Institute, Hallym University, Chunchon, Korea In this study, Mismatch Negativity (MMN) was explored as a prospective tool for measuring the degree of attention level in normal adult subjects. Both attended and unattended MMN responses of the same subject were analyzed to quantify the degree of attention under the controlled stimulus parameter sets based on frequency and intensity differences. In this paradigm, attended and unattended MMN responses were recorded in 20 adult subjects (male:6, female:14) with normal hearing. The reference frequency of the standard stimulus was 250 Hz and the deviant stimuli were 500, 750, and 1000 Hz. The intensity of the auditory stimuli was systematically varied at 30, 50, and 80 dBnHL. The response area, area difference of the MMN were analyzed to calculate the degree of attentional level (unit voxel area=8.77 ms·μV). The largest differences between the MMN areas of both conditions were obtained with 500 Hz deviant stimulus. The mean area differences were 96.22, 94.91, and 106.90 (ms·μV) with 30, 50, 80 dB of 500 Hz deviants, respectively. From the analysis of the experimental data, the combination of 250 Hz (standard) and 500 Hz (deviant) at 50 dB was concluded as a clinically appropriate value of the protocol for the objective quantification of attention in normal hearing subjects. This MMN protocol could be used as a prospective objective tool for quantifying the level of attention in cases such as CAPD, ADHD, aphasia, and autism.
Electrical collector topologies for offshore wind power plants: A survey

This paper gives an overview of various collector topologies for offshore wind farms. A comparative analysis of different DC and AC collector system topologies for offshore wind power plant are presented. The advantages and disadvantages of collector system topologies in terms of cost, reliability and efficiency are discussed. The paper discusses various updated collector topologies like radial, single sided ring, double sided ring, star and hybrid AC-DC etc. in AC collector systems and series, parallel, hybrid and matrix interconnected topology etc in DC collector systems. At the end alternative topologies based on bypassing method for radial, double sided topology are explained.
Combining Multiple Features for High Performance Face Recognition System

This paper proposes the combination multiple facial feature extraction methods and probabilistic neural network for facial recognition. Firstly, we use horizontal projection of 2-D image to obtain accumulated energy profile signal. Secondly, we obtain the statistical distribution of facial gray images. Finally, we adopt wavelet transform to extract low frequency coefficients from 1-D energy profile signal and statistical distribution of face gray level values as feature vectors, which is applied with probabilistic neural network in facial identification and facial matching. Thus, the proposed method is evaluated on the ORL face database for face recognition. Besides, the face recognition system is also built on PC, and it is evaluated on real data set by the proposed algorithm. The experiment results show that the proposed method possesses the excellent performance. Because of low complexity, it is also suitable for a hardware-friendly and resource-constrained embedded environment.
Migraine and cognitive function: A life-course study

Objective To investigate the association between migraine and cognitive ability among members of a longitudinal birth cohort study. MethodsHeadache status was determined at age 26 (migraine, tension-type headache [TTH], headache-free control subjects) according to International Headache Society criteria, and data relating to cognitive and academic performance from ages 3 to 26 years were analyzed. ResultsStudy members diagnosed with migraine were subtly but significantly impaired, compared with those with TTH and headache-free control subjects, on tests of verbal ability (especially language reception) from ages 3 to 13, independent of headache history. Performance on other tasks, including reading, arithmetic, motor, and spatial ability, was normal. The association between migraine and verbal functioning also appeared to impact on later academic success. ConclusionFindings suggest that the poorer verbal performance was unlikely to have resulted from cumulative attacks and may be due to developmental factors beginning in utero.
Generating Java Code from Design Patterns Formalized in BPSL

Design patterns are typically described using informal notations which give rise to ambiguity and limit tool support. Balanced pattern specification language (BPSL) is intended to formally specify patterns in order to allow rigorous reasoning about them and facilitate tool support. This work describes the design and development of a Java code generator from BPSL specification of the structural aspect of patterns. The tool first parses a BPSL specification in order to check its lexical, syntactic and semantic correctness, before generating a skeleton Java code
Study of Visual Mental Imagery on the Aspects of Background, Foreground, Organization and Vividness of the Stimulus

This study inspected visual mental imagery on four aspects-two of which were location based: Background (peripherally located), foreground (centrally located); and the other two were related to qualities of the images: Organization (Structure), and vividness (colours). A sample of 43 young adult females between the ages of 18 and 22 was taken. The sample was shown a picture of a building for 10 seconds before taking it away. After the subjects formed a visual image, they were asked to pick the prime from other 3 distracters. This process was repeated for all 12 sets. The scoring was done by counting errors on each of the four aspects. It was hypothesized that errors in the sets with background (peripheral) changes will be more than foreground (central) changes; while errors in the sets with organization (structure) will be more than vividness (colour) changes. The study found no significant difference in the number of errors between background (peripheral) and foreground (central) changes. However, errors committed in organization (structure) and vividness (colour) changes differed significantly, with more errors in organization (structure). Further enquiry into the eye movements involved in image inspection and visual mental imagery is suggested.
Comparison of Fuzzy Logic and NEURO Fuzzy Algorithms for Load Sensor

— Load sensor is developed using fuzzy logic as well as neuro-fuzzy method. It is two inputs and one output sensor. Both fuzzy logic and neuro-fuzzy algorithms are simulated using MATLAB fuzzy logic toolbox. This paper outlines the basic difference between the results of fuzzy logic and neuro-fuzzy algorithms and provides the better algorithm for load sensor.
Expression of TTV-ORF 2 Protein for Detection of Anti-TTV IgG Antibodies in Human Sera

The present study describes the cloning and expression of ORF-2 region of TTV genome and the use of expressed peptide in developing immunoassay for detection of anti-TTV antibodies in serum. Presence of TTV-DNA in serum was detected by PCR amplifying N-22 region of ORF-1 of TTV genome. This was followed by genotyping of TTV by RFLP using N-22 amplicon. Using genotype-1 positive serum as the source of TTV, the ORF-2 region was amplified by PCR and subsequently cloned and expressed in pET-19b vector. The expressed protein, identified as 20 kDa protein on SDS-PAGE gel, was purified by affinity chromatography and then used as antigen to develop western blot assay for detection of anti-TTV antibodies in serum. Analysis of sera for anti-TTV antibodies and their comparison with presence of TTV-DNA, produced encouraging results. There was a good relation between presence of anti-TTV and TTV-DNA in these sera samples. Anti-TTV antibodies could be detected in all TTV-DNA positive sera irrespective of the presence of TTV-genotype. This investigation demonstrates that ORF-2 peptide may be used in developing immunoassay for identification of TTV infection.
Myeloid-derived suppressor cells and the efficacy of CD8+ T-cell immunotherapy

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) promote immune evasion, a key feature of oncogenesis. The restoration of immunosurveillance by immunomodulatory antibodies improves the survival of a subset of cancer patients. Preclinical studies suggest that the ablation of monocytic MDSCs may be a useful adjunct to available immunotherapeutic strategies against cancer.
Global DNA methylation was changed by a maternal high-lipid, high-energy diet during gestation and lactation in male adult mice liver

An epigenetic mechanism has been suggested to explain the effects of the maternal diet on the development of disease in offspring. The present study aimed to observe the effects of a maternal high-lipid, high-energy (HLE) diet on the DNA methylation pattern of male offspring in mice. Female C57BL/6J mice were fed an HLE diet during gestation and lactation. The genomic DNA methylations at promoter sites of genes in the liver, mRNA and protein levels of selected genes related to lipid and glucose metabolism were measured by microarray, real-time PCR and Western blot. The results indicated that the percentage of methylated DNA in offspring from dams that were fed an HLE diet was significantly higher than that from dams that were fed a chow diet, and most of these genes were hypermethylated in promoter regions. The nuclear protein content and mRNA levels of hypermethylated genes, such as PPARγ and liver X receptor α (LXRα), were decreased significantly in offspring in the HLE group. The results suggested that the DNA methylation profile in adult offspring livers was changed by the maternal HLE diet during gestation and lactation.
A Novel Representation Approach to DNA Sequence and Its Application

The representation of a DNA sequence is the first stage of genome analysis. A wide variety of approaches has been proposed for different applications in bioinformatics. In this letter, based on the principle of symbolic dynamics, a novel representation approach is proposed, which maps DNA sequence into 3-D chaotic sequences of sawtooth function and completely conserve its biological information. With the application of the new representation approach to DNA sequence, three extended Kalman filters are used to implement gene prediction. Simulation results are presented to illustrate the validity and feasibility of the proposed representation approach to DNA sequence.
Ankle rotation changes and its influences in knee osteoarthritis

Background Biomechanical factors are known to be important in knee osteoarthritis (OA) development and progression. This study was designed to determine changes of hamstrings muscle activation, knee adduction moment and ankle rotation angle in two knee osteoarthritis (mild and moderate) and a healthy control group. Methods 16 females (10 with mild and 6 with moderate medial knee osteoarthritis) and 10 control matched females were recruited. A 3D gait analysis was performed on the subjects while they walked along the walkway. Electromyography data was also collected during gait from lateral and medial hamstrings. Post Hoc Tukey HSD (multi comparison) was performed to compare knee adduction moment, ankle rotation angle and medial and lateral hamstrings activity at early and late stance, between three groups. Results Ankle rotation angle, knee adduction moment and lateral hamstrings activation showed no significant difference between three groups. Interestingly, medial hamstrings activity was significantly higher at late stance in moderate group compared with asymptomatic and mild groups (p=0.03, 0.02 respectively). Also knee adduction moment at late stance was significantly and directly correlated with ankle rotation angle, and lateral hamstrings activity at early stance was significantly and inversely correlated with this angle. Conclusions It can be concluded that, increased lateral hamstrings activity can increase external ankle rotation and consequently decrease knee adduction moment.
Risk-Sensitivity in Sensorimotor Control

Recent advances in theoretical neuroscience suggest that motor control can be considered as a continuous decision-making process in which uncertainty plays a key role. Decision-makers can be risk-sensitive with respect to this uncertainty in that they may not only consider the average payoff of an outcome, but also consider the variability of the payoffs. Although such risk-sensitivity is a well-established phenomenon in psychology and economics, it has been much less studied in motor control. In fact, leading theories of motor control, such as optimal feedback control, assume that motor behaviors can be explained as the optimization of a given expected payoff or cost. Here we review evidence that humans exhibit risk-sensitivity in their motor behaviors, thereby demonstrating sensitivity to the variability of “motor costs. ” Furthermore, we discuss how risk-sensitivity can be incorporated into optimal feedback control models of motor control. We conclude that risk-sensitivity is an important concept in understanding individual motor behavior under uncertainty.