Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
"Future telling": A meta-analysis of forced-choice precognition experiments, 1935–1987.

We report a meta-analysis of forced-choice precognition experiments published in the English-language parapsychological literature between 1935 and 1987. These studies involve attempts by subjects to predict the identity of target stimuli selected randomly over intervals ranging from several hundred milli­ seconds to one year following the subjects' responses. We retrieved 309 studies reported by 62 investigators. Nearly two million individual trials were contributed by more than 50,000 subjects. Study outcomes are assessed by overall level of sta­ tistical significance and effect size. There is a small, but reliable overall effect (z = 11.41, P = 6.3 x 10- 25 ). Thirty percent of the studies (by 40 investigators) are significant at the 5% significance level. Assessment of vulnerability to selective re­ porting indicates that a ratio of 46 unreported studies averaging null results would be required for each reported study in order to reduce the overall result to nonsig­ nificance. No systematic relationship was found between study outcomes and eight indices of research quality. Effect size has remained essentially constant over the survey period, whereas research quality has improved substantially. Four moder­ ating variables appear to covary significantly with study outcome: Studies using subjects selected on the basis of prior testing performance show significantly larger effects than studies using un selected subjects. Subjects tested individually by an experimenter show significantly larger effects than those tested in groups. Studies in which subjects are given trial-by-trial or run-score feedback have significantly larger effects than those with delayed or no subject feedback. Studies with brief intervals between subjects' responses and target generation show significantly stronger effects than studies involving longer intervals. The combined impact of these moderating variables appears to be very strong. Independently significant outcomes are observed in seven of the eight studies using selected subjects, who were tested individually and received trial-by-trial feedback.
Spectral properties of blast-wave models of gamma-ray burst sources

We calculate the spectrum of blast-wave models of gamma-ray burst sources, for various assumptions about the magnetic field density and the relativistic particle acceleration efficiency. For a range of physically plausible models we find that the radiation efficiency is high and leads to nonthermal spectra with breaks at various energies comparable to those observed in the gamma-ray range. Radiation is also predicted at other wavebands, in particular at X-ray, optical/UV, and GeV/TeV energies. We discuss the spectra as a function of duration for three basic types of models, and for cosmological, halo, and galactic disk distances. We also evaluate the gamma-ray fluences and the spectral characteristics for a range of external densities. Impulsive burst models at cosmological distances can satisfy the conventional X-ray paucity constraint S(sub x)/S(sub gamma)less than a few percent over a wide range of durations, but galactic models can do so only for bursts shorter than a few seconds, unless additional assumptions are made. The emissivity is generally larger for bursts in a denser external environment, with the efficiency increasing up to the point where all the energy input is radiated away.
"Sorry, I Can't Do That": Developing Mechanisms to Appropriately Reject Directives in Human-Robot Interactions

Future robots will need mechanisms to determine whenand how it is best to reject directives that it receives fromhuman interlocutors. In this paper, we briefly presentinitial work that has been done in the DIARC/ADE cognitive robotic architecture to enable a directive rejectionand explanation mechanism, showing its operation in asimple HRI scenario.
STC2 promotes the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of colorectal cancer cells through AKT-ERK signaling pathways

The STC2 protein involves in carcinogenesis and progression of many cancers. It remains unclear how STC2 regulates the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process and colorectal cancer (CRC) development. Here we systematically investigated STC2-activated early occurrence of EMT and CRC cell migration in vitro, clinical associations of STC2 with CRC development and patient survival. The secretion and expression level of STC2 were both greatly increased in EMT cells and CRC cells compared with the normal epithelial NCM460 cells. And the conditioned media from EMT cells stimulated epithelia and colon cancer cells to obtain EMT characteristics. STC2 overexpression promoted CRC cell growth and cell migration in vitro, and STC2 enhanced tumor growth in a mouse CRC-xenograft model. Corresponding to EMT marker expression changes, several critical signaling pathway molecules including pERK, pAKT, PI3K and Ras were remarkably increased either in NCM460 cells transfected with STC2 plasmids or in cells induced with exogenous STC2 protein. However blocking AKT-ERK signaling pathways attenuated STC2-activated EMT process. Furthermore the elevated STC2 expressions were also confirmed in 77 clinical tumor tissues and sera from CRC patients, and the increased STC2 in tumor tissues and sera correlated with tumor pathologic stage and poor survival for CRC patients. In conclusion, STC2 promotes CRC tumorigenesis and EMT progression through activating ERK/MEK and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways. STC2 protein is also a potential tumor biomarker for CRC diagnosis and prognosis.
Multi-Agent Model using Secure Multi-Party Computing in e-Governance

Information management and retrieval of all the citizen occurs in almost all the public service functions. Electronic Government system is an emerging trend in India through which efforts are made to strive maximum safety and security. Various solutions for this have been proposed like Shibboleth, Public Key Infrastructure, Smart Cards and Light Weight Directory Access Protocols. Still, none of these guarantee 100 percent security. Efforts are being made to provide common national identity solution to various diverse Government identity cards. In this paper, we discuss issues related to these solutions.
Explicit non-Abelian monopoles and instantons in SU(N) pure Yang-Mills theory

It is well known that there are no static non-Abelian monopole solutions in pure Yang-Mills theory on Minkowski space ${\mathbb{R}}^{3,1}$. I show that such solutions exist in $\mathrm{SU}(N)$ gauge theory on the spaces ${\mathbb{R}}^{2}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{S}^{2}$ and $\mathbb{R}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{S}^{1}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{S}^{2}$ with Minkowski signature $(\ensuremath{-}+++)$. In the temporal gauge they are solutions of pure Yang-Mills theory on $\mathbb{T}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{S}^{2}$, where $\mathbb{T}$ is $\mathbb{R}$ or ${S}^{1}$. Namely, imposing SO(3) invariance and some reality conditions, I consistently reduce the Yang-Mills model on the above spaces to a non-Abelian analog of the ${\ensuremath{\phi}}^{4}$ kink model whose static solutions give $\mathrm{SU}(N)$ monopole (-antimonopole) configurations on the space ${\mathbb{R}}^{1,1}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{S}^{2}$ via the above-mentioned correspondence. These solutions can also be considered as instanton configurations of Yang-Mills theory in $2+1$ dimensions. The kink model on $\mathbb{R}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{S}^{1}$ admits also periodic sphaleron-type solutions describing chains of $n$ kink-antikink pairs spaced around the circle ${S}^{1}$ with arbitrary $ng0$. They correspond to chains of $n$ static monopole-antimonopole pairs on the space $\mathbb{R}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{S}^{1}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{S}^{2}$ which can also be interpreted as instanton configurations in $2+1$ dimensional pure Yang-Mills theory at finite temperature (thermal time circle). I also describe similar solutions in Euclidean $\mathrm{SU}(N)$ gauge theory on ${S}^{1}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{S}^{3}$ interpreted as chains of $n$ instanton\char21{}anti-instanton pairs.
A cooperative lifetime extension MAC protocol in duty cycle enabled wireless sensor networks

To reduce energy consumption in wireless sensor networks, the concept of duty cycle is used in many MAC protocols. Although these protocols provide efficient energy-conservation solutions, they cannot resolve the energy hole problem in a multi-hop network, where a few nodes near the sink must relay the packets from the rest of the network, and consequently exhaust their batteries earlier. The previously proposed REACT forwarding protocol triggers the cooperation of several nodes to extend transmission range and hop over the highly burdened node, thereby allowing it to save its energy and extend the lifetime of the network. However, the previous work lacked a MAC protocol with a duty cycle. In this paper, we propose a novel cooperative duty cycle MAC (CDC-MAC) protocol, by employing a wake-up rendezvous selection scheme for multiple sensor nodes to exchange messages and a cooperator recruiting mechanism that favors nodes with more residual energy than the highly burdened node. Simulation results demonstrate that CDC-MAC can prolong the entire network longevity efficiently in comparison with another duty cycle MAC protocol, OC-MAC.
A Dynamic Analysis of Northern Spotted Owl Viability in a Fragmented Forest Landscape

The Northern Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis cau- rina) is closely associated witb mature and old-growth co- niferous forests in the Pacific Northwest There has been a rapid loss and fragmentation of this habitat over the last half century, which may jeopardize tbe long- term survival of the species through reduction of dispersal success. In this paper we report results of a population model for the North- ern Spotted Owl that incorporates both juvenile dispersal and search for mates. We analyze both deterministic and stochastic versions of the model in search of thresholds for population persistence related to search efficiency, popula- tion density, and amount of suitable habitat. In addition, we analyze the model under the nonequilibrium conditions tbat currently exist due to timber harvest in the owls' pre- ferred habitat. Our results predict a sharp threshold below which populations cannot persist, and suggest tbat infer- ences from population models that incorporate equilibrium assumptions may be highly misleading.
Gravity-Independent Locomotion: Dynamics and Position-Based Control of Robots on Asteroid Surfaces

In recent years, the scientific community has had an increased interest in exploring the asteroids of the solar system (JAXA/ISAS, 2003; JHU/APL, 1996; NASA/JPL, 2007). Technological advances have enabled mankind for the first time to take a closer look at these small solar system objects through sensors and instruments of robotic deep space probes. However, most of these space probe missions have focused on the reconnaissance of the asteroids’ surfaces and their compositional analysis from a distance. Little attention has been given to locomotion on their surfaces with a mobile robotic system, due to the challenging gravity conditions found in these small solar system bodies. In small bodies like asteroids, the gravitational fields are substantially weaker than those of Earth or Mars, therefore the likelihood of a robot’s unintentional collision with the surface while attempting a movement is substantially higher. In one of the latest missions, the Japanese Hayabusa spacecraft carried onboard a small robot named MINERVA (Yoshimitsu et al., 2001) to be deployed and used to explore the asteroid surface. The robot was designed with a single reaction wheel, located inside of it, to produce the necessary inertial reaction to move. But with this system the location of the robot when the motion is damped out is very challenging to predict or control. Subsequently, in order to maximize the scientific return from any given mission on an asteroid’s surface, future missions must have the ability to conduct stable mobility and accurate positioning on the rough terrain. In the robotics field, limbed locomotion is broadly recognized as superior in its capability to traverse terrains with irregularities such as obstacles, cliffs and slants. Exotic types of wheeled rovers (Bares et al., 1999; Wilcox & Jones, 2000) can only drive over obstacles of heights that are at best a fraction of the vehicle’s body length. Thus, some terrains are not accessible to wheeled vehicles. Conversely, legged or limbed locomotion has the possibility to provoke minimum reactions on the asteroid surface that could push the robot with sufficient force to reach escape velocity and drift into space. It also facilitates achievement of desired goal configurations that deal with new complex situations, ensuring that a robot’s behavior does not deviate from a stable condition. In this chapter, the focus is on gravity-independent locomotion approaches, technologies and challenges of robotic mobility on asteroids. Recommendations and methods to perform 16
Validation of a Less-Invasive Method for Measurement of Serotonin Synthesis Rate with α-[11C]Methyl-Tryptophan

We tested in normal human subjects a less invasive method to obtain plasma input function required in the calculation of the brain serotonin synthesis rate measured with positron emission tomography (PET) and α-[11C]methyl-tryptophan (α-MTrp). The synthesis rates derived with the arterial input function were compared to those derived from venous plasma and venous sinus time-radioactivity curves obtained from dynamic PET images. Dynamic PET images were obtained for the lengths up to 90 minutes after an injection of α-MTrp (400 to 800 MBq). Input functions were generated from both artery and vein in three subjects, and from artery only in two subjects. Net unidirectional uptake constants of α-MTrp (K*; mL/g/min) were calculated in several brain regions graphically using data between 20 and 60 minutes after injection with different input functions. In the five subjects with arterial sampling, we tested two methods for correcting the input functions from the venous samples: (1) normalization to the mean exposure time at 20 minutes from arterial curve; and (2) the use of the venous sinus curve for the first 20 minutes. Venous curves coincided with the arterial ones after about 20 minutes. When the venous curves were used, there was an underestimation of the area under the curves up to 20 minutes, resulting in a 5% to 30% overestimation of K* values. Combined use of the sinus curve up to 20 minutes and venous curve from 20 to 60 minutes as an input function resulted in the K* (mL/g/min) values larger by 7.1 ± 3.8% than the K* values estimated with the arterial input function. Normalization of the venous curve to the exposure time at 20 minutes obtained from the arterial plasma curve resulted in a bias in the K* of about −0.34 ± 3.32%. The bias from the K* values was propagated to the serotonin synthesis rates. The use of a combination of the venous blood samples and venous sinus as the input function resulted in an acceptable bias in the serotonin synthesis rates from the tissue time-radioactivity curves generated by PET.
Enhancement of 60GHz transmission over 802.11ad using specular reflection

Transmission at 60GHz millimetre wavelengths is often prone to strong signal attenuations and disconnections when-ever objects greater than the wavelength of the propagating signal interrupts the line-of-sight. When this occurs, the network becomes unreliable and its performance is severely affected by unexpected and frequent disconnections, loss of data, retransmissions, waste resources and increased latency. In this work, using commercial 802.11ad chipsets, we show that specular reflection has the potential to circumvent and prevent non-line-of-sight link failures during 60GHz millimetre wave propagation up to distance of 8m. The data rates presented shows the effectiveness of using specular reflection since utilization is at least 94% of the total bandwidth while less than 4% was either reflected back or absorbed.
Significant roles of anti-aging protein klotho and fibroblast growth factor23 in cardiovascular disease

The klotho gene has been identified as an aging suppressor that encodes a protein involved in cardiovascular disease (CVD). The inactivation of the klotho gene causes serious systemic disorders resembling human aging, such as atherosclerosis, diffuse vascular calcification and shortened life span. Klotho has been demonstrated to ameliorate vascular endothelial dysfunction and delay vascular calcification. Furthermore, klotho gene polymorphisms in the human are associated with various cardiovascular events. Recent experiments show that klotho may reduce transient receptor potential canonical6 (TRPC6) channels, resulting in protecting the heart from hypertrophy and systolic dysfunction. Fibroblast growth factor23 (FGF23) is a bone-derived hormone that plays an important role in the regulation of phosphate and vitamin D metabolism. FGF23 accelerates urinary phosphate excretion and suppresses 1,25-dihydroxy vitaminD3 (1,25(OH)2D3) synthesis in the presence of FGF receptor1 (FGFR1) and its co-receptor klotho, principally in the kidney. The hormonal affects of circulating klotho protein and FGF23 on vascular and heart have contributed to an understanding of their roles in the pathophysiology of arterial stiffness and left ventricular hypertrophy. Klotho and FGF23 appear to play a critical role in the pathogenesis of vascular disease, and may represent a novel potential therapeutic strategy for clinical intervention.
No . 78 / June 2005 Integration among G 7 Equity Market : Evidence from iShares

We study the evolution of global equity market integration using US dollar denominated iShares. Designed to mimic the movements of MSCI indices, these securities provide an easy pool of international diversification products for the investor. As such they allow us to conduct an analysis of the largest equity markets comovements devoid of problems associated with trading restrictions, exchange rates fluctuations and non-synchronous trading. In contrast to most of the previous studies, we apply time varying methodology for the analysis of both short-term and long-term comovements that provide detailed evidence on the pattern and dynamics of the equity market linkages. We find evidence in favour of increasing conditional correlations for all of the markets since 2001. Time-varying and recursive cointegration tests provide somewhat weak evidence in favour of the presence of bivariate cointegration relationships, but stronger evidence in the multivariate case, suggesting limited diversification opportunities for the U.S. based investor in the long run.
Divergence of gene regulatory network linkages during specification of ectoderm and 3 mesoderm in early development of sea urchins 4 5 Short Title : Divergence of GRNs in early echinoid embryos 6 7 Author Affiliations : 8

Classification: Biological Sciences, Developmental Biology 1 2 Title: Divergence of gene regulatory network linkages during specification of ectoderm and 3 mesoderm in early development of sea urchins 4 5 Short Title: Divergence of GRNs in early echinoid embryos 6 7 Author Affiliations: 8 Eric M. Erkenbrack and Eric H. Davidson 9 10 Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, 11
To Be or Not IIb: A Multi-Step Process for Epstein-Barr Virus Latency Establishment and Consequences for B Cell Tumorigenesis

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a γ-herpesvirus, was the first human tumor virus discovered fifty years ago in endemic Burkitt lymphoma [1]. Surprisingly, EBV was subsequently recognized to be a ubiquitous virus infecting greater than 90% of adults worldwide. In healthy children, primary EBV infection is typically asymptomatic because of a robust T cell immune response. However, infection during adolescence or later can result in infectious mononucleosis. Regardless of the severity of primary infection, EBV establishes a lifelong latent infection in the peripheral blood memory B cell compartment [2]. Immune suppression, genetic predisposition, or environmental factors can all serve to promote EBV-driven tumors, which are primarily of B cell, but also of epithelial and NK or T cell origin. Early studies demonstrated that EBV infection in vitro transformed resting B cells into immortalized lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCL), providing a strong link to EBV-associated B cell cancers [3,4]. These pioneering studies stimulated intense investigation over the ensuing decades into the viral requirements and temporal cascade of gene expression triggering physiological cell changes associated with B cell proliferation and survival. The model that emerged indicates that B cell transformation in vitro is a latent infection including expression of a discrete set of nine proteins and many noncoding RNAs collectively called Latency III [2]. In this model, all of the Latency III gene products are expressed prior to the first cell division in the absence of lytic virus replication. However, this in vitro model does not account for the viral gene expression programs found in most EBV-positive B cell tumors or in the B cell compartment in vivo following natural infection. Moreover, a recent resurgence in studies of the earliest events following B cell infection combined with an appreciation of the heterogeneity of EBV latent gene expression during natural infection and in tumors provides the rationale for revisiting how this ubiquitous virus establishes latency and causes B cell malignancies.
The Inefficiency and Unfairness of Tradable CO2 Permits

Various C02 permit schemes have been proposed as equitable, efficient, and politically acceptable means to effectively address the threat of global climate change. The present analysis suggests the direction, level, and terms of trade in North-South permit trading. Domestic permit market failure and international development aid experience are drawn upon for insight into a global permit system. The conclusion emphasizes inconsistencies in permit theory and the unfair and inefficient consequences of international application. Promoting the profitability of abatement in the developed world and a restructuring of development aid in the developing world is suggested in lieu of a single market approach.
A NEW SPECIES OF PSEUDOLAMBRUS ( BRACHYURA , PARTHENOPIDAE ) FROM NEW CALEDONIA

A new species of parthenopid crab, Pseudolambrus guinotae n. sp. , is described. The single male specimen, which was collected from New Caledonia, most closely resembles Pseudolambrus planus (Rathbun, 1911) but can be easily differentiated from the latter by possessing a much longer rostrum.
Dual Tableau-based Decision Procedures for Some Relational Logics

We consider fragments of the relational logic RL(1) obtained by imposing some constraints on the relational terms involving relations composition. Such fragments allow to express several non classical logics such as the multi-modal logic K and the description logic ALC with union and intersection of roles. We show how relational dual tableaux can be employed to define decision procedures for each of them.