Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mitochondria oxidative injury of dopaminergic neuron in Parkinson's disease

Loss of doparminergic neurons in the substantia nigra is the major pathologic character in Parkinson's disease(PD). Multiple events, such as protein aggregation, impairment of the ubiquitinproteasome pathway, inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress, are involved in PD pathogenesis. Abnormal oxidative modifications in the substantia nigra are presented in PD brains as well as animal models. Both genetic and environmental factors in association with PD induce the production of reactive oxygen species(ROS) by inhibiting mitochondrial function, the particular in mitochondrial complex I, resulting in mitochondrial damage. The extensive production of ROS oxidates lipid, protein and DNA, leading to an exaggerating injury of dopaminergic neurons. Moreover, dopaminergic neurons are exposed to oxidative stress because of the production of ROS in the process of dopamine metabolism by themselves. Thus, mitochondria oxidative injury plays an important role in the pathogenesis of PD.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GAY-RELATED STRESS AND ETHNICITY FOR HOMOSEXUAL AND BISEXUAL MALES

Past research suggests that homosexual men of minority backgrounds tend to have more difficulties during the coming-out process because their cultural values conflict with their homosexual identity. For instance, ethnic minority homosexual males are less likely to self-disclose their sexual orientation to family and friends than Caucasian homosexual males. The current study examines the influence of ethnicity in the process of homosexual
The importance of paddy and rice industry can be classified, at least in three perspectives: government investment in infrastructure such as development of drainage and irrigation, provisions of subsidies and incentives to improve production and farmer’s income,

Paddy and rice industry has been an important agricultural sub-sector to the economy even prior to the independence. Despite heavy government investments in the forms of infrastructure development, provision of input and price subsidies, to enhance the growth of paddy and rice industry, paddy production faces numerous risks. This study examines paddy farmers’ attitudes towards risk. Data were collected via personal interview in North Terengganu Integrated Agriculture Development (Ketara) Terengganu Malaysia, as the study area. The purpose of the study is to develop a scale for assessing risk attitudes of paddy farmers. The study used a standard questionnaire to elucidate information pertaining to demographic and risk attitudes. Respondents were asked to respond to 47 statements about managing risk, using Likert scales as the measurement. A total of 235 farmers were surveyed. The set of 47 statements on how farmers manage risks were included to develop the final refined scale of risk attitude statements. Reliability analysis indicates which statements contribute in explaining the risk attitudes and by deleting the statements will affect the reflection of risk attitudes. Cronbach’s coefficient alpha was employed to evaluate the degree of communal variation of risk attitudinal scale. From 47 statements, the analysis established a refined 24 items scale which can be applied to measure the risk attitude of paddy farmers in the study area. The refined 24 item scale has the levels of communal variation of 73% caused by risk attitude, which is in an acceptable alpha Cronbach range. The further study on the 24-items refined scale of paddy farmer’s risk attitudes revealed that farmers in Ketara are slightly to risk seeking than a risk neutral person.
Matching Across Space: Evidence from Finland

This paper studies spatial aspects in local labour markets in Finland from the perspective of a matching approach. The monthly data comprise 173 Local Labour Office are as over a 12-year period between January 1991 and August 2002. The basic matching function is extended to account for spatial spill-overs between the local labour markets. The role of population density in the matching process is also examined. According to results, the Finnish local labour markets suffer from a strong congestion effect among job seekers, and spatial spill-overs even strengthen the congestion. An open vacancy is filled much easier than a job seeker is employed. The results show that the matching efficiency is remarkable lower in dense areas than elsewhere, which indicates that mismatch is a problem in the local labour markets with high population density. When taking population density into account, returns to scale in the matching function are constant. Keywords: matching, spatial spill-over, population density, returns to scale, Finland
Topics in Massive Data Summarization

We consider three problems in this thesis. Two of them are about building near optimal histograms in non-uniform workload model and in probabilistic data streaming model respectively. The former has an associated weight vector with each streaming data vector, while the latter has a density function instead of a deterministic value as each data entry in the streaming data vector. The third one is to find approximate heavy hitters between two parties in a private model, in which, for every party no information is leaked unless necessary. More specifically, first, we want to construct a nearly workload-optimal histogram. Given B, we want to find the near optimal B bucket histogram under associated workload w within 1 + e error tolerance. In the cash register model where data is streamed as a series of updates, we can build a histogram using polylogarithmic space, polylogarithmic time to process each item, and polylogarithmic post-processing time to build the histogram. All these results need the workload to be explicitly stored since we show that if the workload is summarized in small space lossily, algorithmic results such as above do not exist. Then, we consider the problem of private computation of approximate Heavy Hitters. Alice and Bob each hold a vector and, in the vector sum, they want to find the B largest values along with their indices. We show how to solve the problem privately with polylogarithmic communication, polynomial work and constantly many rounds in the sense that nothing is learned by Alice and Bob beyond what is implied by their input, the ideal top-B output, and goodness of approximation (equivalently, the Euclidean norm of the vector sum). We give lower bounds showing that the Euclidean norm must leak by any efficient algorithm. In the third problem, we want to build a near optimal histogram on probabilistic data streams. Given B, we want to find the near optimal B bucket histogram on probabilistic data streams under both L1 measurement and L2 measurement. We give deterministic algorithms without sampling. We can build histograms using poly-logarithmic space, polylogarithmic time to process each item, and polylogarithmic post-processing time to build the histogram. The result we give under L2 measurement is within (1 + e)-error tolerance, and the result under L1 measurement is heuristic. We also give a direction to give guarantees to the heuristic.
Does Tolerance Reflect a More Inclusive Self-Construal? A Comparison of Poland, East and West Germany

Past research suggests that Poland and Germany differ in the inclusiveness of their “moral universe”, i.e. the breadth of the community to which people apply moral values and rules of fairness (Schwartz, 2007). It seems likely that this difference is reflected in a more or less inclusive definition of one’s ingroup. The present study investigated (1) whether there are indeed differences in ingroup inclusiveness as manifested in differential construals of the self in East and West Germany and Poland and (2) whether those differences are reflected in differences in tolerance. As expected, participants in West Germany had the most inclusive self-construal, followed by participants from East Germany and then Poland – both in terms of their absolute scores on the most inclusive level (being a member of humanity), and in terms of the relative importance of the different levels. A relationship between a more inclusive self-construal and tolerance was observed in West Germany, but not in East Germany and Poland. The results suggest that more inclusive and abstract levels of the self-construal are more closely linked to other abstract constructs such as values rather than a true reflection of people’s ingroup. In countries with a communist past where universal values or the concern for humanity at large have been used for ideological purposes, these values may have lost their original meaning and psychological significance, and are less linked to intergroup attitudes such as tolerance towards immigrants.
Single-photon emission from strained two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides

The emergence of quantum photonics has ignited a large amount of interest in singlephoton sources (SPS). These sources are required in many quantum technology applications, such as various quantum computing protocols and quantum key distribution (QKD). Recently, SPSs have been realized in two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDC). The characteristic crystal structure of these materials enables unique electronic and optical properties, which are beneficial in SPS applications. However, the SPSs in these materials are usually randomly located as they originate from crystalline defects, which complicates further investigation. Nevertheless, it has been recently discovered that by applying strain, one can induce SPSs in these materials, which allows spatial localization of the sources. This thesis demonstrates the possibility of achieving single-photon emission of strained 2D TMDCs. In order to create SPSs, mechanically exfoliated tungsten diselenide (WSe2) and molybdenum ditelluride (MoTe2) samples were transferred on top of the array causing them to be strained at the pillar locations. The samples were then characterized by measuring their photoluminescence (PL) spectra and time-resolved PL decay at low temperature. The results indicate that single-photon emission was acquired from the WSe2 sample around the pillar area. However, no such emission was noticed with the MoTe2 sample. This might be due to its relatively large thickness. Additionally, the sample might have reacted with oxygen and water in the air, due to its instability. Both of these factors reduce the PL yield of the material, and thus further experiments are required to fully confirm the possibility of obtaining single-photon emission from MoTe2. The results for the WSe2 sample show that it is possible to fabricate spatially localized SPSs by applying strain. This allows a more extensive further investigation involving concepts such as spin–valley coupling and integrated quantum photonics.
Performance Analysis of Massive MIMO with Low-Resolution ADCs

The uplink performance of massive multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) systems where the base stations (BS) employ low-resolution analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) is analyzed. A high performance MMSE receiver that takes both additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) and quantization noise into consideration is designed, which works well for both cases of uniform resolution ADCs and non-uniform resolution ADCs. With the proposed MMSE receiver, we then employ the random matrix theory to derive the asymptotic equivalent of the uplink spectral efficiency (SE) of the system. Numerical results show the tightness of the asymptotic equivalent of the uplink SE, and massive MIMO with low-resolution ADCs can still achieve the satisfying uplink SE by increasing the number of antennas at BS.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NOUN PHRASE AND VERB PHRASE

Among words classes or parts of speech a noun and a verb or precisely a noun phrase and a verb phrase play a very important role in syntax. In English, they mark the presence of sentence. The relationship between them is very close that one may cause the presence of another. This is often called a subject-predicate relationship and their degree is a bilateral dependency i.e. the verb phrase determines the noun phrase called valence and the noun phrase determines the verb through agreement (Bussman, 1996:1139). Other relationships among different phrases are one-sided or in the form of modifiers, subordinators, or complementizers, one is more important than others. This paper attempts to discuss a noun phrase and a verb phrase as the main part of a sentence. Some special characteristics of the noun phrase and the verb phrase are discussed. This paper also tries to see if other sentence elements such as an adjectival, adverbial, and prepositional phrases can have an emphasis in a sentence.
Improved algorithm for cleaning high frequency data: An analysis of foreign currency

High-frequency data are notorious for their noise and asynchrony, which may bias or contaminate the empirical analysis of prices and returns. In this study, we develop a novel data filtering approach that simultaneously addresses volatility clustering and irregular spacing, which are inherent characteristics of high-frequency data. Using high frequency currency data collected at five -minute intervals, we find the presence of vast microstructure noise coupled with random volatility clusters, and observe an extremely non-Gaussian distribution of returns. To process non-Gaussian high-frequency data for time series modelling, we propose two efficient and robust standardisation methods that cater f or volatility clusters, which clean the data and achieve near-normal distributions. We show that the filtering process efficiently cleans high-frequency data for use in empirical settings while retaining the underlying distributional properties.
Using an integrated method to estimate watershed sediment yield during heavy rain period: a case study in Hualien County, Taiwan

Abstract. A comprehensive approach estimating sediment yield from a watershed is needed to develop better measures for mitigating sediment disasters and assessing downstream impacts. In the present study, an attempt has been made to develop an integrated method, considering sediment supplies associated with soil erosion, shallow landslide and debris flow to estimate sediment yield from a debris-flow-prone watershed on a storm event basis. The integrated method is based on the HSPF and TRIGRS models for predicting soil erosion and shallow landslide sediment yield, and the FLO-2D model for calculating debris flow sediment yield. The proposed method was applied to potential debris-flow watersheds located in the Sioulin Township of Hualien County. The available data such as hourly rainfall data, historical streamflow and sediment records as well as event-based landslide inventory maps have been used for model calibration and validation. Results for simulating sediment yield have been confirmed by comparisons of observed data from several typhoon events. The verified method employed a 24-h design hyetograph with the 100-yr return period to simulate sediment yield within the study area. The results revealed that the influence of shallow landslides on sediment supply as compared with soil erosion was significant. The estimate of landslide transport capacity into a main channel indicated the sediment delivery ratio on a typhoon event basis was approximately 38.4%. In addition, a comparison of sediment yields computed from occurrence and non-occurrence of debris flow scenarios showed that the sediment yield from an occurrence condition was found to be increasing at about 14.2 times more than estimated under a non-occurrence condition. This implied watershed sediment hazard induced by debris flow may cause severe consequences.
Pre- and postnatal differential gene expression with relevance for meat and carcass traits in pigs − a review

Pre- and postnatal processes determine the final outcome of breeding of pigs in terms of traits related to carcass and meat quality at slaughter. In particular, the number of myofibers and to a large extent their metabolic and contractile properties, which also influence their size, are determined prenatally during the process of myogenesis. By this, postnatal muscle growth and parameters of meat quality are modulated. The metabolic balance, biochemical and biophysical preslaughter properties of muscle prior to slaughter determine the process of maturation of muscle to meat. Thus, differential regulation of the abundance of transcripts of biological networks in prenatal and postnatal muscle affect biochemical processes of meat maturation. In general, because the traits of interest are typically not expressed at prenatal stages, no direct relationship between phenotype and gene expression pattern can be established. However, trait-related differential expression within any prenatal developmental stage can be assessed based on known estimated breeding values, known QTL-genotypes and/or based on breed differences. Expression profiles of muscle at slaughter can directly be linked to meat quality. A suitable experimental design of “matched samples” is the discordant sib pair design. Here it is exemplarily discussed that differentially expressed transcript profiles of M. longissimus dorsi at prenatal and postnatal stages offer an insight into the biological processes in the live muscle that affect the process of meat maturation and finally meat quality.
Gender and Mobile App Development as a Career of Choice: An Exploratory Study In South Africa

The underrepresentation of women in the Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector is a challenge despite the existing conducive opportunity for a career in ICT. In this digital era where smartphones are almost synonymous with urban living, this paper sought to explore the social sustainability of gender diversity as a degree of involvement of women in technically developing mobile apps (apps). App development is an emergent lucrative career choice today and is predicted to remain as such for the foreseeable future. The research drew on the individual differences theory of gender in ICT by Eileen Trauth (2006; 2004) to explore the extent to which the underrepresentation has similarly permeated app development. The findings from the exploratory study of 44 app developers in South Africa suggest that gender underrepresentation and bias has spread to app development. The results nonetheless reveal a similar degree of interest among women as men to attempt a career in app development, but more especially, that women have a preference for collaborative app development environments. For practice, the results call for more deliberate efforts and interventions to change female perceptions about app development and to stem the ever widening technological gender gap in a region where the mobile phone market has exploded. The study also lends support to the social constructionist view that women underrepresentation is ICT not primarily a result of essentialist differences between men and women but more a result of social and cultural habits.
INFLUENCE OF THE PIEZOELECTRIC CONSTITUTIVE AND MECHANICAL DUFFING-TYPE NONLINEARITIES ON VIBRATION-BASED ENERGY HARVESTING

Vibration-based energy harvesting has the main objective to convert available environment mechanical energy into electrical energy. Piezoelectric materials are usually employed to promote the mechanical-electrical conversion. This work investigates the influence of nonlinear effects in piezoelectric vibration-based energy harvesting. Mechanical nonlinearities are treated considering Duffing-type mechanical oscillator. Piezoelectric nonlinearities are analyzed assuming quadratic constitutive coupling model. Energy harvesting performance is evaluated for different system characteristics being monitored by the input and the generated power. Numerical simulations are carried out considering different kinds of responses, including periodic and chaotic regimes.
Architect genes of the brain: A look at brain evolution through genoarchitecture

The brain of modern humans is the result of the evolution of a building plan ( Bauplan ) that began its design 500 hundred millions years ago. The process began in basal chordates (sea animals that were living immersed in the sand) and gave rise to the first building plan of the central nervous system; this was progressively modified and shared by all vertebrates. Behind the story are gene networks, key actors in the process to give identity to the different brain regions. This evolutionary scenario provides the basis for studies that seek to understand what is «conserved» and what is «new» between different vertebrates, as well as the underlying mechanisms involved in this process. This article explores the role of genoarchitectonic studies in this human scientific endeavor.
Natural Resource Ecology and Management 9-2012 Yield , Pests , and Water Use of Durum and Selected Crucifer Oilseeds in Two-Year Rotations

Cool-season oilseed crops are potential feedstock for biofuel production, but few studies have compared oilseed-durum (Triticum durum Desf.) rotations on yield, quality, water use, and pests associated with crops. We conducted an experiment under dryland conditions during 2007 to 2010 near Culbertson, MT, comparing crop productivity, water balance, and key weed and arthropod pests of 2-yr oilseed-durum rotations under zero tillage. Rotations included durum with three Brassicaceae sp. , camelina [Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz], crambe (Crambe abyssinica Hochst. ex R.E. Fries), and canola-quality Brassica juncea L. , and fallow. Over 4 yr, B. juncea had the highest seed and oil yields of crucifer entries. Water use was similar among oilseed crops, averaging 286 mm. Water use was similar for durum following oilseeds, averaging 282 mm, 72 mm less than for durum following fallow. Durum following fallow averaged 775 kg ha−1 greater grain yield than durum following oilseeds due to higher water availability and use. Camelina had greater weed biomass at harvest and lower densities of Plutella xylostella L. than other oilseeds. Durum in rotation with crambe had higher weed density and biomass at harvest than durum following B. juncea or fallow. Brassica juncea generally performed better than crambe or camelina, but each oilseed crop had several positive attributes. Oilseeddurum rotations can be used for biofuel feedstock and grain production, but long-term sustainability of 2-yr rotations on crop yields and pest management requires further study.
Phragmites Australis Haplotypes Present in Two Populations on San Salvador Island, Bahamas

Phragmites australis, common reed, is an invasive species present throughout North America. It is also found on San Salvador Island in the Bahamas. The spread of Phragmites is a serious issue for the health and biodiversity of wetland habitats throughout the world, but invasive haplotypes are threatening such communities as they choke out other species, including native Phragmites. This study sought to discover the Phragmites australis haplotypes present on San Salvador Island, and consequently determine the risk of invasion for the island wetlands. Of the 10 samples from two separate sites that were taken, all were the Gulf Coast (I) haplotype, one that is likely native to the region. Therefore it is not likely that the Phragmites populations on San Salvador Island are currently under invasion by nonnative haplotypes.