Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Book Review: The Politics and Institutions of Global Energy Governance

Competition and Regulation in Network Industries, Volume 16 (2015), No. 2 183 technological developments in LNG (Liquefi ed Natural Gas) (chapter 10), or the emergence of Eurasian gas markets (chapter 11). Worth mentioning is also the concluding chapter of the book (no chapter number), namely the emerging role of the BRICs and of the role of Russia in this context. Most of the 13 chapters are of excellent quality and are defi nitely worth reading in their own right. But as such, the book is before all a collection of high-quality academic papers somewhat artifi cially structured into three sections and put under the fuzzy umbrella of “dynamics in energy governance”. Also, the book still mainly is geared at an academic audience, even though many papers deal with real-world problems such as the question of EU energy security (chapter 4), energy effi ciency (chapter 5), Russia’s external energy strategy (chapter 7), Russia-Ukrainian gas wars (chapters 8) and EU gas contracts (chapter 11). Especially these, more problem-focused chapters are in fact more interdisciplinary than others, even though natural sciences (e.g., geology) and engineering are entirely left out. Overall, however, I fi nd the book a very mono-disciplinary approach to the emerging problem of energy in both Russia and Europe. Also, the focus is very much on Russia and Europe (especially the UK), whereas the question of (European) energy governance cannot be adequately dealt with without speaking about Eurasia, especially Turkey, a country and a topic entirely left out. Overall, however, this is a very good book and worth reading.
Discrimination between Normal and Glaucomatous Eyes with Scanning Laser Polarimetry and Optic Disc Topography: A Preliminary Report

Purpose To test the ability of structural parameters (as measured by scanning laser polarimetry (SLP) software 1.0. 12 and confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (CSLO) to discriminate between normal and glaucomatous eyes. Methods A total of 112 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and 88 normal individuals were enrolled in the study. All individuals underwent a thorough ophthalmic evaluation, a 24–2 full threshold Humphrey visual field, SLP with the GDx, and CSLO with the TOPSS. Patients with marked cataract or low vision were excluded from the study. Cut-off points were selected and receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves were created for each individual CSLO and SLP parameter. Finally, multivariate discriminant formulas were developed in order to achieve a better sensitivity (Se)/specificity (Sp) ratio for the diagnosis of glaucoma, initially separately for each device, and then combining parameters from CSLO and SLP. Results The mean deviation for the glaucoma group was −10.63 ±7.58 dB. Multivariate discriminant formulas resulted in better sensitivity/specificity ratios than any individual parameter, either for CSLO (Se: 90%; Sp: 81%; accuracy: 86%) or SLP (Se: 87%; Sp: 86%; accuracy: 86%). The multivariate formula combining parameters from both devices resulted in an improvement in the ability to diagnose glaucoma. An area under the ROC curve of 0.97 was obtained, with a sensitivity of 93%, a specificity of 91 %, and an accuracy of 92%. Conclusions The combination of structural parameters derived from CSLO and SLP in a multivariate discriminant formula may enhance the ability to diagnose glaucoma. Further studies investigating a random population are needed in order to test the validity of this formula.
4-Phenylpiperazin-1-ium dihydrogen phosphate

The title compound, C10H15N2 +·H2PO4 −, is built up from 4-phenylpiperazin-1-ium cations and dihydrogen phosphate anions. The interconnection between two adjacent anions is assured by two strong O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, which lead to the formation of infinite wave-like chains which spread along the a axis. The organic cations connect these chains via N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds. The crystal cohesion and stability are ensured by electrostatic and van der Waals interactions which, together with N—H⋯O and O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, build up a two-dimensional network.
Incidence and structure of buyout syndicates: The effects of target and lead-investor characteristics

This paper empirically investigates what target and lead-investor characteristics affect the incidence and structure of buyout syndicates, using a hand-collected dataset of 868 European buyouts during 1999–2009. Regarding the incidence of syndication, we find that financiers syndicate more often for large deals targeting firms that exhibit high default risk in countries with a civil-law legal tradition. Moreover, syndication happens more frequently when investors are large institutions with limited buyout experience, extensive lead experience, and lack of knowledge about target-country institutions. Bank subsidiaries also syndicate more regularly. Concerning syndicate structure, we conclude that lead investors invite a larger number of participants and retain a smaller fraction for large deals involving civil-law firms. In contrast, more concentrated syndicates arise for buyouts targeting firms that exhibit high adverse-selection and moral-hazard problems. Finally, lead investors with larger buyout experience but smaller lead experience invite fewer participants and retain a larger fraction of the deal.
Effects of TP53 mutational status on gene expression patterns across 10 human cancer types

Mutations in the TP53 tumour suppressor gene occur in half of all human cancers, indicating its critical importance in inhibiting cancer development. Despite extensive studies, the mechanisms by which mutant p53 enhances tumour progression remain only partially understood. Here, using data from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), genomic and transcriptomic analyses were performed on 2256 tumours from 10 human cancer types. We show that tumours with TP53 mutations have altered gene expression profiles compared to tumours retaining two wild‐type TP53 alleles. Among 113 known p53‐up‐regulated target genes identified from cell culture assays, 10 were consistently up‐regulated in at least eight of 10 cancer types that retain both copies of wild‐type TP53. RPS27L, CDKN1A (p21CIP1) and ZMAT3 were significantly up‐regulated in all 10 cancer types retaining wild‐type TP53. Using this p53‐based expression analysis as a discovery tool, we used cell‐based assays to identify five novel p53 target genes from genes consistently up‐regulated in wild‐type p53 cancers. Global gene expression analyses revealed that cell cycle regulatory genes and transcription factors E2F1, MYBL2 and FOXM1 were disproportionately up‐regulated in many TP53 mutant cancer types. Finally, > 93% of tumours with a TP53 mutation exhibited greatly reduced wild‐type p53 messenger expression, due to loss of heterozygosity or copy neutral loss of heterozygosity, supporting the concept of p53 as a recessive tumour suppressor. The data indicate that tumours with wild‐type TP53 retain some aspects of p53‐mediated growth inhibitory signalling through activation of p53 target genes and suppression of cell cycle regulatory genes. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. www.pathsoc. org.uk
Market Microstructure and Modeling of the Trading Flow

We offer an original way to analyse at the various high frequency streams of information originating from financial markets and to provide simple intuitive models that closely mirror reality. We observe empirical data and report some of its stylized facts and propose models to capture these facts. In chapter 1, we review the basic definitions and properties of electronic exchanges. In particular, we review the background work done in microstructure and trade modeling, show how they relate to our work and introduce the tick size, used to classify our assets and interpret the various results. In chapter 2, we bring qualitative empirical evidence that the impact of a single trade depends on the intertrade time lags. We find that when the trading rate becomes faster, the return variance per trade strongly increases and that this behavior persists at coarser time scales. We also show that the spread value is an increasing function of the activity and deduce that orderbooks are more likely empty when the trading rate is high. In chapter 3, we present a model to capture microstructure noise. Asset prices are represented as the sum of tick returns arriving at random Poisson times. The model consists of an underlying diffusive martingale which is contaminated by some vanishing autocorrelated noise. We are able to capture the signature form of the sampled realized variance and the weak but significant autocorrelation of tick returns. In chapter 4, we use Hawkes point processes to model the random arrival of trades in the market. We model fine to coarse behavior of prices and how it affects the moments of price returns. We propose a simple non parametric estimation technique of the dependence structure of Hawkes processes in the one dimensional case and very particular multidimensional cases. We apply the method to Futures assets and find decay kernels having a power law form.
Listeria monocytogenes ActA protein interacts with phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate in vitro.

The N-terminal region of the Listeria monocytogenes ActA protein, in conjunction with host cell factors, is sufficient for actin polymerization at the bacterial surface. Previous data suggested that ActA could protect barbed ends from capping proteins. We tested this hypothesis by actin polymerization experiments in the presence of the ActA N-terminal fragment and capping protein. ActA does not protect barbed ends from capping protein. In contrast, this polypeptide prevents PIP(2) from inhibiting the capping activity of capping protein. Gel filtration and tryptophan fluorescence experiments showed that the purified ActA N-terminal fragment binds to PIP(2) and PIP, defining phosphoinositides as novels ligands for this functional domain of ActA. Phosphoinositide binding to the N-terminal region of ActA may induce conformational changes in ActA and/or facilitate binding of other cell components, important for ActA-induced actin polymerization.
Uptake and transport of high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) and HDL‐associated α‐tocopherol by an in vitro blood–brain barrier model

The present study aimed to investigate pathways that contribute to uptake and transcytosis of high‐density lipoproteins (HDLs) and HDL‐associated α‐tocopherol (αTocH) across an in vitro model of the blood–brain barrier (BBB). In primary porcine brain capillary endothelial cells HDL‐associated αTocH was taken up in 10‐fold excess of HDL holoparticles, indicating efficient selective uptake, a pathway mediated by scavenger receptor class B, type I (SR‐BI). SR‐BI was present in caveolae of brain capillary endothelial cells and expressed almost exclusively at the apical membrane. Disruption of caveolae with methyl‐β‐cyclodextrin (CDX) resulted in (mis)sorting of SR‐BI to the basolateral membrane. Immunohistochemistry of porcine brain cryosections revealed SR‐BI expression on brain capillary endothelial cells and presumably astrocytic endfeet. HDL‐associated [14C]αTocH taken up by brain capillary endothelial cells was recovered in sucrose gradient fractions containing the majority of cellular caveolin‐1, the major caveolae‐associated protein. During mass transfer studies using αTocH‐enriched HDL, approximately 50% of cellular αTocH was recovered with the bulk of cellular caveolin‐1 and SR‐BI. Efflux experiments revealed that a substantial amount of cell‐associated [14C]αTocH could be mobilized into the culture medium. In addition, apical‐to‐basolateral transport of HDL holoparticles and HDL‐associated αTocH was saturable. Results from the present study suggest that part of cerebral apolipoprotein A‐I and αTocH originates from plasma HDL transcytosed across the BBB and that caveolae‐located SR‐BI facilitates selective uptake of HDL‐associated αTocH at the BBB.
Handling preferences under uncertainty in recommender systems

While uncertainty can't be ignored in real-world problems, there is almost no research work addressing this issue in the recommender systems framework, especially all that relates to user ratings preferences. Indeed, the subjectivity of user's rating and his/her changing preferences over time, make them subject to uncertainty. Usually, user's imprecise rating for an item (product or service) is time-dependent information and generally provided much later. Meantime the item may change either by degrading or improving its inherent quality. The rating therefore may deviate, since it doesn't describe faithfully the actual current state of the item. This deviation leads to a form of uncertainty on user preferences that we handle in this paper. We show that uncertainty is an ubiquitous aspect in building recommender systems and its taking into account can help predicting the most accurate items by improving their certainty degrees.
NB-IoT system deployment for smart metering: Evaluation of coverage and capacity performances

Internet of Things offers a wide spectrum of opportunities for innovative applications designed to improve our life quality. In the energy sector, the developing of smart metering networks allows operators and companies to improve the production efficiency and to offer an enhanced service to customers. 3GPP introduced in Release 13 Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) as a new cellular technology for providing wide-area coverage for Internet of Things (IoT) and Machine Type Communication (MTC). In this paper, we propose a deployment analysis of a NB-IoT system for smart metering. Estimated number of UE that this system can serve and coverage enhancement considerations with respect to LTE technology are provided.
An object-based two-stage method for a detailed classification of urban landscape components by integrating airborne LiDAR and color infrared image data: A case study of downtown Houston

By exploiting high resolution airborne LiDAR data along with color infrared aerial photographs, this research aims to quantify the urban landscape components using an object-based two-stage method in the case of downtown Houston, Texas, USA. The urban landscape components will be identified and classified by integrating spectral information from color infrared aerial photograph and surface geometric information from airborne LiDAR data. In first stage, the color near-infrared aerial photographs are used to segment the scene into image objects. Then, these objects are classified into three broad categories - impervious surface, vegetation, and water surface, based on their spectral and two-dimensional spatial attributes. In the second stage, the normalized Digital Surface Model derived from airborne LiDAR data is introduced into analysis. Two indicators, relative height and roughness, of each vegetation object from the first stage are calculated, and the threshold values are determined to separate vegetation into lawns, shrubs/hedges, and trees. Next, a series of image processing steps are applied to the nDSM to further classify the impervious surface objects into skyscrapers, high-rise buildings, ordinary buildings, streets, highways, and open spaces. The overall classification accuracy is evaluated as high as 94.10%, and the Kappa coefficient is 92.91%. This research suggests that the combination of morphological information of LiDAR data and spectral information from image data renders a powerful tool for a detailed investigation of urban landscape structure.
Evidence that low-threshold muscle afferents evoke long-latency stretch reflexes in human hand muscles.

1. The aim of the present study was to identify the type of spinal afferents involved in the generation of the long-latency response in intrinsic human hand muscles. Position-controlled extensions were imposed on the index finger or on the wrist of healthy subjects who were exerting a steady voluntary flexion force at the relevant joint. Averaged surface electromyographic (EMG) responses of the first dorsal interosseus muscle (FDI) or of the wrist flexors were evaluated with respect to latency and size. 2. Small transient angular displacements of the index finger (1 degree, as measured at the metacarpophalangeal joint), which are supposed to excite primary rather than secondary afferents, evoked two clearly discernible EMG responses with mean latencies of 32.3 ms (M1 response) and 54.7 ms (M2 response), respectively. The size of the M2 response exceeded the size of the M1 response by 60%. In the wrist flexors, transient stretch (1 degree) gave rise to a large M1 response (latency 22.8 ms) and a small, inconstent M2 response. 3. Small-amplitude vibration of the index finger elicited EMG responses in the FDI that were qualitatively and quantitatively similar to those seen in response to small transient stretches of the index finger. This was also true for fast ramp-and-hold stretches (stretch velocity 400 degrees/s, amplitude 5 degrees), whereas slow ramp-and-hold stretches (125 degrees/s, 5 degrees) elicited predominantly M2 responses. 4. In the FDI, the mechanical threshold of the M1 and M2 response to the transient angular displacement was approximately 0.15 degrees, with a tendency for the M2 response to appear at a lower threshold. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Comparative activity of the quinolones against anaerobic bacteria isolated at community hospitals

The in vitro activity of five quinolone compounds, amoxicillin, and clindamycin against 118 strains of anaerobic bacteria isolated at community hospitals was determined by an agar dilution method. Nalidixic acid and cinoxacin had poor activity, and norfloxacin and enoxacin showed relatively poor activity. Ciprofloxacin was active against Bacteroides fragilis, Fusobacterium species, Clostridium perfringens, and gram-positive cocci. At peak levels achievable in the feces, norfloxacin and enoxacin had moderate activity.
A study on the relationship between organizational slack and technology innovation

Since 1980s, most research regarding firm competitive advantage strategy focuses on the relationship between organizational factors and firm performance, either using resource-based view or capability-based view. The findings with resource-based view and capability-based view cannot illustrate the essential characteristics of forming and maintaining firm competitive advantages when the environmental changing greatly. The present dissertation proposes an integrated resource &capability-based view, which expounds the basic principles and forming paths to achieve firm competitive advantage under super-competitive environment. In order to expound the rationality and effectiveness of the integrated resource &capability-based view, this dissertation proposes a structural equation model which consists of organizational slack, absorptive capabilities and technology innovation factors, and empirically tests the model with data from a questionnaire. 800 firms in Gangdong, Sandong, Sichuan, Liaoning, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Henan and Shanghai participated in this questionnaire. The study of which leads to such a conclusion: the exploitation of the slack assimilated into firm productive system not only produces certain product innovation which enhances differential competitive advantage, but also produces process innovation to enhance cost advantage for firms.
Task-induced fatigue states and simulated driving performance

States of fatigue are implicated in driver impairment and motor vehicle accidents. This article reports two studies investigating two possible mechanisms for performance impairment: (1) loss of attentional resources; and (2) active regulation of matching effort to task demands. The first hypothesis predicts that fatigue effects will be accentuated by high task demands, but the second hypothesis predicts that fatigue effects will be strongest in “underload” conditions. In two studies, drivers performed a stimulated driving task, in which task demands were manipulated by varying road curvature. In a “fatigue induction” condition, the early part of the drive was occupied by performance of a demanding secondary task concurrently with driving, after which the concurrent task ceased. Post-induction driving performance was compared with a control condition in which drivers were not exposed to the induction. In both studies, the fatigue induction elicited various subjective fatigue and stress symptoms, and also raised reported workload. Fatigue effects on vehicle control and signal detection were assessed during and after the fatigue induction. The fatigue induction increased heading error, reduced steering activity, and, in the second study, reduced perceptual sensitivity on a secondary detection task. These effects were confined to driving on straight rather than on curved road sections, consistent with the effort regulation hypothesis. The second study showed that fatigue effects were moderated by a motivational manipulation. Results are interpreted within a control model, such that task-induced fatigue may reduce awareness of performance impairment, rather than reluctance or inability to mobilize compensatory effort following detection of impairment.
The Threat of Violence in International Affairs

consumption and it is extraordinarily ineffective as a means of persuasion of the other side. A minuscule amount of resources is put rather half-heart edly into the integrative system through such things, for instance, as UNESCO, the Peace Corps and cultural exchange. There is little feeling abroad in the world, however, of the integrative system as something with which one can operate in a conscious and rational way. All the planning and all the attempts at rationality go into the threat system and practically no intellectual effort goes into the integrative system. If the legal pro fession the world over can be made more self-conscious as to its role in building up the integrative system in both national and world society, it should be in a position to make a quite disproportionate intellectual and moral contribution to the abolition of war and the establishment of world order.
Pseudo code of two-factor authentication for BYOD

Many solutions have been proposed to avoid stress and data leakage caused by BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) trend, including Mobile Device Management and authentication methods. In this paper, we will deal with the second solution more precisely the keystroke dynamics. The behavioral biometric of keystroke dynamics authenticates users by analyzing their ways of typing and generate for each system user a unique biometric reference. The method is simple to implement and inexpensive, it requires only a personal computer keyboard. At the end of the paper, we will propose an algorithm in three phases to implement keystroke dynamics. The main goal of this paper isn't to explain how the dynamic keystroke works but rather to improve the algorithm of implementation of this technique.
Transesophageal Echocardiography and Cardiovascular Sources of Embolism: Implications for Perioperative Management

Transesophageal echocardiography has become an invaluable investigation in patients with cardioembolic events because of its high sensitivity and specificity for defining detailed structure and function of the cardiovascular system. Patients who receive anesthesia and critical care may be at risk of systemic embolism from various cardiovascular sources. The main factors associated with embolism include intracardiac lesions such as thrombi, vegetations, and tumors; cardiac anomalies; and vascular disease, e.g., aortic atheroma. In this review article, the authors describe how transesophageal echocardiography may be used to identify various cardiovascular sources of embolism, provide risk stratification, influence medical therapy, and refine clinical decision making in patients receiving critical care and anesthesia. With these improvements, it is hoped that better patient outcomes may be achieved in the perioperative period.