Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Engineering Cooperation: A Game Theoretic Analysis of Phased International Agreements

odern international treaties are often phased agreements that specify a goal to be reached together with a time frame within which to achieve it. This is a characteristic of arms-reduction agreements, but it is also pervasive in free-trade agreements as well as treaties designed to protect the environment. Our goal in this article is to understand the rational underpinnings of such phasing. To this end, we will exhibit a class of strategies in the repeated Prisoner's Dilemma game that prescribe a gradual approach to cooperation. We will show that, in the presence of noise, these strategies promise better dynamic stability of the coop
Ensuring equivalence in the laboratories of democracy: Does controlling for demographic features impact state disability employment performance?

This paper examines the relationship between the disability employment gap among the states and the District of Columbia and the states’ working-age disabled populations’ demographic characteristics using panel data from the 2003-2014 American Community Survey (ACS). Through a mixed model, the study uncovers the marginal effects of different demographic characteristics of a state’s disabled population on a state’s employment gap between people with and without disabilities. The demographic traits examined include: the share of the general population that has a disability, the share of the disabled population that has different types of disabilities, the share of the disabled population that is ages 54-64, the share of a state’s disabled population that is ages 1621, and the share of a state’s disabled population that has disabilities in multiple categories. Periods before and after the start of the Great Recession are then examined to see if the marginal effects of different traits have changed. The results indicate that the variable with the largest marginal effect is the share of a state’s population that has a disability. Other variables with significant marginal effects include the share of a state’s disabled population that is ages 54-64 and the share of a state’s disabled population with an independent living disability, both of which were associated with increases in state employment gaps, as well as the share of a state’s disabled population that has a sensory disability, which was associated with a modest decrease in the employment gap.
Multiuser detection algorithm based on belief propagation in multiple-input multiple-output systems

In MIMO (multiple-input, multiple-output) systems, signals from different transmitting antennas interfere at each receiving antenna and multiuser detection (MUD) algorithms may be adopted to improve the system performance. This paper proposes a novel multiuser detection algorithm in MIMO systems based on the idea of “belief propagation” which has achieved great accomplishment in decoding of low-density parity-check codes. The proposed algorithm has a low computation complexity proportional to the square of transmitting/receiving antenna number. Simulation results show that under low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) circumstances, the proposed algorithm outperforms the traditional linear minimum mean square error (MMSE) detector while it encounters a “floor” of bit error rate under high SNR circumstances. So the proposed algorithm is applicable to MIMO systems with channel coding and decoding. Although in this paper the proposed algorithm is derived in MIMO systems, obviously it can be applied to ordinary code-division multiple access (CDMA) systems.
Molecular Cloning of a Novel Type I Receptor Serine/Threonine Kinase for the TGFβ Superfamily from Rat Brain

Growth factors belonging to the TGF beta superfamily bind to and signal through a receptor complex comprising two transmembrane serine/threonine kinases, called type I and type II. Each receptor is responsible for the signaling of the individual TGF beta superfamily members. So far, five type II and six type I receptors have been cloned from mammalian sources. We report here the molecular cloning of a novel type I receptor serine/threonine kinase, ALK7 (activin receptor-like kinase 7), from rat brain. ALK7 shows a significant sequence similarity with TGF beta RI and ActRIB in the intracellular kinase domain and is quite distinct from other type I receptors in the extracellular domain. ALK7 mRNA is expressed in embryonic and in adult rat brain, where it was localized in superficial layers of the forebrain, the CA3 pyramidal subfield of hippocampus, the basal ganglia, the thalamus, and the cerebellar cortex. The functionality of the receptor was demonstrated by the identification of a constitutively active point mutant of ALK7 that activates the TGF beta/activin-responsive reporter without any ligand stimulation. Although the endogenous ligand for ALK7 has yet to be identified, its extensive anatomic distribution in brain, gut, spleen, and lung suggests important roles for this orphan receptor.
Images of Citizenship: A Content Analysis of Local Government Websites in the United States

As the Internet is becoming increasingly integrated in our everyday lives (Castells, 2009), the construction of local government websites has been a public policy for many municipalities (Drüke, 2005). This chapter is a study of how local government websites perform encourage certain modes of citizenship. As Robert Klotz notes, “cities without websites by 1999 were already being seen as behind the times” (p. 101). During the second term of the Clinton Administration, the National Partnership for Reinventing Government began evolving into electronic government (e-government) strategies with the goal of “putting people ‘online, not in line’” (Access America: E-Gov., 2001). Alfred Tat-Kei Ho has found that these principles have filtered down to the local level, noting that his survey of municiabsTracT
Interaction of Aquifer and River‐Canal Network near Well Field

The article presents semi‐analytical mathematical models to asses (1) enhancements of seepage from a canal and (2) induced flow from a partially penetrating river in an unconfined aquifer consequent to groundwater withdrawal in a well field in the vicinity of the river and canal. The nonlinear exponential relation between seepage from a canal reach and hydraulic head in the aquifer beneath the canal reach is used for quantifying seepage from the canal reach. Hantush's (1967) basic solution for water table rise due to recharge from a rectangular spreading basin in absence of pumping well is used for generating unit pulse response function coefficients for water table rise in the aquifer. Duhamel's convolution theory and method of superposition are applied to obtain water table position due to pumping and recharge from different canal reaches. Hunt's (1999) basic solution for river depletion due to constant pumping from a well in the vicinity of a partially penetrating river is used to generate unit pulse response function coefficients. Applying convolution technique and superposition, treating the recharge from canal reaches as recharge through conceptual injection wells, river depletion consequent to variable pumping and recharge is quantified. The integrated model is applied to a case study in Haridwar (India). The well field consists of 22 pumping wells located in the vicinity of a perennial river and a canal network. The river bank filtrate portion consequent to pumping is quantified.
Measuring trauma and health status in refugees: a critical review.

CONTEXT Refugees experience multiple traumatic events and have significant associated health problems, but data about refugee trauma and health status are often conflicting and difficult to interpret. OBJECTIVES To assess the characteristics of the literature on refugee trauma and health, to identify and evaluate instruments used to measure refugee trauma and health status, and to recommend improvements. DATA SOURCES MEDLINE, PsychInfo, Health and PsychoSocial Instruments, CINAHL, and Cochrane Systematic Reviews (searched through OVID from the inception of each database to October 2001), and the New Mexico Refugee Project database. STUDY SELECTION Key terms and combination operators were applied to identify English-language publications evaluating measurement of refugee trauma and/or health status. DATA EXTRACTION Information extracted for each article included author; year of publication; primary focus; type (empirical, review, or descriptive); and type/name and properties of instrument(s) included. Articles were excluded from further analyses if they were review or descriptive, were not primarily about refugee health status or trauma, or were only about infectious diseases. Instruments were then evaluated according to 5 criteria (purpose, construct definition, design, developmental process, reliability and validity) as described in the published literature. DATA SYNTHESIS Of 394 publications identified, 183 were included for further analyses of their characteristics; 91 (49.7%) included quantitative data but did not evaluate measurement properties of instruments used in refugee research, 78 (42.6%) reported on statistical relationships between measures (presuming validity), and 14 (7.7%) were only about statistical properties of instruments. In these 183 publications, 125 different instruments were used; of these, 12 were developed in refugee research. None of these instruments fully met all 5 evaluation criteria, 3 met 4 criteria, and 5 met only 1 of the criteria. Another 8 standard instruments were designed and developed in nonrefugee populations but adapted for use in refugee research; of these, 2 met all 5 criteria and 6 met 4 criteria. CONCLUSIONS The majority of articles about refugee trauma or health are either descriptive or include quantitative data from instruments that have limited or untested validity and reliability in refugees. Primary limitations to accurate measurement in refugee research are the lack of theoretical bases to instruments and inattention to using and reporting sound measurement principles.
miR393 and Secondary siRNAs Regulate Expression of the TIR1/AFB2 Auxin Receptor Clade and Auxin-Related Development of Arabidopsis Leaves1[W][OA]

The phytohormone auxin is a key regulator of plant growth and development that exerts its functions through F-box receptors. Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) has four partially redundant of these receptors that comprise the TRANSPORT INHIBITOR RESPONSE1/AUXIN SIGNALING F-BOX1 auxin receptor (TAAR) clade. Recent studies have shown that the microRNA miR393 regulates the expression of different sets of TAAR genes following pathogen infection or nitrate treatment. Here we report that miR393 helps regulate auxin-related development of leaves. We found that AtMIR393B is the predominant source for miR393 in all aerial organs and that miR393 down-regulates all four TAAR genes by guiding the cleavage of their mRNAs. A mutant unable to produce miR393 shows developmental abnormalities of leaves and cotyledons reminiscent of enhanced auxin perception by TAARs. Interestingly, miR393 initiates the biogenesis of secondary siRNAs from the transcripts of at least two of the four TAAR genes. Our results indicate that these siRNAs, which we call siTAARs, help regulate the expression of TAAR genes as well as several unrelated genes by guiding the cleavage of their mRNAs. Thus, miR393 and possibly siTAARs regulate auxin perception and certain auxin-related aspects of leaf development.
Physiology of the Gonadotrophin‐Releasing Hormone (GnRH) Neurone: Studies from Embryonic GnRH Neurones

Gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone (GnRH)‐secreting neurones are the final output of the central nervous system driving fertility in all mammals. Although it has been known for decades that the efficiency of communication between the hypothalamus and the pituitary depends on the pulsatile profile of GnRH secretion, how GnRH neuronal activity is patterned to generate pulses at the median eminence is unknown. To date, the scattered distribution of the GnRH cell bodies remains the main limitation to assessing the cellular events that could lead to pulsatile GnRH secretion. Taking advantage of the unique developmental feature of GnRH neurones, the nasal explant model allows primary GnRH neurones to be maintained within a micro‐network where pulsatile secretion is preserved and where individual cellular activity can be monitored simultaneously across the cell population. This review summarises the data obtained from work using this in vitro model, and brings some insights into GnRH cellular physiology.
Pathogen Persistence in the Environment and Insect-Baculovirus Interactions: Disease-Density Thresholds, Epidemic Burnout, and Insect Outbreaks

Classical epidemic theory focuses on directly transmitted pathogens, but many pathogens are instead transmitted when hosts encounter infectious particles. Theory has shown that for such diseases pathogen persistence time in the environment can strongly affect disease dynamics, but estimates of persistence time, and consequently tests of the theory, are extremely rare. We consider the consequences of persistence time for the dynamics of the gypsy moth baculovirus, a pathogen transmitted when larvae consume foliage contaminated with particles released from infectious cadavers. Using field-transmission experiments, we are able to estimate persistence time under natural conditions, and inserting our estimates into a standard epidemic model suggests that epidemics are often terminated by a combination of pupation and burnout rather than by burnout alone, as predicted by theory. Extending our models to allow for multiple generations, and including environmental transmission over the winter, suggests that the virus may survive over the long term even in the absence of complex persistence mechanisms, such as environmental reservoirs or covert infections. Our work suggests that estimates of persistence times can lead to a deeper understanding of environmentally transmitted pathogens and illustrates the usefulness of experiments that are closely tied to mathematical models.
Power density distribution analysis of an IPT system based on poynting vector

This paper proposes a Poynting vector based approach to quantitatively analyze power density distribution between two coupled coils of a near field IPT system. A geometry model is established with the primary coil is driven by a current source and the secondary is with a uniform distributed resistive load along it. The magnetic field, electric field, and power density represented by the Poynting vector at any arbitrary point between and around the coils are calculated respectively. Two unloaded and one loading conditions are studied, and it is found that the time averaged Poynting vectors are zero when the secondary coil is open or shorted circuited. When the secondary coil is uniformly loaded, the power density is determined by the system frequency, the radii of the primary and the secondary coil, the RMS values of coil currents, the phase difference between two coil currents, and the coupling distance. Numerical results show the power density distribution forms a donut shape in space concentrating along the edge the coils, instead of distributing coaxially along the center path.
Oral antiplatelet, antithrombotic efficacy of DMP 728, a novel platelet GPIIb/IIIa antagonist.

BACKGROUND Currently used antiplatelet drugs, including aspirin and ticlopidine, are effective against certain but not all of the many endogenous platelet activators. Because of their limited efficacy, a significant number of serious thromboembolic complications still occur, highlighting the need for a more effective therapy. DMP 728 has been characterized as a potent and specific platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa complex (GPIIb/IIIa) antagonist. The goals of the present study were to determine the oral antiplatelet and antithrombotic efficacies of DMP 728 in various arterial thrombosis models in dogs. METHODS AND RESULTS In conscious and anesthetized mongrel dogs, DMP 728 at 0.02 to 1.0 mg/kg PO in gelatin capsules produced dose-dependent antiplatelet effects in inhibiting ex vivo platelet aggregation induced by ADP and prolonging template bleeding time. DMP 728 effects on bleeding time prolongation could be reversed more rapidly than those on platelet aggregation inhibition. A maximal antiplatelet effect for DMP 728 was demonstrated at 1.0 mg/kg PO. DMP 728 demonstrated dose-dependent oral antiplatelet effects with an absolute oral bioavailability of 8% to 12% in dogs. Additionally, the antithrombotic efficacy of DMP 728 was examined after intravenous and oral administration at different doses in various models of arterial thrombosis. In the coronary artery Folts' model in dogs, DMP 728 demonstrated maximal antithrombotic efficacy at 0.01 mg/kg IV and < 0.6 mg/kg PO. Additionally, DMP 728 at 0.1 and 1.0 mg/kg IV or PO demonstrated 60% to 100% prevention of primary thrombosis (P < .01) in an electrolytically induced carotid artery thrombosis model in dogs. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that DMP 728, a low-molecular-weight GPIIb/IIIa receptor antagonist, may have therapeutic potential as an oral antithrombotic agent in coronary and carotid artery thromboembolic disorders.
Comparative study of biphasic calcium phosphate ceramics impregnated with rhBMP-2 as bone substitutes.

We investigated pellet-shaped implants prepared from biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) ceramics with five different ratios of hydroxyapatite (HAP) to beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) to evaluate these ceramics as bone substitutes. BCP ceramics impregnated with different doses of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (rhBMP-2) (1, 5, and 10 microg) were used for experimental purposes and ceramics without rhBMP-2 were used for control. The pellets were implanted under the pericranium in adult Wistar male rats and were harvested 8 weeks after implantation. The retrieved pellets were then examined radiologically, histologically, and histomorphometrically. The results revealed that the pellets treated with rhBMP-2 exhibited new bone and bone marrow, whereas control pellets produced fibrous connective tissues. The formation of new bone induced by rhBMP-2 was dose dependent. The extent of bone and bone marrow formation and the degree of resorption of the ceramic particles were significantly higher in the pellets composed of 25% HAP-75% TCP. In this study, bioresorption of the ceramic produced favorable conditions for rhBMP-2-induced bone formation.
AST/ALT ratio is not useful in predicting the degree of fibrosis in chronic viral hepatitis patients

Background and aim Noninvasive tests are primarily used for staging hepatic fibrosis in patients with chronic liver disease. In clinical practice, serum aminotransferase levels, coagulation parameters, and platelet count have been used to predict whether or not a patient has cirrhosis. In addition, several studies have evaluated the accuracy of combinations (or ratios) of these measures. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between five noninvasive models [AST/ALT ratio (AAR), aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI), Bonacini cirrhosis discriminant score (CDS), age–platelet index (APind), and King’s score] and the degree of hepatic fibrosis as determined by biopsy in patients with chronic hepatitis B and C. Patients and methods A total of 380 patients with viral hepatitis (237 with chronic hepatitis B and 143 with chronic hepatitis C) who were seen at our clinic between January 2005 and January 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. The degree of fibrosis was determined using the Ishak score. Patients with a fibrosis score of 0–2 were considered to have low fibrosis and those with a score between 3 and 6 were considered to have high fibrosis. Five noninvasive models were compared between the groups with low and high fibrosis. Results There were statistically significant differences between the hepatitis B and C patients with high and low fibrosis with respect to APind (4.49±2.35 vs. 2.41±1.84; P<0.001 in hepatitis B and 4.83±2.25 vs. 2.92±1.88; P<0.001 in hepatitis C), APRI (1.00±1.17 vs. 0.47±0.39; P<0.001 in hepatitis B and 1.01±1.01 vs. 0.41±0.29; P<0.001 in hepatitis C), CDS (4.53±1.90 vs. 3.58±1.30; P<0.001 in hepatitis B and 4.71±2.03 vs. 3.42±1.49; P<0.05 in hepatitis C), and King’s score (24.31±3.14 vs. 7.65±6.70; P<0.001 in hepatitis B and 24.82±2.55 vs. 8.33±7.29; P<0.001 in hepatitis C). There were no significant differences in the AAR between the hepatitis B and C patients with high and low fibrosis (0.78±0.31 vs. 0.74±0.34; P=0.082 in hepatitis B and 0.91±0.40 vs. 0.85±0.27; P=0.25 in hepatitis C). The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve of the APind, APRI, CDS, and King’s score in the hepatitis B group were 0.767, 0.710, 0.646, and 0.770, respectively; these values were 0.732, 0.763, 0.677, and 0.783, respectively, in the hepatitis C group. Conclusion In conclusion, our data suggest that four of the five noninvasive methods evaluated in this study can be used to predict advanced fibrosis in patients with hepatitis B and C. However, there was no significant relationship between the degree of hepatic fibrosis and the AAR score, indicating that AAR is not useful in estimating the fibrosis stage in hepatitis B and C patients.
Association of physical inactivity with increased cardiovascular risk in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Objective Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are characterized by reduced physical activity and increased morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of this study was to investigate associations between levels of physical activity and CVD risk profile in RA patients. Methods Levels of physical activity were assessed in 65 RA patients (43 females). Using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, patients were allocated into three groups: active, moderately active and inactive. Anthropometric characteristics, RA activity/severity, multiple classical and novel CVD risk factors and 10-year CVD event probability were assessed and compared among the three groups. Results Significant differences were detected among groups in systolic blood pressure (P = 0.006), cholesterol (P < 0.001), low-density lipoprotein (P = 0.01), homeostasis model assessment (P = 0.001), type-1 plasminogen activator inhibitor antigen (P < 0.001), tissue-type plasminogen activator antigen (P = 0.019), homocysteine (P = 0.027), fibrinogen (P = 0.001), apolipoprotein B (P = 0.002) and von Willebrand Factor (P = 0.001), with a consistent deterioration from the physically active to the physically inactive group. Multivariate analysis of variance revealed that levels of physical activity were significantly associated with the differences in all of the above variables (P < 0.05) after adjustment for age, weight, sex, smoking status, as well as RA disease activity and severity. Conclusion This cross-sectional study suggests that physically inactive RA patients have significantly worse CVD risk profile compared with physically active patients. The possible beneficial impact of increased physical activity, including structured exercise, to the CVD risk of RA patients needs to be accurately assessed in prospective studies. Eur J Cardiovasc Prev Rehabil 16:188-194 © 2009 The European Society of Cardiology