Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Conserved action of β‐catenin during female fate determination in the red‐eared slider turtle

In reptiles such as the red‐eared slider turtle Trachemys scripta, development of an ovary from the bipotential gonad requires a coordinated expansion of the cortical domain and regression of the medulla. While estrogen, which is necessary and sufficient for ovarian development in non‐mammalian vertebrates, is thought to feminize both compartments, it remains unclear whether there is a signaling relationship between the two domains that coordinates their fates. We show that aromatase, the estrogen‐synthesizing enzyme, is localized to the medulla of the differentiating turtle ovary and that differentiation of the medulla precedes and is independent of cortical expansion. Coordinated feminization of the two domains may therefore rely on an estrogenic signal from the differentiating medulla. In eutherian mammals, where estrogen is dispensable for early ovary development, the canonical Wnt signaling pathway is critical for female fate determination. Whether this function is conserved among vertebrates and how it is potentially integrated with estrogen signaling are uncertain. Using a novel in vitro turtle gonad culture system, we demonstrate that ectopic activation of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway in presumptive male gonads induced a partial sex‐reversal of the medulla, but inhibition of the pathway was not sufficient to sex‐reverse differentiating ovaries. These patterns are similar to those previously observed in mice. Wnt signaling appears to function downstream of estrogen, as ectopic activation of the pathway rescued female development when estrogen synthesis was inhibited. Our findings therefore suggest that the ovary‐promoting effects of the Wnt signaling pathway may be functionally conserved between mammals and reptiles.
Should the term ‘antipsychotic’ be changed to ‘multidimensional stabiliser’ in bipolar disorder? Towards a new denomination for ‘atypical antipsychotics’

The treatment of bipolar disorder (BD) has evolved significantly with the introduction of the ‘atypical’ antipsychotics. Prior to this, for approximately 40 years, the treatment of BD was based on mood stabilisers and anticonvulsants, such as lithium or carbamazepine, for both acute episodes and prophylaxis. Depressive states were managed by combining antidepressants (AD) and mood stabilisers, but unfortunately AD use has been associated with switching to hypomania or mania, or with an increase of rapid cycling in the long term, particularly with tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) (Mundo et al., 2006). ‘Classical’ antipsychotics were used for patients experiencing acute manic episodes, alone or in combination with mood stabilisers (Sachs et al., 2002). In the last 15 years, however, new compounds such as olanzapine, quetiapine, aripiprazole, risperidone and ziprasidone have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and, with few exceptions, by the European Medicines Agency (EMEA), for the treatment of BD. The emergence of these compounds has drastically changed the landscape of BD treatment, since these novel molecules show good efficacy in both acute and maintenance phases, almost comparable to that of mood stabilisers (Altamura et al., 2011; Malhi et al., 2011). They have little in common with ‘classical’ antipsychotics and offer an alternative to established treatments, both as monotherapy and in combination, in both acute and long-term therapy. This broad action suggests that the term ‘antipsychotic’ may be outdated, ill-suited and misleading as a definition of the activity of ‘atypical’ compounds in BD. This finding parallels our experience in schizophrenia, where the ‘atypical’ antipsychotics have both led to new and innovative neurochemical hypotheses (beside the dopaminergic model) and proven to be effective in different psychopathological dimensions (Altamura, 1996, 2011). Their broad spectrum of activity on different dimensions of schizophrenia (psychotic, negative, affective, disorganised and impulsive) seems to be linked to their broader pharmacodynamic profile, in stark contrast to the dominant D2 antagonism (and predominantly antipsychotic effect) of the drugs introduced in the 1950s, 60s and 70s. Accordingly, in BD they also act on different psychopathological dimensions and help in reaching an optimal clinical response, particularly when combined with other agents. We will briefly review these novel antipsychotics and their therapeutic activity, both in monotherapy and in combination with mood stabilisers, in the different phases of BD.
The Pricing of Dividends in Equity Valuation

Abstract: This study uses Ohlson's (1995 and 2001 ) accounting-based equity valuation model to structure tests of four explanations for the anomalously positive pricing of dividends reported by Rees (1997) and Fama and French (1998) . First, we find that dividends are not simply a proxy for publicly available information that helps predict future abnormal earnings. Second, although dividends act as if they signal managers' private information about future profitability, they remain positively priced for firms with low incentives to signal. Third, dividends do not signal management's willingness to abstain from incurring agency costs. Fourth, however, controlling for one-year-ahead realized forecast errors yields a pricing of dividends that is very close to that of dividend displacement. After showing that dividends are not simply a proxy for analysts' misforecasting, we conclude that dividends appear to be positively priced because they are a proxy for the mispricing by investors of current earnings or book equity. Copyright Blackwell Publishers Ltd, 2005.
Analysis on reverse recovery characteristic of SiC MOSFET intrinsic diode

Different from IGBT, SiC MOSFET can operate as synchronous rectifier with low on resistance, thus the intrinsic diode only work during the dead time. To utilize the intrinsic diode as freewheeling diode, the reverse recovery characteristic is analyzed and discussed in this paper. Four operating conditions, i.e. turn-off voltage, forward current, current commutating slope and junction temperature, are considered to evaluate the turn-off performance of SiC MOSFET intrinsic diode. To test the device and minimize the stray inductance, a double pulse test bench based on direct bond copper substrate and bare dies is designed. The reverse recovery feature of two kinds of silicon p-i-n diode is also tested for comparison. The experimental results show that the intrinsic diode is sensitive to the junction temperature and the performance gets worse at high temperature, but still much better than silicon p-i-n diode.
Rodent models for dystonia research: Characteristics, evaluation, and utility

A large number of different genetic and acquired disorders of the nervous system may be associated with dystonia. To elucidate its pathogenesis and to facilitate the discovery of potential novel treatments, there has been a growing interest in the development of animal models and particularly rodent models. Multiple animal models for dystonia have now been developed and partially characterized. The results obtained from studies of these models often lead in very different directions, in part because the different models target different aspects of a very heterogeneous disorder. A recent workshop addressed four main issues affecting those who conduct dystonia research with animal models, including the different ways in which dystonic disorders can be modeled in rodents, key features that constitute a useful model, methods used in the evaluation of these models, and recommendations for future research. This review summarizes the main outcomes of this conference. © 2005 Movement Disorder Society
Thigh Muscle Strength in Senior Athletes and Healthy Controls

McCrory, JL, Salacinski, AJ, Hunt, SE, and Greenspan, SL. Thigh muscle strength in senior athletes and healthy controls. J Strength Cond Res 23(9): 2430-2436, 2009-Exercise is commonly recommended to counteract aging-related muscle weakness. While numerous exercise intervention studies on the elderly have been performed, few have included elite senior athletes, such as those who participate in the National Senior Games. The extent to which participation in highly competitive exercise affects muscle strength is unknown, as well as the extent to which such participation mitigates any aging-related strength losses. The purpose of this study was to examine isometric thigh muscle strength in selected athletes of the National Senior Games and healthy noncompetitive controls of similar age, as well as to investigate strength changes with aging in both groups. In all, 95 athletes of the Games and 72 healthy controls participated. Of the senior athletes, 43 were runners, 12 cyclists, and 40 swimmers. Three trials of isometric knee flexion and extension strength were collected using a load cell affixed to a custom-designed chair. Strength data were normalized to dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry-obtained lean mass of the leg. A 3-factor multivariate analysis of variance (group × gender × age group) was performed, which included both the extension and flexion variables (α = 0.05). Athletes exhibited 38% more extension strength and 66% more flexion strength than the controls (p < 0.001). Strength did not decrease with advancing age in either the athletes or the controls (p = 0.345). In conclusion, senior athletes who participate in highly competitive exercise have greater strength than healthy aged-matched individuals who do not. Neither group displayed the expected strength losses with aging. Our subject cohorts, however, were not typical of those over age 65 years because individuals with existing health conditions were excluded from the study.
DC–DC Nonisolated Boost Converter Based on the Three-State Switching Cell and Voltage Multiplier Cells

This work introduces a dc-dc boost converter based on the three-state switching cell and voltage multiplier cells. A brief literature review is presented to demonstrate some advantages and inherent limitations of several topologies that are typically used in voltage step-up applications. The behavior of the converter is analyzed through an extensive theoretical analysis, while its performance is investigated by experimental results obtained from a 1-kW laboratory prototype, as relevant issues are discussed. The converter can be applied to uninterruptible power supplies and is also adequate to operate as a high gain boost stage cascaded with inverters in renewable energy systems. Furthermore, it can be applied to systems that demand dc voltage step up such as electrical fork-lift, renewable energy conversion systems, and many other applications.
Ionization of a model atom by perturbations of the potential

We study the time evolution of the wave function of a particle bound by an attractive δ-function potential when it is subjected to time-dependent variations of the binding strength (parametric excitation). The simplicity of this model permits certain nonperturbative calculations to be carried out analytically both in one and three dimensions. Thus the survival probability of bound state |θ(t)|2, following a pulse of strength r and duration t, behaves as |θ(t)|2−|θ(∞)|2∼t−α, with both θ(∞) and α depending on r. On the other hand, a sequence of short pulses produces an exponential decay over an intermediate time scale.
Brand Salience and Customer Defection in Subscription Markets

Drawing on research concerning the range of cues consumer’s use to access brands for consideration, and the effect of frequency of exposure, we examine the concept of brand salience, which is based on the likelihood of the brand to come to the ‘forefront’ of the mind of a consumer. We show how a measure of brand salience is related to the probability of switching suppliers in subscription markets (e.g. insurance, banking). We have discovered a generalisable relationship between brand salience and the probability of customer defection. This relationship was consistent across three studies that covered two markets, two data collection methods, two image questioning methods and two types of attributes. This is an important finding for marketing management because it suggests that brand/attribute links in memory can influence consumer behaviour in a way that is independent of the content or importance of the attributes. Our finding might even allow managers to forecast the effect of a change in brand salience in terms of numbers of customer defections.
Analysis of skin images using texture descriptor by a combined statistical and structural approach

In this article, an attempt has been made to analyze various skin (textured) images. They are caused because of hot water, chemical, electrical, thermal, cigarette, etc. These images are analyzed using our texture representation scheme. Our approach uses a set of 92 texture primitives. They are tested for the presence of texture by a statistical design of experiments based approach [Ganesan and Bhattacharyya, Pattern Recogn 28 ( 1995 ), 99–105]. These texture primitives are concluded as the local descriptor and their distribution over the entire image is the global representation called texture primitive spectrum. The set of texture primitives and the texture primitive spectrums are successful for a number of Bench mark images (Brodatz, Texture—A photographic album for artists and designers, Reinbold, New York, 1968; Vistex, Available at http://www.white.media.mit.edu\vismod\imgery\Vision Texture, MIT Media Lab, 1995). Using the texture primitive spectrum, several texture images have been categorized as micro, macro, fine, and coarse and a trend is obtained. Similarly, a set of skin images affected by severe burn with many causes are analyzed. The severity has been quantified and concluded based on simple and weighted mean computed for the texture primitive spectrums. The extent of burn and hence the curing duration can be approximated from the results. The outcome of our experimentation with ground truth and the opinion from the experts are closely matching. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 17, 359–366, 2007
An Analysis on Behaviors of Real Estate Developers and Government in Sustainable Building Decision Making

Purpose: The Chinese government takes measures to promote the development of green building (GB). But until 2013, there are only few green buildings in China. The real estate developers are skeptical in entering GB market, which requires theories to explain developers and government’s behaviors. Design/methodology/approach: In this study, we attempt Evolutionary game theory and System dynamics (SD) into the analysis. A system dynamics model is built for studying evolutionary games between the government and developers in greening building decision making. Findings and Originality/value: The results of mixed-strategy stability analysis and SD simulation show that evolutionary equilibrium does not exist with a static government incentive. Therefore, a dynamical incentive is suggested in the SD model for promoting the green building market. The symmetric game and asymmetric game between two developers show, if the primary proportion who choose GB strategy is lower, all the group in game may finally evolve to GB strategy. In this case and in this time, the government should take measures to encourage developers to enter into the GB market. If the proportion who choose GB strategy is high enough, the government should gradually cancel or reduce those incentive measure.
Bound Soliton Fiber Laser Mode-Locking Without Saturable Absorption Effect

Stable bound soliton laser mode-locking is experimentally demonstrated in an environmentally stable hybrid mode-locked Er-doped fiber laser without incorporating (equivalent) nonlinear saturable absorption effects. The laser has a sigma-type cavity and exhibits a higher threshold for single to bound soliton mode-locking state transition. A nonlinear eigenstate analysis based on the master equation model and the concept of steady-state lasing gain is developed to more physically explain the observed mode-locking state transition phenomena.
Metamorphic Model-Based Testing of Autonomous Systems

Testing becomes difficult when we cannot easily determine whether or not the system under test delivers the correct result. Autonomous systems are a case in point because it is difficult to determine whether a safety-critical autonomous system's behavior meets its specifications. To address the problem of testing autonomous drones, we have developed a framework for automated testing of a simulated autonomous drone system using metamorphic testing principles combined with model-based testing. Based on the results from using the framework to test the drone in the simulator using obstacles that do not move during flight, we have determined that this is a cost beneficial solution allowing for comprehensive testing without having to develop complex testing infrastructure to determine detailed test oracles. Our test cases are automatically generated from a set of testing models where each model encodes a certain scenario that can be varied according to metamorphic principles.
Low-Light-Level 640x480-pixel CCD Camera for Night Vision Applications

Abstract : We report progress made over the past two years on a visible low-light-level 640 x 480- pixel CCD imager and the camera electronics developed for night vision applications. The CCD camera, operating at 30 frames per second, has demonstrated good performance to below starlight illuminance (<1 mLux) conditions. The high sensitivity of the CCD imager is the result of back-illumination and low-noise readout amplifiers. To improve the CCD bright-light-source performance, antiblooming drains have been integrated into the CCD architecture that inhibit pixel blooming for signal levels up to at least 105 times pixel full well. Sample CCD imagery under controlled and field illumination conditions, extending from full moon to overcast starlight, is shown.
Market failure or institutional failure: why the Chinese urbanites find housing increasingly unaffordable?

Rapid housing price inflation has been continuing in China for the last 9 years with the consequences of aggravating affordability and social discontent in major cities. Blaming a failing market, the government and the housing industry have been focusing efforts on the market to restrain demand and encourage supply to tame housing price inflation in the last two years. However, demand remains strong and supply keeps short. This paper, based on a Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)/Shui On funded study on the Chinese property market, argues that the problems of housing price inflation and market housing affordability are deeply routed in the institutional arrangements, instead of simply caused by a failing market. It uses a three-level analytical framework to provide explanations to how the institutional arrangements impact on the housing market and recommendations to how the problems can be addressed. The paper conceptualises a property-led urban economic model which compels local government’s to maximise land sale revenues at the expense of institutional arrangements to improve market housing affordability and provision of social housing. It analyses institutional arrangements on planning, real estate administration and the housing industry to indicate institutional arrangements at the micro-level that contribute to the problems in housing. Based on the above analysis, the paper puts forward a set of recommendations which aim to build a new housing regime to allow maximum market affordability and social housing provision.
Effect of homocysteine lowering on mortality and vascular disease in advanced chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease: a randomized controlled trial.

CONTEXT High plasma homocysteine levels are a risk factor for mortality and vascular disease in observational studies of patients with chronic kidney disease. Folic acid and B vitamins decrease homocysteine levels in this population but whether they lower mortality is unknown. OBJECTIVE To determine whether high doses of folic acid and B vitamins administered daily reduce mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Double-blind randomized controlled trial (2001-2006) in 36 US Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers. Median follow-up was 3.2 years for 2056 participants aged 21 years or older with advanced chronic kidney disease (estimated creatinine clearance < or =30 mL/min) (n = 1305) or end-stage renal disease (n = 751) and high homocysteine levels (> or = 15 micromol/L). INTERVENTION Participants received a daily capsule containing 40 mg of folic acid, 100 mg of pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), and 2 mg of cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12) or a placebo. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes included myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, amputation of all or part of a lower extremity, a composite of these 3 plus all-cause mortality, time to initiation of dialysis, and time to thrombosis of arteriovenous access in hemodialysis patients. RESULTS Mean baseline homocysteine level was 24.0 micromol/L in the vitamin group and 24.2 micromol/L in the placebo group. It was lowered 6.3 micromol/L (25.8%; P < .001) in the vitamin group and 0.4 micromol/L (1.7%; P = .14) in the placebo group at 3 months, but there was no significant effect on mortality (448 vitamin group deaths vs 436 placebo group deaths) (hazard ratio [HR], 1.04; 95% CI, 0.91-1.18). No significant effects were demonstrated for secondary outcomes or adverse events: there were 129 MIs in the vitamin group vs 150 for placebo (HR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.67-1.08), 37 strokes in the vitamin group vs 41 for placebo (HR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.58-1.40), and 60 amputations in the vitamin group vs 53 for placebo (HR, 1.14; 95% CI, 0.79-1.64). In addition, the composite of MI, stroke, and amputations plus mortality (P = .85), time to dialysis (P = .38), and time to thrombosis in hemodialysis patients (P = .97) did not differ between the vitamin and placebo groups. CONCLUSION Treatment with high doses of folic acid and B vitamins did not improve survival or reduce the incidence of vascular disease in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease or end-stage renal disease. TRIAL REGISTRATION clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00032435.
Title Analysis and stabilization of chaos in electric-vehicle steeringsystem

This paper presents a new control method to improve the safety performance of the electric-vehicle (EV) steering system. It is found that the EV steering system exhibits unstable chaotic behaviors at certain speeds, which can deteriorate the steering performance and even make vehicles fall into spin. In this paper, a new dynamic model is proposed to describe the EV steering system, which takes into account the motor drive for EV propulsion. Moreover, both the driver’s reaction time and the disturbance caused by irregularities of the road surface are also incorporated into the EV steering model. It can be identified that periodic, quasi-periodic, and chaotic motions occur at the EV steering system with respect to different forward speeds. Thus, a new control scheme, namely the adaptive time-delayed feedback control (ATDFC), is proposed and implemented to stabilize the EV steering system from chaos to stable operation. Finally, the validity of the proposed model and control are verified.
Longitudinal Field Research on Change: Theory and Practice

This paper reveals the author's theory of method for conducting longitudinal field research on change. The paper also discusses a range of practical problems in carrying out time-series research in organisational settings. The practical problems include dealing with time in longitudinal research; issues of site selection, choices about data collection and degrees of involvement the importance of clarifying research outputs, audience, and presentation; and finally handling problems of complexity and simplicity associated with longitudinal comparative case study research on change. The paper concludes by discussing some ethical issues of longitudinal research field research, and managing a community of researchers.