Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Testing for rational bubbles in the UK housing market

ABSTRACT Over the past decade, the UK has witnessed significant booms in the real estate market, and housing prices have experienced increases. Since 1997, the housing price has almost tripled, which is far beyond the long-term trend. To identify the existence of housing bubbles is a crucial issue for any country to prevent possible damage to economies and outbreaks of financial crises. The objective of this paper is to examine the existence of a housing price bubble in the UK through employing a co-explosive vector autoregression (VAR) model, originally applied to stock markets. The results demonstrate that both housing price and rental price show explosive behaviour during their growth, which provides little evidence to support the presence of real estate bubbles in the UK.
A marker-free method for structural dynamic displacement measurement based on optical flow

Abstract Information on dynamic displacement is an effective indicator for structures condition evaluation and provides a quantised insight into the structural analysis. This paper proposes a low-cost system based on computer vision using a smartphone to measure dynamic displacement, and then identify the dynamic properties of structures. Conventional sensors like linear variable differential transformers (LVDT), GPS, and accelerometer in monitoring systems have limitations of high price, inaccessibility, and accuracy. However, some new technologies eliminate these disadvantages. For example, a smartphone with a high-resolution camera becomes more affordable, which is regarded as appropriate equipment for structural health monitoring (SHM). Based on the optical flow, this method allows users to track points with a specific interval in the chosen region and reduces the displacement drift induced by the Kanade–Lucas–Tomasi (KLT) method. With the method applied, the region of interest is relocated according to pixel motion, and feature points are reselected. The accuracy of the system is verified on a laboratory suspension bridge model, and the results of modal frequency are confirmed with an accelerometer and FEM simulations.
In Vivo Suppression of MicroRNA-24 Prevents the Transition Toward Decompensated Hypertrophy in Aortic-Constricted Mice

Rationale:During the transition from compensated hypertrophy to heart failure, the signaling between L-type Ca2+ channels in the cell membrane/T-tubules and ryanodine receptors in the sarcoplasmic reticulum becomes defective, partially because of the decreased expression of a T-tubule–sarcoplasmic reticulum anchoring protein, junctophilin-2. MicroRNA (miR)-24, a junctophilin-2 suppressing miR, is upregulated in hypertrophied and failing cardiomyocytes. Objective:To test whether miR-24 suppression can protect the structural and functional integrity of L-type Ca2+ channel–ryanodine receptor signaling in hypertrophied cardiomyocytes. Methods and Results:In vivo silencing of miR-24 by a specific antagomir in an aorta-constricted mouse model effectively prevented the degradation of heart contraction, but not ventricular hypertrophy. Electrophysiology and confocal imaging studies showed that antagomir treatment prevented the decreases in L-type Ca2+ channel–ryanodine receptor signaling fidelity/efficiency and w.
Industrial applications of superhydrophobic coatings: Challenges and prospects

The use of the superhydrophobic coatings and materials in industry is not satisfactory after the intensive activity in research laboratories in the last two decades. We discussed the reasons for this adverse situation under several topics in this review article. The most important issues are the insufficient mechanical resistance and inevitable contamination of the SH surfaces under outdoor conditions, resulting in short useful life-time. The fabrication of a SH surface requires a rough structure with tiny textures on it and this frail framework has a poor mechanical resistance. The topics of superfluous production of small scale and expensive SH surfaces, the difficulty to obtain transparent and also self-healing SH surfaces, the inefficient anti-icing applications of the SH coatings are also discussed.
Fluopyram Controls Shoot-galling Caused by Pacific Shoot-gall Nematode and Improves Turf Quality in Annual Bluegrass Putting Greens

Golf courses in coastal regions of northern California are often faced with severe injury caused by pacific shoot-gall nematodes (Anguina pacificae) on their annual bluegrass (Poa annua) host in putting greens. For years, fenamiphos was used for mitigating disease outbreaks until its registration was withdrawn in 2008. An alternative product containing azadirachtin was intended for nematode suppression. Still, it required repeated applications throughout the year with questionable efficacy, making attempts to lessen the impact of the pathogen costly. This study evaluated fluopyram as a novel nematicide for control of pacific shoot-gall disease. Various application frequencies and rates were tested at several golf courses affected by the nematode. Results revealed that fluopyram applied once at 0.22 lb/acre reduced the number of new shoot-galls and improved annual bluegrass appearance for several months. Increased rates and application frequency occasionally improved the efficacy further. Although the visual quality of turf treated with this plant protection compound was tremendously enhanced, and the number of new shoot-galls was reduced, rarely a significant effect was observed on the population density of several soil-dwelling plant-parasitic nematodes, including pacific shoot-gall nematode. It is hypothesized that fluopyram did not move significantly past the thatch layer and into the soil. However, it effectively reduced the ability of pacific shoot-gall nematode juveniles to induce new shoot galls. Due to its long half-life, it likely protected against both new nematode infections and dissemination of pacific shoot-gall nematode when the shoot-galls decomposed.
The effects of increased camp levels on neuronal differentiation in murine embryonic stem cells, and the creation of a CRISPR-induced c.1252c>t point mutation in the ADCY5 gene

ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . v LIST OF TABLES . ix LIST OF FIGURES . xi LIST OF APPENDICES . xiv INTRODUCTION . 1 Research Aims . 9 MATERIALS AND METHODs . 12 Neuronal Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells . 12 J1 murine embryonic stem cell culture . 12 EB formation . 13 Nestin enrichment . 13 Expansion of nestin positive cells . 14 Dopamine-containing neuronal differentiation . 15 Immunocytochemistry . 15 Neuronal cell quantification . 17 CRISPR Cas9 HEK 293T Genome Editing . 17 HEK 293T cell culture . 17 ADCY5 genomic primer design . 18 sgRNA and repair template design . 18 Px459 Bpil digest . 19 vii Annealing and phosphorylation of forward and reverse sgRNA oligos . 20 Ligation . 20 Bacterial transformation . 21 Colony PCR . 21 Mini-culture, plasmid mini-prep, and glycerol stocks . 23 Transfection of HEK 293T cells . 23 Puromycin selection . 24 Single Clone Selection . 24 293T cell genomic DNA extraction . 25 Sequence confirmation of genomic edit . 25 Statistical Analysis . 26 Tables . 27 Figures. 35 RESULTS . 51 cAMP Treatment Affects Neuronal Differentiation of . 51 Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells . 51 Aim I: determine if cAMP levels affect differentiation of murine embryonic . 51 stem cells into dopamine-containing neurons. 51 cAMP treatment affects morphology of neurons . 51 cAMP treatment affects the overall cell population. 52 cAMP treatment affects the percent of Tuj1 positive cells in the population . 52 db-cAMP treatment does not affect percent TH positive cells out of total cell population (DAPI) . 53
AN INVESTIGATION INTO UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS’ PERCEPTION OF KAHOOT MEDIATED E-ASSESSMENT

This study is an endeavor to depict undergraduate students’ perception of a digital game-based learning (DGBL) platform called Kahoot! integrated into the undergraduate students’ learning. To this end, a sequential explanatory study was employed. Undergraduate students from a private university in Indonesia (N=21) agreed to participate in this study. A web-based five-point Likert scale questionnaire was developed to examine their perceptions of this platform. A focus-group interview was also conducted to detect their in-depth feelings. The results indicated that they positively appreciated the integration of this tool into classroom instructions. Implications, conclusion and limitations were then discussed.
A state augmented adaptive backstepping control of wheeled mobile robots

The present paper aims to design an integrated kinematic/dynamic-based tracking controller for wheeled mobile robots (WMRs) considering motors’ dynamics. By defining a reference WMR, the role of kinematic controller is to not only minimize the posture error which indicates the difference between the reference and actual WMRs, but also to generate a desired path for the actual WMR. The kinematic tracking control problem of WMRs is so challenging if motors’ dynamics, parametric and nonparametric uncertainties and external disturbances are considered. Thus, proposing a dynamic control law alongside a kinematic control is unavoidable. In this study, we propose a new dynamic controller, namely, a state augmented adaptive backstepping such that the desired path is asymptotically tracked. Several numerical results accompanied by 3D simulations of trajectory tracking control of a WMR in ‘Simscape Multibody’ environment and comparisons with two well-designed controllers in the literature are reported to show the high performance of proposed control structure.
Proposing a systematic approach for integrating traditional research methods into machine learning in text analytics in tourism and hospitality

ABSTRACT This paper argues that the analysis of vast amounts of user-generated content, which are currently dominated by text analytics and machine learning, need more methodical incorporation of reliable traditional methodologies to facilitate deeper understanding of concepts and theory building. Specifically, a systematic approach that integrates machine learning and traditional research methods is needed to overcome inherent drawbacks of both approaches. A step-by-step methodological framework for the analysis of online reviews is proposed and demonstrated. An application of the framework with an example drawn from the context of understanding authenticity in dining experiences illustrates its usefulness in the investigation of complex concepts. This paper represents one of the first attempts to systematise an integrated learning approach to understand complex concepts and build theories in tourism and hospitality, contributing to more rigourous procedures for processing and analysing large data sets of user-generated content.
Assessment of the Biochemical and Genotoxic Effects of Ecologically Relevant Concentrations of Nickel in Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822)

This study was aimed at determining the biochemical and genotoxic effects of ecologically relevant concentrations of Nickel (Ni) in Ologe Lagoon; which constitutes its originality. An initial field study was conducted to determine the concentrations of some heavy metals (arsenic, nickel and lead) in surface water, sediments, and fish from Ologe Lagoon. Ten fish per test concentration were used for the bioassay. Oxidative stress indicators (superoxide dismutase, catalase, reduced glutathione and malondialdehyde), and nuclear abnormalities were assessed in fish chronically exposed to ecologically relevant concentrations of Ni. Environmentally relevant concentrations of Ni did not have any significant effects on the levels of reduced glutathione, catalase, superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde after 30 days of exposure. Similarly, Ni had no significant effects on all tested parameters of genotoxicity after day 30. Therefore, environmentally relevant concentrations of Ni in Ologe Lagoon may not have any deleterious effects in terms of oxidative stress and genotoxicity.
Ca2+-Dependent Activation of Rho and Rho Kinase in Membrane Depolarization–Induced and Receptor Stimulation–Induced Vascular Smooth Muscle Contraction

Ca2+ sensitization of vascular smooth muscle (VSM) contraction involves Rho-dependent and Rho-kinase–dependent suppression of myosin phosphatase activity. We previously demonstrated that excitatory agonists in fact induce activation of RhoA in VSM. In this study, we demonstrate a novel Ca2+-dependent mechanism for activating RhoA in rabbit aortic VSM. High KCl-induced membrane depolarization as well as noradrenalin stimulation induced similar extents of sustained contraction in rabbit VSM. Both stimuli also induced similar extents of time-dependent, sustained increases in the amount of an active GTP-bound form of RhoA. Consistent with this, the Rho kinase inhibitors HA1077 and Y27632 inhibited both contraction and the 20-kDa myosin light chain phosphorylation induced by KCl as well as noradrenalin, with similar dose-response relations. Either removal of extracellular Ca2+ or the addition of a dihydropyridine Ca2+ channel antagonist totally abolished KCl-induced Rho stimulation and contraction. The calmodu.
Processivity, velocity and universal characteristics of nucleic acid unwinding by helicases

Helicases that act as motors and unwind double stranded nucleic acids are broadly classified as either active or passive, depending on whether or not they directly destabilize the double strand. By using this description in a mathematical framework, we derive analytic expressions for the velocity and run-length of a general model of finitely processive helicases. We show that, in contrast to the helicase unwinding velocity, the processivity exhibits a universal increase in response to external force. We use our results to analyze velocity and processivity data from single molecule experiments on the superfamily-4 ring helicase T7, and establish quantitatively that T7 is a weakly active helicase. We predict that compared to single-strand translocation, there is almost a two orders-of-magnitude increase in the back-stepping probability of T7 while unwinding double-stranded DNA. Our quantitative analysis of T7 suggests that the tendency of helicases to take frequent back-steps may be more common than previously anticipated, as was recently shown for the XPD helicase. Finally, our results suggest the intriguing possibility of a single underlying physical principle governing the experimentally observed increase in unwinding efficiencies of helicases in the presence of force, oligomerization or partner proteins like single strand binding proteins. The clear implication is that helicases may have evolved to maximize processivity rather than speed.
Deciphering species-group taxonomic complexity of common, Barbodes binotatus and saddle barbs, B. banksi in Peninsular Malaysia

Correct assessment of freshwater fishes depends on the most recent taxonomic nomenclature and accurate identification. The existing of the complex between closely related species is one of the prominent issues that sometimes poorly addressed that leads to misidentification of the species and inaccurate diversity measurement. This study addressed the issue through morphometrics methods, to correctly evaluate the diversity of freshwater fish within species group of genus Barbodes , i.e., B. binotatus and B. banksi . In examining species complex of B. binotatus and B. banksi , traditional and landmark-based geometric morphometrics methods were applied. Traditional morphometric displayed characters that distinguished both species were generally located at the anterior part of the body, and specifically in the cephalic area of the fish. Landmark-based geometric morphometric revealed a highly similar body shape on both species. Variations within both species were subtle and could not be significantly distinguished by both methods. The overall outcomes of this study suggest that in order to achieve a proper assessment to freshwater fishes, one need to solve the identification problems in species complex. This effort could consequently lead to a better understanding of freshwater fish status, for a better conservation plan and management.
Modeling Exchange Rate Volatility Dynamics of the Great Britain Pound to Ethiopian Birr Using the Semi-Parametric Non-Linear Fuzzy-EGARCH-ANN Model

In this paper, a robust analysis of volatility forecasting of the GBP-ETB exchange rate was provided using weekly data spanning the period June 30, 2003-January 24, 2020. To our knowledge, this was the first study that focuses on the GBP-ETB exchange rate using high-frequency data and the Fuzzy-EGARCH-ANN econometric model. The research finds that the best performing model in terms of one-step ahead forecasts based on realized volatility computed from the underlying daily data series is the Fuzzy-EGARCH-ANN(1, 2, 2, 1) with students t-distribution.
Acute exposure to hyperosmotic conditions reduces sperm activation by urine in the yellowtail tetra Astyanax altiparanae, a freshwater teleost fish

In freshwater fish with external fertilization, sperm sampling can be contaminated with urine, which triggers motility and gives rise to decreased fertilization success. The maintenance of freshwater fish in hyperosmotic conditions may reduce urine production and improve sperm quality. Thus, the aim of this work was to verify if acute exposure to various NaCl concentrations improves sperm quality in the yellowtail tetra Astyanax altiparanae. Spermiation was induced using a single dose of carp pituitary gland (5 mg kg-1) and the males were maintained at various NaCl concentrations: NaCl 0.00% (control), NaCl 0.45% (hypoosmotic), NaCl 0.9% (isosmotic) and NaCl 1.0% (hyperosmotic) for 6 h at 26 °C. Sperm was collected and verified for activation by urine and motility traits. At 0.00%, 0.45%, and 0.90%, the sperm was motile just after sampling, indicating activation by urine. Surprisingly, at hyperosmotic conditions, no activation was observed. Other sperm and motility parameters did not show any statistical differences, including sperm viability (P = 0.7083), concentration (P = 0.9030), total motility (P = 0.6149), VCL (curvilinear velocity; P = 0.1216), VAP (average path velocity; P = 0.1231) and VSL (straight-line velocity; P = 0.1340). Our results indicate that acute maintenance at hyperosmotic conditions eliminates sperm activation by urine and maintains sperm quality. Such a new procedure is interesting for both basic and applied sciences, including reproductive practice in fish.
Rôle des voies d'import du fer impliquant des sidérophores dans l'homéostasie de métaux biologiques autres que le fer chez Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Les metaux biologiques jouent un role cle en tant que cofacteurs, contribuant a la structuration des macromolecules et catalysant les reactions biochimiques dans les cellules. Ils sont necessaires pour une croissance bacterienne optimale mais deviennent toxiques lorsqu'ils sont presents en exces. Par consequent, l'homeostasie de ces metaux doit etre finement regulee, et tout desequilibre dans leur concentration pourrait affecter la viabilite cellulaire. Lors de cette these nous avons investigue les mecanismes moleculaires impliques dans l'homeostasie du Fe chez Pseudomonas aeruginosa, en etudiant les deux principaux siderophores produits par cette bacterie, pyoverdine (PVD) et pyocheline (PCH). Avec notre approche, nous avons identifie des nouveaux mecanismes de regulation des voies d’acquisition du fer par PVD et PCH. Nous avons egalement etudie comment d'autres metaux biologiques peuvent interferer avec ces voies, et le Co a montre une forte propension a pirater et a polluer la voie PCH.
Temas Açısı Değerlerine Bağlı Ağaç Türlerinin Farklı Sınıflandırma Yöntemleri İle Tahmini

Gunumuzde cesitli calismalarda bir agac malzemenin mekanik, kimyasal, fiziksel ozellikleri, anatomisi gibi farkli ozelliklerine gore agac turu tespit edilebilmekle birlikte bu calismalar hem uzun surmekte hem de maliyet gerektirmektedir. Ozellikle dis hava kosullarinda kullanilan isil islem gormus ahsap malzemelerin islanabilirlik ozelliginin bilinmesi malzemenin bu hava sartlarinda hangi alanda (havuz kenari, sauna, dis cephe kaplamasi vb.) kullanilabilirligi hususunda bilgi vermektedir. Ayrica malzemenin yapisma ozelligindeki degisimlerin kontrol edilmesi gerekmektedir. Siniflandirma, verilerimizi her sinifa etiket atayarak istenilen ve farkli sayida sinifa ayirmak icin kullanilan bir yapay zeka ve makine ogrenmesi teknigidir. Bu calismada islanabilirlik ozelligine gore yapay sinir aglari (YSA), destek vektor makineleri (DVM), K-en yakin komsu (K-EYK) ve Naive Bayes (NB) yontemi ile agac malzemenin turunun tespiti islemi yapilmistir. Isil islem gormus ve isil islem gormemis Sedir (Cedrus Libani), Iroko (Chlorophora excelsa), Disbudak (Fraxinus excelsior) ve Ladin (Picea abies) numunelerin damla metodu ile temas acilari belirlenmistir. Daha sonra yapay sinir aglari (YSA), destek vektor makineleri, K-en yakin komsu ve Naive bayes siniflandirma metotlari ile agac turlerinin tahmini yapilmistir. Isil islem gormus numuneler icin en dogru tahmin sonuclari Destek Vektor Makine siniflandirma yontemi ile (R2=1) yapilmistir. Isil islem gormemis numunelerde ise kullanilan butun yontemlerde ayni sonucu vermistir (R2=0.94). Ahsap malzemenin kolay bir metot ile olculen islanabilirlik ozelligine bagli olarak hangi agac turune ait oldugunun belirlenmesi calismada kullanilan bu yontem ile hizli, pratik ve ekonomik olacaktir. Damlatma metodu ile agac turunun kolaylikla belirlenmesi, restorasyon ve guclendirme calismalarina katki saglayacaktir.
The 22q11 low copy repeats are characterized by unprecedented size and structural variability

Low copy repeats (LCRs) are recognized as a significant source of genomic instability, driving genome variability and evolution. The chromosome 22 LCRs (LCR22s) are amongst the most complex regions in the genome and their structure remains unresolved. These LCR22s mediate non-allelic homologous recombination (NAHR) leading to the 22q11 deletion syndrome (22q11DS), causing the most frequent genomic disorder. Using fiber FISH optical mapping, we have de novo assembled the LCR22s in 33 cell lines. We observed a high level of variation in LCR22 structures, including 26 different haplotypes of LCR22A with alleles ranging from 250 Kb to over 2,000 Kb. An additional four haplotypes were detected using Bionano mapping. Further, Bionano maps generated from 154 individuals from different populations suggested significantly different LCR22 haplotype frequencies between populations. Furthermore, haplotype analysis in nine 22q11DS patients resulted in the localization of the NAHR site to a 160 Kb paralog between LCR22A and –D in seven patients and to a 31 Kb region in two individuals with a rearrangement between LCR22A and –B. This 31 Kb region contains a palindromic AT-rich repeat known to be a driver of chromosomal rearrangements. Our study highlights an unprecedented level of polymorphism in the structure of LCR22s, which are likely still evolving. We present the most comprehensive map of LCR22 variation to date, paving the way towards investigating the role of LCR variation as a driver of 22q11 rearrangements and the phenotypic variability in 22q11DS patients as well as in the general population.
Maximum Expected Value Partial Failure Path Problem

Mathematical programming formulations are developed for a problem motivated by determining chains of organ-donation exchange pairs in a compatibility graph. The objective is to maximize the expected value where pairs are known to fail with given probabilities. Historically this NP-hard problem has been solved heuristically or exactly only for limited path lengths. Although the problem appears highly nonlinear, we formulate it as a mixed-integer linear program (MILP). A computationally tractable layered formulation that approximately solves larger instances is also presented.