Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Measuring the temperature and diversity of the U.S. regulatory ecosystem

Over the last 23 years, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has required over 34,000 companies to file over 165,000 annual reports. These reports, the so-called "Form 10-Ks," contain a characterization of a company's financial performance and its risks, including the regulatory environment in which a company operates. In this paper, we analyze over 4.5 million references to U.S. Federal Acts and Agencies contained within these reports to build a mean-field measurement of temperature and diversity in this regulatory ecosystem, where companies are organisms inhabiting the regulatory environment. While individuals across the political, economic, and academic world frequently refer to trends in this regulatory ecosystem, far less attention has been paid to supporting such claims with large-scale, longitudinal data. In this paper, we document an increase in the regulatory energy per filing, i.e., a warming "temperature. " We also find that the diversity of the regulatory ecosystem has been increasing over the past two decades, as measured by the dimensionality of the regulatory space and distance between the "regulatory bitstrings" of companies. These findings support the claim that regulatory activity and complexity are increasing, and this measurement framework contributes an important step towards improving academic and policy discussions around legal complexity and regulation.
A New Quadri-Polarization Reconfigurable Circular Patch Antenna

A new probe-fed patch antenna with polarization reconfiguration is presented in this paper. The antenna is composed of a circular radiating patch and a switchable feed network. By controlling the operating states of four pairs of PIN diodes in the feed network, the feed point of the circular patch can be switched. Therefore, a reconfiguration between four linear polarization directions at a 45° interval (22.5°, 67.5°, 112.5°, and 157.5°) can be realized. All the different polarization states own similar matching and radiation characteristics. Simulated and measured results indicate that the antenna can achieve reconfigurable quadri-polarization diversity features with an invariable operating frequency and excellent radiation performance, which are very attractive for wireless communications. In addition, the proposed design can offer more reconfigurable linear polarization directions by adding more switchable paths in the feed network.
Study on deep defects in Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells by photocapacitance spectroscopy

We study the electrical properties of deep defects in Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) by transient photocapacitance (TPC) spectroscopy by varying the Ga concentration in CIGS. Regardless of the Ga concentration, the TPC spectra of CIGS thin-film solar cells at 100 K exhibited a defect level with an optical transition energy of about 0.8 eV. The TPC signals for defect level were quenched by increasing temperature. The activation energy of thermal quenching is estimated to be about 0.3 eV. The variation of the thermal and optical activation energies is caused by the distortions in the local defect configuration.
Optimization of a novel biophysical model using large scale in vivo antisense hybridization data displays improved prediction capabilities of structurally accessible RNA regions

Abstract Current approaches to design efficient antisense RNAs (asRNAs) rely primarily on a thermodynamic understanding of RNA–RNA interactions. However, these approaches depend on structure predictions and have limited accuracy, arguably due to overlooking important cellular environment factors. In this work, we develop a biophysical model to describe asRNA–RNA hybridization that incorporates in vivo factors using large-scale experimental hybridization data for three model RNAs: a group I intron, CsrB and a tRNA. A unique element of our model is the estimation of the availability of the target region to interact with a given asRNA using a differential entropic consideration of suboptimal structures. We showcase the utility of this model by evaluating its prediction capabilities in four additional RNAs: a group II intron, Spinach II, 2-MS2 binding domain and glgC 5΄ UTR. Additionally, we demonstrate the applicability of this approach to other bacterial species by predicting sRNA–mRNA binding regions in two newly discovered, though uncharacterized, regulatory RNAs.
Results from two randomized clinical trials evaluating the impact of quarterly recovery management checkups with adult chronic substance users.

AIMS Post-discharge monitoring and early reintervention have become standard practice when managing numerous chronic conditions. These two experiments tested the effectiveness of recovery management checkup (RMC) protocols for adult chronic substance users. INTERVENTION RMC included quarterly monitoring; motivational interviewing to provide personalized feedback and to resolve ambivalence about substance use; treatment linkage, engagement and retention protocols to increase the amount of treatment received. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING Recruited from sequential addiction treatment admissions, participants in the two experiments were, on average, 36 and 38 years of age, mainly female (59% versus 46%), African American (85% versus 80%) and met past-year criteria for dependence (87% versus 76%). DESIGN Participants in both experiments were assigned randomly to the RMC or control condition and interviewed quarterly for 2 years. MEASUREMENT The Global Appraisal of Individual Needs (GAIN) was the main assessment instrument. FINDINGS RMC participant outcomes were better than control participants in both experiments. Effect sizes were larger in the second experiment in terms of reducing days to readmission (Cohen's d = 0.41 versus d = 0.22), successive quarters in the community using substances (d = -0.32 versus -0.19), past-month symptoms of abuse/dependence (d = -0.23 versus -0.02) and increasing the days of abstinence over 2 years (d = +0.29 versus 0.04). CONCLUSION RMC, which provided ongoing monitoring and linkage, is feasible to conduct and is effective for adults with chronic substance dependence.
Cloning and functional expression of GABA(B) receptors from Drosophila.

The neurotransmitter GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) functions as the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system of vertebrates and invertebrates. In vertebrates GABA signals both through ionotropic receptors (GABA(A), GABA(C)), which induce fast synaptic inhibitory responses, and through metabotropic receptors (GABA(B)), which play a fundamental role in the reduction of presynaptic transmitter release and postsynaptic inhibitory potentials. Whilst GABA(A) and GABA(C) receptors have been cloned from vertebrates as well as invertebrates, GABA(B) receptors have only been identified in vertebrate species to date, although indirect evidence suggests their existence in arthropods, too. Here we report the cloning of three putative invertebrate GABA(B) receptor subtypes (D-GABA(B)R1, R2 and R3) isolated from Drosophila melanogaster. Whilst D-GABA(B)R1 and R2 show high sequence identity to mammalian GABA(B)R1 and R2, respectively, the receptor D-GABA(B)R3 seems to be an insect-specific subtype with no known mammalian counterpart so far. All three D-GABA(B)R subtypes are expressed in the embryonic central nervous system. In situ hybridization of Drosophila melanogaster embryos shows that two of the D-GABA(B)Rs (D-GABA(B)R1 and R2) are expressed in similar regions, suggesting a coexpression of the two receptors, whilst the third D-GABA(B)R (D-GABA(B)R3) displays a unique expression pattern. In agreement with these results we have only been able to functionally characterize D-GABA(B)R1 and R2 when the two subtypes are coexpressed either in Xenopus laevis oocytes or mammalian cell lines, whilst D-GABA(B)R3 was inactive in any combination. The pharmacology of the coexpressed D-GABA(B)R1/2 receptor was different from the mammalian GABA(B)Rs: e.g. baclofen, an agonist of mammalian GABA(B)Rs, showed no effect.
Improved Physically Based Oceanic Rainfall Algorithm From AMSR-E Data

An improved oceanic rainfall algorithm based on a radiative transfer model that reduces many uncertainties of rainfall retrieval was developed using advanced microwave scanning radiometer for Earth Observing System data. Error models were embedded to quantify rainfall uncertainties and to reduce net uncertainties. Six channels (37, 18, and 10 GHz with dual polarization) were utilized in the algorithm. Several developments such as improvement of the freezing-level (FL) retrieval, a weighted average scheme, and enhanced offset correction were implemented in this paper. As a result, rain rate uncertainties were substantially reduced and quantified. To establish error models, drop-size-distribution uncertainty, beam filling error, data calibration uncertainty, and instrument noise were taken into account. These error models were used to compute proper weights of each channel to combine the six rain rates. The algorithm was evaluated with respect to the current operational algorithm (NASA Level 3 rainfall algorithm). It showed more reasonable mean FLs and rain rate estimation than the operational algorithm. Furthermore, pixel-by-pixel-based quantitative error estimates were conducted through the error model
Two-level operation of a diode-clamped multilevel inverter

This paper presents space vector based quasi two-level operation of a diode-clamped multilevel inverter in an attempt to improve the dc link utilization and output voltage quality, and avoids dc link capacitor voltage balancing problems experienced with standard multilevel operation. Beside a review of quasi two-level operation and a capacitor voltage balancing method, the paper presents a detailed discussion on space vector modulation implementation and selection of the switching sequence for the five-level inverter case. Additionally, the condition for maximum theoretical modulation index for space vector modulation is established. A prototype five-level diode clamped inverter is used to experimental validated the approach.
Activation of Protein Kinase C in Glomerular Cells in Diabetes: Mechanisms and Potential Links to the Pathogenesis of Diabetic Glomerulopathy

Protein kinase C (PKC) is activated in rat renal glomerulus within a week of induction of experimental diabetes. Studies in isolated glomeruli and in cultured endothelial and mesangial cells have demonstrated that high ambient concentrations of glucose activate PKC and thus implicate hyperglycemia per se as a mediator of PKC activation in glomerular cells in diabetes. High glucose concentrations activate PKC by increasing cellular levels of diacylglycerol (DAG), the major endogenous modulator of this signalling system. In contrast to physiological extracellular stimuli of PKC that increase cellular DAG levels by receptor-mediated enhancement of membrane inositol phospholipid hydrolysis, in glomerular cells high concentrations of glucose increase DAG by de novo synthesis from glycolytic intermediates. Activation of PKC by glucose or other agonists increases the permeability of endothelial cells to albumin and stimulates matrix protein synthesis in mesangial cells; it thereby may be involved in the pathogenesis of both the functional and structural alterations of the glomerulus in diabetes. Recent studies in isolated glomeruli from diabetic rats have also implicated activation of PKC in suppression of nitric oxide (NO)-mediated increases in glomerular cGMP generation in response to cholinergic stimuli. In mesangial cells, cGMP suppresses PKC-mediated increases in matrix protein synthesis. Thus, impaired NO-mediated cGMP generation in glomeruli of diabetic individuals may amplify matrix protein synthesis in response to hyperglycemia and other stimuli of PKC. These and other observations suggest that activation of the PKC system by hyperglycemia may represent an important pathway by which glucotoxicity is transduced in susceptible cells in diabetes.
Immunoregulation by interleukin‐12

Interleukin‐12 (IL‐12) is a heterodimeric cytokine produced primarily by antigen‐presenting cells (monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells, and B cells). Its production is stimulated by bacteria, bacterial products, and intracellular parasites and enhanced by priming with granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (CM‐CSF) and interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) or inhibited by IL‐10. The major biological activity of IL‐12 is on T and natural killer (NK) cells in which it increases cytokine production, proliferation, and cytotoxicity. Its production occurs several hours after exposure to infectious agents, which induces a rapid production of IFN‐γ by NK and later by T cells. This IFN‐γ potentiates antigen‐presenting cell functions important in clearing infectious agents (phagocytosis, oxidative burst, and production of nitrous oxide) and also increases further production of IL‐12. IL‐12 has been clearly demonstrated to be important in the generation of CD4 and CD8 type 1 T cells both in vivo and in vitro. Our data reveals that IL‐12 primes naive T cells for high IFN‐γ and IL‐10 production, whereas IL‐4 is required for IL‐4 priming, thus suggesting that these genes and possibly others are independently regulated. IL‐12 is therefore involved in the skewing of cytokine production toward a type 1 and has been implicated in being involved in selective mechanisms of established T cells. It is now becoming clear that the IL‐12 acts as both a proinflammatory cytokine and an immunomodulator and therefore bridges the innate and adaptive immune responses.
Internalization of Staphylococcus aureusby Endothelial Cells Induces Apoptosis

ABSTRACT The ability of Staphylococcus aureus to invade and survive within endothelial cells is believed to contribute to its propensity to cause persistent endovascular infection with endothelial destruction. In the present study, we show that following invasion of human umbilical vein endothelial cells, intracellular S. aureus organisms remain viable over a 72-h period and, as determined by transmission electron microscopic examination, that the bacteria exist within vacuoles and free within the cytoplasm. We also demonstrate that endothelial cell death following S. aureusinvasion occurs at least in part by apoptosis as shown by DNA fragmentation and changes in nuclear morphology. Apoptotic changes were evident as early as 1 h after infection of endothelial cells. Internalization of S. aureus rather than adherence appears to be necessary, since use of the phagocytosis inhibitor cytochalasin D prevented apoptosis. UV-killed staphylococci, although retaining the capacity to be internalized, were not capable of inducing apoptosis, suggesting that apoptosis is dependent upon a factor associated with viable organisms. The studies demonstrate that viable intracellularS. aureus induces apoptosis of endothelial cells and that internalized staphylococci can exist free within the cytoplasm.
Managing new, remanufactured and upgraded products under a coupon recycling environment

We consider a two-period production and pricing model under a coupon recycling environment, in which a monopolistic manufacturer is able to produce and sell new, remanufactured and upgraded products simultaneously in the market. To attract consumers to return used products and promote the sale of upgraded products, the manufacturer offers coupons in the recycling process. We focus on the competition between different kinds of products and analyze the manufacturer's optimal production and pricing strategies as well as the effect of coupons on them.
Mitigation of voltage regulation problem in flux reversal machine

Flux reversal machine (FRM) is a permanent magnet (PM) machine in which the magnets are on the stator, while the rotor consists of laminated steel. Therefore, this machine is simple in construction. Also, it is easier to remove the heat due to losses in PMs from this machine, as compared to conventional PM machines. Recent work on FRM used full pitch winding in lieu of concentric winding to increase its power density. EMF generated on no-load is about double when concentric winding is replaced by full pitch winding. However, this machine has very poor voltage regulation. Voltage on load falls to less than half of that on no-load. Therefore, it must be used along with auxiliary reactive power generating equipment. This reduces reliability and increases cost. In this paper, it is shown that flux switching machine (FSM), which shares the other attributes of FRM also has good voltage regulation characteristics. A machine, which has geometry similar to FSM, but with full pitch winding is proposed. The flux paths of this machine are similar to those of FRM. This machine has low voltage regulation. The generated emf is higher than that in FRM due to flux concentration. These claims are verified through detailed finite element based simulation study.
Orthopantomographic Evaluation of Canine and First Premolar Using Demirjian’s Stages in Central India: New Approach to Forensic Age Estimation

Abstract: Teeth development is widely used for age estimation in forensic science. The aims of this study were as follows: first, to establish Indian data on canine and first premolar development for age estimation and second, to investigate population differences in teeth development. Orthopantomograms of 340 Indian children aged between 5 and 14 years were analyzed. Demirjian’s stages were recorded for the developmental evaluation of canine and first premolar and for further descriptive statistical analysis. A two‐way ANOVA was performed to test the significance of difference in teeth development by sex and stage. A one‐way ANOVA was performed to investigate population differences in teeth development. Results showed statistically significant differences in teeth development by sex and stage. Accordingly, teeth development was earlier in girls. No statistically significant differences were observed in timings of Demirjian’s stages among different populations. In conclusion, the findings of this study could be used for age estimation of Indian children.
Contributions of loss of lung recoil and of enhanced airways collapsibility to the airflow obstruction of chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

We investigated the contributions of intrinsic disease of the airways, loss of lung recoil and enhanced airway collapsibility to the airflow obstruction of 17 patients with chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Airways conductance at low flow (G(aw)), maximum expiratory flow (V(E, MAX)) and static lung recoil pressure [P(st) (l)] were measured at different lung volumes, and conductance-static recoil pressure and maximum flow-static recoil pressure curves constructed. Low values of DeltaG(aw)/DeltaP(st) (l) and DeltaV(E), max/DeltaP(st) (l) were attributed to intrinsic airways disease. Airway collapsibility was assessed by comparing G(aw) with upstream conductance on forced expiration and by the intercept of the maximum flow-static recoil curve on the static recoil pressure axis (P(tm)'). All patients had reduced G(aw) at all volumes but in seven DeltaG(aw)/DeltaP(st) (l) was normal. On forced expiration, maximum flow in all patients was reduced more than could be accounted for by loss of lung recoil. DeltaV(E, MAX)/DeltaP(st) (l) was reduced in the patients in whom DeltaG(aw)/P(st) (l) was low. In contrast DeltaV(E, MAX)/DeltaP(st) (l) was normal in three and only slightly reduced in another three of the seven patients with normal DeltaG(aw)/DeltaP(st) (l). In these patients G(aw) greatly exceeded upstream conductance and P(tm)' was increased.We conclude that loss of lung recoil could account for the reduction in resting airways dimensions in 7 of the 17 patients. Enhanced airway collapsibility commonly contributed to reduction in maximum flow. In three patients the airflow obstruction could be entirely accounted for by loss of lung recoil and enhanced airway collapsibility.
Implications for Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) in Dentistry: a Review of Current Knowledge

This review explores our current understanding of the risks of (variant) Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease transmission via dental practice, and whether they merit the rigorous enforcement of improved standards of instrument cleaning and decontamination. The recognition of prions as novel infectious agents in humans has caused significant concern among the public and medical professionals alike. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) in humans has been shown to be transmissible via several routes, including transplantation, contaminated medical products, and via neurosurgery. While the likelihood of transmission via dentistry is undoubtedly very low, this may be amplified considerably by unknown risk factors, such as disease prevalence (particularly in the UK), altered tissue distribution of vCJD, and the failure of decontamination processes to address the inactivation of prions adequately. Since current diagnostic techniques are unable to detect PrPSc in human dental tissues, there is limited evidence for the presence of infectivity. Given these uncertainties, the control of risk by reinforced and improved decontamination practices seems the most appropriate response.
Georeferenced feature tracking in wide field images

In this paper we implemented a system of fisheye vision (a 360° × 180° visual field) for georeferenced tracking of feature points associated with moving objects in urban scenes. To develop this system: 1. We calibrate the intrinsic parameters of a fisheye camera based on the stereographic model. 2. We propose a geometric model of image formation and adjust the position and orientation parameters using satellite images of the observation zone. With this calibration process, we establish a mapping that allows us to convert positions of feature points from the fisheye image to the georeferenced image. 3. We study the uncertainties of the camera pose and the mapping. 4. We propose a system based on SURF and FLANN to detect feature's trajectories in fisheye video. 5. We calculate georeferenced trajectories of vehicles in the fisheye video.
Helicobacter pylori eradication releases prolonged increased acid secretion following omeprazole treatment.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Rebound increased acid secretion has been observed at 2 weeks after discontinuing omeprazole treatment in Helicobacter pylori -negative, but not H. pylori -positive, subjects. It is unknown whether this is a prolonged phenomenon or whether a similar phenomenon appears later in H. pylori positives or is released by eradication therapy. The aims of this study were to answer these 3 questions. METHODS Twelve H. pylori -negative and 20 H. pylori -positive subjects were studied. Each had a basal, submaximal, and maximal pentagastrin-stimulated acid secretion study before, during, and at 7, 14, 28, 42, and 56 days after a 56-day course of omeprazole 40 mg/day. Ten of the H. pylori -positive subjects had their infection eradicated during the last week of treatment. RESULTS In the H. pylori -negative subjects, there was rebound secretion of submaximal (P < 0.003) and maximal (P < 0.003) acid output, which persisted until at least 56 days after discontinuing omeprazole. The H. pylori -uneradicated subjects had no rebound increased secretion other than in maximal acid output at 28 (P < 0.01) and at 42 days after treatment (P < 0.02). In those eradicated of H. pylori close to the end of omeprazole, there was rebound increased secretion of submaximal acid output (P < 0.04) lasting until 56 days and of maximal acid output (P < 0.01) lasting until 28 days after treatment. CONCLUSIONS Rebound increased acid secretion following omeprazole is a prolonged phenomenon in H. pylori -negative subjects. There is little evidence of it in H. pylori -infected subjects, but eradicating the infection releases the phenomenon. The accentuated H. pylori -related oxyntic gastritis induced by omeprazole is likely to protect against the rebound phenomenon.