Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
OBSCURATION-DEPENDENT EVOLUTION OF ACTIVE GALACTIC NUCLEI

We aim to constrain the evolution of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) as a function of obscuration using an X-ray-selected sample of ∼2000 AGNs from a multi-tiered survey including the CDFS, AEGIS-XD, COSMOS, and XMM-XXL fields. The spectra of individual X-ray sources are analyzed using a Bayesian methodology with a physically realistic model to infer the posterior distribution of the hydrogen column density and intrinsic X-ray luminosity. We develop a novel non-parametric method that allows us to robustly infer the distribution of the AGN population in X-ray luminosity, redshift, and obscuring column density, relying only on minimal smoothness assumptions. Our analysis properly incorporates uncertainties from low count spectra, photometric redshift measurements, association incompleteness, and the limited sample size. We find that obscured AGNs with NH > 1022 cm−2 account for of the number density and luminosity density of the accretion supermassive black hole population with LX > 1043 erg s−1, averaged over cosmic time. Compton-thick AGNs account for approximately half the number and luminosity density of the obscured population, and of the total. We also find evidence that the evolution is obscuration dependent, with the strongest evolution around NH ≈ 1023 cm−2. We highlight this by measuring the obscured fraction in Compton-thin AGNs, which increases toward z ∼ 3, where it is 25% higher than the local value. In contrast, the fraction of Compton-thick AGNs is consistent with being constant at ≈35%, independent of redshift and accretion luminosity. We discuss our findings in the context of existing models and conclude that the observed evolution is, to first order, a side effect of anti-hierarchical growth.
Combining Multiple Phoneme-Based Classifiers with Audio Feature-Based Classifier for the Detection of Alcohol Intoxication

This article describes the two systems which we submitted for the Intoxication Sub-Challenge of INTERSPEECH 2011 Speaker State Challenge. At first, we developed an Extended Baseline System with a significant improvement of the unweighted accuracy compared to the Official Baseline System (OBS) on the development set. Then, we investigated the phonetic variations of speech under alcoholisation and developed gender-dependent Phoneme-based SVM classifiers. For this purpose, we selected the most relevant phonemes and investigated the combination of six Phoneme-based SVM classifiers (MP). Its results in accuracy are slightly below the OBS results. Finally, the combination of the two systems is presented.
Proposed Classification and Pathologic Mechanisms of Purpura Fulminans and Skin Necrosis

The syndromes of purpuric lesions associated with a thrombotic mechanism are very rare in the general population. Dermal vascular thrombosis, however, can be devastating and associated with significant morbidity and mortality. These syndromes share common features in their clinical course, pathogenesis, and histology. Although these syndromes can be initiated by either the hemostatic or inflammatory pathways, both pathways center around perturbations of the endothelial cell, which promote thrombosis. If animal models or better testing can be developed, enhanced appreciation of mechanisms underlying purpura fulminans may be deduced. Characterization of the pathophysiology may then allow directed treatment modalities that could limit the course of these syndromes and reduce morbidity and mortality.
Optimization of QoS chracteristics of self-similar traffic

The work considers the optimization task for QoS characteristic of self-similar traffic with the Weibull distribution in the case of a W/M/1 queuing system. The maximum and minimum values of the quality of service characteristics have been obtained for self-similar traffic serviced by the W/M/1 queuing system. These include the average delay time for packets in different conditions of the QS operation.
Influence of Erythrocyte Transfusion on the Risk of Acute Kidney Injury after Cardiac Surgery Differs in Anemic and Nonanemic Patients

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) after cardiac surgery is a major health issue. Two important risk factors for AKI are preoperative anemia and perioperative erythrocyte transfusion, and elucidating their relationship may help in devising preventive strategies. Methods: In this cohort study of 12,388 adults who underwent cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass and received three units or less of erythrocytes on the day of surgery, the authors used propensity score methods and conditional logistic regression to explore the relationship between preoperative anemia (hemoglobin less than 12.5 g/dL), erythrocyte transfusion on the day of surgery, and AKI (more than 50% decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate from preoperative to postoperative day 3–4). Results: AKI occurred in 4.1% of anemic patients (n = 94/2,287) and 1.6% of nonanemic patients (n = 162 of 10,101) (P < 0.0001). In the 2,113 propensity-score matched pairs, anemic patients had higher AKI rates than nonanemic patients (3.8% vs. 2.0%; P = 0.0007). AKI rates increased in direct proportion to the amount of erythrocytes transfused, and this increase was more pronounced in anemic patients: in anemic patients, the rate increased from 1.8% among those not transfused to 6.6% among those transfused three units (chi-square test for trend P < 0.0001), whereas in nonanemic patients, it increased from 1.7% among those not transfused to 3.2% among those transfused three units (chi-square test for trend P = 0.1). Conclusions: Anemic patients presenting for cardiac surgery are more susceptible to transfusion-related AKI than nonanemic patients. Interventions that reduce perioperative transfusions may protect anemic patients against AKI.
pi -vortex state in a long 0- pi Josephson junction.

We study the static configurations of a one-dimensional 0-{pi} Josephson junction, consisting of an {ital s}-{ital d} junction or selected boundaries between three suitably oriented {ital d}-wave superconductors. We find that a {ital d}-wave-type interference pattern can only be observed in the field-modulated critical current if the junction is short compared to the Josephson penetration depth. However, the behavior of a 0-{pi} junction is found to be indistinguishable from that of a 0 junction between {ital s}-wave superconductors in the long junction limit, due to the formation of a {pi} vortex.
A 2.4-GHz High Conversion Gain Passive Mixer Using $Q$ -Boosted $\pi $ -Type LCL Matching Networks in 90-nm CMOS

In this letter, a 2.4-GHz double-balanced passive mixer is presented which offers high conversion gain. The improvement of the local oscillator (LO) and RF input voltage is obtained as a <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${Q}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-factor by the <italic>LC</italic> resonance of the <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\pi $ </tex-math></inline-formula>-type inductor-capacitor-inductor matching network. This passive mixer with a high conversion gain is fabricated using 90-nm-1P5M CMOS technology. The mixer down converts a 2.4-GHz RF frequency to an intermediate frequency of 10 MHz. The measurement results show a 6.5-dB voltage conversion gain, a −6 dBm 1-dB compression point when LO power is −5 dBm and zero dc power consumption.
Employing Site-Specific Recombination for Conditional Genetic Analysis in Sinorhizobium meliloti

ABSTRACT The ability to remove a genetic function from an organism with good temporal resolution is crucial for characterizing essential genes or genes that act in complex developmental programs. The rhizobium-legume symbiosis involves an elaborate two-organism interaction requiring multiple levels of signal exchange. As an important step toward probing rhizobium genetic functions with temporal resolution, we present the development of a conditional gene deletion system in Sinorhizobium meliloti that employs Cre/loxP site-specific recombination. This system enables chemically inducible and irreversible gene deletion or gene upregulation. Recombinase-mediated excision events can be positively or negatively selected or monitored by a colorimetric assay. The system may be adaptable to various bacterial species, in which recombinase activity may be placed under the control of diverse user-defined promoters. This system also shows promise for uses in promoter trapping and biosensing applications.
Centromere identity is specified by a single centromeric nucleosome in budding yeast

Chromosome segregation ensures that DNA is equally divided between daughter cells during each round of cell division. The centromere (CEN) is the specific locus on each chromosome that directs formation of the kinetochore, the multiprotein complex that interacts with the spindle microtubules to promote proper chromosomal alignment and segregation during mitosis. CENs are organized into a specialized chromatin structure due to the incorporation of an essential CEN-specific histone H3 variant (CenH3) in the centromeric nucleosomes of all eukaryotes. Consistent with its essential role at the CEN, the loss or up-regulation of CenH3 results in mitotic defects. Despite the requirement for CenH3 in CEN function, it is unclear how CenH3 nucleosomes structurally organize centromeric DNA to promote formation of the kinetochore. To address this issue, we developed a modified chromatin immunoprecipitation approach to analyze the number and position of CenH3 nucleosomes at the budding yeast CEN. Using this technique, we show that yeast CENs have a single CenH3 nucleosome positioned over the CEN-determining elements. Therefore, a single CenH3 nucleosome forms the minimal unit of centromeric chromatin necessary for kinetochore assembly and proper chromosome segregation.
Dual parameterization and parameterized approximability of subset graph problems

We discuss approximability in FPT-time for the class of subset optimization graph problems where a feasible solution S is a subset of the vertex set of the input graph. This class encompasses many well-known problems, such as min dominating set , min vertex cover , max independent set , min feedback vertex set . We study approximability of such problems with respect to the dual parameter n − k where n is size of the vertex set and k the standard parameter. We show that under such parameterization, many of these problems, while W[ ·] -hard, admit parameterized approximation schemata.
Dynamic modeling reveals a three‐step response of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to high CO2 levels accompanied by increasing ATP demands

Abstract Saccharomyces cerevisiae is often applied in large‐scale bioreactors where gradients of dissolved CO2 exist. Under high CO2 pressure, the dissolved gas enters the microbe, causing multifold intracellular responses such as decrease of pH, increase of HCO3− and changes of ion balance. Effects of varying CO2 concentrations are multifold, hard to scale and hardly investigated. Hence, the multi‐level response to CO2 shifts was summarized in a predicting ODE model with mass action kinetics, balancing electrochemical charges in steady‐state growth conditions. Compared to experimental observations, the simulated dynamics of ion concentrations were found to be consistent. During CO2 shifts, the model predicts the initial depolarization of the membrane potential, the temporal pH drop and the activation of countermeasures such as Pma1‐mediated H+ export and Trk1,2‐mediated K+ import. In conclusion, extracellular cation concentrations and the cellular pH regulation are critical factors that determine physiology and cellular energy management. Consequently, pressure‐induced CO2 gradients cause peaks of ATP demand which may occur in cells circulating in large‐scale industrial bioreactors.
Engineering Yeast Transcription Machinery for Improved Ethanol Tolerance and Production

Global transcription machinery engineering (gTME) is an approach for reprogramming gene transcription to elicit cellular phenotypes important for technological applications. Here we show the application of gTME to Saccharomyces cerevisiae for improved glucose/ethanol tolerance, a key trait for many biofuels programs. Mutagenesis of the transcription factor Spt15p and selection led to dominant mutations that conferred increased tolerance and more efficient glucose conversion to ethanol. The desired phenotype results from the combined effect of three separate mutations in the SPT15 gene [serine substituted for phenylalanine (Phe177Ser) and, similarly, Tyr195His, and Lys218Arg]. Thus, gTME can provide a route to complex phenotypes that are not readily accessible by traditional methods.
Prevalence of Corneal Astigmatism before Cataract Surgery in Caucasian Patients

Purpose To analyze and quantify the pattern of corneal astigmatism in patients awaiting cataract surgery to provide information for cataract surgeons and intraocular lens (IOL) manufacturers and to establish the demand for toric IOLs in a hospital. Methods This cross-sectional retrospective study evaluated keratometric (K) values measured by partial coherence interferometry (IOLMaster) in cataract surgery candidates, who were then analyzed and correlated by age and axial length (AL) ranges. Results The study evaluated the K values in 757 eyes of 380 patients with a mean age of 71.9 ± 10.2 years (range 33–96 years). The mean corneal astigmatism was 1.02 ± 0.69 D (range 0.06–4.57 D). It was 1 D or higher in 316 (41.74%) eyes. The mean AL was 23.56 ± 1.35 mm (range 20.53–31.86 mm). Conclusions Our study shows that roughly 50% of the eyes have more than 1 D of astigmatism. The results can help hospitals plan and analyze the amount and costs of using toric IOLs in patients with corneal astigmatism.
Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of a Transdermal Contraceptive Patch and an Oral Contraceptive

This open‐label, randomized, 2‐way crossover study characterized the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of a transdermal contraceptive patch and a norgestimate‐containing oral contraceptive. Healthy women (n = 34) applied a patch once weekly for 3 consecutive weeks during each of 2 cycles and received an oral contraceptive for 21 consecutive days during each of 2 cycles. Plasma concentrations of norelgestromin and ethinyl estradiol peaked and waned after daily oral contraceptive administration, whereas they rose and reached steady‐state levels after first patch application. Norelgestromin exposure was similar; ethinyl estradiol exposure was higher for the patch than oral contraceptive. Hepatic estrogenic activity, assessed by hepatic globulin synthesis, was similar for corticosteroid‐binding globulin and corticosteroid‐binding globulin‐binding capacity and higher for sex hormone–binding globulin for the patch versus oral contraceptive. The clinical significance of the differences in pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles between the patch and oral contraceptive is not fully known. No serious adverse events or discontinuations due to adverse events were recorded.
Effects of mercury on embryonic development and larval growth of the sea urchin Echinometra mathaei from the Persian Gulf

This study investigated the effects of increasing mercury (Hg) concentration on early developmental stages of sea urchin, Echinomethra mathaei, as a bioindicator. The toxicity test was carried out after the gamete released induction and fertilization in six concentrations of mercury within the range of 4, 8, 16, 32, 64 and 128 µg/L. Embryos samples were incubated for 30 h in control and test solutions. After incubation, the percentage of developed 4-arm pluteus larvae was recorded in each group and embryonic abnormalities were studied by a microscope. Results of this study indicate that exposure of embryos to increasing mercury concentrations lead to abnormalities such as changes to shape and size of pluteus larval arms and also arrested development in early embryonic stages. Furthermore, embryos were analyzed to determine mercury absorption by cold vapour atomic absorption spectrometry method (AAS). The median effective concentration (EC50) value calculated for mercury was 17/42 µg/L.
Beckett, Proust, and Schopenhauer

En depit de quelques emprunts inavoues et de son obscurite, le Proust de S. Beckett contient une idee originale: La recherche est une application a l'ecriture romanesque de la theorie de S. sur la musique. Influence de S. sur B. et P.: la perception du monde et la volonte. La musique et le temps. La poursuite de l'Idee. Les souvenirs involontaires. La dimension tragique de l'amour, "expiation du peche d'etre ne". La conception proustienne de l'amitie.
Is incomplete circle of Willis associated with white matter lesion ?

Objective: The pathogenesis of cerebral white matter lesion (WML) may be associated with chronic cerebral hypoperfusion. Incomplete circle of Willis (CoW) and cerebral artery stenosis (CAS) may contribute to chronic cerebral hypoperfusion. This study aimed to investigate whether incomplete CoW and CAS were associated with WML by a prospective study. Methods: 102 patients were enrolled in this study. The WML group included 52 patients who had level 2 or 3 WML according to Fazekas scale and no stroke history, and the control group included 50 patients who had normal cranial magnetic resonance images (MRI). All subjects underwent baseline examinations and completed MRI and contrast-enhanced cerebral CT angiography (CTA). CoW morphology was divided into complete and incomplete types according to the CTA results. The extent of CAS was calculated with reference to WASID method. Results: Hypertension, serum creatinine and homocysteine levels were higher in WML group than in control group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences of sex, age, smoking, diabetes, coronary artery disease, serum lipid, and blood glucose or alanine transaminase level between two groups (P>0.05). Although the percentage of CAS and incomplete CoW in WML group was higher than in control group, there was no significant difference between the two groups. Conclusions: CoW is the most important mechanism of cerebral collateral circulation. Incomplete CoW and CAS may impair self-regulation of cerebral blood flow and hemodynamic stability, but there is insufficient evidence to suggest that incomplete CoW and CAS are associated with WML in this study.
La Alteración del Resultado Para Evitar Pérdidas y Descensos: Evidencia Empírica

RESUMEN Este trabajo investiga si el resultado contable se altera para evitar pérdidas, así como para evitar descensos y de esta forma superar el nivel alcanzado en el período anterior. Adicionalmente, y tomando como punto de referencia los argumentos basados en la teoría positiva de la contabilidad, se investiga si hay diferencias en la tendencia a evitar pérdidas y descensos del resultado asociadas con la cotización en bolsa, el tamaño y el endeudamiento. La muestra final comprende 2.600 observaciones obtenidas de las cuentas anuales consolidadas de 838 empresas españolas entre los ejercicios 1994 y 1999. Nuestra evidencia empírica indica que el resultado ordinario se altera para evitar informar sobre pérdidas en las actividades ordinarias, pero no para evitar sus descensos, y que el resultado neto se altera tanto para evitar pérdidas como descensos. También se confirma la alteración del resultado neto para evitar pérdidas y descensos por parte de las empresas cotizadas, pero no por parte de las no cotizadas.
Synchronization control of stochastically coupled neural networks with mixed time-delays

This paper is concerned with the synchronization control problem of an array of linearly stochastically coupled identical neural networks with discrete and distributed time-delays. Both the discrete and distributed time-delays terms are introduced to model a more realistic dynamical behavior of systems in practice, besides the stochastic coupling term. By utilizing the Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional method and linear matrix inequality (LMI) approach, several new criterions are derived to ensure the synchronization of the system studied in this paper. Meanwhile, on the basis of the stable conditions of the error system, the estimation gains of the novel delayed feedback controller can be obtained. Simulation examples are provided to present the effectiveness of the theoretical results.
Platelets in sepsis

Abstract Platelets are circulating blood cells that will normally not interact with the intact vessel wall but that may swiftly respond to vascular disruption by adhering to subendothelial structures, followed by interaction with each other, thereby forming a platelet aggregate. The activated platelet (phospholipid) membrane may form a suitable surface on which further coagulation activation may occur. These processes are part of the first line of defence of the body against bleeding but may also contribute to pathological thrombus formation in vascular disease, such as thrombus formation on top of a ruptured atherosclerotic plaque. In case of systemic inflammatory syndromes, such as the response to sepsis, disseminated intravascular platelet activation may occur, which will contribute to microvascular failure and thereby play a role in the development of organ dysfunction. In addition, in this situation platelets may be directly involved in the inflammatory response by releasing inflammatory mediators and growth factors.
33∼50GHz CMOS receiver with wideband RF, IF and LO chain

This manuscript describes the Q-band 90nm-CMOS receiver design where the 33∼50GHz RF-LNA, actively-biased double-balanced mixer, 10GHz IF amplifier, wideband frequency tripler and power amplifier in the LO chain are all integrated into one single chip. With overall power consumption of 170mW under 1.2V bias, the measured conversion gain is 15dB, noise figure close to 8dB, input-referred P1dB around −30dBm, and the LO-IF port isolation is more than 60dB. Therefore, it can be easily driven by an external 11∼16GHz signal source and used in applications such as next-generation broadband mobile communications where several specific Q-band frequency points have been considered. However, contrary to most receiver designs where the optimization is carried out over a relatively narrow bandwidth, here the main challenge lies in how to effectively extend the RF, IF, and LO bandwidth simultaneously without rendering performance deterioration. By possessing such broadband RF, IF, and LO characteristics, this Q-band circuit is also eligible for use in radio-astronomical, atmospheric, and other scientific instrumentations.
High-order direct correlation functions of uniform classical liquids.

Analytic approximations for the third- and higher-order direct correlation functions of uniform classical liquids are presented. These are derived from a weighted-density approximation for the one-particle direct correlation function of a nonuniform liquid which requires as input only the two-particle function of the corresponding uniform liquid. The three-particle result is shown to have the same accuracy as two recently proposed approximations, but has a much simpler form. The four- and five-particle results are new, and in principle can be tested by simulation methods.