Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Compilation de CSPs : carte de complexité des MDDs non-déterministes

Les CSPs fournissent un cadre puissant pour la representation de problemes tres divers. La difficulte est que la plupart des requetes associees aux CSPs sont NP-difficiles, mais doivent dans certains contextes etre traitees « en ligne ». C’est pour cette raison que les diagrammes de decision multivalues (MDDs) ont ete proposes pour la compilation de CSPs. Cet article dresse une carte de compilation des MDDs, dans l’esprit de la carte de la famille des NNFs de Darwiche et Marquis, en analysant les MDDs selon leur compacite et les requetes et transformations qu’ils supportent en temps polynomial. Les MDDs deterministes et ordonnes generalisant les diagrammes de decision binaire ordonnes a des variables non-booleennes, le fait que leurs proprietes soient similaires n’est pas surprenant. Cependant, notre etude met en avant l’interet des MDDs ordonnes non deterministes : restreint aux variables booleennes, ce fragment est strictement plus compact que ceux des OBDDs et des DNFs, et admet des performances proches de celles des DNNFs. La comparaison aux MDDs classiques montre que relâcher la contrainte du determinisme ameliore la compacite et permet a plus de transformations d’etre supportees en temps polynomial. Des experiences sur des problemes aleatoires confirment le gain en compacite.
NOTES AND CORRESPONDENCE Atmospheric Modes of Variability in a Changing Climate

The response of the atmospheric circulation to an enhanced radiative greenhouse gas forcing in a transient integration with a coupled global climate model is investigated. The spatial patterns of the leading modes of Northern Hemisphere atmospheric variability are shown to change in response to the enhanced forcing. An earlier study showed that the spatial patterns of the leading modes in the Southern Hemisphere changed in response to the enhanced forcing. These changes were associated with changes in the propagation conditions for barotropic Rossby waves. This is, however, not the case for the Northern Hemisphere, where the propagation conditions are unchanged. Other possible mechanisms for the changes in the spatial patterns of the leading modes are discussed.
Edinburgh Research Explorer Bistability in the Rac1, PAK, and RhoA Signaling Network Drives Actin Cytoskeleton Dynamics and Cell Motility Switches

of cell migration. Using predictive mathematical modeling, mass spectrometry-based quantitation of network components, and experimental validation in MDA-MB-231 mesenchymal breast cancer cells, we show that a network containing Rac1, RhoA, and PAK family kinases can produce bistable, switch-like responses to a graded PAK inhibition. Using a small chemical inhibitor of PAK, we demonstrate that cellular RhoA and Rac1 activation levels respond in a history-dependent, bistable manner to PAK inhibition. Consequently, we show that downstream signaling, actin dynamics, and cell migration also behave in a bistable fashion, displaying switches and hysteresis in response to PAK inhibition. Our results demonstrate that PAK is a critical component in the Rac1-RhoA inhibitory cross-talk that governs bistable GTPase activity, cell morphology, and cell migration switches
Speciﬁcations for Reachability and Safety Properties

In this paper, we study ltl f synthesis under environment speciﬁcations for arbitrary reachability and safety properties. We consider both kinds of properties for both agent tasks and environment speciﬁcations, providing a complete landscape of synthesis algorithms. For each case, we devise a speciﬁc algorithm (optimal wrt complexity of the problem) and prove its correctness. The algorithms combine common building blocks in diﬀerent ways. While some cases are already studied in literature others are studied here for the ﬁrst time.
Electronic Cigarettes for Tobacco Use Cessation: Its Efficacy and Hazards

The utilization of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) as a tool for quitting smoking presents a scenario marked by a blend of benefits and possible drawbacks. Since their introduction in 2007, the surge in e-cigarette usage emphasizes their widespread acceptance among smokers, yet research indicates a possible rise in individuals dependent on nicotine and those using traditional combustible cigarettes. By switching to e-cigarettes, traditional smokers may no longer use tobacco cigarettes; instead, they will use e-cigarettes as a smoking assist. Despite claims of being a safer alternative, studies suggest an overall detriment to the general population. Proposed strategies to address the complexities of tobacco use involve implementing tobacco-free environments and increasing public awareness. The efficacy of e-cigarettes is subject to conflicting research findings; while certain studies advocate for their superiority over traditional methods, others raise doubts about their safety. This ongoing discourse centers on the specific constituents of e-cigarettes, including nicotine and flavorings. Issues regarding respiratory and cardiovascular consequences, fluctuations in mood, and effects on fertility and oral health are emphasized, underscoring the necessity for a comprehensive and equitable evaluation of the potential advantages and drawbacks linked to their usage. This review examines information sourced from various databases, assessing systematic reviews and clinical trials related to the utilization of e-cigarettes for smoking cessation. Despite the acknowledged health advantages of quitting tobacco, debates persist regarding the effectiveness of e-cigarettes in facilitating cessation.
MONNA, a potent and selective blocker for TMEM16A/Anoctamin-1

TMEM16A/Anoctamin-1 (ANO1) is a protein widely expressed in mammalian tissues and has the properties of the classical calcium-activated chloride channel (CaCC). This protein has been implicated in numerous major physiological functions. However, the lack of effective and selective blockers has hindered a detailed study of the physiological functions of this channel. In this study, we have developed a potent and selective blocker for endogenous ANO1 in Xenopus laevis oocytes (xANO1) using a drug screening method we had previously established (Oh et al., 2008). We have synthesized a number of anthranilic acid derivatives and have determined the correlation between biological activity and the nature and position of substituents in these derived compounds. A structure-activity relationship (SAR) revealed novel chemical classes of xANO1 blockers. The derivatives contain a -NO 2 group on position 5 of a naphthyl group substituted anthranilic acid, and they fully blocked xANO1 chloride currents with an IC 50 < 10 μ M. The most potent blocker, N - ((4-methoxy)-2-naphthyl)-5-nitroanthranilic acid (MONNA) had an IC 50 of 0.08 μ M for xANO1. Selectivity tests revealed that other chloride channels such as bestrophin-1, CLC2 and cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) were not appreciably blocked by 10 ~ 30 μ M MONNA. The potent and selective blockers for ANO1 identified here should permit pharmacological dissection of ANO1/CaCC function and serve as potential candidates for drug therapy of related diseases such as hypertension, cystic fibrosis, bronchitis, asthma and hyperalgesia.
Using Augmented Reality to improve understanding of the Carbon cycle

We designed an activity to improve students’ knowledge and understanding of the Carbon cycle, which is typically a difficult concept. We wanted users to understand the main Carbon repositories and how the element circulates, as well as how human activity is impacting it. Originally designed for an advanced biogeochemistry course on paper, it was later redesigned using augmented reality (AR) to reach a wider audience and increase accessibility to both specialized and nonspecialized audiences. The reason for using augmented reality (AR) coupled to inquiry-based learning was to motivate students to complete the activity independently and make it more appealing to a wider audience. The Carbon cycle was divided into 7 stations that will be placed throughout the university campus, and which can be accessed by anybody using an android smartphone. They can choose to complete the whole cycle and answer a questionnaire, or just browse freely. We expect that the activity will improve understanding of the Carbon cycle in a didactic, playful and non-threatening way, and motivate users to learn autonomously. We also expect it to improve long-term retention.
Logical Relations for Monadic Types

ion of the morphism 〈u, v〉 in the subscone from 〈S, m, A〉⊗̃〈S1, m1, A1〉 to 〈S2, m2, A2〉 is then the pair 〈ẽ2 ◦ ũ, Λ(v)〉 given by the diagram: S  m // e u ## Λ(u◦e.1) 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 |A|
The Role of Receptor–Ligand Interaction in Somatostatin Signaling Pathways: Implications for Neuroendocrine Tumors

Simple Summary The tissue expression of somatostatin receptor (SSTR) subtypes in neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) holds paramount significance with far-reaching diagnostic and therapeutic implications. SSTRs contribute significantly to localizing NETs, aiding in advanced imaging techniques such as somatostatin receptor scintigraphy and PET scans. Elevated SSTR expression often aligns with less aggressive tumors, impacting tumor grading and influencing treatment decisions. Therapeutically, SSTRs serve as pivotal targets for treatments like targeted radiotherapy and synthetic somatostatin analogs (e.g., octreotide), commonly employed to inhibit hormone secretion and suppress tumor growth. Tailoring treatment strategies based on SSTR subtype expression enhances therapeutic efficacy. SSTR expression serves as a valuable prognostic indicator, predicting treatment response. While challenges like tumor heterogeneity persist, ongoing research explores promising avenues, including combination therapies. In conclusion, a nuanced understanding of SSTR expression in NETs is indispensable for precise diagnosis and the development of tailored therapeutic interventions, offering the potential for improved patient outcomes. Abstract Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) arise from neuroendocrine cells and manifest in diverse organs. Key players in their regulation are somatostatin and its receptors (SSTR1–SSTR5). Understanding receptor–ligand interactions and signaling pathways is vital for elucidating their role in tumor development and therapeutic potential. This review highlights SSTR characteristics, localization, and expression in tissues, impacting physiological functions. Mechanisms of somatostatin and synthetic analogue binding to SSTRs, their selectivity, and their affinity were analyzed. Upon activation, somatostatin initiates intricate intracellular signaling, involving cAMP, PLC, and MAP kinases and influencing growth, differentiation, survival, and hormone secretion in NETs. This review explores SSTR expression in different tumor types, examining receptor activation effects on cancer cells. SSTRs’ significance as therapeutic targets is discussed. Additionally, somatostatin and analogues’ role in hormone secretion regulation, tumor growth, and survival is emphasized, presenting relevant therapeutic examples. In conclusion, this review advances the knowledge of receptor–ligand interactions and signaling pathways in somatostatin receptors, with potential for improved neuroendocrine tumor treatments.
A Pocket Guide to CCR5—Neurotropic Flavivirus Edition

CCR5 is among the most studied chemokine receptors due to its profound significance in human health and disease. The notion that CCR5 is a functionally redundant receptor was challenged through the demonstration of its unique protective role in the context of West Nile virus in both mice and humans. In the nearly two decades since this initial discovery, numerous studies have investigated the role of CCR5 in the context of other medically important neurotropic flaviviruses, most of which appear to support a broad neuroprotective role for this receptor, although how CCR5 exerts its protective effect has been remarkably varied. In this review, we summarize the mechanisms by which CCR5 controls neurotropic flaviviruses, as well as results from human studies evaluating a genetic link to CCR5, and propose unexplored areas of research that are needed to unveil even more exciting roles for this important receptor.
Improved PSO With Visit Table and Multiple Direction Search Strategies for Skin Cancer Image Segmentation

Automated screening is employed to assist skin specialists in accurately detecting skin lesions at an early stage. Multilevel thresholding is a widely popular and efficient technique for enhancing the classification of skin cancer images. This paper proposes improved PSO with a novel visit table and multiple directions search strategies to develop the performance of the multilevel thresholding. A visit table strategy has been developed that prevents unnecessary searches of the original particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm by allowing the discovery of new points by making fewer visits to frequently visited points and their neighbors. Besides, a multiple directions search strategy has been introduced for the PSO to increase the diversity of the population and overcome the stuck at the local optimum by enhancing exploration ability. The qualitative, quantitative, and scalability analyzes of the improved PSO (IPSO) method were carried out on 50 benchmark functions and the highest performance was achieved with the proposed method in most of these functions. Secondly, a multilevel image segmentation application is presented on skin cancer images using two-dimensional (2D) non-local means histograms, improved PSO and Renyi’s entropy. In this work, the ISIC 2017 skin cancer image dataset is used for segmentation application and various performance evaluation metrics are used. The obtained results are compared with seven state-of-the-art approaches to show the efficiency of the proposed approach. It can be noted from the obtained results that, the proposed method outperforms the compared method based on the average of evaluation metrics for all skin cancer images. The best results in SSIM value of 0.8285, FSIM value of 0.7332, and PSNR value of 19.0576 are achieved by using the proposed method in skin cancer image segmentation. Hence, our proposed method is ready to be tested with huge databases and can aid skin specialists in making an accurate diagnosis.
Interagency Coordination Drivers, Instruments, and Success Factors: A Systematic Literature Review

Interagency coordination remains a classic and ever-expansive topic in public administration theory. Often considered the key to successful policy or program implementation, coordination also presents its complexities. Research on this subject continues to evolve regarding its sheer numbers, the diversity of locations, problems, and sectors of concern, and the type of government agencies being the subject. This article employed a systematic literature review to identify and analyze coordination drivers, instruments, and critical success factors associated with coordination. The study focused on original articles published from 2010 to 2021 in relevant journals indexed by Scopus. The review revealed that coordination can be driven by problems, institutions, or a combination of both simultaneously. Coordination instruments may involve one or a variety of interventions from governance and structure, systems and processes, policies and agreements, or the engagement of intermediaries. Factors of institutional settings, managerial capacity, and the accuracy of coordination strategies also determine the success of this intervention.
Spatiotemporal analysis of photo contribution patterns to Panoramio and Flickr

ABSTRACT Photo-sharing services provide a rich resource of crowdsourced spatial data consisting of georeferenced imagery and metadata. Shared photos can provide valuable information for a variety of applications and geospatial analysis tasks, such as identifying tourist hot spots or traveled routes. Understanding the spatiotemporal patterns of photo contributions will allow analysts to assess the suitability of these data for related analysis tasks. Using California as a study area, this paper analyzes various aspects of photo contribution patterns of Panoramio and Flickr. It identifies areas where annual photo contributions are still growing and areas that undergo a decline in annual contributions. Multiple regression is used to identify which environmental correlates are associated with an increase in photo-sharing activities. Furthermore, panel data of annual contributions between 2006 and 2013 for California subcounties will be used in a regression model to demonstrate that there is a positive feedback effect between Panoramio and Flickr photo contributions, but no neighborhood effect. The results of this paper provide insight into the data quality of crowdsourced image collections. These collections are commonly used for geospatial applications, including tourist information services and the computation of scenic routes.
Determinants of Audit Quality in Manufacturing Companies in Indonesia

This study was conducted to determine the effect of audit fees, audit tenure, client size, auditor rotation, gender of the audit committee chairman, expertise of the audit committee chairman, education of the audit committee chairman and tenure of the audit committee chairman on the audit quality of manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in 2019-2022. The total sample in this study was 120 companies with sampling techniques using purposive sampling. This study uses logistic regression analysis with Eviews 10. The results of this study indicate that audit fees, audit tenure, client size, auditor rotation, audit committee chair expertise and audit committee chair education have no significant effect on audit quality in manufacturing companies. While the gender of the audit committee chairman has a negative and significant effect on audit quality in manufacturing companies, the tenure of the audit committee chairman has a positive and significant effect on audit quality in manufacturing companies. The results of this study imply the importance of internal company factors, especially the chairman of the audit committee in supervising the company in an effort to improve audit quality.
HYDROTHERMAL TREATMENT OF EUCALYPTUS GRANDIS WOOD

Among the technological alternatives to improve the quality and use of eucalyptus wood is heat treatment, as the wood has some features that may limit its use, such as dimensional instability, high anisotropy, and heterogeneous coloring. This study is aimed at evaluating the effect of time of hydrothermal treatment on physical, chemical, and mechanical properties of solid wood of Eucalyptus grandis . We used three trees of E. grandis , selecting only the heartwood, and prepared test specimens with dimensions of 30cmx8cmx3cm (length, width, and thickness). The hydrothermal treatment was performed in a Parr reactor using three reaction times (5, 15, and 25min) at 140°C. Partial removal of extractives occurred, especially in the outer layer of wood. There was an increase of up to 58% of its permeability because of the partial clearing of the vessel elements. There was no degradation of the main constituents of the wood, so loss of mechanical strength was observed. The hydrothermal treatment promoted the partial removal of the hydroxyl groups and/or a structural rearrangement of the hemicelluloses and cellulose, causing a reduction of the hygroscopicity of E. grandis .
Super-Resolution Analysis of the Origins of the Elementary Events of ER Calcium Release in Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons

Coordinated events of calcium (Ca2+) released from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) are key second messengers in excitable cells. In pain-sensing dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, these events can be observed as Ca2+ sparks, produced by a combination of ryanodine receptors (RyR) and inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptors (IP3R1). These microscopic signals offer the neuronal cells with a possible means of modulating the subplasmalemmal Ca2+ handling, initiating vesicular exocytosis. With super-resolution dSTORM and expansion microscopies, we visualised the nanoscale distributions of both RyR and IP3R1 that featured loosely organised clusters in the subplasmalemmal regions of cultured rat DRG somata. We adapted a novel correlative microscopy protocol to examine the nanoscale patterns of RyR and IP3R1 in the locality of each Ca2+ spark. We found that most subplasmalemmal sparks correlated with relatively small groups of RyR whilst larger sparks were often associated with larger groups of IP3R1. These data also showed spontaneous Ca2+ sparks in <30% of the subplasmalemmal cell area but consisted of both these channel species at a 3.8–5 times higher density than in nonactive regions of the cell. Taken together, these observations reveal distinct patterns and length scales of RyR and IP3R1 co-clustering at contact sites between the ER and the surface plasmalemma that encode the positions and the quantity of Ca2+ released at each Ca2+ spark.
Thermoluminescence age determination of lava flows/domes and collapsed materials at Unzen Volcano, SW Japan

Thermoluminescence (TL) age determination was carried out for 40 lava samples ， one quartz vein and 8 samples from collapsed materials (pyro c1 astic/debris flow and avalanche deposits) in the Unzen area. The TL growth curve method was used for quartz phenocrysts and vein quartz of the above rocks to determi ne t h e a ge s within the maximum error of 30%. The Unzen volcanic rocks consist of the basal volcanic rocks and the ove r1 ying three groups (Takadake ， Kusenbudake ， and Fugendake in order of formation). The basal volcani c1 astic rocks range in age from 230 to 180 ka ， overlapping with the age of Takadake group (290 to 180 ka) ， and with the lower subgroup of Kusenbudake. The Kusenbudake group is c1 assified into the lower subgroup in the western part (190 to 130 ka) and the upper subgroup in the eastern part (130 to 99 ka). The activity of the Fugendake group occurred from 86 to 55 ka in the periphery ， resulting in the formation of lower subgroup ， and concentrated in the center around 15 to 10 ka ， upper subgroup. The age of Mayuyama in the Fugendake group which was under debate among many researchers was determined as 2.7 to 3 . 4 ka. This supports the stratigraphic relation of Mayuyama. Based on the TL age determination results and chemical compositions (U ， Th and K contents) of the bulk rocks ， the supplying sources of collapsed materials were identified successfully. The Kinugasayama volcanic rocks are characterized by low U content and high Th content ， wh i1 e those of Fugendake and Mayuyama are characterized by high levels of U and Th contents.