Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Comparison of Two Image Quality

In recent years a number of diierent vision models have been proposed to assist in the evaluation of image quality. However, there have been few attempts to independently evaluate these models and to make comparisons between them. In this paper we rst summarize the work that has been done in image quality modeling. We then select two of the leading image quality models, the Daly Visible Diierences Predictor and the Sarnoo Visual Discrimination Model, for further study. We begin by describing our implementation, which was done from the published papers, of each of the models. We next discuss the similarities and the diierences between the two models. The paper ends with a summary of the important advantages of each approach. The comparison of these two models is presented in the context of our research interests which are image quality evaluation for both computer imaging and computer graphics tasks. The paper includes illustrations drawn from these two areas.
Establishing Appreciation in a Creative System

Colton discusses three conditions for attributing creativity to a system: appreciation, imagination, and skill. We describe an original computer system (called DARCI) that is designed to eventually produce images through creative means. We show that DARCI has already started gaining appreciation, and has even demonstrated imagination, while skill will come later in her development.
Counselling in social work: A legitimate role?

INTRODUCTION : Social work roles can sometimes be considered to sit on a continuum between a community work/social change perspective and a therapeutic work perspective. One perspective could be preferred above the other, at a particular time and in a particular context, or both perspectives could be supported. This article explores the legitimate function of counselling in social work in Aotearoa New Zealand. METHODS : Data were obtained sequentially through 16 in-depth interviews and four focus groups in a qualitative PhD study. The respondents were practising social workers from various ethnicities and fields of practice represented in Aotearoa New Zealand. Both the interview and focus group data were analysed using a general inductive and thematic data analysis method. FINDINGS : The data demonstrate a relationship between counselling and social work, that social workers regularly use counselling skills and that social workers have a need to develop their clinical skills. Rigid boundaries between the two professions can have adverse effects for clients at times when multi-skilled professionals are needed; participants in this study are calling for ethicality and accountability in this regard. CONCLUSION : The findings from the data confirm the legitimacy of counselling in social work and have implications for social work practice, education, and continued professional development.
Live Imaging of Endogenous PSD-95 Using ENABLED: A Conditional Strategy to Fluorescently Label Endogenous Proteins

Stoichiometric labeling of endogenous synaptic proteins for high-contrast live-cell imaging in brain tissue remains challenging. Here, we describe a conditional mouse genetic strategy termed endogenous labeling via exon duplication (ENABLED), which can be used to fluorescently label endogenous proteins with near ideal properties in all neurons, a sparse subset of neurons, or specific neuronal subtypes. We used this method to label the postsynaptic density protein PSD-95 with mVenus without overexpression side effects. We demonstrated that mVenus-tagged PSD-95 is functionally equivalent to wild-type PSD-95 and that PSD-95 is present in nearly all dendritic spines in CA1 neurons. Within spines, while PSD-95 exhibited low mobility under basal conditions, its levels could be regulated by chronic changes in neuronal activity. Notably, labeled PSD-95 also allowed us to visualize and unambiguously examine otherwise-unidentifiable excitatory shaft synapses in aspiny neurons, such as parvalbumin-positive interneurons and dopaminergic neurons. Our results demonstrate that the ENABLED strategy provides a valuable new approach to study the dynamics of endogenous synaptic proteins in vivo.
End Users' Acceptance of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems: An Investigation Using Grounded Theory Approach

The success of ERP implementation depends, to a large extent, on the intensity and nature of its use by end-users. Therefore, it is important to understand the phenomena underlying end-users’ acceptance of ERP systems. This study was conducted at a large institution that implemented an ERP system. It uses the grounded theory approach to inductively develop a model that highlights key factors influencing end-users’ acceptance of ERP systems.
Effects of Mobile Phone-Based App Learning Compared to Computer-Based Web Learning on Nursing Students: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Objectives This study aimed to determine the effect of mobile-based discussion versus computer-based discussion on self-directed learning readiness, academic motivation, learner-interface interaction, and flow state. Methods This randomized controlled trial was conducted at one university. Eighty-six nursing students who were able to use a computer, had home Internet access, and used a mobile phone were recruited. Participants were randomly assigned to either the mobile phone app-based discussion group (n = 45) or a computer web-based discussion group (n = 41). The effect was measured at before and after an online discussion via self-reported surveys that addressed academic motivation, self-directed learning readiness, time distortion, learner-learner interaction, learner-interface interaction, and flow state. Results The change in extrinsic motivation on identified regulation in the academic motivation (p = 0.011) as well as independence and ability to use basic study (p = 0.047) and positive orientation to the future in self-directed learning readiness (p = 0.021) from pre-intervention to post-intervention was significantly more positive in the mobile phone app-based group compared to the computer web-based discussion group. Interaction between learner and interface (p = 0.002), having clear goals (p = 0.012), and giving and receiving unambiguous feedback (p = 0.049) in flow state was significantly higher in the mobile phone app-based discussion group than it was in the computer web-based discussion group at post-test. Conclusions The mobile phone might offer more valuable learning opportunities for discussion teaching and learning methods in terms of self-directed learning readiness, academic motivation, learner-interface interaction, and the flow state of the learning process compared to the computer.
Integration strategies of cortical neurons in the early postnatal neocortex

2 Statement of originality 3 Acknowledgements 4 Table of contents 6 List of figures and tables 12 List of abbreviations 16 Chapter 1General introduction 1.1 Understanding Sherrington’s enchanted loom 18 1.2 Cortical structure 19 1.2.1 Cellular components of the neocortex 20 1.2.2 Layers, columns and the canonical circuit 21 1.2.3 Cortical arealization 24 1.3 The development of cortical structure 25 1.3. 1 Morphogenic patterning of the telencephalon 26 1.3. 2 Development of cortical arealization 27 1.3. 3 Pyramidal cell neurogenesis 28 1.3. 4 Interneuron neurogenesis 31 1.3. 5 Genetic determinants of interneuron populations 33 1.3. 6 Discrimination of mature interneuron subtypes 35 1.3. 7 What is the purpose of interneuron diversity? 37 1.4 Circuit integration of cortical neurons 38 1.4. 1 Early cortical activity patterns 39 1.4. 2 Changes in GABAergic signalling through development 40 1.4. 3 Synapse formation 42 1.4. 4 Synapse receptor composition 42 1.4. 5 Synaptic plasticity 44 1.4. 6 The emergence of cortical connectivity 44 1.5 Thesis overview 45 Chapter 2Materials and methods 2.1 Slice preparation 47 2.2 Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings 48 2.3 Determining intrinsic membrane properties of recorded neurons 49 2.4 UV laser Scanning photo uncaging of Glutamate 51 2.5 Considerations given the shifting nature of GABAergic signaling 53
Do integration policies relate to economic and cultural threat perceptions? A comparative study in Europe

In this article, we analyse the relationship between integration policies and perceived intergroup threat across European countries. By distinguishing between several strands of integration policies and forms of threat (economic vs cultural), we attempt to shed more light on the mechanisms underlying the policy-threat nexus. We combine data from The European Values Study of 2008 and the Migration Integration Policy Index of 2007, resulting in a sample of 29,844 native residents in 27 countries, on which we apply multilevel analysis. The outcomes of the analysis reveal that respondents living in a country with more-inclusive integration policies – more specifically, policies aimed at labour market access and political participation – display lower perceptions of economic threat. By contrast, integration policies are not significantly associated with perceptions of cultural threat.
Scale-Space Properties of Nonlinear Diffusion Filtering with a Diffusion Tensor

In spite of its lack of theoretical justification, nonlinear diffusion filtering has become a powerful image enhancement tool in the recent years. The goal of the present paper is to provide a mathematical foundation for nonlinear diffusion filtering as a scale-space transformation which is flexible enough to simplify images without loosing the capability of enhancing edges. By stuying the Lyapunow functional, it is shown that nonlinear diffusion reduces Lp norms and central moments and increases the entropy of images. The proposed anisotropic class utilizes a diffusion tensor which may be adapted to the image structure. It permits existence, uniqueness and regularity results, the solution depends continuously on the initial image, and it fulfills an extremum principle. All considerations include linear and certain nonlinear isotropic models and apply to m-dimensional vector-valued images. The results are juxtaposed to linear and morphological scale-spaces.
Hierarchical, clustered protein interactions with U4/U6 snRNA: a biochemical role for U4/U6 proteins

During activation of the spliceosome, the U4/U6 snRNA duplex is dissociated, releasing U6 for subsequent base pairing with U2 snRNA. Proteins that directly bind the U4/U6 interaction domain potentially could mediate these structural changes. We thus investigated binding of the human U4/U6‐specific proteins, 15.5K, 61K and the 20/60/90K protein complex, to U4/U6 snRNA in vitro. We demonstrate that protein 15.5K is a nucleation factor for U4/U6 snRNP assembly, mediating the interaction of 61K and 20/60/90K with U4/U6 snRNA. A similar hierarchical assembly pathway is observed for the U4atac/U6atac snRNP. In addition, we show that protein 61K directly contacts the 5′ portion of U4 snRNA via a novel RNA‐binding domain. Furthermore, the 20/60/90K heteromer requires stem II but not stem I of the U4/U6 duplex for binding, and this interaction involves a direct contact between protein 90K and U6. This uneven clustering of the U4/U6 snRNP‐specific proteins on U4/U6 snRNA is consistent with a sequential dissociation of the U4/U6 duplex prior to spliceosome catalysis.
The Roles of Tumor-Derived Exosomes in Cancer Pathogenesis

Exosomes are endosome-derived, 30–100 nm small membrane vesicles released by most cell types including tumor cells. They are enriched in a selective repertoire of proteins and nucleic acids from parental cells and are thought to be actively involved in conferring intercellular signals. Tumor-derived exosomes have been viewed as a source of tumor antigens that can be used to induce antitumor immune responses. However, tumor-derived exosomes also have been found to possess immunosuppressive properties and are able to facilitate tumor growth, metastasis, and the development of drug resistance. These different effects of tumor-derived exosomes contribute to the pathogenesis of cancer. This review will discuss the roles of tumor-derived exosomes in cancer pathogenesis, therapy, and diagnostics.
Gemini Spectroscopic Survey of Young Star Clusters in Merging/Interacting Galaxies. II. NGC 3256 Clusters

We present Gemini optical spectroscopy of 23 young star clusters in NGC 3256. We find that the cluster ages range from few to ~150 Myr. All these clusters are relatively massive [(2-40) × 105 M☉] and appear to be of roughly 1.5 Z☉ metallicity. The majority of the clusters in our sample follow the same rotation curve as the gas and hence were presumably formed in the molecular-gas disk. However, a western subsample of five clusters has velocities that deviate significantly from the gas rotation curve. These clusters may either belong to the second spiral galaxy of the merger or may have formed in tidal-tail gas falling back into the system. We discuss our observations in light of other known cluster populations in merging galaxies, and suggest that NGC 3256 is similar to Arp 220, and hence may become an ultraluminous infrared galaxy as the merger progresses and the star formation rate increases. Some of the clusters that appeared as isolated in our ground-based images are clearly resolved into multiple subcomponents in the HST ACS images. The same effect has been observed in the Antennae galaxies, showing that clusters are often not formed in isolation, but instead tend to form in larger groups or cluster complexes.
Prospective Sense of Agency: Cognitive and Neural Mechanisms

The sense of agency (SoA) refers to the sense of being in control of one’s actions and, through them, of events in the external world. Much research has focused on how we link our actions to their outcomes. However, the contribution to SoA of processes linking our intentions to our actions has received little attention. The present research focused, therefore, on investigating the cognitive and neural mechanisms through which action selection processes can prospectively inform our SoA. Recent work revealed that influencing action selection through subliminal priming can lead to a reduction in SoA. Here, new tasks and manipulations of action selection were developed. The generalizability of previous results was demonstrated – a consistent reduction in SoA was found when action selection was disrupted. This effect was found for: disruptions at different stages of action selection; for different levels of awareness of distracting stimuli; and were unaffected by whether participants freely chose what to do, or followed an instruction. In other experiments, SoA judgements were tested in the context of a computer game, providing a more ecological and dynamic context than previous studies. Electrophysiological investigations of the neural correlates of agency showed neural monitoring of the action itself was reliably associated with judgements of agency, independently from and in addition to previously-established neural processes for monitoring outcomes. These findings, together with a meta-analysis of available studies, support a dissociation between prospective and retrospective components of SoA. Finally, the influence of social context on action selection and SoA was explored. Under conditions in which outcomes were unambiguously self-caused, the presence of an alternative agent who could act instead of oneself led to both reduced SoA and attenuated neural processing of those outcomes. The prospective sense of agency may be important as an advance predictor of successful action, allowing for immediate corrective action, as well as for learning to adapt behaviour in the future.
Decolonisation, dignity and development aid: a judicial education experience in Palestine

Abstract Taking Palestine as the focus of inquiry, and drawing on our experiences as co-directors of Karamah, a judicial education initiative focused on dignity, we reflect on the attributes of colonisation and the possibilities of decolonisation in Palestine through development aid. We conclude that decolonisation is possible even within development aid frameworks. We envision the current colonial condition in Palestine as a multi-faceted, complex and dynamic mesh that tightens and expands its control over the coveted colonial subject but that also contains holes that offer opportunities for resistance or refusal. We turn to Karamah to illustrate how some judges have insisted on a professional identity that merges the concepts of human dignity and self-determination and ultimately rejects the colonial condition inherent in both occupation and development aid. We conclude that in this process of professional identity (re)formation, members of the Palestinian judiciary have helped reveal the demands of decolonisation by demonstrating their commitment to realising human dignity through institutional power, and bringing occupation back into international development discourse.
Grendon : the therapeutic prison that works

In a climate of increasing pressures to cut costs and prove efficacy, institutions which are perceived as relatively expensive face particular pressures to justify their existence. Grendon, the only prison in England devoting all it's resources to a therapeutic purpose has long been subject to the doubting scrutiny of both professional colleagues and the wider criminal justice system as at best an unproven but worthy flagship and at worst an expensive and largely ineffectual token of care within the resource-impoverished and punitive Prison Service. This article reviews the current treatment philosophy and programmes at Grendon and summarises the recent reconviction studies which add to earlier research establishing the efficacy of this unique regime
Comparative study of joint-detection techniques for TD-CDMA based mobile radio systems

Third-generation mobile radio systems use time division-code division multiple access (TD-CDMA) in their time division duplex (TDD) mode. Due to the time division multiple access (TDMA) component of TD-CDMA, joint (or multi-user) detection techniques can be implemented with a reasonable complexity. Therefore, joint-detection will already be implemented in the first phase of the system deployment to eliminate the intracell interference. In a TD-CDMA mobile radio system, joint-detection is performed by solving a least squares problem, where the system matrix has a block-Sylvester structure. We present and compare several techniques that reduce the computational complexity of the joint-detection task even further by exploiting this block-Sylvester structure and by incorporating different approximations. These techniques are based on the Cholesky factorization, the Levinson algorithm, the Schur algorithm, and on Fourier techniques, respectively. The focus of this paper is on Fourier techniques since they have the smallest computational complexity and achieve the same performance as the joint-detection algorithm that does not use any approximations. Similar to the well-known implementation of fast convolutions, the resulting Fourier-based joint-detection scheme also uses a sequence of fast Fourier transforms (FFTs) and overlapping. It is well suited for the implementation on parallel hardware architectures.
The role of unemployment in wage determination: further evidence on the wage curve from Turkey

This paper presents an empirical estimation of the correlation between wages and regional unemployment rates in Turkey, more specifically it explores the role of regional unemployment rates in wage determination. The analysis builds upon a series of recent empirical studies on the wage-unemployment relationship, now commonly known as ‘the wage curve’, a downward sloping curve in wage-unemployment space. The existing studies are for most part in advanced market economies, while this paper presents one of the few attempts at a wage curve analysis within the context of a developing market economy. A cross-sectional estimation of micro level individual wage data for the Turkish labour market in 1994, suggest a statistically significant negative correlation between wages and regional unemployment rates. Separate regressions for men and women, however, show a wage curve to exist only in the male labour market. The study also presents the results on other variables of wage determination such as returns to schooling, returns to age, job tenure, gender, industrial and occupational affiliation of the worker, economic sector and union status.
Influence of Generational Status and Financial Stress on Academic and Career Self‐Efficacy

The importance of a college degree is underscored by higher unemployment rates of individuals who have not completed college (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2014). Academic and career self-efficacy influence students' completion of college, and 1st-generation college students and those under financial strain may experience decreased self-efficacy (Wohlgemuth et al., 2007). Participants in this study (N = 383) were college students at a 4-year university. Results from a 2 × 3 multivariate analysis of variance and discriminant function analysis revealed significant differences in academic and career self-efficacy based on financial stress, but not generational status.
Proximal Femoral Nail versus Dynamic Hip Screw Fixation for Trochanteric Fractures: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Background. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to find out whether the proximal femoral nail was better than the dynamic hip screw in the treatment of trochanteric fractures with respect to operation time, blood transfusion, hospital stay, wound complications, number of reoperation, and mortality rate. Methods. All randomized controlled trials comparing proximal femoral nail and dynamic hip screw in the treatment of trochanteric fractures were included. Articles and conference data were extracted by two authors independently. Data was analyzed using RevMan 5.1 version. Eight trials involving 1348 fractures were retrieved. Results. Compared with DHS fixation, PFN fixation had similar operation time (95% CI: −15.28–2.40, P = 0.15). Blood loss and transfusion during perioperative time were also comparable between the two fixations (95% CI: −301.39–28.11, P = 0.10; 95% CI: −356.02–107.20, P = 0.29, resp.). Outcomes of hospital stay (95% CI: −0.62–1.01, P = 0.64), wound complication (95% CI: 0.66–1.67, P = 0.82), mortality (95% CI: 0.83–1.30, P = 0.72), and reoperation (95% CI: 0.61–1.54, P = 0.90) were all similar between the two groups. Conclusion. PFN fixation shows the same effectiveness as DHS fixation in the parameters measured.
Poly-logarithmic independence fools bounded-depth boolean circuits

1. intRoDuCtion The question of determining which (weak) forms of random-ness " fool " (or seem totally random to) a given algorithm is a basic and fundamental question in the modern theory of computer science. In this work we report progress on this question by showing that any " k-wise independent " collection of random bits, for some k = (log n)
Fungal Biofilm Resistance

Fungal biofilm infections have become increasingly recognised as a significant clinical problem. One of the major reasons behind this is the impact that these have upon treatment, as antifungal therapy often fails and surgical intervention is required. This places a large financial burden on health care providers. This paper aims to illustrate the importance of fungal biofilms, particularly Candida albicans, and discusses some of the key fungal biofilm resistance mechanisms that include, extracellular matrix (ECM), efflux pump activity, persisters, cell density, overexpression of drug targets, stress responses, and the general physiology of the cell. The paper demonstrates the multifaceted nature of fungal biofilm resistance, which encompasses some of the newest data and ideas in the field.