Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Perceptual and Cognitive Factors Imposing “Speed Limits” on Reading Rate: A Study with the Rapid Serial Visual Presentation

Adults read at high speed, but estimates of their reading rate vary greatly, i.e., from 100 to 1500 words per minute (wpm). This discrepancy is likely due to different recording methods and to the different perceptual and cognitive processes involved in specific test conditions. The present study investigated the origins of these notable differences in RSVP reading rate (RR). In six experiments we investigated the role of many different perceptual and cognitive variables. The presence of a mask caused a steep decline in reading rate, with an estimated masking cost of about 200 wpm. When the decoding process was isolated, RR approached values of 1200 wpm. When the number of stimuli exceeded the short-term memory span, RR decreased to 800 wpm. The semantic context contributed to reading speed only by a factor of 1.4. Finally, eye movements imposed an upper limit on RR (around 300 wpm). Overall, data indicate a speed limit of 300 wpm, which corresponds to the time needed for eye movement execution, i.e., the most time consuming mechanism. Results reconcile differences in reading rates reported by different laboratories and thus provide suggestions for targeting different components of reading rate.
Towards a WPSL : a critical analysis of the 20 classical workflow control-flow patterns

In 2000, after a comprehensive survey of tools and techniques for workflow management, 20 control-flow patterns were identified [5] and made these available through www.workflowpatterns. com. Since then, many commercial and academic workflow management systems have been evaluated using these patterns. Moreover, standards such as BPEL and XPDL have been evaluated and these evaluations have triggered improvements in them. Although the 20 workflow patterns have proven to be useful, the selection of these patterns was done in an ad-hoc manner and the description of the patterns in natural language has been rather ambiguous. Therefore, we propose a more analytical approach using a new Workflow Pattern Specification Language (WPSL). WPSL is independent of any implementation language utilized by contemporary workflow management systems. In this paper, we analyze the 20 original workflow patterns using WPSL, discuss the different variants of the patterns, and use WPSL to capture the detailed semantics of existing workflow management systems.
Modeling and rendering of weathered stone

Stone is widespread in its use as a building material and artistic medium. One of its most remarkable qualities is that it changes appearance as it interacts with the environment. These changes are mainly confined to the surface but involve complex volumetric effects such as erosion and mineral dissolution. This paper presents an approach for the modeling and rendering of changes in the shape and appearance of stone. To represent stone, we introduce a sl bdata structure, which is a surface-aligned volume confined to a narrow region around the boundary of the stone. Our weathering model employs a simulation of the flow of moisture and the transport, dissolution, and recrystallization of minerals within the porous stone volume. In addition, this model governs the erosion of material from the surface. To render the optical effects of translucency and coloration due to the composition of minerals near the surface, we simulate the scattering of light inside the stone using a general subsurface Monte Carlo ray tracer. These techniques can capture many aspects of the time-dependent appearance of stone. We demonstrate the approach with models of granite and marble statues, as well as a sandstone column. CR Categories: I.3. 7 [Computer Graphics]: Three-Dimensional Graphics and Realism; I.6. 3 [Simulation and Modeling]: Applications. Additional
A Stochastic Method to Predict the Consequence of Arbitrary Forms of Spike-Timing-Dependent Plasticity

Synapses in various neural preparations exhibit spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) with a variety of learning window functions. The window functions determine the magnitude and the polarity of synaptic change according to the time difference of pre- and postsynaptic spikes. Numerical experiments revealed that STDP learning with a single-expo nential window function resulted in a bimodal distribution of synaptic conductances as a consequence of competition between synapses. A slightly modified window function, however, resulted in a unimodal distribution rather than a bimodal distribution. Since various window functions have been observed in neural preparations, we develop a rigorous mathematical method to calculate the conductance distribution for any given window function. Our method is based on the Fokker-Planck equation to determine the conductance distribution and on the Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process to characterize the membrane potential fluctuations. Demonstrating that our method reproduces the known quantitative results of STDP learning, we apply the method to the type of STDP learning found recently in the CA1 region of the rat hippocampus. We find that this learning can result in nearly optimized competition between synapses. Meanwhile, we find that the type of STDP learning found in the cerebellum-like structure of electric fish can result in all-or-none synapses: either all the synaptic conductances are maximized, or none of them becomes significantly large. Our method also determines the window function that optimizes synaptic competition.
A Low-Profile Wideband CP End-Fire Magnetoelectric Antenna Using Dual-Mode Resonances

A low-profile wideband circularly polarized (CP) magnetoelectric (ME) antenna with high-gain and an end-fire radiation beam is proposed in this paper. It consists of a magnetic dipole (M-dipole) and two pairs of printed crossed strips to produce vertically and horizontally polarized E-field components, respectively. With the appropriate combination, the proposed ME antenna exhibits an inherent 90°-phase difference at endfire for these two field components. CP end-fire radiation, therefore, can be achieved. Two techniques using the L-probe coupled feeding structure to excite the M-dipole operating at both the basic ( $0.5\lambda $ -) and higher ( $1.5\lambda $ -) modes for the dual-mode resonances and using two pairs of printed strips with different dimensions for the dual-frequency resonances are introduced to realize the wideband operation. The measurement results show that the wide impedance bandwidth (IMBW) of 2.40–4.24 GHz (1.84 GHz, 55.4%) and 3 dB axial-ratio bandwidth (ARBW) of 2.36–3.86 GHz (1.5 GHz, 48.2%) are achieved. In addition, the stable end-fire radiation patterns with a peak gain of 7.57 dBi are observed over the operating band. The bandwidth for 3 dB gain variation is 2.34–3.97 GHz. Hence, the proposed antenna with its main beam in parallel with the substrate shows the potential for some point-to-point communications such as the radio-frequency identification (RFID) system.
Exercise Training Reduces Neointimal Growth and Stabilizes Vascular Lesions Developing After Injury in Apolipoprotein E–Deficient Mice

Background—Population-based studies have shown that exercise reduces cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However, it is unknown whether these effects are solely a result of risk factor modification or whether exercise directly affects the homeostasis of the vessel wall. Methods and Results—We subjected 19-week-old apolipoprotein E (apoE)–knockout mice (apoE−/−; n=25) to a 6-week training program on a motorized treadmill. The control group consisted of 17 sedentary mice. After 3 weeks in the program, training and sedentary mice underwent carotid artery injury with ferric chloride. Training was then resumed for another 3 weeks. Exercise did not change body weight or lipid levels in apoE−/− mice but resulted in upregulated expression of nitric oxide synthase in the endothelium. Physical training did not significantly affect the thrombotic response to injury. However, morphometric analysis of vessels harvested 3 weeks after injury showed that neointima formation was reduced in the exercising group. This resulted in a lower intima/media ratio (0.29±0.03 versus 0.41±0.03 in sedentary mice; P =0.008) and less luminal stenosis (21±2.7% versus 33±2.3%; P =0.003). Importantly, exercise reduced the number of Mac-3–positive, oxidized LDL-containing macrophages in the vessel wall while increasing the content in collagen fibers (14.1±0.9% versus 4.8±0.8%; P <0.001). Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, tissue factor, and fibrinogen were all significantly reduced in the lesions of trained mice. Conclusions—In the apoE−/− mouse, exercise training reduces neointimal growth and stabilizes vascular lesions after injury. These effects appear to be at least partly independent of changes in lipid levels or the initial thrombotic response to injury.
LIVESTOCK FEED DRY MATTER AVAILABILITY AND UTILIZATION IN BURIE ZURIA DISTRICT, NORTH WESTERN ETHIOPIA

Availability of feed resources, their utilization and balance between supply and demand in Burie Zuria district, north western Ethiopia, were assessedusing focus group discussion, individual interview, key informant interview and secondary data. Data was collected from February to April 2017 on 90, 30 and 30 households (HH)Hs selected from mid, high and low altitudes,respectively, using multi-stage sampling techniques. Data was analysed using FEAST version 2.21 and SPSS version 20.0. Mean land holding, livestock holding and family size were 1.8 ha, 9.03Tropical livestock unit (TLU) and 6.82 persons/HH, respectively. Crop residues, stubble grazing and natural pasture were major feed resources. Maize stover, finger millet and teff straws were the main crop residues produced in all agroecosystems (p<0.05). Inappropriate collection, conservation and feed processing practices reduced efficiency of utilization. Utilizable dry matter (DM) supply was 12.87±0.41 t/HH/yr; and 7.2±0.69, 14.6±0.47 and 15.38±0.66 were from high, mid and low altitudes, respectively; crop residues contributed major part (9.76±0.76 t)(p<0.05). Annual livestock maintenance DM requirement was 20.37±4.14 t/HH/yr with a deficit of 7.5±3.73 t, with DM requirement of 18.25±4.49, 26.78±4.14 and 16.09±3.83t/HH/yr (p<0.05) for high, mid and low altitudes, respectively. Available DM satisfies 63.18 % of DM requirements, where 39.45, 54.51 and 95.58 % (p<0.05) were for high, mid and low altitudes, respectively (p<0.05), indicating more feed shortage at high altitude. In conclusion, the main feed resource is crop residue with low DM contribution. Thus apropriate crop residues management should be used.
An Integrative Approach for Fine-Mapping Chromatin Interactions

Chromatin interactions play an important role in genome architecture and regulation. The Hi-C assay generates such interactions maps genome-wide, but at relatively low resolutions (e.g., 5-25kb), which is substantially larger than the resolution of transcription factor binding sites or open chromatin sites that are potential sources of such interactions. To predict the sources of Hi-C identified interactions at a high resolution (e.g., 100bp), we developed a computational method that integrates ChIP-seq data of transcription factors and histone marks and DNase-seq data. Our method, χ-SCNN, uses this data to first train a Siamese Convolutional Neural Network (SCNN) to discriminate between called Hi-C interactions and non-interactions. χ-SCNN then predicts the high-resolution source of each Hi-C interaction using a feature attribution method. We show these predictions recover original Hi-C peaks after extending them to be coarser. We also show χ-SCNN predictions enrich for evolutionarily conserved bases, eQTLs, and CTCF motifs, supporting their biological significance. χ-SCNN provides an approach for analyzing important aspects of genome architecture and regulation at a higher resolution than previously possible. χ-SCNN software is available on GitHub (https://github.com/ernstlab/X-SCNN).
Gadolinium chloride inhibits Kupffer cell nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) induction

Kupffer cells (KC) are the phagocytic macrophages of the liver. The rare earth metal, gadolinium (GdCl3), is a lanthanide, which, after phagocytosis by the KC, has been found to alter various aspects of KC physiology. In this study, we describe for the first time that the in vivo administration of GdCl3 to rate decreases the release of NO by isolated rat KC in response to lipopolysaccharide. Western blot analysis shows decreased expression of both imlucible nitric oxide synthase as well as total cellular calmodulin after GdCl3 treatment. Possible mechanisms for this phenomenon are suggested. J. Leukoc. Biol 60: 487–492; 1996.
CpG Oligodeoxynucleotides Protect Normal and SIV-Infected Macaques from Leishmania Infection1

Oligodeoxynucleotides containing CpG motifs (CpG ODNs) mimic microbial DNA and activate effectors of the innate immune response, which limits the spread of pathogens and promotes an adaptive immune response. CpG ODNs have been shown to protect mice from infection with intracellular pathogens. Unfortunately, CpG motifs that optimally stimulate humans are only weakly active in mice, mandating the use of nonhuman primates to monitor the activity and safety of “human” CpG ODNs in vivo. This study demonstrates that CpG ODN treatment of rhesus macaques significantly reduces the severity of the lesions caused by a challenge with Leishmania. Leishmania superinfection is common in immunocompromised hosts, particularly those infected with HIV. This study shows that PBMCs from HIV-infected subjects respond to stimulation with CpG ODNs. To determine whether CpG ODNs can protect retrovirus-infected primates, SIV-infected macaques were treated with CpG ODNs and then challenged with Leishmania. Both lesion size and parasite load were significantly reduced in the CpG-treated animals. These findings support the clinical development of CpG ODNs as immunoprotective agents in normal and HIV-infected patients.
Exploring the Effectiveness of Variable Speed Limit Controls on Highway Work-Zone Operations

Despite the well recognized fact that a proper control of traffic speed can contribute to both reduction in accidents and efficiency of highway operations, most existing strategies for work-zone speed control in either Europe or the U.S. tend to primarily focus on improving traffic safety. This article presents two online algorithms for variable speed limit (VSL) controls at highway work zones that can take full advantage of all dynamic functions and concurrently achieve the objectives of queue reduction or throughput maximization. To evaluate the effectiveness of these proposed algorithms, this study has conducted extensive experiments based on simulated highway systems that have been calibrated with field data. The results of these simulation analyses have confirmed that VSL algorithms can yield a substantial increase in both work-zone throughputs and reduction in total vehicle delays. Moreover, traffic flows implementing VSL controls tend to exhibit lower speed variances than other non-controlled traffic scenarios. The speed variance reduction may indirectly contribute to improving the overall traffic safety in work zones.
The Neural Networks with an Incremental Learning Algorithm Approach for Mass Classification in Breast Cancer

As breast cancer can be very aggressive, only early detection can prevent mortality. The proposed system is to eliminate the unnecessary waiting time as well as reducing human and technical errors in diagnosing breast cancer. The correct diagnosis of breast cancer is one of the major problems in the medical field. From the literature it has been found that different pattern recognition techniques can help them to improve in this domain. This paper uses the neural networks with an incremental learning algorithm as a tool to classify a mass in the breast (benign and malignant) using selection of the most relevant risk factors and decision making of the breast cancer diagnosis To test the proposed algorithm we used the Wisconsin Breast Cancer Database (WBCD). ANN with an incremental learning algorithm performance is tested using classification accuracy, sensitivity and specificity analysis, and confusion matrix. The obtained classification accuracy of 99.95%, a very promising result compared with previous algorithms already applied and recent classification techniques applied to the same database.
Survey of Software Inspection Research

There is a great need to assure and improve the reliability and quality of software. Software inspections were introduced over 30 years ago as an answer for this need and they have inspired a lot of research covering many different kinds of aspects. There is a need for an up-to-date survey revealing the current state and the overall evolution of the most prominent research on the area. This paper presents a comprehensive survey focusing on the most relevant 16 interna- tional high-impact scientific publication series. There are 153 articles included in the survey covering both technical and management aspects. The main results include a description of the research trends during 1980-2008 and a description of the main results of the included studies. The description is organized based on a taxonomy of the inspection research as having emerged based on the survey. At general level the surveyed research provides clear evidence that inspections gen- erally benefit software development and quality assurance. There are several proposed theoretical variations for the in- spection process but also many empirical studies. Although the conducted research is relatively scattered, proper science- based understanding about some of the most studied issues has been achieved. Our main conclusion is that conducting empirical research needs to be continued in order to validate the effects of the different kinds of proposed theoretical con- structs in practice. Empirical studies are needed especially in order to better understand the proper implementation and the actual impacts of applying inspections in different kinds of industrial and organizational settings.
Phosphorylation of PACSIN2 by protein kinase C triggers the removal of caveolae from the plasma membrane

ABSTRACT PACSIN2, a membrane-sculpting BAR domain protein, localizes to caveolae. Here, we found that protein kinase C (PKC) phosphorylates PACSIN2 at serine 313, thereby decreasing its membrane binding and tubulation capacities. Concomitantly, phosphorylation decreased the time span for which caveolae could be tracked at the plasma membrane (the ‘tracking duration’). Analyses of the phospho-mimetic S313E mutant suggested that PACSIN2 phosphorylation was sufficient to reduce caveolar-tracking durations. Both hypotonic treatment and isotonic drug-induced PKC activation increased PACSIN2 phosphorylation at serine 313 and shortened caveolar-tracking durations. Caveolar-tracking durations were also reduced upon the expression of other membrane-binding-deficient PACSIN2 mutants or upon RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated PACSIN2 depletion, pointing to a role for PACSIN2 levels in modulating the lifetime of caveolae. Interestingly, the decrease in membrane-bound PACSIN2 was inversely correlated with the recruitment and activity of dynamin 2, a GTPase that mediates membrane scission. Furthermore, expression of EHD2, which stabilizes caveolae and binds to PACSIN2, restored the tracking durations of cells with reduced PACSIN2 levels. These findings suggest that the PACSIN2 phosphorylation decreases its membrane-binding activity, thereby decreasing its stabilizing effect on caveolae and triggering dynamin-mediated removal of caveolae. Highlighted Article: Decreased membrane binding of PACSIN2 upon its PKC-mediated phosphorylation at serine 313 is shown to trigger the removal of caveolae from the plasma membrane.
Improving Greedy Compressive Sensing Based Multi-User Detection with Iterative Feedback

Machine-to-Machine communication requires new physical layer concepts to meet future requirements. In previous works it has already been shown that Compressive Sensing (CS) detectors are capable of jointly detecting both activity and data in multi-user detection (MUD). For this detection we propose a new generalized Group Orthogonal Matching Pursuit algorithm that allows the use of additional side information regarding the sparsity structure. As a specific example, we exploit the information of a sparsity-aware Viterbi decoder in an iterative feedback loop to improve the activity detection. Here, a significant improvement of the activity detection is already achieved by executing only a single additional detection and decoding step.
Age-related decrements in dual-task performance: Comparison of different mobility and cognitive tasks. A cross sectional study

This cross-sectional study investigated the age-related differences in dual-task performance both in mobility and cognitive tasks and the additive dual-task costs in a sample of older, middle-aged and young adults. 74 older adults (M = 72.63±5.57 years), 58 middle-aged adults (M = 46.69±4.68 years) and 63 young adults (M = 25.34±3.00 years) participated in the study. Participants performed different mobility and subtraction tasks under both single- and dual-task conditions. Linear regressions, repeated-measures and one-way analyses of covariance were used, The results showed: significant effects of the age on the dual and mobility tasks (p<0.05) and differences among the age-groups in the combined dual-task costs (p<0.05); significant decreases in mobility performance under dual-task conditions in all groups (p<0.05) and a decrease in cognitive performance in the older group (p<0.05). Dual-task activity affected mobility and cognitive performance, especially in older adults who showed a higher dual-task cost, suggesting that dual-tasks activities are affected by the age and consequently also mobility and cognitive tasks are negatively influenced.
Dwarf elliptical galaxies in Centaurus A group: stellar populations in AM 1339-445 and AM 1343-452

We study the red giant populations of two dE galaxies, AM 1339-445 and AM 1343-452, with the aim of investigating the number and luminosity of any upper asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars present. The galaxies are members of the Centaurus A group ($D \approx 3.8$ Mpc) and are classified as outlying ($R \approx 350$ kpc) satellites of Cen A. The analysis is based on near-IR photometry for individual red giant stars, derived from images obtained with ISAAC on the VLT. The photometry, along with optical data derived from WFPC2 images retrieved from the HST science archive, enable us to investigate the stellar populations of the dEs in the vicinity of the red giant branch (RGB) tip. In both systems we find stars above the RGB tip, which we interpret as intermediate-age upper-AGB stars. The presence of such stars is indicative of extended star formation in these dEs similar to that seen in many, but not all, dEs in the Local Group. For AM 1339-445, the brightest of the upper-AGB stars have $M_{\rm bol} \approx-4.5$ while those in AM 1343-452 have $M_{\rm bol} \approx -4.8$ mag. These luminosities suggest ages of approximately $6.5 \pm 1$ and $4 \pm 1$ Gyr as estimates for the epoch of the last episode of significant star formation in these systems. In both cases the number of upper-AGB stars suggests that ~15% of the total stellar population is in the form of intermediate-age stars, considerably less than is the case for outlying dE satellites of the Milky Way such as Fornax and Leo I.