Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The glomerular mesangium: I. Kinetic studies of macromolecular uptake in normal and nephrotic rats

This study was designed to define quantitatively the function of the rat glomerular mesangium in the uptake and processing of intravenously administered protein macromolecules (radiolabeled aggregated human IgG, AHIgG-125I), to relate this function to that of the general reticuloendothelial system, and to examine the effects of increased glomerular permeability to protein on the mesangial cell system. Mesangial localization of human IgG as demonstrated by immunofluorescent microscopy showed good correlation with concentrations of AHIgG-125I in preparations of isolated glomeruli. In normal rats the concentrations of AHIgG-125I in glomeruli were similar to those of lung, liver, and spleen and demonstrated a rapid decrease with increasing time intervals after aggregate administration. In rats given aminonucleoside of puromycin a marked increase in mesangial uptake of aggregates was found while studies of nephrotic lungs, liver, spleen, and blood showed no such differences. Glomerular levels of AHIgG-125I in aminonucleoside animals could not be correlated with the quantity of proteinuria. Nephrotic and control animals given unaggregated human IgG showed little glomerular localization by immunofluorescent microscopy; no difference in the concentration of this protein in nephrotic as compared to control glomerular isolates was found. Thus, the mesangium in normal animals functions in a manner analogous to that of the general reticuloendothelial system. In nephrotic rats the mesangial uptake of macromolecules is makedly increased, a finding not observed in other tissues.
IMPLEMENTATION OF MOBILE VIRTUAL LABORATORY: CONTRIBUTORY FACTORS IN A DEVELOPING COUNTRY

The growing availability of mobile devices across developing countries and coupled with increase awareness of mobile learning as well as the use of mobile devices for laboratory practical warrant the exploration of its wider application in learning. This study explored the factors that contribute to the successful implementation of mobile virtual laboratory in a developing country. A Nigerian higher institution was selected because of its peculiar location in a rural area and was important in the evaluation of the Internet penetration in rural areas of Nigeria for m-Learning. A designed questionnaire for need analysis was distributed to 132 consented participants and the resulting data were analysed using SPSS-21. The study shows that the term mobile learning was not too new to majority of the learners as (44.7%) indicated that they had heard about it. However majority of the respondents (78.8%) had never heard about Mobile Virtual Laboratories. MTN data plan was mostly used for Internet because of its N 1000 (5 US dollars) data plan. Again, majority of the respondents used Blackberry (57%) and Android phones (32%). Based on the findings in this study, the network, data plan, device type and learners awareness were important factors characterising the needs and choices of learners. Overall, uptake of mobile learning will be easy and enhanced if determinants of learners needs and choice as identified in this study are considered in the implementation of mobile virtual laboratory in a developing country.
Machine Learning in Basecalling -- Decoding Trace Peak Behaviour

DNA sequence basecalling is commonly regarded as a solved problem, despite significant error rates being reflected in inaccuracies in databases and genome annotations. These errors commonly arise from an inability to sequence through peak height variations in DNA sequencing traces from the Sanger sequencing method. Recent efforts toward improving basecalling accuracy have taken the form of more sophisticated digital filters and feature detectors. We demonstrate that the variation in peak heights itself encodes novel information which can be used for basecalling. To isolate this information for a clear demonstration, we perform a peculiar blind basecalling experiment using ABI processed output. Using classifiers responding to measurements in the context of the basecalling position, we call bases without reference to the peak heights at the basecalling position itself. Tree classifiers indicate which features are pertinent, and the application of neural nets to these features results in a startlingly high initial success rate of 78%. Our analysis indicates that we can make viable basecalls using information that has never been accessed before
How to demonstrate delay?: let's play!

The speedy interactions of many computer games demand prompt reactions from player and system alike. This demonstration invites participants to experience in-game latency. We present variations of two familiar games that use either mouse or key inputs to control actions seen on the monitor. While playing the games, participants can make changes to the temporal offset between a motor input and a resulting visual action, providing them with a direct experience of motor-visual delays. In turn, they will gain an understanding of how performance may suffer when trying to compensate for such delays.
Student Perceptions of Flipped Learning

Flipped learning has been the subject of signicant hype and attention but descriptions of the development and the evaluation of this pedagogical model are lacking. Flipped learning is an inverted teaching approach where students learn the basics via short videos at home, then come to class to complete challenges and clarify any misunderstandings. This paper describes how an IT unit was delivered using the ipped learning approach. A survey was used to determine how students perceived ipped learning. Students were generally positive about the approach, particularly the convenience and exibility of the ipped videos. Although face to face teaching time was reduced in this ipped learning implementation, students felt that they interacted more with their instructors and peers. Students felt strongly positive to walkthroughs and were mixed as to the need for the instructors face. Signicant eorts to produce high quality and engaging videos were made, but the survey suggested that students learnt the most during tutorial time. The relative importance of interactive tutorials is congruent with a large body of research and pedagogical approaches advocating the importance of active student-centred learning.
DNS of Unsteady Shock Boundary Layer Interaction

A novel numerical scheme has been developed to simulate high speed viscous ﬂows in complex geometries using unstructured grids. A characteristic–ﬁlter based shock capturing scheme is applied as a corrector step to a non–dissipative predictor scheme. This algorithm is being used to study shock turbulent boundary layer interactions and this paper presents the results of a turbulent ﬂow at Mach 2.9 over a 24 ◦ compression corner. Turbulent boundary layer ﬂow is generated by a natural laminar–turbulent transition using a roughness strip. This methodology results in a fully developed turbulent boundary layer which shows good agreement with available data. The solution of the compression corner ﬂow is compared to experiments at similar conditions and the agreement is reasonable. An examination of the wall pressure signal shows the low frequency behavior characteristic of this problem. Simulations show that the shock aﬀects the transition location and the skin friction coeﬃcient of the incoming boundary layer.
Knowledge acquired, satisfaction attained and attitudes towards shared decision making in colorectal cancer screening

Background Introducing shared decision making (SDM) in colorectal cancer (CRC) screening requires patients to acquire appropriate knowledge. We aimed to describe the knowledge attained by subjects with a family history of CRC. Methods Consecutive patients attending the gastroenterology clinic for a CRC family history were invited to take part in a cross-sectional survey. Attitudes towards SDM, satisfaction with the information received, knowledge currently achieved, and relevant influencing factors were evaluated. Satisfaction and attitudes towards SDM were evaluated with Likert scale questions. Knowledge was surveyed with closed (80%) and open (20%) questions. Results Of the 160 patients, 42.7% were male and the median age was 51.8 years (interquartile range: 43.9-58.5). Most subjects favored SDM; only 12.8% (8.4-19.1%) favored passive attitudes. Satisfaction with the information received about what a colonoscopy is and why it is recommended was adequate in 83.1% (76.4-88.2%). Information about risks satisfied 62.9% (55-70.1%) and about alternatives to colonoscopy only 30.6% (23.8-38.3%). The benefits of screening were better known than its risks and alternatives. The CRC decrease associated with screening was known to 71.3% (63.7-77.8%), but only 38.5% (31.1-46.4%) knew that a reduced risk still exists. Just 21.2% (15.5-26.9%) could mention an alternative screening method to colonoscopy and only 42.5% (35-50.4%) were aware of any associated harm. On multivariate analysis, higher educational level and younger age of the attending physician were associated with higher knowledge scores. Conclusion SDM is considered favorably by most patients. Although information about the benefits of CRC screening is transmitted adequately, risks and alternatives should be better addressed.
Discovery of a high-redshift Einstein ring

We report the discovery of a partial Einstein ring of radius 1$\farcs$48 produced by a massive (and seemingly isolated) elliptical galaxy. The spectroscopic follow-up at the VLT reveals a 2$L_\star$ galaxy at $z=0.986$, which is lensing a post-starburst galaxy at $z=3.773$. This unique configuration yields a very precise measure of the mass of the lens within the Einstein radius, $(8.3 \pm 0.4) \times 10^{11}$$h_{70}^{-1}$$M_{\odot}$ . The fundamental plane relation indicates an evolution rate of ${\rm d}$$\log (M/L)_{B} / {\rm d}z = -0.57\pm0.04$, similar to other massive ellipticals at this redshift. The source galaxy shows strong interstellar absorption lines indicative of large gas-phase metallicities, with fading stellar populations after a burst. Higher resolution spectra and imaging will allow the detailed study of an unbiased representative of the galaxy population when the universe was just 12% of its current age.
Androids as an Experimental Apparatus: Why Is There an Uncanny Valley and Can We Exploit It?

Abstract. It seems natural to assume that the more It seems natural to assume that the more closely robots come to resemble people, the more likely they are to elicit the kinds of responses people direct toward each other. However, subtle flaws in appearance and movement only seem eerie in very humanlike robots. This uncanny phenomenon may be symptomatic of entities that elicit a model of a human other but do not measure up to it. If so, a very humanlike robot may provide the best means of finding out what kinds of behavior are perceived as human, since deviations from a human other are more obvious. In pursuing this line of inquiry, it is essential to identify the mechanisms involved in evaluations of human likeness. One hypothesis is that an uncanny robot elicits an innate fear of death and culturally-supported defenses for coping with death’s inevitability. An experiment, which borrows from the methods of terror management research, was performed to test this hypothesis. Across all questions subjects who were exposed to a still image of an uncanny humanlike robot had on average a heightened preference for worldview supporters and a diminished preference for worldview threats relative to the control group.
Gaze tracking for multimodal human-computer interaction

This paper discusses the problem of gaze tracking and its applications to multimodal human-computer interaction. The function of a gaze tracking system can be either passive or active. For example, a system can identify user's message target by monitoring the user's gaze, or the user could use his gaze to directly control an application or launch actions. We have developed a real-time gaze tracking system that estimates the 3D position and rotation (pose) of a user's head. We demonstrate the applications of the gaze tracker to human-computer interaction by two examples. The first example shows that gaze tracker can help speech recognition systems by switching language model and grammar based on user's gaze information. The second example illustrates the combination of the gaze tracker and a speech recognizer to view a panorama image.
Data Management Strategies for Mobile Augmented Reality

Any significant real-world application of mobile augmented reality will require a large model of location-bound data. While it may appear that a natural approach is to develop application-specific data formats and management strategies, we have found that such an approach actually prevents reuse of the data and ultimately produces additional complexity in developing the application. In contrast we describe a three-tier architecture to manage a common data model for a set of applications. It is inspired by current Internet application frameworks and consists of a central storage layer using a common data model, a transformation layer responsible for filtering and adapting the data to the requirements of a particular applications on request, and finally of the applications itself. We demonstrate our architecture in a scenario consisting of two multi-user capable mobile AR applications for collaborative navigation and annotation in a city environment.
Blog cascade affinity: analysis and prediction

Information propagation within the blogosphere is of much importance in implementing policies, marketing research, launching new products, and other applications. In this paper, we take a microscopic view of the information propagation pattern in blogosphere by investigating blog cascade affinity. A blog cascade is a group of posts linked together discussing about the same topic, and cascade affnity refers to the phenomenon of a blog's inclination to join a specific cascade. We identify and analyze an array of features that may affect a blogger's cascade joining behavior and utilize these features to predict cascade affinity of blogs. Evaluated on a real dataset consisting of 873,496 posts, our svm-based prediction achieved accuracy of 0.723 measured by F1. Our experiments also showed that among all features identified, the number of friends was the most important factor affecting bloggers' inclination to join cascades.
Deformation of the Durom Acetabular Component and Its Impact on Tribology in a Cadaveric Model—A Simulator Study

Background Recent studies have shown that the acetabular component frequently becomes deformed during press-fit insertion. The aim of this study was to explore the deformation of the Durom cup after implantation and to clarify the impact of deformation on wear and ion release of the Durom large head metal-on-metal (MOM) total hips in simulators. Methods Six Durom cups impacted into reamed acetabula of fresh cadavers were used as the experimental group and another 6 size-paired intact Durom cups constituted the control group. All 12 Durom MOM total hips were put through a 3 million cycle (MC) wear test in simulators. Results The 6 cups in the experimental group were all deformed, with a mean deformation of 41.78±8.86 µm. The average volumetric wear rate in the experimental group and in the control group in the first million cycle was 6.65±0.29 mm3/MC and 0.89±0.04 mm3/MC (t = 48.43, p = 0.000). The ion levels of Cr and Co in the experimental group were also higher than those in the control group before 2.0 MC. However there was no difference in the ion levels between 2.0 and 3.0 MC. Conclusions This finding implies that the non-modular acetabular component of Durom total hip prosthesis is likely to become deformed during press-fit insertion, and that the deformation will result in increased volumetric wear and increased ion release. Clinical Relevance This study was determined to explore the deformation of the Durom cup after implantation and to clarify the impact of deformation on wear and ion release of the prosthesis. Deformation of the cup after implantation increases the wear of MOM bearings and the resulting ion levels. The clinical use of the Durom large head prosthesis should be with great care.
The effect of Coulomb correlation and magnetic ordering on the electronic structure of two hexagonal phases of ferroelectromagnetic YMnO3

The electronic structure of YMnO3 in its high- and low-temperature hexagonal phases has been investigated within the local spin-density approximation (LSDA) and by the LSDA + U method which takes into account the local Coulomb interaction between d electrons of transition-metal ions. In contrast to the case for orthorhombic manganites, the d4-configuration degeneracy is already lifted in the high-temperature symmetric hexagonal phase, indicating that Mn3+ is not a Jahn-Teller ion; hence, we argue that the lowering of the symmetry is not connected with Jahn-Teller instability in hexagonal YMnO3. Each of these two hexagonal phases is found to be semiconducting, with a band gap of about 1.5 eV. It is shown that magnetism and correlation effects are important in band-gap formation for both crystal structures. Using the Green function method, we estimated the Neel temperature from the calculated effective exchange interaction parameters, and found it to be in good agreement with experiment.
The Effect of Using Contextual Teaching and Learning to Eighth Graders’ Reading Comprehension at SMP 3 PSKD Jakarta

AbstractThis research was an experimental research. It aimed to investigate the effect of using ContextualTeaching and Learning method on students’ reading comprehension to the eighth graders at SMP3 PSKD Jakarta. To meet the aim, this research was conducted in two classes. Each classconsisted of 30 students. The experimental group (VIII A) was taught using CTL method andcontrol group (VIII B) was taught using drilling method. The classes were held twice a week andthe research was conducted over a period of one months. Pre-test and post-test were employed tocollect data. Both the pre-test and the post-test were administered in the two groups. The datawere analyzed using SPSS version 19.0 software. These data analysis were applied for analyzingthe data obtained from four sets of tests. Data analysis showed that there is a significant effect ofusing Contextual Teaching and Learning Method toward students’ reading comprehension. It canbe seen through the mean scores of post-test in the experimental group is 16.10 and the meanscore of post-test in the control group is 15.95. Based on the result it can be said that ContextualTeaching and Learning significantly affected the eighth graders’ reading comprehension at SMP3 PSKD Jakarta.Keywords: experimental research, contextual teaching and learning, reading comprehension
A Qualitative Study on the Contribution of the Choir to Social-Cultural and Psychological Achievements of Amateur Chorists

A choir as a psychosocial and sociocultural phenomenon; makes important contributions to both music and to the general education of society through its educational and socialising features. With this research, it was aimed to determine the level of contribution of choir singing to social, cultural and psychological achievements of amateur chorists. As a result of the research, it has been found that choir singing contributes to the gaining of the habit of working together, to gaining in areas such as prestige and forming friendships, to develop ones worldview, to learn the cultural values of different countries, and to interiorize the cultural values of their own countries. In addition to this, it has been determined that the chorists participating in the choir work gain in achievements such as relaxation, happiness, peace, belonging, enthusiasm and, controlling ego, and it has also been found that choir affects the feelings of self-confidence and self-efficiency positively.
Column-Based Partitioning for Data in High Dimensional Space

Several scientific applications such as 3D Jacobi iteration (Rivera and Tseng, 2000) and LQCD (Gupta,1996) demand high computing power, and run on parallel systems. Such applications mostly operate on high dimensional data, and partitioning them into smaller units would help reduce their execution time considerably. Many algorithms such as CBP (Beaumont, 2001), dissect (Nagamochi and Abe, 2003), and bisection (Crandall and Quinn, 1993) are proposed to find an optimal partitioning for two dimensional data. Simply extending such algorithms to handle higher dimensional data does not guarantee the maximum efficiency since the number of data dimensions must be taken into account. In addition, the communication cost among data in high dimensions is increased since data have high interaction to each other. This paper proposes a new algorithm called HyperCBP which is a general optimal column-based partitioning in high dimensional space. The algorithm divides high dimensional data into rectangle blocks of different sizes according to the computing power of each computing node, and minimizes the communication time used in transferring data among rectangles. We evaluate our algorithm using the new defined performance metric called communication saving ratio (CSR). When compared with dissect and bisection, the results show that HyperCBP gives a higher CSR than those two algorithms, and thus results in a better partitioning.
On Sovereign Credit Migration : Small-sample Properties and Rating Evolution ∗

This paper compares the finite-sample properties of sovereign credit migration estimators and investigates the presence of non-Markov effects in the rating process. To this end, we evaluate the conventional discrete multinomial estimator against two continuous hazard rate methods that differ in the treatment of time-homogeneity. Bootstrap simulations of the rating generating process reveal interesting insights. Hazard rate estimators yield more accurate default probabilities. Time-homogeneity results in underestimated default probabilities and greater migration is suggested upon lifting the homogeneity assumption. The discrepancies between homogeneous and heterogeneous estimators are, however, less marked than those between discrete and continuous estimators. There is evidence of non-Markov effects in sovereign ratings. Downgrade momentum and negative duration effects are present consistent with the evidence for corporates. These findings have important implications for risk management, economic capital and pricing of credit sensitive instruments.
TRADE LIBERALIZATION EFFECTS ON AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION GROWTH: THE CASE OF SRI LANKA

Trade Liberalization effects on Agricultural Production Growth: The Case of Sri Lanka This paper examines the trade policy impacts on agricultural productivity in Sri Lanka based on the national data from 1960 to 2010. The empirical results suggest that the trade liberalization improved agricultural productivity and confirm that Free Trade Agreement is not a significant determinant on agricultural productivity in Sri Lanka.