Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neuroprotection in the juvenile rat model of light-induced retinopathy: evidence suggesting a role for FGF-2 and CNTF.

PURPOSE In a former study, it was demonstrated that the retina of juvenile Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat has a remarkable intrinsic resistance to light-induced retinopathy compared with the adult retina. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying this endogenous resistance to light-induced damage. METHODS Juvenile SD rats were exposed for 6 (from P14 to P20) or 14 (from P14 to P28) days to a bright, cyclic, luminous environment of 10,000 lux. Retinal histology was examined immediately after exposure to light or at 2 months of age, and photoreceptor cell death was quantified by measuring the thickness of the outer nuclear layer (ONL) and by TUNEL assays. Changes in protein levels and cellular localization of fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2, ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were determined by Western blot analysis and retinal immunohistochemistry, respectively. RESULTS The data demonstrate that although the rate of photoreceptor loss was different after 6 and 14 days of exposure to light, similar ONL thickness was reached at 2 months of age--that is, 4 to 5 weeks after exposure to light. A large number of TUNEL-positive photoreceptors was visualized immediately after 6 and 14 days of exposure to light, reflecting the intense cell death that was occurring in the ONL. Western blot analysis showed that exposure to light induced a strong upregulation of the neurotrophic factors FGF-2 and CNTF in juvenile retinas, whereas no change in BDNF protein expression was noted. Of interest, after exposure to light, endogenous FGF-2 and CNTF were selectively upregulated in Müller cells. CONCLUSIONS The results show that endogenous expression of FGF-2 and CNTF by Müller glia may play a role in protecting the juvenile retina from light-induced damage.
Feeling is Believing: Using a Force‐Feedback Joystick to Teach Dynamic Systems

As an innovative approach to providing physical demonstrations in the engineering classroom, we present the haptic paddle: a low‐cost, single‐axis force‐feedback joystick. Using the paddle in the laboratory component of an undergraduate course on dynamic systems, students not only learned to model and analyze dynamic systems, but they also felt the effects of phenomena such as viscous damping, stiffness, and inertia. By interacting with virtual environments using their sense of touch, students improved their understanding of dynamic systems, modeling and control. In addition, the paddles added entertainment and excitement to the course. In this paper, we describe the purpose and design of the haptic paddle, show examples of how the paddle was integrated into the course, and present the results of preliminary student evaluations.
On the Discriminant Validity of Burnout, Depression and Anxiety: A Re-examination of the Burnout Measure

We investigated the discriminant validity of the frequently used Burnout Measure (BM) (Pines et al ., 1981), in relation to depressive symptomatology and anxiety. Following Russell's (1980) work on the multidimensional space of affective states, BM's items were hypothesized to reside in three separate regions of that space, labeled anxiety, depression, and wornout, with wornout representing a combination of physical and emotional exhaustion. Respondents were 704 senior army officers, who completed a questionnaire that included BM items, standard measures of depression and anxiety, and measures of military-related stresses. Their responses to the BM items and to the depression and anxiety scales were subjected to multidimensional scaling analysis. Excepting an unexpected finding related to a fourth construct, loss of vigor, the results were supportive of the hypothesis and led to the construction of three unidimensional measures, respectively gauging anxiety, depression, and wornout. The correlations of the three measures with the stress measures supported their discriminant validity. We suggest that future research using the BM should focus on the set of items that were found to load on the dimension of wornout, to the exclusion of items tapping depression and anxiety.
Heading Right and Judging Harsher: Spatial Orientation Toward the Right Side and Moral Judgments

The term right may imply different meanings, for example, right can be the direction opposite to left, but right can also mean the opposite of wrong. In three experiments, we investigated whether orientation toward the right versus left direction can influence how individuals judge situational moral transgressions. Mental spatial orientation was manipulated by placing the text of moral transgressions on the left versus right side of the screen (Experiment 1) or by presenting different landscape pictures depicting paths that either lead to the left versus to the right (Experiments 2 and 3). In Experiment 3, we also manipulated participants’ physical spatial orientation. Results confirmed our main prediction that a mental rightward (vs. leftward) orientation can trigger relatively harsher moral judgments.
MATHEMATICAL ENGINEERING TECHNICAL REPORTS Validity of the expected Euler characteristic heuristic

We study the accuracy of the expected Euler characteristic approximation to the distribution of the maximum of a smooth, centered, unit variance Gaussian process f . Using a point process representation of the error, valid for arbitrary smooth processes, we show that the error is in general exponentially smaller than any terms in the approximation. We also give a lower bound on this exponential rate of decay in terms of the maximal variance of a family of Gaussian processes fx, derived from the original process f .
Sameness: An Experiment in Code Search

To date, most dedicated code search engines use ranking algorithms that focus only on the relevancy between the query and the results. In practice, this means that a developer may receive search results that are all drawn from the same project, all implement the same algorithm using the same external library, or all exhibit the same complexity or size, among other possibilities that are less than ideal. In this paper, we propose that code search engines should also locate both diverse and concise (brief but complete) sets of code results. We present four novel algorithms that use relevance, diversity, and conciseness in ranking code search results. To evaluate these algorithms and the value of diversity and conciseness in code search, twenty-one professional programmers were asked to compare pairs of top ten results produced by competing algorithms. We found that two of our new algorithms produce top ten results that are strongly preferred by the programmers.
ARToolKitPlus for Pose Trackin on Mobile Devices

In this paper we present ARToolKitPlus, a successor to the popular ARToolKit pose tracking library. ARToolKitPlus has been optimized and extended for the usage on mobile devices such as smartphones, PDAs and Ultra Mobile PCs (UMPCs). We explain the need and specific requirements of pose tracking on mobile devices and how we met those requirements. To prove the applicability we performed an extensive benchmark series on a broad range of off-the-shelf handhelds.
A Program to Improve Student Engagement at Research-Focused Universities

Promoting undergraduate engagement is an important and challenging obstacle at large research-focused universities. Thus, the current study evaluated whether a peer-led program of student-geared events could improve engagement among a diverse group of psychology students early on in their degrees. We randomly assigned interested second-year psychology students to participate in the program or to a wait-list. As compared to students who were randomly assigned to the wait-list, students who participated in the program attended more extracurricular events during the year, had higher grades, and reported greater feelings of engagement and enhanced skill learning. These data provide initial evidence that a peer-led program of student events can improve student life for psychology students attending large research-focused institutions.
The RoboKnee: an exoskeleton for enhancing strength and endurance during walking

Exoskeletons that enhance human strength, endurance, and speed while being transparent to the wearer are feasible. In order to be transparent, the exoskeleton must determine the user's intent, apply forces when and where appropriate, and present low impedance to the wearer. We present a one degree of freedom exoskeleton called the RoboKnee which achieves a high level of transparency. User intent is determined through the knee joint angle and ground reaction forces. Torque is applied across the knee in order to allow the user's quadriceps muscles to relax. Low impedance is achieved through the use of series elastic actuators. The RoboKnee allows the wearer to climb stairs and perform deep knee bends while carrying a significant load in a backpack. The device provides most of the energy required to work against gravity while the user stays in control, deciding when and where to walk, as well as providing balance and control. Videos, photographs, and more information about the RoboKnee can be found at http://www.yobotics. com.
A genetic attack on the defense complex.

An increasing number of "non-model" organisms are becoming accessible to genetic analysis in the field, as evolutionary biologists develop dense molecular genetic maps. Peichel et al.'s recent study(1) provides a microsatellite-based map for threespine stickleback fish (Gasterosteus aculeatus), and the first evidence for QTL affecting feeding morphology and defensive armor. This species has undergone rapid and parallel morphological and behavioral evolution, and there is now hope that some of the genes responsible for the divergence may soon be identified.
Sex Differences in Genetic and Environmental Influences on Adolescent Depressive Symptoms: A Meta-Analytic Review

Although sex difference in the mean level of depressive symptoms has been well established, the sex difference in genetic and environmental influences on adolescent depressive symptoms is unclear. The current study conducted a meta-analysis of twin studies on sex differences in self- and parent-reported adolescent depressive symptoms. For self-reports, genetic factors influenced adolescent depressive symptoms equally for boys and girls, accounting for 46% of variation, but shared environmental factors had stronger impacts on adolescent girls' versus boys' depressive symptoms (13% versus 1% of the variance). For parent-reports, genetic, shared, and nonshared environmental factors influenced adolescent depressive symptoms equally, with separate estimates of 34%, 35%, and 31%. The implications of sex difference in genetic and environmental etiologies of depressive symptoms are discussed.
Analysis and synthesis for parameterized timed sequence diagrams

Today, an increasing demand for high quality real-time software for complex, safety-critical systems results from the fact that more ambitious and complex technical systems are built. In the development of such systems, a crucial step is the design and formal verification of the real-time interaction of the components to ensure the correctness and safe operation of the overall system. We propose to ease this cumbersome design step by supporting the analysis of conflicts between timed scenarios and the scenario-based synthesis of the required component behavior. Such a synthesis procedure, which requires as its input a set of timed scenarios, results in a set of Statecharts that realize the given scenarios. By supporting even parameterized timed scenarios, the approach permits to avoid too early decisions on specific values for the time constraints while still being able to check them. The paper describes the application of the approach and the available prototypical tool support by means of a running example.
Finite Dimensional Nonlinear Estimation in Continuous and Discrete Time.

Abstract : It has been shown that, for certain classes of nonlinear stochastic systems in both continuous and discrete time, the optimal conditional mean estimator of the system state given the past observations can be computed with a recursive filter of fixed finite dimension. The typical nonlinear system in these classes consists of a linear system with linear measurements and white Gaussian noise processes, which feeds forward into a nonlinear system described by a certain type of Volterra series expansion or by a bilinear or state-linear system satisfying certain algebraic conditions. The purpose in this paper is to consider estimation problems similar to those presented before, to present simpler proofs that the estimators are indeed finite dimensional, to provide deeper insight into these problems by relating them to the homogeneous chaos of Wiener and to orthogonal polynomial expansions, to explain the similarities and differences between the continuous and discrete time cases, and to prove some extensions of previous results. The existence of polynomials in the innovations in the discrete time recursive estimator, in contrast to the continuous time estimator, is interpreted in terms of the homogeneous chaos.
First Results from the CHARA Array. IV. The Interferometric Radii of Low-Mass Stars

We have measured the angular diameters of six M dwarfs with the CHARA Array, a long-baseline optical interferometer located at Mount Wilson Observatory. Spectral types range from M1.0 V to M3.0 V and linear radii from 0.38 to 0.69 R☉. These results are consistent with the seven other M dwarf radii measurements from optical interferometry and with those for 14 stars in eclipsing binary systems. We compare all directly measured M dwarf radii to model predictions and find that current models underestimate the true stellar radii by up to 15%-20%. The differences are small among the metal-poor stars but become significantly larger with increasing metallicity. This suggests that theoretical models for low-mass stars may be missing some opacity source that alters the computed stellar radii.
Building and implementing an information architecture

An information architecture is a personnel, organization, and technology independent profile of the major information categories used within an organization. It provides a way to map information needs, relate them to specific business functions, and document their interrelationships. It is used to guide applications development and facilitate integration and sharing of data. This paper describes an approach for developing a corporate/global information architecture. It also describes how the information architecture can be used to guide new systems development efforts. Experience at Pillsbury U. S. Foods is used to illustrate the concepts involved. While the process used at Pillsbury necessarily reflects the unique combination of circumstances present within that organization, it also reflects the basic requirements for developing and implementing an information architecture in any large organization.
Economics of WiFi offloading: Trading delay for cellular capacity

Cellular networks are facing severe traffic overloads due to the proliferation of smart handheld devices and traffichungry applications. A cost-effective and practical solution is to offload cellular data through WiFi. Recent theoretical and experimental studies show that a scheme, referred to as delayed WiFi offloading, can significantly save the cellular capacity by delaying users' data and exploiting mobility and thus increasing chance of meeting WiFi APs (Access Points). Despite a huge potential of WiFi offloading in alleviating mobile data explosion, its success largely depends on the economic incentives provided to users and network providers to deploy and use delayed offloading. In this paper, we study how much economic benefits can be generated due to delayed WiFi offloading, by modeling the interaction between a single provider and users based on a two-stage sequential game. We first analytically prove that WiFi offloading is economically beneficial for both the provider and users. Also, we conduct trace-driven numerical analysis to quantify the practical gain, where the increase ranges from 21 to 152% in the provider's revenue, and from 73 to 319% in the users' surplus.
A Comparison of Corneal Biomechanical Properties of Chronic Smokers and Non-Smokers Using the Ocular Response Analyzer

We compared the biomechanical properties of corneas in eyes of healthy chronic smokers and non-smokers. In this prospective, comparative, and cross-sectional study, 50 eyes of 50 healthy chronic smokers (Study group) and 50 eyes of 50 agematched, healthy non-smokers (Control group) were enrolled. The corneal hysteresis (CH) and corneal resistance factor (CRF) were measured intwo groups using the Ocular Response Analyzer (ORA). Differences in the corneal biomechanical properties were determined using an independent-samples t test. Urine samples were collected to measure urinary levels of cotinine. Correlations between the number of cigarettes smoked per day, smoking duration, age, and CH-CRF values in the smokers group were also evaluated. Mean CH was 10.63±2.08 (SD) mmHg and 10.57±1.45 mmHg and the mean CRF was 10.53±1.81 mmHg and 10.27±1.77 mmHg in the smoker and control groups, respectively (p>0.05). CH and CRF were not correlated with the number of cigarettes smoked per day, smoking duration, or age. The findings indicate that cigarette smoking does not affect corneal biomechanical parameters such as CH and CRF. In addition, CH and CRF are not affected by the number of cigarettes smoked per day, smoking duration, or age.
Effects of Rearing Systems on Performance, Egg Characteristics and Immune Response in Two Layer Hen Genotype

White (Lohmann LSL) and Brown (ATAK-S) laying hens, were reared under organic and conventional cage rearing systems, and the effects of the rearing system on performance parameters, egg production, egg characteristics, and immune response were investigated. For this purpose, a total of 832 laying hens of two commercial hybrids, i.e., 416 white (Lohmann LSL) and 416 Brown (ATAK-S) layers, were used. The experiment lasted between 23 and 70 wk of age. In this study, the white layers yielded more eggs as compared to the brown layers in both organic and conventional production systems. Egg weight exhibited a similar pattern to that of laying performance. However, the total hen-housed egg number for the white birds in the organic system was fewer than that of white birds in the conventional cage facility; conversely, a contradictory tendency was observed for the brown birds. Livability of the white layers in the organic system was remarkably lower (14%) than that of the brown line, whereas the white line survived better (3.42%) than their brown counterparts in conventional cages. The feed conversion ratio of the white hens was markedly inferior in the organic system as compared to that of the white hens in the conventional system, whereas relatively lower deterioration was reported in brown layers when reared in an organic system. The organic production system increased egg albumen height and the Haugh unit in eggs of the brown layers. The yolk color score of organic eggs was lower than that of conventional eggs for both brown and white hens. The egg yolk ratio of eggs from white layers was found to be higher in organic eggs as compared to those obtained in the conventional system. All organic eggs had heavier shells than those produced in the conventional system. Eggs from brown layers had more protein content than eggs from white layers. Neither housing systems nor genotype influenced egg yolk cholesterol concentration. When compared to conventional eggs, n-3 fatty acid content was lower in organic eggs, and the n-6:n-3 ratio was higher in organic eggs. In conclusion, two hen genotypes showed different responses in terms of performance and egg quality to two different rearing systems. A commercial white strain produced more eggs with higher egg quality as compared to a native brown strain. The brown strain was found to have adapted well to organic production conditions when survival and total egg number was taken into consideration.
Lusondoners : an account of Lusophone-inflected superdiversity in a South London school

This thesis offers an ethnographic account of how diverse Lusophone ties contribute to shaping ethnic positionings and linguistic practices within the superdiverse context of a south London secondary school in the UK. The term “Lusondoner” is proposed as a way of conceptualising young Londoners who retain transnational family ties to Portuguese-speaking locations as well as a strong grounding in the daily linguistic and cultural practices of their London neighbourhood. Their ethnic affiliations and linguistic practices are not simply inherited from parents but are heavily influenced by locality and peer group. In London this means attending to the hybridity thrown up by contemporary superdiversity. This study adopted a linguistic ethnographic approach, focusing on the often complex and hybrid ethnic affiliations and linguistic practices which emerge through everyday interactions, with a critical perspective on dominant discourses of ethno-linguistic categorisation not previously attempted in research dealing with “Portuguese-speakers” in the UK. “Lusondoners” fell into three broad ethnic fractions: “White Portuguese” (both “Mainland” and “Madeiran”), “Brazilian”, and “Black Portuguese”. Despite divergent migration patterns and mutual recognition of their distinctiveness, these fractions shared a common Lusondoner discursive space, rooted in their access to the Portuguese language and global Lusophone cultural space, as well as their experience of living together in south London. This discursive space was grounded in a local context characterised by a sense of multiethnic conviviality, within which recognised stereotypical ethno-national representations were traded between individuals of different ethnic affiliations: snatches of Portuguese language were employed by non-Lusondoners within inter-ethnic banter, while different varieties of Portuguese language were drawn on as part of banter between Lusondoners. Within this local peer context, a Local Multiethnic Vernacular (LMEV) form of speech was dominant. Its use emerged as a major strategy for individuals to embed themselves in the local, but only if they were able to establish ethnic positionings which their peers recognised as legitimate for employing LMEV. In doing so, individuals had to negotiate a local ethnic ecology in which the ethnic/racial category “Black” was both hyper-visible and infused with specific locally constructed historical meanings which some Lusondoners found could not accommodate them. These findings highlight how dominant discourses of ethno-linguistic categorisation cannot account for the complex ethnic formations and linguistic practices thrown up by superdiverse conditions. To understand the notion of the ‘Lusondoner’, a consideration of the specificities of locality is vital.
The influence of teacher variables on climate change science literacy of Geography teachers in the Western Cape, South Africa

ABSTRACT Teachers play an important role in promoting climate change literacy in schools, but not much is known about which teacher characteristics significantly influence Geography teachers’ climate change science literacy. The purpose of this study is to determine the influence of teachers’ characteristics such as gender, age, qualification, specialisation, experience, and teaching grade on Geography teachers’ literacy about climate change science. The study uses a quantitative research approach on questionnaire application. Statistical analysis of data gathered from 194 high school Geography teachers from the Western Cape Province using a 15-item Climate Change Science Literacy Questionnaire (CCSLQ) revealed that gender, age, teaching experience, and teaching grade significantly influenced Geography teachers’ literacy about climate change science, while qualification and specialisation did not.