Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rate‐sensitive contractile responses of lymphatic vessels to circumferential stretch

Phasic contractile activity in rat portal vein is more sensitive to the rate of change in length than to absolute length and this response is widely assumed to be a general characteristic of myogenic behaviour for vascular smooth muscle. Previously, we found that rat lymphatic vessels exhibit phasic contractile behaviour similar to that of portal vein. In the present study, we hypothesized that lymphatic muscle would exhibit rate‐sensitive contractile responses to stretch. The hypothesis was tested on rat mesenteric lymphatics (90–220 μm, i.d.) using servo‐controlled wire‐ and pressure‐myograph systems to enable ramp increases in force or pressure at different rates. Under isometric conditions in wire‐myograph preparations, both the amplitude and the frequency of phasic activity were enhanced at more optimal preloads, but superimposed upon this effect were bursts of contractions that occurred only during fast preload ramps. In such cases, the ratio of contraction frequency during the ramp to that at the subsequent plateau (at optimal preload) was > 1. Further, the frequency ratio increased as a function of the preload ramp speed, consistent with a rate‐sensitive mechanism. In contrast, the amplitude ratio was < 1 and declined further with higher ramp speeds. Downward preload ramps produced corresponding rate‐sensitive inhibition of contraction frequency but not amplitude. Similar findings were obtained in pressurized lymphatics in response to pressure ramps and steps. Our results suggest that lymphatics are sensitive to the rate of change in preload/pressure in a way that is different from portal vein, possibly because the pacemaker for generating electrical activity is rate sensitive but lymphatic muscle is not. The behaviour may be widely present in collecting lymphatic vessels and is probably an important mechanism for rapid adaptation of the lymphatic pump to local vascular occlusion.
Differential Bundle Functioning Using the DFIT Framework: Procedures for Identifying Possible Sources of Differential Functioning

A general framework for assessing differential functioning of items and tests (DFIT) was recently proposed. Both unidimensional and multidimensional tests with either dichotomous or polytomous scoring can be handled within this framework. In this study, the DFIT framework is expanded to include differential bundle functioning (DBF) as a mechanism for identifying possible sources of differential functioning. This expansion is illustrated with an empirical (reading comprehension) data set consisting of a gender comparison and a socioeconomic status comparison with 1,000 participants in each group. Bundles on this particular test that exhibited large DBF include a reading passage that favored boys over girls, possibly due to its context. The theoretical and practical implications of the use of DFIT for identifying possible sources of differential functioning are discussed.
Does Facebooking make us sad? Hunting relationship between Facebook use and depression among Filipino adolescents

The current paper looked at the linkage between the use of Facebook and depression levels of selected Filipino adolescents. Two hundred college students whose ages ranged from 17 to 20, in a private and sectarian collegiate institution were selected through purposive sampling. Goldberg Depression Scale (GDS) and a survey regarding the number of hours allotted in the use of Facebook per week served as data collection instruments. Utilizing a descriptive-correlational research design, the researchers found that there is no significant association between respondents’ level of depression and the use of Facebook (r = 0.04, p = 0.70). Hence, depression cannot be sufficiently linked to the use of Facebook. Implications of the findings to the fields of counseling and psychology were discussed.
Reflexivity, its Meanings and Relevance for Social Work: A Critical Review of the Literature

The concept of "reflexivity" has become increasingly significant in social work literature in relation to social work education, theory and practice. However, our reading of the literature indicates that there is a lack of clarity about the concept in terms of who is being exhorted to be "reflexive," when and how. This article addresses these questions through a critical review of social work literature since the 1990s that discusses the concept of "reflexivity. " Given that many authors seem to use the concepts of "reflexivity" and "(critical) reflection" interchangeably, we also apply this analysis to "reflection" and "critical reflection. " This article raises important questions about how the concepts of "reflexivity," "critical reflection" and "reflectivity" are defined and the different consequences such definitions might have for social work education, theory and practice.
Chronos: predictable low latency for data center applications

In data center applications, predictability in service time and controlled latency, especially tail latency, are essential for building performant applications. This is especially true for applications or services built by accessing data across thousands of servers to generate a user response. Current practice has been to run such services at low utilization to rein in latency outliers, which decreases efficiency and limits the number of service invocations developers can issue while still meeting tight latency budgets. In this paper, we analyze three data center applications, Memcached, OpenFlow, and Web search, to measure the effect of 1) kernel socket handling, NIC interaction, and the network stack, 2) application locks contested in the kernel, and 3) application-layer queueing due to requests being stalled behind straggler threads on tail latency. We propose Chronos, a framework to deliver predictable, low latency in data center applications. Chronos uses a combination of existing and new techniques to achieve this end, for example by supporting Memcached at 200,000 requests per second per server at mean latency of 10 μs with a 99th percentile latency of only 30 μs, a factor of 20 lower than baseline Memcached.
FROSH: FasteR Online Sketching Hashing

Many hashing methods, especially those that are in the data-dependent category with good learning accuracy, are still inefﬁcient when dealing with three critical problems in modern data analysis. First, data usually come in a streaming fashion, but most of the existing hashing methods are batch-based models. Second, when data become huge, the extensive computational time, large space requirement, and multiple passes to load the data into memory will be prohibitive. Third, data often lack sufﬁcient label information. Although the recently proposed Online Sketching Hashing (OSH) is promising to alleviate all three issues mentioned above, its training procedure still suffers from a high time complexity. In this paper, we propose a FasteR Online Sketching Hashing (FROSH) method to make the training process faster. Compared with OSH, we leverage fast transform to sketch data more compactly. Particularly, we derive independent transformations to guarantee the sketching accuracy, and design a novel implementation to make such transformations applicable to online data sketching without increasing the space cost. We rigorously prove that our method can yield a comparable learning accuracy with a lower time complexity and an equal space cost compared with OSH. Finally, extensive experiments on synthetic and real-world datasets demonstrate the excellent performance of our method.
Alignment of transmembrane regions in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator chloride channel pore

Different transmembrane (TM) α helices are known to line the pore of the cystic fibrosis TM conductance regulator (CFTR) Cl− channel. However, the relative alignment of these TMs in the three-dimensional structure of the pore is not known. We have used patch-clamp recording to investigate the accessibility of cytoplasmically applied cysteine-reactive reagents to cysteines introduced along the length of the pore-lining first TM (TM1) of a cysteine-less variant of CFTR. We find that methanethiosulfonate (MTS) reagents irreversibly modify cysteines substituted for TM1 residues K95, Q98, P99, and L102 when applied to the cytoplasmic side of open channels. Residues closer to the intracellular end of TM1 (Y84–T94) were not apparently modified by MTS reagents, suggesting that this part of TM1 does not line the pore. None of the internal MTS reagent-reactive cysteines was modified by extracellular [2-(trimethylammonium)ethyl] MTS. Only K95C, closest to the putative intracellular end of TM1, was apparently modified by intracellular [2-sulfonatoethyl] MTS before channel activation. Comparison of these results with recent work on CFTR-TM6 suggests a relative alignment of these two important TMs along the axis of the pore. This alignment was tested experimentally by formation of disulfide bridges between pairs of cysteines introduced into these two TMs. Currents carried by the double mutants K95C/I344C and Q98C/I344C, but not by the corresponding single-site mutants, were inhibited by the oxidizing agent copper(II)-o-phenanthroline. This inhibition was irreversible on washing but could be reversed by the reducing agent dithiothreitol, suggesting disulfide bond formation between the introduced cysteine side chains. These results allow us to develop a model of the relative positions, functional contributions, and alignment of two important TMs lining the CFTR pore. Such functional information is necessary to understand and interpret the three-dimensional structure of the pore.
5.6-W Broad-Area Lasers With a Vertical Far-Field Angle of 31$^{\circ}$ Emitting at 670 nm

Highly efficient 670-nm high-power broad-area laser diodes with a single InGaP quantum-well embedded in AlGaInP waveguide layers and n-AlInP and p-AlGaAs cladding layers are presented. The developed vertical layer structure leads to a vertical far-field angle of 31deg. At 15degC, 100 mu-m-wide broad-area lasers reach an output power of 5.6 W limited by thermal rollover. The conversion efficiency was 41% at 1.5 W. A 7600-h reliable operation at 1.5 W and a mean time to failure of about 37550 h will be reported.
Behavioral Changes Over Time Following Ayahuasca Exposure in Zebrafish

The combined infusion of Banisteriopsis caapi stem and Psychotria viridis leaves, known as ayahuasca, has been used for centuries by indigenous tribes. The infusion is rich in N, N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and monoamine oxidase inhibitors, with properties similar to those of serotonin. Despite substantial progress in the development of new drugs to treat anxiety and depression, current treatments have several limitations. Alternative drugs, such as ayahuasca, may shed light on these disorders. Here, we present time-course behavioral changes induced by ayahuasca in zebrafish, as first step toward establishing an ideal concentration for pre-clinical evaluations. We exposed adult zebrafish to five concentrations of the ayahuasca infusion: 0 (control), 0.1, 0.5, 1, and 3 ml/L (n = 14 each group), and behavior was recorded for 60 min. We evaluated swimming speed, distance traveled, freezing and bottom dwelling every min for 60 min. Swimming speed and distance traveled decreased with an increase in ayahuasca concentration while freezing increased with 1 and 3 ml/L. Bottom dwelling increased with 1 and 3 ml/L, but declined with 0.1 ml/L. Our data suggest that small amounts of ayahuasca do not affect locomotion and reduce anxiety-like behavior in zebrafish, while increased doses of the drug lead to crescent anxiogenic effects. We conclude that the temporal analysis of zebrafish behavior is a sensitive method for the study of ayahuasca-induced functional changes in the vertebrate brain.
Effective, safe nonviral gene transfer to preserve the chondrogenic differentiation potential of human mesenchymal stem cells

Genetic modification of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) comprises a promising tool to generate cell‐ and gene‐based platforms for regenerative approaches of articular cartilage repair. In the present study, we systematically screened a panel of 15 nonviral compounds for their ability to promote safe, efficient and durable gene expression in human bone marrow‐derived MSCs (hMSCS) without impeding their commitment towards chondrogenic differentiation.
Spanish Version of the Body Appreciation Scale (BAS) for Adolescents

The need to study the positive aspects of body image led to the design of the Body Appreciation Scale (BAS). The aim of the present study was to develop a Spanish adaptation of the BAS for adolescents, testing its factor structure, construct validity and any differences between girls and boys. Participants were 312 adolescents aged between 12 and 20; there were 148 females and 164 males. The validation analysis of the BAS revealed a one-factor structure with adequate internal consistency (Cronbach's α = .908) and construct validity (correlations with body mass index, influence of the body shape model, perceived stress, coping strategies, self-esteem and variables from the Eating Disorders Inventory-2), as well as significant differences between boys and girls (p < .01). The BAS is suitable for administration in a Spanish adolescent population as a way of analysing the positive aspects of body image. La necesidad de estudiar los aspectos positivos de la imagen corporal, llevó a diseñar la Escala de apreciación corporal (EAC). El objetivo de este trabajo fue desarrollar una adaptación española de la EAC para adolescentes analizando su estructura factorial y consistencia interna, la validez de constructo y las diferencias entre chicas y chicos. La muestra estuvo formada por 312 adolescentes, de entre 12 y 20 años, de los que 148 eran chicas y 164 chicos. El análisis reveló una estructura unifactorial con adecuada consistencia interna (coeficiente alfa de Cronbach = 0,908) y validez de constructo (correlaciones con el índice de masa corporal, influencia del modelo estético corporal, estrés percibido, estrategias de afrontamiento, autoestima y variables del Inventario de trastornos alimentarios-2), así como diferencias significativas entre chicos y chicas (p < 0,01). La EAC es adecuada como instrumento para analizar los aspectos positivos de la imagen corporal en adolescentes españoles.
Leesproblemen in het voortgezet onderwijs en de volwassenheid

Reading problems at the secondary scool level and in adulthood. In secondary education and following educational trajectories, it is assumed that the basic skills of reading and spelling are mastered. However, this is not always true. Students with persistent problems in reading and spelling may experience substantial obstructions of their career at school and in the society. To get a picture of the severity of decoding problems in secondary education and later, norm-referenced tests have to be used. At the level of primary education and the start of secondary education, tests and norms are available, but norms are missing for the last classes of secondary education and adulthood. In the present normative study, three reading tests (EMT, Klepel and DMT) have been given to a large sample of 15-16 year old students, and to a group of adults, together with a test of verbal competence (subtest Analogies of the WAIS). Descriptive statistics are presented, as well as general norms and norms according to educational level. Use of the norms is illustrated in groups of adults with or without reading problems, and by application of a variety of selection criteria on the normative group. The norms enable the user to detect reading level and severity of reading problems at the age of 15 and upwards.
Pedagogical practices of reflection in tertiary dance education

The three different perspectives on reflection in education are embedded in the philosophical traditions of pragmatism, critical social theory and Kant. We aimed to describe the pedagogical practices of reflection, and to develop a descriptive model of the practices of reflection in tertiary dance education which can be used by dance educators to support their students' reflection activities. Data about the reflection practices were collected from 13 dance teachers in the Netherlands. The developed model of pedagogical practices consists of five types of reflection based on the Kantian and pragmatists' notions of reflection. Pratique pédagogique réflexives dans l'enseignement de la danse dans le supérieur Les trois perspectives différentes relatives à l'introduction de pratiques réflexives dans l'éducation sont ancrées dans les traditions philosophiques du pragmatisme, de la théorie de la critique sociale et de Kant. Notre but était de décrire les pratiques pédagogiques réflexives et de développer un modèle descriptif de ces pratiques dans l'enseignement de la danse dans le supérieur, pouvant être exploités par les éducateurs pour soutenir l'activité réflexive de leurs étudiants. Des données inhérentes aux pratiques réflexives de 13 enseignants de danse aux Pays-Bas ont été recueillies. Le modèle de pratiques pédagogiques développé consiste en cinq types de réflexions basées sur les notions kantiennes et pragmatiques de la réflexion. Prácticas pedagógicas de reflexión en la educación superior de danza Las tres perspectivas diferentes sobre la reflexión en la educación están insertas en las corrientes filosóficas tradicionales del pragmatismo, la teoría de la crítica social y la de Kant. Nuestro objetivo era describir las prácticas pedagógicas de reflexión y desarrollar un modelo descriptivo de las mismas en la educación superior de danza con el fin de que puedan ser utilizadas por los profesores de danza para apoyar las actividades de reflexión de su alumnado. Los datos sobre las prácticas de reflexión fueron obtenidos de 13 profesores de danza de los Países Bajos. El modelo pedagógico de prácticas desarrollado consiste en cinco tipos de reflexión basados en las nociones de reflexión kantiana y en la de los pragmatistas. Pädagogische Verfahren der Reflektion im universitären Tanzunterricht Die drei verschiedenen Perspektiven der Reflexion im Rahmen des Unterrichts sind in den philosophischen Traditionen des Pragmatismus, der kritischen Sozialtheorie und bei Kant eingebettet. Mit der Zielsetzung, die pädagogischen Übungen zur Reflexion zu beschreiben, wurde ein anschauliches Modell der Reflexionsübungen im Tanzunterricht an Hochschulen entwickelt, welches von Tanzlehrern benutzt werden kann, um die Reflexionsfähigkeiten der Schüler zu fördern. Von 13 Tanzlehrern aus den Niederlanden wurden Informationen zu den Reflexionsverfahren gesammelt . Das daraus entwickelte Modell der pädagogischen Verfahren besteht aus fünf Typen der Reflexion, die auf dem Kant'schen und pragmatistischen Begriff der Reflexion basieren.
Balanced neural architecture and the idling brain

A signature feature of cortical spike trains is their trial-to-trial variability. This variability is large in the spontaneous state and is reduced when cortex is driven by a stimulus or task. Models of recurrent cortical networks with unstructured, yet balanced, excitation and inhibition generate variability consistent with evoked conditions. However, these models produce spike trains which lack the long timescale fluctuations and large variability exhibited during spontaneous cortical dynamics. We propose that global network architectures which support a large number of stable states (attractor networks) allow balanced networks to capture key features of neural variability in both spontaneous and evoked conditions. We illustrate this using balanced spiking networks with clustered assembly, feedforward chain, and ring structures. By assuming that global network structure is related to stimulus preference, we show that signal correlations are related to the magnitude of correlations in the spontaneous state. Finally, we contrast the impact of stimulation on the trial-to-trial variability in attractor networks with that of strongly coupled spiking networks with chaotic firing rate instabilities, recently investigated by Ostojic (2014). We find that only attractor networks replicate an experimentally observed stimulus-induced quenching of trial-to-trial variability. In total, the comparison of the trial-variable dynamics of single neurons or neuron pairs during spontaneous and evoked activity can be a window into the global structure of balanced cortical networks.
Anatomical demonstration of orientation columns in macaque monkey

In the macaque monkey striate (primary visual) cortex, the grouping of cells into ocular dominance and orientation columns leads to the prediction of highly specific spatial patterns of cellular activity in response to stimulation by lines through one or both eyes. In the pesent paper these paterns have been examined by the 2‐deoxyuglucose autoradiographic method developed by Sokoloff and his group (Kennedy et al, '76). An anesthetized monkey was given an injection of 14C 2‐deoxyglucose and then visually stimulated for 45 minues with a large array of moving vertical stripes, with both eyes open. The 14C autoradiographs of striate cortex showed vertical bands of label extending through the full cortical thickness. Layer I was at most only lightly labelled, and layers IV b and VI wee the most dense. Layer IV c (the site of terminations of most geniculate afferents) was labelled uniformly along its length, as expected from the lack of orientation specificity of units recorded in that leyer. In the other layers the pattern seen in tangential sections was complex, consisting of swirling stripes with many bifurcations and blind endings, but with occasional more regular regions whee the stripes wee roughly parallel. Interstripe distance was rather constant, at 570 μm. Ocular dominance columns were examined in this same monkey, in the same region, by injecting one eye with 3H‐proline two weeks before the deoxyglucose experiment, and preparing a second set of autoradiographs of the sections after prolonged washing to remove the 14C‐deoxyglucose. As seen in tangential sections through layer IV c, these columns had the usual stripe‐like form, with a period of 770 μm, but were simpler in their pattern than the orientation stripes, with fewer bifurcations and less swirling. A comparison of the two sets of columns in the same area showed many intersections, but no strict or consistent relationships: angles of intersection showed a distribution that was not obviously different from that expected for any two randomly superimposed sets of lines.
Distributed query sampling: a quality-conscious approach

We present an adaptive distributed query-sampling framework that is quality-conscious for extracting high-quality text database samples. The framework divides the query-based sampling process into an initial seed sampling phase and a quality-aware iterative sampling phase. In the second phase the sampling process is dynamically scheduled based on estimated database size and quality parameters derived during the previous sampling process. The unique characteristic of our adaptive query-based sampling framework is its self-learning and self-configuring ability based on the overall quality of all text databases under consideration. We introduce three quality-conscious sampling schemes for estimating database quality, and our initial results show that the proposed framework supports higher-quality document sampling than existing approaches.