Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dynamic Self-Regulation and Multiple-Goal Pursuit

Self-regulation is the dynamic process by which people manage competing demands on their time and resources as they strive to achieve desired outcomes, while simultaneously preventing or avoiding undesired outcomes. In this article, we review the current state of knowledge regarding the process by which people manage these types of demands. We review studies in the organizational, cognitive, social psychology, and human factors literatures that have examined the process by which people (a) manage task demands when working on a single task or goal; (b) select which tasks or goals they work on, and the timing and order in which they work on them; and (c) make adjustments to the goals that they are pursuing. We review formal theories that have been developed to account for these phenomena and examine the prospects for an integrative account of self-regulation that can explain the broad range of empirical phenomena examined across different subdisciplines within psychology.
Differences in Type I Interferon Signaling Antagonism by Dengue Viruses in Human and Non-Human Primate Cell Lines

Background/Objectives In vitro studies have shown that dengue virus (DENV) can thwart the actions of interferon (IFN)-α/β and prevent the development of an antiviral state in infected cells. Clinical studies looking at gene expression in patients with severe dengue show a reduced expression of interferon stimulated genes compared to patients with dengue fever. Interestingly, there are conflicting reports as to the ability of DENV or other flaviviruses to inhibit IFN-α/β signaling. Methodology/Principal Findings In order to determine the relative inhibition of IFN-α/β signaling by DENVs, a method combining flow cytometry and a four-parameter logistic regression model was established. A representative isolate from DENV-1, -3 and -4 and seventeen representative isolates encompassing all DENV-2 genotypes were evaluated. All of the DENVs evaluated in this study were capable of inhibiting IFN-α/β signaling. Most of the strains were able to inhibit IFN-α/β to a degree similar to DENV strain 16681; however, DENV-2 sylvatic strains demonstrated an increased inhibition of phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription (pSTAT1). Surprisingly, we were unable to observe inhibition of pSTAT1 by DENV-2 sylvatic strains or the Asian strain 16681 in non-human primate (NHP) cell lines. Analysis in primary Rhesus macaque dendritic cells suggests that DENVs are capable of inhibiting IFN signaling in these cells. However, contrary to human dendritic cells, production of IFN-α was detected in the supernatant of DENV-infected Rhesus macaque dendritic cells. Conclusions The ability of DENVs to inhibit IFN-α/β signaling is conserved. Although some variation in the inhibition was observed, the moderate differences may be difficult to correlate with clinical outcomes. DENVs were unable to inhibit pSTAT1 in NHP cell lines, but their ability to inhibit pSTAT1 in primary Rhesus macaque dendritic cells suggests that this may be a cell specific phenomena or due to the transformed nature of the cell lines.
Criticism, self-criticism, generative criticism – developing self-awareness and confidence in students of design

n the complex field of design, which bridges art and science, designers need to be critically aware and versatile. They should possess breadth and depth of knowledge, skills and understanding that can be transferred and adapted to new and different situations, enabling sustainable and innovative design solutions. Designers need to communicate within a global ‘networked knowledge society’. It has been argued that ‘designers create culture’ and that knowledge and hand skills traditionally required of an artist/designer are essential, as design outcomes are purpose driven and practical. Self-awareness and confidence have been identified as necessary attributes for ‘creative design action’. The role of tertiary design foundation education and in particular an integrated, multidisciplinary design foundation course in the South African context is investigated. In raising students’ critical awareness by instilling an understanding of ‘core ideas’ and the ‘visual language’ specific to the fields of art and design, emphasis is placed on ‘learning to see’ through the act of drawing and the use of colour. Transference from one studio-based subject to another, that takes place through studio group critiques applying comparative analysis as a means of formative assessment, is examined. The iterative nature of the design process in encouraging ‘design thinking’, described as ‘reflection in action’, and which leads to the development of generative self-criticism, is investigated. It is argued that generative self-criticism in students provides an essential benchmarking instrument for the assessment of practical design outputs.
Meet Me where I’m Gazing: How Shared Attention Gaze Affects Human-Robot Handover Timing

In this paper we provide empirical evidence that using humanlike gaze cues during human-robot handovers can improve the timing and perceived quality of the handover event. Handovers serve as the foundation of many human-robot tasks. Fluent, legible handover interactions require appropriate nonverbal cues to signal handover intent, location and timing. Inspired by observations of human-human handovers, we implemented gaze behaviors on a PR2 humanoid robot. The robot handed over water bottles to a total of 102 naïve subjects while varying its gaze behaviour: no gaze, gaze designed to elicit shared attention at the handover location, and the shared attention gaze complemented with a turntaking cue. We compared subject perception of and reaction time to the robot-initiated handovers across the three gaze conditions. Results indicate that subjects reach for the offered object significantly earlier when a robot provides a shared attention gaze cue during a handover. We also observed a statistical trend of subjects preferring handovers with turn-taking gaze cues over the other conditions. Our work demonstrates that gaze can play a key role in improving user experience of human-robot handovers, and help make handovers fast and fluent.Categories and Subject Descriptors I.2. 9 [Robotics]: Operator interfaces, Commercial robots and applications; H.1. 2 [User/Machine Systems]: Human FactorsGeneral TermsExperimentation, Design, Human Factors, Verification.
An Analytical Model for Tunnel Barrier Modulation in Triple Metal Double Gate TFET

An analytical model for tunnel barrier modulation in triple metal double gate tunnel FET is presented for the first time in this paper. Three different metals over the channel region assist to form a barrier in the channel which restricts the reverse tunneling of the carrier, i.e., tunneling from drain to source. The choice of three metals with different work functions helps to increase the ON-current and also to form a barrier in the channel, which reduces the OFF-current. The surface potential and the electric field are analytically modeled by solving 2-D Poisson's equation and Kane's model is used to calculate the tunneling current. The analytical results are verified with SILVACO ATLAS simulated results.
Acute toxicity impacts of Euphorbia hirta L extract on behavior, organs body weight index and histopathology of organs of the mice and Artemia salina

Background: The methanol extract of Euphorbia hirta L (Euphorbiaceae), which is used in traditional medicines, was tested for in vivo toxicity. Materials and Methods: In vivo brine shrimp lethality assay and oral acute toxicity study at single high dose of 5000 mg/kg and observation for 14 days in mice were used to study the toxic effect of E. hirta. Results: Brine shrimp lethality assay was used to calculate the median lethal concentration (LC50) of E. hirta (for leaves, stems, flowers and roots) methanolic extracts at concentrations from 100 to 0.07 mg/ml. The LC50 values of 1.589, 1.420, 0.206 and 0.0827 mg/ml were obtained for stems, leaves, flowers and roots, respectively. Potassium dichromate (the positive control) had LC50 value of 0.00758 mg/ml. The acute oral toxicity study of the leaf extract resulted in one third mortality and mild behavioral changes among the treated mice. No significant statistical differences found between body weight, relative (%) and absolute (g) organ weights of treated and untreated groups (P> 0.05). Gross and microscopic examination of the vital organ tissues revealed no differences between control and treated mice. All the tissues appeared normal. Conclusions: E. hirta leaves methanol extract has exhibited mild toxic effects in mice.
A parametric approach to measuring limbus corneae from digital images

It is difficult to demarcate the limbus borders in standard intensity images of the eye since the transition from the cornea (iris) to sclera is gradual. Non-parametric techniques that are currently used for this task are not sufficiently precise to be adopted in those ophthalmic applications where high precision in determining the limbus/pupil characteristics is required. This is the case, for example, in customized refractive corrections. Another aspect of limbus corneae characterization is the inability of measuring in vivo the outer outline of the limbus annulus without specialized illumination techniques. To overcome these limitations, we propose a parametric approach that utilizes a sigmoidal function fitted to radial intensity profiles of the limbus corneae. By the way of simulations, we show the superiority of the proposed parametric approach when compared to an optimized nonparametric technique. Further, we review the techniques for fitting ellipses to the estimated points of the limbus annulus and discuss clinical aspects of the proposed methodology. Initial clinical experiments showed close agreement between the proposed approach and limbus corneae estimates manually obtained by experienced clinicians.
The role of fibrin glue instillation under skin flaps in the prevention of seroma formation and related morbidities following breast and axillary surgery for breast cancer: A meta‐analysis

A systematic review of randomised, controlled trials investigating the effectiveness of fibrin glue (FG) in reducing the postoperative seroma and seroma related morbidities following breast and axillary surgery was conducted. FG failed to influence the incidence of postoperative seroma, average volume of seroma, wound infection, complications and length of hospital stay in patients undergoing breast cancer surgery. However, a major multicentre and high quality randomised, controlled trial is required to validate these findings. J. Surg. Oncol. 2012; 106:783–795. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Quality changes in macadamia kernel between harvest and farm-gate.

BACKGROUND Macadamia integrifolia, Macadamia tetraphylla and their hybrids are cultivated for their edible kernels. After harvest, nuts-in-shell are partially dried on-farm and sorted to eliminate poor-quality kernels before consignment to a processor. During these operations, kernel quality may be lost. In this study, macadamia nuts-in-shell were sampled at five points of an on-farm postharvest handling chain from dehusking to the final storage silo to assess quality loss prior to consignment. Shoulder damage, weight of pieces and unsound kernel were assessed for raw kernels, and colour, mottled colour and surface damage for roasted kernels. RESULTS Shoulder damage, weight of pieces and unsound kernel for raw kernels increased significantly between the dehusker and the final silo. Roasted kernels displayed a significant increase in dark colour, mottled colour and surface damage during on-farm handling. CONCLUSION Significant loss of macadamia kernel quality occurred on a commercial farm during sorting and storage of nuts-in-shell before nuts were consigned to a processor. Nuts-in-shell should be dried as quickly as possible and on-farm handling minimised to maintain optimum kernel quality.
‘British is professional, American is urban:’ attitudes towards English reference accents in Spain

The spread and diversification of English worldwide challenges the use of reference accents in EFL classrooms. Yet, learners often demonstrate greater recognition of, familiarity with and preference for inner-circle varieties of English speech, especially Received Pronunciation (RP) and General American (GenAm). This article investigates the attitudes of 71 university students in Spain towards these speech varieties. Using the verbal guise technique, it measures cognitive, affective and conative responses to speech stimuli. Qualitative comments, collected using questionnaires and interviews, help to interpret these evaluative responses. The findings suggest a desire to emulate RP, often associated with status and prestige, though greater solidarity and stronger affiliative feelings towards GenAm speakers. They highlight the complexity and dynamism of the language attitudes of EFL learners in the Spanish context.
[Distribution of airborne fungi, particulate matter and carbon dioxide in Seoul metropolitan subway stations].

OBJECTIVES The aims of this study were to examine the level of airborne fungi and environmental factors in Seoul metropolitan subway stations and to provide fundamental data to protect the health of subway workers and passengers. METHODS The field survey was performed from November in 2004 to February in 2005. A total 22 subway stations located at Seoul subway lines 1-4 were randomly selected. The measurement points were subway workers' activity areas (station office, bedroom, ticket office and driver's seat) and the passengers' activity areas (station precincts, inside train and platform). Air sampling for collecting airborne fungi was carried out using a one-stage cascade impactor. The PM and CO2 were measured using an electronic direct recorder and detecting tube, respectively. RESULTS In the activity areas of the subway workers and passengers, the mean concentrations of airborne fungi were relatively higher in the workers' bedroom and station precinct whereas the concentration of particulate matter, PM10 and PM2.5, were relatively higher in the platform, inside the train and driver's seat than in the other activity areas. There was no significant difference in the concentration of airborne fungi between the underground and ground activity areas of the subway. The mean PM10 and PM2.5 concentration in the platform located at underground was significantly higher than that of the ground (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The levels of airborne fungi in the Seoul subway line 1-4 were not serious enough to cause respiratory disease in subway workers and passengers. This indicates that there is little correlation between airborne fungi and particulate matter.
Genetic Adventures in Parallel : Towards a Good Island Model under PVM

Genetic algorithms (GAs) have proved to be a very useful and flexible way to solve difficult combinatoric problems. Arriving at high quality solution however often involves a very large number of evaluations and consequentially is quite computationally demanding. Evaluating GAs in parallel is thus desirable, but specialty parallel computers are not available to many who might benefit from parallel GAs. In this paper we will seek a parallel GA implementation under the PVM (parallel virtual machine) environment. After looking at the various parallel models available, we will choose the island model as the most appropriate for use with PVM. From a simplistic and inefficient starting implementation, we will develop a better implementation that provides close to optimal speedup.
Co‐evolution of MHC class I and variable NK cell receptors in placental mammals

Shaping natural killer (NK) cell functions in human immunity and reproduction are diverse killer cell immunoglobulin‐like receptors (KIRs) that recognize polymorphic MHC class I determinants. A survey of placental mammals suggests that KIRs serve as variable NK cell receptors only in certain primates and artiodactyls. Divergence of the functional and variable KIRs in primates and artiodactyls predates placental reproduction. Among artiodactyls, cattle but not pigs have diverse KIRs. Catarrhine (humans, apes, and Old World monkeys) and platyrrhine (New World monkeys) primates, but not prosimians, have diverse KIRs. Platyrrhine and catarrhine systems of KIR and MHC class I are highly diverged, but within the catarrhines, a stepwise co‐evolution of MHC class I and KIR is discerned. In Old World monkeys, diversification focuses on MHC‐A and MHC‐B and their cognate lineage II KIR. With evolution of C1‐bearing MHC‐C from MHC‐B, as informed by orangutan, the focus changes to MHC‐C and its cognate lineage III KIR. Evolution of C2 from C1 and fixation of MHC‐C drove further elaboration of MHC‐C‐specific KIR, as exemplified by chimpanzee. In humans, the evolutionary trajectory changes again. Emerging from reorganization of the KIR locus and selective attenuation of KIR avidity for MHC class I are the functionally distinctive KIR A and KIR B haplotypes.
Postinfectious irritable bowel syndrome may occur after non‐gastrointestinal and intestinal infection

Abstract Postinfectious functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) may not be specific to gastroenteritis. This pilot study aimed to ascertain the 3‐ and 6‐month incidence of functional gut disorders in people with non‐gastrointestinal (GI) infection, gastroenteritis and healthy controls. This was a prospective study of three cohorts recruited from hospital (non‐GI infections) and the community (others). FGIDs were diagnosed using self‐completed Rome II modular questionnaires administered at baseline, 3 and 6 months. Thirty‐six subjects with non‐GI infection, 219 healthy subjects and 108 with bacterial gastroenteritis participated. No difference in incidence of FGID was detected between the GI and non‐GI infection cohorts. Any FGID was more frequent in people who had a non‐GI infection than in controls at both 3 [odds ratio: 4.34 (95% CI: 3.60–16.45)] and 6 months [4.76 (4.42–27.92)]. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) alone was more frequent in people with non‐GI infections than in controls at 3 months (6.12 [1.30–29.12]) but did not quite reach statistical significance at 6 months (4.58 [0.79–26.46]). Our findings were unexpected. Postinfectious FGIDs may be related to non‐GI and GI infection, although not all potential biases were controlled in study design. Further studies need to explore these preliminary findings and, if confirmed, the underlying mechanisms.
Prefrontal Cortex Activity during Flexible Categorization

Items are categorized differently depending on the behavioral context. For instance, a lion can be categorized as an African animal or a type of cat. We recorded lateral prefrontal cortex (PFC) neural activity while monkeys switched between categorizing the same image set along two different category schemes with orthogonal boundaries. We found that each category scheme was largely represented by independent PFC neuronal populations and that activity reflecting a category distinction was weaker, but not absent, when that category was irrelevant. We suggest that the PFC represents competing category representations independently to reduce interference between them.
The grain size gap and abrupt gravel‐sand transitions in rivers due to suspension fallout

Median grain sizes on riverbeds range from boulders in uplands to silt in lowlands; however, rivers with ~1–5 mm diameter bed sediment are rare. This grain size gap also marks an abrupt transition between gravel‐ and sand‐bedded reaches that is unlike any other part of the fluvial network. Abrupt gravel‐sand transitions have been attributed to rapid breakdown or rapid transport of fine gravel, or a bimodal sediment supply, but supporting evidence is lacking. Here we demonstrate that rivers dramatically lose the ability to transport sand as wash load where bed shear velocity drops below ~0.1 m/s, forcing an abrupt transition in bed‐material grain size. Using thresholds for wash load and initial motion, we show that the gap emerges only for median bed‐material grain sizes of ~1–5 mm due to Reynolds number dependencies in suspension transport. The grain size gap, therefore, is sensitive to material properties and gravity, with coarser gaps predicted on Mars and Titan.
Stochastic Block Mirror Descent Methods for Nonsmooth and Stochastic Optimization

In this paper, we present a new stochastic algorithm, namely, the stochastic block mirror descent (SBMD) method for solving large-scale nonsmooth and stochastic optimization problems. The basic idea of this algorithm is to incorporate block coordinate decomposition and an incremental block averaging scheme into the classic (stochastic) mirror descent method, in order to significantly reduce the cost per iteration of the latter algorithm. We establish the rate of convergence of the SBMD method along with its associated large-deviation results for solving general nonsmooth and stochastic optimization problems. We also introduce variants of this method and establish their rate of convergence for solving strongly convex, smooth, and composite optimization problems, as well as certain nonconvex optimization problems. To the best of our knowledge, all these developments related to the SBMD methods are new in the stochastic optimization literature. Moreover, some of our results seem to be new for block coordinate descent methods for deterministic optimization.
Apoptotic-cell-derived membrane microparticles and IFN-α induce an inflammatory immune response

ABSTRACT A dysregulation in the clearance of apoptotic material is considered a major pathogenetic factor for the emergence of autoimmune diseases. Apoptotic-cell-derived membrane microparticles (AdMPs), which are released from the cell surface during apoptosis, have been implicated in the pathogenesis of autoimmunity. Also of importance are cytokines, such as interferon-α (IFN-α), which is known to be a major player in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This study investigates the combined effect of AdMPs and IFN-α on professional phagocytes. In the presence of IFN-α, phagocytosis of AdMPs by human monocytes was significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner. The combination of AdMPs and raised IFN-α concentrations resulted in an increase in the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and an upregulation of surface molecule expression involved in antigen uptake. In addition, macrophage polarisation was shifted towards a more inflammatory type of cell. The synergism between IFN-α and AdMPs seemed to be mediated by an upregulation of phosphorylated STAT1. Our results indicate that IFN-α, together with AdMPs, amplify the initiation and maintenance of inflammation. This mechanism might especially play a crucial role in disorders with a defective clearance of apoptotic material. Summary: High levels of IFN-α and apoptotic microparticles lead to a pro-inflammatory environment through the synergistic increase of phosphorylated STAT1 when acting upon professional phagocytes.