Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Detection and initial characterization of synovial lining fragments in synovial fluid.

OBJECTIVE Free fragments of synovium have occasionally been seen in synovial fluid but have not been studied systematically. We wished to establish a method for the reliable detection of these fragments in joint and bursa effusions and begin to characterize them by histochemical and immunohistochemical methods. METHODS Cell smears, wet drop preparations and cytospins were prepared from 39 consecutive joint and bursa effusions. Paraffin cell blocks were prepared from a subset. Analysis encompassed standard and polarized light microscopy, histochemistry, immunohistochemistry and transmission electron microscopy (EM). Synovial biopsy tissue from one different patient was examined for comparison. RESULTS Tissue fragments were not seen in Wright-stained cell smears and only rarely in wet drop preparations. In contrast, variously sized fragments with the histological appearance of hyperplastic synovial lining were detected in ethanol-fixed, haematoxylin/eosin-stained cytospins from bursitis and all arthropathies studied [17/24 (71%) of non-inflammatory and 12/15 (80%) of inflammatory specimens]. Immunostaining revealed CD68 expression in a subset of cells in a pattern characteristic of hyperplastic synovial lining. Juxtaposed cells with morphological features of macrophage-like and fibroblast-like synoviocytes were seen by EM. CONCLUSIONS Synovial lining fragments can be detected in effusions from diverse arthropathies and bursitis. They maintain important properties of the synovial lining and can be analysed by immunohistochemistry. They may afford the opportunity to study a relatively pure preparation of synovial lining cells without the need for cell culture, and to evaluate their possible role in augmenting or perpetuating synovitis or joint damage.
Feeling and seeing: issues in force display

Force display technology works by using mechanica l actuators to apply forces to the user, By simulating th e physics of the user's virtual world, we compute these forces in real-time, then send them to the actuators so that the user feels them, The force display technology we use in th e Sandpaper system is a motor-driven two-degree of freedo m joystick (built by Max Behensky and Doug Milliken) . The joystick position is reported to the software, whic h computes the appropriate forces for the joystick's motors .
The toxicology of musk fragrances

Synthetic musk fragrances are widely used as replacements for natural musks not only in perfumes but also in soaps, toiletries and disinfectants. The worldwide annual production of musk fragrances ranges between 6000 and 8000 metric tons per year, of which nitroand polycyclic musks represent 30 and 70%, respectively. As a result of their inherently low biodegradability, nitroand polycyclic musks as well as their respective metabolites are persistent and have been detected predominantly in the aquatic environment. The presence of ‘not-readily-biodegradable’ compounds in the aquatic environment raised major concerns, primarily in Europe, where the horrendous impact of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), especially on fish-otter (Luttra luttra) populations, is vivid in the memories of scientists, health officials and the public. However, moderate to high lipophilicity, slow biodegradation, and the presence in water, sediments and edible fish tissues does not automatically warrant the comparison of musk fragrances with PCBs. Indeed, only a thorough review of the available toxicological data in conjunction with analytical data from the environment allows appropriate judgement of the ‘real’ risks associated with these synthetic fragrance materials for humans and the ecosystem. This view of the situation, and the need for a robust toxicological assessment of these compounds, led the European Union to include musk xylene and musk ketone on their third priority list under Council Regulation (EEC) No. 793/93, and the inclusion of these compounds in the OSPAR List of Chemicals for Priority Action. These official listings, and pressure from the public, also enticed toxicologists in industry, academia and in research foundations to invest time and capital to assemble already available toxicological data as well as to carry out new experiments. Most of the data that has come from the latter efforts is now assembled in this Special Topics Issue of ‘Toxicology Letters’. Although this special issue does not claim to cover every conceivable aspect of toxicological assessment, it represents most of what we currently know about musk fragrance toxicity determined with state-of-the-art toxicological methodology and risk assessment processes. As indicated above, a clear distinction has been made between the potential effects of musk fragrances in the environment (primarily the aquatic environment) and putative effects in mammals, i.e. humans. In order to maintain this distinction, this special issue was divided into two main sections ‘I. Environmental Impacts and II. Mammalian Toxicology and Risk Assessment’. Both sections include reviews of the current literature, papers on new experimental data, and descriptions of risk assessment processes. The first section dealing with the environmental impacts of musk fragrances is dominated by review articles regarding the presence of nitroand polycyclic musk fragrances in the environment (Rimkus, 1999; Rimkus et al., 1999) and elaborate
IS Design Thinking in Disaster Management Research

Disasters caused by natural hazards continue to threaten millions of humans and various infrastructure capabilities each year. In their efforts to address disasters, aid organizations, national authorities and researchers have acknowledged that natural disaster management (NDM) poses diverse and immense challenges that are different from those in the management of most daily life situations. NDM has been addressed in different disciplines, including management science, operations research, the social sciences, and information systems. Having reviewed large parts of the literature, we identified a strong focus on either descriptive or explanatory research, and on the construction and evaluation of prototypic artifacts. However, what NDM research widely lacks is generic and abstract design knowledge. Such contributions are recognized in IS design science (ISDS) research as design principles and design theories. Given the experience of ISDS research to produce high-level design knowledge, we derive implications for future research in a key area of NDM.
UNIFORM BAHADUR REPRESENTATION FOR LOCAL POLYNOMIAL ESTIMATES OF M-REGRESSION AND ITS APPLICATION TO THE ADDITIVE MODEL

We use local polynomial fitting to estimate the nonparametric M-regression function for strongly mixing stationary processes {(Yi, Xi)}. We establish a strong uniform consistency rate for the Bahadur representation of estimators of the regression function and its derivatives. These results are fundamental for statistical inference and for applications that involve plugging such estimators into other functionals where some control over higher order terms is required. We apply our results to the estimation of an additive M-regression model.
Persistently Active, Pacemaker-Like Neurons in Neocortex

The neocortex is spontaneously active, however, the origin of this self-generated, patterned activity remains unknown. To detect potential “pacemaker cells,” we use calcium imaging to directly identify neurons that discharge action potentials in the absence of synaptic transmissionin slices from juvenile mouse visual cortex. We characterize 60 of these neurons electrophysiologically and morphologically, finding that they belong to two classes of cells: one class composed of pyramidal neurons with a thin apical dendritic tree and a second class composed of ascending axon interneurons (Martinotti cells) located in layer 5. In both types of neurons, persistent sodium currents are necessary for the generation of the spontaneous activity. Our data demonstrate that subtypes of neocortical neurons have intrinsic mechanisms to generate persistent activity. Like in central pattern generators (CPGs), these neurons may act as “pacemakers” to initiate or pattern spontaneous activity in the neocortex.
Calcium- and Integrin-Binding Protein 1 Regulates Endomitosis and Its Interaction with Polo-Like Kinase 3 Is Enhanced in Endomitotic Dami Cells

Endomitosis is a form of mitosis in which both karyokinesis and cytokinesis are interrupted and is a hallmark of megakaryocyte differentiation. Very little is known about how such a dramatic alteration of the cell cycle in a physiological setting is achieved. Thrombopoietin-induced signaling is essential for induction of endomitosis. Here we show that calcium- and integrin-binding protein 1 (CIB1), a known regulator of platelet integrin αIIbβ3 outside-in signaling, regulates endomitosis. We observed that CIB1 expression is increased in primary mouse megakaryocytes compared to mononuclear bone marrow cells as determined by Western blot analysis. Following PMA treatment of Dami cells, a megakaryoblastic cell line, we found that CIB1 protein expression increased concomitant with cell ploidy. Overexpression of CIB1 in Dami cells resulted in multilobated nuclei and led to increased time for a cell to complete cytokinesis as well as increased incidence of furrow regression as observed by time-lapse microscopy. Additionally, we found that surface expression of integrin αIIbβ3, an important megakaryocyte marker, was enhanced in CIB1 overexpressing cells as determined by flow cytometry. Furthermore, PMA treatment of CIB1 overexpressing cells led to increased ploidy compared to PMA treated control cells. Interestingly, expression of Polo-like kinase 3 (Plk3), an established CIB1-interacting protein and a key regulator of the mitotic process, decreased upon PMA treatment of Dami cells. Furthermore, PMA treatment augmented the interaction between CIB1 and Plk3, which depended on the duration of treatment. These data suggest that CIB1 is involved in regulating endomitosis, perhaps through its interaction with Plk3.
Detailed high-energy characteristics of AXP 4U 0142+61: Multi-year observations with INTEGRAL, RXTE, XMM-Newton, and ASCA

4U 0142+61 is one of the Anomalous X-ray Pulsars exhibiting hard X-ray emission above 10 keV discovered with INTEGRAL. In this paper we present detailed spectral and temporal characteristics both in the hard X-ray (> 10 keV) and soft X-ray (<10 keV) domains obtained using data from INTEGRAL, XMM-Newton, ASCA and RXTE. Accumulating data collected over four years with the imager IBIS-ISGRI aboard INTEGRAL, the time-averaged total spectrum shows a power-law like shape with photon index Gamma = 0.93 +/- 0.06. 4U 0142+61 is detected up to 229 keV and the flux between 20 keV and 229 keV is (15.01 +/- 0.82) x 10(-11) erg cm(-2) s(-1), which exceeds the energy flux in the 2-10 keV band by a factor of similar to 2.3. Using simultaneously collected data with the spectrometer SPI of INTEGRAL the combined total spectrum yields the first evidence for a spectral break above 100 keV. Assuming a logparabolic function for the spectral shape above 20 keV the peak energy of 4U 0142+61 is 228(-41)(+65) keV. There is no evidence for significant long-term time variability of the total emission from 4U 0142+61. Both the total flux and the spectral index are stable within the 17% level (1 sigma). Pulsed emission is measured with ISGRI up to 160 keV. The 20-160 keV profile shows a broad double-peaked pulse with a 6.2 sigma detection significance. The total pulsed spectrum can be described with a very hard power-law shape with a photon index G = 0.40 +/- 0.15 and a 20-150 keV flux of (2.68 +/- 1.34) x 10(-11) erg cm(-2) s(-1). To perform accurate phase-resolved spectroscopy over the total X-ray window, we produced pulse profiles in absolute phase for INTEGRAL-ISGRI, RXTE-PCA, XMM-Newton-PN and ASCA-GIS. The two known pulses in all soft X-ray profiles below 10 keV are located in the same phases. Three XMM-Newton observations in 2003-2004 show statistically identical profiles. However, we find a significant profile morphology change between an ASCA-GIS observation in 1999 following a possible glitch of 4U 0142+61. This change can be accounted for by differences in relative strengths and spectral shapes (0.8-10 keV) of the two pulses. The principle peak in the INTEGRAL pulse profile above 20 keV is located at the same phase as one of the pulses detected below 10 keV. The second pulse detected with INTEGRAL is slightly shifted with respect to the second peak observed in the soft X-ray band. We performed consistent phase-resolved spectroscopy over the total high-energy band and identify at least three genuinely different pulse components with different spectra. The high level of consistency between the detailed results from the four missions is indicative of a remarkably stable geometry underlying the emission scenario. Finally, we discuss the derived detailed characteristics of the high-energy emission of 4U 0142+61 in relation to three models for the non-thermal hard X-ray emission.
CodeRepair: PHY-layer partial packet recovery without the pain

Prior studies show that repairing partially corrupted packets, instead of retransmitting them in their entirety, holds potential in improving the performance of 802.11 networks. However, the efficiency of existing packet recovery approaches is severely limited by various overhead associated to redundant transmission and repeated channel contention. In this paper, we propose CodeRepair, a practical coding-based protocol that recovers partially corrupted 802.11 packets without these pains. The design of CodeRepair is based on two novel ideas. First, CodeRepair pushes the limit of 802.11 PHY to piggyback parities in the padded bits of OFDM, obviating the need of transmitting extra information for error correction. Second, CodeRepair corrects errors at the PHY layer, which is significantly more efficient than traditional link-layer approaches. This is due to the fact that a single coded bit usually affects the decoding of a group of data bits in 802.11 convolutional code. As a result, CodeRepair can salvage a partially corrupted packet by correcting a small number of erroneous coded bits using the padded parities. To reduce computational cost of error recovery, CodeRepair employs single parity code for correcting coded bit errors. We propose several techniques to augment the error correcting capability of single parity code without compromising its computation efficiency. Our evaluation shows that CodeRepair recovers an average of 34% partially corrupted packets, and improves the end-to-end link goodput by 59% on lossy 802.11 links.
A structural model of customer satisfaction and trust in vendors involved in mobile commerce

The purpose of this paper is to provide an explanation of factors influencing customer satisfaction and trust in vendors involved in mobile commerce (m-commerce). The study sample consists of 200 respondents. Data were analyzed by employing structural equation modelling (SEM) supported by AMOS 5.0 with maximum likelihood estimation in order to test the proposed hypotheses. The proposed model was empirically tested and results confirmed that users' satisfaction with vendors in m-commerce was not significantly influenced by two antecedents of the vendor's website quality: interactivity and customisation, and also two antecedents of mobile technology quality: usefulness and ease-of-use. Meanwhile, users' trust towards the vendor in m-commerce is affected by users' satisfaction with the vendor. Interestingly, vendor quality dimensions such as responsiveness and brand image influence customer satisfaction with vendors in m-commerce. Based on the findings, vendors in m-commerce should focus on the factors which generate more satisfaction and trust among customers. For vendors in general, the results can help them to better develop customer trust in m-commerce. Vendors of m-commerce can provide a more satisfying experience for customers.
State-based curriculum-making: the Illinois Learning Standards

Abstract This case study of the development of the Illinois Learning Standards of 1997 parallels a study of the development of the Norwegian compulsory school curriculum of 1997, Læreplanverket 1997. The pair of case studies is designed to explore the administration of state-based curriculum-making and, in particular, the use of the administrative tools of compartmentalization, segmentation and licencing. Often the use of these tools serves to make the curriculum as a guiding instrument largely symbolic and/or ideological.
Beyond the micro-level in politeness research

Abstract Politeness research to date has generally adopted one of two views: the “traditional” view based on the dual premises of Grice’s Co-operative Principle and speech act theory (Lakoff 1973, Brown and Levinson 1987 [1978], Leech 1983), or the “post-modern” view, which rejects these premises and substitutes them by an emphasis on participants’ own perceptions of politeness (politeness1) and on the discursive struggle over politeness (Eelen 2001, Mills 2003, Watts 2003). Contrasting these two views, this article considers not only their points of disagreement, but, crucially, points where the two views coincide, bringing to light their common underlying assumptions. It then goes on to show how, departing from these common assumptions, a third direction for politeness studies, the “frame-based” view, is possible. Following an outline of the frame-based view, it is suggested that this fits in with the traditional and the post-modern views in a three-layered schema addressing politeness phenomena at different levels of granularity.
Predictors of Change in Body Image in Female Participants of an Outdoor Education Program.

Body image is an ever changing phenomenon that has a profound effect on women’s quality of life. Research related to body image is expansive, but few researchers have focused on how outdoor education may influence body image. This study examines predictors of change in body image of female participants of an outdoor education program. Twenty-eight females were surveyed using the Multidimensional Body–Self Relations Questionnaire before and after participation in an outdoor education program to determine change in body image. A multiple regression was used to determine if body valuation was a predictor of change in body image during an outdoor education program. A positive change in body image was associated with lower scores in body valuation prior to intervention. The results indicate that outdoor education programs may have a positive effect on how females perceive their body image when a negative body image exists prior to intervention .
GridGraph: Large-Scale Graph Processing on a Single Machine Using 2-Level Hierarchical Partitioning

In this paper, we present GridGraph, a system for processing large-scale graphs on a single machine. Grid-Graph breaks graphs into 1D-partitioned vertex chunks and 2D-partitioned edge blocks using a first fine-grained level partitioning in preprocessing. A second coarse-grained level partitioning is applied in runtime. Through a novel dual sliding windows method, GridGraph can stream the edges and apply on-the-fly vertex updates, thus reduce the I/O amount required for computation. The partitioning of edges also enable selective scheduling so that some of the blocks can be skipped to reduce unnecessary I/O. This is very effective when the active vertex set shrinks with convergence. Our evaluation results show that GridGraph scales seamlessly with memory capacity and disk bandwidth, and outperforms state-of-the-art out-of-core systems, including GraphChi and X-Stream. Furthermore, we show that the performance of GridGraph is even competitive with distributed systems, and it also provides significant cost efficiency in cloud environment.
"Click, You're It!": The Role of Gaming in the K-12 Educational Setting

Take a peek into a middle school classroom. Students are excitedly adding large numbers in their heads. They are reading and sharing information. They are providing peer support to those who do not understand. And the teacher, while present, is not providing content information. Rather a peer-topeer network of sixth graders mediates the learning experience and important content to be mastered. Many contemporary educators might say this embodies a vision of how we want students to learn in the 21st century in a motivating, challenging, and supportive environment. Yet it is extremely difficult to create this dream scenario in the real world. What is the ‘magic’ in this classroom? Perhaps the students in this scenario are high achievers or somehow ‘gifted’ at learning? Not at all. In fact, this group of 12 middle schools students has more detention referrals among them than their grade level at large. Most are academically challenged AbsTRAcT
WATERMARKING TECHNIQUES

Embedding a hidden stream of bits in a file is called Digital watermarking. The file could be an image, audio, video or text. Nowadays, a digital watermarking has many applications such as broadcast monitoring, owner identification, proof of ownership, transaction tracking, content authentication, copy control, device control and file reconstruction. It is intended to complement cryptographic processes. It is a visible or preferably invisible, identification code that is permanently embedded in the data and remains present within the data after any decryption process. The focus of this paper will detail digital watermarking for multimedia applications and covered by definition of digital watermarking, purpose, techniques and types of watermarking attacks briefly discussed.
PENGARUH TERAPI MEDITASI TERHADAP PERUBAHAN TEKANAN DARAH PADA LANSIA YANG MENGALAMI HIPERTENSI

ABSTRAK Hipertensi merupakan masalah yang dapat menyebabkan kematian termasuk dalam kategori penyakit non-infeksi. Selain itu, hipertensi juga merupakan faktor pencetus terjadinya jantung dan stroke. Salah satu penyebab hipertensi adalah peningkatan stimulasi respon stres neuron sismpatik yang berlebihan. Meditasi adalah cara untuk mengurangi respon stres dengan teknik relaksasi. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh meditasi untuk tekanan darah pada lansia menderita hipertensi. Penelitian menggunakan studi pra-eksperiment dengan one group pretest-posttest desain dengan 20 responden yang dipilih secara purposive sampling . Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa tekanan darah sistolik pada uji statistik menunjukkan bahwa p = 0,000 (p> 0,05) artinya bahwa Ha diterima atau tekanan darah sistolik antara sebelum dan sesudah terapi meditasi adanya pengaruh secara signifikan. Bahwa tekanan darah diastolik pada uji statistik menunjukkan bahwa p = 0,001 (p> 0,05) yang berarti bahwa Ha diterima atau tekanan darah sistolik antara sebelum dan sesudah terapi meditasi adanya pengaruh secara signifikan. Atas dasar penelitian itu disarankan untuk petugas kesehatan dapat melakukan mempertimbangkan hasil dari penelitian ini seperti puskesmas seharusnya perlu melakukan terapi meditasi ini khususnya untuk wilayah yang belum banyak mengetahui tentang terapi meditasi Kata Kunci : Tekanan Darah, Terapi Meditasi, Lansia