Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The richest superclusters I. Morphology

Context. Superclusters are the largest systems in the Universe to give us information about the formation and evolution of structures in the very early Universe. Our present series of papers is devoted to the study of the morphology and internal structure of superclusters of galaxies. Aims. We study the morphology of the richest superclusters from the catalogs of superclusters of galaxies in the 2dF Galaxy Redshift Survey and compare the morphology of real superclusters with model superclusters in the Millennium Simulation. Methods. We use Minkowski functionals and shapefinders to quantify the morphology of superclusters: their sizes, shapes, and clumpiness. We generate empirical models of simple geometry to understand which morphologies correspond to the supercluster shapefinders (Appendix A). Results. Rich superclusters have elongated, filamentary shapes with high-density clumps in their core regions. The clumpiness of superclusters is determined using the fourth Minkowski functional V 3 . In the K 1 – K 2 shapefinder plane the morphology of superclusters is described by a curve which is characteristic of multi-branching filaments as shown by our empirical models. We found several differences between observed and model superclusters. The curves of the fourth Minkowski functional V 3 for observed and model superclusters have different shapes indicating that their structure is different. The values of V 3 for the supercluster SCL126 (the Sloan Great Wall) show that this supercluster has a very high density core which is absent in other superclusters. The values of the shapefinders H 1 – H 3 and K 1 and K 2 for observed superclusters have much larger scatter than for model superclusters. The differences between the fourth Minkowski functional V 3 for the bright and faint galaxies in observed superclusters are larger than in simulated superclusters. Conclusions. Our results show how the Minkowski functionals and shapefinders can be used to describe the morphology of superclusters: their shapes, sizes and clumpiness. The shapes of observed superclusters are more diverse than the shapes of simulated superclusters. The larger scatter of the fourth Minkowski functional V 3 for the bright and faint galaxies for observed superclusters compared to simulated superclusters is an indication that the clumpiness of bright and faint galaxies in models does not reflect well the clumpiness of different galaxies in observed superclusters. Our results suggest also that the volume covered by the Millennium Simulations may be too small to properly describe the large morphological variety of superclusters.
Are Government Spending Multipliers Greater During Periods of Slack? Evidence from 20th Century Historical Data

* Owyang: Research Division, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, P.O. Box 442 St. Louis, MO 63166-0442 (Michael.T.Owyang@stls.frb.org); Ramey: Department of Economics, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive La Jolla, CA 92093-0508 (vramey@ucsd.edu); Zubairy: Bank of Canada, 234 Wellington St. Ottawa, ON K1A OG9 (szubairy@bankofcanada.ca). The authors thank Robert Barro and Gordon Liao for use of their Canadian newspaper excerpts; Michelle Alexopoulos for providing us with some of the historical Canadian data; and Alan Blinder for alerting us to a discrepancy in an earlier version of the data. We are also grateful to Oscar Jorda and Garey Ramey for very helpful suggestions and to Kate Vermann for research assistance. The views expressed herein should not be taken to be the official opinions of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, the Federal Reserve System, or the Bank of Canada.
Applying combined technology acceptance model and the theory of planned behavior to study effect of intention to play online game

The purpose of this study was to apply combined the technology acceptance model and the Theory of planned behavior(C-TAM-TPB) and to study the effect of intention to play online game in Thailand. The results of this study confirm that the perceived usefulness, human-computer interaction, social interaction and attitude toward playing online games could predict Behavioral intention. The insignificance of the link flow experience, perceived enjoyment, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control to intention indicates the need for further research in the context of online gaming. Notably, this study found that perceived usefulness was a more important factor than attitude toward playing online games in predicting behavioral intention. Perceived enjoyment was a more important factor than perceived ease of use in predicting attitude toward playing online games.
To do or not to do: willingness to communicate in the ESL context

English is used by more than one and a half billion people as a first, second or foreign language for communication purposes (Strevens, 1992). In this context, the purpose of teaching English has shifted from mastery of the grammatical rules to the ability to use the target language for successful communication. Consequently, the communication aspect of teaching and learning English has become the key issue in the domain of second language acquisition (Yashima, 2002: 54). Therefore, the issue of whether the learners will communicate in English when they have the chance to do so and to what extent they are willing to communicate gain importance. These questions have led to the emergence of an important construct in the field of L2 instruction, i.e. willingness to communicate (hereafter, WTC), which is defined as a learner's ‘readiness to enter into discourse at a particular time with a specific person or persons, using a L2’ (MacIntyre et al., 1998: 547). MacIntyre and his associates even proposed that WTC in L2 should be conceptualized as ‘the primary goal’ of language instruction (MacIntyre et al., 1998: 545). This paper explores the important concept of WTC by looking into Pakistani students' WTC in Canada.
On curvature and temperature of complex networks

We show that heterogeneous degree distributions in observed scale-free topologies of complex networks can emerge as a consequence of the exponential expansion of hidden hyperbolic space. Fermi-Dirac statistics provides a physical interpretation of hyperbolic distances as energies of links. The hidden space curvature affects the heterogeneity of the degree distribution, while clustering is a function of temperature. We embed the internet into the hyperbolic plane and find a remarkable congruency between the embedding and our hyperbolic model. Besides proving our model realistic, this embedding may be used for routing with only local information, which holds significant promise for improving the performance of internet routing.
Special Education as Developmental Capital

In 1966 George Albee chose the title "The Dark at the Top of the Agenda" to alert clinical psychologists to the urgent need to consider the relationship between the conceptual models on which they base their practices and their projections of manpower required to meet the public's mental health needs. His title is borrowed and adapted for this introduction because the same kind of need to take stock seems painfully evident in the field of special education at this time.
Building group awareness in distributed software development projects

Group awareness support systems help to substitute physical presence in workspaces that are distributed in space. This work shows that all such systems share a common architecture, no matter which kind of user interface they employ. It also shows that the impact of such systems in work environments such as typical software development project evironments can be evaluated not only in a qualitative, but also in a quantitative manner. To demonstrate the suitability of the proposed architecture and the evaluation methodology, a prototypic implementation of the architecture is used to perform retrospective experiments with data from archived projects as well as a prospective case study of a real software development project. The data for the retrospective experiments is derived from the archives of four real software development projects.
The gravitational wave signal from the Galactic disk population of binaries containing two compact objects.

We review the properties of Galactic binaries containing two compact objects, as derived by means of population synthesis. Using this information we calculate the gravitational wave signal of these binaries. At frequencies below f < 2 mHz the double white dwarf population forms an unresolved background for the low- frequency gravitational wave detector LISA. Above this limit some few thousand double white dwarfs and few tens of binaries containing neutron stars will be resolved. Of the resolved double white dwarfs500 have a total mass above the Chandrasekhar limit. About95 of these have a measurable frequency change allowing a determination of their chirp mass. We discuss the properties of the resolved systems.
Robot mood is contagious: effects of robot body language in the imitation game

Mood contagion is an automatic mechanism that induces a congruent mood state by means of the observation of another person's emotional expression. In this paper, we address the question whether robot mood displayed during an imitation game can (a) be recognized by participants and (b) produce contagion effects. Robot mood was displayed by applying a generic framework for mood expression using body language. By modulating the set of available behavior parameters in this framework for controlling pose and motion dynamics, the gestures performed by the humanoid robot NAO were adjusted to display either a positive or negative mood. In the study performed, we varied both mood as well as task difficulty. Our results show that participants are able to differentiate between positive and negative robot mood. Moreover, self-reported mood matches the mood of the robot in the easy task condition. Additional evidence for mood contagion is provided by the fact that we were able to replicate an expected effect of negative mood on task performance: in the negative mood condition participants performed better on difficult tasks than in the positive mood condition, even though participants' self-reported mood did not match that of the robot.
Sensor Localization and Camera Calibration using Low Power Cameras

Camera sensors constitute an information rich sensing modality with many potential applications in sensor networks. Their effectiveness in a sensor network setting however greatly relies on their ability to calibrate with respect to each other, and other sensors in the field. This paper examines node localization and camera calibration using the shared field of view of camera pairs. We compare two approaches from computer vision and propose an algorithm that combines a sparse set of distance measurements with image information to accurately localize nodes in 3D. We evaluate our algorithms in a real testbed using a COTS camera interfaced to our sensor nodes. Sensors identify themselves to cameras using modulated LED emissions. Our indoor experiments yielded a 2-7cm error in a 6x6m room. Our outdoor experiments in a 30x30m field resulted in errors 20-80cm, depending on the method used.
Increased narrowing of bronchial segments from immature pigs.

Bronchial narrowing was investigated to determine whether changes in smooth muscle force, described previously in different aged pigs, are associated with differences in airway narrowing. The sensitivity of bronchial segments from suckling and young pigs was compared by perfusion through the lumen with a Krebs solution at a pressure of 5 cmH2O, measuring the reduction in flow in response to carbachol and histamine. Segments of the same internal diameter (i.d. approx. 2.5 mm) from each age were used by selecting proximal segments from suckling and distal segments from young pigs. The sensitivity to carbachol or histamine was the same in smooth muscle strips from proximal and distal bronchi in each age. Furthermore, segments from either age had a similar pressure-volume relationship between -10 and 30 cmH2O. However, concentration-flow curves showed that the airways from sucklings were five times more sensitive than airways from young animals to carbachol (p less than 0.01) and, less consistently, to histamine (p greater than 0.05), when flow was reduced by 50% of maximum. Flow was abolished by maximum concentrations of carbachol at both ages whereas histamine stopped flow in the young segments and reduced it by 80% in the suckling age group. Data indicate a greater sensitivity of bronchial narrowing to carbachol in the intact airway--this is consistent with a greater force production in suckling pig airway smooth muscle. These findings support a postnatal development of airway function, as suggested from clinical observations and provocation studies in humans.
Seroprevalence of Antibodies to Measles, Mumps, and Rubella among Thai Population: Evaluation of Measles/MMR Immunization Programme

Stored serum specimens, from four regions of Thailand, of healthy children attending well baby clinics and of healthy people with acute illnesses visiting outpatient clinics were randomly sampled and tested for IgG antibody to measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR). The immunity patterns of rubella and mumps fitted well with the history of rubella and MMR vaccination, seroprotective rates being over 85% among those aged over seven years. A high proportion of younger children acquired the infection before the age of vaccination. MMR vaccination should preferably be given to children at an earlier age. For measles, 73% seroprotective rates among children, aged 8-14 years, who should have received two doses of measles/MMR vaccine, were lower than expected. This finding was consistent with the age-group reported in outbreaks of measles in Thailand. The apparent ineffectiveness (in relation to measles) of MMR immunization of 1st grade students warrants further studies.
A design template for multisensory and multimodal games to train and test children for sound localisation acuity

Children with single-sided deafness (SSD) may experience increased rates of behavioural and educational problems since the ability to hear and listen is linked to normal brain development. This paper explores the issue of improving an aspect of hearing ability of children with SSD called sound localisation via an electronic game. We draw on existing literature to identify design principles to guide the creation of a multimodal, multisensory game to improve sound localisation and introduce a game module template to provide a structured framework on how to describe such games. Finally, game evaluation is considered.
How does the public and private university environment affect students’ entrepreneurial intention?

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the causal links between public and private university environments and the entrepreneurial intention (EI) of students. Design/methodology/approach The impact of different university environments on the students’ EI was checked using a model adapted from Krueger et al. (2000). The study comprised a sample of students enrolled in business administration from three public and three private universities at first semester (freshmen) and at the last two semesters (senior) in Brazil. The model was measured through various questions and later assessed by principal component analysis to build constructs. Via t-test and path analysis the EI and the antecedents were subjected to a comparative analysis to test the equality of the models across the four categories emerged. Findings The two main types of Brazilian university environments (public and private) do not present significant differences in the way they influence EI and its antecedents. Both the tests of means and the tests of measurement of the structural relations between constructs confirm this finding with only a few exceptions. The result of this study is opposed to other studies carried out in Brazil, by showing that the public university environment is not worse for the entrepreneurship than the private. The environmental effects are mostly equal and they as a whole are not conducive to the development of EI. Research limitations/implications The study comprises business students only, and enrolled on regular universities. It is worth highlighting that evidence was brought to the debate for a group of universities in Brazil. Replicating the study with students from other areas and other universities, as well as students in Master’s and Doctorate programs could enrich the analyses. Practical implications This study provides insight into entrepreneurship education, as to which the university environment is conducive to the entrepreneurship. It brings insights for the development of entrepreneurial universities. Originality/value This study contributes to understanding the differences between the public and private universities environment regarding students’ EI.
Bacterial Survival in Snow Made from Wastewater

Abstract : This study examined the effects of a patented wastewater treatment process that makes snow from secondary wastewater, and the subsequent freeze-thaw cycling processes that occur in a snow column, on bacterial survival. Coliform bacteria were observed to be the most adversely affected by snowmaking, with more than a 3-log reduction in the total coliform counts and more than a 2-log reduction in the fecal coliform counts. Other species of bacteria were less affected by snowmaking, especially the gram-positive, fecal streptococci. Many species of bacteria also survived the multiple freeze-thaw cycles in the snow column and replicated during melting.
Ethanol Reversal of Cellular Tolerance to Morphine in Rat Locus Coeruleus Neurons

Consumption of ethanol is a considerable risk factor for death in heroin overdose. We sought to determine whether a mildly intoxicating concentration of ethanol could alter morphine tolerance at the cellular level. In rat locus coeruleus (LC) neurons, tolerance to morphine was reversed by acute exposure of the brain slice to ethanol (20 mM). Tolerance to the opioid peptide [d-Ala2,N-MePhe4,Gly-ol]-enkephalin was not reversed by ethanol. Previous studies in LC neurons have revealed a role for protein kinase C (PKC)α in μ-opioid receptor (MOPr) desensitization by morphine and in the induction and maintenance of morphine tolerance, but we have been unable to demonstrate that 20 mM ethanol produces significant inhibition of PKCα. The ability of ethanol to reverse cellular tolerance to morphine in LC neurons was absent in the presence of the phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid, indicating that dephosphorylation is involved. In human embryonic kidney 293 cells expressing the MOPr, ethanol reduced the level of MOPr phosphorylation induced by morphine. Ethanol reversal of tolerance did not appear to result from a direct effect on MOPr since acute exposure to ethanol (20 mM) did not modify the affinity of binding of morphine to the MOPr or the efficacy of morphine for G-protein activation as measured by guanosine 5′-O-(3-[35S]thio)triphosphate binding. Similarly, ethanol did not affect MOPr trafficking. We conclude that acute exposure to ethanol enhances the effects of morphine by reversing the processes underlying morphine cellular tolerance.
Cellular Uptake of Two Fluoroketolides, HMR 3562 and HMR 3787, by Human Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils In Vitro

ABSTRACT We analyzed the cellular accumulation of two new fluoroketolides, HMR 3562 and HMR 3787, by human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) in vitro. Both compounds were rapidly taken up by PMN, with a cellular-to-extracellular concentration ratio (C/E) of about 141 (HMR 3562) and 117 (HMR 3787) at 5 min, and this was followed by a plateau at 60 to 180 min, with a C/E of >300 at 180 min. Both ketolides were mainly located in PMN granules (about 75%) and egressed slowly from loaded cells (about 40% at 60 min), owing to avid reuptake. Uptake was moderately sensitive to external pH, and activation energy was also moderate (about 70 kJ/mol). As with other macrolides and ketolides, the existence of an active transport system was suggested by (i) the strong interindividual variability in uptake kinetics, suggesting variability in the number or activity of a transport protein; (ii) the saturation kinetics characteristic of a carrier-mediated transport system (Vmax, about 2,300 ng/2.5 × 106 PMN/5 min; Km, about 50 μg/ml); (iii) the inhibitory effects of Ni2+ (a blocker of the Na+-Ca2+ exchanger), phorbol myristate acetate (a protein kinase C activator), and H89 (a protein kinase A inhibitor). Although these two ketolides are more related to HMR 3647 (telithromycin), it is interesting that the presence of a fluoride gave these molecules a cellular pharmacokinetics more like those of HMR 3004 than those of HMR 3647. The macrolide transport system has not been yet elucidated, but our data confirm that, despite variations in chemical structure, all erythromycin A derivatives share a transmembrane transport system.
The effect of a strategy training on reading comprehension in fourth-grade students

ABSTRACT Previous studies have shown that instruction of reading strategies is an effective method for enhancing reading comprehension. However, many of the interventions in these studies focused on small groups of (poor) comprehenders and were provided by research assistants, making it time-consuming and relatively expensive. The authors implemented a strategy intervention to intact classrooms, consisting of reciprocal teaching and delivered by teachers. Participants were 510 typically developing fourth-grade students. A clustered randomized controlled trial was conducted with pretest, posttest, and follow-up measures to assess knowledge of reading strategies and reading comprehension. The results revealed that the intervention had an effect on knowledge of reading strategies at posttest and follow-up. However, the intervention did not affect reading comprehension performance. Together with the results of earlier studies, the present study raises the question whether strategy interventions are the most efficient to improve fourth-grade students' reading comprehension.
Cell‐Associated and Extracellular Phospholipid Transfer Protein in Human Coronary Atherosclerosis

Background Phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) plays an important role in HDL particle metabolism and may modulate hepatic secretion of apolipoprotein B‐containing lipoproteins. However, whether PLTP might participate directly in human atherosclerotic lesion formation is unknown. Methods and Results The cellular and extracellular distributions of PLTP were determined in normal and atherosclerotic human coronary lesions with a monoclonal antibody to human PLTP. Cell types (smooth muscle cells [SMCs] or macrophages), apolipoproteins (apoA‐I, apoB, and apoE), and extracellular matrix proteoglycans (biglycan and versican) were identified on adjacent sections with monospecific antibodies. Minimal extracellular PLTP was detected in nonatherosclerotic coronary arteries, but extracellular and cellular PLTP immunostaining was widespread in atherosclerotic lesions. PLTP was detected in foam cell SMCs and in foam cell macrophages, which suggests that cellular cholesterol accumulation might increase PLTP expression in both cell types. This was confirmed by in vitro studies demonstrating that cholesterol loading of macrophages leads to 2‐ to 3‐fold increases in PLTP steady‐state mRNA levels, protein expression, and activity. PLTP also was detected in an extracellular distribution, colocalizing with apoA‐I, apoB, apoE, and the vascular proteoglycan biglycan. In gel mobility shift assays, both active and inactive recombinant PLTP markedly increased HDL binding to biglycan, which suggests that PLTP may mediate lipoprotein binding to proteoglycans independent of its phospholipid transfer activity. Conclusions PLTP is present in human atherosclerotic lesions, and its distribution suggests roles for PLTP in both cellular cholesterol metabolism and lipoprotein retention on extracellular matrix. (Circulation. 2003;108:270‐274.)