Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Applying Deep Learning to Basketball Trajectories

One of the emerging trends for sports analytics is the growing use of player and ball tracking data. A parallel development is deep learning predictive approaches that use vast quantities of data with less reliance on feature engineering. This paper applies recurrent neural networks in the form of sequence modeling to predict whether a three-point shot is successful. The models are capable of learning the trajectory of a basketball without any knowledge of physics. For comparison, a baseline static machine learning model with a full set of features, such as angle and velocity, in addition to the positional data is also tested. Using a dataset of over 20,000 three pointers from NBA SportVu data, the models based simply on sequential positional data outperform a static feature rich machine learning model in predicting whether a three-point shot is successful. This suggests deep learning models may offer an improvement to traditional feature based machine learning methods for tracking data.
NORTH PACIFIC RESEARCH BOARD GULF OF ALASKA INTEGRATED ECOSYSTEM RESEARCH PROGRAM Exploring temporal and spatial variability in Gulf of Alaska groundfish dynamics with integrated biophysical models

We use multivariate output from a hydrodynamic model of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) to explore the covariance among its physical state and air/sea fluxes. We attempt to summarize this coupled variability using a limited set of patterns, and examine their correlation to three large-scale climate indices relevant to the Northeast Pacific. This analysis is focused on perturbations from monthly climatology of the following attributes of the GOA: sea surface temperature, sea surface height, mixed layer depth, sea surface salinity, latent heat flux, sensible heat flux, shortwave radiation, net long wave radiation, currents at 40m depth, and wind stress. We identified two multivariate modes, both substantially correlated with the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) and Multivariate El Nino (MEI) indices on interannual timescales, which together account for ~30% of the total normalized variance of the perturbation time series. These two modes indicate the following covarying events during periods of positive PDO/MEI: 1) anomalously warm, wet and windy conditions (typically in winter), with elevated coastal SSH, followed 2-5 months later by 2) anomalously sunny conditions, with emerging shelf-break eddies. Similar modes are found when the analysis is performed separately on the eastern and western GOA; in general, modal amplitudes appear stronger in the western GOA.
A consumption CAPM with a reference level

We study an intertemporal asset pricing model in which a representative consumer maximizes expected utility derived from both the ratio of his consumption to some reference level and this level itself. If the reference consumption level is assumed to be determined by past consumption levels, the model generalizes the usual habit formation specifications. When the reference level growth rate is made dependent on the market portfolio return and on past consumption growth, the model mixes a consumption CAPM with habit formation together with the CAPM. It therefore provides, in an expected utility framework, a generalization of the non-expected recursive utility model of Epstein and Zin (1989). When we estimate this specification with aggregate per capita consumption, we obtain economically plausible values of the preference parameters, in contrast with the habit formation or the Epstein-Zin cases taken separately. All tests performed with various preference specifications confirm that the reference level enters significantly in the pricing kernel. JEL classification: G12
Acceptance of E-Resources by Students in Zimbabwe State Universities' Libraries: A Consumer Behavior Perspective

ABSTRACT E-resources have a significant contribution toward students learning in universities, but their adoption has not reached its full potential in Zimbabwe. The major purpose of this study was to explore the acceptability of e-resources in Zimbabwe state universities' libraries by students. A survey study involving a sample of 233 respondents was done to measure the preparedness of undergraduate and postgraduate students to adopt e-resources. Structural equation modelling was used ascertain the results. Results from structural model revealed that performance expectancy and hedonic motivation had no statistically significant influence on behavioral intention to adopt e-resources while effort expectancy and facilitating conditions had a negative and insignificant impact on behavioral intention. However, there was sufficient evidence indicating that social influence, price value and habit had a statistically significant and positive influence on behavioral intention to adopt e-resources. Academic and managerial insights were drawn from this study and theoretical and practical recommendations in line with findings were suggested.
Remineralization Effect of Topical NovaMin Versus Sodium Fluoride (1.1%) on Caries-Like Lesions in Permanent Teeth

Objective: NovaMin, a synthetic mineral composed of calcium, sodium, phosphorous and silica releases deposits of crystalline hydroxyl-carbonate apatite (HCA) structurally similar to tooth mineral composition. The aim of this investigation was to compare the potential remineralization effect of topical NovaMin and Sodium Fluoride gel on caries like lesions in permanent teeth. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 sound human freshly extracted teeth were subjected to a pH-cycling protocol. Specimens were randomly assigned to one of the two treatment groups with NovaMin contained dentifrice applied to group 1, while group 2 received a dentifrice containing 1.1% neutral Sodium Fluoride. Pastes were applied five times after the samples received a demineralization from an earlier cariogenic challenge. Specimens were then evaluated by a Surface Micro Hardness test (SMH, 25G, 5s). Post-treatment SMH measurements were conducted and Mann Whitney test was employed for statistical analysis. Results: Mean post lesion SMH values were 221.99±26.27 and 224.50±28.64 for the first and second groups, respectively. Post treatment SMH values were 232.52±24.34 for NovaMin and 232.03 ±24.46 for the fluoride group. Two way ANOVA test showed a highly significant difference between the two different treatment protocols (p<0.001). Conclusion: NovaMin dentifrice appears to have a greater effect on remineralization of carious-like lesions when compared to that of fluoride containing dentifrice in permanent teeth.
The Adult Mouse Subependymal Zone Regenerates Efficiently in the Absence of Tenascin-C

The subependymal zone (SEZ) of the lateral ventricles of the adult mouse brain hosts neurogenesis from a neural stem cell population with the morphology of astrocytes (termed type-B cells). Tenascin-C is a large extracellular matrix glycoprotein present in the SEZ that has been shown to regulate the development of embryonic neural stem cells and the proliferation and migration of early postnatal neural precursors. Here we show that tenascin-C is produced by type-B cells and forms a layer between SEZ and the adjacent striatum. Tenascin-C deficiency resulted in minor structural differences in and around the SEZ. However, the numbers of neural stem cells and their progeny remained unaffected, as did their regeneration after depletion of mitotic cells using the antimitotic drug cytosine-β-d-arabinofuranoside. Our results reveal a remarkable ability of the adult neural stem cell niche to retain proper function even after the removal of major extracellular matrix molecules.
Second Order Scalar Invariants of the Riemann Tensor

We discuss the Kretschmann, Chern–Pontryagin and Euler invariants among the second order scalar invariants of the Riemann tensor in any spacetime in the Newman–Penrose formalism and in the framework of gravitoelectromagnetism, using the Kerr–Newman geometry as an example. An analogy with electromagnetic invariants leads to the definition of regions of gravitoelectric or gravitomagnetic dominance.
PENGARUH KEPUASAN DAN KEPERCAYAAN PELANGGAN PADA NIAT BELI ULANG SECARA ONLINE

Perkembangan bisnis online di Indonesia sangat pesat. Niat Beli Ulang dalam bisnis online menjadi varaibel yang menentukan keberlangsungan bisnis online bahkan untuk memenangkan persaingan dalam pasar yang terus tumbuh ini. Berbagai literatur ilmiah memperlihatkan beberapa faktor yang menjadi penentu tinggi rendahnya Niat Beli Ulang diantaranya adalah kepuasan dan kepercayaan pelanggan. Rendahnya kepuasan akan menyebabkan menurunya kepercayaan pelanggan yang selanjutnya akan berdampak pada penurunan niat untuk membeli ulang secara online. Penelitian ini bertujuan menguji pengaruh kepuasan dan kepercayaan pelanggan pada niat beli ulang. Selain itu, penelitian ini juga menguji pengaruh tidak langsung kepuasan pelanggan terhadap niat beli ulang yang dimediasi oleh kepercayaan pelanggan. Metode pengambilan sampel yang digunakan adalah nonprobability sampling yaitu dengan metode purposive sampling. Survei dilakukan dengan cara menyebarkan kuesioner secara langsung pada pelanggan toko online di Serang sebanyak 127 pelanggan. Teknik analisis data menggunakan SEM dengan bantuan AMOS. Hasil estimasi SEM menunjukan model penelitian yang digunakan sudah sesuai dengan data empiris yang telah dikumpulkan. Hasil penelitian ini membuktikan kepuasan berpengaruh secara langsung maupun tidak langsung terhadap niat beli ulang melalui kepercayaan pelanggan. Hal ini menunjukan kepercayaan merek memiliki peran sebagai mediator pengaruh kepuasan pelanggan terhadap niat beli ulang. Dengan demikian, penting bagi setiap toko online untuk membangun dan memelihara kepuasan pelanggan mereka untuk menciptakan kepercayaan dan mendorong atau memperkuat niat beli ulang pelanggan
NF-κB Regulates Caspase-4 Expression and Sensitizes Neuroblastoma Cells to Fas-Induced Apoptosis

Found in neurons and neuroblastoma cells, Fas-induced apoptosis and accompanied activation of NF-κB signaling were thought to be associated with neurodegenerative diseases. However, the detailed functions of NF-κB activation in Fas killing and the effect of NF-κB activation on its downstream events remain unclear. Here, we demonstrated that agonistic Fas antibody induces cell death in a dose-dependent way and NF-κB signaling is activated as well, in neuroblastoma cells SH-EP1. Unexpectedly, NF-κB activation was shown to be pro-apoptotic, as suggested by the reduction of Fas-induced cell death with either a dominant negative form of IκBα (DN-IκBα) or an IκB kinase-specific inhibitor. To our interest, when analyzing downstream events of NF-κB signaling, we found that DN-IκBα only suppressed the expression of caspase-4, but not other caspases. Vice versa, enhancement of NF-κB activity by p65 (RelA) overexpression increased the expression of caspase-4 at both mRNA and protein levels. More directly, results from dual luciferase reporter assay demonstrated the regulation of caspase-4 promoter activity by NF-κB. When caspase-4 activity was blocked by its dominant negative (DN) form, Fas-induced cell death was substantially reduced. Consistently, the cleavage of PARP and caspase-3 induced by Fas was also reduced. In contrast, the cleavage of caspase-8 remained unaffected in caspase-4 DN cells, although caspase-8 inhibitor could rescue Fas-induced cell death. Collectively, these data suggest that caspase-4 activity is required for Fas-induced cell apoptosis and caspase-4 may act upstream of PARP and caspase-3 and downstream of caspase-8. Overall, we demonstrate that NF-κB can mediate Fas-induced apoptosis through caspase-4 protease, indicating that caspase-4 is a new mediator of NF-κB pro-apoptotic pathway in neuroblastoma cells.
Music performance anxiety: Exploring structural relations with self-efficacy, boost, and self-rated performance

The first aim of this study was to analyse performance self-efficacy as a predictor of music performance anxiety (MPA), and performance boost and self-rated performance as their outcomes in a sample of students and professionals (teachers and performers). This work also tries to ascertain the similarities and differences between genders and professional status by means of bivariate correlations, MANOVA, and structural equation model (SEM) analyses. A sample of 270 Spanish musicians participated in the study. With regard to the similarities, MPA was negatively predicted by self-efficacy and was a negative predictor of boost; the total effect of MPA on performance was negative and significant. Self-efficacy was a positive predictor of boost and performance. On the contrary, the predictive power of boost over performance was not significant. MPA mediated the effects of self-efficacy on boost; analogously, self-efficacy and boost mediated the influence of efficacy on performance. All of these relationships were equivalent for the four groups of females, males, students, and professionals. As for the main differences, the study showed that performers obtained the highest values in self-efficacy, boost, and performance; students surpassed teachers and performers in MPA; and females were the most anxious subsample. We discuss these findings, acknowledging their limitations and highlighting their implications.
Cx 36 Preferentially Connects-Cells Within Pancreatic Islets

Previous studies have provided evidence for the transcripts of Cx43 and Cx45 within pancreatic islets. As of yet, however, it has proven difficult to unambiguously demonstrate the expression of these proteins by islet cells. We have investigated whether Cx36, a new connexin species recently identified in mammalian brain and retina, may also be expressed in pancreatic islets. Using probes that permitted the original identification of Cx36 in the central nervous system, we show that a transcript for Cx36 is clearly detectable in rat pancreatic islets. Using novel and affinity-purified polyclonal antibodies, we have found that Cx36 is actually expressed in pancreatic islets. Both in situ hybridization and immunolabeling indicated that this connexin is abundant in the centrally located insulin-producing -cells and is expressed much less, if at all, by the other endocrine cell types. This differential expression was further confirmed on fluorescence-activated cell sorter–purified preparations enriched in either or non– -cells. The finding of a differential distribution of Cx36 within distinct regions of pancreatic islets creates the possibility that this connexin may provide the establishment of selective pathways of communication between the different types of endocrine cells comprising the pancreatic islet. Diabetes 49:727–734, 2000
Social-emotional model of internet addiction

ABSTRACT Objective: The purpose of this study is to test the social-emotional model of internet addiction which was built by considering theoretical explanations and study results. For this general purpose, the following hypotheses have been tested: willingness to self-censor significantly, positively, and directly affects social anxiety, self-monitoring significantly, negatively, and directly affects social anxiety, social anxiety significantly, positively, and directly affects negative affection, negative affection significantly, positively, and directly affects daily internet use duration and internet addiction, daily internet use duration significantly, positively, and directly affects internet addiction. Methods: The social-emotional model of internet addiction was applied on 330 university students. The Revised Self-Monitoring Scale, Willingness to Self-censor Scale, Social Anxiety Scale for Adolescents, Positive and Negative Affect Scale, Young Internet Addiction Test-Short Form, and Personal Information Form were used as data collection instruments. The covariance matrix and Maximum Likelihood method were conducted in testing the model. Results: As a result of the analysis suggested hypotheses were confirmed and the proposed hypothetical model showed good fit [(χ2 = 100.435, df = 25, χ2/df = 4.017, RMSEA = 0.096, GFI = 0.94, AGFI = 0.90, CFI = 0.94, IFI = 0.94, TLI (NNFI) = 0.91)]. Conclusion: Willingness to self-censor and unable to self-monitoring causes social anxiety. Social anxiety increases negative affect. Negative affection causes Internet addiction through daily Internet use duration. Negative affection and the daily Internet use duration directly affect Internet addiction.
A single dose of unadjuvanted novel 2009 H1N1 vaccine is immunogenic and well tolerated in young and elderly adults.

BACKGROUND When the novel H1N1 influenza A strain appeared in April of 2009, development of novel H1N1 vaccines became a public health priority. METHODS We conducted a phase‐2, multicenter, randomized, placebo‐controlled, observer‐blind clinical trial of a 2009 H1N1 vaccine in 1313 young (age, 18-64 years) and older (age, >or=65 years) adults. Participants were randomized 1:4:4:4 to receive 2 doses of placebo or 7.5, 15, or 30 μg of H1N1 hemagglutinin administered 21 days apart. In post hoc analyses, hemagglutination inhibition (HI) titers measured at baseline and after vaccination were analyzed for young adults (age, 18-64 years), "younger elderly" adults (age, 65-74 years), and "very elderly" adults (age, >or=75 years). RESULTS At baseline, 28.8% of young adults, 43.9% of younger elderly adults, and 62.9% of very elderly adults had HI titers to A/2009 H1N1 of >or=1:40. A single 7.5‐μg dose induced HI titers >or=1:40 in 94.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 91.8%-96.3%) of all adults. After one 7.5‐μg dose, the geometric mean titers achieved were 326.4 (95% CI, 275.9-386.0) in young adults, 155.4 (95% CI, 123.4-195.8) in "younger elderly" adults, and 243.9 (95% CI, 167.1-356.0) in "very elderly" adults. CONCLUSIONS This large phase-2 trial demonstrated that a single 7.5‐μg dose of a monovalent unadjuvanted H1N1 vaccine induced protective HI antibody levels in adults of all ages, including very elderly adults. TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT00958126.
Speaking anxiety as a factor in studying EFL

This qualitative study was designed to investigate the speaking anxiety factors in EFL classes. The Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale (FLCAS) questionnaire adapted and modified from Horwitz, Horwitz, and Cope (1986), and Yahya (2013) was used in collecting the data. Sixty five second grade, year 11 senior high students from SMA Negeri 5 Banda Aceh were asked to fill in the questionnaire to find out what factors lead to speaking anxiety among these EFL students. The findings indicated that communication apprehension factors lead to 71% of students’ speaking anxiety followed by fear of negative evaluations, 53%; then test anxiety, 48%, and the lowest was 39% for anxiety about English classes. English teachers are expected to be able to understand the character of each of their students in the classroom, because the anxiety level for each student can be different, one from the other.
Wheel-ground interaction modelling and torque distribution for a redundant mobile robot

An operational space dynamic model of a redundantly actuated wheeled mobile robot taking into account the wheel-ground interaction is derived based on vehicle dynamics. The conditions for the robot to avoid slip are derived for both torque and motion. Two torque distribution schemes based on different criteria are proposed. The non-slip condition for motion is utilized to plan slip avoidance paths. The null space joint torques are utilized to fulfil the non-slip condition for torque and avoid actuator torque limits violation. Simulations results are presented to demonstrate the effects of wheel-ground interaction and performance of the proposed torque distribution schemes
Students’ Argumentation Skills through PMA Learning in Vocational School

Physics is the basic of science that became the foundation for the development of technology. We can train our reasoning skills with learning physics. Reasoning skills are needed by humans to be able to create technology and make life easier. So, reasoning skills are very necessary for students in vocational schools to be able to develop skills based on the department. One of reasoning skills is argumentation skills. This research investigates the students’ argumentation skills about the chapter of temperature and heat through PMA Learning. Quasi-experimental with post-test only control group designs was carried out for the research. The research samples were students of X-TKJ1 (experimental class) and X-MM (control class) at SMKN 2 Jember in the 2016/2017 academic year. The design of argumentation test was using the role of competing theories strategy. Based on the output of SPSS 23 with 2 samples independent test showed that the significant of the test was 0.000 < 0.05. The result of the test showed that the score of students’ argumentation skills (about evidences and justifications of argument, counter argument, and rebuttal) in the experimental class are higher than those in the control class.
Characterizing the Performance of Data Management Systems on Hyper-Threaded Architectures

As information acquisition and processing applications take greater roles in our everyday life, database management systems are growing in importance. Database management systems have traditionally exhibited poor cache performance and large memory footprints, therefore performing only at a fraction of their ideal execution and exhibiting low processor utilization. Previous research has studied the memory system of database management systems (DBMSs) on research-based simultaneous multithreading (SMT) processors. Several differences have been noted between the real hyper-threaded architecture implemented by the Intel Pentium 4 and the earlier SMT research architectures. Therefore, it is important to study and analyze the performance of modern DBMSs on real SMT processors. This paper characterizes the performance of a prototype open-source DBMS running TPC-C-equivalent benchmark queries on an Intel Pentium 4 hyper-threading processor. We use the performance hardware counters provided by the Pentium 4 to evaluate the micro-architecture and study the memory system behavior of each query running on the data management system. Our results show a performance improvement of up to 1.16 due to hyperthreading
Secure Path Verification

Many embedded systems, like medical, sensing, automotive, military, require basic security functions, often referred to as "secure communications". Nowadays, interest has been growing around defining new security related properties, expressing relationships with information flow and access control. In particular, novel research works are focused on formalizing generic security requirements as propagation properties. These kinds of properties, we name them Path properties, are used to see whether it is possible to leak secure data via unexpected paths. In this paper we compare Path properties, described above, with formal security properties expressed in CTL Logic, named Taint properties. We also compare two verification techniques used to verify Path and Taint properties considering an abstraction of a Secure Embedded Architecture discussing the advantages and drawbacks of each approach.
Continuity properties of transport coefficients in simple maps

We consider families of dynamics that can be described in terms of Perron–Frobenius operators with exponential mixing properties. For piecewise C2 expanding interval maps we rigorously prove continuity properties of the drift J(λ) and of the diffusion coefficient D(λ) under parameter variation. Our main result is that D(λ) has a modulus of continuity of order , i.e. D(λ) is Lipschitz continuous up to quadratic logarithmic corrections. For a special class of piecewise linear maps we provide more precise estimates at specific parameter values. Our analytical findings are quantified numerically for the latter class of maps by using exact series expansions for the transport coefficients that can be evaluated numerically. We numerically observe strong local variations of all continuity properties.