Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Flame Front Detection by Line Enhance Active Contour from OH-PLIF Images

this paper presents a new Line Enhance Active Contour model (LEAC model) to detect the flame front boundaries from high speed Planar Laser Induced Fluorescence (PLIF) images. The model first enhances the crack region and the gradient of flame front by the Line Enhance Filtering algorithm, and then extracts flame front boundaries and crake edges from the enhanced PLIF images using the CV model. We compared the LEAC model with the classical CV model on different PLIF images. Experimental results show that our model can detect the flame front accurately, and it has good performance on detecting the exact edges of long and narrow crack regions, where the classical CVmodel can not detect completely. Moreover, it is insensitive to image noise and curve initialization.
Dynamical Constraints on Disk Masses

While the total interior mass of a galaxy is reasonably well determined by a good rotation curve, the relative contributions from disk, bulge and halo are only weakly constrained by one-dimensional data. Barred galaxies are intrinsically more complicated, but provide much tighter constraints on the disk masses and support the idea that most of the mass in the inner parts of bright galaxies is in their stars. There appears to be no systematic difference in dark matter content between barred and unbarred galaxies, consistent with the theoretical result that the global stability of galaxies with dense centers does not depend on their halo fraction. The rotation curve shapes of lower luminosity and low-surface-brightness galaxies, on the other hand, indicate significant mass in the DM halo even near their centers. We find that most DM halos appear to have large cores, inconsistent with the predictions from cosmological simulations. We also show that such large-core halos can result from compression by disk infall of physically reasonable initial halos. Maximum disks, while apparently required by the data, do seem to present some puzzles; most notably they re-open the old disk-halo ``conspiracy'' issue and incorrectly predict that surface brightness should be a second parameter in the Tully-Fisher relation.
Increased Bilateral Frontal Connectivity during Working Memory in Young Adults under the Influence of a Dopamine D1 Receptor Antagonist

Increased frontal bilaterality in old compared with young adults during cognitive performance is a common finding in human functional neuroimaging studies. Age-related reductions in laterality are a widely debated topic and their origins and consequences may be manifold. The current study demonstrates that a dopamine (DA) D1 antagonist induces increased frontal bilateral connectivity in healthy young adults revealed by functional magnetic resonance imaging during a spatial working memory task. Moreover, increases in functional connectivity between right and left prefrontal cortex during the pharmacological challenge were associated with maintaining performance on drug. To our knowledge, this is the first study to pharmacologically induce increased frontal bilateral functional connectivity during a cognitive task in young adults and to show that increased bilaterality is associated with less severe cognitive impairment under the influence of a DA receptor antagonist.
Data Broadcast Scheduling: On-line and Off-line Algorithms

With the increasing popularity of portable wireless computers, mechanisms to efficiently transmit information to such {\em clients}\, are of significant interest. The environment under consideration is {\em asymmetric}\, in that the information server has much more bandwidth available, as compared to the clients. In such environments, often it is not possible (or not desirable) for the clients to send explicit requests to the server. It has been proposed that in such systems the server should broadcast the data periodically. One challenge in implementing this solution is to determine the {\em schedule}\, for broadcasting the data, such that the wait encountered by the clients is minimized. A {\em broadcast schedule}\, determines what is broadcast by the server and when. In this report, we present three algorithms for determining broadcast schedules that minimize the wait time. Simulation results are presented to demonstrate that our algorithms perform well. Variations of our algorithms for environments subject to errors, and systems where different clients may listen to different number of broadcast channels are also considered.
Synthesis of Some Fused Pyrazoles and Isoxazoles

The α-keto methylene group in 3,5-diaryl-2-cyclohexenones 2 and 3,5-diarylcyclohexanones 8 have been used to obtain fused pyrazoles and isoxazoles. The new compounds were characterized by IR and 1H-NMR spectral data.
Effectiveness of a Video-Feedback and Questioning Programme to Develop Cognitive Expertise in Sport

The importance within sport expertise of cognitive factors has been emphasised in many research studies. Adaptations that take place in athletes’ long-term memories are going to condition their decision-making and performance, and training programmes must be developed that improve these adaptations. In our study, we provide a tactical-cognitive training programme based on video-feedback and questioning in order to improve tactical knowledge in tennis players and verify its effect when transferred to athletes’ decision-making. 11 intermediate tennis players participated in this study (12.9±0.7 years old), distributed into two groups (experimental, n = 5; control, n = 6). Tactical knowledge was measured by problem representation and strategy planning with a verbal protocol. Decision-making was measured by a systematic observation instrument. Results confirm the effectiveness of a combination of video-feedback and questioning on cognitive expertise, developing adaptations in long-term memory that produce an improvement in the quality of tactical knowledge (content, sophistication and structure). This, in turn, is transferred to the athletes’ decision-making capacity, leading to a higher percentage of successful decisions made during game play. Finally, we emphasise the need to develop effective programmes to develop cognitive expertise and improve athletes' performance, and include it in athletes’ formative stages.
Surgical Outcomes of Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion for the Treatment of Spondylolisthesis and Degenerative Segmental Instability

Study Design This is a retrospective case study. Purpose This study was designed to analyze the surgical outcomes of patients who underwent minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) for the treatment of spondylolisthesis and degenerative segmental instability. Overview of Literature If the surgical outcomes of a procedure are evaluated together with multiple indications, it is not clear how the procedure helped each subgroup of patients. For the reason that some indications achieve better outcomes than the others, we performed a subgroup analysis using validated outcome measures to demonstrate the optimal indications and the treatment results of TLIF. Methods We conducted subgroup analyses by comparing the prospectively collecting data from the consecutive patients who underwent single-level minimally invasive TLIF for the treatment of the following 3 subgroups of indications: 23 cases of low-grade spondylolytic spondylolisthesis, 24 cases of degenerative spondylolisthesis, and 19 cases of degenerative segmental instability. Results The average duration of follow up was 36.1 ± 9.9 months (range, 24 to 63 months). The preoperative pain and disability scores were significantly improved at final postoperative follow-up in all the subgroups (all measurements: p < 0.0001). The 3 subgroups exhibited an equivalent improvement of the pain and disability scores at the final follow-up. The rates of radiographic solid fusion and complications were also similar among the 3 groups. Conclusions Our data suggests that minimally invasive TLIF optimally and equivalently alleviates all of the associated symptoms and disabilities from low-grade spondylolisthesis and degenerative segmental instability. Furthermore, these patients seem to have optimal surgical indications for minimally invasive TLIF, while maintaining favorable surgical outcomes.
An improved model for the dielectric constant of sea water at microwave frequencies

The advent of precision microwave radiometry has placed a stringent requirement on the accuracy with which the dielectric constant of sea water must be known. To this end, measurements of the dielectric constant have been conducted atS-band andL-band with a quoted uncertainty of tenths of a percent. These and earlier results are critically examined, and expressions are developed which will yield computations of brightness temperature having an error of no more than 0.3 K for an undisturbed sea at frequencies lower thanX-band. At the higher microwave and millimeter wave frequencies, the accuracy is in question because of uncertainties in the relaxation time and the dielectric constant at infinite frequency.
Cache Sharing in QImPrESS Performance Models

The aim of the Q-ImPrESS project [Q-ImPrESS, 2009] is to develop methods and tools for predicting impact of changes in existing software systems on quality attributes such as performance, reliability and maintainability. The methods are centered around creating a model of the software system and performing the changes first in the model, transforming the model to a prediction model and solving the latter to obtain the desired quality estimates. Our goal is to extend performance prediction models used within Q-ImPrESS to include effects of implicit resource sharing, which are mostly neglected, yet often have significant impact on performance. This paper summarizes the current state of our work regarding modeling of processor cache sharing, highlights the effects we observed in past experiments, and outlines the upcoming work of incorporating some of these effects in suitable Q-ImPrESS performance models.
Temporal dynamics of neuronal modulation during exogenous and endogenous shifts of visual attention in macaque area MT

Dynamically shifting attention between behaviorally relevant stimuli in the environment is a key condition for successful adaptive behavior. Here, we investigated how exogenous (reflexive) and endogenous (voluntary) shifts of visual spatial attention interact to modulate activity of single neurons in extrastriate area MT. We used a double-cueing paradigm, in which the first cue instructed two macaque monkeys to covertly attend to one of three moving random dot patterns until a second cue, whose unpredictable onset exogenously captured attention, either signaled to shift or maintain the current focus of attention. The neuronal activity revealed correlates of both exogenous and endogenous attention, which could be well distinguished by their characteristic temporal dynamics. The earliest effect was a transient interruption of the focus of endogenous attention by the onset of the second cue. The neuronal signature of this exogenous capture of attention was a short-latency decrease of responses to the stimulus attended so far. About 70 ms later, the influence of exogenous attention leveled off, which was reflected in two concurrent processes: responses to the newly cued stimulus continuously increased because of allocation of endogenous attention, while, surprisingly, there was also a gradual rebound of attentional enhancement of the previously relevant stimulus. Only after an additional 110 ms did endogenous disengagement of attention from this previously relevant stimulus become evident. These patterns of attentional modulation can be most parsimoniously explained by assuming two distinct attentional mechanisms drawing on the same capacity-limited system, with exogenous attention having a much faster time course than endogenous attention.
From darkness to light: children speak of divine encounter

Abstract Studies have shown that children share both positive and dark spiritual experiences. The former dominates the literature but whilst the need to address the dark side of spirituality has been raised it has not, as yet, been dealt with as widely as the more positive aspects. This paper draws on an empirical study with 44 children aged 8–11 who were interviewed in school after visiting a sacred space. Three key themes arising from their conversations are covered in this paper: divine encounter; physical feelings and fear. It is argued that the most appropriate way of understanding these phenomena is to draw on different fields and disciplines, notably although not exclusively, theology, psychoanalysis, psychology and neuroscience. The paper concludes that it is important to recognise both the light and dark and the blurred boundaries between them, in addition to different ways of perceiving them, in order to understand the whole child.
Einstein Never Approved of Relativistic Mass

During much of the 20th century it was widely believed that one of the significant insights of special relativity was “relativistic mass. ” Today there are two schools on that issue: the traditional view that embraces speed-dependent “relativistic mass,” and the more modern position that rejects it, maintaining that there is only one mass and it's speed-independent. This paper explores the history of “relativistic mass,” emphasizing Einstein's public role and private thoughts. We show how the concept of speed-dependent mass mistakenly evolved out of a tangle of ideas despite Einstein's prescient reluctance. Along the way there will be previously unrevealed surprises (e.g., Einstein never derived the expression for “relativistic mass,” and privately disapproved of it).
Extensive comparisons of optical fast-OFDM and conventional optical OFDM for local and access networks

A performance comparison between a recently proposed novel technique known as fast orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (FOFDM) and conventional orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) is undertaken over unamplified, intensity-modulated, and direct-detected directly modulated laser-based optical signals. Key transceiver parameters, such as the maximum achievable transmission capacity and the digital-to-analog/analog-to-digital converter (DAC/ADC) effects are explored thoroughly. It is shown that, similarly to conventional OFDM, the least complex and bandwidth efficient FOFDM can support up to ~20 Gb/s over 500 m worst-case multimode fiber (MMF) links having 3 dB effective bandwidths of ~200 MHz × km. For compensation of the DAC/ADC roll-off, a power-loading (PL) algorithm is adopted, leading to an FOFDM system improvement of ~4 dB. FOFDM and conventional OFDM give similar optimum DAC/ADC parameters over 500 m worst-case MMF, while over 50 km single-mode fiber a maximum deviation of only ~1 dB in clipping ratio is observed due to the imperfect chromatic dispersion compensation caused by one-tap equalizers.
Productivity Spillovers from Foreign Direct Investment in the Brazilian Processing Industry

The increasing importance of foreign direct investment (FDI) to international production has prompted considerable interest in its real effects on host economies all over the world. The aim of this study was investigate whether the presence of FDI produces productivity spillovers in Brazilian processing industries. We conduct our analysis using a panel database on twenty-three Brazilian processing industries and applied Moderated Multiple Regression (MMR) and Generalized Linear Models (GLM) analysis of variance to address potential spillover effects from foreign presence. This paper finds evidences of the coexistence of both positive and negative effects arising from FDI on the productivity of Brazilian industries. We found negative effects for FDI presence in labor-intensive industries. Furthermore, FDI benefits depend on the absorptive capacity of industries, confirming the hypothesis that a minimum level of absorptive capacity is required so that locally owned enterprises (LOEs) can benefit from foreign presence.
Culture Clash! The Adverse Effects of IT Occupational Subculture on Formative Work Experiences of IT Students

According to Trice (1993), occupational subcultures comprise unique clusters of ideologies, beliefs, cultural forms, and practices that arise from shared educational, personal and work experiences of individuals who pursue the same profession. Results of the analysis of the IT workforce suggest that IT professionals indeed occupy a recognizable “occupational subculture” that crosses and transcends the particular organizational culture in which those IT professionals are embedded (Guzman et.al., 2004). Our study looks at the students’ first IT job experiences in order to track cultural expectations and impressions over time. In addition, this study attempts to confirm a model of occupational culture “socialization” (Elkin, 1960) in a cross sectional study of IT students. Finally, this study will test an inoculation program based on our model that may help to protect higher education students from “culture shock” as they undertake their initial paraprofessional IT work experiences. The goal of our study is to contribute to a better understanding of the occupational subculture of the IT profession and the academic strategies to minimize mismatch between cultural expectations and impressions of IT students.
Regulation of Estrogen Receptor Nuclear Export by Ligand-Induced and p38-Mediated Receptor Phosphorylation

ABSTRACT Estrogen receptors are phosphoproteins which can be activated by ligands, kinase activators, or phosphatase inhibitors. Our previous study showed that p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase was involved in estrogen receptor activation by estrogens and MEKK1. Here, we report estrogen receptor-dependent p38 activation by estrogens in endometrial adenocarcinoma cells and in vitro and in vivo phosphorylation of the estrogen receptor α mediated through p38. The phosphorylation site was identified as threonine-311 (Thr311), located in helix 1 of the hormone-binding domain. The mutation of threonine-311 to alanine did not affect estrogen binding of the receptor but compromised its interaction with coactivators. Suppression of p38 activity or mutation of the site inhibited the estrogen-induced receptor nuclear localization as well as its transcriptional activation by estrogens and MEKK1. The inhibition of the p38 signal pathway by a specific chemical inhibitor blocked the biological activities of estrogens in regulating endogenous gene expression as well as endometrial cancer cell growth. Our studies demonstrate the role of estrogen receptor phosphorylation induced by the natural ligand in estrogen receptor's cellular distribution and its significant contribution to the growth-stimulating activity of estrogens in endometrial cancer cells.
Ownership Competition in the European Transition Arena: Towards a Viable Restructuring?

One of the main goals of the European authorities is to promote common patterns of corporate restructuring by protecting the interests of holders of the securities of public companies from member States. Within the context of European integration, the new ascending countries have adapted corporate governance principles, including takeover regulation, in order to address both the question of economic growth and that of agency conflicts arisen in fully- or partially-privatized companies. Using data on Croatian and Romanian listed firms over the 2000-2003 period, we show that the ownership concentration has an asymmetrical effect on economic performance, which is conditioned by the initial structural conditions prevailing in those countries. Particularly, the Croatian companies' resources seem better managed if there are many large shareholders comparable in size, while Romanian companies perform better if the holdings of the largest shareholder are important relative to those of remaining shareholders. However, the relation between corporate governance variables and firm performance depends on a firm's characteristics, as well as on macroeconomic environment.
Chapter 0 Data Reduction in Low Powered Wireless Sensor Networks

A Wireless sensor network (WSN) [1] is a special kind of a peer to peer network where the nodes communicate with the sink wirelessly to transmit the sensed information. In contemporary world, a WSN utilizes different technological advancements in low power communications and Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) [16] to support functionalities of sensing, processing and communications. WSN’s have penetrated in all walks of life ranging from health care, environmental monitoring to defense related applications. One of the major challenges faced by WSN’s is that of energy conservation. Researchers all over the world have been trying their best to make sure that WSN efficiently make use of the energy resources and increase their life span. In this Chapter one such technique for energy conservation called ’Data Reduction’ is discussed.
Lung volumes in 4,774 patients with obstructive lung disease.

STUDY OBJECTIVES To determine the correlates of static lung volumes in patients with airways obstruction, and to determine if static lung volumes differ between asthma and COPD. PATIENTS AND METHODS We examined the data from all of the adult patients (mean age of 69) who were referred to a pulmonary function laboratory from January 1990 through July 1994 with an FEV1/FVC ratio of < 0.70 and tested using a body plethysmograph. Correlates were determined using regression analysis. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS Of the 4,774 patients observed with evidence of airways obstruction, 61% were men. Self-reported diagnoses included asthma, 19%; emphysema or COPD, 23%; chronic bronchitis, 1.5%; and alpha1-antiprotease deficiency, 0.6%. Fifty-six percent of the patients did not report a respiratory disease. The degree of hyperinflation, as determined by the residual volume (RV)/total lung capacity (TLC) ratio, or the RV % predicted (but not the TLC % predicted), was strongly associated with the degree of airways obstruction (the FEV1 % predicted). Patients with moderate to severe airways obstruction and high RV and TLC levels were more likely to have COPD than asthma. Of the 1,872 patients with a reduced vital capacity determined by spirometry testing, 87% had hyperinflation as defined by the RV/TLC, and 9.5% had a low TLC (with less severe airways obstruction). CONCLUSION In patients found to have airways obstruction by spirometry, the additional measurement of static lung volumes added little to the clinical interpretation.
The Efficacy of CREDE's Standards‐based Instruction in American Indian Mathematics Classes

In all math classes that I visited, the sequence of activities was the same. First, answers were given for the previous day's assignment. The teacher or the students worked the more difficult problems at the chalkboard. A brief explanation, sometimes none at all, was given of the new material, and the problems assigned for the next day. The remainder of the class was devoted to working on homework while the teacher moved around the room answering questions. The most noticeable thing about math classes was the repetition of this routine, (cited in NCTM, 1991, p. 6)