Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Measuring Online Trust of Websites: Credibility, Perceived Ease of Use, and Risk

As the use of the web for ecommerce and information access continues to expand, user trust of websites has come under inspection. Empirical study of online trust is constrained by the shortage of high-quality measures of general online trust. The development of such measures is a priority for MIS researchers. This paper presents a new instrument for use in studying trust of an individual in a given website. The instrument was tested with two different websites in an experiment conducted in a controlled setting. The items in the instrument were analyzed using a confirmatory factor analysis with a split-sample approach. This process resulted in an instrument of high reliability whose components are unidimensional and whose constructs show high convergent and discriminant validity.
Fitness Effects of Food Resources on the Polyphagous Aphid Parasitoid, Aphidius colemani Viereck (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae)

Conservation biological control involving the polyphagous aphid parasitoid, Aphidius colemani Viereck, may include provisioning resources from a variety of plant sources. The fitness of adult A. colemani was enhanced with the provision of food resources such as floral nectar from a range of both native and introduced plant species and aphid honeydew under laboratory conditions. However, enhanced fitness appeared to be species specific rather than associated with the whether the plant was a native or an introduced species. Parasitoid survival and fecundity were enhanced significantly in response to the availability of floral nectar and honeydew compared to the response to available extrafloral nectar. These positive effects on the parasitoid’s reproductive activity can improve the effectiveness of conservation biological control in nursery production systems because of the abundance and diversity of floral resources within typical production areas. Additionally, surrounding areas of invasive weeds and native vegetation could serve as both floral resources and honeydew food resources for A. colemani.
Increase in Cardiac Troponin I in a Lamb with Tetralogy of Fallot

ABSTRACT This study describes a case of tetralogy of Fallot in a lamb showing failure to thrive and signs of respiratory distress. Physical examination, electrocardiography, thoracic radiographies, echocardiography and cardiac troponin I evaluation were performed. The value of cardiac troponin I was compared with the values of 10 healthy lambs of the same age and breed, and the affected animal demonstrated an increase in cardiac troponin I. Due to the poor prognosis, euthanasia was indicated, and necropsy confirmed the diagnosis. This is the first report of an increase in cardiac troponin I in a lamb with tetralogy of Fallot.
A joint maximum likelihood approach to frame synchronization in presence of frequency offset

This paper proposes a new frame synchronizer that can achieve frame sync in presence of frequency offset. In particular, a maximum likelihood (ML) algorithm for joint frame synchronization, frequency and channel estimation is developed. Its derivation starts with the assumption of additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channels, but the results is extended to frequency selective channels. It is shown through computer simulation that the proposed scheme outperformed the existing schemes when frequency offset exists.
Isolation, characterization, and chromosome mapping of a human A-C1 Ha-Ras suppressor gene (HRASLS)

Recently, we cloned a cDNA encoding a novel mouse protein, named A-C1, by differential display between two mouse cell lines, embryonic fibroblast C3H10T1/2 and chondrogenic ATDC5. Mouse A-C1 has homology with a ras-responsive gene, rat Ha-rev107 (Hrasls), and modulates a Ha-ras-mediated signaling pathway. Here, we report a cDNA encoding a human homolog of mouse A-C1. The deduced amino acid sequence of human A-C1 consists of 168 amino acids, and shows 83% identity with that of mouse A-C1. Human A-C1 mRNA was expressed in skeletal muscle, testis, heart, brain, and thyroid in vivo. Moreover, expression of human A-C1 mRNA was detected at a high level in human osteosarcoma-derived U2OS cells in vitro. By FISH analysis the human A-C1 gene (HRASLS) was mapped to human chromosome 3q28→ q29.
Intraclonal Variations Among Streptococcus pneumoniae Isolates Influence the Likelihood of Invasive Disease in Children

Background. Pneumococcal serotypes are represented by a varying number of clonal lineages with different genetic contents, potentially affecting invasiveness. However, genetic variation within the same genetic lineage may be larger than anticipated. Methods. A total of 715 invasive and carriage isolates from children in the same region and during the same period were compared using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and multilocus sequence typing. Bacterial genome sequencing, functional assays, and in vivo virulence mice studies were performed. Results. Clonal types of the same serotype but also intraclonal variants within clonal complexes (CCs) showed differences in invasive-disease potential. CC138, a common CC, was divided into several PFGE patterns, partly explained by number, location, and type of temperate bacteriophages. Whole-genome sequencing of 4 CC138 isolates representing PFGE clones with different invasive-disease potentials revealed intraclonal sequence variations of the virulence-associated proteins pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA) and pneumococcal choline-binding protein C (PspC). A carrier isolate lacking PcpA exhibited decreased virulence in mice, and there was a differential binding of human factor H, depending on invasiveness. Conclusions. Pneumococcal clonal types but also intraclonal variants exhibited different invasive-disease potentials in children. Intraclonal variants, reflecting different prophage contents, showed differences in major surface antigens. This suggests ongoing immune selection, such as that due to PspC-mediated complement resistance through varied human factor H binding, that may affect invasiveness in children.
Elucidating the Role of Injury-Induced Electric Fields (EFs) in Regulating the Astrocytic Response to Injury in the Mammalian Central Nervous System

Injury to the vertebrate central nervous system (CNS) induces astrocytes to change their morphology, to increase their rate of proliferation, and to display directional migration to the injury site, all to facilitate repair. These astrocytic responses to injury occur in a clear temporal sequence and, by their intensity and duration, can have both beneficial and detrimental effects on the repair of damaged CNS tissue. Studies on highly regenerative tissues in non-mammalian vertebrates have demonstrated that the intensity of direct-current extracellular electric fields (EFs) at the injury site, which are 50–100 fold greater than in uninjured tissue, represent a potent signal to drive tissue repair. In contrast, a 10-fold EF increase has been measured in many injured mammalian tissues where limited regeneration occurs. As the astrocytic response to CNS injury is crucial to the reparative outcome, we exposed purified rat cortical astrocytes to EF intensities associated with intact and injured mammalian tissues, as well as to those EF intensities measured in regenerating non-mammalian vertebrate tissues, to determine whether EFs may contribute to the astrocytic injury response. Astrocytes exposed to EF intensities associated with uninjured tissue showed little change in their cellular behavior. However, astrocytes exposed to EF intensities associated with injured tissue showed a dramatic increase in migration and proliferation. At EF intensities associated with regenerating non-mammalian vertebrate tissues, these cellular responses were even more robust and included morphological changes consistent with a regenerative phenotype. These findings suggest that endogenous EFs may be a crucial signal for regulating the astrocytic response to injury and that their manipulation may be a novel target for facilitating CNS repair.
Multimodeling: A Preliminary Case Study

Abstract : We take a pre-existing Statecharts model of a simple traffic light controller and re-implement it in Ptolemy II. This exercise reveals that Statecharts can be usefully conceptualized as a hierarchical combination of two distinct models of computation (MoCs), finite state machines (FSMs) and synchronous/reactive (SR). Once conceptualized this way, we can add additional MoCs to the mix. We illustrate this by adding a discrete-event (DE) model of the environment in which the traffic light operates. We then construct a second model of a deployment of the system on two microcontrollers communicating wirelessly, showing that we can effectively leverage both DE and an extension in Ptolemy II that supports modeling of wireless communication networks. This exercise reveals that even though the original model was intended to be a purely functional model, it in fact imposes constraints on the implementation. The model had to be refactored to get a distributed deployment model. Finally, we show that the portions of the models defining the control logic of the lights can be shared between the functional and deployment models using actor-oriented classes. This eases maintenance of the models.
A CMOS Spiking Neuron for Brain-Inspired Neural Networks With Resistive Synapses and In Situ Learning

Nanoscale resistive memory devices are expected to fuel dense integration of electronic synapses for large-scale neuromorphic systems. To realize such a brain-inspired computing chip, a compact CMOS spiking neuron that performs in situ learning and computing while driving a large number of resistive synapses is desired. This brief presents a novel leaky integrate-and-fire neuron design that implements the dual-mode operation of current integration and synaptic drive, with a single operational amplifier (opamp) and enables in situ learning with crossbar resistive synapses. The proposed design was implemented in a 0.18-μm CMOS technology. Measurements show neuron's ability to drive a thousand resistive synapses and demonstrate in situ associative learning. The neuron circuit occupies a small area of 0.01 mm2 and has an energy efficiency value of 9.3 pJ/spike/synapse.
NK cells contribute to the early clearance of HSV‐1 from the lung but cannot control replication in the central nervous system following intranasal infection

While infection of the respiratory tract with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV‐1) can have severe clinical complications, little is known of the immune mechanisms that control both the replication and spread of HSV‐1 in this site. To better understand the contribution of innate immunity and in particular natural killer (NK) cells to the control of infection at this site, we have utilized a mouse model of intranasal HSV‐1 infection. NK cell numbers increased in the lung following intranasal infection and they produced IFN‐γ and acquired an enhanced cytotoxic capacity. While depletion of NK cells resulted in increased HSV‐1 titres in the lung, the time taken to clear the virus was unaffected. Interestingly, HSV‐1 was also effectively cleared from the lungs of RAG‐1–/– mice that lack both B and T cells. However, RAG‐1–/– mice could not control the spread of virus to the central nervous system and its subsequent replication in the brain. Together, these data demonstrate that NK cells are recruited, activated and contribute to early protection of the lung during acute HSV‐1 infection of the respiratory tract, but in the absence of adaptive immunity are unable to control the replication and spread of virus in the nervous system.
Implementing the Galasko Report on the management of head injuries: the Eastern Region approach

Objectives—The Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) Report on the management of patients with head injuries under the chairmanship of Professor Galasko, published in June 1999, made important recommendations that will have a profound effect on the organisation of management of head injuries and major implications for resources. The Eastern Region carried out an audit study to determine the provision of current services available, to assess the shortfall and likely resource implications for the implementation of the report and hence lay the foundations for a strategic plan for change across the region. Methodology—A series of interviews with all 20 accident and emergency (A&E) departments across the Eastern Region and the two regional neuroscience units (RNU) was undertaken. The results of the survey and the implications of the implementation were fed back to and discussed at a multidisciplinary regional seminar. Results—There is considerable variation and major deficiencies in the service provision currently available for the management of head injuries in the Eastern Region. There are major deficiencies in A&E resources, care of moderate head injuries and rehabilitation and follow up of patients. There is a significant shortfall in resources for the implementation of the recommendations. Conclusion—There are major deficiencies in the overall management of head injuries. Although the RCS Galasko Report recommendations were agreed to be very desirable, they cannot be implemented without a large increase in resources in terms of funding, staffing and training.
The architecture of the colour centre in the human visual brain: new results and a review *

We have used the technique of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and a variety of colour paradigms to activate the human brain regions selective for colour. We show here that the region defined previously [ Lueck et al. (1989) Nature, 340, 386–389; Zeki et al. (1991) J. Neurosci. , 11, 641–649; McKeefry & Zeki (1997) Brain, 120, 2229–2242] as the human colour centre consists of two subdivisions, a posterior one, which we call V4 and an anterior one, which we refer to as V4α, the two together being part of the V4‐complex. The posterior area is retinotopically organized while the anterior is not. We discuss our new findings in the context of previous studies of the cortical colour processing system in humans and monkeys. Our new insight into the organization of the colour centre in the human brain may also account for the variability in both severity and degree of recovery from lesions producing cerebral colour blindness (achromatopsia).
The Integration of Scene Understanding within a Geographic Information System: A Prototype Approach for Agricultural Applications

This paper describes progress towards engineering a combined GIS and image understanding system, designed to analyse remotely‐sensed imagery in a task‐oriented manner, with the task and contextual parameters being supplied by the GIS. The overall aim is to evaluate some of the more recent developments in the field of computer vision and to show how they may be integrated (along with more traditional methods of image interpretation) to improve system performance in terms of object recognition and extraction. Three aspects are reported: (1) Development of a formal notation as the basis of describing the process of transforming data from low level image representations to high level object representations; (2) Design of collaborating low and high level image processes used in this abstraction process and their control via Process Networks encapsulated into frames; and (3) Use of Dempster‐Shafer Decision Theory as the basis for combining different types of evidence to improve the recognition of objects in the scene. Some sample results are presented to illustrate the issues raised and mechanisms for the co‐operative processing of data are suggested.
Limit Cycles in a MEMS Oscillator

In this paper, we apply methods of nonlinear dynamics to study the behavior of a microelectromechanical oscillator. We show how the analysis predicts the appearance of a devil's staircase-like relationship between frequencies, but also show how the output frequency of the oscillator, and hence the devil's staircase, may not be uniquely determined. Both of these features - the sequence of steps corresponding to different output frequencies and the fact that the output frequency may not be uniquely defined for a given set of parameters - have a direct bearing on the ease with which a designer can produce an useful oscillator of this form.
Child Care Subsidies, Maternal Well-Being, and Child-Parent Interactions: Evidence from Three Nationally Representative Datasets

A complete account of the U.S. child care subsidy system requires an understanding of its implications for both parental and child well-being. Although the effects of child care subsidies on maternal employment and child development have been recently studied, many other dimensions of family well-being have received little attention. This paper attempts to fill this gap by examining the impact of child care subsidy receipt on maternal health and the quality of child-parent interactions. The empirical analyses use data from three nationally representative surveys, providing access to numerous measures of family well-being. In addition, we attempt to handle the possibility of non-random selection into subsidy receipt by using several identification strategies both within and across the surveys. Our results consistently indicate that child care subsidies are associated with worse maternal health and poorer interactions between parents and their children. In particular, subsidized mothers report lower levels of overall health and are more likely to show symptoms consistent with anxiety, depression, and parenting stress. Such mothers also reveal more psychological and physical aggression toward their children and are more likely to utilize spanking as a disciplinary tool. Together, these findings suggest that work-based public policies aimed at economically disadvantaged mothers may ultimately undermine family well-being.
Early Increase of Retinal Arterial and Venous Blood Flow Velocities at Color Doppler Imaging in Brittle Type 1 Diabetes after Islet Transplant Alone

Little information is currently available about the role of islet transplantation alone (ITA) on the retinal microcirculation. Our purpose was to investigate with color-Doppler-imaging the effect of ITA after one year on the blood flow velocities of central retinal artery and vein. Central retinal arteries and veins of both eyes of 10 ITA patients were evaluated with color-Doppler-imaging before and one year after transplant. Peak systolic velocity (psv), end diastolic velocity (edv) for arteries and maximum velocity (maxv), minimum velocity (minv) for veins were recorded and compared with a control group of type 1 diabetic patients. At one year, a statistically significant increase of blood flow velocities of central retinal arteries (psv: 6.09±0.46 vs. 10.12±1.20 cm/s, P=0.01) and veins (maxv: 3.12±0.28 vs. 6.12±1.00 cm/s, P=0.01) was found only in the ITA patients. An early, significant increase of arterial and venous retinal blood flow velocities was found after ITA.
Hypertension in chronic renal failure.

Introduction. When compared with essential arterial hypertension, the incidence of secondary arterial hypertension is low (8-10%), but it can be cured by surgery in the case of renovascular hypertension, renin producing tumors, coartaction of the aorta and some types of suprarenal gland diseases. The most frequent form of secondary hypertension is caused by chronic renal parenchymatous injury, which occurs in approximately 5% of all cases of hypertension. Table I presents the most frequent causes of this type of hypertension. As the renal insufficiency progresses, the percentage of patients who suffer arterial hypertension increases; about 85-90% of the patients in end-stage chronic renal failure present elevated blood pressure levels prior to entering in the dialysis program.
Efficient static analysis of XML paths and types

We present an algorithm to solve XPath decision problems under regular tree type constraints and show its use to statically type-check XPath queries. To this end, we prove the decidability of a logic with converse for finite ordered trees whose time complexity is a simple exponential of the size of a formula. The logic corresponds to the alternation free modal μ-calculus without greatest fixpoint, restricted to finite trees, and where formulas are cycle-free. Our proof method is based on two auxiliary results. First, XML regular tree types and XPath expressions have a linear translation to cycle-free formulas. Second, the least and greatest fixpoints are equivalent for finite trees, hence the logic is closed under negation. Building on these results, we describe a practical, effective system for solving the satisfiability of a formula. The system has been experimented with some decision problems such as XPath emptiness, containment, overlap, and coverage, with or without type constraints. The benefit of the approach is that our system can be effectively used in static analyzers for programming languages manipulating both XPath expressions and XML type annotations (as input and output types).
Online prediction of time series data with recurrent kernels

We propose a robust recurrent kernel online learning (RRKOL) algorithm which allows the exploitation of the kernel trick in an online fashion. The novel RRKOL algorithm achieves guaranteed weight convergence with regularized risk management through the recurrent hyper-parameters for a superior generalization performance. To select useful data to be learned and remove redundant ones, a sparcification procedure is developed based on the stability analysis of the system. Two time-series prediction examples are presented.
Communicating Crimes: Covering Gangs in Contemporary Canadian Journalism

III DEDICATION. V ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . VI TABLE OF CONTENTS . VII LIST OF TABLES . XI LIST OF FIGURES . XII PREFACE . 1 WORKS CITED . 6 1. MEDIATING CANADIAN GANGLANDS: AN OVERVIEW . 7 EMERGING GANGLANDS . 7 FROM ―GANGR‖ TO ―GANGSTA‖: A BRIEF HISTORY OF GANG DISCOURSES . 14 PIERRE BOURDIEU: SYMBOLIC VIOLENCE AND THE CANADIAN MEDIA . 23 Symbolic Violence . 24 Habitus. 27 Field . 28 Criticisms . 33 Bourdieu and the Journalistic Field . 38 RESEARCH PROBLEM . 40 ORGANIZATION . 40 WORKS CITED . 44