Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Designing your Next Empirical Study on Program Comprehension

The field of program comprehension is characterized by both the continuing development of new tools and techniques and the adaptation of existing techniques to address program comprehension needs for new software development and maintenance scenarios. The adoption of these techniques and tools in industry requires proper experimentation to assess the advantages and disadvantages of each technique or tool and to let the practitioners choose the most suitable approach for a specific problem. The objective of this working session is to encourage researchers and practitioners working in the area of program comprehension to join forces to design and carry out studies related to program comprehension, including observational studies, controlled experiments, case studies, surveys, and contests, and to develop standards for describing and carrying out such studies in a way that facilitates replication of data and aggregation of the results of related studies.
Influential Characteristics of Enterprise Information System User Interfaces

ABSTRACT End-user acceptance is considered as a significant factor influencing the success of enterprise information system (EIS) implementations and operations. This study conceptualizes three aspects of EIS user interfaces (UIs), namely information overload, control familiarity, and UI fit, and proposes a model to understand their effect on two major factors that are considered to influence the end-user acceptance of these systems: EIS end user’s performance expectancy and effort expectancy. We developed a theoretical model and multiitem scales for the proposed EIS UI characteristics and tested the model empirically with data from a survey performed with a sample 98 EIS end users. The results from our test provide evidence for the key role that EIS UI design plays in the end user’s performance and effort expectancy.
Testing for the Applicability of the TAM Model in the Arabic Context: Exploring an Extended TAM with Three Moderating Factors

The present study attempts to investigate the applicability of the TAM model in the Arab context and to extend TAM with three moderating/interacting human factors. Using a survey sample collected from 722 knowledge workers using desktop computer applications on a voluntary basis in Saudi Arabia, this study sought empirical support for testing the basic structure of TAM. Toward that, the study was successful as the structure of TAM holds well in the Saudi settings. This study also empirically examined an extended TAM by incorporating gender, age and educational level as moderators of the model's core relationships. Our findings emphasize that most of the key relationships in the model are moderated. Specifically, age moderates all the influences of computers usefulness and ease of use on attitudes and intention to use. However, gender and educational level only moderate the influence of ease of use on attitudes.Implications for management and practice of these findings are discussed.
Solar-powered ventilation of African termite mounds

ABSTRACT How termite mounds function to facilitate climate control is still only partially understood. Recent experimental evidence in the mounds of a single species, the south Asian termite Odontotermes obesus, suggests that the daily oscillations of radiant heating associated with diurnal insolation patterns drive convective flow within them. How general this mechanism is remains unknown. To probe this, we consider the mounds of the African termite Macrotermes michaelseni, which thrives in a very different environment. By directly measuring air velocities and temperatures within the mound, we see that the overall mechanisms and patterns involved are similar to that in the south Asian species. However, there are also some notable differences between the physiology of these mounds associated with the temporal variations in radiant heating patterns and CO2 dynamics. Because of the difference between direct radiant heating driven by the position of the sun in African conditions, and the more shaded south Asian environments, we see changes in the convective flows in the two types of mounds. Furthermore, we also see that the south Asian mounds show a significant overturning of stratified gases, once a day, while the African mounds have a relatively uniform concentration of CO2. Overall, our observations show that despite these differences, termite architectures can harness periodic solar heating to drive ventilation inside them in very different environments, functioning as an external lung, with clear implications for human engineering. Highlighted Article: Termite mounds harness oscillatory solar heating to drive internal ventilation of metabolic gases, functioning as an external lung for the colony. This passive mechanism has clear implications for human engineering.
The Neural Basis of Involuntary Episodic Memories

Voluntary episodic memories require an intentional memory search, whereas involuntary episodic memories come to mind spontaneously without conscious effort. Cognitive neuroscience has largely focused on voluntary memory, leaving the neural mechanisms of involuntary memory largely unknown. We hypothesized that, because the main difference between voluntary and involuntary memory is the controlled retrieval processes required by the former, there would be greater frontal activity for voluntary than involuntary memories. Conversely, we predicted that other components of the episodic retrieval network would be similarly engaged in the two types of memory. During encoding, all participants heard sounds, half paired with pictures of complex scenes and half presented alone. During retrieval, paired and unpaired sounds were presented, panned to the left or to the right. Participants in the involuntary group were instructed to indicate the spatial location of the sound, whereas participants in the voluntary group were asked to additionally recall the pictures that had been paired with the sounds. All participants reported the incidence of their memories in a postscan session. Consistent with our predictions, voluntary memories elicited greater activity in dorsal frontal regions than involuntary memories, whereas other components of the retrieval network, including medial-temporal, ventral occipitotemporal, and ventral parietal regions were similarly engaged by both types of memories. These results clarify the distinct role of dorsal frontal and ventral occipitotemporal regions in predicting strategic retrieval and recalled information, respectively, and suggest that, although there are neural differences in retrieval, involuntary memories share neural components with established voluntary memory systems.
A 28mW OFDM baseband receiver chip for DVB-T/H with all digital synchronization

An OFDM baseband receiver chip for DVB-T/H application is proposed in this paper. With all-digital jointed detection/synchronization loops and channel estimation, the proposed receiver chip can compensate 200 ppm sampling clock offset (SCO) and plusmn 50 subcarrier spacing carrier frequency offset (CFO) in multipath environment. The total memory requirement of this chip is 102.8 KB and the total equivalent gate count (including memory) is about 806,800 gates. By using 0.18 mum CMOS process, the power consumption is 28 mW at 1.45 V, 40 MHz and core size of this chip is 3600 mum times 3600 mum.
Pressure-selective modulation of NMDA receptor subtypes may reflect 3D structural differences

Professional deep-water divers exposed to high pressure (HP) above 1.1 MPa suffer from High Pressure Neurological Syndrome (HPNS), which is associated with CNS hyperexcitability. We have previously reported that HP augments N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) synaptic responses, increases neuronal excitability, and potentially causes irreversible neuronal damage. We now report that HP (10.1 MPa) differentially affects eight specific NMDAR subtypes. GluN1(1a or 1b) was co-expressed with one of the four GluN2(A–D) subunits in Xenopus laevis oocytes. HP increased ionic currents (measured by two electrode voltage clamps) of one subtype, reduced the current in four others, and did not affect the current in the remaining three. 3D theoretical modeling was aimed at revealing specific receptor domains involved with HP selectivity. In light of the information on the CNS spatial distribution of the different NMDAR subtypes, we conclude that the NMDAR's diverse responses to HP may lead to selective HP effects on different brain regions. These discoveries call for further and more specific investigation of deleterious HP effects and suggest the need for a re-evaluation of deep-diving safety guidelines.
Effects of structural parameters on compressibility and soiling properties of machine woven carpets

Abstract Compressibility performance of the machine woven carpet after a static or dynamic loading expresses the texture deformation tendency of the carpet. This study is an experimental attempt to investigate the effects of pile height and pile density on compressibility and soiling property by dynamic loading, prolonged heavy static loading, compression recovery and artificial soiling tests. In this study, a total of 12 carpet samples with three different pile heights and four different pile densities were tested. As a result of this study, it was seen that higher pile density provides a lower thickness loss and so a lower level of texture deformation. On the other hand, pile height has a preventing effect for texture deformation for static loading and compression recovery tests whereas there is no considerable effect on dynamic loading test. There is no considerable difference between the soiling properties of the samples.
The Role of Exercise on L-Arginine Nitric Oxide Pathway in Chronic Heart Failure

Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a pathological state with high morbidity and mortality and the full understanding of its genesis remain to be elucidated. In this syndrome, a cascade of neurohormonal and hemodynamic mechanisms, as well as inflammatory mediators, are activated to improve the impaired cardiac function. Clinical and experimental observations have shown that CHF is associated with a generalized disturbance in endothelium-dependent vasodilation, which may contribute to the progression of ventricular and vascular remodelling in this syndrome. There is also accumulating evidence that disturbances in nitric oxide (NO) availability is involved in the development of heart failure at the systemic and cardiac levels. NO is a ubiquitous signalling molecule which causes potent vasodilation, inhibits platelet activation and regulates the contractile properties of cardiac myocytes. It is generated from the amino acid L-arginine via constitutive and inducible isoforms of the enzyme NO synthase (NOS). There is evidence that exercise, a nonpharmacological tool, improves symptoms, fitness (VO2peak), quality of life and NO bioavailability in CHF population. This review examines different aspects of the L-arginine-NO pathway and inflammation in the physiopathology of CHF and highlights the important beneficial effects of exercise in this disease.
Identification of Stanniocalcin 2 as a Novel Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Target Gene

Proper hepatocyte function is vital for survival; thus, unrepaired destruction of the parenchymal tissue leading to liver decompensation is devastating. Therefore, understanding the homeostatic process regulating liver regeneration is clinically important, and evidence that the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) can promote cell survival after intrinsic apoptotic stimuli is integral to the regenerative process. The current study uses primary hepatocytes to identify survival mechanisms consistent with normal AhR biology. Taking advantage of the Cre-lox system to manipulate AhR status, we designed a comprehensive microarray analysis to identify immediate and direct changes in the transcriptome concomitant with the loss of the AhR. As a result, we identified a unique data set with minimal overlap, compared with previous array studies, culminating in the identification of Stanniocalcin 2 (Stc2) as a novel receptor target gene previously reported to have a cytoprotective role in endoplasmic reticulum stress. The Stc2 promoter contains multiple putative xenobiotic response elements clustered in a 250-bp region that was shown to recruit the AhR by chromatin immunoprecipitation. Of interest, Stc2 gene expression is refractory to classic exogenous AhR agonists, but responds to cellular stress in an AhR-dependent mechanism consistent with a process promoting cell survival.
Biweekly THP‐COP therapy for newly diagnosed peripheral T‐cell lymphoma patients

Pirarubicin tetrahydropyranyl adriamycin (THP‐ADR) is an analogue of doxorubicin. This agent exhibits activity against some doxorubicin‐resistant cell lines. We performed a phase II study of biweekly THP‐COP [50 mg/m2 pirarubicin, 750 mg/m2 cyclophosphamide, 1.4 mg/m2 vincristine (2.0 mg maximum) on day 1, and 100 mg/body predonisolone on days 1–5] in patients with peripheral T‐cell lymphoma (PTCL). Seventeen patients with newly diagnosed PTCL were enrolled. Histological diagnoses were of PTCL, not otherwise specified (n = 5), or angioimmunoblastic T‐cell lymphoma (n = 12). All diagnostic specimens including those of the historical control group were centrally reviewed by hematological pathologists. All patients received six cycles of biweekly THP‐COP. The patient group included 13 male and 4 female patients, with a median age of 62 years. The median follow‐up time in surviving patients was 30 months. Overall response rate was 94% with 15 cases of complete remission (88%). The 3‐year progression‐free survival and overall survival rates were 57% and 75%, respectively. The most frequent adverse events associated with biweekly THP‐COP were leukocytopenia (100%), neutropenia (100%), and lymphopenia (100%), followed by alopecia (92%) and anaemia (88%). All of these occurred only transiently, and the patients subsequently recovered. Biweekly THP‐COP is a safe and promising therapy for patients with newly diagnosed PTCL. This study is registered in a public database (UMIN000010485). Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Common Representation Learning Using Step-Based Correlation Multi-modal CNN

Deep learning techniques have been successfully used in learning a common representation for multi-view data, wherein the different modalities are projected onto a common subspace. In a broader perspective, the techniques used to investigate common representation learning falls under the categories of canonical correlation-based approaches and autoencoder based approaches. In this paper, we investigate the performance of deep autoencoder based methods on multi-view data. We propose a novel step-based correlation multi-modal CNN (CorrMCNN) which reconstructs one view of the data given the other while increasing the interaction between the representations at each hidden layer or every intermediate step. Finally, we evaluate the performance of the proposed model on two benchmark datasets - MNIST and XRMB. Through extensive experiments, we find that the proposed model achieves better performance than the current state-of-the-art techniques on joint common representation learning and transfer learning tasks.
Influence of pyrrole feeding ratios on physicochemical characteristics of high-performance multilayered PPy/PVC/PDA@FG-NH2 nanocomposites

Nanocomposites of conjugated polymers polypyrrole (PPy) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) as matrices and 1,4-phenylenediamine (PDA) as a linker with amine functional graphite (FG-NH2) as filler have been efficiently fabricated using in situ oxidative polymerization, and the effect of various mass ratios on physicochemical characteristics of prepared nanocomposite was investigated. The layer-by-layer oxidative polymerization of various matrices on host filler surface is confirmed by Fourier transform infrared, energy dispersive X-ray, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy examinations. Field emission scanning electron microscopy revealed fibrillary morphology of obtained nanocomposites. Thermal stability, glass transition temperature, and melting and crystallization temperature of the nanocomposites were increased with the incorporation of modified graphite. Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis explored the improved adsorption capacity (128 cm3 g−1) of the nanocomposite with higher feeding ratio of pyrrole. The influence of FG-NH2 and pyrrole on electrical conductivity performance of composites was also investigated. Functionalized graphite in the resultant PPy/PVC/PDA@FG-NH2 nanocomposites played an important role in forming conducting network in PPy matrix indicating synergistic effect between PPy and FG-NH2.
Mechanism of Fulminant Pulmonary Edema Caused by Enterovirus 71

Abstract Pulmonary edema (PE) may occur with enterovirus 71 (EV71) infection. We monitored arterial pressure (AP) and heart rate (HR) in patients with EV71 infection and analyzed the variability of AP and HR. Sympathetic activity, AP, and HR increased with respiratory stress. Thereafter, parasympathetic activity increased with decreases in AP and HR. The lungs showed edema with inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression. Destruction of the medial, ventral, and caudal medulla may lead to sympathetic overactivation, causing blood to shift to the lungs. The pathogenesis of PE may also involve iNOS and nitric oxide.
Evaluating PowerPoint Presentations: A Retrospective Study Examining Educational Barriers and Strategies

AIMTo assess faculty adherence to best practices for PowerPoint presentations in nursing school curricula. BACKGROUNDIt is important to examine current educational methods and identify best educational practices that contribute to a high quality nursing curriculum. METHODA retrospective study approach was used. Data were collected from 1,735 slide presentations from five universities. PowerPoint® presentations were compared to a nine-point standardized scoring criterion for quality. RESULTSFindings provide evidence that indicated classroom presentations often fall short of providing best educational practices. CONCLUSIONThese findings can lead to greater faculty understanding of best practices and provide strategies to reinvent educational methods that engage students.
Using Ice and Dust Lines to Constrain the Surface Densities of Protoplanetary Disks

We present a novel method for determining the surface density of protoplanetary disks through consideration of disk “dust lines,” which indicate the observed disk radial scale at different observational wavelengths. This method relies on the assumption that the processes of particle growth and drift control the radial scale of the disk at late stages of disk evolution such that the lifetime of the disk is equal to both the drift timescale and growth timescale of the maximum particle size at a given dust line. We provide an initial proof of concept of our model through an application to the disk TW Hya and are able to estimate the disk dust-to-gas ratio, CO abundance, and accretion rate in addition to the total disk surface density. We find that our derived surface density profile and dust-to-gas ratio are consistent with the lower limits found through measurements of HD gas. The CO ice line also depends on surface density through grain adsorption rates and drift and we find that our theoretical CO ice line estimates have clear observational analogues. We further apply our model to a large parameter space of theoretical disks and find three observational diagnostics that may be used to test its validity. First, we predict that the dust lines of disks other than TW Hya will be consistent with the normalized CO surface density profile shape for those disks. Second, surface density profiles that we derive from disk ice lines should match those derived from disk dust lines. Finally, we predict that disk dust and ice lines will scale oppositely, as a function of surface density, across a large sample of disks.
Latitudinal Discontinuity in Thermal Conditions along the Nearshore of Central-Northern Chile

Over the past decade, evidence of abrupt latitudinal changes in the dynamics, structure and genetic variability of intertidal and subtidal benthic communities along central-northern Chile has been found consistently at 30–32°S. Changes in the advective and thermal environment in nearshore waters have been inferred from ecological patterns, since analyses of in situ physical data have thus far been missing. Here we analyze a unique set of shoreline temperature data, gathered over 4–10 years at 15 sites between 28–35°S, and combine it with satellite-derived winds and sea surface temperatures to investigate the latitudinal transition in nearshore oceanographic conditions suggested by recent ecological studies. Our results show a marked transition in thermal conditions at 30–31°S, superimposed on a broad latitudinal trend, and small-scale structures associated with cape-and-bay topography. The seasonal cycle dominated temperature variability throughout the region, but its relative importance decreased abruptly south of 30–31°S, as variability at synoptic and intra-seasonal scales became more important. The response of shoreline temperatures to meridional wind stress also changed abruptly at the transition, leading to a sharp drop in the occurrence of low-temperature waters at northern sites, and a concurrent decrease in corticated algal biomass. Together, these results suggest a limitation of nitrate availability in nearshore waters north of the transition. The localized alongshore change results from the interaction of latitudinal trends (e.g., wind stress, surface warming, inertial period) with a major headland-bay system (Punta Lengua de Vaca at 30.25°S), which juxtaposes a southern stretch of coast characterized by upwelling with a northern stretch of coast characterized by warm surface waters and stratification. This transition likely generates a number of latitude-dependent controls on ecological processes in the nearshore that can explain species-specific effects, and add strength to the suggestion of an oceanography-driven, major spatial transition in coastal communities at 30–31°S.
Contributions of the Axostyle and Flagella to Closed Mitosis in the Protists Tritrichomonas foetus and Trichomonas vaginalis

Abstract Tritrichomonas foetus and Trichomonas vaginalis are protists that undergo closed mitosis: the nuclear envelope remains intact and the spindle remains extranuclear. Here we show, in disagreement with previous studies, that the axostyle does not disappear during mitosis but rather actively participates in it. We document the main structural modifications of the cell during its cell cycle using video enhanced microscopy and computer animation, bright field light microscopy, confocal laser scanning microscopy, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. We propose six phases in the trichomonad's cell cycle: an orthodox interphase, a pre-mitotic phase, and four stages during the cell division process. We report that in T. foetus and T. vaginalis: a) all skeletal structures such as the costa, pelta-axostyle system, basal bodies, flagella, and associated filaments of the mastigont system are duplicated in a pre-mitotic phase; b) the axostyle does not disappear during mitosis, otherwise playing a fundamental role in this process; c) axostyles participate in the changes in the cell shape, contortion of the anterior region of the cell, and karyokinesis; d) flagella are not under assembly during mitosis, as previously stated by others, but completely formed before it; and e) cytokinesis is powered in part by cell locomotion.