Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Perceived Usefulness and Perceived Ease of Use on Learner Flow in e-Learning Community

This study aims to identify the effect that the perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use have on learner flow in e-learning community. Based on literature review and Technology Acceptance Model(TAM), a potential model and five hypotheses were suggested. Questionnaire was carried out among 62 members of one e-learning community for preparatory teacher Cronbach alpha of the questionnaire was.88. The collected data were analyzed through correlation analysis and path analysis. The results of this research are as follows. Three hypotheses were adopted: Perceived usefulness will affect on attitudinal flow, Perceived ease of use will affect on attitudinal flow. and Attitudinal flow will affect on behavioral flow. Two hypotheses were rejected;. Perceived usefulness will affect on perceived ease of use and Perceived ease of use will affect on behavioral flow. The model revised through the results of path analysis had good-fitness. That is. overall fit measures (RMSEA, CFI. NNFI). indexes that show the suitability of the model were quite good. Findings of this study suggested the important strategies for designing e-learning community in order to promote learner flow.
Delay-Optimal Burst Erasure Codes for Parallel Links

Motivated by live streaming applications using peer assistance, we study burst erasure correction codes with optimal decoding delay for parallel-link networks. We consider a new model for network error correction, where each source symbol is decoded at the sink on-the-fly with a strict decoding deadline. We distinguish two types of errors which have very different implications on the code design -- erasure burst and link outage. For a class of codes that achieve the Singleton bound, we state a theorem that characterizes the fundamental tradeoff among the coding rate, decoding delay and error correction performance, whose achievability is illustrated by a practical code construction.
Does the "Refactor to Understand" reverse engineering pattern improve program comprehension?

Program comprehension is a fundamental requirement for all but the most trivial maintenance activities. Previous research has demonstrated key principles for improving comprehension. Among others, these consist of the introduction of beacons as indexes into knowledge, and the chunking of low-level structures into higher-level abstractions. These principles are naturally reflected in the reverse engineering pattern Refactor to Understand, which uses incremental renaming and extracting of program elements as the means to decipher cryptic code. In this paper, we discuss a controlled experiment to explore differences in program comprehension between the application of Refactor to Understand and the traditional Read to Understand pattern. Our results support added value of Refactor to Understand regarding specific aspects of program comprehension and specific types of source code. These findings illustrate the need for further experiments to provide clear guidelines on the application of refactorings for improving program comprehension.
High performance low-voltage QFG-based DVCC and a novel fully differential SC integrator based on it

This paper proposes a high performance, rail-to-rail, Differential Voltage Current Conveyor (DVCC), using Quasi-Floating Gate (QFG) transistors. With a compact structure, the circuit operates at very low supply voltage (±0.5V), dissipates very low standby power (90µW), has a high bandwidth (f-3dB of 81MHz and 82MHz for Ai and Av, respectively), and a very low input resistance (0.2Ω). Using the proposed DVCC a novel fully differential Switched Capacitor (SC) integrator is also introduced. HSPICE simulation results confirm the functionality of proposed DVCC and integrator.
Spatiotemporal Learning via Infinite-Dimensional Bayesian Filtering and Smoothing: A Look at Gaussian Process Regression Through Kalman Filtering

Gaussian process-based machine learning is a powerful Bayesian paradigm for nonparametric nonlinear regression and classification. In this article, we discuss connections of Gaussian process regression with Kalman filtering and present methods for converting spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression problems into infinite-dimensional state-space models. This formulation allows for use of computationally efficient infinite-dimensional Kalman filtering and smoothing methods, or more general Bayesian filtering and smoothing methods, which reduces the problematic cubic complexity of Gaussian process regression in the number of time steps into linear time complexity. The implication of this is that the use of machine-learning models in signal processing becomes computationally feasible, and it opens the possibility to combine machine-learning techniques with signal processing methods.
The combination of polarimetric SAR with satellite SAR and optical data for classification of agricultural land

Abstract A multi-spectral SPOT image, polarimetric airborne SAR data as well as satellite based C-band SAR data have been used to perform classification of agricultural fields and areas occupied by forest and lake. Conventional Maximum Likelihood classification has been compared with classification incorporating a Gaussian mixture class model, as well as an algorithm based on multi-resolution structured data and sequential MAP (SMAP). The classification accuracies found were generally high, using combinations of sensors. It is found that multi polarization data gives invaluable information to be used in a classification scheme, a feature that can be exploited in future satellite sen sors, like for instance ASAR on board ENVISAT. The Gaussian mixture class model performed only slightly better than the conventional maximum likelihood algorithm, whereas the SMAP algorithm improved the classification results.
The Vitamin D Receptor Is a Wnt Effector that Controls Hair Follicle Differentiation and Specifies Tumor Type in Adult Epidermis

We have investigated how Wnt and vitamin D receptor signals regulate epidermal differentiation. Many epidermal genes induced by β-catenin, including the stem cell marker keratin 15, contain vitamin D response elements (VDREs) and several are induced independently of TCF/Lef. The VDR is required for β-catenin induced hair follicle formation in adult epidermis, and the vitamin D analog EB1089 synergises with β-catenin to stimulate hair differentiation. Human trichofolliculomas (hair follicle tumours) are characterized by high nuclear β-catenin and VDR, whereas infiltrative basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) have high β-catenin and low VDR levels. In mice, EB1089 prevents β-catenin induced trichofolliculomas, while in the absence of VDR β-catenin induces tumours resembling BCCs. We conclude that VDR is a TCF/Lef-independent transcriptional effector of the Wnt pathway and that vitamin D analogues have therapeutic potential in tumors with inappropriate activation of Wnt signalling.
Changes in type-specific human papillomavirus load predict progression to cervical cancer

Persistent high‐risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is strongly associated with the development of high‐grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia or cancer (CIN3+). However, HPV infection is common and usually transient. Viral load measured at a single time‐point is a poor predictor of the natural history of HPV infection. The profile of viral load evolution over time could distinguish HPV infections with carcinogenic potential from infections that regress. A case‐cohort natural history study was set‐up using a Belgian laboratory database processing more than 100,000 liquid cytology specimens annually. All cytology leftovers were submitted to real‐time PCR testing identifying E6/E7 genes of 17 HPV types, with viral load expressed as HPV copies/cell. Samples from untreated women who developed CIN3+ (n = 138) and women with transient HPV infection (n = 601) who contributed at least three viral load measurements were studied. Only single‐type HPV infections were selected. The changes in viral load over time were assessed by the linear regression slope for the productive and/or clearing phase of infection in women developing CIN3+ and women with transient infection respectively. Transient HPV infections generated similar increasing (0.21 copies/cell/day) and decreasing (−0.28 copies/cell/day) viral load slopes. In HPV infections leading to CIN3+, the viral load increased almost linearly with a slope of 0.0028 copies/cell/day. Difference in slopes between transient infections and infections leading to CIN3+ was highly significant (P < .0001). Serial type‐specific viral load measurements predict the natural history of HPV infections and could be used to triage women in HPV‐based cervical cancer screening.
Structure-Function Relationships of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Transcription Factor WhiB1

Background Members of the WhiB-like (Wbl) protein family possess iron-sulfur clusters and are implicated in the regulation of developmental processes in Actinomycetes. Mycobacterium tuberculosis possesses seven Wbl proteins. The [4Fe-4S] cluster of M. tuberculosis WhiB1 is relatively insensitive to O2 but very sensitive to nitric oxide (NO). Nitric oxide nitrosylates the WhiB1 iron-sulfur cluster and promotes DNA-binding; the apo-forms of WhiB1 also bind DNA. However, the molecular requirements for iron-sulfur cluster acquisition and for DNA-binding by WhiB1 are poorly characterized. Methods and Findings WhiB1 variants were created by site-directed mutagenesis and the abilities of the corresponding proteins to acquire an iron-sulfur cluster and/or bind to whiB1 promoter DNA were assessed. All four Cys residues (Cys9, 37, 40, and 46) in the N-terminal region of WhiB1 were required for incorporation of a [4Fe-4S] cluster, whereas a possible alternative cluster ligand Asp13 (by analogy with M. smegmatis WhiB2) was not. The C-terminal region of WhiB1 is predicted to house the DNA-binding domain of the protein consisting of a predicted β-turn (58GVWGG62) followed by two amino acid motifs (72KRRN75 and 78TKAR81) that are conserved in WhiB1 proteins. Gly residues (Gly58, 61 and 62) in the β-turn and positively-charged residues (Lys72, Arg73, Arg74, Lys79 and Arg81) in the downstream conserved regions were required for binding of WhiB1 DNA. Conclusions Site-directed mutagenesis of M. tuberculosis whiB1 and characterization of the corresponding proteins has been used to explore structure-function relationships of the NO-responsive transcription factor WhiB1. This showed that all four conserved Cys residues in the N-terminal region are required for incorporation of iron-sulfur clusters but not for DNA-binding. Analysis of variants with amino acid substitutions in the C-terminal region revealed the crucial roles played by a predicted β-turn and two conserved positively-charged motifs in facilitating DNA-binding, but not iron-sulfur cluster acquisition, by WhiB1.
Local Administration of Serotonin Agonists Blocks Light-Induced Phase Advances of the Circadian Activity Rhythm in the Hamster

Circadian rhythms in mammals are synchronized to environmental light-dark cycles through a direct retinal projection to the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), a circadian clock. This process is thought to be modulated by other afferents to the SCN, including a dense serotonergic projection from the midbrain raphe. Previous work from this laboratory demonstrated that a systemically administered 5-hydroxytry ptamine1A/7 (5-HT1A/7) agonist 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) dose dependently attenuates light-induced phase shifts of the circadian activity rhythm of the Syrian hamster. In this study, we demonstrate that local injections (1-100 μM) of the 5-HT1A/7 agonists 8-OH-DPAT or 5-carboxamidotryptamine into the region of the SCN inhibit light-induced phase advances of the circadian wheel-running rhythm. In addition, the inhibitory effects of systemically administered 8-OH-DPAT were unaffected by either radiofrequency-induced lesions of the intergeniculate leaflet or 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine-induced lesions of serotonergic projections to the SCN. These findings support a modulatory role of serotonin in photic regulation of circadian phase through an action at the level of the SCN.
Influence of biotic exchange and combustion sources on atmospheric CO2 concentrations in New England from observations at a forest flux tower

Hourly data for concentrations and fluxes of CO2 at 30 m in Harvard Forest (Petersham, Massachusetts) are analyzed using linear modeling to obtain regionally representative CO2 concentrations at a continental site. The time series is decomposed into contributions due to regional combustion, local canopy exchange, monthly average regional biotic exchange (as modulated by the daily cycle of growth and decay of the planetary boundary layer (PBL)), and the regional monthly background concentration. Attributions are derived using time series analysis, data for a tracer for combustion (CO or acetylene (C2H2)), and measurements of indicators of proximate canopy exchange (CO2 flux and momentum flux). Results are compared to observations at Cold Bay, Alaska. Combustion contributes on average 4–5 ppm to ambient CO2 at Harvard Forest in winter and 2–3 ppm in summer. Regional biotic emissions elevate daily mean CO2 by 4–6 ppm in winter, and the covariance of the biotic cycle of uptake and emission with PBL height enhances daily mean CO2 by 1–2 ppm in summer; minimum values in late afternoon average 10 ppm lower than at Cold Bay in summer. The study shows that regionally representative concentrations of CO2 can be determined at continental sites if suitable correlates (tracers, fluxes of CO2, and momentum) are measured simultaneously with CO2 itself.
Cytological characterization of sex chromosomes and ribosomal DNA location in Anastrepha species (Diptera, Tephritidae)

This paper reports a comparative analysis of heterochromatin organization in the sex chromosomes of the fruit fly Anastrepha. Mitotic chromosomes of eight Anastrepha species from different taxonomic groups were stained with DAPI and chromomycin A3 fluorochromes followed by C-banding. A specific sex-chromosome banding pattern was obtained for each of the analyzed species. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was performed to investigate the chromosomal location of rDNA loci. In all cases the rDNA sequences were found to localize exclusively to the sex chromosomes. The results further extend the chromosomal knowledge of Anastrepha and allow a precise species identification.
The Rise of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in U.S. Correctional Populations

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an emerging threat to public health, especially in correctional settings. Outbreaks have been seen in jails and prisons in Mississippi, California, Texas, and Georgia in recent years. Also, many correctional settings have seen an increase in MRSA infection greater than in the general population. This article examines the lessons that have been learned about MRSA in correctional settings and ponders what is yet to be learned about this disease in these populations.
The Evolution of Capital Structure and Operating Performance after Leveraged Buyouts: Evidence from U.S. Corporate Tax Returns

This study uses corporate tax return data to examine the evolution of firms' financial structure and performance after leveraged buyouts (LBOs) for a comprehensive sample of 317 LBOs taking place between 1995 and 2007. We find little evidence of operating improvements subsequent to an LBO, although consistent with prior studies, we do observe operating improvements in the set of LBO firms that have public financial statements. We also find that firms do not reduce leverage after LBOs, even if they generate excess cash flow. Our results suggest that effecting a sustained change in capital structure is a conscious objective of the LBO structure.
Clinical effectiveness of leucoreduced, pooled donor platelet concentrates, stored in plasma or additive solution with and without pathogen reduction

Pathogen reduction (PR) of platelet products increases costs and available clinical studies are equivocal with respect to clinical and haemostatic effectiveness. We conducted a multicentre, open‐label, randomized, non‐inferiority trial comparing the clinical effectiveness of buffy‐coat derived leucoreduced platelet concentrates (PC) stored for up to 7 d in plasma with platelets stored in platelet additive solution III (PASIII) without and with treatment with amotosalen‐HCl/ultraviolet‐A (UVA) photochemical pathogen reduction (PR‐PASIII). Primary endpoint of the study was 1‐h corrected count increment (CCI). Secondary endpoints were 24‐h CCI, bleeding, transfusion requirement of red cells and PC, platelet transfusion interval and adverse transfusion reactions. Compared to plasma‐PC, in the intention to treat analysis of 278 evaluable patients the mean difference for the 1‐h CCI of PR‐PASIII‐PC and PASIII‐PC was −31% (P < 0·0001) and −9% (P = n.s.), respectively. Twenty‐seven patients (32%) had bleeding events in the PR‐PASIII arm, as compared to 19 (19%) in the plasma arm and 14 (15%) in the PASIII arm (P = 0·034). Despite the potential advantages of pathogen (and leucocyte) inactivation of amotosalen‐HCl/UVA‐treated platelet products, their clinical efficacy is inferior to platelets stored in plasma, warranting a critical reappraisal of employing this technique for clinical use.
Aging effect on egocentric and allocentric frames of reference in visual attention : an event-related potential (ERP) study

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Metrics and tool for system assessment

A wide increment of object-oriented diffusion has been registered. This is accompanied by the needs of metrics and tools for assessing class reusability, maintainability, complexity, etc. Metrics have to produce confident results and have to be continuously revalidated on the basis of the specific purpose of their adoption. Tools for system assessment must be capable of satisfying the needs of each company by supporting the definition of more specific metrics and by providing appropriate views of software characteristics. These views are useful to give the developers as well as the managers immediately understandable representations of the system status. In this paper a new approach is proposed for system assessment. This approach is based on the adoption of new and well-known metrics together with a set of histograms and profiles that give a clear characterization of the system under development. The semantics of these histograms has been validated against several projects. A brief overview of the tool, TAC++, developed for system assessment is also included.
Narrative discourse in school-age children with high-functioning autism

OF THE THESIS Narrative Discourse in School-Age Children with HighFunctioning Autism by Janie Y. Lai Master of Arts in Speech, Language, and Hearing Science San Diego State University, 2011 With each passing year, the number of children diagnosed with high functioning autism (HFA) increases. While numerous studies have documented the types and severity of linguistic and social delays in toddlers and preschoolers with HFA, limited research has been done to determine how their linguistic and social profiles change over time. As the production of narratives requires linguistic, social, and cognitive contributions, narratives are useful tools for obtaining a multi-faceted profile of children with HFA. To extend our understanding of spoken discourse in this population, the present study will examine narratives across two discourse contexts: a personal narrative elicitation task and a semistructured conversational task. The goals of the study are: (1) to compare performance of HFA and typically-developing (TD) school-age children on personal narratives in a narrative elicitation task; (2) to determine whether school-age children with HFA produce narratives in a semi-structured conversational task similarly to TD children; and (3) to compare the quality of narratives in structured tasks to those in produced in conversation. Twelve individuals with high functioning autism, ages 8.0-12.0, and 25 typically-developing children with ages evenly distributed from eight to twelve were administered the aforementioned narrative measures. The transcripts were transcribed and coded by trained undergraduate and graduate students. School-age children performed comparably to TD peers on measures of complex syntax and evaluation, but produced more morphological errors and fewer narrative components. They produced a comparable proportion of narratives with similar topics, compared to the control group, during conversation. Deficits in executive functioning and organization of memory are discussed as explanations for these results. These results suggest that narrative tasks may provide useful information when assessing school-age children with HFA.
Migration and Diversity: Human Versus Social Capital

This paper examines the welfare implications associated with different degrees of diversity or similarity between migrants and natives under both migration and trade. We use a general equilibrium model of migration, human capital and social capital and find that there are three equilibrium solutions: an internal one with half the population of each country migrating to the other country, and two corner solutions where everyone ends up in one of the two countries. The internal solution is unstable and is unlikely to be reached under different levels of human capital across the two countries. The corner solutions are stable and will be reached under most circumstances. If there are human capital differences across the two populations, everyone ends up in the country with the highest initial level of human capital. Welfare under any of the equilibrium solutions rises with the diversity in human capital and decreases with the diversity in social capital between migrants and natives. Trade and both migration solutions reduce inequality between the populations of the two countries by the same amount. In addition, trade and migration are not equivalent if social capital is present: the highest welfare is obtained with migration under the corner solution, the second highest welfare is obtained with trade, and the lowest welfare is obtained with migration under the internal solution. The first two solutions (third solution) raise (may raise or reduce) welfare relative to the no-migration case.
The strategic student approach for life-long exploration and learning

This article introduces the strategic student metaphor: a student has to learn a number of topics (or tasks) to maximize its mean score, and has to choose strategically how to allocate its time among the topics and/or which learning method to use for a given topic. We show that under which conditions a strategy where time allocation or learning method is chosen from the easier to the more complex topic is optimal. Then, we show an algorithm, based on multi-armed bandit techniques, that allows empirical online evaluation of learning progress and approximates the optimal solution under more general conditions. Finally, we show that the strategic student problem formulation allows to view in a common framework many previous approaches to active and developmental learning.