Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inhibitors of the Hydrolytic Enzyme Dimethylarginine Dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH): Discovery, Synthesis and Development

Dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH) is a highly conserved hydrolytic enzyme found in numerous species, including bacteria, rodents, and humans. In humans, the DDAH-1 isoform is known to metabolize endogenous asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and monomethyl arginine (l-NMMA), with ADMA proposed to be a putative marker of cardiovascular disease. Current literature reports identify the DDAH family of enzymes as a potential therapeutic target in the regulation of nitric oxide (NO) production, mediated via its biochemical interaction with the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) family of enzymes. Increased DDAH expression and NO production have been linked to multiple pathological conditions, specifically, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and septic shock. As such, the discovery, chemical synthesis, and development of DDAH inhibitors as potential drug candidates represent a growing field of interest. This review article summarizes the current knowledge on DDAH inhibition and the derived pharmacokinetic parameters of the main DDAH inhibitors reported in the literature. Furthermore, current methods of development and chemical synthetic pathways are discussed.
Control of Resistance by Oxide on the Surface of Cu Interconnects With CuSiN and Ti-based Barrier Metal

To achieve both low line resistance and high electromigration (EM) reliability, CuSiN was formed on CuxO, which was purposely left on the Cu interconnect. Oxide on the Cu surface effectively suppressed Si diffusion into the Cu line: this diffusion had, in the absence of the oxide, appeared during CuSiN formation and increased line resistance. EM reliability, however, was degraded in the case of Ta barrier metal (BM). The degradation occurred because the number of Cu-Si bonds decreased, and the number of Si-O bonds increased. To counteract this, Ti-based BM was used in combination with CuSiN formed on CuxO [CuSiN(Cux O)], because Ti is uniformly distributed in Cu grain boundaries on the Cu surface when Ti is used together with CuSiN, and Ti oxide is preferentially formed to Si oxide. As a result, the combination of CuSiN(CuxO) and Ti-based BM successfully retained the EM improvement brought about by CuSiN, whereas line resistance remained low. We have found a new solution that achieves compatibility between low line resistance and high EM reliability with ease by forming CuSiN on a CuxO surface rather than by performing a sensitive adjustment of CuSiN formation.
Yabancı Dil Olarak Türkçe Öğretimine İlişkin Öğretmen Görüşlerinin Değerlendirilmesi

Arastirmanin amaci, yabanci dil olarak Turkce ogreten ogretmenlerin alan ogretimiyle ilgili goruslerini belirlemektir. Arastirmada nitel arastirma yontemi kullanilmis olup veriler yari yapilandirilmis gorusme araci ile ogretmenlerle (n=54) yapilan gorusmeler neticesinde toplanmistir. Elde edilen veriler betimsel analiz teknigi ile cozumlenmistir. Arastirmadan elde edilen sonuclarda; genel olarak sorunlara, beklentilere ve gerekliliklere iliskin veriler tespit edilmistir. Bunun yani sira yabanci dil olarak Turkce ogreten ogretmenin yabanci dil bilmesinin gerekliligi ancak gerekcelerin iletisim veya kullanim amaci disinda ogretmenin farkli boyutta faydalanmasi yonunde sonuclar ortaya cikarilmistir. Ayrica yabanci dil olarak Turkce ogreten ogretmenin kendisini Turkce ogretmeni ve yabanci dil ogretmeninden farkli algilama nedenleri incelenmistir. Sonuc olarak, yabanci dil olarak Turkce ogreten ogretmenin nerelerde zorlandigi, kendisini mesleki anlamda hangi alanda gordugu ve hangi konularda bilgi sahibi olmasi gerektigini dusundugu ortaya cikarilmaya calisilmistir
Scaffolding Learner Motivation through a Virtual Peer

It is well-documented that advanced technology can scaffold learning and cognitive development and also that human-peer models in classrooms positively influence learner motivation, in particular, self-efficacy in specific tasks. This paper describes three exploratory studies that investigated the potential of virtual peers (VP, animated digital characters designed as peer-like) to scaffold college students' motivation towards lesson-planning tasks. The studies examined how differing characteristics of the VPs motivated learners, as measured by learners' task-related self-efficacy beliefs and learner interest in the task and in working with the VPs. Study 1 examined the competency and interaction type of a VP; Study 2 examined the gender and emotional expression of VPs; and Study 3 examined the gender and emotional response of VPs. Results indicated the close relationships between learner motivation and VP characteristics. These findings support for the instructional utility of the virtual peers as motivational scaffolds.
A neurocomputational model of the effect of learned labels on infants' object representations

The effect of labels on nonlinguistic representations is the focus of substantial debate in the developmental literature. A recent empirical study (Twomey & Westermann, 2016) suggested that labels are incorporated into object representations, such that infants respond differently to objects for which they know a label relative to unlabeled objects. However, these empirical data cannot differentiate between two recent theories of integrated label-object representations, one of which assumes labels are features of object representations, and one which assumes labels are represented separately, but become closely associated with learning. We address this issue using a neurocomputational (auto-encoder) model to instantiate both theoretical approaches. Simulation data support an account in which labels are features of objects, with the same representational status as the objects’ visual and haptic characteristics.
A Fast Computational Algorithm for the Discrete Cosine Transform

A Fast Discrete Cosine Transform algorithm has been developed which provides a factor of six improvement in computational complexity when compared to conventional Discrete Cosine Transform algorithms using the Fast Fourier Transform. The algorithm is derived in the form of matrices and illustrated by a signal-flow graph, which may be readily translated to hardware or software implementations.
Intravenous Lidocaine in the Treatment of Convulsions in the Neonatal Period: Monitoring Plasma Levels

Thirteen newborn infants (five premature, eight full term) with severe seizures and not responding to phenobarbital and diazepam received a lidocaine (LD) infusion. The schedule was 4 mg/kg/h on the 1st day, 3 mg/kg/h on the 2nd day, 2 mg/kg/h on the 3rd day, and 1 mg/kg/h on the 4th day. The LD plasma levels were measured every 24 h just before decreasing the dose. The control of seizures was achieved in 11 of 13 patients, with plasma LD concentration ranging from 2.8 to 10.5 mg/L. The LD concentration was linearly correlated with the dose in each group. In the premature group, LD clearance was always smaller than in the full-term group. Although no side effects were observed on heart rate and blood pressure, it is suggested that the dose of LD be adjusted to maintain the LD concentrations between 3–6 mg/L.
Punitive Damages: How Juries Decide

Over the past two decades, the United States has seen a dramatic increase in the number and magnitude of punitive damages verdicts rendered by juries in civil trials. Probably the most extraordinary example is the July 2000 award of $144.8 billion in the Florida class action lawsuit brought against the cigarette manufacturers. More puzzling were two recent verdicts against the auto manufacturer BMW in Alabama. In identical cases, argued in the same court before the same judge, one jury awarded $4 million in punitive damages, while the other awarded no punitive damages at all. In cases involving accidents, civil rights and the environment, multimillion dollar punitive awards have been a subject of intense controversy. But how do juries actually make decisions about punitive damages? To find out, the authors - specialists in psychology, economics and the law - present the results of controlled experiments with over 600 mock juries involving the responses of more than 8,000 jury-eligible citizens. They find that although juries tended to agree in their moral judgements about the defendant's conduct, they rendered erratic and unpredictable dollar awards. Jurors also tended to ignore instructions from the judges; showed "hindsight bias", believing that what happened should have been foreseen; and penalized corporations that had based their decisions on careful cost-benefit analyses. While judges made many of the same errors, they performed better in some areas, suggesting that judges (or other specialists) may be better equipped than juries to decide punitive damages. With a wealth of new data and a host of provocative findings, this book documents a wide range of systematic bias in jury behaviour and should be valuable for anyone interested in punitive damages, jury behaviour, human psychology and the theory of punishment.
The relationship between emotional intelligence and satisfaction with life after controlling for self-esteem, depression, and locus of control among community college students

This study investigated the relationship between Emotional Intelligence (EI) and Satisfaction with Life (SWL) among community college students. Some researchers suggest a relationship exists between EI and important outcome variables (e.g., occupational success & satisfaction with life). However, other researchers suggest measures of EI may simply assess personality variables known to predict these variables. I used the Mayer, Salovey, and Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT) to investigate how much additional variance in SWL, EI predicts after three personality variables (self-esteem, depression, and locus of control). A convenience sample of 200 Central Florida Community College Students completed the following instruments: 1) MSCEIT (Mayer, Salovey, and Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test, 2002) to assess EI. 2) RSES (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, 1965) to assess self-esteem. 3) BDIII (Beck Depression Inventory ll) Beck, Steer, and Brown (1997) to assess depression. 4) I-E Scale (Internal-External Locus of Control Scale) Rotter (1966) to assess locus of control. 5) SWLS (Satisfaction with Life Scale) Diener, Emmons, Larsen, and Griffin (1985) to assess overall (global)
Instant spectral assignment for advanced decision tree-driven mass spectrometry

We have developed and implemented a sequence identification algorithm (inSeq) that processes tandem mass spectra in real-time using the mass spectrometer’s (MS) onboard processors. The inSeq algorithm relies on accurate mass tandem MS data for swift spectral matching with high accuracy. The instant spectral processing technology takes ∼16 ms to execute and provides information to enable autonomous, real-time decision making by the MS system. Using inSeq and its advanced decision tree logic, we demonstrate (i) real-time prediction of peptide elution windows en masse (∼3 min width, 3,000 targets), (ii) significant improvement of quantitative precision and accuracy (~3x boost in detected protein differences), and (iii) boosted rates of posttranslation modification site localization (90% agreement in real-time vs. offline localization rate and an approximate 25% gain in localized sites). The decision tree logic enabled by inSeq promises to circumvent problems with the conventional data-dependent acquisition paradigm and provides a direct route to streamlined and expedient targeted protein analysis.
Attractive Skin Coloration: Harnessing Sexual Selection to Improve Diet and Health

In this paper we review the mechanisms through which carotenoid coloration could provide a sexually selected cue to condition in species with elaborate color vision. Skin carotenoid pigmentation induced by fruit and vegetable consumption may provide a similar cue to health in humans (particularly light-skinned Asians and Caucasians). Evidence demonstrates that carotenoid-based skin coloration enhances apparent health, and that dietary change can perceptibly impact skin color within weeks. We find that the skin coloration associated with increased fruit and vegetable consumption benefits apparent health to a greater extent than melanin pigmentation. We argue that the benefits to appearance may motivate individuals to improve their diet and that this line of appearance research reveals a potentially powerful strategy for motivating a healthy lifestyle.
meProp: Sparsified Back Propagation for Accelerated Deep Learning with Reduced Overfitting

We propose a simple yet effective technique for neural network learning. The forward propagation is computed as usual. In back propagation, only a small subset of the full gradient is computed to update the model parameters. The gradient vectors are sparsified in such a way that only the top-$k$ elements (in terms of magnitude) are kept. As a result, only $k$ rows or columns (depending on the layout) of the weight matrix are modified, leading to a linear reduction ($k$ divided by the vector dimension) in the computational cost. Surprisingly, experimental results demonstrate that we can update only 1-4% of the weights at each back propagation pass. This does not result in a larger number of training iterations. More interestingly, the accuracy of the resulting models is actually improved rather than degraded, and a detailed analysis is given. The code is available at this https URL
Comparison of two current modulation strategies for matrix converters under unbalanced input voltage conditions

In this paper, the input current performance of matrix converters is analyzed, especially with reference to the operating conditions determined by unbalanced supply voltages. The space vector modulation technique is utilized to calculate the duty-cycles of the active voltage vectors that must be applied, in each switching cycle period, in order to satisfy the input and output requirements. A detailed theoretical analysis of the input current harmonic content under unbalanced input voltage conditions is presented for two different current modulation strategies. On the basis of numerical simulations as well as measurements on a laboratory prototype set-up, the strategies are compared and the validity of the theoretical investigation confirmed.
Risk Factors for Type 1 Diabetes Recurrence in Immunosuppressed Recipients of Simultaneous Pancreas–Kidney Transplants

Patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) who are recipients of pancreas transplants are believed to rarely develop T1D recurrence in the allograft if effectively immunosuppressed. We evaluated a cohort of 223 recipients of simultaneous pancreas–kidney allografts for T1D recurrence and its risk factors. With long‐term follow‐up, recurrence was observed in approximately 7% of patients. Comparing the therapeutic regimens employed in this cohort over time, lack of induction therapy was associated with recurrence, but this occurs even with the current regimen, which includes induction; there was no influence of maintenance regimens. Longitudinal testing for T1D‐associated autoantibodies identified autoantibody positivity, number of autoantibodies, and autoantibody conversion after transplantation as critical risk factors. Autoantibodies to the zinc transporter 8 had the strongest and closest temporal association with recurrence, which was not explained by genetically encoded amino acid sequence donor–recipient mismatches for this autoantigen. Genetic risk factors included the presence of the T1D‐predisposing HLA‐DR3/DR4 genotype in the recipient and donor–recipient sharing of HLA‐DR alleles, especially HLA‐DR3. Thus, T1D recurrence is not uncommon and is developing in patients treated with current immunosuppression. The risk factors identified in this study can be assessed in the transplant clinic to identify recurrent T1D and may lead to therapeutic advances.
Performance appraisal, employee development and organizational justice: exploring the linkages

Much has been written about performance appraisal (PA) in such a manner as to suggest that the process is politically driven, even though one of its primary purposes is said to be the development of the individual employee. Our examination of a cross-section of workers' perceptions of this process was therefore motivated by the need to determine whether they believed that they experienced fair outcomes from PA, and whether its usage was seen to contribute toward their career advancement. Given the role unions are expected to play in shaping human resource outcomes, we hypothesized that workers in the non-union environment would experience lower levels of procedural and interactional justice than their trade-union counterparts. We also hypothesized that, since unions might be asked to walk a tightrope in contesting PA decisions affecting different persons who were union members, employers would be able to exercise much discretion in making those decisions, with the result that there would not be any appreciable difference in justice perceptions between union member and non-union member. A third hypothesis that informed the research was that workers' perceptions about the treatment received from performance appraisal were likely to influence their expectations regarding career advancement, as expressed through opportunities for training and development, pay for performance and promotions. No significant differences in perception were found among union and non-union respondents' perceptions about the vast majority of procedural elements used in this study. Contrary to our hypothesis, non-union respondents expressed less unfavourable perceptions about the interactional elements than their trade-union counterparts. The results confirmed the hypothesis that workers who believed that performers were not treated fairly as a result of performance appraisal would also agree that their expectations regarding development and advancement were not being met. We found significant, but relatively moderate relationships between perceptions about treatment of performers and their expectations about career advancement.
The effects of latent trait-anxiety on attentional processing : An ERP investigation

The aim of the present dissertation was to investigate whether the operation of selective attention differs in people according to variation in latent trait-anxiety in conditions that were ostensibly absent of emotional valence. Repressors and high trait-anxious individuals appear to differ in the strategic operations undertaken to conduct these processes. Repressors show a tendency to attenuate and dismiss potentially threatening information, whereas high trait-anxious individuals show a tendency for amplification and focus. Two studies have reported findings of retarded attentional disengagement by high trait-anxious individuals in the absence of perceptible threat (i.e., Derakshan, Smyth & Eysenck, 2009; Derryberry & Reed, 2002). This suggests that the underlying strategic processes characteristic of high trait-anxiety operate independently of ostensible threat. To date, the proposition that this may also be the case with repressive coping style has not been investigated. This current investigation comprised three studies, each of which employed performance measures of response time and response accuracy. In addition, event-related potentials (ERPs) were employed as an index of subtle differences in the allocation of attentional resources. Participants were females aged between 17 and 34 years whom had never been formally diagnosed as having an anxiety disorder. The experimental paradigms employed with the three studies were selected for their ability to allow observation of component processes of selective attention. These were based on the mechanisms of disengagement, shifting and engagement described by Posner and Petersen (1990), which remains the leading model of the mechanisms of selective attention (Yiend, 2010). The first study employed a Stroop-interference experiment to investigate the inhibition of attention as a function of the disengagement sub-component of selective attention. The second study comprised a local-global Stroop-type interference paradigm embedded within a task-switching methodology toward investigating the degrees of operational flexibility possessed by the experimental groups on the subcomponents of selective attention. The final study was conducted to both investigate the prospect that repressors may possess a characteristic bias for enhanced attention to the discrete stimuli, and elucidate how low trait-anxiety and repressor groups compare on later-stage attentional processing. This comprised a combination of single-task and dual-task paradigms. Whereas the results of the final study were largely unremarkable, the convergent evidence from the Stroop-interference and task-switching studies offered reasonable support for the two-stage model of attentional processing in repression proposed in Vigilance-Avoidance Theory (Derakshan et al., 2007). Taken together, the findings of the present dissertation support the propositions that repressors represent a distinct sub-group of high trait-anxious people, and that the characteristic attentional processing styles of both of these groups operate independently of ostensible threat.
Call admission control with Soft-QoS based spectrum handoff in cognitive radio networks

In Cognitive Radio (CR) networks, spectrum handoff is an important functionality to guarantee the reliability and continuity of the communications of Secondary Users (SUs). In this paper, we integrate soft-QoS based spectrum handoff mechanism into the framework of Call-Admission-Control (CAC) for CR networks. By doing so, the proposed CAC strategy has in-built capability to deal with resilient services of wireless applications, and hence obviously improves the QoS and spectrum utilization of CR networks. We adopt Markov chain model to describe the procedures of the proposed CAC and spectrum handoff strategy. After that, the problem is formulated as a nonlinear optimization where the dropping probability is minimized under the constraint of blocking probability. The method of branch-and-bound is employed to make the optimization problem tractable. The proposed CAC strategy is evaluated through simulation experiments. The numerical results indicate that the proposed CAC strategy outperforms two traditional CAC strategies. It achieves a much better tradeoff in dropping and blocking probabilities, and meanwhile significantly enhances the spectrum utilization of CR networks.