Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Engineering Social Networks Using the Controllability Approach Applied to E-learning

In our previous research we focused on the analysis and further utilization of social networks for E-Learning in industrial settings. The existence of implicit social networks in E-Learning setups has been investigated [4], [5], demonstrated [9], [14] and used [12], [13]. We started investigating the influence of the social network position of a trainee / trainer (tutor) in E-Learning in [9], [12]. In the research provided in [12], some light was shed on the dependencies between the factors underlying E-Learning processes within an organization and the final outcomes of these processes. A theoretical framework for measuring correlations between the social context, communication and knowledge improvements of the trainees in an industrial environment was proposed. The analysis in [12] shows that enhancement of the communication between tutors and trainees within the social network is recommended in order to improve the learning outcome. For this purpose, we investigate how experiences gained elsewhere with applied control theory could be used in our industrial setting.
A Student's Guide to Cold Fusion

Evidence supporting cold fusion (LENR) is summarized and requirements an explanation must take into account are justified. A plausible nuclear-active-environment is identified by ruling out various possibilities and by identifying an environment that is common to all methods used to produce LENR. When this environment is combined with a plausible mechanism, many testable predictions result. These insights and proposals are offered to help clarify understanding of LENR and to suggest future studies. FOREWORD My interest in cold fusion began shortly after Pons and Fleischmann announced their claims in 1989, while I was a conventional research scientist working at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) on methods to produce nuclear energy for applications in space. A Ph.D. in radiochemistry from Washington University in St. Louis gave me knowledge about both material behavior and nuclear interaction. I mention this only because “believers” in cold fusion are sometimes identified in critical writings as being ignorant and/or gullible. The only difference between my approach and that of skeptics was my willingness to explore the idea. Since retiring from LANL 22 years ago, I have continued to investigate the subject using laboratory research and to write papers including several scientific reviews and a book. The large collection of references, now nearly 4000 acquired in this effort, was used to create the original LIBRARY on www.LENR-CANR.org. Jed Rothwell keeps this collection of literature up to date and the website functional. Literature on the subject of cold fusion has grown beyond a point where casual reading can lead to useful scientific understanding. My book[1] provides a good primer for the open-minded student, while the fascinating history of the field can be enjoyed in several books[2-8], although a few take a negative and frequently inaccurate approach[9-11]. Personal accounts of several individual experiences[12, 13] are also available. Someone wishing a non-technical understanding should read the interesting book by Rothwell[2], that can be down-loaded in several languages, or “Excess Heat: Why Cold Fusion
Additive Effects of Anxiety and Depression on Body Mass Index among Blacks: Role of Ethnicity and Gender

Background: Most studies on mental health associates of obesity have focused on depression and less is known about the role of anxiety in obesity. Objectives: This study compared the additive effects of General Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) on Body Mass Index (BMI) across sub-populations of Blacks based on the intersection of ethnicity and gender. Methods: Data came from the National Survey of American Life (NSAL), 2001 - 2003. The participants consisted of 3,570 African Americans and 1,621 Caribbean Blacks. Twelve-month MDD and GAD were determined using the World Mental Health Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI). Levels of BMI were categorized based on being equal to or larger than 25, 30, 35, and 40 kg/m2. We fitted linear regression models specific for our groups, which were defined based on the intersection of ethnicity and gender. Additionally, age, education, marital status, employment, and region were controlled. Results: Among Caribbean Black men and African American women, lifetime GAD, but not MDD, was associated with high BMI. Among Caribbean Black women, lifetime MDD, but not GAD, was associated with high BMI. Conclusions: Intersection of ethnicity and gender may determine how anxiety and depression are associated with BMI among Blacks. Sub-populations of Blacks (e.g. based on ethnicity and gender) may have specific mental health determinants or consequences of obesity. Future research should investigate how and why the additive effects of anxiety and depression on obesity vary across ethnic and gender groups of Blacks.
Reducing Deep Network Complexity with Fourier Transform Methods

We propose a novel way that uses shallow densely connected neuron network architectures to achieve superior performance to convolution based neural networks (CNNs) approaches with the added benefits of lower computation burden requiring dramatically less training examples to achieve high prediction accuracy ($>98\%$). The advantages of our proposed method is demonstrated in results on benchmark datasets which show significant performance gain over existing state-of-the-art results on MNIST, CIFAR-10 and CIFAR-100. By Fourier transforming the inputs, each point in the training sample then has a representational energy of all the weighted information from every other point. The consequence of using this input is a reduced complexity neuron network, reduced computation load and the lifting of the requirement for a large number of training examples to achieve high classification accuracy.
Shift work disorder and related health problems among nurses working in a tertiary care hospital, Bangalore, South India

Introduction: Shift Work Disorder (SWD) is a sleep disorder characterized by sleepiness and insomnia, which can be attributed to the person′s work schedule. Awareness of the mechanisms behind shift work related health problems could be essential to schedule the shift work, employment routines, clinical treatment, and selection of employees. Objective: To assess the prevalence of SWD and to identify related health problems among nurses in a tertiary care hospital in Bangalore. Materials and Methods: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study in a tertiary care hospital in Bangalore between May and September 2014. Based on simple random sampling, 130 nurses were selected for the study. After obtaining written informed consent from the participants, structured interview schedule using Standard Shift Work Index and Bergen Shift Work Sleep Questionnaire (BSWSQ) was administered. Results: The mean age of the 130 nurses was 27.4 ± 2.64 years. The prevalence of SWD was found to be 43.07%. Headache, back pain, gastritis, and menstrual disorders were the most common complaints, which are found in 78 (60.0%), 75 (57.6%), 42 (32.3%), and 39 (30.0%) cases, respectively. Anxiety and depression was found in 23 (17.6%) and 31 (23.8%) individuals, respectively. We also found a significant association of SWD with increasing age, more number of nights worked in a year, and longer duration of working hours. According to the BSWSQ, 70 (53.8%) nurses were found to have sleep problems. Conclusion: A high prevalence of SWD symptoms calls for a focus on the antecedents of work related sleep problems and appropriate intervention, such as behavioral changes, clockwise rotating shifts, and treatment.
Heparin‐disaccharide affects T cells: inhibition of NF‐κB activation, cell migration, and modulation of intracellular signaling

We previously reported that disaccharides (DS), generated by enzymatic degradation of heparin or heparan sulfate, inhibit T cell‐mediated immune reactions in rodents and regulate cytokine [tumor necrosis factor α (TNF‐α), interleukin (IL)‐8, and IL‐1β] secretion by T cells, macrophages, or intestinal epithelial cells. Here, we investigated the effects of a trisulfated heparin DS (3S‐DS) on two aspects of T cell function: secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and migration to an inflamed site. 3S‐DS down‐regulated nuclear factor‐κB activity and reduced the secretion of TNF‐α and interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) by anti‐CD3‐activated T cells. In addition, 3S‐DS inhibited CXC chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12; stromal cell‐derived factor‐1α)‐dependent migration in vitro and in vivo and decreased CXCL12‐induced T cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix glycoprotein, fibronectin (FN). This inhibition was accompanied by attenuation of CXCL12‐induced Pyk2 phosphorylation but did not involve internalization of the CXCL12 receptor, CXCR4, or phosphorylation of extracellular‐regulated kinase. Despite inhibiting CXCL12‐induced adhesion, 3S‐DS, on its own, induced T cell adhesion to FN, which was accompanied by phosphorylation of Pyk2. A monosulfated DS showed no effect. Taken together, these data provide evidence that 3S‐DS can regulate inflammation by inducing and modulating T cell‐signaling events, desensitizing CXCR4, and modulating T cell receptor‐induced responses.
Voltages induced on an overhead wire by lightning strikes to a nearby tall grounded object

The aim of this study was to identify conditions under which the presence of tall strike object can serve to increase or decrease lightning-induced voltages on a nearby overhead wire. We examined the ratios of magnitudes of lightning-induced voltages on the overhead wire for the cases of strikes to a tall object and to flat ground as a function of distance from the lightning channel d, current reflection coefficients at the top of the strike object rhotop and at the bottom of the strike object rhobot, the current reflection coefficient at the channel base (in the case of strikes to flat ground) rhogr, and the return stroke speed v. Lightning-induced voltages were computed using the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method. The transmission line (TL) model was used to find the distribution of current along the lightning channel and the strike object. The ratio of magnitudes of lightning-induced voltages for tall-object and flat-ground cases increases with increasing d (ranging from 40--200 m), decreasing rhobot(<1), decreasing rho top (<0, except for the case of rhobot=0), and decreasing v (<c, speed of light). Also, the ratio increases with decreasing the lightning current rise time. Under realistic (expected) conditions such as rhobot=1,rhotop=-0.5, and v=c/3, the ratio is larger than unity (the tall strike object serves to enhance lightning-induced voltages), but it becomes smaller than unity (the tall object serves to decrease lightning-induced voltages) under some special conditions, such as rhobot=1,rhotop =0, and v=c
Venlafaxine-Induced Reset Osmostat Syndrome: Case of a 79-Year-Old Depressed Woman

The presence of hyponatremia, especially in a frail and very old patient, is associated with a greater morbidity and mortality rate. We report the case of a depressed 79-year-old woman who was treated with venlafaxine, in whom a drug-induced hyponatremia occurred in the absence of other possible causes. The case is discussed in the context of the multipotential factors that induce hyponatremia, with particular attention to the geriatric patient.
A biological model of object recognition with feature learning

Abstract : Previous biological models of object recognition in cortex have been evaluated using idealized scenes and have hard-coded features, such as the HMAX model by Riesenhuber and Poggio [10]. Because HMAX uses the same set of features for all object classes, it does not perform well in the task of detecting a target object in clutter. This thesis presents a new model that integrates learning of object-specific features with the HMAX. The new model performs better than the standard HMAX and comparably to a computer vision system on face detection. Results from experimenting with unsupervised learning of features and the use of a biologically-plausible classifier are presented.
MyD88 predicts chemoresistance to paclitaxel in epithelial ovarian cancer

Introduction: Early identification of chemoresistance in patients with ovarian cancer is of utmost importance in order to provide them with the most appropriate therapy. Recently, we described the expression of MyD88 in ovarian cancer cells that were resistant to the cytotoxic agent paclitaxel. In addition to chemoresistance, in MyD88 positive ovarian cancer cells, paclitaxel stimulates growth and production of proinflammatory cytokines. The objective of this study was to determine the correlation of MyD88 expression in primary and recurrent epithelial ovarian cancers with the response to carboplatin and paclitaxel combination chemotherapy. Methods: Tumors are heterogeneous structures that contain different cell populations, thus rendering the identification of specific tumor markers difficult. Using laser capture microdissection, pure cancer cells were isolated from ovarian malignant tumors that were obtained from 20 patients at the time of surgery. The microdissected cells were evaluated for the expression of MyD88, FasL, and XIAP by western blot analysis. Results: Protein expression was observed in samples containing as low as 500 cells. The results were correlated with the clinical course of those patients. It was evident that MyD88 expression in ovarian cancer cells accurately predicts a poor response to paclitaxel chemotherapy as shown by a short progression-free interval and overall survival. Conclusion: We describe for the first time a molecular approach to identify paclitaxel chemoresistance. Toxicity from agents without therapeutic benefit can be avoided by identifying those patients who will not respond to a specific agent. Molecular markers will enable us to design individualized treatments and improve overall survival.
Point mutation in the mouse glucocorticoid receptor preventing DNA binding impairs spatial memory

Activation of central glucocorticoid receptors caused by the stress that is associated with a learning task facilitates storage of the acquired information. The molecular mechanism underlying this phenomenon is entirely unknown. Glucocorticoid receptors can influence transcription both through DNA binding-dependent and -independent mechanisms. To assess the importance of these two modes of action for spatial memory, we here used male mutant mice in which homodimerization and DNA binding of the glucocorticoid receptor is largely prevented (GRdim/dim) while protein–protein interactions still can take place. These mice showed a selective impairment of spatial memory in the water maze. Locomotion and anxiety-related parameters measured in an open field and a light/dark preference task were comparable for mutant and control mice. Mutant mice released more corticosterone than control mice under basal resting conditions and in response to swimming, which could have influenced memory processes of the mice. However, mimicking the task-related increase in corticosterone by supplementary injection of corticosterone (250 μg/kg, i.p.) in adrenalectomized mice, resulting in equal plasma corticosterone concentrations in both genotypes, improved spatial memory of control mice but had no effect on mutant mice. These findings suggest that task-related facilitating effects of corticosterone on spatial memory indeed depend on DNA binding of the glucocorticoid receptor rather than on protein–protein interactions of the receptor with other transcription factors. Although it cannot be excluded that both processes are involved in a coordinated way, interrupting the DNA-binding capacity of the receptor is sufficient to induce impairment.
Imbalanced Rab 3 D versus Rab 27 increases cathepsin S secretion from lacrimal acini in a mouse model of Sjögren ’ s Syndrome

Zhen Meng, Maria C. Edman, Pang-Yu Hsueh, Chiao-Yu Chen, Wannita Klinngam, Tanya Tolmachova, Curtis T. Okamoto, and Sarah F. Hamm-Alvarez Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California; Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California; Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
Responses to flooding of plant water relations and leaf gas exchange in tropical tolerant trees of a black-water wetland

This review summarizes the research on physiological responses to flooding of trees in the seasonal black-water wetland of the Mapire River in Venezuela. Inter-annual variability was found during 8 years of sampling, in spite of which a general picture emerged of increased stomatal conductance (gs) and photosynthetic rate (PN) during the flooded period to values as high as or higher than in plants in drained wet soil. Models explaining the initial inhibitory responses and the acclimation to flooding are proposed. In the inhibitory phase of flooding, hypoxia generated by flooding causes a decrease in root water absorption and stomatal closure. An increase with flooding in xylem water potential (ψ) suggests that flooding does not cause water deficit. The PN decreases due to changes in relative stomatal and non-stomatal limitations to photosynthesis; an increase in the latter is due to reduced chlorophyll and total soluble protein content. Total non-structural carbohydrates (TNC) accumulate in leaves but their content begins to decrease during the acclimatized phase at full flooding, coinciding with the resumption of high gs and PN. The reversal of the diminution in gs is associated, in some but not all species, to the growth of adventitious roots. The occurrence of morpho-anatomical and biochemical adaptations which improve oxygen supply would cause the acclimation, including increased water absorption by the roots, increased rubisco and chlorophyll contents and ultimately increased PN. Therefore, trees would perform as if flooding did not signify a stress to their physiology.
Evaluation of WST Method as a Fatigue Test for Plain and Fiber-reinforced Concrete - experimental and numerical investigation

In recent years, a profound interest has developed towards the fatigue behaviour of concrete. Firstly because there is always concern about the effect of repeated loads on concrete structures, and secondly, even if repeated loads do not cause a fatigue failure, it may lead to e.g. inclined cracking in a beam at lower than expected loads, or may cause cracking in component materials of a member that alters the static load carrying characteristic. Although there is no standardized method of fatigue testing, fatigue properties of concrete might be estimated by different methods, e.g. Three-point Bending Test (TPBT), Uni-axial Tension Test (UTT), and Wedge Splitting Test (WST). The small dimension of the specimen and stability of the WST method makes it prefect for use as an experimental method in laboratory. The presented study has been focused on investigating the possibility of using the wedge splitting test method in order to study the fatigue behaviour of concrete. Fatigue behaviour of three types of concrete, i.e. (1) plain concrete, (2) steel fiber reinforced concrete, and (3) synthetic fiber reinforced concrete, were studied experimentally and numerically. In the former part, some experiments were carried out using WST specimens under a monotonic and cyclic loading. In the later part, inverse analyses were conducted using a Matlab program, developed at DTU by Østergaard (2003), and by conducting FE analyses using the commercial available program package Diana. Through numerical analysis, bi-linear -w relationships and the energy dissipation were determined. A systematic approach for material testing based on fracture mechanics presented by Löfgren (2005), which covers material testing, inverse analysis, and adjustment of the -w relationship for fiber efficiency, were applied. It was found that inclusion of fibers affects the shape of the -w relationship remarkably, so that for steel and synthetic fiber reinforced concrete, the zero stress is reached at significantly larger crack openings compared to plain concrete. The stable results of the experiments indicate that the WST method can be applicable for investigating the fatigue behaviour of all three types of tested concrete. The inverse analysis using the Matlab program for the WST specimen, performed on the plain concrete, suggests that a -w relationship can be determined for each reloading section on a fatigue test of the WST method. Hence, this study implies applicability of the WST method for exploring the fatigue behaviour of concrete.
Governance and Metagovernance: On Reflexivity, Requisite Variety, and Requisite Irony.

There has been growing interest in the past twenty years or so in the potential contribution of new forms of governance to solving co-ordination problems in and across a wide range of specialised social systems (such as the economy, the legal system, the political system, and the health system) and in the lifeworld (or, broadly understood, civil society). This interest is reflected in growing ambiguities about the meaning of governance. For the purposes of this contribution, however, I adopt a relatively narrow definition of governance. Thus governance is defined as the reflexive self-organisation of independent actors involved in complex relations of reciprocal interdependence, with such self-organisation being based on continuing dialogue and resource-sharing to develop mutually beneficial joint projects and to manage the contradictions and dilemmas inevitably involved in such situations. Governance organised on this basis need not entail a complete symmetry in power relations or complete equality in the distribution of benefits: indeed, it is highly unlikely to do so almost regardless of the object of governance or the â��stakeholdersâ�� who actually participate in the governance process. All that is involved in this preliminary definition is the commitment on the part of those involved to reflexive self-organisation in the face of complex reciprocal interdependence.
EFFECT OF DIRECT SUPERVISION OF A STRENGTH COACH ON MEASURES OF MUSCULAR STRENGTH AND POWER IN YOUNG RUGBY LEAGUE PLAYERS

The purpose of the present study was to examine the influence of direct supervision on muscular strength, power, and running speed during 12 weeks of resistance training in young rugby league players. Two matched groups of young (16.7 ± 1.1 years [mean ± SD]), talented rugby league players completed the same periodized resistance-training program in either a supervised (SUP) (N = 21) or an unsupervised (UNSUP) (N = 21) environment. Measures of 3 repetition maximum (3RM) bench press, 3RM squat, maximal chin-ups, vertical jump, 10– and 20-m sprints, and body mass were completed pretest (week 0), midtest (week 6), and posttest (week 12) training program. Results show that 12 weeks of periodized resistance training resulted in an increased body mass, 3RM bench press, 3RM squat, maximum number of chin-ups, vertical jump height, and 10– and 20-m sprint performance in both groups (p < 0.05). The SUP group completed significantly more training sessions, which were significantly correlated to strength increases for 3RM bench press and squat (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the SUP group significantly increased 3RM squat strength (at 6 and 12 weeks) and 3RM bench press strength (12 weeks) when compared to the UNSUP group (p < 0.05). Finally, the percent increase in the 3RM bench press, 3RM squat, and chin-upmax was also significantly greater in the SUP group than in the UNSUP group (p < 0.05). These findings show that the direct supervision of resistance training in young athletes results in greater training adherence and increased strength gains than does unsupervised training.