Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Approximation of the Erdélyi-Kober Operator with Application to the Time-Fractional Porous Medium Equation

This paper describes a method of approximating equations with the Erdelyi--Kober fractional operator which arise in mathematical descriptions of anomalous diffusion. We prove a theorem on the exact form of the approximating series and provide an illustration by considering the fractional porous-medium equation applied to model moisture diffusion in building materials. We obtain some approximate analytical solutions of our problem which accurately fit the experimental data (better than other models found in the literature). This accuracy is also verified numerically. Since they are very quick and easy to implement, our approximations can be valuable for practitioners and experimentalists.
Multi-scale community organization of the human structural connectome and its relationship with resting-state functional connectivity

Abstract The human connectome has been widely studied over the past decade. A principal finding is that it can be decomposed into communities of densely interconnected brain regions. Past studies have often used single-scale modularity measures in order to infer the connectome's community structure, possibly overlooking interesting structure at other organizational scales. In this report, we used the partition stability framework, which defines communities in terms of a Markov process (random walk), to infer the connectome's multi-scale community structure. Comparing the community structure to observed resting-state functional connectivity revealed communities across a broad range of scales that were closely related to functional connectivity. This result suggests a mapping between communities in structural networks, models of influence-spreading and diffusion, and brain function. It further suggests that the spread of influence among brain regions may not be limited to a single characteristic scale.
A sampled fictitious play based learning algorithm for infinite horizon Markov Decision Processes

Using Sampled Fictitious Play (SFP) concepts, we develop SFPL: Sampled Fictitious Play Learning — a learning algorithm for solving discounted homogeneous Markov Decision Problems where the transition probabilities are unknown and need to be learned via simulation or direct observation of the system in real time. Thus, SFPL simultaneously updates the estimates of the unknown transition probabilities and the estimates of optimal value and optimal action in the observed state. In the spirit of SFP, the action after each transition is selected by sampling from the empirical distribution of previous optimal action estimates for the current state. The resulting algorithm is provably convergent. We compare its performance with other learning methods, including SARSA and Q-learning.
Energy Metabolism during Repeated Sets of Leg Press Exercise Leading to Failure or Not

This investigation examined the influence of the number of repetitions per set on power output and muscle metabolism during leg press exercise. Six trained men (age 34±6 yr) randomly performed either 5 sets of 10 repetitions (10REP), or 10 sets of 5 repetitions (5REP) of bilateral leg press exercise, with the same initial load and rest intervals between sets. Muscle biopsies (vastus lateralis) were taken before the first set, and after the first and the final sets. Compared with 5REP, 10REP resulted in a markedly greater decrease (P<0.05) of the power output, muscle PCr and ATP content, and markedly higher (P<0.05) levels of muscle lactate and IMP. Significant correlations (P<0.01) were observed between changes in muscle PCr and muscle lactate (R2 = 0.46), between changes in muscle PCr and IMP (R2 = 0.44) as well as between changes in power output and changes in muscle ATP (R2 = 0.59) and lactate (R2 = 0.64) levels. Reducing the number of repetitions per set by 50% causes a lower disruption to the energy balance in the muscle. The correlations suggest that the changes in PCr and muscle lactate mainly occur simultaneously during exercise, whereas IMP only accumulates when PCr levels are low. The decrease in ATP stores may contribute to fatigue.
Learning from the past to shape the future

Abstract This paper is a personal narrative of a journey from teaching to teacher educator, and researcher. The first part of the paper tells the professional story which at first glance is a rather common trajectory into teacher education, whereas changing contexts has formed development, perceptions and actions. The story is followed by a discussion of the underlying principles that have served as a personal guide throughout my career. Next, the paper briefly presents some of the lessons learned from the long experience before finally some views on future directions for teacher education are mentioned. The main argument throughout the paper is that limiting the discussions to the structure of teacher education is not enough. Building strong relations through collaborations in the near and far context is essential to all working to improve education.
Topological basis for the robust distribution of blood to rodent neocortex

The maintenance of robust blood flow to the brain is crucial to the health of brain tissue. We examined the pial network of the middle cerebral artery, which distributes blood from the cerebral arteries to the penetrating arterioles that source neocortical microvasculature, to characterize how vascular topology may support such robustness. For both mice and rats, two features dominate the topology. First, interconnected loops span the entire territory sourced by the middle cerebral artery. Although the loops comprise <10% of all branches, they maintain the overall connectivity of the network after multiple breaks. Second, >80% of offshoots from the loops are stubs that end in a single penetrating arteriole, as opposed to trees with multiple penetrating arterioles. We hypothesize that the loops and stubs protect blood flow to the parenchyma from an occlusion in a surface vessel. To test this, we assayed the viability of tissue that was sourced by an individual penetrating arteriole following occlusion of a proximal branch in the surface loop. We observed that neurons remained healthy, even when occlusion led to a reduction in the local blood flow. In contrast, direct blockage of a single penetrating arteriole invariably led to neuronal death and formation of a cyst. Our results show that the surface vasculature functions as a grid for the robust allocation of blood in the event of vascular dysfunction. The combined results of the present and prior studies imply that the pial network reallocates blood in response to changing metabolic needs.
The Perceived Size and Shape of Objects in Peripheral Vision

Little is known about how we perceive the size and shape of objects in far peripheral vision. Observations made during an artistic study of visual space suggest that objects appear smaller and compressed in the periphery compared with central vision. To test this, we conducted three experiments. In Experiment 1, we asked participants to draw how a set of peripheral discs appeared when viewed peripherally without time or eye movement constraints. In Experiment 2, we used the method of constant stimuli to measure when a briefly presented peripheral stimulus appeared bigger or smaller compared with a central fixated one. In Experiment 3, we measured how accurate participants were in discriminating shapes presented briefly in the periphery. In Experiment 1, the peripheral discs were reported as appearing significantly smaller than the central disc, and as having an elliptical or polygonal contour. In Experiment 2, participants judged the size of peripheral discs as being significantly smaller when compared with the central disc across most of the peripheral field, and in Experiment 3, participants were quite accurate in reporting the shape of the peripheral object, except in the far periphery. Our results show that objects in the visual periphery are perceived as diminished in size when presented for long and brief exposures, suggesting diminution is an intrinsic feature of the structure of the visual space. Shape distortions, however, are reported only with longer exposures.
Developmental changes in coping: Situational and methodological influences

Abstract Previous studies on the development of coping have shown rather inconsistent findings regarding the developmental trajectories for different coping dimensions. The aim of this study is to search for possible influences that might explain these inconsistencies. The analysis focuses on methodological influences (longitudinal vs. cross-sectional assessments) and situational influences. Two samples of children were traced longitudinally with yearly assessments from grade 2 to 5 (sample 1, N =432) and from grade 4 to 7 (sample 2, N =366). A third sample (N =849) was added with cross-sectional assessments from grade 2 to 7. The assessed coping dimensions were related to (a) problem solving, (b) seeking social support, (c) palliative coping, (d) externalizing emotional coping, and (e) avoidant coping. The use of the coping strategies had to be assessed for six stress-evoking situations. The results show only small differences between the longitudinal and the cross-sectional coping assessments. There are, however, clear situational influences on the choice of the coping strategies and also on the resulting developmental trajectories.
Understanding Competencies in Platform-Based Product Development: Antecedents and Outcomes*

While previous studies have shed light on the benefits and antecedents of platform-based product development, there is still much to be learned on the subject, particularly through an empirical approach. Based on the literature, this study proposes the concept of product platform competency and identifies four antecedents related to the development process, knowledge sharing, and the organization of development. The study hypothesizes that such competency directly affects the performance of platform-based product development. To test these hypotheses, a large-scale survey was conducted in the United States with 242 firms. The study found empirical evidence to support the existence of the concept of product platform competency, which comprises the reusability of subsystems, the compatibility of subsystem interfaces, and the extensibility of platform-based products. The results show that a formalized development process, knowledge sharing across platform-based products, continuity of platform-based product development teams, and the existence of a champion in platform-based product development will significantly enhance product platform competency. More interestingly, the results show that factors which have a significant effect on platform development cost are statistically different from those that have a significant effect on platform development time. For example, while formalized product development process and continuity of development team play a very significant role in shortening development time, they are less crucial in reducing development costs. In contrast, the presence of a product champion is a significant factor in achieving cost efficiency, but it has relatively lower impact on development time. Knowledge sharing was found to affect both development time and cost. In sum, this study makes three main contributions to the existing literature. The first contribution is the empirical-tested concept of product platform competence based on key elements suggested by Robertson and Ulrich. The second contribution is the development of constructs specifically for platform development based on previous studies. Relating to this is the third contribution: the development and validation of measurement items related to key drivers to platform development, the three aspects of platform development competence, and the performance measurements. These measurement items can be used by practitioners as guidelines to identify areas for improvement as well as the level of capability in platform development
Previously transmitted HIV-1 strains are preferentially selected during subsequent sexual transmissions.

BACKGROUND A genetic bottleneck is known to exist for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) at the point of sexual transmission. However, the nature of this bottleneck and its effect on viral diversity over time is unclear. METHODS Interhost and intrahost HIV diversity was analyzed in a stable population in Rakai, Uganda, from 1994 to 2002. HIV-1 envelope sequences from both individuals in initially HIV-discordant relationships in which transmission occurred later were examined using Sanger sequencing of bulk polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products (for 22 couples), clonal analysis (for 3), and next-generation deep sequencing (for 9). RESULTS Intrahost viral diversity was significantly higher than changes in interhost diversity (P < .01). The majority of HIV-1-discordant couples examined via bulk PCR (16 of 22 couples), clonal analysis (3 of 3), and next-generation deep sequencing (6 of 9) demonstrated that the viral populations present in the newly infected recipient were more closely related to the donor partner's HIV-1 variants found earlier during infection as compared to those circulating near the estimated time of transmission (P = .03). CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that sexual transmission constrains viral diversity at the population level, partially because of the preferential transmission of ancestral as opposed to contemporary strains circulating in the transmitting partner. Future successful vaccine strategies may need to target these transmitted ancestral strains.
Secure positioning of wireless devices with application to sensor networks

So far, the problem of positioning in wireless networks has been mainly studied in a non-adversarial setting. In this work, we analyze the resistance of positioning techniques to position and distance spoofing attacks. We propose a mechanism for secure positioning of wireless devices, that we call verifiable multilateration. We then show how this mechanism can be used to secure positioning in sensor networks. We analyze our system through simulations.
Gestational Exposure of Mice to Secondhand Cigarette Smoke Causes Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia Blocked by the Nicotinic Receptor Antagonist Mecamylamine

Background: Cigarette smoke (CS) exposure during gestation may increase the risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD)—a developmental lung condition primarily seen in neonates that is characterized by hypoalveolarization, decreased angiogenesis, and diminished surfactant protein production and may increase the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Objective: We investigated whether gestational exposure to secondhand CS (SS) induced BPD and sought to ascertain the role of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in this response. Methods: We exposed BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice to filtered air (control) or SS throughout the gestation period or postnatally up to 10 weeks. Lungs were examined at 7 days, 10 weeks, and 8 months after birth. Results: Gestational but not postnatal exposure to SS caused a typical BPD-like condition: suppressed angiogenesis [decreased vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGF receptor, and CD34/CD31 (hematopoietic progenitor cell marker/endothelial cell marker)], irreversible hypoalveolarization, and significantly decreased levels of Clara cells, Clara cell secretory protein, and surfactant proteins B and C, without affecting airway ciliated cells. Importantly, concomitant exposure to SS and the nAChR antagonist mecamylamine during gestation blocked the development of BPD. Conclusions: Gestational exposure to SS irreversibly disrupts lung development leading to a BPD-like condition with hypoalveolarization, decreased angiogenesis, and diminished lung secretory function. Nicotinic receptors are critical in the induction of gestational SS–induced BPD, and the use of nAChR antagonists during pregnancy may block CS-induced BPD.
Rac 1 drives melanoblast organization during mouse development by orchestrating pseudopod-driven motility and cell-cycle progression

Citation for published version: Li, A, Ma, Y, Yu, X, Mort, RL, Lindsay, CR, Stevenson, D, Strathdee, D, Insall, RH, Chernoff, J, Snapper, SB, Jackson, IJ, Larue, L, Sansom, OJ & Machesky, LM 2011, 'Rac1 drives melanoblast organization during mouse development by orchestrating pseudopoddriven motility and cell-cycle progression' Developmental Cell, vol. 21, no. 4, pp. 722-734. DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel. 2011.07. 008
On the Equivalence of Giving Using the Sequential and Strategy Methods ∗

I compare giving decisions elicited using the sequential and strategy methods. With both methods, subjects choose gift amounts for four wealth conditions. In the wealth condition with the lowest giving, the difference in giving between methods is not significant. In the other three conditions, giving is higher with the strategy method than with the sequential method. Regarding the effects of the wealth conditions, relative wealth has larger effects on giving with the strategy method than with the sequential method.
The effects of supplemental melatonin administration on the healing of bone defects in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

ABSTRACT Diabetes mellitus (DM) causes an increased production of free radicals that can impair bone healing. Melatonin is a hormone secreted mainly by the pineal gland, which participates in the neutralization process of free radicals. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate histologic and biochemical effects of supplemental melatonin administration on bone healing and antioxidant defense mechanism in diabetic rats. Material and Methods Eighty-six Sprague-Dawley male rats were used in this study. Diabetes mellitus was induced by intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of 65 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ). Surgical bone defects were prepared in the tibia of each animal. Diabetic animals and those in control groups were treated either with daily melatonin (250 μg/animal/day/i.p.) diluted in ethanol, only ethanol, or sterile saline solution. Rats were humanely killed at the 10th and 30th postoperative days. Plasma levels of Advanced Oxidation Protein Products (AOPP), Malondialdehyde (MDA), and Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) were measured. The number of osteoblasts, blood vessels and the area of new mineralized tissue formation were calculated in histologic sections. Results At the 10th day, DM+MEL (rats receiving both STZ and melatonin) group had significantly higher number of osteoblasts and blood vessels as well as larger new mineralized tissue surfaces (p<0.05 for each) when compared with DM group. At the 30th day, DM group treated with melatonin had significantly lower levels of AOPP and MDA than those of DM group (p<0.05). Conclusion Melatonin administration in STZ induced diabetic rats reduced oxidative stress related biomarkers and showed beneficial effects on bone healing at short term.
Voting locally abstaining nationally: descriptive representation, substantive representation and minority voters’ turnout

ABSTRACT Do disadvantaged minorities turnout less when they have descriptive yet not substantive representation? When minorities have descriptive representation, their representatives’ activities and preferences might not necessarily increase minorities’ public goods’ access. With substantive representation, minority representatives pursue policies that improve minorities’ public goods’ provisions. We claim that voters’ calculus might decrease turnout in the first case and increase it in the latter case. We examine this claim in the Israeli context focusing on the Arab-Muslim minority in Israel and comparing it to the Jewish majority and Druze minority. We show that different minority representation qualities in different institutions induce different turnout behaviours across institutions within the same minority. Specifically, Muslim Arabs decreased their turnout in national elections and increased it in local elections.
Visual Word Recognition by Arab ESL Learners: Phonological Versus Orthographic Consonantal Influence on Vowels

iv List of Tables . vii List of Abbreviations . x Chapter 1: Introduction . 1 Chapter 2: Literature Review . 5 Chapter 3: AE Native Speakers' Vowel Accuracy . 51 Chapter 4: Arab ESL Learners' Vowel Accuracy . 68 Chapter 5: General Discussion, Future Directions, and Conclusion . 89 References . 98 Appendix A: Words having Bodies of Interest (Chapter 3) . 111 Appendix B: Bodies and Data for Analysis (Chapter 3) . 116 Appendix C: Bodies in Test Items (Chapter 4) . 121 Appendix D: Test Items, Fillers, and Practice Items (Chapter 4) . 124
Regimes dependent speculative trading: Evidence from the United States housing market

This paper investigates the U.S. housing price dynamics from the perspective of speculative trading, in addition to the macro-finance factors such as the stock market, household disposable income and nominal interest rate. It is found that among the speculative investors, fundamental traders drive house price away from the fundamental value. Their trading is weakened in the regime of high nominal interest rate and their behavior even changes to push the price towards the fundamental value when price deviation is large. A second type of speculative traders is momentum traders who believe that the trend of the recent price movement would be persistent. Stock market has a positive effect on the house price. The positive effect of household income becomes pronounced when nominal interest rate is high. When the nominal interest rate is high, house price faces a negative effect from the nominal interest rate and the positive effect of inflation disappears. Among all the factors, speculative trading is the largest market force driving the U.S. housing market which exhibits self-correction in the long run.
Correlation between Hyperintense Vessels on FLAIR Imaging and Arterial Circulation Time on Cerebral Angiography.

PURPOSE Hyperintense vessels (HVs) on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) imaging are associated with the leptomeningeal collateral circulation in cases of arterial occlusive lesions. Nevertheless, the relationship between HVs on FLAIR imaging and arterial circulation time (ACT) on cerebral angiography has not been defined. METHODS We analyzed images of 11 patients with acute occlusion of the distal internal carotid artery or proximal middle cerebral artery and calculated the difference in ACT (DACT) between infarcted and normal hemispheres. ACT was defined as the time interval from the initial opacification of the ipsilateral or contralateral cavernous internal carotid artery to the late arterial phase of the carotid artery territories. We scored HVs on FLAIR imaging using a modified Alberta Stroke Program Early Computerized Tomography Score (ASPECTS) and determined collateral circulation by grading collateral flow. RESULTS We detected HVs on FLAIR images in 10 patients (median score, 4; range, 0 to 6). Comparison of infarcted and normal hemispheres demonstrated absent or subtle HVs on FLAIR imaging when the DACT was too short (7.98 s) and prominent HVs with moderate DACT (2 to 5 s). The score of HVs on FLAIR was estimated well by DACT using a quadratic regression model (R(2) = 0.602) and better than by grading collateral flow (R(2) = 0.256). CONCLUSION In cases of large arterial occlusion, the hyperintensity of vessels on FLAIR images may be dependent on arterial circulation time via retrograde filling of the leptomeningeal collateral circulation.