Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The surplus prior to ruin and the deficit at ruin for a correlated risk process

This paper presents an explicit characterization for the joint probability density function of the surplus immediately prior to ruin and the deficit at ruin for a general risk process, which includes the Sparre-Andersen risk model with phase-type inter-claim times and claim sizes. The model can also accommodate a Markovian arrival process which enables claim sizes to be correlated with the inter-claim times. The marginal density function of the surplus immediately prior to ruin is specifically considered. Several numerical examples are presented to illustrate the application of this result.
Motivation and Self-Regulated Learning Influences on Middle School Mathematics Achievement

Abstract. The primary purpose of the current study was to use structural equation modeling to examine the relations among background variables (socioeconomic status, prior mathematics achievement), motivation variables (self-efficacy, task interest, school connectedness), self-regulated learning (SRL) behaviors, and performance in middle school mathematics courses. Of particular interest was examining the mediation roles of both self-efficacy and SRL behaviors. Data about three types of motivation beliefs (self-efficacy, task interest, connectedness) were obtained from 331 middle school students using self-report questionnaires, while information regarding student SRL behaviors was obtained from teacher ratings. Structural equation modeling analyses revealed an acceptable fit of the data to the proposed model. In addition to the overall model explaining 51% of the variance in mathematics performance, a key finding was that both cognitive (i.e., self-efficacy) and behavioral (i.e., SRL) latent factors served as key mediators in the model, with each of these factors exhibiting unique effects on mathematics performance after controlling for prior achievement. Furthermore, each of the three motivation beliefs played an important role in the model, particularly regarding the explanation of SRL behaviors. Directions for future research and implications for practice are discussed.
Biological, Psychological, And Social Profiles That Predict Depression And/or Anxiety In Adolescents Aged 12-17 Years Identified Via Secondary Analysis Of The 2011-2012 National Survey Of Children's Health

V LIST OF TABLES . IX LIST OF FIGURES . X CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION AND SPECIFIC AIMS . 1 Background of the Study . 1 Statement of the Problem and Specific Aims . 3 Significance of the Current Study . 4 CHAPTER 2: CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE . 6 Review of the Literature . 9 Biological Factors . 9 Psychological Factors . 12 Social Factors . 14 Gaps in the Literature . 17 CHAPTER 3: STUDY DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY . 18 Data Source: The 2011-2012 National Survey of Children’s Health . 18 Dataset . 19 Sample . 19 Power analysis . 19 Variables . 20 Data Analysis . 21
Low-complexity algorithms for static cache locking in multitasking hard real-time systems

Cache memories have been extensively used to bridge the gap between high speed processors and relatively slow main memories. However, they are a source of predictability problems because of their dynamic and adaptive behavior and thus need special attention to be used in hard-real time systems. A lot of progress has been achieved in the last ten years to statically predict the worst-case behavior of applications with respect to caches in order to determine safe and precise bounds on task worst-case execution times (WCETs) and cache-related preemption delays. An alternative approach to cope with caches in real-time systems is to statically lock their contents such that memory access times and cache-related preemption times are predictable. In this paper, we propose two low-complexity algorithms for selecting the contents of statically-locked caches. We evaluate their performances and compare them with those of a state of the art static cache analysis method.
The initial value problem for the binormal flow with rough data

In this article we consider the initial value problem of the binormal flow with initial data given by curves that are regular except at one point where they have a corner. We prove that under suitable conditions on the initial data a unique regular solution exists for strictly positive and strictly negative times. Moreover, this solution satisfies a weak version of the equation for all times and can be seen as a perturbation of a suitably chosen self-similar solution. Conversely, we also prove that if at time t = 1 a small regular perturbation of a self-similar solution is taken as initial condition then there exists a unique solution that at time t = 0 is regular except at a point where it has a corner with the same angle as the one of the self-similar solution. This solution can be extended for negative times. The proof uses the full strength of the previous papers [9], [2], [3] and [4] on the study of small perturbations of self-similar solutions. A compactness argument is used to avoid the weighted conditions we needed in [4], as well as a more refined analysis of the asymptotic in time and in space of the tangent and normal vectors.
Effects of Chronic REM Sleep Restriction on D1 Receptor and Related Signal Pathways in Rat Prefrontal Cortex

The prefrontal cortex (PFC) mediates cognitive function that is sensitive to disruption by sleep loss, and molecular mechanisms regulating neural dysfunction induced by chronic sleep restriction (CSR), particularly in the PFC, have yet to be completely understood. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of chronic REM sleep restriction (REM-CSR) on the D1 receptor (D1R) and key molecules in D1R' signal pathways in PFC. We employed the modified multiple platform method to create the REM-CSR rat model. The ultrastructure of PFC was observed by electron microscopy. HPLC was performed to measure the DA level in PFC. The expressions of genes and proteins of related molecules were assayed by real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively. The general state and morphology of PFC in rats were changed by CSR, and DA level and the expression of D1R in PFC were markedly decreased (P < 0.01, P < 0.05); the expression of phosphor-PKAcα was significantly lowered in CSR rats (P < 0.05). The present results suggested that the alteration of neuropathology and D1R expression in PFC may be associated with CSR induced cognitive dysfunction, and the PKA pathway of D1R may play an important role in the impairment of advanced neural function.
Saccadic Reaction Time in the Monkey: Advanced Oculomotor Programs is Primarily Responsible for Occurrence Preparation of Express Saccade

I. The introduction of a period of darkness between the disappearance of an initial fixation target and the appearance of a peripheral saccade target produces a general reduction in saccadic reaction time (SRT) -known as the gap e#ect-and often very short latency express saccades. To account for these phenomena, premotor processes may be facilitated by release of visual fixation and advanced preparation of saccadic programs. The experiments described in this paper were designed to test the relevance of the ocularjxation disengagement and oculomotorpreparation hypotheses by identifying the influence of different factors on SRTs and the occurrence of express saccades in the monkey. 2. The SRTs of two monkeys were measured in two behavioral paradigms. A peripheral saccade target appeared at the time of disappearance of a central fixation target in the no-gap task, whereas a 200-ms period of no stimuli was interposed between the fixation target disappearance and the saccade target appearance in the gap task. The distribution of SRTs in these tasks was generally bimodal; the first and second mode was composed of express and regular saccades, respectively. We measured the mean SRT, mean regular saccade latency, mean express saccade latency, and percentage of express saccades in both tasks. We also estimated the gap effect, i.e., the difference between the SRTs in no-gap trial and the SRTs in gap trials. 3. Once the animals were trained to make saccades to a single target location and produce express saccades, SRTs in both nogap and gap trials displayed a broad tuning with respect to the spatial location of the trained target when the target location was varied randomly in a block of trials. Express saccades were made only to a restricted region of the visual field surrounding the trained target location. A gap effect was present for nearly all target locations tested, irrespective of express saccade occurrence. Finally, the probability of generating an express saccade at the trained target location decreased with the introduction of uncertainty about target location. 4. The occurrence of express saccades increased with the duration of the visual and nonvisual (gap) fixation that the animal was required to maintain before the onset of a saccade target. The gap duration was effective in reducing the mean SRT for gaps 5300 ms, and it was more influential than comparable variation in the visual fixation duration. 5. The occurrence of express saccades made to targets of identical eccentricity increased when the initial eye fixation position was shifted eccentric in a direction opposite to the saccade direction. Concomitantly, mean SRT decreased by -2 ms for each I-deg change in initial eye fixation position. 6. The occurrence of express saccades depended upon contextual factors, i.e., on both the behavioral task (no-gap or gap) and the latency of the saccade that the monkey executed to the same
Ischemic Compression After Trigger Point Injection Affect the Treatment of Myofascial Trigger Points

Objective To investigate the effects of trigger point injection with or without ischemic compression in treatment of myofascial trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle. Methods Sixty patients with active myofascial trigger points in upper trapezius muscle were randomly divided into three groups: group 1 (n=20) received only trigger point injections, group 2 (n=20) received trigger point injections with 30 seconds of ischemic compression, and group 3 (n=20) received trigger point injections with 60 seconds of ischemic compression. The visual analogue scale, pressure pain threshold, and range of motion of the neck were assessed before treatment, immediately after treatment, and 1 week after treatment. Korean Neck Disability Indexes were assessed before treatment and 1 week after treatment. Results We found a significant improvement in all assessment parameters (p<0.05) in all groups. But, receiving trigger point injections with ischemic compression group showed significant improvement as compared with the receiving only trigger point injections group. And no significant differences between receiving 30 seconds of ischemic compression group and 60 seconds of ischemic compression group. Conclusion This study demonstrated the effectiveness of ischemic compression for myofascial trigger point. Trigger point injections combined with ischemic compression shows better effects on treatment of myofascial trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle than the only trigger point injections therapy. But the duration of ischemic compression did not affect treatment of myofascial trigger point.
Phylogeny and Molecular Evolution of the Green Algae

The green lineage (Viridiplantae) comprises the green algae and their descendants the land plants, and is one of the major groups of oxygenic photosynthetic eukaryotes. Current hypotheses posit the early divergence of two discrete clades from an ancestral green flagellate. One clade, the Chlorophyta, comprises the early diverging prasinophytes, which gave rise to the core chlorophytes. The other clade, the Streptophyta, includes the charophyte green algae from which the land plants evolved. Multi-marker and genome scale phylogenetic studies have greatly improved our understanding of broad-scale relationships of the green lineage, yet many questions persist, including the branching orders of the prasinophyte lineages, the relationships among core chlorophyte clades (Chlorodendrophyceae, Ulvophyceae, Trebouxiophyceae and Chlorophyceae), and the relationships among the streptophytes. Current phylogenetic hypotheses provide an evolutionary framework for molecular evolutionary studies and comparative genomics. This review summarizes our current understanding of organelle genome evolution in the green algae, genomic insights into the ecology of oceanic picoplanktonic prasinophytes, molecular mechanisms underlying the evolution of complexity in volvocine green algae, and the evolution of genetic codes and the translational apparatus in green seaweeds. Finally, we discuss molecular evolution in the streptophyte lineage, emphasizing the genetic facilitation of land plant origins.
Glutathione transferase M2-2 catalyzes conjugation of dopamine and dopa o-quinones.

Human glutathione transferase M2-2 prevents the formation of neurotoxic aminochrome and dopachrome by catalyzing the conjugation of dopamine and dopa o-quinone with glutathione. NMR analysis of dopamine and dopa o-quinone-glutathione conjugates revealed that the addition of glutathione was at C-5 to form 5-S-glutathionyl-dopamine and 5-S-glutathionyl-dopa, respectively. Both conjugates were found to be resistant to oxidation by biological oxidizing agents such as O(2), H(2)O(2), and O(*-)(2), and the glutathione transferase-catalyzed reaction can therefore serve a neuroprotective antioxidant function.
ANTIANGIOGENIC AND PROAPOPTOTIC ACTIVITY OF AVERRHOA CARAMBOLA L. FRUIT EXTRACT ON EHRLICH ASCITES CARCINOMA TREATED MICE

Aim: Accumulation of fluid containing cancer cells in the abdomen particularly, in ovarian cancer, forms malignant ascites rendering poor prognosis at this stage. We investigated the tumor inhibitory activity of Averrhoa carambola L. fruit extract on EAC cells administered mice targeting angiogenesis and apoptosis, and the bioactive compounds responsible. Main Methods: Body weight, ascites volume and peritoneal angiogenesis were monitored. Giemsa staining on EAC cells, DNA fragmentation assay and FACS analysis to determine the growth arrest were conducted. VEGF count was monitored using ELISA. Phytochemical screening and HPLC analysis were conducted to determine the bioactive compounds. Key Findings: The fruit extract expressed direct cytotoxicity to EAC cells by inducing apoptosis as evidenced by decrease in tumor volume, viable cell count and body weight of EAC bearing mice; characteristic apoptotical features, DNA fragmentation of apoptosis, and growth arrest taking place at G2/M phase of the cell cycle. Significant decrease in density of microvessel network in peritoneal lining and VEGF count in treated cells indicated that the fruit extract curbed malignancy of tumor through its antiangiogenic activity also. All these can be attributed to catechin, epicatechin and ferulic acid present in the extract. The total phenolic, flavanoids, proancthocyanidin and condensed tannins content were 1.216 mgGAE/g extract, 767 mgCE/g extract, 586 mgCE/ g extract and 18.35 mgCE/g extract respectively. Significance: The present study is the first to provide direct evidence that Averrhoa carambola L. has potent proapoptotic and antiangiogenic activity which may contribute to its well- documented clinical activity as a pharmaceutical drug.
Building Blocks for Young Children's Mathematical Development

This article describes the design principles behind a set of research-based software microworlds included in the Building Blocks program, a PreK to grade 2 software-based mathematics curriculum. Building Blocks approach is finding the mathematics in, and developing mathematics from, children's activity. The materials are designed to help children extend and mathematize their everyday activities, from building blocks to art to songs and stories to puzzles. The 9-step design process model that defines what we mean by “research-based” is described and illustrated.
Strategic planning for MIS: a conceptual framework

Increasingly, Management Information Services (MIS) divisions within organizations are becoming more centrally involved in the mainstream of corporate activities. MIS projects are becoming more complex and expensive; are affecting more aspects of the business; and are taking longer to design, develop, and install. For these reasons, effective planning for the MIS function is felt to be of paramount importance. In recognition of this, a conference was held on Planning for MIS in 1974, jointly sponsored by McKinsey & Company, Inc., and the Graduate School of Management at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Attending were MIS executives and practitioners from both the public and private sectors. During the two days of discussions, a number of conclusions were reached which are detailed in this paper. Building upon this conference, and on other work of the authors, the balance of the paper is devoted to presenting a framework for strategic planning for MIS. Definitions of key terms are included, as well as a discussion of some common planning pitfalls. Finally, a list of questions is given, designed to aid the MIS executive in carrying out his own organization's planning effort.
Can test construction account for varying gender differences in international reading achievement tests of children, adolescents and young adults? – A study based on Nordic results in PIRLS, PISA and PIAAC

Abstract Gender differences in reading seem to increase throughout schooling and then decrease or even disappear with age, but the reasons for this are unclear. In this study, we explore whether differences in the way ‘reading literacy’ is operationalised can add to our understanding of varying gender differences in international large-scale surveys. We first compare the impact of gender on reading literacy in PIRLS 2011 (10-year-olds), Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2009 (15-year-olds) and Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) 2012 (16–24-year-olds), respectively, across the Nordic countries. Then we compare how reading literacy is operationalised in those surveys. We find similar patterns of gender differences across the Nordic countries, with the largest effect sizes in PISA and the smallest in PIAAC. Further, even though the three surveys define reading literacy in similar ways, they operationalise and assess that construct differently. The magnitude of the observed gender differences appears to be associated with certain assessment features including text type, item format, aspects of reading and implementation.
HIV-1, Methamphetamine and Astrocyte Glutamate Regulation: Combined Excitotoxic Implications for Neuro-AIDS

Glutamate, the most abundant excitatory transmitter in the brain can lead to neurotoxicity when not properly regulated. Excitotoxicity is a direct result of abnormal regulation of glutamate concentrations in the synapse, and is a common neurotoxic mediator associated with neurodegenerative disorders. It is well accepted that methamphetamine (METH), a potent central nervous stimulant with high abuse potential, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 are implicated in the progression of neurocognitive malfunction. Both have been shown to induce common neurodegenerative effects such as astrogliosis, compromised blood brain barrier integrity, and excitotoxicity in the brain. Reduced glutamate uptake from neuronal synapses likely leads to the accumulation of glutamate in the extracellular spaces. Astrocytes express the glutamate transporters responsible for majority of the glutamate uptake from the synapse, as well as for vesicular glutamate release. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms of astrocyte-mediated excitotoxicity in the context of METH and HIV-1 are undefined. Topics reviewed include dysregulation of the glutamate transporters, specifically excitatory amino acid transporter-2, metabotropic glutamate receptor(s) expression and the release of glutamate by vesicular exocytosis. We also discuss glutamate concentration dysregulation through astrocytic expression of enzymes for glutamate synthesis and metabolism. Lastly, we discuss recent evidence of various astrocyte and neuron crosstalk mechanisms implicated in glutamate regulation. Astrocytes play an essential role in the neuropathologies associated with METH/HIV-1-induced excitotoxicity. We hope to shed light on common cellular and molecular pathways astrocytes share in glutamate regulation during drug abuse and HIV-1 infection.
A music recommendation system with a dynamic k-means clustering algorithm

A large number of people download music files easily from Web sites. But rare music sites provide personalized services. So, we suggest a method for personalized services. We extract the properties of music from music's sound wave. We use STFT (shortest time fourier form) to analyze music's property. And we infer users' preferences from users' music list. To analyze users' preferences we propose a dynamic K-means clustering algorithm. The dynamic K-means clustering algorithm clusters the pieces in the music list dynamically adapting the number of clusters. We recommend pieces of music based on the clusters. The previous recommendation systems analyze a user's preference by simply averaging the properties of music in the user's list. So those cannot recommend correctly if a user prefers several genres of music. By using our K-means clustering algorithm, we can recommend pieces of music which are close to user's preference even though he likes several genres. We perform experiments with one hundred pieces of music. In this paper we present and evaluate algorithms to recommend music.
Introduction to the Special Issue on Forests and Gender

The United Nations General Assembly declared 2011 as the International Year of Forests (IYOF). The IYOF is intended to raise awareness and strengthen sustainable forest management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests for the benefit of current and future generations. Yet even as the world celebrates the role of forests and trees in enhancing economic, social and environmental benefits of some of the worlds’ poorest, core challenges remain. This special feature of the International Forestry Review (IFR) focuses on forestry and gender. Drawn from a wide variety of contexts in Africa, Asia and Latin America, papers in this special issue explore the gendered dimensions of diverse topics from multiple empirical perspectives. They highlight advances made by women in forest resource management and benefits and consider some of the core challenges to women’s involvement in various aspects related to the use, sale and management of these resources. Some of the questions addressed include:
Implementation of an Evidence-Based Exercise Program for Older Adults in South Florida

Introduction. This study aimed to examine how well an evidence-based physical activity program could be translated for wide scale dissemination and adoption to increase physical activity among community-dwelling older adults. Methods. Between October 2009 and December 2012, reach, fidelity, dosage, ease of implementation, and barriers to translation of EnhanceFitness (EF) were assessed. To assess effectiveness, a pretest-posttest design was used to measure increases in functional fitness (chair stands, arm curls, and the up-and-go test). Results. Fourteen community-based agencies offered 126 EF classes in 83 different locations and reached 4,490 older adults. Most participants were female (72%). Thirty-eight percent of participants did not complete the initial 16-week EF program. The 25% who received the recommended dose experienced an increase in upper and lower body strength and mobility. Further, participants reported high satisfaction with the program. Conclusion. EF was successfully implemented in a variety of settings throughout South Florida and reached a large number of older adults. However, challenges were encountered in ensuring that those who participated received a program dose that would lead to beneficial gains in functional fitness.