Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Teaching programming with objects

This paper describes a new tool (P-Coder) that can assist in the teaching of Object-Oriented (O-O) programming concepts to novices. It builds on a pseudocode model that focuses on the most basic computational principles of sequence, iteration, selection and recursion. These are developed within an O-O framework that provides several views of the model: a Design View where the user interacts with the model to design the program (algorithms and structure); a Class View where the class structure can be visualised; a Code View where the generated code can be inspected, compiled and executed; and an Object View where objects can be instantiated from the defined classes. P-Coder provides a complete environment to demonstrate and implement many O-O concepts for novice users. There is a focus on developing an understanding of basic principles through a graphic/text based pseudocode notation representing the key program elements in a tree structured diagram. Users are able to design and build complete programs, compile and execute them in the normal way. Interactive object instantiation is also supported, allowing users to create, inspect and manipulate objects in their runtime state. This provides a useful perspective in teaching where the distinctions between Classes and Objects are often left confused.
Testing evolving software: Current practice and future promise

Testing is the most common way to increase confidence in the correctness and reliability of software. Studies report that testing consumes about half the cost of software development. Studies also show that maintenance can consume up to 80% of the cost for the entire software lifecycle, and much of that cost is devoted to testing. Rapidly changing software and computing environments present many challenges for effective and efficient testing in practice. Past research in testing of evolving software has resulted in techniques that attempt to automate or partially automate the process. Although few of these techniques have been successfully transferred to practice, existing techniques show promise for use in industry. By combining program analysis, machine learning, and visualization techniques, we can expect significant improvement in the process of testing evolving software that will provide reduction in cost and improvement in quality.
Dynamic of cold-atom tips in anharmonic potentials

Background: Understanding the dynamics of ultracold quantum gases in an anharmonic potential is essential for applications in the new field of cold-atom scanning probe microscopy. Therein, cold atomic ensembles are used as sensitive probe tips to investigate nanostructured surfaces and surface-near potentials, which typically cause anharmonic tip motion. Results: Besides a theoretical description of this anharmonic tip motion, we introduce a novel method for detecting the cold-atom tip dynamics in situ and real time. In agreement with theory, the first measurements show that particle interactions and anharmonic motion have a significant impact on the tip dynamics. Conclusion: Our findings will be crucial for the realization of high-sensitivity force spectroscopy with cold-atom tips and could possibly allow for the development of advanced spectroscopic techniques such as Q-control.
Mars Science Laboratory entry guidance improvements study for the Mars 2018 mission

In 2011, the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) was launched in a mission to deliver the largest and most capable rover to date to the surface of Mars. A follow on MSL-derived mission, referred to as Mars 2018, is being proposed to launch in 2018. Mars 2018 is investigating performance enhancements of the Entry, Descent and Landing (EDL) system over that of its predecessor MSL mission of 2011. This paper will discuss the main elements of the proposed Mars 2018 EDL preliminary design that are being considered to increase performance on the entry phase of the mission. In particular, these elements are discussed with the goals of increasing the parachute deploy altitude to allow for more time margin during the subsequent descent and landing phases, increasing the entry mass, and reducing the delivery ellipse size at parachute deploy, through modifications in the entry reference trajectory design, vehicle's lift to drag ratio, parachute deploy trigger logic design, and the effect of additional navigation hardware.
A photovoice study of school belongingness among high school students in Norway

ABSTRACT Although high school graduation is important for living conditions and health throughout life, many students do not complete. In Norway’s northern most county, Finnmark, up to 45% of students do not complete high school. Contrary to prior research that has primarily focused on causes for dropout, this study’s aim was to deepen understanding of factors that support high school attendance. A strengths-based participatory approach using photovoice addressed attendance factors as perceived by seven participating students from one high school in Finnmark. Qualitative content analysis of data generated through group dialogue about participant-generated photos and individual interviews identified six factors important for students’ school attendance: a supportive school environment, a good learning environment, recuperation and recreation, family and friends, goals and ambitions, and place attachment. Related aspects of a supportive environment and belongingness, where school staff made important contributions to promoting a positive environment, were essential.
The Cell-Type Specific Cortical Microcircuit: Relating Structure and Activity in a Full-Scale Spiking Network Model

In the past decade, the cell-type specific connectivity and activity of local cortical networks have been characterized experimentally to some detail. In parallel, modeling has been established as a tool to relate network structure to activity dynamics. While available comprehensive connectivity maps ( Thomson, West, et al. 2002; Binzegger et al. 2004) have been used in various computational studies, prominent features of the simulated activity such as the spontaneous firing rates do not match the experimental findings. Here, we analyze the properties of these maps to compile an integrated connectivity map, which additionally incorporates insights on the specific selection of target types. Based on this integrated map, we build a full-scale spiking network model of the local cortical microcircuit. The simulated spontaneous activity is asynchronous irregular and cell-type specific firing rates are in agreement with in vivo recordings in awake animals, including the low rate of layer 2/3 excitatory cells. The interplay of excitation and inhibition captures the flow of activity through cortical layers after transient thalamic stimulation. In conclusion, the integration of a large body of the available connectivity data enables us to expose the dynamical consequences of the cortical microcircuitry.
Dispersion-Tuned Harmonically Mode-Locked Fiber Laser

A dispersion-tuned harmonically mode-locked fiber laser is demonstrated using a reflective semiconductor optical amplifier (RSOA) and a chirped fiber Bragg grating. The laser is controlled by modulating the RSOA with a RF signal. The laser performance in terms of tunable bandwidth, pulsewidth, spectral width, output power, and optical signal to noise ratio (OSNR) is studied with respect to their dependence on the injected current levels to the RSOA. This letter indicates that lasing at higher harmonic order results in broaden temporal pulse width, larger spectral width, and lower OSNR. Narrower spectral width is obtained with lower modulation current causing less longitudinal modes to lase. A second synchronously gated RSOA is used to further amplify the laser with peak power up to 0 dBm with a constant output spectrum maintained at all wavelengths and reduced noise between pulses.
Deposition of C3b and iC3b onto particulate activators of the human complement system. Quantitation with monoclonal antibodies to human C3

Monoclonal antibodies were used to determine the number and molecular form of C3 bound to particulate activators of the complement (C) system by human serum. Sheep erythrocytes (E) coated with IgM (EIgM) and IgG (EIgG) were used to study activation of the classical pathway (CP). Yeast (Y), rabbit erythrocytes (ER), and five species of bacteria (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae type 3, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Hemophilus influenzae type b) were used to study activation of the alternative pathway (AP). The deposition of C3b onto EIgM and EIgG incubated in C7-deficient human serum was dependent on the serum concentration. At all serum concentrations tested, there was complete conversion of C3b to iC3b. Kinetic analysis of C3b deposition and conversion to iC3b indicated that these events occurred almost simultaneously; the reaction was completed by 15 min. The deposition of C3 onto the AP activators ER and Y was also dependent on serum concentration, and ER, but not Y, required the presence of Mg- EGTA and thus the activation of only the AP. C3b deposition and conversion to iC3b on Y was complete in 15 min, with 82% of bound C3 converted to iC3b. For ER, maximum C3 deposition required 30 min in both the presence and absence of Mg-EGTA. However, after 1 h of incubation, 74% of bound C2 was iC3b in the absence of Mg-EGTA, compared with only 52% in the presence of Mg-EGTA. Thus, even on AP activators, a large portion of C3b may be converted to iC3b, and this conversion is probably controlled by elements on the particle's surface. Studies with the five species of bacteria yielded similar results. Approximately 3-5 X 10(4) molecules of C3 were bound per microorganism, with opsonization being completed in 30 min. Remarkably, only 16-28% of bound C3 was in the form of iC3b, even after 2 h of incubation. The presence or absence of Mg-EGTA, or the addition of purified CR1 to the reaction mixture, did not significantly effect the ratio of C3b to iC3b. Finally, SDS-PAGE and autoradiography of particle- bound 125I-C3 fragments confirmed that there was no conversion of iC3b to C3d,g or C3d. The data obtained about the opsonization of bacteria suggest that the predominant form of C3 that is encountered by inflammatory phagocytes may be C3b.
Evidence for Involvement of an Electron Shuttle in Electricity Generation by Geothrix fermentans

ABSTRACT In experiments performed using graphite electrodes poised by a potentiostat (+200 mV versus Ag/AgCl) or in a microbial fuel cell (with oxygen as the electron acceptor), the Fe(III)-reducing organism Geothrix fermentans conserved energy to support growth by coupling the complete oxidation of acetate to reduction of a graphite electrode. Other organic compounds, such as lactate, malate, propionate, and succinate as well as components of peptone and yeast extract, were utilized for electricity production. However, electrical characteristics and the results of shuttling assays indicated that unlike previously described electrode-reducing microorganisms, G. fermentans produced a compound that promoted electrode reduction. This is the first report of complete oxidation of organic compounds linked to electrode reduction by an isolate outside of the Proteobacteria.
Reference Repulsion When Judging the Direction of Visual Motion

While humans are very reliable (ie give highly reproducible answers) when repeatedly judging the direction of a moving random-dot pattern (RDP) we find that their accuracy (ie the direction they so reliably report) shows systematic errors. To quantify these errors, we presented a complete set of closely spaced directions and mapped the directional misjudgments by asking subjects to compare the perceived direction of a moving RDP with the direction of a test line. The results show misjudgments of up to 9°, which are best accounted for by a tendency of the subjects to overestimate the angle between the observed motion and an internal reference direction. A control experiment in which subjects had to judge the spatial distance between a point and a line demonstrates that these misjudgments are not confined to motion stimuli but rather seem to reflect a general tendency to overestimate the distance between a stimulus and a reference when they are close to each other.
Hydrogen Peroxide Induces Necrosis, Apoptosis, Oncosis and Apoptotic Oncosis of Mouse Terminal Proximal Straight Tubule Cells

Hydrogen peroxide (H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>) has been shown to be an important mediator of ischemic and toxic tubular damage. The purpose of this study was to identify the mode of cell death observed in H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>-exposed cultures of mouse terminal proximal straight tubule (S<sub>3</sub>) cells. H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> induced a dose- and time-dependent decrease in viability of S<sub>3</sub> cells. Morphologically, S<sub>3</sub> cells exposed to H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> (0.05–0.1 mM) showed features of necrosis, apoptosis, oncosis and apoptotic oncosis, whereas necrosis occurred most frequently in every experimental condition tested. On the other hand, agarose gel electrophoresis of DNA extracted from S<sub>3</sub> cells exposed to H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> revealed a typical DNA ladder pattern. These data suggest that H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>-induced proximal tubule damages are associated with the induction of various modes of cell death including necrosis, apoptosis, oncosis and apoptotic oncosis, and with the activation of endonuclease.
Management Objectives and Design Principles for the Cost Allocation of Business Intelligence

Today business intelligence (BI) systems, which provide management with decision-supportive information, are considered to be a prerequisite for organizational success. In contrast to the operation of BI, BI system management is still an emerging topic in information systems (IS) research. Even though the cost management of BI systems is highly relevant for practice, the field is widely unexplored. Cost allocations for BI systems are supposed to enhance transparency, create cost awareness and support the management of resources of the BI system. In our research we have conducted two focus group studies to examine the basis for BI cost allocations. First, we derive management goals and design principles for a BI cost allocation from an exploratory focus group. In a second step, we evaluate the goals and the design principles in a confirmatory focus group. Our research provides valuable insights on the application of BI cost allocations from our focus groups and contributes a basis for the design of BI cost allocation methods.
Combination of NMR relaxometry and mechanical testing during vulcanization

A new design for an in-situ combination of NMR and rheological measurements is presented. The NMR instrumentation is based on a Bruker Minispec spectrometer with a home-built magnet system consisting of 64 permanent magnets in a so-called MANDHALA arrangement. This magnet reaches a flux density of about 0.23 T, corresponding to a 1 H NMR resonance frequency ofabout 9.5 MHz. The NMR apparatus is combined with a Scarabaeus SISV50 instrument with modified sample cells to allow synchronous in-situ rheological and NMR measurements. This unique instrument and first exemplary measurements of a curing epoxy resin and the vulcanization of a rubber sample are presented.
Age-related reexpression of p75 in axotomized motoneurons

p75 was immunohistochemically identified in spinal motoneurons in immature and adult rats after either distal peripheral axotomy or root avulsion. Few or no p75 positive motoneurons were observed after distal axotomy in animals at the age of postnatal day 1 and postnatal day 7, whereas the injury induced marked neuronal death. Motoneurons reexpressed p75 from the end of the second postnatal week to adulthood in response to distal axotomy, whereas most motoneurons survived after the injury. On the other hand, root avulsion in animals of all ages did not cause significant p75 expression in avulsed motoneurons where most motoneurons died ultimately. The potential role of such reexpression in motoneuron protection is discussed.
Coordinate the Supply Chain with Risk-Averse Agents under CVaR Criteria

Following the coordination framework created by Gan, Sethi and Yan[1], we address the supply chain coordination issues with a supplier and a retailer where their risk measure is Conditional Value-at- Risk (CVaR). We find the set of pareto-optimal solutions, and design contracts to achieve these solutions. When the supplier's profit is deterministic, we find that the wholesale price contract can coordinate the supply chain and when the supplier and the retailer have the same risk attitudes, we find that the revenue-sharing contract and the buy-back contract can coordinate the supply chain.
Interpersonal traits of psychopathy linked to reduced integrity of the uncinate fasciculus

Psychopathy is a personality disorder characterized by callous lack of empathy, impulsive antisocial behavior, and criminal recidivism. Here, we performed the largest diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) study of incarcerated criminal offenders to date (N = 147) to determine whether psychopathy severity is linked to the microstructural integrity of major white matter tracts in the brain. Consistent with the results of previous studies in smaller samples, we found that psychopathy was associated with reduced fractional anisotropy in the right uncinate fasciculus (UF; the major white matter tract connecting ventral frontal and anterior temporal cortices). We found no such association in the left UF or in adjacent frontal or temporal white matter tracts. Moreover, the right UF finding was specifically related to the interpersonal features of psychopathy (glib superficial charm, grandiose sense of self‐worth, pathological lying, manipulativeness), rather than the affective, antisocial, or lifestyle features. These results indicate a neural marker for this key dimension of psychopathic symptomatology. Hum Brain Mapp 36:4202–4209, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
TM3: flexible transport-layer multi-pipe multiplexing middlebox without head-of-line blocking

A primary design decision in HTTP/2, the successor of HTTP/1.1, is object multiplexing. While multiplexing improves web performance in many scenarios, it still has several drawbacks due to complex cross-layer interactions. In this paper, we propose a novel multiplexing architecture called TM3 that overcomes many of these limitations. TM3 strategically leverages multiple concurrent multiplexing pipes in a transparent manner, and eliminates various types of head-of-line blocking that can severely impact user experience. TM3 works beyond HTTP over TCP and applies to a wide range of application and transport protocols. Extensive evaluations on LTE and wired networks show that TM3 substantially improves performance e.g., reduces web page load time by an average of 24% compared to SPDY, which is the basis for HTTP/2. For lossy links and concurrent transfers, the improvements are more pronounced: compared to SPDY, TM3 achieves up to 42% of average PLT reduction under losses and up to 90% if concurrent transfers exist.
Confidence estimation, OOV detection and language ID using phone-to-word transduction and phone-level alignments

Automatic speech recognition (ASR) systems continue to make errors during search when handling various phenomena including noise, pronunciation variation, and out of vocabulary (OOV) words. Predicting the probability that a word is incorrect can prevent the error from propagating and perhaps allow the system to recover. This paper addresses the problem of detecting errors and OOVs for read Wall Street Journal speech when the word error rate (WER) is very low. It augments a traditional confidence estimate by introducing two novel methods: phone-level comparison using multi-string alignment (MSA) and word-level comparison using phone-to-word transduction. We show that features from phone and word string comparisons can be added to a standard maximum entropy framework thereby substantially improving performance in detecting both errors and OOVs. Additionally we show an extension to detecting English and accented English for the language identification (LID) task.
Rat brain iron concentration is lower following perinatal copper deficiency

Experiments performed with Holtzman rats demonstrated that brain iron (Fe) was lower by postnatal day 13 (P13) in pups born and nursed by dams that began copper‐deficient (–Cu) treatment at embryonic day 7. Transcardial perfusion of P24–P26 males and females to remove blood Fe contamination revealed that brain Fe was still 20% lower in –Cu than +Cu rats. Estimated blood content of brain for –Cu rats was greater than for +Cu rats; for all groups, values ranged between 0.43 and 1.03%. Using group‐specific data and regression analyses, r = 0.99, relating blood Fe to hemoglobin, brain Fe in non‐perfused rats in a replicate study was lower by 33% at P13 and 39% at P24 in –Cu rats. Brain extracts from these rats and from P50 rats from a post‐weaning model were compared by immunobloting for transferrin receptor (TfR1). P24 brain –Cu/+Cu TfR1 was 3.08, suggesting that brains of –Cu rats were indeed Fe deficient. This ratio in P13 rats was 1.44, p < 0.05. No change in P50 –Cu rat brain TfR1 or Fe content was detected despite a 50% reduction in plasma Fe. The results suggest that brain Fe accumulation depends on adequate Cu nutriture during perinatal development.
Characterisation of the faecal metabolome and microbiome of Thoroughbred racehorses.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY The intestinal bacterial community of the horse is a key determinant of intestinal and whole body health. Understanding the bacterial community structure and function is an important foundation for studies of intestinal health and disease. OBJECTIVES To describe the faecal bacterial community and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of the faecal metabolome of healthy Thoroughbred racehorses and to characterise responses to dietary supplementation with amylase-rich malt extract. STUDY DESIGN Intervention study. METHODS Faecal samples were collected noninvasively before and 6 weeks after supplementation in 8 privately owned Thoroughbred racehorses in active race training. Faecal metabolome was characterised using thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS), with spectral analysis performed using AMDIS and compared against the NIST database. Taxonomic description of the faecal microbiota was achieved using error-corrected 454 pyrosequencing data from 16S rRNA gene amplicons. RESULTS The faecal metabolome of our study population was dominated by organic acids, alcohols and ketones. We identified 81 different VOCs only 28 of which were present in >50% of samples indicating functional diversity. Faecal VOC profiles differed between first and second sampling point, some VOCs being significantly reduced post supplementation, consistent with a marked response to dietary amylase-rich malt extract. Faecal microbiota was characterised as highly diverse; samples demonstrated verifiable diversity in the range 1200-3000 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) per individual. The methods used also describe high levels of infrequent, low abundance OTUs. Faecal microbial community structure was found to be different following dietary supplementation. Differences in several low abundance bacterial taxa were detected and also some evidence of interhorse variation in response. CONCLUSIONS The volatile faecal metabolome of Thoroughbred racehorses is dominated by organic acids, alcohols and ketones; this study demonstrates that dietary supplementation with amylase-rich malt extract may significantly alter the profile of VOCs. The faecal microbiome is highly diverse, dominated by Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. Small but significant changes in microbial community structure were detected following dietary supplementation. This study describes the faecal metabolome and microbiome of healthy Thoroughbred racehorses against which future studies of disease and dietary intervention can be benchmarked.