Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cooperating Across Classrooms: Cooperative–Experiential Learning Through Design and Implementation of Health Campaign Messages

The objective of this article is twofold: (a) demonstrate the utility of cooperative–experiential learning within the health sciences curriculum and (b) diversify student classroom experiences through a health campaigns project that challenged students to creatively and strategically develop health messages. Cooperative–experiential learning is a hybrid pedagogy that exposes students to many of the complexities they can expect to face within their career, thus bridging the gap between the classroom and workplace. The health campaigns project used to appraise the value of cooperative–experiential learning in this article tasked upper-level undergraduate student groups from two unique college courses (Health Promotion and Visual Communication) to design, launch, and analyze health-relevant campaigns on the authors’ college campus. At two points throughout the semester, students independently completed reviews (cooperation reports) of their group dynamics and progress—these reports became the data set for our analysis of cooperative–experiential learning. Using a grounded theory approach (open, axial, and selective coding), the results that emerged from our analysis point to four significant themes of cooperative–experiential learning: development of communication skills, problem solving and critical thinking through cooperation, workplace preparedness, and student satisfaction. Student quotes are used to help extrapolate these four outcomes. Suggestions are offered for how to effectively incorporate cooperative–experiential learning into curriculum.
Monitoring Spatio-temporal Dynamics of Photosynthesis with a Portable Hyperspectral Imaging System

Photosynthetic efficiency of higher plants dynamically adapts to changing light intensity and is greatly influenced by stress, such as water stress. We tested a new portable hyperspectral imaging system, the SOC-700, manufactured by Surface Optics, which produces 12-bit reflectance images between 440 nm and 880 nm with a 4 nm spectral resolution. We quantified the reflectance properties and photochemical reflectance index (PRI) during light adaptation of genetically modified Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. plants lacking or over-expressing the PsbS protein, an essential component of the mechanism of non-photochemical dissipation. In a second experiment, PRI images of gradually water stressed leaves were compared to leaf-level measurements of reflectance using a second commercially available spectrometer, and chlorophyll fluorescence to detect dynamic, photosynthesis correlated changes in reflectance and PRI. In both experiments PRI measured with the SOC-700 changed, reflecting the biochemical adaptation of the photosynthetic apparatus to high light intensity (dynamic changes within minutes) and the gradual deactivation of photosynthesis during drying (changes within hours). The quantum efficiency of photosystem II (� F/Fm� ) and non-photochemical energy dissipation (NPQ) measured from chlorophyll fluorescence, were strongly correlated with PRI. Leaf area PRI values estimated from individual pixel spectra of the SOC-700 quantified photosynthetic efficiency more thoroughly than PRI values calculated from point measurements using the hand-held GER-1500. The applications, limitations, and potential of the SOC-700 for plant eco-physiology and remote sensing are also discussed.
Glasses removal from facial image using recursive error compensation

In this paper, we propose a new method of removing glasses from a human frontal facial image. We first detect the regions occluded by the glasses and generate a natural looking facial image without glasses by recursive error compensation using PCA reconstruction. The resulting image has no trace of the glasses frame or of the reflection and shade caused by the glasses. The experimental results show that the proposed method provides an effective solution to the problem of glasses occlusion and we believe that this method can also be used to enhance the performance of face recognition systems.
Nerve Growth Factor Receptor TrkA Signaling in Breast Cancer Cells Involves Ku70 to Prevent Apoptosis*S

The nerve growth factor (NGF)-tyrosine kinase receptor TrkA plays a critical role in various neuronal and non-neuronal cell types by regulating cell survival, differentiation, and proliferation. In breast cancer cells, TrkA stimulation results in the activation of cellular growth, but downstream signaling largely remains to be described. Here we used a proteomics-based approach to identify partners involved in TrkA signaling in breast cancer cells. Wild type and modified TrkA chimeric constructs with green fluorescent protein were transfected in MCF-7 cells, and co-immunoprecipitated proteins were separated by SDS-PAGE before nano-LC-MS/MS analysis. Several TrkA putative signaling partners were identified among which was the DNA repair protein Ku70, which is increasingly reported for its role in cell survival and carcinogenesis. Physiological interaction of Ku70 with endogenous TrkA was induced upon NGF stimulation in non-transfected cells, and co-localization was observed with confocal microscopy. Mass spectrometry analysis and Western blotting of phosphotyrosine immunoprecipitates demonstrated the induction of Ku70 tyrosine phosphorylation upon NGF stimulation. Interestingly no interaction between TrkA and Ku70 was detected in PC12 cells in the absence or presence of NGF, suggesting that it is not involved in the initiation of neuronal differentiation. In breast cancer cells, RNA interference indicated that whereas Ku70 depletion had no direct effect on cell survival, it induced a strong potentiation of apoptosis in TrkA-overexpressing cells. In conclusion, TrkA signaling appears to be proapoptotic in the absence of Ku70, and this protein might therefore play a role in the long time reported ambivalence of tyrosine kinase receptors that can exhibit both anti- and eventually proapoptotic activities.
PARAQUAT TOLERANCE3 Is an E3 Ligase That Switches off Activated Oxidative Response by Targeting Histone-Modifying PROTEIN METHYLTRANSFERASE4b

Oxidative stress is unavoidable for aerobic organisms. When abiotic and biotic stresses are encountered, oxidative damage could occur in cells. To avoid this damage, defense mechanisms must be timely and efficiently modulated. While the response to oxidative stress has been extensively studied in plants, little is known about how the activated response is switched off when oxidative stress is diminished. By studying Arabidopsis mutant paraquat tolerance3, we identified the genetic locus PARAQUAT TOLERANCE3 (PQT3) as a major negative regulator of oxidative stress tolerance. PQT3, encoding an E3 ubiquitin ligase, is rapidly down-regulated by oxidative stress. PQT3 has E3 ubiquitin ligase activity in ubiquitination assay. Subsequently, we identified PRMT4b as a PQT3-interacting protein. By histone methylation, PRMT4b upregulates the expression of APX1 and GPX1, encoding two key enzymes against oxidative stress. On the other hand, PRMT4b is recognized by PQT3 for targeted degradation via 26S proteasome. Therefore, we have identified PQT3 as an E3 ligase that acts as a negative regulator of activated response to oxidative stress and found that histone modification by PRMT4b at APX1 and GPX1 loci plays an important role in oxidative stress tolerance.
Automatic generation of hierarchical placement rules for analog integrated circuits

This paper presents a new method to automatically generate hierarchical placement rules, which are crucial for a successful analog placement. The netlist, a library of building blocks and a symmetry analysis are the basis to determine a constraint requirement graph, which comprises five types of proximity, matching and symmetry constraints. According to the priority of the constraint types, a hierarchical partitioning of the circuit into matching, proximity and symmetry groups is then automatically computed and forwarded to a state-of-the-art placement tool. Based on experimental results, we show that the new approach generates more placement rules and leads to better circuit performances according to post-layout simulation compared to a commercial approach.
The reduction of large molecular profiles to informative components using a Genetic Algorithm

MOTIVATION Molecular profiles (DNA fingerprints) may be used to allocate an individual of unknown membership to one among the known groups of a reference population. Time and costs of profile assessment may be reduced by identifying informative profile components (markers). RESULTS A genetic algorithm (GA) is proposed to identify promising candidate markers from a pilot experiment in which observations are supposed to be without measurement error. The analysis of simulated datasets suggests reasonable values for GA parameters and confirms that the GA finds components of the profile showing association with the considered groups. Our GA may be used to perform a first screening of candidate markers to be included in subsequent experiments. AVAILABILITY The 32-bit executable (Windows 95, 98 and NT) is available at http://www.ds. unifi.it/ approximately stefanin/bioinformatics.htm.
Mental Accounting in Decision-Making for Self Versus Others

Previous studies have commonly used the third-person format to explore the generality of mental accounting and have observed the mental accounting effect when people predict others’ behavior. However, little is known about whether the mental accounting effect can be observed when people make decisions for others. We conducted 2 studies to investigate this issue. In Study 1, participants were asked to read all A or B scenarios for 3 modified mental accounting problems (the movie ticket problem, the sneaker and umbrella problem, and the basketball game problem) and to make decisions for themselves or for others. The results showed that the mental accounting effect appeared only when the participants made decisions for themselves and not when they made decisions for others. In Study 2, we directly manipulated the self–other intimate relationship (close other vs. distant other) and asked the participants to make decisions for different others in the 3 modified problems. The results showed that regardless of whether the other was socially close or distant, the mental accounting effect was not observed. Taken together, our results extend the findings on mental accounting and indicate that it may cease to apply when individuals make decisions for others.
Energy Efficient Adaptive Cooperative Communications in Wireless Sensor Networks

Energy efficiency is one of the most important performances of a wireless sensor network. In this paper, we show that choosing a proper transmission scheme given the channel and network conditions can ensure a high energy performance in different transmission environments. Based on the energy models we established for both cooperative and non-cooperative communications, the efficiency in terms of energy consumption per bit for different transmission schemes is investigated. It is shown that cooperative transmission schemescan outperform non-cooperative schemes in energy efficiency in severe channel conditions and when the source-destination distance is in a medium or long range. But the latter is more energy efficient than the former for short-range transmission. For cooperative transmission schemes, the number of transmission branches and the number of relays per branch can also be properly selected to adapt to the variations of the transmission environment, so that the total energy consumption can be minimized.
The correlation between need satisfaction and learning motivation: A self-determination theory perspective

To examine the relationship between need satisfaction and learning motivation, a survey was conducted in an engineering college in China. Collected data were processed and analyzed via SPSS software; then a confirmatory factor analysis was performed with SEM method. Outcomes of the research indicated that: 1) satisfaction of autonomy and relatedness contributed to autonomous motivation; 2) satisfaction of competence and relatedness helped shift controlled motivation to autonomous motivation; 3) unexpectedly, satisfaction of competence had negative effect on autonomous regulation, as did satisfaction of autonomy on controlled regulation. The outcomes imply that learners‟ psychological needs should be satisfied according to their pre-existing types of motivation, and that studies on motivation based on Self-determination Theory (SDT) should take cultural factors into consideration
Dynamic Three-Dimensional Shoulder Mri during Active Motion for Investigation of Rotator Cuff Diseases

Background MRI is the standard methodology in diagnosis of rotator cuff diseases. However, many patients continue to have pain despite treatment, and MRI of a static unloaded shoulder seems insufficient for best diagnosis and treatment. This study evaluated if Dynamic MRI provides novel kinematic data that can be used to improve the understanding, diagnosis and best treatment of rotator cuff diseases. Methods Dynamic MRI provided real-time 3D image series and was used to measure changes in the width of subacromial space, superior-inferior translation and anterior-posterior translation of the humeral head relative to the glenoid during active abduction. These measures were investigated for consistency with the rotator cuff diseases classifications from standard MRI. Results The study included: 4 shoulders with massive rotator cuff tears, 5 shoulders with an isolated full-thickness supraspinatus tear, 5 shoulders with tendinopathy and 6 normal shoulders. A change in the width of subacromial space greater than 4mm differentiated between rotator cuff diseases with tendon tears (massive cuff tears and supraspinatus tear) and without tears (tendinopathy) (p = 0.012). The range of the superior-inferior translation was higher in the massive cuff tears group (6.4mm) than in normals (3.4mm) (p = 0.02). The range of the anterior-posterior translation was higher in the massive cuff tears (9.2 mm) and supraspinatus tear (9.3 mm) shoulders compared to normals (3.5mm) and tendinopathy (4.8mm) shoulders (p = 0.05). Conclusion The Dynamic MRI enabled a novel measure; ‘Looseness’, i.e. the translation of the humeral head on the glenoid during an abduction cycle. Looseness was better able at differentiating different forms of rotator cuff disease than a simple static measure of relative glenohumeral position.
Indoor Robot Localization System Using WiFi Signal Measure and Minimizing Calibration Effort

This paper presents a robot localization system for indoor environments using WiFi signal strength measure. We analyse the main causes of the WiFi signal strength variation and we experimentally demonstrate that a localization technique based on a propagation model doesn't work properly in our test-bed. We have carried out a localization system based on a priori radio-map obtained automatically from a robot navigation in the environment in a semi-autonomous way. We analyse the effect of reducing calibration effort in order to diminish practical barriers to wider adoption of this type of location measurement technique. Experimental results using a real robot moving are shown. Finally, the conclusions and future works are presented.
Mutation of p107 exacerbates the consequences of Rb loss in embryonic tissues and causes cardiac and blood vessel defects

The retinoblastoma tumor-suppressor protein, pRb, is a member of the pocket protein family that includes p107 and p130. These proteins have well-defined roles in regulating entry into and exit from the cell cycle and also have cell cycle–independent roles in facilitating differentiation. Here we investigate the overlap between pocket protein's function during embryonic development by using conditional mutant alleles to generate Rb;p107 double-mutant embryos (DKOs) that develop in the absence of placental defects. These DKOs die between e13.5 and e14.5, much earlier than either the conditional Rb or the germline p107 single mutants, which survive to birth or are largely viable, respectively. Analyses of the e13.5 DKOs shows that p107 mutation exacerbates the phenotypes resulting from pRb loss in the central nervous system and lens, but not in the peripheral nervous system. In addition, these embryos exhibit novel phenotypes, including increased proliferation of blood vessel endothelial cells, and heart defects, including double-outlet right ventricle (DORV). The DORV is caused, at least in part, by a defect in blood vessel endothelial cells and/or heart mesenchymal cells. These findings demonstrate novel, overlapping functions for pRb and p107 in numerous murine tissues.
Parallel Improved Schnorr-Euchner Enumeration SE++ for the CVP and SVP

The Closest Vector Problem (CVP) and the Shortest Vector Problem (SVP) are prime problems in lattice-based cryptanalysis, since they underpin the security of many lattice-based cryptosystems. Despite the importance of these problems, there are only a few CVP-solvers publicly available, and their scalability was never studied. This paper presents a scalable implementation of an enumeration-based CVP-solver for multi-cores, which can be easily adapted to solve the SVP. In particular, it achieves super-linear speedups in some instances on up to 8 cores and almost linear speedups on 16 cores when solving the CVP on a 50-dimensional lattice. Our results show that enumeration-based CVP-solvers can be parallelized as effectively as enumeration-based solvers for the SVP, based on a comparison with a state of the art SVP-solver. In addition, we show that we can optimize the SVP variant of our solver in such a way that it becomes 35%-60% faster than the fastest enumeration-based SVP-solver to date.
Cultural algorithm based on adaptive cauchy mutated particle swarm optimizer for high-dimensional function optimization

This paper presents a novel cultural algorithm, in which an adaptive Cauchy mutated particle swarm optimizer (ACMPSO) is used as a population space; the Cauchy allows larger mutations and in this way producing more diversified individuals and covering more major space. The knowledge sources contained in the belief space are specifically designed according to the ACMPSO evolution features. Different Gaussian mutated knowledge sources are used to influence the variation operator of ACMPSO; Gaussian mutation is accomplished in accurate search of its nearest space for proximity exploration, and it performs better in small neighborhood. The simulation results of benchmark test functions show that the proposed algorithm has good optimization quality and searching efficiency, especially it is a promising way for complex functions optimization with high dimensions.
Latino adolescent sexual behavior: Do contextual effects contribute to ethnic group differences?

Title of Document: LATINO ADOLESCENT SEXUAL BEHAVIOR: DO CONTEXTUAL EFFECTS CONTRIBUTE TO ETHNIC GROUP DIFFERENCES? Courtenay Anna Barrett, Ph.D., 2012 Directed By: Professor, Gary Gottfredson, Department of Counseling, Higher Education, and Special Education Latino youths are at a higher risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections or becoming pregnant during adolescence than their non-Latino peers. Research has focused mainly on individual sociopsychological predictors of adolescent sexual behavior or on contextual effects of neighborhoods. The present study investigates potential contributions of school effects to the explanation of ethnic group differences in sexual behavior. Data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) are examined to answer the following questions: (a) Are Latino adolescents concentrated in areas where there is a more sexually permissive school culture? (b) Are sexually permissive school cultures positively related to sexual initiation? (c) To what extent do school characteristics or sexual norms moderate the relationship between Latino self-identification and motivations to engage in sex through a person-environment interaction? (d) To what extent do school characteristics or sexual norms moderate the relationship between Latino selfidentification and sexual initiation through a person-environment interaction? Results suggest that Latinos are not concentrated in areas with a more permissive sexual culture and that the higher the proportion of Latinos in the school, the lower the proportion of students having had sex. Latino ethnicity is not related to motivations to engage in sex, but is positively related to sexual initiation. This positive relationship is attenuated in schools where there is a sexually permissive school culture. Across ethnicities, sexually permissive school cultures increase sexual initiation. LATINO ADOLESCENT SEXUAL BEHAVIOR: DO CONTEXTUAL EFFECTS CONTRIBUTE TO ETHNIC GROUP DIFFERENCES?
Applying LDA Topic Modeling in Communication Research: Toward a Valid and Reliable Methodology

ABSTRACT Latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) topic models are increasingly being used in communication research. Yet, questions regarding reliability and validity of the approach have received little attention thus far. In applying LDA to textual data, researchers need to tackle at least four major challenges that affect these criteria: (a) appropriate pre-processing of the text collection; (b) adequate selection of model parameters, including the number of topics to be generated; (c) evaluation of the model’s reliability; and (d) the process of validly interpreting the resulting topics. We review the research literature dealing with these questions and propose a methodology that approaches these challenges. Our overall goal is to make LDA topic modeling more accessible to communication researchers and to ensure compliance with disciplinary standards. Consequently, we develop a brief hands-on user guide for applying LDA topic modeling. We demonstrate the value of our approach with empirical data from an ongoing research project.
Spatiotemporal evolution of radio wave pump-induced ionospheric phenomena near the fourth electron gyroharmonic

On 12 November 2001, the European Incoherent Scatter (EISCAT) high-frequency (HF) radio wave transmitter facility, operating in O-mode at 5.423 MHz with 550 MW effective radiated power, produced artificial optical rings which appeared immediately at transmitter turn-on and collapsed into blobs after ∼60 s while descending in altitude. A similar descent in altitude was observed in the EISCAT ultra high frequency (UHF) ion line enhancements. Likewise, the stimulated electromagnetic emission (SEE) spectra changed as the pump frequency approached the fourth electron gyroharmonic due to pump-induced variations in electron concentration. Optical recordings were made from Skibotn at 630.0 and 557.7 nm and from Ramfjord in white light. The altitude of the initial optical ring and steady state blob has been estimated by triangulation. The evolution in altitude of the optical emissions, ion line enhancements, and SEE spectra all show a similar morphology but are generally not at exactly the same height. Typically, the optical height is close to and a few kilometers below that of the radar backscatter but sometimes above it, both of which are above the SEE generation altitude. There is evidence that upper hybrid (UH) waves, which propagate perpendicular to the magnetic field line, and Langmuir (L) waves, which propagate parallel to the magnetic field line, act simultaneously to accelerate electrons even in the steady state.