Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Information fusion reliability analysis for component survivability

For many operational equipment systems, both reliability and survivability are measures of effectiveness over the performance of the individual mechanical and electrical parts. Many equipment parts can be modeled individually for their operational reliability performance due to physical constraints. Reliability has traditionally been assessed from physical attacks that result in failures; however, in real-world analysis, there are cases of non-physical attacks. A survivability analysis is an aggregate of the system-level operational sustainability over the reliability of all the components. With the information age, many equipment parts are “intelligent” that include sophisticated reasoning methods that are subject to non-physical cyber attacks. Developing a model that incorporates both the physical and non-physical attacks for reliability and survivability is important for determining system-level effectiveness. For sustained operations, we need to incorporate information fusion over physical and non-physical (e.g. cyber attacks) failures to determine a system's reliability and survivability. In this paper, we develop a method of fusing reliability estimates in both continuous (component model) and discrete analysis (component attack model) for a component survivability analysis.
Accelerated Hippocampal Spreading Depression and Enhanced Locomotory Activity in Mice with Astrocyte-Directed Inactivation of Connexin43

Using a human glial fibrillary acidic protein (hGFAP) promoter-driven cre transgene, we have achieved efficient inactivation of a floxed connexin43(Cx43) gene in astrocytes of adult mice. The loss of Cx43 expression was monitored in a cell-autonomous manner via conditional replacement of the Cx43-coding region by alacZ reporter gene. In this way, we bypassed the early postnatal lethality previously reported for Cx43 null mice and characterized the phenotypic consequences of Cx43 deficiency in the CNS. Mice lacking Cx43 in astrocytes were viable and showed no evidence of either neurodegeneration or astrogliosis. Spreading depression (SD) is a pathophysiological phenomenon observed in the CNS that is characterized by a propagating wave of depolarization followed by neuronal inactivation. Inhibitors of gap junctional communication have previously been shown to block initiation and propagation of SD. In contrast, we observed an increase in the velocity of hippocampal SD in the stratum radiatum of mice lacking Cx43 in astrocytes. In the same brain subregion, dye-coupling experiments revealed a reduction in overall astrocytic intercellular communication by ∼50%. This strongly suggests separate and different neuronal and glial contributions of gap junctional intercellular communication to SD. Concomitant with increased velocity of spreading depression, we observed enhanced locomotory activity in mice lacking Cx43 in astrocytes.
Immunology and Homeopathy. 3. Experimental Studies on Animal Models

A search of the literature and the experiments carried out by the authors of this review show that there are a number of animal models where the effect of homeopathic dilutions or the principles of homeopathic medicine have been tested. The results relate to the immunostimulation by ultralow doses of antigens, the immunological models of the ‘simile’, the regulation of acute or chronic inflammatory processes and the use of homeopathic medicines in farming. The models utilized by different research groups are extremely etherogeneous and differ as the test medicines, the dilutions and the outcomes are concerned. Some experimental lines, particularly those utilizing mice models of immunomodulation and anti-inflammatory effects of homeopathic complex formulations, give support to a real effect of homeopathic high dilutions in animals, but often these data are of preliminary nature and have not been independently replicated. The evidence emerging from animal models is supporting the traditional ‘simile’ rule, according to which ultralow doses of compounds, that in high doses are pathogenic, may have paradoxically a protective or curative effect. Despite a few encouraging observational studies, the effectiveness of the homeopathic prevention or therapy of infections in veterinary medicine is not sufficiently supported by randomized and controlled trials.
THURSTONIAN MODELS AND VARIANCE I: EXPERIMENTAL CONFIRMATION OF COGNITIVE STRATEGIES FOR DIFFERENCE TESTS AND EFFECTS OF PERCEPTUAL VARIANCE

For the triangle, duo-trio, same-different and 2-AFC methods, using a model system, mean d' values for the same subjects, discriminating between the same taste stimuli, were not significantly different. This confirmed the postulated cognitive strategies used for these methods in their respective Thurstonian/signal detection models. Introduction of perceptual variance as a result of the effects of sequences of tasting within a test, forgetting stimulus perceptions and τ-criterion variation resulted in the 2-AFC eliciting a significantly higher d' than the other three methods. Yet, after a warm-up procedure, which not only significantly increased values of d' for all methods but also aligned subjects' τ-criteria, the same-different test had a d' comparable to that of the 2-AFC, while both d' values were significantly higher than those of the triangle and duo-trio. This suggested that effects of memory were more important those of sequence of tasting.
now what?

The influx of Muslim immigrants in the Netherlands during the past 50 years and terrorist events in recent years have led to increased alienation. This case study, conducted at a culturally diverse school with a large Muslim student population, found that its administrators and `social studies' teachers agreed it is important to simultaneously teach students democratic values and help them to develop a sense of Dutch identity. Nearly all `social studies' teachers in this study indicated that the content of their courses was primarily determined by the national curriculum. Although they suggested that the changed student population did not and should have any significant impact on their curriculum, they nonetheless thought it was important to foster an understanding between non-Muslim and Muslim students. As the Netherlands has begun to rethink its civic curriculum, its schools must decide how to best prepare all students for living in an increasingly multicultural democratic society.
Bacterial Cell Surface Damage Due to Centrifugal Compaction

ABSTRACT Centrifugal damage has been known to alter bacterial cell surface properties and interior structures, including DNA. Very few studies exist on bacterial damage caused by centrifugation because of the difficulty in relating centrifugation speed and container geometry to the damage caused. Here, we provide a simple, versatile method of analysis for describing the compaction of bacteria during centrifugation based on a proposed centrifugation coefficient, C. Values of C can be related to different bacterial cell surface properties. Changing the geometry of the centrifugation container or centrifugation speeds changed the value of C significantly. Initial deposition rates of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 12600 to a glass surface decayed exponentially from 4,217 to 1,478 cm−2 s−1 with increasing C, while the proportion of staphylococci with a zeta potential of around −15 mV decreased from 97 to 58%. These surface-sensitive parameters were used independently to derive a critical centrifugation coefficient (0.040), above which centrifugation was considered to impact the outcome of surface-sensitive experiments due to cell surface damage. The critical centrifugation coefficient could successfully predict staphylococcal cell surface damage, i.e., a significant change in initial deposition rate or zeta potential distribution, in 84% of all cases included here, whereas the centrifugation speed could predict damage in only 58% of all cases. Moreover, controlling the centrifugation coefficient within narrow limits over a series of experiments yielded 43% smaller standard deviations in initial staphylococcal deposition rates than with centrifugation at fixed speeds for replicate experiments.
Seismic Study of the Chemical Composition of the Solar Convection Zone

Recent downward revision of solar heavy-element abundances using a three-dimensional atmospheric model has introduced serious discrepancies between standard solar models and helioseismic inferences about solar structure. In this paper we investigate the possibility of determining the heavy-element abundances using helioseismic inversion techniques with the hope of providing an independent estimate. We use the adiabatic index Γ1 ≡ (∂ ln P/∂ ln ρ)s as a probe to examine the effects of the total heavy-element abundance, as well as the effects due to the abundance of individual elements. Our inversion results show that the new, lower, abundance increases the discrepancy between the Sun and the solar models.
Anatomical and functional demonstration of a multisynaptic suprachiasmatic nucleus adrenal (cortex) pathway

In view of mounting evidence that the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is directly involved in the setting of sensitivity of the adrenal cortex to ACTH, the present study investigated possible anatomical and functional connections between SCN and adrenal. Transneuronal virus tracing from the adrenal revealed first order labelling in neurons in the intermedio‐lateral column of the spinal cord that were shown to receive an input from oxytocin fibres and subsequently second‐order labelling in neurons of the autonomic division of the paraventricular nucleus. The latter neurons were shown to receive an input from vasopressin or vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) containing SCN efferents. The true character of this SCN input to second‐order neurons was also demonstrated by the fact that third‐order labelling was present within the SCN, vasopressin or VIP neurons. The functional presence of the SCN–adrenal connection was demonstrated by a light‐induced fast decrease in plasma corticosterone that could not be attributed to a decrease in ACTH. Using intact and SCN‐lesioned animals, the immediate decrease in plasma corticosterone was only observed in intact animals and only at the beginning of the dark period. This fast decrease of corticosterone was accompanied by constant basal levels of blood adrenaline and noradrenaline, and is proposed to be due to a direct inhibition of the neuronal output to the adrenal cortex by light‐mediated activation of SCN neurons. As a consequence, it is proposed that the SCN utilizes neuronal pathways to spread its time of the day message, not only to the pineal, but also to other organs, including the adrenal, utilizing the autonomic nervous system.
Endotoxin enhances microvascular thrombosis in mouse cremaster venules via a TLR4‐dependent, neutrophil‐independent mechanism

Endotoxemia promotes adhesive interactions between platelets and microvascular endothelium in vivo. We sought to determine whether endotoxin (LPS) modified platelet thrombus formation in mouse cremaster venules, and whether Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) and neutrophils were involved in the response. Intravital videomicroscopy was performed in the cremaster microcirculation of pentobarbital‐anesthetized mice; venular platelet thrombi were induced with a light/dye endothelial injury model. C57BL/6 mice treated with E. coli endotoxin had enhanced rates of venular platelet thrombus formation: the time to microvessel occlusion was reduced by~50% (p < 0.005) compared to saline‐treated animals. Enhanced microvascular thrombosis was evident as early as two hours following LPS administration. LPS had no effect on thrombosis in either of two mouse strains with altered TLR4 signaling (C57BL/10ScNJ or C3H/HeJ), whereas it enhanced thrombosis in the control strains (C57BL/10J and C3H/HeN). LPS also enhanced platelet adhesion to endothelium in the absence of light/dye injury. Platelet adhesion, but not enhanced thrombosis, was inhibited by depletion of circulating neutrophils. LPS failed to enhance platelet aggregation ex vivo, and did not influence platelet P‐selectin expression, a marker of platelet activation. These findings support the notion that endotoxemia promotes platelet thrombus formation independent of neutrophils, and without enhancement of platelet aggregation, via a TLR4‐dependent mechanism.
Contingency awareness in evaluative conditioning: A comment on baeyens, eelen, and van den bergh

Abstract Baeyens, Eelen, and van den Bergh (1989) make the following two claims: (1) the changes in evaluative judgements reported by Martin and Levey (1978) represent a reliable form of conditioning; and (2) that for such conditioning to occur it is not necessary that the subject should be aware of the contingencies between the stimuli. We argue that neither of these claims is supported by the evidence. We present the results of an experiment which challenge the first claim, and we discuss theoretical and methodological reasons why the second claim is difficult to substantiate. We then discuss the role of cognition in Pavlovian conditioning, and argue that there are major conceptual difficulties implicit in cognitive theories of conditioning. Finally, we claim that there is little reason to believe that the transfer of affect from one stimulus to another in a conditioning experiment is cognitively mediated.
Low-Profile Patch Antennas With Vertical Monopole-Like Radiation Patterns Based on Modified Capacitive Coupling Structures

A low-profile linearly polarized (LP) patch antenna with a vertical monopole-like radiation pattern is proposed in this letter. Modified capacitive coupling structure (MCCS) that is introduced to feed the patch antenna compactly enables the polarization flexibility without changing the near- and far-field characteristics much. Then, four curved branches are added around the circular radiating patch to employ a horizontal wave of the same amplitude and 90° phase difference, thus an antenna with circularly polarized (CP) characteristic is realized. In order to decrease the resonant frequencies of both the LP and CP antennas to the GPS l1 band, four shorted pins are adopted to connect the patch with the ground. Antenna prototypes are fabricated to verify the designs; the measured and simulated results are in good agreement. Both the LP and CP antennas own the feature of low profile (less than 0.05λ), which is a good candidate for GPS communication.
INTRODUCTION TO FACULTY SCHOLARSHIP IN COMMUNITY COLLEGES

Community colleges are not typically thought of as bastions of scholarly activity. Often they are viewed as institutions whose heavy fulltime faculty teaching loads (15 credit hours a semester at a minimum) preclude serious research and publishing. Their heavy use of journeymen instructional labor further compounds this issue as many of the adjunct faculty juggle a number of part-time assignments rather than engage in scholarly inquiry. Many exhort the focus on teaching as providing community colleges with a ‘‘competitive advantage’’ when it comes catering to the learning needs of students in a way that is more responsive than baccalaureate institutions. As Grubb (1999) notes, such supporters typically identify community colleges as a ‘‘nonresearch institution whose faculty is not distracted by research obligations’’ (p. 9). However, many are not sanguine about the segmentation of research and scholarship from teaching. Eaton (1994) abhors this disdain for faculty scholarship, something which she asserts has compromised the ‘‘collegiate function’’ of community colleges. According to Eaton, community colleges have erred in fixating on their mission of open access without a concomitant commitment to the centrality of academic excellence and intellectual rigor. Many existing examinations of what actually transpires in the typical community college classroom only compounds the image of these institutions falling outside of the academic mainstream. For example, McGrath and Spear’s (1991) analysis of the trials and tribulations of being a community college instructor centers on the inordinate number of disciplinary activities that instructors must perform in order to correct the abhorrent behavior of their students. Grubb’s (1999) exhaustive
Extended contact effects as a function of closeness of relationship with ingroup contacts

Using survey data from Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland (N = 428), the authors examined the effects of extended contact via different types of ingroup contacts (neighbors, work colleagues, friends, and family members) and tested whether closeness to ingroup contacts moderated the effects of extended contact on outgroup trust. Results demonstrated that extended contact effects varied as a function of the relationship to ingroup contacts, and that extended contact interacted with closeness ratings in predicting outgroup trust. Consistent with hypotheses, extended contacts via more intimate ingroup relationships (i.e., friends and family) were overall more strongly related to outgroup trust than extended contacts via less intimate ingroup relations (i.e., neighbors and work colleagues). Moreover, within each level of intimacy extended contact was related to outgroup trust only at high, and not at low, levels of rated closeness to ingroup contacts. The theoretical contributions, limitations and practical implications of these findings are discussed.
L'écrit d'écran, pratiques d'écriture & informatique

L'objectif de cet article n'est pas de proposer une nouvelle theorie susceptible de changer radicalement notre point de vue sur l'analyse de l'ecriture1, mais bien de poser un certain nombre d'interrogations a propos de l'introduction de l'ecran et des nouvelles technologies dans l'univers de l'ecrit. Au fond, comment une analyse de l'ecrit peut- elle aujourd'hui s'inscrire dans l'arriere plan historique et culturel de l'ecriture, dans une semiologie «infra-ordinaire», tout en observant ce qui bouge dans les pratiques en fonction de la materialite, de la technologie et des donnees socio-economiques.
Olanzapine has better efficacy compared to risperidone for treatment of negative symptoms in schizophrenia

Objective: The safety and efficacy profile of risperidone and olanzapine were compared in a double-blind trial that used doses widely accepted in clinical practice. Methods: Subjects (n = 71) who met Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV criteria for schizophrenia were randomly assigned to receive 2–8 mg/day of risperidone (mean modal dose = 5.5 mg/day) or 5–20 mg/day of olanzapine (mean modal dose = 14.4 mg/day) for 1 year. Results: The two study groups were similar at baseline in all aspects. Seventy-four percent of the participants completed the trial, with no between-differences in the proportion of dropouts. Olanzapine group showed significantly greater improvement in negative symptoms in assessments at 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th months (P = 0.05, 0.00, 0.00, and 0.00, respectively). Clinical global impression of severity (CGI-S) scores were consistently lower in the olanzapine group at 3rd, 6th, and 9th months (P = 0.01, 0.03, and 0.05, respectively) as measured by positive and negative symptom scale (PANSS). Total scores on PANSS, positive symptoms, general psychopathology, and CGI improvement showed comparable improvement at 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th months of follow-up (all subjects, including dropouts). Severity of extrapyramidal symptoms was low in both groups, with no between-group differences. Mean change in body weight, fasting blood sugar, and fasting cholesterol was comparable in both groups. Risperidone group had significant hyperprolactinemia after one year (P = 0.03). Conclusions: Both treatments were well-tolerated and efficacious. Greater reductions in severity of the illness and negative symptoms were seen with olanzapine consistently through 1 year. The frequency and severity of extrapyramidal symptoms were negligible and similar in the two treatment groups. Weight gain, hyperlipidemia, and hyperglycemia were comparable in both groups. Risperidone produced significant hyperprolactinemia.
Curriculum debate and policy change

This article investigates the underlying themes and principles that inform curriculum debate and how they are articulated in current school policy discussions. This topic is approached with the help of a case study covering the debate on which subjects should be mandatory for students at the upper secondary school curriculum in Sweden. The focus is on the arguments for and against the inclusion of History among these core subjects. The aim is to order and structure this debate and to link the arguments found to basic underlying principles. Why was History considered important or unimportant? What arguments are found about the best way to teach History? This study employs a 4-fold distinction which distinguishes between perennialism, essentialism, progressivism, and reconstructivism as four schools of thought, each outlining its own particular view on what kind of knowledge is important and how such knowledge should be taught. One major finding is that two of the schools—progressivism and essentialism—completely dominate the debates under study. There existed a major fault line between those who emphasized the instrumental value of History as a tool for fostering good citizens, and those who considered History part of essential general knowledge about society.
A group-based content delivery network

It is known that a group-based system provides better performance and more scalability to the whole system while decreasing the communication traffic. Group-based architectures in Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) could be a good solution to the need of scalability. There is not any group-based CDN in existence, although we proposed in reference [1] a group-based system to interconnect CDNs of different providers. This article shows a Content Delivery Network based on grouping surrogates. We will show the benefits of our proposal and its application environment. We will describe the protocol developed to connect surrogates from the same group and from different groups. The neighbor selection algorithm is based on their proximity in order to provide lower content distribution times and trying to assure Quality of Service (QoS) by connecting to surrogates with higher available capacity. Real measurements of the network control traffic and of the performance of the surrogates will be shown. Finally we will show the differences with the system proposed in reference [1].
What Sort of Girl Wants to Study Physics After the Age of 16? Findings from a Large-scale UK Survey

This paper investigates the characteristics of 15-year-old girls who express an intention to study physics post-16. This paper unpacks issues around within-girl group differences and similarities between boys and girls in survey responses about physics. The analysis is based on the year 10 (age 15 years) responses of 5,034 students from 137 UK schools as learners of physics during the academic year 2008–2009. A comparison between boys and girls indicates the pervasiveness of gender issues, with boys more likely to respond positively towards physics-specific constructs than girls. The analysis also indicates that girls and boys who expressed intentions to participate in physics post-16 gave similar responses towards their physics teachers and physics lessons and had comparable physics extrinsic motivation. Girls (regardless of their intention to participate in physics) were less likely than boys to be encouraged to study physics post-16 by teachers, family and friends. Despite this, there were a subset of girls still intending to study physics post-16. The crucial differences between the girls who intended to study physics post-16 and those who did not is that girls who intend to study physics post-16 had higher physics extrinsic motivation, more positive perceptions of physics teachers and lessons, greater competitiveness and a tendency to be less extrovert. This strongly suggests that higher extrinsic motivation in physics could be the crucial underlying key that encourages a subset of girls (as well as boys) in wanting to pursue physics post-16.