Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antidepressant Acts on Astrocytes Leading to an Increase in the Expression of Neurotrophic/Growth Factors: Differential Regulation of FGF-2 by Noradrenaline

Recently, multiple neurotrophic/growth factors have been proposed to play an important role in the therapeutic action of antidepressants. In this study, we prepared astrocyte- and neuron-enriched cultures from the neonatal rat cortex, and examined the changes in neurotrophic/growth factor expression by antidepressant treatment using real-time PCR. Treatment with amitriptyline (a tricyclic antidepressant) significantly increased the expression of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2), brain-derived neurotrophic factor, vascular endothelial growth factor and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor mRNA with a different time course in astrocyte cultures, but not in neuron-enriched cultures. Only the expression of FGF-2 was higher in astrocyte cultures than in neuron-enriched cultures. We focused on the FGF-2 production in astrocytes. Several different classes of antidepressants, but not non-antidepressants, also induced FGF-2 mRNA expression. Noradrenaline (NA) is known to induce FGF-2 expression in astrocyte cultures, as with antidepressants. Therefore, we also assessed the mechanism of NA-induced FGF-2 expression, in comparison to amitriptyline. NA increased the FGF-2 mRNA expression via α1 and β-adrenergic receptors; however, the amitriptyline-induced FGF-2 mRNA expression was not mediated via these adrenergic receptors. Furthermore, the amitriptyline-induced FGF-2 mRNA expression was completely blocked by cycloheximide (an inhibitor of protein synthesis), while the NA-induced FGF-2 mRNA was not. These data suggest that the regulation of FGF-2 mRNA expression by amitriptyline was distinct from that by NA. Taken together, antidepressant-stimulated astrocytes may therefore be important mediators that produce several neurotrophic/growth factors, especially FGF-2, through a monoamine-independent and a de novo protein synthesis-dependent mechanism.
TCP-RTM : UsingTCPfor RealTimeMultimediaApplications SamLiang

By conventionalwisdom dating back to the genesisof the Internet,TCP is not suitablefor realtime applicationsbecauseit favors reliability over timeliness. The result hasbeena proliferation of application-specificandcandidatereal-timetransportprotocols,noneof which hasachievedthematurity andacceptanceof TCP. To our knowledge,therehasnot beenmuchprior study to ask the basic engineeringquestion:What changesin TCP andits usewould be requiredto allow it to be usedfor real-timenetwork applicationsof interest? In this paper , we investigateexactly this question.Our testbed-based andpublic Internetexperiment resultsshow that thecombinationof a relatively modestextensionto TCP, whatwe call real-timemode (RTM), andseveralapplicationtechniquesallow real-timeapplicationsto operatewell over TCP, making all the benefitsof TCP, including error recovery, availableto the real-timeapplicationdevelopers. TheTCP-RTM approachalsoleadsto real-timeapplicationsthatareresponsi ve to network congestion, sharingthenetwork resourcesfairly with otherTCPapplications.
Towards inclusion: an Australian perspective

This article outlines the views of the Australian Special Education Principals' Association (ASEPA) on inclusion and the impact this is having on Australian Government Schools from a school based perspective. ASEPA is a relatively young association and was formed in 1997 out of the need to put forward the case to support students with special needs and disabilities nationally, due to the inability of the other peak educational bodies to adequately cover the special education area, while covering so many other areas relevant to the day to day operations of schools. Meeting the needs of special needs and disability students is the core business of ASEPA. Fiona Forbes, ASEPA's Vice President, covers areas such as parental choice, schools and their ability to meet the needs of students with special needs and disabilities, teacher training and the type of schools needed in the future to further develop effective programmes for ‘all’ students.
Detection and removal of fixed-valued impulse noise using sparse representations

In this paper, a new method to remove salt and pepper noise from an image through sparse representation is proposed. The proposed method consists of two stages. In the first stage, the positions of noise pixels are detected by thresholding the absolute difference between the noisy image and its sparse representation. In the next stage, the pixels that are detected as noisy pixels are removed and then filled using image inpainting through sparse representation. The experimental results show that the proposed filter is suitable for removing impulse noise from an image.
Robust speech recognition over mobile networks using combined weighted viterbi decoding and subvector based error concealment

Robustness against transmission errors is one of the primary barriers to the widespread application of automatic speech recognition (ASR) in mobile communications. We have previously proposed a subvector based error concealment (EC) method that conducts error detection and mitigation in the feature-domain at the subvector level. This paper presents a weighted Viterbi decoding (WVD) algorithm that works in the model domain for counteracting unreliable features generated by the subvector based EC. The reliability of each feature is estimated during the process of subvector based EC and is used by the WVD for modifying the observation probability of the feature. Recognition experiments are conducted on the Aurora 2 database corrupted by GSM error pattern EP3. Combining the WVD and the subvector EC achieves 70% and 24% performance improvement as compared to the ETSI-DSR standard and the subvector based EC, respectively. Index Terms: distributed speech recognition, error concealment, split vector quantization, weighted Viterbi
The Meaning of Collective Terrorist Threat: Understanding the Subjective Causes of Terrorism Reduces Its Negative Psychological Impact

This article hypothesized that the possibility to construct intellectual meaning of a terrorist attack (i.e., whether participants can cognitively understand why the perpetrators did their crime) reduces the negative psychological consequences typically associated with increased terrorist threat. Concretely, the authors investigated the effect of intellectual meaning (induced by providing additional information about potential economic, cultural, and historical reasons for the terrorist attack) on perceived terrorist threat and associated emotional well-being. Study 1 revealed that pictures of terrorist attacks elicited less experienced terrorist threat when they were presented with background information about the terrorists’ motives (meaning provided) rather than without additional background information (no meaning provided). Study 2 replicated this effect with a different manipulation of terrorist threat (i.e., newspaper article) and clarified the underlying psychological process: Participants in the high terror salience condition with meaning provided experienced less terrorist threat and thus more emotional well-being in the face of crisis than participants in the high terror salience condition without meaning provided. Theoretical and practical implications in the context of psychological health and mass media effects are discussed.
Auditory perceptual learning : It ’ s about time

To accurately perceive many naturally occuring sounds, including speech, listeners must be able to discern their durations, and their relative timing across frequency as well as across ears. I will describe our investigations into the human learning of four such auditory temporal-processing tasks: temporal-interval discrimination, asynchrony detection, temporal-order discrimination, and interaural-time-difference discrimination. Our primary goals were (1) to determine whether long term training helps listeners learn to improve their ability to perform each of these temporal tasks, and, if so, (2) to determine whether this learning generalizes from trained to untrained conditions. The results provide information about the plasticity and organization of temporal-processing mechanisms.
Young, anchored and free? Examining the dynamics of early housing pathways in Australia

ABSTRACT Young people are remaining in the parental home for longer, and returning there more often, before attaining residential independence. In Australia, these patterns have prompted concerns about a ‘boomerang generation’ whose housing aspirations and decisions have either been directly questioned, or viewed as symptomatic of broader affordability issues. Employing a longitudinal perspective, we argue that early residential pathways reflect a mix of stable and dynamic influences involving individuals, their families, and their broader relationships. Using data from a large cohort (n = 2082) of young Australians participating in the ‘Our Lives’ research project, we examine housing pathway formation between the ages of 12/13 and 21/22. Events such as parental union dissolution or partnership formation were found to encourage home leaving, whilst being employed at a younger age and having grown up rurally predicted both leaving and remaining out of home. Close, supportive relationships with family and friends served to ‘anchor’ respondents at home for longer, and parental socioeconomic resources enabled respondents to leave home and return if needed. The findings suggest that early residential independence reflects various factors, not all of which are in young people’s control, and some of which may hinder the longer term sustainability of their living arrangements.
Faint open clusters with 2MASS : BH 63, Lynga 2, Lynga 12 and King 20

Context. Structural and dynamical parameters of faint open clusters are probed with quality 2MASS-photometry and analytical procedures developed for bright clusters. Aims. We derive fundamental parameters of the faint open clusters Lynga 2, BH 63, Lynga 12 and King 20, the last three of which have no prior determinations. We also focus on the structure and dynamical state of these clusters. Methods. J , H and K s 2MASS photometry with errors smaller than 0.2 mag are used to build CMDs, radial density profiles, colour–colour diagrams, luminosity and mass functions. Colour–magnitude filters are used to isolate probable member stars. Field-star decontamination is applied to Lynga 2, Lynga 12 and King 20. Results. Reddening values are in the range $0.22\leq\mbox{$E(B-V)$}\leq1.9$, with BH 63 the most reddened object. Ages of Lynga 2, King 20, Lynga 12 and BH 63 are ≈ 90, ≈ 200, ≈ 560 and ≈ 700 Myr, respectively. The radial density distributions of Lynga 12 and King 20 are well-represented by King profiles. Lynga 2 and BH 63 are very small with core and limiting radii of ≈ 0.12 pc and ≈ 1.5 pc. Yet, they fit in the small-radii tail of the open cluster size distribution. Lynga 12 and King 20 have R core pc and R lim pc. Lynga 2 and Lynga 12 are inside the Solar circle. Total stellar masses (extrapolating the MFs to stars with 0.08 $M_\odot$) range from ≈ 340 $M_\odot$ (BH 63) to ≈ 2300 $M_\odot$ (Lynga 12). Observed masses are ~$1/4$ of these values. In all clusters the core mass function is flatter than the halo's. Conclusions. Faint open clusters can be probed with 2MASS when associated with colour-magnitude filters and field-star decontamination. BH 63 appears to be in an advanced dynamical state, both in the core and halo. To a lesser degree the same applies to King 20. Marginal evidence of dynamical evolution is present in the cores of Lynga 2 and Lynga 12.
The Impact of Giant Cloud Condensation Nuclei on Drizzle Formation in Stratocumulus: Implications for Cloud Radiative Properties

Abstract The impact of giant and ultragiant cloud condensation nuclei (>5-μm radius) on drizzle formation in stratocumuli is investigated within a number of modeling frameworks. These include a simple box model of collection, a trajectory ensemble model (comprising an ensemble of Lagrangian parcel models), a 2D eddy-resolving model, and a 3D large-eddy simulation model. Observed concentrations of giant cloud condensation nuclei (GCCN) over the ocean at ambient conditions indicate that 20-μm radius haze particles exist in concentrations of between 10−4 and 10−2 cm−3, depending on ambient wind speed and seastate. It is shown that these concentrations are sufficient to move a nonprecipitating stratocumulus into a precipitating state at typical cloud condensation nucleus (CCN) concentrations of 50 to 250 cm−3, with higher concentrations of GCCN being required at higher CCN concentrations. However, at lower CCN concentrations, drizzle is often active anyway and the addition of GCCN has little impact. At high C.
Making Telecare desirable rather than a last resort

ABSTRACT Despite reported benefits of Telecare use for older adults, uptake of Telecare in the United Kingdom remains relatively low. Non-users of Telecare are an under-researched group in the Telecare field. We conducted 22 qualitative individual semi-structured interviews to explore the views and opinions of current non-users of Telecare regarding barriers and facilitators to its use, and explored considerations which may precede their decision to accept, or reject, Telecare. Framework analysis identified a number of themes which influence the outcome and timing of this decision, including peace of mind (for the individual and their family), the strength and composition of an individual's support network, the impact of changing personal and health circumstances, and lack of communication about Telecare (e.g. advertising). A cost–benefit decision process appears to take place for the potential user, whereby the benefit of peace of mind is weighed against perceived ‘costs’ of using Telecare. Telecare is often perceived as a last resort rather than a preventative measure. A number of barriers to Telecare use need to be addressed if individuals are to make fully informed decisions regarding their Telecare use, and to begin using Telecare at a time when it could provide them with optimal benefit. Although the study was set in England, the findings may be relevant for other countries where Telecare is used.
Parameter extraction of physical BRDF Model Using particle swarm optimization algorithm

The Physical bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) models are usually very complex and difficult to invert. In this paper, an inverse analysis based on particle swarm optimization algorithm is developed to estimate the unknown parameters of BRDF from a fractal surface. A comparison of the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm and the Genetic Algorithm (GA) is also are carried out to implement the optimization process of the inverse analysis. Computational results show that the PSO algorithm consumes less time and reaches better modeling accuracy.
Dynamic modelling and parameter identification of a three-degree-of-freedom spherical actuator

This paper addresses both dynamic modelling and dynamic parameter identification of a permanent magnet spherical actuator, which is capable of performing three-degree-of-freedom (DOF) motion in one single joint. The dynamic model of the spherical actuator is derived from Lagrange’s equations, but the parameters, called dynamic parameters, in the model are usually uncertain. Then the dynamic model is represented in a form that is linear in these parameters. A new identification method based on the output error (OE) method and recursive least square (LS) estimation is proposed to identify the parameters. This method only requires the current measurement of the stator coils in the identification procedure, which greatly simplifies the experimental process and improves the identification accuracy. Lastly, simulation and experimental results illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method and its robustness to external disturbances. The proposed method can be also applied to other electromagnetic driving spherical actuators.
Rqc2p and 60S ribosomal subunits mediate mRNA-independent elongation of nascent chains

Tagging truncated proteins with CAT tails During the translation of a messenger RNA (mRNA) into protein, ribosomes can sometimes stall. Truncated proteins thus formed can be toxic to the cell and must be destroyed. Shen et al. show that the proteins Ltn1p and Rqc2p, subunits of the ribosome quality control complex, bind to the stalled and partially disassembled ribosome. Ltn1p, a ubiquitin ligase, binds near the nascent polypeptide exit tunnel on the ribosome, well placed to tag the truncated protein for destruction. The Rqc2p protein interacts with the transfer RNA binding sites on the partial ribosome and recruits alanine- and threonine-bearing tRNAs. Rqc2p then catalyzes the addition of these amino acids onto the unfinished protein, in the absence of both the fully assembled ribosome and mRNA. These so-called CAT tails may promote the heat shock response, which helps buffer against malformed proteins. Science, this issue p. 75 Stalled protein translation results in 80S ribosome– and messenger RNA–free amino acid addition to truncated proteins. In Eukarya, stalled translation induces 40S dissociation and recruitment of the ribosome quality control complex (RQC) to the 60S subunit, which mediates nascent chain degradation. Here we report cryo–electron microscopy structures revealing that the RQC components Rqc2p (YPL009C/Tae2) and Ltn1p (YMR247C/Rkr1) bind to the 60S subunit at sites exposed after 40S dissociation, placing the Ltn1p RING (Really Interesting New Gene) domain near the exit channel and Rqc2p over the P-site transfer RNA (tRNA). We further demonstrate that Rqc2p recruits alanine- and threonine-charged tRNA to the A site and directs the elongation of nascent chains independently of mRNA or 40S subunits. Our work uncovers an unexpected mechanism of protein synthesis, in which a protein—not an mRNA—determines tRNA recruitment and the tagging of nascent chains with carboxy-terminal Ala and Thr extensions (“CAT tails”).
A battery power level aware MAC protocol for CDMA wireless networks

A general constraint common to many wireless networks lies in the short lifetime of mobile terminal batteries. Energy efficient protocol that adapt to the terminal battery power level can be used to reduce the effects of this limitation. This paper addresses such power-adaptive algorithms in medium access control (MAC) protocols and in the power control mechanisms for hybrid CDMA/TDMA wireless networks. Our access protocol dynamically schedules CDMA channels to mobiles based on their traffic requests and battery power levels. This technique assigns mobiles with similar traffic requests and battery power levels to one or more slots. Discrete-event simulation has been used to demonstrate that the proposed techniques indeed provide low-power mobiles with increased throughput and reduced latency while reducing power usage.
On weak communication

Abstract Dan Sperber and Deirdre Wilson suggest that much of linguistic communication is weak because the hearer usually must take a great responsibility in the interpretation of the speaker’s utterance. Sometimes, the (very) “weak implicatures” supplied by the hearer are very different from (and even incompatible with) the speaker’s intention. Relevance Theory helps us to understand crucial aspects of weak communication. However, I aim at showing that pragmatic theory should reconsider the importance of intention in order to explain that, often, the hearer interprets certain meanings that are independent from (or even incompatible with) the speaker’s intention. Some types of inferences proposed by Mira Ariel, as well as unintended puns studied by Sydney Lamb and other stratificational linguists, help us to begin to show that it may be necessary to go beyond the concept of intention if we want to understand why and how human communication is weak.
Great expectations: a predictive processing account of automobile driving

ABSTRACT Predictive processing has been proposed as a unifying framework for understanding brain function, suggesting that cognition and behaviour can be fundamentally understood based on the single principle of prediction error minimisation. According to predictive processing, the brain is a statistical organ that continuously attempts get a grip on states in the world by predicting how these states cause sensory input and minimising the deviations between the predicted and actual input. While these ideas have had a strong influence in neuroscience and cognitive science, they have so far not been adopted in applied human factors research. The present paper represents a first attempt to do so, exploring how predictive processing concepts can be used to understand automobile driving. It is shown how a framework based on predictive processing may provide a novel perspective on a range of driving phenomena and offer a unifying framework for traditionally disparate human factors models.
Deviance from perfection is a better criterion than closeness to evil when identifying risky code

We propose an approach for the automatic detection of potential design defects in code. The detection is based on the notion that the more code deviates from good practices, the more likely it is bad. Taking inspiration from artificial immune systems, we generated a set of detectors that characterize different ways that a code can diverge from good practices. We then used these detectors to measure how far code in assessed systems deviates from normality. We evaluated our approach by finding potential defects in two open-source systems (Xerces-J and Gantt). We used the library JHotDraw as the code base representing good design/programming practices. In both systems, we found that 90% of the riskiest classes were defects, a precision far superiour to state of the art rule-based approaches.
Reliability and validity analyses of a new measure on infants' environment: Does fostering explain a fourth?

Home and neighbourhood environment and parents’ well-being are among factors that affect children’s development in the first years of life. That can in turn have a major impact on important outcomes later on. The New Fathers and Mothers Study, a longitudinal study on origins of early individual differences in self-regulation carried out at the University of Cambridge, explores this topic among others. The current study is based on data from 190 families taking part in the New Fathers and Mothers Study, all containing a father, mother and their first born. It had four aims: (1) to examine the inter-rater reliability of the Windshield Survey, a recent 12 item measurement on children’s home and neighbourhood environment consisting of three subscales; (2) to examine the internal consistency of the scale; (3) to assess the validity of the scale by examining its structure and associations with socioeconomic status, stimulation in the home, parental depression and early indicators of children’s development; (4) to examine if early indicators of children’s development are predicted by any of the above mentioned variables. The results supported the reliability and validity of the Windshield Survey to some extent. The inter-rater reliability was not satisfactory for some items when preliminary analyses were done after 74 families had been seen, so further researcher training was implemented which improved the reliability for most items. The internal consistency was satisfactory (α > .70) for one subscale out of three. Inadequate reliability can be explained by a lack of variability for some items. The structure of the scale represented the three subscales fairly well and a number of correlations between the Windshield Survey subscales and other study variables emerged that supported the construct validity of the scale. Further examination is needed for predictors of children’s development as very few associations emerged between children’s development and other study variables. A possible explanation is that the measurements on children’s development in this study were only preliminary.