Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reliability Analysis of an Anti-lock Braking System using Stochastic Petri Nets

The (cid:210)Reliability Analysis of an Anti-lock Braking System using Stochastic Petri Nets(cid:211) is a work in progress and an extension to the work presented in the paper (cid:210)Specification, Safety and Reliability Analysis Using Stochastic Petri Net Models(cid:211)[9]. The current work attempts to model the Anti-lock braking sub-system of a vehicle system using Stochastic Petri Nets. The reliability analysis is undertaken with particular focus on coincident failures of components. The model is specified in C-based Stochastic Petri Net language, the input language for SPNP.
Nitric oxide targets oligodendrocytes and promotes their morphological differentiation

In the central nervous system, nitric oxide (NO) transmits signals from one neurone to another, or from neurones to astrocytes or blood vessels, but the possibility of oligodendrocytes being physiological NO targets has been largely ignored. By exploiting immunocytochemistry for cGMP, the second messenger generated on activation of NO receptors, oligodendrocytes were found to respond to both exogenous and endogenous NO in cerebellar slices from rats aged 8 days to adulthood. Atrial natriuretic peptide, which acts on membrane‐associated guanylyl cyclase‐coupled receptors, also raised oligodendrocyte cGMP in cerebellar slices. The main endogenous source of NO accessing oligodendrocytes appeared to be the neuronal NO synthase isoform, which was active even under basal conditions and in a manner that was independent of glutamate receptors. Oligodendrocytes in brainstem slices were also shown to be potential NO targets. In contrast, in the optic nerve, oligodendrocyte cGMP was raised by natriuretic peptides but not NO. When cultures of cerebral cortex were continuously exposed to low NO concentrations (estimated as 40–90 pM), oligodendrocytes responded with a striking increase in arborization. This stimulation of oligodendrocyte growth could be replicated by low concentrations of 8‐bromo‐cGMP (maximum effect at 1 µM). It is concluded that oligodendrocytes are probably widespread targets for physiological NO (or natriuretic peptide) signals, with the resulting rise in cGMP serving to enhance their growth and maturation. NO might help coordinate the myelination of axons to the ongoing level of neuronal activity during development and could potentially contribute to adaptive changes in myelination in the adult. GLIA 2015;63:383–399
Forecasting Exchange Rates Using Neural Networks for Technical Trading Rules

We examine the performance of artificial neural networks (ANNs) for technical trading rules for forecasting daily exchange rates. The main conclusion of our attempt is that ANNs perform well, and that they are often better than linear models. Furthermore, the precise number of hidden layer units in ANNs appears less important for forecasting performance than is the choice of explanatory variables.
Piles of thumbnails - visualizing document management

Digital information is present in everyone's life. Most of the time we spend in front of a computer is in managing (process- ing, creating, editing, searching, and organiz- ing), digital documents. Current tools for man- aging digital information are based on con- cepts developed over 40 years ago. Even with the desktop metaphor and improved visualiza- tion, these methods do not support manage- ment of large amounts of information. This pa- per provides an overview of the current state of personal information management and sug- gests a design based on a "piles of documents" metaphor that more closely supports the work- ing habits of many users.
Indian Psychology and the International Context

This text of the Sinha Memorial Lecture highlights the contribution of late Professor Durganand Sinha in promoting psychology of Indian origin. Acknowledging the academic support he received from Prof. Sinha, the author has traced his own journey and struggle in building up Indian psychology. Indian contribution to modern psychology indeed goes much beyond yoga and meditation in dealing with problems of present global society. It is suggested that Indian Psychology offers a counterpoint on consciousness, self, mind-control and self-realisation to that of the Western psychology. The author envisages the possibility of developing an alternative psychology rooted in Indian heritage, tradition and knowledge.
Implementing curriculum‐based learning portfolio: a case study in Taiwan

The main purpose of this descriptive research is to examine and document the development of a curriculum‐based learning portfolio model for children in a preschool for three–six‐year‐olds in Taiwan. Data collection methods adopted include classroom observation, in‐depth interviews, questionnaires and documentation. Participants include a preschool principal, two administrators, six teachers and three assistant teachers. The data collection period lasted for eight months. Triangulation was employed to analyse and interpret the data. The findings are as follows: the framework of the curriculum‐based learning portfolio model contained child development checklists, a portfolio and summary report for each child. The target preschool adopted two strategies to systematise documenting works: (1) establishing the performance indicator to replace the professional description, and (2) planning a yearly working calendar for documenting children’s learning in advance. Systematised documenting works can reduce the workload for teachers, but the teachers still have to spend some extra time on arranging anecdotal records after class. As the teachers have to document individual portfolios for each child, no child will be neglected. Learning portfolios reveal individual children’s development, present teaching results and provide communication between teachers and parents. Parents learn to recognise the advantage of a learning portfolio and then to support the implementation of the model.
THE EFFECT OF VERBAL SELF‐GUIDANCE TRAINING ON COLLECTIVE EFFICACY AND TEAM PERFORMANCE

Although organizations frequently use teams, few studies have systematically examined training methods designed to improve collective efficacy and team performance. As such, the primary purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of verbal self-guidance (VSG) training, adapted from Meichenbaum (1975,1977), on collective efficacy and team performance. Using a quasi-experimental design, undergraduate students (n= 184) were assigned to 42 teams. These 42 teams were assigned to 2 training conditions (verbal self-guidance/comparison). Results revealed that verbal self-guidance had a main effect on collective efficacy and performance. Collective efficacy was found to mediate the VSG training-performance relationship; it also correlated significantly with both team performance and the use of verbal guidance skills.
Effect of starting distance on vertical ground reaction forces in the normal dog

Summary The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of starting distance on the peak vertical force (PVF) and associated vertical impulses (VI) of normal dogs. Five dogs of similar weight and body type were trotted at a velocity of 1.6–2.2 m/s from each of three starting distances; 2, 4, and 6 m, from the first plate in a two plate test field. A total of ten trials were recorded from each starting distance, five left first contacts and five right first contacts. Each ground reaction force (GRF) of interest was evaluated both within and between the three starting distances using a complete block ANOVA. There was not any significant effect of distance found on peak vertical forces in our study. However, distance did affect VI. Forelimb VI generated at a 2 m trot was significantly less than VI generated at a 6 m trot. Neither extreme distance was found to be significantly different than the 4 m VI. The VI of the hind limb was not significantly affected.
Endogenous sex hormones and metabolic syndrome in aging men.

BACKGROUND Sex hormone levels in men change during aging. These changes may be associated with insulin sensitivity and the metabolic syndrome. METHODS We studied the association between endogenous sex hormones and characteristics of the metabolic syndrome in 400 independently living men between 40 and 80 yr of age in a cross-sectional study. Serum concentrations of lipids, glucose, insulin, total testosterone (TT), SHBG, estradiol (E2), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) were measured. Bioavailable testosterone (BT) was calculated using TT and SHBG. Body height, weight, waist-hip circumference, blood pressure, and physical activity were assessed. Smoking and alcohol consumption was estimated from self-report. The metabolic syndrome was defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program definition, and insulin sensitivity was calculated by use of the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index. RESULTS Multiple logistic regression analyses showed an inverse relationship according to 1 sd increase for circulating TT [odds ratio (OR) = 0.43; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.32-0.59], BT (OR = 0.62; 95% CI, 0.46-0.83), SHBG (OR = 0.46; 95% CI, 0.33-0.64), and DHEA-S (OR = 0.76; 95% CI, 0.56-1.02) with the metabolic syndrome. Each sd increase in E2 levels was not significantly associated with the metabolic syndrome (OR = 1.16; 95% CI, 0.92-1.45). Linear regression analyses showed that higher TT, BT, and SHBG levels were related to higher insulin sensitivity; beta-coefficients (95% CI) were 0.011 (0.008-0.015), 0.005 (0.001-0.009), and 0.013 (0.010-0.017), respectively, whereas no effects were found for DHEA-S and E2. Estimates were adjusted for age, smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical activity score. Further adjustment for insulin levels and body composition measurements attenuated the estimates, and the associations were similar in the group free of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. CONCLUSIONS Higher testosterone and SHBG levels in aging males are independently associated with a higher insulin sensitivity and a reduced risk of the metabolic syndrome, independent of insulin levels and body composition measurements, suggesting that these hormones may protect against the development of metabolic syndrome.
Clitic Misplacement Among Normally Developing Children and Children With Specific Language Impairment and the Status of Infl Heads

In this article, we focus on an exceptional instance of nonadult positioning of clitics in early Cypriot Greek and Cypriot Greek with specific language impairment (SLI). We attribute misplaced clitics to children's incomplete knowledge concerning properties of the inflectional (Infl) particles, which interact in crucial ways with finite V(erb) movement to M(ood). We claim that children perceive Infl particles as phrasal specifiers or adjuncts, unable to check the V-features of M, hence perform V-to-M movement even in their presence, and clitics emerge in (nonadult) postverbal position, giving the impression that they have been misplaced. We point out that functional heads seem to be perceived as phrasal in other early languages and possibly also in domains other than Infl, and we explain why clitics are not found misplaced in standard Greek and standard Romance, with the exception of Portuguese. Finally, the absence of qualitative differences between the early populations and populations with SLI we studied corroborates with views that consider SLI a language delay, but the degree to which quantitative differences were attested raises questions.
Legal Attitudes and Legitimacy: Extending the Integrated Legal Socialization Model

Abstract Legal socialization is the process by which individuals acquire beliefs about rules and rule-violation by internalizing codified, normative rules within society. In the integrated legal socialization model, legal attitudes are mediators between legal/moral reasoning and rule-violating behavior (RVB; Cohn, Bucolo, Rebellon, & Van Gundy, 2010). In the alternative legal socialization model, legitimacy of authority is a predictor of RVB (Piquero, Fagan, Mulvey, Steinberg, & Odgers, 2005). In the current study, we attempted to replicate Cohn et al.'s (2010) integrated model. A path model revealed that legal attitudes (normative status) mediated the relationship between legal reasoning and RVB in partial support of the integrated model. We then expanded the theoretical model by arguing that police and parental legitimacy mediated between moral/legal reasoning and normative status (approval of RVB). We used longitudinal data from middle school and high school students to test our expanded theoretical model. Our final path analysis revealed partial support for our expanded model by demonstrating that legal (but not moral) reasoning was associated with both parental and police legitimacy—which were associated with RVB via the mediating influence of legal reasoning (normative status). We conclude by discussing the policy implications of the expanded legal socialization model as well as our suggestions for future research.
Transforming growth factor-beta induces extracellular matrix protein cross-linking lysyl oxidase (LOX) genes in human trabecular meshwork cells.

PURPOSE The profibrotic cytokine TGFβ is associated with glaucoma and plays an important role in the regulation of extracellular matrix metabolism in the trabecular meshwork (TM). The purpose of this study was to determine whether expression of ECM cross-linking LOX genes is regulated by TGFβ in TM cells. METHODS Expression of the five LOX genes (LOX, LOXL1, LOXL2, LOXL3, and LOXL4) was examined in cultured human TM cells by using RT-PCR, quantitative RT-PCR, and Western immunoblot analysis. TM cells were treated with recombinant TGFβ1, -2, and -3, to determine the effects on LOX and LOXL1 to -4 expression. The TM cells were pretreated with TGFBR inhibitors (LY364947, SB431542), canonical Smad signaling pathway (SIS3 or Smad2, -3, and -4 siRNAs) inhibitors, or inhibitors of the non-Smad signaling pathways (SP600125, SR11302), to identify the signaling pathway(s) involved in TGFβ induction of LOX and LOXL gene and protein expression. A novel LOX activity assay was used to determine the effects of the LOX inhibitor BAPN on tropoelastin cross-linking. RESULTS All five LOX genes (LOX, LOXL1 to -4) were expressed in cultured human TM cells and were induced by all three isoforms of TGFβ. This TGFβ induction of LOX and LOXL expression was blocked by TGFβ inhibitors as well as by inhibitors of the canonical Smad2, -3, and -4 signaling and non-Smad JNK/AP-1 signaling pathways (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Both Smad and non-Smad signaling pathways are involved in TGFβ-mediated LOX induction, suggesting complex regulation of these important extracellular matrix cross-linking enzymes. Increased LOX activity may be at least partially responsible for TGFβ-mediated IOP elevation and increased aqueous humor outflow resistance.
The primary action of lithium chloride on morphogenesis in Lymnaea stagnalis.

In Lymnaea stagnalis , as in sea urchins, lithium ions cause disturbances of development, notably exogastrulation and head malformations (Raven, 1942). As the effect of a Li-treatment presents itself only after several hours or days of development, the question was raised of the site and the nature of the primary action of the ion in the egg cells, even though it had never been proved that Li actually enters the cells. The Li effect was described as a coarsening of cytoplasmic structure (Runnstrom, 1928), a condensation of the cytoplasm, caused by dehydration of certain of its colloidal components (Raven & Roborgh, 1949; Raven & van Zeist, 1950), and as an electrostatic effect on phosphatides located in the cortical layer of the egg (Raven, 1956). The controversy between these hypotheses was the original incentive to study this problem by electron microscopy.
A projected turning point of China ’ s CO 2 emissions---- an analysis of Environmental Kuznets Curve for China

This paper examines the possible existence of an Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) relationship between China’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per capita (CO2/capita) and GDP per capita (GDP/capita) in 1980-2008. The timing of the turning point in China’s CO2/capita can be further estimated if an EKC relationship exists. In regression results, a natural logarithm-quadratic relationship was found between CO2/capita and GDP/capita, which supports the EKC hypothesis. However, China’s CO2 emissions are still on a growing track until around 2078 in the empirical analysis. More importantly, CO2 emissions will not spontaneously decrease if China continues to develop its economy without adopting instruments for mitigating climate change. China’s wealth gap and its role in international trade are discussed as two possible factors to affect EKC hypothesis. Therefore, domestic income inequality reduction and international negotiations to allocate clear responsibilities between China and developed countries for CO2 emissions associated with China’s product exports are suggested to the further efforts.
ELECTROLYTES IN HYPOPITUITARY PATIENTS WITH ADRENOCORTICAL INSUFFICIENCY AS INVESTIGATED WITH " Br , 43 K , 24 Na A N D 3 H , 0

1. Simultaneous measurements of exchangeable Na+, exchangeable K+ , extracellular fluid volume and total body water, with 24Na, 43K, "Br and 3Hz0, were carried out in patients with adrenocortical insufficiency due to pituitary ablation performed 1-3 months previously. 2. The first group of five patients was studied before and after withdrawal of maintenance prednisone (2.5 mg three times daily, orally). The effects of glucocorticoid withdrawal were: (a) an increase in intracellular water (all cases) and a decrease in the extracellular fluid volume (four cases) irrespective of any change in serum Na' concentration; (b) an increase in residual ('intracellular') Na+ in all cases which was matched by a loss of extracellular Na', so that total body Na' remained unchanged, and (c) the cortisol deficiency clinical syndrome. Exchangeable K' remained unchanged. 3. Similar measurements were obtained with two further patients during the corticosteroid withdrawal period, throughout which they were kept on a maintenance dose of deoxycorticosterone acetate, 1.0 mg twice daily sublingually. Neither the above biochemical changes nor the cortisol deficiency syndrome developed. 4. The shift into the cells of water and Na' may depend on the same defect caused by glucocorticoid deficiency, and may be the cause of the cortisol deficiency syndrome.
Alternative approaches to analyzing individual differences in the rate of early vocabulary development

This paper examines individual differences in the rate of early lexical development with a specific interest in gender differences. Twenty-six children were assessed monthly from either 8, 9, or 10 months of age through 14 months of age, using the MacArthur Communicative Development Inventory: Words and Gestures. Individual differences in developmental trajectories of vocabulary comprehension and production were explored using two analytic approaches. The first involved traditional parametric statistics, while the latter utilized classification procedures. Both techniques demonstrated that the lexical development of girls outpaced that of boys. The inductive approach also revealed the presence of distinctive “fast” and “slow” trajectories for both comprehension and production that were not exclusively segregated by gender. Cases exhibiting fast trajectories were predominantly girls, but several boys also followed this developmental pattern. The opposite pattern emerged for the slow trajectories. There was strong correspondence between production and comprehension, but a few cases clustered into the fast development group on one measure and the slow group on the other. The identification of these outliers may offer an important tool for exploring mechanisms of language development. Validation of the clustering results was based on the prospective prediction of an external criterion variable, namely, lexical development at 21 months, and by replication on an independent sample.
A Primer for the Application of Cognitive Learning Principles to Pharmacy Teaching and Learning

ABSTRACTThis paper reviews the utility of cognitive and educational psychology to improve pharmacy teaching and learning. Emphasis is placed upon the formation of cognitive schema, development of expertise, transfer of learning and metacognitive skills. Using these few principles, students' motivation to learn should increase and make them lifelong learners while improving pharmacy teaching.
A Potent Lead Induces Apoptosis in Pancreatic Cancer Cells

Pancreatic cancer is considered a lethal and treatment-refractory disease. To obtain a potent anticancer drug, the cytotoxic effect of 2-(benzo[d]oxazol-3(2H)-ylmethyl)- 5-((cyclohexylamino)methyl)benzene-1,4-diol, dihydrochloride (NSC48693) on human pancreatic cancer cells CFPAC-1, MiaPaCa-2, and BxPC-3 was assessed in vitro. The proliferation of CFPAC-1, MiaPaCa-2, and BxPC-3 is inhibited with IC50 value of 12.9±0.2, 20.6±0.3, and 6.2±0.6 µM at 48 h, respectively. This discovery is followed with additional analysis to demonstrate that NSC48693 inhibition is due to induction of apoptosis, including Annexin V staining, chromatins staining, and colony forming assays. It is further revealed that NSC48693 induces the release of cytochrome c, reduces mitochondrial membrane potential, generates reactive oxygen species, and activates caspase. These results collectively indicate that NSC48693 mainly induces apoptosis of CFPAC-1, MiaPaCa-2, and BxPC-3 cells by the mitochondrial-mediated apoptotic pathway. Excitingly, the study highlights an encouraging inhibition effect that human embryonic kidney (HEK-293) and liver (HL-7702) cells are more resistant to the antigrowth effect of NSC48693 compared to the three cancer cell lines. From this perspective, NSC48693 should help to open up a new opportunity for the treatment of patients with pancreatic cancer.
The Transnational Organization of Production and Environmental Degradation: A Cross‐National Study of the Effects of Foreign Capital Penetration on Water Pollution Intensity, 1980–1995*

Objective. This study attempts to increase our understanding of the environmental impacts of the transnational organization of production in the context of foreign capital penetration. Methods. With a sample of 53 countries, panel analyses using OLS and robust regression are conducted to assess the effects of foreign direct investment in the manufacturing sector on growth in organic water pollution intensity, 1980–1995. Slope‐dummy interaction variables are used to compare the effects in developed countries and less‐developed countries. The tested models include a variety of relevant controls, such as domestic investment, state environmentalism, size of the manufacturing sector, and level of economic development. Results. Findings for the analyses indicate that foreign direct investment in manufacturing positively affects growth in organic water pollution intensity in less‐developed countries, while the effect in developed countries is nonsignificant. Conclusions. This research illustrates the need for social scientists to investigate the environmental impacts of both the transnational organization of production and the overall scale of production in different sectors.
Neighbor discovery analysis in wireless sensor networks

In wireless sensor networks, hello protocols for neighbor discovery are a basic service offered by the networking stack. However, their study usually rely on rather simplistic models. In this paper we study the impact of radio interferences on neighbor discovery and we introduce an analytical model to estimate the average number of neighbors that a node may expect to discover in his neighborhood.