Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cartilage repair by human umbilical cord blood‐derived mesenchymal stem cells with different hydrogels in a rat model

This study was carried out to assess the feasibility of human umbilical cord blood‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUCB‐MSCs) in articular cartilage repair and to further determine a suitable delivering hydrogel in a rat model. Critical sized full thickness cartilage defects were created. The hUCB‐MSCs and three different hydrogel composites (hydrogel A; 4% hyaluronic acid/30% pluronic (1:1, v/v), hydrogel B; 4% hyaluronic acid, and hydrogel C; 4% hyaluronic acid/30% pluronic/chitosan (1:1:2, v/v)) were implanted into the experimental knee (right knee) and hydrogels without hUCB‐MSCs were implanted into the control knee (left knee). Defects were evaluated after 8 weeks. The hUCB‐MSCs with hydrogels composites resulted in a better repair as seen by gross and histological evaluation compared with hydrogels without hUCB‐MSCs. Among the three different hydrogels, the 4% hyaluronic acid hydrogel composite (hydorgel B) showed the best result in cartilage repair as seen by the histological evaluation compared with the other hydrogel composites (hydrogel A and C). The results of this study suggest that hUCB‐MSCs may be a promising cell source in combination with 4% hyaluronic acid hydrogels in the in vivo repair of cartilage defects. © 2015 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 33:1580–1586, 2015.
Improvement in Medium Access Control Protocol based on new contention scheme for Wireless Ad hoc Network

In todays wireless networks, stations using the IEEE 802.11 standard contend for the channel using the Distributed Coordination Function (DCF). Research has shown that DCF’s pe rformance degrades especially with the large number of stations. This becomes more concerning due to the increasing proliferation of wireless devices. In this paper, we present a Medium Access Control (MAC) scheme for wireless LANs and compare its performance to DCF . Our scheme, which attempts to resolve the contention in a constant number of slots (or constant time), is called CONSTI. The contention resolution happens over a predefined number of slots. In a slot, the stations probabilistically send a jam s ignal on the channel. The stations listening retire if they hear a jam signal. The others continue to the next slot. Over several slots, we aim to have one station remaining in the contention, which will then transmit its data. We find the optimal parameters of CONSTI and present an analysis on its performance.
Primary Tumors of the Spleen

Tumors of the spleen are rare compared to the incidence of such tumors in other parenchymatous organs. Their classification has varied with both time and author. They can be divided into two main categories: nonlymphoid and lymphoid. The most common nonlymphoid tumors are the vascular tumors which include benign and malignant haemangiomas, littoral cell angiomas, lymphangiomas and haemangioendotheliomas. The remaining nonlymphoid tumors, such as fibrosarcoma, neurinoma, and lipoma are very uncommon. The lymphoid tumors include Hodgkin’s and non Hodgkin’s lymphoma, histiocytic lymphoma and plasmacytoma. Metastatic tumors to the spleen mainly originate from melanoma, breast and lung lesions. However, metastases to the spleen are rare compared to those of other parenchymatous organs.
Uniform Pricing in Us Retail Chains

We show that most U.S. food, drugstore, and mass-merchandise chains charge nearly uniform prices across stores, despite wide variation in consumer demographics and competition. Demand estimates reveal substantial within-chain variation in price elasticities and suggest that the median chain sacrifices ${\$}$16 million of annual profit relative to a benchmark of optimal prices. In contrast, differences in average prices between chains are broadly consistent with the optimal benchmark. We discuss a range of explanations for nearly uniform pricing, highlighting managerial inertia and brand image concerns as mechanisms frequently mentioned by industry participants. Relative to our optimal benchmark, uniform pricing may significantly increase the prices paid by poorer households relative to the rich, dampen the response of prices to local economic shocks, alter the analysis of mergers in antitrust, and shift the incidence of intranational trade costs.
Crystal structure of a double-stranded DNA containing a cisplatin interstrand cross-link at 1.63 A resolution: hydration at the platinated site.

cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) (cisplatin) is a powerful anti-tumor drug whose target is cellular DNA. In the reaction between DNA and cisplatin, covalent intrastrand and interstrand cross-links (ICL) are formed. Two solution structures of the ICL have been published recently. In both models the double-helix is bent and unwound but with significantly different angle values. We solved the crystal structure at 100K of a double-stranded DNA decamer containing a single cisplatin ICL, using the anomalous scattering (MAD) of platinum as a unique source of phase information. We found 47 degrees for double-helix bending and 70 degrees for unwinding in agreement with previous electrophoretic assays. The crystals are stabilized by intermolecular contacts involving two cytosines extruded from the double-helix, one of which makes a triplet with a terminal G.C pair. The platinum coordination is nearly square and the platinum residue is embedded into a cage of nine water molecules linked to the cross-linked guanines, to the two amine groups, and to the phosphodiester backbone through other water molecules. This water molecule organization is discussed in relation with the chemical stability of the ICL.
Pattern-based security requirements specification using ontologies and boilerplates

The task of specifying and managing security requirements (SR) is a challenging one. Usually SR are often neglected or considered too late - leading to poor design, and cost overruns. Also, there is scarce expertise in managing SR, because most requirements engineering teams do not include security experts, which leads to prevalence of too vague or overly specific SR. In this work, we present an ontology-based approach that uses predefined pattern-based templates - requirements boilerplates - to aid requirements engineers in the formulation of SR. We realized the approach via a prototype tool that enables the formulation of SR from textual misuse case (TMUC) descriptions of security threat scenarios. The results from a preliminary evaluation suggest the viability of the proposed approach, in that the tool was judged as easy to use, supports reuse, and facilitates the formulation of good quality SR.
From molecular dynamics to Brownian dynamics

Three coarse-grained molecular dynamics (MD) models are investigated with the aim of developing and analysing multi-scale methods which use MD simulations in parts of the computational domain and (less detailed) Brownian dynamics (BD) simulations in the remainder of the domain. The first MD model is formulated in one spatial dimension. It is based on elastic collisions of heavy molecules (e.g. proteins) with light point particles (e.g. water molecules). Two three-dimensional MD models are then investigated. The obtained results are applied to a simplified model of protein binding to receptors on the cellular membrane. It is shown that modern BD simulators of intracellular processes can be used in the bulk and accurately coupled with a (more detailed) MD model of protein binding which is used close to the membrane.
Developing the ethics of worker-researchers through phronesis

Engaging with research methods requires, we argue, not only adherence to ethical codes of conduct, but caring for the researched. Researchers, who are also workers in the same organisation or community where the research will take place, have an additional duty not to violate the dignity of the researched, and that is the ethic of care. We discuss how this concern can be progressed through a research methods course that uses reflective diary writing as a way for researchers to reflect and articulate the complexities of their approach to ethical considerations in their research. We conclude that although reflection does not necessarily lead to action, reflective diaries are useful in capturing a period of personal transition. This is demonstrated through the diaries of a student and a competent worker.
Both Transmembrane Domains of BK β1 Subunits Are Essential to Confer the Normal Phenotype of β1-Containing BK Channels

Voltage/Ca2+ i-gated, large conductance K+ (BK) channels result from tetrameric association of α (slo1) subunits. In most tissues, BK protein complexes include regulatory β subunits that contain two transmembrane domains (TM1, TM2), an extracellular loop, and two short intracellular termini. Four BK β types have been identified, each presenting a rather selective tissue-specific expression profile. Thus, BK β modifies current phenotype to suit physiology in a tissue-specific manner. The smooth muscle-abundant BK β1 drastically increases the channel's apparent Ca2+ i sensitivity. The resulting phenotype is critical for BK channel activity to increase in response to Ca2+ levels reached near the channel during depolarization-induced Ca2+ influx and myocyte contraction. The eventual BK channel activation generates outward K+ currents that drive the membrane potential in the negative direction and eventually counteract depolarization-induced Ca2+ influx. The BK β1 regions responsible for the characteristic phenotype of β1-containing BK channels remain to be identified. We used patch-clamp electrophysiology on channels resulting from the combination of smooth muscle slo1 (cbv1) subunits with smooth muscle-abundant β1, neuron-abundant β4, or chimeras constructed by swapping β1 and β4 regions, and determined the contribution of specific β1 regions to the BK phenotype. At Ca2+ levels found near the channel during myocyte contraction (10 µM), channel complexes that included chimeras having both TMs from β1 and the remaining regions (“background”) from β4 showed a phenotype (Vhalf, τact, τdeact) identical to that of complexes containing wt β1. This phenotype could not be evoked by complexes that included chimeras combining either β1 TM1 or β1 TM2 with a β4 background. Likewise, β “halves” (each including β1 TM1 or β1 TM2) resulting from interrupting the continuity of the EC loop failed to render the normal phenotype, indicating that physical connection between β1 TMs via the EC loop is also necessary for proper channel function.
Measuring contribution in collaborative writing: An adaptive NMF topic modelling approach

In universities worldwide, instructors may spend a significant amount of time reviewing homework and group projects submitted by their students. Web-based technologies, like Google Docs, have provided a platform for students to write documents collaboratively. Currently, those platforms provide limited information on the individual contribution made by each student. Previous studies have focused on the quantitative aspects of individuals' contribution in collaborative writing, while the quality aspect has received less attention. In this paper, we propose a new model to measure not only quantitative input but also the quality of the content that has been contributed to a document written collaboratively in Spanish language. Based on topics-modeling techniques, we use an adaptive non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) model to extract topics from the content of the document, and grade higher students making those contributions. Using Google documents submitted by students to the academic system of our university as part of their projects, experimental results show that compared to other baseline methods such as edits or words count, our model provide a better approximation to the scores given by human reviewers. Therefore, our model can be used as part of an automatic grading subsystem within the academic system, to provide a baseline score of students' contribution in collaborative documents. This will allow instructors to reduce their workload associated with revision and grading of documents and focus their time on more relevant tasks.
Schizophrenic Thinking in a Problem-Solving Situation

A qualitative analysis of the thinking of severely disorganized schizophrenic patients in a problem situation brought out the following: 1. The most striking characteristic of their performance contributing to their failure was the over-inclusion of environmental and imaginal material in the neutral problem itself. The patients could not eliminate from the functional pattern those elements which the normal adult would not treat as belonging to the same plane as the problem, or by the same operations. This incapacity may be observed not only by the experimenter but by the patient as well. A comparison is made of the psychological boundaries, as they appear in schizophrenic thought, in normal adults under special circumstances, and as Lewin describes them for oligophrenics. 2. The schizophrenic patients called for changes in the rules of procedure and in the materials, and declared the situation to be inadequate instead of themselves. This phenomenon resembles their reactions to the inflexible order of real events in their own life-situations. 3. Non-correspondence occurred frequently between what the patient actually did and what he said he had done,and between the perceptual pattern and the patient's formulation of it. A simple colour grouping, for instance, was characterized in some other way, often more complex, and quite at variance with the patient's operation or its result. Act, or pattern, and word seemed often to belong to different systems of integration. 4. Generalizations were numerous; and shifts from one hypothesis to another occurred without evidence of unusual difficulty. The generalizations were unsuccessful because they were ( a ) too broad, ( b ) too involved, or ( c ) too entangled with personal problems and phantasies, or ( d ) because the language structure was so disorganized that it could neither function as social communication, nor serve as a basis for the patient's own performance. Moreover, ( e ) the generalizations, even when quite correct, often did not lead to any corresponding act. This study develops farther our experimental analysis of schizophrenic thinking, the earlier results of which are summarized at the end of the introductory section. The present report, based upon a method of manipulation and grouping, brings out new aspects of schizophrenic thinking and corroborates the conclusions derived from our study of logical relationships.
Domestic Violence and Borderline Personality Symptomatology Among Women in an Inpatient Psychiatric Setting

In a previous study of primary care outpatients, the authors found a significant relationship between a history of domestic violence and borderline personality symptomatology. In the present study, they explore this relationship in a sample of women psychiatric inpatients. They use the Severity of Violence Against Women Scale (SVAWS) to assess a history of domestic violence and two self-report measures, the Self-Harm Inventory (SHI) and the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire-4 (PDQ-4), to assess borderline personality symptomatology. Both measures of borderline personality symptomatology were highly related to each other (r = .63, p < .001) as well as to the SVAWS (r = .31, p < .001 for the SHI; r = .37, p < .001 for the PDQ-4). Using the recommended diagnostic cutoff scores on the measures for borderline personality symptomatology, 90.2% of those with histories of domestic violence scored in the positive range on either or both measures, compared to 65.1% of nonabused women. The authors discuss the cli.
Self-construal and socio-emotional development among Vietnamese-American adolescents: An examination of different types of self-construal

This study examined how four different types of self-construal affected perception of socio-emotional adjustment (i.e., anxiety, depression, distress, self-esteem, family cohesion, peer support, pro-substance abuse attitude) and perception of relationship with community (i.e., sense of community, adverse neighborhood) in a sample of 152 Vietnamese-American high-school adolescents. Using cluster analysis, the four-type self-construal model postulated by Kim, Hunter, Miyahara, Horvath, Bresnahan, & Yoon (1996) was replicated in this sample. The bicultural students (i.e., those with strong interdependent and independent self-construal) reported greater perceived adjustment across all measures except anxiety when compared to other groups (marginal, interdependent, and independent) in the study. Implications of the findings are discussed.
QoE-Optimal Scheduling for On-Demand Video Streams over Unreliable Wireless Networks

Video streaming is anticipated to dominate wireless traffic in the near future. We study wireless systems where an access point delivers video streams to multiple clients over unreliable wireless channels. The performance of each client is measured by the amount of time that its video playback halts due to buffer underflow, which has been shown to have the most impact on client's perceived quality of experience (QoE). We develop an analytical framework that jointly captures the video playback process and the unreliable and heterogeneous wireless channels. We derive the capacity region for QoE by establishing a lower bound of a weighted sum of video halt durations over all clients. We then propose a QoE-optimal policy that can achieve every point within the capacity region. Finally, we compare our policy against two commonly used policies. Both theoretical analysis and simulation results show that our policy greatly outperforms other policies.
Coalition building dynamics in video format wars

Abstract This paper analyses standard-setting coalition dynamics in video formats wars. We study the behavior of actors from several industries joining or leaving format standard-setting coalitions. Our research is based on a cross-analysis of standards literature and secondary data from Internet sites. Our analysis shows that the presence of major actors from various industries connected to the format business ecosystem, the presence of rivals, and the number of actors (size) deeply influence coalition success and can lead actors to leave one coalition for another.
Combining appearance and motion for human action classification in videos

An important cue to high level scene understanding is to analyze the objects in the scene and their behavior and interactions. In this paper, we study the problem of classification of activities in videos, as this is an integral component of any scene understanding system, and present a novel approach for recognizing human action categories in videos by combining information from appearance and motion of human body parts. Our approach is based on tracking human body parts by using mixture particle filters and then clustering the particles using local non - parametric clustering, hence associating a local set of particles to each cluster mode. The trajectory of these cluster modes provides the “motion” information and the “appearance” information is provided by the statistical information about the relative motion of these local set of particles over a number of frames. Later we use a “Bag of Words” model to build one histogram per video sequence from the set of these robust appearance and motion descriptors. These histograms provide us characteristic information which helps us to discriminate among various human actions which ultimately helps us in better understanding of the complete scene. We tested our approach on the standard KTH and Weizmann human action datasets and the results were comparable to the state of the art methods. Additionally our approach is able to distinguish between activities that involve the motion of complete body from those in which only certain body parts move. In other words, our method discriminates well between activities with “global body motion” like running, jogging etc. and “local motion” like waving, boxing etc.
Disability Studies in Iceland: past, present and future

Abstract Disability Studies is a new interdisciplinary academic field that has developed over the past two decades. The aim of this paper is to introduce Disability Studies in Iceland including its roots, context, development, main characteristics and future prospects. Icelandic Disability Studies has developed in Nordic and international contexts and shares theoretical origins and location in the academic landscape. Early beginnings of Disability Studies in Iceland can be traced back to the mid-1990s but the first and only academic programme in Disability Studies was launched at the University of Iceland in 2004, providing this young field with an institutional base and academic recognition. Main characteristics of Disability Studies in Iceland are its growing interdisciplinary nature and close cooperation with disabled people and the disability movement, parents, professionals and policy-makers. Today, Disability Studies is a well-established field within Icelandic academia and operates in the context o.
Ms Pac-Man competition

IEEE WCCI 2008 in Hong Kong played host to the latest Ms Pac-Man competition, organised by Simon Lucas as an activity of the IEEE CIS Games Technical Committee. The competition attracted 11 entries from teams all around the world, with the winning entry by Alan Fitzgerald, Peter Kemeraitis, and Clare Bates Congdon from the University of Southern Maine (USM) achieving a high-score of 15,970.
Specification of Extended Reflexive Ontologies in the context of CDSS

Decision recommendations are a set of alternative options for clinical decisions (e.g. diagnosis, prognosis, treatment selection, follow-up and prevention) that are provided to decision makers by knowledge-based Clinical Decision Support Systems (k-CDSS) as aids. We propose to follow a reasoning over domain approach for the generation of decision recommendations, by gathering and inferring conclusions from production rules. In order to rationalize our approach we present a specification that will sustain the logic models supported in the Knowledge Bases we use for persistence. We introduce first the underlying knowledge model and then the necessary extensions that will convey towards the solution of the reported needs. The starting point of our approach is the work of Toro et al. [13] on Reflexive Ontologies (RO). We also propose an extension of RO, by including the handling and reasoning that production rules provide. Our approach speeds-up the recommendation generation process.
Computer Grading of Student Prose, Using Modern Concepts and Software

Abstract In earlier work of Project Essay Grade (PEG) we used computers to evaluate prose of high school students. In major experiments, PEG successfully imitated single human ratings, despite the crude hardware and software of the late 1960s. Today, computers are common in home and school, and advanced software packages permit much more powerful analysis. In the present research we analyzed recent federal samples of 495 and 599 essays and simulated groups of human judges, reaching multiple Rs as high as . 87, close to the apparent reliability of the targeted judge groups. We also generated weights from formative samples of two thirds each, which predicted well the other one-third samples (with simple rs higher than .84). Another cross-validation predicted across different years, students, and judge panels, with an r of . 83. Thus, the computer surpassed two judges, which is the usual human panel. Results appear encouraging for further research and indeed for early application to large programs of essay eva.