Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effect of pre-maturation culture using phosphodiesterase type 3 inhibitor and insulin, transferrin and selenium on nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation of bovine oocytes

Summary This study aims to evaluate if a pre-maturation culture (PMC) using cilostamide as a meiotic inhibitor in combination with insulin, transferrin and selenium (ITS) for 8 or 24 h increases in vitro embryo production. To evaluate the effects of PMC on embryo development, cleavage rate, blastocyst rate, embryo size and total cell number were determined. When cilostamide (20 μM) was used in PMC for 8 or 24 h, 98% of oocytes were maintained in germinal vesicles. Although the majority of oocytes resumed meiosis after meiotic arrest, the cleavage and blastocyst rates were lower than the control (P < 0.05). When the cilostamide concentration was lowered (10 μM) and oocytes were arrested for 8 h, embryo development was improved (P < 0.05) and was similar (P > 0.05) to the control. The deleterious effect of 20 μM cilostamide treatment for 24 h on a PMC was confirmed by lower cumulus cell viability, determined by trypan blue staining, in that group compared with the other groups. A lower concentration (10 μM) and shorter exposure time (8 h) minimized that effect but did not improve embryo production. More studies should be performed to determine the best concentration and the arresting period to increase oocyte competence and embryo development.
Mitochondria isolated from liver contain the essential factors required for RNA/DNA oligonucleotide-targeted gene repair.

Chimeric RNA/DNA oligonucleotides (ONs) have been used successfully for site-specific modifications of episomal and chromosomal DNA in eukaryotic cells. We explored the possibility of applying this technique to mitochondrial DNA, as single-nucleotide defects in this genome are associated with a series of human diseases. Therefore, we determined whether mitochondria possess the enzymatic machinery for chimeric ON-mediated DNA alterations. We utilized an in vitro DNA repair assay and an Escherichia coli readout system with mutagenized plasmids carrying point mutations in antibiotic resistance genes. RNA/DNA ONs were designed to correct the defects and restore kanamycin and tetracyclin resistance. Using this system, we demonstrated that extracts from highly purified rat liver mitochondria possess the essential enzymatic activity to mediate precise single-nucleotide changes. Interestingly, the frequency of gene conversion was similar in both mitochondrial and nuclear extracts, as well as from quiescent and regenerating liver. The results indicate that mitochondria contain the machinery required for repair of genomic single-point mutations, and suggest that RNA/DNA ONs may provide a novel approach to the treatment of certain mitochondrial-based diseases.
Building part compositions for hierarchical object recognition

scales. An image of an car can be considered to be pattern of wheel, window, door, and various other compositional parts, or on a much more granular scale as a massive pattern of interconnected line segment parts. These levels of granularity lend themselves well to a hierarchical organization of visual blueprints: the car can be decomposed into doors and other similarly-scaled parts, each door can be decomposed into a window, a handle, and other features, and this reduction in scale can continue until a suitable base level of elemental parts is reached. In their 2007 paper, "Towards Scalable Representations of Object Categories: Learning a Hierarchy of Parts" [3], Fidler and Leonardis described an algorithm to implement such a categorization scheme with minimal human intervention. Given a large corpus of images, they showed their algorithm organizing subparts into patterns completely automatically from the bottom elemental layer to parts three layers higher. At this level, parts became too specialized to learn with a generic image corpus, so further learning was done on manually separated sets of images grouped by categories (e.g. faces, mugs, etc.). According to the authors, this was the only source of significant human intervention in the process. This work has attempted to recreate their algorithm from scratch. Unfortunately, this task was not successfully completed. Although the entire framework of the algorithm was written, automating the core pattern processing part of it proved to be a very nuanced and dicult task to complete. This paper will discuss the nature of this diculty
The Psychological Assessment of Children with Learning Difficulties

Introduction What are the cognitive characteristics of those children who appear to experience particular difficulty in school-based learning? At the most basic level, some struggle to understand exactly what is being asked of them which may be, predominately, a language-based problem in which the complexity of the language used, the vocabulary and the syntax are beyond the child’s grasp. Alternatively, limitations of the working memory may reduce children’s capacity to hold instructions in their minds while simultaneously undertaking problem solving. A child may experience problems in applying learning to new contexts (problems of transfer), the shifting from abstract to concrete formulations may prove challenging and the child may become overwhelmed by attempts at contextualisation, particularly where novel or superfluous information is concerned. Similarly, an attempt to move from concrete examples to the more abstract formulation of general rules or principles leaves many floundering. Possibly the nature of the problem is grasped but the child is uncertain of how to begin to generate possible strategies for problem resolution. Where a number of strategies are relevant, the child may encounter difficulties in selecting the most appropriate and subsequently in testing its effectiveness. He or she may demonstrate an inflexibility of response and an unwillingness to try alternative means of problem resolution and a tendency to be impulsive or impatient may exacerbate his or her limited powers of attention and concentration. When a correct solution is found, the child may fail to appreciate the importance of precision and accuracy in demonstrating it to others and poor strategies for committing knowledge to long-term memory may result in a failure to store information effectively. There may also be a number of non-intellective factors that impact upon motivation and task persistence. Experience of repeated failure, for example, may result in limited expectations for future success with concomitant anxiety, withdrawal, avoidance and passivity. Many children do not recognise either the importance of reflecting upon their thinking and problem-solving (metacognition) or the interplay of their cognitions, their feelings and their beliefs upon their behaviour (self-regulation) (Zimmerman, 2000). A second, and closely allied, element concerns the child’s ability to profit from adult guidance and encouragement and one may wish to ask many questions.
Paralleled two-pass hexagonal algorithm for motion estimation

This paper presents a paralleled two-pass hexagonal (TPA) algorithm constituted by linear hashtable motion estimation algorithm (LHMEA) and hexagonal search (HEXBS) for motion estimation. In the TPA, motion vectors (MV) are generated from the first-pass LHMEA and are used as predictors for second-pass HEXBS motion estimation, which only searches a small number of macroblocks (MBs). We introduced hashtable into video processing and completed parallel implementation. We propose and evaluate parallel implementations of the LHMEA of TPA on clusters of workstations for real time video compression. It discusses how parallel video coding on load balanced multiprocessor systems can help, especially on motion estimation. The effect of load balancing for improved performance is discussed. The performance of the algorithm is evaluated by using standard video sequences and the results are compared to current algorithms
Improving Human Computer Interaction through Spoken Natural Language

The fastest and most straightforward way of communication for mankind is the voice. Therefore, the best way to interact with computers should be the voice too. That is why at the moment men are searching new ways to interact with computers. This interaction is improved if the words spoken by the speaker are organized in natural language. In this article, it is proposed a model to recover information from databases through queries in Spanish natural language using the voice as the way of communication. This model incorporates a hybrid intelligent system based on genetic algorithms and a Kohonen self-organizing map (SOM) to recognize the present phonemes in a word through time. This approach allows us to remake up a word with speaker independence. Furthermore, it is proposed the use of a compiler with type 2 grammar according to the Chomsky hierarchy to support the syntactic and semantic structure in Spanish language. Our experiments suggest that the spoken natural language improves notably the human-computer interaction when compared with traditional input methods such as: mouse or keyboard
Expectations of an exercise prescription scheme: An exploratory study using repertory grids

Objectives. The study aimed to investigate in depth the personal constructs relating to exercise of individuals referred by their medical practitioner for a 10-week gym-based exercise programme. It further aimed to study the expectations of change on these constructs and the extent to which these predicted adherence. A subsidiary aim was to evaluate the usefulness of repertory grid methodology in the exercise context. Design. This was a longitudinal study. Methods. Participants were interviewed at the start of the 10-week exercise programme. During the interview they completed repertory grids designed to elicit constructs about exercise-related change. Participants were followed up at three months to check adherence. Results. Three illustrative individual case studies are presented in detail followed by some aggregated analyses. These suggest that expectations of change were very diverse and often overoptimistic. Those who completed their course of exercise had more modest expectations of change than those who failed to complete. They also showed less gulf between their current view of themselves and their view of themselves as they would like to be. Conclusions. The study suggests that having realistic aims and understanding of the outcomes that can be expected from a brief exercise programme is an important predictor of success, but one that may currently be overlooked in the enthusiasm to implement exercise prescription schemes.
Survival and Integration of Neurons Derived from Human Embryonic Stem Cells in MPTP-Lesioned Primates

A human embryonic stem cell (HESC) line, H1, was studied after differentiation to a dopaminergic phenotype in vitro in order to carry out in vivo studies in Parkinsonian monkeys. To identify morphological characteristics of transplanted donor cells, HESCs were transfected with a GFP lentiviral vector. Gene expression studies were performed at each step of a neural rosette-based dopaminergic differentiation protocol by RT-PCR. In vitro immunofluorescence revealed that >90% of the differentiated cells exhibited a neuronal phenotype by β-III-tubulin immunocytochemistry, with 17% of the cells coexpressing tyrosine hydroxylase prior to implantation. Biochemical analyses demonstrated dopamine release in culture in response to potassium chloride-induced membrane depolarization, suggesting that the cells synthesized and released dopamine. These characterized, HESC-derived neurons were then implanted into the striatum and midbrain of MPTP (1-methyl-4- phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine)-exposed monkeys that were triple immunosuppressed. Here we demonstrate robust survival of transplanted HESC-derived neurons after 6 weeks, as well as morphological features consistent with polarization, organization, and extension of processes that integrated into the host striatum. Expression of the dopaminergic marker tyrosine hydroxylase was not maintained in HESC-derived neural grafts in either the striatum or substantia nigra, despite a neuronal morphology and expression of β-III-tubulin. These results suggest that dopamine neuronal cells derived from neuroectoderm in vitro will not maintain the correct midbrain phenotype in vivo in nonhuman primates, contrasted with recent studies showing dopamine neuronal survival using an alternative floorplate method.
GUI Reliability Assessment based on Bayesian Network and Structural Profile

Graphical User Interfaces (GUI) is becoming increasingly important in the software field as it builds a friendly way between users and software through continuous interactions. A well-developed GUI is therefore an important factor of software quality. In particular, the reliability of GUIs is still on the way of development. Existing software reliability assessment techniques attempt to statistically describe the software testing process and predict the reliability of the system. However, those techniques are not suitable for GUI as quality of GUI is challenged by immense number of event interactions and complex structural profile etc. Furthermore, GUI has a wealth of information about GUI architecture, components, windows and their interactions with each other, which can be adopted to guide the testing process and establish confidence assessment of GUI. In this paper, a Bayesian network model of GUI reliability is introduced to discuss the reliability model topology and its issues encountered in the modeling process. A case is also presented to verify the validity of the model during the GUI reliability assessment process.
The Question of Validity in Qualitative Research

It seems that many qualitative researchers have still not contextualized the role of validity in qualitative analysis.This article enumerates three factors that must be taken into account: (1) The philosophy of science within which one works, (2) the discipline to which one belongs, and (3) the subfield of specialization that one pursues. Most researchers have encountered the question of validity within the context of empirical science, but validity does not have the same role within a phenomenological philosophy of science. Within the discipline of psychology, certain subfields ignore the validity issue for good reasons (e.g., experimentation in psychophysics) and other subfields specialize in developing strategies for validity. This article analyzes the reasons that the specialty of "test construction" focuses so strongly on validity issues and concludes that phenomenological qualitative research is not at all similar to the situation one finds in test construction. Rather, phenomenological qualitative research is closer to experimental situations and so the validity issue is not as pressing as is often supposed. The article ends with two different Husserlian perspectives on a theory of knowledge.
Steering a predator robot using a mixed frame/event-driven convolutional neural network

This paper describes the application of a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) in the context of a predator/prey scenario. The CNN is trained and run on data from a Dynamic and Active Pixel Sensor (DAVIS) mounted on a Summit XL robot (the predator), which follows another one (the prey). The CNN is driven by both conventional image frames and dynamic vision sensor “frames” that consist of a constant number of DAVIS ON and OFF events. The network is thus “data driven” at a sample rate proportional to the scene activity, so the effective sample rate varies from 15 Hz to 240 Hz depending on the robot speeds. The network generates four outputs: steer right, left, center and non-visible. After off-line training on labeled data, the network is imported on the on-board Summit XL robot which runs jAER and receives steering directions in real time. Successful results on closed-loop trials, with accuracies up to 87% or 92% (depending on evaluation criteria) are reported. Although the proposed approach discards the precise DAVIS event timing, it offers the significant advantage of compatibility with conventional deep learning technology without giving up the advantage of data-driven computing.
Reliable Key Establishment Scheme Exploiting Unidirectional Links in Wireless Sensor Networks

Wireless sensor networks are designed for outdoor environment surveillance and require benign coverage, steady working status and long lifetime, moreover, they require efficient security services for rigorous applications. Most security schemes are designed to work efficiently only when bidirectional links exist. So do most key establishment protocols for WSNs. Traditional key establishment schemes delete all the unidirectional links from the network. Hence, the sensors covered only by unidirectional links are excluded from the collaborating network, even if they are stable and energetic. These schemes shorten the lifetime and decrease the connectivity of the whole network. To improve the network connectivity and increase the number of available sensors in the network, a security mechanism is proposed for wireless sensor networks exploiting unidirectional links. By searching local connection components in a small area, this mechanism helps negotiate shared secrets among nodes that may covered by unidirectional links. It obtains identity authentication and perfect resilience against node compromise.The simulation reveals that, our scheme can greatly increase the proportion of available sensor nodes and network connectivity, which will efficiently prolong the network lifetime.
The definition and preliminary measurement of thriving in adolescence

We describe ‘thriving’ as an under-utilized construct that can add value to theory, research, and application in adolescent development. We draw on developmental systems theories to suggest that thriving represents the dynamic and bi-directional interplay of a young person intrinsically animated and energized by discovering his/her specialness, and the developmental contexts (people, places) that know, affirm, celebrate, encourage, and guide its expression. We note that thriving shares some conceptual space with positive psychology and constructs such as competence, developmental assets, and flourishing, but also note how thriving differs from each of these. On both conceptual and empirical grounds, we articulate a case for the unique contribution of thriving as a valid and useful addition to our understanding of human development. We end the paper by describing the exploratory factor analysis and descriptive results of a new survey to measure adolescent thriving that has grown out of the conceptual framework presented here.
Assessment of Genetic Diversity in 31 Species of Mangroves and their Associates through RAPD and AFLP Markers

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers were used to assess the genetic diversity in 31 species of mangroves and mangrove associates. Four AFLP primer combinations resulted in the amplification of 840 bands with an average of 210 bands per primer combination and 11 RAPD primers yielded 319 bands with an average of 29 bands per primer. The percentage of polymorphism detected was too high indicating the high degree of genetic variability in mangrove taxa both at inter- and intra-generic levels. In the dendrogram, species belonging to a particular family/ genus, taxa inhabiting similar habitats or having similar adaptations tended to be together. There were exceptions too; as many unrelated species of mangroves form clusters. The intrafamilial classification and inter-relationships of genera in the family Rhizophoraceae could be confirmed by molecular analysis. Both the markers RAPD and AFLP were found equally informative and useful for a better understanding of the genetic variability and genome relationships among mangroves and their associated species.
Metabolite Profiling of Low-P Tolerant and Low-P Sensitive Maize Genotypes under Phosphorus Starvation and Restoration Conditions

Background Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most widely cultivated crop plants. Unavoidable economic and environmental problems associated with the excessive use of phosphatic fertilizers demands its better management. The solution lies in improving the phosphorus (P) use efficiency to sustain productivity even at low P levels. Untargeted metabolomic profiling of contrasting genotypes provides a snap shot of whole metabolome which differs under specific conditions. This information provides an understanding of the mechanisms underlying tolerance to P stress and the approach for increasing P-use-efficiency. Methodology/Principal Findings A comparative metabolite-profiling approach based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was applied to investigate the effect of P starvation and its restoration in low-P sensitive (HM-4) and low-P tolerant (PEHM-2) maize genotypes. A comparison of the metabolite profiles of contrasting genotypes in response to P-deficiency revealed distinct differences among low-P sensitive and tolerant genotypes. Another set of these genotypes were grown under P-restoration condition and sampled at different time intervals (3, 5 and 10 days) to investigate if the changes in metabolite profile under P-deficiency was restored. Significant variations in the metabolite pools of these genotypes were observed under P-deficiency which were genotype specific. Out of 180 distinct analytes, 91 were identified. Phosphorus-starvation resulted in accumulation of di- and trisaccharides and metabolites of ammonium metabolism, specifically in leaves, but decreased the levels of phosphate-containing metabolites and organic acids. A sharp increase in the concentrations of glutamine, asparagine, serine and glycine was observed in both shoots and roots under low-P condition. Conclusion The new insights generated on the maize metabolome in resposne to P-starvation and restoration would be useful towards improvement of the P-use efficiency in maize.
Signs of the times: The governance of alphabetic print over ‘appropriate’ and ‘natural’ reading development

This article investigates the ways in which alphabetic print concepts govern a sense of natural and appropriate early reading development, and juxtaposes the concepts found in early literacy curriculum and assessment with hypertextual elements found in new forms of texts written for children. Using a theoretical approach that combines poststructural theories of power and knowledge with sociocultural theories of literacy, the analysis challenges traditional alphabetic print literacy as a political and historical sign of the times, and reframes educational reasoning about ‘appropriate’ early reading instruction in terms of new technologies, changing texts, and sociocultural forms of literacies.
Through-Silicon Via (TSV)

Recently, the development of three-dimensional large-scale integration (3D-LSI) has been accelerated. Its stage has changed from the research level or limited production level to the investigation level with a view to mass production. The 3D-LSI using through-silicon via (TSV) has the simplest structure and is expected to realize a high-performance, high-functionality, and high-density LSI cube. This paper describes the current and future 3D-LSI technologies with TSV.