Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Residual eye-movements in macaque and their effects on visual responses of neurons

We recorded continuously, with high precision, the positions of the eyes in anesthetized macaque monkeys prepared for physiological recording. Most recordings were made after the infusion of muscle relaxant to immobilize the eyes; in some cases we also were able to record eye position for periods before the eyes were immobilized. In all monkeys, the eyes moved continuously by as much as 0.5 deg over a 10-min sampling period. The average distance moved was proportional to the square root of the sampling period, as would be expected from a random walk. The movements had three distinct components: slow drifts, and two rhythms driven by the pulse and respiration. The rhythmic movements occurred only under paralysis: they were not discernible in measurements made before the infusion of muscle relaxant. The movements of the eye in the paralyzed animal can have substantial effects on the measured physiological characteristics of neurons. For excursions in the midrange of those we observed, a neuron's sensitivity to a spatial frequency of 10 cycle/deg might be underestimated by as much as a factor of three, depending on the method by which responses were averaged. We show how the effects of eye-movements can be mitigated by appropriate data analysis.
Applying Extensive Reading to Improve Unmotivated Learners' Attitudes toward Reading in English

Abstract . Extensive reading has been highly praised by numerous scholars and researchers for its value to L1/L2 language learning and acquisition, with the extent of its effects on language learners ranging from linguistic to affective facets. The purpose of this study was to understand the effects of extensive reading on the subjects concerning their attitudes toward English reading. An attitude questionnaire was distributed to the subjects one year after the extensive reading activity terminated. The results revealed that the extensive reading improved the subjects’ cognitive aspect of attitude; however, affective and behavioral aspects of attitudes indicated negative results. Some possible explanations for such results were presented in the discussions.
Metastatic melanoma – a review of current and future drugs

Background: Melanoma is one of the most aggressive cancers, and it is estimated that 76,250 men and women will be diagnosed with melanoma of the skin in the USA in 2012. Over the last few decades many drugs have been developed but only in 2011 have new drugs demonstrated an impact on survival in metastatic melanoma. Methods: A systematic search of literature was conducted, and studies providing data on the effectiveness of current and/or future drugs used in the treatment of metastatic melanoma were selected for review. This review discusses the advantages and limitations of these agents, evaluating past, current and future clinical trials designed to overcome such limitations. Results: To date, there are four drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration for melanoma (dacarbazine, interleukin-2, ipilimumab and vemurafenib). Despite efforts to develop new drugs, few of them have demonstrated any clinical benefits. Approved in 1975, dacarbazine remains the gold standard in chemotherapy, although ipilimumab and vemurafenib have raised many hopes in the last few years. Combining dacarbazine or other chemotherapy agents with new pharmacological agents may be a new way to achieve better clinical responses in patients with metastatic melanoma. Discussion: Advances in the molecular knowledge of melanoma have led to major improvements in the treatment of patients with metastatic melanoma, providing new targets and insights. However, heterogeneity amongst study populations, different approaches to treatment and the different melanoma types and localisations included in the trials makes their comparison difficult. New studies focusing on drugs developed in recent decades are warranted.
Adaptive network for optimal linear feature extraction

A network of highly interconnected linear neuron-like processing units and a simple, local, unsupervised rule for the modification of connection strengths between these units are proposed. After training the network on a high (m) dimensional distribution of input vectors, the lower (n) dimensional output will be a projection into the subspace of the n largest principal components (the subspace spanned by the n eigenvectors of the largest eigenvalues of the input covariance matrix) and maximize the mutual information between the input and the output in the same way as principal component analysis does. The purely local nature of the synaptic modification rule (simple Hebbian and anti-Hebbian) makes the implementation of the network easier, faster, and biologically more plausible than rules depending on error propagation. <<ETX>>
The Validity of Verifiable and Non-Verifiable Biodata Items: An Examination Across Applicants and Incumbents

This study examines the influence of item verifiability (non-verifiable vs. verifiable), context (applicant vs. incumbent), and keying procedure on biodata mean test scores and validity. Concurrent and predictive validation studies were conducted using a sample of 425 call center incumbents and a sample of 410 call center applicants. Although applicants did not obtain significantly higher mean biodata scores, results provide support for the hypothesis that the non-verifiable biodata composite would be less valid in the applicant context, while the verifiable biodata composite would be equally valid across both the applicant and incumbent contexts. The same pattern of results was obtained using both item- and option-keying procedures. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Performance Modelling and Analysis of the Sleep-Mode in IEEE802.16e WMAN

In this paper, we study the sleep-mode operation for power management of an MS in the IEEE802.16e wireless metropolitan access network. For the analysis we use the M/GI/1/ K queueing system with multiple vacations, exhaustive services and setup times, and derive the power consumption per unit time and blocking probability as performance measures. To get the optimized system parameters which result in the lowest power consumption, we propose a new performance measure, called the power consumption per unit time per effective arrival, which considers the packet blocking probability as well as the power consumption per unit time simultaneously. Based on our new performance measure, we provide a detailed procedure on how to get the optimized system parameters. Numerical studies are also provided to investigate the system performance and to show how to achieve our objective.
Identification of factors that affect the transition time between CMMI levels from geographical region perspective: an empirical study

A software industry has been more concerned about Software Process Improvement (SPI). Numerous studies have b een made in development of SPI standards and models, or to identify factors that affect SPI success. However, these studies did not provide answers to questions about the effect of Geographical Region on the transition time between Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) levels. And why there are obvious differences in the organizations' transition time between CMMI levels. The objective of this research is to identify the geographical region impact on factors that can affect the transition time between CMMI levels. We conducted 18 interviews in 15 different software companies to extract the factors and compare these factors with what are in the literature to avoid redundancy, based on that we designed a questionnaire. We sent out of 236 requests to participants, 92 responded from 30 companies. We asked the participants to rank each factor on a five-point scale (high, medium, low, zero and not sure) to determine the effect of each factor. We identified 11 factors from both data sets that are considered effective factors for the transition time between CMMI levels. And also identified one new factor (turn over of staff) which was not identified in the literature.
Application of Computed Tomography Processed by Picture Archiving and Communication Systems in the Diagnosis of Acute Achilles Tendon Rupture

The applications of CT examination in the diagnosis of the acute Achilles tendon rupture (AATR) were investigated. A total of 36 patients with suspected acute Achilles tendon rupture were tested using physical examination, ultrasound, and 3DCT scanning, respectively. Then, surgery was performed for the patients who showed positive result in at least two of the three tests for AATR. 3DVR, MPR, and the other CT scan image processing and diagnosis were conducted in PACS (picture archiving and communication system). PACS was also used to measure the length of distal broken ends of the Achilles tendon (AT) to tendon calcaneal insertion. Our study indicated that CT has the highest accuracy in diagnosis of acute Achilles tendon complete rupture. The length measurement is matched between PACS and those actually measured in operation. CT not only demonstrates more details directly in three dimensions especially with the rupture involved calcaneal insertion flap but also locates the rupture region for percutaneous suture by measuring the length of distal stump in PACS without the effect of the position of ankle. The accuracy of CT diagnosis for Achilles tendon partial rupture is yet to be studied.
Stromal Cell-Derived Factor-1 Induces Matrix Metalloprotease-13 Expression in Human Chondrocytes

The production of chemokine stromal cell-derived factor (SDF)-1 is significantly higher in synovial fluid of patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-13 may contribute to the breakdown of articular cartilage during arthritis. Here, we found that SDF-1α increased the secretion of MMP-13 in cultured human chondrocytes, as shown by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and zymographic analysis. SDF-1α also increased the surface expression of CXCR4 receptor in human chondrocytes. CXCR4-neutralizing antibody, CXCR4-specific inhibitor [1-[[4-(1,4,8,11-tetrazacyclotetradec-1-ylmethyl)phenyl]methyl]-1,4,8,11-tetrazacyclotetradecane (AMD3100)], or small interfering RNA against CXCR4 inhibited the SDF-1α-induced increase of MMP-13 expression. The transcriptional regulation of MMP-13 by SDF-1α was mediated by phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) and activation of the activator protein (AP)-1 components of c-Fos and c-Jun. The binding of c-Fos and c-Jun to the activator protein (AP-1) element on the MMP-13 promoter and the increase in luciferase activity was enhanced by SDF-1α. Cotransfection with dominant-negative mutant of ERK2 or c-Fos and c-Jun antisense oligonucleotide inhibited the potentiating action of SDF-1α on MMP-13 promoter activity. Taken together, our results provide evidence that SDF-1α acts through CXCR4 to activate ERK and the downstream transcription factors (c-Fos and c-Jun), resulting in the activation of AP-1 on the MMP-13 promoter and contributing cartilage destruction during arthritis.
CloudSpider: Combining Replication with Scheduling for Optimizing Live Migration of Virtual Machines across Wide Area Networks

A virtual machine (VM), during its lifecycle, can be scheduled for execution at geographically disparate cloud locations depending upon the cost of computation and the load at these locations. However, trans-locating a live VM across high-latency low-bandwidth wide area networks (WAN) within 'reasonable' time is nearly impossible due to the large size of the VM image. In this paper, we deal with this problem by combining VM scheduling strategies with VM replication strategies. In particular, we propose to replicate a VM image selectively across different cloud sites, choose a replica of the VM image to be the primary copy and propagate the incremental changes at the primary copy to all the remaining replicas of the VM image. The replica placement strategies are based on factors that influence long-term costs such as the average per-unit cost of storage and the average per-unit cost of computation at different cloud sites besides the 'end-user' latency requirements associated with the VMs. We propose to compensate the additional storage requirements due to replication by exploring commonality that naturally exists amongst different VM images using de-duplication techniques. A key issue that naturally arises in this integrated replication and scheduling context for minimizing migration latencies associated with live migration of VMs across WAN is the design of a good replica placement algorithm that minimizes additional storage requirements. In this paper we address this issue as part for our integrated replication and scheduling architecture, called Cloud Spider. We discuss the trade-offs involved in the design of a replica placement algorithm and propose an algorithm that factors in deduplication ratios amongst pairs of VM images while deciding on the question of replica placement of the VM images. Preliminary experiments show extremely promising results.
Deletion of the α2A/α2C‐adrenoceptors accelerates cutaneous wound healing in mice

The α2‐adrenoceptors regulate the sympathetic nervous system, controlling presynaptic catecholamine release. However, the role of the α2‐adrenoceptors in cutaneous wound healing is poorly understood. Mice lacking both the α2A/α2C‐adrenoceptors were used to evaluate the participation of the α2‐adrenoceptor during cutaneous wound healing. A full‐thickness excisional lesion was performed on the dorsal skin of the α2A/α2C‐adrenoceptor knockout and wild‐type mice. Seven or fourteen days later, the animals were euthanized and the lesions were formalin‐fixed and paraffin‐embedded or frozen. Murine skin fibroblasts were also isolated from α2A/α2C‐adrenoceptor knockout and wild‐type mice, and fibroblast activity was evaluated. The in vivo study demonstrated that α2A/α2C‐adrenoceptor depletion accelerated wound contraction and re‐epithelialization. A reduction in the number of neutrophils and macrophages was observed in the α2A/α2C‐adrenoceptor knockout mice compared with wild‐type mice. In addition, α2A/α2C‐adrenoceptor depletion enhanced the levels of nitrite and hydroxyproline, and the protein expression of transforming growth factor‐β and vascular endothelial growth factor. Furthermore, α2A/α2C‐adrenoceptor depletion accelerated blood vessel formation and myofibroblast differentiation. The in vitro study demonstrated that skin fibroblasts isolated from α2A/α2C‐adrenoceptor knockout mice exhibited enhanced cell migration, α‐smooth muscle actin _protein expression and collagen deposition compared with wild‐type skin fibroblasts. In conclusion, α2A/α2C‐adrenoceptor deletion accelerates cutaneous wound healing in mice.
Blood pressure levels before dementia.

BACKGROUND The association between blood pressure (BP) and dementia is not easily interpreted, but some prospective studies suggest that dementia may lower BP. OBJECTIVE To examine the relationship between BP during a 10-year period and the prevalence of dementia. DESIGN Comparison of longitudinal BP between participants who had dementia, participants who were cognitively impaired, and unimpaired participants selected from an ongoing cohort study. SETTING A prepaid health plan in southern California. PARTICIPANTS Three hundred participants had dementia, 285 were cognitively impaired, and 585 were unimpaired. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Retrospective medical record review of up to 3 randomly selected BP measurements per year for the 10 years before cognitive classification of each participant. RESULTS Systolic BP increased with time in the unimpaired participants, and increased less in women who developed cognitive impairment and in women who developed dementia. Diastolic BP declined significantly (P<.001) with time in all 3 groups. Compared with unimpaired women, the adjusted rate of decline in diastolic BP was significantly (P = .04) greater for the women who developed dementia. CONCLUSIONS These findings are consistent with previous findings that the relationship between BP and dementia is affected by age at data collection. Valid inferences about the effect of BP on the development of dementia require prospective data collection in which subjects are free of dementia or cognitive impairment at enrollment.
The Nonlinear Nature of Plans

We usually think of plans as linear sequences of actions. This is because plans are usually executed one step at a time. But plans themselves are not constrained by limitations of linearity. This paper describes a new information structure, called the procedural net, that represents a plan as a partial ordering of actions with respec to time. By avoiding premature commitments to a particular order for achieving subgoals, a problem-solving system using this representation can deal easily and directly with problems that are otherwise very difficult to solve.
The improvement and application of evidence theory in recognition of Car

In this paper, a new recognition method of car is presented. Firstly, it gets the Basic Probability Assignment Function (BPAF) of evidence with fuzzy mathematics method. Then, based on evidence theory, a second-level fusion algorithm is presented, which includes the time domain fusion of single sensor evidence of mutli-measuring period and the space domain fusion of mutli-sensors. Finally, a decision-making method based on the basic probability number is used as the recognition of car. The theory analysis and simulation result prove that it is a valid and feasible method for the recognition of car, and has better recognition result than traditional evidence theory.
COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS IN THE COMMUNITY

Working with community partners on research projects where the community members are part of the research team presents its own challenges. The challenges include the possible mismatch of expectations between academic team members and community members, as well as in defining the different roles people play, and managing the process. This paper reports the experiences and insights gained from working with community members involved in two research projects. The two projects were the Digital Divas project, involving the creation of a girls’ only information technology (IT) elective which has been implemented in a number of schools, and the Doing IT Better project that involved building IT capacity in the Victorian community service sector. Two community members from each of the projects are collaborators in this paper and provide the community perspective on this kind of research. Issues around concordances and discordances of academic research processes with a community's own ways of knowing, creating, managing and disseminating knowledge and information are discussed. The roles of community expertise, along with expectations regarding relationships and interactions are also explored.
Automatic March tests generation for static and dynamic faults in SRAMs

New memory production modern technologies introduce new classes of faults usually referred to as dynamic memory faults. Although some hand-made March tests to deal with these new faults have been published, the problem of automatically generate March tests for dynamic faults has still to be addressed, in this paper we propose a new approach to automatically generate March tests with minimal length for both static and dynamic faults. The proposed approach resorts to a formal model to represent faulty behaviors in a memory and to simplify the generation of the corresponding tests.
Beneficial Effects of Yogasanas and Pranayama in limiting the Cognitive decline in Type 2 Diabetes.

BACKGROUND Out of many complications that were observed in type 2 diabetes, cognitive impairment is the most neglected. AIM AND OBJECTIVES The aim of the present study is to assess the cognitive decline in type 2 diabetes and to observe the role of yogasanas and pranayama in ameliorating the cognitive decline. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sixty eight type 2 diabetic subjects were recruited in the study, 34 of them did specific yogasanas and pranayama (test group) for six months and the remaining age and sex matched 34 subjects were recruited as (control group) who were not on any specific exercise regimen. Glycaemic index was estimated by measuring the glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) concentration with Bio-Rad apparatus and cognition was assessed by using Addenbrook's Cognitive Examination-Revised (ACE-R), which is a neuropsychological battery. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS Data was analysed with unpaired student t test. P value<0.05 is considered as statistically significant. Validity was assessed by receiver operating characteristics. RESULTS Analysis of data indicated more cognitive scores in the test group when compared with the control group. In test group six months practice of yogasanas and pranayama has also significantly brought down the high glycaemic values which were observed in the control group. CONCLUSION These findings allow the study to conclude that regular practice of yogasanas and pranayama has a beneficial effect on cognitive performance in type 2 diabetic subjects by stabilizing blood glucose.
Planning for the market?: enterprise resource planning systems and the contradictions of capital

Enterprise Resource Planning is the most overarching attempt so far to control a firm's economic environment using information technology. An analysis of its functions, potential, and limitations thus requires an economic model that provides a conceptual framework for understanding the enterprise's goals, activities and environment. Marx's analysis of the processes of accumulation and circulation of capital is used here to assess ERP systems, with the conclusion that, rather than being a fad, ERPs attempt to answer certain general problems of capital accumulation that are particularly acute today. Their limitations are shown to be inherent in the capital form itself, in particular the dependence of capital on market relations in exchange.
An engineering approach to developing lecture material for new study courses

Professional software development is a complex task with many inputs and a complex output. In order to handle complex topics as software or complex engineering projects, structured processes as the V-model or iterative development processes exist. Similarly, the development of a software engineering lecture is a task with many inputs, and a complex output. A structured and methodological approach to the development of a lecture is presented, which applies the same principles as used in the development of software.
Total Body Water Distribution in Breast Cancer Survivors Following Cancer Rehabilitation

Cancer in humans is frequently associated with compartmentalization of body fluids as a result of sedentary behavior and pharmacological cellular toxicity. Total Body Water (TBW) in the general population is approximately 55–60% of body weight in adult males and 50–55% in adult females, while varying significantly in pathological conditions. Exercise is largely recognized as an important tool to TBW distribution. The purpose of this study was to investigate, for a least 12 months, the impact of physical activity on body water distribution in a sample of cancer patients and compare their responses to a sample of healthy controls. Cancer patients included 28 clinically stable female cancer patients diagnosed with breast cancer (aged 59 ± 9 years, weight 70.2 ± 9.9 kg, and Body Mass Index (BMI 26.7 ± 5.4 kg·m2), who were enrolled in a year-long physical activity prescription program. The results indicated the absence of significant variations of TBW% between the cancer patients and controls, however, there was a significant improvement in intracellular water content (ICW%) at 6 months (T0: 51.1 ± 3.9 vs. T6: 52.4 ± 4.1; p < 0.05) and at T12 (T0: 51.1 ± 3.9 vs. T12: 53.6 ± 3.1; p < 0.005). In conclusion, in this small sample of cancer survivors, an unsupervised cancer rehabilitation program reduced the trend towards increased peripheral edema.