Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
DIFFERENT PARTS FOR DIFFERENT SMARTS: PARTONOMIES AND THE ORGANIZATION OF WORK

This paper proposes an approach to analyzing the structure of common information spaces. The approach rests on three ideas. First, information spaces can usefully be described in terms of abstract relations used by participants to organize their work and interaction with one another. Here, I focus on part-whole relations as an example. Second, coordination mechanisms (in the sense of Schmidt and Simone 1996) are the devices and practices which realize connections among the different parts of information spaces. They thus form a natural focus for CSCW. Third, the relations among actors and their activities can be analyzed in terms of commitments and alliances among them.
Slippery liquid-infused porous surfaces and droplet transportation by surface acoustic waves

On a solid surface a droplet of liquid will stick due to the capillary adhesion and this causes low droplet mobility. To reduce contact line pinning, surface chemistry can be coupled to micro- and/or nano-structures to create superhydrophobic surfaces on which a droplet balls-up into an almost spherical shape thus minimising contact area. Recent progress in soft matter has now led to alternative lubricant impregnated surfaces capable of almost zero contact line pinning and high droplet mobility without causing droplets to ball-up and minimize contact area. Here we report a new approach to Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) actuated droplet transportation enabled using such a surface. These surfaces maintain the contact area required for efficient energy and momentum transfer of the wave energy into the droplet, whilst achieving high droplet mobility and large footprint, therefore reducing the threshold power required to induce droplet motion. In our approach we used a slippery layer of lubricating oil infused into a self-assembled porous hydrophobic layer, which is significantly thinner than the SAW wavelength and so avoided damping of the wave. A significant reduction (up to 85%) in the threshold power for droplet transportation was found compared to that using a conventional surface treatment method. Moreover, unlike droplets on superhydrophobic surfaces, where interaction with the SAW induced a transition from a Cassie–Baxter state to a Wenzel state, the droplets on our liquid impregnated surfaces remained in a mobile state after interaction with the SAW.
A Model of the Oil Prices' Return Rate Threshold for the Two Stock Market Returns: An Evidence Study of the U.S. and Canada's Stock Markets

The empirical results show that the dynamic conditional correlation (DCC) and the bivariate asymmetric-IGARCH (1, 1) model is appropriate in evaluating the relationship of the U.S. and the Canada’s stock markets. The empirical result also indicates that the U.S. and the Canada’s stock markets is a positive relation. The average estimation value of correlation coefficient equals to 0.686, which implies that the two stock markets is synchronized influence. Besides, the empirical result also shows that the U.S. and the Canada’s stock markets have an asymmetrical effect, and the variation risks of the U.S. and the Canada’s stock market returns also receives the influence of the positive and negative of the oil prices’ volatility rate.
Standardizing data collection in traumatic brain injury.

Collaboration among investigators, centers, countries, and disciplines is essential to advancing the care for traumatic brain injury (TBI). It is thus important that we "speak the same language. " Great variability, however, exists in data collection and coding of variables in TBI studies, confounding comparisons between and analysis across different studies. Randomized controlled trials can never address the many uncertainties concerning treatment approaches in TBI. Pooling data from different clinical studies and high-quality observational studies combined with comparative effectiveness research may provide excellent alternatives in a cost-efficient way. Standardization of data collection and coding is essential to this end. Common data elements (CDEs) are presented for demographics and clinical variables applicable across the broad spectrum of TBI. Most recommendations represent a consensus derived from clinical practice. Some recommendations concern novel approaches, for example assessment of the intensity of therapy in severely injured patients. Up to three levels of detail for coding data elements were developed: basic, intermediate, and advanced, with the greatest level of detail attained in the advanced version. More detailed codings can be collapsed into the basic version. Templates were produced to summarize coding formats, explanation of choices, and recommendations for procedures. Endorsement of the recommendations has been obtained from many authoritative organizations. The development of CDEs for TBI should be viewed as a continuing process; as more experience is gained, refinement and amendments will be required. This proposed process of standardization will facilitate comparative effectiveness research and encourage high-quality meta-analysis of individual patient data.
Protective Effect of Meso-Tetrakis-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin on the In Vivo Impact of Trimethyltin Chloride on the Antioxidative Defense System

The in vivo effect of trimethyltin chloride (Me3SnCl), free base meso-tetrakis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin (R′4PH2) and their equimolar mixture, on the enzymatic activity of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and on the total content of free sulfhydryl groups has been studied in rat liver and kidney. It was demonstrated that the simultaneous treatment of tested animals with the combination of Me3SnCl and R′4PH2 reduced the toxic impact of Me3SnCl.
Use of the Intracellular Fluorescent Dye CFSE to Monitor Lymphocyte Migration and Proliferation

The stable incorporation of the intracellular fluorescent dye 5‐(and ‐6)‐carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFSE) into cells provides a powerful tool to monitor cell migration, and to quantify cell division, because of the sequential decrease in fluorescent labeling in daughter cells. CFSE‐labeled lymphocytes have been used to analyze the relationship between cell division and differentiation of cell function, and cell proliferation versus apoptosis, both in vivo and in vitro, and have allowed analysis of the site of response to antigens in vivo. Curr. Protoc. Immunol. 84:4.9. 1‐4.9. 13. © 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The curious case of NG2 cells: transient trend or game changer?

It has been 10 years since the seminal work of Dwight Bergles and collaborators demonstrated that NG2 (nerve/glial antigen 2)-expressing oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (NG2 cells) receive functional glutamatergic synapses from neurons (Bergles et al., 2000), contradicting the old dogma that only neurons possess the complex and specialized molecular machinery necessary to receive synapses. While this surprising discovery may have been initially shunned as a novelty item of undefined functional significance, the study of neuron-to-NG2 cell neurotransmission has since become a very active and exciting field of research. Many laboratories have now confirmed and extended the initial discovery, showing for example that NG2 cells can also receive inhibitory GABAergic synapses (Lin and Bergles, 2004) or that neuron-to-NG2 cell synaptic transmission is a rather ubiquitous phenomenon that has been observed in all brain areas explored so far, including white matter tracts (Kukley et al., 2007; Ziskin et al., 2007; Etxeberria et al., 2010). Thus, while still being in its infancy, this field of research has already brought many surprising and interesting discoveries, and has become part of a continuously growing effort in neuroscience to re-evaluate the long underestimated role of glial cells in brain function (Barres, 2008). However, this area of research is now reaching an important milestone and its long-term significance will be defined by its ability to uncover the still elusive function of NG2 cells and their synapses in the brain, rather than by its sensational but transient successes at upsetting the old order established by neuronal physiology. To participate in the effort to facilitate such a transition, here we propose a critical review of the latest findings in the field of NG2 cell physiology – discussing how they inform us on the possible function(s) of NG2 cells in the brain – and we present some personal views on new directions the field could benefit from in order to achieve lasting significance.
Sparsity based Poisson denoising

Sparsity based techniques have been widely used for image denoising. In this work we focus on Poisson noise and propose initial stages for a new strategy for its removal. We start with a method that removes the noise by converting it into an additive Gaussian noise using the Anscombe transform, applying a variant of the OMP-denoising algorithm. Then, following the recent work by Salmon et. al., we bypass the need for the Anscombe transform and rely directly on the noise statistics. The new strategy is shown to lead to near state-of-the-art results.
Enhanced Automated Teller Machine Using Short Message Service Authentication Verification

The use of Automated Teller Machine (ATM) has become an important tool among commercial banks, customers of banks have come to depend on and trust the ATM conveniently meet their banking needs. Although the overwhelming advantages of ATM cannot be over-emphasized, its alarming fraud rate has become a bottleneck in it’s full adoption in Nigeria. This study examined the menace of ATM in the society another cost of running ATM services by banks in the country. The researcher developed a prototype of an enhanced Automated Teller Machine Authentication using Short Message Service (SMS) Verification. The developed prototype was tested by Ten (10) respondents who are users of ATM cards in the country and the data collected was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). Based on the results of the analysis, it is being envisaged that the developed prototype will go a long way in reducing the alarming rate of ATM fraud in Nigeria. Keywords—ATM, ATM Fraud, E-banking, Prototyping.
Investigation of disease in stored onions using optical coherence tomography

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an interferometric technique using near-infra-red light to probe the internal structures of semi-transparent samples. Images with a spatial resolution of 3-20 µm can be generated, mapping sub-surface structure to a depth of 1-2 mm, and allowing individual cells to be resolved. Onion (Allium cepa L.) tissue has been investigated using a Thorlabs OCT system based on a broadband 930 nm source. The specified depth resolution was ca. 7 µm and the lateral resolution ca. 10 µm. OCT real-time imaging to a depth of about 0.5 mm was achieved in onion tissue. Acquired images showed the cell-level structure of healthy tissue from several cultivars of stored onion, which were contrasted with images of samples suffering from fungal neck rot (Botrytis allii) or bacterial soft rot (Pseudomonas spp.). The variation in cell structure between different sites in the onion bulb was evident, and clear differences were also seen between images obtained from healthy and diseased tissue. Furthermore, images of tissue affected by neck rot exhibited different features from those showing symptoms of bacterial rot. Initial results demonstrated that OCT can offer an adaptable, real-time tissue-mapping capability, through rapid acquisition of high-resolution histological images. Comparable images obtained using a conventional microscope would require samples to undergo a lengthy slide-mounting procedure. Used alongside other diagnostic methods, OCT will be a significant aid in improving the understanding of both histological and pathological changes in fruit and vegetable crops during growth, harvest and storage.
Evolution of the angiosperms: calibrating the family tree

Growing evidence of morphological diversity in angiosperm flowers, seeds and pollen from the mid Cretaceous and the presence of derived lineages from increasingly older geological deposits both imply that the timing of early angiosperm cladogenesis is older than fossil–based estimates have indicated. An alternative to fossils for calibrating the phylogeny comes from divergence in DNA sequence data. Here, angiosperm divergence times are estimated using non–parametric rate smoothing and a three–gene dataset covering ca. 75– of all angiosperm families recognized in recent classifications. The results provide an initial hypothesis of angiosperm diversification times. Using an internal calibration point, an independent evaluation of angiosperm and eudicot origins is performed. The origin of the crown group of extant angiosperms is indicated to be Early to Middle Jurassic (179–158 Myr), and the origin of eudicots is resolved as Late Jurassic to mid Cretaceous (147–131 Myr). Both estimates, despite a conservative calibration point, are older than current fossil–based estimates.
Behavior of mortar beams with randomly distributed superelastic shape memory alloy fibers

The addition of fibers to cementitious composites can provide improved ductility, energy dissipation, and resistance to cracking. However, it is also important to minimize residual deformations and provide crack-closing capabilities when the material is subjected to cyclic loading. In this study, the behavior of mortar mixtures with randomly distributed superelastic shape memory alloy fibers was investigated. Superelastic shape memory alloys are metallic alloys that possess unique characteristics such as the ability to undergo large deformations, excellent re-centering ability, and good energy dissipation capacity. To study the impact of shape memory alloys as a viable alternative to conventional fiber-reinforced cementitious composites, shape memory alloy fiber–reinforced mortar beam specimens with varying fiber volume fractions were prepared and tested under cyclic flexural loading. Digital image correlation method was used to measure full-field deformations and monitor the damage evolution on the surface of the specimens. Test results were analyzed in terms of flexural strength capacity, mid-span deflection, crack width, fiber distribution, and re-centering and crack recovery ratios for each specimen. Results indicate that the addition of shape memory alloy fibers to mortar composites can enhance flexural strength and ductility while providing re-centering and crack recovery capabilities at large deformation levels.
A UML profile for dependability analysis of real-time embedded systems

In this paper, we aim at giving a contribution toward the definition of a UML profile supporting the dependability analysis of real-time and embedded systems (RTES) that conforms to the upcoming profile named "Modeling and Analysis of Real-Time and Embedded Systems" (MARTE), for which a Request For Proposal has been issued by the Object Management Group (OMG). A set of basic dependability and fault-tolerance concepts need to be included in the profile to support the dependability analysis of RTES. We have exploited the best practices, proposed in the literature, on extending UML with dependability modeling capabilities in order to draw up a check list of requirements to be used as guideline for the definition of a dependability analysis profile. The proposed profile is then applied to the UML design of a case study: a gas turbine control system.
Effect of AMPK activation on muscle glucose metabolism in conscious rats.

The effect of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation on skeletal muscle glucose metabolism was examined in awake rats by infusing them with 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide 1-β-d-ribofuranoside (AICAR; 40 mg/kg bolus and 7.5 mg ⋅ kg-1 ⋅ min-1constant infusion) along with a variable infusion of glucose (49.1 ± 2.4 μmol ⋅ kg-1 ⋅ min-1) to maintain euglycemia. Activation of AMPK by AICAR caused 2-deoxy-d-[1,2-3H]glucose (2-DG) uptake to increase more than twofold in the soleus and the lateral and medial gastrocnemius compared with saline infusion and occurred without phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activation. Glucose uptake was also assessed in vitro by use of the epitrochlearis muscle incubated either with AICAR (0.5 mM) or insulin (20 mU/ml) or both in the presence or absence of wortmannin (1.0 μM). AICAR and insulin increased muscle 2-DG uptake rates by ∼2- and 2.7-fold, respectively, compared with basal rates. Combining AICAR and insulin led to a fully additive effect on muscle glucose transport activity. Wortmannin inhibited insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. However, neither wortmannin nor 8-(p-sulfophenyl)-theophylline (10 μM), an adenosine receptor antagonist, inhibited the AICAR-induced activation of glucose uptake. Electrical stimulation led to an about threefold increase in glucose uptake over basal rates, whereas no additive effect was found when AICAR and contractions were combined. In conclusion, the activation of AMPK by AICAR increases skeletal muscle glucose transport activity both in vivo and in vitro. This cellular pathway may play an important role in exercise-induced increase in glucose transport activity.
Recall of childhood trauma: a prospective study of women's memories of child sexual abuse.

One hundred twenty-nine women with previously documented histories of sexual victimization in childhood were interviewed and asked detailed questions about their abuse histories to answer the question "Do people actually forget traumatic events such as child sexual abuse, and if so, how common is such forgetting? " A large proportion of the women (38%) did not recall the abuse that had been reported 17 years earlier. Women who were younger at the time of the abuse and those who were molested by someone they knew were more likely to have no recall of the abuse. The implications for research and practice are discussed. Long periods with no memory of abuse should not be regarded as evidence that the abuse did not occur.
Optimal Control and Game Theoretic Approaches to Cooperative Control of a Team of Multi-Vehicle Unmanned Systems

The main goal of this work is to design a team of multi-agent unmanned vehicles that can accomplish consensus over a common value for vehicles' output in a leaderless topology. The interaction between agents due to information exchange is modelled in the characterization of the dynamical model of each agent. The main approach to the problem is based on cooperative game theory, however in order to clarify the cooperative nature of the method, two approaches to this problem are considered: First a semi-decentralized optimal control strategy is designed based on minimization of individual costs using local information. Next, cooperative game theory is used to ensure the team cooperation by combining individual cost into a team cost function. This cooperative solution needs the full information of the team but results in lower cost for each agent. The choice of Nash-bargaining solution among a set of Pareto-efflcient solutions for this cooperative game guarantees minimum individual cost by maximizing the difference between the cooperative (centralized) and non-cooperative (semi-decentralized) individual cost.
Video aesthetic quality assessment by combining semantically independent and dependent features

This paper aims to accomplish the work of assessing the aesthetic quality of a video. Unlike previous assessing works focusing mainly on the extraction of aesthetic features in a film, we further study the features, discover their semantic property on videos and then come up with more useful video-based features such as motion space and motion direction entropy. In the experiment, we compare the assessing accuracy between two different semantic types of features and find that the semantic-independent feature is more reliable from the results. By combining all features, our method learned a more robust and accurate assessment model.
Simple Method for Microscopic Confirmation of Previous Biopsy Site

To the Editor: Aluminum chloride is commonly used by dermatologists as a hemostatic agent after minor surgical procedures such as shave skin biopsies. Two studies have reported that aluminum chloride induces proliferation of histiocytes with aluminum-containing basophilic cytoplasmic granules in biopsy sites. These aluminum granulomas can be used to identify specimens obtained from previous biopsy sites, such as a reexcision specimen. However, the granules may be difficult to visualize with routine hematoxylin and eosin staining. The ability to identify that a specimen is from a previous biopsy site is important because rebiopsied tissue may not be labeled as such when submitted for histologic analysis.
Using temporal logic to control search in a forward chaining planner

Over the years increasingly sophisticated planning algorithms have been developed. These have made for more efficient planners, but unfortunately these planners still suffer from combinatorial explosion. Indeed, recent theoretical results demonstrate that such an explosion is inevitable. It has long been acknowledged that domain independent planners need domain dependent information to help them plan effectively. In this work we describe how natural domain information, of a “strategic” nature, can be expressed in a temporal logic, and then utilized to effectively control a forward-chaining planner. There are numerous advantages to our approach, including a declarative semantics for the search control knowledge; a high degree of modularity (the more search control knowledge utilized the more efficient search becomes); and an independence of this knowledge from the details of the planning algorithm. We have implemented our ideas in the TLPLAN system, and have been able to demonstrate its remarkable effectiveness in a wide range of planning domains.
A forensics overview and analysis of USB flash memory devices

Current forensic tools for examination of embedded systems like mobile phones and PDAs mostly perform data extraction on a logical level and do not consider the type of storage media during data analysis. This report suggests different low level approaches for the forensic examination of flash memories and describes three lowlevel data acquisition methods for making full memory copies of flash memory devices. Results of a file system study in which USB memory sticks from 45 different make and models were used are presented. For different mobile phones, this paper shows how full memory copies of their flash memories can be made and which steps are needed to translate the extracted data into a format that can be understood by common forensic media analysis tools. Artefacts, caused by flash specific operations like block erasing and wear levelling, are discussed and directions are given for enhanced data recovery and analysis of data originating from flash memory.