Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Use of Standards in Helio

HELIO [8] is a project funded under the FP7 program for the discovery and analysis of data for heliophysics. During its development, standards and common frameworks were adopted in three main areas of the project: query services, processing services, and the security infrastructure. After a ﬁrst, proprietary implementation of the security service, it was suggested moving it to a standard security framework to simplify the enforcement of security on the diﬀerent sites. As the HELIO front end is built with Spring and the TAVERNA server (HELIO workﬂow engine) has a security framework compatible with Spring, it has been decided to move the CIS in Spring security [2]. HELIO has two diﬀerent processing services: one is a generic processing service called HELIO Processing Services (HPS), the other is called Context Service (CTX) and it runs speciﬁc IDL procedures. The CTX implements the UWS [4] interface from the IVOA [5], a standard interface for job submission used in the helio and astro-physics community. In its ﬁnal release, the HPS will expose an UWS compliant interface. Finally, some of the HELIO services perform queries, to simplify the implementation and usage of this services a single query interface (the HELIO Query Interface) has been designed for all these services. The use of these solutions for security, execution, and query allows for easier implementation of the original HELIO architecture and for a simpler deployment of the services.
Cortical Layer 1 and Layer 2/3 Astrocytes Exhibit Distinct Calcium Dynamics In Vivo

Cumulative evidence supports bidirectional interactions between astrocytes and neurons, suggesting glial involvement of neuronal information processing in the brain. Cytosolic calcium (Ca2+) concentration is important for astrocytes as Ca2+ surges co-occur with gliotransmission and neurotransmitter reception. Cerebral cortex is organized in layers which are characterized by distinct cytoarchitecture. We asked if astrocyte-dominant layer 1 (L1) of the somatosensory cortex was different from layer 2/3 (L2/3) in spontaneous astrocytic Ca2+ activity and if it was influenced by background neural activity. Using a two-photon laser scanning microscope, we compared spontaneous Ca2+ activity of astrocytic somata and processes in L1 and L2/3 of anesthetized mature rat somatosensory cortex. We also assessed the contribution of background neural activity to the spontaneous astrocytic Ca2+ dynamics by investigating two distinct EEG states (“synchronized” vs. “de-synchronized” states). We found that astrocytes in L1 had nearly twice higher Ca2+ activity than L2/3. Furthermore, Ca2+ fluctuations of processes within an astrocyte were independent in L1 while those in L2/3 were synchronous. Pharmacological blockades of metabotropic receptors for glutamate, ATP, and acetylcholine, as well as suppression of action potentials did not have a significant effect on the spontaneous somatic Ca2+ activity. These results suggest that spontaneous astrocytic Ca2+ surges occurred in large part intrinsically, rather than neural activity-driven. Our findings propose a new functional segregation of layer 1 and 2/3 that is defined by autonomous astrocytic activity.
Codon-substitution models to detect adaptive evolution that account for heterogeneous selective pressures among site classes.

The nonsynonymous to synonymous substitution rate ratio (omega = d(N)/d(S)) provides a sensitive measure of selective pressure at the protein level, with omega values <1, =1, and >1 indicating purifying selection, neutral evolution, and diversifying selection, respectively. Maximum likelihood models of codon substitution developed recently account for variable selective pressures among amino acid sites by employing a statistical distribution for the omega ratio among sites. Those models, called random-sites models, are suitable when we do not know a priori which sites are under what kind of selective pressure. Sometimes prior information (such as the tertiary structure of the protein) might be available to partition sites in the protein into different classes, which are expected to be under different selective pressures. It is then sensible to use such information in the model. In this paper, we implement maximum likelihood models for prepartitioned data sets, which account for the heterogeneity among site partitions by using different omega parameters for the partitions. The models, referred to as fixed-sites models, are also useful for combined analysis of multiple genes from the same set of species. We apply the models to data sets of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I alleles from human populations and of the abalone sperm lysin genes. Structural information is used to partition sites in MHC into two classes: those in the antigen recognition site (ARS) and those outside. Positive selection is detected in the ARS by the fixed-sites models. Similarly, sites in lysin are classified into the buried and solvent-exposed classes according to the tertiary structure, and positive selection was detected at the solvent-exposed sites. The random-sites models identified a number of sites under positive selection in each data set, confirming and elaborating the results of the fixed-sites models. The analysis demonstrates the utility of the fixed-sites models, as well as the power of previous random-sites models, which do not use the prior information to partition sites.
Curvature Characterization of Flex Sensors for Human Posture Recognition

Resistive flex sensors have been increasingly used in different areas for their interesting property to change their resistance when bent. They can be employed in those systems where a joint rotation has to be measured, in particular biomedical systems, to measure human joint static and dynamic postures. In spite of their interesting properties, such as robustness, low price and long life, to date commercial flex sensors have been only characterized against the variation of the bend angle with small fixed curvature radius mostly around the device center, so limiting the application to the measure of human joints. Here we aimed to investigate the flex sensor's response when there is a change in curvature radius as it is, for instance, for the measure of the postures of the human torso. So, we designed a novel automated test process to obtain resistances vs. curvature radius pairs. Results demonstrated the usability of flex sensors to other parts of the human body rather than "simply" joints, differently as it is currently done.
An examination of auction price determinants on Ebay

Online auction has become an intriguing new type of economic exchange mechanism. Given that Internet auctions differ from traditional physical auctions in terms of flexibility and synchronicity, there is much doubt as to whether existing theoretical and empirical literature on traditional physical auctions still holds. This paper seeks to unravel factors affecting Internet auction prices. Specifically, it draws on current Internet auction literature and features of eBay website to identify a set of five factors affecting online auction prices for two types of coins traded on eBay. The data consists of 1251 auction records, which were collected by a work group to insure data accuracy and completeness. Regression analyses on full samples and restricted small sample sets were performed. We have three major findings. First, the number of unique bidders and the minimum bid tended to have positive effect on the auction price. The effect of minimum bid was especially significant. Second, the duration of auction and the seller’s feedback rating did not affect the auction price significantly. Third, whether the auction closed on weekend or not had little impact on the auction price. Implications for online sellers and auctioneers were drawn.
Geomorphons-a new approach to classification of landforms

We introduce a novel method for classification and mapping of landforms based on the idea that the Earth’s surface can be described by the two complementary measures: relief-independent, local spatial pattern and the magnitude of the relief itself. The first of these two measures is sufficient to classify and map the landforms. At the core of the method is the concept of geomorphon (geomorphologic phonotype). A geomorphon is a relief-invariant, orientation-invariant, and size-flexible abstracted elementary unit of terrain. It is expressed in terms of local ternary pattern that encapsulates morphology of surface around the point of interest. Geomorphons enable terrain analysis without resorting to differential geometry. A collection of 498 different geomorphons constitutes a comprehensive and exhaustive set of all possible morphological terrain types. This set includes both standard elements of the landscape, as well as unfamiliar forms rarely found on natural terrestrial surfaces. Geomorphons are both terrain attributes and landform types. This reduces the task of landform mapping to the identification of geomorphons by their labels across the site of interest. We describe the fundamental ideas behind the geomorphon concept. We also give an example of how a map of a standard landform types can be constructed using geomorphons.
A Version Management Method for Managing Business Process Changes Based on Version-Stamped Business Process Change Patterns

This paper presents an efficient version management method for BPM systems based on business process change patterns and the version stamp method. In managing business processes in a dynamic business environment, a proper process version management method for handling multiple coexisting versions of a business process is required. However, the traditional delta method for business process version management could not cope with the structural changes of a business process flexibly. The version management method proposed in this paper enables BPM systems to deal with dynamic situations more flexibly. Also, it contributes to increasing activity reusability by using the concept of activity pool.
Total leakage reduction by observance of parameter variations

Leakage power dissipation and parameter variations are main topics in current research. The problem of parameter variations leads to modified timing analysis. Traditionally, this is done with corner-case simulations, which are quite conservative and pessimistic approaches. This paper proposes a new statistical static timing analysis (SSTA) to improve performance predictions. Furthermore, the developed SSTA and a dual-V/sub th//dual-T/sub ox/ CMOS (DTTCMOS) design technique are combined to reduce the total leakage within designs. Compared to traditional corner-case timing analyses the proposed approach reduces leakage by an average of 70% for raw designs and by an average of 25% in pre-optimized DTTCMOS designs.
Outdoor scene understanding using SEVI-BOVW model

A simple and effective novel approach for scene understanding is addressed in this paper. Based on bag of visual words (BOVW) model, explicit semantics associated with the object image was embedded into visual words, and then various types of visual words integrated, and finally the SEVI-BOVW (semantics embedded and vocabulary integrated bag of visual words) model constructed. Mean Shift algorithm was employed to recognize local region image in scene. Compared with image understanding approaches presented in the literature, the proposed approach here can remove a classification or generative model during model training or testing. Objects category recognition can be determined by the number of class-specific semantic visual words, without complex reasoning. The effectiveness of the proposed approach has been demonstrated by the experimental results of scene understanding in a campus.
Outsourced information systems failures in SMEs: a multiple case study

Since the 1980s, a number of frameworks have been proposed for understanding the concept of information system (IS) failure. Two approaches to IS failures seem particularly important: the concept of Expectation Failure and the concept of Termination Failure. We argue that there is an extra dimension to the problem that is not covered by those descriptive models, which we call the Outsourced IS Failure (OISF). To explain the OISF we draw on agency theory, which views the problems that occur in outsourced environments as the results of three factors: goal differences, risk behaviour differences and information asymmetry. Although the (positivistic) agency theory has already been used to describe phenomena of failure in IT relations there is still a lack of empirical evidence. This paper brings the results of the attempts of falsification of the agency theory in situations of OISF. A positivistic case study research was conducted based on multiple cases in SMEs. The choice for qualitative research is based on the accessibility of well documented secondary data in litigation files of failed IS projects. Eight cases of IS project failures subject to litigation were selected. We conclude that the agency theory has strong prediction and explanation power for OISF. However some adjustments are needed to the agency theory. The theory seems to work in two ways, opportunistic behaviour is also observed on the side of the principal. The findings indicate that lack of trust is a prominent determinant for failure.
Best practices for web applications to improve performance of QoS

Web Service Architecture gives a compatible and scalable structure for web service interactions with performance, responsiveness, reliability and security to make a quality of software design. Systematic quantitative approaches have been discussed for designing and developing software systems that meet performance objectives. Many companies have successfully applied these techniques in different applications to achieve better performance in terms of financial, customer satisfaction, and other benefits. This paper describes the architecture, design, implementation, integration testing, performance and maintenance of new applications. The most successful best practices used in world class organizations are discussed. This will help the application, component, and software system designers to develop web applications and fine tune the existing methods in line with the best practices. In business process automation, many standard practices and technologies have been used to model and execute business processes. The emerging technology is web applications technology which provides a great flexibility for development of interoperable environment services. In this paper we propose a Case study of Automatic Gas Booking system, a business process development strategy and best practices used in development of software components used in web applications. The classification of QWS dataset with 2507 records, service invocations, integration and security for web applications have been discussed.
Brain extract induces synaptic characteristics in the basal lamina of cultured myotubes

The basal lamina (BL) that occupies the synaptic cleft of the skeletal neuromuscular junction is antigenically distinct from extrasynaptic muscle fiber BL, rich in acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and bears projections that form junctional folds in the postsynaptic membrane. We report here that these synapse-specific features of BL are all present at low levels in embryonic rat myotubes cultured without nerve, and that their levels are markedly increased by addition of a soluble extract from adult rat brain. Light and electron microscopic methods show that: (1) antibodies which bind preferentially to synaptic BL in vivo stain small, discrete patches of the myotube's BL; (2) AChE accumulates in patches on the myotube surface; and (3) myotube BL and membrane form invaginations that resemble junctional folds. Patches of BL that bear synaptic antigens, AChE, or folds usually overlie clusters of acetylcholine receptors in the plasma membrane. Myotubes treated with a brain extract bear 5 to 20 times more junctional folds and patches rich in acetylcholine receptors, synaptic BL antigens, and AChE than control myotubes. Together with a previous demonstration that electrical and/or contractile activity can modulate the amount and composition of myotube BL (Sanes, J.R., and J.C. Lawrence, Jr. (1983) Dev. Biol. 97: 123–136), these results suggest that nerves could regulate differentiation of muscle fiber BL by a combination of activity-dependent and -independent mechanisms.
ALS Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Approaches: The Role of Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Extracellular Vesicles

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive muscle paralysis determined by the degeneration of motoneurons in the motor cortex brainstem and spinal cord. The ALS pathogenetic mechanisms are still unclear, despite the wealth of studies demonstrating the involvement of several altered signaling pathways, such as mitochondrial dysfunction, glutamate excitotoxicity, oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. To date, the proposed therapeutic strategies are targeted to one or a few of these alterations, resulting in only a minimal effect on disease course and survival of ALS patients. The involvement of different mechanisms in ALS pathogenesis underlines the need for a therapeutic approach targeted to multiple aspects. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) can support motoneurons and surrounding cells, reduce inflammation, stimulate tissue regeneration and release growth factors. On this basis, MSC have been proposed as promising candidates to treat ALS. However, due to the drawbacks of cell therapy, the possible therapeutic use of extracellular vesicles (EVs) released by stem cells is raising increasing interest. The present review summarizes the main pathological mechanisms involved in ALS and the related therapeutic approaches proposed to date, focusing on MSC therapy and their preclinical and clinical applications. Moreover, the nature and characteristics of EVs and their role in recapitulating the effect of stem cells are discussed, elucidating how and why these vesicles could provide novel opportunities for ALS treatment.
Dissent in FOMC Meeting and the Announcement Drift

We find that communication of the votes of FOMC members affects stock returns around the days of announcements. Since votes have been made public through press statements in 2002, stock markets gain value when votes are unanimous but lose value when dissent occurs. This pattern extends to US firm-size and industry portfolios and major international equity indexes. We reject differences in risk, trading volume, expectations of future monetary policy and other coincident events as the likely explanations for the phenomenon. We conclude that the cause lies in dissent votes leading to pessimistic changes in the expectations of the macroeconomic outlook
Challenges in using open source software in product development: a review of the literature

Component-Based Software Development has become a popular approach to building software intensive systems. Besides using Commercial Off-The-Shelf components, an organization may choose to use Open Source Software components. Using OSS has been reported to have many benefits, but there are also challenges involved. Understanding the potential challenges of using OSS in developing products is important for practitioners, so they become aware of them and can anticipate them and take appropriate measures to address these challenges. We have performed a thorough review of the literature to identify challenges that may arise, as reported in the literature. This paper presents and discusses these findings. Researchers can discuss potential causes and solutions of our synthesized findings as well as benefit from provided references to literature on OSS challenges as input for future research.
Learning from Data: The Role of Professional Learning Communities.

This paper explores the role of professional learning communities in facilitating effective use of data by school administrators and teachers. The paper draws on three related research studies conducted in the Milwaukee Public Schools, Wisconsin. Grounded in systemic reform theory, the studies had a common goal to build the capacity of school staff to use data more effectively for continuous improvement and decision making to improve student learning. Knowledge management theory helps define what is meant by "effective use of data" in a systemic reform context, provides a useful framework for determining what it means to learn from data, and illustrates the successful use of data in school and classroom settings. This paper sheds light on what school staffs need to learn from data, the organizational barriers to learning from data, and how professional learning communities can contribute to improving the organizational culture and structure necessary for effective data use. Examples from recent research studies are used to illustrate why professional learning communities provide an ideal organizational structure to address both the challenges schools face and the needs of teachers as school staffs seek to learn from data and use it effectively to improve student learning. (Contains 34 references.) (Author/SLD) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document Learning from Data: The Role of Professional Learning Communities Sarah A. Mason University of WisconsinMadison
A kind of service-aware computing method for Web-based mobile application with uncertainty

As we know, service-aware computing is an important part of pervasive computing for Web-based mobile application with uncertainty. We modified the fusion method of evidence information after considering context's reliability, time-efficiency, and relativity, which has improved the classical fusion rule of D-S (Dempster-Shafer) Evidence Theory when being used in the pervasive computing paradigm. We call it EDS. After extending the process, we overcome the drawbacks of classical D-S Evidence Theory. All these suggested technologies have been successfully used in our service-aware computing projects. The efficiency of our researches has been shown by our many application practices.
U. Albany & USC at the TREC 2012 Session Track

Research in Information Retrieval has noticed that it is often the case that in a search process, users begin an interaction with a sufficiently under-specified query and they will need to reformulate their query multiple times before they find desired information. In terms of this, researchers hypothesized that a search engine may be able to better serve a user “by ranking results that help “point the way” to what the user is really looking for, or by complementing results from previous queries in the sequence with new results, or in other currentlyunanticipated ways. ” (Kanoulas, Carterettey, Hallz, Cloughx, & Sanderson, 2011). In 2012, the goal of session track is: (G1) to test whether system performance can be improved for a given query by using previous queries and user interactions with the system (including clicks on ranked results, dwell times, etc.), and (G2) to evaluate system performance over an entire query session instead of a single query. Our UAlbany and USC group joined the Session Track task by taking into account searcher behaviors during the course of their information seeking process. In the following, we give an overview of our approach, details of our submission runs, our results, and our conclusions about the results.