Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Meta-Analysis

This meta-analysis of 42 studies examines the relationship between parental involvement and the academic achievement and school behavior of African American pre-kindergarten through college freshman school children. Analyses determined the effect sizes for parental involvement overall and specific categories of involvement. Results indicate a significant relationship between parental involvement and academic achievement and overall outcomes, but not for school behavior. This relationship between involvement and academics existed both for younger (pre-elementary and elementary school) and older (secondary school and college freshman) students, as well as for certain specific components of parental involvement. Parental involvement, as a whole, was associated with better school outcomes by nearly . 4 of a standard deviation unit. The significance of these results is discussed.
Primary human muscle precursor cells obtained from young and old donors produce similar proliferative, differentiation and senescent profiles in culture

The myogenic behaviour of primary human muscle precursor cells (MPCs) obtained from young (aged 20–25 years) and elderly people (aged 67–82 years) was studied in culture. Cells were compared in terms of proliferation, DNA damage, time course and extent of myogenic marker expression during differentiation, fusion, size of the formed myotubes, secretion of the myogenic regulatory cytokine TGF‐β1 and sensitivity to TGF‐β1 treatment. No differences were observed between cells obtained from the young and elderly people. The cell populations were expanded in culture until replicative senescence. Cultures that maintained their initial proportion of myogenic cells (desmin positive) with passaging (n = 5) were studied and compared with cells from the same individuals in the non‐senescent state. The senescent cells exhibited a greater number of cells with DNA damage (γ‐H2AX positive), showed impaired expression of markers of differentiation, fused less well, formed smaller myotubes and secreted more TGF‐β. The data strongly suggest that MPCs from young and elderly people have similar myogenic behaviour.
Dual arm-angle parameterisation and its applications for analytical inverse kinematics of redundant manipulators

SUMMARY An S-R-S (Spherical-Revolute-Spherical) redundant manipulator is similar to a human arm and is often used to perform dexterous tasks. To solve the inverse kinematics analytically, the arm-angle was usually used to parameterise the self-motion. However, the previous studies have had shortcomings; some methods cannot avoid algorithm singularity and some are unsuitable for configuration control because they use a temporary reference plane. In this paper, we propose a method of analytical inverse kinematics resolution based on dual arm-angle parameterisation. By making use of two orthogonal vectors to define two absolute reference planes, we obtain two arm angles that satisfy a specific condition. The algorithm singularity problem is avoided because there is always at least one arm angle to represent the redundancy. The dual arm angle method overcomes the shortcomings of traditional methods and retains the advantages of the arm angle. Another contribution of this paper is the derivation of the absolute reference attitude matrix, which is the key to the resolution of analytical inverse kinematics but has not been previously addressed. The simulation results for typical cases that include the algorithm singularity condition verified our method.
Algorithm of Leaf Area Index product for HJ-CCD over Heihe River Basin

Middle-resolution Leaf Area Index (LAI) data are of great importance to scientific research relating to atmospheric composition, climate and weather, and the hydrological cycle. This paper introduces a physically based LAI retrieval technique for HJ-CCD at 30-m resolution. The algorithm is based on a canopy BRDF model that characterizes the surface reflectance as a function of a series of parameters. There are three key factors that influence the LAI retrieval processes: 1) the preprocessing to estimate surface reflectance; 2) the quality of the input land cover data; 3) the accuracy of the input parameters. Accounting for these factors, a 30-m LAI product of Heihe River Basin in the whole year of 2012 is created utilizing the data from HJ-CCD. Then field measurements are used to evaluate the quality of the product. Results show that the algorithm has the ability to produce LAI products as expected. Future researches will focus on reducing the uncertainties brought by the input data and parameters and implementing this algorithm at national scale over China.
Reliability of Statistical Features Describing Neural Spike Trains in the Presence of Classification Errors

In order to investigate functioning of the brain processes, it is important to have reliable processing of neural activity. For precise tracking of local neural network processes, reliable clustering of single neurons’ action potentials (spikes) is necessary. So far, it was common to keep the signals of high quality and discard the others. This work examines the possibility of extracting reliable information from bad quality signals, in the presence of spike classification errors. We tested the robustness and information capacity of several statistical parameters used to describe firing patterns of spike trains using simulated signals mimicking most common cases in nature. Although complete reconstruction of firing patterns is not always possible, we show that the approximation of the mean firing frequency as well as the detection of bursting processes can still be quantified successfully, thereby paving the way for future applications.
Sequential Antiretroviral Adherence Measurement Using Electronic Bottle Cap Monitors in a Cohort of HIV-Infected Adults

Most studies employing electronic bottle monitors to measure antiretroviral adherence are limited to 24 weeks of duration, providing a snapshot of adherence from a treatment course that may be lifelong. The stability of these measures in individual patients over time has not been previously described. We measured antiretroviral adherence using Medication Event Monitoring System (MEMS) caps in a patient cohort in 2004 and 2005 and repeated the measurement in 2008 and 2009. Forty-eight participants completed both monitoring periods. Mean adherence rates in the first and second periods were 74.2% and 68.9%, respectively. Adherence rates from the 2 periods for individual participants were highly correlated (Spearman rho = .66, P < .001).
PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF TCP VARIANTS IN WI-FI NETWORK USING CROSS LAYER DESIGN PROTOCOL AND EXPLICIT CONGESTION NOTIFICATION

TCP was mainly developed considering assumption of wired network, ignoring the properties of wireless transmission. Wireless transmission links are highly unreliable causing loss of packets all the time. The proper approach to dealing with lost packets is to send them again, and as quickly as possible. This paper aims at studying the effects of unidirectional and bidirectional networks on various TCP variants. The effect of application of SNOOP and ECN on the performance enhancement of TCP along with TCP variants is assessed, improving the performance of TCP over wireless network by implementing cross layer design protocol (Snoop). ECN is used to avoid congestion and Snoop aims at retransmitting the lost packets from base station, avoiding retransmission from the transmitter. The performance of different TCP variants such as TCP Tahoe, Vegas, Reno, New Reno, Sack are analyzed on Wi-Fi scenario. These results can be analysed from throughput and congestion window plots in the paper. The simulator used for implementation in Network Simulator-2 (NS2).
A novel integrin specificity exemplified by binding of the alpha v beta 5 integrin to the basic domain of the HIV Tat protein and vitronectin

Several studies have addressed the interaction of the HIV Tat protein with the cell surface. Our analysis of the cell attachment-promoting activity of Tat and peptides derived from it revealed that the basic domain of Tat, not the arg-gly-asp (RGD) sequence, is required for cell attachment to Tat. Affinity chromatography with Tat peptides and immunoprecipitation with various anti-integrin antibodies suggest that the vitronectin-binding integrin, alpha v beta 5, is the cell surface protein that binds to the basic domain of Tat. The Tat basic domain contains the sequence RKKRRQRRR. A related sequence, KKQRFRHRNRKG, present in the heparin-binding domain of an alpha v beta 5 ligand, vitronectin, also bound alpha v beta 5 in affinity chromatography and, in combination with an RGD peptide, was an inhibitor of cell attachment to vitronectin. The alpha v beta 5 interaction with these peptides was not solely due to high content of basic amino acids in the ligand sequences; alpha v beta 5 did not bind substantially to peptides consisting entirely of arginine or lysine, whereas a beta 1 integrin did bind to these peptides. The interaction of alpha v beta 5 with Tat is atypical for integrins in that the binding to Tat is divalent cation independent, whereas the binding of the same integrin to an RGD- containing peptide or to vitronectin requires divalent cations. These data define an auxiliary integrin binding specificity for basic amino acid sequences. These basic domain binding sites may function synergistically with the binding sites that recognize RGD or equivalent sequences.
Age‐related increase of superoxide generation in the brains of mammals and birds

Oxidative stress, an imbalance between endogenous levels of oxygen radicals and antioxidative defense, increases with aging. However, it is not clear which of these two factors is the more critical. To clarify the production of oxygen radicals increases with age, we examined oxygen radical‐dependent chemiluminescent signals in ex vivo brain slices using a novel photonic imaging method. The chemiluminescent intensity was significantly decreased by the membrane permeable superoxide dismutase (SOD)/catalase mimic, but not by Cu,Zn‐SOD. Inhibitors for complex I, III, and IV of the mitochondrial electron transport chain transiently enhanced the chemiluminescent signal. The superoxide‐dependent chemiluminescent intensity in senescence accelerated mouse (SAM) brain tissues increases with age. Moreover, the slope of the age‐dependent increase was steeper in SAMP10, a strain characterized by a short lifespan and atrophy in the frontal cerebral cortex, than the senescence‐resistant strain SAMR1, which has a longer lifespan. An increase in chemiluminescence with age was also observed in C57/BL6 mice, Wistar rats, and pigeons, although levels of chemiluminescence were lower in the pigeons than murines. The rate of age‐related increases of superoxide‐dependent chemiluminescence was inversely related to the maximum lifespan of the animals. The activity of superoxide dismutase was unchanged during the aging process in the brain. This suggested that superoxide production itself may increase with age. We speculated that reactive oxygen may be a signal to determine the aging process.
Alterations of graphic production under various constraints follow principled modifications in underlying pattern dynamics

Cursive handwriting is composed of several shapes (strokes, loops.) finely articulated in order to produce a legible message. A recent study (Athènes et al., submitted) identified a small number of shapes that are performed stably and precisely (i.e., four lines and four ellipsoids of various orientations). The present study investigated whether such shapes are the outcome of learning and how they deteriorate with task constraints. We assumed that their relative stability determines their deterioration with increasing speed or lack of practice. Performance in drawing a large ensemble of ellipsoids with the right and left hand (viz. practiced vs. unpracticed) was evaluated at spontaneous and maximal speed. First, results confirmed the same preferred shapes observed in the previous experiment. Second, all shapes were degraded with increasing the constraints. Third, this effect was stronger for shapes that were initially the least stable. These findings confirm the idea that handwriting bears on basic graphic shapes. Moreover, they show that the stability of such shapes determines how they degrade with increasing constraints. We argue that such a set of preferred shapes is the manifestation of underlying dynamics, which arises from the coordination between two orthogonal nonlinear oscillators.
Strategic is planning in UK organisations: Current approaches and their relative success

A study is reported into strategic IS planning (SISP) in UK organisations. The core data is derived from 70 UK organisations across private and public sectors. The study developed prior work by Earl (1993) and Segars & Grover (1999) who found that organisations used a small number of SISP approaches each with differing levels of success. This study broadly confirmed these earlier findings but suggested that SISP approaches are evolving. Cluster analysis revealed that the UK organisations surveyed currently employ five broad approaches to SISP, 1) Administrative, 2) Technological, 3) IS Function Led, 4) Organisational, and 5) Comprehensive. The first four approaches were identified in a similar form by the prior research. A fifth approach labelled methods driven was not found in this study and is assumed to have waned in usage. This study found a new comprehensive approach that combines and balances other SISP approaches and delivers higher levels of SISP success. Earl had proposed that were organisations to employ such an approach that superior results could result and this proposition is supported. This finding is important for research and emphasises the need to continue to investigate the SISP field to capture changes in practice. For practitioners, it provides early evidence of another approach for IS strategy formulation that is capable of delivering superior levels of success.
Characterizing Participants in the ClinSeq Genome Sequencing Cohort as Early Adopters of a New Health Technology

Genome sequencing is a novel clinical tool that has the potential to identify genetic origins of disease. However, the complexities of this new technology are significant and little is known about its integration into clinical care, and its potential adoption by patients. Expectations of its promise for personalized medicine are high and it is important to properly match expectations to the realities of the test. The NIH ClinSeq cohort study pilots the integration of genome sequencing into clinical research and care to assess the technical, medical and socio-behavioral aspects of implementing this technology. Over 950 adults ages 45-65 have been enrolled and clinically phenotyped. As an initial study, we describe the personality traits of ClinSeq participants, and explore how these traits compare to those that characterize early adopters of other new technologies. Our analysis was conducted on responses from 630 members of the cohort who completed a baseline survey on health cognitions, affect, health-related behaviors and personality traits, prior to receipt of any genome sequencing results. The majority of participants were white (90.5%), had at least a college degree (86.5%), and had at least one biological child (74.6%). Members of this ClinSeq sample were found to be high in dispositional optimism and resilience. Their high SES paralleled that of other early adopters of new technology. These attributes may contribute to participants’ expectations for favorable outcomes and willingness to take higher risks when compared to the general population. These characteristics may distinguish those who are most likely to pursue genome sequencing and be indicative of their psychological resources to manage returned results.
The role of Rac1 in the regulation of NF-kB activity, cell proliferation, and cell migration in non-small cell lung carcinoma

The small GTPase Rac1 regulates many cellular processes, including cytoskeletal reorganization, cell migration, proliferation, and survival. Additionally, Rac1 plays a major role in activating NF-κB-mediated transcription. Both Rac1 and NF-κB regulate many properties of the malignant phenotype, including anchorage-independent proliferation and survival, metastasis, and angiogenesis. Despite these findings, the roles of Rac1and NF-κB in non-small cell lung carcinoma, a leading cause of cancer deaths, have not been thoroughly investigated. Here, we compared the effects of Rac1 siRNA to that of the Rac1 inhibitor NSC23766 on multiple features of the NSCLC malignant phenotype, including NF-κB activity. We show that the siRNA-mediated silencing of Rac1 in lung cancer cells results in decreased cell proliferation and migration. The decrease in proliferation was observed in both anchorage-dependent and anchorage-independent assays. Furthermore, cells with decreased Rac1 expression have a slowed progression through the G1 phase of the cell cycle. These effects induced by Rac1 siRNA correlated with a decrease in NF-κB transcriptional activity. Additionally, inhibition of NF-κB signaling with BAY 11–7082 inhibited proliferation; indicating that the loss of cell proliferation and migration induced by the silencing of Rac1 expression may be attributed in part to loss of NF-κB activity. Interestingly, treatment with the Rac1 inhibitor NSC23766 strongly inhibits cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, and NF-κB activity in lung cancer cells, to an even greater extent than the inhibition induced by Rac1 siRNA. These findings indicate that Rac1 plays an important role in lung cancer cell proliferation and migration, most likely through its ability to promote NF-κB activity, and highlight Rac1 pathways as therapeutic targets for the treatment of lung cancer.
Histogram of Silhouette Direction code: An efficient HOG-based descriptor for accurate human detection

Histograms of Oriented Gradients (HOG) is an effective means for the human detection from image or video. Based on the HOG principle, this paper presents a more efficient method named Histogram of Silhouette Direction (HSD). To extract the silhouette pattern of human body, the average background model is used. A novel function that combined with brightness and color information is proposed to segment the foreground accurately and adaptively. The histogram of direction code is constructed via Freeman Chain Code of Eight Directions (FCCE) along the extracted silhouette and used as the feature descriptor. Compared with traditional HOG descriptor which calculates gradients of all image pixels, the proposed HSD descriptor can reduce the feature dimension and whole computation greatly. Experimental results with real video sequences show its improvements in both segmentation efficiency and accuracy.
The recommendation in the product line configuration process

In this paper, we present our research problem and we highlight the idea of our approach. Product lines are complex configurable products that are composed by features and constraints between them. Configuring a customizable product that meets user requirements with respect to product line constraints is a hard task for the user. Thus, a recommendation process is required to guide the user configuring products. Our research goal is to propose a method that combines recommendation and configuration in an interactive and dynamic way.
Overview of Fluorescence Glucose Sensing: A Technology with a Bright Future

Fluorescence represents a promising alternative technology to electrochemistry and spectroscopy for accurate analysis of glucose in diabetes; however, no implanted fluorescence glucose assay is currently commercially available. The method depends on the principle of fluorescence, which is the emission of light by a substance after absorbing light. A fluorophore is a molecule that will absorb energy of a specific wavelength and reemit energy at a different wavelength. A fluorescence glucose-sensing molecule can be constructed to increase or decrease in fluorescence from baseline according to the ambient concentration of glucose. A quantum dot is a semiconductor crystal that can serve as a sensor by fluorescing at a desired wavelength or color, depending on the crystal size and materials used. If receptor molecules for glucose can be adsorbed to single-wall carbon nanotubules, then the resulting binding of glucose to these receptors will alter the nanotubes' fluorescence. Fluorescence glucose sensors can provide a continuous glucose reading by being embedded into removable wire-shaped subcutaneous or intravenous catheters as well as other types of implanted structures, such as capsules, microcapsules, microbeads, nano-optodes, or capillary tubes. Fluorescence glucose-sensing methods, which are under development, offer four potential advantages over commercially used continuous glucose monitoring technologies: (1) greater sensitivity to low concentrations of glucose, (2) the possibility of constructing sensors that operate most accurately in the hypoglycemic range by using binding proteins with disassociation constants in this range, (3) less need to recalibrate in response to local tissue reactions around the sensor, and (4) no need to implant either a transmitter or a power source for wireless communication of glucose data. Fluorescence glucose sensors also have four significant disadvantages compared with commercially used continuous glucose monitoring technologies: (1) a damaging foreign body response; (2) a sensitivity to local pH and/or oxygen, which can affect the dye response; (3) potential toxicity of implanted dyes, especially if the implanted fluorophore cannot be fully removed; and (4) the necessity of always carrying a dedicated light source to interrogate the implanted sensor. Fluorescence sensing is a promising method for measuring glucose continuously, especially in the hypoglycemic range. If currently vexing technical and engineering and biocompatibility problems can be overcome, then this approach could lead to a new family of continuous glucose monitors.
Exclusive Contexts Resolver: A Low-Power Sensing Management System for Sustainable Context-Awareness in Exclusive Contexts

Several studies focus on sustainable context-awareness of a mobile device to which power is supplied from a limited battery. However, the existing studies did not consider an unnecessary sensing operation in exclusive contexts wherein it is not possible for the exclusive contexts to logically exist at the same time and are instead occasionally inferred practically due to the inaccuracy of the context-awareness. Simultaneously inferring two or more exclusive contexts is semantically meaningless and leads to inefficient power consumption, and thus, it is necessary to handle this problem for sustainable context-awareness. To this end, in the present study, an exclusive contexts resolver (ExCore), which is a low-power sensing management system, is proposed for sustainable context-awareness in exclusive contexts. The ExCore takes the sensor behavior model to the developer and identifies the sensing operation inferring the exclusive contexts through unnecessary sensing operation search rules. It also generates low-power sensing operations. The application and middleware were evaluated with the low-power sensing operations generated by the ExCore. The results indicated an average power efficiency improvement of 12–62% depending on the test scenario. The ExCore helps application developers or middleware developers in providing sustainable context-aware service in exclusive contexts.