Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Internships: Learning the Most From the Best in the Least Amount Of Time

be the motto of a successful mentor/ intern relationship in an effective principal preparation program. Interns should be encouraged to observe a wide range of effectively administered schools through exposure to many varied styles. From these observations, the future administrator can develop a checklist of best practices. The definition of an effective internship will differ for each individual. If the selection process has been effective, the intern will be a professional who comes to the principal preparation program with a wealth of educational experience. The most important ingredient of the fieldbased experience is the appropriate matching of the mentor and the intern. There must be a willingness on the part of the mentor to accept the role of teacher, confidant, and role model.
Presenting Visual Information to the User: Combining Computer Vision and Interface Design

Title of thesis: Presenting Visual Information to the User : Combining Computer Vision and Interface Design Gaurav Agarwal, Master of Science, 2005 Thesis directed by: Professor David Jacobs In this work, we suggest better ways to present visual information (image databases) for browsing and retrieval. Thumbnails obtained from an image set give a good overview of its contents. Instead of simply downsampling images to obtain thumbnails, we first find salient regions (saliency map) using local statistical features of the image. We crop and downsample the images based on these saliency maps, and obtain better thumbnails. The suggested methods of finding salient regions are faster than existing methods while giving comparable results. Secondly, we have developed a Content Based Image Retrieval (CBIR) system to provide empirical evidence (by user study) that similarity based grouped and hierarchical placement of images is better than random placement. Using an effective shape based similarity measure we conclude that visual search is very useful in image retrieval systems. We conducted a field test to check the robustness of the system in varying photography conditions. Presenting Visual Information to the User : Combining Computer Vision and Interface Design
Notch regulates cell fate and dendrite morphology of newborn neurons in the postnatal dentate gyrus

The lifelong addition of neurons to the hippocampus is a remarkable form of structural plasticity, yet the molecular controls over proliferation, neuronal fate determination, survival, and maturation are poorly understood. Expression of Notch1 was found to change dynamically depending on the differentiation state of neural precursor cells. Through the use of inducible gain- and loss-of-function of Notch1 mice we show that this membrane receptor is essential to these distinct processes. We found in vivo that activated Notch1 overexpression induces proliferation, whereas γ-secretase inhibition or genetic ablation of Notch1 promotes cell cycle exit, indicating that the level of activated Notch1 regulates the magnitude of neurogenesis from postnatal progenitor cells. Abrogation of Notch signaling in vivo or in vitro leads to a transition from neural stem or precursor cells to transit-amplifying cells or neurons. Further, genetic Notch1 manipulation modulates survival and dendritic morphology of newborn granule cells. These results provide evidence for the expansive prevalence of Notch signaling in hippocampal morphogenesis and plasticity, suggesting that Notch1 could be a target of diverse traumatic and environmental modulators of adult neurogenesis.
An Investigation of the Cost of Agreement in Synchronization

The prevalence of multicore computers is leading to an increase in the amount of concurrent software. Unfortunately, parallelization does not necessarily improve performance. A concurrent program may run slower than the sequential equivalent. It may even scale negatively performance may get worse as more processors are added. It is important to understand the causes of this poor performance because the trend to multicore is likely to continue. This paper presents a suite of performance benchmarks which are used to examine the cost of synchronizing access to shared data. The components of the cost include the cost of blocking, the cost of atomic instructions, and the cost of sharing data. These costs can be described in terms of the need to agree on something. In the case of blocking, it is the need to agree on whose turn it is. In the case of atomic instructions, it is the need to agree on which CPU gets to execute the instruction next. In the case of sharing data, it is the need to agree on what the current value of a shared variable is. The benchmarks show that the agreement on the value of shared data is the main impediment to scalability. The benchmark results are used to predict the scalability properties of several common synchronization approaches. The approaches include locking, non-blocking synchronization, and relativistic programming. Each approach's need-to-agree is shown to be a useful predictor for the approach's performance and scalability.
Knowledge Base Approach for 3D Objects Detection in Point Clouds Using 3D Processing and Specialists Knowledge

This paper presents a knowledge-based detection of objects approach using the OWL ontology language, the Semantic Web Rule Language, and 3D processing built-ins aiming at combining geometrical analysis of 3D point clouds and specialist's knowledge. Here, we share our experience regarding the creation of 3D semantic facility model out of unorganized 3D point clouds. Thus, a knowledge-based detection approach of objects using the OWL ontology language is presented. This knowledge is used to define SWRL detection rules. In addition, the combination of 3D processing built-ins and topological Built-Ins in SWRL rules allows a more flexible and intelligent detection, and the annotation of objects contained in 3D point clouds. The created WiDOP prototype takes a set of 3D point clouds as input, and produces as output a populated ontology corresponding to an indexed scene visualized within VRML language. The context of the study is the detection of railway objects materialized within the Deutsche Bahn scene such as signals, technical cupboards, electric poles, etc. Thus, the resulting enriched and populated ontology, that contains the annotations of objects in the point clouds, is used to feed a GIS system or an IFC file for architecture purposes.
Comparison of Cytotoxicity of Three Dentin Bonding Systems with Two Thicknesses of Dentin Barrier on L929 Cell Line

INTRODUCTION: Along with introduction of dentin bonding agents (DBA), their clinical use as lining materials is increasing rapidly. Since remaining dentinal thickness (RDT) has always been a concern for cytopathic effect of restorative materials, its effect on reduction of cytotoxicity of these materials especially DBAs is critical. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the cytotoxicity of three dentin bonding systems, belonged to the 4th, 5th and 6th generation of DBAs on L929 cell line. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty human premolar teeth were included. Class I cavity preparations were prepared on occlusal surfaces. After crown separation, a flat dentinal surface was provided and RDT (remaining dentinal thickness) was adjusted at 0.5 and 1.5 mm. Then, cavities were treated in three groups with experimental DBAs: Group 1: Scotchbond multipurpose, Group 2: Excite, Group 3: AdheSE. Blue inlay wax sealed the cavities. Crowns were immersed in culture medium for 24 hours and the cytotoxicity of the resultant toxic medium was measured quantitatively with MTT assay in 4 serial dilutions. Data were analyzed with ANOVA and Tukey’s test at 95% significance level. RESULTS: MTT assay determined that only in neat dilution of 0.5 mm RDT, cell changes were significantly different from control. Besides, no significant differences were found between the three experimental DBAs regarding cytotoxic effect on L929 cell line. CONCLUSION: Considering the limitations of an in vitro study, if the RDT is less than 0.5 mm in vivo, regardless of the type of DBA, destructive cellular changes in pulp tissue can be expected.
Decentralized Adaptive Fuzzy Control for Reconfigurable Manipulators

A decentralized adaptive fuzzy control scheme for reconfigurable manipulators is proposed to satisfy the concept of modular software. The dynamics of reconfigurable manipulators is represented as a set of interconnected subsystems. The fuzzy logic systems are used to model the unknown dynamics of subsystem and the interconnection term. Based on Lyapunov stability theorem, the stability of the closed-loop systems can be verified. Moreover, the proposed control scheme guarantees that variables involved are bounded and the Hiquest tracking performance is achieved. The simulation results are presented to show the effectiveness of the proposed decentralized adaptive fuzzy control scheme.
Clinical application of an integrated 3-phase mapping technique for localization of the site of origin of idiopathic ventricular tachycardia.

BACKGROUND Radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation provides curative treatment for idiopathic ventricular tachycardia (VT). METHODS AND RESULTS Nineteen consecutive patients with an idiopathic VT underwent RF catheter ablation. An integrated 3-phase mapping approach was used, consisting of the successive application of online 62-lead body surface QRS integral mapping, directed regional paced body surface QRS integral mapping, and local activation sequence mapping. Mapping phase 1 was localization of the segment of VT origin by comparing the VT QRS integral map with a database of mean paced QRS integral maps. Mapping phase 2 was body surface pace mapping during sinus rhythm in the segment localized in phase 1 until the site at which the paced QRS integral map matched the VT QRS integral map was identified (ie, VT exit site). Mapping phase 3 was local activation sequence mapping at the circumscribed area identified in phase 2 to identify the site with the earliest local endocardial activation (ie, site of VT origin). This site became the ablation target. Ten VTs were ablated in the right ventricular outflow tract, 2 at the basal LV septum, and 7 at the midapical posterior left ventricle. A high long-term ablation success (mean follow-up duration, 14+/-9 months) was achieved in 17 of the 19 patients (89%) with a low number of RF pulses (mean, 3.3+/-2.2 pulses per patient). CONCLUSIONS This prospective study shows that integrated 3-phase mapping for localization of the site of origin of idiopathic VT offers efficient and accurate localization of the target site for RF catheter ablation.
Non‐invasive tracking of avian development in vivo by MRI

Conventional microscopic techniques, to study embryonic development, require large numbers of embryos and are invasive, making follow‐up impossible. We explored the use of in vivo MRI to study embryonic development, in general, and cardiovascular development in particular, over time. Wild‐type quail embryos (n = 11) were imaged at embryonic days 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11, covering the main time course of embryonic heart development. On each imaging day cardiac morphology was evaluated and embryonic length was measured. MRI‐embryos as well as control embryos (n = 11) were sacrificed at day 11 and scored for external malformations, while embryonic wet weight and stage were determined. In addition, venous clipped embryos (n = 4), known to develop cardiovascular malformations, were scanned at regular intervals and sacrificed at day 9 for histological analysis ex vivo. We were able to follow heart development of individual quail embryos inside their shell non‐invasively over time, with sufficient detail to study cardiac morphology in vivo. We did not find any adverse effect of the repeated MRI examinations on morphology, length, or weight. Prenatally diagnosed malformations, like ventricular septal defects and aortic arch interruptions were confirmed by histology. In conclusion, micro‐MRI can be used to evaluate in vivo early embryonic development and to diagnose cardiovascular malformations prenatally. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
User guided 3D scene enrichment

Enriching 3D scenes with small objects is an important step for creating realistic scenes. It becomes tougher to involve user guidance to increase the variety of the scene enrichment results. To resolve this problem, we present a user-guided 3D indoor scene enrichment framework that helps users to effectively apply their rules for small-object arrangements. The enrichment problem can be divided into three parts: what categories of small objects should appear, where the small objects should be placed and how to arrange them on furniture objects. The first two questions are answered by statistical information learned from image datasets and the third question is answered by constructing a cost function considering both constraints proposed by our system and arrangement rules specified by users. Our experiments show that this framework can efficiently generate plausible scene enrichments that conform to the user-specified arrangement rules.
Learning to Build a Car: An Empirical Investigation of Organizational Learning

This study provides a longitudinal empirical examination of the basic elements of Nonaka's (1994) dynamic theory of organizational knowledge creation. First, the data illustrate the notion that knowledge creation in organizations proceeds through an intertwined four-phase process: (1) socialization (tacit knowledge amplification); (2) externalization (tacit knowledge is transformed into explicit knowledge); (3) combination (explicit knowledge amplification); and (4) internalization (explicit knowledge is transformed into tacit knowledge). Second, the study extends Nonaka's theory by comparing the relative amount of intra-organizational knowledge transfer occurring during periods of product redesign with the amount of knowledge transfer occurring during steady-state periods. The questionnaire data suggest that the overall level of knowledge transfer is higher during periods of product redesign than it is during the steady state, whereas the nterview data indicate that there were more mentions of knowledge transfer during the steady state. Third, the data suggest that there may be benefit in adding tacit error correction as a fifth phase in the learning cycle. This phase is characterized by a dual emphasis on externalization and internalization. Implications of these findings are discussed.
Study of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal and Tendon-Derived Stem Cells Transplantation on the Regenerating Effect of Achilles Tendon Ruptures in Rats

Comparative therapeutic significance of tendon-derived stem cells (TDSCs) and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) transplantation to treat ruptured Achilles tendon was studied. Three groups of SD rats comprising 24 rats each, designated as TDSCs and BMSCs, and nontreated were studied for regenerative effects through morpho-histological evaluations and ultimate failure load. For possible mechanism in tendon repair/regeneration through TDSCs and BMSCs, we measured Collagen-I (Col-I), Col-III gene expression level by RT-PCR, and Tenascin-C expression via immunofluorescent assay. TDSCs showed higher agility in tendon healing with better appearance density and well-organized longitudinal fibrous structure, though BMSCs also showed positive effects. Initially the ultimate failure load was considerably higher in TDSCs than other two study groups during the weeks 1 and 2, but at week 4 it attained an average or healthy tendon strength of 30.2 N. Similar higher tendency in Col-I/III gene expression level during weeks 1, 2, and 4 was observed in TDSCs treated group with an upregulation of 1.5-fold and 1.1-fold than the other two study groups. Immunofluorescent assay revealed higher expression of Tenascin-C in TDSCs at week 1, while both TDSCs and BMSCs treated groups showed detectable CM-Dil-labelled cells at week 4. Compared with BMSCs, TDSCs showed higher regenerative potential while treating ruptured Achilles tendons in rats.
On the performance evaluation of VANET routing protocols in large-scale urban environments (Poster)

With the increasing capabilities of vehicular communications technology, VANETs (Vehicular Ad-Hoc Networks) have witnessed a significant development. Key to the establishment of value-added services and applications is the design and development of routing protocols. This article studies the effects that mobility, road topology and network applications have on the performance evaluation of VANET routing protocols. Specifically, we evaluate the performance of three known and highly established VANET routing protocols by employing realistic mobility from a large-scale urban topology and imposing network load via an exemplary VANET-based, traffic query, application. We compare the results against results obtained by following the simplistic evaluation approaches often available in the literature. We argue that results stemming from such a realistic evaluation approach, increase the possibility of identifying problems as well as implications in the design of routing protocols that need to be considered and addressed for achieving optimal performance.
Black and South Asian women’s experiences of breast cancer: A qualitative study

Breast cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in the UK, and affects women of all ethnic groups. The psychosocial impact of breast cancer has been well documented. However, research conducted in this area has been primarily focused on white women. There is very little work within the breast cancer literature that captures the experiences of black and minority ethnic (BME) women. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment in black and South Asian women living in the UK. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 English-speaking breast cancer survivors (11 black and 11 South Asian women). Thematic analysis of the data revealed five key themes, namely social support, spirituality, body image concerns, healthcare experiences and life after cancer. The findings showed that although the BME women shared similar concerns to white women, their experiences were also influenced by cultural specific concerns. This study has implications for healthcare professionals and recognises the need to provide culturally sensitive care and support to BME women, tailored specifically to their values and beliefs.
Investigating Microadaptation in One-to-One Human Tutoring

The authors investigated whether some advantages of tutoring over other instructional methods are due to microadaptation, or, tutors basing their actions on assessments of tutees they develop during tutoring. In a 2 × 2 between-subjects experiment, independent variables were shared experience (tutors either worked with the same or a different tutee in each of four segment of the tutoring session) and communication context (face-to-face or computer-mediated). Although there were no overall learning differences across experience conditions, tutees who worked with the same tutor demonstrated better learning of concepts initially discussed during the final tutoring segment. Shared experience led to accurate competence assessments only in the computer-mediated context, suggesting that cognitive load influences assessment development. However, there was no evidence of micro-adaptation.
Spirituality and palliative care: a model of needs

This paper provides a theoretical model of spiritual needs in palliative care based on a review of the palliative care literature. Three sources of transcendence, the building blocks of spiritual meaning, are identified: the situational, the moral and biographical, and the religious. After these areas of transcendence are described and explained, implications for future theory, research and practice are identified.
TOTAL DESIGN OF POLYMER COMPOSITE AUTOMOTIVE BUMPER FASCIA

An automobile bumper fascia is a component, which contributes to vehicle crashworthiness during front or rear collisions. In the past, the fascia was made of plastic materials. The weight reduction in the bumper fascia without sacrificing the safety of the car was extensively studied. In this paper, the bumper fascia made of polymeric based composite material was designed with solid modelling software. The polymeric based composite material was selected because of low weight, high specific stiffness, high specific strength, high-energy absorption and easy to produce in complex shapes. Four conceptual designs of a bumper fascia were developed with a 3-D solid model. To decide the final design of bumper fascia, the matrix evaluation method was used. The weight of the bumper fascia was obtained through weight analysis that had been carried out using Pro/Engineer software. The fascia was successfully designed with less weight compared to the current fascia.
Linker flexibility of IVS3-S4 loops modulates voltage-dependent activation of L-type Ca2+ channels

ABSTRACT Extracellular S3-S4 linkers of domain IV (IVS3-S4) of L-type Ca2+ channels (CaV1) are subject to alternative splicing, resulting into distinct gating profiles serving for diverse physiological roles. However, it has remained elusive what would be the determining factor of IVS3-S4 effects on CaV1 channels. In this study, we systematically compared IVS3-S4 variants from CaV1.1-1.4, and discover that the flexibility of the linker plays a prominent role in gating characteristics. Chimeric analysis and mutagenesis demonstrated that changes in half activation voltage (V1/2) or activation time constant (τ) are positively correlated with the numbers of flexible glycine residues within the linker. Moreover, antibodies that reduce IVS3-S4 flexibility negatively shifted V1/2, emerging as a new category of CaV1 enhancers. In summary, our results suggest that the flexibility or rigidity of IVS3-S4 linker underlies its modulations on CaV1 activation (V1/2 and τ), paving the way to dissect the core mechanisms and to develop innovative perturbations pertaining to voltage-sensing S4 and its vicinities.
Changes in personality in pre‐ and post‐dialectical behaviour therapy borderline personality disorder groups: A question of self‐control

Abstract Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based therapy for people with borderline personality disorder (BPD). Past research has identified behavioural changes indicating improved functioning for people who undergo DBT. To date, however, there has been little research investigating the underlying mechanism of change. The present study utilised a between-subjects design and self-report questionnaires of Self-Control and the five factor model of personality and drew participants from a metropolitan DBT program. We found that pre-treatment participants were significantly lower on Self-Control, Agreeableness and Conscientiousness when compared to both the post-treatment assessment and the norms for each questionnaire. Neuroticism was significantly higher both before and after treatment when compared to the norms. These findings suggest that Self-Control may play a role in both the presentation of this disorder and the effect of DBT. High levels of Neuroticism lend weight to the Linehan bioso.