Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A PET investigation of implicit and explicit sequence learning

The purpose of this study was to determine the mediating neuroanatomy of implicit and explicit sequence learning using a modified version of the serial reaction time (SRT) paradigm. Subjects were seven healthy, right‐handed adults (three male, four female, mean age 26.7, range 18–43 yr). PET data were acquired via the oxygen‐15‐labeled‐carbon dioxide inhalation method while subjects performed the SRT. Subjects were scanned during two blocks each of (1) no sequence (Random), (2) single‐blind, 12‐item sequence (Implicit), and (3) unblinded, same sequence (Explicit). Whole‐brain‐normalized images reflecting relative regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) were transformed to Talairach space, and statistical parametric maps (SPMs) of z‐scores were generated for comparisons of interest. The threshold for significant activation was defined as z‐score ≥ 3.00. Behavioral data demonstrated significant learning (P < .05) for Implicit and Explicit conditions. Tests of explicit knowledge reflected non‐significant explicit contamination during the Implicit condition. Foci of significant activation in the Implicit condition were found in right ventral premotor cortex, right ventral caudate/nucleus accumbens, right thalamus, and bilateral area 19; activation in the Explicit condition included primary visual cortex, peri‐sylvian cortex, and cerebellar vermis. Activations in visual and language areas during the Explicit condition may reflect conscious learning strategies including covert verbal rehearsal and visual imagery. Right‐sided premotor, striatal, and thalamic activations support the notion that implicit sequence learning is mediated by cortico‐striatal pathways, preferentially within the right hemisphere. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Age-Dependent Neurotransmitter Plasticity of Ciliary Ganglion Neurons

We have examined neurotransmitter plasticity in postmitotic cholinergic neurons isolated from 6.5- to 11-day-old embryonic quail ciliary ganglia. Purified neurons were labeled with DiI, transplanted into the trunk of young chick embryos, and assayed for catecholamine content and [3H]thymidine uptake 4 to 5 days later. For ciliary neurons derived from 6.5- to 8-day-old embryos, as many as 25% (average of 9% overall) expressed catecholamines in the host sympathetic ganglia, migratory stream, aortic plexuses, and adrenal medulla. In contrast, neurons from >8-day-old ganglia did not acquire or produce detectable catecholamines, indicating a limited time period over which phenotypic conversion can occur in vivo. As a control, ciliary neurons were also injected into the head mesenchyme of young embryos; no catecholamine expression was observed. Interestingly, after transplantation some DiI-labeled postmitotic ciliary neurons took up [3H]thymidine with or without phenotypic change. These results suggest that phenotypic plasticity in ciliary neurons is age-dependent, is location-dependent, and may involve resumption of DNA replication, a characteristic feature of some differentiating adrenergic sympathetic neurons. Apoptosis of a few proliferating transplanted cells may be induced independently or in association with transmitter change.
Scene perception from central to peripheral vision.

Citation: Loschky, L. C. , Nuthmann, A. , Fortenbaugh, F. C. , & Levi, D. M. (2017). Scene perception from central to peripheral vision. Journal of Vision, 17(1), 5. doi:10.1167/17.1. 6
Project Title: Custom hardware architectures for posture analysis

In this report I describe the design and implementation of an fpga-based architecture for video processing and specifically posture analysis. The final architecture performs posture analysis at a rate of 167 frames per second (projected) using frame size of 320×240 pixels, or 41 frames per second for dvd quality (720× 576 pixels) frames. This represents a 21-fold speedup over a software version running on a 3 GHz Pentium 4. This project has the following achievements: 1. Specified a set of requirements for a hardware-based posture analysis system. 2. Designed a workflow for a posture analysis system that fulfils these requirements, and designed an extensible C++ software framework for constructing the posture analysis workflow. 3. Designed a parameterised, extensible hardware architecture for image processing to allow for easy design, testing, implementation and improvement of the posture analysis system. 4. Used this architecture to design and implement a fully pipelined, parameterisable posture analysis architecture. The architecture can use multiple posture description algorithms to obtain different, complementary descriptions from a single source image.
Layered interference alignment: Achieving the total DOF of MIMO X-channels

The K × 2 multiple input multiple output (MIMO) X-channel with constant channel coefficients available at all transmitters and receivers is considered. A new alignment scheme, named layered interference alignment, is proposed in which both vector and real interference alignment techniques are exploited together with joint processing at receiver sides. Data streams, having fractional multiplexing gains, in the desired directions are sent by transmitters to align the interfering signals at receivers efficiently. To decode the intended messages at receivers, a new number theoretic joint processing technique which exploits the availability of several received antennas, is proposed. This processing is backed up by a recent result in the field of Simultaneous Diophantine Approximation, which is introduced in this paper for the firs time. It is shown that incorporating the layered interference alignment is essential to characterize the total DOF of 2km over k+1, in the k × 2 m-antenna X-channel.
Quantitative 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the human breast at 7 T

This study presents quantified levels of phosphorylated metabolites in glandular tissue of human breast using 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy at 7 T. We used a homebuilt 1H/31P radiofrequency coil to obtain artifact‐free 31P MR spectra of glandular tissue of healthy females by deploying whole breast free induction decay (FID) detection with adiabatic excitation and outer volume suppression. Using progressive saturation, the estimated apparent T1 relaxation time of 31P spins of phosphocholine and phosphoethanolamine was 4.4 and 5.7 s, respectively. Quantitative measures for phosphocholine and phosphoethanolamine levels in glandular tissue were established based on MR imaging. We used a 3D 1H image of the breast to segment the glandular tissue; this was matched to a 3D 31P image of the B 1− field of the 31P coil to correct for differences in glandular tissue volume and B1 inhomogeneity of the 31P coil. The 31P MR spectra were calibrated using a phantom with known concentration. Average levels of phosphocholine and phosphoethanolamine in 11 volunteers were 0.84 ± 0.21 mM and 1.18 ± 0.41 mM, respectively. In addition, data of three patients with breast cancer showed higher levels of phosphocholine and phosphoethanolamine compared with healthy volunteers. This may indicate a potential role for the use of 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy for characterization, prognosis, and treatment monitoring in breast cancer. Magn Reson Med, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
American Indian gay, bisexual and two-spirit men: a rapid assessment of HIV/AIDS risk factors, barriers to prevention and culturally-sensitive intervention

Epidemiological data indicate that HIV and AIDS are disproportionately affecting American Indians. Specific to American Indian men identifying as gay, bisexual, two-spirit or who have same-sex experiences, this study assessed HIV-risk behaviours and barriers to testing, prevention and treatment efforts. A rapid assessment model was utilised as an indigenous-supporting research design. Rigour and thoroughness were achieved via multiple validation procedures. Central themes surrounding barriers to HIV prevention included social discrimination, low self-esteem and substance use. Findings suggest the underutilisation of condoms due to ineffective placement and limited availability in popular locations among gay, bisexual and two-spirit individuals. Participants indicated that HIV testing is occurring less frequently and that testing was not available after hours or weekends. Barriers to treatment included a mistrust of the current healthcare system, a perceived lack of support from the Indian Health Service for AIDS care and a lack of transportation to healthcare appointments. Lastly, participants discussed and supported culturally-sensitive treatment services. This study calls attention to the value of an American Indian-specific HIV/AIDS service organisation, the presence of indigenous service providers in the community and culturally-sensitive healthcare providers.
The influence of procedural and interactional justice, and disconfirmation on customers post recovery satisfaction evaluations

This study examines the influence of distributive and interactional justice and disconfirmation on customers’ postrecovery satisfaction evaluations, and in so doing, combines, for the first time, two existing instruments to operationalise the interactional justice construct. Using Structural Equation Modelling, the findings suggest that while both disconfirmation and justice are important predictors of satisfaction, distributive justice has the greatest influence. The research presented here reports on a section of a larger experiment-based study examining how customers’ postrecovery satisfaction evaluations are influenced by the way in which the organisation responds to the failure.
Dynamics of large uncontrolled loss networks

This paper studies the connection between the dynamical and equilibrium behaviour of large uncontrolled loss networks. We consider the behaviour of the number of calls of each type in the network, and show that, under the limiting regime of Kelly (1986), all trajectories of the limiting dynamics converge to a single fixed point, which is necessarily that on which the limiting stationary distribution is concentrated. The approach uses Lyapunov techniques and involves the evolution of the transition rates of a stationary Markov process in such a way that it tends to reversibility.
Two-Step Epstein-Barr Virus Immunoglobulin A Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay System for Serological Screening and Confirmation of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

ABSTRACT Undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC; WHO type III) is 100% associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and the fourth most prevalent cancer in Indonesian males. Therapy failure is high, since most patients come to the hospital at an advanced stage of disease. Screening for early-stage NPC is needed. Here, a simple and economical two-step enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) system is proposed for diagnosing NPC in high-risk populations, employing the peptide-based immunoglobulin A (IgA) EBNA1 plus viral capsid antigen p18 ELISA as an initial screening test and the IgA early antigen (EA) ELISA using a different set of EBV antigens as a confirmation test. A total of 151 NPC patients and 199 regional healthy EBV carriers were used to evaluate the two-step ELISA approach. Routinely, EBV IgG immunoblotting is used as a standard confirmation test. The sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing NPC by the two-step ELISA approach increased from 85.4% to 96.7% and 90.1% to 98%, respectively, with positive predictive values and negative predictive values increasing from 78.7 and 93.9% to 97.3 and 97.5%, respectively, relative to the immunoblotting confirmation system. On discrepant samples, additional testing was done by EBV DNA load quantification in blood. Results showed that 5/11 discrepant NPC samples with an elevated IgA EA ELISA also had elevated an EBV DNA load in the circulation (range, 3,200 to 25,820 copies/ml). Therefore, the IgA EA ELISA is proposed as a confirmation test in first-line NPC serological screening studies. This two-step EBV ELISA system provides a standardized approach for NPC screening and may be used in combination with dried blood sampling in future field studies for identification of early-stage NPC in high-risk regions.
Inspiring Teachers to Discern and Enrich Gifted Learners in a Disadvantaged Environment

This article provides a platform for our voices, and the voices of the teachers with whom we are interacting, to be heard via our critical reflections on a project undertaken to assist teachers to discern gifted learners in a disadvantaged environment in the jurisdiction area of Port Elizabeth (now Nelson Mandela Bay). The article outlines how we systematically reflected on our work, forming educative relationships both with the teachers and one another, in order to generate our own living educational theories of practice. We tell the story of how we elicited critical awareness, both within ourselves and the teachers, and facilitated the development of competencies and confidence to deal with the specific challenges these educators face in their teaching.
Selection based successive interference cancellation for multicode multicarrier CDMA transceiver

A Selection based Interference algorithm for efficient decoding of MC-MC-DS-CDMA Transceiver with Multipath Rayleigh fading is presented in this paper. The Interference Cancellation algorithm is capable of increasing signal strength and reducing probability of error using two stages of decoding namely, Selection phase and Threshold decoding phase. The numerical results have shown that effective decoding with respect to frequency increases SNR levels.
Principal leadership in China: an initial review

This article reviews the literature on Chinese principalship written in English and Chinese between 1998 and 2008. The first sections discuss the rationale for the research, the review process, and the state of education research in mainland China. The review findings are presented as a set of core patterns and contributory subpatterns, which flow from either the empirical or non-empirical literature. Two core patterns are identified from the non-empirical pieces – prescriptions and commentaries. Prescriptions focus on telling principals what they need to do to be successful, especially in the present reform environment. Commentaries focus on the key concerns and problems confronting principals. Three core patterns can be discerned from the empirical pieces – imported frameworks, indigenous investigations, and contextual influences. The final section offers a number of conclusions that look within and across the core patterns and pose questions to guide further research.
Do type of childcare and age of entry predict behavior problems during early childhood? Results from a large Norwegian longitudinal study

Associations between type and age of entry into Norwegian universally-accessible childcare and children’s behavior problems at age 3 years were examined in this study. Data from 73,068 children in the large population-based, prospective Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa) were used, and included information about childcare arrangements, behavior problems, and a variety of covariates. The results provided little support for childcare being related to children’s behavior problems at age 3 years when controlling for covariates. In fact, previous research has indicated that children may benefit from Norway’s childcare in other areas, such as language development. Results are discussed in relation to differences in countries' early childhood policies as a possible factor explaining discrepancies across studies.
Consumer learning for university students: a case for a curriculum

This article indicates how the application of a simplified version of the analytical abstraction method (AAM) was used in curriculum development for consumer learning at one higher education institution in South Africa. We used a case study design and qualitative research methodology to generate data through semi‐structured interviews with eight learning facilitators at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. This data set forms the basis of the reported research. Application of basic‐ and higher‐level analysis resulted in the identification of patterns that confirmed the need for consumer learning and informed the situation analysis with regard to a ‘readiness climate’ at the institution. We also gained insight into aspects that need to be considered during curriculum development for consumer learning as the AAM has proved to be a useful guiding tool in developing a structured explanatory framework for curriculum development. The article concludes with the view that the promotion of consumer learning in university curricula has been under‐researched and that, despite current efforts, university curricula are slow to adopt consumer learning as a critical learning outcome. We suggest several possibilities that might assist in overcoming this inertia.
The transcriptomic response to thermal stress is immediate, transient and potentiated by ultraviolet radiation in the sea anemone Anemonia viridis

Among the environmental threats to coral reef health, temperature and ultraviolet increases have been proposed as major agents, although the relative contribution of each in the cnidarian/zooxanthellae symbiosis breakdown has been poorly addressed. We have investigated the transcriptomic response to thermal stress, with and without ultraviolet radiation (UVR), in the symbiotic sea anemone Anemonia viridis. Using the Oligo2K A. viridis microarray, dedicated to genes potentially involved in the symbiosis interaction, we monitored the gene expression profiles after 1, 2 and 5 days of stresses that further lead to massive losses of zooxanthellae. Each stress showed a specific gene expression profile with very little overlap. We showed that the major response to thermal stress is immediate (24 h) but returns to the baseline gene expression profile after 2 days. UVR alone has little effect but potentiates thermal stress, as a second response at 5 days was observed when the two stresses were coupled. Several pathways were highlighted, such as mesoglea loosening, cell death and calcium homeostasis and described in more details. Finally, we showed that the dermatopontin gene family, potentially involved in collagen fibrillogenesis, issued from actinarian‐specific duplication events, with one member preferentially expressed in the gastroderm and specifically responding to stress.
Wavelength assignment for light-tree protection in WDM optical networks

In this paper, we address the wavelength assignment problem for light-tree protection under different traffic model s. For static traffic, we formulate the problem mathematically and propose two new heuristics (tabu search and iterated hill-climber) to solve it. For dynamic traffic, in contrast to previous work, we analyze the traffic characteristics and propose a Low Cost First Serve (LCFS) strategy to maximize the gain and throughput of network systems. Numerical results show our heuristics can achieve good performance in terms of session blocking probability.
Closed Multiple Testing Procedures and PROC MULTTEST

Multiple comparisons and multiple testing problems arise frequently in statistical data analysis, and it is important to address them appropriately. Closed testing methods are among the most powerful multiple inference methods available, and are therefore gaining rapidly in popularity. The purpose of this article is to explain what a closed testing procedure is, why such methods are desirable, and explicitly identify situations for which the MULTTEST procedure provides a closed testing procedure.
Who will care for older people in China? Exploring the implications of gender imbalance at birth

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide evidence about the possible cause and effect of the problematic gender imbalance at birth in China. Much of the literature on this issue presents discussions based on the traditional assumption that Chinese sons are more involved in taking care of parents than Chinese daughters are, and thus, that Chinese parents prefer sons. Yet, empirical evidence is lacking. Design/methodology/approach – This paper verifies the assumption by using the “Preference Parameters Study in China 2011,” which conducted 652 face-to-face interviews with randomly selected individuals in six major Chinese cities. Findings – This paper first presents empirical evidence that Chinese sons (and their wives) are more likely, compared to daughters (and their husbands), to be primary caregivers for parents. The paper also reports the finding that Chinese parents’ dependencies on their children would not necessarily decrease with the development of social security, although that may be the case when a child has a highly educated spouse. Practical implications – The Chinese government needs to increase long-term care services for older people, especially since more women are being educated. Originality/value – Although this study has data collection limitations, with data collected in only six major cities,the problematic nature ofgender imbalance atbirth andthe lackofavailableempirical evidencedemand that researchers begin to construct a better understanding of the causes of, and possible solutions to, this phenomenon. With that in mind, this paper contributes to that construction of knowledge and insight.
Environmental Sustainability and Social Work: A Rural Australian Evaluation of Incorporating Eco-Social Work in Field Education

Climate change poses significant threat to the wellbeing of global society. Addressing this change has as yet generated no fixed blueprint for social work practice and education. This paper reports on a formative evaluation of one Australian initiative to address this transformative opening in social work field education. Prompted by service users' and workers' experience of the impact of drought, a rurally located social work course team amended the field education curriculum to include a focus on Environment and Sustainability. This learning goal was added to the existing learning goals derived from the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) Practice Standards. Students and field supervisors were surveyed on their experience of meeting this new learning goal. While most expressed confidence in understanding the concepts involved, they clearly lacked assurance in interpreting these in practice encounters. Considering their qualitative input suggests that this topic is making a transition from being on the margins of social work to becoming mainstream. Their open-ended responses indicate that the incorporation of environmental sustainability into practice is at a threshold stage of development. Further enactment of eco-social work at the local level is concluded to be supported by using a transformative learning framework in facilitating critical reflection and collaborative dialogue for effective change.
SPARQL Endpoint Metrics for Quality-Aware Linked Data Consumption

In recent years, dozens of publicly accessible Linked Data repositories containing vast amounts of knowledge presented in the Resource Description Framework (RDF) format have been set up worldwide. By utilizing the SPARQL query language, users can consume, integrate, and present data from a federation of sources for different application scenarios. However, several challenges arise for distributed query processing across multiple SPARQL endpoints, such as devising suitable query optimization or result caching strategies. For implementing these techniques, one crucial aspect lies in determining appropriate endpoint features. In this work, we introduce several metrics that enable universal and finegrained characterization of arbitrary Linked Data repositories. We present comprehensive approaches for deriving these metrics and validate them through extensive evaluation on real-world SPARQL endpoints. Finally, we discuss possible implications of our findings for data consumers.