Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nonspecific activation of murine lymphocytes. I. Proliferation and polyclonal activation induced by 2-mercaptoethanol and alpha- thioglycerol

The effect of 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME) and alpha-thioglycerol (alpha TG) on proliferation and polyclonal activation of lymphocytes was studied in cultures of spleen cells from C3H mice. Inclusion in serum- free or serum-containing medium of the optimal concentration (5 x 10(- 5) M) of either 2-ME or alpha TG resulted in highly significant uptake and incorporation of tritiated thymidine ([3H]TdR) into DNA and in morphological blast transformation. These phenomena were dose- dependent, with both lower and higher doses causing less marked effects. The kinetic peak of these responses was found to occur at day 3 of culture. Improved cellular viability could not explain these results, because by day 3 there was no significant difference in viability between cells cultured in the presence or absence of 2-ME. 2- ME evoked a proliferative response in cultures of congenitally athymic (nu/nu) spleen cells that exhibited a similar but lower dose-response profile compared with that of heterozygous (nu/+) littermates. Cultures of bone marrow-derived (B) lymphocytes, generated by treatment of spleen cells with rabbit antithymocyte serum and complement, incorporated [3H]TdR to a degree at least equal to that of normal spleen cell cultures. Thymus-dependent (T) cells did not support significant 2-ME, alpha TG, or Concanavalin A responses in the absence of serum. However, when cultured in 5% fetal calf serum, definite T- cell responses occurred, though always of a lower magnitude than B-cell responses in this system. When the enriched B-cell and T-cell preparations were co-cultured, a synergistic response was noted. Macrophage dependency of the 2-ME and alpha TG effect was shown to be minimal. It is likely that the greater effectiveness of alpha TG relative to 2-ME is due to differences in the chemical structure of these two thiol compounds. The advantages of utilizing 2-ME and alpha TG as probes in the study of lymphocyte activation are evaluated and their possible mechanisms of action are discussed.
AS ACTIVITY SYSTEM : A VYGOTSKIAN STUDY OF PUERTO RICAN PRE-SCHOOLERS ’ BEHAVIOR AND SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION FROM ANIMATED FILMS

This study provides a background on Vygotskian activity system, first language acquisition and second language acquisition. It also includes a literature review that surveys vital information on learning strategies, nonverbal behavior, play, and the role of play in pre-schoolers while acquiring a second language. In this study, the researcher explored and investigated how these areas were related while pre-schoolers viewed two Disney animated films.
Retinoid-X-Receptors (α/β) in Melanocytes Modulate Innate Immune Responses and Differentially Regulate Cell Survival following UV Irradiation

Understanding the molecular mechanisms of ultraviolet (UV) induced melanoma formation is becoming crucial with more reported cases each year. Expression of type II nuclear receptor Retinoid-X-Receptor α (RXRα) is lost during melanoma progression in humans. Here, we observed that in mice with melanocyte-specific ablation of RXRα and RXRβ, melanocytes attract fewer IFN-γ secreting immune cells than in wild-type mice following acute UVR exposure, via altered expression of several chemoattractive and chemorepulsive chemokines/cytokines. Reduced IFN-γ in the microenvironment alters UVR-induced apoptosis, and due to this, the survival of surrounding dermal fibroblasts is significantly decreased in mice lacking RXRα/β. Interestingly, post-UVR survival of the melanocytes themselves is enhanced in the absence of RXRα/β. Loss of RXRs α/β specifically in the melanocytes results in an endogenous shift in homeostasis of pro- and anti-apoptotic genes in these cells and enhances their survival compared to the wild type melanocytes. Therefore, RXRs modulate post-UVR survival of dermal fibroblasts in a “non-cell autonomous” manner, underscoring their role in immune surveillance, while independently mediating post-UVR melanocyte survival in a “cell autonomous” manner. Our results emphasize a novel immunomodulatory role of melanocytes in controlling survival of neighboring cell types besides controlling their own, and identifies RXRs as potential targets for therapy against UV induced melanoma.
Caching and coded multicasting: Multiple groupcast index coding

The capacity of caching networks has received considerable attention in the past few years. A particularly studied setting is the case of a single server (e.g., a base station) and multiple users, each of which caches segments of files in a finite library. Each user requests one (whole) file in the library and the server sends a common coded multicast message to satisfy all users at once. The problem consists of finding the smallest possible codeword length to satisfy such requests. In this paper we consider the generalization to the case where each user places L ≥ 1 requests. The obvious naive scheme consists of applying L times the order-optimal scheme for a single request, obtaining a linear in L scaling of the multicast codeword length. We propose a new achievable scheme based on multiple groupcast index coding that achieves a significant gain over the naive scheme. Furthermore, through an information theoretic converse we find that the proposed scheme is approximately optimal within a constant factor of (at most) 18.
Visual search in children and adults: Top-down and bottom-up mechanisms

Three experiments investigated visual search for targets that differed from distractors in colour, size, or orientation. In one condition the target was defined by a conjunction of these features, while in the other condition the target was the odd one out. In all experiments, 6–7- and 9–10-year-old children were compared with young adults. Experiment 1 showed that children's search differed from adults’ search in two ways. In conjunction searches children searched more slowly and took longer to reject trials when no target was present. In the odd-one-out experiments, 6–7-year-old children were slower to respond to size targets than to orientation targets, and slower for orientation targets than for colour targets. Both the other groups showed no difference in their rate of responding to colour and orientation. Experiments 2 and 3 highlighted that these results were not a function of either differential density across set sizes (Experiment 2) or discriminability of orientation and colour (Experiment 3). Across all three experiments, the results of both conjunction and odd-one-out searches highlighted a development in visual search from middle to late childhood.
Bézier Curve based Path Planning for an Intelligent Wheelchair to pass a Doorway

Door passing is the basic capability of an intelligent wheelchair. This paper presents a novel approach to address the door passing issue using Bézier curve based path planning. The planed path consists of two segments: one from corridor to door and the other from door to the goal position. For each segment, an optimal Bézier curve is generated as a reference trajectory for an intelligent wheelchair to travel smoothly and accurately subject to corridor constrain, curvature limitation and obstacles. The simulation is conducted to verify the feasibility of the proposed approach, and the results show a good performance in terms of tracking accuracy and good maneuverability. Keywords-Door passing; Bézier curve; optimization; path planning; obstacle avoidance
The P2P Live Media Streaming Technology in Distance Teaching Platform

Distance learning uses the network digital system to send messages point-to-point or point-to-multipoint. Presently, distance learning has gained remarkable results in universities and colleges. This paper experiments the operation of P2P Live Media Stream, a distance video system based on P2P structure. In addition, we also compare it with Co-Life Video Conferencing System developed by the National Center for High-Performance Computing and Marratech Online Video Conferencing System developed by a subsidiary company of Google. The comparisons focus on the smoothness of video signals, stability, connection recovery and transmission situations. We prove that P2P Live Media Stream is an ideal and feasible system which can be used in campuses. Furthermore, it combines all kinds of video teaching modes and benefits the teaching diversity in campuses.
Unconventional myosin traffic in cells reveals a selective actin cytoskeleton

Eukaryotic cells have a self-organizing cytoskeleton where motors transport cargoes along cytoskeletal tracks. To understand the sorting process, we developed a system to observe single-molecule motility in a cellular context. We followed myosin classes V, VI, and X on triton-extracted actin cytoskeletons from Drosophila S2, mammalian COS-7, and mammalian U2OS cells. We find that these cells vary considerably in their global traffic patterns. The S2 and U2OS cells have regions of actin that either enhance or inhibit specific myosin classes. U2OS cells allow for 1 motor class, myosin VI, to move along stress fiber bundles, while motility of myosin V and X are suppressed. Myosin X motors are recruited to filopodia and the lamellar edge in S2 cells, whereas myosin VI motility is excluded from the same regions. Furthermore, we also see different velocities of myosin V motors in central regions of S2 cells, suggesting regional control of motor motility by the actin cytoskeleton. We also find unexpected features of the actin cytoskeletal network, including a population of reversed filaments with the barbed-end toward the cell center. This myosin motor regulation demonstrates that native actin cytoskeletons are more than just a collection of filaments.
Bayesian Models for Detecting Epistatic Interactions from Genetic Data

Current disease association studies are routinely conducted on a genome‐wide scale, testing hundreds of thousands or millions of genetic markers. Besides detecting marginal associations of individual markers with the disease, it is also of interest to identify gene–gene and gene–environment interactions, which confer susceptibility to the disease risk. The astronomical number of possible combinations of markers and environmental factors, however, makes interaction mapping a daunting task both computationally and statistically. In this paper, we review and discuss a set of Bayesian partition methods developed recently for mapping single‐nucleotide polymorphisms in case‐control studies, their extension to quantitative traits, and further generalization to multiple traits. We use simulation and real data sets to demonstrate the performance of these methods, and we compare them with some existing interaction mapping algorithms. With the recent advance in high‐throughput sequencing technologies, genome‐wide measurements of epigenetic factor enrichment, structural variations, and transcription activities become available at the individual level. The tsunami of data creates more challenges for gene–gene interaction mapping, but at the same time provides new opportunities that, if utilized properly through sophisticated statistical means, can improve the power of mapping interactions at the genome scale.
Participation of Foreign Graduate Students in Campus-Based Non-Formal Education Programmes in Universiti Putra Malaysia

This study examined participation in campus based non-formal education programmes among foreign graduate students in Universiti Putra Malaysia and its correlates. Specifically, the study (1) determined the level of participation of UPM foreign graduate students in campus based non-formal education programmes, (2) ascertained whether there is differences in the level of participation of foreign graduate students in campus based non-formal education programmes across gender, programme of study and field of study (3) determined the relationships of the level of participation of foreign graduate students in campus based non-formal education programmes with general health, time engagement, knowledge about campus based non-formal education programmes, attitude toward participating in campus based non-formal education programmes, self-esteem and behavioural intention to participate (4) and determined the contribution of selected independent variables on level of participation in campus based non-formal education programmes The data were collected through survey using self-administered questionnaire. A total of 178 UPM foreign graduate students participated in the study. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. The survey showed that the level of participation of UPM foreign graduate students in campus based non-formal education programmes was relatively quite low. However, some campus based non-formal education programmes, particularly academic related such as thesis writing, were preferred more than other campus based non-formal education programmes. Level of participation in campus based non-formal education program is significantly and positively correlated with general health, knowledge about campus based non-formal education programmes, attitudes toward participating in campus based non-formal education programmes, self-esteem, behavioural intention to participate, and programme of study. These variables explained about 13.3% of the variance in the level of participation of UPM foreign graduate students in campus based non-formal education programmes. Thus, campus based non-formal education programmes should be regarded as an important networking support system for UPM foreign graduate students to successfully adjust to the university environment and culture. The study provides understanding of tentative model of participation for further testing.
R&D Intensity, Marketing Intensity, and Organizational Performance

Companies have recognized that one of the routes to sustainable competitive advantage is to invest in both marketing and RD Walwyn, 2005). Surprisingly, there is little research in the business discipline on the outcomes of investing in both these vital functions. Prior research in marketing and management has been confined to three sets of studies. In the first set of studies, researchers have focused on the impact of marketing and R&D integration on various organizational processes such as new product development, product life cycles, development time, and knowledge diffusion. The second set of studies has focused on the impact of marketing investments or R&D investments on the bottom line without considering the joint impact of these two vital functions (Lee and O'Neill, 2003). Third, earlier studies have been limited to single industries. For example, in a single industry study, Wright, Kroll, Chan and Hamel (1991) have argued that successful firms were those that were efficient marketers, or those which spend relatively heavily on R&D as well as marketing. Lin, Lee, and Hung (2006), likewise, have argued for the joint impact of R&D and commercialization efforts on performance in technology-intensive industries. In today's environment, with increased off-shoring of the manufacturing function by U.S.-based industries to other nations, marketing and R&D have emerged as key functions in the value chain for all major manufacturing and service industries. This study makes two notable contributions to the field. First, it is the first study, to our knowledge, to examine the implications of the joint impact of marketing and R&D investments on organizational performance in a wide range of industries and, second, it employs lagged organizational performance to test the major hypothesis. Based on anecdotal evidence in this area, this study empirically tests the hypothesis that investments in both marketing and R&D are necessary for superior organizational performance. No company exemplifies this argument better than Procter & Gamble, the leading consumer products company. Procter & Gamble has a unique approach to innovation and has based its competitive advantage on understanding customers, acquiring, developing, and applying technology across its broad array of product categories and making connections between consumer wants and what technology can deliver (www.pg.com). Recently, to increase productivity in the R&D and marketing interface, the company has developed a new model for innovation entitled, "connect and develop" (Huston and Sakkab, 2006). A second company to base its competitive advantage on linking R&D and marketing is Silicon Graphics which obtained input from its customers to incorporate video conferencing into its successful desktop offerings (Andrews, 1999). …
Trust model for privacy in social networking using probabilistic determination

With the advancement in the technology, this era of Internet has witnessed a bloom in the Social Networking sites popularity. Social Networking sites facilitate the users with features like sharing personal information, making friends, developing new relationships, giving rise to new privacy concerns, etc., allowing only reliable people in one's network. Here comes in the concept of `Trust'. How can we assure that a person is trustworthy and what factors account to build the trust between two persons, known or unknown to each other? This requires an exploratory insight into users' intention to share information. This paper aims to understand the factors of trust, trust levels based on trust ratings from others and probability of accepting the other person in his/her network.
EhVps32 Is a Vacuole-Associated Protein Involved in Pinocytosis and Phagocytosis of Entamoeaba histolytica

Here, we investigated the role of EhVps32 protein (a member of the endosomal-sorting complex required for transport) in endocytosis of Entamoeba histolytica, a professional phagocyte. Confocal microscopy, TEM and cell fractionation revealed EhVps32 in cytoplasmic vesicles and also located adjacent to the plasma membrane. Between 5 to 30 min of phagocytosis, EhVps32 was detected on some erythrocytes-containing phagosomes of acidic nature, and at 60 min it returned to cytoplasmic vesicles and also appeared adjacent to the plasma membrane. TEM images revealed it in membranous structures in the vicinity of ingested erythrocytes. EhVps32, EhADH (an ALIX family member), Gal/GalNac lectin and actin co-localized in the phagocytic cup and in some erythrocytes-containing phagosomes, but EhVps32 was scarcely detected in late phagosomes. During dextran uptake, EhVps32, EhADH and Gal/GalNac lectin, but not actin, co-localized in pinosomes. EhVps32 recombinant protein formed oligomers composed by rings and filaments. Antibodies against EhVps32 monomers stained cytoplasmic vesicles but not erythrocytes-containing phagosomes, suggesting that in vivo oligomers are formed on phagosome membranes. The involvement of EhVps32 in phagocytosis was further study in pNeoEhvps32-HA-transfected trophozoites, which augmented almost twice their rate of erythrophagocytosis as well as the membranous concentric arrays built by filaments, spirals and tunnel-like structures. Some of these structures apparently connected phagosomes with the phagocytic cup. In concordance, the EhVps32-silenced G3 trophozoites ingested 80% less erythrocytes than the G3 strain. Our results suggest that EhVps32 participates in E. histolytica phagocytosis and pinocytosis. It forms oligomers on erythrocytes-containing phagosomes, probably as a part of the scission machinery involved in membrane invagination and intraluminal vesicles formation.
Universal classical planner: an algorithm for unifying state-space and plan-space planning

We present a plan representation and a generalized algorithm template, called UCP, for unifying the classical plan-space and state-space planning approaches within a single framework. UCP models planning as a process of refining a partial plan. The plan-space and state-space planning approaches are cast as complementary refinement strategies operating on the same partial plan representation. UCP has the freedom to arbitrarily and opportunistically interleave plan-space and state-space refinements within a single planning episode. This allows it reap the benefits of both state-space and plan-space planning approaches. We discuss the coverage, completeness and systematicity of UCP. We also present some preliminary empirical results that demonstrate the utility of combining state-space and plan-space approaches.
Eight-phase sequence sets design for radar

In this paper a novel Modified Simulated Annealing Algorithm (MSAA) is used as global optimization technique to find the solution of combinatorial optimization problem which is usually difficult to tackle. MSAA combines good methodologies like global minimum converging property of Simulated Annealing algorithm and fast convergence rate of Hamming scan algorithm. Orthogonal Netted Radar System (ONRS) and spread spectrum communication system can fundamentally improve the system performance by using a group of specially designed orthogonal signals. MSAA is used to synthesize orthogonal eight-phase sequence sets with good autocorrelation and cross correlation properties. Some of the synthesized sequence sets are presented, and their properties are better than four-phase sequence sets known in the literature. The synthesized eight-phase sequence sets are promising for practical application to Netted Radar System and spread spectrum communication. The effect of Doppler shift on synthesized sequences set is also investigated using ambiguity function. The convergence rate of the algorithm is shown to be good.
Geo-Temporal Analysis of Migrant Boats

We provide a description of the tools and techniques used in o ur analysis of the VAST 2008 Challenge dealing with mass movement of persons departing Isla Del Sueño on boats for the Uni ted States during 2005–2007 1. We used visual analytics to explore migration patterns, characterize the choice and evolution of landing sites, characterize the geographical patterns of inter dictions and determine the successful landing rate. Our ComVis tool, in c o nection with some helper applications and Google Earth, all owed us to explore geo-temporal characteristics of the data set a nd answer the challenge questions. The ComVis project file captur es the visual analysis context and facilitates better collaborat i n among team members.
Effect of field plate length on DC characteristics of high breakdown voltage GaN HEMTs for power switching application

High breakdown voltage GaN HEMTs was developed for power electronics application. The device with source connected field plate (FP) was fabricated, which demonstrated perfect hard breakdown characteristics. A high breakdown voltage of 740V was obtained in air ambient while gate-drain spacing Lgd and FP length LFP equaled to 20µm and 2µm respectively. Specific on-resistance of the device was 14mΩ. cm2 far below that of Si-based MOSFET with similar breakdown voltage. The influence of FP length on the on-state characteristics, off-state breakdown characteristics, and specific on-resistance RonA was discussed.