Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Using mobile devices & social media in supporting engineering education

Smart phones are used worldwide due to their enhanced features, such as computing power, increased storage capacity, attractive interface, Wi-Fi connectivity and upload capabilities. These are personal, portable and being increasingly used to assist students' learning that creates new educational opportunities for students at university. Social media, on the other hand, has emerged in the last decade as a dominant feature of the technology landscape, especially for our current generation of digital-native students. Leveraging these tools for higher education in general, and engineering education in particular, should be of immediate and pressing concern for educators. This research will investigate how students at university use smart phones with respect to engagement and interaction in various learning activities. It will study how students engage with learning tasks and what social interactions occur when they are trying to achieve their academic goals. Also, the tools/software that supports their academic goals in different learning settings or activities will be considered. This paper shows the background of the research to promote engineering students' learning curve.
Superior Results of Tibial Rodding Versus External Fixation in Grade 3B Fractures

From 1987 to 1993, 41 Grade 3B open tibial shaft fractures were treated with the unreamed tibial nail or an external fixator. The method of treatment was left to the choice of the operating surgeon. Three below knee amputations were performed; three patients died; and three were lost to followup. Thirty-two patients were observed until union or for at least 1 year. There were no significant statistical differences between the two groups with respect to fracture type, fracture location, age, gender, or accompanying injuries. The unreamed tibial nail group showed significantly better results regarding time to full weightbearing, number of reoperations, isolated bone grafting, walking range, and average Karlström and Olerud score. Time to bony union, infection, and nonunion were not significantly different between the groups.
Numerical identifications of parameters in parabolic systems

In this paper, we investigate the numerical identifications of physical parameters in parabolic initial-boundary value problems. The identifying problem is first formulated as a constrained minimization one using the output least squares approach with the -regularization or BV-regularization. Then a simple finite element method is used to approximate the constrained minimization problem and the convergence of the approximation is shown for both regularizations. The discrete constrained problem can be reduced to a sequence of unconstrained minimization problems. Numerical experiments are presented to show the efficiency of the proposed method, even for identifying highly discontinuous and oscillating parameters.
The structure of unliganded reverse transcriptase from the human immunodeficiency virus type 1.

The crystal structure of the reverse transcriptase (RT) from the type 1 human immunodeficiency virus has been determined at 3.2-A resolution. Comparison with complexes between RT and the polymerase inhibitor Nevirapine [Kohlstaedt, L.A. , Wang, J., Friedman, J.M. , Rice, P.A. & Steitz, T.A. (1992) Science 256, 1783-1790] and between RT and an oligonucleotide [Jacobo-Molina, A. , Ding, J., Nanni, R. , Clark, A. D. , Lu, X. , Tantillo, C. , Williams, R. L. , Kamer, G. , Ferris, A. L. , Clark, P., Hizi, A. , Hughes, S. H. & Arnold, E. (1993) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90, 6320-6324] reveals changes associated with ligand binding. The enzyme is a heterodimer (p66/p51), with domains labeled "fingers," "thumb," "palm," and "connection" in both subunits, and a ribonuclease H domain in the larger subunit only. The most striking difference between RT and both complex structures is the change in orientation of the p66 thumb (approximately 33 degrees rotation). Smaller shifts relative to the core of the molecule were also found in other domains, including the p66 fingers and palm, which contain the polymerase active site. Within the polymerase catalytic region itself, there are no rearrangements between RT and the RT/DNA complex. In RT/Nevirapine, the drug binds in the p66 palm near the polymerase active site, a region that is well-packed hydrophobic core in the unliganded enzyme. Room for the drug is provided by movement of a small beta-sheet within the palm domain of the Nevirapine complex. The rearrangement within the palm and thumb, as well as domain shifts relative to the enzyme core, may prevent correct placement of the oligonucleotide substrate when the drug is bound.
Clinical Validation of a Smartphone-Based Adapter for Optic Disc Imaging in Kenya.

IMPORTANCE Visualization and interpretation of the optic nerve and retina are essential parts of most physical examinations. OBJECTIVE To design and validate a smartphone-based retinal adapter enabling image capture and remote grading of the retina. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This validation study compared the grading of optic nerves from smartphone images with those of a digital retinal camera. Both image sets were independently graded at Moorfields Eye Hospital Reading Centre. Nested within the 6-year follow-up (January 7, 2013, to March 12, 2014) of the Nakuru Eye Disease Cohort in Kenya, 1460 adults (2920 eyes) 55 years and older were recruited consecutively from the study. A subset of 100 optic disc images from both methods were further used to validate a grading app for the optic nerves. Data analysis was performed April 7 to April 12, 2015. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Vertical cup-disc ratio for each test was compared in terms of agreement (Bland-Altman and weighted κ) and test-retest variability. RESULTS A total of 2152 optic nerve images were available from both methods (also 371 from the reference camera but not the smartphone, 170 from the smartphone but not the reference camera, and 227 from neither the reference camera nor the smartphone). Bland-Altman analysis revealed a mean difference of 0.02 (95% CI, -0.21 to 0.17) and a weighted κ coefficient of 0.69 (excellent agreement). The grades of an experienced retinal photographer were compared with those of a lay photographer (no health care experience before the study), and no observable difference in image acquisition quality was found. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Nonclinical photographers using the low-cost smartphone adapter were able to acquire optic nerve images at a standard that enabled independent remote grading of the images comparable to those acquired using a desktop retinal camera operated by an ophthalmic assistant. The potential for task shifting and the detection of avoidable causes of blindness in the most at-risk communities makes this an attractive public health intervention.
Fully conditional specification in multivariate imputation

The use of the Gibbs sampler with fully conditionally specified models, where the distribution of each variable given the other variables is the starting point, has become a popular method to create imputations in incomplete multivariate data. The theoretical weakness of this approach is that the specified conditional densities can be incompatible, and therefore the stationary distribution to which the Gibbs sampler attempts to converge may not exist. This study investigates practical consequences of this problem by means of simulation. Missing data are created under four different missing data mechanisms. Attention is given to the statistical behavior under compatible and incompatible models. The results indicate that multiple imputation produces essentially unbiased estimates with appropriate coverage in the simple cases investigated, even for the incompatible models. Of particular interest is that these results were produced using only five Gibbs iterations starting from a simple draw from observed marginal distributions. It thus appears that, despite the theoretical weaknesses, the actual performance of conditional model specification for multivariate imputation can be quite good, and therefore deserves further study.
Recursion-Based Biases in Stochastic Grammar Model Genetic Programming

The estimation of distribution algorithms (EDAs) applied to genetic programming (GP) have been studied by a number of authors. Like all EDAs, they suffer from biases induced by the model building and sampling process. However, the biases are amplified in the algorithms for GP. In particular, many systems use stochastic grammars as their model representation, but biases arise due to grammar recursion. We define and estimate the bias due to recursion in grammar-based EDAs in GP, using methods derived from computational linguistics. We confirm the extent of bias in some simple experimental examples. We then propose some methods to repair this bias. We apply the estimation of bias, and its repair, to some more practical applications. We experimentally demonstrate the extent of bias arising from recursion, and the performance improvements that can result from correcting it.
A Distributed Algorithm for Maximum Lifetime Routing in Sensor Networks with Mobile Sink

We consider a noise-limited wireless sensor network that consists of battery-operated nodes which can route information to a mobile sink in a multi-hop fashion. The problem of maximizing the network's lifetime, defined as the period of time during which the network can route a feasible flow to each sink location subject to power/energy constraints, is cast into a linear program, reduced into a simpler equivalent form and solved via dual decomposition. The unknowns are the sink sojourn times and the routing flow vector for each sink location. The presence of a mobile sink presents new challenges but the problem structure can still be exploited to find the optimal solution. A distributed algorithm based on the subgradient method and using the sink as leader is proposed and its performance is evaluated through simulation for random networks. The algorithm's requirements in memory are also provided.
R&D TAX POLICY and FIRM DYNAMICS

Empirical studies have documented the cost effectiveness of the R&D tax credit policy implemented in the US since 1981. However those studies fail to take into account the effect of R&D decisions on firms’ evolution over time. We construct a dynamic general equilibrium model of R&D with externalities where, a firm’s dynamics are affected by its own R&D decisions and by the R&D investment of other firms. The model is calibrated to pre-1981 US manufacturing data. We confirm the cost effectiveness result of empirical studies. However, we find that at its current 20% rate, the tax policy is welfare reducing, and that the optimal tax credit rate should be 3.8 %. ∗I would like to thank my advisor Matthew Mitchell for his continuous encouragement. I also thank Ayca Kaya, Fernando Leiva, B. Ravikumar, Galina Vereshchagina and seminar participants at the University of Iowa for their helpful comments and suggestions
Reproductive control via eviction (but not the threat of eviction) in banded mongooses

Considerable research has focused on understanding variation in reproductive skew in cooperative animal societies, but the pace of theoretical development has far outstripped empirical testing of the models. One major class of model suggests that dominant individuals can use the threat of eviction to deter subordinate reproduction (the ‘restraint’ model), but this idea remains untested. Here, we use long-term behavioural and genetic data to test the assumptions of the restraint model in banded mongooses (Mungos mungo), a species in which subordinates breed regularly and evictions are common. We found that dominant females suffer reproductive costs when subordinates breed, and respond to these costs by evicting breeding subordinates from the group en masse, in agreement with the assumptions of the model. We found no evidence, however, that subordinate females exercise reproductive restraint to avoid being evicted in the first place. This means that the pattern of reproduction is not the result of a reproductive ‘transaction’ to avert the threat of eviction. We present a simple game theoretical analysis that suggests that eviction threats may often be ineffective to induce pre-emptive restraint among multiple subordinates and predicts that threats of eviction (or departure) will be much more effective in dyadic relationships and linear hierarchies. Transactional models may be more applicable to these systems. Greater focus on testing the assumptions rather than predictions of skew models can lead to a better understanding of how animals control each other's reproduction, and the extent to which behaviour is shaped by overt acts versus hidden threats.
Encoding of Both Positive and Negative Reward Prediction Errors by Neurons of the Primate Lateral Prefrontal Cortex and Caudate Nucleus

Learning can be motivated by unanticipated success or unexpected failure. The former encourages us to repeat an action or activity, whereas the latter leads us to find an alternative strategy. Understanding the neural representation of these unexpected events is therefore critical to elucidate learning-related circuits. We examined the activity of neurons in the lateral prefrontal cortex (PFC) and caudate nucleus of monkeys as they performed a trial-and-error learning task. Unexpected outcomes were widely represented in both structures, and neurons driven by unexpectedly negative outcomes were as frequent as those activated by unexpectedly positive outcomes. Moreover, both positive and negative reward prediction errors (RPEs) were represented primarily by increases in firing rate, unlike the manner in which dopamine neurons have been observed to reflect these values. Interestingly, positive RPEs tended to appear with shorter latency than negative RPEs, perhaps reflecting the mechanism of their generation. Last, in the PFC but not the caudate, trial-by-trial variations in outcome-related activity were linked to the animals' subsequent behavioral decisions. More broadly, the robustness of RPE signaling by these neurons suggests that actor-critic models of reinforcement learning in which the PFC and particularly the caudate are considered primarily to be “actors” rather than “critics,” should be reconsidered to include a prominent evaluative role for these structures.
Integrated TIA-Equalizer for High Speed Optical Link

This paper introduces an integrated TIA (transimpedance amplifier) equalizer combination for a low cost giga-bit optical communication system with perfluorinated graded index plastic optic fiber (GI-POF) offering a large optical bandwidth. To realize the potential cost advantages offered by POF based data link, a large area photodiode is used to reduce costly alignment precision, with a TIA- equalizer. Equalization is needed due to bandwidth limitation resulting from the large photodiode. The photo-detector capacitance with input impedance of the TIA forms a dominant low frequency pole. Equalizer extends the bandwidth of the whole system by introducing a peak in its frequency response at high frequencies to compensate the loss of bandwidth. The main focus is to use an inexpensive, large area photo-detector to increase fiber to detector alignment tolerance simultaneously preserving system speed using the equalizer. This system is for a bit rate varying from 1 to 3 Gbps. The TIA-equalizer combination was implemented with 0.18 mum digital CMOS process using 1.8 V supply.
On representation theory of quantum $SL_{q}(2)$ groups at roots of unity

Irreducible representations of quantum groups $SL_q(2)$ (in Woronowicz' approach) were classified in J.Wang, B.Parshall, Memoirs AMS 439 in the~case of $q$ being an~odd root of unity. Here we find the~irreducible representations for all roots of unity (also of an~even degree), as well as describe "the~diagonal part" of tensor product of any two irreducible representations. An~example of not completely reducible representation is given. Non--existence of Haar functional is proved. The~corresponding representations of universal enveloping algebras of Jimbo and Lusztig are provided. We also recall the~case of general~$q$. Our computations are done in explicit way.
A Countermeasure Study on the Universities' Majors Setup and Reform of Management System

This paper indicates many existing problems in majors setup. These problems include: excessive development of some majors; incomplete related management system; lack of majors' transformation and none of the exit mechanism; curriculum system, teaching team development and other issues. To solve these problems and improve the development of the university majors, authors analyze some factors that can influence the issues. Finally, it provides some suggestions to strengthen majors' management, and makes it to meet the demands of the social and economic development.
The Human Papillomavirus Type 8 E2 Tethering Protein Targets the Ribosomal DNA Loci of Host Mitotic Chromosomes

ABSTRACT For many papillomaviruses, the viral protein E2 tethers the viral genome to the host mitotic chromosomes to ensure persistent, long-term maintenance of the genome during cell division. Our previous studies of E2 proteins from different genera of papillomaviruses have shown that they bind to different regions of the host chromosomes during mitosis. For example, bovine papillomavirus type 1 (BPV-1) E2 binds to all chromosomes as small speckles in complex with the cellular protein Brd4. In contrast, the human papillomavirus type 8 (HPV-8) E2 protein binds as large speckles at the pericentromeric regions of chromosomes. Here we show that these speckles do not contain Brd4, and unlike that of BPV-1, the N-terminal Brd4-interacting domain of HPV-8 E2 is not required for chromosome binding. In contrast to BPV-1 E2, the HPV-8 E2 protein targets the short arms of acrocentric mitotic chromosomes. Furthermore, the E2 protein interacts with the repeated ribosomal DNA genes found in this location and colocalizes with UBF, the RNA polymerase I transcription factor. Therefore, HPV-8 E2 genome tethering occurs by a Brd4-independent mechanism through a novel interaction with specific regions of mitotic chromosomes. Thus, a wide range of viruses have adopted the strategy of linking their genomes to host chromosomes, but individual viruses use different chromosomal targets. Characterization of these targets will enable the development of antiviral therapies to eliminate the viral genomes from infected cells.
Copper in plants

Copper is an essential metal for normal plant growth and development, although it is also potentially toxic. Copper participates in numerous physiological processes and is an essential cofactor for many metalloproteins, however, problems arise when excess copper is present in cells. Excess copper inhibits plant growth and impairs important cellular processes (i.e., photosynthetic electron transport). Since copper is both an essential cofactor and a toxic element, involving a complex network of metal trafficking pathways, different strategies have evolved in plants to appropriately regulate its homeostasis as a function of the environmental copper level. Such strategies must prevent accumulation of the metal in the freely reactive form (metal detoxification pathways) and ensure proper delivery of this element to target metalloproteins. The mechanisms involved in the acquisition of this essential micronutrient have not been clearly defined although a number of genes have recently been identified which encode potential copper transporters. This review gives a briefly overview of the current understanding of the more important features concerning copper toxicity and tolerance in plants, and brings information of recent findings on copper trafficking including copper detoxification factors, copper transporters and copper chaperones.
Assessment of Spectator Behavior at Youth Soccer Games

Sports have always played an important role in children's lives. American Youth Soccer Organization provides youth athletes the opportunity to participate in a soccer league that focuses on teaching good sportsmanship and player development. The purpose of this study was to assess fan behavior at middle school age female and male AYSO soccer games in San Luis Obispo. The subjects of this study were spectators (i.e. coaches and parents) of AYSO. The researcher and the research assistant attended six games during October 2010. At each game, notes were recorded on comments and behaviors, both positive and negative. After the data were recorded, it was found that a majority of spectators were positive, however there was an occasional negative remark or gesture. There were also instructional comments classified as neutral. Recommendations for future research include using a larger age range of subjects and attending additional games.
Identification of Mutations Related to Streptomycin Resistance in Clinical Isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Possible Involvement of Efflux Mechanism

ABSTRACT The MIC for streptomycin in the presence of efflux pump (EP) inhibitors and the sequencing of rpsL, rrs, and gidB genes provided evidence for the possible participation of EP in low-level streptomycin (STR) resistance of some isolates without mutations. Mutation in the gidB gene and an EP could act synergistically to confer low STR resistance.
Reliable and high performance STT-MRAM architectures based on controllable-polarity devices

Source degeneration of access devices in the parallel (P)_ anti-parallel (AP) switching in Spin Transfer Torque Magnetic Random Access Memories (STT-MRAM) has ultimately been a limiting factor in the operational speed of these types of memories. In this work, new architectures for memory single-cells and arrays of cells are presented that utilize Schottky-Barrier Silicon Nanowire Field Effect Transistors with polarity control capabilities (e.g., SiNW-FETs), to substantially increase the performance of STT-MRAM, specifically Multi-Level Cell (MLC) STT-MRAM. The proposed design offers built-in reliability improvement as it omits one of the available four states in the MLC STT-MRAM memory facilitating the resistance level detection for peripheral circuitry. Our simulation results of the developed memory cell show 49.7% reductions in P-AP switching time, as well as 51.3% increases in available drive current under 1.4V supply voltage when compared to FinFET 22imi technology. With respect to memory arrays, the proposed architecture demonstrates an average write latency reduction of 37% in comparison with FinFET 22nm technology node.
SIV/DeltaB670 transmission across oral, colonic, and vaginal mucosae in the macaque

Abstract: The primary mode of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission worldwide is by exposure to the virus at vaginal, rectal, and oral mucosal surfaces. To understand HIV/simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) transmission events at mucosal portals of entry, we used the SIV‐macaque model to determine if mucosal surfaces function as barriers and select for particular viral genotypes. Rhesus macaques were inoculated intravaginally, intracolonically, intrarectally, or orally with the complex primary viral isolate SIV/DeltaB670. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells, collected within the first two weeks postinoculation, were cloned and sequenced from all infected macaques. In the majority of the animals analyzed, multiple genotypes were identified, independent of the route of infection. These findings suggest that the mucosal barrier may play a minor role in the genotypic selection observed during sexual transmission of HIV and emphasize the need to evaluate the viral diversity present within the mucosal secretions of chronically infected individuals.