Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Typical case behaviour of spin systems in random graph and composite ensembles

This thesis includes analysis of disordered spin ensembles corresponding to Exact Cover, a multi-access channel problem, and composite models combining sparse and dense interactions. The satisfiability problem in Exact Cover is addressed using a statistical analysis of a simple branch and bound algorithm. The algorithm can be formulated in the large system limit as a branching process, for which critical properties can be analysed. Far from the critical point a set of differential equations may be used to model the process, and these are solved by numerical integration and exact bounding methods. The multi-access channel problem is formulated as an equilibrium statistical physics problem for the case of bit transmission on a channel with power control and synchronisation. A sparse code division multiple access method is considered and the optimal detection properties are examined in typical case by use of the replica method, and compared to detection performance achieved by interactive decoding methods. These codes are found to have phenomena closely resembling the well-understood dense codes. The composite model is introduced as an abstraction of canonical sparse and dense disordered spin models. The model includes couplings due to both dense and sparse topologies simultaneously. The new type of codes are shown to outperform sparse and dense codes in some regimes both in optimal performance, and in performance achieved by iterative detection methods in finite systems.
New concepts for a decentralized, self-organizing air-to-air radio link

In this paper, a new access scheme for an aeronautical mobile ad-hoc network (MANET) is presented. The access scheme combines the ideas of nested cellular reuse patterns and variable guard times. The nested cellular reuse patterns solve the hidden station and the near-far problem whereas variable guard times ensure the efficiency of this particular access scheme. Conventional approaches for coordinated, consecutive transmissions require fixed guard times. Considering aeronautical MANETs with their large dimensions together with typical aeronautical applications having short message durations, fixed guard times are inefficient, since the ratio between massage duration and guard time becomes too small. An algorithm for calculating the variable guard times in a MANET is presented and a lower bound for the mean required guard time is derived. In addition, the question of message collisions that might influence the stability of the algorithm is addressed.
Induction of New Antigenic Properties on Dtic-Treated L1210 Clones

In vivo treatment of mouse leukemia L1210 with DTIC can induce new antigens on tumor cells that are not detectable on parental cells and that are transmissible as a genetic character. Moreover, L1210/DTIC is rejected by syngeneic hosts. The aim of this study was to investigate whether DTIC selects pre-existing immunogenic clones rather than inducing ex novo new antigenic determinants and to verify the number of induced antigens. L1210 leukemia was cloned in vitro and 4 clones were treated in vivo with DTIC. All the treated clones displayed antigenic properties since they were rejected by syngeneic hosts. Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) activated against one DTIC clone could recognize and lyse the relevant target. One of these DTIC-modified clones (L4/DTIC) was recloned and the subclones were tested in vivo and in vitro. Two out of six subclones were rejected by syngeneic hosts. CTL specific against these two clones were able to recognize and lyse all the other clones to different degrees. The degree of suscptibility to lysis did not correlate with the capability to evoke an immune response in vivo. Based on these findings we conclude that DTIC does not select pre-existing clones but modifies the tumor cells antigenically, and that the antigenicity induced by DTIC in a cloned tumor line is due to the presence of common antigens shared to different degrees with treated cells.
Teachers as learners – with a little help from a critical friend

Professional learning is intended to improve teaching, benefit student learning and in the longer term improve achievement of targets in schools. When teachers take responsibility not only for their own learning but also for their colleagues’, it can lead to a shift in attitudes towards collaborative learning. This study presents an example of a professional learning community (PLC) based on teachers’ engagement in systematic inquiries. The aim of the study was to explore crucial factors during the process of critical friendship that could be related to a PLC. The research context was a series of shadowing sessions where teachers were expected to document teaching and provide feedback. The analyses are mainly based on documentation, in the form of shadowing logs produced when teachers study each other in action. Findings indicate that the role of critical friend was hard to internalise and that most of the teachers did not use it to its full potential for learning, according to the Vygotskian concept of the zone of proximal development. Three crucial factors for learning in a PLC are addressed: active choices related to teachers’ and students’ learning during different phases in the inquiry; the complexity of mastering several skills in action research at the same time; and the teachers’ attitudes to professional learning.
Decentralised Communication in Autonomous Agent Swarms

Communication and information diffusion are typically difficult in situations where centralised structures may become unavailable. In this context, decentralised communication based on epidemic broadcast becomes essential. It can be seen as an opportunity-based flooding for message broadcasting within a swarm of autonomous agents, where each entity tries to share the information it possesses with its neighbours. As an example of applications for such a system, we present simulation results where agents have to coordinate to map an unknown area.
Morphine mouthwash for the management of oral mucositis in patients with head and neck cancer

Background: Oral mucositis is a debilitating side effect of cancer treatment for which there is not much successful treatments at yet. We evaluated the effectiveness of topical morphine compared with a routine mouthwash in managing cancer treatment-induced mucositis. Materials and Methods: Thirty head and neck cancer patients with severe mucositis (World Health Organization Grade III or IV) were randomized into the morphine and magic mouthwash groups. Patients received morphine sulfate 2% or magic solution (contained magnesium aluminum hydroxide, viscous lidocaine, and diphenhydramine), 10 ml for every 3 h, six times a day, for 6 days. Both groups received same dietary and oral hygiene instructions and care. Mucositis was graded at baseline and every 3 days after treatment. Patients′ satisfaction and drug effect maintenance were also evaluated. Results: Twenty-eight patients (mean age of 49.5 ± 13.2 years, 63.3% female) completed the trial; 15 in the morphine group and 13 in the magic group. There was a decrease in mucositis severity in both of the morphine (P < 0.001) and magic (P = 0.049) groups. However, at the 6 th day, more reduction was observed in mucositis severity in the morphine compared with magic group (P = 0.045). Drug effect maintenance was similar between the two groups, but patients in the morphine group were more satisfied by their treatments than those in the magic group (P = 0.008). Conclusions: Topical morphine is more effective and more satisfactory to patients than the magic mouthwash in reducing severity of cancer treatment-induced oral mucositis. More studies with larger sample size and longer follow-up are required in this regard.
Heterogeneous multi-core architectures with dynamically reconfigurable processors for WiMAX transmitter

Through tailoring individual core to best fit dedicated applications, heterogeneous multi-core architectures can maximise performance while mitigating area costs and power consumption. This paper introduces heterogeneous multi-core architectures using coarse-grained dynamically reconfigurable processors. The multi-core system has been tailored for the performance intensive WiMAX transmitter. An exploration algorithm is proposed to search the design space for multi-core systems to find suitable solutions under specific system and performance constraints.
Regulation of Complexes by Cytoskeletal Elements: Integrins Serve as Force Transducers Linking Mechanical Stimuli and Biochemical Signals

This Teaching Resource provides a summary and slides derived from a lecture on the integrin family members and the downstream signaling pathways they activate; it is part of the course "Cell Signaling Systems: A Course for Graduate Students. " The lecture focuses on the capacity of integrins to serve as mechanotransducers, with particular emphasis on signaling mechanisms downstream of integrins.
A Proposal for a Mindfulness-Based Trauma Prevention Program for Social Work Professionals

The pervasiveness of traumatic events and the increasing awareness of their persistent and sometimes devastating effects on individuals and populations has repositioned trauma from a peripheral topic of interest for social workers to a mainstream subject of study. This article explores the personal and professional challenges that mass trauma presents to social workers and provides a rationale for, and description of, a proposed mindfulness-based trauma prevention program. This program is designed to guide social workers and other health professionals in learning effective self-directed techniques to maintain equanimity in the face of danger and human suffering, thereby reducing the incidence of secondary trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder. Components of the program include mindfulness of breathing, body scan, and trauma-releasing exercises.
Entretenimento e ativismo político em jogos digitais: uma análise do McDonald’s Videogame

A discussao sobre o uso politico dos jogos digitais se insere no contexto amplo da discussao acerca das potencialidades persuasivas das midias processadas por computador. Afinal, em compasso com o surgimento de uma linguagem expressiva, ha o surgimento de novos mecanismos de suporte a esta linguagem. Nesse contexto, este estudo busca iniciar um esforco no sentido de apresentar uma perspectiva que auxilie a compreensao dos jogos digitais e seus processos persuasivos para alem da analise formal. Para tanto, a pesquisa se apoia no arcabouco teorico dos Game Studies e nas contribuicoes de Foucault, que atravessam o debate deste trabalho. Neste artigo, defendemos a observacao do videogame enquanto dispositivo. Para demonstrar esta perspectiva sera analisado um jogo persuasivo a fim de desvelar esta dimensao que vai alem da sua composicao formal. Palavras-chave : Games. Politica. Dispositivo. McDonald’s videogame.
Conceptual Model for Selenium Cycling in the Great Salt Lake

This document describes a conceptual model for selenium cycling in the Great Salt Lake. The document consists of four parts: A) Introduction to the problem & Overview (page 1) B) The framework of the model and underlying assumptions (page 7) C) Visual depiction of conceptual model (page 17) D) Relevant references supporting the model framework (page 22) During the Fall of 2005 a panel of nationally recognized scientists in the area of selenium environmental toxicology and geochemistry was convened to work with local scientists and engineers to develop a conceptual model to guide development of investigations in support of determining an open water selenium standard for the Great Salt Lake. The expert panel included Dr. The local scientists and engineers who worked with the expert panel in development of the conceptual model were Motivation The motivation to determine a selenium standard for the open water of the Great Salt Lake (GSL) derives from public concern for a plan to allow disposal of reverse osmosis (RO) concentrate in the GSL. The concentrate would contain elevated concentrations of major and trace elements, including selenium. The need for reverse osmosis treatment of groundwater arises from sulfate contamination in the confined aquifer emanating from the Kennecott evaporation ponds.
Myoelectric intuitive control and transcutaneous electrical stimulation of the forearm for vibrotactile sensation feedback applied to a 3D printed prosthetic hand

This paper presents the development of a myoelectric prosthetic hand based on a 3D printed model. A myoelectric control strategy based on artificial neural networks is implemented on a microcontroller for online position estimation. Position estimation performance achieves a correlation index of 0.78. Also a study involving transcutaneous electrical stimulation was performed to provide tactile feedback. A series of stimulations with controlled parameters were tested on five able-body subjects. A single channel stimulator was used, positioning the electrodes 8 cm on the wrist over the ulnar and median nerve. Controlling stimulation parameters such as intensity, frequency and pulse width, the subjects were capable of distinguishing different sensations over the palm of the hand. Three main sensations where achieved: tickling, pressure and pain. Tickling and pressure were discretized into low, moderate and high according to the magnitude of the feeling. The parameters at which each sensation was obtained are further discussed in this paper.
Blood Pressure Variability and Cardiovascular Risk in the PROspective Study of Pravastatin in the Elderly at Risk (PROSPER)

Variability in blood pressure predicts cardiovascular disease in young- and middle-aged subjects, but relevant data for older individuals are sparse. We analysed data from the PROspective Study of Pravastatin in the Elderly at Risk (PROSPER) study of 5804 participants aged 70–82 years with a history of, or risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Visit-to-visit variability in blood pressure (standard deviation) was determined using a minimum of five measurements over 1 year; an inception cohort of 4819 subjects had subsequent in-trial 3 years follow-up; longer-term follow-up (mean 7.1 years) was available for 1808 subjects. Higher systolic blood pressure variability independently predicted long-term follow-up vascular and total mortality (hazard ratio per 5 mmHg increase in standard deviation of systolic blood pressure = 1.2, 95% confidence interval 1.1–1.4; hazard ratio 1.1, 95% confidence interval 1.1–1.2, respectively). Variability in diastolic blood pressure associated with increased risk for coronary events (hazard ratio 1.5, 95% confidence interval 1.2–1.8 for each 5 mmHg increase), heart failure hospitalisation (hazard ratio 1.4, 95% confidence interval 1.1–1.8) and vascular (hazard ratio 1.4, 95% confidence interval 1.1–1.7) and total mortality (hazard ratio 1.3, 95% confidence interval 1.1–1.5), all in long-term follow-up. Pulse pressure variability was associated with increased stroke risk (hazard ratio 1.2, 95% confidence interval 1.0–1.4 for each 5 mmHg increase), vascular mortality (hazard ratio 1.2, 95% confidence interval 1.0–1.3) and total mortality (hazard ratio 1.1, 95% confidence interval 1.0–1.2), all in long-term follow-up. All associations were independent of respective mean blood pressure levels, age, gender, in-trial treatment group (pravastatin or placebo) and prior vascular disease and cardiovascular disease risk factors. Our observations suggest variability in diastolic blood pressure is more strongly associated with vascular or total mortality than is systolic pressure variability in older high-risk subjects.
‘LIVING TWO LIVES’

The work pattern of North Sea oil workers (typically, 2–3 weeks offshore alternating with a similar period of leave) imposes significant demands on the families concerned. The effects of ‘intermittent husband absence’ were recognized in the 1980s, but little recent research has focused on the adaptation of offshore families in spite of changes in the industry, in local communities, and in society more widely. The material reported here was derived from survey responses (N = 245), and from telephone interviews (N = 39) with spouses of men working offshore in 2001–2002. Demographic data, descriptive material, and literature findings are drawn together and illustrated with quotations to present a picture of spouses’ perceptions, both positive and negative, of offshore lifestyles. Particular areas of interest are responses to the repeated partings and reunions involved in offshore work; the impact of intermittent father absences on children; communications with the absent partner; and employment outside the home and its role in the lives of offshore spouses. Spouses’ concerns about offshore safety and job security are also noted. Relative to earlier research, the findings present a more favourable impression of the adaptation and satisfaction of offshore families.
Memory for items and relationships among items embedded in realistic scenes: disproportionate relational memory impairments in amnesia.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to examine the dependence of item memory and relational memory on medial temporal lobe (MTL) structures. Patients with amnesia, who either had extensive MTL damage or damage that was relatively restricted to the hippocampus, were tested, as was a matched comparison group. Disproportionate relational memory impairments were predicted for both patient groups, and those with extensive MTL damage were also expected to have impaired item memory. METHOD Participants studied scenes, and were tested with interleaved 2-alternative forced-choice probe trials. Probe trials were either presented immediately after the corresponding study trial (Lag 1), 5 trials later (Lag 5), or 9 trials later (Lag 9) and consisted of the studied scene along with a manipulated version of that scene in which 1 item was replaced with a different exemplar (item memory test) or was moved to a new location (relational memory test). Participants were to identify the exact match of the studied scene. RESULTS As predicted, patients were disproportionately impaired on the test of relational memory. Item memory performance was marginally poorer among patients with extensive MTL damage, but both groups were impaired relative to matched comparison participants. Impaired performance was evident at all lags, including the shortest possible lag (Lag 1). CONCLUSIONS The results are consistent with the proposed role of the hippocampus in relational memory binding and representation, even at short delays, and suggest that the hippocampus may also contribute to successful item memory when items are embedded in complex scenes.
Temporal Expression of Type III Secretion Genes of Chlamydia pneumoniae

ABSTRACT Chlamydia pneumoniae has been shown to possess at least 13 genes that are homologous with other known type III secretion (TTS) systems. Upon infection of HEp-2 cells with C. pneumoniae, the expression of these genes was followed by reverse transcriptase PCR throughout the developmental cycle of this obligate intracellular pathogen. In addition, expression was analyzed when C. pneumoniae was grown in the presence of human gamma interferon (IFN-γ). The groEL-1, ompA, and omcB genes were used as markers for the early, middle, and late stages of the developmental cycle, respectively, and the inhibition of expression of the fstK gene was used as a marker for the effect of IFN-γ on the maturation of C. pneumoniae. In the absence of IFN-γ, the TTS genes were expressed as follows: early stage (1.5 to 8 h), yscC, yscS, yscL, yscJ and lcrH-2; middle stage (by 12 to 18 h), lcrD, yscN, and yscR; and late stage (by 24 h), lcrE, sycE, lcrH-1, and yscT. Of the genes expressed early, the lcrH-2 gene was detected the earliest, at 1.5 h. Expression of the yscU gene was not detected at any of the time points examined. Under the influence of IFN-γ, the cluster of TTS genes that were normally not expressed until the middle to late stages of the developmental cycle, namely, lcrD, lcrE, and sycE, as well as lcrH-1, were down-regulated, and expression could not be detected up to 48 h. In contrast, the expression of the other TTS genes appeared to be unchanged in the presence of IFN-γ. The lcrH-1 and lcrH-2 genes differed from one another in both their temporal expression and response to IFN-γ. In other TTS systems, these genes code for proteins that function in regulation of effector protein synthesis as well as serve as chaperones for proteins that provide for the translocation of the effector proteins into the host cell. In summary, the expression pattern of the TTS genes of C. pneumoniae examined suggests that they are temporally regulated throughout the developmental cycle. Furthermore, paralleling the inhibition of the maturation of the reticulate body to the elementary body, TTS genes expressed in the later stages of the cycle appear to be down-regulated when the organism is grown in the presence of IFN-γ.
Model based control strategies for a class of nonlinear mechanical sub-systems

This paper presents a comparison between various control strategies for a class of mechanical actuators common in heavy-duty industry. Typical actuator components are hydraulic or pneumatic elements with static non-linearities, which are commonly referred to as Hammerstein systems. Such static non-linearities may vary in time as a function of the load and hence classical inverse-model based control strategies may deliver sub-optimal performance. This paper investigates the ability of advanced model based control strategies to satisfy a tolerance interval for position error values, overshoot and settling time specifications. Due to the presence of static non-linearity requiring changing direction of movement, control effort is also evaluated in terms of zero crossing frequency (up-down or left-right movement). Simulation and experimental data from a lab setup suggest that sliding mode control is able to improve global performance parameters.
Prevalence of Cryptosporidium species in elementary school children

The project described here was conducted to study the prevalence of various parasites in elementary school children in northern Jordan. A single stool specimen was collected from each of 1,000 students in the 6- to 14-year-old age group. A questionnaire covering demographic information, health status, and other relevant information was filled out by one of the parents of each student. Fresh stool specimens were processed by using wet mount preparations, formalin-ether, and Sheather's sugar flotation techniques. Permanently stained slides were prepared by acid-fast, Giemsa, and trichrome staining. Cryptosporidium species was found in 40 specimens (4%); however, only 15 specimens had Cryptosporidium species alone, and these 15 specimens were from symptomatic children with diarrheic stools. The symptoms reported most often were abdominal pain, cramps, malaise, nausea, and headache. The number of cases of infection was higher in villages, where contact with animals was evident and where contaminated drinking water could have been a major source of the infections.
Kvinnofolksgöra - om arbetsdelning i bondesamhället

Gränserna mellan manliga och kvinnliga kunskapsområden i bondesamhället var mer flytande än vi ofta föreställer oss idag. Vad kvinnor kunde och fick göra varierade i olika epoker, bygder och samhällsklasser. Orvar Löfgren analyserar här kvinnoarbetets innehåll och betydelse. Han beskriver ett mönster där kvinnors kunskap kommit att undervärderas och idag även undermineras i takt med den teknologiska utvecklingen.