Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exploring the Business Process Agility Issue: An Experience Report

Business process agility has drawn the attention of numerous researchers. Whilst this research activity constitutes a useful contribution towards the attainment of business process agility, most of them focus on agility during execution phase. Therefore, although business process design is an equally important phase of the business process lifecycle the exploration of agility from the designerâ€™s perspective has not been given the attention it deserves. In this paper, the authors discuss their point of view regarding business process agility, as it was shaped during a case study concerning medical processes. Through this study, they identified important requirements for the attainment of business process agility, which were subsequently combined into a holistic picture constituting a comprehensive suggestion for the practical realization of business process agility. The objective of this paper is to contribute to a deeper understanding of business process agility and ultimately to its practical realization through the proposed holistic solution.
Functional MRI of language lateralization during development in children

Changes in the distribution of language function in the brain have been documented from infancy through adulthood. Even macroscopic measures of language lateralization reflect a dynamic process of language development. In this review, we summarize a series of functional MRI studies of language skills in children ages of five to 18 years, both typically-developing children and children with brain injuries or neurological disorders that occur at different developmental stages with different degrees of severity. These studies used a battery of fMRI-compatible language tasks designed to tap sentential and lexical language skills that develop early and later in childhood. In typically-developing children, lateralization changes with age are associated with language skills that have a protracted period of development, reflecting the developmental process of skill acquisition rather than general maturation of the brain. Normative data, across the developmental period, acts as a reference for disentangling developmental patterns in brain activation from changes due to developmental or acquired abnormalities. This review emphasizes the importance of considering age and child development in neuroimaging studies of language.
The non-canonical role of vascular endothelial growth factor-C axis in cancer progression

It has been shown in many clinical studies that the level of vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) positively correlates with lymph node metastasis. Nevertheless, beyond the canonical role of VEGF-C in stimulating lymphangiogenesis and thus promoting lymph node/distant metastasis, emerging evidence indicates that expression of VEGF-C contributes to various aspects of carcinogenicity via autocrine regulation. The newly identified functions of VEGF-C include but are not limited to proliferation, migration, invasion, and chemo-resistance. Besides tumor cell autocrine regulation, VEGF-C can also modulate the immune system such that tumor cells more easily escape immune surveillance. Therefore, understanding the functional roles and regulatory mechanisms related to the VEGF-C axis may lead to alternative strategies for cancer treatment. This mini-review will focus on summarizing recent discoveries regarding the unconventional functions of VEGF-C in cancer progression.
Coupling the cell cycle to development

The core machinery that drives the eukaryotic cell cycle has been thoroughly investigated over the course of the past three decades. It is only more recently, however, that light has been shed on the mechanisms by which elements of this core machinery are modulated to alter cell cycle progression during development. It has also become increasingly clear that, conversely, core cell cycle regulators can play a crucial role in developmental processes. Here, focusing on findings from Drosophila melanogaster and Caenorhabditis elegans, we review the importance of modulating the cell cycle during development and discuss how core cell cycle regulators participate in determining cell fates.
Demodulation of Narrowband Speech Spectrograms Using the Riesz Transform

We propose a two-dimensional (2-D) multicomponent amplitude-modulation, frequency-modulation (AM-FM) model for a spectrogram patch corresponding to voiced speech, and develop a new demodulation algorithm to effectively separate the AM, which is related to the vocal tract response, and the carrier, which is related to the excitation. The demodulation algorithm is based on the Riesz transform and is developed along the lines of Hilbert-transform-based demodulation for 1-D AM-FM signals. We compare the performance of the Riesz transform technique with that of the sinusoidal demodulation technique on real speech data. Experimental results show that the Riesz-transform-based demodulation technique represents spectrogram patches accurately. The spectrograms reconstructed from the demodulated AM and carrier are inverted and the corresponding speech signal is synthesized. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the reconstructed speech signal, with respect to clean speech, was found to be 2 to 4 dB higher in case of the Riesz transform technique than the sinusoidal demodulation technique.
Supervisory control and monitoring of an electric power distribution

For decades, the electric power grid remained the same until the advent of Distributed Generation (DG) and the spread of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). Besides, the ancient power grid has become ill-suited to the need of the 21st century. Accordingly, the traditional grid has witnessed radical transformations into Smart Grid. The ancient grid has become smarter and bigger, thus monitoring techniques and controlling technologies are highly needed in order to help it work securely, efficiently and at its best. In this paper, we focus on the importance of the Supervisory Control System (SCS) in Power Distributions. We deployed the SCS in a laboratory test-bed in order to process data, store information, visualize power and energy curves and notify power outages. It is expected that this paper provides a better understanding about Smart Grid concept. An overview of monitoring and management systems is depicted with empathies on SCADA Systems. Metering technologies and features are discussed. Then, the Supervisory Control System through the laboratory test bed is explained.
An empirical model of TCP transfers

We propose a model of TCP performance that captures the behavior of a diverse set of network paths. The model uses more parameters than previous efforts, but we show that each feature of the model describes an effect that is important for at least some paths. We show that the model is sufficient to describe the datasets we collected with acceptable accuracy. Finally, we show that the model’s parameters can be estimated using simple, application-level measurements.
Efficient visual salient object landmark extraction and recognition

This article presents an efficient visual landmark extraction and recognition method that can autonomously and rapidly detect visual features such as objects or groups of small objects, and that can be applied to visual object recognition based SLAM and navigation in indoor/large environments using a monocular/omnidirection vision system. Our method consists of two-stage: (1) we autonomously extract object regions with modified fuzzy object segmentation. We generate a saliency map of the scene based on Modified Phase spectrum of Fourier Transform (mPFT) and extract the final salient object landmark with weighted combination of candidate of objects and saliency map. (2) Using these result, we register current objects as visual landmark and then recognize the current image the scale invariant feature transform (SIFT) - based recognition with probabilistic voting. In experiments results in real indoor and large hall environments, the proposed method was simpler and 10∼15% better performance in computation efficiency and successfully extracted salient object landmark in complex environments with high recognition rates. The proposed algorithm can be easily implemented in real-time by reducing the number of objects considered.
Apply Problem-Based Learning in Mobile Learning Environment

In this research, we build a problem-based learning platform in mobile learning environment. There are two major parts of this research: teaching materials analysis and problem-based mobile learning. Student can obtain teaching materials which related to learning objectives through mobile device. The retrieved teaching materials are reference to students learning objectives and learning objects' knowledge map. This learning platform is based on problem-based learning, system use question to guild and lead student study. The learning loop starts by give student an inspired question. Students discuss with each other and make assumption, observe and collect learning objects in mobile learning environment, verify assumption and make conclusion.
Saliency map based image steganography

Steganography is an emerging field for hiding secure data. This is useful in electronics data security domains such as watermarking, copyright, secret number, unauthorized reproduction etc. In this paper we propose a saliency based steganography technique, which uses a statistical block analysis of the saliency map to identify regions for secure data embedding. Saliency computation is also an active research area, and for best result, different techniques are combined to generate the saliency map. Various steganography techniques such as sequential, block, and transform domain do not take into account the variation in perceptual information of an image. In saliency based embedding, visual attention is considered for selecting regions for embedding of secure data. The proposed saliency based steganography provides a new dimension for steganography, where embedding of secure data causes minimum affect on visual objects of an image as well as little distortion in segmentation boundaries.
Analysis of the Properties of Binding of Calcium‐Channel Activators and Inhibitors to Dihydropyridine Receptors in Chick Heart Membranes

The interaction of 1,4-dihydropyridine derivatives with their receptors on voltage-dependent calcium channels in cardiac membranes was studied to determine if there are basic differences in the binding properties of ligands that cause inhibition or activation of calcium channels. The binding characteristics of 6 pure stereoisomers, (-) and (+)202-791, (-) and (+)Bay k 8644, (-) and (+)PN 200-110, as well as racemic Bay k 8644 and nitrendipine, were compared. Competition studies using the cold ligands and 3 different radiolabelled dihydropyridines, (+)[3H]PN 200-110, (±)[3H]nitrendipine, and (±)[3H]Bay k 8644, showed that, for each combination tested, the labelled dihydropyridine could be displaced by the cold dihydropyridine. The binding reactions were markedly affected by temperature. The Kd values for most compounds were significantly higher (5-19 times) at 0° than at 37°C. In contrast, the affinity of (+)PN 200-110 was similar at 0° and 37°C, but slightly higher at 25°C. A thermodynamic analysis indicated that the binding of the two pure isomers that are Ca2+-channel activators (“agonists”), (-)Bay k 8644 and (+)202-791, was driven entirely by enthalpy and was associated with an unfavorable decrease in entropy. This was in marked contrast to the binding of the inhibitors (“antagonists”). The binding of (+)PN 200-110 and nitrendipine at low temperatures was driven largely or entirely by entropy. Other antagonist-binding reactions were driven mainly by enthalpy but were associated with favorable increases in entropy. The affinity of the three radiolabelled ligands for the dihydropyridine receptor differed 100 times and appeared to be due to large differences in dissociation rate constants for each of the ligands. The rates of dissociation of (+)[3H]PN 200-110 and (±)[3H]nitrendipine, but not of (±)[3H]Bay k 8644, were significantly slowed by diltiazem, a calcium-channel inhibitor that binds to another receptor on the calcium channel. The results show that there were marked differences in the binding of the various dihydropyridines and suggest that the energetics of binding of Ca2+-channel activators and inhibitors may be fundamentally different.
Full weight-bearing hindlimb standing following stand training in the adult spinal cat.

Behavioral and physiological characteristics of standing were studied in nontrained spinal cats and in spinal cats that received daily stand training of the hindlimbs for 12 wk. Training consisted of assisting the cats to stand with full weight support either on both hindlimbs or on one hindlimb (30 min/day, 5 days/wk). Extensor muscle electromyographic (EMG) amplitude and extension at the knee and ankle joints during full weight bearing recovered to prespinal levels in both stand-trained and nontrained spinal cats. However, full weight bearing of the hindquarters was sustained for up to approximately 20 min in the spinal cats that received bilateral stand training compared with approximately 4 min in cats that were not trained to stand. Unilateral stand training selectively improved weight bearing on the trained limb based on ground reaction forces and extensor muscle EMG activity levels measured during bilateral standing. These results suggest that the capacity of the adult lumbar spinal cord to generate full weight-bearing standing can be improved by as much as fivefold by the repetitive activation of selected neural pathways in the spinal cord after supraspinal connectivity has been eliminated. Given that stepping is improved in response to step training, it appears that the recovery of standing provides another example of training-specific motor learning in the spinal cord, i.e., the spinal cord learns to perform hindlimb standing by practicing that specific task.
Microbiology and atmospheric processes: chemical interactions of primary biological aerosols

Abstract. This paper discusses the influence of primary biological aerosols (PBA) on atmospheric chemistry and vice versa through microbiological and chemical properties and processes. Several studies have shown that PBA represent a significant fraction of air particulate matter and hence affect the microstructure and water uptake of aerosol particles. Moreover, airborne micro-organisms, namely fungal spores and bacteria, can transform chemical constituents of the atmosphere by metabolic activity. Recent studies have emphasized the viability of bacteria and metabolic degradation of organic substances in cloud water. On the other hand, the viability and metabolic activity of airborne micro-organisms depend strongly on physical and chemical atmospheric parameters such as temperature, pressure, radiation, pH value and nutrient concentrations. In spite of recent advances, however, our knowledge of the microbiological and chemical interactions of PBA in the atmosphere is rather limited. Further targeted investigations combining laboratory experiments, field measurements, and modelling studies will be required to characterize the chemical feedbacks, microbiological activities at the air/snow/water interface supplied to the atmosphere.
A dual-band fractal FSS with SZ curve elements

A novel dual-band miniaturized frequency selective surface adopting fractal elements is proposed. The proposed structure is composed of interconnected four SZ curves of second generation. Such a design is to provide two pass-bands with stable performance, the first band resonates at S-band with a center frequency of 3.02GHz and the second band is at C-band centered at 7.22GHz. In addition, the compact structure employing the space filling curve can further reduce the size of the FSS. The dual-band FSS achieves better miniaturization compared with other single layer FSS in previous literature, the dimension of the unit cell is only 0. 072λ × 0. 072λ, where λ represents the free space wavelength at first resonant frequency. Furthermore, the proposed FSS exhibits great resonance stability for different polarizations and incidence angles. Both the simulation and measurement verify the stable performance of the FSS.
Microstructural evolution and optical dispersion of sputtered ZnO thin films at low annealing temperature

In an attempt to understand microstructural evolution and its effect on optical properties, nanocrystalline ZnO thin films are deposited by pulsed DC magnetron sputtering and then heat treated at a low temperature for several hours. X-ray diffraction experiments confirm that texture and residual stress are sensitive to morphological changes from globular to plate-like grains. Nanocrystalline ZnO thin films are highly transparent to visible light but opaque to UV light below 350 nm. The transparency in the UV region is limited by its fundamental absorption below 400 nm. The spectral dependence of optical constants demonstrates normal dispersion and the films deposited at 70 W of sputtering power and then heat treated have higher values of refractive indices and significantly high extinction. The dispersion parameters evaluated under the purview of a single oscillator model propose vital linkages of optical properties with the microstructure of ZnO thin films. Dispersion parameters viz. plasma frequency can be attuned by controlling the microstructure of ZnO thin films via simply varying process parameters and post-deposition heat treatment at low temperature. This study confirms that high tensile residual stress and texture are favorable for the development of novel nanocrystalline ZnO thin films.
Recombinant GPI-Anchored TIMP-1 Stimulates Growth and Migration of Peritoneal Mesothelial Cells

Background Mesothelial cells are critical in the pathogenesis of post-surgical intraabdominal adhesions as well as in the deterioration of the peritoneal membrane associated with long-term peritoneal dialysis. Mesothelial denudation is a pathophysiolocigally important finding in these processes. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) biology underlies aspects of mesothelial homeostasis as well as wound repair. The endogenous tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) moderate MMP activity. Methods and Finding By modifying human TIMP-1 through the addition of a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor, a recombinant protein was generated that efficiently focuses TIMP-1 on the cell surface. Treatment of primary mesothelial cells with TIMP-1-GPI facilitates their mobilization and migration leading to a dramatic increase in the rate of wound experimental closure. Mesothelial cells treated with TIMP-1-GPI showed a dose dependent increase in cell proliferation, reduced secretion of MMP-2, MMP-9, TNF-α and urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), but increased tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA). Treatment resulted in reduced expression and processing of latent TGF-β1. Conclusions TIMP-1-GPI stimulated rapid and efficient in vitro wound closure. The agent enhanced mesothelial cell proliferation and migration and was bioactive in the nanogram range. The application of TIMP-1-GPI may represent a new approach for limiting or repairing damaged mesothelium.
INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS AND GROUP PROCESSES The Doormat Effect : When Forgiving Erodes Self-Respect and Self-Concept Clarity

We build on principles from interdependence theory and evolutionary psychology to propose that forgiving bolsters one’s self-respect and self-concept clarity if the perpetrator has acted in a manner that signals that the victim will be safe and valued in a continued relationship with the perpetrator but that forgiving diminishes one’s self-respect and self-concept clarity if the perpetrator has not. Study 1 employed a longitudinal design to demonstrate that the association of marital forgiveness with trajectories of self-respect over the first 5 years of marriage depends on the spouse’s dispositional tendency to indicate that the partner will be safe and valued (i.e., agreeableness). Studies 2 and 3 employed experimental procedures to demonstrate that the effects of forgiveness on self-respect and self-concept clarity depend on the perpetrator’s event-specific indication that the victim will be safe and valued (i.e., amends). Study 4 employed a longitudinal design to demonstrate that the association of forgiveness with subsequent self-respect and self-concept clarity similarly depends on the extent to which the perpetrator has made amends. These studies reveal that, under some circumstances, forgiveness negatively impacts the self.
Impairment of the Organization of Locomotor and Exploratory Behaviors in Bile Duct-Ligated Rats

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) arises from acute or chronic liver diseases and leads to several problems, including motor impairment. Animal models of chronic liver disease have extensively investigated the mechanisms of this disease. Impairment of locomotor activity has been described in different rat models. However, these studies are controversial and the majority has primarily analyzed activity parameters. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate locomotor and exploratory behavior in bile duct-ligated (BDL) rats to explore the spatial and temporal structure of behavior. Adult female Wistar rats underwent common bile duct ligation (BDL rats) or the manipulation of common bile duct without ligation (control rats). Six weeks after surgery, control and BDL rats underwent open-field, plus-maze and foot-fault behavioral tasks. The BDL rats developed chronic liver failure and exhibited a decrease in total distance traveled, increased total immobility time, smaller number of rearings, longer periods in the home base area and decreased percentage of time in the center zone of the arena, when compared to the control rats. Moreover, the performance of the BDL rats was not different from the control rats for the elevated plus-maze and foot-fault tasks. Therefore, the BDL rats demonstrated disturbed spontaneous locomotor and exploratory activities as a consequence of altered spatio-temporal organization of behavior.
Targeting Neural Endophenotypes of Eating Disorders with Non-invasive Brain Stimulation

The term “eating disorders” (ED) encompasses a wide variety of disordered eating and compensatory behaviors, and so the term is associated with considerable clinical and phenotypic heterogeneity. This heterogeneity makes optimizing treatment techniques difficult. One class of treatments is non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS). NIBS, including repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), are accessible forms of neuromodulation that alter the cortical excitability of a target brain region. It is crucial for NIBS to be successful that the target is well selected for the patient population in question. Targets may best be selected by stepping back from conventional DSM-5 diagnostic criteria to identify neural substrates of more basic phenotypes, including behavior related to rewards and punishment, cognitive control, and social processes. These phenotypic dimensions have been recently laid out by the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) initiative. Consequently, this review is intended to identify potential dimensions as outlined by the RDoC and the underlying behavioral and neurobiological targets associated with ED. This review will also identify candidate targets for NIBS based on these dimensions and review the available literature on rTMS and tDCS in ED. This review systematically reviews abnormal neural circuitry in ED within the RDoC framework, and also systematically reviews the available literature investigating NIBS as a treatment for ED.