Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cannabinoids Decrease Corticostriatal Synaptic Transmission via an Effect on Glutamate Uptake

Activation of cannabinoid CB1 receptors reduces glutamatergic synaptic transmission in the rodent striatum and is involved in the normal control of motor function by the basal ganglia. Here we investigated CB1 receptor regulation of glutamate release and uptake and synaptic transmission in the rat striatum. We show that CB1 receptor activation reduces both the release and uptake of [3H]glutamate in striatal slices. We also demonstrate that both activation of CB1 receptors and inhibition of glutamate uptake reduce corticostriatal synaptic transmission in a mutually occlusive manner and that both forms of depression are dependent on metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) activation. We propose that CB1 receptor activation in the striatum decreases glutamate transporter activity and that the resulting increase in synaptic cleft glutamate concentration causes the activation of presynaptic mGluRs, which then decrease glutamate release.
Fluoxetine for the treatment of selective mutism with elevated social anxiety symptoms: A nonconcurrent multiple baseline design across five cases

FLUOXETINE FOR THE TREATMENT OF SELECTIVE MUTISM WITH ELEVATED SOCIAL ANXIETY SYMPTOMS: A NONCONCURRENT MULTIPLE BASELINE DESIGN ACROSS FIVE CASES By Justin A. Barterian Selective mutism is a debilitating disorder with academic and social consequences, yet little research is available regarding psychopharmacological interventions (Carlson et al., 2008). This dissertation study examined the utility of fluoxetine (Prozac) for the treatment of five children, ages 5 to 14, diagnosed with selective mutism, who also demonstrated elevated levels of social anxiety symptomology. A non-concurrent multiple-baseline design with a single-blind placebo-controlled procedure was used to examine treatment outcomes. Effectiveness was evaluated by a multi-gate analysis process, including: a) visual analysis (Kratochwill et al., 2010); b) the Wampold and Worsham (1986) randomization test; and c) the Kendall’s Tau + Mann-Whitney U (Tau-U; Parker, Vannest, Davis, & Sauber, 2011) effect size calculation. Multiple methods of assessment including Direct Behavior Ratings (DBR; Chafouleas, RileyTillman, & Christ, 2009) and standardized measures [e.g., the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children – Second Edition (MASC-2; March, 2012)] were used. Information regarding adverse effects with an emphasis on behavioral disinhibition and ratings of parental acceptance of the intervention were also gathered. Visual analysis of all five cases indicated fluoxetine did not demonstrate utility for the reduction of social anxiety symptoms and was ineffective in increasing spontaneous speech. However, as predicted a significant increase in responsive speech with unfamiliar adults (p = .03; Tau-U: .44, p < .01) was noted. Two of the five children experienced some acute occurrences of minor behavioral disinhibition, but did not experience any other side effects during the course of treatment. Behavioral disinhibition did not correspond to changes in social anxiety symptoms, responsive speech, or spontaneous speech. Parents found the use of fluoxetine for the treatment of selective mutism highly acceptable. Copyright by JUSTIN A. BARTERIAN 2015
Improving Static Analysis for File Systems

Unchecked errors are problematic in general, but are especially pernicious in operating system file management code. Transient or permanent hardware failures are inevitable, and error-management bugs at the file system layer can cause silent data corruption from which recovery is difficult or impossible. We propose an interprocedural static analysis that tracks errors as they propagate through file system code. Our implementation detects overwritten, out-ofscope, and unsaved errors. Analysis of numerous Linux file system implementations uncovers numerous error propagation bugs. Our flowand context-sensitive approach produces more precise results than related techniques while providing the programmer with better diagnostic information, including possible execution paths that demonstrate each bug found.
Development of a tonic form of synaptic inhibition in rat cerebellar granule cells resulting from persistent activation of GABAA receptors.

1. To investigate the origin and functional significance of a recently described tonic GABAA receptor‐mediated conductance in cerebellar granule cells we have made recordings from cells in cerebellar slices from rats of different ages (postnatal days P4 to P28). 2. During development there was a dramatic change in the properties of GABA‐mediated synaptic transmission. The contribution to GABAA receptor‐mediated charge transfer from the tonic conductance (GGABA), relative to that resulting from discrete spontaneous postsynaptic currents (sPSCs), was increased from 5% at P7 to 99% at P21. GGABA was reduced by bicuculline, tetrodotoxin and by lowering extracellular Ca2+, and was initially present only in those cells which exhibited sPSCs. 3. At P7 sPSCs were depolarizing, occasionally triggering a single action potential. By P18 the GABA reversal potential was shifted close to the resting potential and GGABA produced a shunting inhibition. Removal of GGABA by bicuculline increased granule cell excitability in response to current injection. 4. This novel tonic inhibition is present despite the low number of Golgi cell synapses on individual granule cells and appears to result from ‘overspill’ of synaptically released GABA leading to activation of synaptic and extrasynaptic GABAA receptors.
Research and design on power converter for switched reluctance drive

In this paper, a new design on power converter for switched reluctance drive (SRD) is proposed. Firstly, several commonly used main circuit topologies in SRD power converter are described, its working principle and characteristic are analysised and compared comprehensively. Secondly, circuit design of SRD power converter with 5.5kW is completed. Finally, components that is needed by main circuit are selected and calculated. Experimental results are given to show the feasibility and effectiveness of the design.
Architecture level prediction of software maintenance

A method for the prediction of software maintainability during software architecture design is presented. The method takes: the requirement specification; the design of the architecture; expertise from software engineers; and, possibly, historical data as input and generates a prediction of the average effort for a maintenance task. Scenarios are used by the method to concretize the maintainability requirements and to analyze the architecture for the prediction of the maintainability. The method is formulated based on extensive experience in software architecture design and detailed design and exemplified using the design of software architecture for a haemo dialysis machine. Experiments for evaluation and validation of the method are ongoing and future work.
Graph-based performance accounting for chip multiprocessor memory systems

Chip Multiprocessor (CMP) memory systems share memory system resources between processor cores. While this sharing enables good resource utilization and fast inter-processor communication, it also makes the performance of an application depend on its co-runners. This breaks the system software assumption that a process has the same rate of progress regardless of the co-schedule, potentially leading to priority inversion, missed deadlines, unpredictable interactive performance and non-compliance with service level agreements. In this work, we present a novel graph-based technique that accurately estimates the performance an application would experience without memory system interference. Dynamic interference-free performance estimates can enable scheduling algorithms and management policies that optimize directly for system performance metrics.
Face Recognition Based on Non-Negative Factorization and FLDA for Single Training Image per Person

Abstract: Dimensionality reduction is performed by both Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Fisher Linear Discriminant Analysis (FLDA). Covariance matrix and Eigen vector approach is followed in PCA. FLDA finds within class and between class scatter matrices. In some situations, within class scatter matrix may become singular. Normally singular matrix does not have inverse. Two or more virtual samples are generated from the training set to avoid this problem. A new method called non-negative matrix factorization is used in single image per person problems. The proposed method performs better than SVD, QRCP and SDD method in terms of recognition rate. But training time is slightly more than QRCP and better than SVD and SDD approach.
Amplifier design for fast settling performance

A design strategy for minimizing a feedback amplifier's step-response settling time is introduced. Central to this approach is the clear identification of the independent design parameters characterizing the amplifier and the introduction of a figure of merit for assessing the settling performance of an amplifier that is independent of power, supply voltage and capacitive loading. With this approach, the settling performance of a given amplifier architecture can be optimized and the relative performance of different amplifier architectures can be assessed. Emphasis in this paper is on the two-stage operational amplifier architecture but the technique readily extends to other widely used operational amplifier structures.
Model Development of Job Satisfaction through the Analysis of Determinant Variables of Job Satisfaction of School Principal (Case Study on a Junior High School in Medan)

The purpose of this study was to determine the theoretical model to describe the relationship between the causalistic latent variables that determine job satisfaction of SMP principals.This study will be conducted at the State and Private Junior High School in Medan involving 173 school principals as respondents, its execution for 2 years by a team of researchers and 26 students helper investigators. First research in 2016 focused on efforts to identify and map the job satisfaction of all SMP and the results was in the form of instruments determinant of job satisfaction are valid and reliable, which is compiled into a report on the research and used as articles to be published in international journals. In the first try out was conducted to prepare research instruments the form of multiple-choice Likert scale model, which subsequently spread to 54 principals of SMP. After calculations, Innovative Behavior Instrument for 42 items distributed gained 1 point invalid. Instruments Leadership Learning as much as 50 items of disseminated obtained 3 items that are not valid. Interpersonal communication instruments as much as 40 items disseminated items obtained 3 invalid. Work Motivation instruments as much as 50 items disseminated items obtained 6 linearity regression between variables was performed using statistical F test. To test the hypothesis used path analysis. And test matches theoretical models used to test the goodness of fit by using Chi Square. Thus, the product of the job satisfaction of SMP principals models seminars to get feedback on improvements, which will be published in international journals. advisable to conduct a qualitative research.
Subtyping of Salmonella enterica Subspecies I Using Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms in Adenylate Cyclase

Abstract Methods to rapidly identify serotypes of Salmonella enterica subspecies I are of vital importance for protecting the safety of food. To supplement the serotyping method dkgB-linked intergenic sequence ribotyping (ISR), single-nucleotide polymorphisms were characterized within adenylate cyclase (cyaA). The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database had 378 cyaA sequences from S. enterica subspecies I, which included 42 unique DNA sequences and 19 different amino acid sequences. Five representative isolates, namely serotypes Typhimurium, Kentucky, Enteritidis phage type PT4, and two variants of Enteritidis phage type PT13a, were differentiated within a microsphere-based fluidics system in cyaA by allele-specific primer extension. Validation against 25 poultry-related environmental Salmonella isolates representing 11 serotypes yielded a ∼89% success rate at identifying the serotype of the isolate, and a different region could be targeted to achieve 100%. When coupled with ISR, all serotypes were differentiated. Phage lineages of serotype Enteritidis 13a and 4 were identified, and a biofilm-forming strain of PT13a was differentiated from a smooth phenotype within phage type. Comparative ranking of mutation indices to genes such as the tRNA transferases, the diguanylate cyclases, and genes used for multilocus sequence typing indicated that cyaA is an appropriate gene for assessing epidemiological trends of Salmonella because of its relative stability in nucleotide composition.
An Adaptive Nonlinear Backstepping Control of DFIG Driven by Wind Turbine

In this paper we present a new control structure to extract the maximum power of a wind energy conversion system based on the double fed induction generator (DFIG). The proposed algorithm combines the nonlinear Backstepping approach and the field orientation scheme applied to control the rotor side converter (RSC) and the grid side converter (GSC) of the DFIG. The proposed strategy is asymptotically stable in the context of Lyapunov theory. Simulations results show interesting performances of the system in terms of the reference tracking stability and the robustness against parameters variations.
A cognitive approach to urban soundscapes : Using verbal data to access everyday life auditory categories

The present research on cognitive categories mediates between individual experiences of soundscapes and collective representations shared in language and elaborated as knowledge. This approach focuses on meanings attributed to soundscapes in an attempt to bridge the gap between individual perceptual categories and sociological representations. First, results of several free categorisation experiments are presented, namely the categorical structures elicited using soundscape recordings and the underlying principles of organisation derived from the analysis of verbal comments. People categorised sound samples on the basis of semantic features that integrate perceptual ones. Specifically, soundscapes reflecting human activity were perceived as more pleasant than soundscapes where mechanical sounds were predominant. Second, the linguistic exploration of free-format verbal description of soundscapes indicated that the meanings attributed to sounds act as a determinant for sound quality evaluations. Soundscape evaluations are therefore qualitative first as they are semiotic in nature as grounded in cultural values given to different types of activities. Physical descriptions of sound properties have to be reconsidered as cues pointing to diverse cognitive objects to be identified first rather as the only adequate, exhaustive and objective description of the sound itself. Finally, methodological and theoretical consequences of these findings are drawn, highlighting the need to address not only noise annoyance but rather sound quality of urban environments. To do so, cognitive evaluations must be conducted in the first place to identify relevant city users' categories of soundscapes and then to use physical measurement to characterize corresponding acoustic events.
The Flipped Classroom: An Opportunity to Engage Millennial Students through Active Learning Strategies.

"Flipping" the classroom employs easy-to-use, readily accessihle technology in order to free class time from lecture. This allows for an expanded range of learning activities during class time. Using class time for active learning versus lecture provides opportunities for greater teacher-to-student mentoring, peer-to-peer collaboration and cross-disciplinary engagement. This review of literature addresses the challenges of engaging today's students in lecture-based classrooms and presents an argument for application of the "flipped classroom" model hy educators in the disciplines of family and consumer sciences.
Fault Tolerant Runtime System For Distributed Graphical Simulations with a Centralized Controller in the Cloud Distributed Systems Course Project

Graphical simulation is a cornerstone of modern digital media. Currently, these simulations are run using expensive super computers, or a small cluster of highly customized machines with high bandwidth and low latency communications. On the other hand, recent developments in the cloud computing industry makes cloud services, like Amazon EC2, an interesting and cost effective domain for graphics simulations. Nimbus is a runtime system for distributed graphics simulations in the cloud. Simulation state is distributed among a number of workers that accept commands from a centralized controller and execute operations to change the state of the simulation. Nimbus is actively under development. If a worker is down, its covered state is gone and the entire simulation progress is halted. This paper explains the design and implementation of a fault tolerance mechanisms to make Nimbus robust against worker failures. Specifically, checkpoints are created by the runtime system, periodically. At a checkpoint, each worker is responsible for saving a portion of the state that is necessary to rebuild the lost state in case of failure.
An Examination of Middle School Students' STEM Self-Efficacy, Interests and Perceptions

Over the last two decades, science education reform efforts have focused on helping students acquire a deeper conceptual understanding of scientific ideas, scientific thinking, and improved scientific problem solving, instead of simply memorizing facts and formulas. However, the number of individuals entering science related fields has drastically decreased since the 1970’s and the projected number of qualified candidates is concerning due to national workforce trends based on attrition and retirement rates. The purpose of this teacher research study is to ascertain students’ interest in STEM and beliefs about STEM. Our primary data sources include a modified attitudinal survey and modified perceptions of collaboration survey. We found differences in gender and students’ group roles to be related to self-efficacy, intentions to persist in STEM, perceptions of STEM and interests in STEM. Research on students’ self-efficacy and perceptions of group work has the potential to restructure how teachers design activities and teach students about collaboration.
Spatial analysis of avoidable hospitalizations due to tuberculosis in Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil (2006-2012)

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To describe the spatial distribution of avoidable hospitalizations due to tuberculosis in the municipality of Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil, and to identify spatial and space-time clusters for the risk of occurrence of these events. METHODS This is a descriptive, ecological study that considered the hospitalizations records of the Hospital Information System of residents of Ribeirao Preto, SP, Southeastern Brazil, from 2006 to 2012. Only the cases with recorded addresses were considered for the spatial analyses, and they were also geocoded. We resorted to Kernel density estimation to identify the densest areas, local empirical Bayes rate as the method for smoothing the incidence rates of hospital admissions, and scan statistic for identifying clusters of risk. Softwares ArcGis 10.2, TerraView 4.2. 2, and SaTScanTM were used in the analysis. RESULTS We identified 169 hospitalizations due to tuberculosis. Most were of men (n = 134; 79.2%), averagely aged 48 years (SD = 16.2). The predominant clinical form was the pulmonary one, which was confirmed through a microscopic examination of expectorated sputum (n = 66; 39.0%). We geocoded 159 cases (94.0%). We observed a non-random spatial distribution of avoidable hospitalizations due to tuberculosis concentrated in the northern and western regions of the municipality. Through the scan statistic, three spatial clusters for risk of hospitalizations due to tuberculosis were identified, one of them in the northern region of the municipality (relative risk [RR] = 3.4; 95%CI 2.7–4,4); the second in the central region, where there is a prison unit (RR = 28.6; 95%CI 22.4–36.6); and the last one in the southern region, and area of protection for hospitalizations (RR = 0.2; 95%CI 0.2–0.3). We did not identify any space-time clusters. CONCLUSIONS The investigation showed priority areas for the control and surveillance of tuberculosis, as well as the profile of the affected population, which shows important aspects to be considered in terms of management and organization of health care services targeting effectiveness in primary health care.
Cooperative global adaptive output regulation for nonlinear multi-agent systems with iISS inverse dynamics

In this paper, we present a further result on the cooperative global adaptive output regulation of nonlinear multi-agent systems with unity relative degree by relaxing the assumption on the inverse dynamics from input-to-state stable (ISS) to integral input-to-state stable (iISS). As the iISS condition is strictly weaker than the ISS condition, our result applies to a larger class of nonlinear multi-agent systems.
Studying Human Relatedness through a Shared Gaming Experience

The importance of relatedness in collocated multiplayer video games should not be underestimated. Interpersonal relationships, which develop from social interactions that occur during gameplay, contribute to player motivation and meaningful and memorable experiences for the players. In this study we examined how interpersonal touch within a gameplay experience impacted player motivation and inter-player impressions. Dyads played one of two iPad-based games in three different conditions, one of which required physical contact between the players. Results indicated those in the touch-based conditions scored higher on several measures of intrinsic motivation and impressions of their teammate.
A review of ASR technologies for children's speech

In this paper, we review: (1) the acoustic and linguistic properties of children's speech for both read and spontaneous speech, and (2) the developments in automatic speech recognition for children with application to spoken dialogue and multimodal dialogue system design. First, the effect of developmental changes on the absolute values and variability of acoustic correlates is presented for read speech for children ages 6 and up. Then, verbal child-machine spontaneous interaction is reviewed and results from recent studies are presented. Age trends of acoustic, linguistic and interaction parameters are discussed, such as sentence duration, filled pauses, politeness and frustration markers, and modality usage. Some differences between child-machine and human-human interaction are pointed out. The implications for acoustic modeling, linguistic modeling and spoken dialogue system design for children are presented. We conclude with a review of relevant applications of spoken dialogue technologies for children.