Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An experimental test of the role of postsynaptic calcium levels in determining synaptic strength using perirhinal cortex of rat

1 We have investigated the prediction of a relationship between the magnitude of activity‐dependent increases in postsynaptic calcium and both the magnitude and direction of synaptic plastic change in the central nervous system. Activity‐dependent increases in calcium were buffered to differing degrees using a range of concentrations of EGTA and the effects on synaptic plasticity were assessed. 2 Activity‐dependent synaptic plasticity was induced during whole‐cell recording in rat perirhinal cortex in vitro. In control conditions (0.5 mm EGTA) low frequency stimulation (LFS; 200 stimuli) delivered to neurones held at ‐40 or ‐70 mV induced long‐term depression (LTD) or, at ‐10 mV, induced long‐term potentiation (LTP). 3 The relationship between EGTA concentration (0.2 to 10 mm) and the magnitude of LTD was examined. This relationship described a U‐shaped curve, as predicted by models of synaptic plasticity. This provides strong evidence that the magnitude of LTD is determined by the magnitude of the increase in intracellular calcium concentration. 4 LFS paired with depolarisation to ‐10 mV induced LTD, no change or LTP as activity‐dependent postsynaptic calcium levels were allowed to increase progressively by the use of progressively lower concentrations of buffer (10 to 0.2 mm EGTA). 5 We investigated if the lack of plasticity that occurs at the transition between LTD and LTP is due to induction of both of these processes with zero net change, or is due to neither LTD nor LTP being induced. These experiments were possible as LTP but not LTD was blocked by the protein kinase inhibitor staurosporine while LTD but not LTP was blocked by the mGlu receptor antagonist MCPG. At the transition between LTD and LTP, blocking LTP mechanisms did not uncover LTD whilst blocking LTD mechanisms did not uncover LTP. This suggests that the transition between LTD and LTP is due to the lack of induction of both of these processes and also suggests that these two processes are induced independently of one another.
From Language as System to Language as Use: Image Schemas in the Description and Explanation of Phrasal Verbs in English

According to Steen (2006) there are four single perspectives of cognitive approaches to metaphor:1. metaphor in language as system2. metaphor in thought as system3. metaphor in language as use4. metaphor in thought as useOur aim in this work is to use the combination of 1. and 3. , working with the framework of image schemas in order to provide metacognitive skills for understanding metaphorical phrasal verbs in everyday use.Since Lakoff (1990), Lakoff & Johnson (1999), and more recently Hampe (2006), the study of image schemas has brought to the field of Cognitive Linguistics important achievements to describe metaphorical phenomena. The main idea is that starting from the concept that image schemas reflect human embodied characteristics it would be easier to teach English phrasal verbs not only to native speakers but also to foreign English students, given the statement that all human beings have the same embodied cognitive skills.The most frequent image schemas are SOURCE-PATH-GOAL, CONTAINER, BALANCE, FORCE DYNAMICS, based on the fact that human beings live in a physical space, are able to maintain their balance, walk, face obstacles, get into certain areas etc. Observing phrasal verbs such as look up to (to admire someone), put behind (to forget unpleasant experiences), fill in (write in the blanks of a sheet of paper), find out (to reveal), we can easily find out embodied image schemas as to look upwards, (look up = admire), put something behind us (put behind = to forget) -- when we locate something behind our bodies we can not see it anymore -- put something into a container (fill in = complete), put something out of a container (find out = to reveal) etc.After having made some descriptions of those data, we applied the analyses as a meta-cognitive strategy, teaching phrasal verbs to Brazilian learners of English. The results were awfully good. Learners could immediatly link the analyzed phrasal verbs and their embodied experiences. They have grasped their meanings two times faster than those submitted to traditional methods. Since the studies of Favell, (1979), metacognitive strategies play a critical role in successful learning. Defined as awareness of the process of learning, it includes artificial skills like outlining, mnemonics, diagramming. Our statement is that the use of image schemas to describe and teach phrasal verbs works as a very successful natural metacognitive skill.
A Microflow Cytometer Based on a Disposable Microfluidic Chip With Side Scatter and Fluorescence Detection Capability

In this paper, we present a microflow cytometer based on a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic chip. The PDMS chip has a smooth sidewall because of the proposed double molding process. Thus, the side scatter (SSC) detection can be used for the cytometer. The coincidence error using the sheathless focus mechanism is less than 0.069%. Using Flow-Check alignment beads for the counting experiment, the coefficient of variation (CV) of the SSC and the fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) channel can reach 8.37% and 2.46%, respectively. The gating of the lymphocytes according to CD45/SSC was also demonstrated successfully. It proves that the chip is a promising solution for point of care (POC) microflow cytometers.
Product Differentiation and Process R&d

The main aim of this paper is to analyse the incentive that the relative degree of vertical product differentiation of a firm provides to cost reduction. Starting from the product innovation model of Ulph (1991), we assume that the unitary cost of production depends on the firm ́s spending on process R&D to study the impact of the different parameters of the model (quality gaps, technological opportunity and market dimension) on this variable. We demonstrate that an increment in quality gap implies greater “ex-ante” profits (positive effect), but lower elasticity of demand and more important decreasing returns on marginal gain (negative ones). Thus, we obtain a quadratic relationship between own quality gap and spending on process innovation that implies a tradeoff between quality and cost into the firm. Classification J.E. L. : L11-D43-O31.
Tweeting and Being Ironic in the Debate about a Political Reform: the French Annotated Corpus TWitter-MariagePourTous

The paper introduces a new annotated French data set for Sentiment Analysis, which is a currently missing resource. It focuses on the collection from Twitter of data related to the socio-political debate about the reform of the bill for wedding in France. The design of the annotation scheme is described, which extends a polarity label set by making available tags for marking target semantic areas and figurative language devices. The annotation process is presented and the disagreement discussed, in particular, in the perspective of figurative language use and in that of the semantic oriented annotation, which are open challenges for NLP systems.
Measuring aberrations in the rat brain by coherence-gated wavefront sensing using a Linnik interferometer

Aberrations limit the resolution, signal intensity and achievable imaging depth in microscopy. Coherence-gated wavefront sensing (CGWS) allows the fast measurement of aberrations in scattering samples and therefore the implementation of adaptive corrections. However, CGWS has been demonstrated so far only in weakly scattering samples. We designed a new CGWS scheme based on a Linnik interferometer and a SLED light source, which is able to compensate dispersion automatically and can be implemented on any microscope. In the highly scattering rat brain tissue, where multiply scattered photons falling within the temporal gate of the CGWS can no longer be neglected, we have measured known defocus and spherical aberrations up to a depth of 400 µm.
Localized Synaptic Actions of Neurotrophin-4

Neurotrophins secreted by the postsynaptic target cell may participate in activity-dependent synaptic modification during development and in the mature brain. A fundamental question of how neurotrophins can sculpt synaptic connections is whether neurotrophin-induced synaptic changes are spatially restricted to the site of neurotrophin secretion or whether they can spread to neighboring synapses. Using a model system of nerve–muscle coculture in which neurotrophin-4 (NT-4) is overexpressed in a subpopulation of postsynaptic myocytes, we demonstrated that presynaptic potentiation is restricted to synapses on myocytes overexpressing NT-4 without affecting nearby synapses formed by the same neuron on control myocytes. Likewise, postsynaptic modulation of acetylcholine channels by secreted NT-4 is spatially restricted to <60 μm from the site of NT-4 secretion. Therefore, activity-dependent secretion of neurotrophins can result in highly localized modification of neuronal connections.
The Farm Diversification Discount

This article estimates the effect of diversification on farm values, where farms are valued relative to the median specialized farm having the same enterprise. Using data from the Agricultural Resource Management Study, the estimated diversification discount in agriculture is similar to the discount found for corporate firms. The results show that diversified crop/livestock farms had a diversification discount of 5.8% in comparison with specialized crop or livestock farms from 1999 to 2001. Commodity diversified farms had a diversification discount of 9.4% in comparison with commodity specialized farms. Copyright 2005, Oxford University Press.
Exploring Social Dynamics in School Science Context

The purpose of this study was to explore the socio-cultural practices and interactions of learning science in a science classroom within the concept of communities of practice. Our qualitative data were collected through observing, taking field notes, and conducting interviews in a public science classroom during an entire school year. The study occurred in a seventh-grade classroom with a veteran physical science teacher, with more than 10 years teaching experience, and 22 students. For this article, we presented two classroom vignettes that reflect a sample of the participation, practice, and community that was observed in the science classroom on a daily basis. The first vignette illustrated a typical formula of Initiation–Response–Feedback (I-R-F) that transfers knowledge to students through a teacher-led discussion with the entire class. The second vignette described a laboratory activity designed to allow students to apply or discover knowledge through practical experience, while taking responsibility for their learning through small-group work. The normative practices and routine behaviors of the science classroom are highlighted through the description of material resources, and different modes of participation accompanied by assigned roles and responsibilities. What we observed was that laboratory activities reproduced the epistemic authority of the I-R-F rather than creating collective cognitive responsibility where students have the independence to explore and create authentic science experiences.
Embedding Inference for Structured Multilabel Prediction

A key bottleneck in structured output prediction is the need for inference during training and testing, usually requiring some form of dynamic programming. Rather than using approximate inference or tailoring a specialized inference method for a particular structure—standard responses to the scaling challenge— we propose to embed prediction constraints directly into the learned representation. By eliminating the need for explicit inference a more scalable approach to structured output prediction can be achieved, particularly at test time. We demonstrate the idea for multi-label prediction under subsumption and mutual exclusion constraints, where a relationship to maximum margin structured output prediction can be established. Experiments demonstrate that the benefits of structured output training can still be realized even after inference has been eliminated.
The Acquisition of Second Language Speech

From being a relatively neglected area in the study of second language learning, the acquisition of second language speech has emerged over the last decade as an important research field with a wide range of approaches; the traditions of articulatory, acoustic, perceptual, phonetic, phonological, and psycholinguists investigation contribute a rare interdisdplinarity to this area of linguistic inquiry. Current scholarly interest augurs well for future theoretical advances.
Xylem structure of four grape varieties and 12 alternative hosts to the xylem-limited bacterium Xylella fastidious.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS The bacterium Xylella fastidiosa (Xf), responsible for Pierce's disease (PD) of grapevine, colonizes the xylem conduits of vines, ultimately killing the plant. However, Vitis vinifera grapevine varieties differ in their susceptibility to Xf and numerous other plant species tolerate Xf populations without showing symptoms. The aim of this study was to examine the xylem structure of grapevines with different susceptibilities to Xf infection, as well as the xylem structure of non-grape plant species that support or limit movement of Xf to determine if anatomical differences might explain some of the differences in susceptibility to Xf. METHODS Air and paint were introduced into leaves and stems to examine the connectivity between stem and leaves and the length distribution of their vessels. Leaf petiole and stem anatomies were studied to determine the basis for the free or restricted movement of Xf into the plant. KEY RESULTS There were no obvious differences in stem or petiole vascular anatomy among the grape varieties examined, nor among the other plant species that would explain differences in resistance to Xf. Among grape varieties, the more tolerant 'Sylvaner' had smaller stem vessel diameters and 20 % more parenchyma rays than the other three varieties. Alternative hosts supporting Xf movement had slightly longer open xylem conduits within leaves, and more connection between stem and leaves, when compared with alternative hosts that limit Xf movement. CONCLUSIONS Stem--leaf connectivity via open xylem conduits and vessel length is not responsible for differences in PD tolerance among grape varieties, or for limiting bacterial movement in the tolerant plant species. However, it was found that tolerant host plants had narrower vessels and more parenchyma rays, possibly restricting bacterial movement at the level of the vessels. The implications of xylem structure and connectivity for the means and regulation of bacterial movement are discussed.
The Effect of Social Category on Third Party Punishment

Motivations to punish should depend on a number of factors including the nature of the interaction (e.g., collective action versus dyadic exchange) and the social category of the interactants. Here we focus on social category and investigate whether the relationship to a perpetrator and, separately, a victim of a moral transgression affects the magnitude of third party punishment, moral judgment, attribution, and emotional response. Participants read scenarios describing a moral violation in which the perpetrator (Experiment 1) or victim (Experiment 2) of an offense was described as kin, a schoolmate, or a foreigner. Penalties and attributions of remorse varied according to the social category of the perpetrator as well as the victim. However, moral judgments did not. In a third experiment, which also varied the relationship to the victim of a moral transgression, participants reported their willingness to expend time and energy to bring a perpetrator to justice as well as their emotional responses to the crime. As predicted, participants reported a greater willingness to sacrifice their weekends and a day's pay to search for a perpetrator victimizing kin followed by a schoolmate and then foreign visitor. These and other results including emotional reactions are discussed in the context of motivations to punish third party violators of a social norm.
The MTAP-CDKN2A Locus Confers Susceptibility to a Naturally Occurring Canine Cancer

Background: Advantages offered by canine population substructure, combined with clinical presentations similar to human disorders, makes the dog an attractive system for studies of cancer genetics. Cancers that have been difficult to study in human families or populations are of particular interest. Histiocytic sarcoma is a rare and poorly understood neoplasm in humans that occurs in 15% to 25% of Bernese Mountain Dogs (BMD). Methods: Genomic DNA was collected from affected and unaffected BMD in North America and Europe. Both independent and combined genome-wide association studies (GWAS) were used to identify cancer-associated loci. Fine mapping and sequencing narrowed the primary locus to a single gene region. Results: Both populations shared the same primary locus, which features a single haplotype spanning MTAP and part of CDKN2A and is present in 96% of affected BMD. The haplotype is within the region homologous to human chromosome 9p21, which has been implicated in several types of cancer. Conclusions: We present the first GWAS for histiocytic sarcoma in any species. The data identify an associated haplotype in the highly cited tumor suppressor locus near CDKN2A. These data show the power of studying distinctive malignancies in highly predisposed dog breeds. Impact: Here, we establish a naturally occurring model of cancer susceptibility due to CDKN2 dysregulation, thus providing insight about this cancer-associated, complex, and poorly understood genomic region. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 21(7); 1019–27. ©2012 AACR.
Belimumab reduces autoantibodies, normalizes low complement levels, and reduces select B cell populations in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE To assess the effects of the B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS)-specific inhibitor belimumab on immunologic biomarkers, including B cell and T cell populations, and maintenance of antibody titers to prior vaccines in autoantibody-positive systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. METHODS Pooled data from 2 phase III trials, the Study of Belimumab in Subjects with SLE 52-week (BLISS-52) and 76-week (BLISS-76) trials, comparing belimumab 1 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg versus placebo (plus standard SLE therapy for each group) were analyzed for changes in autoantibody, immunoglobulin, and complement levels. BLISS-76 patients were also analyzed for changes in B cell and T cell populations and effects on prior vaccine-induced antibody levels. RESULTS Belimumab-treated patients experienced significant sustained reductions in IgG and autoantibodies and improvement in C3/C4 levels, resulting in greater positive-to-negative conversion rates for IgG anti-double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA), anti-Sm, anticardiolipin, and anti-ribosomal P autoantibodies and normalization of hypergammaglobulinemia and low C3/C4 levels. Belimumab-treated patients experienced significant decreases in the numbers of naive and activated B cells, as well as plasma cells, whereas memory B cells and T cell populations did not decrease. Belimumab did not substantially affect preexisting antipneumococcal or anti-tetanus toxoid antibody levels. Post hoc analysis showed greater reductions in SLE disease activity and the risk of severe flares in patients treated with belimumab 10 mg/kg (P≤0.01) who were anti-dsDNA positive and had low C3/C4 levels at baseline. Normalization of the C3 or anti-dsDNA level by 8 weeks, irrespective of therapy, was predictive of a reduced risk of severe flare over 52 weeks. CONCLUSION Belimumab appears to promote normalization of serologic activity and reduce BLyS-dependent B cell subsets in serologically and clinically active SLE. Greater serologic activity may predict a better treatment response to belimumab.
Remote augmented reality for multiple players over network

Augmented Reality (AR) in multimedia gaming is a dynamic and exciting field of research. One of the challenges is to have multiple users interacting in the networked augmented reality environment. In recent years, camera-based body motion capturing console games, which captures the player's body movement to control the objects rendered by the computer, have been developed. In this paper, we present a system called, Tele-Table which allows multiple users to interact with each other through the network using real objects. Each player's set-up consists of an overhead mounted camera perceiving real objects, a plasma TV placed horizontally to act as a game table, and a computer. One of the most challenging tasks is data synchronization between two terminals. There are mainly three synchronization tasks we need to handle. They are temporal synchronization, spatial synchronization, and game states synchronization between the two terminals. We present these difficulties and present solutions and discussion to solve them. The design goals of the Tele-Table are real-time and realistic user experience. The features of the system are changeable background, using real objects, and real-time augmented reality gaming between two terminals. We outline the system, present the detailed description, and discuss current achievements.
Combining requirements engineering techniques - theory and case study

The selection of requirements engineering (RE) techniques during software project development is a challenge for most developers. One of the reasons is that there is a great lack of requirements engineering education in most academic programs, so software developers have to learn requirements engineering practices on the job. This can easily result in the selection of techniques that are ill-suited for a particular project, as the selection is based on personal preference rather than on the characteristics of the project. Very little research has been done in the area of technique selection based on project attributes. This paper describes research into the selection and combination of RE techniques as well as a case study that applied the selection process to an industrial software project.