Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bisimulation Semantics for Concurrency with Atomicity and Action Refinement

A comparative semantic study is made of two notions in concurrency, viz. atomicity and action refinement. Parallel composition is modeled by interleaving, and refinement is taken in the version where actions are refined by atomized statements. The bisimulation domain used in the semantic definitions is obtained as solution of a system of domain equations over complete metric spaces. Both operational and denotational models are developed, and their equivalence is established using higher-order techniques and Banach’s fixed point theorem. The operational semantics for refinement is based on transition rules rather than on some form of syntactic substitution.
Beneficial Effects of Verapamil in Diabetic Cardiomyopathy

It has been suggested that the occurrence of an intracellular Ca2+ overload may result in the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy, which is associated with depletion of high-energy phosphate stores and a derangement of ultrastructure and cardiac dysfunction. Accordingly, the effects of verapamil, a Ca2+ antagonist, on cardiac function, ultrastructure, and high-energy phosphate stores in the myocardium were evaluated in rats made diabetic by an intravenous injection of streptozocin (65 mg/kg). Four weeks after the induction of diabetes, the animals were treated with three doses (2, 4, or 8 mg kg−1 day−1) of verapamil for 4 wk until they were used for the measurement of different parameters. Untreated diabetic animals had slower heart rates, depressed rate of contraction and rate of relaxation, lower peak left ventricular systolic pressure, and elevated left ventricular diastolic pressure. All of these changes were significantly improved in diabetic rats receiving verapamil treatment. The beneficial effects of verapamil were more evident with higher doses (8 mg · kg−1 · day−1) than with the lower doses (2 mg · kg−1 · day−1). The diabetic animals also showed alterations in myocardial high-energy phosphate stores and exhibited evidence of ultrastructural damage; these abnormalities were improved by verapamil treatment without affecting their hyperglycemic status. Our results demonstrate that verapamil is capable of preventing diabetes-induced myocardial changes and support the involvement of Ca2+ in the cardiac pathology during diabetes.
Real-time biofeedback to target risk of anterior cruciate ligament injury: a technical report for injury prevention and rehabilitation.

CONTEXT Biofeedback training enables an athlete to alter biomechanical and physiological function by receiving biomechanical and physiological data concurrent with or immediately after a task. OBJECTIVE To compare the effects of 2 different modes of real-time biofeedback focused on reducing risk factors related to anterior cruciate ligament injury. DESIGN Randomized crossover study design. SETTING Biomechanics laboratory and sports medicine center. PARTICIPANTS Female high school soccer players (age 14.8 ± 1.0 y, height 162.6 ± 6.8 cm, mass 55.9 ± 7.0 kg; n = 4). INTERVENTION A battery of kinetic- or kinematic-based real-time biofeedback during repetitive double-leg squats. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Baseline and posttraining drop vertical jumps were collected to determine if either feedback method improved high injury risk landing mechanics. RESULTS Maximum knee abduction moment and angle during the landing was significantly decreased after kinetic-focused biofeedback (P = .04). The reduced knee abduction moment during the drop vertical jumps after kinematic-focused biofeedback was not different (P = .2). Maximum knee abduction angle was significantly decreased after kinetic biofeedback (P < .01) but only showed a trend toward reduction after kinematic biofeedback (P = .08). CONCLUSIONS The innovative biofeedback employed in the current study reduced knee abduction load and posture from baseline to posttraining during a drop vertical jump.
QuickLearn- A Novel Supervised On-line Learning Algorithm for Pattern Recognition

This paper introduces a new kind of supervised classifier so-called QuickLearn (QL) which is utilized for training as well as for recall. It has two stages. Hn the first stage, mapping level, input data are represented to the multi input-single output mapping function (MF) with fixed weights during the training phase. So, this kind of map only is a kind of simple shifting and scaling of the input data before representing to the second stage. We can select any kind of mathematical function for this map while its complexity depends on input data complexity. By representing input data to the first stage, MF gives us a scalar value. After shifting and scaling that value to the range [0,T], we can round it to have an integer value (y). The second stage, matching level, only includes an array with T cells called Affine Lootk-up Table (ALT). The training phase for QL includes only one step, no learning cycles. In this single step, the integer value y is used as a reference address to call and upload the label for corresponding input samples in N cells of ALT (copying label from the cell [y-N/2] till the cell [y+ N/2-1]) (data leakages to N-1 neighbor cells). Elapsed time for training a fresh QL classifier is typically only few milliseconds. In the testing phase, we need only to recall and introduce value of the cell with the index y as the final output (final winner class). The QL is evaluated and compared with existing supervised neural networks on a variety of some well known pattern classification problems
Toxoplasma gondii Rhoptry Kinase ROP16 Activates STAT3 and STAT6 Resulting in Cytokine Inhibition and Arginase-1-Dependent Growth Control

The ROP16 kinase of Toxoplasma gondii is injected into the host cell cytosol where it activates signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)-3 and STAT6. Here, we generated a ROP16 deletion mutant on a Type I parasite strain background, as well as a control complementation mutant with restored ROP16 expression. We investigated the biological role of the ROP16 molecule during T. gondii infection. Infection of mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages with rop16-deleted (ΔROP16) parasites resulted in increased amounts of IL-12p40 production relative to the ROP16-positive RH parental strain. High level IL-12p40 production in ΔROP16 infection was dependent on the host cell adaptor molecule MyD88, but surprisingly was independent of any previously recognized T. gondii triggered pathway linking to MyD88 (TLR2, TLR4, TLR9, TLR11, IL-1ß and IL-18). In addition, ROP16 was found to mediate the suppressive effects of Toxoplasma on LPS-induced cytokine synthesis in macrophages and on IFN-γ-induced nitric oxide production by astrocytes and microglial cells. Furthermore, ROP16 triggered synthesis of host cell arginase-1 in a STAT6-dependent manner. In fibroblasts and macrophages, failure to induce arginase-1 by ΔROP16 tachyzoites resulted in resistance to starvation conditions of limiting arginine, an essential amino acid for replication and virulence of this parasite. ΔROP16 tachyzoites that failed to induce host cell arginase-1 displayed increased replication and dissemination during in vivo infection. We conclude that encounter between Toxoplasma ROP16 and the host cell STAT signaling cascade has pleiotropic downstream effects that act in multiple and complex ways to direct the course of infection.
Renforcer la mesure sur la qualité de l'éducation

Les reflexions en cours sur le developpement et les inegalites accroissent l'interet de mesurer les savoirs et les competences des populations jeunes. Parmi les objectifs du Millenaire pour le developpement, la lutte contre l'analphabetisme se fonde sur une education de qualite. La question de la creation d'outils de mesure de la qualite de l'education est donc essentielle pour valider, universellement et equitablement, l'acquisition des apprentissages fondamentaux. Cette question est directement liee au developpement, depuis 50 ans, de methodes d'evaluation des acquisitions a l'origine des grandes enquetes internationales comme PIRLS, TIMSS et PISA. Dans cet effort de connaissance sur la qualite de l'education, cet ouvrage analyse les objectifs des principales enquetes d'evaluation scolaire et les methodes de mesure qui y sont mises en œuvre. Les auteurs montrent comment ces outils s'adaptent a des terrains complexes, ou l'information et la culture d'evaluation sont parfois limitees. Une attention toute particuliere est ici portee a l'Afrique subsaharienne.
Gold Functionalized Supported Ionic Liquids Catalyst for CO Oxidation

The present study tries to give an insight to the combination of the homogeneous and heterogeneous catalytic properties in a new class of materials. Well dispersed gold nanoparticles on an ionic liquid layer supported on a mineral carrier have been prepared. This work is concentrated on the characterizations and understanding of the interactions between all the components of the catalytic system. The application of the materials in the reaction of oxidation of carbon monoxide shows rather unexpected results—a good catalytic activity completely independent of the temperature.
Incidence of adverse transition in smoking stages among adolescents of Kinta, Perak.

BACKGROUND Few local studies have explored the process of adverse transition of smoking stages among adolescents. The present investigation aimed to identify adverse transitions prospectively from the early stages till the escalation of the stages after one year. MATERIALS AND METHODS Data were collected in two waves from a cohort of 2,552 adolescents aged 12-13 years old studying in 15 secondary schools based in Kinta, Perak. A multistage sampling method was used to select the schools and a self-administered structured questionnaire was applied to help categorize the participants into five different smoking stages. Nonsmokers were divided into never smokers and susceptible never smokers. Ever-smokers were categorized as experimenters, current smokers or ex-smokers. RESULTS Among the participants 46.8% were Malay, 33.5% Chinese and 17.1% Indians. At baseline, we had 85.3% non-smokers and 14.6% ever smokers. Incidence of adverse transition among all our participants was 24.1%, with a higher value among male participants (16.8%). A higher proportion of susceptible never smokers and experimenters progressed to current smoking stage compared to never smokers. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights the changes and patterns of adverse transition among adolescents. Male adolescents, those who are susceptible to smoking and those who had already tried experimenting with cigarettes have a higher chance of escalating to a higher smoking stage.
How Good Is The DES Algorithm In Image Ciphering?

------------------------------------------------------------------- ABSTRACT ---------------------------------------------------------------- Digital Images and video encryption plays an important role in today’s multimedia world. Many encryption schemes have been proposed to provide security for digital images. Usually the symmetric key ciphering algorithms are used in encrypting digital images because it is fast and use the techniques for block and stream ciphers. Data Encryption Standard is symmetric key encryption algorithm. In spite of the successful cracking of the data encryption standard by massive brute force attacks, data encryption standard algorithm is an entrenched technology and still useful for many purposes. In this paper, we use some of the image quality encryption measuring factors to study the effect of data encryption standard algorithm in image ciphering. The results show that the data encryption standard algorithm is fast and it achieves a good encryption rate for image ciphering using different modes of operation.
Optimal Neighborhood Preserving Visualization by Maximum Satisfiability

We present a novel approach to low-dimensional neighbor embedding for visualization, based on formulating an information retrieval based neighborhood preservation cost function as Maximum satisfiability on a discretized output display. The method has a rigorous interpretation as optimal visualization based on the cost function. Unlike previous low-dimensional neighbor embedding methods, our formulation is guaranteed to yield globally optimal visualizations, and does so reasonably fast. Unlike previous manifold learning methods yielding global optima of their cost functions, our cost function and method are designed for low-dimensional visualization where evaluation and minimization of visualization errors are crucial. Our method performs well in experiments, yielding clean embeddings of datasets where a state-of-the-art comparison method yields poor arrangements. In a real-world case study for semi-supervised WLAN signal mapping in buildings we outperform state-of-the-art methods.
Functional test generation for synchronous sequential circuits

We present a novel, highly efficient functional test generation methodology for synchronous sequential circuits. We generate test vectors for the growth (G) and disappearance (D) faults using a cube description of the finite state machine (FSM). Theoretical results establish that these tests guarantee a complete coverage of stuck faults in combinational and sequential circuits, synthesized through algebraic transformations. The truth table of the combinational logic of the circuit is modeled in the form known as personality matrix (PM) and vectors are obtained using highly efficient cube-based test generation method of programmable logic arrays (PLA). Sequential circuits are modeled as arrays of time-frames and new algorithms for state justification and fault propagation through faulty PLAs are derived. We also give a fault simulation procedure for G and D faults. Experiments show that test generation can be orders of magnitude faster and achieves a coverage of gate-level stuck faults that is higher than a gate-level sequential-circuit test generator. Results on a broad class of small to large synthesis benchmark PSM's from MCNC support our claim that functional test generation based on G and D faults is a viable and economical alternative to gate level ATPG, especially in a logic synthesis environment. The generated test sequences are implementation-independent and can be obtained even when details of specific implementation are unavailable. For the ISCAS'89 benchmarks, available only in multilevel netlist form, we extract the PM and generate functional tests. Experimental results show that a proper resynthesis improves the stuck fault coverage of these tests.
BRIDGES BETWEEN MICROTUBULES

Bridges between microtubules have been studied with the electron microscope in the axostyle of Saccinobaculus and in various tubule systems of chicken testis, including the helix of tubules surrounding the elongating spermatid nucleus and the flagellum of the sperm tail. In addition to the previously described periodic bridges, evidence is presented that nonperiodic bridges exist between certain tubules. An analysis of axial spacing between adjacent nonperiodic bridges suggests that these structures are attached to periodic binding sites on the microtubule wall, but that not all the binding sites are filled. The bridges appear nonperiodic as a result of random occupancy of some fraction of the periodic sites. The distribution of these binding sites is related to the substructure of the microtubule wall as seen with negative staining and optical diffraction.
Processing contradictory brand information from advertising and social media: an application of the multiple-motive heuristic-systematic model

Abstract This study tested two major theoretical assumptions of the heuristic-systematic model – (1) concurrent information processing and (2) multiple processing motives – in a common advertising situation where contradictory brand information from different sources (e.g. a positive advertising claim [a persuasive argument] vs. negative consensus information from a third-party source [a persuasion cue]) was available to consumers with varying motivation (accuracy and defense motivation). Results showed that individuals employed different information processing strategies, depending on motivation type. Accuracy-motivated individuals engaged in concurrent (both cue- and argument-based) processing when involvement was high. Defense-motivated individuals sought positive valence, regardless of the level of involvement and type of information.
Rapid Up-Regulation of Endothelial Nitric-Oxide Synthase in a Mouse Model of Escherichia coli Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Bladder Inflammation

Increases in the signaling molecule nitric oxide (NO) during inflammation may be linked not only to inducible nitric-oxide synthase (iNOS) but also to endothelial (e)NOS. Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces an inflammatory response in the bladder and rapidly increases phosphorylation of Akt/protein kinase B (Akt), a key enzyme regulating proliferation, apoptosis, and inflammation. Activated Akt phosphorylates human eNOS at serine 1177 and subsequently increases NOS activity. Because Akt and eNOS are both localized in the bladder urothelium, phosphorylation of eNOS by Akt provides an attractive mechanism for rapid increases in urinary NO production. Female mice were intraperitoneally injected with LPS (25 mg/kg) or pyrogen-free water (control). Four hours before LPS injection, some mice were injected with wortmannin, which inhibits Akt phosphorylation. Levels of urinary cyclic GMP, a downstream product of NO, increase 75% within 1 h after intraperitoneal injection of LPS, and this increase is blocked by wortmannin. Bladder eNOS and phosphorylated eNOS protein increase 94 and 151%, respectively, 1 h after LPS treatment, whereas iNOS was not detected. Wortmannin decreases eNOS phosphorylation by 60%. Furthermore, bladder Ca2+-dependent NOS activity (eNOS, neuronal NOS) is increased 79 ± 20% 1 h after LPS treatment, whereas there is no increase in Ca2+-independent (iNOS) activity (n = 4). Increases in urinary cyclic GMP, NOS activity, and eNOS protein and phosphorylation 1 h after induction of inflammation with LPS, indicate that eNOS plays a role in the early response to bladder inflammation.
Covert End User Development: A Study of Success

End User Development (EUD) of system applications is typically undertaken by end users for their own, or closely aligned colleagues, business needs. EUD studies have focused on activity that is small scale, is undertaken with management consent and will ultimately be brought into alignment with the organisation’s software development strategy. However, due to the increase pace of today’s organisations EUD activity increasing takes place without the full knowledge or consent of management, such developments can be defined as covert rather than subversive, they emerge in response to the dynamic environments in which today’s organisations operate. This paper reports on a covert EUD project where a wide group of internal and external stakeholders worked collaboratively to drive an organisation’s software development strategy. The research highlights the future inevitability of external stakeholders engaging in end user development as, with the emergence of wiki and blog-like environments, the boundaries of organisations’ technological artifacts become increasingly hard to define.
More than a face: a unified theoretical perspective on nonverbal social cue processing in social anxiety

Processing of nonverbal social cues (NVSCs) is essential to interpersonal functioning and is particularly relevant to models of social anxiety. This article provides a review of the literature on NVSC processing from the perspective of social rank and affiliation biobehavioral systems (ABSs), based on functional analysis of human sociality. We examine the potential of this framework for integrating cognitive, interpersonal, and evolutionary accounts of social anxiety. We argue that NVSCs are uniquely suited to rapid and effective conveyance of emotional, motivational, and trait information and that various channels are differentially effective in transmitting such information. First, we review studies on perception of NVSCs through face, voice, and body. We begin with studies that utilized information processing or imaging paradigms to assess NVSC perception. This research demonstrated that social anxiety is associated with biased attention to, and interpretation of, emotional facial expressions (EFEs) and emotional prosody. Findings regarding body and posture remain scarce. Next, we review studies on NVSC expression, which pinpointed links between social anxiety and disturbances in eye gaze, facial expressivity, and vocal properties of spontaneous and planned speech. Again, links between social anxiety and posture were understudied. Although cognitive, interpersonal, and evolutionary theories have described different pathways to social anxiety, all three models focus on interrelations among cognition, subjective experience, and social behavior. NVSC processing and production comprise the juncture where these theories intersect. In light of the conceptualizations emerging from the review, we highlight several directions for future research including focus on NVSCs as indexing reactions to changes in belongingness and social rank, the moderating role of gender, and the therapeutic opportunities offered by embodied cognition to treat social anxiety.
From everyday conversation to political action: Talking austerity in online ‘third spaces’

Taking forward a new agenda for online political deliberation – the study of everyday political talk in non-political, online ‘third spaces’ – this article examines the dynamics of political talk across three general interest UK-based online forums. The quantitative analysis found that discussions about austerity were just as likely to emerge from non-political discussions as they were ones that began as ‘political’, demonstrating the links people made between everyday experiences and public policy. Our qualitative analysis represents the first real attempt to analyse political actions within third spaces, with some striking outcomes. Over half of all political discussions led to at least one political action (with significant variation between forums). The findings demonstrate that while such third spaces remain concerned with the preoccupations of everyday life, they can and do perform a role of mobilizing agent towards political participation.
VEGF TrapR1R2 Suppresses Experimental Corneal Angiogenesis

Purpose To determine the effect of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) TrapR1R2 on bFGF-induced experimental corneal neovascularization (NV). Methods Control pellets or pellets containing 80 ng bFGF were surgically implanted into wild-type C57BL/6 and VEGF-LacZ mouse corneas. The corneas were photographed, harvested, and the percentage of corneal NV was calculated. The harvested corneas were evaluated for VEGF expression. VEGF-LacZ mice received tail vein injections of an endothelial-specific lectin after pellet implantation to determine the temporal and spatial relationship between VEGF expression and corneal NV. Intraperitoneal injections of VEGF TrapR1R2 or a human IgG Fc domain control protein were administered, and bFGF pellet-induced corneal NV was evaluated. Results NV of the corneal stroma began on day 4 and was sustained through day 21 following bFGF pellet implantation. Progression of vascular endothelial cells correlated with increased VEGF-LacZ expression. Western blot analysis showed increased VEGF expression in the corneal NV zone. Following bFGF pellet implantation, the area of corneal NV in untreated controls was 1.05±0.12 mm2 and 1.53±0.27 mm2 at days 4 and 7, respectively. This was significantly greater than that of mice treated with VEGF Trap (0.24±0.11 mm2 and 0.35±0.16 mm2 at days 4 and 7, respectively; p<0.05). Conclusions Corneal keratocytes express VEGF after bFGF stimulation and bFGF-induced corneal NV is blocked by intraperitoneal VEGF TrapR1R2 administration. Systemic administration of VEGF TrapR1R2 may have potential therapeutic applications in the management of corneal NV.