Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Orientation and Direction Tuning of Goldfish Ganglion Cells

Abstract Orientation and direction tuning were examined in goldfish ganglion cells by drifting sinusoidal gratings across the receptive field of the cell. Each ganglion cell was first classified as X-, Y- or W-like based on its responses to a contrast-reversal grating positioned at various spatial phases of the cell's receptive field. Sinusoidal gratings were drifted at different orientations and directions across the receptive field of the cell; spatial frequency and contrast of the grating were also varied. It was found that some X-like cells responded similarly to all orientations and directions, indicating that these cells had circular and symmetrical fields. Other X-like cells showed a preference for certain orientations at high spatial frequencies suggesting that these cells possess an elliptical center mechanism (since only the center mechanism is sensitive to high spatial frequencies). In virtually all cases, X-like cells were not directionally tuned. All but one Y-like cell displayed orientation tuning but, as with X-like cells, orientation tuning appeared only at high spatial frequencies. A substantial portion of these Y-like cells also showed a direction preference. This preference was dependent on spatial frequency but in a manner different from orientation tuning, suggesting that these two phenomena result from different mechanisms. All W-like cells possessed orientation and direction tuning, both of which depended on the spatial frequency of the stimulus. These results support past work which suggests that the center and surround components of retinal ganglion cell receptive fields are not necessarily circular or concentric, and that they may actually consist of smaller subareas.
Addressing the stochastic nature of energy management in smart homes

In the future, automated smart home energy management systems (SHEMSs) will assist residential energy users to schedule and coordinate their energy use. In order to undertake efficient and robust scheduling of distributed energy resources, such a SHEMS needs to consider the stochastic nature of the household's energy use and the intermittent nature of its distributed generation. Currently, stochastic mixed-integer linear programming (MILP), particle swarm optimization and dynamic programming approaches have been proposed for incorporating these stochastic variables. However, these approaches result in a SHEMS with very costly computational requirements or lower quality solutions. Given this context, this paper discusses the drawbacks associated with these existing methods by comparing a SHEMS using stochastic MILP with heuristic scenario reduction techniques to one using a dynamic programming approach. Then, drawing on analysis of the two methods above, this paper discusses ways of reducing the computational burden of the stochastic optimization framework by using approximate dynamic programming to implement a SHEMS.
Adaptive event horizon tracking and critical phenomena in binary black hole coalescence

This work establishes critical phenomena in the topological transition of black hole coalescence. We describe and validate a computational front tracking event horizon solver, developed for generic studies of the black hole coalescence problem. We then apply this to the Kastor - Traschen axisymmetric analytic solution of the extremal Maxwell - Einstein black hole merger with cosmological constant. The surprising result of this computational analysis is a power law scaling of the minimal throat proportional to time. The minimal throat connecting the two holes obeys this power law during a short time immediately at the beginning of merger. We also confirm the behavior analytically. Thus, at least in one axisymmetric situation a critical phenomenon exists. We give arguments for a broader universality class than the restricted requirements of the Kastor - Traschen solution.
The Societal Responsibilities of Computational Modelers: Human Values and Professional Codes of Ethics

Information and communication technology (ICT) has increasingly important implications for our everyday lives, with the potential to both solve existing social problems and create new ones. This article focuses on one particular group of ICT professionals, computational modelers, and explores how these ICT professionals perceive their own societal responsibilities. Specifically, the article uses a mixed‐method approach to look at the role of professional codes of ethics and explores the relationship between modelers’ experiences with, and attitudes toward, codes of ethics and their values. Statistical analysis of survey data reveals a relationship between modelers’ values and their attitudes and experiences related to codes of ethics. Thematic analysis of interviews with a subset of survey participants identifies two key themes: that modelers should be faithful to the reality and values of users and that codes of ethics should be built from the bottom up. One important implication of the research is that those who value universalism and benevolence may have a particular duty to act on their values and advocate for, and work to develop, a code of ethics.
Implementing a High Performance Work System

Professional Services at Marconi Wireless were he was responsible for service delivery and business development to the top-tier wireless telecommunications carriers in the U.S. Mr. Brown also served as Director of Technical Services for Marconi Wireless where he was responsible for managing technical support, implementation, training and project management for the software products developed by Marconi Wireless.
Semicoherent PPM for wideband communications

We quantify the impact of coherence on pulse position modulation (PPM) over wideband fading channels by computing achievable rates and an upper bound on uncoded symbol error probability. We study the influence of channel estimation accuracy on the optimum diversity order and furthermore find that a near-optimum receiver typically needs to estimate a few channel taps only
CONSTRUCT VALIDITY OF AN OBJECTIVE (ENTROPY) CATEGORICAL MEASURE OF DIVERSIFICATION STRATEGY

This study measures the construct validity of an objective (entropy) approach to measurement of diversification strategy. Results indicate strong convergent, discriminant and criterion-related validity for the entropy measure of diversification. In particular, support for the entropy measure of diversification strategy was demonstrated through associations with the Rumelt subjective measure of diversification (convergent validity); size, debt and RD and accounting and market-based performance (criterion-related validity). Using structural equations modeling, the study reports strong standardized validity coefficients with a diversification factor (0.87 for the entropy and 0.94 for Rumelt's measures). The objective (SIC count) measure exhibits a low standardized validity coefficient (0.44) with the diversification factor. In a discriminant validity test, 70 percent of the variance in the entropy measure is unique to diversification while only 2.8 percent and 7.6 percent are unique to leverage and size, respectively. However, only 6.3 percent of the variance in the SIC count measure is unique to diversification. The study suggests that it may be more appropriate to use the diversification factor with both the entropy and Rumelt subjective measures for maximum accuracy (however, using either alone would be acceptable). Also, the results suggest that the SIC measure may be appropriate in more limited circumstances.
Flexible sub block ordering based intra 4/SPL times/4 prediction

In H.264, Intra prediction is employed to reduce energy of prediction error to be transmitted. Because the order of Intra frame encoding is from left to right horizontally and from top to bottom vertically, intra prediction reference pels can only appear on the left side or upside of the block to be predicted, so predicted results are not ideal sometimes. In this paper, a new intra 4 times 4 prediction algorithm based on flexible order of sub blocks encoding is introduced, which improved the modes of intra prediction and the set of reference pels for prediction. Experimental results show that compared to the standard intra prediction mode of H.264, this proposed method can gain 0.4 dBs of PSNR averagely.
Dietary lipids with potential to affect satiety: Mechanisms and evidence

ABSTRACT Dietary fat has been implicated in the rise of obesity due to its energy density, palatability and weak effects on satiety. As fat is a major contributor to overall energy intake, incorporating fat with satiating properties could potentially reduce energy intake. This review outlines the potential mechanisms, as far as we know, by which Medium-Chain Triglycerides (MCT), Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA), Short-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFA), Diacylglycerol (DAG), n-3 PUFA, and Small Particle Lipids, exerts their satiating effects. The evidence suggests that the lipid with the most potential to enhance satiety is MCT. SCFA can also promote satiety, but oral administration has been linked to poor tolerability rather than satiety. Data on the appetite effects of CLA is limited but does suggest potential. Research comparing these lipids to each other is also lacking and should be explored to elucidate which of these ‘functional lipids’ is the most beneficial in enhancing satiety.
Sarsaponin Effects on Ruminal Fermentation and Microbes, Methane Production, Digestibility and Blood Metabolites in Steers

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of sarsaponin on methane production, ruminal fermentation, nutrient digestion and blood metabolites using three Holstein steers in a 3×3 Latin Square design. The steers were fed Sudangrass hay plus concentrate mixture at a ratio 1.5:1 twice daily, and sarsaponin (0, 0.5 and 1% of DM), which was given at 09:00 and 17:00 h daily by mixing with concentrate. Rumen samples were collected 0, 2, and 5 h after morning dosing. Ruminal pH was numerically decreased and numbers of protozoa were decreased linearly (p<0.01) by treatment. Ruminal ammonia-N was reduced (linear; p<0.05) and total VFA was increased (quadratic; p<0.05) at 2 and 5 h after sarsaponin dosing. The molar proportion of acetate was decreased (quadratic; p<0.05) and propionate was increased (linear; p<0.01) at all sampling times. Blood plasma glucose was increased and urea-N was decreased (linear; p<0.05) at 2 and 5 h after dosing. Methane was decreased by approximately 12.7% (linear; p<0.05). The apparent digestibility of DM and NDF were decreased (quadratic; p<0.05) and that of CP remained unchanged due to the sarsaponin. The numbers of cellulolytic bacteria were decreased (quadratic; p<0.05), while numbers of total viable bacteria remained unchanged due to the sarsaponin. These results show that sarsaponin can partially inhibit rumen methanogenesis in vivo and improve ruminal fermentation, which supports our previous in vitro results. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2005. Vol 18, No. 12 : 1746-1751)
The WiggleZ Dark Energy Survey: measuring the cosmic expansion history using the Alcock-Paczynski test and distant supernovae

Astronomical observations suggest that today’s Universe is dominated by a dark energy of unknown physical origin. One of the most notable results obtained from many models is that dark energy should cause the expansion of the Universe to accelerate: but the expansion rate as a function of time has proved very difficult to measure directly. We present a new determination of the cosmic expansion history by combining distant supernovae observations with a geometrical analysis of large-scale galaxy clustering within the WiggleZ Dark Energy Survey, using the Alcock–Paczynski test to measure the distortion of standard spheres. Our result constitutes a robust and non-parametric measurement of the Hubble expansion rate as a function of time, which we measure with 10–15 per cent precision in four bins within the redshift range 0.1 < z < 0.9. We demonstrate, in a manner insensitive to the assumed cosmological model, that the cosmic expansion is accelerating. Furthermore, we find that this expansion history is consistent with a cosmological-constant dark energy.
A comparison of advertising content: Business to business versus consumer services

Abstract Several studies have investigated differences between goods and services advertisements, but no research has examined differences between business-to-business services advertising and consumer services advertising. The authors use the content analysis method to investigate differences in several message elements in the context of the two types of services advertisements. In their sample of 186 advertisements, 91 ads were for business-to-business services and 95 were for consumer services. The specific message elements evaluated were message appeal, headline usage, price information, quality claims, and the inclusion of an Internet address. The findings indicate significant differences between business-to-business and consumer services advertisements in the types of message appeals used.
Understanding privacy concerns

The need to maximize advertising effectiveness and minimize communication costs has increased direct marketers’ and packaged-goods advertisers’ reliance on individual-level consumer information. The use of such information, however, has raised a number of questions regarding consumer privacy. This study therefore attempts to increase direct marketers’ understanding of privacy issues by examining how well informed consumers are with respect to information gathering and use practices. The results of a regional survey of 266 adults 18 years old and older suggested: 1) privacy is an important concern; 2) many people are not very knowledgeable about specific direct marketing practices; 3) consumer concern is affected by type of practice and specificity of information; and 4) most favor restrictions on the gathering and use of personal information. Overall, the results suggest consumer ignorance may be a significant contributor to privacy concerns and that a strong committment to consumer education may be necessary to avoid government regulation and legislation.
Increasing Muscle Extensibility: A Matter of Increasing Length or Modifying Sensation?

Various theories have been proposed to explain increases in muscle extensibility observed after intermittent stretching. Most of these theories advocate a mechanical increase in length of the stretched muscle. More recently, a sensory theory has been proposed suggesting instead that increases in muscle extensibility are due to a modification of sensation only. Studies that evaluated the biomechanical effect of stretching showed that muscle length does increase during stretch application due to the viscoelastic properties of muscle. However, this length increase is transient, its magnitude and duration being dependent upon the duration and type of stretching applied. Most of these studies suggest that increases in muscle extensibility observed after a single stretching session and after short-term (3- to 8-week) stretching programs are due to modified sensation. The biomechanical effects of long-term (>8 weeks) and chronic stretching programs have not yet been evaluated. The purposes of this article are to review each of these proposed theories and to discuss the implications for research and clinical practice.
Posterosuperior glenoid internal impingement of the shoulder in the overhead athlete: Pathogenesis, clinical features and MR imaging findings

Posterosuperior glenoid internal impingement (PGII) is an impingement syndrome of the shoulder that is most commonly seen in the throwing or overhead athlete. The supraspinatus can be normally compressed or impinged between the greater tuberosity and the posterosuperior labrum in the abduction and external rotation position. However, repetitive throwing and biomechanical abnormalities may lead to the intensification of this contact and to the clinical and pathological picture of PGII. The injured athlete usually complains of poor throwing performance and pain located in the posterosuperior aspect of the shoulder. Two main theories regarding the aetiology of PGII have been postulated with differing initial mechanisms. The MRI features of PGII have been described and include supraspinatus and anterior infraspinatus partial undersurface tears, bony changes at the humeral head and labral pathology, including a variation of the type II superior labrum from anterior to posterior lesion. This pictorial essay aims to present cases illustrating the pathophysiology, clinical features and recently described MRI findings, and discuss some of the MR protocol considerations.
Exploration and Resource Commitments in Unequal Partnerships: An Examination of Corporate Venture Capital Investments

While established firms' relationships with external ventures may have significant strategic benefits, the realization of such benefits is fraught with considerable uncertainty. The real options and interorganizational learning literatures present an interesting trade-off for established firms regarding commitment of resources in a partnership. This study seeks to enhance our understanding of how firms manage these trade-offs when committing resources to external venturing initiatives. We examine the magnitude of resources initially committed by an established firm to an external venturing partnership in the context of corporate venture capital (CVC) investments. While a real options approach suggests that resource commitments should be lowered in the presence of uncertainty regarding realization of benefits, the interorganizational literature emphasizes that resource commitments may be essential for building quality relationships that expedite learning. Corporate investors, who invest in new ventures in order to gain strategic benefits, face higher uncertainty when their investment objectives involve greater exploration. However, greater exploration also increases investors' need to learn from their portfolio ventures. We, therefore, predicted that the degree of exploration would have a U-shaped relationship with the investor's resource commitment in a venture. We also expected that factors that serve to decrease the investor's uncertainty, i.e., investor experience diversity and venture affiliation to prominent venture capitalists, would moderate the U-shaped relationship between exploration and resource commitment. The predictions of the study are tested on a sample of 248 initial investments in private ventures made by incumbent firms in the computer, semiconductor, and telecommunications industries between 1996 and 2000. We find some support for our hypotheses. This study contributes to the external venturing literature on CVC investments by examining the determinants of the magnitude of resource commitment to new ventures, and integrates real options perspective, which advocates low resource commitments under uncertainty, with the organizational learning literature, which argues for greater resource commitment to secure partner cooperation. The results of this study reveal interesting insights into how CVC investors manage individual investments to generate strategic benefits.
Application of multi criteria decision making technique to evaluation suppliers in supply chain management

Supplier selection, the process of determining the suitable suppliers who are able to provide the buyer with the right quality products and/or services at the right price, at the right time and in the right quantities, is one of the most critical activities for establishing an effective supply chain. In other words, supplier selection is a multi-criteria decision making problem which includes both qualitative and quantitative factors. In order to choose the best suppliers, it is essential to make a trade-off between these tangible and intangible factors, some of which may conflict. The aim of this study is developing a methodology to evaluate suppliers in supply chain cycle based on Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution method (TOPSIS). The authors, with the help of going over expertise of experts and their relevant specialized literature, could recognize variables and effectivecriteria in supplier selection. After, the weights for a number of criteria are calculated based on the opinions of experts; these weights are inputted to the TOPSIS method to rank suppliers. Finally, this methodology is done by a numerical example, then, the rank of each supplier is determined according to its results. Key words: Supplier selection problem, technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution method (TOPSIS Method), supplier management, multi criteria decision making, outsourcing, supply chain management.
Membrane current underlying muscarinic cholinergic excitation of motoneurons in lobster cardiac ganglion.

1. We studied the effect of cholinergic agonists on motoneurons of the lobster cardiac ganglion under voltage clamp. 2. In unclamped neurons, acetylcholine (ACh) caused a depolarization and increase in burst potential frequency. By the use of nicotinic and muscarinic agonists, we determined that both types of receptors are present on the neurons. We therefore used specific muscarinic agonists to further study ionic mechanisms underlying the muscarinic cholinergic current (Imch). 3. Muscarinic agonists produced detectable inward current at doses above 10(-6) M, and maximum effect was seen at doses above 10(-3) M. 4. Imch was voltage-dependent. When the membrane holding potential was shifted to levels negative to the resting potential, the response declined, nulling but not reversing at -80 to -100 mV. The response enlarged with membrane depolarization, reaching a maximum at between -30 and -10 mV. With further depolarization, the response declined and then reversed at potentials around +20 mV. 5. The muscarinic response varied as a function of extracellular Na+ concentration and was completely blocked in Na+-free solutions. The relationship between response amplitude and external Na+ was well described by the electrodiffusion equation for Na+ driving force. 6. Imch amplitude also varied as a function of extracellular potassium concentration, becoming larger with low external K+ and smaller at higher concentrations. Shifting the Cl- equilibrium potential did not affect the properties of the Imch. 7. Tetrodotoxin (TTX) had no effect on Imch. In concentrations of 1-10 mM, such K+-channel blocking agents as Ba2+, Cs+, 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), or tetraethylammonium (TEA), and such Ca2+-channel blockers as Co2+ or Mn2+, when applied externally, did not suppress Imch. Above 30 mM, TEA did inhibit the response, and combinations of K+-channel blocking agents, each at concentrations insufficient alone to block the current, also inhibited Imch. 8. Current-voltage (I-V) curves obtained during muscarinic agonist perfusion consistently crossed the control I-V curves at a mean membrane potential of +24 mV. The reversal potential shifted to a more negative value in low extracellular Na+. 9. Although no reversal of Imch was seen when agonists were applied to cells clamped at negative holding potentials, the averaged curve of Imch, obtained by subtracting control ramp I-V curves from those obtained in the presence of agonist, did show a small net outward current at membrane potentials negative to -100 mV. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)