Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Using the iPad as a pedagogical tool to enhance the learning experince for novice programing students

Teaching programming skills to novice students is very challenging. They usually have to deal with many difficulties including learning the syntax of the programming language along with the logic of devising a solution to an existing problem. They also need to develop many skills to enable them building an abstract mental model of a certain problem, device a solution for it, then implement and test the solution in a correct way. Moreover, they need to understand how programs are compiled and executed. This paper presents our experience of introducing the iPad as a pedagogical tool in our introductory C programming course. The aim was to help students overcome some of their difficulties, and to improve their learning experience. The results of two surveys as well as the official student evaluation of teaching scores show that it was a positive experience in general. The iPad was integrated into the classroom with minimal effort, and provided a friendly environment that facilitated group work, creativity, and independent learning.
Thermal transport in nanocrystalline materials

In this work, thermal transport in nanocrystalline materials is studied using large-scale equilibrium molecular dynamics simulation. Nanocrystalline materials with different grain sizes are studied to explore how and to what extent the size of nanograins affects the thermal conductivity and specific heat. Substantial thermal conductivity reduction is observed and the reduction is stronger for nanocrystalline materials with smaller grains. On the other hand, the specific heat of nanocrystalline materials shows little change with the grain size. Based on the calculated thermal conductivity, the thermal resistance at grain boundaries is calculated and found to be in the order of 10−9m2K∕W. The simulation results are compared with the thermal transport in freestanding nanograins based on molecular dynamics simulation. Further discussions are provided to explain the fundamental physics behind the observed thermal phenomena in this work.
Intelligent sign language recognition using enhanced fourier descriptor: A case of Hausa sign language

Hausa sign language (HSL) is the main communication medium among deaf-mute Hausas in northern Nigeria. HSL is so unique that a deaf-mute individual from other part of the country can rarely understand it. HSL includes static and dynamic hand gesture recognitions. In this paper we present an intelligent recognition of static, manual and nonmanual HSL using an enhanced Fourier descriptor. A Red Green Blue (RGB) digital camera was used for image acquisition and Fourier descriptor was used for features extraction. The features extracted chosen manually and fed into artificial neural network (ANN) which was used for classification. Thereafter particle swarm optimization algorithm (PSO) was used to optimize the features based on their fitness in order to obtain high recognition accuracy. The optimized features selected gave a higher recognition accuracy of 90.5% compared to the manually selected features that gave 74.8% accuracy. High average recognition accuracy was achieved; hence, intelligent recognition of HSL was successful.
The growth and morphogenesis of the early mouse mandible: a quantitative analysis

Three‐dimensional reconstruction and BrdU incorporation have been used to quantify the development and growth of the mouse mandible and to analyse its relationship to Meckel's cartilage and the molar teeth. The mandible anlage is first histologically detectable at E13.5 as paired plates of osteoid tissue within condensed mesenchyme (∼0.9 mm long and ∼0.36 mm deep) that are lateral to the two arms of Meckel's cartilage. Over the next 3 days, each plate lengthens to ∼3.6 mm, and extends medially at its superior and inferior edges, folding over to enclose the alveolar nerve and Meckel's cartilage and producing additional processes that form the molar tooth sockets (E15.5). At around E15.5, the first molar tooth socket forms from two processes that extend from the medial and distal parts of the mandible to surround the tooth. By E16.5, this process is complete in the distal region where Meckel's cartilage is beginning to degenerate. Mandible ossification begins at E14 with proliferation restricted to the outer surface. BrdU incorporation rates are particularly high at the proximal and distal ends where lengthening occurs, and at the superior and inferior edges as they extend medially to surround Meckel's cartilage. Incorporation rates slow at the distal ends of each mandible at E16.5 as they approach each other at the symphysis. The results indicate that the mandible mainly grows at its periphery, and the pattern of mandibular growth and morphogenesis suggests that these processes are mainly directed and constrained by paracrine signalling from Meckel's cartilage and the tooth buds.
A quantitative study of myonuclear and satellite cell nuclear size in Duchenne's muscular dystrophy, polymyositis and normal human skeletal muscle

The dimensions of myonuclei and satellite cell nuclei in Duchenne's muscular dystrophy (DMD), polymyositis, and normal controls were compared in order to determine whether differences in satellite cell populations (previously reported by these and other authors) could be attributable to changes in the relative dimensions, thereby biasing the counts. The nuclei were measured directly from semithin resin sections using computerized measureing techniques, thereby avoiding errors due to photographic enlargement. In both the control and polymyositic groups, the satellite cell nuclei (8.30 μm and 8.81 μm respectively) were significantly shorter than the myonuclei (11.75 μ and 13.00 μm). Dystrophic myonuclei (10.98 μm) were significantly shorter than polymyositic myonuclei, but dystrophic satellite cell nuclei (11.62 μm) were significantly longer than both polymyositic and normal control satellite cell nuclei. The mean nuclear area in transverse sections was significantly greater in both myopathies than in the control material for both myonuclei and satellite cell nuclei. Myopathies were significantly larger than satellite cell nuclei in all groups. When the values for the lengths of the nuclei were used to adjust previous estimates of satellite cell populations, it was found that earlier conclusions were still valid, i.e., that there is a significant increase in the number of satellite cells in the dystrophic muscle fibre population.
Inhibition of human ether à go‐go potassium channels by Ca2+/calmodulin binding to the cytosolic N‐ and C‐termini

Human ether à go‐go potassium channels (hEAG1) open in response to membrane depolarization and they are inhibited by Ca2+/calmodulin (CaM), presumably binding to the C‐terminal domain of the channel subunits. Deletion of the cytosolic N‐terminal domain resulted in complete abolition of Ca2+/CaM sensitivity suggesting the existence of further CaM binding sites. A peptide array‐based screen of the entire cytosolic protein of hEAG1 identified three putative CaM‐binding domains, two in the C‐terminus (BD‐C1: 674–683, BD‐C2: 711–721) and one in the N‐terminus (BD‐N: 151–165). Binding of GST‐fusion proteins to Ca2+/CaM was assayed with fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy and precipitation assays. In the presence of Ca2+, BD‐N and BD‐C2 provided dissociation constants in the nanomolar range, BD‐C1 bound with lower affinity. Mutations in the binding domains reduced inhibition of the functional channels by Ca2+/CaM. Employment of CaM‐EF‐hand mutants showed that CaM binding to the N‐ and C‐terminus are primarily dependent on EF‐hand motifs 3 and 4. Hence, closure of EAG channels presumably requires the binding of multiple CaM molecules in a manner more complex than previously assumed.
STUDIES ON DEVELOPING RETINAL VESSELS VIII. EFFECT OF OXYGEN ON THE RETINAL VESSELS OF THE RATLING*

IN 1953 it was found that exposure of kittens to high ambient concentrations of oxygen resulted in obliteration of their retinal vessels, and that subsequent return to air resulted in vasoproliferation (Ashton, Ward, and Serpell, 1953). It was later briefly reported that the retina of the ratling was considerably less susceptible to hyperoxia than that of the kitten, since only the posterior vessels were obliterated, but no opinion was given on vasoproliferation at that time as the ratlings had not survived on transfer to air (Ashton, Ward, and Serpell, 1954). Other workers, however, have reported that the retina of the ratling behaves in an exactly similar way to that of the kitten (Patz, 1954a,b; Brands, Hofmann, and Klees, 1958); indeed ratlings were some of the chief experimental animals used by Patz, Eastham, Higginbotham, and Kleh (1953) and by Patz (1954a,b) in demonstrating retinal vasoproliferation due to oxygen exposure in their studies on retrolental fibroplasia. Patz (1954a) also reported complete obliteration of the retinal vessels of the rat after 3 days' exposure to hyperoxia and he obtained vasoproliferation in oxygen -a finding which was not confirmed by Brands and others (1958). In view of these conflicting results and because the ratling would be a more convenient animal than the kitten for this type of work, we have carried out a further series of experiments to determine the effect of hyperoxia on the retinal vessels of the ratling.
Enrichissement de la communication non-verbale chez des adolescents dysphasiques : intérêts d'un atelier d'expression théâtrale

Les adolescents dysphasiques continuent de presenter apres des annees de reeducation orthophonique des difficultes de communication. En effet, la reeducation aborde principalement les aspects formels du langage oral. Or, les difficultes retrouvees chez ces adolescents concernent l'utilisation de la communication non-verbale. Nous avons voulu savoir si un travail axe sur la communication non-verbale (gestes, mimiques, elements para-verbaux, proxemie) leur permettrait d'utiliser plus de gestes et de se sentir plus a l'aise en situation de communication. Pour cela, nous avons propose 10 seances de groupe axees sur l'expression theâtrale a 5 adolescents dysphasiques (16-21 ans). Une analyse statistique montre une tendance a l'augmentation du nombre moyen de gestes realises par ces patients, mais ces resultats ne sont pas significatifs. Des questionnaires soumis aux patients nous ont permis d'objectiver une amelioration de leur sentiment de confiance en situation de communication. D'apres nos resultats, travailler les aspects non-verbaux de la communication est possible et semble pertinent chez les adolescents dysphasiques.
Cannabinoid‐1 receptor gene deletion has a compartment‐specific affect on the dendritic and axonal availability of μ‐opioid receptors and on dopamine axons in the mouse nucleus accumbens

Cannabinoid‐type 1 (CB1) receptors are implicated in μ‐opioid receptor (μ‐OR)‐dependent reward ascribed partially to mesolimbic dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens (Acb) shell. Thus, CB1 receptor gene deletion may preferentially alter the availability of μ‐ORs and/or dopamine innervation in this brain region, which is functionally distinct from the motor‐associated Acb core. To test this hypothesis, we examined the electron microscopic immunolabeling of the μ‐OR and the dopamine‐synthesizing enzyme, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in Acb shell, and core of adult C57BL/6J wild‐type (WT) and CB1‐knock‐out (KO) mice. The μ‐OR‐immunogold particles were observed in the cytoplasm and on the plasmalemma in dendrites, dendritic spines, and axon terminals throughout the Acb. Compared to WT, the Acb shell of CB1‐KO mice showed a lower cytoplasmic density of μ‐ORs in dendrites and fewer μ‐OR labeled, but not unlabeled, dendritic spines. In this region, the CB1‐KO's had a significantly enhanced plasmalemmal density of μ‐OR‐immunogold in axon terminals, 70% of which formed excitatory‐type synapses. However, the number of both μ‐OR‐labeled terminals and TH‐labeled small varicosities was significantly reduced in the Acb shell of CB1‐KO's. These adaptations were not seen in the Acb core, where CB1‐KO's had a preferentially lower dendritic plasmalemmal and total spine density of μ‐OR immunogold. Our results indicate that constitutive deletion of the CB1 receptor gene has a major impact on the pre and postsynaptic availability of μ‐ORs at axospinous synapses and on the dopamine innervation of the Acb shell as well as the dendritic surface expression of μ‐ORs in Acb core of mature rodents. Synapse 64:886–897, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
LOCAL STABILIZATION OF NONLINEAR DISCRETE-TIME SYSTEM WITH UNCERTAIN TIME-DELAY USING TS MODELS

The problem of local stabilization of discrete-time nonlinear systems with constant but unknown time-delay in the state vector is considered in this paper. We develop convex delay-dependent conditions in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) for the synthesis of fuzzy stabilizing feedback controllers based on a Lyapunov-Krasovskii fuzzy function. The proposed control law feedbacks both the current state vector and the maximum delayed state vector. Since the T-S fuzzy model represents exactly the nonlinear system inside a region of validity, we handle with a domain of stability, such that the trajectories start from these set, and it is guaranteed the asymptotically convergence to origin. The domain of stability is obtained through the Cartesian product of two sets, where first one treats initial state vector at the sample k = 0, and the second deals with the delayed initial state vectors. The fuzzy gains are computed to maximize this domain of stability through a convex optimization problem. Finally, we show an example to demonstrate the efficiency of the conditions development.
Improving ontology matching with propagation strategy and user feedback

Markov logic networks which unify probabilistic graphical model and first-order logic provide an excellent framework for ontology matching. The existing approach requires a threshold to produce matching candidates and use a small set of constraints acting as filter to select the final alignments. We introduce novel match propagation strategy to model the influences between potential entity mappings across ontologies, which can help to identify the correct correspondences and produce missed correspondences. The estimation of appropriate threshold is a difficult task. We propose an interactive method for threshold selection through which we obtain an additional measurable improvement. Running experiments on a public dataset has demonstrated the effectiveness of proposed approach in terms of the quality of result alignment.
Structural determination of two new steroidal saponins from Smilax china

Two new steroidal saponins (1 and 2) were isolated from the BuOH fraction of the 70% EtOH extract of the tubes of Smilax china, together with four known analogues, 3–6. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by means of chemical evidence and spectroscopic analyses, including HR‐MS, IR, 1H‐ and 13C‐NMR, and 2D experiments (1H–1H COSY, HSQC and HMBC). Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An agent-based collaborative design framework for feature-based design of aircraft structural parts

Multiple and concurrent iterations during the design phase of aircraft structural parts significantly increase the lead-time and cost of new aircraft products' development. Effective communication, collaboration and coordination of designers and software tools used by them are key mechanisms to address this challenge. This article presents an agent-based collaborative design framework to facilitate the collaboration of feature-based aircraft structural parts design and analysis tools, including detailed design, machining feature recognition, feature-based manufacturability evaluation and cost estimation. A new kind of attribute adjacency graph called dynamic holistic attribute adjacency graph (DHAAG) is established for local feature recognition. A dynamic machining feature relation matrix (DMFRM) is created for incremental manufacturability analysis. Process plans are generated based on DMFRM for cost estimation, and the result will feedback to designer for improving design. A prototype system has been implemented and demonstrated through a case study in collaboration with a major aircraft manufacturer in China.
An Accurate Timing-Aware Diagnosis Algorithm for Multiple Small Delay Defects

This paper presents a novel diagnosis algorithm for small delay defects (SDD). Faster-than-at-speed test sets are generated by masking long paths in the circuit for testing SDD. The proposed diagnosis technique uses timing upper and lower bound to improve the diagnosis resolution. Also, timing-aware single location at a time (TA-SLAT) technique is proposed to diagnose multiple SDD. Test results of different test speeds, if available, can be combined to further improve the diagnosis results. Experimental results on five advanced industrial designs show the accuracy of the proposed technique.
Cancer risks and mortality in heterozygous ATM mutation carriers.

BACKGROUND Homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations in the ATM gene are the principal cause of ataxia telangiectasia (A-T). Several studies have suggested that heterozygous carriers of ATM mutations are at increased risk of breast cancer and perhaps of other cancers, but the precise risk is uncertain. METHODS Cancer incidence and mortality information for 1160 relatives of 169 UK A-T patients (including 247 obligate carriers) was obtained through the National Health Service Central Registry. Relative risks (RRs) of cancer in carriers, allowing for genotype uncertainty, were estimated with a maximum-likelihood approach that used the EM algorithm. Maximum-likelihood estimates of cancer risks associated with three groups of mutations were calculated using the pedigree analysis program MENDEL. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS The overall relative risk of breast cancer in carriers was 2.23 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.16 to 4.28) compared with the general population but was 4.94 (95% CI = 1.90 to 12.9) in those younger than age 50 years. The relative risk for all cancers other than breast cancer was 2.05 (95% CI = 1.09 to 3.84) in female carriers and 1.23 (95% CI = 0.76 to 2.00) in male carriers. Breast cancer was the only site for which a clear risk increase was seen, although there was some evidence of excess risks of colorectal cancer (RR = 2.54, 95% CI = 1.06 to 6.09) and stomach cancer (RR = 3.39, 95% CI = 0.86 to 13.4). Carriers of mutations predicted to encode a full-length ATM protein had cancer risks similar to those of people carrying truncating mutations. CONCLUSION These results confirm a moderate risk of breast cancer in A-T heterozygotes and give some evidence of an excess risk of other cancers but provide no support for large mutation-specific differences in risk.
Inhibition of gastric mechanoreceptor discharge by cholecystokinin in the rat.

The aim of the present study was to investigate electrophysiologically the effect of systemic cholecystokinin (CCK) on the discharge of vagal gastric mechanoreceptors. Twenty-two single vagal afferent fibers were selected for the investigation of responses to intravenous CCK octapeptide (CCK-8) on the basis of a positive response to gastric distension. Resting discharge in these afferent fibers was 1.3 +/- 0.3 impulses.s-1 and increased to 9.2 +/- 0.9 impulses.s-1 during distension (P < 0.0001), CCK (20-100 pmol iv) caused a gastric relaxation of 2.1 +/- 0.2 cmH2O and inhibition of phasic motility. The discharge of 20/22 of vagal tension receptors closely followed the magnitude and time course of the fall in pressure. Mean discharge before and after CCK (50 pmol) was 7 +/- 0.9 and 3.9 +/- 0.8 impulses.s-1, respectively (P < 0.001, n = 22). Both the pressure response and the concomitant changes in afferent discharge were abolished by L-364,718 (1.2 mg/kg iv). Only two afferent units failed to show a decrease in firing following CCK (50 pmol), and at 500 pmol the discharge of these units was augmented. In conclusion, CCK (50 pmol) has predominantly indirect effects on gastric mechanoreceptors, which decrease their firing in association with gastric relaxation.
Social Environment, Emotionality, and Alloxan Diabetes in the Rat

&NA; In addition to tests of emotionality, the hyperglycemic response to alloxan was measured in animals caged individually, in pairs, and in groups. Animals raised in groups were less emotional than animals reared individually, but the level of emotionality was not subsequently related to the degree of hyperglycemia produced by alloxan. Irrespective of the conditions under which they were reared, animals living in groups after receiving alloxan showed significantly higher blood sugar levels than animals living alone or in pairs.
Etude de l'interaction du TIMP-1 avec ses récepteurs

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is composed by numerous proteins as collagen, fibronectin This ECM is in perpetual renewal with a synthesis by cells and a degradation by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). This matrix has a major role in cancer development and neurodegenerative diseases. So MMPs are target in the development of new thepapeutic strategies against cancer. In vivo, MMPs are regulated by their natural inhibitors, TIMPs. In human, there are 4 TIMPs, with different inhibitory specificity against MMPs. They could be an alternative for synthetic MMPs inhibitors which have numerous side effects. However TIMPs have also other biological activities, independent of the inhibitory activity. In our laboratory, we study TMP-1. In a pathological context, TIMP-1 is a multifacial protein because it can inhibit MMPs activities (and decrease tumoral dissemination and neuronal death), but TIMP-1 can also improve cell survival and proliferation without inhibit MMPs (inducing the resistance of cancer cells and the decrease of neuronal connexion). These MMPs inhibitory independent effects are mediated by different receptors, which seems to be tissue specific. In UT-7 cell line, we have shown that this receptor is composed by pro-MMP-9 and CD 44. In breast cells, integrin β-1 and CD 63 compose TIMP-1 receptor. Recently, we have demonstrated that TIMP-1 binds LRP-1 in mouse neurons. If regions of TIMP-1 (and amino acids) involved in MMPs inhibitory activites are well known, region involved in MMPs independent biological activities remain to be identified. By bioinformatics approaches, more precisely, by numerical simulation and normal mode analysis, TIMP-1 movements have been hypothesized. A hinge region has been identified and amino acids in this region have been mutated to disturb the movement. We have produced the mutants of TIMP-1 and we have to test their ability to inhibit some MMPs, and to induce, or not, cell survival in different cellular models (MCF 10A, MDA MB 231) and the decrease of neuronal connexion. We hope to find mutants which keep the MMP inhibitory, but which have lost the ability to bind to its different complex receptors. Then, we would like to define the interaction between TIMP-1 and the different receptor. This study will permit us to design new molecules able to block TIMP-1 movement or TIMP-1-receptor interactions involved in survival effects but keeping MMPs inhibitory activity.
Adaptive optimization for smart operation of cyber-physical systems: A thermostatic zoning test case

In the current state of the art load management and demand response actions in smart buildings are often predetermined by a field engineer to a fixed set of (rule-based) options. This fixed set of options often neglects the cyber-physical nature of the building dynamics, thermostatic action and building automation system. In this work we will combine a rule-based load management program with a learning feedback load management program that can operate on top of the rules. We demonstrate via extensive simulations the effectiveness of the program for intelligent management of the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) loads so as to exploit renewable energy sources, while taking into account human-related constraints like thermal comfort.