Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparing Distributions of Color Words: Pitfalls and Metric Choices

Computational methods have started playing a significant role in semantic analysis. One particularly accessible area for developing good computational methods for linguistic semantics is in color naming, where perceptual dissimilarity measures provide a geometric setting for the analyses. This setting has been studied first by Berlin & Kay in 1969, and then later on by a large data collection effort: the World Color Survey (WCS). From the WCS, a dataset on color naming by 2 616 speakers of 110 different languages is made available for further research. In the analysis of color naming from WCS, however, the choice of analysis method is an important factor of the analysis. We demonstrate concrete problems with the choice of metrics made in recent analyses of WCS data, and offer approaches for dealing with the problems we can identify. Picking a metric for the space of color naming distributions that ignores perceptual distances between colors assumes a decorrelated system, where strong spatial correlations in fact exist. We can demonstrate that the corresponding issues are significantly improved when using Earth Mover's Distance, or Quadratic -square Distance, and we can approximate these solutions with a kernel-based analysis method.
The isotopic 6Li/7Li ratio in Centaurus X-4 and the origin of Li in X-ray binaries

Context. Cool stars, companions to compact objects, are known to show Li abundances which are high compared to field stars of the same spectral type, which are heavily Li depleted. This may be due either to Li production or Li preservation in these systems. Aims. Our aim is to measure the lithium isotopic ratio in the companion star of the neutron star X-ray binary Cen X-4. Methods. We use UVES spectra obtained in years 2000 and 2004 around the orbital quadratures. The spectra are analysed with spectrum synthesis techniques and the errors estimated with Monte Carlo simulations. Results. We measure A(Li) = 2.87± 0.20 and 6 Li/ 7 Li = 0.12 +0.08 −0.05 at 68% confidence level. We also present updated system parameters „ „ „ „ „ „ „ „ „ „
The Relationship Among Leadership Preparation Practices and Leader, School, and Student Outcomes in K-8 Schools

This study examined the relationships among leader preparation practices and leader, school, and student outcomes through hierarchical regression analysis of questionnaire (N = 88) and state data. The findings suggest that, after controlling for demographics, a significant (p < .05) positive relationship was found between preparation practices and leader behavior (∆ R 2 = .05); preparation practices and student achievement (∆ R 2 = .05); preparation practices and leaders’ instructional knowledge (∆ R 2 = .06); and leaders’ instructional knowledge and instruction practices in schools (∆ R 2 = .05). These findings suggest the further inclusion of the essential practices into preparation programs. Introduction Research suggests that there exists a positive relationship among school leadership behaviors, student achievement (Waters, Marzano, & McNulty, 2003), and the school learning environment (Hallinger & Heck, 1998). Thus, successful school improvement necessitates the preparation of highly effective leaders to guide schools through the challenging, modern educational landscape (Davis, Darling-Hammond, LaPoint, & Meyerson, 2005; Leithwood, Seashore Louis, Anderson, & Wahlstrom, 2004). However, despite efforts to incorporate new practices into existing leadership preparation programs (Murphy, 1999), many in the field continue to criticize the quality of current programs as inadequate to prepare leaders for today’s schools (Davis et al.; Elmore, 2006, 2006a; Jackson & Kelly, 2002; Levine, 2005). These 1 Paper presented at the 39th annual meeting of the Northeastern Educational Research Association, October 23, 2008, Rocky Hill, CT.
Social Policy in Britain: Themes and Issues

SECTION ONE: INTRODUCTION - The Discipline of Social Policy - The Content of Social Policy - SECTION TWO: STRUCTURE - The State - The Market - The Voluntary Sector - The Informal Sector - SECTION THREE: CONTEXT - Ideologies of Welfare - Economic Development - Europe and the European Union - Local Control of Welfare Services - SECTION FOUR: ISSUES - Social Divisions - Paying for Welfare - Delivering Welfare - SECTION FIVE: CONCLUSION - The Future of Social Policy
The Discretionary Use of Present Value-Based Measurements By Property-Casualty Insurers

This study provides evidence that property-casualty insurers use accounting discretion to report a loss reserve accrual that captures relevant economic characteristics of the reserve's underlying cash flows. Specifically, tests of the relation between reported loss reserves and an actuarial estimate of expected future claim payments indicate that insurers discount loss reserves to present value even though industry accounting standards require recognition at nominal value. Additional findings indicate that the nondiscretionary (nominal value) and discretionary (time value discount) components of the loss reserve accrual are significantly associated with an external benchmark, insurance premiums, that reflects the present value of anticipated policy cash flows.
Nuclear but not mitochondrial genome involvement in 3-methylcholanthrene-induced expression of tumorigenicity in mouse somatic cells.

The involvement of heritable modifications of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in chemical carcinogenesis was examined by studies on the effects on tumorigenicity of interchange of mtDNA between 3-methylcholanthrene (MCA)-induced mouse tumor cells and nontumorigenic mouse cells by the cytoplast-to-cell fusion technique. The difference in propagating abilities of two types of mouse mtDNA, type 1 mtDNA of B10mtJ strain and type 2 mtDNA of C57BL/10 strain, was applied successfully for complete replacement of the host cell mtDNA by cytoplasmically transmitted mtDNA. Tumorigenicity was assayed in nude mice by inoculating 5 x 10(6) cells s.c. into the backs of the mice. The results showed that tumorigenicity was not induced in nontumorigenic cells by replacement of their mtDNA by that from MCA-induced tumor cells. Moreover, the tumorigenicity of MCA-induced tumor cells was still expressed when their mtDNA was replaced by that from normal cells with a limited life span. These observations suggest that, even if MCA treatment causes heritable modifications of mtDNA, modified mtDNA cannot induce chemical carcinogenesis and that modifications of nuclear DNA alone are sufficient for the expression of tumorigenicity.
Progressing Through Progresa: An Impact Assessment of a School Subsidy Experiment

A new anti-poverty program in Mexico, PROGRESA, provides monetary transfers to families that are contingent upon their children's regular attendance at school. The benefit levels are intended to offset the opportunity costs of not sending children to school and vary with the grade level and gender of the child. The initial phase of the program was implemented as a randomized social experiment. This paper uses a Markov schooling transition model applied to the experimental data to assess the impact of the educational subsidy program along several dimensions, including effects on initial ages of school entry, dropout rates, grade repetition rates, and school reentry rates. The findings show that the program effectively reduces drop-out rates and facilitates progression through the grades, particularly during the transition from primary to secondary school. Results based on a simulation evaluating the effects of longer terms of exposure to the program indicate that if children were to participate in the program between ages 6 to 14, they would experience an increase of 0.6 years in average educational attainment levels years and an increase of 19% in the percentage of children attending junior secondary school.
Kinetochore Fibers Are Not Involved in the Formation of the First Meiotic Spindle in Mouse Oocytes, but Control the Exit from the First Meiotic M Phase

During meiosis, two successive divisions occur without any intermediate S phase to produce haploid gametes. The first meiotic division is unique in that homologous chromosomes are segregated while the cohesion between sister chromatids is maintained, resulting in a reductional division. Moreover, the duration of the first meiotic M phase is usually prolonged when compared with mitotic M phases lasting 8 h in mouse oocytes. We investigated the spindle assembly pathway and its role in the progression of the first meiotic M phase in mouse oocytes. During the first 4 h, a bipolar spindle forms and the chromosomes congress near the equatorial plane of the spindle without stable kinetochore– microtubule end interactions. This late prometaphase spindle is then maintained for 4 h with chromosomes oscillating in the central region of the spindle. The kinetochore–microtubule end interactions are set up at the end of the first meiotic M phase (8 h after entry into M phase). This event allows the final alignment of the chromosomes and exit from metaphase. The continuous presence of the prometaphase spindle is not required for progression of the first meiotic M phase. Finally, the ability of kinetochores to interact with microtubules is acquired at the end of the first meiotic M phase and determines the timing of polar body extrusion.
Performance evaluation of high dynamic range image tone mapping operators based on separable non-linear multiresolution families

This paper addresses the conversion problem of High Dynamic Range (HDR) images into Low Dynamic Range (LDR) images. In this objective, separable non-linear multiresolution approaches are exploited as Image Tone Mapping Operators (TMOs). They are related on: (i) Essentially Non-Oscillatory (ENO) interpolation strategy developed by Harten namely Point-Value (PV) multiresolution family and Cell-Average (CA) multiresolution family; and (ii) Power-P multiresolution family introduced by Amat. These approaches have the advantage to take into account the singularities, such as edge points of the image, in the mathematical model thus preserving the structural information of the HDR images. Moreover the Gibbs phenomenon, harmful in tone mapped images, is avoided. The quality assessment of the tone mapped images is measured according to the TMQI metric. Simulation results show that the proposed TMOs provide good results compared to traditional TMO strategies.
Estimating misclassification error with small samples via bootstrap cross-validation

MOTIVATION Estimation of misclassification error has received increasing attention in clinical diagnosis and bioinformatics studies, especially in small sample studies with microarray data. Current error estimation methods are not satisfactory because they either have large variability (such as leave-one-out cross-validation) or large bias (such as resubstitution and leave-one-out bootstrap). While small sample size remains one of the key features of costly clinical investigations or of microarray studies that have limited resources in funding, time and tissue materials, accurate and easy-to-implement error estimation methods for small samples are desirable and will be beneficial. RESULTS A bootstrap cross-validation method is studied. It achieves accurate error estimation through a simple procedure with bootstrap resampling and only costs computer CPU time. Simulation studies and applications to microarray data demonstrate that it performs consistently better than its competitors. This method possesses several attractive properties: (1) it is implemented through a simple procedure; (2) it performs well for small samples with sample size, as small as 16; (3) it is not restricted to any particular classification rules and thus applies to many parametric or non-parametric methods.
Disentangling Factors of Variation via Generative Entangling

Here we propose a novel model family with the objective of learning to disentangle the factors of variation in data. Our approach is based on the spike-and-slab restricted Boltzmann machine which we generalize to include higher-order interactions among multiple latent variables. Seen from a generative perspective, the multiplicative interactions emulates the entangling of factors of variation. Inference in the model can be seen as disentangling these generative factors. Unlike previous attempts at disentangling latent factors, the proposed model is trained using no supervised information regarding the latent factors. We apply our model to the task of facial expression classification.
Real Exchange Rate Volatility And Its Effect On Trade Flows: New Evidence From South Africa

Abstract This paper empirically re-examines the impact of real exchange rate volatility on South Africa's export flows to the United States for the period 1992:1 - 2004:4, using the two-country model of international trade. The exponential generalised autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (EGARCH) model is used to measure real exchange rate volatility. Cointegration and error- correction models are used to obtain the estimates of the cointegrating relations and the short-run dynamics, respectively. Further, variance decomposition analysis is used to show the dynamic adjustments of real exports to shocks in the fundamentals and the proportion thereof. The results obtained in this paper summarily provide evidence that real exchange rate volatility has a negative effect on real exports.
The impact of human resource management practices on performance: Evidence from a Public University

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of human resource management (HRM) practices on organizational performance. Design/methodology/approach – A total of 300 employees from a public university comprising of both academicians and support staff responded to the survey. The survey questionnaire had 46 items covering selected HRM practices and university performance. Findings – The study has found that human resource practices: recruitment, training, performance appraisal, career planning, employee participation, job definition and compensation have a significant relationship with university performance. Research limitations/implications – The results come from a cross-sectional study which was done at the convenience of the researcher. The results may not be generalized across the country. The application of the results to other universities must be done with maximum care. Practical implications – If the university is to increase its performance to higher levels, it should emphasize m.
Pressure and shear stress measurements at the wall in a turbulent boundary layer on a cylinder

The fluctuating wall shear stress, wall pressure, and streamwise velocity were measured simultaneously in a cylindrical boundary layer at a momentum thickness Reynolds number of Reθ=2160 and a boundary layer thickness to cylinder radius ratio of δ/a=5 using a hot wire wall shear stress probe mounted just upstream of a hearing aid microphone and a hot wire velocity probe. Variable Interval Time Averaging (VITA) event detection on streamwise velocity indicates that streamwise accelerations are associated with positive wall pressure peaks and sudden increases in wall shear stress. Likewise, positive pressure peak events are associated with streamwise accelerations and sudden increases in wall shear stress. VITA detection on wall shear stress reveals that increasing wall shear stress corresponds to streamwise accelerations and small-amplitude pressure rises, not distinct intense pressure peaks. Detection of strong adverse and favorable instantaneous pressure gradients indicates that a shear layer at y+=13 coi.
The Evolution of the Brain, the Human Nature of Cortical Circuits, and Intellectual Creativity

The tremendous expansion and the differentiation of the neocortex constitute two major events in the evolution of the mammalian brain. The increase in size and complexity of our brains opened the way to a spectacular development of cognitive and mental skills. This expansion during evolution facilitated the addition of microcircuits with a similar basic structure, which increased the complexity of the human brain and contributed to its uniqueness. However, fundamental differences even exist between distinct mammalian species. Here, we shall discuss the issue of our humanity from a neurobiological and historical perspective.
An Interpretation of Fluctuating Macro Policies

This paper estimates simple regime-switching rules for monetary policy and tax policy over the post-war period in the United States and imposes the estimated policy process on a standard dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model with nominal rigidities. The estimated joint policy process produces a unique stationary rational expectations equilibrium in a simple New Keynesian model. We characterize policy impacts across regimes
Soybean natural cross-pollination rates under field conditions.

Recent concerns regarding within-crop transgene flow stimulated this research to update natural cross-pollination rates in conventional sowings of modern soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ] in the Mississippi Delta. Two experiments were conducted in 2001 and 2002 using two soybean cultivars, "Pace" (white-flowered) and "DP3588" (purple-flowered), selected for their equivalent flowering dates. The experiments utilized the dominance of purple flower color over white flower color to identify natural cross-pollinations. In the first experiment, 12 rows of Pace (white-flowered) flanked on each side by four rows of DP3588 (purple flowered) were sown on 10 May 2001. Seed were harvested by row from each of the Pace rows and examined for natural cross-pollinations in the next generation. In total, 73 512 potential hybrid plants were examined and natural cross-pollination rates ranged from 0.41% at 0.9 m from the pollen source to 0.03% at 5.4 m from the pollen source. These values were consistent with values previously reported in the literature. In the second experiment, seed of Pace and DP3588 were alternately sown 15.2 cm apart within a row in 2001. At maturity, 167 Pace plants (white-flowered) were harvested and a total of 19,151 progeny were evaluated for natural cross-pollinations in the next generation. The progeny of 56 (33.5%) of the 167 parent plants showed no evidence of natural cross-pollination. The progeny of the remaining 111 plants exhibited natural cross-pollination rates ranging from 0.65 to 6.32% and averaged 1.8%. The maximum rates reported here are considerably higher than most previously reported rates. The results of these two experiments highlight the potential for within-crop transgene flow in soybean.
Characterization of Parkinsonian Neuropathophysiology and its Modulation by Deep Brain Stimulation in the Behaving, Nonhuman Primate Model

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by debilitating motor disturbances. It is believed that the signs and symptoms of PD are caused by idiopathic cell death in the basal ganglia (BG), a network of subcortical nuclei with a well-established connection to motor control. Although there is no cure for PD, deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the internal Globus pallidus, a constituent nucleus of the BG, offers hope for patients who don’t respond well to conventional medications. However, the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of DBS remains unclear, a fact largely attributed to a poorly characterized pathophysiology. Here we identify characteristic, electrophysiolgical biomarkers of PD that preempt the emergence of its behavioral signs and show that DBS works to shift cortical activity back towards a more “normal” state. Using a behaving non-human primate model of PD, we observed a disruption in the normal firing patterns and frequencies of both single motor units and neuronal populations in the primary motor cortex (M1) and supplementary motor areas (SMA) following the induction of parkinsonism. During DBS, we observed an increase in task-related neuromodulation. Taken together, our results hint at a therapeutic mechanism for DBS whereby signaling in M1 and SMA is made more salient and shifted towards “normal” activity. We anticipate that our findings will serve to guide future research and instruct the development of more effective, adaptive DBS
The brain uses adaptive internal models of scene statistics for sensorimotor estimation and planning

Significance To test the hypothesis that the brain uses adaptive models of object statistics to interpret sensory information, we measured the statistical models used by subjects to estimate object speed when asked to hit a moving object. Subjects’ behavior showed perceptual biases to the mean speed within a stimulus set that accurately adapted to changes in the variance of a stimulus set. More significantly, the results show that the way that stimuli on one trial influence following trials adapts appropriately to changes in trial-to-trial correlations in a stimulus set, although subjects’ estimates of correlations retain erroneous positive biases. Because of uncertainty and noise, the brain should use accurate internal models of the statistics of objects in scenes to interpret sensory signals. Moreover, the brain should adapt its internal models to the statistics within local stimulus contexts. Consider the problem of hitting a baseball. The impoverished nature of the visual information available makes it imperative that batters use knowledge of the temporal statistics and history of previous pitches to accurately estimate pitch speed. Using a laboratory analog of hitting a baseball, we tested the hypothesis that the brain uses adaptive internal models of the statistics of object speeds to plan hand movements to intercept moving objects. We fit Bayesian observer models to subjects’ performance to estimate the statistical environments in which subjects’ performance would be ideal and compared the estimated statistics with the true statistics of stimuli in an experiment. A first experiment showed that subjects accurately estimated and used the variance of object speeds in a stimulus set to time hitting behavior but also showed serial biases that are suboptimal for stimuli that were uncorrelated over time. A second experiment showed that the strength of the serial biases depended on the temporal correlations within a stimulus set, even when the biases were estimated from uncorrelated stimulus pairs subsampled from the larger set. Taken together, the results show that subjects adapted their internal models of the variance and covariance of object speeds within a stimulus set to plan interceptive movements but retained a bias to positive correlations.
A bi-level gradient approximation method for dynamic traffic demand estimation: Sensitivity analysis and adaptive approach

The paper presents an in-depth analysis of the bi-level gradient approximation approach for dynamic traffic demand estimation. Initially, a sensitivity analysis of the parameters of Simultaneous Perturbation Stochastic Approximation method (SPSA) with Asymmetric Design (AD) and Polynomial Interpolation (PI), firstly proposed by authors in 2011, is presented. Then, an adaptive method based on the second order SPSA AD-PI approach, is explored; finally, some new advances of the estimation method are proposed in order to keep under control traffic phenomena during the estimation.