Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The quantity-Quality trade-Off of children In a developing country: Identification using chinese twins

Testing the trade-off between child quantity and quality within a family is complicated by the endogeneity of family size. Using data from the Chinese Population Census, we examine the effect of family size on child educational attainment in China. We find a negative correlation between family size and child outcome, even after we control for the birth order effect. We then instrument family size by the exogenous variation that is induced by a twin birth and find a negative effect of family size on children’s education. We also find that the effect of family size is more evident in rural China, where the public education system is poor. Given that our estimates of the effect of having twins on nontwins at least provide the lower bound of the true effect of family size, these findings suggest a quantity-quality trade-off for children in developing countries.
The impact of intimate partner abuse on women’s experiences of the workplace: a qualitative study

This thesis examines the impact of intimate partner abuse on women‟s experiences of the workplace, a topic that has been under examined within the UK. Taking a pro-feminist perspective, and drawing on Foucault‟s conceptualisation of power, the thesis examines the gendered power relations that survivors negotiate in their relationships with their abusive partners and work colleagues in order to sustain their employment. The thesis also addresses a major gap in the literature, namely the experiences of women in professional and/or managerial occupations and the coping strategies they employ in order to sustain their employment. The thesis draws on 29 in-depth qualitative interviews conducted with survivors of intimate partner abuse who predominantly were employed in skilled, professional and/or managerial occupations. These interviews were conducted via telephone, face-to-face and the internet. Adopting a symbolic interactionist approach, coupled with a Foucauldian perspective on power, it is argued women in professional and/or managerial positions adopt different coping mechanisms to women in unskilled employment in order to sustain their employment. Furthermore, it is argued that for some women disclosure of abuse within the workplace can prove to be a positive coping strategy. However, for those women in managerial positions, it could seriously jeopardise their authority within the workplace. It is also argued that disclosure could undermine the coping strategies that women adopt in order to survive and sustain their employment. This thesis also argues that earning an income and assuming the role of breadwinner within an abusive relationship does not necessarily grant women economic independence, that gendered power relations are far more complex than previous arguments propose. Finally, this thesis not only contributes towards our theoretical and empirical understanding of gendered power dynamics operating within abusive relationships, but it also has a practical application by informing the development of workplace policies and practices regarding intimate partner abuse.
On the Crossing Numbers of Cartesian Products of Stars and Graphs of Order Six

Abstract The crossing number cr(G) of a graph G is the minimal number of crossings over all drawings of G in the plane. According to their special structure, the class of Cartesian products of two graphs is one of few graph classes for which some exact values of crossing numbers were obtained. The crossing numbers of Cartesian products of paths, cycles or stars with all graphs of order at most four are known. Moreover, except of six graphs, the crossing numbers of Cartesian products G⃞K1,n for all other connected graphs G on five vertices are known. In this paper we are dealing with the Cartesian products of stars with graphs on six vertices. We give the exact values of crossing numbers for some of these graphs and we summarise all known results concerning crossing numbers of these graphs. Moreover, we give the crossing number of G1⃞T for the special graph G1 on six vertices and for any tree T with no vertex of degree two as well as the crossing number of K1,n⃞T for any tree T with maximum degree five.
Linguistic diversity and teaching

Contents: Series Preface. Preface. Part I: Case Studies and Reactions. Introduction to Case 1. Case 1: "The Cycle: Frank and Vu. " Reader Reactions to Frank's Situation. Reactions to "The Cycle: Frank and Vu. " Reader Reactions to "The Cycle: Frank and Vu. Summary and Additional Questions. Introduction to Case 2. Case 2: "Marisa's Prospect's. " Reader Reactions to Marisa and Jane's Situation. Reactions to "Marisa's Prospects. " Reader Reactions to "Marisa's Prospects. " Summary and Additional Questions. Introduction to Case 3. Case 3: "Friendship, Professionalism, and Programs. " Reader Reactions to Laura and Juana's Situation. Reactions to "Friendship, Professionalism, and Programs. " Reader Reactions to "Friendship, Professionalism, and Programs. " Summary and Additional Questions. Introduction to Case 4. Case 4: "What Is Equal Treatment? " Reader Reactions to Andrew's Situation. Reactions to "What Is Equal Treatment? " Reader Reactions to "What Is Equal Treatment? " Summary and Additional Questions. Part II: Public Arguments. English Is the Glue That Holds Our Nation Together. Bilingual Education Is a Must. A Pragmatic Approach. Part III: Final Arguments and Some Suggestions and Resources for Further Reflection. Our Perspective. Things Every Teacher Can Do. Summary and Final Comments. Exercises for Further Reflection. Conclusion.
Energy costs of chick rearing in Black-legged Kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla)

We studied energy expenditure in adult Black-legged Kittiwakes (Rissa tridoctyla) with doubly labeled water to measure energy costs of chick rearing. We removed eggs from randomly selected nests and compared energy expen- diture late in the chick-rearing period between adults raising chicks and adults whose eggs had been removed. Adults raising chicks expended energy at a rate 21% higher than adults from manipulated nests, apparently owing to differ- ences in activity patterns while away from the colony. No sex-specific differences were detected in energy costs of chick rearing or energy expenditure, although statistical power for these analyses was fairly low. Among the unmanipulated group, energy expenditure tended to be positively related to natural brood size. An ancillary goal of our study was to test hypotheses that describe how population-level field metabolic rates (FMRs) vary during chick rearing. We compared FMRs among kittiwakes raising chicks at a colony in Alaska (61°09'N) with those reported for a colony in Norway (76°30'N). FMRs of adults raising chicks were nearly identical at the two colonies, suggesting that adults may have preferred levels of energy expenditure during chick rearing that are relatively invariant with environmental conditions, and that are not adjusted according to adult survival probabilities. Resume : Nous avons etudie la depense energetique chez la Mouette tridactyle (Rissa tridactyla) au moyen d'eau dou- blement marquee utilisee pour mesurer les couts relies a l'elevage des poussins. Nous avons enleve les oeufs dans des nids selectionnes au hasard et compare la depense energetique tard au cours de la saison d'elevage des poussins chez des adultes nourriciers et chez les adultes dont on a enleve les oeufs. Les adultes qui elevent leurs petits ont une de- pense energetique 21 % plus elevee que les adultes des nid manipules, sans doute a cause des differences dans les pat- terns d'activite loin de la colonie. Nous n'avons pas detecte de differences entre les mâles et les femelles quant a la depense energetique allouee a l'elevage des poussins, mais il faut admettre que la puissance statistique de ces analyses est assez faible. Chez le groupe non manipule, la depense energetique avait tendance a etre reliee directement a la taille d'une couvee naturelle. L'un des objectifs secondaires de notre etude etait d'eprouver les hypotheses qui decrivent comment les taux de metabolisme a l'echelle des populations reelles (FMRs) varient durant l'elevage des petits. Nous avons compare les FMRs chez des mouettes nourricieres d'une colonie d'Alaska (61°09'N) avec ceux d'une colonie de Norvege (76°30'N). Les FMRs des adultes nourriciers etaient presque identiques dans les deux colonies, ce qui semble indiquer que les adultes ont des degres preferes de depense energetique durant l'elevage des poussins, degres qui de - pendent relativement peu des conditions du milieu et qui ne sont pas ajustes a la probabilite de survie des adultes.
Affinity and catalytic heterogeneity of polyclonal myelin basic protein-hydrolyzing IgGs from sera of patients with multiple sclerosis

Human myelin basic protein (hMBP)‐hydrolyzing activity was recently shown to be an intrinsic property of antibodies (Abs) from multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Here, we present the first evidence demonstrating a significant diversity of different fractions of polyclonal IgGs (pIgGs) from MS patients in their affinity for hMBP and in the ability of pIgGs to hydrolyze hBMP at different optimal pHs (3–10.5). IgGs containing λ‐ and κ‐types of light chains demonstrated comparable relative activities in the hydrolysis of hMBP. IgGs of IgG1–IgG4 sub‐classes were analyzed for catalytic activity. IgGs of all four sub‐classes were catalytically active, with their contribution to the total activity of Abzs in the hydrolysis of hMBP and its 19‐mer oligopeptide increasing in the order: IgG1 (1.5–2.1%) < IgG2 (4.9–12.8%) < IgG3 (14.7–25.0%) < IgG4 (71–78%). Our findings suggest that the immune systems of individual MS patients generate a variety of anti‐hMBP abzymes with different catalytic properties, which can attack hMBP of myelin‐proteolipid shell of axons, playing an important role in MS pathogenesis.
An Interpretation of the "Self" From the Dynamical Systems Perspective: A Constructivist Approach

This study attempts to describe the notion of the ”self” using dynamical systems language based on the results of our robot learning experiments. A neural network model consisting of multiple modules is proposed, in which the interactive dynamics between the bottom-up perception and the top-down prediction are investigated. Our experiments with a real mobile robot showed that the incremental learning of the robot switches spontaneously between steady and unsteady phases. In the steady phase, the top-down prediction for the bottom-up perception works well when coherence is achieved between the internal and the environmental dynamics. In the unsteady phase, conflicts arise between the bottom-up perception and the top-down prediction; the coherence is lost, and a chaotic attractor is observed in the internal neural dynamics. By investigating possible analogies between this result and the phenomenological literature on the ”self”, we draw the conclusions that (1) the structure of the ”self” corresponds to the ”open dynamic structure” which is characterized by co-existence of stability in terms of goal-directedness and instability caused by embodiment; (2) the open dynamic structure causes the system’s spontaneous transition to the unsteady phase where the ”self” becomes aware.
Autoimmune thyroiditis and a rapidly progressive dementia: Global hypoperfusion on SPECT scanning suggests a possible mechanism

We report the clinical, laboratory, EEG, and SPECT findings in a 59-year-old euthyroid woman with previously undiagnosed autoimmune thyroiditis, subclinical hypothyroidism, and rapidly progressive dementia. We made a diagnosis of Hashimoto's encephalopathy based on elevated thyrotropin, abnormal EEG, and clinical improvement after thyroid hormone replacement. SPECT demonstrated global hypoperfusion with normalization on clinical recovery, suggesting a possible mechanism for the pathogenesis of Hashimoto's encephalopathy.
The large-scale organization of the bacterial network of ecological co-occurrence interactions

In their natural environments, microorganisms form complex systems of interactions. Understating the structure and organization of bacterial communities is likely to have broad medical and ecological consequences, yet a comprehensive description of the network of environmental interactions is currently lacking. Here, we mine co-occurrences in the scientific literature to construct such a network and demonstrate an expected pattern of association between the species’ lifestyle and the recorded number of co-occurring partners. We further focus on the well-annotated gut community and show that most co-occurrence interactions of typical gut bacteria occur within this community. The network is then clustered into species-groups that significantly correspond with natural occurring communities. The relationships between resource competition, metabolic yield and growth rate within the clusters correspond with the r/K selection theory. Overall, these results support the constructed clusters as a first approximation of a bacterial ecosystem model. This comprehensive collection of predicted communities forms a new data resource for further systematic characterization of the ecological design principals shaping communities. Here, we demonstrate its utility for predicting cooperation and inhibition within communities.
Electromyographic Analysis of Upper Body, Lower Body, and Abdominal Muscles During Advanced Swiss Ball Exercises

Marshall, PWM and Desai, I. Electromyographic analysis of upper body, lower body, and abdominal muscles during advanced Swiss ball exercises. J Strength Cond Res 24(6): 1537-1545, 2010-Although there is now some evidence examining the use of a Swiss ball during core stability and resistance exercises, this has commonly been performed using basic or isometric exercises. There is currently no evidence examining more advanced Swiss ball exercises. The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not muscle activity measured during advanced Swiss ball exercises was at an approximate intensity recommended for strength or endurance training in advanced, or novice individuals. After a familiarization session, 14 recreationally active subjects performed 6 different “advanced” Swiss ball exercises in a randomized order. The primary dependent variables in this study were the activity levels collected from anterior deltoid, pectoralis major, rectus abdominis (RA), external obliques, lumbar erector spinae, vastus lateralis (VL), and biceps femoris using surface electromyography. All signals were normalized to maximal voluntary isometric contractions performed before testing for each muscle. The results of this study showed that the Swiss ball roll elicited muscle activity in triceps brachii (72.5 ± 32.4%) and VL (83.6 ± 44.2%) commensurate with the intensity recommended for strength exercises in advanced trainers. Rectus abdominis activity was greatest during the bridge exercise (61.3 ± 28.5%, p ≤ 0.01). This was the only exercise to elicit RA muscle activity commensurate with a strength training effect. The remainder of the exercises elicited abdominal activity that would require a higher number of repetitions to be performed for an endurance training adaptation. Although this study has provided evidence for one advanced Swiss ball exercise providing a significant whole-body stimulus, the practical difficulty and risks of performing these more complicated Swiss ball exercises may outweigh potential benefits.
Violent video games and aggressive behavior: mortality salience and the hostile attribution bias

Research indicates that one of the most popular forms of media, violent video games can increase aggressive behavior and cognitions (Anderson & Bushman, 2001). Prior research has examined the effects of these media using the General Aggression Model (GAM; Anderson & Bushman, 2001; Bushman & Anderson, 2002). The current study examines an alternative method by which video games (and other forms of media) can encourage aggressive behaviors, via mortality salience effects. The current study used a 2 (mortality salience vs absence) x 2 (violent video games vs nonviolent video games) experimental design to examine the role of mortality salience and violent video game primes on aggressive cognitions and endorsed harm towards out-group members. Participants were either primed with mortality salience (or not), viewed footage from a violent (experimental) or non-violent (control) game, and completed dependent measures assessing aggressive cognitions and violence towards out-group members. Results indicate that participants exposed to violent media and mortality salience primes endorse more harm towards out-group members, and exhibit more aggressive cognitions. Emotion regulation moderates the relationship between hostile attribution biases and aggressive cognitions, as well as the relation between death-thought accessibility and aggressive cognitions, providing a protective effect.
Level of representation and semantic distance: Rating author personality from texts

Increasingly our perception of others is based on short samples of written text, for example, in e-mail or chat rooms. In this paper we will examine the extent to which text cooccurrence techniques, such as LSA, HAL, and PMI-IR, can be successfully applied to human personality perception based on short written texts. In particular, we compare two approaches: The first compares a “surface similarity” judgment of the text being rated to a description by the author of the text of his/her personality (Simulation 1). The second relies on extracting a very simple representation of author personality from extreme texts and judging the experimental texts on the basis of this representation (Simulation 2). Both of these approaches fail to distinguish personality type. We conclude that co-occurrence techniques, at least used in a relatively canonical way to assess personality from small text samples, are not only inadequate but, most probably, are not doing this in a way that is similar to how we humans rate personality from short text samples.
Rituximab-treated membranous lupus nephritis: clinical outcome and effects on electron dense deposits

Membranous lupus nephritis (MLN) is characterised by proteinuria, a risk of the development of nephrotic syndrome and progressive deterioration in renal function. Despite the usage of various immunosuppressive agents, no solid, evidence-based recommendations for the treatment of MLN have been established and new therapeutic strategies are needed in therapy-resistant cases.1 During the past few years, rituximab has evolved as a promising new agent in severe lupus nephritis.2,–,4 The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and histopathological response to treatment with rituximab plus cyclophosphamide in patients with severe and therapy-resistant MLN. Six female patients with MLN confirmed at a recent renal biopsy were included. The patients were selected for having proteinuria of 2 g/24 h or greater and recent/previous failure of conventional immunosuppressive agents. All patients were treated with ACE and/or, angiotensin II receptor blockers. In all cases, at least four of the American College of Rheumatology criteria for …
Velocity Filtered Density Function for Large Eddy Simulation of a Turbulent Mixing Layer

Abstract : The "velocity filtered density function" (VFDF) methodology is employed for large eddy simulation (LES) of a three-dimensional, temporally developing, turbulent mixing layer. A transport equation is derived for the VFDF in which the effects of the subgrid scale (SGS) convection appear in closed form. The unclosed terms in this equation are modeled. A system of stochastic differential equations (SDEs) which yields statistically equivalent results to the modeled VFDF transport equation is proposed. These SDEs are solved numerically by a Lagrangian Monte Carlo procedure. The VFDF results are compared with those obtained via several existing SGS closures and with data obtained by direct numerical simulation (DNS) of the mixing layer.
Mobile Phones in the Classroom: Examining the Effects of Texting, Twitter, and Message Content on Student Learning

This study examined mobile phone use in the classroom by using an experimental design to study how message content (related or unrelated to class lecture) and message creation (responding to or creating a message) impact student learning. Participants in eight experimental groups and a control group watched a video lecture, took notes, and completed tests of student learning. The control and relevant message groups earned a 10–17% higher letter grade, scored 70% higher on recalling information, and scored 50% higher on note-taking than students who composed tweets or responded to irrelevant messages. Sending/receiving messages unrelated to class content negatively impacted learning and note-taking, while related messages did not appear to have a significant negative impact.
Online Adaptive Code Generation and Tuning

In this paper, we present a runtime compilation and tuning framework for parallel programs. We extend our prior work on our auto-tuner, Active Harmony, for tunable parameters that require code generation (for example, different unroll factors). For such parameters, our auto-tuner generates and compiles new code on-the-fly. Effectively, we merge traditional feedback directed optimization and just-in-time compilation. We show that our system can leverage available parallelism in today's HPC platforms by evaluating different code-variants on different nodes simultaneously. We evaluate our system on two parallel applications and show that our system can improve runtime execution by up to 46% compared to the original version of the program.
A Warm Welcome Matters!: The Link Between Social Feedback and Weight Loss in /r/loseit

Social feedback has long been recognized as an important element of successful health-related behavior change. How- ever, most of the existing studies look at the effect that offline social feedback has. This paper fills gaps in the literature by proposing a framework to study the causal effect that receiving social support in the form of comments in an online weight loss community has on (i) the probability of the user to return to the forum, and, more importantly, on (ii) the weight loss reported by the user. Using a matching approach for causal inference we observe a difference of 9 lbs lost between users who do or do not receive comments. Surprisingly, this effect is mediated by neither an increase in lifetime in the community nor by an increased activity level of the user. Our results show the importance that a "warm welcome" has when using online support forums to achieve health outcomes.
Sources, developments and directions of task-based language teaching

This paper provides an outline of the origins, the current shape and the potential directions of task-based language teaching (TBLT) as an approach to language pedagogy. It first offers a brief description of TBLT and considers its origins within language teaching methodology and second language acquisition. It then summarises the current position of TBLT from two perspectives: first, it identifies key elements in approaches to the teaching of language based on tasks, and second, it turns to a consideration of the principal issues that have been explored in TBLT research. The paper concludes by considering directions for the future development of TBLT as an approach to language pedagogy, highlighting the need for future research to be classroom-based and programme-based.