Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Communication Efficient Coresets for Empirical Loss Minimization

In this paper, we study the problem of empirical loss minimization with l2-regularization in distributed settings with significant communication cost. Stochastic gradient descent (SGD) and its variants are popular techniques for solving these problems in large-scale applications. However, the communication cost of these techniques is usually high, thus leading to considerable performance degradation. We introduce a novel approach to reduce the communication cost while retaining good convergence properties. The key to our approach is the construction of a small summary of the data, called coreset, at each iteration and solve an easy optimization problem based on the coreset. We present a general framework for analyzing coreset-based optimization and provide interesting insights into existing algorithms from this perspective. We then propose a new coreset construction and provide its convergence analysis for a wide class of problems that include logistic regression and support vector machines. Preliminary experiments show encouraging results for our algorithm on real-world datasets.
Modeling Topological Relations between Uncertain Spatial Regions in Geo-spatial Databases: Uncertain Intersection and Difference Topological Model

Topological relations have played important roles in spatial query, analysis and reasoning in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and geospatial databases. The topological relations between crisp, uncertain and fuzzy spatial regions based upon the 9-intersections model have been identified. The research issue of topological relations, particularly, between spatial regions with uncertainties, has gained a lot of attention during the past two decades. However, the formal representation and calculation of the topological relations between uncertain regions is still an open issue and needs to be further developed. The paper provides a theoretical framework for modeling topological relations between uncertain spatial regions based upon a new uncertain topological model called the Uncertain Intersection and Difference (UID) Model. In order to derive all topological relations between two spatial regions with uncertainties, the spatial object of type Region (A) is decomposed in four components: the Interior, the Interior’s Boundary, the Object’s Boundary, and the Exterior’s Boundary of A. By use of this definition of spatial region with uncertainties, new 4*4-Intersection and Uncertain Intersection and Difference (UID) models are proposed as a qualitative model for the identification of all topological relations between two spatial regions with uncertainties. These two new models are compared with other models studied in the literature. 152 binary topological relations can be identified by these two models. Then, the topological complexity and distance of the 152 relations will be study in details by using the UID model. Based upon this study of topological complexity and distance, a conceptual neighborhood graph for the 152 relations can be obtained. Examples are provided to illustrate the utility of these two models presented in this paper with results which can be applied for modeling GIS, geospatial databases and satellite image processing.
Student evaluations of teaching: phrenology in the 21st century?

ABSTRACT We argue that student evaluations of teaching (SETs) are a key tactic for justifying and maintaining white male dominance in US higher education. As such, tenure and promotion processes that rely on SETs as a measure of ‘teaching quality’ reproduce racial and gender inequality. We situate the contemporary use of SETs amidst a long history of technologies of power that deploy measurements to justify racial and gender inequality, including phrenology and the removal of children of color from their parents’ custody. The technologies of power we explore each gain force through institutional contexts and the use of ‘scientific’ measurements, the production of data, and the use of statistics or numbers to ‘measure’ social differences. We argue that these technologies of power never simply measure existing differences but produce them and that each has a prior content that deploys a norm of white male privilege.
The Association between Emotional Intelligence and Entrepreneurship as a Career Choice: A Study on University Students in South Africa

Orientation: To examine the effects of emotional intelligence on the development of entrepreneurial intentions of university students. Research purpose: To determine whether emotional intelligence is a crucial antecedent of entrepreneurial intention to encourage entrepreneurial behaviour. Motivation of the study: By identifying all the factors that encourage entrepreneurial behaviour, policymakers and concerned stakeholders are better equipped to improve such behaviour and guarantee its success, thereby alleviating unemployment more effectively. Research design, approach and method: A positivist paradigm was used and a quantitative design used self-administered questionnaires to assess the respondents’ emotional intelligence and their intentions to start businesses. Multiple regressions and correlations were computed to test the hypotheses. Main findings: The findings revealed that there is a direct association between emotional intelligence and entrepreneurial intention, with the strongest association recorded between regulation of emotion and entrepreneurial intention and the least significant association between use of emotion and entrepreneurial intention. Practical implications: Although entrepreneurship education is important, it needs to be restructured to incorporate the practical aspects. Furthermore, educators should create a learning environment that could encourage the effective expression and use of emotions to nurture emotional intelligence. Contribution: This article is of particular value to policymakers and educators looking for ways to improve entrepreneurial effectiveness and implementation as well as scholars contemplating entrepreneurship as a career option.
Tuberculosis in children and adults

Disseminated disease in children and pulmonary disease in adults constitute two major epidemiological and clinical forms of tuberculosis. Paradoxically, only a small fraction of infected individuals develop clinical tuberculosis, typically one form of the disease or the other. Mendelian and complex genetic predispositions to tuberculosis were reported recently in children and adults, respectively. Here, we argue that tuberculosis and its clinical expression largely reflect the underlying human genetic background.
Indexing and matching trajectories under inconsistent sampling rates

Quantifying the similarity between two trajectories is a fundamental operation in analysis of spatio-temporal databases. While a number of distance functions exist, the recent shift in the dynamics of the trajectory generation procedure violates one of their core assumptions; a consistent and uniform sampling rate. In this paper, we formulate a robust distance function called Edit Distance with Projections (EDwP) to match trajectories under inconsistent and variable sampling rates through dynamic interpolation. This is achieved by deploying the idea of projections that goes beyond matching only the sampled points while aligning trajectories. To enable efficient trajectory retrievals using EDwP, we design an index structure called TrajTree. TrajTree derives its pruning power by employing the unique combination of bounding boxes with Lipschitz embedding. Extensive experiments on real trajectory databases demonstrate EDwP to be up to 5 times more accurate than the state-of-the-art distance functions. Additionally, TrajTree increases the efficiency of trajectory retrievals by up to an order of magnitude over existing techniques.
“Your words matter!” Relevance of individual participation in xMOOCs

Massive open online courses are increasingly popular. One characteristic of most massive open online courses is that they are offering educational contents to masses of different individual learners. At the same time, a particular challenge for the individual learner could be the massiveness of such courses, that is, that one is part of a large crowd of other learners. Being one of many other individuals can have negative consequences on learning activities because an individual might experience a sense of virtual crowding. The experiment described in this article investigated how course type (xMOOC vs virtual seminar) and relevance of individual participation (low vs high) impact online learners’ engagement. Results showed that participants in an xMOOC condition referred to themselves and their peers to a greater extent when their participation was introduced as being highly relevant. Implications for the design of xMOOCs are discussed.
Effects of Tamsulosin on Urinary Bladder Function and Neuronal Activity in the Voiding Centers of Rats with Cyclophosphamide-induced Overactive Bladder

Purpose The overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome is characterized by urgency usually with frequency and nocturia. Tamsulosin, α1-adrenergic receptor antagonist, is widely used to reduce symptoms of urinary obstruction and prostatic hyperplasia. Tamsulosin can across the blood-brain barrier. We investigated the effects of tamsulosin on the symptoms of OAB in relation to neuronal activity using rats. Methods Adult female Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 250±10 g (9 weeks old), were used in this study. The animals were divided into five groups (n=8 in each group): control group, OAB-induced group, OAB-induced and 0.01 mg/kg tamsulosin-treated group, OAB-induced and 0.1 mg/kg tamsulosin-treated group, and OAB-induced and 1 mg/kg tamsulosin-treated group. OAB was induced by intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide (75 mg/kg) every third day for 10 days. The rats in the tamsulosin-treated groups orally received tamsulosin once a day for 14 consecutive days at the respective dose of the groups, starting 1 day after the induction of OAB. Cystometry for bladder pressure determination, immunohistochemistry for c-Fos, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase histochemistry for nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the neuronal voiding centers and western blot for inducible NOS in the bladder were conducted. Results Cyclophosphamide injection enhanced contraction pressure and time, representing the induction of OAB. Contraction pressure and time were significantly suppressed by tamsulosin treatment. c-Fos and NOS expressions in the neuronal voiding centers were enhanced by induction of OAB. OAB-induced c-Fos and NOS expressions were suppressed by tamsulosin treatment. Conclusions Tamsulosin exerts inhibitory effect on neuronal activation in the neuronal voiding centers of OAB. The present results suggest the possibility that tamsulosin is effective therapeutic modality for ameliorating the symptoms of OAB.
Unique Occurrence of a Subependymoma Presenting Bilaterally with Hemorrhage: A Case Report

Subependymomas are rare brain tumors derived from the ventricular system and are usually asymptomatic. The interest of this report is to demonstrate that subependymomas can very exceptionally present bilaterally and with hemorrhage. A 69-year-old woman presented with headache, ataxia, and focal neurologic deficits. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a bilateral intra-axial lesion with unilateral hemorrhage. Patient underwent surgical resection of the tumor and the pathology was consistent with subependymoma. Postoperatively, patient recovered progressively with improvement of symptoms. This is the first case of a subependymoma that is both bilateral and hemorrhagic, two rare occurrences previously mutually exclusive in literature for this type of tumor. In the present case report we perform a review of the literature to analyze and compare retrospectively all other cases of hemorrhagic subependymomas.
IL-10 Mediates Rosiglitazone-Induced Kidney Protection in Cisplatin Nephrotoxicity

Cisplatin, a major anti-neoplastic drug, is known to be nephrotoxic and inflammation-inducing. A peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma agonist, regulating lipid metabolism, has known to have anti-inflammatory effect, but the protection mechanisms in various kidney injuries are not fully understood. The purpose of this study was to examine the reno-protective effect of rosiglitazone on cisplatin nephrotoxicity in mice focusing on inflammation and apoptosis. Male BALB/c mice were pretreated with rosiglitazone (10 mg/kg) or vehicle through daily intraperitoneal injection for 3 days and then were given a single injection of cisplatin (20 mg/kg). Cisplatin induced a significant rise in blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels, and tubular cell damage with marked tissue inflammation. Tissue cytokines and chemokines measured by a cytometric bead array showed increased TNF-α, IL-6, MCP-1, and IFN-γ levels, while IL-10, an anti-inflammatory cytokine, was significantly decreased by cisplatin treatment. However, rosiglitazone pretreatment substantially reversed the depressed IL-10 level with simultaneous suppression of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. This tissue cytokine and chemokine milieu was associated with marked attenuation of kidney injury elicited by cisplatin. These findings suggest that the rosiglitazone-mediated renoprotective effect in cisplatin nephrotoxicity of mice is partially mediated by upregulation of anti-inflammatory IL-10 production.
Acculturation to the global culture and internet adoption

Globalization is felt in most parts of the world and its effects on culture are becoming a topic of interest to society and in particular to the IS academic community. Our research addresses calls for research on the issue of globalization and its cultural effects in the IS field. We present the survey results of 136 members of the general public in a developing country, namely Jordan, which has felt the effects of globalization in the last decade. Our findings show that there is a significant and positive relationship between an individual's acculturation to the global culture and his or her intention to adopt the Internet. This behavioral intention is also significantly related to the individual's perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use of the Internet. Results indicate that the survey's respondents who were exposed to other cultures through travel and media and have learned other languages were more likely to adopt the Internet for communication, education and entertainment, but were less ready to conduct commercial exchanges through the Internet. This initial validation of a new construct, namely acculturation to the global culture as an antecedent to the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), is an important contribution to the area of IS research on cultural effects.
When do People Value Rehabilitation and Restorative Justice Over the Punishment of Offenders?

ABSTRACT The authors explored the characteristics of individuals that affect their attitudes toward restorative justice-—in which offenders, victims, and communities meet to redress the damage the offence had caused. Across three studies, participants completed questionnaires that assessed whether they believe that people in general, or offenders in particular, can change fundamentally as well as attitudes toward restorative justice, rehabilitation, and punishment. In one study, the questionnaire also included measures of social dominance orientation, goal orientation, and future clarity. Generally, participants who believed that offenders can change fundamentally were more likely to agree to participate in restorative justice meetings and endorse rehabilitation over punishment. Yet, the belief that individuals in general can change fundamentally was not significantly associated with these attitudes toward alternative responses to crime. Social dominance orientation was inversely, and a learning orientation and future clarity were positively, associated with this belief that offenders can change. Thus, interventions that diminish inequality in income, privileges, and influence—and thus curb a social dominance orientation—may foster an openness toward restorative justice. Initiatives that continually reward people who gradually develop their expertise, and thus promote a learning orientation, should also foster this openness toward alternatives to custodial sentences.
Laparotomy Wound Edge Protection Not an Effective Barrier to Prevent Surgical Site Infection

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are one of the most common causes of Hospital Acquired Infections and are responsible for significant economic burden [1]. They account for considerable morbidity for the patients in terms of increased length of hospital stay, organ dysfunction and even mortality. On average SSIs increase hospital stay by 3 to 9.7 days and cost of care up to 30000 dollars per admission [2,3]. It is also associated with indirect cost in the form of abstinence from work and mental and social disturbance. In its guidelines to prevent SSIs, Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has developed standardized criteria for defining and classifying SSIs [4]. According to these definitions SSIs have been divided into superficial incisional SSI, deep incisional SSI and organ/space SSI. Incidence of SSIs after open abdominal surgeries remains high despite adequate aseptic and antiseptic measures. It ranges from 0.5% in clean surgeries [5] to up to 32.1% in contaminated or emergency surgeries [6]. Micro-organisms from gastrointestinal tract are responsible for majority of surgical site infections after laparotomy [7], thereby wound edge protection from these organisms during surgery can potentially reduce incidence of SSIs. Several studies have been conducted to investigate the effect of application of plastic wound edge protection devices during laparotomy on rate of surgical site infection with varying results. Some of those studies failed to show additional benefit [8,9], while on the other hand significant reduction in SSI has been reported by other authors [10,11]. A recent meta-analysis comprising sixteen randomized controlled trials witnessed a significant reduction in surgical site infection after wound edge protection [12].
PENGARUH RESILIENSI AKADEMIK DAN MOTIVASI BELAJAR TERHADAP STUDENT ENGAGEMENT PADA SANTRI MUKIM PONDOK PESANTREN NURUL ISLAM KARANGCEMPAKA SUMENEP

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh resiliensi akademik dan motivasi belajar terhadap student engagement santri. Penelitian ini berdasarkan teori student engagement dari Fredericks, teori resiliensi dari Martin & Marsh dan teori motivasi belajar dari Schunk. Sampel dalam penelitian ini sebanyak 212 santri Nurul Islam Karangcempaka Kecamatan Bluto Kabupaten Sumenep. Tehnik pengambilan sampel dengan menggunakan purposive sampling. Pengumpulan data pada penelitian ini menggunakan kuisioner resiliensi akademik, motivasi belajar dan student engagement. Reliabilitas yang diperoleh untuk skala resiliensi akademik sebesar 0,725, skala motivasi belajar sebesar 0,905 dan reliabilitas Skala student engagement sebesar 0,713. Analisis data yang digunakan pada penelitian ini adalah tehnik analisis regresi linier berganda (Multiple Linier Regression) dengan menggunakan bantuan program SPSS 19.0 for Windows. Berdasarkan uji F diketahui nilai signifikansi 0,000 (<0,05) maka dapat disimpulkan bahwa terdapat pengaruh yang signifikan secara simultan antara resiliensi akademik dan motivasi belajar terhadap student engagement. Bedasarkan uji t resiliensi akademik 0,013 dan motivasi belajar 0,000 (<0,05), Hal ini berarti variabel resiliensi akademik dan motivasi belajar berpengaruh secara parsial terhadap variabel student engagement. Berdasarkan hasil uji determinasi, diketahui R2 (R squere) sebesar 0,378 atau 37,8%. Hal ini menunjukkan bahwa prosentase sumbangan pengaruh variabel independen (resiliensi akademik dan motivasi belajar) terhadap variabel dependen (student engagement) adalah 37,8%, sedangkan sisanya 63,2% dipengaruhi oleh variabel lain yang tidak dimasukkan penelitian ini. Jika dilihat dari keeratannya, hubungan antara dua variabel bebas (resiliensi akademik & motivasi belajar) dengan student engagement memiliki pengaruh yang kuat. Hal ini ditunjukkan dengan nilai R sebesar 0,615.
Presence of dendritic cells, MCP‐1, and activated microglia/macrophages in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis spinal cord tissue

Dendritic cells are potent antigen‐presenting cells that initiate and amplify immune responses. To determine whether dendritic cells participate in inflammatory reactions in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), we examined mRNA expression of dendritic cell surface markers in individual sporadic ALS (sALS), familial ALS (fALS), and nonneurological disease control (NNDC) spinal cord tissues using semiquantitative and real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). Immature (DEC205, CD1a) and activated/mature (CD83, CD40) dendritic cell transcripts were significantly elevated in ALS tissues. The presence of immature and activated/mature dendritic cells (CD1a+ and CD83+) was confirmed immunohistochemically in ALS ventral horn and corticospinal tracts. Monocytic/macrophage/microglial transcripts (CD14, CD18, SR‐A, CD68) were increased in ALS spinal cord, and activated CD68+ cells were demonstrated in close proximity to motor neurons. mRNA expressions of the chemokine MCP‐1, which attracts monocytes and myeloid dendritic cells, and of the cytokine macrophage‐colony stimulating factor (M‐CSF) were increased in ALS tissues. The MCP‐1 protein was expressed in glia in ALS but not in control tissues and was increased in the CSF of ALS patients. Those patients who progressed most rapidly expressed significantly more dendritic transcripts than patients who progressed more slowly. These results support the involvement of immune/inflammatory responses in amplifying motor neuron degeneration in ALS.
The Impact of Perceived Leader and Organizational Integrity on Extra-Role Behaviors in a Military Context

Abstract Virtuous leaders and organizations influence subordinate behavior, specifically citizenship and counterproductive work behaviors, which ultimately drive the organization. Because effectiveness is vital in the military, it is important to understand the factors supporting optimal conditions for effective outcomes. Leader and organizational integrity are two forms of promise keeping influencing productive and counterproductive behavior. We analyzed the effect of leader behavioral integrity and unit psychological contract support on extra-role behaviors, finding differential effects for type of integrity. These results are discussed in terms of impact with theoretical and practical implications.
Construct Validity of the Three-Factor Model of the Interpersonal Measure of Psychopathy

Research suggests that ratings of interpersonal behaviors during semi-structured interviews provide valid ratings of the interpersonal component of psychopathy. Prior research suggests that Interpersonal Measure of Psychopathy (IM-P) ratings are underlain by three correlated dimensions: Dominance, Grandiosity, and Boundary Violations. We examined the construct validity of the factors in a sample of 1,243 male jail inmates. Regressions indicated distinct relationships between the three IM-P factor scores and clinically relevant external correlates, after controlling for Psychopathy Checklist–Revised (PCL-R) Factor Two (F2) scores. Dominance was uniquely associated with cocaine and alcohol dependence. Grandiosity demonstrated a pattern of unique positive relationships with intelligence and achievement and negative relationships with negative emotionality suggestive of the nomological network identified for boldness. Boundary Violations was the only factor uniquely associated with three distinct measures of criminal conduct. This pattern of results suggests that each IM-P factor may reflect a distinct facet of the interpersonal component of psychopathy.