Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The politics of virtue: An Aristotelian-Thomistic engagement with the VIA classification of character strengths

Abstract The VIA Classification of Character Strengths is often presented as cross-culturally valid, but this is methodologically and philosophically ungrounded: the VIA Classification rather reflects the particular political and moral commitments of the workgroups from which it emerged. Attention to virtue theory reveals, in fact, that all virtue classifications privilege particular political communities and their normative commitments. For Aristotle, for example, as for Augustine and Thomas Aquinas after him, virtues are habits which enable the flourishing of political community (polis), and any classification of virtue reflects the needs and aspirations of the polis it serves. Seen in this way, the virtues of the VIA Classification privilege and promote modern liberal democracy; as such, they are useful and sometimes cross-cultural, but not universal. Future positive psychology research must be transparent about its prescriptive moral commitments and attentive to methods that privilege close attention to the cultural and moral contexts of virtue formation.
Touch-typing with a stylus

One of the attractive features of keyboards is that they support novice as well as expert users. Novice users enter text using “hunt-and-peck,” experts use touch-typing. Although it takes time to learn touch-typing, there is a large payoff in faster operation. In contrast to keyboarda, pen-based computers have only a novice mode for text entry in which users print text to a character recognize. An electronic pen (or stylus) would be more attractive as an input device if it supported expert users with some analogue of touch-typing. We present the design and preliminary analysis of an approach to stylus touch-typing using an alphabet of uni-strokes, which are letters specially designed to be used with a stylus. Unistrokes have the following advantages over ordinary printing they are faster to write, less prone to recognition error, and can be entered in an “eyes-free” manner that requires very little screen real estate.
Robust oscillations in SIS epidemics on adaptive networks: Coarse graining by automated moment closure

We investigate the dynamics of an epidemiological susceptible-infected-susceptible (SIS) model on an adaptive network. This model combines epidemic spreading (dynamics on the network) with rewiring of network connections (topological evolution of the network). We propose and implement a computational approach that enables us to study the dynamics of the network directly on an emergent, coarse-grained level. The approach sidesteps the derivation of closed low-dimensional approximations. Our investigations reveal that global coupling, which enters through the awareness of the population to the disease, can result in robust large-amplitude oscillations of the state and topology of the network.
Functional crosstalk between the mitochondrial PTP and KATP channels determine arrhythmic vulnerability to oxidative stress

Background: Mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening is a terminal event leading to mitochondrial dysfunction and cell death under conditions of oxidative stress (OS). However, mPTP blockade with cyclosporine A (CsA) has shown variable efficacy in limiting post-ischemic dysfunction and arrhythmias. We hypothesized that strong feedback between energy dissipating (mPTP) and cardioprotective (mKATP) channels determine vulnerability to OS. Methods and Results: Guinea pig hearts (N = 61) were challenged with H2O2 (200 μM) to elicit mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) depolarization. High-resolution optical mapping was used to measure ΔΨm or action potentials (AP) across the intact heart. Hearts were treated with CsA (0.1 μM) under conditions that altered the activity of mKATP channels either directly or indirectly via its regulation by protein kinase C. mPTP blockade with CsA markedly blunted (P < 0.01) OS-induced ΔΨm depolarization and delayed loss of LV pressure (LVP), but did not affect arrhythmia propensity. Surprisingly, prevention of mKATP activation with the chemical phosphatase BDM reversed the protective effect of CsA, paradoxically exacerbating OS-induced ΔΨm depolarization and accelerating arrhythmia onset in CsA treated compared to untreated hearts (P < 0.05). To elucidate the putative molecular mechanisms, mPTP inhibition by CsA was tested during conditions of selective PKC inhibition or direct mKATP channel activation or blockade. Similar to BDM, the specific PKC inhibitor, CHE (10 μM) did not alter OS-induced ΔΨm depolarization directly. However, it completely abrogated CsA-mediated protection against OS. Direct pharmacological blockade of mKATP, a mitochondrial target of PKC signaling, equally abolished the protective effect of CsA on ΔΨm depolarization, whereas channel activation with 30 μM Diazoxide protected against ΔΨm depolarization (P < 0.0001). Conditions that prevented mKATP activation either directly or indirectly via PKC inhibition led to accelerated ΔΨm depolarization and early onset of VF in response to OS. Investigation of the electrophysiological substrate revealed accelerated APD shortening in response to OS in arrhythmia-prone hearts. Conclusions: Cardioprotection by CsA requires mKATP channel activation through a PKC-dependent pathway. Increasing mKATP activity during CsA administration is required for limiting OS-induced electrical dysfunction.
A Signature of Attractor Dynamics in the CA3 Region of the Hippocampus

The notion of attractor networks is the leading hypothesis for how associative memories are stored and recalled. A defining anatomical feature of such networks is excitatory recurrent connections. These “attract” the firing pattern of the network to a stored pattern, even when the external input is incomplete (pattern completion). The CA3 region of the hippocampus has been postulated to be such an attractor network; however, the experimental evidence has been ambiguous, leading to the suggestion that CA3 is not an attractor network. In order to resolve this controversy and to better understand how CA3 functions, we simulated CA3 and its input structures. In our simulation, we could reproduce critical experimental results and establish the criteria for identifying attractor properties. Notably, under conditions in which there is continuous input, the output should be “attracted” to a stored pattern. However, contrary to previous expectations, as a pattern is gradually “morphed” from one stored pattern to another, a sharp transition between output patterns is not expected. The observed firing patterns of CA3 meet these criteria and can be quantitatively accounted for by our model. Notably, as morphing proceeds, the activity pattern in the dentate gyrus changes; in contrast, the activity pattern in the downstream CA3 network is attracted to a stored pattern and thus undergoes little change. We furthermore show that other aspects of the observed firing patterns can be explained by learning that occurs during behavioral testing. The CA3 thus displays both the learning and recall signatures of an attractor network. These observations, taken together with existing anatomical and behavioral evidence, make the strong case that CA3 constructs associative memories based on attractor dynamics.
Dynamics of phosphorus transport and retention in a wetland receiving drainage water from agricultural clay soils

A constructed wetland (0.08 ha) receiving drainage water from a small agricultural catchment (22 ha) with clay soil, was investigated with respect to phosphorus dynamics and retention. The aim was to evaluate the function of the wetland with respect to phosphorus retention, and relate that to gross sedimentation as measured with sediment traps. Hydraulic load and phosphorus retention were estimated for 2003-2010 based on monitoring data. Furthermore, water quality dynamics was studied during three intensive sampling periods of 3-5 days during 2010. For each period, phosphorus retention was calculated and the relationship between flow and phosphorus concentrations analysed. Additionally, the gross sedimentation rate was estimated using sediment traps, and the phosphorus, carbon and nitrogen content analysed. The results suggested that there was no net retention of phosphorus during 2003-2010, except for 04/05. During the intensive sampling periods, release of phosphorus from the wetland mainly occurred during high flow. Sediment analyses showed that settling of inflow particles mostly occurred in the inlet pond, while the sediment found in a shallow vegetated area and outlet pond likely originated from internal processes rather than from the catchment. In fact, the gross sedimentation of phosphorus during April-July and July-August, respectively, exceeded the measured phosphorus inflow. The results showed that short periods with rapid flow increases were crucial for the wetlands function and thus high frequency sampling must be done during these periods. Furthermore, it seems that the particles lost from the catchment during high flows are too small to settle in the wetland.
Citation chain aggregation: an interaction model to support citation cycling

Citation chaining is a powerful means of exploring the academic literature. Starting from just one or two known relevant items, a naïve researcher can cycle backwards and forwards through the citation graph to generate a rich overview of key works, authors and journals relating to their topic. Whilst online citation indexes greatly facilitate this process, the size and complexity of the search space can rapidly escalate. In this paper, we propose a novel interaction model called citation chain aggregation (CCA). CCA employs a simple three-list view which highlights the overlaps that occur between the first-generation relations of known relevant items. As more relevant articles are identified, differences in the frequencies of citations made by or to unseen articles provide strong relevance feedback cues. The benefits of this technique are illustrated using a simple case study.
Efficient Coexistence of LTE With WiFi in the Licensed and Unlicensed Spectrum Aggregation

The exploitation of unlicensed bands by the LTE-advanced (LTE-A) system has become a reality through the proposal of licensed assisted access (LAA) that relies on the carrier aggregation concept within the 3GPP framework. The efficient coexistence of LTE-A and WiFi in the unlicensed spectrum bands requires advanced intelligent techniques. This paper first investigates the concept of LAA, which consists of four main functionalities: 1) carrier selection (CS); 2) listen-before-talk; 3) discontinuous transmission (DTX); and 4) transmit power control (TPC). Second, the LAA functionality implementation is provided using an open source LTE-A downlink link level simulator. Third, we devise an enhanced learning technique for CS and DTX for efficient coexistence among LTE-A and WiFi users. In particular, we provide a Q-learning mechanism for the advanced learning of the unlicensed band activity resulting in the efficient coexistence. Finally, we enhance the coexistence further through a double Q-learning method as a proposal for CS that takes into account both DTX and TPC improving both LTE and WiFi performance. Simulation results are provided for all the use cases that reveal the benefit of exploiting unlicensed bands in next generation mobile cellular networks.
A Real-Time Interference Monitoring Technique for GNSS Based on a Twin Support Vector Machine Method

Interferences can severely degrade the performance of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers. As the first step of GNSS any anti-interference measures, interference monitoring for GNSS is extremely essential and necessary. Since interference monitoring can be considered as a classification problem, a real-time interference monitoring technique based on Twin Support Vector Machine (TWSVM) is proposed in this paper. A TWSVM model is established, and TWSVM is solved by the Least Squares Twin Support Vector Machine (LSTWSVM) algorithm. The interference monitoring indicators are analyzed to extract features from the interfered GNSS signals. The experimental results show that the chosen observations can be used as the interference monitoring indicators. The interference monitoring performance of the proposed method is verified by using GPS L1 C/A code signal and being compared with that of standard SVM. The experimental results indicate that the TWSVM-based interference monitoring is much faster than the conventional SVM. Furthermore, the training time of TWSVM is on millisecond (ms) level and the monitoring time is on microsecond (μs) level, which make the proposed approach usable in practical interference monitoring applications.
Modeling stream-bank erosion in the Southern Blue Ridge Mountains

Deforestation, followed by soil erosion and subsequent deposition of alluvium in valleys, played a critical role in the formation of historical terraces in much of the Southern Blue Ridge Mountains. Such terraces add a significant amount of sediment to the tributaries of the region as streams laterally erode the terrace banks. This study examined the contribution of total sediment yield derived solely from eroded stream banks in small watersheds (<20 km²), using floodplain widths as proxies for long-term lateral erosion rates. The raw data were derived from watersheds with different land covers (Coweeta Creek and Skeenah Creek watersheds in the Upper Little Tennessee River basin). Bank-derived sediment yield estimates were modeled in a Geographic Information System, using linear regression to relate floodplain widths and erodible terrace bank heights. We found total stream length to be a good predictor of both lateral erosion rates and erodible bank heights. Land cover, basin/network morphometrics, and reach-scale stream conditions were not good predictors. Modeled lateral migration and sediment yield results compare favorably to empirical measurements from five independent watersheds in the region. Modeled estimates fall within ±50% or better of the observed values, at 16.33 to 25.02 t km−2 yr−1.
Fostering Democracy? Associations and Local Politics in Nineteenth-Century The Hague

This case study of the Dutch residential capital of The Hague explores the relationship between nineteenth-century associational life and local politics, testing the well-known argument of scholars such as Robert Putnam, that high numbers and high levels of participation in local voluntary associations are often positively correlated with processes of local political democratization. A quantitative analysis of (double) membership in the city's most prominent social clubs and cultural associations, and a qualitative analysis of the political culture within these clubs, offer a better understanding regarding why the impact of a vibrant local associational culture on local democracy has not always been as positive as political scientists have often tended to assume.
“Change Happens Beyond the Comfort Zone”*

This article shares findings from a qualitative study of an undergraduate urban education fellowship designed to connect teacher-candidates with activist teacher communities and explore questions of social justice, equity, and multicultural teaching. Fellows attended conferences, professional meetings, and on-campus dialogues over one semester. Interview transcripts and meeting notes were analyzed through the lenses of teacher inquiry and transformative learning theory. Findings reveal how teacher-candidates experienced shifts in their viewpoints through encountering new perspectives, discomfort with returning to their lives with new understandings, and a strong drive to further their learning about urban education. Within the context of a persistent gap between a mostly White, middle-class teaching force and a racially and socioeconomically diverse student population, this study offers an image of transformative preservice teacher education in which teacher-candidates encounter professional communities outside of the confines of the classroom.
Protein oxidation and lens opacity in humans.

PURPOSE Oxidative damage to lens proteins is a major factor leading to cataract formation. It is of pathogenic importance to determine a threshold of protein oxidation over which opacification of the lens takes place. METHODS Sixty-two lenses extracted from patients affected by idiopathic senile, diabetic, or myopic cataract were studied. Clear lenses were obtained from subjects undergoing enucleation (n = 10) or vitrectomy for giant retinal tears (n = 9), and were age- and sex-matched to those with cataract. The content of carbonyls and sulfhydryls (P-SH) in proteins in the lens was assessed using spectrophotometric assay. RESULTS An age-associated inverse relation (P < 0.01) was noted in the content of P-SH, the concentrations of which were also inversely related (P < 0.03) to the content of protein carbonyls. These changes were more pronounced in cataracts than in clear lenses and in diabetic and myopic cataracts when compared with senile cataracts. The drop of P-SH concentration occurred earlier in diabetic and in myopic cataracts than in senile cataracts. The accumulation of protein carbonyls > 2 nmol/mg protein and the decrease of P-SH below 12 to 10 nmol/mg protein were always accompanied by lens opacification. CONCLUSIONS Idiopathic senile, diabetic, and myopic cataractogenesis appear to be dependent on oxidative damage to lens proteins. This damage occurs earlier in myopic and diabetic patients. Values of P-SH below and protein carbonyls above their specific threshold were found to be predictive for the presence of cataract. Because increased oxidation was observed in clear lenses removed from myopic and diabetic subjects, oxidation may be involved in the pathogenesis of these forms of human cataract.
Rain of Blame Fall: The Lived Experience of Iranian attempted Suicide Women

Introduction : Suicide is one of the most important concerns of world health organization and a history of suicide attempt is best predictor of completed suicide. Previous studies typically focused on causes and relative factors but studies on suicide attempter are very few. Whereas understanding the pure experiences of suicide attempter is helpful to prevention strategies. The aim of this study was exploring life experiences of suicidal women after suicide attempt. An interpretative phenomenology research design was employed. All participants 4-6 month after admitted to hospital as suicide attempt interviewed. Semi-structured, one-on-one in-depth interviews were conducted and Van Manen methods were used for data analysis. The main identified themes was “rain of blame fall” which comprised the following subthemes: blaming, self-blaming and blame others Conclusion : Experiences of suicide attempter showed they were faced to multiple type of blame. Suicide attempter and their family needs to be educated and supported from blames. The findings have implications for attempter family, nurses and counselors working in the area of suicide attempt prevention and recovery.
Direct, modular and hybrid audio to visual speech conversion methods - a comparative study

A systematic comparative study of audio to visual speech conversion methods is described in this paper. A direct conversion system is compared to conceptually different ASR based solutions. Hybrid versions of the different solutions will also be presented. The methods are tested using the same speech material, audio preprocessing and facial motion visualization units. Only the conversion blocks are changed. Subjective opinion score evaluation tests prove the naturalness of the direct conversion is the best. Index Terms: facial animation, audio to visual conversion
Affect and Subsequent Physical Activity: An Ambulatory Assessment Study Examining the Affect-Activity Association in a Real-Life Context

Traditionally, cognitive, motivational, and volitional determinants have been used to explain and predict health behaviors such as physical activity. Recently, the role of affect in influencing and regulating health behaviors received more attention. Affects as internal cues may automatically activate unconscious processes of behavior regulation. The aim of our study was to examine the association between affect and physical activity in daily life. In addition, we studied the influence of the habit of being physically active on this relationship. An ambulatory assessment study in 89 persons (33.7% male, 25 to 65 years, M = 45.2, SD = 8.1) was conducted. Affect was assessed in the afternoon on 5 weekdays using smartphones. Physical activity was measured continuously objectively using accelerometers and subjectively using smartphones in the evening. Habit strength was assessed at the beginning of the diary period. The outcomes were objectively and subjectively measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) performed after work. Multilevel regression models were used to analyze the association between affect and after work MVPA. In addition, the cross-level interaction of habit strength and affect on after work MVPA was tested. Positive affect was positively related to objectively measured and self-reported after work MVPA: the greater the positive affect the more time persons subsequently spent on MVPA. An inverse relationship was found for negative affect: the greater the negative affect the less time persons spent on MVPA. The cross-level interaction effect was significant only for objectively measured MVPA. A strong habit seems to strengthen both the positive influence of positive affect and the negative influence of negative affect. The results of this study confirm previous results and indicate that affect plays an important role for the regulation of physical activity behavior in daily life. The results for positive affect were consistent. However, in contrast to previous reports of no or an inverse association, negative affect decreased subsequent MVPA. These inconsistencies may be—in part—explained by the different measurements of affect in our and other studies. Therefore, further research is warranted to gain more insight into the association between affect and physical activity.
Relations between the dynamo region geometry and the magnetic behavior of stars and planets

The geo and solar magnetic fields have long been thought to be very different objects both in terms of spatial structure and temporal behavior. The recently discovered field structure of a fully convective star is more reminiscent of planetary magnetic fields than the Sun's magnetic field (Donati J.-F. et al., Science, 311 (2006) 633), despite the fact that the physical and chemical properties of these objects clearly differ. This observation suggests that a simple controlling parameter could be responsible for these different behaviors. We report here the results of three-dimensional simulations which show that varying the aspect ratio of the active dynamo region can yield a sharp transition from Earth-like steady dynamos to Sun-like dynamo waves.
Newly rare or newly common: evolutionary feedbacks through changes in population density and relative species abundance, and their management implications

Environmental management typically seeks to increase or maintain the population sizes of desirable species and to decrease population sizes of undesirable pests, pathogens, or invaders. With changes in population size come long‐recognized changes in ecological processes that act in a density‐dependent fashion. While the ecological effects of density dependence have been well studied, the evolutionary effects of changes in population size, via changes in ecological interactions with community members, are underappreciated. Here, we provide examples of changing selective pressures on, or evolution in, species as a result of changes in either density of conspecifics or changes in the frequency of heterospecific versus conspecific interactions. We also discuss the management implications of such evolutionary responses in species that have experienced rapid increases or decreases in density caused by human actions.