Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
When learning to classify by relations is easier than by features

Relational reasoning is often considered more resource intensive than feature-based reasoning. This view implies that learning categories defined by relational regularities should be more difficult than learning categories defined by featural regularities. Unfortunately previous studies do not ground featural and relational information in a common perceptual substrate. After addressing this concern, a series of experiments compare learning performance for relation- and feature-based categories. Under certain circumstances we find faster learning for relation-based categories. The results suggest that mechanisms rooted in relational processes (e.g., relative stimulus judgement, analogical comparison) facilitate or hinder learning depending on whether the relational processes highlight or obscure the underlying category structure. Conversely, category learning affects relational processes by promoting relational comparisons that increase the coherence of acquired categories. In contrast to the largely independent research efforts in category learning and analogy research, our findings suggest that learning and comparison processes are deeply intertwined.
International Linkages in Short- and Long-Term Interest Rates

This paper examines interest rate linkages in the G7 economies by testing for cointegration and employing the causality testing method for unstable systems recently introduced by Toda and Yamamoto (1995), which results in standard asymptotics. The results show that whilst domestic macroeconomic variables are important determinants of long-term interest rates, international linkages play a major role in the case of short-term rates. We also find that causation within the ERM runs from France to Germany, which suggests that, in order to function smoothly, a system such as the ERM requires its largest player to accommodate policy variation elsewhere, rather than impose its own monetary stance as in the ‘German Leadership Hypothesis’ (GLH). The main results are confirmed by the stability analysis.
Identification of the UBP1 Locus as a Critical Blood Pressure Determinant Using a Combination of Mouse and Human Genetics

Hypertension is a major health problem of largely unknown genetic origins. To identify new genes responsible for hypertension, genetic analysis of recombinant inbred strains of mice followed by human association studies might prove powerful and was exploited in our current study. Using a set of 27 recombinant BXD strains of mice we identified a quantitative trait locus (QTL) for blood pressure (BP) on distal chromosome 9. The association analysis of markers encompassing the syntenic region on human chromosome 3 gave in an additive genetic model the strongest association for rs17030583 C/T and rs2291897 G/A, located within the UBP1 locus, with systolic and diastolic BP (rs17030583: 1.3±0.4 mmHg p<0.001, 0.8±0.3 mmHg p = 0.006, respectively and rs2291897: 1.5±0.4 mmHg p<0.001, 0.8±0.3 mmHg p = 0.003, respectively) in three separate studies. Our study, which underscores the marked complementarities of mouse and human genetic approaches, identifies the UBP1 locus as a critical blood pressure determinant. UBP1 plays a role in cholesterol and steroid metabolism via the transcriptional activation of CYP11A, the rate-limiting enzyme in pregnenolone and aldosterone biosynthesis. We suggest that UBP1 and its functional partners are components of a network controlling blood pressure.
A Web-Based Lesson with Situated Learning in Senior High School Level

This paper presents the development and evaluation of a World Wide Web-based lesson developed to cultivate situated learning. This research employed the quasi-experimental method along with semi-structured interviews to investigate the effects of a Web-based lesson on science learning in the senior high school level. Three classes of second-year students from two senior high schools in Taipei (Taiwan) were selected as the participants for the study. A total of 110 students participated, including 49 males and 61 females. The statistical results indicated that: (1) students' conceptual progress almost reached a significant level before and after the experiment; (2) there were significant differences between male and female students on their conceptual progress before and after the experiment; and (3) most students had positive opinions about the Web-based lesson. Analysis of qualitative data indicated that some students thought that the Web-based lesson, named Lesson Rainbow, provided a daily-life situation that could promote their motivation for learning and help them integrate knowledge. (Contains 22 references.) (Author/MES) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the-original document. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Educational Research and Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) This document has been reproduced as received from the person or organization originating it. Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction quality. Points of view or opinions stated in this document do not necessarily represent official OERI position or policy. A Web-Based Lesson with Situated Learning in Senior High School Level YingShao Hsui , yshsu@cc.ntnu. edu.tw ; Kuei-Ching Liao2, s44229@cc.ntnu. edu.tw cI National Taiwan Normal University, Taiwan Chi-Chuan Cheri, chichuan_chen@hotmail.com, Southern Polytechnic State University, Georgia, USA VD 1=1 4-1 Abstract This article presents the development and evaluation of a web-based lesson developed to cultivate situated learning. This research project employs the quasi-experimental method along with semi-structured interviews to investigate the effects of a web-based lesson on science learning in the senior high school level. Three classes of second-year students from two senior high schools in Taipei were selected as the participants for this study. The total participants were 110 including 49 males and 61 females. The statistic results indicated that (a) students' conceptual progress almost reached a significant level (t=1.98, p<0.051) before and after the experiment, (b) there were significant differences between male and female students on their conceptual progress before and after the experiment (F=11.48, p<0.001), and that (c) most students had positive opinions about this web-based lesson. From analysis of qualitative data indicated that some students thought that the web based lesson, named Lesson Rainbow, provided a daily-life situation could promote their motivation on learning and help them integrate knowledge.
The demise of multidrug-resistant HIV-1: the national time trend in Portugal

Objectives Despite a decreasing mortality and morbidity in treated HIV-1 patients, highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) can still fail due to the development of drug resistance. Especially, multidrug-resistant viruses pose a threat to efficient therapy. We studied the changing prevalence of multidrug resistance (MDR) over time in a cohort of HIV-1-infected patients in Portugal. Patients and methods We used data of 8065 HIV-1-infected patients followed from July 2001 up to April 2012 in 22 hospitals located in Portugal. MDR at a specific date of sampling was defined as no more than one fully active drug (excluding integrase and entry inhibitors) at that time authorized by the Portuguese National Authority of Medicines and Health Products (INFARMED), as interpreted with the Rega algorithm version 8.0. 2. A generalized linear mixed model was used to study the time trend of the prevalence of MDR. Results We observed a statistically significant decrease in the prevalence of MDR over the last decade, from 6.9% (95% CI: 5.7–8.4) in 2001–03, 6.0% (95% CI: 4.9–7.2) in 2003–05, 3.7% (95% CI: 2.8–4.8) in 2005–07 and 1.6% (95% CI: 1.1–2.2) in 2007–09 down to 0.6% (95% CI: 0.3–0.9) in 2009–12 [OR = 0.80 (95% CI: 0.75–0.86); P < 0.001]. In July 2011 the last new case of MDR was seen. Conclusions The prevalence of multidrug-resistant HIV-1 is decreasing over time in Portugal, reflecting the increasing efficiency of HAART and the availability of new drugs. Therefore, in designing a new drug, safety and practical aspects, e.g. less toxicity and ease of use, may need more attention than focusing mainly on efficacy against resistant strains.
The IS curve and the transmission of monetary policy: is there a puzzle?

In this paper, the performance of the New Keynesian IS curve for the G7 countries is assessed. It is found that there is an IS puzzle for both the purely backward-looking as well as for the forward-looking IS curve. The real interest rate does not have a significantly negative effect on the output gap. Based on an extended specification of the IS curve, also including asset prices and monetary aggregates, a significantly negative interest rate effect on aggregate demand is found for all countries. This finding suggests that a richer specification of the IS curve in empirical work may be necessary in order to obtain an unbiased estimate of the effect of monetary policy on aggregate demand.
Test-taking Strategies , Schema Theory and Reading Comprehension Test Performance

Reading, as the most important academic language skill, receives the special focus in second/foreign language teaching. In addition, tests are regularly applied to evaluate academic performance. This paper reviews studies on test-taking strategies in second/foreign language reading comprehension tests. First, it depicts the beginnings of test taker strategy research and then discusses its development. It also argues the significant role of schemata in reading comprehension. Furthermore, it focuses on the effects of the language of reading passages, item types, and the testing method on the respondents’ test-taking strategies and respondents’ test performance, noting the significance of the findings for the field of construct validation of tests.
A qualitative insight on complementary and alternative medicines used by hypertensive patients

Background: The self-treatment with complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) in chronic diseases is portraying an expanding trend worldwide. Yet, little is known concerning patients' motives to use CAM in the control of blood pressure. Objective: This study aims to explore the self-use of CAM in the management of hypertension and explore patients' attitudes, perceived benefits, and disclosure to the physician. Materials and Methods: A qualitative technique was adopted and face-to-face interviews, using a validated interview guide, were carried out among twenty hypertensive patients. A purposive sampling method was used to recruit patients at Al-Karama Teaching Hospital in Baghdad; the capital of Iraq; from January to April 2015. All the interviews were audio-recorded, then transcribed verbatim and examined for thematic relationships. Results: Three major themes were identified through thematic content analysis of the interviews. These encompassed patients' understanding of CAM; experience and perceived benefits; and communication with the doctors. The use of CAM was prevalent among the majority of the respondents. The most commonly used therapies were biological-based practices (herbal remedies, special diet, vitamins, and dietary supplements); traditional therapies (Al-Hijama or cupping); and to a less extent of manipulative body-based therapies (reflexology). Factors influencing the use of CAM were traditions, social relationships, religious beliefs, low-cost therapy, and safety of natural products. Conclusion: The use of CAM was common as a practice of self-treatment among hypertensive patients in Iraq. This was underpinned by the cultural effects, social relationships, religious beliefs, and the perception that natural products are effective and safe. Understanding patients' usage of CAM is of great importance as long as patient's safety and interaction with the standard prescribed treatment are major concerns.
Computationally efficient speech enhancement by spectral minima tracking in subbands

| We present an e(cid:14)cient algorithm for the enhancement of speech signals which are heavily corrupted by short-time stationary, acoustically or electrically added disturbances. The algorithm is based on spectral amplitude estimation using an overlap-add FFT (cid:12)lter bank system. Compared to other systems, the improved performance of our speech enhancement system is achieved by the combination of the best known spectral amplitude estimators of the noisy speech signal and a new e(cid:14)cient and reliable noise spectrum tracker. As a result, our speech enhancement system requires no speech pause detection for noise estimation and needs only 14% { 23% of the resources of a commercially available digital signal processor.
Indium Substitution Effect on the Topological Crystalline Insulator Family (Pb1−xSnx)1−yInyTe: Topological and Superconducting Properties

Topological crystalline insulators (TCIs) have been of great interest in the area of condensed matter physics. We investigated the effect of indium substitution on the crystal structure and transport properties in the TCI system (Pb1−xSnx)1−yInyTe. For samples with a tin concentration x ≤ 50 % , the low-temperature resisitivities show a dramatic variation as a function of indium concentration: with up to ∼2% indium doping, the samples show weak-metallic behavior similar to their parent compounds; with ∼6% indium doping, samples have true bulk-insulating resistivity and present evidence for nontrivial topological surface states; with higher indium doping levels, superconductivity was observed, with a transition temperature, T c , positively correlated to the indium concentration and reaching as high as 4.7 K. We address this issue from the view of bulk electronic structure modified by the indium-induced impurity level that pins the Fermi level. The current work summarizes the indium substitution effect on (Pb,Sn)Te, and discusses the topological and superconducting aspects, which can be provide guidance for future studies on this and related systems.
Modelling Spatial Housing Markets: Theory, Analysis and Policy

Preface. 1. Introduction. 2. Issues in Housing Data Analysis. 3. Selected Topics in Housing Theory: A National Perspective. 4. Housing Theory: Regional Issues. 5. Housing Careers and Urban Structure. 6. Empirical Findings From National Housing Models. 7. Explaining Regional Patterns. 8. Housing, Depriviation and Urban Change. 9. Selected Issues in National Housing Policy. 10. Selected Issues in Regional and Urban Housing Policy. 11. And Finally. References. Index.
CONSTRAINTS ON THE PRESENCE OF WATER MEGAMASER EMISSION IN z ∼ 2.5 ULTRALUMINOUS INFRARED STARBURST GALAXIES

We present Expanded Very Large Array (EVLA) and Arecibo observations of two lensed submillimeter galaxies at z ∼ 2.5, in order to search for redshifted 22.235 GHz water megamaser emission. Both SMM J14011+0252 and SMM J16359+6612 have multi-wavelength characteristics consistent with ongoing starburst activity, as well as CO line emission indicating the presence of warm molecular gas. Our observations do not reveal any evidence for H2O megamaser emission in either target, while the lensing allows us to obtain deep limits to the H2O line luminosities, (3σ) in the case of SMM J14011+0252, and for SMM J16359+6612, assuming line widths of 80 km s−1. Our search for, and subsequent nondetection of, H2O megamaser emission in two strongly lensed starburst galaxies rich in gas and dust suggests that such megamaser emission is not likely to be common within the unlensed population of high-redshift starburst galaxies. We use the recent detection of strong H2O megamaser emission in the lensed quasar, MG J0414+0534 at z = 2.64 to make predictions for future EVLA C-band surveys of H2O megamaser emission in submillimeter galaxies hosting active galactic nuclei.
Bone regeneration: molecular and cellular interactions with calcium phosphate ceramics

Calcium phosphate bioceramics are widely used in orthopedic and dental applications and porous scaffolds made of them are serious candidates in the field of bone tissue engineering. They have superior properties for the stimulation of bone formation and bone bonding, both related to the specific interactions of their surface with the extracellular fluids and cells, ie, ionic exchanges, superficial molecular rearrangement and cellular activity.
Turnover and Job Training in Developing and Developed Countries: Evidence from Colombia and the United States

Labor productivity and GNP per capita are lower in developing countries than in developed countries, even after controlling for differences across countries in physical capital per worker and levels of formal schooling. Anecdotal evidence suggests that greater difficulties in training and retaining workers in developing countries may contribute to this “productivity gap. ” This paper employs large, high quality household surveys from Colombia and the United States to shed light on several potential explanations (related to job training) for this productivity gap. The first, somewhat surprising observation is that the incidence of post-school, formal job training acquired in relation to the current main job is higher among male private sector wage employees in Colombia than among their counterparts with similar levels of schooling in the U.S. The typical intensity of training also appears at least as great in Colombia as in the U.S. This casts doubt on explanations for the productivity gap in which labor productivity is lower in developing countries because (for reasons discussed in the paper) the typical worker simply has less job training. It also establishes that job training is important in developing country production. The second main observation is that while private sector wage employees in Colombia accumulate training at a higher rate over the course of their careers than their counterparts in the U.S., their wages tend to rise much more slowly as they age. After considering alternative explanations, the paper interprets this to mean that higher job turnover rates in Colombia cause the value of job training investments to be eroded more rapidly in Colombia than in the U.S. This constitutes new evidence that job training is “specific”, in the sense that it tends to lose value when workers change jobs. It implies that higher pressures for job turnover in Colombia and other developing countries increase the cost of keeping trained positions filled. Because the increased costs take the form of more labor hours (of trainees and trainers) diverted away from directly productive activities and into training activities, they represent reductions in average labor productivity. Thus further research into job turnover and training problems in developing countries may uncover means to reduce the productivity gap and to improve living standards in developing countries.
A Scenario‐Based Evaluation of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus and the Hajj

Between April 2012 and June 2014, 820 laboratory‐confirmed cases of the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS‐CoV) have been reported in the Arabian Peninsula, Europe, North Africa, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and the United States. The observed epidemiology is different to SARS, which showed a classic epidemic curve and was over in eight months. The much longer persistence of MERS‐CoV in the population, with a lower reproductive number, some evidence of human‐to‐human transmission but an otherwise sporadic pattern, is difficult to explain. Using available epidemiological data, we implemented mathematical models to explore the transmission dynamics of MERS‐CoV in the context of mass gatherings such as the Hajj pilgrimage, and found a discrepancy between the observed and expected epidemiology. The fact that no epidemic occurred in returning Hajj pilgrims in either 2012 or 2013 contradicts the long persistence of the virus in human populations. The explanations for this discrepancy include an ongoing, repeated nonhuman/sporadic source, a large proportion of undetected or unreported human‐to‐human cases, or a combination of the two. Furthermore, MERS‐CoV is occurring in a region that is a major global transport hub and hosts significant mass gatherings, making it imperative to understand the source and means of the yet unexplained and puzzling ongoing persistence of the virus in the human population.
A distributed graph based approach for rough classifications considering dominance relations between overlapping classes

Several data from real world applications involves overlapping classes. Data is allowed to belong to multiple classes with different membership degrees. In this paper, we explore a different concept characterizing social networks, documents, and most of biological and chemical datasets: data could have multiple classes, but dominant classes are better noticed than dominated classes. For example, a document could discuss economy and politics, but it would be more focused on politics. A molecule could have multiple odors, but experts could notice some odors better than others. We are interested in this type of data, where a dominance relation exists between classes. Experts could easily make mistakes because dominated classes are hardly noticed. Data incoherence is a serious problem but not the only one. There is too much irrelevant and redundant attributes. Unfortunately this increases the computational time of generating classifiers. Our first challenge is to find an adapted model to overlapping classes considering dominance relations. The second challenge is to find the most relevant attributes. Finally the third challenge is to ensure that the approach gives results in an acceptable time. We address those challenges by taking advantage of the rough set theory, which is suited for incoherent data and allows multiple classes and attributes selection. The proposed approach works in a parallel and decentralized way to reduce the computational time. We tested it on real chemical data and the collected results are very promising.
Epistasis Variance: Suitability of a Representation to Genetic Algorithms

The most problematic aspect in the application of a ge­ netic algorithm (GA) is the coding of the problem. In superficial applications, choosing a representation may appear simple. Yet it is really an art because the theory provides only partial directives and is not always fully applicable. Different representations incorporate varying degrees of nonlinearity among the representation elements. This interwoven nonlinearity is directly coupled with the representa­ tion and considerably affects the efficiency of a GA search. Both too much and too little nonlinearity detract from the relative efficiency of aGA. This paper suggests that measures to qualify the suitability of a representation to a GA search can be developed with the concept of epistasis (a biological term that states the amount of intrachromosome gene interaction) . By viewing the representation as a whole, being more than the sum of its composing parts, the discussion on epistasis in GAs reveals several fundamental features of GAs and leads to a unique mechanism for "spying" on the suitability of a representation to a GA.