Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spike encoding for pattern recognition: Comparing cerebellum granular layer encoding and BSA algorithms

Spiking neural encoding models allow classification of real world tasks to suit for brain-machine interfaces in addition to serving as internal models. We developed a new spike encoding model inspired from cerebellum granular layer and tested different classification techniques like SVM, Naïve Bayes, MLP for training spiking neural networks to perform pattern recognition tasks on encoded datasets. As a precursor to spiking network-based pattern recognition, in this study, real world datasets were encoded into spike trains. The objective of this study was to encode information from datasets into spiking neuron patterns that were relevant for spiking neural networks and for conventional machine learning algorithms. In this initial study, we present a new approach similar to cerebellum granular layer encoding and compared it with BSA encoding techniques. We have also compared the efficiency of the encoded dataset with different datasets and with standard machine learning algorithms.
Socio-cultural factors in the development of anorexia nervosa

SYNOPSIS A population of professional dance (N = 183) and modelling (N = 56) students, who by career choice must focus increased attention and control over their body shapes, was studied. Height and weight data were obtained on all subjects. In addition, a questionnaire that is useful in assessing the symptoms of anorexia nervosa, the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT), was administered. Results of these tests were compared with those of normal female university students (N = 59), patients with anorexia nervosa (N = 68), and music students (N = 35). Anorexia nervosa and excessive dieting concerns were overrepresented in the dance and modelling students. Twelve cases (6·5%) of primary anexoria nervosa were detected in the dance group. All but one case developed the disorder while studying dance. Within the dance group those from the most competitive environments had the greatest frequency of anorexia nervosa. These data suggest that both pressures to be slim and achievement expectations are risk factors in the development of anorexia nervosa. The influence of socio-cultural determinants are discussed within the context of anorexia nervosa as a multidetermined disorder.
Development of large intestine endoscope changing its stiffness

Recently, the need of colonoscopy is increasing because of the rise of colonic disorder including cancer of the colon. However, current colonoscopy depends on doctor's skill strongly. Therefore, a large intestine endoscope which does not depend on the techniques of a doctor with high safety is required. In this research, we aim at development a novel large intestine endoscope which can change own stiffness partially and realize safe insertion without specific techniques. In this paper, we have developed a device which changes own stiffness and applying it to a prototype large intestine endoscope. The device consists of fiber-reinforced silicone rubber and is able to change its stiffness by air pressure. The effectiveness of this device was analyzed by nonlinear FEM (finite element method) and was confirmed experimentally. In addition, we developed a prototype of the large intestine endoscope changing its stiffness by linking some stiffness change devices and verified the effectiveness by fundamental insertion experiments in U-shaped route.
Crippling Violence: Conflict and Incident Polio in Afghanistan

Background Designing effective public health campaigns in areas of armed conflict requires a nuanced understanding of how violence impacts the epidemiology of the disease in question. Methods We examine the geographical relationship between violence (represented by the location of detonated Improvised Explosive Devices) and polio incidence by generating maps of IEDs and polio incidence during 2010, and by comparing the mean number of IED detonations in polio high-risk districts with non polio high-risk districts during 2004–2009. Results We demonstrate a geographic relationship between IED violence and incident polio. Districts that have high-risk for polio have highly statistically significantly greater mean numbers of IEDs than non polio high-risk districts (p-values 0.0010–0.0404). Conclusions The geographic relationship between armed conflict and polio incidence provides valuable insights as to how to plan a vaccination campaign in violent contexts, and allows us to anticipate incident polio in the regions of armed conflict. Such information permits vaccination planners to engage interested armed combatants to co-develop strategies to mitigate the effects of violence on polio.
Subjective Well-Being and Individual Material Situation in Four Countries of Central Europe

Subjective Well-Being and Individual Material Situation in Four Countries of Central Europe. This article deals with the subjective well-being (SWB) and its association with subjective and objective measures of individual material conditions in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia. Material conditions are measured by the level of income; relative income approximated by subjective evaluation of one’s own financial situation as compared to most people, as well as to one’s own past financial situation; subjective economic strain; financial problems; ability to afford selected items and housing defects. The statistical analysis is based on data sourced from the third and fourth wave of the European Quality of Life Study. The results show that a better material situation as approximated by the given variables is associated with improved SWB in the Czech Republic and Poland. In Hungary, people in high-income groups are not on average happier and more satisfied with their lives than people in low-income groups, and people who are able to make ends meet are not on average happier and more satisfied than those who are unable. In Slovakia, people in high-income groups are not on average more satisfied with their lives than people in low-income groups, and people evaluating their financial situation favourably as compared to most people in their country are not on average happier and more satisfied with their lives than people evaluating it as worse. The subjective financial situation relative to most people and the subjective economic strain seem to be especially important factors. Sociológia 2018, Vol. 50 (No. 6: 727-759) https://doi.org/10.31577/sociologia.2018. 50.6. 27
Are Household Portfolios Efficient? An Analysis Conditional on Housing

Standard tests of portfolio efficiency neglect the existence of illiquid wealth. The most important illiquid asset in household portfolios is housing: if housing stock adjustments are infrequent, optimal portfolios in periods of no adjustment are affected by housing price risk through a hedge term and tests for portfolio efficiency of financial assets must be run conditionally upon housing wealth. We use Italian household portfolio data and time series on financial assets and housing stock returns to assess whether actual portfolios are efficient. We find that housing wealth plays a key role in determining whether portfolios chosen by home-owners are efficient.
FIQT: a simple, powerful method to accurately estimate effect sizes in genome scans

Genome scans, including both genome-wide association studies and deep sequencing, continue to discover a growing number of significant association signals for various traits. However, often variants meeting genome-wide significance criteria explain far less of the overall trait variance than “sub-threshold” association signals. To extract these sub-threshold signals, there is a need for methods which accurately estimate the mean of all (normally-distributed) test-statistics from a genome scan (i.e., Z-scores). This is currently achieved by the difficult procedures of adjusting all Z-score statistics for “winner’s curse” (multiple testing). Given that multiple testing adjustments are much simpler for p-values, we propose a method for estimating Z-scores means by i) first adjusting their p-values for multiple testing and then ii) transforming the adjusted p-values to upper tail Z-scores with the sign of the original statistics. Because a False Discovery Rate (FDR) procedure is used for multiple testing adjustment, we denote this method FDR Inverse Quantile Transformation (FIQT). When compared to competitors, e.g. Empirical Bayes (including proposed improvements), FIQT is more i) accurate and ii) computationally efficient by orders of magnitude. Its accuracy advantage is substantial at larger sample sizes and/or moderate numbers of association signals. Practical application of FIQT to Z-scores from the first Psychiatric Genetic Consortium (PGC) schizophrenia predicts a non-trivial fraction of the significant signal regions from the subsequent published PGC schizophrenia studies. Finally, we suggest that FIQT might be i) used to improve subject level risk prediction and ii) further improved by modelling the noncentrality of statistics.
ZNF385B and VEGFA Are Strongly Differentially Expressed in Serous Ovarian Carcinomas and Correlate with Survival

Background The oncogenesis of ovarian cancer is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to identify mRNAs differentially expressed between moderately and poorly differentiated (MD/PD) serous ovarian carcinomas (SC), serous ovarian borderline tumours (SBOT) and superficial scrapings from normal ovaries (SNO), and to correlate these mRNAs with clinical parameters including survival. Methods Differences in mRNA expression between MD/PD SC, SBOT and SNO were analyzed by global gene expression profiling (n = 23), validated by RT-qPCR (n = 41) and correlated with clinical parameters. Results Thirty mRNAs differentially expressed between MD/PD SC, SBOT and SNO were selected from the global gene expression analyses, and 21 were verified (p<0.01) by RT-qPCR. Of these, 13 mRNAs were differentially expressed in MD/PD SC compared with SNO (p<0.01) and were correlated with clinical parameters. ZNF385B was downregulated (FC = −130.5, p = 1.2×10−7) and correlated with overall survival (p = 0.03). VEGFA was upregulated (FC = 6.1, p = 6.0×10−6) and correlated with progression-free survival (p = 0.037). Increased levels of TPX2 and FOXM1 mRNAs (FC = 28.5, p = 2.7×10−10 and FC = 46.2, p = 5.6×10−4, respectively) correlated with normalization of CA125 (p = 0.03 and p = 0.044, respectively). Furthermore, we present a molecular pathway for MD/PD SC, including VEGFA, FOXM1, TPX2, BIRC5 and TOP2A, all significantly upregulated and directly interacting with TP53. Conclusions We have identified 21 mRNAs differentially expressed (p<0.01) between MD/PD SC, SBOT and SNO. Thirteen were differentially expressed in MD/PD SC, including ZNF385B and VEGFA correlating with survival, and FOXM1 and TPX2 with normalization of CA125. We also present a molecular pathway for MD/PD SC.
Teachers' Perceptions for Problematic Student Behaviors: Examination According to Teachers' Burnout Situations.

In this study, it was investigated the behaviors of primary and secondary school students were perceived as problematic by teachers and whether or not teachers' burnout situations are influencing this perception. 188 teachers which of 112 females (60%) and 76 males (40%) constituted the sample group. Maslach Burnout Inventory and a short questionnaire form were used for data collection. It has been shown that the decrease in the level of burnout of teachers leads them to be more sensitive to their students and to prefer more constructive and humanist methods to correct the behaviors of the students they perceive as problematic. It was also found that the increase in the burnout level of the teachers led to more disciplinary attitudes towards the students. Article visualizations:
International Journal of Hospitality Management the Impact of Csr on Casino Employees' Organizational Trust, Job Satisfaction, and Customer Orientation: an Empirical Examination of Responsible Gambling Strategies

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has emerged as a critical philosophy and a strategy that affects both internal (i.e., employee) and external (i.e., customer) attitudes. The importance of CSR extends to the casino industry, especially when it pertains to compulsory and supplementary responsible gambling (RG) strategies. To this end, this study surveys casino employees in South Korea to examine the impact of CSR on casino employees' organizational trust, job satisfaction, and customer orientation. Results indicate that legal CSR and supplementary RG have a positive effect on organizational trust, whereas compulsory RG strategies have a negative effect on organizational trust. Also, it appears that organizational trust positively influences job satisfaction, which in turn has a positive effect on customer orientation. In building off of these findings, this study provides practical implications for casino managers when implementing CSR and RG strategies.
Surgical Management of Spontaneous Ruptured Hepatocellular Adenoma

AIMS Spontaneous ruptured hepatocellular adenoma (SRHA) is a rare life-threatening condition that may require surgical treatment to control hemorrhaging and also stabilize the patient. We report a series of emergency surgeries performed at our institution for this condition. METHODS We reviewed medical records and radiology files of 28 patients (from 1989 to 2006) with a proven diagnosis of hepatocellular adenoma (HA). Three (10.7%) of 28 patients had spontaneous ruptured hepatocellular adenoma, two of which were associated with intrahepatic hemorrhage while one had intraperitoneal bleeding. Two patients were female and one was male. Both female patients had a background history of oral contraceptive use. Sudden abdominal pain associated with hemodynamic instability occurred in all patients who suffered from spontaneous ruptured hepatocellular adenoma. The mean age was 41.6 years old. The preoperative assessment included liver function tests, ultrasonography and computed tomography. RESULTS The surgical approaches were as follows: right hemihepatectomy for controlling intraperitoneal bleeding, and right extended hepatectomy and non-anatomic resection of the liver for intrahepatic hemorrhage. There were no deaths, and the postoperative complications were bile leakage and wound infection (re-operation), as well as intraperitoneal abscess (re-operation) and pleural effusion. CONCLUSION Spontaneous ruptured hepatocellular adenoma may be treated by surgery for controlling hemorrhages and stabilizing the patient, and the decision to operate depends upon both the patient’s condition and the expertise of the surgical team.
International Evidence on Analyst Stock Recommendations, Valuations, and Returns

This is the first large study to examine the relation between analysts’ stock recommendations, earnings forecasts, and future excess stock returns in an international context. We first document that some of the peculiar findings established in the U.S. extend to other countries where individual investor participation in the stock market is high (especially when Japan is excluded from the sample). Specifically, we find that analysts’ recommendations relate positively to simple heuristics but negatively to more rigorous residual income valuation estimates (scaled by price). Furthermore, residual income valuation estimates relate positively to future returns, indicating their usefulness to investors, while analysts’ recommendations and heuristics relate negatively to future stock returns. In contrast, in countries with low investor participation rates, these peculiar findings are less observable. In these countries, analysts appear to rely relatively more on residual income valuation estimates in setting their recommendations, and these recommendations relate positively to future returns. The overall results are consistent with analysts’ recommendations being influenced by economic incentives other than identifying mispriced stocks in countries with high investor participation rates, substantiating puzzling results in the U.S.
Nonconforming tetrahedral finite elements for fourth order elliptic equations

This paper is devoted to the construction of nonconforming finite elements for the discretization of fourth order elliptic partial differential operators in three spatial dimensions. The newly constructed elements include two nonconforming tetrahedral finite elements and one quasi-conforming tetrahedral element. These elements are proved to be convergent for a model bi-harmonic equation in three dimensions. In particular, the quasi-conforming tetrahedron element is a modified Zienkiewicz element, while the nonmodified Zienkiewicz element (a tetrahedral element of Hermite type) is proved to be divergent on a special grid.
‘You cunts can do as you like’: the obscenity and absurdity of free speech to Blackfullas

ABSTRACT In the same year that Adam Goodes quit the game of AFL, soprano and composer Deborah Cheetham refused to sing the Australian National Anthem at the AFL Grand Final because she could not bear to sing the words ‘for we are young and free’. In this article, we examine why the act of singing about being ‘free’ would be both absurd and obscene for Blackfullas in Australia. Engaging with the songs of Black people, locally and globally, we reveal the fiction of free speech and freedom for all and the interests those fictions serve. Abbreviations: AFL: Australian Football League; AO: Officer of the Order of Australia; CMC: Crime and Misconduct Commission; RCIADIC: The Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody
Harry Blanchard Nancy Bryant Linda Chase Pat Chrosniak Valerie Croll David Dunning Linda Fielding Dan Foertsch Ramona Hao Patricia Herman Jennifer Hughes Barbara Hunter Steve Levine Margie Leys

The sight vocabularies of above and below average readers in the second through fifth grades were assessed by having them read a frequency-graduated series of irregularly spelled words with and without context. With or without context the number of correctly read words varied directly and strongly with reading ability. However, when adjusted for the ability to recognize words in isolation, use of context did not appear to vary with overall reading proficiency. Practical applications of the tasks as well as theoretical implications of their results are discussed.
From a Distance : Implications of Spontaneous Self-Distancing for Adaptive Self-Reflection

Although recent experimental work indicates that self-distancing facilitates adaptive self-reflection, it remains unclear (a) whether spontaneous self-distancing leads to similar adaptive outcomes, (b) how spontaneous self-distancing relates to avoidance, and (c) how this strategy impacts interpersonal behavior. Three studies examined these issues demonstrating that the more participants spontaneously selfdistanced while reflecting on negative memories, the less emotional (Studies 1–3) and cardiovascular (Study 2) reactivity they displayed in the short term. Spontaneous self-distancing was also associated with lower emotional reactivity and intrusive ideation over time (Study 1). The negative association between spontaneous self-distancing and emotional reactivity was mediated by how participants construed their experience (i.e., less recounting relative to reconstruing) rather than avoidance (Studies 1–2). In addition, spontaneous self-distancing was associated with more problem-solving behavior and less reciprocation of negativity during conflicts among couples in ongoing relationships (Study 3). Although spontaneous self-distancing was empirically related to trait rumination, it explained unique variance in predicting key outcomes.
Ranger Pink: Perempuan Pekerja Tambang di Antara Dua Dunia

Ranger pink is the term used to refer to women who works to operate dump truck in mining area of Sorowako. Despite the fact that operating dump truck is a hardwork since it operates a big equipment in open space area and sometimes in a night shift, women get involved in such kind of work, and called ranger pink. This article aims to explore how ranger pink manage to live their two completely different world, at work and at home. It was discovered that recruitment process, working activities, as well as working shift are genderless. However, the company has specific policy in regard to women which deal with their reproductive health and facilities for ranger pink who are in the night shift work. Working as ranger pink has given significant change in their life. The family pays more attention to ranger pink, they get involved in the decision making in the family, they can help the family economically, and increase social status of the family. Ranger pink try to balance between her work and her domestic activites with the help of the husband and/or other members of the family. In spite of the fact that ranger pink are welcome by their male dump truck operator, they are also criticised in participating in such work, and suggesting to have other ‘normal work’ for women. Ranger pink are also criticised by the surrounding community because of their participation in such kind of work, especially because their best place is at home to take care of their children. Therefore, women are to be blamed when something happen to children.
Adaptive confidence and adaptive curiosity

Much of the recent research on adaptive neuro-control and reinforcement learning focusses on systems with adaptivèworld models'. Previous approaches, however, do not address the problem of modelling the reliability of the world model's predictions in uncertain environments. Furthermore, with previous approaches usually some ad-hoc method (like random search) is used to train the world model to predict future environmental inputs from previous inputs and control outputs of the system. This paper introduces ways for modelling the reliability of the outputs of adaptive predictors, and it describes more sophisticated and sometimes more ecient methods for their adaptive construction by on-line state space exploration: For instance, a 4-network reinforcement learning system is described which tries to maximize the expectation of the temporal derivative of the adaptive assumed reliability of future predictions. The system is`curious' in the sense that it actively tries to provoke situations for which it learned to expect to learn something about the environment. An experiment with an articial non-deterministic environment demonstrates that the method can be faster than the conventional model-building strategy. Much of the recent research on adaptive neuro-control and reinforcement learning focusses on systems with sub-modules that learn to predict inputs from the environment. These sub-modules often are calledàdaptive world models'; they are useful for a whole variety of control tasks. For instance, Werbos' and Jordan's architectures for neuro-control [16][3] contain an adaptive world model in form of a back-propagation module (the model network) which is trained to predict the next input, given the current input and the current output of an adaptive control network. The model network allows to compute error gradients for the controller outputs. This is essential, since with typical adaptive neuro-control tasks there is no teacher who provides desired controller outputs. There is only a desired environmental input. Extensions of this approach (e.g. [11]) rely on the same basic principles. Sutton's `DYNA-systems' [13] use adaptive world models for limiting the number of`real-world experiences' necessary to solve certain reinforcement learning tasks. There are at least two important problems with all of these approaches that have not been addressed so far: 1. Previous model-building control systems are not well-suited for uncertain non-deterministic environments. In particular, they do not model the reliability of the predictions of the adaptive world models. Therefore, if credit assignment for the controller is based on the assumption of a correct world model, unexpected results may be obtained. 2. Previous model-building control …