Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bringing undergraduate students closer to a real-world information retrieval setting: methodology and resources

We describe a pilot experiment to update the program of an Information Retrieval course for Computer Science undergraduates. We have engaged the students in the development of a search engine from scratch, and they have been involved in the elaboration, also from scratch, of a complete test collection to evaluate their systems. With this methodology they get a whole vision of the Information Retrieval process as they would find it in a real-world setting, and their direct involvement in the evaluation makes them realize the importance of these laboratory experiments in Computer Science. We show that this methodology is indeed reliable and feasible, and so we plan on improving and keep using it in the next years, leading to a public repository of resources for Information Retrieval courses.
Implementation of solar time based sun tracking systems for mobile platforms and smart cities

Solar energy is slated to drive a sustainable future of clean and renewable energy sources. Efficient solar tracking is necessary to achieve acceptable power output per unit incident solar radiation from photovoltaic cells. This paper proposes a GPS based solar tracking system, which has been prototyped on the FRDM-KL25Z (based on the ARM Cortex M0+ MCU) platform by NXP. A significant part of the prototyping effort has been dedicated towards reducing the overall power consumption footprint of the system. To this end, the power saving Deep Sleep mode of the MCU has been fully exploited. The solution proposed has been found to be scalable, cost effective and energy efficient, which makes it viable for mounting on both mobile, as well as static platforms.
Uncertainty in estimates of HIV/AIDS: the estimation and application of plausibility bounds

Objectives: To establish the accuracy of the country specific estimates of HIV prevalence, incidence, and AIDS mortality published every 2 years by UNAIDS and WHO. Methods: We review sources of error in the data used to generate national HIV/AIDS and where possible estimate their statistical properties. We use numerical and approximate analytic methods to estimate the combined impact of these errors on HIV/AIDS estimates. Heuristic rules are then derived to produce plausible bounds about these estimates for countries with different types of epidemic and different qualities of surveillance system. Results: Although 95% confidence intervals (CIs) can be estimated for some sources of error, the sizes of other sources of error must be based on expert judgment. We therefore produce plausible bounds about HIV/AIDS estimates rather than statistical CIs. The magnitude of these bounds depends on the stage of the epidemic and the quality and coverage of the sentinel HIV surveillance system. The bounds for adult estimates are narrower than those for children, and those for prevalence are narrower than those for new infections. Conclusions: This paper presents a first attempt at a rigorous description of the errors associated with estimation of global statistics of an infectious disease. The proposed methods work well in countries with generalised epidemics (>1% adult HIV prevalence) where the quality of surveillance is good. Although methods have also been derived for countries with low level or concentrated epidemics, more data on the biases in the estimation process are required.
Variability in aphasia following subcortical hemorrhagic lesion

Background Vascular lesion of the subcortical structures leads to aphasia. Cortical hypoperfusion has been proposed to be the etiological mechanism in aphasia following subcortical vascular lesion. Subcortical aphasia shows considerable variability in its clinical profile. Such variability has been attributed to the variable sites of cortical hypoperfusion following ischemic lesion of the subcortical structures. Purpose This study investigated the variability in clinical aphasic profile following subcortical hemorrhagic lesion. Methods We retrospectively investigated the clinical aphasic profiles of twelve patients who reported to our hospital during a period of one year with subcortical hemorrhagic lesions. All patients underwent routine neurological examination, neuroimaging (CT/MRI) investigations and linguistic assessment. Results Eight patients exhibited lesion to the basal ganglia and four showed thalamic lesion. All of them showed considerable variability in their aphasic profile. Conclusion Subcortical hemorrhagic lesion leads to variability in aphasia. Variability in aphasia may be considered as an important consequence in subcortical vascular lesion. Observations from this study were suggestive of better preservation of, and when affected, faster recovery of comprehension skills.
Low-Loss and Low-Dispersion Transmission Line Over DC-to-THz Spectrum

Transmission lines or waveguides are the most fundamental building blocks of all electronic and photonic circuits and systems. Efforts have been made to incrementally evolve and improve existing transmission line structures to meet the increasingly stringent demands for signal transmission bandwidth and performance. However, a potentially revolutionary scheme or disruptive concept is required in support of future technological needs and bridging the gap between electronics and photonics. In this paper, we report on a fully integrated transmission line with simple structure that overcomes the long-standing bottleneck problems of high attenuation, strong dispersion, and low mode confinement in the guided-wave signal transmission from dc to terahertz (THz). This so-called mode-selective transmission line (MSTL) supports super-broadband and/or ultrafast pulse signal propagation, making it a disruptive solution for building future high-performance analog and digital integrated electronics and photonics. To demonstrate this scheme, an MSTL on fused silica substrate is designed, fabricated, and experimentally measured from near-dc to 0.5 THz, showing less than 0.35 dB/mm attenuation and low dispersion characteristics over the entire frequency range.
Word Representation Models for Morphologically Rich Languages in Neural Machine Translation

Out-of-vocabulary words present a great challenge for Machine Translation. Recently various character-level compositional models were proposed to address this issue. In current research we incorporate two most popular neural architectures, namely LSTM and CNN, into hard- and soft-attentional models of translation for character-level representation of the source. We propose semantic and morphological intrinsic evaluation of encoder-level representations. Our analysis of the learned representations reveals that character-based LSTM seems to be better at capturing morphological aspects compared to character-based CNN. We also show that hard-attentional model provides better character-level representations compared to vanilla one.
S-cone Visual Stimuli Activate Superior Colliculus Neurons in Old World Monkeys: Implications for Understanding Blindsight

The superior colliculus (SC) is thought to be unresponsive to stimuli that activate only short wavelength-sensitive cones (S-cones) in the retina. The apparent lack of S-cone input to the SC was recognized by Sumner et al. [Sumner, P., Adamjee, T. , & Mollon, J. D. Signals invisible to the collicular and magnocellular pathways can capture visual attention. Current Biology, 12, 1312–1316, 2002] as an opportunity to test SC function. The idea is that visual behavior dependent on the SC should be impaired when S-cone stimuli are used because they are invisible to the SC. The SC plays a critical role in blindsight. If the SC is insensitive to S-cone stimuli blindsight behavior should be impaired when S-cone stimuli are used. Many clinical and behavioral studies have been based on the assumption that S-cone-specific stimuli do not activate neurons in the SC. Our goal was to test whether single neurons in macaque SC respond to stimuli that activate only S-cones. Stimuli were calibrated psychophysically in each animal and at each individual spatial location used in experimental testing [Hall, N. J., & Colby, C. L. Psychophysical definition of S-cone stimuli in the macaque. Journal of Vision, 13, 2013]. We recorded from 178 visually responsive neurons in two awake, behaving rhesus monkeys. Contrary to the prevailing view, we found that nearly all visual SC neurons can be activated by S-cone-specific visual stimuli. Most of these neurons were sensitive to the degree of S-cone contrast. Of 178 visual SC neurons, 155 (87%) had stronger responses to a high than to a low S-cone contrast. Many of these neurons' responses (56/178 or 31%) significantly distinguished between the high and low S-cone contrast stimuli. The latency and amplitude of responses depended on S-cone contrast. These findings indicate that stimuli that activate only S-cones cannot be used to diagnose collicular mediation.
Phase transitions for edge-reinforced random walks on the half-line

We study the behaviour of a class of edge-reinforced random walks {on $\mathbb{Z}_+$}, with heterogeneous initial weights, where each edge weight can be updated only when the edge is traversed from left to right. We provide a description for different behaviours of this process and describe phase transitions that arise as trade-offs between the strength of the reinforcement and that of the initial weights. Our result aims to complete the ones given by Davis~\cite{Davis89, Davis90}, Takeshima~\cite{Takeshima00, Takeshima01} and Vervoort~\cite{Vervoort00}.
Host range and variability of calcium binding by surface loops in the capsids of canine and feline parvoviruses.

Canine parvovirus (CPV) emerged in 1978 as a host range variant of feline panleukopenia virus (FPV). This change of host was mediated by the mutation of five residues on the surface of the capsid. CPV and FPV enter cells by endocytosis and can be taken up by many non-permissive cell lines, showing that their host range and tissue specificity are largely determined by events occurring after cell entry. We have determined the structures of a variety of strains of CPV and FPV at various pH values and in the presence or absence of Ca(2+). The largest structural difference was found to occur in a flexible surface loop, consisting of residues 359 to 375 of the capsid protein. This loop binds a divalent calcium ion in FPV and is adjacent to a double Ca(2+)-binding site, both in CPV and FPV. Residues within the loop and those associated with the double Ca(2+)-binding site were found to be essential for virus infectivity. The residues involved in the double Ca(2+)-binding site are conserved only in FPV and CPV. Our results show that the loop conformation and the associated Ca(2+)-binding are influenced by the Ca(2+) concentration, as well as pH. These changes are correlated with the ability of the virus to hemagglutinate erythrocytes. The co-localization of hemagglutinating activity and host range determinants on the virus surface implies that these properties may be functionally linked. We speculate that the flexible loop and surrounding regions are involved in binding an as yet unidentified host molecule and that this interaction influences host range.
miR-19 promotes the proliferation of clear cell renal cell carcinoma by targeting the FRK–PTEN axis

Background The non-receptor tyrosine kinase Fyn-related kinase (FRK) has been reported to affect cell proliferation in several cancer types. However, its effect on the proliferation of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) remains largely unknown. Purpose The objective of this study was to investigate the expression pattern and function of FRK in ccRCC. We further determined how FRK interacted with other molecules to regulate ccRCC proliferation. Patients and methods The expression of FRK in ccRCC samples and paired normal renal tissues from 30 patients were analyzed by immunoblotting, immunohistochemistry and quantitative PCR. Then the role of FRK in ccRCC proliferation was analyzed by Cell Counting Kit-8, colony formation assay and EdU incorporation assay. In addition, the miRNA targeting FRK was predicted through a bioinformatic approach and validated by quantitative PCR, immunoblotting and luciferase reporter assay. Finally, the underlying mechanism of FRK regulation of ccRCC proliferation was also determined. Results Low expression of FRK was detected in ccRCC samples and predicted poor survival for ccRCC patients. FRK inhibited the proliferation of ccRCC cells via phosphorylating downstream PTEN. miR-19 was identified as a novel suppressor of FRK in renal cancer cells and it promoted the proliferation of ccRCC by inhibiting the FRK–PTEN axis. Conclusion Our results unravel a new regulatory mechanism involved in ccRCC proliferation and may be useful in the identification of therapeutic targets for ccRCC.
Sensitivity of managed boreal forests in Finland to climate change, with implications for adaptive management

This study investigated the sensitivity of managed boreal forests to climate change, with consequent needs to adapt the management to climate change. Model simulations representing the Finnish territory between 60 and 70° N showed that climate change may substantially change the dynamics of managed boreal forests in northern Europe. This is especially probable at the northern and southern edges of this forest zone. In the north, forest growth may increase, but the special features of northern forests may be diminished. In the south, climate change may create a suboptimal environment for Norway spruce. Dominance of Scots pine may increase on less fertile sites currently occupied by Norway spruce. Birches may compete with Scots pine even in these sites and the dominance of birches may increase. These changes may reduce the total forest growth locally but, over the whole of Finland, total forest growth may increase by 44%, with an increase of 82% in the potential cutting drain. The choice of appropriate species and reduced rotation length may sustain the productivity of forest land under climate change.
A Model of How the Basal Ganglia Generate and Use Neural Signals That Predict Reinforcement

This chapter contains sections titled: Introduction, Dopamine Neurons, Organization of Strtosomal Modules, Mechanism of Responsiveness to Predictors of Reinforcement, Correspondence with the Theory of Adaptive Critics, Learning to Predict Primary Reinforcement, Learning Earlier Predictors of Reinforcement, Relation to the Actor-Critic Architecture, More Realistic Assumptions, Summary, Acknowledgments, References
Effects of conifers on aspen-breeding bird communities in the Sierra Nevada

We examined bird-habitat relationships within and across a range of aspen habitats in four major watersheds in the eastern Sierra Nevada mountains of California and Nevada to identify habitat features of importance to aspen-breeding birds. Using point counts and vegetation assessments from 462 individual stations between 2001 and 2003 allowed us to investigate important habitat features at watershed and regional scales. Several trends were found: bird species richness and abundance were positively correlated with lower percent conifer cover, increased herbaceous cover, and lower shrub-class aspen cover. Dusky Flycatcher (Empidonax oberholseri) presence and abundance were positively correlated with increased percent shrub-class aspen cover and lower percent tree-class cover of all conifers or individual coniferous species. Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus) presence and abundance were positively correlated with increased percent tree-class aspen cover. The results suggest that mature aspen stands with healthy herbaceous communities and limited or no conifer intrusion are optimal habitats for aspen-breeding birds in the eastern Sierra Nevada. To maximize bird species richness and bird abundance, management actions in aspen stands should concentrate on conifer removal, where conditions warrant, and the promotion of a healthy herbaceous layer. Conservation planning for birds in aspen habitats of the Sierra Nevada is discussed.
Differences Between Elementary and Secondary School Teachers in Trinidad and Tobago on Teacher Self-Efficacy

The present study examined self-efficacy in 77 elementary and 146 secondary school teachers, most of whom were taking an educational psychology course at The University of the West Indies (UWI). Participants completed Gibson and Dembo's (1984) Teacher Efficacy Scale (TES), Bandura's (n.d.) Teacher Self-Efficacy Scale (TES), and two single items developed by researchers at the RAND Corporation. Elementary teachers reported higher levels at self-efficacy than did secondary teachers on all variables. TES and TSES subscale scores resulted in moderate to high internal consistency estimates, with the TSES scores having higher scores on average. TSES scores also had stronger intercorrelations than did TES scores or RAND items. Number of Years Teaching (NYT) was not related to self-efficacy, but a single global self-rating of teaching ability had moderate correlations with some efficacy variables. Future research should examine the factor structure of TSES scores and the potential of increasing the self-efficacy of secondary teachers through teacher training.
Identifying licensing of jar archives using a code-search approach

Free and open source software strongly promotes the reuse of source code. Some open source Java components/libraries are distributed as jar archives only containing the bytecode and some additional information. For whoever wanting to integrate this jar in her own project, it is important to determine the license(s) of the code from which the jar archive was produced, as this affects the way that such component can be used.
Understanding Fish Nutrition, Feeds, and Feeding

VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE AND STATE UNIVERSITY VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY Virginia Cooperative Extension programs and employment are open to all, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, veteran status, national origin, disability, or political affiliation. An equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia State University, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating. J. David Barrett, Director, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg; Lorenza W. Lyons, Administrator, 1890 Extension Program, Virginia State, Petersburg. VT/028/0402//420256 Introduction
Shared decision making: what do clinicians need to know and why should they bother?

TO THE EDITOR: The article by Hoffman and colleagues1 outlines the importance of fully involving people in decisions about their health care. There is an ethical imperative to ensure that both patients and the community obtain the best value possible from the resources that are used to provide health care. A low-technology intervention that can help meet the expectations for better value care should be warmly embraced. We now need to find practical ways to increase the use of shared decision making in routine practice. As Hoffman et al note, this will require concerted effort across the system. Health professionals need the skills required to use shared decision-making approaches. Professionals and patients need high-quality decision aids that can help identify patient preferences where there are multiple options for treatment. And there is clearly a need for research that measures the uptake and effects of shared decision making in specific clinical areas. In October 2014, the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care sponsored visits by two international experts in shared decision making, to explore what we can learn from overseas experience in this area. Professors Richard Thomson (Newcastle University, United Kingdom) and Dawn Stacey (University of Ottawa, Canada) led workshops that aimed to identify cost-effective ways of ensuring that high-quality patient decision aids are accessible, available and used in Australia. In the coming year, the Commission will be working with educational and consumer groups to develop content for an online risk communication training module for health professionals. We will also be undertaking work to develop and promote Further, many older people have cognitive impairment that does not allow a sufficiently sophisticated assessment of risk and benefit. In the clinical scenario provided in Hoffman et al, there was a single-system problem with good evidence. Even in this situation, I suspect that shared decision making would be challenging with a tired, distressed mother and a screaming child. We should also be mindful that shared decision making should not result in doctors abdicating responsibility for making difficult decisions.3
Anti-retroviral drugs compliance in intravenous and non intravenous drug abusers.

BACKGROUND Intravenous drug abuse is often associated with poor adherence to anti-retroviral drugs in HIV/AIDS. Very few studies in Pakistan have determined implications of intravenous drug abuse on anti-retroviral drug compliance in HIV/AIDS patients. The objectives of the study were to assess and compare the adherence to anti-retroviral drugs in intravenous drug users (IDUs) and non-intravenous drug users (NIDUs) and to determine various factors influencing the adherence to anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs in HIV positive IDUs in HIV treatment centre Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Islamabad. METHODS This descriptive observational study was carried out at HIV/AIDS treatment and care centre PIMS, Islamabad. A total of 162 HIV positive male (81 IDU and 81 NIDU) were enrolled in this study. They were followed over a period of five years from 2008-2012. ARV drug compliance and anti-tuberculosis treatment (ATT) outcome in IDUs and NIDUs were assessed using standard outcome parameters. RESULTS Among IDUs Hepatitis C was positive in 63 (77.77%) cases and negative in 18 (22.22%) cases. In NIDUs hepatitis C was positive in 5 (6.17%) and negative in 76 (93.82%) (p=0.000). In IDUs Pulmonary tuberculosis was present in 61 (75.30%) patients and in NIDUs it was present in 52 (64.19%) (p=0.171). Regarding ATT outcome, amongst IDUs 41 (50.61%) lost to follow up, 16 (19.75%) were compliant to treatment and 4 (4.93%) were transferred out. In NIDUs, 2 (2.46%) patients were lost to follow-up, 38 (46.91%) remained compliant to treatment and 6 (7.40%) were transferred out (p=0.000). Regarding end status of ARVs, in IDUs, 48 (59.25%) were lost to follow-up, 1 (1.23%) was defaulter, 16 (19.75%) were compliant to treatment, 8 (9.87%) were transferred out and 8 (9.87%) expired. In NIDUs, 73 (90.12%) were compliant to treatment, 5 (6.17%) expired, 2 (2.46%) were lost to follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Due to various socioeconomic and clinical factors, compliance to ARVs in IDUs is poorer as compared to NIDUs. The factors recognized are illiteracy, poor socioeconomic status, unemployment and various comorbidities (Hepatitis B, C and Tuberculosis) which are more prevalent in IDUs.
Gendered Sexuality over the Life Course: A Conceptual Framework

Despite increasing interest in gendered sexuality over the life course, a comprehensive conceptual model, applicable to all aspects of sexual life and incorporating recent developments in life course sociology, feminist theory, and sexuality studies, has yet to be elaborated. The model presented here posits that sexual beliefs and behaviors result from individuals' lifelong accumulation of advantageous and disadvantageous experiences, and adoption/rejection of sexual scripts, within socio-historical contexts. Women and men follow distinctive sexual trajectories insofar as they accrue gender-specific experiences and scripts and as their sexuality and gender trajectories intertwine. Empirical examples include virginity loss and involuntary celibacy, (de)coupling, and chronic illness/disability. The proposed framework helps explain the coexistence of differences and similarities among individuals and cohorts and holds particular promise for studying lifelong aspects of sexuality like agency and interest. It also suggests improvements on interactionist theory, conventional life course models, and the sexual scripting approach.