Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evolino for recurrent support vector machines

Traditional Support Vector Machines (SVMs) need pre-wired finite time windows to predict and classify time series. They do not have an internal state necessar y to deal with sequences involving arbitrary long-term dependencies. Here we introduce a new class of recurrent, truly sequential SVM-like devices with internal adaptive states, trained by a novel method called EVOlution of systems with KErnel-based outputs (Evoke), an instance of the recent Evolino class of methods [1, 2]. Evoke evolves recurrent neural networks to detect and represent temporal dependencies while using quadratic programming/support vector regression to produce precise outputs, in contrast t o our recent work [1, 2] which instead uses pseudoinverse regression. Evoke is the first SVM-based mechanis m learning to classify a context-sensitive language. It also outperforms recent state-of-the-art gra dient-based recurrent neural networks (RNNs) on various time series prediction tasks.
The Effectiveness of Hardiness Training on Test Anxiety

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of hardiness training on test anxiety of first-grade female students of high schools in Tehran. Method: for this purpose sixty students, were selected by multistep cluster sampling method. Tools of study were Sarason Test Anxiety Scale (S.TAS) and Hardiness Training. Results: The results indicated that the test anxiety rate of students who received hardiness training was significantly lower than test anxiety of students who did not. Discussion: Hardiness training is effective in decreasing student test anxiety.
Le développement agricole du Sud-Mali face au désengagement de l'État

Dans la perspective de sa privatisation, la Compagnie malienne de developpement des textiles (CMDT) recentre depuis quelques annees ses interventions autour des seules activites avales de la filiere coton. Pourtant, les profondes transformations qu’a connues l’agriculture du Mali-Sud au cours des dernieres decennies attestent de l’interet des multiples fonctions assurees par la societe : le credit agricole a facilite la mise en œuvre d’une veritable revolution agricole (l’agriculture sur abattis-brulis cedant la place a la culture continue grâce a une etroite association avec l’elevage) ; l’ouverture de pistes a permis a certaines exploitations d’initier de nouvelles cultures commerciales. Les evolutions recentes posent donc la question de la prise en charge des fonctions de services publics (financement, entretien des infrastructures, gestion des ressources naturelles.) que la CMDT s’apprete a delaisser. Les besoins des agriculteurs dans ce domaine sont encore nombreux et l’on peut douter de la capacite du secteur prive ou des organisations de producteurs a y repondre.
Investing in Talents: Manager Characteristics and Hedge Fund Performances

Abstract Using a large sample of hedge fund manager characteristics, we provide one of the first comprehensive studies on the impact of manager characteristics, such as education and career concern, on hedge fund performances. We document differential ability among hedge fund managers in either generating risk-adjusted returns or running hedge funds as a business. In particular, we find that managers from higher-SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) undergraduate institutions tend to have higher raw and risk-adjusted returns, more inflows, and take fewer risks. Unlike mutual funds, we find a rather symmetric relation between hedge fund flows and past performance, and that hedge fund flows do not have a significant negative impact on future performance.
Reinvigorating Multicultural Education Through Youth Participatory Action Research

This article explores youth participatory action research as a promising instructional practice with the potential to reverse the depoliticizing and “softening” of multicultural education. It demonstrates how, with its explicit commitment to action, youth participatory action research can help to improve the educational experiences and outcomes for youth traditionally underserved by schools.
Demographic and Sociocultural Factors Influencing Contraceptive Use in Uganda

Summary Bivariate and multivariate analyses of the influence of demographic and sociocultural factors on contraceptive knowledge, attitudes and practice among currently married respondents in Uganda show that: (1) contraceptive knowledge is widespread, even among women with no education; (ii) the majority of the respondents have favourable attitudes towards contraceptive use; (iii) the level of contraceptive use is low in comparison with knowledge and attitudes. Post-primary education, ethnicity, residence, the presence of the spouse in the household and discussion of family planning with spouse were strong predictors of knowledge and favourable attitudes towards contraception. Secondary or higher education, discussion of family planning with spouse and urban residence strongly influenced contraceptive use, but child mortality did not. The use of condoms as a behavioural change to avoid contracting HIV/AIDS was low. The results suggest that, particularly in rural areas, family planning services are not meeting the needs of potential clients.
Brain dopamine transporter messenger RNA and binding sites in cocaine users: a postmortem study.

BACKGROUND Results of recent radioligand binding experiments suggest that chronic cocaine exposure increases dopamine transporter (DAT) synthesis throughout the striatum of humans. However, detection of cocaine binding site increases in animals and humans has varied depending on the radioligand used. The present experiment tested the hypothesis in cocaine-using humans that synthesis of midbrain DAT messenger RNA increases parallel with increased striatal DAT binding sites. METHODS Striatal and midbrain samples were collected during autopsy examination from human cocaine users (n = 34) and from age-, sex-, and race-matched control subjects (n = 36). Levels of DAT messenger RNA were quantified in the medial and lateral midbrain regions using in situ hybridization, and striatal DAT binding sites were assessed by quantitative autoradiography using the DAT-specific radioligand [3H]WIN 35428. RESULTS Striatal DAT binding sites were markedly increased in cocaine users, but, paradoxically, medial DAT messenger RNA levels were decreased. CONCLUSION Cocaine exposure has a marked effect on DAT function, but the mechanisms involved may be complex.
A Faceted Classification Scheme for Change-Based Industrial Code Review Processes

Code review in the industry today is different to code review twenty years ago. The process has become more lightweight, reviews are performed frequently and change-based and the use of specialized tools is increasing. An accurate view of the current state of the industrial practice is an indispensable foundation for improving it. Most recent descriptions of review practices come from a limited population of large hightech companies. Therefore, we used interviews with software engineering professionals from a broad sample of 19 companies to gain insight into their code review practices. We augmented our findings with data for 11 companies found through a semisystematic literature review. There are many commonalities in the code review processes of these companies, but also a lot of variation in the details. A simple process taxonomy cannot describe these variations adequately. Therefore, we present a faceted classification scheme that is grounded in our observations.
Difficulty and burden experienced by principal family caregivers of people with intellectual disabilities in Hong Kong

We attempted to depict the characteristics of the difficulty and burden experienced by people caring for a family member with mental retardation in Hong Kong and to determine whether caregiving difficulty and burden should be conceptualized as unidimensional or multidimensional concepts. The Caregiving Difficulty Scale (CDS) and Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI) were administered to 992 primary caregivers recruited from 63 service units of eight local nongovernmental organizations across all districts of Hong Kong. The factor analyses of the CDS and CBI items resulted in multiple-factor rather than single-factor models, and there were significant differences between the factor scores for both the CDS and CBI. In particular, physical caring was perceived to be significantly more challenging than social caring and daily caring. Similarly, time-dependence burden was more severe than developmental, physical, social and emotional burden. Moreover, the factor scores of the CDS and CBI were differentially modulated by the types of social services that the participants received. The overall findings highlight the importance of conceptualizing caregiver burden as a multidimensional construct in both clinical research and practice.
A SIR model for spread of dengue fever disease (simulation for South Sulawesi, Indonesia and Selangor, Malaysia)

In this paper, we study a system of differential equations that models the population dynamics of Susceptible, Infected, and Removed (SIR) vector transmission of dengue fever. The model studied re-breeding value based on the number of reported cases of dengue fever in South Sulawesi, Indonesia and Selangor, Malaysia. Using the SIR model and based on the rate of infection of humans, the spread of the dengue virus in both countries reached maximum levels in only a very short time. Theoretical and empirical calculations using the model were found to be suitable, and application of the SIR model showed similarities between the countries. However, the SIR model simulation indicated that dengue fever has not become endemic in either country.
Exploring culture from a distance: the utility of telephone interviews in qualitative research

Qualitative studies that utilize telephone interviews, as a primary data collection mode, often are not discussed in the qualitative research literature. Data excerpts from a study that sought to understand the culture of for‐profit universities are used to illustrate the types of data that can be garnered through telephone interviews. In addition, the author discusses conceptual notions of culture and shows how the use of cultural interviews aided the data collection process. The article closes by considering the extent to which qualitative telephone interviews can render ‘high‐quality’ data that can allow for an accurate depiction of culture.
Design, Fabrication, Simulation and Characterization of a Novel Dual-Sided Microelectrode Array for Deep Brain Recording and Stimulation

In this paper, a novel dual-sided microelectrode array is specially designed and fabricated for a rat Parkinson’s disease (PD) model to study the mechanisms of deep brain stimulation (DBS). The fabricated microelectrode array can stimulate the subthalamic nucleus and simultaneously record electrophysiological information from multiple nuclei of the basal ganglia system. The fabricated microelectrode array has a long shaft of 9 mm and each planar surface is equipped with three stimulating sites (diameter of 100 μm), seven electrophysiological recording sites (diameter of 20 μm) and four sites with diameter of 50 μm used for neurotransmitter measurements in future work. The performances of the fabricated microelectrode array were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry. In addition, the stimulating effects of the fabricated microelectrode were evaluated by finite element modeling (FEM). Preliminary animal experiments demonstrated that the designed microelectrode arrays can record spontaneous discharge signals from the striatum, the subthalamic nucleus and the globus pallidus interna. The designed and fabricated microelectrode arrays provide a powerful research tool for studying the mechanisms of DBS in rat PD models.
Incorporating Genotype Uncertainty into Mark–Recapture‐Type Models For Estimating Abundance Using DNA Samples

Summary Sampling DNA noninvasively has advantages for identifying animals for uses such as mark–recapture modeling that require unique identification of animals in samples. Although it is possible to generate large amounts of data from noninvasive sources of DNA, a challenge is overcoming genotyping errors that can lead to incorrect identification of individuals. A major source of error is allelic dropout, which is failure of DNA amplification at one or more loci. This has the effect of heterozygous individuals being scored as homozygotes at those loci as only one allele is detected. If errors go undetected and the genotypes are naively used in mark–recapture models, significant overestimates of population size can occur. To avoid this it is common to reject low‐quality samples but this may lead to the elimination of large amounts of data. It is preferable to retain these low‐quality samples as they still contain usable information in the form of partial genotypes. Rather than trying to minimize error or discarding error‐prone samples we model dropout in our analysis. We describe a method based on data augmentation that allows us to model data from samples that include uncertain genotypes. Application is illustrated using data from the European badger (Meles meles).
Distinct Structural Features of G Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinase 5 (GRK5) Regulate Its Nuclear Localization and DNA-Binding Ability

G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs) act to desensitize G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). In addition to this role at the plasma membrane, a nuclear function for GRK5, a member of the GRK4 subfamily of GRKs, has been reported. GRK5 phosphorylates and promotes the nuclear export of the histone deacetylase, HDAC5. Here we demonstrate that the possession of a nuclear localization sequence (NLS) is a common feature of GRK4 subfamily members (GRKs 4, 5 and 6). However, the location of the NLS and the ability of these GRKs to bind DNA in vitro are different. The NLSs of GRK5 and 6 bind DNA in vitro, whilst the NLS of GRK4 does not. Using mutants of GRK5 we identify the regions of GRK5 required for DNA-binding in vitro and nuclear localization in cells. The DNA-binding ability of GRK5 requires both the NLS and an N-terminal calmodulin (CaM)-binding site. A functional nuclear export sequence (NES), required for CaM-dependent nuclear export of the kinase, is also identified. Based on our observations we propose a model to explain how nuclear localization of GRK5 may be regulated. Notably, the nuclear localization of GRK5 and 6 is differentially regulated. These results suggest subfamily specific nuclear functions for the GRK4 subfamily members. Identification of GRK specific small molecule inhibitors of nuclear localization and/or function for the GRK4 subfamily may thus be an achievable goal.
Use of surface electromyography for human amplification using an exoskeleton driven by artificial pneumatic muscles

Robotics for rehabilitation and human amplification is imminent to become part of our daily life. The juxtaposition of human control capability and machine mechanical power offers a promising solution for human assistance and force enhancement. This paper presents an alternative and simple exoskeleton Human-Machine Interface (HMI) for human strength and endurance amplification using a modified version of the Hill-type muscle. Pneumatic Artificial Muscles (PAM) are used as actuators for its high power-to-weight ratio. Genetic Algorithms (GA) approach locally optimizes the control model parameters for the assistive device using muscle surface electromyography (sEMG). The proposed methodology offers advantages such as: reducing the number of electrodes needed to monitor the muscles, decreases the real-time processing effort, which is necessary for embedded implementation and portability, and brings the HMI to a neural level.
Effects of Chronic Ethanol Consumption and Withdrawal on the Neuroactive Steroid 3α‐Hydroxy‐5α‐pregnan‐20‐one in Male and Female Rats

Prolonged alcohol (ethanol) consumption leads to the development of alcohol tolerance and cross-tolerance to some benzodiazepines and barbiturates. In contrast, rats undergoing alcohol withdrawal are sensitized to the anticonvulsant effects of the endogenous GABA(A) receptor modulator, 3alpha-hydroxy-5alpha-pregnan-20-one (3alpha,5alpha-THP). Alterations in endogenous, cerebral cortical levels of 3alpha,5alpha-THP during alcohol withdrawal could contribute to the observed sensitization to 3alpha,5alpha-THP. Therefore, this study investigated plasma and brain levels of 3alpha,5alpha-THP, progesterone, and corticosterone during alcohol dependence and withdrawal in the rat. Plasma corticosterone, progesterone (a precursor of 3alpha,5alpha-THP) and 3alpha,5alpha-THP levels were unchanged in alcohol-dependent animals. Cerebral cortical levels of 3alpha,5alpha-THP decreased in dependent male animals, but not in dependent female rats. During alcohol withdrawal, plasma corticosterone and progesterone levels increased in male, but not female rats. However, neither plasma nor cerebral cortical 3alpha,5alpha-THP levels were altered from control levels in male or female rats during alcohol withdrawal. Plasma and brain levels of 3alpha,5alpha-THP were markedly higher in female compared with male rats. Cerebral cortical levels of 3alpha,5alpha-THP during the diestrus phase of the estrus cycle were approximately 4 to 6 ng/g, a concentration that may approach physiological relevance. These findings suggest that sensitization to 3alpha,5alpha-THP during alcohol withdrawal is not mediated by elevations in brain levels of endogenous 3alpha,5alpha-THP in male or female rats. However, elevations in circulating corticosterone and progesterone levels during ethanol withdrawal in male rats may underlie gender differences in allopregnanolone sensitivity during ethanol withdrawal.
Official Statistics on Religion: Protestant Under-Reporting in Nineteenth-Century French Censuses

As illustrated by the example of the French Protestants, the religious statistics produced by the four censuses held in France from 1851 to 1872 must be taken with great caution. Curiously, in 1851, the distribution of religious denominations by département was not published, due to unspecified "considerations of a particular nature". The question on religion was then removed from the 1856 census before reappearing in 1861, the census administrators noting with satisfaction that the "quite severe" difficulties encountered in 1851 had by that time disappeared. The stability of the Reformed population count as published, the differences between the enumeration of the urban Protestant population in 1851 and the figures given by local sources, its rapid growth over the subsequent period and the fact that the Reformed population numbers published for this census correspond precisely to the minimum required to justify the number of pastors remunerated by the state under the Concordat suggest that Protestant numbers may have been substantially under-reported. The state may have adjusted the number obtained in 1851 to stave off the threat of politico-religious problems. Under-reporting then decreased from 1861, with a delay of several years in Paris.
Decoding q-ary lattices in the Lee metric

Q-ary lattices can be obtained from q-ary codes using the so-called Construction A. We investigate these lattices in the Lee metric and show how their decoding process can be related to the associated codes. For prime q we derive a Lee sphere decoding algorithm for q-ary lattices, present a brief discussion on its complexity and some comparisons with the classic sphere decoding.
GLOBALIZAÇÃO, INFORMALIDADE E REGULAÇÃO EM CIDADES LATINO-AMERICANAS

O texto procura identificar e comparar, em algumas metropoles latino-americanas, a manifestacao de processos recentes e simultâneos: termino de regimes militares autoritarios, democratizacao e descentralizacao politico-administrativa, reestruturacao economica e desregulamentacao, ao lado de uma historica e crescente irregularidade, informalidade e precarizacao do espaco urbano. Observam-se, nos diferentes paises, similitudes dos impactos e das reacoes a esses processos, particularmente na esfera local – municipal e metropolitana. A partir desse quadro, reflete sobre identidades e sobre os padroes urbano-ambientais presentes nessas cidades.
Genetic Dissection of Transcriptional Regulation in Budding Yeast

To begin to understand the genetic architecture of natural variation in gene expression, we carried out genetic linkage analysis of genomewide expression patterns in a cross between a laboratory strain and a wild strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Over 1500 genes were differentially expressed between the parent strains. Expression levels of 570 genes were linked to one or more different loci, with most expression levels showing complex inheritance patterns. The loci detected by linkage fell largely into two categories: cis-acting modulators of single genes and trans-acting modulators of many genes. We found eight such trans-acting loci, each affecting the expression of a group of 7 to 94 genes of related function.
Curriculum development for digital libraries

The Virginia Tech Department of Computer Science (VT CS) and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Information and Library Science (UNC SILS) have launched a curriculum development project in the area of digital libraries. Educational resources would be developed based on the ACM/IEEE-CS computing curriculum 2001. Lesson plans and modules would be developed in a variety of areas (that cover the topics of papers and conference sessions in the field), evaluated by experts in those areas, and then pilot tested in CS and LIS courses. An analysis of papers on digital library-related topics from several corpora was performed, to identify the areas in which more and less work has already been performed on these topics; this analysis would guide the initial stages of this curriculum development
Deciding to Cooperate in Northern Ghana: Trust as an Evolutionary Constraint Across Cultural Diversity

Abstract The upper-east and northern regions of Ghana offers a unique opportunity to study the influence of evolutionary social dynamics in making cooperation possible, despite cultural differences. These regions are occupied by several distinct ethnic groups, in interaction, such as the Kussasi, Mamprusi, Bimoba, Konkomba, and Fulani. We will report our fieldwork related to how cooperation takes places there, both within each group and among people from the different groups. Methods included personal networks of cooperation (ego networks), interviews and analysis of group contexts. The most important result is that, while each ethnic group may differ in terms of family and clan structure, a similar pattern can be found in all of them, of cooperation structured around small groups of trust-based close relationships. The study suggests that habitual decisions about cooperation are not strategic or self-interested, but instead are based on unconscious processes sustained by the emotional bonds of trust. These kind of emotional bonds are claimed to be relevant from an evolutionary point of view.