Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Advances in neural network theory

s Connectionist models provide a promising alternative to the traditional computational approach that has for several decades dominated cognitive science and artificial intelligence, although the nature of connectionist models and their relation to symbol processing remains controversial. Connectionist models can be characterized by three general computational features: distinct layers of interconnected units, recursive rules for updating the strengths of the connections during learning, and "simple" homogeneous computing elements. Using just these three features one can construct surprisingly elegant and powerful models of memory, perception, motor control, categorization, and reasoning. What makes the connectionist approach unique is not its variety of representational possibilities (including "distributed representations") or its departure from explicit rule-based models, or even its preoccupation with the brain metaphor. Rather, it is that connectionist models can be used to explore systematically the complex interaction between learning and representation, as we try to demonstrate through the analysis of several large networks.
Benzothiazinones Mediate Killing of Corynebacterineae by Blocking Decaprenyl Phosphate Recycling Involved in Cell Wall Biosynthesis*

Background: Benzothiazinones inhibit cell wall arabinan biosynthesis, which is lethal for Corynebacterineae. Results: Corynebacteria can evade the action of benzothiazinones in the absence of decaprenyl phosphoribose synthesis by increasing the intracellular decaprenyl phosphate pool. Conclusion: Benzothiazinones induce synthetic lethality in Corynebacterineae by blocking decaprenyl phosphate recycling. Significance: Increased production of decaprenyl phosphate is a new mechanism of resistance to benzothiazinones. Benzothiazinones (BTZs) are a new class of sulfur containing heterocyclic compounds that target DprE1, an oxidoreductase involved in the epimerization of decaprenyl-phosphoribose (DPR) to decaprenyl-phosphoarabinose (DPA) in the Corynebacterineae, such as Corynebacterium glutamicum and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. As a result, BTZ inhibition leads to inhibition of cell wall arabinan biosynthesis. Previous studies have demonstrated the essentiality of dprE1. In contrast, Cg-UbiA a ribosyltransferase, which catalyzes the first step of DPR biosynthesis prior to DprE1, when genetically disrupted, produced a viable mutant, suggesting that although BTZ biochemically targets DprE1, killing also occurs through chemical synthetic lethality, presumably through the lack of decaprenyl phosphate recycling. To test this hypothesis, a derivative of BTZ, BTZ043, was examined in detail against C. glutamicum and C. glutamicum::ubiA. The wild type strain was sensitive to BTZ043; however, C. glutamicum::ubiA was found to be resistant, despite possessing a functional DprE1. When the gene encoding C. glutamicum Z-decaprenyl-diphosphate synthase (NCgl2203) was overexpressed in wild type C. glutamicum, resistance to BTZ043 was further increased. This data demonstrates that in the presence of BTZ, the bacilli accumulate DPR and fail to recycle decaprenyl phosphate, which results in the depletion of decaprenyl phosphate and ultimately leads to cell death.
Behavioral Theory in a Diverse Society: Like a Compass on Mars

The behavioral theory constructs most often used to study mammography utilization—perceived benefit, perceived susceptibility, self-efficacy, intention, and subjective norms—have neither been developed nor sufficiently tested among diverse racial/ethnic subgroups. The authors explored these constructs and their underlying assumptions relating to the social context of Filipina and Latina women. The mixed-methods study included testing construct measures in the multilingual surveys of a concurrent intervention study of 1,463 women from five ethnic groups. An intensive inductive investigation then targeted Latina and Filipina women to elucidate connections between social context and individual screening behavior. In-depth interviews were conducted with 11 key informant scholars, 13 community gatekeepers, and 29 lay women, and a supplemental study videotaped and interviewed 9 mother—daughter dyads. Three social context domains emerged: relational culture, social capital, and transculturation and transmigration. The meaning and appropriateness of the five behavioral constructs were analyzed in relation to these domains. In contradistinction to tenets of behavioral theory, the authors found that social context can influence behavior directly, circumventing or attenuating the influence of individual beliefs; contextual influences, synthesized from multiple p erspectives, can operate at an unconscious level not accessible to the individual; and contextual influences are dynamic, contingent on distal and proximal forces coming together in a given moment and are thus not consistent with an exclusive focus at the individual level. This article describes the study methods, summarizes main findings, and previews the detailed results presented in the other articles in this issue.
A Class of Adaptive Algorithms Based on Entropy Estimation Achieving CRLB for Linear Non-Gaussian Filtering

Adaptive filtering has been extensively studied under the assumption that the noise is Gaussian. The most commonly used least-mean-square-error (LMSE) filter is optimal when the noise is Gaussian. However, in many practical applications, the noise can be modeled more accurately using a non-Gaussian distribution. In this correspondence, we consider non-Gaussian distributions for the noise model and show that the filter of using entropy bound minimization (EBM) leads to significant performance gain compared to the LMSE filter. The least mean p-norm (LMP) filter using the α-stable distribution to model noise is shown to be the maximum-likelihood solution when using the generalized Gaussian distribution (GGD) to model noise. The GGD model for noise allows us to compute the Cramér-Rao lower bound (CRLB) for the error in estimating the weights. Simulations show that both the EBM and LMP filters achieve the CRLB as the sample size increases. The EBM filter is shown to be less committed with respect to unseen data yielding generally superior performance in online learning when compared to LMP. We also show that, when the noise comes from impulsive α -stable distributions, both the EBM and LMP filters provide better performance than LMSE. In addition, the EBM filter offers the advantage that it does not assume a certain parametric model for the noise, and by proper selection of the measuring functions, it can be adapted to a wide range of noise distributions.
Epic Glory and Manhood Acts in Fantasy Role-Playing

Based on a yearlong observational study of participants in a “Live Action Role Playing” group called “Dagorhir,” using the manhood acts perspective, we focus on how masculinity is constructed among low-status, subordinate men who self-define as “nerds. ” We demonstrate that through fantasy role-playing, men are given opportunities to increase their group status, while women are typically relegated to subordinate positions. Increasing status in Dagorhir involved a type of self-enhancement strategy that we termed “epic glory,” which positioned men as social dominants. Epic glory was earned through training activities, at Dagorhir events, and through simulating dramatic death scenes. Such actions served as a performance of masculinity that was not possible for these men outside the role-playing experience. Importantly, women were excluded from many of the opportunities to enact epic glory, which helped reproduce inequalities both among males and between males and females participating in the events.
Developmental Changes in Self Concept and Emotional Stability Among Rural Adolescents of Punjab

Developmental changes in self concept and emotional stability in rural adolescents (12–18 years) was studied in the state of Punjab. For the above purpose a sample of 476 adolescents divided over two sexes (n=238), two socio economic strata (n1 19) and seven yearly age groups (n=J 7) was drawn. Saraswat's self concept scale (1984) and Sen Gupta and Singh's emotional stability scale (1985) were used to assess self concept and emotional stability respectively. Significant sex and age differences were found in the mean scores of self concept and emotional stability. Adolescence is a time of growing up, of moving from immaturity of childhood into the maturity of adulthood. A period of change during which the individual undergoes not only physical changes but also psychological transformation.
Role of Adaptor Protein Toll-Like Interleukin Domain Containing Adaptor Inducing Interferon β in Toll-Like Receptor 3- and 4-Mediated Regulation of Hepatic Drug Metabolizing Enzyme and Transporter Genes

The expressions and activities of hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters (DMETs) are altered during infection and inflammation. Inflammatory responses in the liver are mediated primarily by Toll-like receptor (TLR)-signaling, which involves recruitment of Toll/interleukin (IL)-1 receptor (TIR) domain containing adaptor protein (TIRAP) and TIR domain containing adaptor inducing interferon (IFN)-β (TRIF) that eventually leads to induction of proinflammatory cytokines and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activates the Gram-negative bacterial receptor TLR4 and polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (polyI:C) activates the viral receptor TLR3. TLR4 signaling involves TIRAP and TRIF, whereas TRIF is the only adaptor protein involved in the TLR3 pathway. We have shown previously that LPS-mediated downregulation of DMETs is independent of TIRAP. To determine the role of TRIF, we treated TRIF+/+ and TRIF−/− mice with LPS or polyI:C. LPS downregulated (∼40%–60%) Cyp3a11, Cyp2a4, Ugt1a1, Mrp2 mRNA levels, whereas polyI:C downregulated (∼30%–60%) Cyp3a11, Cyp2a4, Cyp1a2, Cyp2b10, Ugt1a1, Mrp2, and Mrp3 mRNA levels in TRIF+/+ mice. This downregulation was not attenuated in TRIF−/− mice. Induction of cytokines by LPS was observed in both TRIF+/+ and TRIF−/− mice. Cytokine induction was delayed in polyI:C-treated TRIF−/− mice, indicating that multiple mechanisms mediating polyI:C signaling exist. To assess the role of MAPKs, primary hepatocytes were pretreated with specific inhibitors before treatment with LPS/polyI:C. We found that only the c-jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor attenuated the down-regulation of DMETs. These results show that TRIF-independent pathways can be involved in the downregulation of DMETs through TLR4 and 3. JNK-dependent mechanisms likely mediate this downregulation.
Swedish Version of Mood Spectrum Self-Report Questionnaire: Psychometric Properties of Lifetime and Last-week Version

Background: Mood Spectrum Self Report (MOODS-SR) is an instrument that assesses mood spectrum symptomatology including subthreshold manifestations and temperamental features. There are different versions of the MOODS-SR for different time frames of symptom assessment: lifetime (MOODS-LT), last-month and last-week (MOODS-LW) versions. Objective: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the MOODS-LT the MOODS-LW. Methods: The reliability of the MOODS-LT and MOODS-LW was evaluated in terms of internal consistency and partial correlations among domains and subdomains. The known-group validity was tested by comparing out-patients with bipolar disorder (n=27), unipolar depression (n=8) healthy controls (n=68). The convergent and divergent validity of MOODS-LW were evaluated using the Montgomery Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), the Young-Ziegler Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) in outpatients as well the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) in healthy controls. Results: Both MOODS-LT and MOOODS-LW showed high internal consistency with the Kuder-Richardson coefficient ranging from 0.823 to 0.985 as well as consistent correlations for all domains and subdomains. The last-week version correlated significantly with MADRS (r= 0.79) and YMRS (r=0.46) in outpatients and with GHQ-12 (r= 0.50 for depression domain, r= 0.29 for rhythmicity) in healthy controls. Conclusion: The Swedish version of the MOODS-LT showed similar psychometric properties to other translated versions. Regarding MOODS-LW, this first published psychometric evaluation of the scale showed promising psychometric properties including good correlation to established symptom assessment scales. In healthy controls, the depression and rhythmicity domain scores of the last-week version correlated significantly with the occurrence of mild psychological distress.
SELECTION AND DISPERSAL IN A MULTISPECIES OAK HYBRID ZONE

Abstract The four western North American red oak species (Quercus wislizeni, Q. parvula, Q. agrifolia, and Q. kelloggii) are known to produce hybrid products in all interspecific combinations. However, it is unknown whether hybrids are transitory resulting from interspecific gene flow or whether they are maintained through extrinsic selection. Here, we examine cryptic hybrid structure in Q. wislizeni through a broad region including contact and isolation from three other western North American red oaks using amplified fragment length polymorphism molecular markers. All four species were simultaneously detected in the genetic background of individuals morphologically assigned to Q. wislizeni, although the contribution of Q. kelloggii was minor. In some cases, introgression was detected well outside the region of sympatry with one of the parental species. Molecular structure at the individual level indicated this was due to long-distance pollen dispersal and not to local extinction of parental species. Species admixture proportions were correlated with climatic variables and greater proportions of Q. agrifolia and Q. parvula were present in the genetic background of Q. wislizeni in sites with cooler and more humid summers, corresponding with habitat preferences of the parental species. Partial Mantel tests indicated that climate was more important than distance from pollen source in this association. Despite high levels of introgression, species integrity was maintained in some populations in close proximity to the other species, providing further support to environmental selection in determining population genetic structure. Thus, the contribution of species mixtures to population genetic structure varies across the landscape according to availability of pollen, but more importantly to varying environmental selection pressures that produce a complex pattern of hybrid and pure gene pools.
Prosomeric organization of the hypothalamus in an elasmobranch, the catshark Scyliorhinus canicula

The hypothalamus has been a central topic in neuroanatomy because of its important physiological functions, but its mature organization remains elusive. Deciphering its embryonic and adult organization is crucial in an evolutionary approach of the organization of the vertebrate forebrain. Here we studied the molecular organization of the hypothalamus and neighboring telencephalic domains in a cartilaginous fish, the catshark, Scyliorhinus canicula, focusing on ScFoxg1a, ScShh, ScNkx2.1, ScDlx2/5, ScOtp, and ScTbr1 expression profiles and on the identification α-acetylated-tubulin-immunoreactive (ir), TH-ir, 5-HT-ir, and GFAP-ir structures by means of immunohistochemistry. Analysis of the results within the updated prosomeric model framework support the existence of alar and basal histogenetic compartments in the hypothalamus similar to those described in the mouse, suggesting the ancestrality of these subdivisions in jawed vertebrates. These data provide new insights into hypothalamic organization in cartilaginous fishes and highlight the generality of key features of the prosomeric model in jawed vertebrates.
Measuring Relationship Satisfaction: Is it Possible for Black Gay Male Couples to be Satisfied in a Relationship?

ABSTRACT This study investigated the satisfaction of forty-two Black gay males who acknowledged that they were presently in a same-sex relationship, identifying themselves as a couple. This study challenged some of the myths and stereotypes associated with gay males and their relational experiences. This study used a questionnaire to gather descriptive information about the participants’ relationship satisfaction, dyadic adjustment, longevity of the relationship, monogamy or sexual-exclusivity, and future possibilities of the present relationship. Seventy-nine percent (N = 33) of the participants had been in their present relationship at least four years or longer.
The Role of Neuroimmunomodulation in Alzheimer's Disease

The idea that alterations in the brain immunomodulation are critical for Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis provides the most integrative view on this cognitive disorder, considering that converging research lines have revealed the involvement of inflammatory processes in AD. We have proposed the damage signal hypothesis as a unifying scheme in that release of endogenous damage/alarm signals, in response to accumulated cell distress (dyslipidemia, vascular insults, head injury, oxidative stress, iron overload, folate deficiency), is the earliest triggering event in AD, leading to activation of innate immunity and the inflammatory cascade. Inflammatory cytokines play a dual role, either promoting neurodegeneration or neuroprotection. This equilibrium is shifted toward the neurodegenerative phenotype upon the action of several risk factors that trigger innate damage signals that activate microglia and the release of tumor necrosis factor‐α, interleukin‐6, and some trophic factors. In this neuroimmunomodulatory hypothesis we integrate different risk factors with microaglial activation and the resulting neuronal alterations and hyperphosphorylations of tau protein. The progression of AD, with slowly increasing damage in brain parenchyma preceding the onset of symptoms, suggests that tissue distress triggering damage signals drives neuroinflammation. These signals via toll‐like receptors, receptors for highly glycosylated end products, or other glial receptors activate sensors of the native immune system, inducing the anomalous release of cytokines and promoting the neurodegenerative cascade, a hallmark of brain damage that correlates with cognitive decline.
Classifying University Departments: An Approach to the Analysis of Their Effects Upon Undergraduates' Values and Attitudes

A framework for analyzing the effects of academic departments on student values and attitudes is described. Its two principal dimensions are variability in department goals and in department attributes. Each is discussed in some detail. The framework is operationalized and applied to data about the departments of a large university. Predictions are made about the effects of these departments on students' values and attitudes, and the structural properties of the departments associated with these effects are discussed.
Generating &bgr;-cells in vitro: progress towards a Holy Grail

Purpose of review Diabetes is a debilitating disease characterized by a chronic inability to normalize blood glucose levels. Transplanting cadaveric pancreata or isolated pancreatic islets can restore glucose homeostasis, but organ demand outstrips supply. Consequently, there is significant interest in alternative tissue sources. This review summarizes state-of-the-art efforts to generate scalable, functional &bgr;-cells to treat diabetes. Recent findings Applying knowledge gleaned from developmental biology, human pluripotent stem cells can be treated stepwise with combinations of small molecules, developmentally relevant growth factors, and morphogens to generate pancreatic progenitor cells (PPCs) in vitro. Transplanted PPCs can then further mature in vivo into functional islet-like tissues containing all of the endocrine hormone cells present in adult islets and can reverse hyperglycemia in a diabetic animal model. Recent publications demonstrate that skin, liver, and other cell lineages may also be reprogrammed to functional &bgr;-like cells. Summary Although generation of fully functional &bgr;-cells in vitro has not yet been achieved, possible intermediate approaches to treat diabetes include using PPCs or reprogramming adult cells to &bgr;-like cells. A cell therapy with either approach will require isolation from the host immune response. Ongoing efforts are addressing this need through the use of immune-isolation devices to avoid immunosuppressive drugs.
What Makes Good Foster Parents

Isabel Dando is currently a social worker in the Church Adoption Society, London. Previously she did research into the motivation and background of foster parents, while a student on the Manchester University MSc Course in Psychiatric Social Work. Prior to that she worked with Cheshire Social Services in the field of child care. Brian Minty is Lecturer in Psychiatric Social Work in the University of Manchester, and Senior Social Worker with Salford Social Services. He has been a foster parent, and still is an adoptive parent! SUMMARY The assessment of prospective foster parents is an important task based on skilled, but largely unevaluated, methods. This study attempts to describe the characteristics, personal back ground and motivation of all the foster mothers used by two inner city teams who had had at least one child placed with them for a year or more. The chief motivations and childhood experiences of the foster mothers were compared with ratings made by the fostering officers of their excellence as foster parents. The study confirmed that two motivations for fostering, which have often been held to be reasonably good predictors of 'success' in caring for deprived children, were, in fact, associated with an acknowledgement on the part of experienced fostering officers that the parents who claimed to act from such motives had a good capacity to fulfil the demanding role of a foster parent: firstly, a desire to parent a child, when it was impossible to conceive a child of one's own; and secondly, an identification with deprived children as a result of unhappy experiences in childhood—experiences which the foster mothers had had the resilience to cope with, and use creatively. In addition, it emerged (somewhat to our surprise) that foster parents who claimed to act from motives of social concern and altruism were also seen by fostering officers to have demonstrated a real ability to foster children. Nearly three-quarters of the foster mothers were emphatic that the experience of fostering had enhanced the quality of family life. For childless couples, the satisfaction seemed to come from caring for children; but for couples who had children of their own, the satisfaction seemed particularly to lie in helping children who had been deprived of a normal home life, and in bringing up children whom they could not see as extensions of themselves.
Characteristics of a Good EFL Teacher

Researchers have long been interested in the characteristics associated with “good” teaching. However, most relevant studies have been conducted in Western contexts. As cultural background has a strong influence on the way good teaching is perceived, it was considered important to explore this issue in the Arab Gulf. The current study sought to compare Omani school students’ and teachers’ perceptions of the characteristics of good English as a foreign language (EFL) teachers in the Omani context. To achieve this, 171 Omani students and 233 English teachers responded to a seven-category, 68-item questionnaire utilizing a 4-point Likert-type response key. Descriptive statistics and t tests were used to determine perceptions of good teacher characteristics and differences between students’ and teachers’ responses. Results indicate that Omani students and teachers generally agree about the importance of all characteristic categories, with those related to English language proficiency and treating students equally being of special importance. Participants also agreed that knowledge of Western culture/s and the use of technology were relatively unimportant. Implications of these findings for EFL teaching in Oman are discussed.