Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Self Perceived Emotional Functioning of Spanish Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Longitudinal Study

Background: ALS is a neurodegenerative disease of the entire motor system that most frequently ends with respiratory arrest in few years. Its diagnosis and the rapid progression of the motor dysfunctions produce a continued emotional impact. Studies on this impact are helpful to plan adequate psychotherapeutic strategies. Objective: To assess and analyze: First: How the patients with ALS perceive their emotional health. Second: The emotional impact of their physical disabilities. Third: The physical disabilities with highest emotional impact. Fourth: The feelings with highest emotional impact. Methods: Up to 110 Spanish patients with ALS were assessed less than 1 year from diagnosis, then twice more at 6 month intervals, using the ALS Quality of Life Assessment Questionnaire (ALSAQ-40) validated for use in Spanish. Descriptive analysis and correlation between variables were obtained. Results: Worries about the future, of lack of freedom, and of being a burden were prevalent feelings. On average depression was felt only “sometimes. ” Only 25% of the variations in the emotional state were explained by changes in the physical state at first evaluation, and 16% at the last one. Emotional functioning correlated significantly with the physical disabilities at first and second evaluation, less so at third. Communication disabilities always had the highest impact. Depression at first evaluation and hopelessness at the next two evaluations had the highest emotional impact. Hopelessness did not correlate with any physical disability at the third evaluation. On the whole, emotional dysfunction was self perceived as intermediate (between none and worst), and remained stable at 1 year follow up, in both bulbar and spinal onset patients. Conclusions: Physical dysfunctions per se have a limited role in patients´ emotional distress. Communication disabilities, as well as feelings of depression at early stages of illness, and of hopelessness later on, had the most impact. This requires their careful therapeutic attention. On average, Spanish patients with ALS cope with their disease, overcoming depression, which is not felt often, and with just mid levels of emotional dysfunction.
Nuclear protein LEDGF/p75 recognizes supercoiled DNA by a novel DNA-binding domain

Lens epithelium-derived growth factor (LEDGF) or p75 is a co-activator of general transcription and also involved in insertion of human immunodeficiency virus type I (HIV-1) cDNA into host cell genome, which occurs preferentially to active transcription units. These phenomena may share an underlying molecular mechanism in common. We report here that LEDGF/p75 binds negatively supercoiled DNA selectively over unconstrained DNA. We identified a novel DNA-binding domain in the protein and termed it ‘supercoiled DNA-recognition domain’ (SRD). Recombinant protein fragments containing SRD showed a preferential binding to supercoiled DNA in vitro. SRD harbors a characteristic cluster of lysine and glutamic/aspartic acid residues. A polypeptide mimicking the cluster (K9E9K9) also showed this specificity, suggesting that the cluster is an essential element for the supercoil recognition. eGFP-tagged LEDGF/p75 expressed in the nucleus distributed partially in transcriptionally active regions that were identified by immunostaining of methylated histone H3 (H3K4me3) or incorporation of Br-UTP. This pattern of localization was observed with SRD alone but abolished if the protein lacked SRD. Thus, these results imply that LEDGF/p75 guides its binding partners, including HIV-1 integrase, to the active transcription site through recognition of negative supercoils generated around it.
Online Learning with Noisy Side Observations

We propose a new partial-observability model for online learning problems where the learner, besides its own loss, also observes some noisy feedback about the other actions, depending on the underlying structure of the problem. We represent this structure by a weighted directed graph, where the edge weights are related to the quality of the feedback shared by the connected nodes. Our main contribution is an efficient algorithm that guarantees a regret of O(√ α * T) after T rounds, where α * is a novel graph property that we call the effective independence number. Our algorithm is completely parameter-free and does not require knowledge (or even estimation) of α *. For the special case of binary edge weights, our setting reduces to the partial-observability models of Mannor & Shamir (2011) and Alon et al. (2013) and our algorithm recovers the near-optimal regret bounds.
Clusters in the mind ? Converging evidence from near synonymy in Russian *

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Evaluating the efficacy of Masters coursework criteria sheets using a 10 question framework

Abstract This paper builds on an earlier study that developed a 10 question framework for improving the quality of criteria sheets (also known as rubrics) used in Master of Education programmes. To test that framework 15 rubrics were independently evaluated by seven teachers using the above mentioned framework. Raw data from the evaluations were collated and coded and then further analysed in three sequential, substantive conversation sessions, in order to investigate the inter-connectedness of three assessment concepts, namely, grading, moderation and feedback. The study revealed that the key to criteria sheet effectiveness is the explicitness of the standards descriptors. The research also identified three broad questions that can help teachers evaluate the quality of their criteria sheets. These questions focus on the clarity of the task description and ways of improving the criteria and standards by which student responses are to be judged. The revised questions provide an effective framework for assuring the quality of these three aspects of assessment within units (also known as courses) in postgraduate programmes.
Differences between the genders in ICT skills for Finnish upper comprehensive school students: Does gender matter?

This study examined the ICT skills of Finnish upper comprehensive school students. The data has been collected from 65 municipalities around Finland for 5455 ninth graders (mean age 15.24). ICT skills were measured using a digital, performance-based ICT skill test. The test was based on the revised Finnish national core curriculum for basic education. Based on the results, there was a small, but statistically, significant difference between the genders in the total scores on the ICT skill test. More consequential differences between the genders were found in the item level analysis. As explicit item level analysis indicated, boys tended to get better scores from more technical-oriented items, while girls got better scores from school work-oriented and social interaction-related items. The results emphasize that gender differences in ICT skills are more item specific than general. More importantly, the variation between individuals in ICT skill items was extensive and in all likelihood more influential than the gender difference as such.
Kids, Adolescents, and Young Adult Cancer Study—A Methodologic Approach in Cancer Epidemiology Research

Advances have been made in treatment and outcomes for pediatric cancer. However adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer have not experienced similar relative improvements. We undertook a study to develop the methodology necessary for epidemiologic cancer research in these age groups. Our goal was to create the Kids, Adolescents, and Young Adults Cancer (KAYAC) project to create a resource to address research questions relevant to this population. We used a combination of clinic and population-based ascertainment to enroll 111 cases aged 0–39 for this methodology development study. The largest groups of cancer types enrolled include: breast cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, and melanoma. The overall participation rate is 69.8% and varies by age and tumor type. The study included patients, mothers, and fathers. The methods used to establish this resource are described, and the values of the resource in studies of childhood and young adult cancer are outlined.
Exploring Stock Market Using Twitter Trust Network

As social networks are becoming more and more popular, more and more data are available from them. Researchers are now trying to extract useful information from these big data. One possible usage of social media is to investigate stock market. There are two major events to measure in stock market - price change and trade volume. In this paper, we firstly use our trust framework to build up trust network among Twitter users in a stock market group. We compare trust information extracted from Twitter group with Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) get from Yahoo! Finance. Our results show that by taking trust information into account, they are more correlated than just counting the number of tweets. Also it shows us that trade volume is stronger correlated than price change.
The Thermal Structure of the Circumstellar Disk Surrounding the Classical Be Star γ Cassiopeiae

We have computed radiative equilibrium models for the gas in the circumstellar envelope surrounding the hot, classical Be star γ Cassiopeiae. This calculation is performed using a code that incorporates a number of improvements over previous treatments of the disk's thermal structure by Millar & Marlborough and Jones et al.; most importantly, heating and cooling rates are computed with atomic models for H, He, CNO, Mg, Si, Ca, and Fe and their relevant ions. Thus, for the first time, the thermal structure of a Be disk is computed for a gas with a solar chemical composition as opposed to assuming a pure hydrogen envelope. We compare the predicted average disk temperature, the total energy loss in Hα, and the near-IR excess with observations and find that all can be accounted for by a disk that is in vertical hydrostatic equilibrium with a density in the equatorial plane of ρ(R) ≈ (3-5) × 10-11 (R/R*)-2.5 g cm-3. We also discuss the changes in the disk's thermal structure that result from the additional heating and cooling processes available to a gas with a solar chemical composition over those available to a pure hydrogen plasma.
What's Strange About Recent Events (WSARE): An Algorithm for the Early Detection of Disease Outbreaks

Traditional biosurveillance algorithms detect disease outbreaks by looking for peaks in a univariate time series of health-care data. Current health-care surveillance data, however, are no longer simply univariate data streams. Instead, a wealth of spatial, temporal, demographic and symptomatic information is available. We present an early disease outbreak detection algorithm called What's Strange About Recent Events (WSARE), which uses a multivariate approach to improve its timeliness of detection. WSARE employs a rule-based technique that compares recent health-care data against data from a baseline distribution and finds subgroups of the recent data whose proportions have changed the most from the baseline data. In addition, health-care data also pose difficulties for surveillance algorithms because of inherent temporal trends such as seasonal effects and day of week variations. WSARE approaches this problem using a Bayesian network to produce a baseline distribution that accounts for these temporal trends. The algorithm itself incorporates a wide range of ideas, including association rules, Bayesian networks, hypothesis testing and permutation tests to produce a detection algorithm that is careful to evaluate the significance of the alarms that it raises.
Congestion avoidance using adaptive random marking

Recent work on congestion control in TCP/IP networks combines improved end-user transmission mechanisms with active queue management schemes. In this paper we propose MARS (Marking based on Adaptive Random Scheme), an adaptive early packet marking active queue management mechanism. Unlike previous proposals, MARS adapts the marking probability to drive the average queue length towards a target size. By doing so, MARS implicitly reacts to changes in the network dynamics without requiring per-flow state or estimates thereof. Our simulations confirm MARS's flexibility and effectiveness in reducing packet loss, controlling queuing delay, and improving utilization and flow throughput.
Looking Like a State: Techniques of Persistent Failure in State Capability for Implementation

Abstract In many nations today the state has little capability to carry out even basic functions like security, policing, regulation or core service delivery. Enhancing this capability, especially in fragile states, is a long-term task: countries like Haiti or Liberia will take many decades to reach even a moderate capability country like India, and millennia to reach the capability of Singapore. Short-term programmatic efforts to build administrative capability in these countries are thus unlikely to be able to demonstrate actual success, yet billions of dollars continue to be spent on such activities. What techniques enable states to ‘buy time’ to enable reforms to work, to mask non-accomplishment, or actively to resist or deflect the internal and external pressures for improvement? How do donor and recipient countries manage to engage in the logics of ‘development’ for so long and yet consistently acquire so little administrative capability? We document two such techniques: (a) systemic isomorphic mimicry, wherein the outward forms (appearances, structures) of functional states and organisations elsewhere are adopted to camouflage a persistent lack of function; and (b) premature load bearing, in which indigenous learning, the legitimacy of change and the support of key political constituencies are undercut by the routine placement of highly unrealistic expectations on fledging systems. We conclude with some suggestions for sabotaging these techniques.
Investigating Cognitive Structures of Object Oriented Programming Courses

In order to validate suitable methods for investigating learning processes, we are currently conducting a case study, exploring the mental models of novice students in the field of object oriented modeling and programming. Until now we have asked the students of an introductory course of lessons to draw concept maps at three points of time. Additionally we conducted a small exam, where the students should implement some of the most important concepts. It turned out that a substantial learning progress could be observed by evaluating the concept maps and that there is a strong correlation between the quality of the maps and the success in the exam.
Playing on AREEF: evaluation of an underwater augmented reality game for kids

This paper reports on a study of AREEF, a multi-player Underwater Augmented Reality (UWAR) experience for swimming pools. Using off-the-shelf components combined with a custom made waterproof case and an innovative game concept, AREEF puts computer game technology to use for recreational and educational purposes in and under water. After an experience overview, we present evidence gained from a user-centred design-process including a pilot study with 3 kids and a final evaluation with 36 kids. Our discussion covers technical findings regarding marker placement, tracking, and device handling, as well as design related issues like virtual object placement and the need for extremely obvious user interaction and feedback when staging a mobile underwater experience.
Coping self-efficacy and psychosocial well-being of marginalised South African youth

The aim of this study was to investigate coping self-efficacy and aspects of psychosocial well-being amongst youth from marginalised backgrounds. A total of 794 black South African marginalised youth (males = 54%, females = 46%, age range between 18 and 30 years) voluntarily participated in this cross-sectional study. The participants completed surveys of coping self-efficacy, mental health, and mood disorder. Structural equation modelling was applied to construct an explanatory model for coping self-efficacy and psychosocial well-being among the marginalised youth. The resulting structural model showed that coping self-efficacy significantly and positively predicted the emotional and psychological dimensions of psychosocial well-being among the youth. Psychosocial well-being was associated with of a lower risk for symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress in these marginalised young people.
Berkeley DB

Berkeley DB is an Open Source embedded database system with a number of key advantages over comparable systems. It is simple to use, supports concurrent access by multiple users, and provides industrial-strength transaction support, including surviving system and disk crashes. This paper describes the design and technical features of Berkeley DB, the distribution, and its license.
Optimal Capital Structure and Industry Dynamics

This paper provides a competitive equilibrium model of capital structure and industry dynamics. In the model, firms make financing, investment, entry, and exit decisions subject to idiosyncratic technology shocks. The capital structure choice reflects the tradeoff between the tax benefits of debt and the associated bankruptcy and agency costs. The interaction between financing and production decisions influences the stationary distribution of firms and their survival probabilities. The analysis demonstrates that the equilibrium output price has an important feedback effect. This effect has a number of testable implications. For example, high growth industries have relatively lower leverage and turnover rates.
Circulating Skeletal Stem Cells

We report the isolation of adherent, clonogenic, fibroblast-like cells with osteogenic and adipogenic potential from the blood of four mammalian species. These cells phenotypically resemble but are distinguishable from skeletal stem cells found in bone marrow (stromal stem cells, “mesenchymal stem cells”). The osteogenic potential of the blood-borne cells was proven by an in vivo transplantation assay in which either polyclonal or single colony–derived strains were transplanted into the subcutis of immunocompromised mice, and the donor origin of the fully differentiated bone cells was proven using species-specific probes. This is the first definitive proof of the existence of circulating skeletal stem cells in mammals.
Organizational Structure and Collective Action: Lineage Networks, Semiautonomous Civic Associations, and Collective Resistance in Rural China1

Existing research highlights a lack of organizational basis for collective action in nondemocratic regimes. This study reevaluates this view by examining the distinct roles played by different organizations (embedded in distinct state-society relations) in different stages of collective action (occurrence and success) in rural China. With both quantitative and qualitative data, the authors study two types of organizations: (1) informal lineage groups and (2) semiautonomous civic associations, exemplified by seniors associations. The results demonstrate that lineage groups serve as mobilizing structures for collective resistance but face limited success given their informal status and weak vertical linkages with the state. By contrast, seniors associations, which maintain close relations with authorities while conserving a high degree of autonomy, act as a genuine intermediaries between the government and aggrieved citizens to suppress collective resistance. When collective action emerges, the associations can build on their legitimacy and vertical linkages to facilitate its success.
Document-level Sentiment Inference with Social, Faction, and Discourse Context

We present a new approach for document-level sentiment inference, where the goal is to predict directed opinions ( who feels positively or negatively towards whom ) for all entities mentioned in a text. To encourage more complete and consistent predictions, we introduce an ILP that jointly models (1) sentence-and discourse-level sentiment cues, (2) factual evidence about entity factions, and (3) global constraints based on social science theories such as homophily, social balance, and reciprocity. Together, these cues allow for rich inference across groups of entities, including for example that CEOs and the companies they lead are likely to have similar sentiment towards others. We evaluate performance on new, densely labeled data that provides supervision for all pairs, complementing previous work that only labeled pairs mentioned in the same sentence. Experiments demonstrate that the global model outperforms sentence-level baselines, by providing more coherent predictions across sets of related entities.
Teaching and Assessing Critical Thinking in Second Language Writing: An Infusion Approach

Abstract Recent calls for promoting students’ critical thinking (CT) abilities leave second language (L2) teachers wondering how to integrate CT into their existing agenda. Framed by Paul and Elder’s (2001) CT model, the study explores how CT could be effectively taught in L2 writing as a way to improve students’ CT skills and L2 writing performance. In this study, an infusion approach was developed and implemented in actual classroom teaching. Mixed methods were employed to investigate: (1) the effectiveness of the infusion approach on improving students’ CT and L2 writing scores; (2) the relationship between students’ CT and L2 writing scores; and (3) the effects of the infusion approach on students’ learning of CT and L2 writing. The results of the statistical analyses indicate that the infusion approach has effectively improved students’ CT and L2 writing scores and that there was a significant positive relationship (r=0.893, p<0.01) between students’ CT and L2 writing scores. The results of the post-study interview illustrate that the infusion approach has beneficial effects on students’ learning of CT and L2 writing by bridging the abstract CT theories and interactive writing activities and by integrating the instruction and practice of CT into those of L2 writing.
A Lefschetz fixed point formula for singular arithmetic schemes with smooth generic fibres

In this article, we consider singular equivariant arith- metic schemes whose generic fibres are smooth. For such schemes, we prove a relative fixed point formula of Lefschetz type in the context of Arakelov geometry. This formula is an analog, in the arithmetic case, of the Lefschetz formula proved by R. W. Thomason in (31). In par- ticular, our result implies a fixed point formula which was conjectured by V. Maillot and D. Rossler in (25).