Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
THE PSYCHOLOGY OF THE LANGUAGE LEARNER: INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES IN SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF THE LANGUAGE LEARNER: INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES IN SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION. Zoltán Dörnyei. Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum, 2005. Pp. 270. $69.95 cloth, $29.95 paper. This concise book on individual differences (IDs) in SLA presents research on topics such as language aptitude, motivation, cognitive styles, student self-regulation, and personality traits. Its in-depth treatment of the field will make it valuable to researchers in applied linguistics and second language (L2) studies. At the same time, its straightforward presentation and conversational tone should make it accessible to language teachers and students of L2 pedagogy interested in understanding more about what individual learners bring to the classroom.
On failure detection algorithms in overlay networks

One of the key reasons overlay networks are seen as an excellent platform for large scale distributed systems is their resilience in the presence of node failures. This resilience rely on accurate and timely detection of node failures. Despite the prevalent use of keep-alive algorithms in overlay networks to detect node failures, their tradeoffs and the circumstances in which they might best he suited is not well understood. In this paper, we study how the design of various keep-alive approaches affect their performance in node failure detection time, probability of false positive, control overhead, and packet loss rate via analysis, simulation, and implementation. We find that among the class of keep-alive algorithms that share information, the maintenance of backpointer state substantially improves detection time and packet loss rate. The improvement in detection time between baseline and sharing algorithms becomes more pronounced as the size of neighbor set increases. Finally, sharing of information allows a network to tolerate a higher churn rate than baseline.
A General Framework for Constrained Bayesian Optimization using Information-based Search

We present an information-theoretic framework for solving global black-box optimization problems that also have black-box constraints. Of particular interest to us is to efficiently solve problems with decoupled constraints, in which subsets of the objective and constraint functions may be evaluated independently. For example, when the objective is evaluated on a CPU and the constraints are evaluated independently on a GPU. These problems require an acquisition function that can be separated into the contributions of the individual function evaluations. We develop one such acquisition function and call it Predictive Entropy Search with Constraints (PESC). PESC is an approximation to the expected information gain criterion and it compares favorably to alternative approaches based on improvement in several synthetic and real-world problems. In addition to this, we consider problems with a mix of functions that are fast and slow to evaluate. These problems require balancing the amount of time spent in the meta-computation of PESC and in the actual evaluation of the target objective. We take a bounded rationality approach and develop a partial update for PESC which trades o_ accuracy against speed. We then propose a method for adaptively switching between the partial and full updates for PESC. This allows us to interpolate between versions of PESC that are efficient in terms of function evaluations and those that are efficient in terms of wall-clock time. Overall, we demonstrate that PESC is an effective algorithm that provides a promising direction towards a unified solution for constrained Bayesian optimization.
Improving Latino children's early language and literacy development: key features of early childhood education within family literacy programmes

Noting the lack of research on how early childhood education (ECE) programmes within family literacy programmes influence Latino children's early language and literacy development, this study examined key features of ECE programmes, specifically teacher–child interactions and child engagement in language and literacy activities and how these features relate to Latino children's early language and literacy development. Participants were 181 Latino children (3–5 years old) from low-income families enrolled in 22 ECE programmes within family literacy programmes. Teacher–child interactions were of medium quality on socioemotional support and low quality on instructional quality. Latino children spent about 20% of their day engaged in language and literacy activities. Multilevel regression analysis results showed that the length of Latino children's engagement in language and literacy activities in ECE programmes was more strongly related to their English oral language skills and alphabet knowledge than the quality of teacher–child interactions.
Pengaruh Sifat Sinisme, Lingkungan dan Sifat Machiavellian Terhadap Tindakan Kecurangan Akademik

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menguji bahwa sifat sinisme, lingkungan dan sifat machiavellian memiliki pengaruh terhadap tindakan kecurangan akademik yang dilakukan oleh mahasiswa. Penelitian ini mengacu pada penelitian sebelumnya yaitu penelitian yang dilakukan oleh Chrismastuti (2008). Penelitian ini dilakukan di Jurusan Akuntansi Universitas Brawijaya Malang dengan menggunakan metode survei. Penelitian ini memperoleh respon sebanyak 237 Responden dari 297 total kuesioner yang telah disebar. Responden tersebut adalah mahasiswa Jurusan Akuntansi Universitas Brawijaya yang menyatakan pernah melakukan kecurangan akademik. Peneliti menggunakan software SPSS untuk menguji data penelitian. Hasil analisis dari penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa sifat sinisme, lingkungan dan sifat machiavellian berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap kecurangan akademik. Hal tersebut menunjukkan bahwa kecurangan akademik dapat dipengaruhi oleh sifat sinisme, lingkungan dan sifat machiavellian. Implikasi dari penelitian ini diharapkan dapat membantu sektor pendidikan untuk mengenali hal-hal yang mempengaruhi kecurangan akademik. Kata Kunci: Kecurangan Akademik, Sifat Sinisme, Lingkungan dan Sifat Machiavellian.
The GlobeFish and the GlobeMouse: two new six degree of freedom input devices for graphics applications

We introduce two new six degree of freedom desktop input devices based on the key concept of combining forceless isotonic rotational input with force-requiring elastic translational input. The GlobeFish consists of a custom three degrees of freedom trackball which is elastically connected to a frame. The trackball is accessible from the top and bottom and can be moved slightly in all spatial directions by using force. The GlobeMouse device works in a similar way. Here the trackball is placed on top of a movable base, which requires to change the grip on the device to switch between rotating the trackball and moving the base.Our devices are manipulated with the fingertips allowing precise interaction with virtual objects. The elastic translation allows uniform input for all three axes and the isotonic trackball provides a natural mapping for rotations. Our user study revealed that the new devices perform significantly better in a docking task in comparison to the SpaceMouse, an integrated six degrees of freedom controller. Subjective data confirmed these results.
Expression of the Domain Cassette 8 Plasmodium falciparum Erythrocyte Membrane Protein 1 Is Associated with Cerebral Malaria in Benin

Background Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein-1 (PfEMP-1) is a highly polymorphic adherence receptor expressed on the surface of infected erythrocytes. Based on sequence homology PfEMP-1 variants have been grouped into three major groups A-C, the highly conserved VAR2CSA variants, and semi-conserved types defined by tandem runs of specific domains (“domain cassettes” (DC)). The PfEMP-1 type expressed determines the adherence phenotype, and is associated with clinical outcome of infection. Methods Parasite isolates from Beninese children or women presenting with, respectively, CM or PAM were collected along with samples from patients with uncomplicated malaria (UM). We assessed the transcript level of var genes by RT-qPCR and the expression of PfEMP-1 proteins by LC-MS/MS. Results Var genes encoding DC8 and Group A PfEMP-1 were transcribed more often and at higher levels in cerebral malaria vs. uncomplicated malaria patients. LC-MS/MS identified peptides from group A, DC8 PfEMP-1 more frequently in cerebral malaria than in uncomplicated malaria and pregnancy-associated malaria samples. Conclusion This is the first study to show association between PfEMP-1 subtype and disease outcome by direct analysis of parasites proteome. The results corroborate that group A and specifically the PfEMP-1 types DC8 are universally associated with cerebral malaria. This is a crucial observation for promoting studies on malaria pathogenesis.
Effect of honey consumption on intestinal motility in male albino rats.

This study investigated the effects of honey on intestinal motility and transit using twenty (20) male albino rats of Wistar strain weighing 210-220g. The rats were randomly grouped into control and honey-fed (test) groups of ten (10) rats each. The control group was fed on normal rat chow ( Pfizer Company, Nigeria ) and water while the test group was fed on rat feed, water and honey ( 1 ml of honey to every 10 ml initial drinking water daily) for twenty two (22) weeks after which the rats were starved over night before the experiment and sacrificed by stunning. Laparatomy was immediately performed, proximal and distal portions of the intestine identified, cut and put in aerated tyrode solution. Cut sections of the ileum (2-3cm) were mounted on organ bath instrument for motility experiment with varying concentrations of acetylcholine and carbachol. Contractions were recorded as well as the intestinal transit in each group and lengths of intestine with total mean values calculated. Results obtained showed that honey significantly decreased (p<0.01 ) intestinal transit in the test group (21.15±0.75 ) compared with the control group ( 35.96±1.15); decreased intestinal motility in the test group compared with the control and caused significant percentage reduction of intestinal motility with varied concentrations of acetylcholine and carbachol in the test group ( Ach-75.00±0.75%; Carbachol-79.00±0.28%) compared with the control group (Ach-62.00±0.39%; Carbachol-51.00±0.39%). In conclusion, unprocessed Nigerian honey decreased intestinal transit, caused intestinal smooth muscle inhibition and motility and reduced sensitivity of gastrointestinal tract to cholinergic agents.
On the Information in the Interest Rate Term Structure and Option Prices

We examine whether the information in cap and swaption prices is consistent with realized movements of the interest rate term structure. To extract an option-implied interest rate covariance matrix from cap and swaption prices, we use Libor market models as a modelling framework. We propose a flexible parameterization of the interest rate covariance matrix, which cannot be generated by standard low-factor term structure models. The empirical analysis, based on US data from 1995 to 1999, shows that option prices imply an interest rate covariance matrix that is significantly different from the covariance matrix estimated from interest rate data. If one uses the latter covariance matrix to price caps and swaptions, one significantly underprices these options. We discuss and analyze several explanations for our findings.
The Meaning Factory at SemEval-2017 Task 9: Producing AMRs with Neural Semantic Parsing

We evaluate a semantic parser based on a character-based sequence-to-sequence model in the context of the SemEval-2017 shared task on semantic parsing for AMRs. With data augmentation, super characters, and POS-tagging we gain major improvements in performance compared to a baseline character-level model. Although we improve on previous character-based neural semantic parsing models, the overall accuracy is still lower than a state-of-the-art AMR parser. An ensemble combining our neural semantic parser with an existing, traditional parser, yields a small gain in performance.
Who Am I? The Experience of Subjective Identity

Marcia (1966, 1993) translated Erikson’s (1950, 1968, 1982) writings on identity into a status classification model. He determined that the elements of exploration and commitment were representative of the core processes at play in establishing an identity in adolescence. Based on these two processes Marcia proposed a four quadrant framework for operationalising identity, which included the classifications of identity Achieved, Foreclosed, Diffused and Moratorium, and applied these classifications to occupational and ideological dimensions of life. Since the development of this model, a plethora of research has resulted, both expanding and refining its focus. That research has reviewed the cognitive processes at play within Marcia’s model, mechanisms that elucidate how exploration occurs, and subclassifications within the identity status categories as some pertinent examples. Absent in this research however, is reference to identity as a subjective experience, or identity as the way one experiences oneself. The current investigation sought to link this subjective element of identity to Marcia’s model of identity status classification, and to apply it to various age ranges. It argues that although there should be alignment between the subjective experience of who one is and one’s subsequent occupational, ideological or relational commitments, this is not always the case. The current project built on the research specifically related to Marcia’s (1966, 1993) identity status paradigm. Recruiting 346 participants (246 women, 99 men, one unspecified) aged from 17 to 84 years (mean age of 35 years (SD=17.39) for the women, and 43 years (SD=19.52) for the men), it attempted to define the subjective experience of identity and translate this into a model replicating Marcia’s four original classifications. This thesis argues that although the subjective experience of identity is a very personal experience, there is a ‘generalist phenomenology’ present within it, utilizing the constructs of Neuroticism, Openness to Experience, Sense of Coherence, Congruence, Reflection, Rumination, Self-acceptance, Self-esteem and Selfactualization to express this. These constructs were factor analyzed to determine whether they were linked by one underlying variable, namely the subjective experience of identity. Although the finding revealed was not quite as expected, it supported the development of a four quadrant model. Scores on these nine constructs were subsequently clustered into four groups, largely recognizable as the identity
Inequalities in the care experiences of patients with cancer: analysis of data from the National Cancer Patient Experience Survey 2011–2012

Objectives To explore inequalities in the care experiences of care by patients clinical or trust-level factors for patients with cancer. Design Secondary analysis of data from the National Cancer Patient Experience Survey 2011–2012. Setting and participants Adult patients with a primary diagnosis of cancer who attended an acute or specialist National Health Service (NHS) trust in England. Outcome measure OR of a patient rating their overall care positively, adjusting for other patient, clinical and trust-level factors. Methods Using cross-sectional data from 71 793 patients with cancer who completed the National Cancer Patient Experience Survey 2011–2012, we examined associations between patient, clinical and trust-level factors and a summary measure of patient experience, namely overall rating of care. Multivariate logistic regression was used to investigate variation by sociodemographic characteristics adjusting for other patient, clinical and trust-level factors. Results Female, non-white and younger patients were less likely to rate their overall care as excellent or very good. Patients with long-standing conditions, particularly those with learning disabilities or mental health conditions, also reported poorer overall care. This variation persisted when other patient, clinical and trust-level factors were controlled for, indicating that there are real differences in experiences among patients with cancer by sociodemographic characteristics. Conclusions There is evidence of inequalities in the experiences of patients with cancer in the UK by sociodemographic characteristics such as gender, age, ethnicity and disability. Quality cancer care services must strive to meet the needs of a diverse patient population equally; this study identifies patient groups for whom it appears cancer care services are in greatest need of improvement.
Prospective randomized double‐blind trial between laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication and anterior partial fundoplication

In the operative management of gastro‐oesophageal reflux, a balance must be achieved between adequate control of reflux and excessive dysphagia. The ideal technique is not known. A randomized study was performed to determine whether laparoscopic anterior fundoplication is associated with a lower incidence of postoperative dysphagia than laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication, while achieving equivalent control of reflux.
Sexual behaviour, swelling of the sex skin and plasma progesterone in the pigtail macaque.

The sexual behaviour of heterosexual pairs of eight female and six male adult pigtail monkeys, Macaca nemestrina, was observed for a 15-min testing period on alternate days of a complete menstrual cycle. The behaviour was correlated with changes in swelling of the sexual skin and in plasma progesterone. A close relation between the peak of sex skin swelling and the time of ovulation was established by laparotomy. Aggressive behaviour was spasmodic and there was very little display of social patterns of behaviour, such as grooming or pouting. 'Presenting' by the female was significantly more frequent in the follicular phase but the majority of other behaviour patterns, including female 'reaching back', frequency of mounting and intromission by the male and number of pelvic thrusts per intromission, did not differ significantly between follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. The proportion of tests on which ejaculation occurred rose during the follicular phase and reached a maximum at the time of peak sex skin swelling. During the luteal phase, a rise in ejaculatory latency and a marked decline in the incidence of ejaculation, coincided with detumescence of the female's
IVOVO: A new interval-valued one-vs-one approach for multi-class classification problems

Decomposition strategies have been shown to be a successful methodology to tackle multi-class classification problems. Among them, One-vs-One approach is a commonly used technique that consists in dividing the original multi-class problem into easier-to-solve binary sub-problems considering each possible pair of classes. However, this methodology is limited to those classifiers returning a single real value for each prediction. In this work, we present a new One-vs-One approach that is able to deal with interval-valued outputs. In order to achieve this goal, we propose applying a normalization method for intervals along with the corresponding extension of three different aggregation strategies: voting, weighted voting, and WinWV. The experimental results show the suitability of the normalization method and the improvement obtained by One-vs-One with respect to a state-of-the-art interval-valued Fuzzy Rule-Based Classification System (IVTURS).
Changes in blood CD8+ lymphocyte activation status and plasma HIV RNA levels during antiretroviral therapy

Objective:To analyse the relationship between CD8+ lymphocyte phenotype alterations and plasma HIV RNA levels in HIV-infected patients treated with the zidovudine–didanosine combination. Methods:A total of 30 HIV-infected patients who had never received antiretroviral therapy and who were starting treatment with a combination of zidovudine and didanosine were prospectively studied. Multiparameter flow cytometric analysis of CD8+ lymphocytes and plasma HIV RNA determination were performed on day 0, day 15 and monthly from months 1 to 6. Results:Patients were divided into three categories according to the time-course of plasma HIV RNA levels. In 14 patients, an early and sustained fall in plasma HIV RNA to below the detection limit (500 copies/ml) was observed; in 10 patients, the fall was transient; in six patients, plasma HIV RNA was always detectable (non-responders). The mean CD4+ lymphocyte gain was 120 × 106/l at month 6 in sustained and transient responders, and 55 × 106/l in non-responders. A significant fall in the proportion of CD8+ lymphocytes with an activated phenotype was observed only in the two groups of responders, and was higher in the sustained responders (CD38+HLA-DR+, −56.8%; CD38+CD45RO+, −54.0%; HLA-DR+CD45RO+, −48.4%; CD38+CD28−, −47.3%). Conclusion:A fall in the proportion of activated CD8+ lymphocytes is associated with the disappearance of HIV RNA from plasma during antiretroviral therapy. Undetectable plasma HIV RNA is not associated with a return to normal CD8+ lymphocyte activation status after 6 months of treatment, suggesting that viral replication persists in lymphoid tissues.
Characterization of the Zinc Binding Activity of the Rubella Virus Nonstructural Protease

ABSTRACT The rubella virus (RUB) nonstructural (NS) protein (NSP) ORF encodes a protease that cleaves the NSP precursor (240 kDa) at a single site to produce two products. A cleavage site mutation was introduced into a RUB infectious cDNA clone and found to be lethal, demonstrating that cleavage of the NSP precursor is necessary for RUB replication. Based on computer alignments, the RUB NS protease was predicted to be a papain-like cysteine protease (PCP) with the residues Cys1152 and His1273 as the catalytic dyad; however, the RUB NS protease was recently found to require divalent cations such as Zn, Co, and Cd for activity (X. Liu, S. L. Ropp, R. J. Jackson, and T. K. Frey, J. Virol. 72:4463–4466, 1998). To analyze the function of metal cation binding in protease activity, Zn binding studies were performed using the minimal NS protease domain within the NSP ORF. When expressed as a maltose binding protein (MBP) fusion protein by bacteria, the NS protease exhibited activity both in the bacteria and in vitro following purification when denatured and refolded in the presence of Zn. Atomic absorption analysis detected 1.6 mol of Zn bound per mol of protein refolded in this manner. Expression of individual domains within the protease as MBP fusions and analysis by a Zn65 binding assay revealed two Zn binding domains: one located at a predicted metal binding motif beginning at Cys1175 and the other one close to the cleavage site. Mutagenesis studies showed that Cys1175 and Cys1178 in the first domain and Cys1227 and His1273, the His in the predicted catalytic site, in the second domain are essential for zinc binding. All of these residues are also necessary for the protease activity, as were several other Cys residues not involved in Zn binding. Far-UV circular dichroism (CD) analysis of the MBP-NS protease fusion protein showed that the protease domain contained a large amount of alpha-helical structure, which is consistent with the results of secondary-structural prediction. Both far-UV–CD and fluorescence studies suggested that Zn did not exert a major effect on the overall structure of the fusion protein. Finally, protease inhibitor assays found that the protease activity can be blocked by both metal ion chelators and the metalloprotease inhibitor captopril. In conjunction with the finding that the previously predicted catalytic site, His1273, is essential for zinc binding, this suggests that the RUB NS protease is actually a novel virus metalloprotease rather than a PCP.