Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
OAL: A NLP Architecture to Improve the Development of Linguistic Resources for NLP

The performance of most NLP applications relies upon the quality of linguistic resources. The creation, maintenance and enrichment of those resources are a labour-intensive task, especially when no tools are available. In this paper we present the NLP architecture OAL, designed to assist computational linguists in the whole process of the development of resources in an industrial context: from corpora compilation to quality assurance. To add new words more easily to the morphosyntactic lexica, a guesser that lemmatizes and assigns morphosyntactic tags as well as inflection paradigms to a new word has been developed. Moreover, different control mechanisms are set up to check the coherence and consistency of the resources. Today OAL manages resources in five European languages: French, English, Spanish, Italian and Polish. Chinese and Portuguese are in process. The development of OAL has followed an incremental strategy. At present, semantic lexica, a named entities guesser and a named entities phonetizer are being developed.
Shared Memory Abstractions for Heterogeneous Multicore Processors

We are now seeing diminishing returns from classic single-core processor designs, yet the number of transistors available for a processor is still increasing. Processor architects are therefore experimenting with a variety of multicore processor designs. Heterogeneous multicore processors with Explicitly Managed Memory (EMM) hierarchies are one such experimental design which has the potential for high performance, but at the cost of great programmer effort. EMM processors have cores that are divorced from the normal memory hierarchy, thus the onus is on the programmer to manage locality and parallelism. This dissertation presents the Cellgen source-to-source compiler which moves some of this complexity back into the compiler. Cellgen offers a directive-based programming model with semantics similar to OpenMP for the Cell Broadband Engine, a general-purpose processor with EMM. The compiler implicitly handles locality and parallelism, schedules memory transfers for data parallel regions of code, and provides performance predictions which can be leveraged to make scheduling decisions. We compare this approach to using a software cache, to a different programming model which is task based with explicit data transfers, and to programming the Cell directly using the native SDK. We also present a case study which uses the Cellgen compiler in a comparison across multiple kinds of multicore architectures: heterogeneous, homogeneous and radically data-parallel graphics processors.
fMRI activation during a language task in adolescents with ASD

Abstract Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by language and communication impairments, social impairments, and repetitive behaviors or restricted interests. Previous studies of semantic functions have found differences in semantic processing and differences in the activation of the language network in adults with ASD compared to controls. The goal of this study is to examine semantic functions in adolescents with ASD compared to typically developing adolescents. We utilized fMRI with a reading version of a response-naming task to investigate activation in 12 right-handed adolescent boys with ASD and 12 typically developing boys. Both groups performed the task at ceiling levels. Boys with ASD had significantly stronger activation than controls in Broca's area, which was less left lateralized in ASD individuals. Controls had a significant correlation between frontal and temporal language area activation in the left hemisphere, whereas ASD adolescents did not. Direct group comparisons revealed additional regions activated in the ASD group relative to the control group. These results suggest differences in semantic organization, approaches to the semantic task, or efficiency in semantic processing in ASD adolescents relative to typically developing adolescents. (JINS, 2008, 14, 967–979.)
RhoA Signaling via Serum Response Factor Plays an Obligatory Role in Myogenic Differentiation*

Serum response factor (SRF) plays a central role during myogenesis, being required for the expression of striated α-actin genes. As shown here, the small GTPase RhoA-dependent activation of SRF results in the expression of muscle-specific genes, thereby promoting myogenic differentiation in myoblast cell lines. Co-expression of activated V14-RhoA and SRF results in an approximately 10-fold activation of the skeletal α-actin promoter in replicating myoblasts, while SRFpm1, a dominant negative SRF mutant, blocks RhoA dependent skeletal α-actin promoter activity. Serum withdrawal further potentiates RhoA- and SRF-mediated activation of α-actin promoter to about 30-fold in differentiated myotubes. In addition, the proximal SRE1 in the skeletal α-actin promoter is sufficient to mediate RhoA signaling via SRF. Furthermore, SRFpm1 and to a lesser extent dominant negative N19-RhoA inhibit myoblast fusion, postreplicative myogenic differentiation, and expression of direct SRF targets such as skeletal α-actin and indirect targets such as myogenin and α-myosin heavy chain. Moreover, RhoA also stimulates the autoregulatable murine SRF gene promoter in myoblasts, and the expression level of SRF is reduced in myoblasts overexpressing N19-RhoA. Our study supports the concept that RhoA signaling via SRF serves as an obligatory muscle differentiation regulatory pathway.
Bmc Plant Biology Variation in Dna Methylation Patterns of Grapevine Somaclones (vitis Vinifera L.)

Background: In traditional vine areas, the production should present a typicity that partly depends on the grapevine variety. Therefore, vine improvement is considered difficult because of the limited choice in the natural variability of the cultivars within the limits of their characteristics. A possibility to circumvent this problem is the use of somatic variability. In vitro somatic embryogenesis and organogenesis can lead to genotypic and phenotypic variations, described as somaclonal variation, that could be useful for the selection of improved grapevine genotypes.
Asperger Syndrome in the Family: Redefining Normal

Introduction 1. Aspie 2. Too Close to the Maddening Crowd. 3. The Communication Zone. 4. Close Quarters. 5. Daring to be Different. 6. Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace. 7. Teeter Totter. 8. Catch a Falling Star. 9. Sunny Side Up. Epilogue. Appendix I: Web Resources. Appendix II: Australian Scale for Asperger's Syndrome Second Edition. Appendix III: Fast Facts for Those New to Aspie World. Appendix IV: Self-Affirmation. Pledge for Aspies Parents. Appendix V: Self-Affirmation. Pledge for Aspie Parents. Appendix VI. Making Sense of Small Talk. Index.
Donor Kidney Adapts to Body Dimensions of Recipient: No Influence of Donor Gender on Renal Function After Transplantation

Female kidneys and kidneys from small donors have been suggested to perform worse after kidney transplantation. Here, we evaluate the impact of gender and body dimensions on posttransplantation GFR in living donor transplantation. Two hundred and ninety‐three donor–recipient pairs, who were transplanted at our center were evaluated. All pairs had detailed renal function measurement (125I‐iothalamate and 131I‐hippuran) 4 months predonation in the donor and 2.5 months posttransplantation in donor and recipient. For 88 pairs, 5 years of recipient follow‐up was available. Delta GFR was calculated as (recipient GFR–donor single kidney GFR). Recipients of both male and female kidneys had similar renal function at early and long term after transplantation. Male recipients had higher ERPF, ΔGFR and ΔERPF at both time points. Kidneys of donors smaller than their recipient had higher ΔGFR and ΔERPF than kidneys of larger donors at both time points (p < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, ΔGFR was predicted by donor/recipient BSA‐ratio together with transplantation related factors (R2 0.19), irrespective of donor and recipient gender. In conclusion, in living donor transplantation, female kidneys perform as well as male donor kidneys. Kidneys adapt to the recipient's body size and demands, independent of gender, without detrimental effects in renal function and outcome up to mid‐long term.
SIRT3 in Neural Stem Cells Attenuates Microglia Activation-Induced Oxidative Stress Injury Through Mitochondrial Pathway

Sirtuin 3 (SIRT3), a mitochondrial protein, is involved in energy metabolism, cell apoptosis and mitochondrial function. However, the role of SIRT3 in neural stem cells (NSCs) remains unknown. In previous studies, we found that microglia activation-induced cytotoxicity negatively regulated survival of NSCs, along with mitochondrial dysfunction. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential neuroprotective effects of SIRT3 on the microglia activation-induced oxidative stress injury in NSCs and its possible mechanisms. In the present study, microglia-NSCs co-culture system was used to demonstrate the crosstalk between both cell types. The cytotoxicity of microglia activation by Amyloid-β (Aβ) resulted in the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and down-regulation of SIRT3, manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) gene expression in NSCs, concomitant to cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase, increased cell apoptosis rate and opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) and enhanced mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) depolarization. Furthermore, SIRT3 knockdown in NSCs via small interfering RNA (siRNA) accelerated cell injury, whereas SIRT3 overexpression provided resistance to microglia activation-induced oxidative stress cellular damage. The mechanisms of SIRT3 attenuated activated microglia-induced NSC dysfunction included the decreased mPTP opening and cyclophilin D (CypD) protein expression, inhibition of mitochondrial cytochrome C (Cyt C) release to cytoplasm, declined Bax/B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) ratio and reduced caspase-3/9 activity. Taken together, these data imply that SIRT3 ameliorates microglia activation-induced oxidative stress injury through mitochondrial apoptosis pathway in NSCs, these results may provide a novel intervention target for NSC survival.
THE EXPERIMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF LATENT NEOPLASTIC CHANGES IN TARRED SKIN

A carcinogenic tar applied to rabbit skin renders many more epidermal cells neoplastic than ever declare themselves by forming tumors. They may be present in large numbers and persist for a considerable time after brief tarring, yet give rise to no growths unless encouraged. The stimulus of wound healing will suffice to make some of them multiply and form tumors. No evidence has been obtained, in experiments specifically directed to the point, that the cells which tar renders neoplastic respond in this way because they are possessed of peculiarities not shared by the rest of the normal epithelium. The fact that non-specific stimulation (as e.g. wound healing) may act as the deciding influence in tumor formation brings out the need for a sharp distinction between the forces which induce neoplastic change and those which determine, or prevent, its realization in terms of a tumor. The distinction is vital to the appraisal of the many carcinogenic substances worked with nowadays. The ability of tumor cells to lie latent for long periods and respond to non-carcinogenic stimulation by multiplying into growths provides an explanation of those clinical instances in which cancer appears rapidly after acute injury to tissue that had seemed normal.
Producing boundary-breaking texts on disability issues: the personal politics of collaboration

Purpose: This article explores the reflection on a process of inter-collaborative team work to produce a photographic book on caregivers’ experiences of parenting their disabled children. The team of authors consisted of members with diverse backgrounds, including media studies, social science and photography. The purpose of this article was to explore and gain a deeper understanding of the process of boundary breaking, one which is important if we are to develop new knowledges and new ways of thinking about disability. Method: In-depth interviews were conducted with all contributors to the book. Results: Themes emerging from the interviews include the existence of different worlds, crossing boundaries, questions about expertise, conflicting hopes and expectations, and the ethics of anonymity. Conclusion: An account of the anxieties, the frustrations and rewarding aspects of the collaboration is provided. We conclude that “us” and “them” categorization permeates our thinking. It characterizes some of the most simplistic thinking in the world of disability – able-bodied vs. disabled. In reality, there are no such categories, we all reside along a highly differentiated continuum of changing states of impairment and health. If we open ourselves up to this reality, we can meet one another and draw on one another’s knowledge and experience. Implications for Rehabilitation Collaboration between able-bodied researchers and disabled people and their families holds the potential for producing new perspectives on disability and rehabilitation. These collaborations may be emotionally challenging and they hold possibilities for a range of conflicts. Dealing with these challenges conflicts openly and honestly may lead to a deeper understanding of the issues at stake in disability and rehabilitation. We need more examples of reflection on innovative collaborative processes.
Effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation on results of the twitch interpolation technique

To investigate whether transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has an effect on isometric muscle force elicited by maximal voluntary contractions (MVC) and the ability to activate a muscle voluntarily (VA, as a percentage of full muscle activation), a twitch‐interpolation technique was applied on the quadriceps femoris muscles of six volunteers before and within 1 min after TMS. VA improved by 5% (P = 0.019) and MVC by 17% (P = 0.002), whereas these parameters were unchanged in a control experiment. The results suggest that TMS has an effect on the central motor drive, at least within 1 min after stimulation. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 23: 1125–1128, 2000
Convicted Drunk Drivers in Electronic Monitoring Home Detention and Day Reporting Centers: An Exploratory Study

This study expands on current literature by assessing the relationship between drunk driving offenders sentenced to either a Day Reporting Center (DRC) or an Electronic Monitoring/Home Detention (EMHD) program and exit status. The data was coded from individual offender case files maintained by a County Community Corrections Office. 118 subjects were included in the research in EMHD and 51 subjects in DRCs. Detailed information regarding each subject's prior offense history/sanctions and post-recidivism was collected from the Criminal History Information System maintained by a County Superior Court. Outcome measure of this study was "exit status. " This variable was dichotomized as "successful" (coded 1) and "failure" (coded 0). Results support the prior literature, which suggests that as offenders age, they are more likely to have a greater stake in conformity or more to lose by incarceration. Hence, the authors expected this finding. At the same time, those offenders who have committed felony offenses rather than misdemeanors may fear that the outcome of failing the program is incarceration. Therefore, they may be more inclined to take advantage of the services offered in the programs and successfully meet all of the programmatic requirements.
The Political Economy of Environmental Policy with Overlapping Generations

A two‐sector overlapping generations model illuminates the intergenerational effects of a tax that protects an environmental stock. A traded asset capitalizes the economic returns to future tax‐induced environmental improvements, benefiting the current asset owners, the old generation. Absent a transfer, the tax harms the young generation by decreasing their real wage. Future generations benefit from the tax‐induced improvement in environmental stock. The principal intergenerational conflict arising from the tax is between generations alive at the time society imposes the policy, not between generations alive at different times. A Pareto‐improving tax can be implemented under various political economy settings.
Decision-making in marking open-ended listening test items:the case of the OET

This paper forms part of a broader project in which we have attempted to “track” a marking guide for open-ended (or “limited production”) listening test items from its inception to its eventual use among assessors. One key issue that has arisen from this ongoing project is assessor decision making while using and applying a marking guide for open-ended test items. In contexts where open-ended items are used, a marking guide is intended to stipulate precisely what kind of response should be accepted as evidence of the ability under test. However, there often remains scope for assessors to apply their own interpretations of the construct in judging responses that fall outside the necessarily limited information provided in a marking guide. This paper explores this issue in relation to the listening component of the Occupational English Test (OET)—a language test for overseas-qualified health professionals wishing to work in Australia.
Molecular characterization of genotype 2 and 4 hepatitis C virus isolates in French blood donors

The subtype distribution of 142 genotype 2 and 97 genotype 4 hepatitis C virus (HCV) isolates from the sera of 1,319 volunteer blood donors in France was determined by gene sequencing and by phylogenetic analysis of the NS5B region and E1 envelope. Findings underlined a wide range of subtypes in both genotypes, that is, 20 in HCV‐2 and 11 in HCV‐4. Eighteen of these 31 subtypes had not been defined previously. Some subtypes, that is, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2i, 2k, 4a, and 4d, showed numerous strains while subtypes in donors from West Africa or Central Africa showed an endemic profile with only a few strains. A Bayesian coalescence approach was used to estimate the demographic history of each HCV subtype. The estimated mean dates of the most recent common ancestors (MRCA) were 1,889 (confidence interval (CI), 1,842–1,930) for HCV‐2a, 1,886 (CI, 1,843–1,921) for HCV‐2b, 1,791 (CI, 1,699–1,848) for HCV‐2c, 1,846 (CI, 1,803–1,878) for HCV‐2i, 1,911 (CI, 1,879–1,937) for HCV‐4a, and 1,957 (CI, 1,943–1,967) for HCV‐4d. The period of spread for subtype 2b, 2c, and 2i was between 1900 and 1960 whereas rapid exponential spread for subtype 2a, 4a, and 4d occurred in the 1960s. The inferred histories of population growth indicated that transmission rates differed according to HCV subtype. These results may help to predict the future burden of HCV in France. J. Med. Virol. 80:1732–1739, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Compiler-directed scratch pad memory hierarchy design and management

One of the primary challenges in embedded system design is designing the memory hierarchy and restructuring the application to take advantage of it. This task is particularly important for embedded image and video processing applications that make heavy use of large multidimensional arrays of signals and nested loops. In this paper, we show that a simple reuse vector/matrix abstraction can provide compiler with useful information in a concise form. Using this information, compiler can either adapt application to an existing memory hierarchy or can come up with a memory hierarchy. Our initial results indicate that the compiler is very successful in both optimizing code for a given memory hierarchy and designing a hierarchy with reasonable performance/size ratio.
Tuberculosis: 4. Pulmonary disease.

Case 1 A 22-year-old aboriginal woman presented with a 12-week history of fever, night sweats, weight loss and productive cough. She had no history of lung disease or any condition known to compromise immune function. Plain chest radiography revealed consolidation and moderate volume loss in the left upper lobe of the lung, with at least 2 cavities at the apex, the largest measuring 4–5 cm in diameter (Fig. 1A). This imaging also showed non-cavitary disease in the left lower lobe.
Transformational leadership and job satisfaction: The mediating effects of perceptions of politics and market orientation in the Japanese context

This paper investigates the causal relationship among transformational leadership, perceptions of organizational politics, market orientation, and work-related outcome. In this study, we assumed that organization-level perceptions of organizational politics and market orientation mediate the relationship between top management’s transformational leadership and employees’ work-related outcomes and that perceptions of organizational politics diminish market orientation. Data were collected from a sample of 200 employees working in Japanese companies. To test the hypothesized correlations, we used structural equation modelling using AMOS 16.0. As we hypothesized, both perceptions of politics and market orientation mediated the relationship between transformational leadership and employees’ job satisfaction. However, contrary to our expectation, perceptions of organizational politics were not significantly correlated with market orientation. This study is the first empirical research of organizational politics using a Japanese sample. In future studies, we should resolve methodological limitations of this study and develop theoretical frameworks that reflect cultural difference among countries.
Opioid Peptide–expressing Leukocytes: Identification, Recruitment, and Simultaneously Increasing Inhibition of Inflammatory Pain

Background Inflammatory pain can be effectively controlled by an interaction of opioid receptors on peripheral sensory nerve terminals with opioid peptides released from immune cells upon stressful stimulation. To define the source of opioid peptide production, we sought to identify and quantify populations of opioid-containing cells during the course of Freund’s complete adjuvant–induced hind paw inflammation in the rat. In parallel, we examined the development of stress-induced local analgesia in the paw. Methods At 2, 6, and 96 h after Freund’s complete adjuvant inoculation, cells were characterized by flow cytometry using a monoclonal pan-opioid antibody (3E7) and antibodies against cell surface antigens and by immunohistochemistry using a polyclonal antibody to &bgr;-endorphin. After magnetic cell sorting, the &bgr;-endorphin content was quantified by radioimmunoassay. Pain responses before and after cold water swim stress were evaluated by paw pressure thresholds. Results In early inflammation, 66% of opioid peptide–producing (3E7+) leukocytes were HIS48+ granulocytes. In contrast, at later stages (96 h), the majority of 3E7+ immune cells were ED1+ monocytes or macrophages (73%). During the 4 days after Freund’s complete adjuvant inoculation, the number of 3E7+ cells increased 5.6-fold (P < 0.001, Kruskal–Wallis test) and the &bgr;-endorphin content in the paw multiplied 3.9-fold (P < 0.05, Kruskal–Wallis test). In parallel, cold water swim stress–induced analgesia increased by 160% (P < 0.01, analysis of variance). Conclusions The degree of endogenous pain inhibition is proportional to the number of opioid peptide–producing cells, and distinct leukocyte lineages contribute to this function at different stages of inflammation. These mechanisms may be important for understanding pain in immunosuppressed states such as cancer, diabetes, or AIDS and for the design of novel therapeutic strategies in inflammatory diseases.