Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identifying Styles and Paths toward Success in MOOCs

Current schemes to categorise MOOC students result from a single view on the population which either contains the engagement of the students or demographics or self reported motivation. We propose a new hierarchical student categorisation, which uses common online activities capturing both engagement and achievement of MOOC students. A first level is based on the online engagement with the course structure, i.e., whether they take part in graded activities or not. Based on this criterion, we divide students into two major categories: active students and viewers. The second levels are based on the different activities typically performed by the students in these two categories. For the “active students”we categorise them based on their final result. For the “viewers”, we further divide the category based on their engagement quotient, i.e., how much of the course content they follow and whether they involve with the non-mandatory exercises in the course or not. Further, in this contribution we analyse the behaviour of the students in different categories to highlight the basic differences among them.
Prisons and Their Moral Performance: A Study of Values, Quality, and Prison Life

PART 1: INTRODUCTION: PENAL VALUES AND PRISON EVALUATION 1. The Late Modern Prison and The Question of Values 2. The Measurement and Evaluation of Prison Regimes 3. Identifying 'What Matters' in Prison 4. Particular Prisons and Their Qualities PART 2: THE MEANING AND MEASUREMENT OF KEY DIMENSIONS OF PRISON LIFE 5. Relationship Dimensions: Respect, Humanity, Trust, Relationships, and Support 6. Regime Dimensions: Fairness, Order, Safety, Well-Being, Personal Development, Family Contact, and Decency 7. Social Structure and Other Dimensions: Power, Prisoner Social Life, Meaning, and Quality of Life PART 3: PENAL VALUES AND PRISON MANAGEMENT 8. Managing Modern Prisons and their Performance 9. Security, Harmony, and 'What Matters' in Prison Life 10. Legitimacy, Decency, and the Moral Performance of Prisons
Immigration, jobs and wages: theory, evidence and opinion

In most countries of the industrialised world, migration is a highly sensitive political issue. Stories relating to migration appear regularly in the national media and often prove to be central points of debate in electoral campaigns. The causes and effects of migration also feature prominently in political debates in much of the developing world. For domestic residents, who remain unsure of its consequences, rising immigration can generate feelings of fear and anxiety. They suspect that waves of newcomers may reap the rewards of others' hard work. Economists, in turn, have conducted extensive research in an attempt to establish whether such fears are justified. However, the perceived complexities of economic analysis have meant that the public debate has tended to ignore some simple and fundamental results. This report provides a brief historical overview of Europe's migration experience since World War II, and presents a simple economic model that shows how immigration can affect the host countries' economies. However, without supporting empirical analysis, economic theory is nothing more than pure speculation. It is this measurement of the effects of immigration that has proved to be a difficult task. Christian Dustmann and Albrecht Glitz explain the challenges researchers face when conducting empirical analysis. They discuss the advantages of different methodological approaches, and also the problems associated with each of them. The authors then provide a summary of the existing empirical literature and discuss the latest developments that have been made in this field of research. In the penultimate chapter the authors investigate how attitudes to immigration and its effects on wages, employment and wealth redistribution are related to individuals' socio-economic characteristics. The chapter also analyses how differences in average perceptions across countries are related to macroeconomic indicators. The debate about the effects of immigration is an important one, and the issues involved are complex. A better informed debate may help supporting implementation of welfare-enhancing policies. This report is written for the non-specialized reader. It makes a significant contribution by extending and consolidating knowledge and understanding of the possible effects of rising migration flows.
Predictor-Based Compensation for Electromechanical Delay During Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation

Electromechanical delay (EMD) is a biological artifact that arises due to a time lag between electrical excitation and tension development in a muscle. EMD is known to cause degraded performance and instability during neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES). Compensating for such input delay is complicated by the unknown nonlinear muscle force-length and muscle force-velocity relationships. This paper provides control development and a mathematical stability analysis of a NMES controller with a predictive term that actively accounts for EMD. The results are obtained through the development of a novel predictor-type method to address the delay in the voltage input to the muscle. Lyapunov-Krasovskii functionals are used within a Lyapunov-based stability analysis to prove semi-global uniformly ultimately bounded tracking. Experiments on able-bodied volunteers illustrate the performance and robustness of the developed controller during a leg extension trajectory following task.
Two solution concepts for TU games with cycle-free directed cooperation structures

For arbitrary cycle-free directed graph games tree-type values are introduced axiomatically and their explicit formula representation is provided. These values may be considered as natural extensions of the tree and sink values as has been defined correspondingly for rooted and sink forest graph games. The main property for the tree value is that every player in the game receives the worth of this player together with his successors minus what these successors receive. It implies that every coalition of players consisting of one of the players with all his successors receives precisely its worth. Additionally their efficiency and stability are studied. Simple recursive algorithms to calculate the values are also provided. The application to the water distribution problem of a river with multiple sources, a delta and possibly islands is considered.
Mechanism of an ATP-independent Protein Disaggregase

Background: A novel chaperone, cpSRP43, disassembles a family of membrane protein aggregates. Results: cpSRP43-mediated disaggregation requires two steps, recognition and remodeling, each with distinct molecular requirements. Conclusion: cpSRP43 uses distinct substrate binding interactions to recognize and then remodel and disrupt the protein aggregate. Significance: Mechanism of this novel ATP-independent disaggregase guides the understanding of analogous systems and design efforts to target protein aggregates of interest. The ability of molecular chaperones to overcome the misfolding and aggregation of proteins is essential for the maintenance of proper protein homeostasis in all cells. Thus far, the best studied disaggregase systems are the Clp/Hsp100 family of “ATPases associated with various cellular activities” (AAA+) ATPases, which use mechanical forces powered by ATP hydrolysis to remodel protein aggregates. An alternative system to disassemble large protein aggregates is provided by the 38-kDa subunit of the chloroplast signal recognition particle (cpSRP43), which uses binding energy with its substrate proteins to drive disaggregation. The mechanism of this novel chaperone remains unclear. Here, molecular genetics and structure-activity analyses show that the action of cpSRP43 can be dissected into two steps with distinct molecular requirements: (i) initial recognition, during which cpSRP43 binds specifically to a recognition motif displayed on the surface of the aggregate; and (ii) aggregate remodeling, during which highly adaptable binding interactions of cpSRP43 with hydrophobic transmembrane domains of the substrate protein compete with the packing interactions within the aggregate. This establishes a useful framework to understand the molecular mechanism by which binding interactions from a molecular chaperone can be used to overcome protein aggregates in the absence of external energy input from ATP.
Chronological Probability Model of Photovoltaic Generation

This paper proposes a chronological probability model of photovoltaic (PV) generation on the basis of conditional probability and nonparametric kernel density estimation. In addition to randomness of PV power, the correlation of PV powers between adjacent time points and the uncertainty of start and end moments of PV output can be represented. The proposed model can be employed to produce random PV power time series curve using a stochastic sampling method. The power data of three PV generators in different regions with distinct weather conditions and 34-node distribution network are used to demonstrate the correctness, effectiveness, and adaptability of the presented model.
STRATEGY FOR SAFE USE OF FUNGI AND FUNGAL DERIVATIVES IN FOOD PROCESSING

Satellite Meeting, IUTOX VIIIth International Congress of Toxicology – Mycotox98. Toulouse July 2–4, 1998. Mycotoxins in Food Chain—Processing and Toxicological Aspects. Revue de Médecine Vétérinaire 149(6). This issue of the journal contains 16 papers presented at Mycotox98. The meeting took into account the whole food chain by considering research aspects from biosynthesis to regulation of mycotoxins in food. [These articles are abstracted separately under appropriate headings in this newsletter – Ed.]
The Role of Cognitive Flexibility in Pattern Understanding

The ability to discover a regularity among an ordered set of units, termed patterning, is a crucial cognitive ability that precedes pre-algebraic mathematics skills and possibly reading. However, there is limited research on the cognitive underpinnings of patterning. There is some suggestion that there is a relation between cognitive flexibility, which is the ability to switch attention between two aspects of a stimulus, and patterning. However, no research has focused on this relation in children during early school years, which is when these skills are developing. The current study examined the relation between patterning, cognitive flexibility, and reading in first-grade children in the expectation that they would be related. Performance on the patterning and the card sorting cognitive flexibility measures were significantly related. However, reading and cognitive flexibility were not significantly related. This study is one of the first to show that cognitive flexibility may be an important underlying component of patterning ability.
Quality of Depression Care in a Population-Based Sample of Patients With Diabetes and Major Depression

Objectives:Major depression occurs in approximately 11% to 15% of patients with diabetes and is associated with poor glycemic control and adverse medical outcomes. This study examined the rates and predictors of recognition of depression among primary care patients with diabetes and comorbid major depression and the quality of depression care provided during a 12-month period. Methods:This study used automated utilization, pharmacy, and laboratory data from a health maintenance organization to describe the rate of recognition of depression and quality of care provided for patients with major depression and diabetes in the 12-month period before diagnosis. Major depression was diagnosed based on the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) that was included in a mail survey sent to 9063 patients on the Group Health diabetes registry from 9 primary care clinics. Results:Approximately 51% of patients with major depression and diabetes were recognized as depressed by the health care system. Women were more likely to be recognized (odds ratio [OR] 1.58, 95% confidence interval [CI 1.26–1.97]), as were those with dysthymia (OR 3.44, 95% CI 2.08–5.72), panic attacks (OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.19–2.19), patients with more than 7 primary care visits (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.06–1.91) and patients reporting poor health (OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.04–2.53). Of the 51% of patients with major depression who were recognized, 43% received 1 or more antidepressant prescriptions but only 6.7% received 4 or more psychotherapy sessions during a 12-month period. Discussion:There were large gaps in both recognition and quality of depression care provided to patients with major depression and diabetes within a health maintenance organization system.
Young Homicide Offenders and Victims: Risk Factors, Prediction, and Prevention from Childhood

Foreword by Kathleen Heide. - Foreword by Irvin Waller. - Preface. - Young Male Homicide Offenders and Victims: Current Knowledge, Beliefs, and Key Questions. - The Pittsburgh Youth Study. - Homicide, Offenders, and Victims in the United States, Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, and the Pittsburgh Youth Study. - Early Risk Factors for Convicted Homicide Offenders and Homicide Arrestees. - Prediction of Homicide Offenders out of Violent boys. - Early Risk Factors for Homicide Victims and Shooting Victims. - Homicide Offenders Speak. - Modeling the Impact of Preventive Interventions on the National Homicide Rate. - Modeling the Impact of Interventions on Local Indicators of Offending, Victimization and Incarceration. - Conclusions and Implications.
Assembly and Dynamics of Myofibrils

Myofibrils are the major structural component of muscle. To explain how these contractile structures are assembled and maintained, we have proposed a three‐step model for the assembly of myofibrils in both cardiac and skeletal muscle cells: premyofibrils to nascent myofibrils to mature myofibrils. This premyofibril model is supported by experiments in living muscle cells, first with dye‐tagged sarcomeric proteins microinjected into living muscle cells, and later in cells transfected with plasmids encoding Green Fluorescent Protein coupled to sarcomeric proteins. One of the initially surprising results of these approaches was that the fluorescently tagged molecules were incorporated, not only into the newly assembling premyofibrils and nascent myofibrils, but also into mature myofibrils. The use of photobleaching techniques, i.e., Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching or FRAP, revealed that each sarcomeric protein has a characteristic dynamic exchange rate. This dynamic exchange mechanism, which takes place over minutes and hours in cardiac and skeletal muscle cells, is advantageous, not only for remodeling during assembly, but also for testing the fitness of older proteins, and for the entry of newly synthesized proteins into myofibrils without the disassembly of myofibrils. We are currently using biophysical techniques to gain insights into the molecular properties of myopathic mutated proteins in living muscle cells.
The structure of genetic influences on general cognitive, language, phonological, and reading abilities.

The etiology of individual differences in literacy, phonological awareness, and language ability is reported in 126 pairs of monozygotic and dizygotic twins. At age 6 and 7 years, more than 60% of the variance in literacy was heritable. Heritabilities for 6- and 7-year-olds were . 52 and . 62, respectively, for phonological awareness and . 43 and . 50, respectively, for language ability. After genetic effects on IQ were controlled, a separate genetic influence was identified that acted on literacy, phonological awareness, and language. No genetic link between phonological awareness and literacy independent of general language ability was found; such covariance was mediated through environmental influences. Individual differences in literacy ability are substantially influenced by genetic factors, some of which also act on phonological awareness and general language ability.
Inhibitors of Poly(ADP-Ribose) Polymerase Modulate Signal Transduction Pathways and Secondary Damage in Experimental Spinal Cord Trauma

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), a nuclear enzyme activated by strand breaks in DNA, plays an important role in the tissue injury associated with stroke and neurotrauma. The aim of our study was to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of in vivo inhibition of PARP in an experimental model of spinal cord trauma, which was induced by the application of vascular clips (force of 24g) to the dura via a four-level T5-T8 laminectomy. Spinal cord injury in mice resulted in severe trauma characterized by edema, neutrophil infiltration (measured as an increase in myeloperoxidase activity), and apoptosis (measured by terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated UTP end labeling coloration). Infiltration of spinal cord tissue with neutrophils was associated with a marked increase in immunoreactivity for poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR), index of PARP activation, in the spinal cord tissue. These inflammatory events were associated with the activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) at 4 h after spinal cord damage. Treatment of the mice with the PARP inhibitors 3-aminobenzamide (3-AB) or 5-aminoisoquinolinone (5-AIQ) significantly reduced the degree of 1) spinal cord inflammation and tissue injury (histological score), 2) PAR formation, 3) neutrophil infiltration, and 4) apoptosis. Treatment with these PARP inhibitors also reduced DNA binding of NF-κB and inhibitory κB degradation. In a separate set of experiments, we have also demonstrated that PARP inhibitors significantly ameliorated the recovery of limb function (evaluated by motor recovery score). Taken together, our results clearly demonstrate that treatment with PARP inhibitors reduces the development of inflammation and tissue injury events associated with spinal cord trauma.
Quantifying participation while examining situational and personality variables in a jury deliberation

The current research quantified individual participation in a jury deliberation in an attempt to predict rates of involvement as a function of situational and personality characteristics. Measured level of juror bias and conscientiousness resulted in accurate predictions for rates of participation. Furthermore, the study supports previous juror research. The methodology for quantifying and controlling factors in a deliberation are highlighted. Implications for a willingness to influence are discussed as well.
Effects of Arsenite Exposure during Fetal Development on Energy Metabolism and Susceptibility to Diet-Induced Fatty Liver Disease in Male Mice

Background Chronic exposure to arsenicals at various life stages and across a range of exposures has been implicated in cardiometabolic and liver disease, but disease predisposition from developmental exposures remains unclear. Objectives In utero and post-weaning exposure to trivalent arsenic (AsIII) was examined on the background of a Western-style diet to determine whether AsIII exposure affects metabolic disease. Methods Male Swiss Webster mice were exposed to 100 ppb AsIII in utero, after weaning, or both. Ad libitum access to a Western-style diet was provided after weaning, and the plasma metabolome, liver histopathology, liver enzyme activity, and gene expression were analyzed. Results Hepatic lipid composition and histopathology revealed that developmental AsIII exposure exacerbated Western-style diet–induced fatty liver disease. Continuous AsIII exposure increased cardiometabolic risk factors including increased body weight, insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, and plasma triglycerides. AsIII exposure produced a decrease in the intermediates of glycolysis and the TCA cycle while increasing ketones. Hepatic isocitrate dehydrogenase activity was also decreased, which confirmed disruption of the TCA cycle. Developmental AsIII exposure increased the expression of genes involved in fatty acid synthesis, lipogenesis, inflammation, and packaging of triglycerides, suggesting an increased acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) load. Conclusions In utero and continuous early-life exposure to AsIII disrupted normal metabolism and elevated the risk for fatty liver disease in mice maintained on a high-fat diet. Our findings suggest that individuals exposed to AsIII during key developmental periods and who remain exposed to AsIII on the background of a Western-style diet may be at increased risk for metabolic disease later in life. Citation Ditzel EJ, Nguyen T, Parker P, Camenisch TD. 2016. Effects of arsenite exposure during fetal development on energy metabolism and susceptibility to diet-induced fatty liver disease in male mice. Environ Health Perspect 124:201–209; http://dx.doi. org/10.1289/ehp.1409501
Comparison of the histological methods in the diagnostic of deer cysticercosis

SummaryHistochemical methods for the detection and diagnosis of the developmental stages of the canine tapeworm, from the genus Taenia found in the heart and lungs of red deer (Cervus elaphus) and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) hunted in Eastern Slovakia, is presented here. Detailed morphology of cysticerci (Cysticercus spp.), based on microscopic and histochemical analysis is described. For confirmation and demonstration of PAS-positive substances in the body of parasitic tissue (tegument and mesenchyme) the McManus — PAS method was used. The histochemical method according to Van Kossa was very effective for confirmation of calcareous corpuscles, which are one of the most important histological markers of cestode tissues (larva or adult).
Patterns of Brain Atrophy in Clinical Variants of Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration

Background/Aims: The clinical syndromes of frontotemporal lobar degeneration include behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) and semantic (SV-PPA) and nonfluent variants (NF-PPA) of primary progressive aphasia. Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), tensor-based morphometry (TBM) was used to determine distinct patterns of atrophy between these three clinical groups. Methods: Twenty-seven participants diagnosed with bvFTD, 16 with SV-PPA, and 19 with NF-PPA received baseline and follow-up MRI scans approximately 1 year apart. TBM was used to create three-dimensional Jacobian maps of local brain atrophy rates for individual subjects. Results: Regional analyses were performed on the three-dimensional maps and direct comparisons between groups (corrected for multiple comparisons using permutation tests) revealed significantly greater frontal lobe and frontal white matter atrophy in the bvFTD relative to the SV-PPA group (p < 0.005). The SV-PPA subjects exhibited significantly greater atrophy than the bvFTD in the fusiform gyrus (p = 0.007). The NF-PPA group showed significantly more atrophy in the parietal lobes relative to both bvFTD and SV-PPA groups (p < 0.05). Percent volume change in ventromedial prefrontal cortex was significantly associated with baseline behavioral symptomatology. Conclusion: The bvFTD, SV-PPA, and NF-PPA groups displayed distinct patterns of progressive atrophy over a 1-year period that correspond well to the behavioral disturbances characteristic of the clinical syndromes. More specifically, the bvFTD group showed significant white matter contraction and presence of behavioral symptoms at baseline predicted significant volume loss of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex.