Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Verbal short-term memory : cognitive and neuroscientific tests of a perceptual-gestural account

It has often been suggested that verbal short-term memory, the ability to maintain verbal information for a brief period of time, is based on the upload of to-be-remembered material into passive, dedicated, information stores. Alternatively, it has been claimed that all information is remembered but that access to it gets obstructed because of interference by subsequent similar material. The aim of the present thesis was to challenge both these approaches and to examine the viability of a different, perceptual-gestural, view of information buffering over the short term. This approach conceptualizes verbal short-term storage as an active process that emerges from, and is defined by, the recruitment of receptive and (speech) productive mechanisms.In Experiments 1-3, the significant impact of non-verbal concurrent motor tasks on verbal short-term memory suggests an active involvement of productive mechanisms. These experiments also cast doubt on the proposal that forgetting occurs because of interference by similar content. Experiment 4 expands upon this challenge of the interference-based view by showing that a temporary lesion of a brain area involved in speech planning (Broca’s area), induced with transcranial magnetic stimulation, affects verbal short-term memory performance in the absence of any additional potentially interfering verbal input. Further, challenging the store-based view, the virtual lesion of Broca’s area also attenuated the phonological similarity effect,a hallmark effect of the function of the hypothetical language-independent store. Finally, Experiments 5-9 sought to determine the origin of variations in recall performance as a function of sensory-modality of input. It is concluded that only the perceptual-gestural approach can offer an account of presentation type-based differences in verbal list recall that goes beyond a redescription of the observed effects. The thesis closes with an outline of a neurological model of active storage of verbal information over the short-term.
Combined spatial and temporal domain wavelet shrinkage algorithm for video denoising

A combined spatial- and temporal-domain wavelet shrinkage algorithm for video denoising is presented in this paper. The spatial-domain denoising technique is a selective wavelet shrinkage method which uses a two-threshold criteria to exploit the geometry of the wavelet subbands of each video frame, and each frame of the image sequence is spatially denoised independently of one another. The temporal-domain denoising technique is a selective wavelet shrinkage method which estimates the level of noise corruption as well as the amount of motion in the image sequence. The amount of noise is estimated to determine how much filtering is needed in the temporal-domain, and the amount of motion is taken into consideration to determine the degree of similarity between consecutive frames. The similarity affects how much noise removal is possible using temporal-domain processing. Using motion and noise level estimates, a video denoising technique is established which is robust to various levels of noise corruption and various levels of motion.
Application-oriented Context Modeling and Reasoning in Pervasive Computing

Context-awareness is considered as a key problem in designing more adaptive applications in pervasive computing community. Context modeling and reasoning, which deal with high-level abstraction and inference of pervasive contextual information, are important research areas of context-awareness computing. Efforts have been put into these two areas and several prototype systems have been proposed. However, the huge amounts of contextual information in pervasive environment make existing systems inefficient, even useless. In this paper, we propose enhanced application-oriented context modeling and reasoning (EACMR) system to deal with this problem. In EACMR system, we develop a context ontology (ACMRONT) to model the contexts in the pervasive computing. Different from previous researches, a context filter is designed to classify contexts by their importance. To promote the performance of the system, the reasoner in EACMR only deals with the application-related contextual information rather than all the available contextual information. Experiments about EACMR system demonstrate its higher performance than those of previous systems
Using the infrastructure of a conditional cash transfer program to deliver a scalable integrated early child development program in Colombia: cluster randomized controlled trial

Objective To assess the effectiveness of an integrated early child development intervention, combining stimulation and micronutrient supplementation and delivered on a large scale in Colombia, for children’s development, growth, and hemoglobin levels. Design Cluster randomized controlled trial, using a 2×2 factorial design, with municipalities assigned to one of four groups: psychosocial stimulation, micronutrient supplementation, combined intervention, or control. Setting 96 municipalities in Colombia, located across eight of its 32 departments. Participants 1420 children aged 12-24 months and their primary carers. Intervention Psychosocial stimulation (weekly home visits with play demonstrations), micronutrient sprinkles given daily, and both combined. All delivered by female community leaders for 18 months. Main outcome measures Cognitive, receptive and expressive language, and fine and gross motor scores on the Bayley scales of infant development-III; height, weight, and hemoglobin levels measured at the baseline and end of intervention. Results Stimulation improved cognitive scores (adjusted for age, sex, testers, and baseline levels of outcomes) by 0.26 of a standard deviation (P=0.002). Stimulation also increased receptive language by 0.22 of a standard deviation (P=0.032). Micronutrient supplementation had no significant effect on any outcome and there was no interaction between the interventions. No intervention affected height, weight, or hemoglobin levels. Conclusions Using the infrastructure of a national welfare program we implemented the integrated early child development intervention on a large scale and showed its potential for improving children’s cognitive development. We found no effect of supplementation on developmental or health outcomes. Moreover, supplementation did not interact with stimulation. The implementation model for delivering stimulation suggests that it may serve as a promising blueprint for future policy on early childhood development. Trial registration Current Controlled trials ISRCTN18991160.
Performance evaluation of a wireless mesh network based on hybrid WiMAX mesh nodes

This paper proposes a solution for a wireless mesh network based on WiMAX mesh nodes equipped with Smart Antennas. A WiMAX mesh node is emulated by interconnecting via Ethernet link a Base Station and a Subscriber Station. To avoid interference between these two nodes, they are configured to operate on different frequency bands. This solution can be used to build wireless backhaul networks for rural areas or for public safety scenarios. To validate it, an experimental platform consisting of both a real and a simulated part was developed. The simulated part is implemented in OPNET, and is injected with real time traffic from the real part of the experimental platform, using the System in the Loop function.
Notch1 Promotes the Pro-Osteogenic Response of Human Aortic Valve Interstitial Cells via Modulation of ERK1/2 and Nuclear Factor-&kgr;B Activation

Objective—Calcific aortic valve disease is a leading cardiovascular disease in the elderly, and progressive calcification results in the failure of valvular function. Aortic valve interstitial cells (AVICs) from stenotic valves express higher levels of bone morphogenetic protein-2 in response to Toll-like receptor 4 stimulation. We recently found that Toll-like receptor 4 interacts with Notch1 in human AVICs. This study tests the hypothesis that Notch1 promotes the pro-osteogenic response of human AVICs. Approach and Results—AVICs isolated from diseased human valves expressed higher levels of bone morphogenetic protein-2 and alkaline phosphatase after lipopolysaccharide stimulation. The augmented pro-osteogenic response is associated with elevated cellular levels of Notch1 and enhanced Notch1 cleavage in response to lipopolysaccharide stimulation. Inhibition or silencing of Notch1 suppressed the pro-osteogenic response in diseased cells, and the Notch 1 ligand, Jagged1, enhanced the response in AVICs isolated from normal human valves. Interestingly, extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) and nuclear factor-&kgr;B phosphorylation induced by lipopolysaccharide was markedly reduced by inhibition or silencing of Notch1 and enhanced by Jagged1. Inhibition of ERK1/2 or nuclear factor-&kgr;B also reduced bone morphogenetic protein-2 and alkaline phosphatase expression induced by lipopolysaccharide. Conclusions—Notch1 mediates the pro-osteogenic response to Toll-like receptor 4 stimulation in human AVICs. Elevated Notch1 levels and enhanced Notch1 activation play a major role in augmentation of the pro-osteogenic response of AVICs of stenotic valves through modulation of ERK1/2 and nuclear factor-&kgr;B activation. These pathways could be potential therapeutic targets for prevention of the progression of calcific aortic valve disease.
The European Journal of Psychology Applied to Legal Context Predictive efficacy of violence risk assessment instruments in Latin-America

In Latin America, violence risk assessment used to be based in the non-structured clinical approach. An Argentinian cohort study that included violence risk assessment tools changed the tradition. The objective of this study is to inform of the observed predictive efficacy of these tools in the follow-up until March 2012. One hundred and fifty three consecutive pre-released convicted males were recruited from September 2001 through September 2004 in La Plata, Argentina. The pre-release assessment measures included the Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised, Assessing Risk for Violence V2, Structured Professional Judgment, and Violence Risk Appraisal Guide. The mean follow-up time was 1,290 days. Ninety-nine (64.7%) subjects had at least one general relapse, and 91 (59.5%) had at least one violent relapse. The incidence rate of violent recidivism was 16.8 per 100 person-years. While some indicators of predictive validity had no clinical significance, the time-dependent indicators did have clinical significance. © 2015 Colegio Oficial de Psicólogos de Madrid. Published by Elsevier España, S.L. U. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Eficacia predictora de los instrumentos de evaluación del riesgo de violencia en Latinoamérica
Metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC): ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.

incidence and epidemiology Primary lung cancer is the most common malignancy after non-melanocytic skin cancer with deaths from lung cancer exceeding those from any other type of malignancy worldwide [1]. While it has been the most important cause of cancer mortality in men since the 1960s, it has equalled breast cancer as a cause of mortality in women since the 1990s. To date, prevention and smoking cessation are still the main methods to reduce the death toll [2]. Lung cancer is still increasing both in incidence and mortality worldwide. In countries with effective tobacco control measures, the incidence of new lung cancer has begun to decline in men and is reaching a plateau for women [3, 4]. In the European Union in 2013, lung cancer mortality fell in men (−6%) compared with 2009 while cancer death rates in women are increasing (+7%) and approaching those of men [5]. Non-small-cell lung cancers (NSCLC) account for 85%–90% of lung cancers, while small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) has been decreasing in frequency in many countries over the last two decades [1]. Smoking is the main cause of lung cancer, responsible for more than 80% of cases. The observed variations in lung cancer rates across countries largely reflect differences in the stage and degree of the tobacco epidemic with reported crude incidence rates between 2/100 000–80/100 000 and 1/100 000–39/100 000 for men and women, respectively. There are several other known risk factors including exposure to asbestos, arsenic, radon, and non-tobacco-related polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons , and interesting hypotheses about indoor air pollution (e.g. coal-fuelled stoves and cooking fumes) suspected to contribute to the relatively high burden of non-smoking-related lung cancer in women in some countries. Prevalence of lung cancer in females without a history of tobacco smoking is estimated to represent 19% compared with 9% of male lung carcinoma in the United States [6]. Women are over-represented among younger patients, raising the question of gender-specific differences in the susceptibility to lung carcinogens [7]. In recent times, an increase in the proportion of NSCLC patients who are never smokers has been observed, especially in Asian countries [8]. These new epidemiological data have resulted in 'non-smoking-associated lung cancer' being considered a distinct disease entity, where specific molecular and genetic tumour characteristics are being recognised. diagnosis Therapeutic decisions for NSCLC patients rely on tumour subtype definition. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) should be used to reduce the NSCLC-NOS (not otherwise specified) …
THE CONTRIBUTION OF SELF-ESTEEM AND LANGUAGE LEARNING STRATEGIES TO THE STUDENTS’ ENGLISH PROFICIENCY FOR SECOND YEAR STUDENTS OF SMA NEGERI 7 DENPASAR

Abstract Keywords: self-esteem, language learning strategies, students’ English proficiency This study aimed at finding out whether (1) there is a positive and significant contribution of self-esteem to the students’ English proficiency for second year students of SMA Negeri 7 Denpasar, (2) there is positive and significant contribution of language learning strategies to the students’ English proficiency for second year students of SMA Negeri 7 Denpasar, and (3) there is positive and significant contribution of self-esteem and language learning strategies to the students’ English proficiency for second year students of SMA Negeri 7 Denpasar. It was conducted in SMA Negeri 7 Denpasar. The data were gained by using two kinds of questionnaires Students’ Self-Esteem Questionnaire and Strategy Inventory of Language Learning and TOEFL Prediction Test. This research was a predictive study and was conducted as quantitative research by using ex-post facto research design. The simple regression and multiple regressions were used in analyzing the research. From the result, it was found that (1) there was positive and significant contribution of self-esteem to the students’ English proficiency for second year students of SMA Negeri 7 Denpasar with contribution 88.36%, (2) there was positive and significant contribution of language learning strategies to the students’ English proficiency for second year students of SMA Negeri 7 Denpasar with contribution 62.9%, and (3) there was positive and significant contribution of self-esteem and language learning strategies to the students’ English proficiency for second year students of SMA 7 Denpasar with contribution 91.01%. 1. Background of the Study
Schizoid phenomena, object-relations, and the self

Based on a series of clinical studies of schizoid problems, this book is a sequel to Harry Guntrip's theoretical study of the emergence of the schizoid problem, Personality Structure and Human Interaction (1961). It includes revised versions of earlier papers, and also much original material. In Part 1, a description of the schizoid position is given, in terms of relation to the external world, internal states of ego disintegration and, the core of the problem, the dissociated and lost emotional heart of the total self.Part 2 reviews the theoretical development which makes it necessary to see manic-depressive problems in the light of the deeper and more subtle schizoid condition. Part 3, on "The Nature of Basic Ego-Weakness", seeks to assess fully the importance of Winnicott's research into the earliest beginnings of ego development, as the infant slowly grows into psychic separation from the mother, a process that involves both the opportunity for individuation and also the risk of loss of relationship, as well as the risk of possibly permanent stunting of the ego development instead of growth of basic ego relatedness in the mentally healthy person.Part 4 explores the implications for psychotherapy of the study of the schizoid problem, particularly in the matter of the personal therapeutic relationship of therapist and patient. And finally, in Part 5, the review of theory is put on a broad foundation with a chapter on "The Concept of Psychodynamic Science" and another comparing the ego theories of Hartmann and the "object-relational" thinkers, Melanie Klein, Fairbairn, and Winnicott.
HFE mutations in patients with hereditary haemochromatosis in Sweden

Cardoso EMP, Stål P, Hagen K, Cabeda JM, Esin S, De Sousa M, Hultcrantz R (Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm; Huddinge University Hospital, Huddinge; and Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden; Santo António Hospital; Abel Salazar Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Porto, Portugal). HFE mutations in patients with hereditary haemochromatosis in Sweden. J Intern Med 1998; 243: 203–8.
Examining the effect of the injury definition on risk factor analysis in circus artists

A secondary data analysis of a prospective cohort study was conducted to explore how different definitions of injury affect the results of risk factor analyses. Modern circus artists (n=1281) were followed for 828 547 performances over a period of 49 months (2004–2008). A univariate risk factor analysis (age, sex, nationality, artist role) estimating incidence rate ratios (IRR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) was conducted using three injury definitions: (1) medical attention injuries, (2) time‐loss injuries resulting in ≥1 missed performances (TL‐1) and (3) time‐loss injuries resulting in >15 missed performances (TL‐15). Results of the risk factor analysis were dependent on the injury definition. Sex (females to male; IRR=1.13, 95% CI; 1.02–1.25) and age over 30 (<20 years to >30 years; IRR=1.37, 95% CI; 1.07–1.79) were risk factors for medical attention injuries only. Risk of injury for Europeans compared with North Americans was higher for TL‐1 and TL‐15 injuries compared with medical attention injuries. Finally, non‐sudden load artists (low‐impact acts) were less likely than sudden load artists (high‐impact acts) to have TL‐1 injuries, but the risk of medical attention injuries was similar. The choice of injury definition can have effects on the magnitude and direction of risk factor analyses.
Shifting artificial data to detect system failures

Multivariate statistical process control (MSPC) is used for simultaneously monitoring several process variables. While small changes to normal operating conditions made by this system may not seriously affect the quality of a product, a system failure will be declared if an observation significantly deviates from the in-control region before defective units are mass-produced. Although a number of research works integrating data-mining algorithms with MSPC have been proposed to effectively manage a large amount of data, this combination may not function for the case of system failures due to the extreme imbalance of data. This research proposes a new approach and employs a classification technique, namely, random forest, which overcomes the class imbalance problem. The proposed method systematically shifts artificial data toward the region of failures to ensure the classifier correctly detects system failures. Numerical experiments show that our method outperforms existing methods in terms of failure detection counts.
Utilization of textured stereovision for registration of 3D models of objects

RGB-D sensors triggered a rapid progress in the field of robot visual perception. A typical visual perception subsystem relies on finding the correspondences between features extracted from RGB-D images retrieved from robot sensors and models of objects. In this paper we introduce a multi-camera setup supplemented with an additional pattern projector used for registration of high-resolution images of objects. The objects are placed on a fiducial board with two dot patterns enabling robust extraction of masks of the placed objects and estimation of their initial poses. The acquired dense point clouds constituting subsequent object views undergo pairwise registration and at the end are optimized with a graph-based technique derived from SLAM. The combination of all those elements resulted in a system for generation of consistent 3D models of objects. We present details of the developed system and conclude the paper with discussion of the achieved results.
Bayesian approach for assessing non‐inferiority in a three‐arm trial with pre‐specified margin

Non‐inferiority trials are becoming increasingly popular for comparative effectiveness research. However, inclusion of the placebo arm, whenever possible, gives rise to a three‐arm trial which has lesser burdensome assumptions than a standard two‐arm non‐inferiority trial. Most of the past developments in a three‐arm trial consider defining a pre‐specified fraction of unknown effect size of reference drug, that is, without directly specifying a fixed non‐inferiority margin. However, in some recent developments, a more direct approach is being considered with pre‐specified fixed margin albeit in the frequentist setup. Bayesian paradigm provides a natural path to integrate historical and current trials' information via sequential learning. In this paper, we propose a Bayesian approach for simultaneous testing of non‐inferiority and assay sensitivity in a three‐arm trial with normal responses. For the experimental arm, in absence of historical information, non‐informative priors are assumed under two situations, namely when (i) variance is known and (ii) variance is unknown. A Bayesian decision criteria is derived and compared with the frequentist method using simulation studies. Finally, several published clinical trial examples are reanalyzed to demonstrate the benefit of the proposed procedure. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bayesian Forecasting for Financial Risk Management, Pre and Post the Global Financial Crisis

Value-at-Risk (VaR) forecasting via a computational Bayesian framework is considered. A range of parametric models are compared, including standard, threshold nonlinear and Markov switching GARCH specifications, plus standard and nonlinear stochastic volatility models, most considering four error probability distributions: Gaussian, Student-t, skewed-t and generalized error distribution. Adaptive Markov chain Monte Carlo methods are employed in estimation and forecasting. A portfolio of four Asia-Pacific stock markets is considered. Two forecasting periods are evaluated in light of the recent global financial crisis. Results reveal that: (i) GARCH models out-performed stochastic volatility models in almost all cases; (ii) asymmetric volatility models were clearly favoured pre-crisis; while at the 1% level during and post-crisis, for a 1 day horizon, models with skewed-t errors ranked best, while IGARCH models were favoured at the 5% level; (iii) all models forecasted VaR less accurately and anti-conservatively post-crisis