Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Input, cognitive-linguistic development, and rate of acquisition

Jürgen Meisel’s paper is extremely interesting and thought-provoking. It deals with questions that not only have theoretical implications for linguistics and neurology but that are also of great importance for today’s society with its concerns of international migration, European school politics and the early teaching of languages. The paper prepares the ground for any number of new studies in this direction. An issue that could be further discussed is the extent to which factors other than the ones invoked by Meisel (which relate to formal linguistic or neurological factors) can be seen as responsible for the differences observed in different kinds of bilinguals. Such factors could be the L1L2 combination, the general amount of input and, the quality of the input recently studied in several works (see Cornips & Hulk 2008 for a review). An area less studied, and that will be discussed here, is that of the factors concerning the development of the first langage at the onset of the acquisition of L2, and the expression of already developed concepts. The impact of these different factors probably varies according to the various linguistic phenomena. I will go on to discuss some of these factors: A) The role of nonstandard input; B) The impact of the syntactic and conceptual system in the child’s L1 on her/his L2 development which, in turn, necessitates a discussion on the relation between syntactic and cognitive development, in this case with regards to Tense-Aspect; C) The role of complexity and fluency in the cL2 acquisition.
Language awareness in a content-based language programme

A widely accepted theoretical premise in second language acquisition holds that learners must notice language form in order to learn it. This premise provides support for language instruction that integrates attention to language form with attention to content. Empirical research has shown this combination to be effective; however, little research has investigated how learners attend to form in content-based language contexts. This study was carried out as part of a larger research project investigating the effect and effectiveness of form-focused instruction (FFI) in a content-based language programme. The project used a pre-test/post-test/delayed post-test design to measure language and content outcomes and a retrospective recall protocol to investigate learner attention to language and content. This paper reports on the findings of the recall protocol and the relationship between learner attention and language outcomes. Analysis of the recall data indicated that the participants were able to identify the focus of the instruction they received in reference to content or language. However, no relationship between awareness of language and language outcomes was found. The findings are discussed in the context of content-based language instruction and FFI and the possible role of orientation and depth of processing in learner attention and awareness.
Cell interactions and planar polarity in the abdominal epidermis of Drosophila

The integument of the Drosophila adult abdomen bears oriented hairs and bristles that indicate the planar polarity of the epidermal cells. We study four polarity genes, frizzled (fz), prickle (pk), Van gogh/strabismus (Vang/stbm) and starry night/flamingo (stan/fmi), and note what happens when these genes are either removed or overexpressed in clones of cells. The edges of the clones are interfaces between cells that carry different amounts of gene products, interfaces that can cause reversals of planar polarity in the clone and wild-type cells outside them. To explain, we present a model that builds on our earlier picture of a gradient of X, the vector of which specifies planar polarity and depends on two cadherin proteins, Dachsous and Fat. We conjecture that the X gradient is read out, cell by cell, as a scalar value of Fz activity, and that Pk acts in this process, possibly to determine the sign of the Fz activity gradient. We discuss evidence that cells can compare their scalar readout of the level of X with that of their neighbours and can set their own readout towards an average of those. This averaging, when it occurs near the edges of clones, changes the scalar response of cells inside and outside the clones, leading to new vectors that change polarity. The results argue that Stan must be present in both cells being compared and acts as a conduit between them for the transfer of information. And also that Vang assists in the receipt of this information. The comparison between neighbours is crucial, because it gives the vector that orients hairs – these point towards the neighbour cell that has the lowest level of Fz activity. Recently, it has been shown that, for a limited period shortly before hair outgrowth in the wing, the four proteins we study, as well as others, become asymmetrically localised in the cell membrane, and this process is thought to be instrumental in the acquisition of cell polarity. However, some results do not fit with this view – we suggest that these localisations may be more a consequence than a cause of planar polarity.
Diabetes and the Severity of Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) Infection

OBJECTIVE To confirm the existence of an increased risk of complications from influenza A (H1N1)p among patients with diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Using data from an enhanced influenza surveillance project in Montreal, Canada, and age/sex-specific population estimates of diabetes prevalence, we estimated the risk of hospitalization among persons with diabetes. Comparing hospitalized patients admitted or not to an intensive care unit (ICU), we estimated the risk of ICU admission associated with diabetes, controlling for other patient characteristics. RESULTS Among 239 hospitalized patients with PCR-confirmed influenza A (H1N1)p, 162 (68%) were interviewed, of whom 22 had diabetes, when 7.1 were expected (prevalence ratio 3.10 [95% CI 2.04–4.71]). The odds ratio for ICU admission was 4.29 (95% CI 1.29–14.3) among hospitalized patients with diabetes compared to those without. CONCLUSIONS Diabetes triples the risk of hospitalization after influenza A (H1N1)p and quadruples the risk of ICU admission once hospitalized.
A Stability Guaranteed Robust Fault Tolerant Control Design for Vehicle Suspension Systems Subject to Actuator Faults and Disturbances

A fault tolerant control approach based on a novel sliding mode method is proposed in this brief for a full vehicle suspension system. The proposed approach aims at retaining system stability in the presence of model uncertainties, actuator faults, parameter variations, and neglected nonlinear effects. The design is based on a realistic model that includes road uncertainties, disturbances, and faults. The design begins by dividing the system into two subsystems: a first subsystem with 3 degrees-of-freedom (DoF) representing the chassis and a second subsystem with 4 DoF representing the wheels, electrohydraulic actuators, and effect of road disturbances and actuator faults. Based on the analysis of the system performance, the first subsystem is considered as the internal dynamic of the whole system for control design purposes. The proposed algorithm is implemented in two stages to provide a stability guaranteed approach. A robust optimal sliding mode controller is designed first for the uncertain internal dynamics of the system to mitigate the effect of road disturbances. Then, a robust sliding mode controller is proposed to handle actuator faults and ensure overall stability of the whole system. The proposed approach has been tested on a 7-DoF full car model subject to uncertainties and actuator faults. The results are compared with the ones obtained using H∞ approach. The proposed approach optimizes riding comfort and road holding ability even in the presence of actuator faults and parameter variations.
Spectral and temporal signatures of ultrarelativistic protons in compact sources. I. Effects of Bethe-Heitler pair production

We present calculations of the spectral and temporal radiative signatures expected from ultrarelativistic protons in compact sources. The coupling between the protons and the leptonic component is assumed to occur via Bethe-Heitler pair pro- duction. This process is treated by modeling the results of Monte-Carlo simulations and incorporating them in a time-dependent kinetic equation, that we subsequently solve numerically. Thus, the present work is, in many respects, an extension of the lep- tonic "one-zone" models to include hadrons. Several examples of astrophysical importance are presented, such as the signature resulting from the cooling of relativistic protons on an external black-body field and that of their cooling in the presence of radiation from injected electrons. We also investigate and refine the threshold conditions for the "Pair Production/Synchrotron" feedback loop which operates when relativistic protons cool efficiently on the synchrotron radiation of the internally produced Bethe-Heitler pairs. We demonstrate that an additional component of injected electrons lowers the threshold for this instability.
Gender Identity and Social Services: Barriers to Care

ABSTRACT Transgender people seek social services for a variety of reasons. This literature review highlights needs assessments and social science research articles (N = 30) from the last 16 years that demonstrate the many ways in which social services are further revictimizing transgender people. Studies indicate that transgender people often encounter ignorance, hostility, and transphobic environments while attempting to access social services, and these environments can dissuade transgender people from gaining needed care. Suggestions are made to address these inequalities and include simple measures that social service agencies can begin with to make their services more transinclusive. Future research should address the bias in social services more directly and also develop a clear plan of action and best practices to help agencies remove discrimination from social service settings.
The Functional Assessment of Patients With Pulmonary Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) remains an important public health problem worldwide, as its residual lesions result in functional and quality of life impairments. Few studies have investigated multiple-drug-resistant pulmonary TB (MDR-TB), and the literature regarding the functional parameters of this group of patients is scarce. Functional characterization may point to the need for post-treatment intervention measures that optimize the quality of life in patients with MDR-TB. Thus, this study sought to analyze the respiratory function, functional capacity, and quality of life of patients who were treated for MDR pulmonary TB. METHODS: This study investigated a cross-sectional cohort of MDR-TB patients who underwent drug treatment for at least 18 months. Patients who had associated diseases (human immunodeficiency virus [HIV], severe heart disease, and hypertension) or disabilities that prevented them from walking were excluded. The subjects underwent the following assessments: forced spirometry, a chest radiograph, the 6-min walk test, a bioelectrical impedance analysis, maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures, and a health-related quality of life questionnaire. RESULTS: Eighteen patients who met the eligibility criteria were enrolled. Spirometric evaluation showed that 78% of the subjects had abnormal patterns. The maximal respiratory pressures were significantly decreased in all subjects, despite the fact that their nutritional status was within the normal range. The distance completed in the 6-min walk test was less than expected in 72% of the subjects. All of the subjects who were evaluated had residual lesions, and 78% reported a worsening in their quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion MDR-TB cured subjects exhibit impaired respiratory function and a mildly reduced functional capacity and quality of life, suggesting that a portion of these patients may require a pulmonary rehabilitation approach.
Distinct Facial Processing Related Negative Cognitive Bias in First-Episode and Recurrent Major Depression: Evidence from the N170 ERP Component

Background States of depression are associated with increased sensitivity to negative events. For this novel study, we have assessed the relationship between the number of depressive episodes and the dysfunctional processing of emotional facial expressions. Methodology/Principal Findings We used a visual emotional oddball paradigm to manipulate the processing of emotional information while event-related brain potentials were recorded in 45 patients with first episode major depression (F-MD), 40 patients with recurrent major depression (R-MD), and 46 healthy controls (HC). Compared with the HC group, F-MD patients had lower N170 amplitudes when identifying happy, neutral, and sad faces; R-MD patients had lower N170 amplitudes when identifying happy and neutral faces, but higher N170 amplitudes when identifying sad faces. F-MD patients had longer N170 latencies when identifying happy, neutral, and sad faces relative to the HC group, and R-MD patients had longer N170 latencies when identifying happy and neutral faces, but shorter N170 latencies when identifying sad faces compared with F-MD patients. Interestingly, a negative relationship was observed between N170 amplitude and the depressive severity score for identification of happy faces in R-MD patients while N170 amplitude was positively correlated with the depressive severity score for identification of sad faces in F-MD and R-MD patients. Additionally, the deficits of N170 amplitude for sad faces positively correlated with the number of depressive episodes in R-MD patients. Conclusion/Significance These results provide new evidence that having more recurrent depressive episodes and serious depressive states are likely to aggravate the already abnormal processing of emotional facial expressions in patients with depression. Moreover, it further suggests that the impaired processing as indexed by N170 amplitude for positive face identification may be a potentially useful biomarker for predicting propagation of depression while N170 amplitude for negative face identification could be a potential biomarker for depression recurrence.
Special feature Clinical Practice Guideline on Diagnosis and Treatment of Hyponatraemia

Hyponatraemia, defined as a serum sodium concentration <135 mmol/l, is the most common disorder of body fuid and electrolyte balance encountered in clinical practice. It can lead to a wide spectrum of clinical symptoms, from subtle to severe or even life threatening, and is associated with increased mortality, morbidity and length of hospital stay in patients presenting with a range of conditions. Despite this, the management of patients remains problematic. The prevalence of hyponatraemia in widely different conditions and the fact that hyponatraemia is managed by clinicians with a broad variety of backgrounds have fostered diverse institution-and speciality-based approaches to diagnosis and treatment. To obtain a common and holistic view, the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM), the European Society of Endocrinology (ESE) and the European Renal Association-European Dialysis and Transplant Association (ERA-EDTA), represented by European Renal Best Practice (ERBP), have developed the Clinical Practice Guideline on the diagnostic approach and treatment of hyponatraemia as a joint venture of three societies representing specialists with a natural interest in hyponatraemia. In addition to a rigorous approach to methodology and evaluation, we were keen to ensure that the document focused on patient-important outcomes and included utility for clinicians involved in everyday practice.
VC-Dimension of Univariate Decision Trees

In this paper, we give and prove the lower bounds of the Vapnik-Chervonenkis (VC)-dimension of the univariate decision tree hypothesis class. The VC-dimension of the univariate decision tree depends on the VC-dimension values of its subtrees and the number of inputs. Via a search algorithm that calculates the VC-dimension of univariate decision trees exhaustively, we show that our VC-dimension bounds are tight for simple trees. To verify that the VC-dimension bounds are useful, we also use them to get VC-generalization bounds for complexity control using structural risk minimization in decision trees, i.e., pruning. Our simulation results show that structural risk minimization pruning using the VC-dimension bounds finds trees that are more accurate as those pruned using cross validation.
Digestible tryptophan requirements of starting, growing, and finishing pigs.

Seven hundred eight crossbred pigs were used in growth and digestion trials to determine the digestible tryptophan (Trp) requirement of starting (6 to 16 kg), growing (22 to 50 kg), and finishing (55 to 97 kg) pigs. Each growth trial evaluated a corn-fish meal-corn gluten meal basal diet, the basal diet with five incremental additions of L-Trp, and a control corn-soybean meal diet. The tryptophan content of the six incremental diets ranged from . 13 to . 255% for starting pigs, . 08 to . 18% for growing pigs, and . 063 to . 163% for finishing pigs. Lysine contents of basal diets were 1.38, . 90, and . 72% for starting, growing, and finishing diets, respectively. In all trials, ADG, ADFI, and gain/feed increased (P less than .001) linearly and quadratically as dietary Trp increased. Broken-line regression analyses determined the total dietary Trp requirements needed to optimize performance to be . 19, . 13, and . 09% (as-fed basis) for starting, growing, and finishing pigs, respectively. These concentrations equated to Trp intakes of . 96, 2.18, and 2.88 g/d. A digestion trial using growing pigs (29 kg initially) determined the apparent ileal digestibility of Trp in the basal starting and growing diets to be 72 and 70%, respectively; a similar trial with finishing pigs (55 kg initially) found 59% Trp digestibility for the basal finishing diet. Mean digestibility of L-Trp was 97%. Based on these values and the total Trp requirements given above, the digestible Trp requirements are . 15, . 10, and . 06% for starting, growing, and finishing pigs, respectively.
Altered dynamics of broad-leaved tree species in a Chinese subtropical montane mixed forest: the role of an anomalous extreme 2008 ice storm episode

Extreme climatic events can trigger gradual or abrupt shifts in forest ecosystems via the reduction or elimination of foundation species. However, the impacts of these events on foundation species' demography and forest dynamics remain poorly understood. Here we quantified dynamics for both evergreen and deciduous broad-leaved species groups, utilizing a monitoring permanent plot in a subtropical montane mixed forest in central China from 2001 to 2010 with particular relevance to the anomalous 2008 ice storm episode. We found that both species groups showed limited floristic alterations over the study period. For each species group, size distribution of dead individuals approximated a roughly irregular and flat shape prior to the ice storm and resembled an inverse J-shaped distribution after the ice storm. Furthermore, patterns of mortality and recruitment displayed disequilibrium behaviors with mortality exceeding recruitment for both species groups following the ice storm. Deciduous broad-leaved species group accelerated overall diameter growth, but the ice storm reduced evergreen small-sized diameter growth. We concluded that evergreen broad-leaved species were more susceptible to ice storms than deciduous broad-leaved species, and ice storm events, which may become more frequent with climate change, might potentially threaten the perpetuity of evergreen-dominated broad-leaved forests in this subtropical region in the long term. These results underscore the importance of long-term monitoring that is indispensible to elucidate causal links between forest dynamics and climatic perturbations.
Comprehensibility as a Factor in Listener Interaction Preferences: Implications for the Workplace

Changing economic realities in Canada are likely to result in increased employment opportunities for immigrant professionals. In Alberta, where these changes have already begun, issues of language in the workplace have surfaced, some relating to oral skills. In this investigation of Canadian-born employees’ preferences for 40 L2 accented voices, 16 native English speakers selected a preferred voice from pairs of Mandarin- and Slaviclanguage- accented speech samples varying in comprehensibility. We found that comprehensibility figured importantly in their choices, as did fluency. In fact, listener preferences were influenced by comprehensibility differences of about one point on a nine-point rating scale. An additional 14 native English speakers undertook a preference task in which speech samples were presented according to degree of accent. Although this latter group tended to prefer less accented over more accented speakers, accentedness itself was less important than comprehensibility when the two groups’ preferences were compared. These findings are discussed with reference to LINC (Language Instruction to Newcomers in Canada) and other ESL programming and to English in the workplace. Résumé : Les changements prévus dans les réalités économiques au Canada devrait accroître les possibilités d’emploi des immigrants professionnels. En Alberta, où ces changements sont déjà amorcés, des questions sur la langue de travail se sont déjà manifestées, certaines visant les habiletés d’expression verbale. Au cours de la présente étude sur les préférences d’employés nés au Canada dans un contexte de 40 voix L2 (deux accents), 16 personnes dont la langue maternelle était l’anglais ont sélectionné une voix préférée à partir de paires d’échantillons d’accents mandarins et slaves dont le degré de compréhension variait. Nous avons trouvé que la compréhension était un facteur important dans leurs choix, tout comme la facilité verbale. De fait, les préférences de l’écoutant ont été influencées par des différences de compréhension d’environ un point sur une échelle de neuf points. Un autre groupe de 14 personnes dont l’anglais était la langue maternelle a procédé à l’établissement de préférences en fonction de l’importance de l’accent des échantillons de langage présentés. Bien que ce dernier groupe ait eu tendance à préférer un langage dont l’accent était moins apparent par rapport à celui d’autres locuteurs, l’accent en soi était moins important que la compréhension lorsque les préférences des deux groupes étaient comparées. Ces résultats font l’objet de discussion par rapport au CLIC (Cours de langue pour les immigrants au Canada) et d’autres programmes d’ALS et d’anglais au travail.
Ethnicity and Coping: What Young People Do and What Young People Learn

Abstract In a number of studies, using the Adolescent Coping scale as a measure of coping, we are able to see clearly that young people from different communities cope in different ways. For example, in studies of Australian, Columbian, German, Irish and Palestinian young people it was found that coping varied in the different countries, but even within the same country, such as Australia, there are variations in coping across ethnic communities. These findings are confirmed by a recent smaller scale investigation that found that a group of students who were labelled ‘Australian minority group’ (comprising of Asian, African, Pacific Islanders and Middle Eastern students) used more spiritual support and resorted to social action more than did Anglo-Australian students. Of particular note is that the Australian minority group were found to significantly decrease their use of self-blame after participating in a school-based coping skills program, while Anglo-Australian students increased their use of physical recreation. These findings collectively demonstrate the impact of ethnic identity in both the act of coping and the acquisition of coping skills.