Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Performance Enhancement in an Uninhabited Air Vehicle Task Using Psychophysiologically Determined Adaptive Aiding

Objective: We show that psychophysiologically driven real-time adaptive aiding significantly enhances performance in a complex aviation task. Afurther goal was to assess the importance of individual operator capabilities when providing adaptive aiding. Background: Psychophysiological measures are useful for monitoring cognitive workload in laboratory and real-world settings. They can be recorded without intruding into task performance and can be analyzed in real time, making them candidates for providing operator functional state estimates. These estimates could be used to determine if and when system intervention should be provided to assist the operator to improve system performance. Methods: Adaptive automation was implemented while operators performed an uninhabited aerial vehicle task. Psychophysiological data were collected and an artificial neural network was used to detect periods of high and low mental workload in real time. The high-difficulty task levels used to initiate the adaptive automation were determined separately for each operator, and a group-derived mean difficulty level was also used. Results: Psychophysiologically determined aiding significantly improved performance when compared with the no-aiding conditions. Improvement was greater when adaptive aiding was provided based on individualized criteria rather than on group-derived criteria. The improvements were significantly greater than when the aiding was randomly provided. Conclusion: These results show that psychophysiologically determined operator functional state assessment in real time led to performance improvement when included in closed loop adaptive automation with a complex task. Application: Potential future applications of this research include enhanced workstations using adaptive aiding that would be driven by operator functional state.
Early ornithischian dinosaurs: the Triassic record

Abstract Ornithischian dinosaurs are one of the most taxonomically diverse dinosaur clades during the Mesozoic, yet their origin and early diversification remain virtually unknown. In recent years, several new Triassic ornithischian taxa have been proposed, mostly based upon isolated teeth. New discoveries of skeletal material of some of these tooth taxa indicate that these teeth can no longer be assigned to the Ornithischia using unambiguous synapomorphies. The Triassic record of ornithischian dinosaurs now comprises only three probable occurrences: Pisanosaurus and an unnamed heterodontosaurid from Argentina, and an unnamed specimen from the uppermost Triassic of South Africa. This revised Triassic record suggests that ornithischians were not very diverse or abundant through the Triassic, and there are large gaps in the Triassic ornithischian fossil record. Moreover, traditional living analogues for interpreting the feeding ecology of early ornithischians from their tooth morphology are generally inappropriate, and “herbivorous” archosaur teeth such as those found in early ornithischians are not necessarily diagnostic of herbivorous feeding.
Effects of dialectal differences in the use of native-language acoustic cues on the production and perception of second language stops

The present study investigated whether the relative importance of specific acoustic properties in native language dialects affects the extent to which acoustic properties are used in the production and perception of a second language. The case at hand centered on acquisition of English voiced and voiceless stops by two groups of Korean dialect speakers, Kyungsang and Seoul Korean. Both dialect speakers use the same acoustic cues for the Korean stops, but their relative importance is different: Specifically Seoul speakers employ VOT and F0, and Kyungsang speakers primarily use VOT due to their use of F0 for lexical tone contrast. Given such dialectal differences, this study explored whether Kyungsang and Seoul Korean speakers made distinct use of these two cues to signal the word-initial stops in English where VOT and, less importantly, onset F0 are additionally used for stop contrast. The results showed that in production, both dialect speakers showed a parallel pattern for VOT and F0; however, in perception, Kyungsang listeners had greater reliance on VOT but less on F0 compared with Seoul listeners. These results partly support the feature hypothesis (McAllister et al., 2002) and provide new insight into the relationship between speech production and perception.
Budding adult hypertensives with modifiable risk factors: “Catch them young”

Background: Since the data of primary hypertension (HT) in children is scanty in India, this study attempted to evaluate HT by a multidimensional investigation of the various risk factors in children and adolescents. Materials and Methods: A total of 3906 subjects were recruited, all of whom lived in Chennai, an urban area of Tamil Nadu. The children and adolescents aged from 10 to 17 years were selected by random sampling. The children/adolescents were randomized into one control and further divided into two groups. The National High Blood Pressure Education Program fourth report (2004) and anthropometric body mass index (BMI), food frequency questionnaire (PURE) were followed in the study. Results: Out of 3906 children, 2107 were girls and 1799 boys. On screening, we found 9.5% to be hypertensive with the prevalence rate of boys and girls 8% and 10.8%, respectively. Overall obesity was 2.7%, (boys 2%, girls 3.32%); hypertensives and normotensives were 8.4% and 2.1%, respectively. We found that overweight (odds ratio [OR]: 2.06 [1.40-3.01] 95% confidence interval [CI]), obese children (OR: 1.21 [2.72-6.48] 95% CI), and those with a family history of HT (OR: 1.66 [1.20-2.30] 95% CI) had increased risk of hypertension. Females were 1.39 times (OR: 1.39 [1.11-1.72] 95% CI) more at risk of getting HT. Multivariate analysis showed that obese children/adolescent were four times more likely to have HT than children with normal BMI (OR: 4.67 [3.00-7.26] 95% CI]. Conclusion: Family history of HT, obesity, and female gender are associated with a high risk of HT. The prevalence of HT was higher among obese adolescents than among slender subjects. This may be related to their sedentary lifestyle, faulty eating habits, high fat content in the diet and little physical activity.
Plan Explanations as Model Reconciliation: Moving Beyond Explanation as Soliloquy

When AI systems interact with humans in the loop, they are often called on to provide explanations for their plans and behavior. Past work on plan explanations primarily involved the AI system explaining the correctness of its plan and the rationale for its decision in terms of its own model. Such soliloquy is wholly inadequate in most realistic scenarios where the humans have domain and task models that differ significantly from that used by the AI system. We posit that the explanations are best studied in light of these differing models. In particular, we show how explanation can be seen as a "model reconciliation problem" (MRP), where the AI system in effect suggests changes to the human's model, so as to make its plan be optimal with respect to that changed human model. We will study the properties of such explanations, present algorithms for automatically computing them, and evaluate the performance of the algorithms.
Bridging the Gap: A General Theory of Second Language Learning

This article explores the requirements for a general theory of second language learning that can account both for the fact that people can learn more than one language and for the generalizable individual differences that occur in such learning. Such a general theory will be able to explain and describe differences between second and foreign language learning, between learning for general and special purposes, between formal and informal learning, and between developing knowledge and skills. It will need to be precise and clear on the nature of the goals and outcomes of learning and to recognize the complexity of the concept of knowing a second language, which can vary almost without restriction in both kind and amount. The model must be integrated and interactive, to assume that all or many parts of it apply to any specific kind of learning and that there is close interaction among the various parts. The theory proposed allows for a formally valued eclecticism, provided by the use of a preference model. This article considers the formalization of such a model in an expert system and the more recent implications of the Parallel Distributed Processing model.
Patterns of exclusion of carers for people with mental health problems — the perspectives of professionals

A major issue in research, policy and professional practice is the social exclusion of carers, in particular carers for people with mental health problems. In order to address the issue of social exclusion from the perspectives of professionals, 65 participants were interviewed. The sample included directors, managers and senior staff from the social care, health and voluntary sectors. Respondents were asked to comment at length on the social exclusion of carers. Findings highlight four main types of exclusion: first, personal exclusions, including stigma; keeping mental health problems ‘a secret’; and taboos surrounding mental health care; second, social exclusions, such as isolation; narrowing of social networks; restrictions due to time commitments; exclusions relating to education, training, employment and leisure; and young carers; third, service exclusions involving carers being taken for granted and having difficulties with access to appropriate services; and fourth, financial or economic exclusions that lead to carers paying for care. This paper documents patterns of exclusion and draws out implications for research, policy and professional practice. In conclusion this paper also considers the ways in which professionals and services may better promote the social inclusion of carers for people with mental health problems in the future.
Children With Attention Deficits Concentrate Better After Walk in the Park

Objective: In the general population, attention is reliably enhanced after exposure to certain physical environments, particularly natural environments. This study examined the impacts of environments on attention in children with ADHD. Method: In this within subjects design, each participant experienced each of three treatments (environments) in single blind controlled trials. Seventeen children 7 to12 years old professionally diagnosed with ADHD experienced each of three environments—a city park and two other well-kept urban settings—via individually guided 20-minute walks. Environments were experienced 1 week apart, with randomized assignment to treatment order. After each walk, concentration was measured using Digit Span Backwards. Results: Children with ADHD concentrated better after the walk in the park than after the downtown walk (p = .0229) or the neighborhood walk (p = .0072). Effect sizes were substantial (Cohen's d =.52 and .77, respectively) and comparable to those reported for recent formulations of methylphenidate. Conclusion: Twenty minutes in a park setting was sufficient to elevate attention performance relative to the same amount of time in other settings. These findings indicate that environments can enhance attention not only in the general population but also in ADHD populations. “Doses of nature” might serve as a safe, inexpensive, widely accessible new tool in the tool kit for managing ADHD symptoms. (J. of Att. Dis. 2009; 12(5) 402-409)
The Emerging Ec Party System? The European Party Federations in the Intergovernmental Conferences

The Comparative study of the EC and the European Party Federations This paper questions two orthodoxies. Firstly, the theoretical study ofthe European Community (EC) is traditionally within the remit of international relations, where European ‘integration’ is the major conceptual concern. ’ From this perspective, the Community is a product of the conventional state-craft of sovereign nation-states (Moravcsik, 1991). However, as the EC develops closer towards an integrated political and economic system, theories and concepts from the field of comparative politics may provide a more insightful analysis. Hence, the major concern should shift b m inter-national or inter-govemmental relations to the study of political behaviour and institutions (such as political parties); and EC politica should be seen as the interaction of a number of dimensions (or cleavages). Moreover, the need for the incorporation of political parties into the study of the EC is highlighted by the Maastricht Treaty ‘party article’, which states that:
Differential regulation of corticotropin-releasing factor mRNA in rat brain regions by glucocorticoids and stress

The regulation of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) mRNA expression in the rat brain by glucocorticoids and stress was examined by Northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization histochemistry. Rats either were exposed to a single electrical footshock session and killed 2, 4, 12, or 24 hr later (acute stress), or were subjected to the same regimen twice daily for 3 or 7 d and killed on the day following the last session (chronic stress). Rats placed in the experimental chamber but not administered shock comprised a “sham-handling” group. Chronic (7 d) intermittent footshock stress resulted in an 84 +/- 26% (P less than 0.05) increase in CRF mRNA levels in the whole hypothalamus as detected by Northern blot analysis and a 97 +/- 29% (P less than 0.05) increase in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) as detected using in situ hybridization. No significant change in CRF mRNA levels was observed in the hypothalamus at any time up to 24 hr after a single exposure to footshock stress. A different pattern of results was obtained in other CRF-expressing cell groups. In Barrington's nucleus (a pontine micturition center), both acute and chronic stress produced significant increases in CRF mRNA, while in the olfactory bulb, both paradigms resulted in decreased levels. By Northern blot analysis, CRF mRNA in the olfactory bulb declined steadily, beginning at 4 hr after acute stress, and reached significance at 24 hr (69.2 +/- 1.9% of control, P less than 0.05). Levels from chronically (7 d) stressed animals declined to 54.1 +/- 5.1% of control value (P less than 0.05). Analysis of hybridization histochemical material revealed that both the number of positively hybridized cells and the number of silver grains per cell in the mitral and external plexiform layers of the bulb decreased following acute and chronic stress. However, CRF mRNA levels in the olfactory bulb were decreased to a comparable extent in the sham- handling group, suggesting that exposure to a novel environment can effect a decrease in CRF mRNA levels in the olfactory bulb. To provide comparisons with the effects of manipulation of glucocorticoid status, comparable analyses were carried out in separate groups of animals following adrenalectomy (ADX) with and without corticosteroid replacement. After ADX, CRF mRNA levels in the whole hypothalamus increased 60 +/- 5% (P less than 0.05) and were normalized following dexamethasone replacement. In contrast to the hypothalamus, no effects of steroid manipulation on CRF mRNA levels in the olfactory bulb, midbrain, cerebral cortex, or brain stem were detected. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
WhatsApp Goes to School: Mobile Instant Messaging between Teachers and Students

WhatsApp is a Smartphone application for instant messaging. Lately the application's popularity has risen. One of the unique features of the application is its ability to enhance communication within a group. Classroom communication between teaching faculty and high school students using WhatsApp has not yet, to our knowledge, been researched thoroughly. Therefore, we have chosen to conduct an exploratory research project employing a qualitative method. Twelve halfstructured interviews were carried out with teachers who use the application in order to communicate with their pupils. It turns out that class WhatsApp groups are used for four main purposes: communicating with students; nurturing the social atmosphere; creating dialogue and encouraging sharing among students; and as a learning platform. The participants mentioned the technical advantages of WhatsApp, such as simple operation, low cost, availability, and immediacy. They also referred to educational advantages, such as the creation of a pleasant environment and an in-depth acquaintance with fellow students, which had a positive influence upon the manner of conversation. The participants also indicated academic advantages such as the accessibility of learning materials, teacher availability, and the continuation of learning beyond class hours. Nevertheless, there are also challenges and problems. Firstly, there is the technical difficulty that not all high school students possess a Smartphone. Secondly, teachers are apt to be annoyed by the flood of irrelevant and nonsensical messages. Also, educational difficulties may arise, such as incompatibility of language between students and the students' assumptions that their teachers should be available on a 24/7 basis.
Observed reductions in school bullying, nonbullying aggression, and destructive bystander behavior: A longitudinal evaluation.

This study was a longitudinal extension of a random control trial of the Steps to Respect antibullying program. Students in Grades 3-5 were surveyed (n = 624) and observed on the playground (n = 360). Growth curve models of intervention students showed 2-year declines in playground bullying, victimization, nonbullying aggression, destructive bystander, and argumentative behavior. Grade-equivalent contrasts indicated group differences in all problem behaviors. Problem behaviors in the control group increased or remained stable across grade. Intervention group students reported less difficulty responding assertively to bullying compared with control students. Within both groups, older students perceived themselves to be more aggressive and less frequently victimized than younger students. Methodological issues posed by inconsistencies between self-reported and observed behavior are discussed
Exotic Fluids Made of Open Strings

We compute the high energy entropy and the equation of state of a gas of open superstrings in the infinite volume limit focusing on the calculation of the number of strings as a function of energy and volume. We do it in the fixed temperature and fixed energy pictures to explicitly proof their equivalence. We find that, at high energy, an effective two dimensional behavior appears for the number of strings. Looking at the equation of state from a ten dimensional point of view, we show that the Hagedorn behavior can be seen as correcting the Zeldovich equation of state ($\rho=p$) that can be found from the two dimensional part of the entropy of the system. By the way, we show that, near the Hagedorn temperature, the equilibrium state obtained by sharing the total energy among open (super)strings of different length is stable.
Competitive MAC under adversarial SINR

This paper considers the problem of how to efficiently share a wireless medium which is subject to harsh external interference or even jamming. While this problem has already been studied intensively for simplistic single-hop or unit disk graph models, we make a leap forward and study MAC protocols for the SINR interference model (a.k.a. the physical model). We make two contributions. First, we introduce a new adversarial SINR model which captures a wide range of interference phenomena. Concretely, we consider a powerful, adaptive adversary which can jam nodes at arbitrary times and which is only limited by some energy budget. The second contribution of this paper is a distributed MAC protocol which provably achieves a constant competitive throughput in this environment: we show that, with high probability, the protocol ensures that a constant fraction of the non-blocked time periods is used for successful transmissions. Our results also highlight an inherent difference between the SINR model and unit disk graph models.
Issues in post-entry language assessment in English-medium universities

Students entering English-medium universities around the world come from diverse linguistic backgrounds and many find it difficult to cope with the language demands of their degree courses. This speech focuses first on the motivations for introducing what are known in Australia as post-entry language assessments (PELAs). I discuss in particular the Diagnostic English Language Needs Assessment (DELNA) at the University of Auckland, which has been successfully implemented throughout the university in the last ten years. This leads to a broader discussion of three significant issues in post-entry language assessment. One is the nature of the construct on which such assessments are based. A related issue is whether a PELA can appropriately be considered ‘diagnostic’ in nature. The third issue is how to undertake the validation of a PELA, particularly with regard to the consequential aspect: does the assessment contribute to enhancing the students’ academic language ability?
Unrestored Dentin Caries and Deep Dentin Restorations in Swedish Adolescents

The objectives of this longitudinal study were to assess: (a) the prevalence of unrestored dentin caries among 15-year-olds, (b) the proportion of these lesions that had progressed to deep dentin lesions (inner half of dentin) since the immediately preceding examination at the age of 14 and (c) the frequency of deep restorations (extending into the inner half of the dentin). The sample consisted of all 15-year-olds (n = 2,487) born in 1990 and included in the Public Dental Service in Malmö, Sweden. Bitewing radiographs taken during 2005–2007 and the immediately preceding radiographs were analysed and scored by two examiners. The main radiographic scores were: sound; radiolucency in the outer or inner half of dentin; restored surface. The results showed that 22% of the individuals had 1 or more dentin lesions left unrestored from the time of the examination at the age of 14 until the next recall examination at the age of 15. During the observation period (median time 1.2 years), 9% of the unrestored outer dentin lesions progressed to deep dentin lesions. The majority of these (93%) were in molars. One or more deep restorations were found in 22% of the 15-year-olds; the majority involved occlusal surfaces of first molars. In conclusion, unrestored dentin lesions were common in 15-year-olds. Progression to deep dentin lesions occurred in 9% of these lesions and was most common in first molars. Occlusal surfaces of first molars had the highest frequency of deep restorations.
A Hybrid Coordination Function Based Dynamic Polling Mechanism for Enhancing Voice Transmission in IEEE 802.11e Wireless LANs (cid:63)

In this paper, we propose a HCF-based Dynamic Polling Mechanism (HDPM) to enhance the system capacity in supported voice stations over IEEE 802.11e WLANs, which employs hybrid coordination function (HCF) deﬁned in IEEE 802.11e to detect the silence and talkspurt alternation of voice stations and dynamically adds and removes the voice station IDs in the polling list. Apart from the existing dynamic polling mechanisms, the HDPM detects the “silence-to-talkspurt” alternation by the successful reception of the ﬁrst packet of each talkspurt, which contends to access channel with high enhanced distributed coordination function (EDCF) priority in contention period (CP). An analytical model is presented to investigate the access delay of the voice packets transmitted in CP and the system capacity in supported voice stations. The numerical and simulation results show that the performance of the HDPM signiﬁcantly outperforms that of conventional static polling mechanism. In addition, through exploring the impact of the HDPM on the throughput of data stations, we conclude that the performance of the HDPM can be optimized by conﬁguring the ﬁrst packet of each talkspurt with the highest EDCF priority.