Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An introduction to the special issue: Oxyrrhis marina, a model organism?

Many "model" protists are maintained in culture and used, experimentally, to answer questions associated with planktonic processes. Given the current interest and rapidly increasing amount of literature on the heterotrophic dinoflagellate Oxyrrhis marina, we present in this special issue a series of focused, interlinked research articles. Being written by experts in their respective fields, the authors have included unpublished data and in all cases have offered a synthesis of data and ideas. Furthermore, we have encouraged cross-paper discourse, emphasizing the interdisciplinary nature of our work and the utility of O. marina to this end; we also offer guidance, both practical and intellectual, on how future research related to O. marina might progress. In this introduction, however, we raise the wider issue of which criteria are required to consider a taxon as a "model species". We then assess the extent to which O. marina can fill this role. In general, we recognize O. marina as a model in three distinct disciplines: ecology, evolution/genomics and biogeography. Of possibly greater importance, we recognize that if O. marina continues to be studied at an escalating rate, there will be a concomitant increase in realized and potential synergies across these fields. © The Author 2010. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.
Astrometric Perturbations in Substructure Lensing

In recent years gravitational lensing has been used as a means to detect substructure in galaxy-sized halos, via anomalous flux ratios in quadruply imaged lenses. In addition to causing anomalous flux ratios, substructure may also perturb the positions of lensed images at observable levels. In this paper we numerically investigate the scale of such astrometric perturbations using realistic models of substructure distributions. Substructure distributions that project clumps near the Einstein radius of the lens result in perturbations that are the least degenerate with the best-fit smooth macromodel, with residuals at the milliarcsecond scale. Degeneracies between the center of the lens potential and astrometric perturbations suggest that milliarcsecond constraints on the center of the lensing potential boost the observed astrometric perturbations by an order of magnitude compared to leaving the center of the lens as a free parameter. In addition, we discuss methods of substructure detection via astrometric perturbations that avoid full lens modeling in favor of local image observables and also discuss modeling of systems with luminous satellites to constrain the masses of those satellites.
Usage, Acceptance, Adoption, and Diffusion of Information & Communication Technologies in Higher Education: A Measurement of Critical Factors 1

To properly integrate information & communication technologies (ICTs) in higher educational institutes (HEIs) of Pakistan demands factors which relate with their usage, acceptance, adoption, and diffusion need be analyzed through some appropriate statistical tests before their implementation at ground level. This study measures critical factors such as ZPD (zone of proximal development) gap, difference of perception, issue by issue and on all issues under discussion by participants’ at each round of Delphi in order to analyze the difference in perceptions among various higher education (HE) stake holders. It was determined that a significant ZPD gap in ICT usage, acceptance, adoption, and diffusion is present in HEIs of Pakistan as compared to those developed nations. However, no significant difference of thought was measured while measuring issues such as demand & supply of ICTs, causes of deprived standard of HE, ICT integration challenges and their proposed solutions, which reveal that the problems identified and measures suggested need be considered compulsory in design of any future ICT policy. Recommendations as suggested in this study would benefit to Govt. of Pakistan while designing new ICT policies for higher education system (HES) in particular and to other concerned stake holders of less developed countries with similar nature of ICT problems/challenges in their HES. It is suggested that there is an utmost need of robust, effective and targetoriented ICT policy that may work out on issues identified in this study and take actions in timely manner to overcome this situation of dilemma.
Computation of Algebraic Functions with Root Extractions

We consider the problem of computing a set of algebraic functions that involve extracting roots of various degrees. We show that the complexity of computing a large class of algebraic functions is determined by the Galois group G of the extension generated by the functions. We relate the minimum cost to decomposing G into a sequence of normal subgroups such that each factor group is cyclic. We derive an exact answer for the case when the cost is logarithmic, while we provide upper and lower bounds for all the other cases. On the other hand, we develop a reasonably fast algorithm for the abelian case which has been already solved by Pippenger.
Listening to young children outdoors with pedagogical documentation

ABSTRACT If children are to be heard in research and pedagogy, we need to find ways to listen to them. But how do we listen to young children when words are not their primary means of communication? Drawing on research investigating children’s perspectives of outdoor spaces in pedagogical settings, this article discusses the use of pedagogical documentation as a way of listening to young children. This listening involves children and adults working together in a relationship of co-experimentation which requires suspension of judgment, openness and preparedness to be affected by the ‘other’ [Davies, Bronwyn. (2014). Listening to Children: Being and Becoming. London: Routledge; Rinaldi, Carla. (2006). In Dialogue with Reggio Emilia: Listening, Researching and Learning. London: Routledge]. The article explores ways in which pedagogical documentation can not only lead to insights into children’s thinking, but also to questioning of taken-for-granted assumptions about children, learning and the wider world. Furthermore, the article highlights the way in which the materiality of pedagogical documentation strategies also actively contributes to the research. The study’s findings suggest that in thinking with pedagogical documentation, children, adults and nonhuman elements all work together in an interconnected and ever-changing assemblage which does not result in definitive conclusions but instead leads to more questions.
Localization of Cortical Phase and Amplitude Dynamics during Visual Working Memory Encoding and Retention

Several studies show that the amplitudes of human brain oscillations are modulated during the performance of visual working memory (VWM) tasks in a load-dependent manner. Less is known about the dynamics and identities of the cortical regions in which these modulations take place, and hence their functional significance has remained unclear. We used magnetoencephalography and electroencephalography together with minimum norm estimate-based source modeling to study the dynamics of ongoing brain activity during a parametric VWM task. Early stimulus processing and memory encoding were associated with a memory load-dependent spread of neuronal activity from occipital to temporal, parietal, and frontal cortical regions. During the VWM retention period, the amplitudes of oscillations in theta/alpha- (5–9 Hz), high-alpha- (10–14 Hz), beta- (15–30 Hz), gamma- (30–50 Hz), and high-gamma- (50–150 Hz) frequency bands were suppressed below baseline levels, and yet, in frontoparietal regions, load dependently strengthened. However, in occipital and occipitotemporal structures, only beta, gamma, and high-gamma amplitudes were robustly strengthened by memory load. Individual behavioral VWM capacity was predicted by both the magnitude of the N1 evoked response component in early visual regions and by the amplitudes of frontoparietal high-alpha and high-gamma band oscillations. Thus, both early stimulus processing and late retention period activities may influence the behavioral outcome in VWM tasks. These data support the notion that beta- and gamma-band oscillations support the maintenance of object representations in VWM whereas alpha-, beta-, and gamma-band oscillations together contribute to attentional and executive processing.
An LPV control approach for semi-active suspension control with actuator constraints

This paper presents a new solution for the semi-active suspension control problem. First, a quarter vehicle model equipped with a semi-active damper is reformulated in the LPV framework using the nonlinear static semi-active damper model. This formulation allows to turn the control problem with dissipativity constraint into that with input saturation. Then the damper force saturation is taken into account in an original LPV fashion. This leads to the definition of a new LPV model with two parameters which is handled in a polytopic way. The H∞ control design for polytopic systems is then applied. The interest of the provided methodology is emphasized by simulations on a nonlinear vehicle model.
Speckle filtering in radar polarimetric images by wavelet transform in complex domain

Polarimetric SAR images are disturbed by an inherent noise called "speckle" having multiplicative properties. This noise is undesirable, and its treatment in the case of polarimetric SAR images is difficult because of its complicated modelling. To reduce its level of disturbance, a polarimetric filtering is necessary to improve the image quality, with preserving polarimetric information. In this paper, we present two wavelet filtering techniques based on multi-scale edge detection and wavelet thresholding by applying the stationary wavelet transform (SWT). The originality of our work was based on new approaches proposed in POLSAR images filtering by wavelets to filter polarimetric covariance matrix elements and complex channels individually. The methods are applied to the fully polarimetric (HH, HV, VH, VV) SAR images acquired on Algiers, Algeria and to three polarimetric channels (HH, HV, VV) SAR images acquired on Oberpfaffenhofen area located in Munich (Germany). We evaluate the performance of each filter by using these following criteria: smoothing homogeneous areas, edge preservation and polarimetric information preservation. Experimental results are included to illustrate the method.
SNX4 in Complex with Clathrin and Dynein: Implications for Endosome Movement

Background Sorting nexins (SNXs) constitute a family of proteins classified by their phosphatidylinositol (PI) binding Phox homology (PX) domain. Some members regulate intracellular trafficking. We have here investigated mechanisms underlying SNX4 mediated endosome to Golgi transport. Methodology/Principal Findings We show that SNX4 forms complexes with clathrin and dynein. The interactions were inhibited by wortmannin, a PI3-kinase inhibitor, suggesting that they form when SNX4 is associated with PI(3)P on endosomes. We further localized the clathrin interacting site on SNX4 to a clathrin box variant. A short peptide containing this motif was sufficient to pull down both clathrin and dynein. Knockdown studies demonstrated that clathrin is not required for the SNX4/dynein interaction. Moreover, clathrin knockdown led to increased Golgi transport of the toxin ricin, as well as redistribution of endosomes. Conclusions/Significance We discuss the possibility of clathrin serving as a regulator of SNX4-dependent transport. Upon clathrin release, dynein may bind SNX4 and mediate retrograde movement.
An investigation of the digital game addiction between high school students

The aim of this study was to investigate the digital game addiction levels of the high school students, according to some variables such as sports participation, gender, place of accommodation and level of income. The sample group comprises 931 high school students (508, %54,6 female and 423, %45,4 male) from several villages, districts and Kutahya city center (a town in the west part of Turkey with the population of 325.000). They participated to the study voluntarily. In addition to personal information from prepared by the researcher, the game addiction scale developed by Lemmens et al. (2009) and adapted to Turkish by Irmak and Erdogan (2015) was used as a data gathering tool. It is a five point Likert type scale and has one factor and seven items. In order to evaluate the results the descriptive statistical methods (percentage (%), frequency (f) and t-test, one-way ANOVA) were used. As a result, the significant difference was determined regarding digital game addiction [t (931)=-3,76; p=0,00] between the students who participate to the sports activities and who do not. So, the non-participant students found more game addicted. According to the gender, male students were determined more addicted than females [t (931)=9,45; p=0,00]. No significant difference was determined in terms of the place where the students lived (p=0,56, p>0,05). Finally, the significant difference was determined in terms of the income levels, [f (931)=3,07; p=0,01] on behalf of the students who had good income level. They found more addicted.
Unsupervised acoustic model training for the Korean language

This paper investigates unsupervised training strategies for the Korean language in the context of the DGA RAPID Rapmat project. As with previous studies, we begin with only a small amount of manually transcribed data to build preliminary acoustic models. Using the initial models, a larger set of untranscribed audio data is decoded to produce approximate transcripts. We compare both GMM and DNN acoustic models for both the unsupervised transcription and the final recognition system. While the DNN acoustic models produce a lower word error rate on the test set, training on the transcripts from the GMM system provides the best overall performance. We also achieve better performance by expanding the original phone set. Finally, we examine the efficacy of automatically building a test set by comparing system performance both before and after manually correcting the test set.
The Afterglow of GRB 010222: A Case of Continuous Energy Injection

The optical light curve of GRB 010222 exhibited one of the slowest decays of any gamma-ray burst to date. Its broadband properties have been difficult to explain with conventional afterglow models, as they require either the power-law index of the underlying electron energy distribution to be low, p < 2, or the outflow to be quasi-spherical, thus reviving the energy problem. We argue that the slow decay of GRB 010222 and a linear polarization of 1.36% ± 0.64% are naturally explained by a jet model with continuous energy injection. The electron energy distribution then has p = 2.49 ± 0.05, fully consistent with the expectation from detailed modeling of acceleration in relativistic shocks that p > 2, thus alleviating the "p-problem. "
Silver Nanoparticles Compromise Neurodevelopment in PC12 Cells: Critical Contributions of Silver Ion, Particle Size, Coating, and Composition

Background Silver exposures are rising because of the increased use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in consumer products. The monovalent silver ion (Ag+) impairs neurodevelopment in PC12 cells and zebrafish. Objectives and methods We compared the effects of AgNPs with Ag+ in PC12 cells for neurodevelopmental end points including cell replication, oxidative stress, cell viability, and differentiation. First, we compared citrate-coated AgNPs (AgNP-Cs) with Ag+, and then we assessed the roles of particle size, coating, and composition by comparing AgNP-C with two different sizes of polyvinylpyrrolidone-coated AgNPs (AgNP-PVPs) or silica nanoparticles. Results In undifferentiated cells, AgNP-C impaired DNA synthesis, but to a lesser extent than an equivalent nominal concentration of Ag+, whereas AgNP-C and Ag+ were equally effective against protein synthesis; there was little or no oxidative stress or loss of viability due to AgNP-C. In contrast, in differentiating cells, AgNP-C evoked robust oxidative stress and impaired differentiation into the acetylcholine phenotype. Although the effects of AgNP-PVP showed similarities to those of AgNP-C, we also found significant differences in potencies and differentiation outcomes that depended both on particle size and coating. None of the effects reflected simple physical attributes of nanoparticles, separate from composition or coating, as equivalent concentrations of silica nanoparticles had no detectable effects. Conclusions AgNP exposure impairs neurodevelopment in PC12 cells. Further, AgNP effects are distinct from those of Ag+ alone and depend on size and coating, indicating that AgNP effects are not due simply to the release of Ag+ into the surrounding environment.
A Facilitating Effective Teaching through Learning Based on Learning Styles and Ways of Thinking

The study deals with learning styles and ways of thinking in facilitating effective teaching. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between students’ learning style and ways of thinking toward effective teaching. This study was conducted by using correlational design. The population of the study were 360 university students of English education academic year 2015/2016 in State University of Medan. The samples were 82 university students selected by using random sampling. The data were collected by using questionnaires and tests. The analysis used the techniques of regression and correlation. The finding of this study revealed that F count is higher that F table ( F count =13.67 > F table =3.32 ; the correlation coefficient (ry 12) = 0.57) meaning that there is significant correlation between learning styles and ways of thinking. It indicates that learning styles and ways of thinking contribute to effective teaching.
EFFECTS OF VARYING THE THREE-BODY MOLECULAR HYDROGEN FORMATION RATE IN PRIMORDIAL STAR FORMATION

The transformation of atomic hydrogen to molecular hydrogen through three-body reactions is a crucial stage in the collapse of primordial, metal-free halos, where the first generation of stars (Population III stars) in the universe is formed. However, in the published literature, the rate coefficient for this reaction is uncertain by nearly an order of magnitude. We report on the results of both adaptive mesh refinement and smoothed particle hydrodynamics simulations of the collapse of metal-free halos as a function of the value of this rate coefficient. For each simulation method, we have simulated a single halo three times, using three different values of the rate coefficient. We find that while variation between halo realizations may be greater than that caused by the three-body rate coefficient being used, both the accretion physics onto Population III protostars as well as the long-term stability of the disk and any potential fragmentation may depend strongly on this rate coefficient.
Logical and psychological analysis of deductive mastermind

The paper proposes a way to analyze logical reasoning in a deductive version of the Mastermind game implemented within the Math Garden educational system. Our main goal is to derive predictions about the cognitive difficulty of game-plays, e.g., the number of steps needed for solving the logical tasks or the working memory load. Our model is based on the analytic tableaux method, known from proof theory. We associate the difficulty of the Deductive Mastermind game-items with the size of the corresponding logical tree derived by the tableau method. We discuss possible empirical hypotheses based on this model, and preliminary results that prove the relevance of our theory.
XMM-Newton View of the z > 0 Warm-Hot Intergalactic Medium toward Markarian 421

The recent detection with Chandra of two warm-hot intergalactic medium (WHIM) filaments toward Mrk 421 by Nicastro et al. provides a measurement of the bulk of the "missing baryons" in the nearby universe. Since Mrk 421 is a bright X-ray source, it is also frequently observed by the XMM-Newton Reflection Grating Spectrometer (RGS) for calibration purposes. Using all available archived XMM observations of this source with small pointing offsets (<15''), we construct the highest quality XMM grating spectrum of Mrk 421 to date with a net exposure time (excluding periods of high background flux) of 437 ks and ~15,000 counts per resolution element at 21.6 Å, more than twice that of the Chandra spectrum. Despite the long-exposure time, neither of the two intervening absorption systems is seen, although the upper limits derived are consistent with the Chandra equivalent width measurements. This appears to result from (1) the larger number of narrow instrumental features caused by bad detector columns, (2) the degraded resolution of XMM/RGS as compared to the Chandra/LETG, and (3) fixed-pattern noise at λ ≳ 29 Å. The nondetection of the WHIM absorbers by XMM is thus fully consistent with the Chandra measurement.
Music genre induced driver aggression

Few empirical studies have targeted the links between media delinquency or risk-promoting popular culture (specifically aversive music genres) with negative affective states and aggressive driving. Yet for over a decade, drivers have reported that they commit traffic violations while listening to loud fast-beat aggressive music styles. The current investigation seeks to explore aggressive driving behavior while considering the genre of music background. Most specifically, we look at aversive music styles and songs with violent lyrics. The article outlines the testimonials by drivers (N = 6,058) from six recent commercially solicited surveys with drivers which demonstrate “proof of concept” for driver aggression subsequent to driving with music accompaniment. Further, the article details a study (N = 50) employing a driving simulator with 30 paired music exemplars of 4 music genres. Half consisted of songs with hostile aggressive lyrics and half with neutral lyrics—both performed in the same music styles by the same artists. The results demonstrate that energetic music boosted excitement resulting in decreased lateral control, increased excursions from the lane, and an increased tendency to stray onto the hard shoulder. Drivers who were exposed to hostile music with violent content on the other hand demonstrated increased cruising speeds and a higher percentage of time exceeding speed limits. These differential effects of music on drivers can be referred to as either music-generated driver distraction or music genre induced driver aggression.
A Qualitative Analysis of Mentee Experiences in a Campus-Based Mentoring Program

Preventing first-time offending youth from repeating delinquent behavior is of interest to society. Empirical evidence indicates that high-quality mentoring can prevent a wide array of negative outcomes for at-risk youth. This study examines the perspectives of 87 first-time offending youth, ages 10 to 18 years (M = 15), who participated in Campus Connections: Therapeutic Mentoring of At-Risk Youth. Through in-depth individual interviews, youth reported that mentoring helped them: (a) improve school experiences and performance, (b) create healthier relationships, (c) feel better about themselves, (d) think more positively about their future, and (e) decrease engagement in delinquency. The mentees attributed program components as well as the relationship with their mentor as important. These program components can be integrated into other mentoring programs.