Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Discernment and Volition: Two Aspects of Politeness

This study is titled "Discernment and Volition: Two aspects of politeness". It aims at examining two problematic concepts (Discernment and Volition) by presenting how they have been considered in the politeness studies and how they can be enriched with new senses that can enable them to be applicable in all languages. This study consists of seven sections. At the very beginning, it gains deeper insight into the concepts of Discernment and Volition to be critically reconsidered. Then, it compares them to their closest concepts politic and Polite to present the points of similarities and differences between them. After that, both Discernment-dominated and Volitional dominated cultures will be considered. This study also moves on to identifying the elements that constitute Discernment, and those that constitute volitional interactions, as well as clarifying the process of their interpretation within the context. Finally, this study comprehensively introduces the methodology that can work for examining Discernment and Volition, clarifies the process of data collection and illustrates the process of data analysis.
The Effect of Dietary Supplementation with Spent Cider Yeast on the Swine Distal Gut Microbiome

Background There is an increasing need for alternatives to antibiotics for promoting animal health, given the increasing problems associated with antibiotic resistance. In this regard, we evaluated spent cider yeast as a potential probiotic for modifying the gut microbiota in weanling pigs using pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA gene libraries. Methodology and Principal Findings Piglets aged 24–26 days were assigned to one of two study groups; control (n = 12) and treatment (n = 12). The control animals were fed with a basal diet and the treatment animals were fed with basal diet in combination with cider yeast supplement (500 ml cider yeast containing ∼7.6 log CFU/ml) for 21 days. Faecal samples were collected for 16s rRNA gene compositional analysis. 16S rRNA compositional sequencing analysis of the faecal samples collected from day 0 and day 21 revealed marked differences in microbial diversity at both the phylum and genus levels between the control and treatment groups. This analysis confirmed that levels of Salmonella and Escherichia were significantly decreased in the treatment group, compared with the control (P<0.001). This data suggest a positive influence of dietary supplementation with live cider yeast on the microbial diversity of the pig distal gut. Conclusions/Significance The effect of dietary cider yeast on porcine gut microbial communities was characterized for the first time using 16S rRNA gene compositional sequencing. Dietary cider yeast can potentially alter the gut microbiota, however such changes depend on their endogenous microbiota that causes a divergence in relative response to that given diet.
Mobile social signal processing: vision and research issues

This paper introduces the First International Workshop on Mobile Social Signal Processing (SSP). The Workshop aims at bringing together the Mobile HCI and Social Signal Processing research communities. The former investigates approaches for effective interaction with mobile and wearable devices, while the latter focuses on modeling, analysis and synthesis of nonverbal behavior in human{human and human-machine interactions. While dealing with similar problems, the two domains have different goals and methodologies. However, mutual exchange of expertise is likely to raise new research questions as well as to improve approaches in both domains. After providing a brief survey of Mobile HCI and SSP, the paper introduces general aspects of the workshop (including topics, keynote speakers and dissemination means).
Dental Caries Vaccine : A Review

Dental caries is an infectious microbiologic disease of the teeth that results in localized dissolution and destruction of the calcified tissue. Dental caries is a mulitifactorial disease, which is caused by host, agent, and environmental factors. Cariogenic micro-organisms enter the dental biofilm early in life and can subsequently emerge, under favorable environmental conditions, to cause disease. In oral fluids, adaptive host defenses aroused by these infections are expressed in the saliva and gingival crevicular fluid. The time factor is important for the development and progression of dental caries. A wide group of microorganisms are identified from carious lesions of which S. mutans, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Actinomycesviscosus are the main pathogenic species involved in the initiation and development of dental caries. Hence, the prevention and control of dental caries is the main aim of public health, eventually the ultimate objective of public health is the elimination of the disease itself. Recently, dental caries vaccines have been developed for the prevention of dental caries. These dental caries vaccines are still in the early stages. This review will focus on methods by which mucosal host defenses can be induced by immunization to interfere with dental caries caused by mutans streptococci. The natural history of mutans streptococcal colonization is described in the context of the ontogeny of mucosal immunity to these and other indigenous oral streptococci.
“What ISIS Really Wants” Revisited: Religion Matters in Jihadist Violence, but How?

ABSTRACT In his influential and provocative article on “What ISIS Really Wants,” published in The Atlantic in March 2015, Graeme Wood argued that “the Islamic state is Islamic. Very Islamic. ” He also sought to challenge what he diagnosed as a “western bias” among academics and policymakers toward religious ideology, whereby religious doctrines or beliefs are relegated to the status of epiphenomena rather than taken seriously as causal properties in their own right. Wood's article sparked a wider—and still ongoing—debate over the relationship between Islam and jihadist violence. For one side in this debate, Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) is inexplicable without reference to Islamic scripture; indeed, some commentators and politicians have even argued that it represents the “true” face of Islam; for the other side, ISIS is a hideous distortion of Islam's “true” teachings, and is inexplicable without reference to the wider political circumstances in which it emerged and to which it is a response. This article attempts to forge a middle way between these two polarized viewpoints by arguing that any comprehensive account of ISIS must recognize both its secular and theological bases. More specifically, and drawing on the work of the intellectual historian Quentin Skinner, it argues that Wood's critics, in their understandable but misplaced eagerness to detach Islam from jihadist violence, fail to accord proper causal weight to the legitimizing role of revolutionary Islamic ideas—and the innovating ideologists who develop these—in the commission of this violence.
Role of decidual natural killer cells & macrophages in pre-eclampsia

Pre-eclampsia (PE) is defined as the newly developed maternal hypertension (diastolic blood pressure more than 90 mmHg), proteinuria (more than 300 mg in 24 h) and oedema at or after 20 weeks of pregnancy1. It is a relatively common disease (seen in 3% of pregnant women) and is an important cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. Till date, the exact aetiology of PE is unknown; however, the predominant hypothesis is the disturbed placentation in the early part of pregnancy due to impaired trophoblastic invasion and defective remodelling of spiral artery in PE2. This may cause ischaemia in the placental bed and release of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase and other mediators. These mediators subsequently lead to generalized endothelial dysfunction and systemic inflammation3 (Fig. 1). Three types of cells play a vital role in optimal placentation (proper trophoblastic invasion and spiral artery remodelling): decidual natural killer (DNK) cells, extravillous trophoblast (EVT) and macrophages (Table).
Simple Probabilistic Predictions for Support Vector Regression

Support vector regression (SVR) has been popular in the past decade, but it provides only an estimated target value instead of predictive probability intervals. Many work have addressed this issue but sometimes the SVR formula must be modified. This paper presents a rather simple and direct approach to construct such intervals. We assume that the conditional distribution of the target value depends on its input only through the predicted value, and propose to model this distribution by simple functions. Experiments show that the proposed approach gives predictive intervals with competitive coverages with Bayesian SVR methods. I. I NTRODUCTION In the past decade support vector regression (SVR) [15], [12] has been popular for regression problems. SVR provides only an estimated target value; however, the statement that the future value falls in an interval with a specified probability is more informative. This paper aims to construct predictive intervals for the future values. For conventional linear regression, the prediction interval has been well developed; for example, see [16] for Gaussian noise case and [3], [14] for non-Gaussian case. SVR differs from conventional regression in that it maps input data into a high dimensional reproducing kernel Hilbert space and uses an -insensitive loss function. As a result, SVR has a sparse representation of solutions, and hence is relatively fast in training/testing. However, due to these differences, the existing methods for constructing prediction intervals can not be applied. Recently Bayesian interpretations of SVR have been developed [6], [4], [2] along the ways of Bayesian techniques for Neural Networks [8] and for SVM classification [13], [11]. Using a Bayesian framework, one can determine parameters in SVR by maximizing an evidence function, and at the same time derive an error bar for prediction. Some of these Bayesian approaches perform well, but in several situations they cannot be applied. For example, they may modify the SVR formulation, so it is more difficult to use existing SVR software. In addition, some may prefer using other methods (e.g., cross validation) for parameter selection. As the best parameters are not from
Evolution of Adaptive Synapses: Robots with Fast Adaptive Behavior in New Environments

Abstract This paper is concerned with adaptation capabilities of evolved neural controllers. We propose to evolve mechanisms for parameter self-organization instead of evolving the parameters themselves. The method consists of encoding a set of local adaptation rules that synapses follow while the robot freely moves in the environment. In the experiments presented here, the performance of the robot is measured in environments that are different in significant ways from those used during evolution. The results show that evolutionary adaptive controllers solve the task much faster and better than evolutionary standard fixed-weight controllers, that the method scales up well to large architectures, and that evolutionary adaptive controllers can adapt to environmental changes that involve new sensory characteristics (including transfer from simulation to reality and across different robotic platforms) and new spatial relationships.
Exposure to the 1994 genocide in Rwanda and survivor attitudes toward génocidaires: A 20-year postscript.

This cross-sectional study examined predictors of attitudes and relatedness toward génocidaires among survivors of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. A survey of 448 eligible adults in selected households from 5 districts in Rwanda was conducted in 2013–2014. Structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques were used to test the theorized relationships among age, gender, exposure to genocide events, stressors attributed to the genocide, traumatic stress, and a hypothesized latent factor of attitudes toward génocidaires (positive outgroup stereotypes, beliefs/perceived social norms, revenge toward génocidaires, and social distance). On the basis of a final sample of 304 respondents, more exposure to genocide events was directly associated with increased traumatic stress symptoms, higher attribution of societal stressors to the genocide, and lower positive attitudes toward génocidaires. Attribution of societal stressors to the genocide mediated the relationship between exposure to genocide events and positive attitudes toward génocidaires, accounting for 34% of the total effect. Traumatic stress was also negatively correlated with positive attitudes toward génocidaires. Regardless of the level of exposure to genocide events, a survivor will likely attribute current stressors to the genocide to the extent that they are experiencing traumatic stress symptoms. The complete SEM model fit extremely well. Attributions of social stressors to the genocide and negative attitudes toward génocidaires are embedded within a cultural context of “chosen amnesia” about the genocide events (Buckley-Zistel, 2006), which necessitate remembrance of progress and honest acknowledgment of the complex task of reconciliation among Rwandans in a postconflict society.
Key Factors for Determining Student Satisfaction in Distance Learning Courses: A Study of Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) Islamabad, Pakistan.

In this paper, the primary objective of the research team was to find out the relationship between student satisfaction and the following variables of the distance learning environment: instructors' performance, course evaluation and studentinstructor interaction. The sample consisted of 245 students of Allama Iqbal Open University of Pakistan. The purpose of this study was to address the most recent problem of AIOU students relevant to their distance learning. The problem was that most of the people in Pakistan perceived distance learning as poorer quality. Therefore, the researchers conducted this study to find out whether it's only people perception or there is any thing in reality about the poorer outcome of the distance learning students as compare to traditional students. By using correlation, regression and descriptive analysis, it was found that just like the traditional education, in distance learning education at AIOU, enough interaction take place between students and their instructors, courses are up to date and well designed, instructors are devoted, motivated and equipped with the required skill and knowledge. Moreover, the faculty at AIOU is delivering distance learning courses that meet the students' needs in regard to students-instructor interaction, instructor performance and course evaluation.
A Novel Digital Duty-Cycle Modulation Scheme for FPGA-Based Digital-to-Analog Conversion

In this brief, a novel digital duty-cycle modulation (DDCM) scheme is outlined. The digital part, embedded in a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) chip, consists of a lookup DDCM map, a dual DDCM counting logic with interrupt service routines, and a holder. It is used as a building core of a well-tested 10-12 bits FPGA-based digital-to-analog converter (DAC). Experimental tests show that for a digital input bandwidth of 3 kHZ, the new DDDM technique for DAC achieves 40 dBc of surpious free dynamic range and 60 dB of NOISE FLOOR range. This performance is a challenge compared with most low cost oversampling DACs schemes with single decimation stage.
Fuzzy Reliability-Based Traction Control Model for Intelligent Transportation Systems

In this paper, a fuzzy Bayesian traction control system was developed for rail vehicles with speed sensors in intelligent transportation systems. The system included three main components to sense, process, and classify the traction conditions. The information received from the speed sensors is used to avoid any error that might cause service interruption and unnecessary maintenance. There are, however, occasions when these signals may not be sensed, transmitted, or received precisely due to unexpected conditions such as noise. Therefore, in this study, the γ-level fuzzy Bayesian model was proposed for sensor-based traction control systems. In order to apply the fuzzy Bayesian concept, the wheel acceleration was assumed to be a fuzzy random variable for membership function with fuzzy prior distribution. Using the fuzzy signals, the intelligent model calculates the risk of classification for the system that results in determining the misclassification decision at a minimum cost. The model's engine involves a mathematical problem which can be solved in any programming language in onboard or embedded computers. The conceptual model was applied to a case study with promising results, which can be used for target systems or simulation.
Frequency and Topographic Distribution of Brain Lesions in Pediatric Cerebral Venous Thrombosis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Cerebral sinovenous thrombosis (CSVT) is increasingly encountered in children, including neonates. The purpose of this study was to assess the frequency and topographic distribution of parenchymal brain lesions associated with CSVT in children and to compare these with the known anatomic venous drainage pathways. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Brain CT/CT venograms and/or MR imaging/MR venograms of 71 consecutive patients with CSVT were reviewed retrospectively. The patients were grouped into neonates, infants, and older children. The site of CSVT, the location and size of the brain lesions, and the presence of hemorrhage were documented. The frequency of the brain lesions was calculated. RESULTS: There were 34 neonates, 10 infants, and 27 older children with CSVT who were included. The most common sites of CSVT were the transverse sinuses, the superior sagittal sinus, and the straight sinus. Overall, 37 of 71 children with CSVT had parenchymal brain lesions. There were 21 of 34 neonates, 4 of 10 infants, and 12 of 27 older children who had brain lesions. The most common locations were in the frontal and parietal lobes. The topographic distribution of lesions correlated with the corresponding venous drainage territory in 16 of 21 neonates, all infants, and all older children. The neonates had smaller-sized lesions. Brain lesions were hemorrhagic in 76% of neonates, 75% of infants, and 33% of older children. CONCLUSION: The topographic distribution of brain lesions associated with CSVT correlates with the known drainage territories of the dural venous sinus in children.
Towards phoneme inventory discovery for documentation of unwritten languages

Documenting unwritten languages is a challenging task, even for trained specialists. To help linguists in better and faster documenting new languages is the goal of the French-German ANR-DFG project BULB. To discover the phonetic inventory of a language the project follows three steps: estimating phoneme boundaries, classifying articulatory features (AFs) for each individual segment and clustering the segments into a phoneme inventory. In this work, we focus on estimating the phoneme boundaries and the extraction of AFs, but also perform a first simple clustering based on the recognized AFs. We demonstrate that our Deep Bidirectional LSTM-based approach for identifying phoneme boundaries achieves state-of-the-art performance and evaluate AF extraction based on feed forward neural networks.
Identification of the Magnesium-binding Domain of the High-affinity ATP-binding Site of the Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli SecA Protein (*)

The homodimeric SecA protein is the peripheral subunit of the translocase, and couples the hydrolysis of ATP to the translocation of precursor proteins across the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane. The high affinity ATP binding activity of SecA resides in the amino-terminal domain of SecA. This domain contains a tandem repeat of the “so-called” Walker B-motif, hXhhD (Walker, J. E., Saraste, M., Runswick, M. J., and Gay, N. J.(1982) EMBO J. 1, 945-951), that in combination with motif A is responsible for the Mg2+-phosphate protein interaction. Two aspartate residues at positions 207 and 215 of the Bacillus subtilis SecA, and Asp-217 in the Escherichia coli SecA, that could be Mg2+ ion ligands, were individually mutated to an asparagine. Mutant SecA proteins were unable to growth-complement an E. coli secA amber mutant strain, and the E. coli SecA mutant interfered with the translocation of precursor proteins in vivo. B. subtilis mutant SecA proteins were expressed to a high level and purified to homogeneity. The high affinity ATP and Mg2+-ion binding activity was reduced in the Asp-207 mutant, and completely lost in the Asp-215 mutant. Both SecA proteins were defective in lipid-stimulated ATPase activity. Proteolytic studies suggest that the two subunits of the mutated dimeric SecA proteins are present in different conformational states. These data suggest that Asp-207 and Asp-215 are involved in the binding of the Mg2+-ion when Mg2+-ATP is bound to SecA, while Asp-207 fulfills an additional catalytic role, possibly in accepting a proton during catalysis.
Effects of acute stress on learning and memory processes of malnourished rats

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of acute stress on the processes of learning and memory in malnourished rats tested in the Morris water maze. The animals were divided into eight groups according to nutritional status (malnourished or well nourished) and stress (stressed or unstressed). In Experiment I the animals were subjected to immobilization stress procedure before the learning session and in Experiment II after the learning sessions. The test consisted of two daily sessions, and a memory test after four weeks. There was loss of learning and memory in malnourished rats. In Experiment I the malnourished group was positively affected by acute stress, with significant improvement of performance. No effects of stress on the animals' performance in Experiment II were observed. In the memory test, the malnourished rats showed deficits in consolidation and recall, regardless of the occurrence of stress. The stress imposed 24 hours before the learning task improved performance of malnourished animals with a protective effect of stress. However there was no improvement in the processes of retention or recall from memory (previously learned information) assessed four weeks later, during the memory retention test.
Looking for ‘social work’ in school social work

ABSTRACT School social workers can be seen as a professional group operating on the margin of an educational logic that dominates schools as institutions. This conditions what tasks they are assigned and what aspects of social work knowledge they will find relevant. On the other hand, the role as a sole professional and relative outsider in the organization provides a potential for school social workers to transcend established theories of social work practice. This article aims to investigate how social work theory is applied in school social work. Twelve semi-structured interviews with school social workers were analysed in terms of how they relate to four knowledge approaches derived from the literature: task-centred, systems theory, strengths and anti-oppressive. Contrary to claims within the sociology of professions that social work practice is formed largely by organizational context rather than a discipline-specific knowledge base, the interviewees seemed to lean on a robust professional foundation within social work theory. Interviewees strongly emphasised their role as working for the individual pupil and positioned themselves as somewhat in opposition to a somewhat oppressive school environment.