Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Student success system: risk analytics and data visualization using ensembles of predictive models

We propose a novel design of a Student Success System (S3), a holistic analytical system for identifying and treating at-risk students. S3 synthesizes several strands of risk analytics: the use of predictive models to identify academically at-risk students, the creation of data visualizations for reaching diagnostic insights, and the application of a case-based approach for managing interventions. Such a system poses numerous design, implementation, and research challenges. In this paper we discuss a core research challenge for designing early warning systems such as S3. We then propose our approach for meeting that challenge. A practical implementation of an student risk early warning system, utilizing predictive models, must meet two design criteria: a) the methodology for generating predictive models must be flexible to allow generalization from one context to another; b) the underlying mechanism of prediction should be easily interpretable by practitioners whose end goal is to design meaningful interventions on behalf of students. Our proposed solution applies an ensemble method for predictive modeling using a strategy of decomposition. Decomposition provides a flexible technique for generating and generalizing predictive models across different contexts. Decomposition into interpretable semantic units, when coupled with data visualizations and case management tools, allows practitioners, such as instructors and advisors, to build a bridge between prediction and intervention.
Variational Bayes Inference for Generalized Associative Functional Networks

We propose a Bayesian framework for generalized associative functional networks (GAFN) and provide variational Bayes (VB) learning algorithm to approximate the posterior distributions over parameters of GAFN. The learning procedure for GAFN involves equality constraints on parameters, thus conventional approaches, like probabilistic graphical model or Lagrange multiplier method, will be inconvenient or expensive for solving the GAFN model in a direct way. We provide a linear transformation algorithm for the learning of parameters of GAFN. By means of the linear transformation, the evaluation of Lagrange multipliers is avoided and an iterative VB approximate procedure is restricted to a subspace of the original weight space. The VB framework naturally prevents overfltting and statistical inference can be made conveniently for weights of GAFN by the approximate posterior distributions over weights. The Bayesian GAFN is applied to autoregressive time series and the experimental results are comparable to other existing methods.
The Cyclical Behavior of Equilibrium Unemployment and Vacancies in the Us and Europe

We set-up a real business cycle model with search and matching frictions driven by several shocks, which nests full Nash Bargaining and wage rigidity as special cases and includes other transmission mechanisms suggested by the literature for the propagation and amplification of disturbances. The model is estimated using full information methods for two Anglo-Saxon countries (the US and the UK), two Continental European countries (France and Germany) and two Scandinavian countries (Norway and Sweden). We conduct inference with mixed frequency data, combining quarterly series for unemployment, vacancies, GDP, consumption, and investment, with annual data on unemployment flows. Parameters and shocks are estimated separately for each country, which can then vary in terms of search and hiring costs, workers' bargaining power, unemployment benefits levels, wage rigidity and the stochastic properties of disturbances. Overall, the structural model accounts reasonably well for differences in labor market dynamics observed between the two sides of the Atlantic and within Europe. Our estimates indicate that there is considerable cross-country variation in the contribution of technology shocks to the cyclical fluctuations of the labor market. Technology shocks alone replicate remarkably well the volatility in vacancies, unemployment and finding probabilities observed in US, with mixed success in Europe. In contrast, matching shocks and job destruction shocks play a larger role in most European countries relative to the US.
LES of turbulent convection in solar-type stars and formation of large-scale magnetic structures

One of the fundamental problems of solar magnetism is understanding the formation of long-lived compact magnetic structures, such as sunspots and pores, in the highly turbulent upper layer of the solar convective zone. Observations show that the process of accumulation of fragmented magnetic fields emerging from the interior into these compact structures occurs in the upper layers of the convection zone. In this study we investigate the effects of turbulent convection on formation of large-scale inhomogeneous magnetic structures by means of Large-Eddy Simulation (LES) for convection in solar-type stars. The main idea of this study is the implementation of a new subgrid-scale model for the effective Lorentz force in a three-dimensional nonlinear radiative magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) code developed for simulating the upper solar convection zone and lower atmosphere. To this end we derived the energy budget equations, which include the effects of the subgrid-scale turbulence on the Lorentz-force, and implemented the new subgridscale turbulence model (TELF-Model) in a three-dimensional nonlinear MHD LES code. Using imposed initial vertical and horizontal uniform magnetic fields in LES with the TELF-Model, we have shown that the magnetic flux tubes formation is started when the initial mean magnetic field is larger than a threshold value (about 100 G). This is in agreement with the theoretical studies by Rogachevskii & Kleeorin (2007). We have determined the vertical profiles of the velocity and magnetic fluctuations, total MHD energy and anisotropy of turbulent magneto-convection, kinetic and current and cross helicities.
Sharp ergodic theorems for group actions and strong ergodicity

Let $\mu$ be a probability measure on a locally compact group $G$, and suppose $G$ acts measurably on a probability measure space $(X,m)$, preserving the measure $m$. We study ergodic theoretic properties of the action along $\mu$-i.i. d. random walks on $G$. It is shown that under a (necessary) spectral assumption on the $\mu$-averaging operator on $L^2(X,m)$, almost surely the mean and the pointwise (Kakutani's) random ergodic theorems have roughly $n^{-1/2}$ rate of convergence. We also prove a central limit theorem for the pointwise convergence. Under a similar spectral condition on the diagonal $G$-action on $(X\times X,m\times m)$, an almost surely exponential rate of mixing along random walks is obtained. The imposed spectral condition is shown to be connected to a strengthening of the ergodicity property, namely, the uniqueness of $m$-integration as a $G$-invariant mean on $L^\infty(X,m)$. These related conditions, as well as the presented sharp ergodic theorems, never occur for amenable $G$. Nevertheless, we provide many natural examples, among them automorphism actions on tori and actions on Lie groups' homogeneous spaces, for which our results can be applied.
Empowering teachers to teach science in the early years in Mauritius

ABSTRACT Children act as emergent scientists through active involvement with their environment and adults. Science forms an important component of early childhood education curriculum in Mauritius. Since 2015, The Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre (RGSC), has initiated a new project: empowering educators to teach science in pre-primary schools. One-day workshop on hands-on science activities using simple easily available materials was conducted. This paper describes the workshop and identifies training needs educators. Over 90% of participants have not studied Science beyond O-Level, illustrating the need to reinforce their science content knowledge. They are confident to use hands-on activities but request for more training and exposure on science activities. We discuss how a science centre can support Continuous Professional Development of Teachers in the early years by encouraging scientific discovery. We suggest that a structured professional development programme for educators be developed and that RGSC should become a strategic partner in this endeavour.
Distribution of components in the k-nearest neighbour random geometric graph for k below the connectivity threshold

Let $S_{n,k}$ denote the random geometric graph obtained by placing points inside a square of area $n$ according to a Poisson point process of intensity $1$ and joining each such point to the $k=k(n)$ points of the process nearest to it. In this paper we show that if $\mathbb{P}(S_{n,k} \textrm{ connected})>n^{-\gamma_1}$ then the probability that $S_{n,k}$ contains a pair of `small' components `close' to each other is $o(n^{-c_1})$ (in a precise sense of `small' and 'close'), for some absolute constants $\gamma_1>0$ and $c_1 >0$. This answers a question of Walters. (A similar result was independently obtained by Balister.) As an application of our result, we show that the distribution of the connected components of $S_{n,k}$ below the connectivity threshold is asymptotically Poisson.
Griping and Joking as Identification Rituals and Tools for Engagement in Cross-Boundary Team Meetings

This article explores the role of griping and joking behaviors in cross-boundary teams. Those socio-emotional behaviors often go unnoticed in studies of team communication, as does more broadly the work of building relationships. Given the growing recognition that the quality of connections among team members significantly influences the quality of coordinating and knowledge-sharing practices in cross-boundary teams, this seems an important lacuna to address. Drawing on a qualitative study of a cross-occupational team responsible for palliative care and oncology patients, I illustrate how those mundane, recurrent communicative activities, which may appear tangential to the task at hand, have important relational and emotional consequences for the functioning of cross-boundary teams. Based on the observed characteristics and effects of a variety of griping and joking behaviors, I propose to conceptualize those communicative activities as identification rituals. I discuss the implications of this work for both research on the production of positive relational realities in cross-boundary teams and the study of organizational griping and humor.
Authentic functioning: Being true to the self in the organization

This article develops a conceptual framework of authentic functioning as ‘being true to yourself’ in organizations. In a first step, the concept of authenticity is defined from a lay-, philosophical- and psychological perspective. Here we acknowledge that authenticity can be assessed from the self (I am authentic), the other (you are authentic) as well as an ideal, collective point of view (he/she behaves authentic). These complementary perspectives relate authenticity to concepts as sincerity, spirituality and identity. In a second step, the antecedents of authenticity are identified within relevant theoretical - and empirical research. Differing perceptions of authenticity are driven by a dynamic process of self-awareness and -regulation. We denote this process as authentic functioning and conceptualize it as a cycle of feeling, thinking and behaving authentically. In a third step, we apply authenticity to an organizational context. We propose that different perceptions of authenticity are related to respectively motivated individuals (self), trusted colleagues (other) and identified employees (ideal). Furthermore we propose that the process of authentic functioning drives respectively personal empathy (feeling), integrity (thinking) and creativity (doing). As a practical advice toward managing authenticity in organizations, we differentiate a pro-passive approach (facilitating perceived authenticity) and a pro-active approach (stimulating authentic functioning). The success of these approaches is dependent on respectively the hedonistic nature organizational values and the instability of the organizational context. This article develops a conceptual framework of authentic functioning ‘as being true to yourself’ in the organisation. We claim that in being true to (feeling, thinking and acting in accordance with) different selves (actual, ought and ideal selves), authentic functioning in the organization constructs a coherent identity that is personally motivated, adapted to its social environment and identified with a higher purpose. Furthermore, authentic functioning drives processes of intrapersonal creativity, interpersonal empathy and contextualized integrity. Practical limitations for managing authenticity are a function of the stability and content of respectively the organizational context and values.
Dissipative accretion flows around a rotating black hole

We study the dynamical structure of a cooling dominated rotating accretion flow around a spinning black hole. We show that non-linear phenomena such as shock waves can be studied in terms of only three flow parameters, namely the specific energy (E), the specific angular momentum (λ) and the accretion rate ( u m) of the flow. We present all possible accretion solutions. We find that a significant region of the parameter space in the E–λ plane allows global accretion shock solutions. The effective area of the parameter space for which the Rankine–Hugoniot shocks are possible is maximum when the flow is dissipation-free. It decreases with the increase of cooling effects and finally disappears when the cooling is high enough. We show that shock forms further away when the black hole is rotating compared to the solution around a Schwarzschild black hole with identical flow parameters at a large distance. However, in a normalized sense, the flow parameters for which the shocks form around the rotating black holes are produced shocks closer to the black hole. The location of the shock is also dictated by the cooling efficiency in that higher the accretion rate ( u m), the closer is the shock location. We believe that some of the high-frequency quasi-periodic oscillations may be due to the flows with higher accretion rate around the rotating black holes.
A Silent Exonic SNP in Kdm3a Affects Nucleic Acids Structure but Does Not Regulate Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

Defining genetic variants that predispose for diseases is an important initiative that can improve biological understanding and focus therapeutic development. Genetic mapping in humans and animal models has defined genomic regions controlling a variety of phenotypes known as quantitative trait loci (QTL). Causative disease determinants, including single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), lie within these regions and can often be identified through effects on gene expression. We previously identified a QTL on rat chromosome 4 regulating macrophage phenotypes and immune-mediated diseases including experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Gene analysis and a literature search identified lysine-specific demethylase 3A (Kdm3a) as a potential regulator of these phenotypes. Genomic sequencing determined only two synonymous SNPs in Kdm3a. The silent synonymous SNP in exon 15 of Kdm3a caused problems with quantitative PCR detection in the susceptible strain through reduced amplification efficiency due to altered secondary cDNA structure. Shape Probability Shift analysis predicted that the SNP often affects RNA folding; thus, it may impact protein translation. Despite these differences in rats, genetic knockout of Kdm3a in mice resulted in no dramatic effect on immune system development and activation or EAE susceptibility and severity. These results provide support for tools that analyze causative SNPs that impact nucleic acid structures.
A fratricidal mechanism is responsible for eDNA release and contributes to biofilm development of Enterococcus faecalis

Extracellular DNA (eDNA), a by‐product of cell lysis, was recently established as a critical structural component of the Enterococcus faecalis biofilm matrix. Here, we describe fratricide as the governing principle behind gelatinase (GelE)‐mediated cell death and eDNA release. GFP reporter assays confirmed that GBAP (gelatinase biosynthesis‐activating pheromone) quorum non‐responders (GelE–SprE–) were a minority subpopulation of prey cells susceptible to the targeted fratricidal action of the quorum responsive predatorial majority (GelE+SprE+). The killing action is dependent on GelE, and the GelE producer population is protected from self‐destruction by the co‐production of SprE as an immunity protein. Targeted gene inactivation and protein interaction studies demonstrate that extracellular proteases execute their characteristic effects following downstream interactions with the primary autolysin, AtlA. Finally, we address a mechanism by which GelE and SprE may modify the cell wall affinity of proteolytically processed AtlA resulting in either a pro‐ or anti‐lytic outcome.
How challenging was your work today? The role of autonomous work motivation

ABSTRACT The main aim of this study was to investigate whether autonomous motivation for work can explain the distinctive associations between hindrance and challenge demands and work-related well-being (i.e., positive affect and work engagement) on a within-person level. Autonomous work motivation represents the degree to which motivation for putting effort in work is intrinsic (i.e., with a sense of volition and personal choice) or has been internalized (i.e., without feelings of internal or external pressure). In order to test our hypotheses, we employed a diary methodology and followed 153 secondary school teachers throughout five consecutive working days. The results of multilevel modelling provided support for the hypothesized research model. On days when teachers experienced more challenges, they also experienced more positive affect and more engagement in their work on the same day, and this relationship could be explained by (higher) autonomous work motivation on that day. In contrast, on days when teachers experienced more hindrance demands, they experienced less positive affect and less work engagement, and this process was explained by (reduced) autonomous work motivation that day. Our findings add to the literature by showing that daily autonomous motivation as a motivational process can explain why daily challenge and hindrance demands are differentially related to positive well-being at work.
The Moderating Effect of Social Desirability and Self-Efficacy on the Relationship between Message Framing and the Communication Effects for the Smokers

This study examined the communication effects of smoking cessation using the two variables of message framing and personality traits for smokers. Message framing is classified into positive messages and negative messages. Personality traits involve self-efficacy and social desirability. Use 122 valid smokers to participate a between-subject experiment and a hierarchical regression analyses. The results showed that, for smokers, positive messages had a more significant effect than negative ones. Message framing have partial interaction with personality traits on the communication effects. And positive messages with low self-efficacy or low social desirability have a better effect. This study recommends that for specific preventive issues of social marketing or the audience with low self-efficacy/social desirability, positive messages are the better option.
Alternative Public Spending Rules and Output Volatility

One of the central lessons learned from the Great Depression was that adjusting government spending each year to balance the budget increases the volatility of output. We compare this policy with one that involves running temporary deficits and surpluses and an average budget balance of zero. Our analysis allows monetary policy to adjust to a change in fiscal regime, and the specifications for aggregate demand and supply are consistent with the "new neoclassical synthesis. " Our results give only limited support to the conventional wisdom on fiscal rules and stability of output.
On the metallicity dependence of HMXBs

It is commonly assumed that high mass X-ray binary (HMXB) populations are little-affected by metallicity. However, the massive stars making up their progenitor systems depend on metallicity in a number of ways, not least through their winds. We present simulations, well-matched to the observed sample of Galactic HMXBs, which demonstrate that both the number and the mean period of HMXB progenitors can vary with metallicity, with the number increasing by about a factor of three between solar and SMC metallicity. However, the SMC population itself cannot be explained simply by metallicity effects; it requires both that the HMXBs observed therein primarily sample the older end of the HMXB population, and that the star formation rate at the time of their formation was very large.
Circulating naive and memory CD4+ T cells and metabolic syndrome in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: data from a primarily Mestizo population.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine whether the proportions of naive and memory CD4(+) T cell are independently associated with the metabolic syndrome (MetS) in patients with SLE. METHODS This cross-sectional study was conducted in SLE patients seen at our rheumatology department between September 2013 and April 2014. CD4(+) T cell subpopulations were examined by flow cytometry. The association of MetS and CD4(+) T cell subpopulations was examined by Mann-Whitney U-test and by multivariable analysis, adjusting for all possible confounding variables. RESULTS One hundred and seventeen patients were evaluated. Their mean age was 44.6 years (S.D. 12.6), 109 (93.2%) were female and all patients were Mestizo (mixed Caucasian and Amerindian ancestry). Fifty-two patients (44.4%) presented with MetS. Disease duration was 7.6 years (S.D. 6.8). The percentage of naive CD4(+) T cells was 25.0 (S.D. 12.7) and memory CD4(+) T cells was 66.7 (S.D. 13.2) and the memory:naive CD4(+) T cell ratio was 4.3 (S.D. 5.6). In multivariable analysis, the percentage of naive CD4(+) T cells was negatively associated with the presence of MetS [odds ratio (OR) 0.959 (95% CI 0.923, 0.997), P = 0.033], whereas the percentage of memory CD4(+)T cells and the memory:naive CD4(+) T cell ratio were positively associated with its presence [OR 1.040 (95% CI 1.003, 1.078), P = 0.031 and OR 1.238 (95% CI 1.041, 1.472), P = 0.016, respectively]. CONCLUSION In the SLE patients studied, a lower percentage of naive CD4(+) T cells, a higher percentage of memory CD4(+) T cells and the memory:naive CD4(+) T cell ratio were independently associated with the presence of MetS. This association could reflect the impact of immunosenescence among SLE patients with cardiovascular morbidity.