Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
JavaSymphony: Extensions for Explicit Control of Locality, Parallelism, and Load Balancing for Cluster and Grid-Computing

There has been an increasing research interest in using Java for performance-oriented distributed applications. Many approaches tend towards automatic management of locality, parallelism and load balancing which is mostly under the exclusive control of a runtime system. However, the programmer is commonly disabled to provide crucial information about the application structure (e.g. locality relationships or affinities between data and tasks) to the compiler or runtime system which frequently results in critical performance problems. In previous work we described JavaSymphony to substantially mitigate this problem. JavaSymphony is a Java class library that allows to control parallelism, load balancing, and locality at a high level. Objects can be explicitly distributed based on virtual architectures which impose a virtual hierarchy on a distributed system of physical computing nodes. The concept of remote method invocation is used to exchange data among distributed objects and to process work by remote objects. In this paper we describe various extensions of JavaSymphony which includes a generalization of virtual architectures. Objects can now be dynamically converted from conventional Java objects to JavaSymphony objects. The programmer can control whether a single or multiple threads execute all methods of an object at any given time. Moreover, a lock/unlock mechanism has been introduced in order to avoid inconsistent modification of data. All of these features have been implemented. Experiments conducted on a heterogeneous workstation cluster and on a SMP cluster architecture are described to demonstrate performance values for several JavaSymphony applications.
Thermodynamic properties of tetrahedrite-tennantites : constraints on the interdependence of the Ag * Cu , Fe * Zn , Cu * Fe , and As * Sb

Experimental constraints, petrologic studies, and theoretical analysis suggest that, energetically, tetrahedrite-tennantite sulfosalts are remarkably well behaved multisite reciprocal solutions. Fe-Zn exchange experiments (500"C) between tetrahedrite-tennantite and sphalerites yield values of 2.59+0.14 and 2.07+0.07 kcallgfw for the Gibbs energies of the reciprocal reaction CuroZnrSbnSr3 + CuroFerAsnSr3 : CuroFezSb+Srr * CutoZnrAsnSt. and Fe-Zn exchange reaction 1/2 CuroFerSb4sl3 + ZnS: ll2 CutoZnrSbnSl3 * FeS, respectively. These results, plus petrologic studies of tetrahedrite-tennantite + sphalerite assemblages, and preliminary experimental results at 435 and 365"C suggest that the above parameters are insensitive to temperature and permit estimates for the Gibbs energies of the remaining two reciprocal reactions of "ideal" tetrahedrite-tennantite ((Ag,Cu)uCun(Fe,Zn), (As,Sb)nSt. ): CuroZnrSbnSr, + AguCuoFerSbnS* CuroFerSbnSr. + AguCunZnrSbnSt3 and AguCunFerSboS* * CuroFerAsoSl3 : CuroFe2Sb4S13 + Ag5CuaFe2Sr. of 3.0+1.5 and 17 + 5 kcal/gfw, respectively. These considerations suggest that tetrahedrite-tennantites are the "Cadillac" of reciprocal solutions and of petrogenetic indicators of hydrothermal mineralizing environments; they are the sulfide analog of amphiboles, the "Rolls Royce" of reciprocal solutions and petrogenetic indicators. In addition to providing a means for deducing aspects of the chemistry of many hydrothermal mineralizing fluids, our results afford an improved basis for understanding downstream chemical zoning in polymetallic base-metal sulfide and bonanza precious metal deposits. In particular they provide strong evidence that crystallochemical control coupled with As-Sb fractionation determines the distribution of silver in many zoned PVZn-Cu-Ag
Financial and ethical risk-taking by young adults: A role for family dynamics during childhood

Abstract The research tested the hypothesis that childhood relationships with parents were related to risk-taking by young adults. Prior research has shown that risk-taking by young children is related to their interactions with mothers and fathers. Few studies have examined how family relationships during childhood are related to risk-taking by young adults. We assessed risk-taking using the domain-specific risk-taking scale (DOSPERT), which measures five domains of risk-taking: ethical, financial, health, recreational, and social. We also assessed sensation-seeking, a personality trait that has been shown to be a predictor of risk-taking and family dynamics, using a measure that quantifies positive and negative childhood relationships with each parent. The three key results were (1) negative mother interactions predicted men’s financial risk-taking; (2) negative father interactions and disinhibition predicted men’s ethical risk-taking; and (3) women’s ethical risk-taking was predicted by negative father interactions, low positive mother interactions, and boredom susceptibility. Implications for identifying young adults most at-risk for ethical and financial risk-taking are discussed.
The Failure in the Stabilization of Glioblastoma-Derived Cell Lines: Spontaneous In Vitro Senescence as the Main Culprit

Cell line analysis is an important element of cancer research. Despite the progress in glioblastoma cell culturing, the cells isolated from the majority of specimens cannot be propagated infinitely in vitro. The aim of this study was to identify the processes responsible for the stabilization failure. Therefore, we analyzed 56 primary GB cultures, 7 of which were stabilized. Our results indicate that senescence is primarily responsible for the glioblastoma cell line stabilization failure, while mitotic catastrophe and apoptosis play a minor role. Moreover, a new technical approach allowed for a more profound analysis of the senescent cells in primary cultures, including the distinction between tumor and normal cells. In addition, we observed that glioblastoma cells in primary cultures have a varied potential to undergo spontaneous in vitro senescence, which is often higher than that of the normal cells infiltrating the tumor. Thus, this is the first report of GB cells in primary cell cultures (including both monolayer and spheroid conditions) rapidly and spontaneously becoming senescent. Intriguingly, our data also suggest that nearly half of GB cell lines have a combination of TP53 mutation and CDKN2A homozygous deletion, which are considered as mutually exclusive in glioblastoma. Moreover, recognition of the mechanisms of senescence and mitotic catastrophe in glioblastoma cells may be a step towards a potential new therapeutic approach.
Teachers’ Beliefs and Practices Regarding the Role of Executive Functions in Reading and Arithmetic

The current study investigated early elementary school teachers’ beliefs and practices regarding the role of Executive Functions (EFs) in reading and arithmetic. A new research questionnaire was developed and judged by professionals in the academia and the field. Reponses were obtained from 144 teachers from Israel. Factor analysis divided the questionnaire into three valid and reliable subscales, reflecting (1) beliefs regarding the contribution of EFs to reading and arithmetic, (2) pedagogical practices, and (3) a connection between the cognitive mechanisms of reading and arithmetic. Findings indicate that teachers believe EFs affect students’ performance in reading and arithmetic. These beliefs were also correlated with pedagogical practices. Additionally, special education teachers’ scored higher on the different subscales compared to general education teachers. These findings shed light on the way teachers perceive the cognitive foundations of reading and arithmetic and indicate to which extent these perceptions guide their teaching practices.
Generalized minimizers of convex integral functionals, Bregman distance, Pythagorean identities

Integral functionals based on convex normal integrands are minimized subject to finitely many moment constraints. The integrands are finite on the positive and infinite on the negative numbers, strictly convex but not necessarily differentiable. The minimization is viewed as a primal problem and studied together with a dual one in the framework of convex duality. The effective domain of the value function is described by a conic core, a modification of the earlier concept of convex core. Minimizers and generalized minimizers are explicitly constructed from solutions of modified dual problems, not assuming the primal constraint qualification. A generalized Pythagorean identity is presented using Bregman distance and a correction term for lack of essential smoothness in integrands. Results are applied to minimization of Bregman distances. Existence of a generalized dual solution is established whenever the dual value is finite, assuming the dual constraint qualification. Examples of `irregular' situations are included, pointing to the limitations of generality of certain key results.
Equilibrium and non‐equilibrium dynamics simultaneously operate in the Galápagos islands

Abstract Island biotas emerge from the interplay between colonisation, speciation and extinction and are often the scene of spectacular adaptive radiations. A common assumption is that insular diversity is at a dynamic equilibrium, but for remote islands, such as Hawaii or Galápagos, this idea remains untested. Here, we reconstruct the temporal accumulation of terrestrial bird species of the Galápagos using a novel phylogenetic method that estimates rates of biota assembly for an entire community. We show that species richness on the archipelago is in an ascending phase and does not tend towards equilibrium. The majority of the avifauna diversifies at a slow rate, without detectable ecological limits. However, Darwin's finches form an exception: they rapidly reach a carrying capacity and subsequently follow a coalescent‐like diversification process. Together, these results suggest that avian diversity of remote islands is rising, and challenge the mutual exclusivity of the non‐equilibrium and equilibrium ecological paradigms.
Oxypertine (Integrin): a study of its use in premedication.

In 100 otherwise healthy gynaecological patients the sedative effects of oxypertine 20 mg given orally before operation have been studied using a standard scoring system. In the patients studied, oxypertine 20 mg provided relief of anxiety (sedation) comparable to that obtained after the administration of a tablet of Mandrax used as comparison. Side effects were minimal and after oral administration oxypertine provided adequate preoperative sedation over a period of 5 hours.
Sleep problems among adolescents: is there a relation with deliberate self-harm and aggression?

Background Adequate sleep during adolescence is important for healthy development and proper daytime functioning. Sleep problems are commonly reported in adolescents, with an estimated prevalence between 17 and 45%. Besides, adolescence period is usually associated with various behavioral problems such as aggression and self-harm. Aims The aim of this study was to evaluate sleep habits and the presence of sleep problems in an Egyptian adolescent sample. Moreover, this study aimed to examine the presence of a relationship between sleep problems and the development of aggression and self-harm among those adolescents. Patients and methods A total of 117 adolescents in the preparatory stage participated in this study. Three self-report questionnaires were used, Child and Adolescent Sleep Checklist, the Deliberate Self-Harm Inventory, and the Aggression Scale, for students for assessment of sleep problems, deliberate self-harm (DSH), and aggression, respectively, among those adolescents. Results A total of 117 adolescents, 51 (43.6%) male and 66 (56.4%) female, participated in this study; their mean age was 13.85±0.81 years. Bedtime problems and daytime problems are more common among adolescents, with higher scores (8.10±3.99 and 6.56±3.61, respectively). Of those, 36 (30.8%) adolescents had a score of 18 or more, and so they were considered to have sleep problems. The participated adolescents had score ranging from 3 to 38 in the Aggression Scale, with a mean±SD of 12.36±8.32. A total of 24 (20.5%) adolescents had engaged in self-harm according to the Deliberate Self-Harm Inventory. Moreover, a significant positive correlation (P<0.001) was found between sleep problems and both DSH and aggressive behaviors among those adolescents. Conclusion Bedtime problems and daytime problems were common among the participated adolescents. Moreover, DSH and aggressive behaviors were reported. This study provides evidence that there is a strong relationship between sleep problems and both DSH and aggressive behaviors among those adolescents. Early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of sleep problems and promoting sleep hygiene will, undoubtedly, improve adolescents’ daily functioning and will have good impact on controlling these annoying behavioral problems.
Acquisition of Ultrasound, Video and Acoustic Speech Data for a Silent-Speech Interface Application

This article addresses synchronous acquisition of high-speed multimodal speech data, composed of ultrasound and optical images of the vocal tract together with the acoustic speech signal, for a silent speech interface. Built around a laptop-based portable ultrasound machine (Terason T3000) and an industrial camera, an acquisition setup is described together with its acquisition software called Ultraspeech. The system is currently able to record ultrasound images at 70 fps and optical images at 60 fps, synchronously with the acoustic signal. An interactive inter-session re-calibration mechanism which allows recording of large audiovisual speech databases in multiple acquisition sessions is also described.
LEARNING EFFECTIVENESS ONLINE: WHAT THE RESEARCH TELLS US

This paper reviews the literature on the learning effectiveness of asynchronous online environments. It looks beyond the commonly accepted findings of no significant differences in learning outcomes between online and traditional courses to examine that literature in terms of forms of interactivity , a feature of online environments that might matter or be made to matter in learning. It thus explores and is organized according to learner interactions with course content, student interactions with instructors, and interactions among classmates in online course environments. More recent notions of interactions with computer and course interfaces and virtual interaction are also briefly examined. The chapter concludes with a summary of what the research tells us and its for implications online learning.
State mindfulness, self-regulation, and emotional experience in everyday life.

Mindfulness is associated with a host of beneficial outcomes. Increasing evidence has suggested that mindfulness may support adaptive self-regulation. The present research investigates fluctuations in state mindfulness in everyday life and links these with desire experiences and self-regulation. When high in state mindfulness, participants experienced less conflict between desires and other goals, tried to resist desires less, and enacted desires to a greater extent than when less mindful. This was accompanied by less use of self-regulatory strategies, including suppression, self-stopping, distraction, and avoidance. In addition, state mindfulness was associated with greater happiness, less guilt, and less regret after enacting desires. It is important to note that when conflict between desires and other goals was high, participants exerted as much restraint when reporting low as when reporting high state mindfulness. These findings suggest that state mindfulness goes along with wise self-regulation as opposed to strictly higher restraint: enjoying the benefits of indulgence without risking important long-term goals.
The star formation history of intermediate‐redshift late‐type galaxies

We combine the latest observations of disc galaxy photometry and rotation curves at moderate redshift from the FORS Deep Field (FDF) with simple models of chemical enrichment. Our method describes the build-up of the stellar component through infall of gas and allows for gas and metal outflows. In this framework, we keep a minimum number of constraints and we search a large volume of parameter space, looking for the models that best reproduce the photometric observations in the observed redshift range (0.5 < z < 1). We find that star formation efficiency correlates well with v max ,s othat massive discs are more efficient in the formation of stars and have a smaller spread in stellar ages. This trend presents a break at around v max ∼ 140 km s −1 . Galaxies on either side of this threshold have significantly different age distributions. This break has been already suggested by several authors in connection with the contribution from either gravitational instabilities or supernova-driven turbulence to star formation. The gas infall time-scale and gas outflows also present a correlation with galaxy mass, so that massive discs have shorter infall time-scales and smaller outflow fractions. The model presented in this paper suggests that massive discs have formation histories resembling those of early-type galaxies, with highly efficient and short-lived bursts, in contrast with low-mass discs, which have a more extended star formation history. The ages correlate well with galaxy mass or luminosity, and the predicted gas-phase metallicities are consistent with the observations of local and moderate-redshift galaxies. One option to explain the observed shallow slope of the Tully‐Fisher relation at intermediate redshift could be small episodes of star formation in low-mass discs. Ke yw ords: galaxies: evolution ‐ galaxies: formation ‐ galaxies: spiral ‐ galaxies: stellar content.
Relation of Pulse Pressure to Long-Distance Gait Speed in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Findings from the LIFE-P Study

Background Reduced gait speed is associated with falls, late-life disability, hospitalization/institutionalization and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Aging is also accompanied by a widening of pulse pressure (PP) that contributes to ventricular-vascular uncoupling. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that PP is associated with long-distance gait speed in community-dwelling older adults in the Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders Pilot (LIFE-P) study. Methods Brachial blood pressure and 400-meter gait speed (average speed maintained over a 400-meter walk at “usual” pace) were assessed in 424 older adults between the ages of 70–89 yrs at risk for mobility disability (mean age = 77 yrs; 31% male). PP was calculated as systolic blood pressure (BP) – diastolic BP. Results Patients with a history of heart failure and stroke (n = 42) were excluded leaving 382 participants for final analysis. When categorized into tertiles of PP, participants within the highest PP tertile had significantly slower gait speed than those within the lowest PP tertile (p<0.05). Following stepwise multiple regression, PP was significantly and inversely associated with 400-meter gait speed (p<0.05). Other significant predictors of gait speed included: handgrip strength, body weight, age and history of diabetes mellitus (p<0.05). Mean arterial pressure, systolic BP and diastolic BP were not predictors of gait speed. Conclusions Pulse pressure is associated long-distance gait speed in community-dwelling older adults. Vascular senescence and altered ventricular-vascular coupling may be associated with the deterioration of mobility and physical function in older adults.
The Bar-Mode Instability in Differentially Rotating Neutron Stars: Simulations in Full General Relativity

We study the dynamical stability against bar-mode deformation of rapidly spinning neutron stars with differential rotation. We perform fully relativistic three-dimensional simulations of compact stars with M/R ≥ 0.1, where M is the total gravitational mass and R the equatorial circumferential radius. We adopt an adiabatic equation of state with adiabatic index Γ = 2. As in Newtonian theory, we find that stars above a critical value of β ≡ T/W (where T is the rotational kinetic energy and W the gravitational binding energy) are dynamically unstable to bar formation. For our adopted choices of stellar compaction and rotation profile, the critical value of β = βdGR is ~0.24-0.25, only slightly smaller than the well-known Newtonian value ~0.27 for incompressible Maclaurin spheroids. The critical value depends only very weakly on the degree of differential rotation for the moderate range we surveyed. All unstable stars form bars on a dynamical timescale. Models with sufficiently large β subsequently form spiral arms and eject mass, driving the remnant to a dynamically stable state. Models with moderately large β ≳ βdGR do not develop spiral arms or eject mass but adjust to form dynamically stable ellipsoidal-like configurations. If the bar-mode instability is triggered in supernova collapse or binary neutron star mergers, it could be a strong and observable source of gravitational waves. We determine characteristic wave amplitudes and frequencies.
The Effect of the Traditional Mediterranean-Style Diet on Metabolic Risk Factors: A Meta-Analysis

The Mediterranean-style diet (MedSD) has gained attention for its positive effects on health outcomes, including metabolic risk factors. However, it is unknown as to which components of MedSD interventions are most beneficial in reducing risk. The objective of this meta-analysis was to obtain effect sizes for metabolic risk factors and explain the variability across the current literature based on study design, sample, and diet characteristics. Six electronic databases were searched from inception until 9 February 2016. Data from 29 studies (N = 4133) were included. There were significant effects in favor of the MedSD for waist circumference, triglycerides, blood glucose, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure (d+ = −0.54; d+ = −0.46; d+ = −0.50; d+ = −0.72; d+ = −0.94, respectively). The MedSD was significantly beneficial when the intervention was longer in duration, was conducted in Europe, used a behavioral technique, and was conducted using small groups. The traditional MedSD had significant beneficial effects on five of the six metabolic risk factors. Results from this study provide support for population specific dietary guideline for metabolic risk reduction.