Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Smooth Entropies and the Quantum Information Spectrum

Many of the traditional results in information theory, such as the channel coding theorem or the source coding theorem, are restricted to scenarios where the underlying resources are independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) over a large number of uses. To overcome this limitation, two different techniques, the information spectrum method and the smooth entropy framework, have been developed independently. They are based on new entropy measures, called spectral entropy rates and smooth entropies, respectively, that generalize Shannon entropy (in the classical case) and von Neumann entropy (in the more general quantum case). Here, we show that the two techniques are closely related. More precisely, the spectral entropy rate can be seen as the asymptotic limit of the smooth entropy. Our results apply to the quantum setting and thus include the classical setting as a special case.
Using aversive images to enhance healthy food choices and implicit attitudes: An experimental test of evaluative conditioning.

OBJECTIVE To examine the effect of communicating images of energy-dense snack foods paired with aversive images of the potential health consequences of unhealthy eating, on implicit and explicit attitudes and food choice behavior. DESIGN Participants were randomly allocated to either an evaluative conditioning (EC) procedure that paired images of snack foods with images of potential adverse health consequences or a control condition that featured images of snack foods alone. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Implicit attitudes were assessed pre- and post-intervention. Explicit attitudes and food choice behavior were assessed post-intervention. RESULTS The conditioning intervention made implicit attitudes toward energy-dense snacks more negative, with this effect greatest in those with relatively more favorable implicit attitudes toward these snacks at baseline. Participants in the conditioning intervention were more likely to choose fruit rather than snacks in a behavioral choice task, a relationship mediated by changes in implicit attitudes. CONCLUSION Presenting aversive images of potential health consequences with those of specific foodstuffs can change implicit attitudes, which impacts on subsequent food choice behavior.
‘Belonging’in the Cosmopolitan Imaginary

L'A. examine la maniere dont la solidarite sociale - et sa manifestation individuelle dans un sentiment d'appartenance a des dispositifs culturels ou sociaux specifiques - est marginalisee et souvent stigmatisee dans l'imaginaire asocial des nouvelles variantes cosmopolites du liberalisme. Il s'interroge sur le statut possible de la culture ou de l'ethnicite dans ce type de theorie, autre qu'en tant que stigmatisation de l'alterite, plus ou moins toleree : la theorie cosmopolite peut-elle valoriser l'humanite non seulement dans l'abstrait, mais dans la variete concrete de ses modes de vie ? Selon l'A. , les liberaux cosmopolites souvent ne reconnaissent pas les conditions sociales de leur propre discours. Il soutient egalement qu'une approche qui part des individus et traite la culture comme contingente ne peut rendre justice aux revendications legitimes faites au nom de communautes et aux raisons qui fondent l'importance encore actuelle des attachements en profondeur a des solidarites particulieres, quelle qu'en soit la forme (nation, ethnicite, communaute locale, religion). Finalement, si le comopolitisme n'est pas l'ennemi universel des solidarites particulieres, certaines de ses theories meritent d'etre ameliorees de ce point de vue. [Reponses des auteurs]
Automatic lane change extraction based on temporal patterns of symbolized driving behavioral data

This paper proposes a method of automatically extracting lane change situations from large-scale driving corpora. Naturalistic driving data stored in large-scale corpora has a potential of contributing for developing novel advanced driver-assistance systems based on estimated information about driver's intent and/or potential risk of accidents. However, direct estimation of such kind of information from stream data is difficult. To address the issue, we apply an unsupervised symbolization method and topic representation to driving data. Driving stream data is converted to sequences of discrete symbols by a non-parametric symbolization method, and then the symbols are characterized by topics which represent typical distribution of driving behavior observed during the symbols. Because these symbols are separated on changing points of driving behavior, similar driving situations are effectively retrieved from sequences of the symbols. For evaluating effectiveness of the symbolization approach, we extract lane change situations based on the topic proportions and their temporal patterns. Distinctive elements of topic proportions and their temporal patterns for lane change situations are extracted by AdaBoost classifier. As a result, proposed approach outperforms baselines with neither topic proportions nor their temporal patterns in terms of extracting lane change situations. This result shows effectiveness of symbols with topic proportions for representing characteristics of driving situations.
Robust Nonfragile Decentralized Controller Design for Uncertain Large-Scale Interconnected Systems With Time-Delays

This paper describes the synthesis of robust nonfragile decentralized controllers for uncertain large-scale systems with time-delays in the subsystem interconnections and controller gain variations. Based on the Lyapunov method, a sufficient condition for robust stability is derived in terms of a linear matrix inequality (LMI), and the measure of nonfragility in controller is presented.
Failure analysis on multilayer ceramic capacitor (MLCC) with leakage failure caused by silver (Ag) migration in molded plastic package

Various analysis techniques inclusive cross section, parallel grinding, package decapsulation, SEM and EDX had been performed to determine the cause of high leakage on MLCC samples. At the end, analysis method combining the mechanical cracking and laser ablation was successfully pin point the failure was due to Ag migration at the external package of MLCC.
Clumped or Piecewise? Evidence on Preferences for Information

In this paper we examine individuals' attitudes toward the timing of information. We test a theoretical prediction that people prefer to get information “clumped together” rather than piecewise. We conduct a controlled lab experiment where subjects participate in a lottery and can choose between different resolutions of uncertainty clumped or piecewise and analyze which kind of resolution is preferred. Two additional treatments allow us to get a quantitative measure of subjects' preferences over different information structures. Our data provide little support for a systematic aversion to piecewise information on the aggregate level. In additional treatment conditions, we demonstrate the robustness of our findings and explore potential explanations. Data, as supplemental material, are available at http://dx.doi. org/10.1287/mnsc.2013. 1884 . This paper was accepted by John List, behavioral economics.
Why network structure and coordination matter: A social network analysis of sport for disadvantaged people

Although local governments attempt to promote sports among all layers of society, people with a lower socio-economic status are still under-represented in grassroots sports. Previous studies indicate that inter-sectoral networks and joint efforts can contribute to an increase in sport participation among these groups, but a systematic analysis of the structure, coordination and interactions in the networks is still missing. Insight into networks to promote sport for disadvantaged people may help in designing effective networks. Therefore, we conducted a social network analysis to explore the network structure and characteristics of networks that promote sport participation among disadvantaged people in three Flemish cities. Our results show that the networks needed to be coordinated by a sport administrator, in the initial stage. Once the network is up and running, coordination can be shared so that the sport administration can rely on the experiences of other sectors. More sport initiatives and a better network structure were found in the cities with a community sport development program, through which the sport-for-all policy is implemented and coordinated, compared to a city without such a program.
Factors influencing female patients’ recovery after their first myocardial infarction as experienced by cardiac rehabilitation nurses

Background: In the developed part of the world, coronary heart disease is the major cause of death and is one of the leading causes of disease burden. In Sweden, more than 30,000 people per year are affected by myocardial infarction and out of these approximately 40% are women. Nearly 70% of the women survive and after a myocardial infarction a recovery process follows. Today’s health care focuses more on treatment, symptoms and risk factors than on the individuals’ perceptions of the recovery process. Aim: To explore cardiac rehabilitation nurses’ experiences of factors influencing female patients’ recovery after their first myocardial infarction. Methods: Twenty cardiac rehabilitation nurses were interviewed. The study was conducted using qualitative content analysis. Results: The cardiac rehabilitation nurses experienced that women’s recovery after a first myocardial infarction was influenced whether they had a supportive context, their ability to cope with the stresses of life, if they wanted to be involved in their own personal care and how they related to themselves. Conclusions: Women’s recovery after a myocardial infarction was influenced by factors related to surroundings as well as own individual factors. The underlying meaning of women’s recovery can be described as the transition process of a recovery to health. Our findings suggest that a focus on person-centered nursing would be beneficial in order to promote the every woman’s personal and unique recovery after a myocardial infarction. Finally, the cardiac rehabilitation nurses’ experiences of factors influencing male patients’ recovery after their first myocardial infarction should be important to investigate.
The Durham/UKST Galaxy Redshift Survey - VII. Redshift-space distortions in the power spectrum

m =b: Geometrical distortions also occur if the wrong cosmology is assumed, although these would be relatively small given the low redshift of the survey. To quantify these effects, we assume the real-space power spectrum of the APM Galaxy Survey, and fit a simple model for the redshift-space and geometrical distortions. Assuming a flat Vma 1 universe, we find values for the one-dimensional pairwise velocity dispersion of spa 410 ^ 170 km s 21 ; and ba 0:38 ^ 0:17: An open Vma 0:3; and a flat Vma 0:3; VLa 0:7 universe yield spa 420 km s 21 ; ba 0:40; and spa 440 km s 21 ; ba 0:45; respectively, with comparable errors. These results are consistent with estimates using the two-point galaxy correlation function, j(s ,p), and favour either a low-density universe with Vm , 0:3 if galaxies trace the underlying mass distribution, or a bias factor of b , 2: 5i fVma 1:
Evaluating the Effects of Executive Learning and Development on Organisational Performance: Implications for Developing Senior Manager and Executive Capabilities

In spite of decades of research into high-performance work systems, very few studies have examined the relationship between executive learning and development and organisational performance. In an attempt to close this gap, this study explores the effects of a validated four-dimensional executive learning and development measure on a composite measure of organisational performance. The study is based on ordinal regression analysis with empirical data elicited from 222 executives and senior leaders drawn from a wide geographic region. The theoretical link theoretical between the two variables was established by building on the Activity-Motivation-Outcome concept in order to encapsulate human capital, dynamic capability, resource dependency, social exchange and leader-member-exchange theories. The study reported an overall positive effect of executive learning and development on firm performance and has significant implications for the effective development of executive and senior management capabilities as a means of improving organisational effectiveness.
Hard X-Ray Observation of Abell 496

We report the results of hard X-ray observations of Abell 496 (A496), a nearby relaxed cluster, using the Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer (RXTE). The 3-20 keV spectrum of this cluster is well modeled by a thermal component of kT ~ 4.1 keV plus a cooling flow with mass accretion rate of Ṁ ~ 285 M☉ yr-1. The spectrum is equally well modeled by a multitemperature plasma component with a Gaussian temperature distribution of mean temperature 3.8 keV and σkT ~ 0.9 keV. The metallicity is found to be approximately solar; however, the Ni/Fe ratio is about 3.6. No significant nonthermal emission at hard X-rays was detected for this cluster. We discuss the implications of the models presented here and compare them with the temperature profiles derived for this cluster using the Advanced Satellite for Cosmology and Astrophysics (ASCA). Our results are inconsistent with declining temperature profiles.
Introducing blended learning in the English language classroom: Students’ attitudes and perceptions before and after the course

The increased demands for foreign language learning and the dwindling number of contact hours have urged teachers to look for innovative methods of instruction such as blended learning (BL). A study was conducted at a Russian university (The National Research University Higher School of Economics) in order to explore the attitudes and perceptions of the students toward blended learning in the English language classroom. The research instruments were tests and questionnaires administered to students before and after the course. The online portion of the course was realized through the corporate learning management system (LMS). The study revealed a noticeable evolution in students’ perceptions and attitudes towards using blended learning in foreign language instruction. This shift and the consequential outcomes of the study are discussed. https://doi.org/10.34105/j.kmel. 2017.09. 003
Protecting the Self: The Effect of Social-evaluative Threat on Neural Representations of Self

One of the most robust ways that people protect themselves from social-evaluative threat is by emphasizing the desirability of their personal characteristics, yet the neural underpinnings of this fundamental process are unknown. The current fMRI study addresses this question by examining self-evaluations of desirability (in comparison with other people) as a response to threat. Participants judged how much personality traits described themselves in comparison with their average peer. These judgments were preceded by threatening or nonthreatening social-evaluative feedback. Self-evaluations made in response to threat significantly increased activation in a number of regions including the OFC, medial pFC, lateral pFC, amygdala, and insula. Individual differences in the extent to which threat increased desirability were significantly correlated with medial OFC activity. This is the first study to examine the neural associations of a fundamental self-protection strategy: responding to threat by emphasizing the self's desirability. Although neural research has separately examined self-evaluation processes from the regulation of social-evaluative threat, little is known about the interplay between the two. The findings build on this previous research by showing that regions, often associated with self-evaluation, are modulated by the degree to which people respond to threat by emphasizing their own desirability.
Identifying Students' Characteristic Learning Behaviors in an Intelligent Tutoring System Fostering Self-Regulated Learning

Identification of student learning behaviors, especially those that characterize or distinguish students, can yield important insights for the design of adaptation and feedback mechanisms in Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS). In this paper, we analyze trace data to identify distinguishing patterns of behavior in a study of 51 college students learning about a complex science topic with an agent-based ITS that fosters self-regulated learning (SRL). Preliminary analysis with an Expectation-Maximization clustering algorithm revealed the existence of three distinct groups of students, distinguished by their test and quiz scores (low for the first group, medium for the second group, and high for the third group), their learning gains (low, medium, high), the frequency of their note-taking (rare, frequent, rare) and note-checking (rare, rare, frequent), the proportion of sub-goals attempted (low, low, high), and the time spent reading (high, high, low). In this paper, we extend this analysis to identify characteristic learning behaviors and strategies that distinguish these three groups of students. We employ a differential sequence mining technique to identify differentially frequent activity patterns between the student groups and interpret these patterns in terms of relevant learning behaviors. The results of this analysis reveal that high-performing students tend to be better at quickly identifying the relevance of a page to their subgoal, are more methodical in their exploration of the pedagogical content, rely on system prompts to take notes and summarize, and are more strategic in their preparation for the post-test (e.g., using the end of their session to briefly review pages). These results provide a first step in identifying the group to which a student belongs during the learning session, thus making possible a real-time adaptation of the system.
ALMA Project Book, Chapter 7: LOCAL OSCILLATORS

The local oscillator subsystem is responsible for establishing all of the time and phase synchronization in the array, on scales ranging from 48 msec (20.8 Hz) to << 1 psec (1 THz). It is also responsible for generating the sinusoidal signals necessary for converting the received signals from RF to IF to baseband, and for tuning these as required to establish the desired sky frequency and interferometer phase (including fringe tracking, phase switching, and other interferometer-specific features). The latter are more properly known as "local oscillator" signals, but the subsystem must also supply various coherent references to other devices so as to achieve synchronization and accurate timing. These include digitizers, computers, and the correlator. It does this by distributing periodic reference signals derived from a common master oscillator.
Teachers’ mathematics as mathematics-at-work

ABSTRACT Through recognising mathematics teachers as professionals who use mathematics in their workplace, this article traces a parallel between the mathematics enacted by teachers in their practice and the mathematics used in workplaces found in studies of professionals (e.g. nurses, engineers, bankers). This parallel is developed through the five characteristics highlighted in Noss' work (2002). We use this parallel to develop a conceptualisation of teachers’ mathematics in their practice, and in turn to suggest implications concerning teachers’ mathematical preparation.
An instrumented approach to improving software quality through formal technical review

Formal technical review (FTR) is an essential component of all software quality assessment, assurance and improvement techniques. However, current FTR practice leads to significant expense, clerical overhead, group process obstacles, and research methodology problems. CSRS is an instrumented, computer-supported cooperative work environment for formal technical review. CSRS addresses problems in the practice of FTR by providing computer support for both the process and products of FTR. CSRS also addresses problems in research on FTR through instrumentation supporting fine-grained, high quality data collection and analysis. This paper describes CSRS, a computer-mediated review method called FTArm, and selected findings from their use to explore issues in formal technical review. <<ETX>>
Recombinant Human Hexamer-Dominant IgM Monoclonal Antibody to Ganglioside GM3 for Treatment of Melanoma

Purpose: L612, a human IgM monoclonal antibody produced by an EBV-transformed human B-cell line, binds to ganglioside GM3 and kills GM3-positive human melanoma cells in the presence of complement. It has been shown to be effective in some patients with late-stage melanoma. L612 consists of hexameric IgM (about 20%), pentameric IgM (about 74%), and other minor IgM molecules. Because hexameric IgM activates complement more effectively than pentameric IgM, we developed and evaluated a hexamer-dominant recombinant IgM for clinical applications. Experimental Design: Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells were transfected with heavy- and light-chain genes of L612, with or without the joining-chain gene. Antitumor effects of the recombinant IgM secreted from CHO cells were evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Results: Recombinant IgM secreted from CHO cells without the joining chain (designated CA19) was ∼80% hexameric, whereas recombinant IgM from CHO cells transfected with heavy-, light-, and joining-chain genes (designated CJ45) was about 90% pentameric. Both CA19 and CJ45 recombinant IgMs caused complement-dependent cytotoxicity against human and mouse melanoma cell lines, but the amount of CA19 required for 50% specific cytotoxicity was 5 to 10 times smaller. I.v. injection of CA19 compared with CJ45 or native L612 elicited more profound antitumor activity in nude rats bearing a GM3-positive mouse melanoma xenograft. Conclusions: A hexamer-dominant human IgM against GM3 may provide a more potent treatment option for patients with GM3-positive melanoma.
Tumor necrosis factor α-mediated restructuring of the Sertoli cell barrier in vitro involves matrix metalloprotease 9 (MMP9), membrane-bound intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and the actin cytoskeleton

The mammalian blood-testis barrier (BTB) restructures throughout spermatogenesis, thereby allowing developing germ cells to enter the adluminal compartment of the seminiferous epithelium. Previous studies have shown pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and interleukin-1α to be important regulators of Sertoli cell barrier/BTB function in vitro and in vivo. In this study, the effects of TNFα on Sertoli cell barrier function were assessed, with emphasis on changes in proteases and cell adhesion molecules following treatment. By immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry, MMP9 was found to be present in germ cells, localizing by and large to spermatocytes and spermatids in the adult rat testis. Following treatment of Sertoli cells with physiologically relevant consecutive doses of recombinant human TNFα (25 ng/ml), the steady-state levels of active-matrix metalloprotease 9 (MMP9), membrane-bound intercellular adhesion molecule (mICAM-1) and androgen receptor increased significantly. TNFα also downregulated the steady-state level of occludin, in agreement with earlier results that showed TNFα to disrupt Sertoli cell barrier/BTB function. In addition, TNFα affected the filamentous actin cytoskeleton in Sertoli cells, which appeared to be mediated by cortactin, a regulator of actin dynamics. Taken collectively, these findings imply that germ cells may be involved in BTB restructuring via the localized production of TNFα. These results also illustrate that barrier restructuring correlated with an increase in Sertoli cell mICAM-1, suggesting that it may be critical for adhesion as germ cells traverse the “opened” BTB.