Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bilingual Children’s Performance on Three Nonword Repetition Tasks: The Role of Language Experience and Ability

Nonword repetition (NWR) tasks represent one assessment tool for Specific Language Impairment (SLI). The use of such tasks has been established and verified for monolingual children. However, the diagnostic accuracy of NWR tasks for bilingual children has had variable results and must address several unique characteristics of this population. Gaps in research relate to which task characteristics influence task performance. The purpose of the current study was to explore children’s performance on three NWR tasks that differ in design: a norm-referenced task based in English (Comprehensive Test of Phonological Processing, Second Edition; CTOPP-2), a “quasi-universal” task based in the sounds most commonly found in the world’s languages (QU), and a “language neutral” (LN) task tailored to Spanish and English speech sounds. The children’s performance on the three tasks was examined in light of their time spent listening to and speaking English and language ability in Spanish and English, as measured by the Bilingual English Spanish Assessment (BESA). Finally, the different versions of the NWR task were compared in terms of which task is most predictive of a performance on the BESA that is indicative of language impairment. Results indicated that the LN task and the CTOPP-2 task performance may have been influenced by a child’s language experience in English. All three tasks were significantly related to the participants’ language ability, as measured on the BESA. Finally, analyzing the data using quantile regression indicated that for all three tasks, the lower quantiles of the BESA Index score (i.e., participants’ language ability) was more strongly related to the performance on the NWR tasks than the BESA performance at higher quantiles. All three tasks hold promise for diagnosing Spanish-English bilingual children with SLI, with the QU task performance showing more independence in terms of language experience. In conclusion, while
Generalized Conifolds and Four Dimensional N = 1 Superconformal Theories

This paper lays groundwork for the detailed study of the non-trivial renormalization group flow connecting supersymmetric fixed points in four dimensions using string theory on AdS spaces. Specifically, we consider D3-branes placed at singularities of Calabi-Yau threefolds which generalize the conifold singularity and have an ADE classification. The N = 1 superconformal theories dictating their low-energy dynamics are infrared fixed points arising from deforming the corresponding ADE N = 2 superconformal field theories by mass terms for adjoint chiral fields. We probe the geometry with a single D3-brane and discuss the near-horizon supergravity solution for a large number N of coincident D3-branes.
The direct effects of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, zofenoprilat and enalaprilat, on isolated human pancreatic islets.

OBJECTIVE Data from prospective studies suggest a significant reduction in the risk of new diabetes from drug therapies containing angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. Since the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has been found locally in several tissues and cells, including pancreatic islets, we hypothesized that the positive metabolic effects of ACE inhibitors may be due to a beneficial action of these compounds on insulin-secreting beta-cells. DESIGN AND METHODS Isolated human pancreatic islets were studied after 24 h of incubation with 22.2 mmol/l glucose, with or without the presence in the incubation medium of 0.5-6.0 mmol/l zofenoprilat or enalaprilat, ACE inhibitor drugs which differ by the presence of a sulphydryl or a carboxyl group in their structural formula. Functional and molecular studies were then performed to assess insulin secretion, redox balance, mRNA and protein expression. RESULTS Angiotensinogen, ACE and angiotensin type 1 receptor mRNA expression increased in islets cultured in high glucose; this was similarly prevented by the presence of either ACE inhibitor. As expected, preculture of human islets in high glucose determined a marked reduction in insulin secretion which was associated with enhanced oxidative stress, as shown by increased nitrotyrosine concentrations, and enhanced expression of protein kinase C beta and NADPH oxidase. The presence of either of the ACE inhibitors counteracted several of the deleterious effects of high glucose exposure, including reduction of insulin secretion and increased oxidative stress; zofenoprilat showed significantly more marked effects. CONCLUSIONS These results showed that: (a) RAS molecules are present in human islets and their expression is sensitive to glucose concentration, (b) ACE inhibitors, and in particular zofenoprilat, protect human islets from glucotoxicity and (c) the effects of ACE inhibition are associated with decreased oxidative stress. Together, these findings provide evidence that the possible beneficial effects of ACE inhibitors in human diabetes are due, at least in part, to a protective action on pancreatic beta-cells.
Morphological Analysis of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells During Induced Differentiation and Reverse Programming

Abstract The fine analysis of cell components during the generation of pluripotent cells and their comparison to bone fide human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are valuable tools to understand their biological behavior. In this report, human mesenchymal cells (hMSCs) generated from the human ES cell line H9, were reprogrammed back to induced pluripotent state using Oct-4, Sox2, Nanog, and Lin28 transgenes. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hIPSCs) were analyzed using electron microscopy and compared with regard to the original hESCs and the hMSCs from which they were derived. This analysis shows that hIPSCs and the original hESCs are morphologically undistinguishable but differ from the hMSCs with respect to the presence of several morphological features of undifferentiated cells at both the cytoplasmic (ribosomes, lipid droplets, glycogen, scarce reticulum) and nuclear levels (features of nuclear plasticity, presence of euchromatin, reticulated nucleoli). We show that hIPSC colonies generated this way presented epithelial aspects with specialized junctions highlighting morphological criteria of the mesenchymal–epithelial transition in cells engaged in a successful reprogramming process. Electron microscopic analysis revealed also specific morphological aspects of partially reprogrammed cells. These results highlight the valuable use of electron microscopy for a better knowledge of the morphological aspects of IPSC and cellular reprogramming.
Concurrent zero-knowledge with timing, revisited

Following Dwork, Naor, and Sahai (30th STOC, 1998), we consider concurrent execution of protocols in a semi-synchronized network. Specifically, we assume that each party holds a local clock such that a constant bound on the relative rates of these clocks is a-priori known, and consider protocols that employ time-driven operations (i.e., time-out in-coming messages and delay out-going messages). We show that the constant-round zero-knowledge proof for NP of Goldreich and Kahan (Jour. of Crypto., 1996) preserves its security when polynomially-many independent copies are executed concurrently under the above timing model.We stress that our main result establishes zero-knowledge of interactive proofs, whereas the results of Dwork et al are either for zero-knowledge arguments or for a weak notion of zero-knowledge (called ε-knowledge) proofs.Our analysis identifies two extreme schedulings of concurrent executions under the above timing model: the first is the case of parallel execution of polynomially-many copies, and the second is of concurrent execution of polynomially-many copies such the number of copies that are simultaneously active at any time is bounded by a constant (i.e., bounded simultaneity). Dealing with each of these extreme cases is of independent interest, and the general result (regarding concurrent executions under the timing model) is obtained by combining the two treatments.
Numerical Methods for Second-Order Stochastic Differential Equations

We seek numerical methods for second-order stochastic differential equations that reproduce the stationary density accurately for all values of damping. A complete analysis is possible for scalar linear second-order equations (damped harmonic oscillators with additive noise), where the statistics are Gaussian and can be calculated exactly in the continuous-time and discrete-time cases. A matrix equation is given for the stationary variances and correlation for methods using one Gaussian random variable per timestep. The only Runge-Kutta method with a nonsingular tableau matrix that gives the exact steady state density for all values of damping is the implicit midpoint rule. Numerical experiments, comparing the implicit midpoint rule with Heun and leapfrog methods on nonlinear equations with additive or multiplicative noise, produce behavior similar to the linear case.
On the Sluggish Response of Prices to Money in an Inventory-Theoretic Model of Money Demand

We exposit the link between money, velocity and prices in an inventory-theoretic model of the demand for money and explore the extent to which such a model can account for the short-run volatility of velocity, the negative correlation of velocity and the ratio of money to consumption, and the resulting stickiness' of the aggregate price level relative to a benchmark model with constant velocity. We find that an inventory-theoretic model of the demand for money is a natural framework for understanding these aspects of the dynamics of money, velocity and prices in the short run.
No . 21 / 04 The Role of Guarantees in Bank Lending

Guarantees play an important role in debt contracts. They alter the risk for the lender, transform borrowers’ incentives and, possibly, modify the equilibrium allocation of financial resources. This paper studies the role of guarantees on bank loans, using a sample of over 50,000 individual lines of credit granted by Italian banks. Two empirical models are used. The first directly verifies the relationship between ex-ante publicly available information on borrowers’ default riskiness and the presence of guarantees on their bank loans; the second compares the interest rates charged on secured and unsecured loans made by different banks to the same borrower, thus perfectly controlling for idiosyncratic riskiness and singling out the direct effect of the presence of guarantees on credit risk. The empirical results show that real guarantees (physical assets or equities that the lender can sell if the borrower defaults), which are often internal, are mainly used to provide a priority to some creditors. Personal guarantees (contractual obligations of third parties to make payments in case of default, e.g. suretyships), which can only be external, are used instead as incentive devices against moral hazard problems. Controlling for borrowers’ characteristics, both real and personal guarantees reduce ex-ante credit risk. JEL-classification: G21, G32
Regional cerebral blood flow changes in human brain related to ipsilateral and contralateral complex hand movements – a PET study

The purpose of this study was to investigate the cortical motor areas activated in relation to unilateral complex hand movements of either hand, and the motor area related to motor skill learning. Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was measured in eight right‐handed healthy male volunteers using positron emission tomography during a two‐ball‐rotation task using the right hand, the same task using the left hand and two control tasks. In the two‐ball‐rotation tasks, subjects were required to rotate the same two iron balls either with the right or left hand. In the control task, they were required to hold two balls in each hand without movement. The primary motor area, premotor area and cerebellum were activated bilaterally with each unilateral hand movement. In contrast, the supplementary motor area proper was activated only by contralateral hand movements. In addition, we found a positive correlation between the rCBF to the premotor area and the degree of improvement in skill during motor task training. The results indicate that complex hand movements are organized bilaterally in the primary motor areas, premotor areas and cerebellum, that functional asymmetry in the motor cortices is not evident during complex finger movements, and that the premotor area may play an important role in motor skill learning.
Real and Virtual Social Ties

The relationship between online and offline social ties is studied in seven Los Angeles ethnically marked residential areas. Contrary to visions proposing a zero-sum game between the two, the authors advance a “the more, the more” approach to online social ties. A higher level of belonging to real communities translates into a higher propensity for interaction online. This approach is informed by a social shaping of technology perspective, which proposes that strong anchoring to offline social and cultural groups links cyberspace to people's local communities. Results of a logistic regression analysis indicate that the chances of making a friend online increase by 7% for each belonging index unit and by 32% for each neighbor known well enough to talk to about a personal problem. Belonging is captured through an index measure, combining eight items concerning objective and subjective involvement in residential community. Ethnic differences are less pronounced than expected. However, Asian respondents, particularly those of Korean descent, are more likely to form online ties than mainstream White respondents. Focus group data suggest that online ties are established with people of the same ethnicity.
The Two Young Star Disks in the Central Parsec of the Galaxy: Properties, Dynamics, and Formation

We report the definite spectroscopic identification of ≃40 OB supergiants, giants, and main-sequence stars in the central parsec of the Galaxy. Detection of their absorption lines has become possible with the high spatial and spectral resolution and sensitivity of the adaptive optics integral field spectrometer SPIFFI/SINFONI on the ESO VLT. Several of these OB stars appear to be helium- and nitrogen-rich. Almost all of the ≃80 massive stars now known in the central parsec (central arcsecond excluded) reside in one of two somewhat thick (⟨ /R⟩ ≃ 0.14) rotating disks. These stellar disks have fairly sharp inner edges (R ≃ 1′′) and surface density profiles that scale as R-2. We do not detect any OB stars outside the central 0.5 pc. The majority of the stars in the clockwise system appear to be on almost circular orbits, whereas most of those in the "counterclockwise" disk appear to be on eccentric orbits. Based on its stellar surface density distribution and dynamics, we propose that IRS 13E is an extremely dense cluster (ρcore ≳ 3 × 108 M☉ pc-3) that has formed in the counterclockwise disk. The stellar contents of both systems are remarkably similar, indicating a common age of ≃6 ± 2 Myr. The K-band luminosity function of the massive stars suggests a top-heavy mass function and limits the total stellar mass contained in both disks to ≃1.5 × 104 M☉. Our data strongly favor in situ star formation from dense gas accretion disks for the two stellar disks. This conclusion is very clear for the clockwise disk and highly plausible for the counterclockwise system.
Education Mismatch and Return Migration in Egypt and Tunisia

The objective of this paper is to shed light on the issue of education mismatch in the context of return migration in Egypt and Tunisia. Using data on both return and non-migrants in Egypt and Tunisia, we analyze the skills that migrants acquire before and during migration and the way these skills are used upon return. We find evidence of education mismatch, especially in Tunisia. Finally, we estimate the determinants of education mismatch on the Egyptian and Tunisian labour markets and find a significant positive effect of return migration on the probability of being overeducated.
SecSDM: A usable tool to support IT undergraduate students in secure software development

Many IT undergraduate programs neglect to address the importance of integrating information security into the software development lifecycle. SecSDM is an integrated, risk-based methodology for supporting IT undergraduate students in secure software development. A software tool, based on the SecSDM methodology, has been developed to provide a means by which to apply this methodology to software development projects. However, from a developer’s perspective, any such software tool needs to be usable. This means that such a tool should have good utility, be effective to use, efficient to use, safe to use, easy to learn, easy to remember and satisfying to use. This paper provides an overview of the SecSDM methodology and presents the results of a user satisfaction survey relating to the SecSDM software tool.
Myelopoiesisin Bone Marrow during Emergency Regulation of Dendritic Cell Differentiation

Although accumulation of dendritic cell (DC) precursors occurs in bone marrow, the terminal differentiation of these cells takes place outside bone marrow. The signaling, regulating this process, remains poorly understood. We demonstrated that this process could be differentially regulated by Notch ligands: Jagged-1 (Jag1) and Delta-like ligand 1 (Dll1). In contrast to Dll1, Jag1, in vitro and during induced myelopoiesis invivo, prevented DC differentiation by promoting the accumulation of their precursors. Although both ligands activated Notch in hematopoietic progenitor cells, they had an opposite effect on Wnt signaling. Dll1 activated Wnt pathways, whereas Jag1 inhibited it via downregulation of the expression of the Wnt receptors Frizzled (Fzd). Jag1 suppressed fzd expression by retaining histone deacetylase 1 in the complex with the transcription factor CSL/CBF-1 on the fzd promoter. Our results suggest that DC differentiation, during induced myelopoiesis, can be regulated by the nature of the Notch ligand expressed on adjacent stroma cells. The Journal of Immunology , 2013, 191: 1916–1926. professional
A task-parameterized probabilistic model with minimal intervention control

We present a task-parameterized probabilistic model encoding movements in the form of virtual spring-damper systems acting in multiple frames of reference. Each candidate coordinate system observes a set of demonstrations from its own perspective, by extracting an attractor path whose variations depend on the relevance of the frame at each step of the task. This information is exploited to generate new attractor paths in new situations (new position and orientation of the frames), with the predicted covariances used to estimate the varying stiffness and damping of the spring-damper systems, resulting in a minimal intervention control strategy. The approach is tested with a 7-DOFs Barrett WAM manipulator whose movement and impedance behavior need to be modulated in regard to the position and orientation of two external objects varying during demonstration and reproduction.
The negative effects of open government data - investigating the dark side of open data

Reports and research appears to assume that the benefits of open data dominate open data's negative consequences. Moreover, much of the existing research discusses benefits and disadvantages on a high level without providing much detailed insight in the underlying processes. Yet many governments are reluctant to open their data, as they are afraid of possible negative consequences of opening data. The objective of this policy paper is to better understand the aspects of the dark side of open data and contributes to the literature by providing a more realistic perspective on open data. We conducted nineteen in depth interviews with public sector officials and data archivists and identified sixteen categories of negative effects. For the dark side inherent to open data efforts the research suggests that a context and dataset dependent decision-making model needs to be made weighing the benefits of open data on the one hand (e.g. creating transparency, the possibility to strengthen economic growth), and the risks and disadvantages of open data (e.g. violating privacy and possible misuse and misinterpretation of data) on the other hand.
Seeing the Instructor in Two Video Styles: Preferences and Patterns

Instructional content designers of online learning platforms are concerned about optimal video design guidelines that ensure course eﬀectiveness, while keeping video production time and costs at reasonable levels. In order to address the concern, we use clickstream data from one Coursera course to analyze the engagement, motivational and navigational patterns of learners upon being presented with lecture videos incorporating the instructor video in two styles - ﬁrst, where the instructor seamlessly interacts with the content and second, where the instructor appears in a window in a portion of the presentation window. Our main empirical ﬁnding is that the video style where the instructor seamlessly interacts with the content is by far the most preferred choice of the learners in general and certiﬁcate-earners and auditors in particular. Moreover, learners who chose this video style, on average, watched a larger proportion of the lectures, engaged with the lectures for a longer duration and preferred to view the lectures in streamed mode (as opposed to downloading them), when compared to their colleagues who chose the other video style. We posit that the important diﬀerence between the two video modes was the integrated view of a ‘real’ instructor in close proximity to the content, that increased learner motivation, which in turn aﬀected the watching times and the proportion of lectures watched. The results lend further credibility to the previously suggested hypothesis that positive aﬀect arising out of improved social cues of the instructor inﬂuences learner motivation leading to their increased engagement with the course and its broader applicability to learning at scale scenarios.
Intensive cognitive behavioural therapy for social anxiety disorder : a pilot study

Individual cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), typically delivered in 12-16 weekly sessions, is the most effective treatment available for SAD. However, CBT for SAD often demonstrates lower effect sizes than seen in other anxiety disorders. Intensive treatments, consisting of multiple sessions per week, have been found to be effective for other anxiety disorders but have been studied in group format only for SAD. This study investigated the effect of intensive individual CBT (IICBT) delivered in three 60-minute sessions per week, over four consecutive weeks (total 12 sessions). Participants were eight outpatients (Mean age = 28 years, 87.5% female) with a primary diagnosis of SAD. Large within-group effect sizes were found at post-treatment on the Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN; d= 1.61; p = .02), the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (SIAS; d= 1.14; p = .03), and Social Phobia Scale (SPS; d= 0.99; p=.12). At three months post treatment, large effect sizes were reported on the SPIN (d= 1.94; p = .001), the SIAS (d= 2.18; p = .002), and SPS (d= 1.70; p=.002). Despite a small sample size, this study provides preliminary data to suggest that IICBT is effective for outpatients with a primary diagnosis of SAD, with results similar or superior to standard treatments. This method provides an additional treatment option, and may be attractive for individuals with severe SAD symptoms, those who need to travel to treatment, and clients or psychologists wishing to reduce the timeframe of treatment. Larger and more rigorous studies are needed to confirm these findings.