Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A converging approach to sex differences and pain : an examination of social and biological mechanisms that may account for differences between male and female pain reports

The Neuromatrix of Pain is a comprehensive theory that has been designed to account for a majority of mediatory processes that influence pain perception, yet one aspect that does not appear to have been explicitly considered as a predominant factor in the research is that of biological sex, despite several articles and reviews that have highlighted the importance of it. Originating as an examination of anticipatory processes, this thesis evolved to examine how males and females experience pain differently in social contexts, and possible neurometabolic differences that may account for these disparities. From the social approach, we examined the experimenter gender effect, which demonstrates that the experimenter’s sex alters pain perception. Not only were the results concurrent with previous literature, but it was demonstrated that the presence and gender of an additional observer also influences pressure-pain threshold (PPT), predominantly in males; the observer effect could operate as either an extension of the experimenter effect, or a facilitating factor to it. It was also found that, in females, the personality trait Openness correlated significantly with PPT, which may reflect previous findings of females’ coping mechanisms. From the biological approach, proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) was used to examine the neurometabolic concentrations in the insula of healthy males and females based on findings in clinical populations. While the results were not replicated, it was found that there was a significant difference between glutamate concentrations between males and females in the anterior insula (A.I.), and also that glutamate in the A.I. also correlated significantly with PPT in males. These findings demonstrate and support evidence for how males and females adopt differential anticipatory mechanisms to predict and limit potential tissue damage. Overall, this thesis provides evidence for gender differences in pain perception that holds implications for both the experimental and clinical fields of study.
On the elliptic numerical ranges of 4×4 matrices

Let A be a n×n complex matrix associated with f(2)=z<sup>n</sup>+a<inf>1</inf>z<sup>n-1</sup>+…+a<inf>n-1</inf>z+a<inf>n</inf>, W(A)={x*Ax:x∈C<sup>n</sup>|x=1}denotes the numerical range of A . In this paper, we discuss the properties of the Kippenhahn curve C<inf>R</inf>(A) firstly, and then discuss the necessary condition of W(A) being an elliptic disc by means of the Kronecker product of matrices and the Kippenhahn curve C<inf>R</inf>(A).
Intersecting Manifolds: Detection, Segmentation, and Labeling

Solving multi-manifolds clustering problems that include delineating and resolving multiple intersections is a very challenging problem. In this paper we propose a novel procedure for clustering intersecting multi-manifolds and delineating junctions in high dimensional spaces. We propose to explicitly and directly resolve ambiguities near the intersections by using 2 properties: One is the position of the data points in the vicinity of the detected intersection; the other is the reliable estimation of the tangent spaces away from the intersections. We experiment with our method on a wide range of geometrically complex settings of convoluted intersecting manifolds, on which we demonstrate higher clustering performance than the state of the art. This includes tackling challenging geometric structures such as when the tangent spaces at the intersections points are not orthogonal.
Symmetries and discriminability in feedforward network architectures

This paper investigates the effects of introducing symmetries into feedforward neural networks in what are termed symmetry networks. This technique allows more efficient training for problems in which we require the output of a network to be invariant under a set of transformations of the input. The particular problem of graph recognition is considered. In this case the network is designed to deliver the same output for isomorphic graphs. This leads to the question of which inputs can be distinguished by such architectures. A theorem characterizing when two inputs can be distinguished by a symmetry network is given. As a consequence, a particular network design is shown to be able to distinguish nonisomorphic graphs if and only if the graph reconstruction conjecture holds.
Identifying dialects with textual and acoustic cues

We describe several systems for identifying short samples of Arabic or Swiss-German dialects, which were prepared for the shared task of the 2017 DSL Workshop (Zampieri et al., 2017). The Arabic data comprises both text and acoustic files, and our best run combined both. The Swiss-German data is text-only. Coincidently, our best runs achieved a accuracy of nearly 63% on both the Swiss-German and Arabic dialects tasks.
WEIGHT-BASED DEROGATORY MEDIA: PREDICTORS OF MEDIA SELECTION, IMPACT OF EXPOSURE, AND THE MODERATING ROLE OF MALADAPTIVE APPEARANCE INVESTMENT

Building upon the work of Boersma and Jarry (2013), this research investigated the impact of experimental exposure to weight-based derogatory media on women’s body image and implicit anti-fat attitudes. Drawing from Slater’s (2007) reinforcing spirals theory of media selectivity and effects, a further aim of the study was to examine prospective predictors of choosing to engage with these derogatory media, as well as the effects of self-selected exposure. Additionally, maladaptive appearance investment was investigated as a moderating variable to clarify whether highly invested women would respond defensively on explicit measures of body satisfaction and estimates of current body size. Undergraduate participants (N = 240) completed online measures assessing hypothesized predictors of selecting weight-derogation media: implicit anti-fat attitudes, body dissatisfaction, maladaptive appearance investment, and fear of negative appearance evaluation. One to two weeks later, participants attended a lab session where they were exposed to two headlines: one providing weight-derogation content and another offering general celebrity news; and asked to choose which corresponding article they would like to read. All students were then randomly assigned to view tabloid-style pictures and articles that either denigrated female celebrities for gaining weight, or were presented non-appearance related information about the celebrities’ lives. Subsequently, participants completed outcome measures assessing implicit anti-fat attitudes, state body satisfaction, state fear of negative appearance evaluation, appearance schemas activation, and discrepancies between perceived current and ideal body size. Results yielded no support for reinforcing spirals theory. Selection of weightbased derogatory media was not predicted by any of the study variables, nor were there any effects of media selection on the impact of media exposure. Consistent with predictions, women who viewed the derogatory media exhibited greater implicit anti-fat attitudes, self-ideal
On the chaos of D-brane phase transitions

We study small instanton (and brane recombination) phase transitions in phenomenological models built with D-branes. By explicitly describing the cosmological dynamics of the moduli and matter fields, we show that these transitions do not occur smoothly, but are typically chaotic with the gauge group of the low energy theory fluctuating in time. We comment on the potential implications for cosmological questions such as inflation.
Neural correlates of pantomiming familiar and unfamiliar tools: Action semantics versus mechanical problem solving?

This study aims to reveal the neural correlates of planning and executing tool use pantomimes and explores the brain's response to pantomiming the use of unfamiliar tools. Sixteen right‐handed volunteers planned and executed pantomimes of equally graspable familiar and unfamiliar tools while undergoing fMRI. During the planning of these pantomimes, we found bilateral temporo‐occipital and predominantly left hemispheric frontal and parietal activation. The execution of the pantomimes produced additional activation in frontal and sensorimotor regions. In the left posterior parietal region both familiar and unfamiliar tool pantomimes elicit peak activity in the anterior portion of the lateral bank of the intraparietal sulcus—A region associated with the representation of action goals. The cerebral activation during these pantomimes is remarkably similar for familiar and unfamiliar tools, and direct comparisons revealed only few differences. First, the left cuneus is significantly active during the planning of pantomimes of unfamiliar tools, reflecting increased visual processing of the novel objects. Second, executing (but not planning) familiar tool pantomimes showed significant activation on the convex portion of the inferior parietal lobule, a region believed to serve as a repository for skilled object‐related gestures. Given the striking similarity in brain activation while pantomiming familiar and unfamiliar tools, we argue that normal subjects use both action semantics and function from structure inferences simultaneously and interactively to give rise to flexible object‐to‐goal directed behavior. Hum Brain Mapp, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Understanding the atmospheric structure of T Tauri stars — I. Improved atomic physics applied to IUE data of BP Tauri

ABSTRA C T Recent advances in modelling the radiating character of dynamic laboratory and astrophysical plasmas are applied here in a new examination of the properties of the atmosphere of the classical T Tauri star BP Tau. We analyse archived International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) UV spectra of BP Tau. We adopt a collisional-radiative model and utilize emission measure (EM) and differential emission measure (DEM) techniques to try to constrain the distribution of emitting material in temperature in the atmosphere of this star. We use spectroscopic diagnostic techniques to probe atmospheric parameters such as electron density, and to set constraints on the volume of emission regions. This work is important for understanding the fundamental properties of BP Tau and other T Tauri stars, and for providing a more complete basis for models of their atmospheres.
On the effect of traffic model to the performance evaluation of multicast protocols in MANET

While efforts have been made recently to evaluate the performance of multicasting protocols in mobile ad hoc networks (MANET) and to evaluate the capacity of ad hoc networks, very little is understood or known about the traffic characteristics of mobile ad hoc networks and its effect on the performance of the existing multicasting protocols. In this paper, traffic models for multicast protocols in MANET are outlined. A literature survey for multicast protocols in MANET is conducted. Classification for most MANET multicast protocols is presented. A research to evaluate the performance of the existing multicast protocols in MANET using self-similarity traffic model is proposed & justified
Different factors associate with body image in adolescence than in emerging adulthood: A gender comparison in a follow-up study

background Body image dissatisfaction has been linked with a range of adverse psychosocial outcomes in both genders and has become an important public health issue. Across all ages, women have reported being more dissatisfied with their bodies than men. The aim of the current study was to examine if fitness and physical activity associate with body image satisfaction differently across gender and age, measured in the same participants.
Renormalized thermal entropy in field theory

Standard entropy calculations in quantum field theory, when applied to a subsystem of definite volume, exhibit area-dependent UV divergences that make a thermodynamic interpretation troublesome. In this paper we define a renormalized entropy which is related with the Newton-Wigner position operator. Accordingly, whenever we trace over a region of space, we trace away degrees of freedom that are localized according to Newton-Wigner localization but not in the usual sense. We consider a free scalar field in d+1 spacetime dimensions prepared in a thermal state and we show that our entropy is free of divergences and has a perfectly sound thermodynamic behavior. In the high temperature/big volume limit our results agree with the standard QFT calculations once the divergent contributions are subtracted from the latter. In the limit of low temperature/small volume the entropy goes to zero but with a different dependence on the temperature.
Abstract Introduction and Related Work

Two experiments on spatial relational inference investigated effects known from relational and syllogistic reasoning. (1) Continuity effect: n-term-series problems with continuous (W r 1 X, X r 2 Y, Y r 3 Z) and semi-continuous (X r 2 Y, Y r 3 Z, W r 1 X) premise order are easier than tasks with discontinuous order (Y r 3 Z, W r 1 X, X r 2 Y). (2) Figural bias: the order of terms in the premises (X r Y, Y r Z or Y r X, Z r Y) effects the order of terms in the conclusion (X r Z or Z r X). In the first experiment subjects made more errors and took more time to process the premises when in discontinuous order. In the second experiment subjects showed the general preference for the term order Z r X in the generated conclusions, modulated by a " figural bias " : subjects used X r Z more often if the premise term order was X r Y, Y r Z, whereas Z r X was used most often for the premise term order Y r X, Z r Y. Results are discussed in the framework of mental model theory with special reference to computational models of spatial relational inference.
News Media Coverage of Islam and Muslims in Australia: An Opinion Survey among Australian Muslims

Abstract Existing research has explored the ways the mainstream news media covers Muslims and Islam, but few studies have examined Muslims’ reactions to this reporting. Studies that have investigated this issue have identified that the responses of Muslims to news media coverage tend to be largely negative because of the lack of Muslim news sources, the stereotypical representation of Muslims in news coverage, the portrayal of Muslims as the enemy within, and the conflation of Muslims with terrorism. This paper further explores the attitudes of Muslims to news media coverage of Islam and Muslims by drawing on data from 14 focus groups (N = 104 participants) conducted with Australian Muslims. Similar to previous research, findings reveal that Australian Muslims are highly critical of news media coverage of Islam and Muslims and express concern about the divisiveness that such portrayal can have for Australian society. However, the study participants also had positive comments to make about the news media. Possible solutions to negative news media portrayals of Muslims are considered.
Can middle-schoolers use Storytelling Alice to make games?: results of a pilot study

In this paper we share experiences from two 2-week summer courses for middle-school students in game programming using Storytelling Alice (SA). The students spent 20 hours learning SA and creating their own 'games' alone and in pairs. We discuss problems and preliminary findings regarding game programming by middle-school students. Our findings suggest that middle-school students can use SA to make games, and that this activity can be used to build information technology fluency.
Distance determination by GIY-YIG intron endonucleases: discrimination between repression and cleavage functions

GIY-YIG homing endonucleases are modular proteins, with conserved N-terminal catalytic domains connected by linkers to C-terminal DNA-binding domains. I-TevI, the T4 phage GIY-YIG intron endonuclease, functions both in promoting td intron homing, and in acting as a transcriptional autorepressor. Repression is achieved by binding to an operator, which is cleaved at 100-fold reduced efficiency relative to the intronless homing site. The linker includes a zinc finger, which functions in distance determination, to constrain the catalytic domain to cleave the homing site at a fixed position. Here we show that I-BmoI, a related GIY-YIG endonuclease lacking a zinc finger, also possesses some cleavage distance discrimination. Furthermore, hybrid endonucleases constructed by swapping the domains of I-BmoI and I-TevI are active, precise and demonstrate that features other than the zinc finger facilitate distance determination. Most importantly, I-TevI zinc finger mutants cleave the operator more efficiently than the homing site, the converse of wild-type protein. These results are consistent with the zinc finger acting as a measuring device, directing efficient cleavage of the homing site to promote intron mobility, while reducing cleavage at the operator to ensure transcriptional autorepression and phage viability.
A wide-field H I study of the NGC 1566 group

We report on neutral hydrogen observations of a � 5.5 � × 5.5 � field around the NGC 1566 galaxy group with the multibeam narrow-band system on the 64-m Parkes telescope. We detected thirteen Hi sources in the field, including two galaxies not previously known to be members of the group, bringing the total number of confirmed galaxies in this group to 26. Each of the Hi galaxies can be associated with an optically catalogued galaxy. No ’intergalactic Hi clouds’ were found to an Hi mass limit of � 3.5×10 8 M�. We have estimated the expected Hi content of the late-type galaxies in this group and find the total detected Hi is consistent with our expectations. However, while no global Hi deficiency is inferred for this group, two galaxies exhibit individual Hi deficiencies. Further observations are needed to determine the gas removal mechanisms in these galaxies.
Improving Melody Classification by Discriminant Feature Extraction and Fusion

We propose a general approach to discriminant feature extraction and fusion, built on an optimal feature transformation for discriminant analysis [6]. Our experiments indicate that our approach can dramatically reduce the dimensionality of original feature space whilst improving its discriminant power. Our feature fusion method can be carried out in the reduced lower-dimensional subspace, resulting in a further improvement in accuracy. Our experiments concern the classification of music styles based only on the pitch sequence derived from monophonic melodies
Dynamic Scene Classification Using Spatial and Temporal Cues

A real world scene may contain several objects with different spatial and temporal characteristics. This paper proposes a novel method for the classification of natural scenes by processing both spatial and temporal information from the video. For extracting the spatial characteristics, we build spatial pyramids using the spatial pyramid matching (SPM) algorithm on SIFT descriptors while for the motion characteristics, we introduce a five dimensional feature vector extracted from the optical flow field. We employ SPM on combined SIFT and motion feature descriptors to perform classification. We demonstrate that the proposed approach shows significant improvement in scene classification as compared to the SPM algorithm on SIFT spatial feature descriptors alone.
Hippocampal signals for strong memory when associative memory is available and when it is not

The paired‐associate task has been used with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in studies that assessed the role of the medial temporal lobe (MTL) subserving recollection and familiarity. Some researchers have interpreted their results to mean that the hippocampus selectively subserves recollection and not familiarity [cf., Eichenbaum et al., ( 2007 ) Annu Rev Neurosci 30:123–152]. Yet many of these results confound recollection and familiarity with strong and weak memories, and it is not clear whether the conclusions represent differences between memory processes or memory strength. In the current study, participants were scanned with fMRI during retrieval in a paired‐associate task, and a new approach separated the analysis of memory strength from the analysis of memory processes. The data were sorted by confidence level in an old/new task, and the high‐confidence responses were compared in categories when associative memory was highly accurate and when it was not available. The results show that high‐confidence memory produced increased activity in the hippocampus, relative to the level for forgotten pairs, both when associative memory was available and when it was not. Two interpretations are discussed for the behavioral results for when associative memory was not available: one account based on familiarity and the other account based on noncriterial recollection. The conclusion is that recognition of the word‐pairs was based on familiarity when associative memory was not available. Together with the fMRI results that activity in two regions associated with cognitive control (left ventrolateral prefrontal cortex and left inferior parietal lobule) was greater when responses were based on associative memory than when based on familiarity, the findings suggest that the hippocampus supports strong memory and that cortical regions make an additional contribution to recollection. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Balanced Inhibition and Excitation Drive Spike Activity in Spinal Half-Centers

Many limb movements are composed of alternating flexions and extensions. However, the underlying spinal network mechanisms remain poorly defined. Here, we show that the intensity of synaptic excitation and inhibition in limb motoneurons varies in phase rather than out of phase during rhythmic scratchlike network activity in the turtle. Inhibition and excitation peak with the total neuron conductance during the depolarizing waves of scratch episodes. Furthermore, spike activity is driven by depolarizing synaptic transients rather than pacemaker properties. These findings show that balanced excitation and inhibition and irregular firing are fundamental motifs in certain spinal network functions.
Evaluation of the Association between Oral Lichen Planus and Hypothyroidism: a Retrospective Comparative Study

Statement of the Problem Oral Lichen planus (OLP) is an autoimmune mucocutaneous disease. There are some reports of thyroid diseases, especially hypothyroidism, to have association with OLP in some studies. Purpose Based on the controversial results of former studies in other populations about the association of hypothyroidism and OLP, the current study aimed to evaluate this association in a sample of Iranian population. Materials and Method This retrospective comparative study evaluated 523 patients with OLP referring to the Oral and Maxillofacial Department of Shiraz Dental Faculty as the test group and 523 age- and sex-matched patients as the control group. Those participants with oral lichenoid reactions and other mucosal lesions were excluded. The odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association of OLP and thyroid diseases were estimated by logistic regression adjusted for the matched age and sex. Results In the test group, 74% (n=387) and in the control group 73.8% of the patients were female (n=386). In the test group, 26% (n=136) and in the control group 26.2% of the samples were male (n=137). A total of 4% of the patients in the control group (n=21) and 6.7% in the case group (n=35) had a history of hypothyroidism. The reported OR for association of thyroid disease and OLP was 1.714 (CI=0.984-2.987). Conclusion The results of this study showed no significant association between hypothyroidism and OLP in comparison with the age- and sex-matched control group.