Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
yourHistory - Semantic Linking for a Personalized Timeline of Historic Events

In this paper we present yourHistory: a Facebook application that aims to generate a tailor-made, personalized timeline of historic events, by matching a semantically enriched Facebook profile to a pool of candidate historic events extracted from DBPedia. Two aspects are central to our application: (i) semantic linking technologies backed by rich open web knowledge bases for generating semantically enriched user profiles, and (ii) semantic relatedness metrics for ranking historic events to user profiles. This paper describes the development of a Facebook application that aims to be engaging for users, whilst at the same time being a source for data that can be applied to evaluating or improving the application. We describe our Wikipedia-based semantic relatedness metric for event ranking, but also the restrictions and constraints concerning privacy-sensitive and ethical matters, around data storage and user consent. Finally, we reflect on how this type of user data can be applied for evaluating or improving both the semantic linking and event ranking methods in future work.
Bioinformatics Applications Note Genetics and Population Analysis Fastsimcoal: a Continuous-time Coalescent Simulator of Genomic Diversity under Arbitrarily Complex Evolutionary Scenarios

Motivation: Genetic studies focus on increasingly larger genomic regions of both extant and ancient DNA, and there is a need for simulation software to match these technological advances. We present here a new coalescent-based simulation program fastsimcoal, which is able to quickly simulate a variety of genetic markers scattered over very long genomic regions with arbitrary recombination patterns under complex evolutionary scenarios. Availability and Implementation: fastsimcoal is a C++ program compiled for Windows, MacOsX and Linux platforms. It is freely available at cmpg.unibe. ch/software/fastsimcoal/, together with its detailed user manual and example input files.
Power Control in Cellular Radio Systems : Analysis and Design

Many algorithms in communications systems can be considered as control loops, where the computed quantities depend on feedback information. A common scheme is to use increase/decrease signaling for bandwidth efficiency. Furthermore, the feedback information is delayed. The time delay itself, and even more pronounced in combination with nonlinearities, such as the increase/decrease mechanism, may cause oscillations and instabilities in the system. In this work, analysis methods based on root locus and describing functions are discussed. Design and tuning of algorithms are employed using pole placement techniques. Particular examples include clock synchronization in ADSL modems, control of available bit rate in data networks and, as studied in this project, distributed implementation of power control in cellular radio systems. The relevance of the methods is further illuminated by simulations.
Prevalence of Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) Clone Harboring sfa Gene in Brazil

Escherichia coli sfa+ strains isolated from poultry were serotyped and characterized by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP). Isolates collected from 12 Brazilian poultry farms mostly belonged to serogroup O6, followed by serogroups O2, O8, O21, O46, O78, O88, O106, O111, and O143. Virulence genes associated were: iuc 90%, fim 86% neuS 60%, hly 34%, tsh 28%, crl/csg 26%, iss 26%, pap 18%, and 14% cnf. Strains from the same farm presented more than one genotypic pattern belonging to different profiles in AFLP. AFLP showed a clonal relation between Escherichia coli sfa+ serogroup O6. The virulence genes found in these strains reveal some similarity with extraintestinal E. coli (ExPEC), thus alerting for potential zoonotic risk.
Slavic Languages in Universal Dependencies

Universal Dependencies (UD) is a project that is developing crosslinguistically consistent treebank annotation for many languages, with the goal of facilitating multilingual parser development, cross-lingual learning and linguistic research from a language typology perspective. It is a merger and extension of several previous efforts aimed at finding unified approaches to parts of speech, morphosyntactic descriptions and syntactic dependency relations. In the present contribution we address the application of UD to Slavic languages. We devote the most space to peculiarities of pronouns, determiners, numerals and quantifiers. Other language features that are discussed include modal verbs, ellipsis, nominal predicates, and reflexive pronouns. Most of our examples are from Czech but the language features demonstrated are usually portable to other Slavic languages. We include examples from the other languages where appropriate.
The association between comorbidities and the quality of life among colorectal cancer survivors in the People’s Republic of China

Background Cancer survivors with certain comorbidities had lower quality of life (QOL). This study was performed to investigate the prevalence of comorbidities and the association between comorbidities and the QOL among Chinese colorectal cancer survivors (CCS). Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,398 CCS between April and July 2013 in Shanghai, People’s Republic of China. All the participants were asked to complete a simplified Chinese version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment quality of life version 3 questionnaire and questions on sociodemographic characteristics and comorbidities. In order to mitigate the bias caused by confounding factors, multiple linear regression models were employed to calculate the adjusted means of QOL scores. Results The proportion of participants without any comorbidity was only 20.2%. The CCS with comorbidities except hypertension scored significantly lower on the European Organization for Research and Treatment quality of life version 3 questionnaire global health and functioning scales and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General scales but higher on the European Organization for Research and Treatment quality of life version 3 questionnaire symptom scores, indicating that they had poorer QOL, particularly for cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, and musculoskeletal diseases. Conclusion There exists a significant association between comorbidities and QOL among Chinese CCS, and participants with comorbidities generally reported lower QOL scores. These findings suggested comprehensive care for CCS.
Manipulation of Pre-Target Activity on the Right Frontal Eye Field Enhances Conscious Visual Perception in Humans

The right Frontal Eye Field (FEF) is a region of the human brain, which has been consistently involved in visuo-spatial attention and access to consciousness. Nonetheless, the extent of this cortical site’s ability to influence specific aspects of visual performance remains debated. We hereby manipulated pre-target activity on the right FEF and explored its influence on the detection and categorization of low-contrast near-threshold visual stimuli. Our data show that pre-target frontal neurostimulation has the potential when used alone to induce enhancements of conscious visual detection. More interestingly, when FEF stimulation was combined with visuo-spatial cues, improvements remained present only for trials in which the cue correctly predicted the location of the subsequent target. Our data provide evidence for the causal role of the right FEF pre-target activity in the modulation of human conscious vision and reveal the dependence of such neurostimulatory effects on the state of activity set up by cue validity in the dorsal attentional orienting network.
Ganglion Cell and Displaced Amacrine Cell Density Distribution in the Retina of the Howler Monkey (Alouatta caraya)

Unlike all other New World (platyrrine) monkeys, both male and female howler monkeys (Alouatta sp.) are obligatory trichromats. In all other platyrrines, only females can be trichromats, while males are always dichromats, as determined by multiple behavioral, electrophysiological, and genetic studies. In addition to obligatory trichromacy, Alouatta has an unusual fovea, with substantially higher peak cone density in the foveal pit than every other diurnal anthropoid monkey (both platyrrhines and catarrhines) and great ape yet examined, including humans. In addition to documenting the general organization of the retinal ganglion cell layer in Alouatta, the distribution of cones is compared to retinal ganglion cells, to explore possible relationships between their atypical trichromacy and foveal specialization. The number and distribution of retinal ganglion cells and displaced amacrine cells were determined in six flat-mounted retinas from five Alouatta caraya. Ganglion cell density peaked at 0.5 mm between the fovea and optic nerve head, reaching 40,700–45,200 cells/mm2. Displaced amacrine cell density distribution peaked between 0.5–1.75 mm from the fovea, reaching mean values between 2,050–3,100 cells/mm2. The mean number of ganglion cells was 1,133,000±79,000 cells and the mean number of displaced amacrine cells was 537,000±61,800 cells, in retinas of mean area 641±62 mm2. Ganglion cell and displaced amacrine cell density distribution in the Alouatta retina was consistent with that observed among several species of diurnal Anthropoidea, both platyrrhines and catarrhines. The principal alteration in the Alouatta retina appears not to be in the number of any retinal cell class, but rather a marked gradient in cone density within the fovea, which could potentially support high chromatic acuity in a restricted central region.
Associative memory : on the ( puzzling ) sparse coding limit

Abdracl. Kecent studies of the information capacity in a sparsely coded memory net has led to some contradictory results. In the Willshaw model. where the couplings are binary (0 or I), the maximal quantity of information that can be stored is In 2-0.69 bits per synapse. On the other hand a calculation 2 la Gardner for (0, I) couplings gives an upper bound for the maximal capacity of about 0.29 bits per synapse. In this paper I consider two possible sources forthir discrepancy. The first one is that the criterions for defining the maximal capacity are different (with or without a constraint of perfect errorless storage). The second one is a difference in the choice o f the probability distribution of the random patterns used to compute this capacity. This analysis shows in particular that for the Willshaw model the maximal information capacity is much larger when the number of active neurons is exactly the same in every stored pattern, than when it is given only in average. In addition I give an argument showing that this result may be generic, e.g., valid for any activity level and independent of the learning rule. 1. Introduction In the evaluation of the performance of neural networks in associative tasks, many aspects of the sparse coding limit have been studied, for both attractor neural networks and simple perceptron type networks [ 1-1 11. The regime of interest is when the number M of active neurons, in each pattern to be learned, is negligible with respect to the total number of neurons N (in the large-N limit), the coding rate f = M / N being of order In N/N. Although the maximal number of such random patterns that can be stored with real valued synapses diverges with N as (N/ln N) * , the total amount of information stored per synapse tends to a finite limit, i , = 1/(2 In 2) = 0.721 (bits per synapse) [12]. The general picture is that, when the coding rate goes from to 0, the maximal information capacity, in bits per synapse, decreases from 2 to 1/(2 In 2). However, in the sparse coding limit simple learning rules, of the Hebb type, give very good performance and in some cases the maximal theoretical capacity i , can even be reached [ 111. One of the most interesting rules was introduced long ago by Willshaw et a/ …
Early language experience and underspecified phonological representations

Taking as a premise that phonological working memory (PWM) influences later language development, in their keynote article, Pierce, Genesee, Delcenserie, and Morgan aim to specify the relations between early language input and the development of PWM in terms of separable influences of timing, quantity, and quality of early language input. We concur that prior work has established that PWM and language development have reciprocal influences on one another during development (e.g., Baddeley, Gathercole, & Papagno, 1998; Gathercole, 2006; Gathercole, Hitch, Service, & Martin, 1997; Metsala & Chisolm, 2010). The goal of the keynote article was to describe how early language experience may influence the development of PWM. Pierce et al. argue that this can be done by comparing the development of PWM across groups of children with differing language experiences during early childhood, specifically (a) delayed exposure to language, (b) impoverished language input, or (c) enriched language input. The authors suggest that this comparison may contribute to establishing that individual differences in PWM are due, in part, to early language experience. Sensitive periods for phonological development that are open roughly in the first year of life are discussed, and it is suggested that the quantity and quality of early language input shapes the quality of phonological representations. Efforts to specify mechanisms by which early language input may influence the development of PWM have both theoretical and, potentially, clinical importance. Considering this, Pierce et al.’s article, which aims to create a platform for future research in terms of the timing, quantity, and quality of early language input, is a valuable contribution.
Perceived Impact of Entrepreneurship Education on Career Development among Undergraduates in South-South Universities in Nigeria: Implication for Counselling.

This study investigated the perceived impact of entrepreneurship education on career development among undergraduates in south-south universities in Nigeria. To guide the study four research questions were generated and one hypothesis formulated, which was tested at 0.05 level of significance. The study employed an expost facto research design. The population of the study consists of all undergraduates in south-south universities in Nigeria. Sample size consists of 150 students who were randomly drawn and who had undertaken entrepreneurship studies. The main instrument for the study was a questionnaire titled Entrepreneurship Education and career development scale (EECDS). Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics for the research questions and t-test for hypothesis. The result showed that there are inadequate facilities and effective teaching and learning of entrepreneurship education in Nigerian universities. Moreover, it was also found that the students were of the view that entrepreneurship education will provide training that would make undergraduates creative and innovative if the programme is properly implemented.
Potential for greenhouse aeroponic cultivation of Urtica dioica

Resent studies investigating aeroponic cultivation of medicinal plants have provided encouraging results for increasing yields, shortening time to maturity, and improving consistency and overall quality of produce over field production. The goal of the current study was to determine the applicability of aeroponic technology for the cultivation of the traditionally field grown herbaceous medicinal plant Urtica dioica. In addition, we investigated if control of nutrient delivery and repeated harvesting practices could be utilized to increase and direct yield of desired plant parts. Comparison of root and shoot dry weights between treatments revealed; (1) U. dioica cultivated in soil-less medium yielded equal shoot biomass and greater root biomass than aeroponically cultivated plants, (2) potassium and phosphorus ratios within the nutrient solution had no significant impact on yield or biomass allocation, and (3) multiple harvesting of aeroponic roots and shoots yielded greater total biomass of both roots and shoots than a multi-crop replanting strategy. Results suggest aeroponic technology could be a powerful tool for the cultivation U. dioica as well as a variety of other important herbaceous medicinal plants. However, further optimization of the plant growing environment is required to maximize and direct growth.
Temporal sequence of major biochemical events during blood bank storage of packed red blood cells.

BACKGROUND We used sensitive spectroscopic techniques to measure changes in Band 3 oligomeric state during storage of packed red blood cells (RBC); these changes were compared to metabolic changes, RBC morphology, cholesterol and membrane protein loss, phospholipid reorganisation of the RBC membrane, and peroxidation of membrane lipid. The aim of the study was to temporally sequence major biochemical events occurring during cold storage, in order to determine which changes may underlie the structural defects in stored RBC. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifteen RBC units were collected from normal volunteers and stored under standard blood bank conditions; both metabolic changes and lipid parameters were measured by multiple novel assays including a new mass spectrometric measurement of isoprostane (lipid peroxidation) and flow cytometric assessment of CD47 expression. Band 3 oligomeric state was assessed by time-resolved phosphorescence anisotropy, and RBC morphology by microscopy of glutaraldehyde-fixed RBC. RESULTS Extracellular pH decreased and extracellular potassium increased rapidly during cold storage. Band 3 on the RBC membrane aggregated into large oligomers early in the storage period and coincident with changes in RBC morphology. Membrane lipid changes, including loss of unesterified cholesterol, lipid peroxidation and expression of CD47, also changed early during the storage period. In contrast loss of acetylcholinesterase activity and haemolysis of RBC occurred late during storage. DISCUSSION Our results demonstrate that changes in the macromolecular organisation of membrane proteins on the RBC occur early in storage and suggest that lipid peroxidation and/or oxidative damage to the membrane are responsible for irreversible morphological changes and loss of function during red cell storage.
AN ANALYSIS OF CODE SWITCHING IN FACEBOOK: A DISCOURSE APPROACH

This study aimed at identifying the type of code switching used in the facebook and finding out the reasons why the people switched their language. The respondents of this study were Indonesianfacebook users. The data were taken from 10 facebookusers' profiles comment and status columns. The writer found that the facebookers used three types of code switching namely: tag switching, inter-sentential switching and intra-sentential switching. The facebookers switched their language for: (1) the activation of the speakers’ speech repertoire, (2) style markers, (3) switch the code, (4) switch for emphasis, (5) switch to indicate topic, (6) switch to separate feelings from facts, (7) switch to frame discourse, and (8) switch to intent on clarifying the speech content for the interlocutor
Dysbiosis of the Fecal Microbiota in Cattle Infected with Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis

Johne's disease (JD) is a chronic, intestinal infection of cattle, caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP). It results in granulomatous inflammation of the intestinal lining, leading to malabsorption, diarrhea, and weight loss. Crohn’s disease (CD), a chronic, inflammatory gastrointestinal disease of humans, has many clinical and pathologic similarities to JD. Dysbiosis of the enteric microbiota has been demonstrated in CD patients. It is speculated that this dysbiosis may contribute to the intestinal inflammation observed in those patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the diversity patterns of fecal bacterial populations in cattle infected with MAP, compared to those of uninfected control cattle, using phylogenomic analysis. Fecal samples were selected to include samples from 20 MAP-positive cows; 25 MAP-negative herdmates; and 25 MAP-negative cows from a MAP-free herd. The genomic DNA was extracted; PCR amplified sequenced on a 454 Roche platform, and analyzed using QIIME. Approximately 199,077 reads were analyzed from 70 bacterial communities (average of 2,843 reads/sample). The composition of bacterial communities differed between the 3 treatment groups (P < 0.001; Permanova test). Taxonomic assignment of the operational taxonomic units (OTUs) identified 17 bacterial phyla across all samples. Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes constituted more than 95% of the bacterial population in the negative and exposed groups. In the positive group, lineages of Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria increased and those of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes decreased (P < 0.001). Actinobacteria was highly abundant (30% of the total bacteria) in the positive group compared to exposed and negative groups (0.1–0.2%). Notably, the genus Arthrobacter was found to predominate Actinobacteria in the positive group. This study indicates that MAP-infected cattle have a different composition of their fecal microbiota than MAP-negative cattle.
Modular Premotor Drives and Unit Bursts as Primitives for Frog Motor Behaviors

Spinal cord modularity impacts on our understanding of reflexes, development, descending systems in normal motor control, and recovery from injury. We used independent component analysis and best-basis or matching pursuit wavepacket analysis to extract the composition and temporal structure of bursts in hindlimb muscles of frogs. These techniques make minimal a priori assumptions about drive and motor pattern structure. We compared premotor drive and burst structures in spinal frogs with less reduced frogs with a fuller repertoire of locomotory, kicking, and scratching behaviors. Six multimuscle drives explain most of the variance of motor patterns (∼80%). Each extracted drive was activated with pulses at a single time scale or common duration (∼275 msec) burst structure. The data show that complex behaviors in brainstem frogs arise as a result of focusing drives to smaller core groups of muscles. Brainstem drives were subsets of the muscle groups from spinal frogs. The 275 msec burst duration was preserved across all behaviors and was most precise in brainstem frogs. These data support a modular decomposition of frog behaviors into a small collection of unit burst generators and associated muscle drives in spinal cord. Our data also show that the modular organization of drives seen in isolated spinal cord is fine-tuned by descending controls to enable a fuller movement repertoire. The unit burst generators and their associated muscle synergies extracted here link the biomechanical “primitives,” described earlier in the frog, rat, and cat, and to the elements of pattern generation examined in fictive preparations.