Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Deontic Conditionals : Weak and Strong *

Discussions of the Miners Puzzle have prompted renewed interest in how deontic modals can be sensitive to relevant information. Linguistic phenomena involving information-sensitivity have beenused tomotivate general claims about the interpretation of modals and conditionals. These generalizations have been premature. Theorists have focused on a limited range of cases. Nearly all examples use weak necessity modals (‘ought’, ‘should’), and little if any attention is paid to how context affects speakers’ judgments. This leaves existing theories ill-equipped to capture further data (presented in this paper) involving possibility modals and strong necessity modals in a range of discourse contexts. Indeed I argue that puzzles concerning information-sensitivity arise because of features unique to weak necessity modals. We can explain the data concerning information-sensitivity without revising our understanding of modals and conditionals in general. All that is needed is an independently motivated semantics forweaknecessitymodals. Considering the broader spectrum of examples elucidates the variety of expressive resources at our disposal for coordinating our actions and expectations in conversation, deliberation,
Understanding the link between professional learning communities and teacher collective efficacy

ABSTRACT Research suggests effective professional learning communities (PLCs) enhance teacher collaboration and student achievement. Some studies indicate that these communities also predict greater collective efficacy, while others suggest teacher efficacy is predictive of teachers working together. Although studies have identified effective, research-based PLC practices, how these specific practices effect collective efficacy has not been thoroughly studied. This study, using structural equation modeling (SEM), investigated the relationship between PLCs and teachers’ collective efficacy drawing on 310 surveys from 16 schools in 1 district that had systematically implemented PLCs. Our findings showed that higher functioning PLCs predict higher levels of teacher collective efficacy (TCE). This suggests that engaging and supporting teachers in PLC work, as this district did, can lead to enhanced collective efficacy, which in turn can contribute to improved student achievement.
Statystyczna analiza aktywności internetowej śląskiej młodzieży w kontekście uzależnienia od Internetu

Streszczenie: Artykuł prezentuje aktualne i ważne ze społecznego punktu widzenia zagadnienia związane z użytkowaniem Internetu przez młodzież w wieku 13-19 lat. Głównym celem prowadzonych badań było zbadanie śląskiej młodzieży (gimnazjalnej i ponadgimnazjalnej) pod kątem posiadania i wykorzystywania nowoczesnych środków komunikacji w życiu codziennym, szczególnie tych z dostępem do Internetu. Istotą badania jest poznanie celów oraz intensywności korzystania z Internetu, stopnia wyposażenia młodzieży w nowoczesne środki komunikacji, poznanie różnego rodzaju aktywności internetowej, a także określenie skali zjawiska i czynników ryzyka nadużywania Internetu przez śląską młodzież. Dodatkowym celem jest zbadanie wpływu Internetu na zagrożenie uzależnieniem od tego medium, występującego coraz częściej wśród osób młodych.
One-Year and Full Reserve Risk for the Bayesian Additive Loss Reserving Method

In this paper we consider the additive loss reserving (ALR) method in a Bayesian set up. The classical ALR method is a simple claims reserving method which combines prior information (e.g. premium, number of contracts, market statistics) and claims observations. The presented Bayesian set up allows in addition for combining the information from a single run-off portfolio (e.g. company specific data) with the information from a collective (e.g. industry-wide data) to analyze the claims reserves and the claims development result. We derive credibility predictors and analyze their properties within this Bayesian framework. Using non-informative priors we link to the classical ALR method and show that the credibility predictors coincide with the predictors in the classical ALR method. Moreover, we quantify the one-year and the full reserve risk by the conditional mean square error of prediction.
Psycho-Social Predictors of Childbirth Fear in Pregnant Women: An Australian Study

Background: Around 20% of birthing women report high levels of childbirth fear. Fear potentially impacts women’s emotional health, preparation for birth, and birth outcomes. Evidence suggests that personal and external factors contribute to childbirth fear, however results vary. Aim: To identify pyscho-social factors associated with childbirth fear and possible antenatal predictors of childbirth fear according to women’s parity. Method: 1410 women in second trimester and attending one of three public hospitals in south-east Queensland were screened for childbirth fear using the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire (W-DEQ). Other measures included the Edinburgh Depression Scale (EPDS), Decisional Conflict Scale (DCS) and items from the EuroQol (EQ-5D) targeting Anxiety/Depression and Pain/Discomfort. In addition items measuring a previous mental health condition, social support and knowledge were used. Preferred mode of birth was also collected. Psycho-social factors were analysed to determine associations with childbirth fear. Multivariate analysis was used to determine predictors of fear. Results: Thirty-one percent (n = 190/604) of nulliparous and 18% (n = 143/782) of multiparous women reported high fear levels. Having a mental health history, desiring a caesarean section, reporting moderate to high pain during pregnancy, having a non-supportive partner and perceiving less childbirth knowledge than peers, were associated with childbirth fear. Standard multiple regression analyses by parity determined that depression, decisional conflict, low social support and less perceived knowledge predicted levels of childbirth fear. The model explained 32.4% of variance in childbirth fear for nulliparous and 29.4% for multiparous women. Conclusion: Psychosocial factors are significantly associated with childbirth fear. The identification of predictive psychosocial factors for childbirth fear indicates the importance of observing, assessing, and developing support strategies for women. Such strategies are required to decrease anxiety and depression for women during pregnancy, promote normal birth, and build social support to improve women’s feelings and positive expectations of birth.
Linking human well-being and jellyfish: ecosystem services, impacts and societal responses

Jellyfish are usually perceived as harmful to humans and are seen as “pests”. This negative perception has hindered knowledge regarding their value in terms of ecosystem services. As humans increasingly modify and interact with coastal ecosystems, it is important to evaluate the benefits and costs of jellyfish, given that jellyfish bloom size, frequency, duration, and extent are apparently increasing in some regions of the world. Here we explore those benefits and costs as categorized by regulating, supporting, cultural, and provisioning ecosystem services. A geographical perspective of human vulnerability to jellyfish over four categories of human well-being (health care, food, energy, and freshwater production) is also discussed in the context of thresholds and trade-offs to enable social adaptation. Whereas beneficial services provided by jellyfish likely scale linearly with biomass (perhaps peaking at a saturation point), non-linear thresholds exist for negative impacts to ecosystem services. We sugge.
Sensitivity studies on the photolysis rates calculation in Amazonian atmospheric chemistry – Part I: The impact of the direct radiative effect of biomass burning aerosol particles

Abstract. The impact of the direct radiative effect of the aerosol particles on the calculation of the photolysis rates and consequently on the atmospheric chemistry in regional smoke clouds due to biomass burning over the Amazon basin is addressed in this work. It explores a case study for 19 September 2002 at LBA-RACCI-SMOCC (The Large-Scale Biosphere-Atmosphere experiment in Amazonia – Radiation, Cloud, and Climate Interactions – Smoke, Aerosols, Clouds, Rainfall and Climate) pasture site in SW Amazonia. The Tropospheric Ultraviolet Visible radiation model (TUV) version 4.2, (Madronich et al., 1987) is used for the photolysis rates calculation considering the layer aerosol optical depth from the Coupled Aerosol Tracer Transport model to the Brazilian Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (CATT-BRAMS) (Freitas et al., 2005). A dynamical aerosol model (Procopio et al., 2003) is included in the radiative transfer model to take into account the high temporal variability of the aerosol optical thickness. This methodology is tested by comparing modeled and measured clear sky solar irradiances. The results show a good agreement with measured PAR radiation values. The actinic flux attenuation, for AOT (500 nm) values around 1.94, decreases the photolysis rates by about 70% in the presence of near-ground smoke aerosol and above the smoke layer the photolysis process tends to increase by about 40%. A simulation of the ozone production is carried out using a one-dimensional photochemical box model and comparisons with observation are shown.
The Association between Helicobacter pylori Infection and Chronic Hepatitis C: A Meta-Analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis

Purpose. Helicobacter pylori is a common gastric disease-inducing pathogen. Although an increasing number of recent studies have shown that H. pylori is a risk factor for liver disease, the potential association between H. pylori infection and chronic hepatitis C still remains controversial. The aim of our meta-analysis was to evaluate a potential association between H. pylori infection and chronic hepatitis C. Methods. We searched the PubMed, Embase, CNKI, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) databases between January 1, 1994, and May 1, 2015. Results. This study included a total of 1449 patients with chronic hepatitis C and 2377 control cases. The prevalence of H. pylori was significantly higher in patients with chronic hepatitis C than in those without chronic hepatitis C. The pooled odds ratio was 2.93. In a subgroup analysis, the odds ratios were 4.48 for hepatitis C virus- (HCV-) related cirrhosis and 5.45 for hepatocellular carcinoma. Conclusion. Our study found a strong association between H. pylori and chronic hepatitis C, particularly during the HCV progression stage; thus, we recommend active screening for H. pylori in patients with chronic hepatitis C.
Automated Variational Inference in Probabilistic Programming

We present a new algorithm for approximate inference in probabilistic programs, based on a stochastic gradient for variational programs. This method is efficient without restrictions on the probabilistic program; it is particularly practical for distributions which are not analytically tractable, including highly structured distributions that arise in probabilistic programs. We show how to automatically derive mean-field probabilistic programs and optimize them, and demonstrate that our perspective improves inference efficiency over other algorithms.
Intermolecular epistasis shaped the function and evolution of an ancient transcription factor and its DNA binding sites

Complexes of specifically interacting molecules, such as transcription factor proteins (TFs) and the DNA response elements (REs) they recognize, control most biological processes, but little is known concerning the functional and evolutionary effects of epistatic interactions across molecular interfaces. We experimentally characterized all combinations of genotypes in the joint protein-DNA sequence space defined by an historical transition in TF-RE specificity that occurred some 500 million years ago in the DNA-binding domain of an ancient steroid hormone receptor. We found that rampant epistasis within and between the two molecules was essential to specific TF-RE recognition and to the evolution of a novel TF-RE complex with unique derived specificity. Permissive and restrictive epistatic mutations across the TF-RE interface opened and closed potential evolutionary paths accessible by the other, making the evolution of each molecule contingent on its partner's history and allowing a molecular complex with novel specificity to evolve. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.07864. 001
Echinacea and elderberry—should they be used against upper respiratory tract infections during pregnancy?

This review evaluates the safety of echinacea and elderberry in pregnancy. Both herbs are commonly used to prevent or treat upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) and surveys have shown that they are also used by pregnant women. The electronic databases PubMed, ISI Web of Science, AMED, EMBASE, Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, and Cochrane Library were searched from inception to November 2013. Relevant references from the acquired articles were included. No clinical trials concerning safety of either herb in pregnancy were identified. One prospective human study and two small animal studies of safety of echinacea in pregnancy were identified. No animal- or human studies of safety of elderberry in pregnancy were identified. Twenty clinical trials concerning efficacy of various echinacea preparations in various groups of the population were identified between 1995 and 2013. Three clinical trials concerning efficacy of two different elderberry preparations were identified between 1995 and 2013. The results from the human and animal studies of Echinacea sp. are not sufficient to conclude on the safety in pregnancy. The prospective, controlled study in humans found no increase in risk of major malformations. The efficacy of Echinacea sp. is dubious based on the identified studies. Over 2000 persons were given the treatment, but equal amounts of studies of good quality found positive and negative results. All three clinical trials of Elderberry concluded that it is effective against influenza, but only 77 persons were given the treatment. Due to lack of evidence of efficacy and safety, health care personnel should not advice pregnant women to use echinacea or elderberry against upper respiratory tract infection.
ANALISIS KEMAMPUAN KOMUNIKASI MATEMATIS DALAM PEMECAHAN MASALAH MATEMATIKA SESUAI DENGAN GAYA KOGNITIF DAN GENDER

The purpose of this research was describing the ability of mathematical communication in solving the mathematics problem. This research was include of study case situation analysis research. The subjects of this research consisted of four students of Class IXb of the ninth grade SMP N 1 Batanghari in the second semester of the academic year 2012/2013. They were two students who had field dependence cognitive style and two students who had field independence cognitive style. The subjects were taken by using the purposive sampling technique. The data of this research were gathered through think aloud method. The data were then analyzed by using the technique with the procedureas follows: (1) the data were classified on the basis of the indicators of mathematical communication after the data had been obtained from the first and the second collections; (2) the data were presented in table form; and (3) the conclusions were drawn. The validity of the data was conducted by using time triangulation. The result of this research were analyzed by using constant comparison in which subject in i ( i = 1, 2) with the j ( j = 1, 2) cognitive style which was already valid as well compared with subject in k ( k = 1, 2) with the the j ( j = 1, 2) cognitive style which was already valid as well. The equal ability of mathematical communication was made the main finding wheares the different ability of mathematical communication was made the other finding. The result of this research valid because of the dependability proved. The ability of mathematical communication of the students with the field dependence cognitive style is different from that of those with the field independence cognitive style. The students with the field dependence cognitive style can communicate the ideas in written way well but they have difficulties in communicating ideas in spoken way as well as inclination to receive information without reorganizing it in such a way that the problem-solving ideas presented cannot reveal the actual problem solution. Meanwhile, the students with the field independence cognitive style can communicate the ideas well in both spoken and written ways and process as well as reorganize information in such a way that the problem-solving ideas presented can reveal the actual problem solution.
Mapping choroidal and retinal thickness variation in type 2 diabetes using three-dimensional 1060-nm optical coherence tomography.

PURPOSE To map choroidal (ChT) and retinal thickness (RT) in healthy subjects and patients with diabetes with and without maculopathy using three dimensional 1060-nm optical coherence tomography (3D-1060nm-OCT). METHODS Sixty-three eyes from 42 diabetic subjects (41-82 years of age; 11 females) grouped according to a custom scheme using Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study definitions for pathology within 1 disc-diameter of fovea (without pathology [NDR], microaneurysms [M1], exudates [M2], clinically significant macular edema [CSME]) and 16 eyes from 16 healthy age matched subjects (38-79 years of age; 11 females) were imaged by 3D-1060nm-OCT performed over a 36° × 36° field of view. Axial length, 45° fundus photographs, body mass index, plasma glucose, and blood pressure measurements were recorded. The ChT at the subfoveal location and ChT maps between RPE and the choroidal-scleral interface were generated and statistically analyzed. RESULTS RT maps show thinning in the NDR group but an increase in thickness with increasing maculopathy in the temporal and central regions (unpaired t-test; P < 0.05). ChT mapping of all diabetic patients revealed central and inferior thinning compared to healthy eyes (unpaired t-test; P < 0.001). Subfoveal ChT (mean ± SD) for healthy eyes was 327 ± 74 μm, which was significantly thicker than all diabetic groups (214 ± 55 μm for NDR, 208 ± 49 μm for M1, 205 ± 54 μm for M2, and 211 ± 76 μm for CSME (ANOVA P < 0.001; Tukey P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS 3D-1060nm-OCT has shown that the central choroid is thinner in all type 2 diabetic eyes regardless of disease stage. The choroidal thinning may exceed the magnitude of possible choriocapillaris atrophy. In contrast to the conventional assessment of pathologic thickness change in several locations, thickness maps allow investigation of the choroid over the extent of affected areas.
Rock slopes from mechanics to decision making

Rock slope instabilities are discussed in the context of decision making for risk assessment and management. Hence, the state of the slope and possible failure mechanism need to be defined first. This is done with geometrical and mechanical models for which recent developments are presented. This leads with appropriate consideration of uncertainties to risk determination and to the description of tools for risk management through active and passive countermeasures, including warning systems. The need for sensitivity analysis is then demonstrated, and final comments address updating through information collection.
Super-resolution reconstruction of low-resolution vehicle plates: A comparative study and a new algorithm

Traffic video surveillance cameras are widely used in China today. However, the resolution of the output video is very low and it is difficult tSuper-resolution image reconstruction techniqueso recognize the license number of the vehicles that broke traffic regulations. The Super-resolution image reconstruction techniques thus can be used to solve this problem. In this paper, we examine several important superresolution algorithms and developed a novel method. In the proposed algorithm, the dominant edges in the pre-reconstructed high-resolution image are first detected and back-projected onto the low-resolution image, edge-based segmentation is then applied to the observed low-resolution image. Each segmented region is extended and reconstructed separately. Finally, all the reconstructed regions are fused to get a single high-resolution image.
The use of light polarization in weak‐lensing inversions

The measurement of the integrated optical polarization of weakly gravitationally lensed galaxies can provide considerable constraints on lens models. The method outlined depends on fact that the orientation of the direction of optical polarization is not affected by weak gravitational lensing. The angle between the semi-major axis of the imaged galaxy and the direction of integrated optical polarization thus informs one of the distortion produced by the gravitational lensing. Although the method depends on the polarimetric measurement of faint galaxies, large telescopes and improved techniques should make such measurements possible in the near future.
Iterative decision-feedback differential demodulation of bit-interleaved coded MDPSK for flat Rayleigh fading channels

A simple receiver structure previously proposed by the authors for convolutional coded M-ary differential phase-shift keying transmission over flat Rayleigh fading channels without channel state information is analyzed in detail. We present a thorough discussion of the iterative decoding procedure, which is referred to as iterative decision-feedback differential demodulation (iterative DF-DM). The convergence behavior of iterative DF-DM is theoretically examined. The analysis supports the observation that the iterative decoding scheme works well for target bit-error rates which are usually of interest. Furthermore, the associated cut-off rate for error-free decision feedback is studied. Judging from this performance parameter, remarkable gains in power efficiency compared to conventional differential demodulation are indicated, while the computational complexity of the decoding remains low. The results from information theory are in good agreement with the given simulation results.
Evaluation of registration methods for sparse 3D laser scans

The registration of 3D laser scans is an important task in mapping applications. For the task of mapping with autonomous micro aerial vehicles (MAVs), we have developed a light-weight 3D laser scanner. Since the laser scanner is rotated quickly for fast omnidirectional obstacle perception, the acquired point clouds are particularly sparse and registration becomes challenging. In this paper, we present a thorough experimental evaluation of registration algorithms in order to determine the applicability of both the scanner and the registration algorithms. Using the estimated poses of the MAV, we aim at building local egocentric maps for both collision avoidance and 3D mapping. We use multiple metrics for assessing the quality of the different pose estimates and the quality of the resulting maps. In addition, we determine for all algorithms optimal sets of parameters for the challenging data. We make the recorded datasets publicly available and present results showing both the best suitable registration algorithm and the best parameter sets as well as the quality of the estimated poses and maps.
THE IMPACT OF DIVERSIFICATION ON FIRM PERFORMANCE AND RISK: AN EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE

The aim of this paper is to analyse and to test the influence of the activity perimeter on the firm performance and risk. The empirical tests follow two stages, a first one consisting in studying the diversity evolution of a sample of largest French groups. The second consists in studying the nature of the relationship linking the diversification level to the firm’s risk and performance. A longitudinal study enabled us to confirm the movement of corporate refocusing from both Herfindahl and Entropy indices. A multivariate analysis is included with dynamic panel data and finally a non monotonous relationship diversification-performance, diversification-risk are checked.