Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Students’ course experience and engagement: an attempt to bridge two lines of research on the quality of undergraduate education

Abstract This study attempts to bridge two current lines of research on the quality of undergraduate education, i.e. students’ course experiences and engagement. Defining student engagement from a psychological perspective, this study explores the relationships between students’ course experiences and their motivation and engagement with a sample of 882 Chinese undergraduates who participated in a questionnaire survey. The results of structural equation modelling indicate that, although clear goals and standards, generic skills and appropriate workload positively relate to student engagement, appropriate assessment has a dual effect, while good teaching and emphasis on independence have undesirable, negative effects on students’ motivation and engagement. These findings reveal the potential of combining the two lines of research, and reflect some characteristics of teaching and learning in Chinese higher education institutions. The results have implications for enhancing the quality of undergraduate education in China.
Support for Multimedia on the Web

Distributed multimedia applications are currently being supported by a growing number of services. However, characteristic requirements of these applications such as higher bandwidth, bounded transmission delay, channel synchronization etc. have led to the need for efficient protocols and schemes used at all layers of the protocol stack from the network to the application layer. An attempt has been made in the paper to analyze the communication requirements of distributed multimedia applications, current networking technologies and communication protocols that support multimedia transmission and finally, software frameworks that support application development and presentation of multimedia content on the web.
Forecasting breeding opportunities for the red-billed quelea in southern Africa. The 2003 EUMETSAT Meteorological Satellite Conference, Weimar, Germany. 29 September-3 October 2003.

Red-billed Quelea birds (Quelea quelea) are major pests of small-grain crops throughout sub-Saharan Africa. These abundant birds breed colonially when conditions permit, migrating long distances, sometimes more than 2000km, to seek appropriate breeding areas or to avoid food shortage. The birds breed in the wet season and spend the dry seasons where there are sufficient seeds of their preferred grasses available. At the start of the rains, grass seeds germinate after a threshold quantity of rain has fallen, forcing the birds to move to zones where the seeds have yet to germinate. When rain reaches the latter areas, the birds are forced to move again, usually returning in “early-rains migrations” in the direction whence they came. By this time sufficient rain needs to have fallen to exceed another threshold within a restricted period for the new grass to have produced fresh seed. Breeding may then commence. It is the fledging birds that cause most damage to agriculture. The adult birds may then move on “breeding migrations” to nest again in the same season. Using estimates of rainfall derived from Meteosat Cold Cloud Duration (CCD) data, a spatiotemporal model has been devised. This shows at weekly intervals those areas where (a) the wet season has not yet started; (b) the early-rains migration threshold has been exceeded; (c) the threshold to permit breeding has been exceeded and (d) conditions are no longer suitable for new colonies to be established. The model is described and results of validating it using data on breeding by southern African populations of quelea (Q. q. lathamii) discussed in relation to control strategies.
Higher Order Naïve Bayes: A Novel Non-IID Approach to Text Classification

The underlying assumption in traditional machine learning algorithms is that instances are Independent and Identically Distributed (IID). These critical independence assumptions made in traditional machine learning algorithms prevent them from going beyond instance boundaries to exploit latent relations between features. In this paper, we develop a general approach to supervised learning by leveraging higher order dependencies between features. We introduce a novel Bayesian framework for classification termed Higher Order Naïve Bayes (HONB). Unlike approaches that assume data instances are independent, HONB leverages higher order relations between features across different instances. The approach is validated in the classification domain on widely used benchmark data sets. Results obtained on several benchmark text corpora demonstrate that higher order approaches achieve significant improvements in classification accuracy over the baseline methods, especially when training data is scarce. A complexity analysis also reveals that the space and time complexity of HONB compare favorably with existing approaches.
Absolute Quantification by Positron Emission Tomography of the Endogenous Ligand

The results of several recent papers have shown a significant influence of the endogenous neurotransmitters on the exogenous ligand kinetics measured by positron emission tomography. For example, several groups found that the percentage of D2 receptor sites occupied by the endogenous dopamine ranged from 25% to 40% at basal level. An obvious consequence of this significant occupancy is that the ligand-receptor model parameters, usually estimated by a model that does not take into account the endogenous ligand (EL) kinetics, can be significantly biased. In the current work, the authors studied the biases obtained by using the multiinjection approach. The results showed that in the classical ligand-receptor model, the receptor concentration is correctly estimated and that only the apparent affinity is biased by not taking the EL into account. At present, all absolute quantifications of the EL have been obtained through pharmacologic manipulation of the endogenous transmitter concentration, which is often too invasive a method to be used in patients. A theoretical reasoning showed that a noninvasive approach is necessarily based on both the apparent affinity measurement and on a multiregion approach. The correlation between the receptor concentration and the apparent affinity, previously observed with some ligands, verifies these two conditions; thus, the authors suggest that this correlation could be the result of the EL effect. To test this assumption experimentally, the effect of reserpine-induced dopamine depletion on the interactions between the D2 receptor sites and the FLB 457 is studied. With untreated baboons, the apparent FLB 457 affinity was smaller in the receptor-rich regions (striatum) than in the receptor-poor regions. This discrepancy disappeared after dopamine depletion, strongly suggesting that this affinity difference was related to the EL effect. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to test the ability to quantify the EL based on the observed correlation between the receptor concentration and the apparent affinity. This approach offers a method for estimating the percentage of receptor sites occupied by the EL and, if its affinity is known, the free EL concentration. From the data obtained using FLB 457 with baboons, the authors found that approximately 53% of the D2 receptor sites are occupied by dopamine in the striatum and that the free dopamine concentration is approximately 120 nmol/L at basal level. This approach is transferable to patients, because the experimental data are obtained without pharmacologically induced modification of the EL.
WMAP-compliant benchmark surfaces for MSSM Higgs bosons

We explore `benchmark surfaces' suitable for studying the phenomenology of Higgs bosons in the minimal supersymmetric extension of the Standard Model (MSSM), which are chosen so that the supersymmetric relic density is generally compatible with the range of cold dark matter density preferred by WMAP and other observations. These benchmark surfaces are specified assuming that gaugino masses m1/2, soft trilinear supersymmetry-breaking parameters A0 and the soft supersymmetry-breaking contributions m0 to the squark and slepton masses are universal, but not those associated with the Higgs multiplets (the NUHM framework). The benchmark surfaces may be presented as (MA, tan β) planes with fixed or systematically varying values of the other NUHM parameters, such as m0, m1/2, A0 and the Higgs mixing parameter μ. We discuss the prospects for probing experimentally these benchmark surfaces at the Tevatron collider, the LHC, the ILC, in B physics and in direct dark-matter detection experiments. An appendix documents developments in the FeynHiggs code that enable the user to explore for her/himself the WMAP-compliant benchmark surfaces.
Molecular Resistance Fingerprint of Pemetrexed and Platinum in a Long-Term Survivor of Mesothelioma

Background Pemetrexed, a multi-folate inhibitor combined with a platinum compound is the first-line treatment of malignant mesothelioma, but median survival is still one year. Intrinsic and acquired resistance to pemetrexed is common, but its biological basis is obscure. Here we report for the first time a genome-wide profile of acquired resistance in the tumour from an exceptional case with advanced pleural mesothelioma and almost six years survival after 39 cycles of second-line pemetrexed/carboplatin treatment. Methodology and Principal Findings Genome-wide analysis with Illumina BeadChip Kit of 25,000 genes was performed on mRNA from pre-treatment and post-resistance biopsies from this individual as well on case and control samples from our previously published study (in total 17 samples). Cell specific expression of proteins encoded by selected genes were analysed by immunohistochemistry. Serial serum levels of CA125, CYFRA21-1 and SMRP levels were examined. TS protein, the main target of pemetrexed was overexpressed. Proteins and genes related to DNA damage response, elongation and telomere extension and repair related directly and indirectly to platinum resistance were overexpressed, as the CHK1 protein and the genes CHEK2, LIG3, POLD1, POLA2, FANCD2, PRPF19, RECQ5 respectively, the last two not previously described in mesothelioma. We observed a down-regulation of leukocyte transendothelial migration and cell adhesion molecules pathways. Silencing of NT5C in two mesothelioma cell lines did not sensitize the cells to Pemetrexed. Proposed resistance markers are TS, KRT7/ CK7, TYMP/ thymidine phosphorylase and down-regulated SPARCL1 and CDKN1B. Moreover, comparison of the primary expression of the sensitive versus a primary resistant case showed multi-fold overexpressed DNA repair, cell cycle, cytokinesis, and spindle formation in the latter. Serum CA125 and SMRP reflected the clinical and radiological course and tumour burden. Conclusions Genome-wide microarray of mesothelioma pre- and post-resistance biopsies indicated a novel resistance signature to pemetrexed/carboplatin that deserve validation in a larger cohort.
On the Queue-Number of Graphs with Bounded Tree-Width

A queue layout of a graph consists of a linear order on the vertices and an assignment of the edges to queues, such that no two edges in a single queue are nested. The minimum number of queues needed in a queue layout of a graph is called its queue-number. We show that for each $k\geq1$, graphs with tree-width at most $k$ have queue-number at most $2^k-1$. This improves upon double exponential upper bounds due to Dujmovic et al. and Giacomo et al. As a consequence we obtain that these graphs have track-number at most $2^{O(k^2)}$. We complement these results by a construction of $k$-trees that have queue-number at least $k+1$. Already in the case $k=2$ this is an improvement to existing results and solves a problem of Rengarajan and Veni Madhavan, namely, that the maximal queue-number of $2$-trees is equal to $3$.
The Principle of Proportional Ownership, Investor Protection and Firm Value in Western Europe

Previous research initiated by Claessens et al. (2002) has established a value discount of disproportional ownership structures. Due to omitted variables problems it is difficult to provide a causal interpretation of these findings. We provide a thorough analysis of this value discount in a large sample of Western European firms, which strengthens the causal interpretation that the discount is driven by incentive and entrenchment effects. First, we show that the value discount is higher in firms with low cash flow concentration, in family firms, in industries with higher amenity value and in countries with better investor protection. Second, we show that these findings are consistent with the predictions of a theoretical model of incentive and entrenchment effects. Third, we find little empirical evidence for a number of alternative omitted variable explanations, including: protection of private benefits; voting and block premia; low-liquidity discount; and, protection against uninvited takeovers. Fourth, we present the puzzling finding that the value discount is significantly higher in firms with dual class shares than in firms with pyramidal ownership. Fifth, we find no impact of disproportional ownership structures on operating performance. Finally, we discuss policy implications of these findings in relationship to the ongoing process of harmonization of the European capital markets.
Ca(2+)-induced high amplitude swelling and cytochrome c release from wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) mitochondria under anoxic stress.

Under stress conditions, mitochondria sense metabolic changes, e.g. in pH, cytoplasmic Ca(2+), energy status, and reactive oxygen species (ROS), and respond by induction of the permeability transition pore (PTP) and by releasing cytochrome c, thus initiating the programmed cell death (PCD) cascade in animal cells. In plant cells, the presence of all the components of the cascade has not yet been shown. In wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) root mitochondria, the onset of anoxia caused rapid dissipation of the inner membrane potential, initial shrinkage of the mitochondrial matrix and the release of previously accumulated Ca(2+). Ca(2+) uptake by mitochondria was dependent on the presence of inorganic phosphate. Treatment of mitochondria with high micromolar and millimolar Ca(2+) (but not Mg(2+)) concentrations induced high amplitude swelling, indicative of PTP opening. Alterations in mitochondrial volume were confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. Mitochondrial swelling was not sensitive to cyclosporin A (CsA)-an inhibitor of mammalian PTP. The release of cytochrome c was monitored under lack of oxygen. Anoxia alone failed to induce cytochrome c release from mitochondria. Oxygen deprivation and Ca(2+) ions together caused cytochrome c release in a CsA-insensitive manner. This process correlated positively with Ca(2+) concentration and required Ca(2+) localization in the mitochondrial matrix. Functional characteristics of wheat root mitochondria, such as membrane potential, Ca(2+) transport, swelling, and cytochrome c release under lack of oxygen are discussed in relation to PCD.
Single-Image Motion Deblurring Using Normalized Nonlinear Diffusion Regularization

Motion deblur is a very hot and hard research topic currently because it is an ill-posed problem. In this paper, we proposed using normalized nonlinear diffusion regularization for motion deblurring. To reduce the complexity of solving the deblurring equation, a fast method called Split method is used. Because the result derived from the energy function give the lowest cost, our method doesn't need any auxiliary method for solving the energy function besides multiscale implementation. Using the estimated kernel, the final clear image can be got by total variation method. Experiments demonstrate the validity of the proposed method.
Intrahousehold Preference Heterogeneity , Commitment , and Strategic Savings : Theory and Evidence from Kenya ∗

When discount factors within the household differ, implementing the ex-ante Pareto efficient consumption allocation requires the ability to adhere to binding intertemporal contracts. In the absence of commitment, the availability of a “private” savings technology (a device that is only accessible by a single owner) may incite individuals to take costly strategic savings action in order to manipulate the time path of consumption. This paper presents a model that formalizes this idea and derives several testable theoretical implications. In particular, households where husbands and wives are well matched in terms of time preference should make greater use of joint (public) accounts, less use of individual (private) accounts, and make more efficient investment choices as compared to their poorly matched peers. The model informed the design of a field experiment where married couples in rural Kenya were given the opportunity to open joint and individual bank accounts at randomly assigned interest rates. The behavior of individuals in the experiment is inconsistent with ex-ante Pareto efficiency and a variety of alternative models of intrahousehold resource allocation, but consistent with the proposed model of strategic savings. Savings misallocation due to strategic behavior may be substantial: in the experiment poorly matched couples forgo at least 64 percent more interest than well matched couples. ∗I thank my advisors, Abhijit Banerjee, Esther Duflo, and Tavneet Suri for invaluable advice and feedback at all stages of this project. I am also grateful to Dan Keniston, Cynthia Kinnan, Ben Olken, Rob Townsend, the participants of the MIT Development and Applied Micro Lunches, and the faculty and participants of the Russell Sage Foundation Summer Institute in Behavioral Economics for many useful comments. This project would not have been possible without the tireless assistance, hard work, and commitment of many employees of Family Bank. I am particularly indebted to Victor Keriri Mwangi, Steve Mararo, and Michael Aswani Were. I also thank Noreen Makana for her superb field management, Moses Baraza for his expert advice, and the IPA enumerators for their excellent assistance with the data collection. I gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Russell Sage Foundation, the George and Obie Shultz Fund, MIT’s Jameel Poverty Action Lab, and the National Science Foundation’s Graduate Research Fellowship. All errors are my own. †sschaner@mit.edu
Enhancing psychotherapy for people with psychosis by understanding the experiences and attitudes of the psychologist

Scope: This thesis reviews and extends on research demonstrating that the combination of psychotic and substance use disorder presents treatment services and providers with a unique set of complexities. Treatment challenges in relation to engagement, alliance and retention are explored. A critical review of the relevant literature as well as manuscript prepared describing the study arising from this review
A Fuzzy Description Logic Approach to Model Management in R&D Project Selection

Project selection is an important task in R&D project management. Several mathematical and decision models have been proposed for R&D project selection and current efforts have been on the effective model management approaches. In order to provide a formal and semantically rich method for model representation and to support content-rich formal reasoning, this paper proposes a fuzzy description logic approach to model management in R&D project selection. In the proposed approach, ontology engineering is applied to design the architecture of model management system, and fuzzy description logic is proposed to represent the modeling knowledge. Thus it can represent the imprecise and vague information, which is common in R&D project selection. A decision support system has also been developed based on the proposed approach. It is used to facilitate the selection of project proposals in the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC). The application results show that the proposed method supports effective model management for R&D project selection.
CT and MR imaging findings and their implications in the follow-up of patients with intracranial aneurysms treated with endosaccular occlusion with onyx.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Our purpose was to describe the CT and MR features of intracranial aneurysms occluded with the liquid polymer Onyx. METHODS At two centers, 35 aneurysms in 33 patients and 11 in nine patients were treated with the polymer. In 17 patients, adjunctive stents were placed at the aneurysm neck. All but three aneurysms originated from the internal carotid artery (ICA). Eighteen were giant; 15, large; and 13, small. Patients underwent pre- and postprocedural CT and/or MR imaging; MR angiograms (MRAs) were available in 22. In 35 patients (38 aneurysms), 3-month and/or 1-year follow-up angiograms were obtained for correlation with sectional images. RESULTS Except in two small aneurysms, polymer filling created beam hardening artifacts on CT scans. In 10 aneurysms, the polymer did not fill the aneurysm sac entirely; five showed recanalization at follow-up. On MR images (all sequences), the polymer appeared hypointense, probably because of its tantalum content; it did not create artifacts. MRAs falsely suggested reduced or absent ICA flow in 11 of 22 patients, nine of whom with stents. In the rest, MRA provided results comparable to those of selective angiography. In 12 patients, postprocedural imaging revealed new lesions. CONCLUSION Onyx appears hypointense on MR images, with no artifact, and it does not interfere with MRA except in patients with stents. MR imaging may reveal new parenchymal lesions, even in asymptomatic patients. In the immediate control and follow-up of polymer-treated aneurysms, MR imaging and MRA may be preferred. CT may show the degree of filling in the aneurysmal sac, but Onyx creates artifacts that hinder CT evaluation.
Non-Suicidal Self-Injury in UK Prisoners

ABSTRACT Morbidity related to non-suicidal self-injury is highly prevalent in prisoners. Women carry the largest burden yet gender-specific characteristics are not fully understood. A national prisoner survey in England and Wales was examined for risk factors and correlates associated with non-suicidal self-injury during current prison term and gender among prisoners generally, and females more specifically. The large, representative survey produced a stratified sample of 3142 prisoners (1121 male sentenced prisoners, 1250 male remand prisoners and 771 female prisoners). Prevalence of non-suicidal self-injury was 6.6% (5.7% among males and 9.6% among females). Female gender conferred a significantly higher risk (OR 1.77, 95% CI 1.32 – 2.38, p < 0.001). The most prominent variables that appeared important in the relationship between female gender and non-suicidal self-injury were: past sexual abuse, previous suicide attempt, mental health problems in prison, current medication use, unwanted sexual attention in prison and presence of anxiety disorder.
Neglected but Exciting Concepts in Developmental and Neurobiological Psychology

This review provides an evaluative overview of five concepts specific to developmental and neurobiological psychology that are found to be largely overlooked in current textbooks. A sample of 19 introductory psychology texts was surveyed to develop a list, including glial cell signaling, grandmother cells, memory reconsolidation, brain plasticity, and moral judgements by infants. These topics are relatively new, have proven to be of high impact in their respective fields, but are rarely discussed in psychological textbooks or by instructors in the classroom. In addition to a brief, but detailed background on each of the concepts, potential textbook chapters and classroom topics that would benefit from a discussion of these concepts are identified. Finally, this review briefly addresses possible ways for textbook authors to incorporate these new topics in future editions of texts without drastically increasing the overall length of the text.