Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Appearing credible? Swearing helps!

Abstract The use of swearwords has hardly been investigated scientifically. Virtually nothing is known about the efficacy of swearing. The present studies set out to investigate whether the inclusion of swearwords in a testimony increases the believability of that statement. In study 1, respondents were simply asked whether they believed that using swearwords is a sign of credibility, a sign of deceit, or neither. In the second and third study, participants had to read fictitious testimonies of a suspect and a victim, respectively. Participants were exposed to testimonies with or without swearwords. The results suggested that people self-reported to find swearwords a sign of deceit (study 1), but when actually confronted with a statement, the opposite turned out to be the case (studies 2 and 3). That is, testimonies containing swearwords were perceived as more credible than swearword-free testimonies. Hence it is concluded that swearing increases believability of statements.
Learning Game Parameters from MSNE : An Application to Learning IDS Games

A survey is a popular and common method for eliciting behavioral data on a topic from a sample population. Such behavioral data captures the actions of the sampled population under some possibly unknown environment. Quite often, we do not have information about the individual responses due to privacy concerns or bookkeeping overloads. Instead, what we typically observe is some form of aggregation or summarization of the individual responses that represents the percentages of the individuals who reportedly took certain actions. Because, as we assume, each person is strategic and takes the best action given the actions of other people, we view the given behavioral data as a set of possible (approximate) mixed-strategy Nash equilibrium (MSNE) of some game. Given this, our goal is to learn a game that would best explain or rationalize the behavior of the population. In this work, we introduce a machine learning (generative) framework to learn the structure and parameters of games given a set of possible (approximate) MSNE for the purpose of predicting and analyzing behavior, even under causal intervention or counterfactual queries. Under our framework, we show that, under some mild assumptions, maximizing the log-likelihood of a game given behavioral data is equivalent to finding a game that maximizes the number of (approximate) MSNE in the data while maintaining the overall proportion of (approximate) MSNE of the game as low as possible. Moreover, we illustrate the effectiveness of our framework by learning the parameters of generalized interdependent security games from real-world vaccination data publicly available from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States.
Textual Entailment

The task of Recognizing Textual Entailment (RTE) requires automated systems to identify when two spans of text share a common meaning -for example, that ``Alphaville Inc.'s attempted acquisition of Bauhaus led to a jump in both companies' stock prices'' entails ``Bauahaus' stock rose'', but not ``Alphaville acquired Bauhaus''. This general capability would be a solid proxy for Natural Language Understanding, and has direct relevance to the grand challenges named above. Moreover, it could be used to improve performance in a large range of Natural Language Processing tasks such as Information Extraction, Question Answering, Exhaustive Search, Machine Translation and many others. The operational definition of Textual Entailment used by researchers in the field avoids commitment to any specific knowledge representation, inference method, or learning approach, thus encouraging application of a wide range of techniques to the problem.
Comparative assessment of left ventricular function variables determined via cardiac computed tomography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in dogs.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the accuracy and reproducibility of left ventricular (LV) volumetric and function variables determined via contrast-enhanced cardiac CT and cardiac MRI in healthy dogs. ANIMALS 10 healthy Beagles. PROCEDURES Cardiac MRI and cardiac CT were performed in anesthetized Beagles; both examinations were conducted within a 2-hour period. Cardiac MRI was performed with a 3.0-T magnet, and contrast-enhanced cardiac CT was performed with a 64-row detector CT machine. Data sets were acquired during apnea with simultaneous ECG gating. Short-axis images were created to determine functional variables via the Simpson method. RESULTS Cardiac CT values for mean end-diastolic and end-systolic LV volumes had excellent correlation (r = 0.95) with cardiac MRI measurements, whereas LV stroke volume (r = 0.67) and LV ejection fraction (r = 0.75) had good correlations. The only variable that differed significantly between imaging modalities was end-diastolic LV volume. For each pair of values, Bland-Altman analysis revealed good limits of agreement. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The 3-D modalities cardiac CT and cardiac MRI were excellent techniques for use in assessing LV functional variables. Similar results were obtained for LV volume and function variables via both techniques. The major disadvantage of these modalities was the need to anesthetize the dogs for the examinations.
The distribution of cholinergic and adrenergic nerves in the mammalian epididymis: a comparative histochemical study.

The distribution of cholinergic and adrenergic nerves in the epididymis was studied in the dog, cat, rat and rabbit using specific histochemical techniques for acetylcholinesterase and norepinephrine. Both cholinergic and adrenergic nerves are associated with tunical, septal and interstitial blood vessels, run independently in the intertubular connective tissue, and surround the epididymal tubules. Throughout the epididymis there are rich adrenergic and cholinergic perivascular plexuses. The distribution and pattern of interstitial and peritubular cholinergic and adrenergic nerves vary in the three anatomical regions of the epididymis in different animals. In the dog and cat the nerves form plexuses in relation to the ductuli efferentes in the caput, and run as isolated fibers in the corpus epididymidis. In the rat and rabbit there are no interstitial or peritubular nerves in the caput and proximal part of the corpus and few nerves in the distal part of the corpus. The cauda epididymidis is the most richly innervated part of the epididymis. Both interstitial and peritubular cholinergic and adrenergic nerves form plexuses of nerve fibers and bundles, which progressively become more prominent and more intricate as the cauda is traced distally towards its junction with the vas deferens. These changes in innervation pattern follow the distalward increase in thickness of the muscular wall of the ductus epididymidis and are noted in all animals studied. Ganglia are encountered only in the caput epididymidis in the cat. Cholinergic and adrenergic epithelial fibers are present in the caput and cauda but not in the corpus epididymidis. In the cauda they penetrate through most of the thickness of the epithelium; the cholinergic fibers in this region form a loose intra-epithelial plexus.
Comparison of relative coronary Doppler flow velocity reserve to stress myocardial perfusion imaging in patients with coronary artery disease

To compare relative coronary artery vasodilator reserve (rCVR = CVRtarget/CVRreference) to myocardial perfusion stress imaging, 48 patients with coronary artery stenoses (61% ± 16%; mean, ± SD; range, 30%–91%) had measurements of target and reference vessel CVR (Doppler‐tipped guidewire). rCVR was computed and compared to stress 201thallium or 99mtechnetium‐sestamibi myocardial tomography. Compared to 24 patients with negative stress imaging studies, 24 patients with positive stress studies had angiographically more severe stenoses (74% ± 13% vs. 44% ± 24%; P = 0.0005) with lower CVRtarget (1.68 ± 0.55 vs. 2.46 ± 0.74; P = 0.002) and lower rCVR (0.72 ± 0.22 vs. 1.0 ± 0.26; P < 0.003). Based on receiver‐operator characteristic (ROC) cut points (CVR > 1.9; rCVR > 0.75), compared to CVR, rCVR had similar agreement (Kappa 0.54 vs. 0.50), sensitivity (63% vs. 71%), specificity (88% vs. 83%), and positive predictive value (83% vs. 81%) with myocardial perfusion tomography. A concordant CVRtarget/rCVR only slightly increased sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive values (77%, 90%, and 87%, respectively). Although rCVR, like CVR, correlates with stress myocardial perfusion imaging results, rCVR did not have significant incremental prognostic value over CVR alone for myocardial perfusion imaging. However, rCVR does provide additional information regarding the status of the microcirculation in patients with coronary artery disease and complements the CVR for lesion assessment. Cathet Cardiovasc Intervent 2001;53:193–201. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Professional Ethics Within the Context of Student Discipline and Diversity

Students who differ from the mainstream, both physically and culturally often find themselves at odds with the culture of schools. Under these conditions, issues of misperceptions and proportionality become paramount. With the heightened anxiety over school safety and the advent of "zero tolerance" regulations, the possibility of unethical and unfair practices for students from poor and minority groups increase considerably. These more regimented and severe policies mean that schools have an even greater obligation to make certain that rules are administered so that they do not further subjugate the most vulnerable segment of our population. A review of the existing and most recent findings on this topic indicates that the schooling of minority students is being further jeopardized by this current mania. A means for a more constructive focus is discussed.
Is the content of persecutory delusions relevant to self-esteem?

Background: Persecutory delusions are often associated with low self-esteem, depression and emotional distress. However, some patients acknowledge that their beliefs positively impact on their well-being which has been linked to non-adherence with medication. The present study aimed to investigate the moderators for the relationship of subjective well-being and persecutory delusions. Method: We recruited 43 patients with acute (n = 33) or remitted (n = 10) persecutory delusions and 33 healthy participants. Following a self-esteem measure and the assessment of psychopathology we conducted a semistructured interview with the patients to assess the contents of persecutory delusions (e.g. power of the persecutor). Results: Patients displayed significantly lower global self-esteem than healthy controls. In the acutely deluded sample (n = 33) patients with special abilities had significantly lower scores of depression and emotional distress than patients with normal or lower-than-normal abilities. A feeling of powerlessness towards the persecutor was associated with lower self-esteem and higher depression. Delusions which imparted the patient with special importance and delusions of being desired by someone else were significantly associated with higher levels of self-esteem. Conclusions: We conclude that the content of delusions is important when planning medical and psychological treatment. Clinicians are advised to take the associations between specific convictions and subjective well-being into account.
Internet use and political efficacy: the case of Cyprus

Although political efficacy is considered to be an important indicator of a well–functioning democracy, it is so far unclear whether it is being enhanced or undermined by internet use. This study seeks to understand the complex relationship between internet use and political efficacy, focusing on the unique case of Cyprus. It explores the effect of internet use, via digital updatedness, on users' perceptions about the impact of the internet on political efficacy and the role of sociocultural factors therein. Although the effect of internet use on internet–mediated political efficacy is found to be weak, the role of the sociocultural environment appears to be particularly important. Research findings are discussed and contextualised in terms of the distinct characteristics of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot political culture.
Hidden Markov Models and Disease Mapping

We present new methodology to extend hidden Markov models to the spatial domain, and use this class of models to analyze spatial heterogeneity of count data on a rare phenomenon. This situation occurs commonly in many domains of application, particularly in disease mapping. We assume that the counts follow a Poisson model at the lowest level of the hierarchy, and introduce a finite-mixture model for the Poisson rates at the next level. The novelty lies in the model for allocation to the mixture components, which follows a spatially correlated process, the Potts model, and in treating the number of components of the spatial mixture as unknown. Inference is performed in a Bayesian framework using reversible jump Markov chain Monte Carlo. The model introduced can be viewed as a Bayesian semiparametric approach to specifying flexible spatial distribution in hierarchical models. Performance of the model and comparison with an alternative well-known Markov random field specification for the Poisson rates are demonstrated on synthetic datasets. We show that our allocation model avoids the problem of oversmoothing in cases where the underlying rates exhibit discontinuities, while giving equally good results in cases of smooth gradient-like or highly autocorrelated rates. The methodology is illustrated on an epidemiologic application to data on a rare cancer in France.
Sources of Relativistic Jets in the Galaxy

▪ Abstract Black holes of stellar mass and neutron stars in binary systems are first detected as hard X-ray sources using high-energy space telescopes. Relativistic jets in some of these compact sources are found by means of multiwavelength observations with ground-based telescopes. The X-ray emission probes the inner accretion disk and immediate surroundings of the compact object, whereas the synchrotron emission from the jets is observed in the radio and infrared bands, and in the future could be detected at even shorter wavelengths. Black-hole X-ray binaries with relativistic jets mimic, on a much smaller scale, many of the phenomena seen in quasars and are thus called microquasars. Because of their proximity, their study opens the way for a better understanding of the relativistic jets seen elsewhere in the Universe. From the observation of two-sided moving jets it is inferred that the ejecta in microquasars move with relativistic speeds similar to those believed to be present in quasars. The simultan.
Online generative model personalization for hand tracking

We present a new algorithm for real-time hand tracking on commodity depth-sensing devices. Our method does not require a user-specific calibration session, but rather learns the geometry as the user performs live in front of the camera, thus enabling seamless virtual interaction at the consumer level. The key novelty in our approach is an online optimization algorithm that jointly estimates pose and shape in each frame, and determines the uncertainty in such estimates. This knowledge allows the algorithm to integrate per-frame estimates over time, and build a personalized geometric model of the captured user. Our approach can easily be integrated in state-of-the-art continuous generative motion tracking software. We provide a detailed evaluation that shows how our approach achieves accurate motion tracking for real-time applications, while significantly simplifying the workflow of accurate hand performance capture. We also provide quantitative evaluation datasets at http://gfx.uvic. ca/datasets/handy
Development of Environmental Education Programs for Protected Areas in Madagascar

Environmental education programs for schools in the peripheral zone of protected areas in Madagascar are still needed in numerous locations. My research investigated the status of environmental education and communication (EE&C) programs at Masoala National Park, Madagascar, as well as the attitudes of local residents toward the park and park staff. The multi-year qualitative research methods included individual and focus group interviews, participant observation, archival research, an EE&C workshop for park staff, and pilot testing of environmental education activities. Research identified that EE&C activities conducted by park agents had been minimal and that park staff were inadequately prepared to conduct these programs. Research results indicated that additional public awareness and education activities were needed. As an outcome of the research, a conservation education curriculum guide was developed for the schools on the periphery of Masoala National Park and distributed to all teachers in the area. The guide was linked to Madagascar's national school curriculum and teachers were trained in its use. The methods of assessing and developing conservation education programs have since been expanded to two other protected areas in Madagascar: Sahamalaza-Iles Radama Biosphere Reserve and the Makira Conservation Site.
Daily Mood and Out-of-Home Mobility in Older Adults

This study explores the relationship between out-of-home behavior and daily mood of community-dwelling older adults with different levels of cognitive impairment across four consecutive weeks. The sample included 16 persons with early stage Alzheimer’s disease (AD), 30 persons with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and 95 cognitively healthy persons (CH). Using a multi-method approach, GPS tracking and daily-diary data were combined on a day-to-day basis. AD and MCI adults showed lower mood than the CH group. Whereas stronger positive links between mood and out-of-home behavior were found for AD compared to the total sample on an aggregate level, predicting daily mood by person (i.e., cognition) and occasion-specific characteristics (i.e., mobility and weekday), using multilevel regression analysis revealed no corresponding effect. In conclusion, cognitive status in old age appears to impact on mobility and mood as such, rather than on the mood and out-of-home behavior connection.
Social, Cultural and Economic Discrimination to Women Participation in African Politics: The Case of Nigeria

Women discrimination in politics is a phenomenon that excludes majority of women from politics. This practice is a waste of human resources. Nigerian women constitute about fifty percent of Nigeria’s population and are known to play vital roles as child bearers, child rearers, house managers, producers of over 70% of the nation’s food and community organizers among others. However, women’s participatory level in government and decision making is below 50% currently. The causes of women discrimination in Nigerian politics are directly associated with gender complex because women are seen as inferior to men in our society and culture. Its roots are found in the past political, economic, social and cultural events which over the years have ensure the subjugation, oppression and domination of women by men. Women’s discrimination in politics occurs everywhere be it in the developed or developing countries, thus perpetuating gender inequalities; this informed the declaration by the United Nations Goals Two, which is to “promote gender equality and empower women”. This paper therefore examines the status of women in politics, problems women face in their quest to participate in politics , and possible measures to their political empowerment such as given political education to women and allowing women to participate at any level of political powers among others.
Towards a Multiperspectival Study of Borders

The paper develops a non-state centric approach to the study of borders, building upon Balibar's ‘borders are everywhere’ thesis. It offers a critique of the assumption of consensus (mutual recognition of borders) in border studies. It is argued that borders do not have to be visible to all in order to be effective. The case for a multiperspectival border studies is then outlined: borders cannot be properly understood from a single privileged vantage point and bordering processes can be interpreted differently from different perspectives. A key dimension of a multiperspectival approach to border studies is examined in detail: borderwork, societal bordering activity undertaken by citizens. This is explored at several UK sites in order to demonstrate the ways in which borders are not always the project of the state, that they can exist for some (but not all), and can link people to the world beyond the ‘local’ border.
Effects of Human Insulin Gene Transfection on the Adipogenic Differentiation of Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Silk Fibroin Scaffolds in Vitro

The resorption of the transplanted fat over time limited the use of autologous fat for the reconstruction of soft tissue defect. Tissue engineering (TE) adipose with silk fibroin scaffold could be a promising substitute for soft tissue filling. In this study, we try to develop a tissue engineering adipose in vitro by seeding silk fibroin scaffold with human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) after transfected with recombinant human insulin gene lentivirus. Our aim was to observe the effects of the insulin gene transfection on the adipogenesis of hUCMSCs when cultured with silk fibroin scaffolds. The hUCMSCs infected with recombinant lentiviral pLenti6.3-insulin-IRES-EGFP were seeded on silk fibroin scaffolds and cultured in adipogenic differentiation medium for 5 - 7 days. The expression of adipogenic gene PPARγ-2 was tested by RT-PCR after 7 days culture of adipogenic induction. The accumulation of cytoplasmic droplets of neutral lipids was assessed by Oil Red O staining. The RNA and protein expression of transfected insulin gene in hUCMSCs were detected by QPCR and western blot. The effect of recombinant lentivirus transfection on the growth and proliferation of hUCMSCs was observed by MTT test. We observed that the 2-ΔΔCt value of insulin gene expression of hUCMSCs in the transfected group was 300.25 times higher than that in the untransfected group. The western blot showed that a positive band was discerned at the site of a relative molecular mass of 8 × 103 Dalton in transfected group. After adipogenic culture for 7 days, under the fluorescent inverted phase-contrast microscope, after Oil Red O staining, a lot of adipocytes appeared in silk fibroin scaffold; round adipose droplets showed intracellularly; the size of the adipocytes was not homogenous, and the density of adipocytes in transfected group was significantly higher than that in untransfected group (P = 0.007, P 0.05). And there was also no significant difference in optical density (A) between cell group and cell-scalffold group (P = 0.066, P > 0.05). We concluded that insulin gene could obviously promote the adipogenic differentiation of hUCMSCs, and a tissue engineering adipose could be constructed by the silk fibroin scaffolds seeded with human insulin gene-modified hUCMSCs effectively in vitro.
Analysis on the Mobil IPTV Adoption and Moderator Effect Using Extended TAM Model

Convergence is a key word in all of industries as well as telecommunication industry recently. The most noted case is media (specially, broadcasting) and IT convergent one in Korea. The reason is that broadcasting is under the influence of IT technology development trajectory such as digitalized, broadband, interactive and so on. For example, there are mobile TV (in Korea, DMB), IPTV, and mobile IPTV. Especially, mobile IPTV will be offered TV contents via mobile IP network such as WiMax or 4G all-IP. The determinants influencing mobile IPTV adoption decisions are analyzed using extended TAM model. Furthermore, we verify the moderator effects of experience and similar services of mobile IPTV.