Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A flexible framework for implementing software transactional memory

We describe DSTM2, a Java™ software library that provides a flexible framework for implementing object-based software transactional memory (STM). The library uses transactional factories to transform sequential (unsynchronized) classes into atomic (transactionally synchronized) ones, providing a substantial improvement over the awkward programming interface of our previous DSTM library. Furthermore, researchers can experiment with alternative STM mechanisms by providing their own factories. We demonstrate this flexibility by presenting two factories: one that uses essentially the same mechanisms as the original DSTM (with some enhancements),and another that uses a completely different approach.Because DSTM2 is packaged as a Java library, a wide range of programmers can easily try it out, and the community can begin to gain experience with transactional programming. Furthermore, researchers will be able to use the body of transactional programs that arises from this community experience to test and evaluate different STM mechanisms simply by supplying new transactional factories. We believe that this flexible approach will help to build consensus about the best ways to implement transactions, and will avoid the premature "lock-in" that may arise if STM mechanisms are baked into compilers before such experimentation is done.
Prefrontal involvement related to cognitive impairment in progressive muscular atrophy

Objective: To examine brain activation patterns during verbal fluency performance in patients with progressive muscular atrophy (PMA) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Methods: fMRI was used to examine the blood oxygen level–dependent response during letter and category fluency performance in 18 patients with PMA, 21 patients with ALS, and 17 healthy control subjects, matched for age and education. fMRI results are reported at p < 0.05, family-wise error (FWE)-corrected for multiple comparisons. We analyzed effects of performance, age-related white matter changes (ARWMC), and regional brain volumes; all participants underwent neuropsychological investigation. Results: Disease duration of patients with PMA (mean 26.0 months, SD 13.6) and ALS (22.2 months, SD 11.4) was comparable. Patients with PMA and ALS had mild to moderate disease severity and showed impaired letter fluency compared with controls. Between-group analysis showed a main effect of group in the left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG, Brodmann area 45) during letter fluency, which was unaffected by performance, ARWMC, and IFG volume: patients with PMA showed lower activation than controls but higher than that of patients with ALS (ALS < PMA < healthy controls; pFWE = 0.035; z score 4.11; cluster size = 11). A more caudal region in the IFG showed lower activation in patients with PMA than controls during letter fluency performance (post hoc test; pFWE = 0.026). No activation differences were observed during the category fluency task. Conclusion: Prefrontal activation abnormalities are related to an important clinical measure of executive dysfunction in patients with motor neuron disease with and without upper motor neuron signs.
What is happening in a still picture?

We consider the problem of generating concise sentences to describe still pictures automatically. We treat objects in images (nouns in sentences) as hidden information of actions (verbs). Therefore, the sentence generation problem can be transformed into action detection and scene classification problems. We employ Latent Multiple Kernel Learning (L-MKL) to learn the action detectors from “Exemplarlets”, and utilize MKL to learn the scene classifiers. The image features employed include distribution of edges, dense visual words and feature descriptors at different levels of spatial pyramid. For a new image we can detect the action using a sliding-window detector learnt via L-MKL, predict the scene the action happened in and build haction, scenei tuples. Finally, these tuples will be translated into concise sentences according to previously defined grammar template. We show both the classification and sentence generating results on our newly collected dataset of six actions as well as demonstrate improved performance over existing methods.
THE NEUROCOGNITION OF LANGUAGE.

The title of this book conveys its theme neatly, although I imagine there may have been considerable debate on what the best title should have been for this cross-disciplinary work. It reflects the current move away from the ultra-cognitive neuropsychology approach to language and the brain, with its highly focused emphasis on the functional basis of language disorders, and a de-emphasizing of anatomical considerations. A great many boxes and arrows were drawn on the basis of how language processing broke down after brain lesions, with only a vague idea of what they represented in anatomical terms. The reason for this was partly the lack of an animal model, which meant that research had to make use of what the editors describe as `experiments of nature' in the form of attempting to map patients' functional lesions onto anatomical lesions. This procedure was necessarily less than precise, because patients' lesions are never as neat and circumscribed as those produced with laboratory animals. However, much to the distress of some of our colleagues, advances in neural imaging technology have lead to a change in the situation. The content of this book reflects such a change. Much of the research summarized features not only functional MRI (fMRI) and PET scanning, but also data from event-related potentials (ERP) and event-related fields (ERF), so that the temporal …
Wage reference groups and their determinants: A study of blue-collar and white-collar employees in Israel

This paper reports the results of a study on the comparative frames of reference concerning wages among white-collar and blue-collar industrial employees in Israel. The study had two major objectives. First, it examined the frames of reference used by employees in comparing their pay with others. In particular, we wanted to see whether comparisons were made mainly with others inside the employing organization or outside it, and whether the comparators were similar or dissimilar in status and occupation. A second objective was to test a number of hypotheses, derived from reference group theory, concerning the determinants of pay comparisons and involving the following variables: intra-generational occupational mobility, perceived mobility opportunities, friendship ties in the organization, perceived promotion prospects, job satisfaction and perceived pay position relative to others in the same occupation.
Increasing the self-esteem of child molesters

Thirty-two child molesters received self-esteem enhancement procedures as part of an overall treatment program. The effects of the self-esteem procedures were evaluated in terms of changes on the Social Self-esteem Inventory. It was found that the procedures significantly enhanced self-esteem. These changes were significantly related to reductions in loneliness and increases in intimacy but were unrelated to improvements in victim empathy despite the fact that victim empathy and self-esteem scores were significantly correlated at pretreatment. The results are discussed in terms of their implications for theory and treatment.
The Development and Utility of a Clinical Algorithm to Predict Early HIV-1 Infection

The association between self-reported clinical factors and recent HIV-1 seroconversion was evaluated in a prospective cohort of 4652 high-risk participants in the HIV Network for Prevention Trials (HIVNET) Vaccine Preparedness Study. Eighty-six individuals seroconverted, with an overall annual seroconversion rate of 1.3 per 100 person-years. Four self-reported clinical factors were significantly associated with HIV-1 seroconversion in multivariate analyses: recent history of chlamydia infection or gonorrhea, recent fever or night sweats, belief of recent HIV exposure, and recent illness lasting ≥3 days. Two scoring systems, based on the presence of either 4 or 11 clinical factors, were developed. Sensitivity ranged from 2.3% (with a positive predictive value of 12.5%) to 72.1% (with a positive predictive value of 1%). Seroconversion rates were directly associated with the number of these clinical factors. The use of scoring systems comprised of clinical factors may aid in detecting early and acute HIV-1 infection in vaccine and microbicide trials. Organizers can educate high-risk trial participants to return for testing during interim visits if they develop these clinical factors. Studying individuals during early and acute HIV-1 infection would allow scientists to investigate the impact of the intervention being studied on early transmission or pathogenesis of HIV-1 infection.
Invarianza factorial del cuestionario de autoeficacia EACA en universitarios de ciencias de la salud y ciencias sociales

The present study analyses the psychometric properties of the Self-Efficacy Scale in Academic Behavior (EACA) on students of Health and Social Sciences. The total sample considered 1113 participants; 524 students of Health Sciences and 589 students of Social Sciences, with a mean age of 18.20 years and 18.24 years, respectively. Psychometric analysis showed that a threefactorial structure (Attention, Communication and Excellence) was viable and adequate for both populations, according to the established psychometric requirements when the informers are the students themselves. The results showed that the factor structure, the factor loadings and the intercepts of the instrument could be considered invariant for both groups. However, there are some differences between groups for the Attention factor.
The Rewards of Individual Engagement in Volunteering: A Missing Dimension of the Big Society

This paper examines the experience of volunteering in relation to the latent functions of paid work identified by social psychologists. In-depth interviews with fourteen volunteers illustrate the considerable rewards of volunteering, especially in terms of personal status and identity. The common rewards of volunteering and employment challenge the traditional dichotomy between paid and unpaid work. However, the experience of volunteering is context specific, and for some the lack of material benefits will limit its ability to substitute for employment. The promotion of volunteering within the UK Big Society policy could acknowledge its personal benefits, while being mindful that their ability to contribute to a satisfying life is moderated by the individual's circumstances and attitude towards the opportunities volunteering offers.
Detection of preclinical motor neurone loss in SOD1 mutation carriers using motor unit number estimation

Objective: To determine the pattern of motor neurone loss in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In particular, to determine whether there is a gradual life long presymptomatic motor neurone loss or, alternatively, a sudden catastrophic loss just before the onset of symptoms. Method: The statistical motor unit number estimation (MUNE) technique was used in a longitudinal study of 19 asymptomatic carriers of the Cu, Zn superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) gene. MUNE results were compared with those of 34 age and sex matched SOD1 negative family controls and 23 population controls. Motor neurone loss was also estimated in 12 patients with sporadic ALS. 84 subjects (43 male and 41 female patients) with an age range from 16–73 years were followed up over three years, both clinically and by MUNE, every six months. Results: In 2 of the 19 mutation carriers, there was a sudden reduction in MUNE several months before the onset of weakness. The patients with symptomatic sporadic ALS also had a reduced MUNE, but there was no detectable loss of motor neurones in the remainder of the subjects. Conclusion: MUNE can be used to detect preclinical loss of motor units in familial ALS. Normal numbers of motor neurones were maintained in 17 SOD1 mutation carriers over the three year period. There was an abrupt loss of motor neurones just before the onset of symptomatic weakness in two SOD1 mutation carriers. These results suggest that some form of trigger may initiate rapid cell loss and death of motor neurones just before the onset of symptoms.
Constraints on a Universal IMF from UV to Near-IR Galaxy Luminosity Densities

We obtain constraints on the slope of a universal stellar initial mass function (IMF) over a range of cosmic star-formation histories (SFH) using z=0.1 luminosity densities in the range from 0.2 to 2.2 microns. The age-IMF degeneracy of integrated spectra of stellar populations can be broken for the Universe as a whole by using direct measurements of (relative) cosmic SFH from high-redshift observations. These have only marginal dependence on uncertainties in the IMF, whereas, fitting to local luminosity densities depends strongly on both cosmic SFH and the IMF. We fit to these measurements using population synthesis and find the best-fit IMF power-law slope to be Gamma=1.15+-0.2 (0.5 < M/M_solar < 120). This slope is in good agreement with the Salpeter IMF slope (Gamma=1.35). A strong upper limit of Gamma<1.7 is obtained which effectively rules out the Scalo IMF due to its too low fraction of high-mass stars. This upper limit is at the 99.7% confidence level if we assume a closed-box chemical evolution scenario and 95% if we assume constant solar metallicity. Fitting to the H-alpha line luminosity density, we obtain a best-fit IMF slope in good agreement with that derived from broadband measurements. Marginalizing over cosmic SFH and IMF slope, we obtain (95% conf. ranges, h=1): omega_stars = 1.1-2.0 E-3 for the stellar mass density; rho_sfr = 0.7-4.1 E-2 M_solar/yr/Mpc^3 for the star-formation rate density, and; rho_L = 1.2-1.7 E+35 W/Mpc^3 for the bolometric, attenuated, stellar, luminosity density (0.09-5 microns). Comparing this total stellar emission with an estimate of the total dust emission implies a relatively modest average attenuation in the UV (<=1 magnitude at 0.2 microns).
Spectrum of Susceptibility to Malignant Hyperthermia—Diagnostic Dilemma

Utilizing established in vitro muscle contracture tests, we have identified three diagnostic contracture phenotypes for malignant hyperthermia susceptibility (MHS) among 103 patients. Phenotype H is an unequivocal diagnostic result for MHS, as is the nonsusceptible phenotype N. The third diagnostic group, phenotype K, represents an equivocal diagnostic response. To provide a basis for understanding relationships between contracture phenotypes and MHS, pigs with phenotypes H, K, and N were exposed to a standardized anesthetic protocol for assessing MHS. During the anesthetic challenge, phenotype H pigs developed a more severe form of the MH syndrome than did phenotype K pigs. Comparing phenotype H v K average responses, Vo2 increased four- v twofold; lactate increased 13− v 9-fold; and temperature increased 41.7°C v 39.2°C, respectively. These values either had no change or decreased in the phenotype N pigs. Results of this study suggest that a spectrum of MHS exists among the human population.
A Novel Ultrawideband (UWB) Printed Antenna With a Dual Complementary Characteristic

A novel design concept for a versatile multi-functional coplanar waveguide (CPW)-fed ultrawideband (UWB) printed antenna is described in this letter. The antenna also exhibits a dual complementary characteristic of frequency notched response and narrowband response invoked by different combinative loading of a pair of split ring resonators (SRRs) and metallic shunt strips on the CPW feed line. The antenna restores its UWB response when the SRRs' split gaps are shorted. The simulated impedance and radiation characteristics are validated with measured results obtained using fabricated prototypes to establish the proof of concept.
Genetic inactivation of the adenosine A2A receptor attenuates pathologic but not developmental angiogenesis in the mouse retina.

PURPOSE The adenosine A(2A) receptor (A(2A)R) modulates normal vascularization and pathologic angiogenesis in many tissues and may contribute to the pathogenesis of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) characterized by abnormal retinal vascularization in surviving premature infants. Here, the authors studied the effects of the genetic inactivation of A(2A)R on normal retinal vascularization and the development of pathologic angiogenesis in oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR), an animal model of ROP. METHODS After exposure to 75% oxygen for 5 days (postnatal day [P] 7-P12) and subsequently to room air for the next 9 days (P13-P21), we evaluated retinal vascular morphology by ADPase staining in retinal whole mounts, retinal neovascularization response by histochemistry in serial retinal sections, and retinal VEGF gene expression by real-time PCR analysis in A(2A)R knockout (KO) mice and their wild-type (WT) littermates. RESULTS At P17, A(2A)R KO mice displayed attenuated OIR compared with WT littermates, as evidenced by reduced vaso-obliteration and areas of nonperfusion in the center of the retina, reduced pathologic angiogenesis as evident by decreased non-ganglion cells and neovascular nuclei, and inhibited hypoxia-induced retinal VEGF gene expression. Notably, the attenuation of pathologic angiogenesis by A(2A)R inactivation was selective for OIR because it did not affect normal retinal vascularization during postnatal development. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide the first evidence that A(2A)R is critical for the development of OIR and suggest a novel therapeutic approach of A(2A)R inactivation for ROP by selectively targeting pathologic but not developmental angiogenesis in the retina.
Executive leadership: another lever in the system?

The leadership challenges facing most headteachers can at times be daunting but for those leading schools in difficulty, the challenges are acute. This article draws upon the personal experience of an executive leader in a school facing difficult circumstances. It will firstly, outline and analyse this model of leadership and secondly, look at how executive leadership can contribute to improvement in a challenging school context. The article concludes that executive leadership is a powerful lever for change when it is able to mobilize and release leadership energy between and across schools. However, it is suggested that securing long-term improvement in schools in difficult circumstances will require much more than system leadership currently offers. It will require deeper, more distributed forms of leadership that connect people together and draw upon the yet untapped and underdeveloped resources for collaboration.
Assessment of patient engagement with a mobile application among service members in transition

OBJECTIVE This article examines engagement with a mobile application ("mCare") for wounded Service Members rehabilitating in their communities. Many had behavioral health problems, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), and/or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTS). The article also examines associations between Service Members' background characteristics and their engagement with mCare. MATERIALS AND METHODS This analysis included participants who received mCare (n = 95) in a randomized controlled trial. mCare participants received status questionnaires daily for up to 36 weeks. Participant engagement encompasses exposure to mCare, percentage of questionnaires responded to, and response time. Participants were grouped by health status-that is, presence/absence of behavioral health problems, PTS, and/or TBI. Histograms and regression analyses examined engagement by participants' health status and background characteristics. RESULTS Exposure to mCare did not differ by health status. Participants usually responded to ≥60% of the questionnaires weekly, generally in ≤10 h; however, participants with behavioral health problems had several weeks with <50% response and the longest response times. Total questionnaires responded to and response time did not differ statistically by health status. Older age and higher General Well-Being Schedule scores were associated with greater and faster response. DISCUSSION The sustained response to the questionnaires suggests engagement. Overall level of response surpassed trends reported for American's usage of mobile applications. With a few exceptions, Service Members engaged with mCare irrespective of health status. CONCLUSION Mobile health has the potential to increase the quantity and quality of patient-provider communications in a community-based, rehabilitation care setting, above that of standard care.
Measuring Success in the “Congo Gorilla Forest” Conservation Exhibition

Most zoo visitors are primarily motivated by the joys of watching animals, which may preclude attention to major ecological issues that are the focus of research in biodiversity, habitats, and other matters pertaining to the survival of wild animals. The Wildlife Conservation Society exhibition Congo Gorilla Forest is a popular animal-watching experience, but it also communicates considerable educational content, stimulating visitors' interest in and awareness of ecological relationships. This article reviews the phases of an evaluation process that assisted WCS staff in making decisions about exhibition design and interpretation; it discusses measurement challenges in assessing outcomes; and it uses key findings from the evaluation process to define and explain the interpretive success of the project. Success for this conservation exhibition is described in terms of achieving three educational goals while recognizing the diversity among audiences. The exhibition's effectiveness is attributed to understanding visitors' expectations and interests, creating an array of exhibit formats to engage people, and communicating conservation messages visually and experientially.
Cultural Adaptation and Business Relationships

Abstract A 3 × 4 (culture of participants × degrees of cultural adaptation) experimental design with 124 People's Republic of China Chinese, 140 Indonesian, and 140 Malaysian professionals is used to investigate the effect of cultural adaptation on attraction and outcomes when Americans adapt to PRC/Indonesian/Malaysian people. This study extends the research of Francis (1991) and Pornpitakpan (1999). The inverted-U relationship between adaptation and attraction in Francis's study is not replicated. Instead, the results are consistent with those of Pornpitakpan's study. For Indonesians, the relationship appears monotonic positive on both attraction and outcomes. For PRC and Malaysian people, the relationship appears monotonic positive on attraction and reaches a plateau beyond moderate adaptation on outcomes. Participants do not feel their social identity is threatened when Americans adapt to their culture.
Cheap Bandits

We consider stochastic sequential learning problems where the learner can observe the average reward of several actions. Such a setting is interesting in many applications involving monitoring and surveillance, where the set of the actions to observe represent some (geographical) area. The importance of this setting is that in these applications, it is actually cheaper to observe average reward of a group of actions rather than the reward of a single action. We show that when the reward is smooth over a given graph representing the neighboring actions, we can maximize the cumulative reward of learning while minimizing the sensing cost. In this paper we propose CheapUCB, an algorithm that matches the regret guarantees of the known algorithms for this setting and at the same time guarantees a linear cost again over them. As a by-product of our analysis, we establish a Ω(√dT) lower bound on the cumulative regret of spectral bandits for a class of graphs with effective dimension d.