Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Comparative Study of Cloze Test and C-Test in Assessing Collocational Competence of Iranian EFL Learners

One of the dominant approaches to language testing is the integrative approach. This view of testing involves the testing of language in context. The present study aimed at shedding more lights into the effectiveness of the cloze test, C-test and open ended test in assessing Persian EFL learners' collocational competence. To this end, four hundred and twenty Persian EFL learners from Yazd and Shiraz universities were selected. They were from both intermediate and advanced proficiency groups. The participants were assigned into three groups of one hundred and forty learners and took each of the tests separately. The results yielded compelling reason to argue that advanced participants in all of these three tests performed much more efficiently compared to their intermediate peers and indicated more collocational competence. Moreover, the results did not provide support for the superiority of C-test over the other two tests which were mentioned. The study, suggested important implications for language learners, EFL instructors and materials developers.
PERSONALITY PROCESSES AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES Culture, Identity Consistency, and Subjective Well-Being

All individuals have multiple views of themselves. Whereas the consistency among the different aspects of identity is emphasized in Western cultures, the “multiple selves” are often viewed as coexisting realities in East Asian cultures. This research revisits the classic thesis in psychology that identity consistency is a prerequisite condition of psychological well-being. Between individuals (Study 1), people with a more consistent self-view had a more clear self-knowledge, were more assertive, and, most notably, had self-experiences that were less affected by the perspectives of others. Compared with North American participants (Study 2), Koreans viewed themselves more flexibly across situations, and their subjective well-being was less predictable from levels of identity consistency. Also, consistent individuals received positive social evaluations from others in the United States but not in Korea.
Wartime Sexual Violence Misconceptions , Implications , and Ways Forward Summary

Under the collaborative leadership of the United States Institute of Peace (USIP); the Human Rights Center at the University of California, Berkeley; the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO); and the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute North America (SIPRI North America), this special report is launched to mark the first convening of The Missing Peace Symposium on Sexual Violence in Conflict and Post-Conflict Settings. Over the past eighteen months, this core group of organizations along with others have developed a community of practice made up of scholars, policymakers, practitioners, and military and civil society actors to examine the issues of conflict-related sexual violence, to identify gaps in knowledge and reporting, and to explore how to increase the effectiveness of current responses to such violence. This report summarizes ten major misconceptions about wartime sexual violence, highlighting both advances and gaps in our knowledge. Drawing on social science research, it outlines for policymakers the current state of knowledge about wartime sexual violence, details gaps in existing knowledge, and explores the implications of these findings for policymaking.
Assessment of Parasitism of House Fly and Stable Fly (Diptera: Muscidae) Pupae by Pteromalid (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) Parasitoids Using a Polymerase Chain Reaction Assay

Abstract The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of the ribosomal DNA of house flies, Musca domestica L. , the stable flies, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.), and four parasitoid species in the genus Muscidifurax (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) were characterized to develop a method based on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to better define the role of pteromalid parasitism of pupae of the house fly and stable fly. Two parasitoid-specific primers were designed to anneal to the 5′ end of the 5.8S rRNA gene in the parasitoid species. When paired with a universal primer at the 3′ end of the 18S rRNA, the primers amplified the target ITS1 region in 10 pteromalid species. PCR allowed detection of parasitoid DNA within 24 h after females of Spalangia endius Walker oviposited into house fly puparia. PCR failed to amplify parasitoid DNA or detect parasitism in puparia that were exposed to parasitoid oviposition, allowed to develop 7 d, then killed by freezing and held at 20–24°C for 4 d to allow DNA degradation. Digestion of the PCR products with restriction enzymes produced restriction fragment length polymorphisms that allowed identification of individual parasitoid species. Significantly greater levels of parasitism (P < 0.05) were detected by PCR for two of the five field collection dates in 1997. On the dates when PCR detected higher levels of parasitism than estimates provided by emergence of adult insects from samples taken at Feedlot M in 1997, more than 65% of all puparia in the emergence samples failed to produce an adult insect. Three puparia collected in 1997 produced double PCR bands that corresponded to PCR band sizes of Muscidifurax spp. and Spalangia sp. , possibly indicating multiple parasitism or hyperparasitism.
Xeno-free culture condition for human bone marrow and umbilical cord matrix-derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells using human umbilical cord blood serum

Background: Fetal bovine serum (FBS) is widely used in cell culture laboratories, risk of zoonotic infections and allergic side effects create obstacles for its use in clinical trials. Therefore, an alternative supplement with proper inherent growth-promoting activities is demanded. Objective: To find FBS substitute, we tested human umbilical cord blood serum (hUCS) for proliferation of human umbilical cord matrix derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) and human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal cells (hBM-MSCs). Materials and Methods: Umbilical cord blood of healthy neonates, delivered by Caesarian section, was collected and the serum was separated. hUC-MSCs and hBM-MSCs were isolated and characterized by assessment of cell surface antigens by flow cytometry, alkaline phosphatase activity and osteogenic/adipogenic differentiation potential. The cells were then cultured in Iscove's Modified Dulbecco's Medium (IMDM) by conventional methods in three preparations: 1- with hUCS, 2- with FBS, and 3- without serum supplements. Cell proliferation was measured using WST-1 assay, and cell viability was assessed by trypan blue staining. Results: The cells cultured in hUCS and FBS exhibited similar morphology and mesenchymal stem cells properties. WST-1 proliferation assay data showed no significant difference between the proliferation rate of either cells following hUCS and FBS supplementation. Trypan blue exclusion dye test also revealed no significant difference for viability between hUCS and FBS groups. A significant difference was detected between the proliferation rate of stem cells cultured in serum-supplemented medium compared with serum-free medium. Conclusion: Our results indicate that human umbilical cord serum can effectively support proliferation of hBM-MSCS and hUC-MSCs in vitro and can be used as an appropriate substitute for FBS, especially in clinical studies.
One-way functions and pseudorandom generators

One-way are those functions which are easy to compute, but hard to invert on a non-negligible fraction of instances. The existence of such functions with some additional assumptions was shown to be sufficient for generating perfect pseudorandom strings |Blum, Micali 82|, |Yao 82|, |Goldreich, Goldwasser, Micali 84|. Below, among a few other observations, a weaker assumption about one-way functions is suggested, which is not only sufficient, but also necessary for the existence of pseudorandom generators. The main theorem can be understood without reading the sections 3-6.
ON LAPPED TRANSFORMS

The idea of a lapped transform (LT, for short) maintaining orthogonality and nonexpansion of the samples was developed in the early 80’s at MIT by a group of researchers unhappy with the blocking artifacts so common in traditional block transform coding of images. The idea was to extend the basis function beyond the block boundaries, creating an overlap, in order to eliminate the blocking effect. This idea was not new, but the new ingredient to overlapping blocks would be the fact that the number of transform coefficients would be the same as if there was no overlap, and that the transform would mantain orthogonality. Cassereau [1] introduced the lapped orthogonal transform (LOT), and Malvar [5],[6],[7] gave the LOT its design strategy and a fast algorithm. It was later pointed by Malvar [9] the equivalence between an LOT and a multirate filter bank. Based on cosine modulated filter banks [15], modulated lapped transforms were designed [8],[25]. Modulated transforms were generalized for an arbitrary overlap later, creating the class of extended lapped transforms (ELT) [10]–[13]. Recently a new class of LTs with symmetric bases were developed yielding the class of generalized LOTs (GenLOT) [17],[19],[20]. As we mentioned, filter banks and LTs are the same, although studied independently in the past. We, however, refer to LTs for paraunitary uniform FIR filter banks with fast implementation algorihtms based on special factorizations od the basis functions. We assume a one-dimensional input sequence x(n) which is transformed into several coefficients yi(n), where yi(n) would belong to the i-th subband. We also will use the discrete cosine transform [23] and another cosine transform variation, which we abbreviate as DCT and DCT-IV (DCT type 4), respectively [23].
Cells TCR-Mediated Signaling in Effector and Differential SLP-76 Expression and

We present in this study novel ﬁndings on TCR-mediated signaling in naive, effector, and memory CD4 T cells that identify critical biochemical markers to distinguish these subsets. We demonstrate that relative to naive CD4 T cells, memory CD4 T cells exhibit a profound decrease in expression of the linker/adapter molecule SLP-76, while effector T cells express normal to elevated levels of SLP-76. The reduced level of SLP-76 is memory CD4 T cells is coincident with reduced phosphorylation overall, yet the residual SLP-76 couples to a subset of TCR-associated linker molecules, leading to downstream mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase activation. By contrast, effector CD4 T cells strongly phosphorylate SLP-76, linker for activation of T cells, and additional Grb2-coupled proteins, exhibit increased associations of SLP-76 to phosphorylated linkers, and hyperphosphorylate downstream Erk1/2 MAP kinases. Our results suggest distinct coupling of signaling intermediates to the TCR in naive, effector, and memory CD4 T cells. Whereas effector CD4 T cells amplify existing TCR signaling events accounting for rapid effector responses, memory T cells engage fewer signaling intermediates to efﬁciently link TCR triggering directly to downstream MAP kinase activation. The Journal of Immunology, 2002, 168: 1557–1565. charac-terization of TCR signaling in naive, effector, and memory T cells. We have previously shown that mouse memory (CD45RB low ) CD4 T cells exhibit fewer tyrosine-phosphorylated species than naive (CD45RB high ) and effector CD4 T cells, including a lack of ZAP-70 phosphorylation (8, 19, 20). In this study we have under-taken a thorough analysis of TCR-mediated signaling using high yield automatic magnetic sorting of naive, effector, and memory CD4 T cells from TCR transgenic and conventional mice. Our results indicate a distinct mode of signaling for each subset and identify biochemical markers to distinguish effector and memory T cells. In particular, we demonstrate that compared with naive CD4 T cells, memory CD4 T cells express greatly reduced levels of the linker/adapter protein SLP-76 coincident with reduced phosphorylation overall, yet the residual SLP-76 couples to a subset of linkers leading to MAP kinase activation. By contrast, effector cells express high levels of SLP-76 and hyperphosphorylate SLP-76, the linker/adapter LAT and MAP kinases. Our results indicate that memory CD4 T cells use fewer biochemical steps for activation, whereas effector T cells augment the biochemical events leading to T cell activation.
In Search of the Missing Link: Examining Contextual Variation in Federal Charge Bargains across U.S. District Courts

Abstract Punishment scholars acknowledge the fundamental importance of both prosecutorial discretion and jurisdictional variation in punishment; yet, little is known about the extent to which charging practices vary across court contexts. This is especially true in the federal criminal justice system. This research investigates this issue by linking four years of charging data from the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts (AOUSC) to corresponding data from the U.S. Sentencing Commission (USSC). It incorporates unique information on district court contexts from a variety of sources to investigate jurisdictional variation in charge reductions. Findings provide evidence that federal charging practices vary across district courts. In particular, several structural court characteristics are significantly related to the likelihood of charge reduction for similarly-situated defendants. Results from this study are interpreted through the lens of contemporary legal perspectives on court communities and suggest several fruitful directions for additional research on the social contexts of criminal prosecution.
Spitzer IRS Observations of FU Orionis Objects

We present 5-35 μm spectra, taken with the Infrared Spectrograph (IRS) on the Spitzer Space Telescope, of five FU Orionis objects: FU Ori, V1515 Cyg, V1057 Cyg, BBW 76, and V346 Nor. All but V346 Nor reveal amorphous silicate grains in emission at 10 and 20 μm, and show water-vapor absorption bands at 5.8 and 6.8 μm and SiO or possibly methane absorption at 8 μm. These absorption features closely match these bands in model stellar photospheres—signs of the gaseous photospheres of the inner regions of these objects' accretion disks. The continuum emission at 5-8 μm is also consistent with such disks, and, for FU Orionis and BBW 76, longer wavelength emission may be fit by a model that includes moderate disk flaring. V1057 Cyg and V1515 Cyg have much more emission at longer wavelengths than the others, perhaps evidence of a substantial remnant of their natal, infalling envelopes.
The relationship of emotional intelligence of head room with management of the ward in hospital areas of jayapura city

Introduction: Head room is responsible for the achievement of the objectives set out in a ward by empowering the staff nurses under his responsibility. The success of head room depends very much on how his ability to affect staffs in nursing management. Therefore, the head of the ward expected as an effective leader and manager. The head ward as an effective manager will utilize the management process through the involvement of staff nurses under his responsibility to improve the quality of nursing services. Purpose: The study aimed to know the relationship of emotional intelligence of head room with management of the ward in hospital areas of the city of Jayapura. Method: The research design used in this research is descriptive correlational design by cross sectional approach where data relating to free variables and bound variables. The variables collected at the same time. Result: The result of this research explained that there are correlational between the emotional intelligence of head room with management of the ward in several hospitals in the city of Jayapura. The correlational between emotional intelligence with the management of the ward was 0.006, head room with the management of the ward was 0,001, head control with the management of the ward was 0.04, motivation of head room with the management of the ward was 0.022, the head room the with the management of the ward was 0.002, and at the last is correlational between social head relation with the management of the ward was 0.003. The correlational between two research variables have lower than p-value 0.05 as standard deviation. It means there are correlational between two variables. Discussion: The head of the room needs to have a high emotional intelligence in their daily work.
Comments welcome September 21 , 2007 Stealing from Thieves : Firm Governance and Performance when States are Predatory Art Durnev and

We investigate how predatory government policies (expropriation, lack of property rights protection, corruption, crime) interact with managerial incentives in shaping firm governance structure. Our model shows that owners have lower incentives to encourage valuemaximization by managers if the government is likely to expropriate firm profits. This result emerges because it is more difficult for governments to seize firm profits that managers have already stolen and hidden from the owners. The model also demonstrates that the positive valuation effect of stronger firm governance is lower in states with more predatory governments. We test these predictions using several distinct data sets on firm governance and disclosure practices, and the business and financing obstacles firms face due to government intervention. The empirical results are consistent with the model’s predictions. Specifically, we find that firms located in countries with more predatory governments practice weaker governance and disclose less information. Further, the previously documented positive relation between firm governance and firm performance is weaker or disappears altogether when governments pursue predatory policies. Finally, in countries with more predatory governments, firm-specific characteristics are less important in explaining variation in governance and firms have more similar governance structures.
Frequency-Domain Two- To Three-Channel Upmix for Center Channel Derivation and Speech Enhancement

Twoto three-channel audio upmix can be useful in a number of contexts. Adding a front center loudspeaker provides a more stable center image and an increase in dialogue clarity. Even in the absence of a physical center speaker, the ability to derive a center channel can facilitate speech enhancement by making it possible to boost or filter the dialogue, which is usually panned to the center. Twoto three-channel upmix can also be a first step in upmixing from two to five channels. We propose a frequency-domain upmix process using a vector-based signal decomposition, including methods for improving the selectivity of the center channel extraction. A geometric interpretation of the algorithm is provided. Unlike most existing frequency-domain upmix methods, the current algorithm does not perform an explicit primary/ambient decomposition. This reduces the complexity and improves the quality of the center channel derivation.
Neural Synchronization during Face-to-Face Communication

Although the human brain may have evolutionarily adapted to face-to-face communication, other modes of communication, e.g., telephone and e-mail, increasingly dominate our modern daily life. This study examined the neural difference between face-to-face communication and other types of communication by simultaneously measuring two brains using a hyperscanning approach. The results showed a significant increase in the neural synchronization in the left inferior frontal cortex during a face-to-face dialog between partners but none during a back-to-back dialog, a face-to-face monologue, or a back-to-back monologue. Moreover, the neural synchronization between partners during the face-to-face dialog resulted primarily from the direct interactions between the partners, including multimodal sensory information integration and turn-taking behavior. The communicating behavior during the face-to-face dialog could be predicted accurately based on the neural synchronization level. These results suggest that face-to-face communication, particularly dialog, has special neural features that other types of communication do not have and that the neural synchronization between partners may underlie successful face-to-face communication.
Plasma concentrations of angiogenesis-related molecules in patients with pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND Anti-angiogenic agents are now being clinically evaluated for the treatment of pancreatic cancer and a detailed investigation of the angiogenic profile of pancreatic cancer is needed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the plasma concentrations of angiogenesis-related molecules in patients with pancreatic cancer, compared with those with other diseases. METHODS Plasma samples obtained from 45 patients with pancreatic cancer were analyzed and compared with those from 9 patients with pancreatitis, 16 patients with benign hepatobiliary diseases and 58 patients with colorectal cancers. The plasma levels of angiogenesis-related molecules including angiopoietin-2, follistatin, granulocyte-colony stimulating factor, hepatocyte growth factor, interleukin-8, leptin, platelet-derived growth factor beta polypeptide, platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor were determined using an antibody suspension bead arrays system. RESULTS The plasma levels of all the angiogenesis-related molecules were not increased in patients with pancreatic cancer, compared with those with pancreatitis and benign hepatobiliary diseases, whereas the levels of those with colorectal cancer were markedly increased. The plasma interleukin-8 concentration was significantly elevated in patients with distant metastases and was associated with a poor treatment outcome of chemotherapy in patients with pancreatic cancer. CONCLUSIONS The plasma levels of angiogenesis-related molecules were not elevated in patients with pancreatic cancer, compared with those with benign diseases or colorectal cancer. The plasma interleukin-8 level may be a novel biomarker for the response to chemotherapy in patients with pancreatic cancer and warrants further prospective study.
Constructing a Chinese—Japanese Parallel Corpus from Wikipedia

Parallel corpora are crucial for statistical machine translation (SMT). However, they are quite scarce for most language pairs, such as Chinese―Japanese. As comparable corpora are far more available, many studies have been conducted to automatically construct parallel corpora from comparable corpora. This paper presents a robust parallel sentence extraction system for constructing a Chinese―Japanese parallel corpus from Wikipedia. The system is inspired by previous studies that mainly consist of a parallel sentence candidate filter and a binary classifier for parallel sentence identification. We improve the system by using the common Chinese characters for filtering and two novel feature sets for classification. Experiments show that our system performs significantly better than the previous studies for both accuracy in parallel sentence extraction and SMT performance. Using the system, we construct a Chinese―Japanese parallel corpus with more than 126k highly accurate parallel sentences from Wikipedia. The constructed parallel corpus is freely available at http://orchid.kuee. kyoto-u.ac. jp/~chu/resource/wiki_zh_ja. tgz.