Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Markedness and Lexical Typicality in Mandarin Acceptability Judgments

It has long been known that native speakers judge nonlexical forms as more acceptable the more lexically typical they are (i.e. similar to real words). It has also been shown that speakers judge less marked (i.e. universally more natural) structures as more acceptable than more marked structures. In this study, we investigate for the first time how markedness and lexical typicality interact, using data from a large corpus of experimentally collected Mandarin native-speaker judgments of nonlexical syllables. We defined the lexical typicality of a test item in terms of how many lexical Mandarin syllables share the item's onset consonant, and defined markedness in terms of how many phoneme inventories have this consonant cross-linguistically. Consistent with prior research, both markedness and lexical typicality improved acceptability, but the two factors also interacted positively: the lexical typicality effect was stronger for less marked forms than for more marked forms. The same interaction appears in a reanalysis of English nonword judgment data. This interaction is not predicted by standard Optimality Theory, but it can be formalized with conjunctive coordination, the inverse of the more familiar local conjunction, whereby a coordinated constraint is obeyed if and only if both of its component constraints are obeyed.
Ribonuclease selection for ribosome profiling

Ribosome profiling has emerged as a powerful method to assess global gene translation, but methodological and analytical challenges often lead to inconsistencies across labs and model organisms. A critical issue in ribosome profiling is nuclease treatment of ribosome–mRNA complexes, as it is important to ensure both stability of ribosomal particles and complete conversion of polysomes to monosomes. We performed comparative ribosome profiling in yeast and mice with various ribonucleases including I, A, S7 and T1, characterized their cutting preferences, trinucleotide periodicity patterns and coverage similarities across coding sequences, and showed that they yield comparable estimations of gene expression when ribosome integrity is not compromised. However, ribosome coverage patterns of individual transcripts had little in common between the ribonucleases. We further examined their potency at converting polysomes to monosomes across other commonly used model organisms, including bacteria, nematodes and fruit flies. In some cases, ribonuclease treatment completely degraded ribosome populations. Ribonuclease T1 was the only enzyme that preserved ribosomal integrity while thoroughly converting polysomes to monosomes in all examined species. This study provides a guide for ribonuclease selection in ribosome profiling experiments across most common model systems.
A Novel Dummy-Based Mechanism to Protect Privacy on Trajectories

In recent years, wireless communication technologies and accurate positioning devices enable us to enjoy various types of location-based services. However, revealing users location information to potentially untrusted LBS providers is one of the most significant privacy threats in location-based services. The dummy-based privacy-preserving approach is a popular technology that can protect real trajectories from exposing to attackers. Moreover, it does not need a trusted third part, while guaranteeing the quality of service. When user requests a service, dummy trajectories anony mize the real trajectory to satisfy privacy-preserving requirements. In this paper, we propose a new privacy model that includes three reasonable privacy metrics. We also design a new algorithm named adaptive dummy trajectories generation algorithm (ADTGA) to derive uniformly distributed dummy trajectories. Dummy trajectories generated by our algorithm can achieve stricter privacy-preserving requirements based on our privacy model. The experimental results show that our proposed algorithm can use fewer dummy trajectories to satisfy the same privacy-preserving requirement than existing algorithms, and the distribution of dummy trajectories is more uniformly.
Genome-Wide Scan for Methylation Profiles in Keloids

Keloids are benign fibroproliferative tumors of the skin which commonly occur after injury mainly in darker skinned patients. Medical treatment is fraught with high recurrence rates mainly because of an incomplete understanding of the biological mechanisms that lead to keloids. The purpose of this project was to examine keloid pathogenesis from the epigenome perspective of DNA methylation. Genome-wide profiling used the Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip to interrogate DNA from 6 fresh keloid and 6 normal skin samples from 12 anonymous donors. A 3-tiered approach was used to call out genes most differentially methylated between keloid and normal. When compared to normal, of the 685 differentially methylated CpGs at Tier 3, 510 were hypomethylated and 175 were hypermethylated with 190 CpGs in promoter and 495 in nonpromoter regions. The 190 promoter region CpGs corresponded to 152 genes: 96 (63%) were hypomethylated and 56 (37%) hypermethylated. This exploratory genome-wide scan of the keloid methylome highlights a predominance of hypomethylated genomic landscapes, favoring nonpromoter regions. DNA methylation, as an additional mechanism for gene regulation in keloid pathogenesis, holds potential for novel treatments that reverse deleterious epigenetic changes. As an alternative mechanism for regulating genes, epigenetics may explain why gene mutations alone do not provide definitive mechanisms for keloid formation.
The Structure of the Oxygen-rich Supernova Remnant G292.0+1.8 from Chandra X-Ray Images: Shocked Ejecta and Circumstellar Medium

We present results from the observation of the young Galactic supernova remnant (SNR) G292.0+1.8 with the Advanced CCD Imaging Spectrometer (ACIS) on board the Chandra X-Ray Observatory. In the 0.3-8 keV band, the high-resolution ACIS images reveal a complex morphology consisting of knots and filaments as well as the blast wave around the periphery of the SNR. We present equivalent width (EW) maps for the elemental species O, Ne, Mg, and Si, which allow us to identify regions of enhanced metallicity in the SNR. G292.0+1.8 is bright in O, Ne, and Si and weaker in S and Ar, with little Fe. The EW and broadband images indicate that the metal-rich ejecta are distributed primarily around the periphery of the SNR. The central beltlike structure has a normal solar-type composition, strongly suggesting that it is primarily emission from a shocked circumstellar medium rather than metal-rich ejecta. We propose that the belt traces its origin to enhanced mass loss in the star's equatorial plane during the slow, red supergiant phase. We also identify thin filaments with normal composition, centered on and extending nearly continuously around the outer boundary of the SNR. These may originate in a shell caused by the stellar winds from the massive progenitor in the red/blue supergiant phases, overrun by the blast wave.
The Political Ecology of Pee and Poo

This thesis investigates how the metabolic rift and peak phosphorus are represented in Norwegian media and policy documents. The investigation is done with the use of critical discourse analysis. The material investigated consists of 28 texts from Norwegian newspapers and two documents from the Norwegian Environment Agency. The theoretical framework is based on the theory of hegemony, infrastructure lock-in and path dependency theory. The analysis shows that technology and neoliberal economics have a hegemonic role in the domain of peak phosphorus and the metabolic rift. There are discursive struggles between the hegemonic discourses and other more critical sub-discourses. I argue that the hegemonic discourses substantiate the lock-in of the water-based sewage system. The current system is technology installed to solve a problem partly created by technology, while forging new problems. In the material, there is no discussion of the water-based sewage system as part of the problem, which underlines the argument that this is a lock-in.
Phenotypic and Functional Properties of Porcine Dedifferentiated Fat Cells during the Long-Term Culture In Vitro

It has been proved that terminally differentiated mature adipocytes possess abilities to dedifferentiate into fibroblast-like progeny cells with self-renewal and multiple differentiation, termed dedifferentiated fat (DFAT) cells. However, the biological properties of DFAT cells during long-term culture in vitro have not been elucidated. Here, we obtained fibroblast-like morphology of porcine DFAT cells by ceiling culture. During the dedifferentiation process, round mature adipocytes with single large lipid droplets changed into spindle-shaped cells accompanied by the adipogenic markers PPARγ, aP2, LPL, and Adiponectin significant downregulation. Flow cytometric analysis showed that porcine DFAT cells displayed similar cell-surface antigen profile to mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Furthermore, different passages of porcine DFAT cells during long-term culture in vitro retained high levels of cell viabilities (>97%), efficient proliferative capacity including population doubling time ranged from 20 h to 22 h and population doubling reached 47.40 ± 1.64 by 58 days of culture. In addition, porcine DFAT cells maintained the multiple differentiation capabilities into adipocytes, osteoblasts, and skeletal myocytes and displayed normal chromosomal karyotypes for prolonged passaging. Therefore, porcine DFAT cells may be a novel model of stem cells for studying the functions of gene in the different biological events.
Mechanism Design with Execution Uncertainty

We introduce the notion of fault tolerant mechanism design, which extends the standard game theoretic framework of mechanism design to allow for uncertainty about execution. Specifically, we define the problem of task allocation in which the private information of the agents is not only their costs to attempt the tasks, but also their probabilities of failure. For several different instances of this setting we present technical results, including positive ones in the form of mechanisms that are incentive compatible, individually rational and efficient, and negative ones in the form of impossibility theorems.
Further optimizations of the GPU-based pixel purity index algorithm for hyperspectral unmixing

Many algorithms have been proposed to automatically find spectral endmembers in hyperspectral data sets. Perhaps one of the most popular ones is the pixel purity index (PPI), available in the ENVI software from Exelis Visual Information Solutions. Although the algorithm has been widely used in the spectral unmixing community, it is highly time consuming as its precision increases asymptotically. Due to its high computational complexity, the PPI algorithm has been recently implemented in several high performance computing architectures including commodity clusters, heterogeneous and distributed systems, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and graphics processing units (GPUs). In this letter, we present an improved GPU implementation of the PPI algorithm which provides real-time performance for the first time in the literature.
Tbe Evolution of a Graduated Sdibol Software Package in a Changing Grap Bi Cs Environment

The paper describes the development history of a software package fo r computer-assisted drafting of graduated symbol maps. According to the prevalent machinery ten y ears ago the first version was realized on a minicomputer wi th vector-oriented devices , such as mechanical plotters and storage tube terminals. The programs provide func tions for plotting graduate symbols of various forms , legends an d line drawing. To improve map legibility the hidden areas in case of overlapping symbols are removed. The vis ual separation of the symbols is enhanced by a halo effect , a small gap between the symbols, or the symbols and map background. New hardware required reprogramming of the package to exploit the extended capabilities of new computers and graphic d evices, including color and hardware area fill. To increase the fl exibility, portability and maintainability the graphic standard GKS (Graphical Kernel System) has been used as a device-independent softwar e interface for the third generation of the package. Graduated Sym! >ols in Thematic Mapping The graduated symbol, also known as proportional symbol (Dent 1985), is considered tobe the appropriate technique to map th e spatial distribution of absolute values at discrete points. The point can also serve as a geometric representative for non-point references, e. g. administrative areas. The size of the symbol is proportional to the value of the variable associated with the location, either in length, area, or volume (fig. 1). Besides the size o ther graphic variables, such as brightness , color, texture, or orientation, may be used to form the graduated symbol. The graphic variables can either be combined to increase the redundancy of the information, or used separately to transcribe several independent variables in a multivariate map. For the sake of readability, however, the number of variables should be limited; not more than three is a good rule of thumb. A recent discussion of the use of graduated symbols in computer-assisted thematic mapping can be found in Haldrup, 1985. 306 Fig. 1 Gr aduated symbols and associated subroutine names Values proportional to a) length b) area c) volume Symbol type and associated subroutines
The diamond for power electronic devices

Diamond has the most interesting and extreme thermal, dielectric and electronic properties of semiconductors. The benefits of using diamond for power electronic switch can be illustrated by a new figure of merit. The exploration of possible device applications for this material has been motivated by the significant advances in growth and electronic technologies of diamond. Our studies are focused on two specific problems of power electronic: thermal management and high voltage switching. Indeed, diamond exhibits a unique combination of the highest electric breakdown field and thermal conduction that make it a potential candidate for power electronic packaging. Moreover, recent improvements in single crystal diamond growth have resulted in films with very high carrier mobility and high electric breakdown field that present a new interest for high power switches
Thinking about Curriculum: An Interdisciplinary Perspective

Curriculum development can play a role in preparing future psychoanalysts to participate in ongoing dialogue with colleagues in neighboring disciplines. Curriculum design can be used to encourage an interdisciplinary perspective that helps candidates think about psychoanalytic knowledge in the context of what is known in other disciplines about the functioning of mind and brain. It is possible to teach these complex matters in a way that students find accessible and useful. Exemplars taken from the curriculum designed and taught at the Columbia University Center for Psychoanalytic Training and Research are presented, as are problems encountered with this curriculum and the lessons that have been learned.
Reasoning about Web Services with Local Closed World Assumption

This paper presents a formalism for representing and reasoning about Web services with local closed world assumption (LCWA) on the basis of $\mathcal{ALCO@K}$. In our formalism, the knowledge about the states of the world is encoded in $\mathcal {ALCO@}$-ABoxes; atomic services are represented in terms of their preconditions (epistemic queries to the knowledge base) and effects (possibly negated $\mathcal{ALCO@}$-assertions involving only atomic concepts); and composite services are built up with action constructors in dynamic logics. We also summarize some reasoning tasks and develop a calculus for them. Our formalism also enjoys \emph{introspection}. The main features of our proposal (i.e., dynamic reasoning, local closed world assumption and introspection) make it more philosophically satisfying and much closer towards a practical formalism for agents with incomplete knowledge in the Web full of static information and dynamic processing.
2P/Encke, the Taurid complex NEOs and the Maribo and Sutter's Mill meteorites

Aims . 2P/Encke is a short period comet that was discovered in 1786 and has been extensively observed and studied for more than 200 years. The Taurid meteoroid stream has long been linked with 2P/Encke owing to a good match of their orbital elements, even though the comet’s activity is not strong enough to explain the number of observed meteors. Various small near-Earth objects (NEOs) have been discovered with orbits that can be linked to 2P/Encke and the Taurid meteoroid stream. Maribo and Sutter’s Mill are CM type carbonaceous chondrite that fell in Denmark on January 17, 2009 and April 22, 2012, respectively. Their pre-atmospheric orbits place them in the middle of the Taurid meteoroid stream, which raises the intriguing possibility that comet 2P/Encke could be the parent body of CM chondrites. Methods . To investigate whether a relationship between comet 2P/Encke, the Taurid complex associated NEOs, and CM chondrites exists, we performed photometric and spectroscopic studies of these objects in the visible wavelength range. We observed 2P/Encke and 10 NEOs on August 2, 2011 with the FORS instrument at the 8.2 m Very Large Telescope on Cerro Paranal (Chile). Results . Images in the R filter, used to investigate the possible presence of cometary activity around the nucleus of 2P/Encke and the NEOs, show that no resolved coma is present. None of the FORS spectra show the 700 nm absorption feature due to hydrated minerals that is seen in the CM chondrite meteorites. All objects show featureless spectra with moderate reddening slopes at λ 10 and 1999 VT 25 , which show a flatter spectrum, the spectral slope of the observed NEOs is compatible with that of 2P/Encke. However, most of the NEOs show evidence of a silicate absorption in lower S/N data at λ> 800 nm, which is not seen in 2P/Encke, which suggests that they are not related. Conclusions . Despite similar orbits, we find no spectroscopic evidence for a link between 2P/Encke, the Taurid complex NEOs and the Maribo and Sutter’s Mill meteorites. However, we cannot rule out a connection to the meteorites either, as the spectral differences may be caused by secondary alteration of the surfaces of the NEOs.
Decision fusion in a wireless sensor network with a large number of sensors

– For a wireless sensor network (WSN) with a large number of sensors, a decision fusion rule using the total number of detections reported by local sensors for hypothesis testing, is proposed and studied. Based on a signal attenuation model where the received signal power decays as the distance from the target increases, the system level detection performance, namely probabilities of detection and false alarms, are derived and calculated. Without the knowledge of local sensors’ performances and at low signal to noise ratio (SNR), this fusion rule can still achieve very good system level detection performance if the number of sensors is sufﬁciently large. The problem of designing an optimum local sensor level threshold is investigated. For various system parameters, the optimal thresholds are found numerically. Guidelines on selecting the optimal local threshold have been presented.
Principal Burnout: How Urban School Leaders Experience Secondary Trauma on the U.S.-Mexico Border

ABSTRACT The mental health needs of school principals have been consistently overlooked in the field of educational leadership and in the preparation and professional development of principals. This mixed-method study compares rates of burnout and secondary trauma of principals in one urban school district along the U.S.-Mexico border with other human-service professionals and provides examples of how two principals experienced burnout and secondary trauma. Most principals reported low rates of burnout and secondary trauma, but follow-up interviews with two newer principals revealed significant exposure to trauma. Findings inform new directions for research and new emphases for preparation.
Association between Collegiate Recreational Sports Involvement and Undergraduate Student Retention

This study examined the association between collegiate recreational sports (CRS) involvement and undergraduate retention rates after 1, 2, and 3 years of study at a midsized Canadian university. Astin's theory of involvement and Tinto's inter-actionist theory of student departure provided the conceptual underpinnings for the study. The results of the study indicated a significant association between CRS employment, or participation in intramural sports, with retention when compared to the broader student population that were not participating in intramural sports nor employed by the CRS department. These findings will assist recreation directors and program staff to ensure that the value of recreational activities for all students and the leadership opportunities provided through staffing programs and recreational facilities with students continues to be seen as important to university administrators.
Component-based Synthesis Applied to Bitvector Programs

We define component-based synthesis to be the problem of synthesis of (straight-line) programs from appropriate composition of base components from a specified library of software components. The functional specification of the desired program and the library components is provided in the form of logical formulas that relate the respective input and output variables. This has applications in design of intricate circuits or algorithms, superoptimization, and API mining. Furthermore, automated synthesis provides the promise of correctness by construction, generation of efficient systems, and improvement in developer’s productivity. We solve the component-based synthesis problem using a constraint-based approach that involves first generating a synthesis constraint, and then solving the constraint. The synthesis constraint is a first-order logic formula whose size is quadratic in the number of components, but has quantifier alternation. We present a novel algorithm for solving such constraints. Our algorithm is based on counterexample guided iterative synthesis paradigm and uses off-the-shelf SMT solvers. We present experimental results on synthesizing a variety of bitvector algorithms that involve unintuitive composition of standard bitvector operations and are difficult to synthesize manually. We also compare our technique with existing synthesis approaches based on sketching and superoptimization. Our tool Brahma can efficiently synthesize highly nontrivial 10-20 line loop-free programs. These programs represent a state space of approximately 20 programs, and are beyond the reach of the other tools.
Behavior and corrections of Constant Modulus equalization with a DC offset

Some communication systems embed pilot tones into the data spectrum to aid the receiver in synchronization, which may result in a DC offset of the baseband data. This paper motivates the use for adaptive estimation of the DC offset at the receiver, and proposes a Constant Modulus cost function that is jointly minimized over the DC offset estimate and the equalizer parameters. It is shown that for an arbitrary DC offset, the CM cost function admits local spurious minima in terms of equalizer settings, and that matching the DC offset at the receiver to the level inserted at the transmitter causes both local and global minima in terms of equalizer settings. Extrema of the cost function in terms of a DC offset are derived and classified, and adaptive methods for DC offset estimation are introduced.