Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Support Networking Strategies of Female Chinese Immigrants in London, Ontario

Drawing on data gathered from semi-structured interviews with eighteen professional Chinese women with young children who have recently migrated to London, Ontario, this paper examines the social support networks of these women. Despite a range of barriers and difficulties, Chinese immigrant women actively mobilize their family resources and develop new support systems to meet their settlement needs in Canada. Their support networks are seen as being strategic in response to the challenges they face. Strong ties continue to be perceived as important sources of support for some immigrants, but weak ties that are established via post-migration religious participation and the use of modern communication technology, particularly the Internet, clearly provide these immigrant women vital support in dealing with settlement concerns, such as childcare and education. The findings also underscore the dramatic effect of immigration on some women's religious practices. The findings are discussed in relation to the ongoing debate about gender and social support networks of immigrants. The findings have implications for social service providers and policymakers involved in providing appropriate services to immigrant families and their children.
A Unified Channel-Network Coding Treatment for User Cooperation in Wireless Ad-Hoc Networks

We propose a combined channel-network coding solution for efficient user cooperation in wireless ad-hoc networks that comprise a host of terminals communicating to a common destination. The proposed framework, termed generalized adaptive network coded cooperation or GANCC, addresses the challenge of inter-user outage, which widely persists in practical cooperation scenarios, by adaptively matching code graphs to instantaneous network graphs (topologies). Additionally, GANCC treats channel codes as an integral part of the network code, and in doing so not only extracts the most benefit from these codes but also provides a live example supporting the notion that network codes are generalization of channel codes (as well as source codes)
Sequential Clustering and Contextual Importance Measures for Incremental Update Summarization

Unexpected events such as accidents, natural disasters and terrorist attacks represent an information situation where it is crucial to give users access to important and non-redundant information as early as possible. Incremental update summarization (IUS) aims at summarizing events which develop over time. In this paper, we propose a combination of sequential clustering and contextual importance measures to identify important sentences in a stream of documents in a timely manner. Sequential clustering is used to cluster similar sentences. The created clusters are scored by a contextual importance measure which identifies important information as well as redundant information. Experiments on the TREC Temporal Summarization 2015 shared task dataset show that our system achieves superior results compared to the best participating systems.
Open domain knowledge extraction: inference on a web scale

Though ontologies are considered central to foster the Semantic Web effort, their practical application on a Web scale is limited by the difficulty of building and maintaining high-coverage ontologies, for any of the almost unbounded number of social and technical domains mirrored on the Web. In this paper we present Open Knowledge Extraction (Open KE), a novel paradigm that creates a bridge between information retrieval, taxonomy learning and automated reasoning. Open KE builds on recently published algorithms for Open Information Extraction (Open IE) and automated taxonomy learning, which were shown able to extract information on a Web scale basis in an unsupervised manner. The key idea of Open KE is to generalize Open IE's lexicalized extractions with an automatically learned taxonomy. Lexicalized extractions are transformed in logic predicates, and used to populate a Semantic Model. An inference engine is then used to perform inductions and deductions. In this paper we describe the knowledge extraction workflow in its entirety, and apply it to a large-scale experiment in the domains of Artificial Intelligence and Virology.
Does AP Improve Student Achievement in Economics

We estimate the effect of taking Advanced Placement (AP) Economics on student performance on a high-stakes, statewide End-of-Course Test (EOCT) with data on all Georgia students who took high school economics from 2006 to 2008. We use propensity score matching to control for the endogeneity of the choice to take AP economics. Our most conservative estimate suggests that students who take high school economics in an AP class score 0.376 standard deviations higher on the Economics EOCT than “matched” students who are in high schools that do not offer AP Economics. We find large differences in “AP effects” across subpopulations—in particular, African Americans and students who performed poorly in prior mathematics courses benefit the most from AP Economics. All estimates of AP effects are substantially below OLS estimates, suggesting positive selection into AP Economics. Finally, the results are robust to different matching techniques for the full sample and all large and medium sized subpopulations. JEL classification: A21, I21
Applying visualisation techniques in software product lines

Software product lines of industrial size can easily incorporate thousands of variation points. This scale of variability can become extremely complex to manage resulting in a product development process that bears significant costs. One technique that can be applied beneficially in this context is visualisation. Visualisation is widely used in software engineering and has proven useful to amplify human cognition in data intensive applications. Adopting this technique in software product line engineering can help stakeholders in supporting essential work tasks and in enhancing their understanding of large and complex product lines. The research presented in this paper describes an integrated meta-model and research tool that employs visualisation techniques to address significant software product line tasks such as variability management and product derivation. Examples of the tasks are described and the ways in which these tasks can be further supported by utilising visualisation techniques are explained.
Spirituality and Resilience among Post-Graduate University Students

Spirituality relates more to personal search and personal growth, and to find greater meaning and ‘purpose of one’s existence’. Spirituality is believed to connect human beings with the powerful divine force that exists in the Universe. Likewise, it is also believed that spirituality plays a major role in coping with the life stressors. Coping is the process of managing and expending efforts to solve personal problems, and seeking to master, reduce or tolerate it. The aim of the study is to examine the existing relationship between spirituality and the ability to cope with stress among university post-graduate students. The sample for the study consisted of 100 university post-graduate students from various departments (50 men and 50 women) selected through the random sampling method. The examined research hypotheses are: (a) there is a significant relationship between spirituality and stress coping ability among university students; (b) there is a significant difference between men and women with regard to spirituality; and (c) there is a significant difference between men and women with regard to stress-coping ability. In this study the spirituality level and coping ability for the sample were measured. The results reveal that students who have scored on spirituality are better able to cope with their stressors, are better able to adapt and have a positive outlook towards their problem situations.
Collision Detection between Cloth and a Solid Object using Mass Spring Model and Bounding Volume Hierarchy

This paper presents the problem of performing collision detection between cloth and the solid object in real-time simulation. In order to achieve the fast collision detection and to help in collision computation, we propose a self-created Axis-Aligned Bounding Box (AABB) hierarchy. These AABBs can help in reducing the time needed to compute collision resolution.
Reliability and Validity Evidence of Scores on the French Version of the Questionnaire about Interpersonal Difficulties for Adolescents

This study examined the reliability and validity evidence drawn from the scores of the French version of the Questionnaire about Interpersonal Difficulties for Adolescents (QIDA) in a sample of 957 adolescents (48.5% boys) ranging in age from 11 to 18 years (M = 14.48, SD = 1.85). A principal axis factoring (PAF) and confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) were performed to determine the fit of the factor structure of scores on the QIDA. PAF and CFA replicated the previously identified correlated five-factor structure of the QIDA: Assertiveness, Heterosexual Relationships, Public Speaking, Family Relationships, and Close Friendships. The QIDA yielded acceptable reliability scores for French adolescents. Validity evidence of QIDA was also established through correlations with scores on the School Anxiety Inventory and the Social Anxiety Scale for Adolescents. Most of the correlations were positive and exceeded the established criteria of statistical significance, but the magnitude of these varied according to the scales of the QIDA. Results supported the reliability and validity evidence drawn from the scores of the French version of the QIDA.
Role for TBC1D20 and Rab1 in Hepatitis C Virus Replication via Interaction with Lipid Droplet-Bound Nonstructural Protein 5A

ABSTRACT Replication and assembly of hepatitis C virus (HCV) depend on the host's secretory and lipid-biosynthetic machinery. Viral replication occurs on endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-derived modified membranes, while viral assembly is thought to occur on lipid droplets (LDs). A physical association and coordination between the viral replication and assembly complexes are prerequisites for efficient viral production. Nonstructural protein 5A (NS5A), which localizes both to the ER and LDs, is an ideal candidate for this function. Here, the interaction of NS5A with host cell membranes and binding partners was characterized in living cells. The binding of NS5A to LDs is apparently irreversible, both in HCV-infected cells and when ectopically expressed. In HCV-infected cells, NS5A fluorescence was observed around the LDs and in perinuclear structures that were incorporated into a highly immobile platform superimposed over the ER membrane. Moreover, TBC1D20 and its cognate GTPase Rab1 are recruited by NS5A to LDs. The NS5A-TBC1D20 interaction was shown to be essential for the viral life cycle. In cells, expression of the Rab1 dominant negative (Rab1DN) GTPase mutant abolished steady-state LDs. In infected cells, Rab1DN induced the elimination of NS5A from viral replication sites. Our results demonstrate the significance of the localization of NS5A to LDs and support a model whereby its interaction with TBC1D20 and Rab1 affects lipid droplet metabolism to promote the viral life cycle.
Health promoting settings: future directions

In 1986, the Ottawa Charter (WHO, 1986) declared that «Health is created and lived by people within the settings of their everyday life; where they learn, work, play and love. » The charter is widely acknowledged to have been the catalyst to the health promoting settings movement – resulting in the settings approach becoming the starting point for WHO’s health promotion programmes, with a commitment to «. shifting the focus from the deficit model of disease to the health potentials inherent in the social and institutional settings of everyday life» (Kickbusch 1996: 5).
The role of Sema3–Npn-1 signaling during diaphragm innervation and muscle development

ABSTRACT Correct innervation of the main respiratory muscle in mammals, namely the thoracic diaphragm, is a crucial pre-requisite for the functionality of this muscle and the viability of the entire organism. Systemic impairment of Sema3A–Npn-1 (Npn-1 is also known as NRP1) signaling causes excessive branching of phrenic nerves in the diaphragm and into the central tendon region, where the majority of misguided axons innervate ectopic musculature. To elucidate whether these ectopic muscles are a result of misguidance of myoblast precursors due to the loss of Sema3A–Npn-1 signaling, we conditionally ablated Npn-1 in somatic motor neurons, which led to a similar phenotype of phrenic nerve defasciculation and, intriguingly, also formation of innervated ectopic muscles. We therefore hypothesize that ectopic myocyte fusion is caused by additional factors released by misprojecting growth cones. Slit2 and its Robo receptors are expressed by phrenic motor axons and migrating myoblasts, respectively, during innervation of the diaphragm. In vitro analyses revealed a chemoattractant effect of Slit2 on primary diaphragm myoblasts. Thus, we postulate that factors released by motor neuron growth cones have an influence on the migration properties of myoblasts during establishment of the diaphragm. Highlighted Article: Sema3A–Npn-1 signaling cell autonomously influences phrenic nerve branching in the diaphragm and induces ectopic muscle formation through secondary mechanisms, possibly by Slit–Robo signaling.
Integration of Clinical Data, Pathology, and cDNA Microarrays in Influenza Virus-Infected Pigtailed Macaques (Macaca nemestrina)

ABSTRACT For most severe viral pandemics such as influenza and AIDS, the exact contribution of individual viral genes to pathogenicity is still largely unknown. A necessary step toward that understanding is a systematic comparison of different influenza virus strains at the level of transcriptional regulation in the host as a whole and interpretation of these complex genetic changes in the context of multifactorial clinical outcomes and pathology. We conducted a study by infecting pigtailed macaques (Macaca nemestrina) with a genetically reconstructed strain of human influenza H1N1 A/Texas/36/91 virus and hypothesized not only that these animals would respond to the virus similarly to humans, but that gene expression patterns in the lungs and tracheobronchial lymph nodes would fit into a coherent and complete picture of the host-virus interactions during infection. The disease observed in infected macaques simulated uncomplicated influenza in humans. Clinical signs and an antibody response appeared with induction of interferon and B-cell activation pathways, respectively. Transcriptional activation of inflammatory cells and apoptotic pathways coincided with gross and histopathological signs of inflammation, with tissue damage and concurrent signs of repair. Additionally, cDNA microarrays offered new evidence of the importance of cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells throughout infection. With this experiment, we confirmed the suitability of the nonhuman primate model in the quest for understanding the individual and joint contributions of viral genes to influenza virus pathogenesis by using cDNA microarray technology and a reverse genetics approach.
Development of an RNAi based microalgal larvicide to control mosquitoes

1 Donald Danforth Plant Science Center 975 N. Warson Rd, St. Louis, MO 63132, USA 2 Department of Plant Cellular and Molecular Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA 3 Current address, Logos Procyte, 1005 N. Warson Rd., Suite B01, St Louis, MO 63132, USA 4 Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA 5 New Mexico Consortium, Los Alamos National Laboratory, 4200 W Jemez Rd., Los Alamos, NM 87544, USA
Understanding the stimulus of an air‐jet aesthesiometer: computerised modelling and subjective interpretation

Assessment of corneal sensory function is more frequently being carried out using novel non‐contact methods, which promise better stimulus control and a greater intensity range than more traditional techniques. An examination of the characteristics of the air‐jet stimulus of these ‘non‐contact’ aesthesiometers is important to enable an understanding of how these instruments stimulate the cornea. The purpose of this study was to model the air‐jet stimulus of the CRCERT‐Belmonte Aesthesiometer (CBA) and its interaction with the cornea.
Nestedness in insular floras: spatiotemporal variation and underlying mechanisms

Aims Nestedness is a characteristic of insular metacommunity structure. relatively few studies, however, have attempted to evaluate temporal changes in nestedness, or elucidate the mechanisms underlying nestedness. I evaluated both spatial and temporal patterns of nestedness in the insular floras of four archipelagoes of small islands in the bahamas and the potential underlying environmental gradients. Methods The NoDF (a nestedness metric based on overlap and decreasing fill) and the matrix temperature measure, T, were used to quantify nestedness in insular floras on small islands near abaco, andros, great Exuma and the Exuma cays, bahamas. Two different null models were employed for each nestedness measure. six environmental variables were evaluated in relation to nestedness by ordering islands according to gradients and recalculating NoDF scores. Important Findings all archipelagoes were significantly nested. Nestedness among sites contributed more to overall nestedness than did nestedness among species. NoDF scores varied among archipelagoes, but were surprisingly constant over time. ordering islands by vegetated area yielded the highest nestedness scores for three archipelagoes; ordering islands by protection from exposure yielded the highest nestedness score for one archipelago. Nestedness scores varied little over time even though species compositions changed, indicating that extinctions occurred in a deterministic manner. The relative importance of area suggests extinction is an important mechanism in producing nestedness. attempting to determine the relative importance of immigrations or extinctions requires some assumptions, however, and both processes are likely cumulative in most cases.
Multidimensional binary search trees used for associative searching

This paper develops the multidimensional binary search tree (or <italic>k</italic>-d tree, where <italic>k</italic> is the dimensionality of the search space) as a data structure for storage of information to be retrieved by associative searches. The <italic>k</italic>-d tree is defined and examples are given. It is shown to be quite efficient in its storage requirements. A significant advantage of this structure is that a single data structure can handle many types of queries very efficiently. Various utility algorithms are developed; their proven average running times in an <italic>n</italic> record file are: insertion, <italic>O</italic>(log <italic>n</italic>); deletion of the root, <italic>O</italic>(<italic>n</italic><supscrpt>(<italic>k</italic>-1)/<italic>k</italic></supscrpt>); deletion of a random node, <italic>O</italic>(log <italic>n</italic>); and optimization (guarantees logarithmic performance of searches), <italic>O</italic>(<italic>n</italic> log <italic>n</italic>). Search algorithms are given for partial match queries with <italic>t</italic> keys specified [proven maximum running time of <italic>O</italic>(<italic>n</italic><supscrpt>(<italic>k</italic>-<italic>t</italic>)/<italic>k</italic></supscrpt>)] and for nearest neighbor queries [empirically observed average running time of <italic>O</italic>(log <italic>n</italic>). ] These performances far surpass the best currently known algorithms for these tasks. An algorithm is presented to handle any general intersection query. The main focus of this paper is theoretical. It is felt, however, that <italic>k</italic>-d trees could be quite useful in many applications, and examples of potential uses are given.
Molecular organization of tricellular tight junctions

When the apicolateral border of epithelial cells is compared with a polygon, its sides correspond to the apical junctional complex, where cell adhesion molecules assemble from the plasma membranes of two adjacent cells. On the other hand, its vertices correspond to tricellular contacts, where the corners of three cells meet. Vertebrate tricellular contacts have specialized structures of tight junctions, termed tricellular tight junctions (tTJs). tTJs were identified by electron microscopic observations more than 40 years ago, but have been largely forgotten in epithelial cell biology since then. The identification of tricellulin and angulin family proteins as tTJ-associated membrane proteins has enabled us to study tTJs in terms of not only the paracellular barrier function but also unknown characteristics of epithelial cell corners via molecular biological approaches.
Positron emission tomography in non‐medullary thyroid cancer

While iodine scanning is the mainstay of functional imaging in differentiated thyroid cancer, there is now a significant body of literature regarding positron emission tomography with 2‐fluoro‐2‐deoxy glucose in thyroid cancer. This clinical review will examine the evidence supporting the use of 2‐fluoro‐2‐deoxy glucose‐positron emission tomography throughout the diagnosis and management of thyroid cancer, and provide suggestions for its clinical use and potential future roles.
The SXI: CCD camera onboard the NeXT mission

The Soft X-ray Imager (SXI) is the X-ray CCD camera on board the NeXT mission that is to be launched around 2013. We are going to employ the CCD chips developed at Hamamatsu Photonics, K.K. We have been developing two types of the CCD: an N-channel chip and a P-channel chip. The effective area of the detector system will be 5-6 cm square with a depletion layer of 100-200μm. The P-channel chip will have thicker depletion layer that makes it easy to develop it to back-illuminated type CCD. It will need a year or so for us to reach the final conclusion which type will be available. Based on the Suzaku experience, we will incorporate the charge injection gate so that we can reduce the proton damage. Furthermore, we will employ a mechanical cooler to keep the CCD working temperature down to -120°C in spite that NeXT will be in the low earth orbit. We can expect the radiation damage on our system very small. The CCD will have an Al coat on the chip to prevent optical photons from entering. This also eliminates the vacuum-tight chamber and the door-opening mechanism. We are planning to employ a custom-made analog ASIC that will reduce the power consumption and the size. The ASIC may speed up the frame-time if we can use a multi-node CCD. With using the focal length of 6m, the SXI will fully function with the optics around 20" resolution. We will report the current plan of the SXI in detail.
Study on Model Transformations

Model transformation is a central concept in model-driven development approaches, as it provides a mechanism for automating the manipulation of models. In this document we survey and classify existing model transformation technology. The classification differentiates between the problem space, i.e. characteristics of the problem to be solved by model transformation technology, and the mechanism, i.e. characteristics of the model transformation language. We show typical usage scenarios for model transformations and identify characteristics of the problems that can be solved with the help of model transformations. We synthesize a unifying classification scheme for model transformation languages based on several existing classification schemes. We introduce a selection of model transformation tools available today and compare them using our classification scheme.