Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A qualidade da motivação em estudantes do ensino fundamental

Lack of motivation in students to learn is a pressing educational problem. This paper presents the results of an assessment of the quality of motivation of 1,381 elementary school students, with an average age of 11.2 years, through the application of the Elementary School Motivation Scale (Escala de Motivacao de Estudantes do Ensino Fundamental). The results revealed that autonomous motivation predominated among the participants. The comparison among variables showed that a lack of motivation and controlled motivation were higher among the male participants in comparison to the females, who obtained higher rates in the evaluation of autonomous motivation. Controlled motivation and lack of motivation incre- ased as students advanced in grades, while autonomous motivation decreased. Students at private schools were less self mo- tivated and dependended more on external control to become motivated when compared to students from the public system. The latter were significantly more involved in school for autonomous reasons. The educational implications of these findings are considered in the discussion session.
Step Reduced K-Best Sphere Decoding

We propose an algorithm that reduces the complexity of the K-best sphere decoding (K-best SD) algorithm, which is a powerful parallel detection algorithm for multiple-input multiple-output systems (MIMO). By analyzing the probability of different nodes to be the final solution, the algorithm prunes some nodes during the tree search to reduce the complexity. Simulation results prove that compared with the K-best SD algorithm the proposed algorithm performance drops very little. Compared with the famous fixed-complexity sphere decoding (FSD) with the same complexity, the proposed algorithm has better performance.
Map-On: A web-based editor for visual ontology mapping

This paper presents Map-On, a web-based editor for visual ontology mapping developed at the Architecture, Representation and Computation research group of the La Salle at Ramon Llull University. The Map-On editor provides a graphical environment for ontology mapping creation based on the representation of mapping using an interactive graph layout. Thus, a point-and-click interface simplifies the mapping creation process. Based on the user inputs the editor automatically generates a R2RML document, particularly produces the IRI patterns and the SQL queries. It has been used in real scenarios alleviating the effort of coding R2RML statements which is one of the main barriers for adopting R2RML in research and in the industry
Combining Multiple Models Across Algorithms and Samples for Improved Results

Multiple approaches have been developed for improving predictive performance of a system by creating and combining various learned models. There are two main approaches to creating model ensembles. The first is to create a set of learned models by applying an algorithm repeatedly to different training sample data, while the second approach applies various learning algorithms to the same sample data. The predictions of the models are then combined according to a voting scheme. This paper presents a method for combining models that was developed using numerous samples, modeling algorithms, and modelers and compares it with the alternate approaches. The results are based on findings from an ongoing operational data mining initiative with respect to selecting a model set that is best able to meet defined goals from among trained models. The operational goals for this initiative are to deploy data mining models that maximize specificity with minimal negative impact to sensitivity. The results of the model combination methods are evaluated with respect to sensitivity and false alarm rates and are then compared against other approaches.
Hard bargaining on the hard drive: gender bias in the music technology classroom

Drawing on empirical data, this paper examines gender issues around the use of digital technologies for music composition. Increased investment in digital music technologies in music classrooms in the United Kingdom has produced a situation whereby ‘composition’ has become synonymous with ‘music technology suite’. While this has generated much discussion around issues of pedagogy and educational outcomes, there has been less attention paid to the sociological aspects of this digital shift. Consequently, these discussions ignore the socially constructed nature of computers and computer use thereby overlooking the gendered implications of confining composition to digitally mediated processes. By drawing on perspectives from the sociology of science and technology studies (STS), I offer a critical exploration of the processes and practices within the music classroom as they contribute to the gendering of digital technologies, and their impact on pupils’ attitudes to composition.
Family Policy in Germany: A Feminist Dilemma?

The paper provides a detailed description of different aspects of family policy in Germany, including descriptions of financial and employment supports for families in their caregiving role. Family policy in Germany provides strong financial and social support for children. Law and policy, however, are specifically formulated to encourage child rearing to take place in the home, with one of the parents focusing extensively on child rearing and family responsibilities. The paper also examines whether equality for women can be achieved within the framework of a corporatist welfare state regime such as Germany's. It develops the argument that the German route to equality may be a different one from that pursued by countries with liberal or social democratic welfare regimes. This scenario also implies that when and if equality does occur, the structures and meaning of this equality are also likely to differ. Finally, the paper argues that the corporatist welfare state regime cannot be dismissed as incompatible with the achievement of future equality for women. Instead such a model can be viewed as providing the potential of increasing choices for women with children.
Control of spatially distributed nonstationary systems over arbitrary graph structures with communication latency

The paper focuses on spatially distributed control systems where the controller sensing and actuation topology is inherited from that of the plant. Specifically, the paper considers distributed systems composed of linear time-varying subsystems interconnected over general graph structures. These distributed systems are subject to communication latency, where the information sent by a subsystem at the current time step is received by the target subsystem at the next time step. The paper provides convex analysis and synthesis conditions for control design in this setting, with the ℓ2-induced norm used as the performance measure. These conditions reduce to finite sequences of linear matrix inequalities in the case of eventually periodic systems interconnected over finite graphs.
Job Competition , Holdups and E ffi ciency

We consider an auction-theoretic model of the labour market to study hold-up problems in markets with frictions. Firms have to invest in capital before they can advertise a job, while unemployed workers apply for jobs by bidding in auctions. This non-cooperative application procedure generates a distribution of applicants across jobs, and our aim is to investigate how the competition among applicants affects the investment decisions of firms. ∗I would like to thank Ramon Marimon, Giuseppe Bertola, John Kennes, Klaus Kultti, Christopher Pissarides and seminar participants at the SED Meeting in Alghero, Italy, the University of Helsinki and the Zeuthen Meeting at the University of Copenhagen for useful comments and discussions. All remaining errors are mine.
A Spherically-Shaped PZT Thin Film Ultrasonic Transducer with an Acoustic Impedance Gradient Matching Layer Based on a Micromachined Periodically Structured Flexible Substrate

This paper presents the microfabrication of an acoustic impedance gradient matching layer on a spherically-shaped piezoelectric ultrasonic transducer. The acoustic matching layer can be designed to achieve higher acoustic energy transmission and operating bandwidth. Also included in this paper are a theoretical analysis of the device design and a micromachining technique to produce the novel transducer. Based on a design of a lead titanium zirconium (PZT) micropillar array, the constructed gradient acoustic matching layer has much better acoustic transmission efficiency within a 20–50 MHz operation range compared to a matching layer with a conventional quarter-wavelength thickness Parylene deposition. To construct the transducer, periodic microcavities are built on a flexible copper sheet, and then the sheet forms a designed curvature with a ball shaping. After PZT slurry deposition, the constructed PZT micropillar array is released onto a curved thin PZT layer. Following Parylene conformal coating on the processed PZT micropillars, the PZT micropillars and the surrounding Parylene comprise a matching layer with gradient acoustic impedance. By using the proposed technique, the fabricated transducer achieves a center frequency of 26 MHz and a −6 dB bandwidth of approximately 65%.
Moving against the grain? Investigating the efficacy of a touch‐based intervention in a climate of suspicion

This article considers the implications of a small‐scale research project, undertaken by the authors, which used the example of the Massage in Schools Programme (a simple peer massage programme) to ascertain whether the planned use of touch‐based activity can support the growth of social and emotional skills in the primary classroom. Such claims are considered within the context of a modern society that is ill at ease with touch. Data, including observations of children and interviews with children and staff, were collected in two primary school classrooms pre, during and post the introduction of a six‐week massage programme, led by Massage in Schools practitioners. The findings of this project demonstrate that the number of social relationships reported by children did increase post intervention. The article goes on to consider the possible mechanisms by which this was achieved and features of the classroom context that may mediate the impact of the intervention. The authors conclude that a touch‐based intervention such as the Massage in Schools Programme may have a positive and potentially educational value for children and schools and support the growth of social and emotional skills.
Evaluation of Intratumoral HER-2 Heterogeneity by Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization in Invasive Breast Cancer: A Single Institution Study

This study aimed to determine the incidence and characteristics of HER-2 gene heterogeneity in invasive breast cancer in a single institution. Included were 971 cases of primary invasive breast cancer diagnosed between 2008 and 2010. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) image files were retrospectively reviewed and HER-2 gene heterogeneity was defined as more than 5% but less than 50% of analyzed invasive tumor cells with a HER-2/Chr17 ratio higher than 2.2, according to the College of American Pathologists guidelines. HER-2 gene heterogeneity was identified in 24 (2.5%) cases. The mean proportion of invasive tumor cells with a HER-2/chromosome 17 ratio higher than 2.2 was 11.6% (range: 5%-25%). Of 24 cases, HER-2 gene status was not amplified in 8, showed borderline amplification in 2, and amplification in 14. All HER-2 amplification cases were low-grade. In conclusion, HER-2 gene heterogeneity of invasive breast cancer is identified in routine FISH examination. This may affect the results of HER-2 gene amplification status in FISH studies.
Spatial and temporal characteristics of 60-GHz indoor channels

This article presents measurement results and models for 60-GHz channels. Multipath components were resolved in time by using a sliding correlator with 10-ns resolution and in space by sweeping a directional antenna with 7/spl deg/ half power beamwidth in the azimuthal direction. Power delay profiles (PDPs) and power angle profiles (PAPs) were measured in various indoor and short-range outdoor environments. Detailed multipath structure was retrieved from PDPs and PAPs and was related to site-specific environments. Results show an excellent correlation between the propagation environments and the multipath channel structures. The measurement results confirm that the majority of the multipath components can be determined from image based ray tracing techniques for line-of-sight (LOS) applications. For non-LOS (NLOS) propagation through walls, the metallic structure of composite walls must be considered. From the recorded PDPs and PAPs, received signal power and statistical parameters of angle-of-arrival and time-of-arrival were also calculated. These parameters accurately describe the spatial and temporal properties of millimeter-wave channels and can be used as empirical values for broadband wireless system design for 60-GHz short-range channels.
Engendering and composing movement: William Forsythe and the Ballett Frankfurt

William Forsythe's research into ways of engendering and organising movement has led him to pursue counterpoint, proprioperception, entrainment, and authenticity for organisational principles that also allow improvisation. Artistic director and choreographer of the Ballett Frankfurt, and himself trained in ballet, Forsythe shows an appreciation of and often a critical engagement with classical dance, transforming and revitalising it. When he works collaboratively, Forsythe challenges the traditional distinction between choreographer and dancer, thus questioning hierarchy, authorship, and disciplinary boundaries.
On Experiences in a Complex and Competitive Gaming Domain: Reinforcement Learning Meets RoboCup

RoboCup soccer simulation features the challenges of a fully distributed multi-agent domain with continuous state and action spaces, partial observability, as well as noisy perception and action execution. While the application of machine learning techniques in this domain represents a promising idea in itself, the competitive character of RoboCup also evokes the desire to head for the development of learning algorithms that are more than just a proof of concept. In this paper, we report on our experiences and achievements in applying reinforcement learning (RL) methods in the scope of our Brainstormers competition team within the Simulation League of RoboCup during the past years
Readiness of teachers for change in schools

Theorizing on the role of teacher attitudes in change effectiveness, this study examined the predictive value of context (trust), process (social interaction, participative management and knowledge sharing) and outcome (job satisfaction and workload perception) variables for cognitive, emotional and intentional readiness of teachers for change. The study was designed as predictive correlational study. Data were collected from 1649 elementary teachers. Hierarchical linear regression analysis results indicated that background and context variables are weak predictors of readiness for change (RFC), while job outcome and process variables emerged as stronger predictors of RFC. The central role of job satisfaction and trust in predicting RFC suggests that readiness cannot be limited to times of change; rather, it is closely related to total experiences of teachers on their job. As a result, for a more effective management of teachers’ attitudes towards change leadership needs to hold a broader temporal and contextual understanding rather than demonstrating limited interventions during times of change.
Lucid Data Dreaming for Object Tracking

Convolutional networks reach top quality in pixel-level object tracking but require a large amount of training data (1k ~ 10k) to deliver such results. We propose a new training strategy which achieves state-of-the-art results across three evaluation datasets while using 20x ~ 100x less annotated data than competing methods. Instead of using large training sets hoping to generalize across domains, we generate in-domain training data using the provided annotation on the first frame of each video to synthesize ("lucid dream") plausible future video frames. In-domain per-video training data allows us to train high quality appearance- and motion-based models, as well as tune the post-processing stage. This approach allows to reach competitive results even when training from only a single annotated frame, without ImageNet pre-training. Our results indicate that using a larger training set is not automatically better, and that for the tracking task a smaller training set that is closer to the target domain is more effective. This changes the mindset regarding how many training samples and general "objectness" knowledge are required for the object tracking task.
Structure and Substrate Specificity of a Eukaryotic Fucosidase from Fusarium graminearum*

Background: Fucosidase releases terminal fucose from functionally diverse glycans. Results: The first eukaryotic fucosidase crystal structures reveal two active-site conformations and a novel βγ-crystallin domain. Conclusion: Catalytically essential glutamate in glycoside hydrolase family 29 (GH29) fucosidases is structurally conserved despite locally poor sequence conservation. Significance: Conformational flexibility involving the general acid/base Glu exists in GH29 fucosidases across different life domains. The secreted glycoside hydrolase family 29 (GH29) α-l-fucosidase from plant pathogenic fungus Fusarium graminearum (FgFCO1) actively releases fucose from the xyloglucan fragment. We solved crystal structures of two active-site conformations, i.e. open and closed, of apoFgFCO1 and an open complex with product fucose at atomic resolution. The closed conformation supports catalysis by orienting the conserved general acid/base Glu-288 nearest the predicted glycosidic position, whereas the open conformation possibly represents an unreactive state with Glu-288 positioned away from the catalytic center. A flexible loop near the substrate binding site containing a non-conserved GGSFT sequence is ordered in the closed but not the open form. We also identified a novel C-terminal βγ-crystallin domain in FgFCO1 devoid of calcium binding motif whose homologous sequences are present in various glycoside hydrolase families. N-Glycosylated FgFCO1 adopts a monomeric state as verified by solution small angle x-ray scattering in contrast to reported multimeric fucosidases. Steady-state kinetics shows that FgFCO1 prefers α1,2 over α1,3/4 linkages and displays minimal activity with p-nitrophenyl fucoside with an acidic pH optimum of 4.6. Despite a retaining GH29 family fold, the overall specificity of FgFCO1 most closely resembles inverting GH95 α-fucosidase, which displays the highest specificity with two natural substrates harboring the Fucα1-2Gal glycosidic linkage, a xyloglucan-derived nonasaccharide, and 2′-fucosyllactose. Furthermore, FgFCO1 hydrolyzes H-disaccharide (lacking a +2 subsite sugar) at a rate 103-fold slower than 2′-fucosyllactose. We demonstrated the structurally dynamic active site of FgFCO1 with flexible general acid/base Glu, a common feature shared by several bacterial GH29 fucosidases to various extents.
Characterization of Two Soybean (Glycine max L.) LEA IV Proteins by Circular Dichroism and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry

Late embryogenesis-abundant (LEA) proteins, accumulating to a high level during the late stages of seed development, may play a role as osmoprotectants. However, the functions and mechanisms of LEA proteins remained to be elucidated. Five major groups of LEA proteins have been described. In the present study, we report on the characterization of two members of soybean LEA IV proteins, basic GmPM1 and acidic GmPM28, by circular dichroism and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The spectra of both proteins revealed limited defined secondary structures in the fully hydrated state. Thus, the soybean LEA IV proteins are members of ‘natively unfolded proteins’. GmPM1 or GmPM28 proteins showed a conformational change under hydrophobic or dry conditions. After fast or slow drying, the two proteins showed slightly increased proportions of defined secondary structures (α-helix and β-sheet), from 30 to 49% and from 34 to 42% for GmPM1 and GmPm28, respectively. In the dehydrated state, GmPM1 and GmPM28 interact with non-reducing sugars to improve the transition temperature of cellular glass, with poly-l-lysine to prevent dehydration-induced aggregation and with phospholipids to maintain the liquid crystal phase over a wide temperature range. Our work suggests that soybean LEA IV proteins are functional in the dry state. They are one of the important components in cellular glasses and may stabilize desiccation-sensitive proteins and plasma membranes during dehydration.
Predicting proficiency levels in learner writings by transferring a linguistic complexity model from expert-written coursebooks

The lack of a sufficient amount of data tailored for a task is a well-recognized problem for many statistical NLP methods. In this paper, we explore whether data sparsity can be successfully tackled when classifying language proficiency levels in the domain of learner-written output texts. We aim at overcoming data sparsity by incorporating knowledge in the trained model from another domain consisting of input texts written by teaching professionals for learners. We compare different domain adaptation techniques and find that a weighted combination of the two types of data performs best, which can even rival systems based on considerably larger amounts of in-domain data. Moreover, we show that normalizing errors in learners’ texts can substantially improve classification when level-annotated in-domain data is not available.
Computer Vision Systems

The field of the invention relates to computer vision systems and methods providing real time data analytics on detected people or objects in the home environment or other environments. It is based on an embedded engine that analyses an image from a raw sensor and virtualised the image into a digital representation enabling a digital understanding of the environment while guarantying privacy. It comprises multiple image processing blocks and embedded firmware.
A simple and accurate method for white blood cells segmentation using K-means algorithm

White Blood Cells (WBCs) counting provides invaluable information for diagnosis of different disease. Automatic counting is helpful for improving the hematological procedure. First step in automation; segmentation; is crucial for subsequent steps; feature extraction and classification. In this paper, WBCs segmentation using K-means Clustering (KMC) is proposed. First, RGB image is converted to a*L*b*. Next, data in a* and b* are fed to KMC with proper Initial Seed Points (ISP) to extract nuclei. Then, nuclei are subtracted from prime image and data in L* is fed to KMC with suitable ISP to estimate the background. Next, both nuclei and background are subtracted from prime image and residual image is enhanced and converted to L*a*b*. Next, data in b* are fed to KMC with appropriate ISP to segment cytoplasm and finally entire cell. We achieved an average of 6.46% Segmentation Error and 93.71% Jaccard Similarity Index which are desired in segmentation.