Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Early Childhood Special Education Teachers' Use of Embedded Learning Opportunities Within Classroom Routines and Activities

Embedded learning opportunities are one evidence-based practice for addressing individualized education program goals for young children with special needs. In this study, we used quantitative and qualitative methods to analyze 8 early childhood special education teachers' use of embedded learning opportunities during the usual conditions of typical classroom activities. We analyzed video-recorded 10-min segments of adult-directed, child-directed, and routine activities for each teacher's use of embedded learning opportunities to address their children's individualized education plan goals. In addition, we gathered qualitative data on teachers' perceptions, barriers, and needed supports regarding embedded learning opportunities. Teachers used embedded learning opportunities infrequently, but there was significant variation among teachers. Teachers used verbal antecedents (e.g., directives, questions, and models) most frequently and were most likely to address children's communication goals. There were no differences in the rate of teachers' use of embedded learning opportunities across activity types. Teachers reported needing supports such as training and additional staff to implement embedded learning opportunities. Implications for teacher training and research are discussed.
Localized Multi-plane TWSVM Classifier via Manifold Regularization

Traditionally, multi-plane Support Vector Machines including twin support vector machine (TWSVM) and least squares twin support vector machine (LSTSVM) essentially fail to fully discover the local geometry inside the samples that may be important for classification performance and only preserve the global data structure. This motivates the rush towards new classifiers that can take advantage of underlying local data manifold. In this paper, we first indicate that both TWSVM and LSTSVM are essentially to solve two sub optimizations of the standard regularization method. Illuminated by several new-proposed geometrically motivated algorithms we then propose a graph learning algorithms based on LSTSVM, which is designed for classification and are constructed based on a new form of manifold regularization. Experimental evidence suggests that our methods are effective in performing classification task.
Essays in Behavioral Economics

This thesis uses economic theory to investigate two important behavioral phenomena: the fact that the beliefs of individuals can be distorted from the truth, and that individuals can endogenously transition between different modes of cognition which affect the rationality of their decision-making. These ideas are looked at in three distinct applications. Chapter 2 looks at a setting in which a contract designer can distort the beliefs of an individual away from the truth through how he presents or frames a contract he is providing. The susceptibility of the agent to these belief distortions is a function of her mode of cognition, which is endogenously determined as a function of the frame. The model generates novel predictions due to the equilibrium effects resulting from the joint determination of framing and cognition. In particular, it is shown that cognitive investment may actually be increasing in its own cost. Chapter 3 investigates an intra-personal setting in which an agent can distort her own beliefs through the use of different types of self-set goals, and may or may not find it advantageous to do so. This is used to provide a foundation for why individuals repeatedly set goals for themselves that they deviate from. It is shown that individuals with large self-control problems will utilize goals that distort beliefs and, thus, will end up deviating from their self-set goals. Finally, in Chapter 4, the theory of endogenous modes of cognition is employed in a communication setting. It is shown that bounded cognition can actually increase the propensity for information to be transmitted in equilibrium. A paradox of cognition is established: the greater the cognitive ability of the agent, the less information is revealed to her in equilibrium.
Popular or Personal: Access Patterns of User Generated Content

It is generally believed that Zipf’s law is well applied for Web objects. However, as OSNs prevail and Internet begins to concentrate more and more on individuals, many researchers report that request frequency of Web objects deviates from Zipf’s law notably, especially for UGC (User Generated Content) sites. In this paper, we take the first step to explain it from the perspective of relations between content provider and consumer. Our contribution is twofold: (1) We propose a new metric named social locality to quantify relations between content providers and consumers of a site. (2) We find that social locality has strong influence on the access patterns of UGC sites. Sites with high social locality may deviate from Zipf’s law more significantly than the ones with lower social locality.
Phase Change of Limit Laws in the Quicksort Recurrence under Varying Toll Functions

We characterize all limit laws of the quicksort-type random variables defined recursively by ${\cal L}(X_n)= {\cal L}(X_{I_n}+X^*_{n-1-I_n}+T_n)$ when the "toll function" Tn varies and satisfies general conditions, where (Xn), (Xn*), (In, Tn) are independent, In is uniformly distributed over {0, . ,n-1}, and ${\cal L}(X_n)={\cal L}(X_n^\ast)$. When the "toll function" Tn (cost needed to partition the original problem into smaller subproblems) is small (roughly $\limsup_{n\rightarrow\infty}\log E(T_n)/\log n\le 1/2$), Xn is asymptotically normally distributed; nonnormal limit laws emerge when Tn becomes larger. We give many new examples ranging from the number of exchanges in quicksort to sorting on a broadcast communication model, from an in-situ permutation algorithm to tree traversal algorithms, etc.
The Young Stellar Population of NGC 4214 as Observed with the Hubble Space Telescope. II. Results

We present the results of a detailed UV-optical study of the nearby dwarf starburst galaxy NGC 4214 using multifilter Hubble Space Telescope WFPC2 and STIS photometry. The stellar extinction is found to be quite patchy, with some areas having values of E(4405 - 5495) < 0.1 mag and others, associated with star-forming regions, much more heavily obscured, a result that is consistent with previous studies of the nebular extinction. We determined the ratio of blue to red supergiants and found it to be consistent with theoretical models for the metallicity of the Small Magellanic Cloud. The stellar initial mass function (IMF) of the field in the range 20-100 M⊙ is found to be steeper than γ = -2.8 (γ = -2.35 for a Salpeter IMF). A number of massive clusters and associations with ages between a few and 200 Myr are detected, and their properties are discussed.
Virtual reality head-tracking observation system for mobile robot

Previously, Hybrid-Routing Algorithm Model was proposed by the Structures, Pointing, and Control Engineering (SPACE) University Research Center1 at California State University of Los Angeles (CSULA). The Hybrid-Routing Algorithm Model utilizes semi-autonomous control during robotic operations in unknown, remote, hazardous, or otherwise inaccessible terrains. In order to observe and monitor mobile robot's surroundings, an onboard virtual reality system has been designed and implemented. It operates by remotely following the commanded movement of the robotic mission operator's headset. The proposed design features the Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) chip secured to the center of the iTV-goggles unit. , which is worn by the robotic mission operator. Direction cosine matrix algorithm is used to update the body coordinates of the IMU chip to the global reference system. Euler angles are computed based on the angular orientation of the mission operator's headset and are transmitted to the mobile robot. The observation system contains multiple servo motors that rotate onboard camera based on the received pitch roll, and yaw information. The observation system transmits compressed visual information of robot's surroundings to the Host Computing Station. This video is rendered via iTV-goggles display to the mission operator.
Association of early-stage psoriasis with smoking and male alcohol consumption: evidence from an Italian case-control study.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the association of psoriasis with smoking habits and alcohol consumption before first diagnosis by a dermatologist. DESIGN A multicenter case-control study. Interviews were conducted by trained medical investigators using a structured questionnaire. SETTING Outpatient services of 10 general and 10 teaching hospitals in northern and southern Italy. SUBJECTS Patients with a first diagnosis of psoriasis made by a dermatologist and a history of skin manifestations of no longer than 2 years after the reported disease onset. Patients with new diagnoses of skin diseases other than psoriasis were selected as control subjects. A total of 404 case patients (median age, 35 years) and 616 controls (median age, 36 years) were included in the analysis. RESULTS The risk for psoriasis was higher in ex-smokers and in current smokers than in patients who never smoked. The relation with smoking was stronger and more consistent among women than men. In men, a significant association was restricted to the ex-smoker status. Smoking was strongly associated with pustular lesions (29 patients) with an adjusted odds ratio of 10.5 (95% confidence interval, 3.3-33.5) for those smoking more than 15 cigarettes per day. No significant overall association with alcohol consumption was documented after controlling for smoking habits. However, the risk seemed to vary according to sex, with a moderate association being documented in men. CONCLUSIONS Cigarette smoking and, in men, alcohol consumption are associated with psoriasis. There is a strong association between smoking and pustular lesions.
Weaving a New Fabric of Natural History

Abstract Natural history offers an interestingly rich mix of traditional and modern ways of organizing data, information, and knowledge. The Linnaean tradition still defines the basis of how taxonomic knowledge of organisms is organized, while at the same time complementary perspectives on databases and ontologies are developed and implemented, to provide enhanced access to natural history collection data to researchers in taxonomy and biodiversity. Some of this knowledge enrichment may even be automated, and bootstrapped from basic object metadata. This metadata is largely composed of natural language text, which is generally more noisy and ambiguous than numeric data. In this contribution, we present two methods for the automated discovery of metadata from textual object databases: first, the automatic detection of new metadata in existing free-text database columns, and second, the discovery of new ontological relations between metadata elements.
Maximizing the Sum Rate in Cellular Networks Using Multiconvex Optimization

In this paper, we propose a novel algorithm to maximize the sum-rate in interference-limited scenarios where each user decodes its own message with the presence of unknown interferences and noise. The problem of adapting the transmit and receive filters of the users to maximize the sum-rate with a transmit power constraint is nonconvex. Our novel approach is to formulate the sum-rate maximization problem as an equivalent multiconvex optimization problem by adding two sets of auxiliary variables. An iterative algorithm, which alternatingly adjusts the system variables and the auxiliary variables is proposed to solve the multiconvex optimization problem and we show that the algorithm converges to a stationary point. The proposed algorithm is applied to a downlink cellular scenario consisting of several cells each of which contains a base station serving several mobile stations. We examine the two cases, with or without several half-duplex amplify-and-forward relays assisting the transmission. A sum power constraint at the base stations and at the relays are assumed. The applicability of our approach to the individual power constraints case is also shown. Finally, we show that the proposed multiconvex formulation of the sum-rate maximization problem is applicable to many other wireless systems in which the estimated data symbols are multiaffine functions of the system variables.
Evaluation of change in health status of chronic headache patients : influence of patients' reference points and dispositional optimism /

In the current health care environment of cost containment, quality assurance and provider accountability, the measurement of outcomes has become both important and imperative in judging the effectiveness of any program or therapy. Health-Related Quality-of-Life is one such outcome measure used to evaluate the change in health and related physical, mental social and role functioning following any treatment Change in health status as it is currently measured (a difference between baseline and follow-up scores) does not account for individual differences in baselines or “reference points" nor the meaning of change to patients. This study proposed the presence of three categories of reference points: individualized, social and informational; which were hypothesized to be influenced by the individual's overall optimism. An overall, implicit generalized reference health state proposed as a combination of these reference points, was hypothesized to be a standard of comparison in evaluating change in health status. This study also proposed a distinction between the magnitude of change between baseline and follow-up scores and the evaluation of change as perceived by the patient. A conceptual model was developed based on the ideas presented above. A pre-post study design was used to assess the reference points and change in health status. A sample of 100 newly diagnosed chronic headache patients were surveyed at two neurology clinics. Patients completed the baseline survey at the clinic following the physician interaction: follow-up surveys were completed at home after a month of treatment Results confirmed the presence of the informational and individualized reference points, the latter of which was influenced by optimism. The evidence for the generalized reference health state was inconclusive. The hypothesized difference between magnitude and evaluation of change was supported as was a direct relationship between the two. The model was disconfirmed as indicated by a poor fit to the data. However, a respecification of the model indicated that the reference points added value to the currently accepted model of measuring change in health status. The primary contribution of this study was the presence of reference points and the concept of meaningfulness of a change in health status to patients.
Exploring an Outdoor Experiential and PYD Program's Influence on Youth in a Residential and Day Treatment Program

This dissertation explores the process and examines the outcomes of youth participating in a positive youth development adventure-based intervention Challenge By Choice (CBC) with outcomes of youth receiving treatment as usual in a residential and day treatment program. This dissertation aims to build on the growing body of literature on outcomes associated with PYD theoretical models and AET approaches. Specifically, the proposed dissertation asks: Is there a difference in externalizing behavioral outcomes for youth who participate in CBC as compared to peers of similar age/behavioral baseline who receive only treatment as usual? To answer this research question, a mixed methods sequential design was used. First a qualitative inquiry into staffs’ perceptions of youth in the program, followed by a retrospective quasiexperimental quantitative study, ending with qualitative interviews to interpret and make sense of quantitative findings. The results indicated there was not a significant difference in externalizing behavioral outcomes for youth the intervention group compared to the treatment as usual group. The qualitative strand helped to make sense of these results through highlighting that during the actual intervention, the youth in the intervention group appeared to make progress with increased skills and decreased behaviors but that any perceived positive impact was not sustained or supported by the quantitative results. The qualitative results iii revealed 3 themes that helped to frame the perceived impact of the intervention and, one key theme related to barriers to sustained changes revealed possible explanations for the increase in externalizing behaviors post the intervention.
Improved Multi-Person Tracking with Active Occlusion Handling

We address the problem of vision-based multi- person tracking in busy inner-city locations using a stereo rig mounted on a mobile platform. Specifically, we are interested in the application of such a system for autonomous navigation and path planning. In such a scenario, semantic information about the moving scene objects becomes important. In order to esti- mate this robustly, we combine classical geometric world map- ping with multi-person detection and tracking. In this paper, we refine an approach presented in earlier work, which jointly estimates camera position, stereo depth, object detections, and trajectories based only on visual information. We analyze the influence of the trajectory generator, which forms part of any tracking-by-detection system, and propose a set of measures to improve its performance. The extensions are experimentally evaluated on challenging, realistic video sequences recorded at busy inner-city locations. The results show that the proposed extensions significantly improve overall system performance, making the resulting detecting and tracking capabilities an interesting component of future navigation system for highly dynamic scenes.
Holography of Wilson loop correlator and spinning strings

We discuss holographic principle of double Wilson loop correlator in the case of spinning string in AdS/CFT correspondence. Following the general method proposed by Yoneya, et al. for bulk-boundary correspondence in the large J limit, we study the spinning string solution which comes from the boundary and goes to the boundary. We then show that the spinning string solution directly gives the double Wilson loop correlator which is consistent with spin chain picture on the gauge theory side. ∗e-mail adress: tsuji@hep1.c. u-tokyo.ac. jp
Bacterial Rhizosphere Biodiversity from Several Pioneer Desert Sand Plants Near Jizan, Saudi Arabia

Life in arid regions and, in particular, hot deserts is often limited due to their harsh environmental conditions, such as large temperature fluctuations and low amounts of water. These extreme environments can influence the microbial community present on the surface sands and any rhizosphere members surrounding desert plant roots. The Jizan desert area, located in Saudi Arabia, supports particular vegetation that grows in the large sandy flat terrain. We examined five different samples, four from the rhizosphere of pioneer plants plus a surface sand sample, and used pyrosequencing of PCR-amplified V1-V3 regions of 16S rDNA genes from total extracted DNA to reveal and compare the bacterial population diversity of the samples. The results showed a total of 3,530 OTUs in the five samples, calculated using ≥ 97% sequence similarity levels. The Chao1 estimation of the bacterial diversity fluctuated from 637 to 2,026 OTUs for a given sample. The most abundant members found in the samples belong to the Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes and Proteobacteria phyla. This work shows that the Jizan desert area of Saudi Arabia can contain a diverse bacterial community on the sand and surrounding the roots of pioneer desert plants. It also shows that desert sand microbiomes can vary depending on conditions, with broad implications for sandstone monument bacterial communities
A prevailing judicial package for clustering and sorting information extraction

Spontaneous sorting clock hoop around two significant concepts of sorting and summarizing data. While sorting is the primary concern of this tool, summarization is its secondary concern. As its name itself signifies, the primary concern sorting, the tool sorts the data simultaneously into various groups based on the title. It constructs an index in a clockwise manner, which makes it simpler and easier for the researches in searching for the required data. Since, the sorting is done in clock-based form, where the starting point collides with the ending point; likewise the earliest data meets the rearmost. So, the data search is performed in both forward and backward directions which in turn doubles up the speed of the same process done only in the forward direction.
Journal of Cancer

Purpose: Sodium stibogluconate (SSG), a small molecule inhibitor of protein tyrosine phosphatases, combined with IFN-alpha-2b (IFN-α) inhibited solid tumor cell line growth in vitro. We conducted a phase I clinical trial with SSG plus IFN-α in advanced cancer patients to assess tolerance, maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and immune system effects. Experimental Design: SSG was administered intravenously alone for five days of week 1, cycle 1 (21 days per cycle) and together with IFN-α 2b s (3 million units sc TIW) in week 2, and after a rest during week 3, on a 2-week on/1-week off cycle. SSG dose levels were 400, 600, 900, 1125, and 1350 mg/m. Results: Twenty-four patients were studied. Common toxicities included asymptomatic elevated serum lipase, thrombocytopenia, fatigue, fever, chills and anemia. The dose-limiting toxicities (DLT) were hypokalemia, thrombocytopenia, fatigue, pancreatitis and skin rash. The MTD was 900 mg/m SSG and IFN-α, 3 million units TIW. At this dose, patients had a significantly lower number of regulatory T cells (TR Cells) (p = 0.012), myeloid dendritic cells (mDC) (p = 0.028); higher percentage of natural killer (NK) cells that synthesized perforin (p = 0.046) and of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) that secreted IFN-α (p = 0.018) in response to activation through toll-like receptor (TLR) 7 and TLR 8 by CL097, the highly water-soluble derivative of the imidazoquinoline compound R848. Conclusions: SSG in combination with IFN-α 2b was well tolerated and augmented cellular immune parameters.
Decorrelation and Shallow Semantic Patterns for Distributional Clustering of Nouns and Verbs

Distributional approximations to lexical semantics are very useful not only in helping the creation of lexical semantic resources (Kilgariff et al., 2004; Snow et al., 2006), but also when directly applied in tasks that can benefit from large-coverage semantic knowledge such as coreference resolution (Poesio et al., 1998; Gasperin and Vieira, 2004; Versley, 2007), word sense disambiguation (McCarthy et al., 2004) or semantical role labeling (Gordon and Swanson, 2007). We present a model that is built from Webbased corpora using both shallow patterns for grammatical and semantic relations and a window-based approach, using singular value decomposition to decorrelate the feature space which is otherwise too heavily influenced by the skewed topic distribution of Web corpora.
The Truth-value Judgment Task 10.1 the Nature and History of the Truth-value Judgment Task

The truth-value judgment (TVJ) task has proved to be one of the most illuminating methods of assessing children's linguistic competence developed in recent years. The fundamental property of this task is that it requires the child simply to make a bipolar judgment about whether a statement accurately describes a particular situation alluded to in some context or preamble. The success of the task clearly resides in the simplicity of the child's response and the significant amount of information that can be gathered about the child's understanding of complex constructions. With this method, it is possible to evaluate the child's understanding of complex constructions, which might have seemed untestable only a few years ago.