Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Left-behind children: teachers’ perceptions of family-school relations in rural China

Abstract Large-scale rural-urban migration in China has left rural schools with large proportions of left-behind children whose parents are away working in the city. This has a huge impact on family-school relations and poses a burden on teachers. This study draws on 42 interviews with teachers working in two rural schools. This article argues that teachers’ negative narratives about antagonistic family-school relations are driven by the gaps between their culturally embedded traditional models of family-school relations and the reality, with implications for the expanded role of schools and that of grandparents as caregivers. This article further discusses the implications of these findings for rural schools and draws heavily on Western models of family-school relations in a comparative perspective.
On Order-Constrained Transitive Distance Clustering

We consider the problem of approximating order-constrained transitive distance (OCTD) and its clustering applications. Given any pairwise data, transitive distance (TD) is defined as the smallest possible "gap" on the set of paths connecting them. While such metric definition renders significant capability of addressing elongated clusters, it is sometimes also an over-simplified representation which loses necessary regularization on cluster structure and overfits to short links easily. As a result, conventional TD often suffers from degraded performance given clusters with "thick" structures. Our key intuition is that the maximum (path) order, which is the maximum number of nodes on a path, controls the level of flexibility. Reducing this order benefits the clustering performance by finding a trade-off between flexibility and regularization on cluster structure. Unlike TD, finding OCTD becomes an intractable problem even though the number of connecting paths is reduced. We therefore propose a fast approximation framework, using random samplings to generate multiple diversified TD matrices and a pooling to output the final approximated OCTD matrix. Comprehensive experiments on toy, image and speech datasets show the excellent performance of OCTD, surpassing TD with significant gains and giving state-of-the-art performance on several datasets.
Institute for Mathematical Physics Uniform Estimates of the Resolvent of the Laplace–beltrami Operator on Infinite Volume Riemannian Manifolds with Cusps.ii Uniform Estimates of the Resolvent of the Laplace-beltrami Operator on Infinite Volume Riemannian Manifolds with Cusps.ii

We prove uniform weighted high frequency estimates for the resolvent of the Laplace-Beltrami operator on connected infinite volume Riemannian manifolds under some natural assumptions on the metric on the ends of the manifold. This extends previous results by Burq [3] and Vodev [8].
Improving Requirements Quality in Digital Libraries: The Case of Scientific Proceedings

Proceedings of technical events, postgraduate theses, and technical reports in many different areas of knowledge witness the history of the development of that area; The experience gained in the development of digital libraries may be used in the documents domain to help building similar systems achieving higher quality standards, at the same time as reducing the time and costs needed in the creation of a new system. This paper describes and systematizes a methodology to give support for the requirements definition in the Digital Library Domain (specifically the ones built for scientific proceedings), based on the experience of three document processing platforms. The aim is to describe a general structure and requirements to guide system developers on how to build other similar digital libraries, either from printed or from electronic documents.
Using Control Charts for Detecting and Understanding Performance Regressions in Large Software

Load testing is a very important step in testing of large-scale software systems. For example, studies found that users are likely to abandon an online transaction if the web application fails to response within eight seconds. Performance load tests ensure that performance counters such as response time stays in the acceptable range after each change to the code. Analyzing load tests results to detect performance regression is very time consuming due to the large amount of performance counters. In this thesis, we propose approaches that use control charts, a statistical process control technique, to assist performance engineers in identifying test runs with performance regressions, pinpointing the components which cause the regressions, and determining the causes of regressions in load tests. Using our approaches, engineers will save time in analyzing the results of load tests.
Nonlocal extension of the dispersive optical model to describe data below the Fermi energy

Present applications of the dispersive-optical-model analysis are restricted by the use of a local but energy-dependent version of the generalized Hartree-Fock potential. This restriction is lifted by the introduction of a corresponding nonlocal potential without explicit energy dependence. Such a strategy allows for a complete determination of the nucleon propagator below the Fermi energy with access to the expectation value of one-body operators (like the charge density), the one-body density matrix with associated natural orbits, and complete spectral functions for removal strength. The present formulation of the dispersive optical model (DOM) therefore allows the use of elastic electron-scattering data in determining its parameters. Application to {sup 40}Ca demonstrates that a fit to the charge radius leads to too much charge near the origin using the conventional assumptions of the functional form of the DOM. A corresponding incomplete description of high-momentum components is identified, suggesting that the DOM formulation must be extended in the future to accommodate such correlations properly. Unlike the local version, the present nonlocal DOM limits the location of the deeply bound hole states to energies that are consistent with (e,e{sup '}p) and (p,2p) data.
Differences in brain structure in deaf persons on MR imaging studied with voxel-based morphometry.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The loss of a major sensory input early in life is known to cause alterations in neuronal connectivity and physiology at the cellular level, but effects on gross anatomy are less well understood. The purpose of this study was to compare volumetric structural brain MR imaging scans of deaf versus hearing subjects by using voxel-based morphometry (VBM). The hypothesis was that the deaf would have relative hypoplasia in the temporal lobe centers involved in hearing and speech. METHODS T1-weighted volumetric images from 53 prelingually deaf persons and 51 control subjects were analyzed with VBM. Initial segmentations were spatially normalized, and then these deformation parameters were applied to the original images, which were again segmented. Statistic parametric mapping was then applied on a voxel-by-voxel basis to determine group differences and asymmetries. RESULTS The white matter analysis revealed a statistically significant focal deficit in the deaf persons in the left posterior superior temporal gyrus (STG), corresponding to white matter inferior to auditory cortex. Gray matter asymmetries in the deaf persons were overall similar to that in hearing persons but a focal loss of asymmetry was noted in the posterior STG white matter in the deaf persons. CONCLUSION These results support the hypothesis that there are gross alterations in brain anatomy as a consequence of early deafness. The white matter deficit in the posterior left superior temporal gyrus may represent hypoplasia of the auditory/speech related tracts. Hemispheric asymmetries however remain largely intact.
The young stellar population at the center of NGC 205

Context. NGC 205 is a peculiar dwarf elliptical galaxy hosting in its center a population of young blue stars. Their origin is still matter of debate, the central fresh star formation activity possibly being related to dynamical interactions between NGC 205 and M31. Aims. The star formation history in the central 30\arcsec ($\sim$120 pc) around the NGC 205 central nucleus is investigated in order to obtain clues to the origin of the young stellar population. Methods. Deep HST/ACS CCD photometry is compared with theoretical isochrones and luminosity functions to characterize the stellar content of the region under study and compute the recent SF rate. Results. Our photometry reveals a previously undetected blue plume of young stars clearly distinguishable down to I$\simeq$26. Our analysis suggests that 1.9$\times10^5$ M$_\odot$ were produced between approximately 62 Myr and 335 Myr ago in the NGC 205 inner regions, with a latest minor episode occurring $\sim$25 Myr ago. This implies a star formation rate of $\sim7\times10^{-4}$ M$_\odot$/yr over this period. Conclusions. The excellent fit of the observed luminosity function of young main sequence stars obtained with a model having a constant star formation rate argues against a tidally triggered star formation activity over the last $\sim$300 Myr. Rather, a constant SF may be consistent with NGC 205 being on its first interaction with M 31.
Improved fittings for distribution of vehicles' velocity in intelligent transportation systems

To find out the approximations for the probability distribution functions (PDF) of vehicles' speeds during different periods of time respectively is one of the most important targets to analyze a transportation system. Nevertheless, the distribution of the velocity generally does not consist with the normal (Gaussian) distribution. In this article, two statistic models for fitting are investigated, which are Generalized T (GT) distribution and the Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM). Maximum likelihood Estimation (MLE) rule is used in the optimization of the models' parameters through Genetic Algorithm. For simulation, data from NGSIM is utilized, and the result manifests that both of the two proposed models are better than Gaussian model. GT performs better in maximum likelihood, while GMM has better performance in MSE.
The Analysis of Hybrid Trie Structures the Analysis of Hybrid Trie Structures the Analysis of Hybrid Trie Structures

This paper provides a detailed analysis of various implementations of digital tries, including the \ternary search tries" of Bentley and Sedgewick. The methods employed combine symbolic uses of generating functions, Poisson models, and Mellin transforms. Theoretical results are matched against real-life data and justify the claim that ternary search tries are a highly eecient dynamic dictionary structure for strings and textual data. Analyse des arbres digitaux hybrides R esum e : Cet article fournit une analyse d etaill ee de diverses implantations des arbres digitaux ou \tries", incluant notamment les \arbres ternaires de recherche" de Bentely et Sedgewick. Les m ethodes utilis ees combinent une utilisation symbolique des s eries g en eratrices, les mod eles de Poisson et la transformation de Mellin. Les r esultats th eoriques sont compar es a ce qui est obtenu sur des donn ees r eelles ; ils justiient le fait que les arbres ternaires de recherche sont une structure de donn ee tr es eecace pour le traitement de cha^ nes de caract eres et de donn ees textuelles. Abstract This paper provides a detailed analysis of various implementations of digital tries, including the \ternary search tries" of Bentley and Sedgewick. The methods employed combine symbolic uses of generating functions, Poisson models, and Mellin transforms. Theoretical results are matched against real-life data and justify the claim that ternary search tries are a highly eecient dynamic dictionary structure for strings and textual data.
Targeted inhibition of ANKRD1 disrupts sarcomeric ERK-GATA4 signal transduction and abrogates phenylephrine-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy.

AIMS Accumulating evidence suggest that sarcomere signalling complexes play a pivotal role in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy by communicating stress signals to the nucleus to induce gene expression. Ankyrin repeat domain 1 (ANKRD1) is a transcriptional regulatory protein that also associates with sarcomeric titin; however, the exact role of ANKRD1 in the heart remains to be elucidated. We therefore aimed to examine the role of ANKRD1 in cardiomyocyte hypertrophic signalling. METHODS AND RESULTS In neonatal rat ventricular myocytes, we found that ANKRD1 is part of a sarcomeric signalling complex that includes ERK1/2 and cardiac transcription factor GATA4. Treatment with hypertrophic agonist phenylephrine (PE) resulted in phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and GATA4 followed by nuclear translocation of the ANKRD1/ERK/GATA4 complex. Knockdown of Ankrd1 attenuated PE-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and GATA4, inhibited nuclear translocation of the ANKRD1 complex, and prevented cardiomyocyte growth. Mice lacking Ankrd1 are viable with normal cardiac function. Chronic PE infusion in wild-type mice induced significant cardiac hypertrophy with reactivation of the cardiac fetal gene program which was completely abrogated in Ankrd1 null mice. In contrast, ANKRD1 does not play a role in haemodynamic overload as Ankrd1 null mice subjected to transverse aortic constriction developed cardiac hypertrophy comparable to wild-type mice. CONCLUSION Our study reveals a novel role for ANKRD1 as a selective regulator of PE-induced signalling whereby ANKRD1 recruits and localizes GATA4 and ERK1/2 in a sarcomeric macro-molecular complex to enhance GATA4 phosphorylation with subsequent nuclear translocation of the ANKRD1 complex to induce hypertrophic gene expression.
Automatic Identification of Whole-Part Relations in Portuguese

In this paper, we improve the extraction of semantic relations between textual elements as it is currently performed by STRING, a hybrid statistical and rule-based Natural Language Processing chain for Portuguese, by targeting whole-part relations (meronymy), that is, a semantic relation between an entity that is perceived as a constituent part of another entity, or a member of a set. In this case, we focus on the type of meronymy involving human entities and body-part nouns. 1998 ACM Subject Classification I.2. 7 Natural Language Processing
Time adaptive boosting model for topic tracking

The technology of topic tracking can help people find what they are interested from the vast information sea. Since topics develop dynamically, topic excursion problem may appear in the tracking process. To overcome this problem and the shortcomings of current adaptive methods, we propose a new adaptive method for topic tracking. We call it time adaptive boosting (TAB) model. This model adopts the idea of boosting and presents new algorithm to the adaptive learning mechanism in the task of topic tracking. This algorithm can solve the problem of topic excursion, and remedy the deficiency of current adaptive methods. Time sequence of topic tracking task is also considered in the algorithm. We use sigmoid function to express it. In experiments we use the Chinese part in TDT4 corpus as test corpus, and use the TDT2004 evaluation metric to evaluate the adaptive Chinese topic tracking system based on TAB. Experimental results show that the adaptive method based on TAB can improve the performance of topic tracking.
Novel nanosystem to enhance the antitumor activity of lapatinib in breast cancer treatment: Therapeutic efficacy evaluation

The present study was performed to investigate the therapeutic performance of polymer‐lipid hybrid nanoparticles towards the delivery of lapatinib (LPT) in breast cancers. We have successfully developed the lapatinib‐loaded polymer‐lipid hybrid nanosystem and showed its therapeutic potential in in vitro and in vivo models of breast cancer. The nanoformulations consisted of a polymeric core (poly[lactide‐co‐glycolide]‐D‐a‐tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate [PLGA–TPGS]), which was then enveloped by a PEGylated lipid layer (DSPE‐PEG) (PLPT) to maintain the structural integrity. The PLPT formulation controlled the drug release in pH 7.4 conditions and accelerated the release at pH 5.5 conditions. The PLPT showed a remarkable cellular internalization and efficiently killed the MCF‐7 cancer cells in a time‐ and concentration‐dependent manner. Moreover, LPT‐loaded nanoparticles effectively induced apoptosis of cancer cells than compared to free LPT. Pharmacokinetic data suggested that nanoparticles could significantly enhance the blood circulation time of LPT by reducing the uptake by a reticuloendothelial system (RES). The prolonged blood circulation of PLPT could allow the preferential accumulation of drug in the tumor tissues. Importantly, PLPT significantly reduced the tumor burden of cancerous mice and effectively controlled the tumor cell proliferation. TUNEL assay further showed a greater apoptosis of tumor tissues in the PLPT treated mice group. Our results suggest that the use of a hybrid system may allow a decrease in the dosage regimen without the loss of therapeutic effect. Overall, lapatinib‐loaded hybrid nanoparticles hold great potential for achieving an optimal therapeutic effect in breast cancer treatment. The present anticancer drug delivery system could be potentially applied for the treatment of other cancers.
Concurrent aggregates (CA)

To program massively concurrent MIMD machines, programmers need tools for managing complexity. One important tool that has been used in the sequential programming world is hierarchies of abstractions. Unfortunately, most concurrent object-oriented languages construct hierarchical abstractions from objects that serialize — serializing the abstractions. In machines with tens of thousands of processors, unnecessary serialization of this sort can cause significant loss of concurrency. Concurrent Aggregates (CA) is an object-oriented language that allows programmers to build unserialized hierarchies of abstractions by using aggregates. An aggregate in CA is a homogeneous collection of objects (called representatives) that are grouped together and may be referenced by a single aggregate name. Aggregates are integrated into the object model, allowing them to be used wherever an object could be used. Concurrent Aggregates also incorporates several innovative language features that facilitate programming with aggregates. Intra-aggregate addressing aids cooperation between parts of an aggregate. Delegation allows programmers to compose an concurrent aggregate behavior from a number of objects or aggregates. Messages in CA are first class objects that can be used to create message handling abstractions (they handle messages as data). Such abstractions facilitate concurrent operations on aggregates. Continuations are also first class objects. In addition, programmers can construct continuations and use them just like system continuations. User constructed continuations can implement synchronization structures such as a barrier synchronization.
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology If It Changes It Must Be a Process: Study of Emotion and Coping during Three Stages of a College Examination

This natural experiment provides substantial evidence for the following major themes, which are based on a cognitively oriented, process-centered theory of stress and coping: First, a stressful encounter should be viewed as a dynamic, unfolding process, not as a static, unitary event. Emotion and coping (including the use of social support) were assessed at three stages of a midterm examination: the anticipation stage before the exam, the waiting stage after the exam and before grades were announced, and after grades were posted. For the group as a whole there were significant changes in emotions and coping (including the use of social support) across the three stages. Second, people experience seemingly contradictory emotions and states of mind during every stage of an encounter. In this study, for example, subjects experienced both threat emotions and challenge emotions. The complexity of emotions and their cognitive appraisals reflects ambiguity regarding the multifaceted nature of the exam and its meanings, especially during the anticipation stage. Third, coping is a complex process. On the average, subjects used combinations of most of the available forms of problem-focused coping and emotion-focused coping at every stage of the exam. Different forms of coping were salient during the anticipation and waiting stages. Problem-focused coping and emphasizing the positive were more prominent during the former, and distancing more prominent during the latter. Finally, despite normatively shared emotional reactions at each stage, substantial individual differences remained. Using selected appraisal and coping variables, and taking grade point averages (GPA) into account, approximately 48% of the variances in threat and challenge emotions at the anticipation stage was explained. Controlling for variance due to the grade received, appraisal, and coping variables accounted for 28% of the variance in positive and negative emotions at the outcome stage. Including grade, 57% of the variance in positive emotions at outcome and 61% of the negative emotions at outcome were explained. The essence of stress, coping, and adapta-changing meaning or significance of what is tion is change. The emotions one experiences happening as the encounter unfolds. Coping, in a stressful encounter, for example, are too, is characterized by change. One might characterized by flux. At first one may feel at first engage in avoidant or denial-like strat-anxious; after a few moments of further in-egies to ward off the significance of an event, terchange, angry; then guilty; then loving and then decide to deal head-on with the problem; joyful. The …
Contributions to ICA of natural images

In this paper we analyze the results provided by the popular algorithm FastICA when it is applied to natural images, using the kurtosis as non-linearity. In this case show that the so-called ICA filters can be expressed in terms of the eigenvectors associated to the smallest eigenvalues of the data correlation matrix, meaning that these filters are all high-pass. From this property emerges the sparse distribution of the independent components. On the other hand, the use of the kurtosis as contrast function causes the appearance of “spikes” in the independent components that make that the ICA bases are very similar to patches of the images analyzed. Some experiments are included to illustrate the results.