Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adaptive diffusion as a versatile tool for time-frequency and time-scale representations processing: a review

Inspired by the work on image processing by Perona and Malik, diffusion-based models were first investigated by Goncalve/spl grave/s and Payot to improve the readability of Cohen class time-frequency representations. They rely on signal-dependent partial differential equations that yield adaptive smoothed representations with sharpened time-frequency components. Here, we demonstrate the versatility and utility of this family of methods, and we propose new adaptive diffusion processes to locally control both the orientation and the strength of smoothing. Our approach is an improvement on previous works as it provides a unified framework not only for the Cohen class but for the affine class as well. The latter is of particular interest because, except for some special techniques such as the reassignment method, no signal-dependent smoothing technique exists to process bilinear time-scale distributions, nor even a transposition of the adaptive optimal-kernel method proposed by Baraniuk and Jones.
Leadership Style and Team Processes in Self-Managed Teams

Team leadership merits continued attention because leaders have an impact on how the team develops and performs. In this article, team processes are explored within self-managed teams that develop different leadership styles. In particular, two leadership styles are compared: shared leadership and single leadership. The results of the study suggest that teams with shared leadership have motivational and cognitive advantages over teams that took the traditional approach of relying on a single leader. The article concludes with a discussion of the results, implications, and future research opportunities.
Self-esteem and adolescent problems: Modeling reciprocal effects.

Past research has treated self-esteem either as a social force or as a social product. However, this research has not given adequate attention to the reciprocal effects of the self-concept and various social and personal factors. A panel of 1886 adolescent boys is used to explore the reciprocal relationships between self-esteem and three problems of youth: juvenile delinquency; poor school performance; and psychological depression. Wefind that low self-esteem fosters delinquency and that delinquency may enhance self-esteem. These reciprocal effects differ among socioeconomic status groups. The relationship between self-esteem and school performance is primarily attributable to the effect of school performance on self-esteem. Finally, the causal relationship between self-esteem and depression is bidirectional. Substantive, methodological, and policy implications of these findings are discussed.
Memory-Based Named Entity Recognition

We apply a memory-based learner to the CoNLL-2002 shared task: language-independent named entity recognition. We use three additional techniques for improving the base performance of the learner: cascading, feature selection and system combination. The overall system is trained with two types of features: words and substrings of words which are relevant for this particular task. It is tested on the two language pairs that were available for this shared task: Spanish and Dutch.
Inadequate gestational weight gain increases risk of small‐for‐gestational‐age term birth in girls in Japan: A population‐based cohort study

Babies born small for gestational age (SGA) have a higher risk of neonatal morbidity and mortality as well as later life chronic disease. The objectives of this study were to examine the extent to which prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) and gestational weight gain (GWG) influenced risk of SGA among Japanese, and to evaluate physician response to, and potential effects on, GWG.
Salir adelante (perseverance): Lessons from the Mexican immigrant experience

Summary Although migration and immigrant issues have been well studied in sociology, economics, and demography there is significantly less information specific to Latino immigrants within the field of social work. This is of particular concern as the population of Latino immigrants and their children continues to grow and access areas of social work practice and policy development. This research study focuses on understanding the experience of first-generation immigrants of Mexican origin living in Denver, Colorado, through the use of qualitative research methods. Seven Mexican immigrants living in Denver described their experience through an in-depth interview process. Grounded theory was the chosen method for analysis. Findings Four themes emerged during the data analysis process: (1) ‘We are working people’; (2) ‘I am not an animal’ (experiencing racism, prejudice and discrimination); (3) fear; and (4) internal strength. Together these themes create a conceptual framework that is useful as a starting place to understand the lives and culture of Mexican immigrants. This conceptual framework highlights how immigrants negotiate racism, prejudice, discrimination, and fear through their strong work ethic and the belief in their ability to ‘salir adelante’ (to persevere or better oneself or one’s family situation). Applications Results indicate that Mexican immigrants are faced with numerous challenges, particularly due to racist laws, discriminatory procedures, and acts of prejudice. However, results also suggest that Mexican immigrants and their cultural resources provide a source of hope, allowing them to persevere even as they face challenges. The findings have several implications for direct service, advocacy and social justice, and social work education.
Ecological connectivity assessment in a strongly structured fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra) population

Small populations are more prone to extinction if the dispersal among them is not adequately maintained by ecological connections. The degree of isolation between populations could be evaluated measuring their genetic distance, which depends on the respective geographic (isolation by distance, IBD) and/or ecological (isolation by resistance, IBR) distances. The aim of this study was to assess the ecological connectivity of fire salamander Salamandra salamandra populations by means of a landscape genetic approach. The species lives in broad-leaved forest ecosystems and is particularly affected by fragmentation due to its habitat selectivity and low dispersal capability. We analyzed 477 biological samples collected in 47 sampling locations (SLs) in the mainly continuous populations of the Prealpine and Eastern foothill lowland (PEF) and 10 SLs in the fragmented populations of the Western foothill (WF) lowland of Lombardy (northern Italy). Pairwise genetic distances (Chord distance, DC) were estimated from allele frequencies of 16 microsatellites loci. Ecological distances were calculated using one of the most promising methodology in landscape genetics studies, the circuit theory, applied to habitat suitability maps. We realized two habitat suitability models: one without barriers (EcoD) and a second one accounting for the possible barrier effect of main roads (EcoDb). Mantel tests between distance matrices highlighted how the Log-DC in PEF populations was related to log-transformed geographic distance (confirming a prevalence of IBD), while it was explained by the Log-EcoD, and particularly by the Log-EcoDb, in WF populations, even when accounting for the confounding effect of geographic distance (highlighting a prevalence of IBR). Moreover, we also demonstrated how considering the overall population, the effect of Euclidean or ecological distances on genetic distances acting at the level of a single group (PEF or WF populations) could not be detected, when population are strongly structured.
When stereotype disconfirmation is a personal threat: How prejudice and prevention focus moderate incongruency effects.

For people with a prevention focus, stereotype disconfirmation is a threat to efficient and effective self-regulation when the disconfirmation is discrepant from stereotypic beliefs they endorse. This produces negative emotions, vigilance motivation, and higher attention to both the disconfirming target and its background location. Within a typical person memory paradigm, participants had to form an impression about a target person who was either male or female and was described by gender-stereotype congruent, incongruent, and irrelevant attributes. Later, they were asked to recollect the information in a background-sensitive recognition test. Participants' regulatory focus strength and modern sexism were assessed. As predicted, the higher the combination of both prevention focus and prejudice the better the memory for both the target and its background information for incongruent items. In addition, the higher this combination, the more intense were agitation-related emotions (i.e., worry and tension), a.
Patients’ perceptions on the usability of the SurePal™ self-injection device for Omnitrope®: a questionnaire-based observational study conducted in paediatric patients in France

Background: A questionnaire-based survey was conducted to evaluate attitudes towards a reusable self-injection system, SurePal™, among paediatric patients with growth disturbances who were prescribed treatment with somatropin (Omnitrope®) as part of routine clinical practice. Methods: This cross-sectional survey was incorporated into the multinational, multi-centre, noninterventional PAtients TReated with Omnitrope® (PATRO) Children study. Questions were mainly focused on five areas: the attractiveness of SurePal™; training received; use of the device; opinion of the low-drug wastage system; experience compared with previous devices used (among pretreated patients). Results: Final results from participants in France are reported. Completed questionnaires were returned by 409 participants. Most patients (55%) were male and 89% were recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH)-treatment naïve. Around 57% of children completed the questionnaire by themselves, while 43% had help from a family member/other person. The mean (standard deviation) age of all participants was 11.3 (3.6) years, and most patients were aged 10–12 years (n = 126) or 13–15 years (n = 117). Overall, 86% of patients reported that preparing SurePal™ for injection was easy/very easy. Similarly, 83% reported that performing injections with SurePal™ was easy/very easy. The attractiveness of SurePal™ was rated as good/excellent by the majority (85%) of patients; this proportion was similarly high (> 80%) across all age groups. The dose-memory function was rated as helpful/very helpful by 54% of patients. Of the 174 patients who reported using the low drug-waste feature, 90% found it to be helpful/very helpful. Among the 24 pretreated patients, 17 reported that SurePal™ was better/much better than their previous device. Conclusions: This questionnaire-based survey conducted in a large cohort of paediatric patients with growth disturbances from France confirms the ease of use of SurePal™ to support daily administration of Omnitrope® across all age groups. The demonstrated acceptability of the device may help to improve patient adherence to long-term daily treatment with rhGH.
Fingerprint indexing based on composite set of reduced SIFT features

Most of current fingerprint indexing schemes utilize features based on global textures and minutiae structures. To extend the existing technology of feature extraction, this paper proposes a new fingerprint indexing and retrieval scheme using scale invariant feature transformation (SIFT), which has been widely used in generic image retrieval. With slight loss in effectiveness, we reduce the number of features generated from one fingerprint for efficiency. To cope with the uncertainty of acquisition (e.g. partialness, distortion), we use a composite set of features to form multiple impressions for the fingerprint representation. In the index construction phase, the use of locality-sensitive hashing (LSH) allows us to perform similarity queries by only examining a small fraction of the database. Experiments on database FVC2000 and FVC2002 show the effectiveness of our proposed scheme.
Implementation and Evaluation of Different Parallel Designs of AES Using CUDA

The Advanced Encryption Standard(AES) is used in security areas widely now. However, there is still a large room for further improvement of its execution efficiency. Since the graphics processing unit(GPU) with potent ability of parallel computing has been applied in general purpose of computation, people have tried to use it to faster execution time in various cryptographic algorithms. This paper discusses how the performance of CBCAES decryption based on GPU is influenced by 4 key parameters that include the size of input data, the number of threads per block, memory allocation style and parallel granularity. Further more, we compare the performance of AES on GPU to that of standard AES, AES-NI and find that when the size of input data is different, the implementations with different parameters setting achieve the best performance. So we provide several advices about how to implement CBC-AES on GPU aiming at different size of input data. In particular, our best performance of experiments on GPU(NVIDIA Tesla K40m) is about 112 times faster than the implementation of AES on CPU (Intel Xeon E5-2650) by using our optimization method.
Manganese Superoxide Dismutase Protects nNOS Neurons from NMDA and Nitric Oxide-Mediated Neurotoxicity

Neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) neurons kill adjacent neurons through the action of NMDA-glutamate receptor activation, although they remain relatively resistant to the toxic effects of NMDA and NO. The molecular basis of the resistance of nNOS neurons to toxic insults is unknown. To begin to understand the molecular mechanisms of the resistance of nNOS neurons, we developed a pheochromacytoma-derived cell line (PC12) that is resistant to the toxic effects of NO. We found through serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) that manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) is enriched in the NO-resistant PC12 cell-derived line (PC12-R). Antisense MnSOD renders PC12-R cells sensitive to NO toxicity and increases the sensitivity to NO in the parental, NO-sensitive PC12 line (PC12-S). Adenoviral transfer of MnSOD protects PC12-S cells against NO toxicity. We extended these studies to cortical cultures and showed that MnSOD is enriched in nNOS neurons and that antisense MnSOD renders nNOS neurons susceptible to NMDA neurotoxicity, although it has little effect on the overall susceptibility of cortical neurons to NMDA toxicity. Overexpression of MnSOD provides dramatic protection against NMDA and NO toxicity in cortical cultures, but not against kainate or AMPA neurotoxicity. Furthermore, nNOS neurons from MnSOD −/− mice are markedly sensitive to NMDA toxicity. Adenoviral transfer of MnSOD to MnSOD−/− cultures restores resistance of nNOS neurons to NMDA toxicity. Thus, MnSOD is a major protective protein that appears to be essential for the resistance of nNOS neurons in cortical cultures to NMDA mediated neurotoxicity.
An improved optimization algorithm for network skeleton reconfiguration after power system blackout

Original scientific paper Network skeleton reconfiguration is an important task during power system restoration after blackout. The uncertainty of the restoration time and the restoration successful rate during the network skeleton reconfiguration are considered in the paper. The restoration time of transmission lines and transformers, units’ startup time limit and the restoration successful rate are selected as trapezoidal fuzzy variables. The optimal network skeleton reconfiguration model after power system blackout is constructed based on a fuzzy chance-constrained programming. An optimization algorithm combining fuzzy simulation with PSO is implemented to solve the optimal model. The optimal network skeleton with higher reliability and the restoration sequence which meet a certain confidence level are optimized by the proposed method. The restoration sequence can ensure the restoration as quickly as possible. The effectiveness of the proposed method is validated by Matlab with IEEE 30 bus system test.
Preschool + school + communication = What for educator relationships?

Communication between educators in preschool and school settings has been promoted consistently in research literature and policy as a practice to enhance children’s transition to school. Underlying the practice are the assumptions that communication between educators is (a) a way of building on children’s learning and responding to their diverse needs and interests as they start school and (b) a means of developing positive relationships between educators. Whilst it is an advocated practice, there has been little research about the consequences of preschool–school communication or exploration of the ways in which the practice might support positive transition experiences. This paper specifically addresses what happens for educators as a result of preschool–school interactions. The communication experiences of preschool and school educators reported in an online questionnaire provide important insights into the impact of intersetting communications, particularly on educator relationships. Most outcomes for relationships between educators in preschool and school settings were reported to be positive. However, the results contest the notion that preschool–school communication automatically results in the development of positive relationships; relationships which support collaboration between educators as children start school.
Non-linear dynamic modelling of vector controlled PM synchronous machines

This paper describes the application of dynamic reluctance mesh modelling techniques to permanent magnet (PM) machine drive modelling. The dynamic mesh reluctance model (DMRM) provides a mechanism for analysing the motor performance in significant detail, incorporating saturation and slotting effects without the slowness associated with finite element modelling. This allows the integration of the power electronic converter and control algorithms within the machine model thus making it possible to investigate the implications of machine geometry on controlled drive operation. Modelling the drive system as a whole helps for optimised machine design for controlled drive operation. In this paper a detailed machine magnetic computational model is developed, able to simulate the PM machine's behaviour under vector control. A 4 KW PM synchronous machine is modelled using the DMRM and the results are validated using a finite element modelling software
Does addressing prejudice and discrimination through Holocaust education produce better citizens?

Previous research on teaching the Holocaust, primarily case studies in either the primary or the secondary sectors, suggests that Holocaust education can contribute to pupils' citizenship values in a positive way. Yet, in common with other initiatives, this evidence focuses exclusively on the short term impact of Holocaust education. Our ongoing longitudinal research is concerned with both the immediate and longer term effects of Holocaust education on pupils' values and attitudes. Initially focused on primary pupils aged 11–12 years, it has followed them into the first year of secondary to examine whether the general improvements in attitudes found in the first stage of the research has been maintained. Further, we are able to compare their attitudes with pupils in their year who did not study the Holocaust in their primary schools. This article draws conclusions from this study.
Cross-cultural Study of Understanding of Scale and Measurement: Does the everyday use of US customary units disadvantage US students?

Following a sociocultural perspective, this study investigates how students who have grown up using the SI (Système International d'Unités) (metric) or US customary (USC) systems of units for everyday use differ in their knowledge of scale and measurement. Student groups were similar in terms of socioeconomic status, curriculum, native language transparency of number word structure, type of school, and makeup by gender and grade level, while varying by native system of measurement. Their performance on several tasks was compared using binary logistic regression, ordinal logistic regression, and analysis of variance, with gender and grade level as covariates. Participants included 17 USC-native and 89 SI-native students in a school in Mexico, and 31 USC-native students in a school in the Midwestern USA. SI-native students performed at a significantly higher level estimating the length of a metre and a conceptual task (coordinating relative size and absolute size). No statistically significant differences were found on tasks involving factual knowledge about objects or units, scale construction, or estimation of other units. USC-native students in the US school performed at a higher level on smallest known object. These findings suggest that the more transparent SI system better supports conceptual thinking about scale and measurement than the idiosyncratic USC system. Greater emphasis on the SI system and more complete adoption of the SI system for everyday life may improve understanding among US students. Advancing sociocultural theory, systems of units were found to mediate learner's understanding of scale and measurement, much as number words mediate counting and problem solving.
Association between relative liver enhancement on gadoxetic acid enhanced magnetic resonance images and histologic grade of hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract We evaluated the association between histologic grade of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and degree of HCC enhancement on Gd-EOB-DTPA (Gadoxetic acid, Primovist)-enhanced magnetic resonance images (MRI) in HCC patients. A total of 121 patients who underwent curative surgical resection for HCC at our institution between January 2012 and March 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Gadoxetic acid enhanced MRI was performed in all patients before surgery. Signal intensities of HCC and peri-HCC areas were measured using regions of interest. Relative intensity ratios of HCC lesions versus the surrounding non-HCC areas on unenhanced images (precontrast ratio) and on hepatobiliary phase images (postcontrast ratio) were calculated. Relative liver enhancement (RLE) ratios (post-contrast ratio/pre-contrast ratio) were also calculated. The Edmondson–Steiner (E-S) grading system was used to histologically grade HCC. E-S grades I, II, III, and IV were observed in 2 (1.7%), 14 (11.6%), 54 (44.6%), and 51 (42.1%) of the patients, respectively. For E-S grades I/II (n = 16), III (n = 54), and IV (n = 51), mean RLE (%) were 85.5, 84.9, and 71.2, respectively (P = .01), and for E-S grades I-III (n = 70) and IV (n = 51), mean RLE (%) were 85.1 and 71.2, respectively (P < .01). Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage A (vs 0) (odds ratio 4.38, P = .03) and mean RLE (odds ratio 0.05, P < .01) were found to predict E-S grade IV. E-S grade IV was associated with a low level mean RLE in the gadoxetic acid enhanced MR images of HCC patients.
Using Reputation Systems and Non-Deterministic Routing to Secure Wireless Sensor Networks

Security in wireless sensor networks is difficult to achieve because of the resource limitations of the sensor nodes. We propose a trust-based decision framework for wireless sensor networks coupled with a non-deterministic routing protocol. Both provide a mechanism to effectively detect and confine common attacks, and, unlike previous approaches, allow bad reputation feedback to the network. This approach has been extensively simulated, obtaining good results, even for unrealistically complex attack scenarios.