Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
From Executive Mechanisms Underlying Perception and Action to the Parallel Processing of Meaning

The dominant conceptualization of working memory distinguishes mechanisms that handle auditory‐verbal and visuospatial representations from central executive resources that control and guide them. A straightforward case can be made that executive mechanisms evolved initially in the service of directing attention to salient environmental stimuli or events and selecting adaptive actions under the guidance of affective markers. In this paper, “working‐memory capacity” is viewed as an emergent property of interactions between specialist subsystems with no homunculus‐like executive. Mental capability could well have advanced via the differentiation of a single multimodal subsystem into additional new specialist subsystems that process not just verbal and spatial representations but also subsystems specialized to manipulate different kinds of meaning. The resulting overall mental architecture would devolve control of action and speech to peripheral mechanisms while allowing central subsystems to focus attention and decision making on meaning. According to this hypothesis, increased mental capability is dually based on the development of more abstract representations and on the observation that the more subsystems there are, the more the mind can do at one and the same time: only the most advanced mental architecture can control walking, talking, and thinking at one and the same time.
The Impact of Character Education Curricula on Youth Educators

The purpose of this study was to determine degrees of internalization of character traits across two groups (K-12 teachers and Extension staff) with varying years of participation in character education professional and program development activities. An online survey was developed to collect data describing the 109 respondents, the extent of their character education professional and program development activities, and their degrees of internalization and behavioral change. Post-then-pre data comparisons revealed significant levels of change in behaviors, including considering other peoples’ feelings and resolving conflict in a peaceful manner. All post-then-pre data demonstrated that respondents at least frequently lived their lives in accordance with the post-then-pre statements. Recommendations for future research included: marketing character education professional development opportunities to a broader audience; and increasing ongoing and intensive multicultural training of Cooperative Extension staff.
Ground-truth assisted design for remote sensing image classification

In this work, we propose a framework to help in the design of the ground-truth for the classification of remote sensing images. It consists first to segment the considered image by means of a level set method and then to extract the segments characterized by the largest numbers of pixels. Afterward, the selected segments are labeled by a human user. Experimental results obtained on a very high resolution image show encouraging performances of the proposed framework.
Effectiveness of Ginger Essential Oil on Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in Abdominal Surgery Patients.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of aromatherapy with ginger essential oil on nausea and vomiting in abdominal surgery patients. METHOD This was a quasi-experimental study with a nonequivalent control group and repeated measures. The experimental group (n = 30) received ginger essential oil inhalation. The placebo control group (n = 30) received normal saline inhalation. The level of postoperative nausea and vomiting was measured using a Korean version of the Index of Nausea, Vomiting, and Retching (INVR) at baseline and at 6, 12, and 24 h after aromatherapy administration. The data were collected from July 23 to August 22, 2012. RESULTS Nausea and vomiting scores were significantly lower in the experimental group with ginger essential oil inhalation than those in the placebo control group with normal saline. In the experimental group, the nausea and vomiting scores decreased considerably in the first 6 h after inhaled aromatherapy with ginger essential oil. CONCLUSION Findings indicate that ginger essential oil inhalation has implications for alleviating postoperative nausea and vomiting in abdominal surgery patients.
Understanding Heterarchy: Crafting and Social Projects in Pre-Hispanic Northwest Argentina

Archaeological studies of specialized craft production in hierarchies often highlight the crucial roles of prestige goods in ancient political economies. Yet elaborate crafted items are also produced and circulated widely in heterarchically-ordered societies, where powerful elites are absent. In this latter case, attributing crafting to the agency of elites — or to the demands of political economy — is unconvincing. This article investigates the alternative cultural logic underlying crafting in heterarchies, seeking to understand both the contexts of crafting and the nature of the ‘social projects’ in which artisans were engaged. Expectations for archaeological signatures of craft activity are developed and applied to a case study, drawing upon recent excavations in northwest Argentina.
Facing the Future

This study examines 15 at-risk Israeli youngsters' work and family plans and the perceived barriers and resources influencing the realization of those plans. In-depth interviews analyzed by Consensual Qualitative Research (CQR) demonstrate the complexity of the future awaiting these youths. Participants perceive work mainly as a means of obtaining money and only consider a limited range of occupations as being available to them. Their vision of their future family focuses mainly on their providing a safe place for their children and providing food and stability. They view themselves as being both their own major resource and chief barrier to the realization of future plans. Other resources comprise social support and the ability to cut themselves off from their past, including original family and childhood friends. Implications for practice and research are discussed.
Myofascial pain syndrome in farmers--a comprehensive approach to treatment.

There is evidence that chronic pain disorders such as Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS), resulting from repeated biomechanical stress caused by ergonomic hazards. e.g. trauma and overuse of the muscles, often occur in agricultural workers. Hypothetically, the neuropathic character of MPS makes the disease unresponsive to the typical analgesics. Accordingly, in this study three trials of treatment in patients with MPS were performed and compared. The first trial (I) was based on rehabilitation, while the second (II) was based on treatment with sertraline, an antidepressive, serotoninergic drug. For third trial (III), rehabilitation plus the above-mentioned administration of sertraline, were applied. Altogether, 49 patients were recruited to the trials. Control group consisted of 23 persons. Response to the treatment was assessed according to the criteria of neuropsychological tests MADRS and BDI. The MPS syndrome was found to be relatively common in Polish farmers and formed 12.7% of all chronic pain syndromes diagnosed in the Institute of Agricultural Medicine during 18 months. All the patients with MPS showed mood disorders in the baseline assessment by the neuropsychological tests. Patients from groups I, II, and III declared improvement after two months of the treatment (77%, 80% and 93% respectively). In the neuropsychological tests, only patients treated with rehabilitation and sertraline (group III) showed statistically significant improvement in comparison with baseline assessment both after one month and after two months of the observation. Thus, rehabilitation and serotoninergic system modification might be a good solution in the management of MPS.
Schizophrenia and the disconnection hypothesis

This article reviews the disconnection hypothesis of schizophrenia and presents a mechanistic account of how dysfunctional integration among neuronal systems might arise. This neurobiological account is based on some simple observations about schizophrenia and the central role that neuronal plasticity plays in shaping the connections, and the ensuing dynamics, that underlie brain function. The particular hypothesis put forward here is that the pathophysiology of schizophrenia is expressed at the level of modulation of associative changes in synaptic efficacy, specifically the modulation of plasticity in those brain systems that are responsible for learning, memory and emotion. This modulation is mediated by ascending neurotransmitter systems that (i) have been implicated in schizophrenia and (ii) are known to be involved in consolidating synaptic connections during learning. The proposed pathophysiology would translate, in functional terms, into a disruption of the reinforcement of adaptive behaviour that is consistent with the disintegrative aspects of schizophrenic neuropsychology.
Exploring Electronic Communication Modes Between Iraqi Faculty and Students of Pharmacy Schools Using the Technology Acceptance Model

Objective. To explore for the first time the extent to which Iraqi pharmacy students and faculty use Facebook and university email for academic communications, and to examine factors influencing utilization within the framework of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Methods. An electronic survey was administered to convenience samples of students and faculty of six Iraqi public schools and colleges of pharmacy in 2015. Results. Responses included 489 student and 128 faculty usable surveys. Both students and faculty use Facebook more than university email for academic communications. Less than a third of the faculty used university email. Students used Facebook for academic purposes twice as much as faculty. Conclusion. Absence of university email in Iraqi schools and colleges of pharmacy makes Facebook essential for faculty-student communications. The majority (71.1% to 82%) of respondents perceived that Facebook was easy to use. Three TAM variables (intention to use, attitude toward use and perceived usefulness) had significant positive associations with actual use of both Facebook messaging and university email.
Design of Delta-Modulated Generalized Frequency Converter

This paper proposes a novel power electronic application, which is an IGBT-based frequency converter that performs the function of both cycloconverter and cycloinverter by changing the 2-b input parameter. It finds its application in speed control of induction motor, induction heating, fluorescent lighting, ballast, high-frequency power supplies, and so many other applications. A methodology is developed to generate the trigger signals for various IGBTs used in frequency converters such that the circuit is not restricted to a particular value of output frequency but it can produce any output frequency that is an integer multiple of the input supply frequency. The output of the converter has been improved using delta-modulation technique. Hardware design is obtained using readily available ICs and other components. The trigger circuit has been tested qualitatively by observing waveforms on CRO. The operation of the proposed system has been found to be satisfactory.
State quantized feedback control of continuous-time multi-agent system

In this article, the quantized consensus control of continuous-time multi-agent systems is discussed. The protocol design takes fully into account the state quantization feedback of the neighbor agents in transmission over a limited-communication channel. A fixed quantization level is firstly considered, at this stage, by constructing distributed input quantized protocol and designing two nested invariant regions, all states of the multi-agent system starting in the bigger region approach the smaller one. To guarantee further convergence, then the dynamic state quantization is considered. By dynamically adjusting quantization levels of the quantizer in real time, the sizes of the nested invariant regions gradually become smaller. In this case, a hybrid quantized control scheme is developed. It turned out that for a connected network, the multi-agent system achieves the quantized consensus asymptotically under the constructed controllers.
A study of basidiomycetes isolated from coarse woody debris and contiguous soil horizons in a mixed deciduous-conifer forest in New Hampshire, United States of America

The wood decay fungus Hypholoma sublateritium (Fr.) Quel. , links the mineral (BC & E) and organic (Oe) soil layers to decomposing coarse woody debris (CWD) in a northern hardwood forest. This link supports the possibility that energy stored in woody debris can facilitate the vertical transfer of elements and compounds within the soil profile. This potential transfer implies new pathways for biogeochemical cycling within forests. H. sublateritium was isolated from basidiocarp fruiting bodies (October 1997 & 1998), Acer rubrum L. bole wood ( June 1999), and three soil horizons (October 1999 and October 2000) from one of six research sites in the Bartlett Experimental Forest, New Hampshire. The dominant tree species at these research sites, determined by basal area, were Acer rubrum, Fagus grandifolia Ehrh. , and Betula papyrifera Marshall. The soil type was Monadnock fine sandy loam, which is very stony, with a 3--8 percent slope. Fungi were isolated from basidiocarp fruiting bodies, bole wood, and soils using (1) selective media containing two fungicides (benomyl and dichloran), three antibiotics (chlortetracycline-HCl, streptomycin sulfate, and penicillin G), selective culture methods for isolating from soil, (2) French square jar wood baits, and (3) soil pit wood baits. Media containing lignin and guaiacol (LGBDA and LGBA) were most effective for isolation of basidiomycetes from organic soil, whereas a malt-yeast medium (MYBDA) was most effective for isolation from mineral soil; all three media were equally effective for isolation from bole wood or fruiting bodies. Fungal isolates were differentiated by texture, color, and microscopic characteristics, and identified by sequencing their nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA) in the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region using the primers ITS1-4.
Effect of Causal Explanations on Work‐related Judgments

Quatre etudes, realisees en entreprise, portent sur la valeur des explications internes et externes relatives a des evenements professionnels. Les resultats de la premiere etude montrent que les managers choisissent preferentiellement des explications internes lorsqu’on leur demande de donner une image favorable d’eux-memes (vs une image defavorable). Dans les trois etudes suivantes on observe que les managers jugent plus favorablement un candidat lorsque celui-ci est connu pour avoir produit des explications internes (vs externes). De plus, des differences de valeur sont observees au sein des registres explicatifs internes et externes. Les explications internes en termes d’efforts comportementaux apparaissent les plus valorisees pour rendre compte des reussites et echecs professionnels. Ces resultats sont discutes en regard de la norme sociale d’internalite et des pratiques d’evaluation. Four studies investigated the value granted to internal versus external causal attributions of events in the workplace. The results showed that (a) managers provided more internal explanations when they were asked to present a favorable self-image, and (b) managers favored targets ( job applicants) who had expressed internal rather than external explanations. The results also showed that not all internal explanations are valued equally: “efforts” are preferred over “traits” in explanations of job outcomes. The results are discussed in terms of a norm that regulates social judgments: the norm of internality.
A spiking neuronal model learning a motor control task by reinforcement learning and structural synaptic plasticity

In this paper, we present a spiking neuronal model that learns to perform a motor control task. Since the long-term goal of this project is the application of such a neuronal model to study the mutual adaptation between a Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) and its user, neurobiological plausibility of the model is a key aspect. Therefore, the model was trained using reinforcement learning similar to that of the dopamine system, in which a global reward and punishment signal controlled spike-timing dependent plasticity (STDP). Based on this method, the majority of the randomly generated models were able to learn the motor control task. Although the models were only trained on two targets, they were able to reach arbitrary targets after learning. By introducing structural synaptic plasticity (SSP), which dynamically restructures the connections between neurons, the number of models that successfully learned the task could be significantly improved.
Versión Breve del STAI en Adolescentes y Universitarios Españoles

The STAI is an instrument very used, generating different short versions. We found no short versions in which it is tests the fit for teenagers and college samples Spanish. The aim of this paper is to test which of the short versions proposed in the literature have a better fit in adolescents and college students. To do this, we applied the STAI to 482 adolescent students and 510 university students from different Spanish cities. Through AFC we evaluated five short versions of the STAI. At the university there are two models in which there is a good fit. In adolescents not fit any model. Maybe the emotional differentiation process explains that the found short versions (always with adults) are not valid in teenagers, and can be used with university students.
Turnaround Leadership for Higher Education

The central premise of Turnaround Leadership for Higher Education is that institutions of higher education need to become more “change-capable” to meet successfully the economic and societal challenges of the 21st century. Fullan and Scott propose that effective, or what they label “turnaround,” leadership is the key to transforming colleges and universities from their current “change averse culture” to one that is “change-capable. ”
Metabolic Hallmarks of Tumor and Immune Cells in the Tumor Microenvironment

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes and NK cells play an important role in eliminating malignant tumor cells and the number and activity of tumor-infiltrating T cells represent a good marker for tumor prognosis. Based on these findings, immunotherapy, e.g., checkpoint blockade, has received considerable attention during the last couple of years. However, for the majority of patients, immune control of their tumors is gray theory as malignant cells use effective mechanisms to outsmart the immune system. Increasing evidence suggests that changes in tumor metabolism not only ensure an effective energy supply and generation of building blocks for tumor growth but also contribute to inhibition of the antitumor response. Immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment is often based on the mutual metabolic requirements of immune cells and tumor cells. Cytotoxic T and NK cell activation leads to an increased demand for glucose and amino acids, a well-known feature shown by tumor cells. These close metabolic interdependencies result in metabolic competition, limiting the proliferation, and effector functions of tumor-specific immune cells. Moreover, not only nutrient restriction but also tumor-driven shifts in metabolite abundance and accumulation of metabolic waste products (e.g., lactate) lead to local immunosuppression, thereby facilitating tumor progression and metastasis. In this review, we describe the metabolic interplay between immune cells and tumor cells and discuss tumor cell metabolism as a target structure for cancer therapy. Metabolic (re)education of tumor cells is not only an approach to kill tumor cells directly but could overcome metabolic immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment and thereby facilitate immunotherapy.
Analysis of a Broadband High-Efficiency Switch-Mode $\Delta \Sigma $ Supply Modulator Based on a Class-E Amplifier and a Class-E Rectifier

In this paper, a broadband high-efficiency supply modulator is proposed. This modulator, with a node controlled by ΔΣ modulator's output, consists of a conventional Class-E amplifier and a Class-E rectifier. The configurations and operation principles of this modulator are introduced to explain the envelope reconstruction process. The performance of this modulator in steady state is analyzed to show the reason for high-efficiency operations assisted by a shunt diode, especially for short-circuited load resistance. Its performance for broadband envelopes amplification is analyzed using numerical difference equations. The results show that efficiency degradation and nonlinearity of this modulator are inevitable due to transient responses. The most significant factors related to the performance degradation, such as switch loss and conduction loss, are determined and verified by numerical simulations. The simulations for one-carrier wavelength code-division multiple-access (WCDMA) envelopes show that over 80% average efficiency and normalized mean square error (NMSE) of -16 dB can be obtained in numerical examples even considering the nonidealities. An experimental supply modulator is given to verify the proposed modulator. In this experiment, 48.6% average efficiency and NMSE of -15.9 dB are measured for WCDMA envelopes of 6.1-dB peak-to-average-power ratio.
Trajectory generation method for biped robots to climb up an inclined surface

This paper proposes a trajectory generation method for a biped robot to walk on an inclined surface. In order to generate the walking trajectory, the robot is modeled as one particle and the momentum equation with respect to its zero moment point is used. A few additional assumptions are used to generate the walking trajectory. First, the center of mass moves in parallel with the slope of the surface. Second, the zero moment point of the simplified model should be fixed at the supporting foot during a single support phase and moves from the previous supporting foot to the next supporting foot during a double support phase. When the slop of the surface changes while the robot walks, walking conditions of the robot are also changed, and two piece-wise continuous trajectories are joined smoothly during a double support phase. The effectiveness of the proposed trajectory generation method was proved through simulations.
Non‐contrast‐enhanced flow‐independent peripheral MR angiography with balanced SSFP

Flow‐independent angiography is a non‐contrast‐enhanced technique that can generate vessel contrast even with reduced blood flow in the lower extremities. A method is presented for producing these angiograms with magnetization‐prepared balanced steady‐state free precession (bSSFP). Because bSSFP yields bright fat signal, robust fat suppression is essential for detailed depiction of the vasculature. Therefore, several strategies have been investigated to improve the reliability of fat suppression within short scan times. Phase‐sensitive SSFP can efficiently suppress fat; however, partial volume effects due to fat and water occupying the same voxel can lead to the loss of blood signal. In contrast, alternating repetition time (ATR) SSFP minimizes this loss; however, the level of suppression is compromised by field inhomogeneity. Finally, a new double‐acquisition ATR‐SSFP technique reduces this sensitivity to off‐resonance. In vivo results indicate that the two ATR‐based techniques provide more reliable contrast when partial volume effects are significant. Magn Reson Med, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.