Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Frequency of Maternal Touch Predicts Resting Activity and Connectivity of the Developing Social Brain

Previous behavioral research points to a positive relationship between maternal touch and early social development. Here, we explored the brain correlates of this relationship. The frequency of maternal touch was recorded for 43 five-year-old children during a 10 min standardized play session. Additionally, all children completed a resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging session. Investigating the default mode network revealed a positive relation between the frequency of maternal touch and activity in the right posterior superior temporal sulcus (pSTS) extending into the temporo-parietal junction. Using this effect as a seed in a functional connectivity analysis identified a network including extended bilateral regions along the temporal lobe, bilateral frontal cortex, and left insula. Compared with children with low maternal touch, children with high maternal touch showed additional connectivity with the right dorso-medial prefrontal cortex. Together these results support the notion that childhood tactile experiences shape the developing “social brain” with a particular emphasis on a network involved in mentalizing.
Content Mining of Microblogs

Emergence of Web 2.0, internet users can share their contents with other users using social networks. In this paper microbloggers' contents are evaluated with respect to how they reflect their categories. Migrobloggers' category information, which is one of the four categories that are economy sport, entertainment or technology, is taken from wefollow.com application. 2105 RSS news feeds, whose category labels are same with microbloggers' contributions, are used as training data for classification. In this study two types of users' contributions are taken as test data. These users are normal micro loggers and bots. Classification results show that bots provide more categorical content than normal users.
Ranking Discrete Multi-attribute Alternatives under Uncertainty

This paper presents an approach to comparing and ranking discrete alternatives with respect to multiple, usually conflicting attributes under uncertainty. The uncertainty and imprecision of the human decision making process are adequately modeled with the use of linguistic variables approximated by fuzzy numbers for expressing the decision maker's subjective assessments. The resultant fuzzy assessments are effectively aggregated with the use of fuzzy extent analysis, leading to the determination of an overall fuzzy utility for each alternative across all the attributes. The fuzzy utilities are then compared based on the concept of ideal solutions for ranking the multi-attribute alternatives. The underlying concept of the approach developed is simple and comprehensible, and the computation process involved is efficient and effective, thus facilitating its use in solving practical multi-attribute decision making problems. An example is given to demonstrate the applicability of the approach developed for solving the multi-attribute decision making problem in the real world.
A Multi-scale Edge Detection Algorithm Based on Wavelet Transform

The edge of the image is one of the most basic characteristics of image. It not only provides the basis for the image segmentation, but also the foundation of the shape features and texture characteristics and includes much useful information which is used in image identification. This paper introduces some classical edge detection methods, in the analysis of the advantages and disadvantages respectively, an edge detection algorithm based on the wavelet transform is proposed. The simulations show this algorithm obtains an ideal effect in edge location and noise suppression. The proposed algorithm provides an effective technology for the edge detection of the image.
Long-term methionine-diet induced mild hyperhomocysteinemia associated cardiac metabolic dysfunction in multiparous rats

Mild hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy, clinically defined as less than 30 μmol/L) is an independent cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor, and is associated with many complications during pregnancy, such as preeclampsia (PE). The aim of this study was to assess the effect of long‐term mild HHcy on cardiac metabolic function of multiparous rats. Female rats were mated 3 to 4 times and were fed with methionine in drinking water to increase plasma Hcy (2.9 ± 0.3 to 10.5 ± 2.3 μmol/L) until termination. This caused significant increase of heart weight/body weight (0.24 ± 0.01 to 0.27 ± 0.01 g/100 g) and left ventricle weight (0.69 ± 0.03 to 0.78 ± 0.01 g). Superoxide production was increased by 2.5‐fold in HHcy hearts using lucigenin chemiluminescence. The ability of bradykinin and carbachol to regulate myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO2) in vitro was impaired by 59% and 66% in HHcy heart, and it was restored by ascorbic acid (AA), tempol, or apocynin (Apo). Protein expression of p22phox subunit of NAD(P)H oxidase was increased by 2.6‐fold, but there were no changes in other NAD(P)H oxidase subunits, NOSs or SODs. Microarray revealed 1518 genes to be differentially regulated (P < 0.05). The mRNA level of NAD(P)H oxidase subunits, NOSs or SODs remained unchanged. In conclusion, long‐term mild HHcy increases cardiac superoxide mainly through regulation of p22phox component of the NAD(P)H oxidase and impairs the ability of NO to regulate MVO2 in heart of multiparous mothers.
How to exchange (secret) keys

A protocol is presented whereby two adversaries may exchange secrets, though neither trusts the other. The secrets are the prime factors of their publicly announced composite numbers. The two adversaries can exchange their secrets bit by bit, but each fears the other will cheat by sending “junk”bits. To solve this problem we show how each of the two can prove, for each bit delivered, that the bit is good. Applications are suggested to such electronic business transactions as the signing of contracts and the sending of certified electronic mail.
Cardiac resynchronization therapy in patients with chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy: long-term follow up

Introduction Chagas disease is a major cause of cardiomyopathy and sudden death in our country. It has a high mortality when their patients develop New York Heart Association (NYHA) class IV. Objective The objective of this study is to analyze the clinical outcome of patients with Chagas' cardiomyopathy with congestive heart failure with optimized pharmacological therapy, undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy. Methods Between January 2004 and February 2009, 72 patients with Chagas' cardiomyopathy in NYHA class III and IV underwent cardiac resynchronization therapy and were monitored to assess their clinical evolution. We used the t test or the Wilcoxon test to compare the same variable in two different times. A P value < 0.05 was established as statistically significant. Results The average clinical follow-up was 46.6 months (range 4-79 months). At the end of the evaluation, 87.4% of patients were in NYHA class I or II (P<0.001). There was response to therapy in 65.3% of patients (P<0.001), with an overall mortality of 34.7%. Conclusion In patients with chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy, we found the following statistically significant changes: improvement in NYHA class and increase of left ventricle ejection fraction, a decrease of the systolic final diameter and systolic final left ventricle volume and improvement of patient survival.
NTUNLP approaches to recognizing and disambiguating entities in long and short text at the ERD challenge 2014

This paper presents the NTUNLP systems in the long track and the short track of the Entity Recognition and Disambiguation Challenge 2014. We first create a dictionary that contains the possible surface forms of Freebase Ids, then scan the given text from left to right with the longest match strategy to detect the mentions, and eliminate the unwanted surface forms based on a stop word list. Methods to link to the most relevant entities and select the best candidate are proposed for these two tracks, respectively. The outside resources such as DBpedia Spotlight and TAGME are integrated to our basic NTUNLP systems. Various experimental setups are presented and discussed with the development set. In the formal run, one NTUNLP system wins the first prize in the short track and another NTUNLP system gets the fourth place in the long track.
Links between multiplicity automata, observable operator models and predictive state representations: a unified learning framework

Stochastic multiplicity automata (SMA) are weighted finite automata that generalize probabilistic automata. They have been used in the context of probabilistic grammatical inference. Observable operator models (OOMs) are a generalization of hidden Markov models, which in turn are models for discrete-valued stochastic processes and are used ubiquitously in the context of speech recognition and bio-sequence modeling. Predictive state representations (PSRs) extend OOMs to stochastic input-output systems and are employed in the context of agent modeling and planning. We present SMA, OOMs, and PSRs under the common framework of sequential systems, which are an algebraic characterization of multiplicity automata, and examine the precise relationships between them. Furthermore, we establish a unified approach to learning such models from data. Many of the learning algorithms that have been proposed can be understood as variations of this basic learning scheme, and several turn out to be closely related to each other, or even equivalent.
Stylized Facts on the Temporal and Distributional Properties of Daily Data from Speculative Markets

The stylized facts found in the previous paper "Some Properties of Absolute Return, An Alternative Measure of Risk" by the same authors using daily S&P index data are explored using further data, stock indices from the Tokyo and Paris exchanges, a single stock from New York, four commodity price series (Silver, Copper, Sugar and Coffee), an interest rate series, and five exchange rate series. For each, let a(theta) represent the absolute value of the daily return (after mean removal) raised to the power theta. Basically the facts found are similar for the prices for these other speculative markets, the powers of absolute returns are long memory with the absolute return (corresponding to theta=1) having this property to the greatest extent (except for the exchange rates which had a(0.25) having the greatest memory). The marginal distributions of absolute returns, after outlier reduction, is approximately exponential, with mean-standard deviation, for example. Various interpretation, estimation and volatility forecasting consequences follow.
On the co-existence of chemically peculiar Bp stars, slowly pulsating b stars and constant B stars in the same part of the HR diagram

Aims. In order to better model massive B-type stars, we need to understand the physical processes taking place in slowly pulsating B (SPB) stars, chemically peculiar Bp stars, and non-pulsating normal B stars co-existing in the same part of the H-R diagram. Methods. We carry out a comparative study between samples of confirmed and well-studied SPB stars and a sample of well-studied Bp stars with known periods and magnetic field strengths. We determine their evolutionary state using accurate HIPPARCOS parallaxes and Geneva photometry. We discuss the occurrence and strengths of magnetic fields as well as the occurrence of stellar pulsation among both groups. Further, we make a comparison of Geneva photometric variability for both kinds of stars. Results. The group of Bp stars is significantly younger than the group of SPB stars. Longitudinal magnetic fields in SPB stars are weaker than those of Bp stars, suggesting that the magnetic field strength is an important factor for B type stars to become chemically peculiar. The strongest magnetic fields appear in young Bp stars, indicating a magnetic field decay in stars at advanced ages. Rotation periods of Bp and pulsation periods of SPB stars are of the same order and the behaviour of Geneva photometric variability of some Bp stars cannot be distinguished from the variability of SPB stars, illustrating the difficulty to interpret the observed variability of the order of days for B-type stars. We consider the possibility that pulsation could be responsible for the variability among chemically peculiar stars. In particular, we show that a non-linear pulsation model is not excluded by photometry for the Bp star HD 175362.
Mining patterns in Big Data K-H networks

Can keyword-hashtag networks, derived from Big Data environments such as Twitter, yield clinicians a powerful tool to extrapolate patterns that may lead to development of new medical therapy and/or drugs? In our paper, we present a systematic network mining method to answer this question. We present HashnetMiner, a new pattern detection algorithm that operates on networks of medical concepts and hashtags. Concepts are selected from widely accessible databases (e.g., Medical Subject Heading [MeSH] descriptors, and Drugs.com), and hashtags are harvested from the associations with concepts that appear in tweets. The algorithm discerns promising discoveries that will be further explained in this paper. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first effort that uses Big Data networks mining to address such a question.
Empirical Evaluation of a Thread-Safe Dynamic Range Min-Max Tree using HTM

Succinct trees, such as wavelet trees and those based on, for instance, range Min-Max trees (RMMTs), are a family of practical data structures that store information close to their information-theoretic space lower bound. These structures are often static; meaning that once they are built, nodes cannot be added, deleted or modified. This read-only property simplifies concurrency. However, newer versions of these data structures allow for a fair degree of dynamism. Parallel programming using Hardware Transactional Memory(HTM), has been available in mainstream microprocessors since a few years ago. One limitation of HTM is still on the size of each transaction. This is why HTM's use, for the moment, is limited to operations that involve few memory addresses that need to be updated atomically, or where the level of concurrency is low. We provide the first available implementation of a concurrent, dynamic RMMT based on HTM, and we compare empirically how well HTM performs compared to a naive implementation using locks. We have shown that because of the formal properties of RMMTs, HTM is a good fit for adding concurrency to otherwise slow lock-based alternatives. We have also shown that HTM performs better than locks when the number of write operations increase, making it a practical structure to use in several write-intensive contexts. This is, as far as we know, the only practical implementation of RMMTs thoroughly tested using HTM.
Organic Cation Transporter-Mediated Ergothioneine Uptake in Mouse Neural Progenitor Cells Suppresses Proliferation and Promotes Differentiation into Neurons

The aim of the present study is to clarify the functional expression and physiological role in neural progenitor cells (NPCs) of carnitine/organic cation transporter OCTN1/SLC22A4, which accepts the naturally occurring food-derived antioxidant ergothioneine (ERGO) as a substrate in vivo. Real-time PCR analysis revealed that mRNA expression of OCTN1 was much higher than that of other organic cation transporters in mouse cultured cortical NPCs. Immunocytochemical analysis showed colocalization of OCTN1 with the NPC marker nestin in cultured NPCs and mouse embryonic carcinoma P19 cells differentiated into neural progenitor-like cells (P19-NPCs). These cells exhibited time-dependent [3H]ERGO uptake. These results demonstrate that OCTN1 is functionally expressed in murine NPCs. Cultured NPCs and P19-NPCs formed neurospheres from clusters of proliferating cells in a culture time-dependent manner. Exposure of cultured NPCs to ERGO or other antioxidants (edaravone and ascorbic acid) led to a significant decrease in the area of neurospheres with concomitant elimination of intracellular reactive oxygen species. Transfection of P19-NPCs with small interfering RNA for OCTN1 markedly promoted formation of neurospheres with a concomitant decrease of [3H]ERGO uptake. On the other hand, exposure of cultured NPCs to ERGO markedly increased the number of cells immunoreactive for the neuronal marker βIII-tubulin, but decreased the number immunoreactive for the astroglial marker glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), with concomitant up-regulation of neuronal differentiation activator gene Math1. Interestingly, edaravone and ascorbic acid did not affect such differentiation of NPCs, in contrast to the case of proliferation. Knockdown of OCTN1 increased the number of cells immunoreactive for GFAP, but decreased the number immunoreactive for βIII-tubulin, with concomitant down-regulation of Math1 in P19-NPCs. Thus, OCTN1-mediated uptake of ERGO in NPCs inhibits cellular proliferation via regulation of oxidative stress, and also promotes cellular differentiation by modulating the expression of basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors via an unidentified mechanism different from antioxidant action.
Leadership Skills and Competencies Through the Co-Curriculum – The Singapore Management University Study

Student affairs professionals and those who work with students directly know in their hearts that students learn in the co-curricular arena. Unfortunately, they do not always have a way to show that to others. Once learning outcomes have been developed, the appropriate assessment measures have to be developed because stakeholders are interested in what students are able to do in college as well as what they will do when they enter the work world. Many of the skills that employers want are the very skills that student affairs professionals teach students, such as communication, problem solving, and working with others who are different from themselves. In this current environment, there are calls for student learning assessment and documentation, both in and out of the classroom. Professional associations (ACPA, 2006; ACPA/NASPA, 2010) recognize the importance of student affairs professionals’ ability to assess student learning using multiple methods. Direct and Indirect Measures of measurements are used in this study to measure learning especially leadership skills and competencies. The paper will introduce examples of how these direct and indirect measures, namely a structured questionnaire and a semi-structured interview respectively, were implemented and how the results were obtained and analyzed showing evidence of learning. This research and data gleaned will make student leadership learning in higher education more robust, especially in a Singapore context.
The Lasting Influences of Early Food-Related Variety Experience: A Longitudinal Study of Vegetable Acceptance from 5 Months to 6 Years in Two Populations

Children’s vegetable consumption falls below current recommendations, highlighting the need to identify strategies that can successfully promote better acceptance of vegetables. Recently, experimental studies have reported promising interventions that increase acceptance of vegetables. The first, offering infants a high variety of vegetables at weaning, increased acceptance of new foods, including vegetables. The second, offering an initially disliked vegetable at 8 subsequent meals markedly increased acceptance for that vegetable. So far, these effects have been shown to persist for at least several weeks. We now present follow-up data at 15 months, 3 and 6 years obtained through questionnaire (15 mo, 3y) and experimental (6y) approaches. At 15 months, participants who had been breast-fed were reported as eating and liking more vegetables than those who had been formula-fed. The initially disliked vegetable that became accepted after repeated exposure was still liked and eaten by 79% of the children. At 3 years, the initially disliked vegetable was still liked and eaten by 73% of the children. At 6 years, observations in an experimental setting showed that children who had been breast-fed and children who had experienced high vegetable variety at the start of weaning ate more of new vegetables and liked them more. They were also more willing to taste vegetables than formula-fed children or the no or low variety groups. The initially disliked vegetable was still liked by 57% of children. This follow-up study suggests that experience with chemosensory variety in the context of breastfeeding or at the onset of complementary feeding can influence chemosensory preferences for vegetables into childhood.
Genetic Heterogeneity in Algerian Human Populations

The demographic history of human populations in North Africa has been characterized by complex processes of admixture and isolation that have modeled its current gene pool. Diverse genetic ancestral components with different origins (autochthonous, European, Middle Eastern, and sub-Saharan) and genetic heterogeneity in the region have been described. In this complex genetic landscape, Algeria, the largest country in Africa, has been poorly covered, with most of the studies using a single Algerian sample. In order to evaluate the genetic heterogeneity of Algeria, Y-chromosome, mtDNA and autosomal genome-wide makers have been analyzed in several Berber- and Arab-speaking groups. Our results show that the genetic heterogeneity found in Algeria is not correlated with geography or linguistics, challenging the idea of Berber groups being genetically isolated and Arab groups open to gene flow. In addition, we have found that external sources of gene flow into North Africa have been carried more often by females than males, while the North African autochthonous component is more frequent in paternally transmitted genome regions. Our results highlight the different demographic history revealed by different markers and urge to be cautious when deriving general conclusions from partial genomic information or from single samples as representatives of the total population of a region.