Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Learning to Learn: Automatic Adaptation of Learning Bias

Traditionally, large areas of research in machine learning have concentrated on pattern recognition and its application to many diversified problems both within the realm of AI as well as outside of it. Over several decades of intensified research, an array of learning methodologies have been proposed, accompanied by attempts to evaluate these methods, with respect to one another on small sets of real world problems. Unfortunately, little emphasis was placed on the problem of learning bias - common to all learning algorithms - and a major culprit in preventing the construction of a universal pattern recognizer. State of the art learning algorithms exploit some inherent bias when performing pattern recognition on yet unseen patterns. Automatically adapting this learning bias - dependent on the type of pattern classification problems seen over time - is largely lacking. In this paper, weaknesses of the traditional one-shot learning environments are pointed out and the move towards a learning method displaying the ability to learn about learning is undertaken. Trans-dimensional learning is introduced as a means to automatically adjust learning bias and empirical evidence is provided showing that in some instances learning the whole can be simpler than learning a part of it.
Crowd-Powered Intelligent Systems

Human computation provides a new resource for creating intelligent systems that are able to go beyond the capabilities of fully-automated solutions. Currently, machines struggle in many real-world settings because problems can be almost entirely unconstrained and can vary greatly between instances. Solving problems such as natural language understanding require artificial intelligence to first reach human levels, a goal that is still very far off. Human computation can help bridge the gap between what computers can do and users’ ideal interactions, but is traditionally applied in an offline, batch-processing fashion. My work focuses on a new model of continuous, real-time crowdsourcing that enables interactive crowd-powered systems to be created.
Hybrid FPGA-accelerated SQL query processing

Ibex [1] is a novel database storage engine featuring hybrid, FPGA-accelerated query processing. The first prototype of Ibex has been implemented within the open-source MySQL database. In Ibex, an FPGA is inserted into the data path between disk and CPU to act as a query off-loading engine, operating on the stream of data towards the query processor. As a result, the volume of data hitting the CPU is substantially reduced, thereby decreasing energy consumption while increasing performance at the same time.
Tailoring positive psychology interventions to treat depressed individuals.

W hen Scott finally sought treatment, it was apparent that he had been struggling for some time. He was unshaven and wore large, crumpled clothes that overwhelmed his thin frame. At 27, Scott seemed to move with the labored, slouched shuffling of an elderly man. Slowly and dully, with frequent pauses, Scott explained that he had been feeling persistently sad and withdrawn for several years, starting in college. However, his mental health had steadily deteriorated ever since he began a new job several months earlier. Scott felt inadequate and worthless, particularly at work. His poor self-esteem was further compounded by his lack of meaningful friendships. Scott found no delight in activities he used to enjoy, such as biking, playing classical guitar, and reading philosophy books. When not dragging himself through the workday, Scott passed the time by sitting or lying motionless at home for hours on end. He doubted he would ever feel good again. What can positive psychology do for Scott? Traditionally, psychologists have equated mental health with the absence of mental illness – that is, Scott would be considered psychologically well when his depressive symptoms are relieved. A shift in mental health practice and research began to unfold in the final years of the 20th century, when the field of positive psychology emerged to unite disparate theory and knowledge on positive functioning and to advance work on positive mental health (Seligman, Steen, Park, & Peterson, 2005). Increasingly, psychological well-being is now understood as both the absence of mental illness and the presence of positive psychological resources, such as positive affect and satisfaction with one’s life (Diener, 1984), autonomy, competence, relatedness (Ryan & Deci, 2001), self-acceptance, purpose, and personal growth (Ryff, 1989).
The Relation Between Parenting Daily Hassles And Child Behavior Problems Among Low-Income Families: Examining The Role Of Caregiver Positive Expressiveness

THE RELATION BETWEEN PARENTING DAILY HASSLES AND CHILD BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS AMONG LOW-INCOME FAMILIES: EXAMINING THE ROLE OF CAREGIVER POSITIVE EXPRESSIVENESS by SHAWNA TANNER May 2017 Advisor: Dr. Douglas Barnett Major: Psychology (Clinical) Degree: Master of Arts Examined was the role of caregiver positive expressiveness (PE) in the relation between parenting stress and change in child adjustment from preschool to early elementary in a low-income sample. Participants included 133 caregiver-child dyads who participated in a laboratory task and completed measures on parenting daily hassles (PDH), depressive symptoms and child problem behaviors when children were in preschool; and 98 who returned when the children were in elementary. Observed caregiver PE was coded from a videotaped family drawing task. The moderated regression analysis did not support the hypothesis that caregiver PE was a protective factor, attenuating the relation between PDH and child externalizing problems. However, results suggest that high levels of caregiver PE may buffer against increases in children’s externalizing behaviors when caregivers are experiencing high levels of parenting stress. Additional analysis examining PDH and caregiver depressive symptoms in prediction of child problem behaviors were also conducted and discussed.
Heterozygote advantage as a natural consequence of adaptation in diploids

Molecular adaptation is typically assumed to proceed by sequential fixation of beneficial mutations. In diploids, this picture presupposes that for most adaptive mutations, the homozygotes have a higher fitness than the heterozygotes. Here, we show that contrary to this expectation, a substantial proportion of adaptive mutations should display heterozygote advantage. This feature of adaptation in diploids emerges naturally from the primary importance of the fitness of heterozygotes for the invasion of new adaptive mutations. We formalize this result in the framework of Fisher's influential geometric model of adaptation. We find that in diploids, adaptation should often proceed through a succession of short-lived balanced states that maintain substantially higher levels of phenotypic and fitness variation in the population compared with classic adaptive walks. In fast-changing environments, this variation produces a diversity advantage that allows diploids to remain better adapted compared with haploids despite the disadvantage associated with the presence of unfit homozygotes. The short-lived balanced states arising during adaptive walks should be mostly invisible to current scans for long-term balancing selection. Instead, they should leave signatures of incomplete selective sweeps, which do appear to be common in many species. Our results also raise the possibility that balancing selection, as a natural consequence of frequent adaptation, might play a more prominent role among the forces maintaining genetic variation than is commonly recognized.
Energy Efficiency Analysis of Error Control Schemes in Wireless Sensor Networks

Multi-hop structure and broadcast channel of wireless sensor networks necessitate error control schemes to achieve reliable data transmission. The energy efficiency of error control schemes should be considered because of the strict energy constraints of wireless sensor networks. Wireless sensor networks require simple and facile error control schemes because of the low complexity request of sensor nodes. Automatic repeat request (ARQ) and forward error correction (FEC) are the key error control strategies in wireless sensor networks. In this paper, we discuss these error control schemes using energy efficiency analysis. We prove that energy efficiency of ARQ technique is independent of retransmission attempts and is unchangeable with the number of retransmission. The result of our analysis reveals that there is an optimum FEC scheme with the maximal energy efficiency for a target communication distance and packet size. The optimum FEC scheme is presented in this paper. In addition, ARQ is compared with FEC in terms of energy efficiency based on different communication distances and packet lengths.
The OceanStore Archive : Goals , Structures , and Self-Repair

The increasing amounts of digital data, originating from corporations and individuals alike, is driving the need for digital archives forward. This work discusses a system designed to meet this need, the OceanStore archive. This system stores documents in a secure manner, and provides high availability and durability. We describe the structures and algorithms used in the OceanStore archive, and present a distributed fault detection and repair scheme which makes use of OceanStore's routing and location layer, Tapestry.
GRB 081028 and its late-time afterglow re-brightening

Swift captured for the first time a smoothly rising X-ray re-brightening of clear non-flaring origin after the steep decay in a long gamma-ray burst (GRB): GRB 081028. A rising phase is likely present in all GRBs but is usually hidden by the prompt tail emission and constitutes the first manifestation of what is later to give rise to the shallow decay phase. Contemporaneous optical observations reveal a rapid evolution of the injection frequency of a fast cooling synchrotron spectrum through the optical band, which disfavours the afterglow onset (start of the forward shock emission along our line of sight when the outflow is decelerated) as the origin of the observed re-brightening. We investigate alternative scenarios and find that the observations are consistent with the predictions for a narrow jet viewed off-axis. The high on-axis energy budget implied by this interpretation suggests different physical origins of the prompt and (late) afterglow emission. Strong spectral softening takes place from the prompt to the steep decay phase: we track the evolution of the spectral peak energy from the gamma-rays to the X-rays and highlight the problems of the high latitude and adiabatic cooling interpretations. Notably, a softening of both the high and low spectral slopes with time is also observed. We discuss the low on-axis radiative efficiency of GRB 081028 comparing its properties against a sample of Swift long GRBs with secure E(gamma,iso) measurements.
Context-adaptation based on Ontologies and Spreading Activation

Ontologies and spreading activation are known terms within the scope of information retrieval. In this paper we introduce SPREADR, an integrated adaptation mechanism for web applications that uses ontologies for representing the application domain as well as context information like location, user history and local time. Those context factors can be modeled in an ontology and be linked to certain domain nodes. In each session a Spreading Activation Network is build based on those ontologies and recognized context factors or user actions can trigger an activation flow through this network. A node’s resulting activation value then represents its importance according to the current circumstances. While identically in structure, the Spreading Activation Networks are personalized by automatically modifying link weights and activation levels of nodes. As a result the system learns about the user preferences and can adjust its adaptation mechanism for future runs through implicit feedback.
Molecular dynamic simulation of electron bubble transport in n-hexane liquid

Mobility and diffusion coefficient of an electron in hydrocarbon liquid is calculated by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. Electron bubble model is used as an electron status in the liquid, which consists of n-hexane molecule of flexible chain model. Rattle algorithm is used for the time evaluation of molecular motion, and temperature and simulation volume are kept constant. The electric field, which is driven by integrating Coulomb potential, is employed on the electron bubble. Simulation results of the present study shows acceptable agreement compared to published data since the experimental results used in This work includes hydrodynamics phenomena as well.
ATM-independent, high-fidelity nonhomologous end joining predominates in human embryonic stem cells

We recently demonstrated that human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) utilize homologous recombination repair (HRR) as primary means of double-strand break (DSB) repair. We now show that hESCs also use nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ). NHEJ kinetics were several-fold slower in hESCs and neural progenitors (NPs) than in astrocytes derived from hESCs. ATM and DNA-PKcs inhibitors were ineffective or partially effective, respectively, at inhibiting NHEJ in hESCs, whereas progressively more inhibition was seen in NPs and astrocytes. The lack of any major involvement of DNA-PKcs in NHEJ in hESCs was supported by siRNA-mediated DNA-PKcs knockdown. Expression of a truncated XRCC4 decoy or XRCC4 knock-down reduced NHEJ by more than half suggesting that repair is primarily canonical NHEJ. Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) was dispensable for NHEJ suggesting that repair is largely independent of backup NHEJ. Furthermore, as hESCs differentiated a progressive decrease in the accuracy of NHEJ was observed. Altogether, we conclude that NHEJ in hESCs is largely independent of ATM, DNA-PKcs, and PARP but dependent on XRCC4 with repair fidelity several-fold greater than in astrocytes.
Aeroengine Health Assessment Using a Web-Based Grey Analytic Hierarchy Process

This paper proposed a Web-based evaluation method for aeroengine health assessment which combined the advantages of the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and a grey clustering method to guarantee the accuracy and objectivity of weight coefficients. The Web-based framework is convenient for data collection, distributed management and processing. After constructing an index system of aeroengine health assessment based on correlated factors involved in aeroengine health status, we confirmed the weight of every index with AHP and gave a general health assessment by means of a grey clustering method. A case study was conducted in a fleet with ten aeroengines to validate the design of the underlying grey analytic hierarchy process (GAHP) model. Running results show the feasibility and reliability of the model, which will be helpful to realize the quantitative analysis in aeroengine health assessment and provide a decision support tool for decision makers.
Early Reionization by Miniquasars

Motivated by the recent detection by the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe of a large optical depth to Thomson scattering, implying a very early reionization epoch, we assess a scenario where the universe was reionized by "miniquasars" powered by intermediate-mass black holes (IMBHs), the remnants of the first generation of massive stars. Pregalactic IMBHs form within minihalos above the cosmological Jeans mass collapsing at z > 20, get incorporated through mergers into larger and larger systems, sink to the center as a result of dynamical friction, and accrete cold material. The merger history of dark halos and associated IMBHs is followed by Monte Carlo realizations of the merger hierarchy in a ΛCDM cosmology. Our model is based on the assumptions that quasar activity is driven by major mergers and nuclear IMBHs accrete at the Eddington rate a fraction of the gas in the merger remnant. The long dynamical frictional timescales leave many IMBHs "wandering" in galaxy halos after a minor merger. While seed IMBHs that are as rare as the 3.5 σ peaks of the primordial density field evolve largely in isolation, a significant number of BH binary systems will form if IMBHs populate the more numerous 3 σ peaks instead. In the case of rapid binary coalescence a fraction of IMBHs will be displaced from galaxy centers and ejected into the intergalactic medium (IGM) by the "gravitational rocket" effect, rather than accrete and shine as miniquasars. We show that, under a number of plausible assumptions for the amount of gas accreted onto IMBHs and their emission spectrum, miniquasars powered by IMBHs, and not their stellar progenitors, may be responsible for cosmological reionization at z ~ 15. Reionization by miniquasars with a hard spectrum may be more "economical" than stellar reionization, as soft X-rays escape more easily from the dense sites of star formation and travel farther than EUV radiation. Energetic photons will permeate the universe more uniformly, make the low-density diffuse IGM warm and weakly ionized prior to the epoch of reionization breakthrough, set an entropy floor, and reduce gas clumping. Future 21 cm observations may detect a preheated, weakly ionized IGM in emission against the cosmic microwave background.
Reader Perspective Emotion Analysis in Text through Ensemble based Multi-Label Classification Framework

Multiple emotions are often triggered in readers in response to text stimuli like news article. In this paper, we present a novel method for classifying news sentences into multiple emotion categories using an ensemble based multi-label classification technique called RAKEL. The emotion data consists of 1305 news sentences and the emotion classes considered are disgust, fear, happiness and sadness. Words are the most obvious choice as feature for emotion recognition. In addition to that we have introduced two novel feature sets: polarity of subject, verb and object of the sentences and semantic frames. Experiments concerning the comparison of features revealed that semantic frame feature combined with polarity based feature performs best in emotion classification. Experiments on feature selection over word and semantic frame features have been performed in order to handle feature sparseness problem. In both word and semantic frame feature, improvements in the overall performance have been observed after optimal feature selection.
An Introduction to Contemporary Gestalt Therapy for Group Therapists

Abstract:This article provides a map of gestalt therapy's fundamental concepts and methodologies, including field theory, phenomenology, the constructivist approach to perception, creative adjustments, fixed gestalts, fixed relational gestalts, awareness, and contact. Figure formation, the cycle of experience, and boundary disturbances are explored. Martin Buber's concepts of dialogue and I–Thou/I–It relations are also covered. Every Person's Life Is Worth a Novel is gestalt therapy's appreciation of each person's life story. The paradoxical theory of change, along with Arnold Beisser, MD, who originally developed the concept, are discussed.
Physical activity in the lives of two generations of black professional women in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality

The association between physical inactivity, adverse health and hypokinetic diseases has been widely researched. There is an increased risk of being overweight, and of developing certain chronic diseases and suffering premature death associated with physical inactivity (Young, Miller, Wilder, Yanek & Becker, 1998). Recent surveys and studies have revealed that the majority of the South African population has moved extensively along the epidemiological transition towards a disease profile related to Western lifestyle, where deaths due to chronic diseases of lifestyle is a great cause for concern (Steyn, 2006). Black women, in particular, have been identified as a high risk group with the highest levels of inactivity and the highest levels of overweight and obesity in the country (SADHS, 1998; WHO, 2005). Although there is a growing body of knowledge and research on physical activity in general, there is still a lack of data on the determinants and barriers to participation in physical activity (Lambert & Kolbe-Alexander, 2006). Cultural patterns and economic, political and ideological orders affect the participation of women in sport (Hargreaves, 1994:5). Black women in South Africa have been disadvantaged by the past government’s policy of apartheid, and have also been marginalized and oppressed in their own patriarchal societies. The first democratically elected government in 1994, however, committed itself to gender equality and women’s emancipation, with constitutional guarantees on equality and an affirmative action policy to address gender inequalities. In order to evaluate the extent of the beneficial impact of these political changes in women’s lives, this study proposed to investigate physical activity patterns in the lives of two generations of black professional women (teachers, nurses, social workers and public managers) from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality. The objectives that guided the research were: • To describe and compare the physical activity patterns and health status of two generations of black women through questionnaires, physical activity records and mechanical devices. • To explore and describe the psychosocial context and socio-cultural influences on physical activity in the lives of the participants.
Novel Experimental and Analysis Paradigms for Neuroimaging

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is modeled as a convolution of the hemodynamic response function (HRF) and an unmeasured latent neural signal. However, the HRF itself is variable across brain regions and subjects. This variability is induced by both neural and non-neural factors. Aberrations in underlying neurochemical mechanisms which control the shape of the HRF have been reported in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Therefore, we hypothesized that this will lead to voxel-specific, yet systematic differences in the shape of the HRF between individuals with Autism and healthy controls. As a corollary, we also hypothesized that such alterations will lead differences in estimated functional connectivity in the fMRI space as compared to the latent neural space. In order to test these hypotheses, we performed blind deconvolution of resting state fMRI time series acquired from large number of ASD and control subjects obtained from the Autism Brain Imaging Data Exchange (ABIDE) database. Many brain regions previously implicated in Autism showed systematic differences in HRF shape in the ASD population. Specifically, we found that the precuneus had aberrations in all HRF parameters. 31 Consequently, we obtained precuneus-seed-based functional connectivity differences between ASD and controls in fMRI as well as latent neural space. We report that raw fMRI data failed to detect group differences in connectivity between precuneus and certain brain regions that were however observed in deconvolved data. Our results are relevant for the understanding of hemodynamic and neurochemical aberrations in ASD, as well as have methodological implications for resting state functional connectivity studies in Autism and more generally in disorders that are accompanied by neurochemical alterations that may impact HRF shape.