Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Teaching English Stress: A Case Study

This article addresses the issue of teaching pronunciation in English as a second language (ESL) classes by specifically looking at the impact of teaching lexical stress rules and tendencies on learners' stress placement performance. Sixteen rules in the form of interactive worksheets were taught in three ESL classes at pre-intermediate, intermediate, and upper intermediate levels (N = 38). The rules were taught and reviewed during 9 weeks, each taking approximately 25 minutes of class time. They dealt with four areas: word categories, compound nouns, verb-noun pairs, and suffixes. The participants recorded a list of carefully chosen 100 words two times, once before and once after the teaching of the rules. The results show a statistically significant reduction of mean error percentage from 33.8% to 18.3%, with an effect size (Cohen's d) of 1.67. The implications of this research are twofold. On the one hand, it is evidence for the successful teaching of suprasegmentals and in particular lexical stress rules in ESL classes, and on the other, it contains a methodology and a sample lesson plan for teaching such rules (see Appendix A). The article thus argues for the inclusion of English lexical stress prediction rules in the ESL pronunciation curriculum to enhance learners' overall intelligibility.
A 7-Gene Signature Depicts the Biochemical Profile of Early Prefibrotic Myelofibrosis

Recent studies have shown that a large proportion of patients classified as essential thrombocythemia (ET) actually have early primary prefibrotic myelofibrosis (prePMF), which implies an inferior prognosis as compared to patients being diagnosed with so-called genuine or true ET. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) 2008 classification, bone marrow histology is a major component in the distinction between these disease entities. However, the differential diagnosis between them may be challenging and several studies have not been able to distinguish between them. Most lately, it has been argued that simple blood tests, including the leukocyte count and plasma lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) may be useful tools to separate genuine ET from prePMF, the latter disease entity more often being featured by anemia, leukocytosis and elevated LDH. Whole blood gene expression profiling was performed in 17 and 9 patients diagnosed with ET and PMF, respectively. Using elevated LDH obtained at the time of diagnosis as a marker of prePMF, a 7-gene signature was identified which correctly predicted the prePMF group with a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 89%. The 7 genes included MPO, CEACAM8, CRISP3, MS4A3, CEACAM6, HEMGN, and MMP8, which are genes known to be involved in inflammation, cell adhesion, differentiation and proliferation. Evaluation of bone marrow biopsies and the 7-gene signature showed a concordance rate of 71%, 79%, 62%, and 38%. Our 7-gene signature may be a useful tool to differentiate between genuine ET and prePMF but needs to be validated in a larger cohort of “ET” patients.
African Theologies of Identity and Community: The Contributions of John Mbiti, Jesse Mugambi, Vincent Mulago, and Kwame Bediako

Abstract This article examines four theologies of identity and community from Africa and their relevance in combating ethnocentrism in Africa. The article focuses on the works of Vincent Mulago, John S. Mbiti, Kwame Bediako, and J. N. K. Mugambi - the key proponents of the schools of thought that we examine. The themes of identity and community have practical implications. For example, a people’s perception of themselves and their communities (social identity) affects how they perceive and relate to others. Therefore, considering the challenge of ethnocentrism worldwide, the themes of identity and community must always be examined. This article has two major sections. Foremost, it explores the relationship of these concepts. Second, it examines and critiques African theologies of identity and community and their consequent theological implications for social cohesion of communities. Finally, it proposes a way forward utilizing contributions from each theologian.
Cross Talk between Tetanus Neurotoxin-insensitive Vesicle-associated Membrane Protein-mediated Transport and L 1-mediated Adhesion

*Membrane Traffic and Neuronal Plasticity, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U536, F-75005 Paris, France; †Secretory Pathways Laboratory, Cancer Research UK, London Research Institute, London WC2A 3PX, United Kingdom; ‡Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U106, Hôpital Salpêtrière, F-75651, Paris, France; §Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U440, F-75005 Paris, France; and Max-Delbrueck-Centrum fuer Molekulare Medizin, D-13092 Berlin, Germany
The Halo Mass-Bias Redshift Evolution in the ΛCDM Cosmology

We derive an analytic model for the redshift evolution of linear bias, allowing for interactions and merging of the mass tracers, by solving a second-order differential equation based on linear perturbation theory and the Friedmann-Lemaitre solutions of the cosmological field equations. We then study the halo-mass dependence of the bias evolution, using the dark matter halo distribution in a ΛCDM simulation in order to calibrate the free parameters of the model. Finally, we compare our theoretical predictions with available observational data and find a good agreement. In particular, we find that the bias of optical QSO’s evolve differently than those selected in X-rays and that their corresponding typical dark matter halo mass is ~1013 h−1 M☉ and ≳5 × 1013 h−1 M☉, respectively.
Socioeconomic Status Modifies the Seasonal Effect on Blood Pressure

AbstractSeasonal variations in blood pressure have been consistently reported. However, uncertainty remains about the size of the seasonal effect in different regions, and about factors that explain the differences observed across and within populations. Using data from a national panel study, we investigated seasonal variations in blood pressure in the South African adult population, and whether these variations differed across socioeconomic strata.We estimated age-specific seasonal effects on blood pressure using a multilevel structural equation model, with repeated measurements nested within subjects. Effect modification by socioeconomic status was assessed by repeating the analyses in the subpopulations defined by levels of education, household income per capita, and type of housing.In men and women, season had a statistically significant effect on blood pressure, with higher levels in winter and lower levels in summer. For systolic blood pressure, the magnitude of the seasonal effect was 4.25/4.21 mmHg (women/men) and was higher in the older age groups. For diastolic blood pressure, the effect size was 4.00/4.01 mmHg, with no evident age trend. Seasonal effects were higher among subjects in the lowest socioeconomic classes than in the highest, with differences between 2.4 and 7.7 mmHg, depending on gender, whether systolic or diastolic blood pressure, and socioeconomic status indicator.In the South African adult population, blood pressure shows seasonal variation modified by age and socioeconomic status. These variations have epidemiological, clinical, and public health implications, including the prospect of population level intervention to reduce elevated risk of cold weather cardiovascular morbidity.
Probabilistic gradient ascent with applications to bipedal robotic locomotion

Bipedal robotic locomotion is an emerging field within the multi-billion dollar robotics industry, with global initiatives (such as RoboCup, FIRA and the DARPA Robotics Challenge) striving toward the development of robots able to complete complex physical tasks within a human-engineered environment. This paper details the redevelopment of an omnidirectional walk engine for the DARwIn-OP, with an improved online optimisation framework developed for 13 of its internal parameters. Applying two well-known optimisation algorithms within this framework yields significant improvement in walk speed and stability. A new non-convex optimisation algorithm (Probabilistic Gradient Ascent) is derived from a reinforcement learning framework and applied to the same task, yielding an average speed improvement of 50.4% and setting a new maximum speed benchmark of 34.1 cm/s.
Reducing Disk I/O Performance Sensitivity for Large Numbers of Sequential Streams

Retrieving sequential rich media content from modern commodity disks is a challenging task. As disk capacity increases, there is a need to increase the number of streams that are allocated to each disk. However, when multiple streams are accessing a single disk, throughput is dramatically reduced because of disk head seek overhead, resulting in requirements for more disks. Thus, there is a tradeoff between how many streams should be allowed to access a disk and the total throughput that can be achieved. In this work we examine this tradeoff and provide an understanding of issues along with a practical solution. We use Disksim, a detailed architectural simulator, to examine several aspects of a modern I/O subsystem and we show the effect of various disk parameters on system performance under multiple sequential streams. Then, we propose a solution that dynamically adjusts I/O request streams, based on host and I/O subsystem parameters. We implement our approach in a real system and perform experiments with a small and a large disk configuration. Our approach improves disk throughput up to a factor of 4 with a workload of 100 sequential streams, without requiring large amounts of memory on the storage node. Moreover, it is able to adjust (statically) to different storage node configurations, essentially making the I/O subsystem insensitive to the number of I/O streams used.
Causal impact analysis for app releases in google play

App developers would like to understand the impact of their own and their competitors’ software releases. To address this we introduce Causal Impact Release Analysis for app stores, and our tool, CIRA, that implements this analysis. We mined 38,858 popular Google Play apps, over a period of 12 months. For these apps, we identified 26,339 releases for which there was adequate prior and posterior time series data to facilitate causal impact analysis. We found that 33% of these releases caused a statistically significant change in user ratings. We use our approach to reveal important characteristics that distinguish causal significance in Google Play. To explore the actionability of causal impact analysis, we elicited the opinions of app developers: 56 companies responded, 78% concurred with the causal assessment, of which 33% claimed that their company would consider changing its app release strategy as a result of our findings.
Going Deeper or Flatter: Connecting Deep Mapping, Flat Ontologies and the Democratizing of Knowledge

The concept of “deep mapping”, as an approach to place, has been deployed as both a descriptor of a specific suite of creative works and as a set of aesthetic practices. While its definition has been amorphous and adaptive, a number of distinct, yet related, manifestations identify as, or have been identified by, the term. In recent times, it has garnered attention beyond literary discourse, particularly within the “spatial” turn of representation in the humanities and as a result of expanded platforms of data presentation. This paper takes a brief look at the practice of “deep mapping”, considering it as a consciously performative act and tracing a number of its various manifestations. It explores how deep mapping is a reflection of epistemological trends in ontological practices of connectivity and the “flattening” of knowledge systems. In particular those put forward by post structural and cultural theorists, such as Bruno Latour, Gilles Deleuze, and Felix Guattari, as well as by theorists who associate with speculative realism. The concept of deep mapping as an aesthetic, methodological, and ideological tool, enables an approach to place that democratizes knowledge by crossing temporal, spatial, and disciplinary boundaries.
VLSI signal processing system employing six phase codes for spread spectrum applications

Spread Spectrum applications require a set of sequences with individually peaky auto-correlation and pair-wise cross-correlation. Obtaining such sequences is a combinatorial problem. If the auto-correlation and cross-correlation are taken in the aperiodic sense then there are hardly any theoretical aids available. Thus the problem of signal design referred to above is a challenging problem for which many global optimization algorithms like Genetic Algorithm, Simulated Annealing and Tunneling Algorithm were reported in the literature. Recently an efficient VLSI architecture for Generation of the Six phase codes was proposed. Integrating this generation architecture with the currently proposed identification architecture provides an efficient Real-Time Hardware solution for identification and generation of the Six phase codes. The paper aims at an efficient hardware implementation of the Modified Genetic Algorithm (MGA) for the synthesis of optimal Six-Phase codes useful for Spread Spectrum applications. The VLSI System is implemented on the Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) as it provides the flexibility of Reconfigura-bility and Reprogramability.
Distributional implications of tax evasion in Greece

The shadow economy and tax evasion are both widespread in Greece. This has adverse effects in terms of horizontal and vertical equity, as well as in terms of efficiency. We take advantage of access to a large sample of income tax returns in 2004/05, and compare tax reported incomes with those observed in the household budget survey of that year. We re-weight our two datasets to make them fully comparable, and carefully select the reference population. We then calculate ratios of income under-reporting by region and income source. The synthetic distribution of reported incomes is then fed into a taxbenefit model to provide preliminary estimates of the size and distribution of income tax evasion in Greece. Income under-reporting is estimated at 10%, resulting in a 26% shortfall in tax receipts. The paper finds that the effects of tax evasion are higher income inequality and poverty, as well as lower progressivity of the income tax system.
APPLICATION OF ENVISAT SAR IMAGERY FOR MAPPING AND ESTIMATION OF NATURAL OIL SEEPS IN THE SOUTH CASPIAN SEA

Numerous oil slicks of natural origin were revealed in the sou thwest part (SW) of Caspian Sea on the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images acquired by the Envisat satellite in 2003-2004. Analysis of the SAR images together with bathymetry, geophysical and seismic data in geographic information system showed that the main hydrocarbon contribution visible on the sea surface as oil slicks comes from the natural seepage. Oil slicks are basically concentrated over the local geological formations of the sedimentary cover having oil and gas resources. In total about 90 seeps distributed across the SW Caspian Sea having repeating regime and an active type were identified. Seepage rate of oil in the SW Caspian Sea is estimated to be up to 16,000 metric tons per year. Conclusion is done that the SAR onboard the Envisat satellite is an excellent tool for studying oil seeps through observation oil slicks floating on the sea surface.
The role of the Hes1 crosstalk hub in Notch-Wnt interactions of the intestinal crypt

The Notch pathway plays a vital role in determining whether cells in the intestinal epithelium adopt a secretory or an absorptive phenotype. Cell fate specification is coordinated via Notch’s interaction with the canonical Wnt pathway. Here, we propose a new mathematical model of the Notch and Wnt pathways, in which the Hes1 promoter acts as a hub for pathway crosstalk. Computational simulations of the model can assist in understanding how healthy intestinal tissue is maintained, and predict the likely consequences of biochemical knockouts upon cell fate selection processes. Chemical reaction network theory (CRNT) is a powerful, generalised framework which assesses the capacity of our model for monostability or multistability, by analysing properties of the underlying network structure without recourse to specific parameter values or functional forms for reaction rates. CRNT highlights the role of β-catenin in stabilising the Notch pathway and damping oscillations, demonstrating that Wnt-mediated actions on the Hes1 promoter can induce dynamic transitions in the Notch system, from multistability to monostability. Time-dependent model simulations of cell pairs reveal the stabilising influence of Wnt upon the Notch pathway, in which β-catenin- and Dsh-mediated action on the Hes1 promoter are key in shaping the subcellular dynamics. Where Notch-mediated transcription of Hes1 dominates, there is Notch oscillation and maintenance of fate flexibility; Wnt-mediated transcription of Hes1 favours bistability akin to cell fate selection. Cells could therefore regulate the proportion of Wnt- and Notch-mediated control of the Hes1 promoter to coordinate the timing of cell fate selection as they migrate through the intestinal epithelium and are subject to reduced Wnt stimuli. Furthermore, mutant cells characterised by hyperstimulation of the Wnt pathway may, through coupling with Notch, invert cell fate in neighbouring healthy cells, enabling an aberrant cell to maintain its neighbours in mitotically active states.
Extraction of evidence tables from abstracts of randomized clinical trials using a maximum entropy classifier and global constraints

Systematic use of the published results of randomized clinical trials is increasingly important in evidence-based medicine. In order to collate and analyze the results from potentially numerous trials, evidence tables are used to represent trials concerning a set of interventions of interest. An evidence table has columns for the patient group, for each of the interventions being compared, for the criterion for the comparison (e.g. proportion who survived after 5 years from treatment), and for each of the results. Currently, it is a labour-intensive activity to read each published paper and extract the information for each field in an evidence table. There have been some NLP studies investigating how some of the features from papers can be extracted, or at least the relevant sentences identified. However, there is a lack of an NLP system for the systematic extraction of each item of information required for an evidence table. We address this need by a combination of a maximum entropy classifier, and integer linear programming. We use the later to handle constraints on what is an acceptable classification of the features to be extracted. With experimental results, we demonstrate substantial advantages in using global constraints (such as the features describing the patient group, and the interventions, must occur before the features describing the results of the comparison).
PSYKOLOGI 61-90 hp Time , Abstraction and Morality

Based on Construal Level Theory (Trope & Liberman, 2010), the present study examines the impact of temporal distance on moral concern. A manipulation on individuals’ mind-set has been made in to abstract (High level) versus concrete (Low level) mentality to inspect the ability to effect peoples’ moral concern. Our first hypothesis is that future-oriented people should show more moral concern than present-oriented individuals. Present-oriented people should, however, after an abstract manipulation show a higher moral concern, correspondent with future-oriented individual’s moral concern. 176 undergraduates from a Swedish university participated in the study. The respondents were asked to answer a questionnaire, and a scale was used to measure the individual temporal perspective (Consideration of Future Consequences scale, CFC) and then a manipulation was made. Half of the participants were allotted an abstract (high level) manipulation, and the other half were given a concrete (low level) manipulation. The manipulation was followed by a questionnaire that measured the moral concern, in the form of blame, attributed to morally questionable actions. We found a positive correlation between temporal focus and moral concern. The manipulation however showed no effect of abstraction on peoples’ moral concern. Nor did a two-way between subjects ANOVA show a significant interaction between temporal perspective and abstraction, providing no support for our second and third hypotheses. An environmental impact on the respondents is discussed as a possible reason for the results not being fully consistent with previous studies. For future research we suggest similar longitudinal studies, which would supply researchers with the opportunity to study the long-term effect on different types of moral.
Models and branch‐and‐cut algorithms for pickup and delivery problems with time windows

In the pickup and delivery problem with time windows (PDPTW), capacitated vehicles must be routed to satisfy a set of transportation requests between given origins and destinations. In addition to capacity and time window constraints, vehicle routes must also satisfy pairing and precedence constraints on pickups and deliveries. This paper introduces two new formulations for the PDPTW and the closely related dial‐a‐ride problem (DARP) in which a limit is imposed on the elapsed time between the pickup and the delivery of a request. Several families of valid inequalities are introduced to strengthen these two formulations. These inequalities are used within branch‐and‐cut algorithms which have been tested on several instance sets for both the PDPTW and the DARP. Instances with up to eight vehicles and 96 requests (194 nodes) have been solved to optimality. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, Vol. 49(4), 258–272 2007
Design of Planar Monopole Antenna for 2.4 GHz WLAN

T-Shape planar monopole antenna has low profile and can fed by 50 ¿ micro strip line for wireless local area network (WLAN) at 2.4 GHz frequency. The design is achieved good Return loss matching for simulation and experimental result. The gain of the antenna is ≥ 4 dB and VSWR bandwidth ≤ 2. The radiation pattern and directivity of proposed antenna also presented. For analyzing the transfer function characteristics, it shows that the signal corresponding to 2.452 GHz (2.256-2.687 GHz) band serve the antenna is suitable for WLAN application.
Design and implementation of Sugeno controller for inverted pendulum on a cart system

Nowadays simple and executable controllers that can control many complex processes are more popular, remarkable and justifiable. Studying and designing such controllers for inverted pendulum system is a prominent way to prove the controllers performance. Inverted pendulum system is a classic system in most control laboratories. The system structure, totally, consists of a cart and a pendulum hinged to the moving cart via a pivot. The basic problem in an inverted pendulum system is stabilizing pendulum angle. The system equations are non-linear and non-minimum phase and thereby, the relation between the force to the cart and the angle of pendulum is not easily calculable. Also, the stabilization of cart position should be checked. In many cases the system with controller is not executable. In this paper, a simple implementable controller will be proposed for inverted pendulum on a cart system to stabilize both pendulum angle and cart position. Firstly, the force to the cart is obtained by using feedback linearization method and system dynamic. Then, it will be converted to a fuzzy controller based on Taylor series. In comparison with other controllers, it is more fluent and executable. Simulation and experimental results evaluate the controller performance.