Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Domain‐ and task‐specific beliefs about memory in adulthood: A microgenetic approach

Abstract Younger and older adults were compared on domain- and task-specific measures of memory self-efficacy to determine if unique contributions of each to memory performance could be ascertained. In addition, changes in task-specific memory self-efficacy over trials as a function of increasing task experience were evaluated; if older adults' memory performance is particularly affected by memory self-efficacy, task experience may be more beneficial for them. Thirty-two older (mean age 73) and younger (mean age 23) adults participated in a series of four pretask memory self-efficacy judgments, followed by a series of four serial recall trials which were interleaved with further memory self-efficacy trials. Although older adults remembered less overall, like younger adults their memory self-efficacy improved. Individual differences in self-efficacy and educational background were important predictors of older adults' memory performance. Findings lend credence to the malleability of memory self-efficacy, i.
A comparative evaluation of search techniques for query-by-humming using the MUSART testbed

ing for melodies and require no special musical training or knowledge. Many such systems have been built, but there has not been much useful evaluation and comparison in the literature due to the lack of shared databases and queries. The MUSART project testbed allows various search algorithms to be compared using a shared framework that automatically runs experiments and summarizes results. Using this testbed, the authors compared algorithms based on string alignment, melodic contour matching, a hidden Markov model, n-grams, and CubyHum. Retrieval performance is very sensitive to distance functions and the representation of pitch and rhythm, which raises questions about some previously published conclusions. Some algorithms are particularly sensitive to the quality of queries. Our queries, which are taken from human subjects in a realistic setting, are quite difficult, especially for n-gram models. Finally, simulations on query-by-humming performance as a function of database size indicate that retrieval performance falls only slowly as the database size increases. Introduction
Web‐based versus paper‐based data collection for the evaluation of teaching activity: empirical evidence from a case study

The collection of teaching evaluation questionnaires in the traditional paper‐and‐pencil format is a costly and time‐consuming process and yet it is a common assessment practice in many university systems. web‐based data collection would reduce costs and significantly increase the efficiency of the overall evaluation process in numerous ways. Results for both types of surveys are reported from two years of progressive introduction of the web‐based survey by the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy. In the first year, two faculties representing scientific and humanistic fields were selected for a web‐based survey. In the second year, eight out of 12 faculties took part in the web survey. This data collection strategy allowed for responses from non‐attending students and facilitated a comparison of attitudes between attending and non‐attending students.
Differentiating arsonists: A model of firesetting actions and characteristics

It is hypothesized that there will be behavioural consistencies in the actions of arsonists when committing a crime that characterize them. The themes underlying these observable differences can be used to help us understand the nature of the offence. With arson, one such observable difference is hypothesized to relate to the target or focus of the attack. The study tested whether consistencies could be found that distinguish person-oriented from object-oriented arsons. A second proposed facet of arson actions relates to the motivational category underlying the act, being either instrumental or expressive. It was also hypothesized, therefore, that there would be a distinction in the arson actions between fires set for a clear instrumental purpose, and those which may be regarded as emotional acting-out. The hypothesis that these four themes would differentiate arsonists was tested by analysing 175 solved arson cases from across England. The case files were content analysed to produce 42 behavioural variables taken from both the crime reports and witness statements. In order to test the hypotheses of differentiation a smallest space analysis was carried out. The results support this framework giving rise to four distinct themes to arson from which scales with reasonable alpha scores could be derived. Two relate to expressive acts, (a) those that are realized within the arsonist's own feelings, being analogous to suicide, and (b) those that are acted on objects, like the burning of symbolic buildings. The other two relate to instrumental acts, (c) those that are for personal indulgence, similar to personal revenge, and (d) those that have an object focus such as hiding evidence from a crime. A further test of the validity of these four themes was to examine the typical characteristics of the people who committed the different types of arson. Four scales of arsonists' characteristics were developed. These were found to have appropriate, statistically significant correlations with the four themes. The implications of these findings for understanding the varieties of arson as revealed through the actions that occur are discussed, as well as the implications for arson investigations. It is speculated that this framework may provide a general model for considering a wide range of crimes. There are a variety of explanations for arson which suggests that there are also man y different forms of arson, each with its own aetiology and associated offender characteristics. Prins (1994) for example, discusses a number of different classifications of arson. He concludes that they tend to confuse the motivations and the characteristics of arsonists or produce overlapping typologies that may be of some practical assistance but do not really help in understanding the distinct varieties of arson. But, as with other typologies (e.g. Faulk, 1988; Inciardi, 1970), no empirical studies have tested the validity of the potentially contradictory ways of distinguishing
Characterizations of k-terminal flow networks and computing network flows in partial k-trees

We show that if a flow network has Ic input/output terminals (for the traditional maximum-flow problem, k = 2), its external flow pattern (possible values of flow at the terminals) has two characterizations of size independent of the total number of vertices: a set of at most 2” inequalities in k variables representing flow values at the terminals, and a mimicking network with at most 22k vertices and the same external flow pattern as the original network. In the case that the underlying graph has bounded tree-width, we present a parallel algorithm that can compute these characterizations as well as an internal flow with any desired external flow pattern (including the maximum flow). The algorithm runs in O(logn) time on an EREW PRAM with O(n/logn) processors for constant k if an explicit decomposition of the graph is given; if not, the decomposition can be computed in NC. The maximum-flow problem for general networks is P-complete and therefore unlikely to be efficiently ‘Max-Planck-Institut fiir Informatik, D-66123 Saarbriicken, Germany. Supported by the ESPRIT Basic Research Actions Program of the EU under contract No. 7141 (project ALCOM II). Email: torben@mpi-sb.mpg. de tDept. of Computer Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3Gl. Supported by operating grants from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), and from the Information Technology Research Centre of Ontario (ITRC). Email: nishi@plg.uwaterloo. ca tDatalogisk Institut, Kprbenhavns Universitet, Universitetsparken 1, DK-2100 Ktibenhavn 0, Denmark. Email: jyrki@diku.dk §Dept. of Computer Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1. Supported by operating grants from NSERC and ITRC. Email: plragde@plg.uwaterloo. ca Jyrki Kataj ainent
Simulating a seismic series using geostatistical and stochastic methods: application to the seismic series in the Alborán Sea (1997 June 24–?)

SUMMARY Seismic series can be taken as examples of correlated unstationary sets of timestochastic sequences. We investigate the possibility of estimating what is most probable to occur subsequently, if we know the events that have occurred up to a given moment. The stochastic methods can be used with data of the seismic series, irrespective of their genesis and origin. Using three stochastic methods, namely (1) simulating the likelihood of occurrence by conditional geostatistical simulation; (2) developing a stochastic analysis of the energy release by means of energy packages; and (3) calculating the occurrence time of the most probable next earthquake, we were able to simulate
Targeted Therapy for Acute Autoimmune Myocarditis with Nano-Sized Liposomal FK506 in Rats

Immunosuppressive agents are used for the treatment of immune-mediated myocarditis; however, the need to develop a more effective therapeutic approach remains. Nano-sized liposomes may accumulate in and selectively deliver drugs to an inflammatory lesion with enhanced vascular permeability. The aims of this study were to investigate the distribution of liposomal FK506, an immunosuppressive drug encapsulated within liposomes, and the drug’s effects on cardiac function in a rat experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM) model. We prepared polyethylene glycol-modified liposomal FK506 (mean diameter: 109.5 ± 4.4 nm). We induced EAM by immunization with porcine myosin and assessed the tissue distribution of the nano-sized beads and liposomal FK506 in this model. After liposomal or free FK506 was administered on days 14 and 17 after immunization, the cytokine expression in the rat hearts along with the histological findings and hemodynamic parameters were determined on day 21. Ex vivo fluorescent imaging revealed that intravenously administered fluorescent-labeled nano-sized beads had accumulated in myocarditic but not normal hearts on day 14 after immunization and thereafter. Compared to the administration of free FK506, FK506 levels were increased in both the plasma and hearts of EAM rats when liposomal FK506 was administered. The administration of liposomal FK506 markedly suppressed the expression of cytokines, such as interferon-γ and tumor necrosis factor-α, and reduced inflammation and fibrosis in the myocardium on day 21 compared to free FK506. The administration of liposomal FK506 also markedly ameliorated cardiac dysfunction on day 21 compared to free FK506. Nano-sized liposomes may be a promising drug delivery system for targeting myocarditic hearts with cardioprotective agents.
PEPR2 Is a Second Receptor for the Pep1 and Pep2 Peptides and Contributes to Defense Responses in Arabidopsis[W]

This work identifies Arabidopsis PEPR2 as a second receptor for the defense-related Pep peptides. PEPR2 expression patterns and its binding properties to Pep peptides were compared with those of PEPR1, and it is shown that both PEPR1 and PEPR2 are required to activate defense responses after Pep treatment. Pep1 is a 23–amino acid peptide that enhances resistance to a root pathogen, Pythium irregulare. Pep1 and its homologs (Pep2 to Pep7) are endogenous amplifiers of innate immunity of Arabidopsis thaliana that induce the transcription of defense-related genes and bind to PEPR1, a plasma membrane leucine-rich repeat (LRR) receptor kinase. Here, we identify a plasma membrane LRR receptor kinase, designated PEPR2, that has 76% amino acid similarity to PEPR1, and we characterize its role in the perception of Pep peptides and defense responses. Both PEPR1 and PEPR2 were transcriptionally induced by wounding, treatment with methyl jasmonate, Pep peptides, and pathogen-associated molecular patterns. The effects of Pep1 application on defense-related gene induction and enhancement of resistance to Pseudomonas syringae pv tomato DC3000 were partially reduced in single mutants of PEPR1 and PEPR2 and abolished completely in double mutants. Photoaffinity labeling and binding assays using transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) cells expressing PEPR1 and PEPR2 clearly demonstrated that PEPR1 is a receptor for Pep1-6 and that PEPR2 is a receptor for Pep1 and Pep2. Our analysis demonstrates differential binding affinities of two receptors with a family of peptide ligands and the corresponding physiological effects of the specific receptor–ligand interactions. Therefore, we demonstrate that, through perception of Peps, PEPR1 and PEPR2 contribute to defense responses in Arabidopsis.
Fast Distributed Asynchronous SGD with Variance Reduction

With the recent proliferation of large-scale learning problems, there have been a lot of interest on distributed machine learning algorithms, particularly those that are based on stochastic gradient descent (SGD) and its variants. However, existing algorithms either suffer from slow convergence due to the inherent variance of stochastic gradients, or have a fast linear convergence rate but at the expense of poorer solution quality. In this paper, we combine their merits together by proposing a distributed asynchronous SGD-based algorithm with variance reduction. A constant learning rate can be used, and it is also guaranteed to converge linearly to the optimal solution. Experiments on the Google Cloud Computing Platform demonstrate that the proposed algorithm outperforms state-of-the-art distributed asynchronous algorithms in terms of both wall clock time and solution quality.
A Use Case for Controlled Languages as Interfaces to Semantic Web Applications

Although the Semantic web is steadily gaining in popularity, it remains a mystery to a large percentage of Internet users. This can be attributed to the complexity of the technologies that form its core. Creating intuitive interfaces which completely abstract the technologies underneath, is one way to solve this problem. A contrasting approach is to ease the user into understanding the technologies. We propose a solution which anchors on using controlled languages as interfaces to semantic web applications. This paper describes one such approach for the domain of meeting minutes, status reports and other project specific documents. A controlled language is developed along with an ontology to handle semi-automatic knowledge extraction. The contributions of this paper include an ontology designed for the domain of meeting minutes and status reports, and a controlled language grammar tailored for the above domain to perform the semi-automatic knowledge acquisition and generate RDF triples. This paper also describes two grammar prototypes, which were developed and evaluated prior to the development of the final grammar, as well as the Link grammar, which was the grammar formalism of choice.
Development of the Career Indecision Profile

Prior research using a 167-item measure of career indecision (Career Indecision Profile-167 [CIP-167]) has suggested that career choice difficulties may be associated with four major sources of career indecision: neuroticism/negative affectivity, choice/commitment anxiety, lack of readiness, and interpersonal conflicts. The purpose of this study was to develop a shorter and more efficient measure of these four major sources of indecision for future use in research and counseling. The development of the measure (CIP-65) is described and the results of a confirmatory factor analytic study of its structure are presented along with initial reliability and validity data. We conclude by discussing implications for future research on the CIP-65 and its potential use in counseling individuals with choice-making difficulties.
Maximum SINR Prefiltering for Reduced-State Trellis-Based Equalization

We consider prefiltering for a single-carrier transmission over frequency-selective channels, where reduced-state trellis-based equalization is employed at the receiver, such as delayed decision-feedback sequence estimation (DDFSE) or reduced-state sequence estimation (RSSE). While previously proposed prefiltering schemes are based on the optimum filters of decision-feedback equalization (DFE), the prefiltering scheme introduced in this paper is designed according to a signal- to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR), whose definition takes into account explicitely the subsequent trellis-based equalizer and its complexity. In addition to the prefilter, a finite-length target impulse response for DDFSE/RSSE and an infinite- length feedback filter for state-dependent decision feedback in DDFSE/RSSE, respectively, is optimized. The developed solutions lend themselves to an interpretation of the tasks of the optimum filters. The presented numerical results show that noticeable gains can be achieved compared to state-of-the-art prefilters.
Hadoop+: Modeling and Evaluating the Heterogeneity for MapReduce Applications in Heterogeneous Clusters

Despite the widespread adoption of heterogeneous clusters in modern data centers, modeling heterogeneity is still a big challenge, especially for large-scale MapReduce applications. In a CPU/GPU hybrid heterogeneous cluster, allocating more computing resources to a MapReduce application does not always mean better performance, since simultaneously running CPU and GPU tasks will contend for shared resources. This paper proposes a heterogeneity model to predict the shared resource contention between the simultaneously running tasks of a MapReduce application when heterogeneous computing resources (e.g. CPUs and GPUs) are allocated. To support the approach, we present a heterogeneous MapReduce framework, Hadoop+, which enables CPUs and GPUs to process big data coordinately, and leverages the heterogeneity model to assist users in selecting the computing resources for different purposes. Our experimental results show three benefits. First, Hadoop+ exploits GPU capability, and achieves 1.4x to 16.1x speedups over Hadoop for 5 real applications when running individually. Second, the heterogeneity model can be used to allocate GPUs among multiple simultaneously running MapReduce applications, bringing up to 36.9% (17.6% in average) speedup when multiple applications are running simultaneously. Third, the model is verified to be able to select the optimal or most cost-effective resource consumption.
Examining the Success Factors of High-Achieving Puerto Rican Male High-School Students

This article works to dispel the myth that Latino urban high-school students are not capable of performing at high academic levels. Whereas much educational research emphasizes the academic underachievement of urban Latino students, this article counteracts this research by describing the four success factors that three working-class Puerto Rican male high-school students attribute to their high academic achievement. These success factors are: (a) the acquisition of social capital through religiosity and participation in school and community-based extracurricular activities, (b) having a strong Puerto Rican identity, (c) the influence of these students' mothers/sisters on their academic achievement, and (d) the potential for caring and sincere teachers and other school staff to influence high academic achievement. These findings have implications for Latina/o education and recommendations are provided.
Time Use Following a Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

Abstract Recent outcome studies have found that a significant number of people have limited opportunity for meaningful occupation following severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). The aim of this study was to compare the time use of 37 people more than three years post injury with time use in the general Australian population. This time use study was part of a broader research project, which examined community integration and factors that lead to successful community integration. The results of this study were that the TBI sample spent less time in employment related activities and more time on personal care than the general population. They also spent more time alone and less time with family. The TBI sample spent as much time in the community as their peers, however they were less involved in shared occupation. Although this group of people had received comprehensive rehabilitation services following their injury, they experienced decreased opportunities for meaningful occupation and changes in social contact several years post injury. Comparisons of the sample with people who are not employed suggest that unemployment is only one of the factors that contribute to the under‐occupation of people with TBI. The time use data collected provides a window on lifestyle changes and indicates that severe TBI has a significant negative impact on people's level of participation and well‐being.
The Impact of Using Alternative Forages on the Nutrient Value within Slurry and Its Implications for Forage Productivity in Agricultural Systems

Alternative forages can be used to provide valuable home-grown feed for ruminant livestock. Utilising these different forages could affect the manure value and the implications of incorporating these forages into farming systems, needs to be better understood. An experiment tested the hypothesis that applying slurries from ruminants, fed ensiled red clover (Trifolium pratense), lucerne (Medicago sativa) or kale (Brassica oleracea) would improve the yield of hybrid ryegrass (Lolium hybridicum), compared with applying slurries from ruminants fed ensiled hybrid ryegrass, or applying inorganic N alone. Slurries from sheep offered one of four silages were applied to ryegrass plots (at 35 t ha−1) with 100 kg N ha−1 inorganic fertiliser; dry matter (DM) yield was compared to plots only receiving ammonium nitrate at rates of 0, 100 and 250 kg N ha−1 year−1. The DM yield of plots treated with 250 kg N, lucerne or red clover slurry was significantly higher than other treatments (P<0.001). The estimated relative fertiliser N equivalence (FNE) (fertiliser-N needed to produce same yield as slurry N), was greatest for lucerne (114 kg) >red clover (81 kg) >kale (44 kg) >ryegrass (26 kg ha−1 yr−1). These FNE values represent relative efficiencies of 22% (ryegrass), 52% (kale), 47% (red clover) and 60% for lucerne slurry, with the ryegrass slurry efficiency being lowest (P = 0.005). Soil magnesium levels in plots treated with legume slurry were higher than other treatments (P<0.001). Overall, slurries from ruminants fed alternative ensiled forages increased soil nutrient status, forage productivity and better N efficiency than slurries from ruminants fed ryegrass silage. The efficiency of fertiliser use is one of the major factors influencing the sustainability of farming systems, these findings highlight the cascade in benefits from feeding ruminants alternative forages, and the need to ensure their value is effectively captured to reduce environmental risks.