Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EmoTube: A Sentiment Analysis Integrated Environment for Social Web Content

Mashup technologies offer numerous capabilities for innovative applications and services development and integration. Content accessing via mashups' interoperable and dynamic interfaces facilitates new enterprise models, while technological tools and smart techniques contribute to the development of integrated platforms. This work presents the principles and characteristics of the so-called "EmoTube" mashup, which is an integrated Web environment suitable for capturing and summarizing users' opinions expressed in their comments on YouTube videos. The main goal of this implementation is the visualization of users' opinions on a geo-located map for a better positioning of peoples' attitudes about various issues. Such summarization can be beneficial for several services such as recommendations and policy and decision making.
Caspase-1-Independent Interleukin-1β Is Required for Clearance of Bordetella pertussis Infections and Whole-Cell Vaccine-Mediated Immunity

Whooping cough remains a significant disease worldwide and its re-emergence in highly vaccinated populations has been attributed to a combination of imperfect vaccines and evolution of the pathogen. The focus of this study was to examine the role of IL-1α/β and the inflammasome in generation of the interleukin-1 (IL-1) response, which is required for the clearance of Bordetella pertussis. We show that IL-1β but not IL-1α is required for mediating the clearance of B. pertussis from the lungs of mice. We further found that IL-1β and IL-1R deficient mice, compared to wild-type, have similar but more persistent levels of inflammation, characterized by immune cell infiltration, with significantly increased IFNγ and a normal IL-17A response during B. pertussis infection. Contrary to expectations, the cleavage of precursor IL-1β to its mature form did not require caspase-1 during primary infections within the lung despite being required by bone marrow-derived macrophages exposed to live bacteria. We also found that the caspase-1 inflammasome was not required for protective immunity against a B. pertussis challenge following vaccination with heat-killed whole cell B. pertussis, despite IL-1R signaling being required. These findings demonstrate that caspase-1-independent host factors are involved in the processing of protective IL-1β responses that are critical for bacterial clearance and vaccine-mediated immunity.
The insulin-like growth factors in critical illness: pathophysiology and therapeutic potential

The insulin-like growth factors (IGF) are two polypeptides which are highly homologous to proinsulin and have all the biological properties of insulin. They have rapid insulin-like metabolic actions and slower growth-promoting actions; in addition they can be potent cell survival factors, they can promote the differentiation of undifferentiated cells and they can stimulate the differentiated function of many tissues throughout the body. Distinct from other tissue growth factors, the IGF have been heavily implicated also in the regulation of childhood somatic growth. They are, therefore, pluripotential peptides which can have important effects in most tissues in the body. The IGF are the most prevalent growth factors present in the body, at least in the soluble form.
Life satisfaction of immigrants across Europe: The role of social contacts

Research on immigrants’ assimilation is widespread both in the U.S. and Europe. While it has been extensively studied how immigrants fare compared to natives on socio-economic indicators, few studies have focussed on immigrants’ perception of their position. In this paper we focus on life satisfaction of immigrants across Europe by taking an innovative comparative approach. First, we assess to what extent immigrants have different levels of satisfaction with their lives than the majority group in the country of residence and whether this gap decreases over generations. Second we question the role of social embeddedness for explaining differences between immigrants and natives. We use data from six rounds (2002-2012) of the European Social Survey, a repeated cross-sectional survey. Results show that life satisfaction among immigrants is lower than among natives even though differences diminish over generations. Social embeddedness is a key explanatory factor for life satisfaction among immigrants and natives alike.
Minkowski functionals and cluster analysis for CMB maps

We suggest novel statistics for the CMB maps that are sensitive to non-Gaussian features. These statistics are natural generalizations of the geometrical and topological methods that have been already used in cosmology such as the cumulative distribution function and genus. We compute the distribution functions of the Partial Minkowski Functionals for the excursion set above or bellow a constant temperature threshold. Minkowski Functionals are additive and are translationally and rotationally invariant. Thus, they can be used for patchy and/or incomplete coverage. The technique is highly efficient computationally (it requires only O(N) operations, where N is the number of pixels per one threshold level). Further, the procedure makes it possible to split large data sets into smaller subsets. The full advantage of these statistics can be obtained only on very large data sets. We apply it to the 4-year DMR COBE data corrected for the Galaxy contamination as an illustration of the technique.
The GHTorent dataset and tool suite

During the last few years, GitHub has emerged as a popular project hosting, mirroring and collaboration platform. GitHub provides an extensive REST API, which enables researchers to retrieve high-quality, interconnected data. The GHTorent project has been collecting data for all public projects available on Github for more than a year. In this paper, we present the dataset details and construction process and outline the challenges and research opportunities emerging from it.
The rival doesn’t catch my eyes: In-group relevance modulates inhibitory control over anti-saccades

ABSTRACT We examined the effects of in-group relevance on inhibitory control in anti-saccades. In Experiment 1, following a central coloured cue, football fans were instructed to look at the target on pro-saccade trials or its mirrored position on anti-saccade trials. The targets were badges of participants’ favourite football team (in-group), its closest rival, or a non-local neutral team. Our results revealed no significant differences on pro-saccade trials for in- versus out-groups. However, on anti-saccade trials participants made more directional errors for the in-group badge compared to the badges of the neutral and rival teams. Moreover, the percentage of directional errors to in-group stimuli on anti-saccade trials was positively correlated with satisfaction toward the participant’s own team. Experiment 2, with separate blocks of pro- and anti-saccade and simple stimuli replicated the results of Experiment 1. Experiment 3, was conducted to test the effects of familiarity on the performance in pro- and anti-saccade tasks using items with no group relevance. Our results revealed that familiarity of the items with no group relevance did not modulate inhibitory control in anti-saccade trials. Further, Experiment 4 showed that for participants who did not have any interest in football the performance in anti-saccades did not differ for different football teams. Overall, our findings suggest that under conditions of real-world intergroup rivalry in-group relevance modulates inhibitory control over anti-saccades. Future studies should seek to unravel the mechanisms contributing to the effects of group relevance on inhibitory control.
VizItCards: A Card-Based Toolkit for Infovis Design Education

Shifts in information visualization practice are forcing a reconsideration of how infovis is taught. Traditional curricula that focused on conveying research-derived knowledge are slowly integrating design thinking as a key learning objective. In part, this is motivated by the realization that infovis is a wicked design problem, requiring a different kind of design work. In this paper we describe, VizItCards, a card-driven workshop developed for our graduate infovis class. The workshop is intended to provide practice with good design techniques and to simultaneously reinforce key concepts. VizItCards relies on principles of collaborative-learning and research on parallel design to generate positive collaborations and high-quality designs. From our experience of simulating a realistic design scenario in a classroom setting, we find that our students were able to meet key learning objectives and their design performance improved during the class. We describe variants of the workshop, discussing which techniques we think match to which learning goals.
Activity of Renshaw Cells during Locomotor-Like Rhythmic Activity in the Isolated Spinal Cord of Neonatal Mice

In the present study, we examine the activity patterns of and synaptic inputs to Renshaw cells (RCs) during fictive locomotion in the newborn mouse using visually guided recordings from GABAergic cells expressing glutamic acid decarboxylase 67–green fluorescent protein (GFP). Among the GFP-positive neurons in the lumbar ventral horn, RCs were uniquely identified as receiving ventral root-evoked short-latency EPSPs that were markedly reduced in amplitude by nicotinic receptor blockers mecamylamine or tubocurarine. During locomotor-like rhythmic activity evoked by bath application of 5-HT and NMDA, 50% of the recorded RCs fired in-phase with the ipsilateral L2 flexor-related rhythm, whereas the rest fired in the extensor phase. Each population of RCs fired throughout the corresponding locomotor phase. All RCs received both excitatory and inhibitory synaptic inputs during the locomotor-like rhythmic activity. Blocking nicotinic receptors with mecamylamine markedly reduced the rhythmic excitatory drive, indicating that these rhythmic inputs originate mainly from motor neurons (MNs). Inhibitory synaptic inputs persisted in the presence of the nicotinic blocker. Part of this inhibitory drive and remaining excitatory drive could be from commissural interneurons because the present study also shows that RCs receive direct crossed inhibitory and excitatory synaptic inputs. However, rhythmic synaptic inputs in RCs were also observed in hemicord preparations in the presence of mecamylamine. These results show that, during locomotor activity, RC firing properties are modulated not only by MNs but also by the ipsilateral and contralateral locomotor networks.
Motion Detection using the Space-Time Interest Points

Space-Time Interest Points (STIP) are among all the interesting features which can be extracted from videos; they are simple, robust and they allow a good characterization of a set of regions of interest corresponding to moving objects in a three-dimensional observed scene. In this study, we show how the resulting features often reflect interesting events that can be used for a compact representation of video data as well as for tracking. For a good detection of moving objects, we propose to apply the algorithm of the detection of spatiotemporal interest points on both components of the decomposition which is based on a Partial Differential Equation (PDE): A geometric structure component and a texture component. Proposed results are obtained from very different types of videos, namely sport videos and animation movies
Understanding the dynamics of agile software development methods

This study uses multiple case studies based on Fitzgerald’s framework, known as the Framework for the IS Development Process, to investigate software development teams that use agile methods to provide an understanding of agile practices and impacts on IS development projects. The framework will be extended to enable a better understanding of agile software development methods and practices. A model for user-involvement and a model for adopting agile methods will be developed extending Fitzgerald’s framework.
Solar cycle dependence of scaling in solar wind fluctuations

In this review we collate recent results for the statistical scaling properties of fluctuations in the solar wind with a view to synthesizing two descriptions: that of evolving MHD turbulence and that of a scaling signature of coronal origin that passively propagates with the solar wind. The scenario that emerges is that of coexistent signatures which map onto the well known "two component" picture of solar wind magnetic fluctuations. This highlights the need to consider quantities which track Alfvenic fluctuations, and energy and momentum flux densities to obtain a complete description of solar wind fluctuations.
Hedge Fund Return Misreporting: Incentives and Effects

Hedge funds commonly misreport returns by overstating their reported performance. We study the conditions that affect hedge fund managers' propensity to misreport and the effects of misreporting on performance measurement and investment decisions. First, misreporting is most prevalent in large funds, in funds that have strongly performance-dependent flows, and during months of positive capital flows. These empirical findings are consistent with a simple model where hedge fund managers have three motives to misreport returns: charging a higher management fee, attraction of larger capital flows in the future, and wealth transfer from the new investors to the old investors in the fund. Second, misreporting smooths returns, decreases the estimates of risks, and increases estimates of risk-adjusted returns. Finally, misreporting affects investors' decisions: misreporting funds receive higher capital flows.
Reliability of novel postural sway task test

The purpose of this study was to examine the reliability of parameters obtained from a novel postural sway task test based on body movements controlled by visual feedback. Fifty-nine volunteers were divided into two groups. The first group consisted of young (n = 32, 16 females and 16 males, age: 25.2 ± 3.4 years) and the second group of elderly individuals (n = 27, 17 females and 10 males, age: 75.7 ± 6.9 years). Participants stood in parallel on a computer based stabilographic platform with the feet approximately a shoulder width apart, the toes slightly pointing outwards, the hands placed on the hips. The computer screen was placed approximately 1.5 meter from the platform at a height of subjects’ eyes. An instantaneous visual feedback of participant’s centre of pressure (COP) was given in a form of a blue cross visible on the screen. Participants were instructed to keep the blue cross driven by movements of their hips as close as possible to a predefined curve flowing on the screen. Out of the 6 parameters studied, only the average distance of COP from the curve line and the sum of the COP crossings through the curve line showed high reliability. Correlation between these two highly reliable parameters was -0.89. There was also a statistical difference (p<0.001) between young and elderly in both the average distance of COP from the curve line and the sum of the COP crossings through the curve. To conclude, the novel postural sway task provides a simple tool with relatively low time burden needed for testing. The suggested output parameters measured are highly reliable and easy to interpret.
Increased diphone recognition for an Afrikaans TTS system

In this paper we discuss the implementation of an Afrikaans TTS system that is based on diphones. Using diphones makes the system flexible but presents other challenges. A previous effort to design an Afrikaans TTS system was done by SUN. They implemented a TTS system based on full words. A full word based TTS system produces more natural sounding speech than when the system is designed using other techniques. The disadvantage of using full words is that it lacks flexibility. The baseline system was build using the Festival Speech Synthesis System. Problems occurred in the baseline due to the mislabeling of diphones and the diphone index. The system was improved by manually labeling the diphones using Wavesurfer, and by changing the diphone index. Wavelength comparison tests were done on the diphone index to show how much of the diphones are recognized during synthesis. For the diphones tested results show an average improvement of 38% in the recognition of diphones compared to the baseline. These improvements improve the overall quality of the system.
eHealth interoperability evaluation using a maturity model

To further improve individual health and well-being, access to high quality and safe services, eHealth interoperability is a fundamental prerequisite. A mature interoperability between health systems will support health services organization and delivery, and improve citizens' awareness of how to prevent disease and preserve good health. Within this context, health institutions have to solve interoperability problems or prevent them to appear, and if possible avoid them before they occur by adapting good practices toward interoperability. This paper proposes an evaluation of the potential health interoperability using the MMEI methodology (Maturity Model for Enterprise Interoperability). It discusses how the MMEI model can be used to help institutions to avoid interoperability problems. A use case for a particular hospital is more closely examined.
Modelling of cirrus clouds – Part 2: Competition of different nucleation mechanisms

Abstract. We study the competition of two different freezing mechanisms (homogeneous and heterogeneous freezing) in the same environment for cold cirrus clouds. To this goal we use the recently developed and validated ice microphysics scheme (Spichtinger and Gierens, 2009a) which distinguishes between ice classes according to their formation process. We investigate cases with purely homogeneous ice formation and compare them with cases where background ice nuclei in varying concentration heterogeneously form ice prior to homogeneous nucleation. We perform additionally a couple of sensitivity studies regarding threshold humidity for heterogeneous freezing, uplift speed, and ambient temperature, and we study the influence of random motions induced by temperature fluctuations in the clouds. We find three types of cloud evolution, homogeneously dominated, heterogeneously dominated, and a mixed type where neither nucleation process dominates. The latter case is prone to long–lasting in–cloud ice supersaturation of the order 30% and more.
Type 1 diabetes leads to cytoskeleton changes that are reﬂected in insulin action on rat cardiac K 1 currents

Shimoni, Y. , and J. B. Rattner. Type 1 diabetes leads to cytoskeleton changes that are reﬂected in insulin action on rat cardiac K 1 currents. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 281: E575–E585, 2001. —A sustained K 1 current ( I ss ) is attenu-ated in ventricular cells from streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. The in vitro addition of insulin to isolated cells augments I ss in a process that is blocked by disrupting either actin microﬁlaments (with cytochalasin D) or microtubules (with colchicine). When these agents are added at progressively later times, the effect of insulin becomes evident in a time-dependent manner. I ss is also augmented by insulin in control cells in a cytoskeleton-dependent manner. However, in contrast to diabetic cells, cytoskeleton-dependent augmentation of I ss by insulin occurs at a considerably faster rate in control cells. Immunoﬂuorescent labeling shows a reduced density of b -tubulin in diabetic cells, particularly in perinuclear regions. In vitro insulin replacement or in vivo insulin injections given to STZ-treated rats enhances b -tubulin density. These results suggest an impairment of cytoskeleton function and structure under insulin-deﬁcient conditions, which may have implications for cardiac function. quantiﬁcation shows a pattern similar to control cells. Thus the changes in STZ-treated rats are due to insulin deﬁciency and not to STZ per se.
Stress, burnout e avaliação cognitiva: estudo na classe de enfermagem

Este estudo analisa o stress laboral em enfermeiros, observando igualmente a importância dos processos de avaliacao cognitiva no ajustamento aos contextos de trabalho. Foram aplicados, em um unico momento, a 153 profissionais da classe de enfermagem instrumentos de avaliacao do stress ocupacional, da avaliacao cognitiva primaria e secundaria, do burnout e da sintomatologia depressiva. Os niveis de stress, de burnout e de sintomatologia depressiva confirmaram que essa profissao e exigente do ponto de vista emocional e psicologico. Os processos de avaliacao cognitiva foram determinantes na explicacao da experiencia de stress ocupacional, burnout e sintomatologia depressiva. O stress ocupacional e a avaliacao cognitiva foram variaveis importantes na predicao do burnout. Os resultados deste estudo evidenciaram o papel central da avaliacao cognitiva na adaptacao humana aos contextos de trabalho bem como a utilidade do modelo transacional no estudo do stress laboral.
A SW/HW Interface API for Java/FPGA Co-Designed Applets

A SW/HW interface API for Java/FPGA co-designed applets is presented in this paper. The co-designed applets consists of Java software part and FPGA hardware part. With the developed virtual SW/HW interface API, software part of the applets can transparently utilize FPGAs to implement some of their computationally intensive algoritjms in a networked environment. A demonstrator of web MPEG-1 player had been constructed for this API.
Hazards in Implementing a Monetary Conditions Index

Some recent studies have suggested constructing a Monetary Conditions Index (or MCI) to serve as an indicator of monetary policy stance. The central banks of Canada, Sweden, and Norway all construct an MCI and (to varying degrees) use it in conducting monetary policy. Empirically, an MCI is calculated as the weighted sum of changes in a short-term interest rate and the exchange rate relative to values in a baseline year. The weights aim to reflect these variables' effects on longer-term focuses of policy -- economic activity and inflation. This paper derives analytical and empirical properties of MCIs in an attempt to ascertain their usefulness in monetary policy. ; An MCI assumes an underlying model relating economic activity and inflation to the variables in the MCI. Several issues arise for that model, including its empirical constancy, cointegration, exogeneity, dynamics, and potential omitted variables. Because of its structure, the model is unlikely to be constant or to have strongly exogenous variables; and we show that constancy and exogeneity are critical for the usefulness of an MCI. Empirical analyses of Canadian, Swedish, and Norwegian MCIs confirm such difficulties. Thus, the value of an MCI for conduct of economic policy is in doubt.
Lattice based language models

Abstract : This paper introduces lattice based language models, a new language modeling paradigm. These models construct multi-dimensional hierarchies of partitions and select the most promising partitions to generate the estimated distributions. We discussed a specific two dimensional lattice and propose two primary features to measure the usefulness of each node: the training-set history count and the smoothed entropy of its prediction. Smoothing techniques are reviewed and a generalization of the conventional backoff strategy to multiple dimensions is proposed. Preliminary experimental results are obtained on the SWITCHBOARD corpus which lead to a 6.5% perplexity reduction over a word trigram model.
Learning shallow semantic rules for textual entailment

In this paper we present a novel technique for integrating lexical-semantic knowledge in systems for learning textual entailment recognition rules: the typed anchors. These describe the semantic relations between words across an entailment pair. We integrate our approach in the cross-pair similarity model. Experimental results show that our approach increases performance of cross-pair similarity learning systems.