Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An inclusive reading programme for individuals with autism and intellectual disability using multi-media: Application of behaviour analysis and Headsprout early reading programme

The autism spectrum is a neurodevelopmental disability covering a wide range of abilities and complexities [1]. The individuals experience varying levels of difficulties in communication, social, sensory regulation skills and engage in repetitive behaviours. Autism can also be accompanied by intellectual disability (ID) and or other comorbidities. Individuals on the autism spectrum often encounter difficulties with reading and comprehension and students with a co-occurring intellectual disability (ID) acquire limited reading skills by the end of their school education. The ability to read influences not only the academic success but impacts on social and communication aspects and acquisition of literacy skills can have long-term impacts on individuals' quality of life. Given the wide range of strengths and challenges experienced by individuals with autism and co-occurring ID, it is necessary to develop individualised intervention. Here we discuss a user-centred, serious game based, reading intervention package [2], using touch screen device and the online available Headsprout® reading program [3] and reading assessment tool [4] to suit students with autism and moderate/severe ID.
FLUIDS 3 , 043601 ( 2018 ) Collective dissolution of microbubbles

Sébastien Michelin,1,2,* Etienne Guérin,3 and Eric Lauga2,† 1LadHyX, Département de Mécanique, Ecole Polytechnique, CNRS, 91128 Palaiseau, France 2Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0WA, United Kingdom 3Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093-0411, USA
Star Formation History and Stellar Metallicity Distribution in a Cold Dark Matter Universe

We study star formation history and stellar metallicity distribution in galaxies in a Λ cold dark matter universe using a hydrodynamic cosmological simulation. Our model predicts a star formation rate declining in time exponentially from an early epoch to the present on a timescale of 6 Gyr, which is consistent with the empirical Madau plot with modest dust obscuration. Star formation in L* galaxies continues intermittently to the present, also with an exponentially declining rate on a similar timescale, whereas in small galaxies star formation ceases at an early epoch. The mean age of the extant stars decreases only slowly with increasing redshift and exceeds 1 Gyr at z = 3. Normal galaxies contain stars with a wide range of metallicity and age: stars formed at z < 1 have metallicity of 0.1-1.0 Z☉, while old stars take a wide range of values, from 10-6 to 3.0 Z☉. The mean metallicity of normal galaxies is in the range 0.1-1.0 Z☉. Dwarf galaxies that contain only old stars have a wide range of mean metallicity (10-4 to 1.0 Z☉), but on average they are metal-deficient compared with normal galaxies.
Effect of Flyash Amended Soil on Growth and Yield of Indian Mustard (Brassica Juncea)

The present study investigates the effect of fly-ash amended soil on the growth, yield and biochemical characteristics of Indian mustard Brassica juncea, and it was observed that a 2:3 ratio (40%) of fly ash to soil supported maximum growth and yield. An increase in dry matter accumulation, chlorophyll and protein content were observed in fly ash amended soil 40% (fly ash to soil ratio) when compared to control (100% soil) suggesting that fly ash can be used as a soil amendment to solve the problem of fly ash disposal.
Modulation of hippocampal excitability via the hydroxycarboxylic acid receptor 1

In addition to its prominent role as an energetic substrate in the brain, lactate is emerging as a signaling molecule capable of controlling neuronal excitability. The finding that the lactate‐activated receptor (hydroxycarboxylic acid receptor 1; HCA1) is widely expressed in the brain opened up the possibility that lactate exerts modulation of neuronal activity via a transmembranal receptor‐linked mechanism. Here, we show that lactate causes biphasic modulation of the intrinsic excitability of CA1 pyramidal cells. In the low millimolar range, lactate or the HCA1 agonist 3,5‐DHBA reduced the input resistance and membrane time constant. In addition, activation of HCA1 significantly blocked the fast inactivating sodium current and increased the delay from inactivation to a conducting state of the sodium channel. As the observed actions occurred in the presence of 4‐CIN, a blocker of the neuronal monocarboxylate transporter, the possibility that lactate acted via neuronal metabolism is unlikely. Consistently, modulation of the intrinsic excitability was abolished when CA1 pyramidal cells were dialyzed with pertussis toxin, indicating the dependency of a Gαi/o‐protein‐coupled receptor. The activation of HCA1 appears to serve as a restraining mechanism during enhanced network activity and may function as a negative feedback for the astrocytic production of lactate.
A meta‐analysis of the UTAUT model: Eleven years later

The unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) has been widely used to investigate factors influencing the adoption and use of information systems and technologies (IS/IT). However, studies using UTAUT are not conclusive in terms of statistical significance, direction, and magnitude. Through a meta-analysis of empirical studies on UTAUT from 2003 to 2013, we determine how parsimonious, accurate, and robust UTAUT is at predicting acceptance and use of technology. A meta-analysis of 74 publications reveals that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and social influence explain IS/IT adoption, while behavioural intention is the most often measured dependent variable operationalized as a proxy for system use, supporting the strength of UTAUT as an explanatory model of IS/IT acceptance and use. Copyright © 2016 ASAC. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Depth Based Context Modeling and Classification in Video-surveillance

With a dedicated definition of ‘Context’ in image understanding systems, we present in this paper a novel context modelling and classification system. The main goal behind multimodal context modelling is to identify the context type from video-surveillance footage of multipurpose halls. First, the distribution of the different zones in a multipurpose hall is automatically captured using a dedicated depth based segmentation method. The discriminative description is illustrated by extracting five semantic features according to depth zones. These features are processed with the Transferable Belief Model to propose a classification. Results show the validity of the method for context recognition.
Recommended diagnostic criteria for multiple sclerosis: Guidelines from the international panel on the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis

The International Panel on MS Diagnosis presents revised diagnostic criteria for multiple sclerosis (MS). The focus remains on the objective demonstration of dissemination of lesions in both time and space. Magnetic resonance imaging is integrated with clinical and other paraclinical diagnostic methods. The revised criteria facilitate the diagnosis of MS in patients with a variety of presentations, including “monosymptomatic” disease suggestive of MS, disease with a typical relapsing‐remitting course, and disease with insidious progression, without clear attacks and remissions. Previously used terms such as “clinically definite” and “probable MS” are no longer recommended. The outcome of a diagnostic evaluation is either MS, “possible MS” (for those at risk for MS, but for whom diagnostic evaluation is equivocal), or “not MS.”
Shift in cytotype frequency and niche space in the invasive plant Centaurea maculosa.

Polyploidy is often assumed to increase the spread and thus the success of alien plant species, but few empirical studies exist. We tested this hypothesis with Centaurea maculosa Lam. , a species native to Europe and introduced into North America approximately 120 years ago where it became highly invasive. We analyzed the ploidy level of more than 2000 plants from 93 native and 48 invasive C. maculosa populations and found a pronounced shift in the relative frequency of diploid and tetraploid cytotypes. In Europe diploid populations occur in higher frequencies than tetraploids and only four populations had both cytotypes, while in North America diploid plants were found in only one mixed population and thus tetraploids clearly dominated. Our results showed a pronounced shift in the climatic niche between tetraploid populations in the native and introduced range toward drier climate in North America and a similar albeit smaller shift between diploids and tetraploids in the native range. The field data indicate that diploids have a predominately monocarpic life cycle, while tetraploids are often polycarpic. Additionally, the polycarpic life-form seems to be more prevalent among tetraploids in the introduced range than among tetraploids in the native range. Our study suggests that both ploidy types of C. maculosa were introduced into North America, but tetraploids became the dominant cytotype with invasion. We suggest that the invasive success of C. maculosa is partly due to preadaptation of the tetraploid cytotype in Europe to drier climate and possibly further adaptation to these conditions in the introduced range. The potential for earlier and longer seed production associated with the polycarpic life cycle constitutes an additional factor that may have led to the dominance of tetraploids over diploids in the introduced range.
Phonological activation of category coordinates in spoken word production: Evidence for cascaded processing in English but not in Mandarin

ABSTRACT A central issue in spoken word production concerns how activation is transmitted from semantic to phonological levels. Recent evidence from studies of speakers of Western languages supports a cascaded view, according to which under certain circumstances, lexical candidates other than the target can activate their corresponding phonological properties. In the current study, we investigated possible differences between English and Mandarin speakers concerning the degree of cascadedness in the production system, based on the broader recent claim that properties of word form encoding might differ according to languages. With English speakers (Experiment 1), we found that when activation of targets and semantic competitors was boosted via a manipulation of semantic context, then concurrently presented “mediated” distractor words (which were phonologically related to a semantic competitor) generated interference. However, no such mediated priming was found in a parallel experiment with Chinese materials and Mandarin speakers (Experiment 2). These results suggest potential fundamental differences across the target languages in how activation is transmitted during lexical access.
Principles of CT: Multislice CT*

This article describes the principles and evolution of multislice CT (MSCT), including conceptual differences associated with slice definition, cone beam effects, helical pitch, and helical scan technique. MSCT radiation dosimetry is described, and dose issues associated with MSCT—and with CT in general—as well as techniques for reducing patient radiation dose are discussed. Factors associated with the large volume of data associated with MSCT examinations are presented.
Accuracy assessment and interpretation for optical tracking systems

Highly accurate spatial measurement systems are among the enabling technologies that have made image-guided surgery possible in modern operating theaters. Assessing the accuracies of such systems is subject to much ambiguity, though. The underlying mathematical models that convert raw sensor data into position and orientation measurements of sufficient accuracy complicate matters by providing measurements having non-uniform error distributions throughout their measurement volumes. Users are typically unaware of these issues, as they are usually presented with only a few specifications based on some "representative" statistics that were themselves derived using various data reduction methods. As a result, much of the important underlying information is lost. Further, manufacturers of spatial measurement systems often choose protocols and statistical measures that emphasize the strengths of their systems and diminish their limitations. Such protocols often do not reflect the end users' intended applications very well. Users and integrators thus need to understand many aspects of spatial metrology in choosing spatial measurement systems that are appropriate for their intended applications. We examine the issues by discussing some of the protocols and their statistical measures typically used by manufacturers. The statistical measures for a given protocol can be affected by many factors, including the volume size, region of interest, and the amount and type of data collected. We also discuss how different system configurations can affect the accuracy. Single-marker and rigid body calibration results are presented, along with a discussion of some of the various factors that affect their accuracy. Although the findings presented here were obtained using the NDI Polaris optical tracking systems, many are applicable to spatial measurement systems in general.
Measurement of Brain Edema by Noninvasive Cerebral Electrical Impedance in Patients with Massive Hemispheric Cerebral Infarction

Background: Malignant cerebral infarction often occurs in patients with massive cerebral infarction. Monitoring brain edema is therefore helpful to make correct clinical decisions. Our previous studies have confirmed that cerebral electrical impedance (CEI) can sensitively reflect the brain edema after stroke. Methods: The CEI was measured consecutively by a noninvasive brain edema monitor in 69 patients with massive hemispheric cerebral infarction (MHCI). The results of the CEI were converted into the perturbation index (PI). The characteristics of dynamic changes of the CEI after MHCI were analyzed. Receiver-operating characteristics analysis was used to calculate predictive values for PI and other known parameters including NIHSS score and infarct volume. Results: (1) The overall rate of positive CEI was 88.4% (61/69) in all patients with MHCI. (2) The PI on the infarct side increased significantly within 24 h after stroke onset and reached a peak level 3–5 days after stroke onset (p < 0.01). (3) Age, NIHSS score at admission, infarct volume, and the PI at 24 h after stroke onset were significantly different between the malignant and nonmalignant groups. The best predictor of a malignant MHCI was the PI at 24 h after stroke onset with a cut-off value of 10.02 (90.9% sensitivity, 87.2% specificity, 76.9% positive predictive value, 95.3% negative predictive value). Conclusions: The noninvasive CEI can sensitively reflect the brain edema in patients with MHCI. Monitoring the CEI may help to predict malignant MHCI and guide treatment decisions.
‘ Achievement Systems ’ to Boost ‘ Achievement Motivation ’

If games are to be used to reform educational practice then there needs to be a better understanding of how they motivate learners. Previous research on the classic intrinsic vs. extrinsic model of motivation is reviewed. Achievement Goal theory is suggested as a way to further unpack how games can affect motivations to learn, particularly in the use of badge or achievement systems. The Fostering Innovation through Robotics Exploration (FIRE) project is offered as an example of how research studies can use Achievement Goal theory to investigate and inform the design of educational games and gamification.
Sustainable Harvesting of Alstonia boonei De Wild. (Apocynaceae) in the Community Forest of Mbeth II, East Region of Cameroon

This paper aims to analyze the traditional usages and, assess the abundance of stems and the mass of the barks of Alstonia boonei for its use as a medicinal plant in the community forest of Mbeth II, East region of Cameroon. Ethnobotanical surveys were conducted among the community of Mbeth II and in city markets in Bertoua and Yaounde between January and April 2012. The management inventory was conducted in July 2012 to assess the abundance of A. boonei stems in the forest. During the inventory, samples of barks were collected from mature trees and the mass of the stem barks of A. boonei was estimated using an indirect method. A. boonei was cited by 26 informants in the village and markets in the treatment of six ailments. Malaria, typhoid fever and intestinal worms were largely cited. The stem bark is confirmed for its activity against malaria/fever. The density (number of stems/ha) of A. boonei obtained in the Community forest of Mbeth II was 0.89 stems/ha. The density of exploitable stems was therefore 0.744 stems/ha. The average volume of fresh bark for an exploitable tree is 0.0356 m3, while the average fresh mass of the bark of an exploitable tree was 34.4 kg. Considering that for all trees above 30 cm diameter at breast high (considered as a minimum exploitable diameter for the harvesting of barks), only two quarters of the bark are taken from the main stem up to the first branch, the average sustainable mass of Alstonia boonei in Mbeth II is 17.2 kg. Results discussed in this paper can be summarized, in a specific document called “the simple management plan of A. boonei as a medicinal plant in the community forest of Mbeth II”. The glaring development challenge at the back ground of what precedes is the urgent need to achieve the recommendations proposed in such a document.
Perceptual Test on Annoyance Threshold Linked to Vibrations and Sounds of a Modified Car Engine

New drivetrains are currently worked on with a goal of constant improvement of engine performance and reducing vehicle gas consumption. Vibro-acoustic environment in the car cabin is in certain case considerately modified and could be annoying for drivers or passengers. We focus here on a specific modified 3-cylinders engine whose properties are changed from those of a usual engine. With such a configuration, new engine harmonics are present in addition of already existing 3-cylinders engine ones. Those harmonics are perceived as well as sound than as vibrations through the seat leading to particularly annoying low frequencies. A previous perceptual experiment conduced on a naïve panel showed that softer horizontal suspensions should lead to a lowering of the annoyance due to longitudinal high magnitude vibrations at low engine speed around 1500 rpm. In the experiment presented here, we investigated the notion of acceptability threshold between usual vibrations and those due to this particular engine. Moreover, several sonifications are added to the original engine sound in each vibrating configuration. The aim of this test is to evaluate the impact of sound quality on vibration perception and overall annoyance in the car.
Multiple shadows from distorted static black holes

We study the local shadow of the Schwarzschild black hole with a quadrupole distortion and the influence of the external gravitational field on the photon dynamics. The external matter sources modify the light ring structure and lead to the appearance of multiple shadow images. In the case of negative quadrupole moments we identify the most prominent mechanism causing multiple shadow formation. Furthermore, we obtain a condition under which this mechanism can be realized. This condition depends on the quadrupole moment, but also on the position of the observer and the celestial sphere.
Human like learning algorithm for simultaneous force control and haptic identification

This paper develops a learning control algorithm adapting the reference point and force to interact with an object of unknown geometry and elasticity. The controller is inspired by neuroscience studies that investigated the neural mechanisms when human adapt to virtual objects of different properties. The learning control algorithm estimates the shape and stiffness of the given object while maintaining a specified contact force with the environment. Simulations demonstrate the efficiency of the algorithm to identify the geometry and impedance of an unknown object without requiring force sensing. These properties are attractive for robotic haptic exploration with little demand on the sensing.
T-cell Receptor and K-deleting Recombination Excision Circles in Newborn Screening of T- and B-cell Defects: Review of the Literature and Future Challenges

Since its introduction as a public health programme in the United States in the early 1960s, newborn blood screening (NBS) has evolved from the detection of phenylalanine levels on filter paper to the application of DNA-based technologies to identify T-cell lymphopenia in infants with severe combined immunodeficiency. This latter use of NBS has required the development of an assay for T-cell lymphopenia based on the quantification of T-cell receptor excision circles (TRECs) that could be performed on dried blood spots routinely collected from newborn infants. The TREC-based NBS was developed six years ago, and there have already been 7 successful pilot studies since then. Similarly, efforts are now being made to establish a screen for B-cell defects, in particular agammaglobulinaemia, taking advantage of the introduction of the method for the quantification of K-deleting recombination excision circles (KRECs). A further achievement of NBS could be the simultaneous recognition of T- and B-cell defects using the combined quantification of TRECs and KRECs from Guthrie card blood spots. This approach may help the early identification of infants with T- and B-cell deficiencies so that they can then be referred to specialised paediatric centres, where a precise diagnosis of severe combined immunodeficiency and agammaglobulinaemia can be performed, and where then they can immediately receive specific therapy. Simultaneous TREC and KREC quantification should also allow classification of patients into subgroups and help identify children with less serious primary immunodeficiencies. This would help avoid the opportunistic infections and frequent hospitalisations that result from a late or lack of diagnosis.
The Linear Polarization of Sagittarius A*. I. VLA Spectropolarimetry at 4.8 and 8.4 GHz

Synchrotron radiation from active galactic nuclei (AGNs) is often highly polarized. We present a search for linear polarization with the Very Large Array (VLA) at 4.8 and 8.4 GHz from the nearest AGN, Sagittarius A*. As a part of this study we used spectropolarimetric data that were sensitive to a rotation measure (RM) as large as 3.5 × 106 rad m-2 at 4.8 GHz and 1.5 × 107 rad m-2 at 8.4 GHz. The upper limit to the linear polarization of Sgr A* over a broad range of RM is 0.2% at both frequencies. We also present continuum observations with the VLA at 4.8 GHz that give an upper limit of 0.1% for RMs less than 104 rad m-2. We conclude that depolarization is unlikely to occur in the Galactic center scattering medium. However, it is possible for depolarization to occur in the accretion region of Sgr A* if the outer scale of turbulence is small enough. We also consider the implications of a very low intrinsic polarization for Sgr A*.