Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Flipping the classroom to improve learning with MOOCs technology

The use of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) is increasing worldwide and brings a revolution in education. The application of MOOCs has technological but also pedagogical implications. MOOCs are usually driven by short video lessons, automatic correction exercises, and the technological platforms can implement gamification or learning analytics techniques. However, much more analysis is required about the success or failure of these initiatives in order to know if this new MOOCs paradigm is appropriate for different learning situations. This work aims at analyzing and reporting whether the introduction of MOOCs technology was good or not in a case study with the Khan Academy platform at our university with students in a remedial Physics course in engineering education. Results show that students improved their grades significantly when using MOOCs technology, student satisfaction was high regarding the experience and for most of the different provided features, and there were good levels of interaction with the platform (e.g., number of completed videos or proficient exercises), and also the activity distribution for the different topics and types of activities was appropriate. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 25:15–25, 2017; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/cae; DOI 10.1002/cae.21774
Scheduling grid applications with software requirements

Grid computing is a paradigm to execute complex distributed applications. Considering that the aim is to minimize the makespan of applications, schedulers exploit the best possible way to use shared resources. Applications have requirements which call for customized environments for their execution. One way to provide such environments is to use virtualization on demand. This paper presents two schedulers based on integer linear programming which schedule virtual machines (VMs) in grid resources and tasks on these VMs. The schedulers differ from previous work by the joint scheduling of tasks and VMs and by considering the impact of the network on the quality of the schedule. Experiments show the efficacy and efficiency of the schedulers in scenarios with different network configurations.
Joint and tendon involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus: an ultrasound study of hands and wrists in 108 patients.

OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence of, and identify factors associated with, hand and wrist US alterations in a large cohort of SLE patients. METHODS One hundred and eight consecutive SLE patients were recruited and classified according to arthropathy type and the musculoskeletal item of the British Isles Lupus Assessment Group (BILAG) 2004 score. US examinations were performed on hand and wrist flexor tendons, wrist extensor tendons, second and third MCP and wrist joints bilaterally using a multi-planar scanning technique. RESULTS US examination showed joint involvement in 42/108 (38.8%) subjects, tendon involvement in 44/108 (40.7%) and both in 22/108 (20.3%). Patients with rhupus syndrome (n = 8) carried a higher incidence of inflammatory changes (87%) and erosions (87%) compared with the six with Jaccoud's arthropathy (50% and 17%, respectively) and the 94 with non-deforming X-ray non-erosive arthropathy (37% and 21%, respectively). Power Doppler signal was prevalent in patients scoring A (n = 4) or B (n = 9) on the musculoskeletal item of the BILAG 2004, and was significantly more frequent at the joint (92%) and tendon (54%) level than in the 26 patients scoring C (19%, P = 0.0007 and 15%, P = 0.016, respectively) and in the 69 scoring D (3%, P < 0.0001 and 3%, P < 0.0001). US changes in patients who scored C or D were more expressed at the tendon level (50% and 29%, respectively) than at the joint level (35% and 9%, respectively). CONCLUSION The picture of musculoskeletal US in SLE depends on arthropathy subtype and disease activity. US examination could be a valid and reliable tool to monitor musculoskeletal features and therapeutic outcomes in SLE patients.
Individual differences underlying punishment motivation: The role of need for cognitive closure.

Two motivations underlying punishment can be distinguished. On the one hand, the retributive motivation prescribes that punishment should be proportional to the moral offense caused. On the other hand, according the utilitarian perspective, punishment should be aimed at protecting society by reducing the likelihood of similar infractions. Previous research did not examine whether individual differences could lead to a preference for one of the two motivations. We propose that high need for closure could be associated with higher utilitarian motivation because of its general concern for group related consequences of violations. In support of our hypothesis, in Study 1 we found that individuals high in need for closure endorsed to a greater extent a zero-tolerance policy rather than a proportional one. Study 2 further showed that closed-minded individuals sought more information related to the utilitarian, rather than the retributive perspective, when judging a violation. Theoretical and practical implicati.
Consejo psicológico y psicoterapia motivacional en drogodependencias: evaluación de las intervenciones del programa “Lugar de Escucha”- CEDRO

The objective of the present research is to assess perception of and levels of satisfaction with the Lugar de Escucha program, as well as its brief interventions using counseling and motivational sessions. The study is of a pre-experimental type, with a single-group pretest-posttest measurement design. The sample was made up of 128 participants (9.4% females and 90.6% males), aged 15 to 51 (mean= 23.65; standard deviation = 7.92), users of cannabis, cocaine base paste, cocaine, inhalants and alcohol who attended the program. Data collection was carried out using Attention Forms (FdA); the University of Rhode Island Change Assessment Scale (URICA); the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (CST); and the Cases Follow-up Survey (ESC). In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the Lugar de Escucha Program, we assessed participants’ motivational phases during the first interview and at referral, their level of satisfaction with the service received and the percentage of entrance to different treatment programs of the referred participants. The results on perception and satisfaction confirm a predominance of the program’s strengths. With regard to the motivational phases, the findings show that the motivational induction interventions help to establish and maintain the patient’s motivation for attitude change and for cessation of the abuse. In this sense, according to the findings, such interventions tend to be more effective when applied to patients in the Precontemplational and Contemplational phases. This suggests the need to work with more homogeneous groups, considering type of drugs, age and gender, and to use pre and post instruments. Likewise, the results suggest the need to classify patients in phases of change; such classification could be a useful tool for the improvement of treatment programs for drug users.
MIMIC: leveraging sensor-based interactions in multimodal mobile applications

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in the presence of sensors in mobile devices. Emergence of multiple modalities based on these sensors greatly enriches the human-mobile interaction. However, mobile applications slightly involve sensors and rarely combine them simultaneously. In this paper, we seek to remedy this problem by detailing the key challenges that face developers who want to integrate several sensor-based modalities and combine them. We then present our model-based approach solution. We introduce M4L modeling language and MIMIC framework that aim to produce easily sensor-based multimodal mobile applications by generating up to 100% of their interfaces.
The relationship between thinking styles and level of externality: A study of Turkish female preschool student teachers

The relationship between thinking styles and level of externality is examined in this study in which 108 female preschool student teachers at Marmara University participated. The participants responded to the Thinking Style Inventory (TSI; Sternberg & Wagner, 1992) based on Sternberg’s theory of mental self-government and Rotter’s Internal-External Locus of Control Scale (RIELS; Rotter, 1966). The results revealed a close correspondence between thinking styles and level of externality. The findings showed that level of externality is negatively associated with legislative, judicial, hierarchic, global, and liberal thinking styles. The implications are discussed in detail.
Membrane receptor trafficking: Evidence of proximal and distal zones conferred by two independent endoplasmic reticulum localization signals

The generic membrane trafficking signals of internal RXR and carboxyl-terminal KKXX motifs direct intracellular endoplasmic reticulum (ER) localization of the signal-bearing proteins. These signaling motifs play a critical role in partitioning proteins into designated subcellular compartments by functioning as an intracellular “zip code. ” In the process of determining the potential distinctions between these two otherwise functionally identical motifs, two functional zones of these signals were revealed. The KKXX signal was effective only when it was positioned closer to the membrane surface. In contrast, under identical conditions, the internal RXR signal was functional when it was positioned distally from the membrane. Different from the C-terminal KKXX signal, the internal RXR motif may be present in multiple copies. The receptor with multivalent RXR motifs displayed similar trafficking behavior to that of the same receptor with one copy of the RXR motif. The distinctive operating ranges from their anchored membrane surface provide experimental evidence for the notion that there are functional zoning layers within which membrane protein signal motifs are active.
Towards a person-centred cognitive behaviour therapy

Person-centred therapy was developed by Carl Rogers [ Journal of Consulting Psychology 21, 97–103 (1957); On becoming a person, Boston: Houghton Mifflin (1961)] and focuses on the importance of the therapeutic relationship for effective therapy. Rogers identified three necessary and sufficient conditions that are related to a positive outcome in therapy. These are: acceptance of the client, accurate empathy and congruence on the therapist's part. The present paper considers the definitions of the three core conditions and examines ways in which interventions, developed by cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), can be informed by these conditions, as identified by Rogers and his followers. We argue that CBT, while using different interventions than those traditionally used by person-centred therapists, can be practiced as a highly empathic, person-centred form of therapy. *A version of this paper was presented at the Third Multicultural Counselling Conference, OISE/UT, Toronto, June 2005.
Instantiation of Relations for Semantic Annotation

This paper presents a methodology for the semantic annotation of Web pages with individuals of a domain ontology. While most semantic annotation systems can recognize knowledge units, they usually do not establish explicit relations between them. The method presented identifies the individuals which should be related among the whole set of individuals and codes them as role instances within an OWL ontology. This is done by using a correspondence between the tree structure of a Web page and the semantics of the information it contains
Musical Timbre and Emotion: The Identification of Salient Timbral Features in Sustained Musical Instrument Tones Equalized in Attack Time and Spectral Centroid

Timbre and emotion are two of the most important aspects of musical sounds. Both are complex and multidimensional, and strongly interrelated. Previous research has identified many different timbral attributes, and shown that spectral centroid and attack time are the two most important dimensions of timbre. However, a consensus has not emerged about other dimensions. This study will attempt to identify the most perceptually relevant timbral attributes after spectral centroid and attack time. To do this, we will consider various sustained musical instrument tones where spectral centroid and attack time have been equalized. While most previous timbre studies have used discrimination and dissimilarity tests to understand timbre, researchers have begun using emotion tests recently. Previous studies have shown that attack and spectral centroid play an essential role in emotion perception, and they can be so strong that listeners do not notice other spectral features very much. Therefore, in this paper, to isolate the third most important timbre feature, we designed a subjective listening test using emotion responses for tones equalized in attack, decay, and spectral centroid. The results showed that the even/odd harmonic ratio is the most salient timbral feature after attack time and spectral centroid.
Expression of the Voltage-Gated Chloride Channel ClC-2 in Rod Bipolar Cells of the Rat Retina

Voltage-gated chloride channels (ClC) are highly conserved during evolution and appear to participate in a variety of physiological functions. Recently, ClC-2 was proposed to play a role in stabilizing the chloride equilibrium potential near or below the resting membrane potential in neurons expressing ligand-gated chloride channels. Because rod bipolar cells in mammalian retina express three forms of inhibitory ligand-gated chloride channels, we decided to study ClC-2 localization and function in the rat retina. RNA encoding ClC-1, -2, -3, -4, and -5 was detected by reverse transcription-PCR in the rat retina. ClC-2-specific antibodies identified protein on cell bodies and in synaptic layers. Double-immunofluorescence staining revealed that intense ClC-2 immunoreactivity colocalized with PKC-stained rod bipolar cells. Patch-clamp experiments performed with individual rod bipolar cells demonstrated the presence of a time-dependent, inwardly rectified current activated at hyperpolarizing membrane potentials. This current demonstrated selectivity for different anions (Cl− > I− > gluconate), was inhibited by Cd2+, and was minimally reduced by 4,4′-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2′-disulphonic acid. These features are consistent with currents generated by ClC-2 channels. Our data indicate that functional ClC-2 channels are present in retinal rod bipolar cells and support a role for ClC-2 in maintaining Cl− homeostasis in neurons with ligand-gated chloride channels.
Prophet -- A Link-Predictor to Learn New Rules on NELL

Link prediction is a task that in graph-based data models, as well as, in complex networks not only to predict edges that will appear in a near future but also to find missing edges. NELL is a never ending language learner system that has the ability to continuously learn to extract structured information from unstructured text (fetched from web pages) and map this information to a continuously growing knowledge base. NELL's knowledge base can be seen as a complex network, allowing us to apply graph mining techniques to extract new knowledge and enhance the system performance. In this paper we present Prophet, a link prediction component that can be connected to NELL allowing the it to infer new rules and misplaced connections among nodes, thus, helping the never-ending system to learn more and better each day. We also show that Prophet can extract new knowledge that cannot be obtained using traditional first order rule extraction procedures.
A Novel, Non-Apoptotic Role for Scythe/BAT3: A Functional Switch between the Pro- and Anti-Proliferative Roles of p21 during the Cell Cycle

Background Scythe/BAT3 is a member of the BAG protein family whose role in apoptosis has been extensively studied. However, since the developmental defects observed in Bat3-null mouse embryos cannot be explained solely by defects in apoptosis, we investigated whether BAT3 is also involved in cell-cycle progression. Methods/Principal Findings Using a stable-inducible Bat3-knockdown cellular system, we demonstrated that reduced BAT3 protein level causes a delay in both G1/S transition and G2/M progression. Concurrent with these changes in cell-cycle progression, we observed a reduction in the turnover and phosphorylation of the CDK inhibitor p21, which is best known as an inhibitor of DNA replication; however, phosphorylated p21 has also been shown to promote G2/M progression. Our findings indicate that in Bat3-knockdown cells, p21 continues to be synthesized during cell-cycle phases that do not normally require p21, resulting in p21 protein accumulation and a subsequent delay in cell-cycle progression. Finally, we showed that BAT3 co-localizes with p21 during the cell cycle and is required for the translocation of p21 from the cytoplasm to the nucleus during the G1/S transition and G2/M progression. Conclusion: Our study reveals a novel, non-apoptotic role for BAT3 in cell-cycle regulation. By maintaining a low p21 protein level during the G1/S transition, BAT3 counteracts the inhibitory effect of p21 on DNA replication and thus enables the cells to progress from G1 to S phase. Conversely, during G2/M progression, BAT3 facilitates p21 phosphorylation by cyclin A/Cdk2, an event required for G2/M progression. BAT3 modulates these pro- and anti-proliferative roles of p21 at least in part by regulating cyclin A abundance, as well as p21 translocation between the cytoplasm and the nucleus to ensure that it functions in the appropriate intracellular compartment during each phase of the cell cycle.
Multiclassifier System with Competence and Diversity Measures Applied to the Recognition of Multimodal Biosignals in the Control of Bioprosthetic Hand

The paper presents an advanced method of recognition of patient’s intention to move of multijoint hand prosthesis during the grasping and manipulation of objects in a dexterous manner. The proposed method is based on twolevel multiclassifier system (MCS) with heterogeneous base classifiers dedicated to EMG and MMG biosignals and with combining mechanism using a dynamic ensemble selection scheme and probabilistic competence and diversity measures. The performance of MCS with combining procedure based on proposed competence and diversity functions were experimetally compared against four benchmark MCSs using real data concerning the recognition of six types of grasping movements. The system developed achieved the highest classification accuracies demonstrating the potential of multiple classifier systems with multimodal biosignals for the control of bioprosthetic hand.
Tree-based Algorithms for Compressed Sensing with Sparse-Tree Prior

Recent studies have shown that sparse representation can be used effectively as a prior in linear inverse problems. However, in many multiscale bases (e.g. wavelets), signals of interest (e.g. piecewisesmooth signals) not only have few significant coefficients, b ut also those significant coefficients are well-organized in trees. We propose to exploit this prior, n amed sparse-tree, for linear inverse problems with limited numbers of measurements. Toward this end, we present two efficient and effective algorithms named Tree-based Orthogonal Matching Pursuit (TOMP) and Tree-based Majorization-Minimization (TMM). Numerical results show that tree-based algorithms provide significantly better reconstruction quality compared to methods relying only on the sparse prior.
Nicotine dependence is associated with compulsive alcohol craving.

AIMS To investigate a possible association of nicotine dependence and alcohol craving. DESIGN A prospective cross-sectional study on patients diagnosed with alcohol dependence. SETTING Detoxification unit of a regional psychiatric hospital. PARTICIPANTS A total of 127 smoking male patients were included in the study at admission for detoxification from alcohol. MEASUREMENTS The Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) was used to assess the severity of nicotine dependence while the Obsessive Compulsive Craving Scale (OCDS) was used to measure alcohol craving. The OCDS was assessed at admission and after 7 days of withdrawal treatment, distinguishing the total score, the obsessive and the compulsive subscale. FINDINGS Spearman's correlation revealed a significant association between the extent of alcohol craving and the FTND score (day 0, n = 127: OCDS total score r = 0.238, P = 0.007; OCDS compulsive score r = 0.280, P = 0.001; day 7; n = 94: OCDS total score r = 0.212, P = 0.040; OCDS compulsive score r = 0.225, P = 0.029). CONCLUSIONS The severity of nicotine dependence is associated with higher craving in alcohol-dependent patients. These results point towards shared pathophysiological mechanisms in alcohol craving and nicotine addiction.
Nucleotide-Induced Conformational Dynamics in ABC Transporters from Structure-Based Coarse Grained Modeling

ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters are integral membrane proteins which mediate the exchange of diverse substrates across membranes powered by ATP molecules. Our understanding of their activity is still hampered since the conformational dynamics underlying the operation of such proteins cannot yet be resolved in detailed molecular dynamics studies. Here a coarse grained model which allows to mimic binding of nucleotides and follow subsequent conformational motions of full-length transporter structures in computer simulations is proposed and implemented. To justify its explanatory quality, the model is first applied to the maltose transporter system for which multiple conformations are known and we find that the model predictions agree remarkably well with the experimental data. For the MalK subunit the switching from open to the closed dimer configuration upon ATP binding is reproduced and, moreover, for the full-length maltose transporter, progression from inward-facing to the outward-facing state is correctly obtained. For the heme transporter HmuUV, for which only the free structure could yet be determined, the model was then applied to predict nucleotide-induced conformational motions. Upon binding of ATP-mimicking ligands the structure changed from a conformation in which the nucleotide-binding domains formed an open shape, to a conformation in which they were found in tight contact, while, at the same time, a pronounced rotation of the transmembrane domains was observed. This finding is supported by normal mode analysis, and, comparison with structural data of the homologous vitamin B12 transporter BtuCD suggests that the observed rotation mechanism may contribute a common functional aspect for this class of ABC transporters. Although in HmuuV noticeable rearrangement of essential transmembrane helices was detected, there are no indications from our simulations that ATP binding alone may facilitate propagation of substrate molecules in this transporter. Possible explanations are discussed in the light of currently debated transport scenarios of ABC transporters.
Trade-off analysis of decoding algorithms and architectures for multi-standard LDPC decoder

Since Low-Density Parity-Check (LDPC) codes deliver excellent decoding performance, they are adopted in several recent communication standards like the IEEE 802.11n, IEEE 802.16e and DVB-S2. This raises the need for multi-standard, multi-mode decoder architectures. In this paper we propose to use the min-sum approximation together with a turbo-like decoding approach for decoding LDPC codes, and afterwards we perform a global trade-off analysis which enables the designer to choose the appropriate decoding algorithm.