Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Review Committee's Guide for Evaluating Qualitative Proposals

Although they complain that qualitative proposals are not reviewed fairly when funding agencies use quantitative criteria, qualitative researchers have failed the system by not developing alternative criteria for the evaluation of qualitative proposals. In this article, the author corrects this deficit by presenting criteria to assess the relevance, rigor, and feasibility of qualitative research. These criteria are not a checklist but rather a series of questions that can aid a reviewer, adept in qualitative methods, to comprehensively evaluate and defend qualitative research.
Recognition of Handwritten Kannada Numerals

This paper deals with a quadratic classifier based scheme for the recognition of off-line handwritten numerals of Kannada, an important Indian script. The features used in the classifier are obtained from the directional chain code information of the contour points of the characters. The bounding box of a character is segmented into blocks and the chain code histogram is computed in each of the blocks. Here we have used 64 dimensional and 100 dimensional features for a comparative study on the recognition accuracy of our proposed system. This chain code features are fed to the quadratic classifier for recognition. We tested our scheme on 2300 data samples and obtained 97.87% and 98.45% recognition accuracy using 64 dimensional and 100 dimensional features respectively, from the proposed scheme using five-fold cross-validation technique.
Dream anxiety in renal transplant recipients

Abstract Objective: Although low quality of sleep has been reported in kidney transplant patients with functioning allografts, there are no previous studies investigating the dreams of these patients. We aimed to investigate the differences in dream anxiety level between renal transplant patients and healthy control subjects. We also planned to compare depression and anxiety symptoms, sleep quality and sleepiness level between these two groups. Methods: Twenty-two living-donor renal transplant recipients followed at an outpatient nephrology clinic and 22 healthy controls were enrolled in this observational cross-sectional study. Sociodemographic Data Collection Form, and the Van Dream Anxiety Scale (VDAS), the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventories were used for the assessment of the necessary features. Hemoglobin (Hb), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (Cr) and glucose levels were measured. Results: There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of dream anxiety (p = 0.45), depression (p = 0.76), sleep quality (p = 0.8), insomnia severity (p = 0.08) and Hb (p = 0.11) and glucose levels (p = 0.14). Although, BUN (p = 0.00) and creatinine (p = 0.00) levels differed significantly between the two groups, both parameters were found to be within their normal range. Conclusions: In our study, chronic renal failure patients with a successful kidney transplant were found to be able to completely return to normal in terms of metabolic parameters, sleep quality and mood. Similar levels of dream anxiety are also consistent with these findings.
Involvement of homocysteine, homocysteine thiolactone, and paraoxonase type 1 (PON‐1) in the etiology of defective human sperm function

This study reports, for the first time, the significant (p ≤ 0.01) accumulation of homocysteine residues in low density, defective sperm suspensions isolated from patients attending an infertility clinic. This overabundance of homocysteine was not related to a deficiency in folate availability but may have been a reflection of the oxidative stress that characterizes such defective sperm populations. Direct addition of the homocysteine cyclic congener, homocysteine thiolactone, to human spermatozoa resulted in the rapid induction of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation (p < 0.001), the stimulation of lipid peroxidation (p < 0.01), the promotion of tyrosine phosphorylation (p < 0.001), and the suppression of sperm motility (p < 0.001) in the absence of any significant impact on DNA integrity. The parent homocysteine molecule was less active and took 24 h to stimulate mitochondrial ROS production possibly because of the need to convert this compound to the corresponding thiolactone before it could exert a measureable biological effect. Thiolactone was also effective in suppressing the carboxymethylation of key proteins in the sperm tail, which are thought to be involved in the regulation of sperm movement. The major enzyme responsible for removing thiolactone from proteins, paraoxonase (PON‐1), was shown to be a major target for alkylation by lipid aldehydes, such as 4‐hydroxynonenal, generated as a consequence of oxidative stress. Exposure of human spermatozoa to such aldehydes resulted in a dose‐dependent accumulation of homocysteine in spermatozoa (p < 0.03). These results suggest that one of the consequences of oxidative stress in mammalian spermatozoa is the inhibition of PON‐1, which then enhances the availability of homocysteine thiolactone to interact with the epsilon‐amino group of lysine residues on sperm proteins, triggering a raft of significant biological changes in these cells that ultimately compromise sperm function.
Automatic Detection of Comma Splices

In English text, independent clauses should be demarcated with full-stops (periods), or linked together with conjunctions. Non-native speakers are often prone to linking them improperly with commas instead of conjunctions, producing comma splices. This paper describes a method to detect comma splices using Conditional Random Fields (CRF), with features derived from parse tree patterns. In experiments, our model achieved an average of 0.91 precision and 0.28 recall in detecting comma splices, significantly outperforming both a baseline model using only local features and a widely used commercial grammar checker.
Detection of genotyping errors and pseudo‐SNPs via deviations from Hardy‐Weinberg equilibrium

Genotype error can greatly reduce the power of a genetic study. For family data, genotype error can be assessed by examining marker data for non‐Mendelian inconsistencies, closely linked markers for double recombination events, and consistency of duplicate genotypes. For case‐control data, duplicate samples are genotyped, and controls are tested for deviations from Hardy‐Weinberg equilibrium (HWE). Duplicate samples can provide accurate estimates of genotyping error rates, unless systematic genotyping errors have occurred. Although genotyping errors can cause deviations from HWE, these deviations are usually small, and the power to detect them is low except for high rates of genotyping error and/or large sample sizes. An additional problem is that even when deviations from HWE are detected for marker loci, without additional experimentation it is not possible to unequivocally implicate genotyping error as the cause. The power and sample sizes necessary to detect deviations from HWE for single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data are examined for a variety of genotyping error and pseudo‐SNP models. For the majority of genotyping models examined, the power is poor to detect deviations from HWE. For example, for 1,000 controls, if an allele with a frequency of 0.1 fails to amplify for 28% of the heterozygous genotypes producing a sample error rate of 0.05, the power is 0.51 to detect a deviation from HWE at an alpha level of 0.05. On the other hand, the detection of deviations from HWE for pseudo‐SNPs (paralogous and ectopic sequence variants) for the majority of models examined produces a power of >0.8 for sample sizes as small as 50 individuals. Genet. Epidemiol. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Practitioner review: adolescent alcohol use disorders: assessment and treatment issues.

BACKGROUND Alcohol use disorders in adolescents are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Over the past decade, there has been a burgeoning of research on adolescent alcohol use disorders. METHODS A summary of the alcohol assessment tools is provided, and randomized studies reviewed and synthesized to provide an overview of state of the art knowledge of treatment of adolescent alcohol use disorders. Animal models of addiction are also briefly reviewed, and the value of translational research approaches, using findings from basic studies to guide the design of clinical investigations, is also highlighted. RESULTS Comorbidity is the rule, not the exception in adolescent alcohol use disorders. Comprehensive assessment of psychiatric and other substance use disorders, trauma experiences, and suicidality is indicated in this population to optimize selection of appropriate clinical interventions. In terms of available investigated treatments for adolescents with alcohol use disorders, Multidimensional Family Therapy and group administered Cognitive Behavioral Therapies have received the most empirical support to date. There is a paucity of research on pharmacological interventions in this patient population, and no firm treatment recommendations can be made in this area. CONCLUSIONS Given the high rate of relapse after treatment, evaluation of combined psychosocial and pharmacological interventions, and the development of novel intervention strategies are indicated.
On a Sublinear Time Parallel Construction of Optimal Binary Search Trees

We design an efficient sublinear time parallel construction of optimal binary search trees. The efficiency of the parallel algorithm corresponds to its total work (the product time × processors). Our algorithm works in O(n1−ɛ log n) time with the total work O(n2−2ɛ), for an arbitrarily small constant 0 < e ≤ 1/2. This is optimal within a factor n2ɛ with respect to the best known sequential algorithm given by Knuth, which needs only O(n2) time due to a monotonicity property of optimal binary search trees, see [6]). It is unknown how to explore this property in an efficient NC construction of binary search trees. Here we show that it can be effectively used in sublinear time parallel computation. Our improvement also relies on the use (in independently processed small subcomputations) of the parallelism present in Knuth's algorithm. The best known sublinear time algorithms for the construction of binary search trees (as an instance of a more general problem) have O(n3) work for time larger than n3/4, see [3] and [7]. For time √n these algorithms need n4 work, while our algorithm needs for this time only n3 work, thus improving the known algorithms by a linear factor. Also if time is O(n1−ɛ) and e is very small our improvement is close to O(n). Such improvement is similar to the one implied by the monotonicity property in sequential computations (from n3 sequential time for a more general dynamic programming problem to n2 time for the special case of optimal binary search trees).
Inferring the history of speciation in house mice from autosomal, X‐linked, Y‐linked and mitochondrial genes

Patterns of genetic differentiation among taxa at early stages of divergence provide an opportunity to make inferences about the history of speciation. Here, we conduct a survey of DNA‐sequence polymorphism and divergence at loci on the autosomes, X chromosome, Y chromosome and mitochondrial DNA in samples of Mus domesticus, M. musculus and M. castaneus. We analyzed our data under a divergence with gene flow model and estimate that the effective population size of M. castaneus is 200 000–400 000, of M. domesticus is 100 000–200 000 and of M. musculus is 60 000–120 000. These data also suggest that these species started to diverge approximately 500 000 years ago. Consistent with this recent divergence, we observed considerable variation in the genealogical patterns among loci. For some loci, all alleles within each species formed a monophyletic group, while at other loci, species were intermingled on the phylogeny of alleles. This intermingling probably reflects both incomplete lineage sorting and gene flow after divergence. Likelihood ratio tests rejected a strict allopatric model with no gene flow in comparisons between each pair of species. Gene flow was asymmetric: no gene flow was detected into M. domesticus, while significant gene flow was detected into both M. castaneus and M. musculus. Finally, most of the gene flow occurred at autosomal loci, resulting in a significantly higher ratio of fixed differences to polymorphisms at the X and Y chromosomes relative to autosomes in some comparisons, or just the X chromosome in others, emphasizing the important role of the sex chromosomes in general and the X chromosome in particular in speciation.
Cross Layer Design of Downlink Multi-Antenna OFDMA Systems with Imperfect CSIT for Slow Fading Channels

In most existing works, perfect knowledge of channel state information at the transmitter (CSIT) is assumed to realize the potential benefit of cross-layer scheduling and spatial multiplexing gains of MIMO/OFDMA systems. However, perfect knowledge of CSIT is not easy to achieve in practice due to estimation noise or delay in feedback. In this paper, we shall focus on the cross-layer design of downlink multi-antenna OFDMA systems with imperfect CSIT for slow fading channels. We shall show that our proposed cross-layer scheduler can exploit the multiuser diversity and spatial multiplexing gain even in the presence of moderate CSIT error.
On Reducing Power Losses in Stack Multicell Converters with Optimal Voltage Balancing Method

This paper proposes a voltage balancing method for stacked multicell converters (SMCs) based on phase-disposition pulse-width modulation (PD-PWM). In order to reduce the switching transitions of the power devices, only optimal transitions between consecutive voltage levels are used. Selection of the optimal transition sequence is performed by evaluating a cost function. Significant reductions in the switching transitions and power losses of the power devices are achieved as compared to the optimal-state voltage balancing method where nonoptimal transitions are allowed. Simulation and experimental results from a seven-level 3×2 SMC verifies that the proposed PD-PWM voltage balancing method is robust under linear/nonlinear loads and transients.
Compiling Bilingual Lexicon Entries From a Non-Parallel English-Chinese Corpus

We propose a novel context heterogeneity similarity measure between words and their translations in helping to compile bilingual lexicon entries from a non-parallel English-Chinese corpus. Current algorithms for bilingual lexicon compilation rely on occurrence frequencies, length or positional statistics derived from parallel texts. There is little correlation between such statistics of a word and its translation in non-parallel corpora. On the other hand, we suggest that words with productive context in one language translate to words with productive context in another language, and words with rigid context translate into words With rigid context. Context heterogeneity measures how productive the context of a word is in a given domain, independent of its absolute occurrence frequency in the text. Based on this information, we derive statistics of bilingual word pairs from a non-parallel corpus. These statistics can be used to bootstrap a bilingual dictionary compilation algorithm.
The C terminus of penicillin‐binding protein 5 is essential for localisation to the E. coli inner membrane.

Penicillin‐binding protein 5 (PBP5) has been previously identified as a component of the inner membrane of Escherichia coli and we present here further evidence that PBP5 is tightly bound to the membrane. To investigate the regions of PBP5 involved in membrane binding we have constructed a series of C‐terminal deletions and shown that the removal of as few as 10 amino acids results in the release of the truncated protein into the periplasm. The C terminus, therefore, appears to be important for interaction with the membrane; however, inspection of the amino acid sequence does not reveal extended runs of hydrophobicity typical of a membrane anchor. Thus we conclude that PBP5 is anchored to the inner membrane by a mechanism not previously described.
Phosphorylation by Cdk1 induces Plk1-mediated vimentin phosphorylation during mitosis

Several kinases phosphorylate vimentin, the most common intermediate filament protein, in mitosis. Aurora-B and Rho-kinase regulate vimentin filament separation through the cleavage furrow-specific vimentin phosphorylation. Cdk1 also phosphorylates vimentin from prometaphase to metaphase, but its significance has remained unknown. Here we demonstrated a direct interaction between Plk1 and vimentin-Ser55 phosphorylated by Cdk1, an event that led to Plk1 activation and further vimentin phosphorylation. Plk1 phosphorylated vimentin at ∼1 mol phosphate/mol substrate, which partly inhibited its filament forming ability, in vitro. Plk1 induced the phosphorylation of vimentin-Ser82, which was elevated from metaphase and maintained until the end of mitosis. This elevation followed the Cdk1-induced vimentin-Ser55 phosphorylation, and was impaired by Plk1 depletion. Mutational analyses revealed that Plk1-induced vimentin-Ser82 phosphorylation plays an important role in vimentin filaments segregation, coordinately with Rho-kinase and Aurora-B. Taken together, these results indicated a novel mechanism that Cdk1 regulated mitotic vimentin phosphorylation via not only a direct enzyme reaction but also Plk1 recruitment to vimentin.
Psychological and Psychomotor Skills Associated with Performance in Golf

Psychological and psychomotor skills associated with performance in golf were established through ratings provided by 165 men with golf handicaps ranging from 5 to 27. Several components of skilled performance in golf were identified through factor analysis of these ratings, followed by comparisons between lower handicap and higher handicap players. Skilled golfers (those with lower handicaps) reported greater mental preparation, a higher level of concentration when playing golf, fewer negative emotions and cognitions, greater psychomotor automaticity, and more commitment to golf. Three self-report assessment scales (measures of psychological skills and tactics, psychomotor skills, and golf involvement) were developed from the data. Contexts in which these scales can be used are discussed.
Railway Energy Management System: Centralized–Decentralized Automation Architecture

The modern railway system is a massive grid connected complex system with distributed active loads (trains), sources (particularly distributed renewable sources), and storage (wayside or on-board storage systems). Its energy management therefore requires the concepts and techniques used for managing energy in the smart grid (SG). Accordingly, the new railway energy management system (REM-S) is developed to integrate on-board, wayside, and coordination services. REM-S is driven by the idea that regeneration, loads, storage, and volatile distributed energy resources should be coordinated dynamically to achieve optimal energy usage. This paper presents the proposed REM-S architecture, which is based on a hybrid centralized-decentralized concept and developed according to SG architecture model framework.
A novel role for atypical MAPK kinase ERK3 in regulating breast cancer cell morphology and migration

ERK3 is an atypical Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK6). Despite the fact that the Erk3 gene was originally identified in 1991, its function is still unknown. MK5 (MAP kinase- activated protein kinase 5) also called PRAK is the only known substrate for ERK3. Recently, it was found that group I p21 protein activated kinases (PAKs) are critical effectors of ERK3. PAKs link Rho family of GTPases to actin cytoskeletal dynamics and are known to be involved in the regulation of cell adhesion and migration. In this study we demonstrate that ERK3 protein levels are elevated as MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells adhere to collagen I which is concomitant with changes in cellular morphology where cells become less well spread following nascent adhesion formation. During this early cellular adhesion event we observe that the cells retain protrusive activity while reducing overall cellular area. Interestingly exogenous expression of ERK3 delivers a comparable reduction in cell spread area, while depletion of ERK3 expression increases cell spread area. Importantly, we have detected a novel specific endogenous ERK3 localization at the cell periphery. Furthermore we find that ERK3 overexpressing cells exhibit a rounded morphology and increased cell migration speed. Surprisingly, exogenous expression of a kinase inactive mutant of ERK3 phenocopies ERK3 overexpression, suggesting a novel kinase independent function for ERK3. Taken together our data suggest that as cells initiate adhesion to matrix increasing levels of ERK3 at the cell periphery are required to orchestrate cell morphology changes which can then drive migratory behavior.
Assessment of Engagement for Intelligent Educational Agents: A Pilot Study with Middle School Students

Adaptive learning is an educational method that utilizes computers as an interactive teaching device. Intelligent tutoring systems, or educational agents, use adaptive learning techniques to adapt to each student’s needs and learning styles in order to individualize learning. Effective educational agents should accomplish two essential goals during the learning process – 1) monitor engagement of the student during the interaction and 2) apply behavioral strategies to maintain the student’s attention when engagement decreases. In this paper, we focus on the first objective of monitoring student engagement. Most educational agents do not monitor engagement explicitly, but rather assume engagement and adapt their interaction based on the student’s responses to questions and tasks. A few advanced methods have begun to incorporate models of engagement through vision-based algorithms that assess behavioral cues such as eye gaze, head pose, gestures, and facial expressions. Unfortunately, these methods typically require a heavy computation load, memory/storage constraints, and high power consumption. In addition, these behavioral cues do not correlate well with achievement of high-level cognitive tasks. As an alternative, our proposed model of engagement uses physical events, such as keyboard and mouse events. This approach requires fewer resources and lower power consumption, which is also ideally suited for mobile educational agents such as handheld tablets and robotic platforms. In this paper, we discuss our engagement model which uses techniques that determine behavioral user state and correlate these findings to mouse and keyboard events. In particular, we equired to answer a question; accuracy of responses; and proper function executions. We evaluate the correctness of our model based on an investigation involving a middle-school after-school program in which a 15-question math exam that varies in cognitive difficulty is used for assessment. Eye gaze and head pose techniques are referenced for the baseline metric of engagement. We conclude the investigation with a survey to gather the subject’s perspective of their mental state after the exam. We found that our model of engagement is comparable to the eye gaze and head pose techniques for low-level cognitive tasks. When high-level cognitive thinking is required, our model is more accurate than the eye gaze and head pose techniques due to the students’ non-focused gazes during questions requiring deep thought or use of outside variables for assistance such as their fingers to count. The large time delay associated with the lack of eye contact between the student and the computer screen causes the aforementioned algorithms to incorrectly declare the subjects as being disengaged. Furthermore, speed and validity of responses can help to determine how well the student understands the material, and this is confirmed through the survey responses and video observations. This information will be used later to integrate instructional scaffolding and adaptation with the educational agent.