Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Children with Reading Disability Show Brain Differences in Effective Connectivity for Visual, but Not Auditory Word Comprehension

Background Previous literature suggests that those with reading disability (RD) have more pronounced deficits during semantic processing in reading as compared to listening comprehension. This discrepancy has been supported by recent neuroimaging studies showing abnormal activity in RD during semantic processing in the visual but not in the auditory modality. Whether effective connectivity between brain regions in RD could also show this pattern of discrepancy has not been investigated. Methodology/Principal Findings Children (8- to 14-year-olds) were given a semantic task in the visual and auditory modality that required an association judgment as to whether two sequentially presented words were associated. Effective connectivity was investigated using Dynamic Causal Modeling (DCM) on functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data. Bayesian Model Selection (BMS) was used separately for each modality to find a winning family of DCM models separately for typically developing (TD) and RD children. BMS yielded the same winning family with modulatory effects on bottom-up connections from the input regions to middle temporal gyrus (MTG) and inferior frontal gyrus(IFG) with inconclusive evidence regarding top-down modulations. Bayesian Model Averaging (BMA) was thus conducted across models in this winning family and compared across groups. The bottom-up effect from the fusiform gyrus (FG) to MTG rather than the top-down effect from IFG to MTG was stronger in TD compared to RD for the visual modality. The stronger bottom-up influence in TD was only evident for related word pairs but not for unrelated pairs. No group differences were noted in the auditory modality. Conclusions/Significance This study revealed a modality-specific deficit for children with RD in bottom-up effective connectivity from orthographic to semantic processing regions. There were no group differences in connectivity from frontal regions, suggesting that the core deficit in RD is not in top-down modulation.
Distribution of Parental Genome Blocks in Recombinant Inbred Lines

We consider recombinant inbred lines obtained by crossing two given homozygous parents and then applying multiple generations of self-crossings or full-sib matings. The chromosomal content of any such line forms a mosaic of blocks, each alternatively inherited identically by descent from one of the parents. Quantifying the statistical properties of such mosaic genomes has remained an open challenge for many years. Here, we solve this problem by taking a continuous chromosome picture and assuming crossovers to be noninterfering. Using a continuous-time random walk framework and Markov chain theory, we determine the statistical properties of these identical-by-descent blocks. We find that successive block lengths are only very slightly correlated. Furthermore, the blocks on the ends of chromosomes are larger on average than the others, a feature understandable from the nonexponential distribution of block lengths.
Transcriptional profile of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Weltevreden during alfalfa sprout colonization

Sprouted seeds represent a great risk for infection by human enteric pathogens because of favourable growth conditions for pathogens during their germination. The aim of this study was to identify mechanisms of interactions of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica Weltevreden with alfalfa sprouts. RNA‐seq analysis of S. Weltevreden grown with sprouts in comparison with M9‐glucose medium showed that among a total of 4158 annotated coding sequences, 177 genes (4.3%) and 345 genes (8.3%) were transcribed at higher levels with sprouts and in minimal medium respectively. Genes that were higher transcribed with sprouts are coding for proteins involved in mechanisms known to be important for attachment, motility and biofilm formation. Besides gene expression required for phenotypic adaption, genes involved in sulphate acquisition were higher transcribed, suggesting that the surface on alfalfa sprouts may be poor in sulphate. Genes encoding structural and effector proteins of Salmonella pathogenicity island 2, involved in survival within macrophages during infection of animal tissue, were higher transcribed with sprouts possibly as a response to environmental conditions. This study provides insight on additional mechanisms that may be important for pathogen interactions with sprouts.
Testing Graph Properties in the Bounded-Degree Graph Model

1. Presenting lower and upper bounds on the complexity of testing Bipartitness; specifically, we present a poly(1/ǫ) · Õ( √ k)-time tester, and an Ω √ k) lower bound on the query complexity of any tester for Bipartitness. 2. Reviewing a quasi-poly(1/ǫ)-time tester for Planarity. The result extends to testing any minor-closed property (i.e., a graph property that is preserved under the omission of edges and vertices and under edge contraction).
Perfil dos usuários de um centro de atenção psicossocial infantojuvenil da grande São Paulo, Brasil

INTRODUCAO: os Centros de Atencao Psicossocial Infantojuvenil (CAPSi) constituem ponta de lanca das acoes da Reforma Psiquiatrica Brasileira e tem por finalidade o atendimento de criancas e adolescentes com transtornos psiquicos graves. O objetivo e caracterizar o perfil dos usuarios de um CAPSi, considerando sexo, idade, hipotese diagnostica, origem do encaminhamento, insercao escolar e motivo de consulta. METODO: por meio de um protocolo, foram coletados dados da totalidade de prontuarios ativos de uma unidade da Grande Sao Paulo - cento e tres - no mes de janeiro de 2008. RESULTADOS: a maioria dos usuarios atendidos esta na faixa etaria de cinco a quinze anos (68,9%) e e do sexo masculino (61,2%). O grupo de transtornos de comportamento e transtornos emocionais corresponde a 21,4%, seguido pelos transtornos do desenvolvimento global (16,2%) e retardo mental (10,5%). A maioria dos usuarios foi encaminhada pelo Conselho Tutelar (22,3%) e tiveram como principal motivo da consulta queixas neuromotoras (17,5%), escolares (15,5%) e sociocomportamentais (14,6%). CONCLUSOES: o numero elevado de criancas com problemas neuromotores pode indicar caracteristicas especificas da instituicao estudada que absorveu pacientes e profissionais de um antigo servico de reabilitacao. O grande numero de questoes relevantes nao encontradas apontam para a falta de padronizacao dos prontuarios.
The Politics of Translation: How State-Level Political Relations Affect the Cross-National Travel of Management Ideas

The paper brings together insights from the neo-institutional approach and that of ‘translation’ to analyse the politics of management glocalization. Based on the cases of the translation of two management models—Scientific Management (SM) and Human Relations (HR) in Israel—the paper argues that the state-level institutional power structures that participated in the importing of the SM and HR models as an answer to their political needs also took part in the negotiations and struggles that formed their social meanings, the way in which they changed during the move from one context to another, the way in which they are justified in the new social context, and the fundamental social assumptions that become institutionalized as part of the process of the models’ institutionalization.
Parental Mathematics Homework Involvement of Low-Income Families with Middle School Students.

This study explores the relationships between methods of parental assis tance (i.e., provision of structure, direct assistance, and autonomy support) with mathematics homework for high-achieving and low-achieving students and children’s achievement in mathematics in low-income families and examines the impact of parental efficacy on these findings. Seventy-nine students from low-income families and their parents and mathematics teachers who were recruited from an urban junior high school participated in this study. Th e results indicate that provision of structure is the most prevalent method of involvement in mathematics homework among low-income parents, regardless of their child’s achievement level. Parental provision of structure contributes significantly to children’s grades in mathematics. Parental involvement in mathematics homework in the forms of direct assistance and autonomy support does not predict children’s grades. Parental self-efficacy is associated with parental involvement in mathematics homework. Implications and limitations of the present study are discussed, including the importance to helping lowincome parents realize they can help their children succeed in math even if they cannot provide direct assistance with their homework.
Binding of the Wheat Germ Lectin to Cryptococcus neoformans Suggests an Association of Chitinlike Structures with Yeast Budding and Capsular Glucuronoxylomannan

ABSTRACT The capsule of Cryptococcus neoformans is a complex structure whose assembly requires intermolecular interactions to connect its components into an organized structure. In this study, we demonstrated that the wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), which binds to sialic acids and β-1,4-N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) oligomers, can also bind to cryptococcal capsular structures. Confocal microscopy demonstrated that these structures form round or hooklike projections linking the capsule to the cell wall, as well as capsule-associated structures during yeast budding. Chemical analysis of capsular extracts by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry and high-pH anion-exchange chromatography suggested that the molecules recognized by WGA were firmly associated with the cell wall. Enzymatic treatment, competition assays, and staining with chemically modified WGA revealed that GlcNAc oligomers, but not sialic acids, were the molecules recognized by the lectin. Accordingly, treatment of C. neoformans cells with chitinase released glucuronoxylomannan (GXM) from the cell surface and reduced the capsule size. Chitinase-treated acapsular cells bound soluble GXM in a modified pattern. These results indicate an association of chitin-derived structures with GXM and budding in C. neoformans, which may represent a new mechanism by which the capsular polysaccharide interacts with the cell wall and is rearranged during replication.
Road traffic congestion detection through cooperative Vehicle-to-Vehicle communications

Cooperative vehicular systems are being developed to improve traffic safety and management. Reducing road traffic congestion can be achieved through effective management strategies. In this sense, mechanisms for its rapid and accurate detection that allow evaluating the road network performance are crucial. Current Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) require the deployment of infrastructure sensors to monitor traffic conditions. Their installation is often expensive and their capability to provide accurate traffic information is limited. In this context, this paper proposes CoTEC (COperative Traffic congestion detECtion), a novel cooperative technique based on Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communications and fuzzy logic to detect road traffic congestion without the need to deploy infrastructure sensors. The proposed technique is also capable to accurately detect the traffic congestion intensity and length.
Examining Placement Disruption in Child Welfare

Child welfare systems in the United States are increasingly focused on reducing the number of children who come into care, reducing the length of time that those children are in care, and reducing the use of more restrictive placements such as residential treatment. In this context, child welfare systems are increasingly interested in supporting placement decision making with standardized assessments and decision tools. The current article describes an analysis of information from the Tennessee child welfare system demonstrating that the placements of children whose first placement is consistent with an assessment-based decision support algorithm are more stable than the placements of children whose first placement is not consistent with the algorithm recommendation. These results add to the growing body of literature suggesting that such decision supports are associated with improved outcomes and the implications for child welfare system design are briefly discussed.
Three-dimensional FISP imaging in the evaluation of carotid cavernous fistula: comparison with contrast-enhanced CT and spin-echo MR.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to assess the value of three-dimensional fast imaging with steady-state precession (FISP) MR sequences relative to contrast-enhanced CT and spin-echo MR imaging in the diagnosis of carotid cavernous fistula (CCF). METHODS Seventeen patients with 19 angiographically proved CCFs had contrast-enhanced CT, spin-echo MR imaging, and 3-D FISP imaging. Three observers assessed these imaging studies as well as those of 43 control sides in a blinded manner for the presence or absence of CCF. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to assess the diagnostic utility of each imaging technique. In a nonblinded study, contrast-enhanced 3-D FISP images were also evaluated. RESULTS Higher diagnostic accuracy was obtained with 3-D FISP sequences, as the shunt flow within the cavernous sinus was well seen. Sensitivity of 3-D FISP images was 83% and specificity was 100% in the blinded study. In the receiver operating characteristic analysis, the diagnostic performance of observers was found to be better with the 3-D FISP images than with the spin-echo MR images. Although there were no significant difference between 3-D FISP and contrast-enhanced CT, higher diagnostic performance was obtained with 3-D FISP images. In three CCFs without anterior drainage, a diagnosis was made only from the 3-D FISP images. The contrast-enhanced 3-D FISP images were not helpful, since the cavernous sinuses enhanced. CONCLUSION Three-dimensional FISP imaging is superior to spin-echo MR imaging and contrast-enhanced CT in the diagnosis of CCF. Contrast-enhanced 3-D FISP images are not helpful for the evaluation of CCF.
Effective photoinactivation of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains using an HIV-1 Tat peptide—porphyrin conjugate

Given that cell-penetrating peptides (CPP) are cationic and often amphipathic, similar to membrane-active antimicrobial peptides, it may be possible to use CPP conjugation to improve the delivery of photosensitisers for antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (antimicrobial PDT). We investigated the possibility of using a Tat peptide to deliver the photosensitiser, tetrakis(phenyl)porphyrin (TPP) and kill bacteria. The Tat peptide is a positively-charged mammalian cell-penetrating peptide with potent antimicrobial activity but no haemolytic activity. Fluorescence spectroscopy revealed that the bioconjugate can bind to and/or be incorporated into all bacterial species tested. All species were susceptible to the Tat-porphyrin, with the bactericidal effect being dependent on both the concentration and the light dose. Using the highest light dose, treatment with the Tat-porphyrin achieved reductions of 6.6 log_10 and 6.37 log_10 in the viable counts of Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes , and reductions of 5.74 log_10 and 6.6 log_10 in the viable counts of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli . Moreover, the Tat moiety appears to confer antimicrobial properties to the conjugate, particularly for the Gram positive strains, based on the observation of dark toxicity using 1 μM of Tat-porphyrin. Finally, the conjugate induced membrane destabilization by synergistic action of the peptide and PDT, resulting in carboxyfluorescein leakage from bacterial membrane-mimicking liposomes. These findings demonstrate that the use of CPP to deliver a photosensitiser is an effective way of improving the uptake and the treatment efficacy of antimicrobial PDT.
Environment-independent mask estimation for missing-feature reconstruction

In this paper, we propose an effective mask-estimation method for missing-feature reconstruction in order to achieve robust speech recognition in unknown noise environments. In previous work, it was found that training a model for mask estimation on speech corrupted by white noise did not provide environment-independent recognition accuracy. In this paper we describe a training method based on bands of colored noise that is more effective in reflecting spectral variations across neighboring frames and subbands. We also achieved further improvement in recognition accuracy by reconsidering frames that appeared to be unvoiced in the initial pitch analysis. Performance is evaluated using the Aurora 2.0 database in the presence of various types of noise maskers. Experimental results indicate that the proposed methods are effective in estimating masks for missing-feature reconstruction while remaining more independent of the noise conditions.
Problem-Solution Mapping for Evolution Support of Software Architectural Design

Software architectures constitute a crucial factor for the development and evolution of software systems because they have to sustain their quality properties like flexibility, scalability, or security. A software architecture has to reflect the transition from the problem space with quality goals and requirements on one side to the solution space with technical solutions on the other side. A mapping between goals and solutions shall enable long-term evolution of the systems by expressing design knowledge and fundamental decisions explicitly. The gap between the fields of requirements engineering, software architectural design and software quality has not yet been closed. This paper discusses the Goal Solution Scheme, which maps quality goals and goal refinements to architectural principles and solutions. Its application in forward and re-engineering activities is shown, as well as its establishment. The concept has been evaluated in various projects including industrial case studies.
A Multi-Factor , Markov Chain Model for Credit Migrations and Credit Spreads

This paper develops and implements a multi-factor, Markov chain model for bond rating migrations and credit spreads. The building blocks are historical transition matrixes and a set of latent credit cycle variables. The model’s central feature is for transition matrixes to be time-varying, and driven by rating-specific latent variables which encompass such economic factors as the business cycle. The paper weaves together the credit risk modeling and the valuation procedures via linking the observed and risk-neutral transition matrixes by the estimated risk premiums, and allows credit derivatives to be priced thereof. The main contributions can be summarized as follows. First, the paper proposes a model for bond rating transitions that incorporates well documented empirical properties of transition matrixes such as their dependence on business / credit cycles. The model also allows for inter-rating variations in credit quality changes. Second, unlike many studies which focus solely on empirical modeling of rating transitions or default rates, this paper shows how the empirical model can be implemented for actual valuations. Third, the estimation and calibration procedures are easy to follow and implement. Other than the historical transition matrixes, the only other data required are bond prices. Preliminary empirical results show, among other things, that allowing for inter-rating variations in credit quality changes via a multi-variate model can substantially improve the goodness of fit.
The crossover of burnout and work engagement among working couples

The present study tested the hypothesis that burnout and work engagement may crossover from husbands to wives and vice versa. Data were collected among 323 couples working in a variety of occupations. The Job Demands-Resources model was used to simultaneously examine possible correlates of burnout and engagement for each partner separately. The results of a series of hierarchical regression analyses provide evidence for the crossover of burnout (exhaustion and cynicism) and work engagement (vigor and dedication) among partners. The crossover relationships were significant and about equally strong for both partners, after controlling for some important characteristics of the work and home environment. These findings expand previous crossover research, particularly by showing that positive experiences at work may be transferred to the home domain. We argue that the crossover of positive feelings among partners should be placed more prominently on the research agenda.
Optical readout of acoustic responses of an external-cavity diode laser

Due to external cavity, the external-cavity diode laser (ECDL) is sensitive to the harsh environment. It can serve as a very convenient tool for measuring or comparing acoustic responses and analysis of acoustic insulation characteristics of materials and mechanical structure. Focused on the ECDL, improvement of the laser acoustic responses and suppression of the laser system drift are critical. But the acoustically-induced vibration coupled with complex disturbance will contribute to the frequency fluctuation, therefore it is difficult to investigate the dynamic response characteristics of laser frequency to acoustic signals separately. In order to decouple the acoustic response from environmental noise and to reduce system drift, a frequency stabilization system by virtue of grating feedback and current feedback is demonstrated with the a wide-bandwidth loop. After recording the system response, the amplitude-frequency characters are achieved through fast Fourier transform (FFT). After analyzing the correlation of the laser frequency fluctuation and the acoustic stimulant signal’s frequency, the acoustic dynamic response characteristics of the ECDL is depicted experimentally. By contrasting the acoustic response characteristics of the ECDL with or without the acoustic proofing case, the acoustic insulating effect could be mapped directly. The experimental results show that the acoustic proofing case can not be remained valid for all frequency bands effectively. It can also act as the experimental criteria for optimizing the design of laser mechanical structures and acoustic insulation systems. Furthermore, this optical system could be employed as a detector extending to acoustic sensing or acoustic precise measurement.
Two Machine Learning Approaches for Short-Term Wind Speed Time-Series Prediction

The increasing liberalization of European electricity markets, the growing proportion of intermittent renewable energy being fed into the energy grids, and also new challenges in the patterns of energy consumption (such as electric mobility) require flexible and intelligent power grids capable of providing efficient, reliable, economical, and sustainable energy production and distribution. From the supplier side, particularly, the integration of renewable energy sources (e.g., wind and solar) into the grid imposes an engineering and economic challenge because of the limited ability to control and dispatch these energy sources due to their intermittent characteristics. Time-series prediction of wind speed for wind power production is a particularly important and challenging task, wherein prediction intervals (PIs) are preferable results of the prediction, rather than point estimates, because they provide information on the confidence in the prediction. In this paper, two different machine learning approaches to assess PIs of time-series predictions are considered and compared: 1) multilayer perceptron neural networks trained with a multiobjective genetic algorithm and 2) extreme learning machines combined with the nearest neighbors approach. The proposed approaches are applied for short-term wind speed prediction from a real data set of hourly wind speed measurements for the region of Regina in Saskatchewan, Canada. Both approaches demonstrate good prediction precision and provide complementary advantages with respect to different evaluation criteria.