Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quantifying Bone Disease in Pediatric Rheumatic Patients and It’s Problems

It is well known, that, due to different reasons, children with rheumatic diseases as well as children with other chronic inflammatory diseases suffer from bone disease like osteopenia or osteoporosis. To measure bone mineral density (BMD) or bone mineral content (BMC), Dual X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA) is used as golden standard. In this review we will show several problems appearing in measuring bone density in children due to multiple reasons, discuss the necessity to have a closer look on bone and muscle as well as on length and bone age on the examined child and end with the few recommendations there are concerning bone disease in pediatric rheumatology patients.
“Other Minds Are Not Equal”: Exploring the Role of Mind Perception in an Intergroup Context

Many theories have been developed to explain the processes by which people attribute mental states to other minds. However, these theories do not fully address potential asymmetries in the attribution of mind to members of one’s own vs. other groups. Recent research suggests that attributing or denying mental states to other human beings may depend on perceived stereotypes of the target group, but differences may also occur in the “minimal group” context—that is, upon first categorizing targets into arbitrary or novel groups. The current research proposes that there is, indeed, a difference in how we perceive the minds of ingroup and outgroup members and, consequently, in our moral judgments involving those individuals. Two studies were designed to analyze test this thesis. Study 1(N = 494 college students) made use of a writing task and speeded action identification task to assess spontaneous mental state attributions to members of four differentially stereotyped groups. Overall, the types of mind attributions produced in the writing samples reflected the stereotype content of the targeted groups. Results also confirmed that participants were more easily able to imagine the ingroup member performing complex actions, requiring higher levels of agency and motivation attributions, compared to the homeless target. This study also examined the moral consequences of attributing or withholding mental capacities to group members—with a specific focus on differences in harm and closeness, as well as consequentialist thoughts about the targeted groups. Mixed results were found supporting certain predictions based on stereotype content for some groups, but not others. Study 2 (N = 390 college students) used the same tools to further explore the underlying mind perception in a less stereotype-rich context—namely, the minimal group paradigm. By manipulating group meaningfulness, this study examined the minimum conditions for the emergence of mind perception asymmetries. Despite the successful induction of minimal groups, this study’s findings found limited support for group entitativity influence on mind perception in this context. Theoretical implications for the future research are provided in the discussion.
Remarks concerning the conformal deformation of riemannian structures on compact manifolds

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A Specific Methodology of Creep Compensation for Piezoelectric Actuators by Open-Loop Control

Piezoelectric actuators exhibit creep behavior in open-loop operation, which may lead to unaffordable errors in high precision static positioning systems. An inversion-based compensation strategy by open-loop control is presented for reducing creep effect. The approach utilizes a nonlinear viscoelastic model to portray creep phenomenon, which consists of a linear spring, a nonlinear dashpot and a series of nonlinear Voigt elements. It is shown that for the presented creep model the step responses are very similar to the piezoelectric actuators. In order to compensate creep effect, a concept of voltage relaxation in piezoelectric actuators is proposed. And the voltage relaxation model tantamount to the inverse creep model is derived using a PID closed-loop control system. Experimental results prove that, by insertion of voltage relaxation model in open-loop operation, creep effect is attenuated markedly in piezoelectric actuators.
Evidence of Positively Selected Sites in Mammalian α-Defensins

a-Defensins are a family of mammalian antimicrobial peptides that exhibit variable activity against a panel of microbes, including bacteria, fungi, and enveloped viruses. We have employed a maximum-likelihood approach to detect evidence of positive selection (adaptive evolution) in the evolution of these important molecules of the innate immune response. We have identified 14 amino acid sites that are predicted to be subject to positive selection. Furthermore, we show that all these sites are located in the mature antimicrobial peptide and not in the prepropeptide region of the molecule, implying that they are of functional importance. These results suggest that mammalian a-defensins have been under selective pressure to evolve in response to potentially infectious challenges by fast-evolving microbes.
Implementation methodology of Biogeography Based Optimization algorithm for dependent task scheduling

Biogeography Based Optimization (BBO) is a new evolutionary algorithm for global optimization that was introduced in 2008. BBO is an application of biogeography to evolutionary algorithms. Biogeography is the study of the distribution of biodiversity over space and time. It aims to analyze where organisms live, and in what abundance. BBO has certain features in common with other population-based optimization methods. Like GA and PSO, BBO can share information between solutions. This makes BBO applicable to many of the same types of problems that GA and PSO are used for, including unimodal, multimodal and deceptive functions. This paper explains the methodology of application of BBO algorithm for the constrained task scheduling problems.
Task-Specific Abilities in Multi-Task Agency Relations

This paper analyzes a multi-task agency framework where the agent exhibits task-specific abilities. Besides investigating the appendant consequences of applying incongruent performance measures in incentive contracts, this paper demonstrates how the provision of incentives - including the optimal aggregation of information - takes the agent's task-specific abilities into consideration. It further emphasizes the relation between job characteristics and the principal's preference for selecting specific agents. This paper essentially demonstrates that differences in task-specific abilities across agents can provide a supplementary explanation of why they are allocated to various jobs; or why they receive different incentive contracts, even if their jobs are identical.
EXPLORATORY ANALYSIS OF WEB DATA: METHODS, TOOLS AND GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION

We propose a methodology for the exploration of Web data, built on the principles of exploratory data analysis and analyt- ical visualisation of information. Our approach aims at combining these two approaches in order to benefit from both of them. This allows us to explore heterogeneous complex dynamic systems such as the Web, and to construct emergent structures and indicators without getting lost. By studying the geographical dimension for a specific Web locality, which is exemplary in many ways, we were able to test our methodology and various visualisation tools, thus validating our theoretical proposals.
BoC-GEM: Modelling the World Economy

BoC-GEM, an adaptation of the Global Economy Model, initially developed at the International Monetary Fund and the New York Federal Reserve, is a very useful tool to tackle a broad range of issues pertinent to the current economic context, such as the recent movements in commodity prices and the adjustment of global imbalances. This article describes the structure and functioning of BoC-GEM and details some examples of recent application in the areas of monetary policy and issues in the real economy and questions of financial stability and describes ongoing research into introducing a financial sector into the model.
Efficiency Analysis of Single-Phase Photovoltaic Transformer-less Inverters

This paper presents an efficiency analysis of five single-phase transformer-less inverters for photovoltaic applications (Full H-Bridge, Half H-Bridge, H5, HERIC and NPC inverters) implemented with different topologies of switches. Silicon (Si) and Silicon Carbide (SiC) diodes have been considered combined with two kinds of IGBTs. Simulation results have been obtained for each of the systems in different operating conditions by using PLECS software. Power losses and European Efficiency (EE) have been calculated for all the topologies by including the real characteristics of the switches in the thermal models provided by the software.
The measurement of arrow velocities in the students' laboratory

A method is described for measuring arrow velocities by means of the induction voltages evoked by shooting arrows with a magnetized point through two coils at a fixed distance. Small effects such as the influence of string material, number of strands, bracing height and stabilizers can be detected. The experimental set-up is relatively simple and can be used at an early stage of the students' laboratory course. Some results for modern competition bows are presented. Possibilities for model calculations are discussed.
Reconsidering Sex Roles and Aging: Preliminary Data

The Bem Sex Role Inventory was administered to adults age 60 and over to examine the nature of their scores on this scale in light of their current developmental demands and life circumstances. This study examined whether there is reason to believe that the nature of mature adults' scores is influenced by four things: passage of time; cohort in which respondents, were born; rural or urban context; or by chronological adult age. This continuation of earlier studies readministered the Bem Sex Role Inventory to community dwelling urban olderadults who had been tested the first time when they were age 60 or older. At the same time, additional community dwelling cohorts of older adults were tested. Although none of the respondent samples strongly endorsed the Bem items, predictions that Masculinity scale items would be more strongly favored by rural participants, and that middleaged participants' responses would differ by gender more than older participants' responses were supported. However other differences related to time, age, and gender ran counter to predictions. Results were interpreted in light of theories of sex role development, prior research on sex roles and aging, and the limitations of current measures of roles. Contains 16 references. A table of statistical analysis is appended. (JBJ) *********************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. ***********************************uk********************************** Sex Roles and Aging 1 Reconsidering Sex Roles and Aging: Preliminary Data on Some Influences of Context, Cohort, Time Jan D. Sinnott, Ph.D
Relations among Peer Feedback, Writing Performance and Writing Improvement: Evidence from a Writing Class in China

The present study attempted to investigate peer feedback types and its relations to student writing performance and writing improvement in a tertiary writing class in China. By carefully designed three-step writing tasks and employing a mixed research method, the study first categorized peer feedback into four types regarding its helpfulness; next, a strong correlation was obtained by a regression model which showed student writing performance had been a significant predictor of peer feedback helpfulness. However, there was no significant correlation between student writing improvement and the feedback they received. Student attitudes towards peer feedback were then examined to formulate ideas on what contributed most to writing improvement. It seemed a more critical view towards peer feedback worked better than a whole-accept or non-accept view.
From ‘warlord’ to ‘democratic’ president: how Charles Taylor won the 1997 Liberian elections

For the best part of seven years, an increasing number of warring factions fought a vicious civil war for control of the West African state of Liberia. In August 1996, the fourteenth peace accord led to presidential and parliamentary elections in July of the following year. Charles Taylor and his National Patriotic Party (NPP), formed out of the original invasion force, emerged victorious with a landslide 75 per cent of the vote. Given the international reputation of Taylor as a brutal warlord whose sole aim had never wavered from the capture of power in Monrovia, Taylor's across-the-board victory appears difficult to explain. Having concluded that, despite problems and allegations, the election did seem more free and fair than not, the article examines the factors that probably influenced the electorate's choices. The results of this research show an election heavily dependent on an uncertain security situation. However, it suggests that, although a former ‘warlord’ has been rewarded, the voting was a reasoned ploy by the electorate to maximise the possibility of improved living conditions.
Family-Specific Investments and Divorce: A Theory of Dynamically Inconsistent Household Behavior

This paper bridges two distinct areas of inquiry: the economic theory of the family and behavioral research on time-inconsistent preferences. In our model, hyperbolic discounting couples engage in household production activities, thereby accumulating family-specific capital over time. At any given point in time, the gains to continued marriage depend on the accumulated stock of this capital and a temporary random shock to match quality. Couples whose match quality deteriorates may choose to divorce, and this is more likely to happen if past investments in family-specific capital have been low. We obtain three main sets of results. First, present-biased preferences induce couples to underinvest in family-specific capital and to “overdivorce”. Second, sophisticated couples – but not naive ones – may choose to enter marriage on terms which make divorce more costly to obtain. Third, the inefficiencies in the behavior of time-inconsistent couples can be completely undone by means of earnings and divorce taxes that vary over the marital life-cycle. In calibrating the model to the US economy, we demonstrate that the efficiency-restoring earnings tax is genderneutral and fairly flat with respect to marriage duration. The optimal divorce tax is an inverted-U function of marriage duration, reaches its maximum when children are in their teens, and declines thereafter. We use our results to interpret several stylized facts about marriage and divorce that cannot be straightforwardly reconciled with standard models of household behavior. Examples include: marriage contracts that serve as barriers to hasty divorces (e.g., “covenant” marriages, the Islamic “mehr” or the Jewish “ketubah”); couples’ overoptimism regarding the survival chances of their own marriage, despite knowing the statistics on divorce; and frequent regrets among divorced couples about their separation.
Predicting Betas: Two new methods

Betas play a central role in modern finance. The estimation of betas from historical data and their extrapolation into the future is of considerable practical interest. We propose two new methods: the first is a direct generalization of the method in Blume (1975), and the second is based on Procrustes rotation in phase space. We compare their performance with various competitors and draw some conclusions.
Random Forests-Based Operational Status Perception Model in Extra-Long Highway Tunnels with Longitudinal Ventilation: A Case Study in China

An increasing number of extra-long highway tunnels have been built and put into operation around the world, but the quantified segmentation criteria for evaluating the in-tunnel operational status have not yet been enacted up till the present moment. Meanwhile, ventilation facilities could not satisfy the dynamic requirements of fresh air demand under fast spatial-temporal variation of traffic conditions and operating environment. In this study, the operational data collected from an extra-long highway tunnel were deeply analyzed using big data technology. By combining traffic flow and environmental monitoring data, a data-driven perception model based on the Random Forests was structured. The prediction results show that the proposed model provides better performances as compared to contrast models, indicating it had better ability to adapt to the dynamic changes of in-tunnel operational status while realizing accurate prediction. The designed intelligent control strategies of ventilation facilities and traffic operation applying for different operational status would provide a theoretical basis and data support for lifting the level of intelligent control as well as promoting energy saving and consumption reducing in extra-long highway tunnels.
Spicing Things Up: How Regulatory Focus Affects People’s Willingness To Try Novel Activities With A Romantic Partner

While spending time together is an important interpersonal goal for most romantic couples, “spicing things up” through participation in novel activities is a route commonly recommended and used in order to enhance relationship quality. However, relationship research has yet to focus on whether some people may have a greater proclivity toward pursuing these types of activities than others. The present research examines whether people’s motivational states – specifically, their regulatory focus orientation – may influence their desire to pursue novel activities with their romantic partners. In Study 1, participants (N = 110) indicated their regulatory focus, relationship quality, and willingness to try 32 novel activities with their partners. In Studies 2 and 3, we experimentally manipulated participants’ regulatory focus (Study 2; N = 203) and relationship quality (Study 3; N = 198) and asked them to indicate their willingness to try 5 highly novel activities with their partners. Results revealed that promotion-focused individuals were more inclined to pursue novel activities with a partner when their relationship quality was high, but not low. These results indicate a meaningful bridge between close relationships and motivation research.
Defense Genes Induced by Pathogens and Abiotic Stresses in Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer

Korean ginseng is a medicinally important perennial herb from the family Araliaceae. It has been cultivated for its highly valued medicinal properties for over 1,000 years in east Asian countries such as China, Korea, and Japan. Due to its longtime cultivation in shady areas, ginseng is frequently exposed to pathogenic infections. Plants protect themselves from microbial pathogens using an array of defense mechanisms, some of which are constitutively active, while others are activated upon pathogen invasion. These induced defense responses, controlled by defense-related genes, require tradeoffs in terms of plant fi tness. We hypothesize that ginseng, as with other plants, possesses regulatory mechanisms that coordinate the activation of attacker-specifi c defenses in order to minimize fi tness costs while attaining optimal resistance. Several classes of defense-related genes are induced by infection, wounds, irradiation, and other abiotic stresses. Both salicylates and jasmonates have been shown to cause such responses, although their specifi c roles and interactions in signaling and development are not fully understood in ginseng. This review summarizes possible defense-related genes in ginseng based on their expression patterns against biotic and abiotic stresses and describes their functional roles.
Single seed Near Infrared Spectroscopy discriminates viable and non-viable seeds of Juniperus polycarpos

A large quantity of non-viable (empty, insect-attacked and shriveled) seeds of Juniperus polycarpos (K. Koch) is often encountered during seed collection, which should be removed from the seed lots to ensure precision sowing in the nursery or out in the field. The aims of this study were to evaluate different modelling approaches and to examine the sensitivity of the change in detection system (Silicon-detector in the shorter vis-a-vis InGsAs-detector in the longer NIR regions) for discriminating non-viable seeds from viable seeds by Near Infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. NIR reflectance spectra were collected from single seeds, and discriminant models were developed by Partial Least Squares - Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) and Orthogonal Projection to Latent Structures - Discriminant Analysis (OPLS-DA) using the entire or selected NIR regions. Both modelling approaches resulted in 98% and 100% classification accuracy for viable and non-viable seeds in the test set, respectively. However, OPLS-DA models were superb in terms of model parsimony and information quality. Modelling in the shorter and longer wavelength region also resulted in similar classification accuracy, suggesting that prediction of class membership is insensitive to change in the detection system. The origins of spectral differences between non-viable and viable seeds were attributed to differences in seed coat chemical composition, mainly terpenoids that were dominant in non-viable seeds and storage reserves in viable seeds. In conclusion, the results demonstrate that NIR spectroscopy has great potential as seed sorting technology to upgrade seed lot quality that ensures precision sowing.
Experiential and cognitive changes following seven minutes exposure to music and speech

In Two Experiments, We Assessed the Experiential and cognitive consequences of seven minutes exposure to music (Experiment 1) and speech (Experiment 2). In Experiment 1, participants listened to music for seven minutes and reported their emotional experiences based on ratings of valence (pleasant-unpleasant) and two types of arousal: energy (energetic-boring) and tension (tense-calm). They were then assessed on two cognitive skills: speed of processing and creativity. Music varied in pitch height (high or low pitched), rate (fast or slow), and intensity (loud or soft). Experiment 2 replicated Experiment 1 using male and female speech. Experiential and cognitive consequences of stimulus manipulations were overlapping in the two experiments, suggesting that music and speech draw on a common emotional code. There were also divergent effects, however, implicating domain-specific influences on emotion induction. We discuss the results in view of a psychological framework for understanding auditory signals of emotion.
Aspects and Challenges of Mobile Crowdcomputing

In this paper, I discuss what is crowdsensing and crowdsourcing and how they work from a high level perspective. I show examples of applied applications and detail some of them. Having such power and abilities is a great thing but it comes with a price and therefore I also discuss the challenges that mobile sensing applications have to face. Finally, I have a glimpse at the near future brought by this revolutionary field.