Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Making Volunteers: Civic Life after Welfare's End, by Nina Eliasoph

Feldman, L. (2013). Cloudy with a chance of heat balls: The portrayal of global warming on The Daily Show and The Colbert Report. International Journal of Communication, 7, 430–451. Feldman, L. , Maibach, E. W. , Roser-Renouf, C. , & Leiserowitz, A. (2012). Climate on cable: The nature and impact of global warming coverage on Fox News, CNN, and MSNBC. International Journal of Press/Politics, 17, 3–31. Hart, P. S. , & Leiserowitz, A. A. (2009). Finding a teachable moment: An analysis of informationseeking behavior on global warming related websites during the release of The Day After Tomorrow. Environmental Communication, 3, 355–366. Nisbet, M. C. (2009, March/April). Communication climate change: Why frames matter for public engagement. Environment, pp. 12–23. Oreskes, N. (2004). The scientific consensus on climate change. Science, 306, 1686–1687.
MINIMAL METRICS ON NILMANIFOLDS

A left invariant metric on a nilpotent Lie group is called minimal, if it minimizes the norm of the Ricci tensor among all left invariant metrics with the same scalar curvature. Such metrics are unique up to isometry and scaling and the groups admitting a minimal metric are precisely the nilradicals of (standard) Einstein solvmanifolds. If N is endowed with an invariant sym- plectic, complex or hypercomplex structure, then minimal compatible metrics are also unique up to isometry and scaling. The aim of this paper is to give more evidence of the existence of minimal metrics, by presenting several ex- plicit examples. This also provides many continuous families of symplectic, complex and hypercomplex nilpotent Lie groups. A list of all known examples of Einstein solvmanifolds is also given.
Multi-object particle filter revisited

Instead of the filtering density, we are interested in the entire posterior density that describes the random set of object trajectories. So far only Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) technique have been proposed to approximate the posterior distribution of the set of trajectories. Using labeled random finite set we show how the classical multi-object particle filter (a direct generalisation of the standard particle filter to the multi-object case) can be used to recursively compute posterior distribution of the set of trajectories. The result is a generic Bayesian multi-object tracker that does not require re-computing the posterior at every time step nor running a long Markov chain, and is much more efficient than the MCMC approximations.
High-level synthesis with pin constraints for multiple-chip designs

The authors describe an approach to multi-chip data path synthesis, given a behavorial description which has already been partitioned into a number of clusters, with the feasibility of clusters determined. The problem is divided into interchip connection determination and scheduling. A heuristic search technique is described for interchip connection determination. A pipelined RTL design consisting of multiple chips was produced by the software. A set of communication buses among the chips was determined, and the values to be transferred were scheduled on the pins and buses. The RTL design produced satisfied user-supplied constraints, including the number of input-output pins on individual chips. <<ETX>>
Variables psicológicas predictoras de evolución en una Unidad de Deshabituación Residencial (U.D.R.)

Objective: To study the possible predictive capacity of different psychological variables on the evolution from the subjects as of the sixth month of processing in a Therapeutic Community - Unidad de Deshabituacion Residencial (U.D.R.). Method: The sample is composed by 47 subjects (6 women and 41 men) heroin addicts that made processing in the Therapeutic Community "Balsa Blanca". The psychological evaluation was made with following questionnaires: 16-PF, BDI and STAI. It was carried out a regression of Cox and a discriminante analysis. Results: the regression of Cox selected a assembly of four predicting variables, of such form which those subjects that at the beginning of processing obtained discharges scores in sensitivity last (trusted itself, realistic),analytical-critic (liberal, experimental), self-sufficient and little controlled socialization had more probabilities of leaving after six months of processing. Discriminate analysis selected a assembly of two psychological variables that present/display great predictive value when classifying correctly the 93,68% of the subjects that leave: I (sensitivity lasts) and QIII- (little controlled socialization). Conclusions: The knowledge of these predicting variables of abandonment in U.D. R. can serve to improve the design and the planning of the processing helping to prevent the injurious effects with the same ones.
Subword-based minimum verification error (SB-MVE) training for task independent utterance verification

We formulate a training framework and present a method for task independent utterance verification. Verification-specific HMMs are defined and discriminatively trained using minimum verification error training. Task independence is accomplished by performing the verification on the subword level and training the verification models using a general phonetically balanced database that is independent of the application tasks. Experimental results show that the proposed method significantly outperforms two other commonly used task independent utterance verification techniques. It is shown that the equal error rate of false alarms and false keyword rejection is reduced by more than 22% compared to the other two methods on a large vocabulary recognition task.
Wavelet domain watermarking using maximum-likelihood detection

A digital watermark is an imperceptible mark placed on multimedia content for a variety of applications including copyright protection, fingerprinting, broadcast monitoring, etc. Traditionally, watermark detection algorithms are based on the correlation between the watermark and the media the watermark is embedded in. Although simple to use, correlation detection is only optimal when the watermark embedding process follows an additive rule and when the media is drawn from Gaussian distributions. More recent works on watermark detection are based on decision theory. In this paper, a maximum-likelihood (ML) detection scheme based on Bayes's decision theory is proposed for image watermarking in wavelet transform domain. The decision threshold is derived using the Neyman-Pearson criterion to minimize the missed detection probability subject to a given false alarm probability. The detection performance depends on choosing a probability distribution function (PDF) that can accurately model the distribution of the wavelet transform coefficients. The generalized Gaussian PDF is adopted here. Previously, the Gaussian PDF, which is a special case, has been considered for such detection scheme. Using extensive experimentation, the generalized Gaussian PDF is shown to be a better model.
Stability Analysis of a Wind Energy Conversion System Based on a Doubly Fed Induction Generator Fed by a Matrix Converter

In this paper, the performance of a grid-connected wind energy conversion system (WECS), based on a doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) fed by a matrix converter (MC), is presented. The MC replaces the back-to-back converters conventionally used to control a DFIG. The MC is operated with close-to-unity power factor at the grid side. Stability issues related to the operation of the MC in the proposed WECS are discussed. A small signal model is used to investigate the dynamic performance of the two control arrangements discussed in this paper. Experimental results, obtained with a 4-kW prototype, are presented and fully discussed in this paper. The performance of the system for variable speed generation is verified using the emulation of a variable speed wind turbine implemented with a digitally controlled dc machine.
Non-linearities in Theory-of-Mind Development

Research on Theory-of-Mind (ToM) has mainly focused on ages of core ToM development. This article follows a quantitative approach focusing on the level of ToM understanding on a measurement scale, the ToM Storybooks, in 324 typically developing children between 3 and 11 years of age. It deals with the eventual occurrence of developmental non-linearities in ToM functioning, using smoothing techniques, dynamic growth model building and additional indicators, namely moving skewness, moving growth rate changes and moving variability. The ToM sum-scores showed an overall developmental trend that leveled off toward the age of 10 years. Within this overall trend two non-linearities in the group-based change pattern were found: a plateau at the age of around 56 months and a dip at the age of 72–78 months. These temporary regressions in ToM sum-score were accompanied by a decrease in growth rate and variability, and a change in skewness of the ToM data, all suggesting a developmental shift in ToM understanding. The temporary decreases also occurred in the different ToM sub-scores and most clearly so in the core ToM component of beliefs. It was also found that girls had an earlier growth spurt than boys and that the underlying developmental path was more salient in girls than in boys. The consequences of these findings are discussed from various theoretical points of view, with an emphasis on a dynamic systems interpretation of the underlying developmental paths.
ICESat-2 ATLAS telescope testing

Many lessons were learned in the comprehensive testing of the one meter Beryllium flight telescope for the ICESat-2 mission. This paper will focus on testing areas of encircled energy analysis, plate scale measurements, and boresight alignment for alignment of fiber optic cables. The Optical Development System Lab (ODSL) at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) was developed to build up experience using engineering test units. This experience was applied to testing the flight telescope. Several tests were able to be performed on the telescope itself, helping drive down risk, cost, and schedule during the integration phase of the telescope onto the instrument and box structure. The main ICESat-2 instrument is the Advanced Topographic Laser Altimeter System (ATLAS). It measures ice elevation by transmitting laser pulses, and collecting the reflection in a telescope. Because so few photons return from each pulse, the alignment of each receiver channel fiber is critical as well as minimizing the distortion. The lab consisted of a clean room with a one meter parabola collimator system with a point source fiber-coupled 532nm laser and a CCD detector. This was used to feed collimated light into the telescope that was recorded with a CCD detector in the telescope focal plane. A large one meter flat mirror was used to certify the collimator system. Fiber optic cables were also used to back-illuminate the telescope and image in the collimator focal plane. The telescope was mounted in a gimbal that allowed for three degrees of rotational freedom allowing the telescope to be steered to each respective science field point. The setup worked well for accomplishing the testing. Through well written procedures and prior experience, the testing was carried out according to plan and on schedule despite obstacles along the way such as late ground support equipment and tests that needed to be repeated. The objective of this paper is to share those lessons learned for optical alignment of a receiver telescope assembly to promote future mission success.
Advanced Glycation End Products and Diabetic Cardiovascular Disease

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are formed by a nonenzymatic reaction of sugar moieties (eg, glucose, fructose, glycolytic adducts) with the free amino groups on amino acid residues of proteins. A growing body of data demonstrate that AGEs are intimately involved in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease by stimulating inflammation, contributing to atheroma formation, and modulating vascular stiffness. The role of AGEs as potential biomarkers for disease presence and prognosis in patients with diabetes mellitus remains an active area of study. Epidemiologic and angiographic studies suggest that AGE levels may be related to the presence and extent of atherosclerosis, and may predict future outcomes in select populations. The present review summarizes the relevant evidence supporting the role of advanced glycation in promoting atherosclerosis and the epidemiologic studies demonstrating an association between AGEs and diabetic cardiovascular disease.
Multilevel Simulation Based Policy Iteration for Optimal Stopping-Convergence and Complexity

This paper presents a novel approach to reducing the complexity of simulation based policy iter- ation methods for solving optimal stopping problems. Typically, Monte Carlo construction of an improved policy gives rise to a nested simulation algorithm. In this respect our new approach uses the multilevel idea in the context of the nested simulations, where each level corresponds to a spe- cific number of inner simulations. A thorough analysis of the convergence rates in the multilevel policy improvement algorithm is presented. A detailed complexity analysis shows that a significant reduction in computational effort can be achieved in comparison to the standard Monte Carlo based policy iteration. The performance of the multilevel method is illustrated in the case of pricing a multidimensional American derivative.
Online Event Recommendation for Event-based Social Networks

With the rapid growth of event-based social networks, the demand of event recommendation becomes increasingly important. While, the existing event recommendation approaches are batch learning fashion. Such approaches are impractical for real-world recommender systems where training data often arrive sequentially. Hence, we present an online event recommendation method. Experimental results on several real-world datasets demonstrate the utility of our method.
Inhibitory actions of delta 1-, delta 2-, and mu-opioid receptor agonists on excitatory transmission in lamina II neurons of adult rat spinal cord

This study examined the electrophysiological consequences of selective activation of delta 1-, delta 2-, or mu-opioid receptors using whole- cell recordings made from visually identified lamina II neurons in thin transverse slices of young adult rat lumbar spinal cord. Excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) or potentials (EPSPs) were evoked electrically at the ipsilateral dorsal root entry zone after blocking inhibitory inputs with bicuculline and strychnine, and NMDA receptors with D-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid. Bath application of the mu receptor agonist [D-Ala2, N-MePhe4, Gly5-ol]enkephalin (DAMGO) or the delta 1 receptor agonist [D-Pen2, D-Pen5]enkephalin (DPDPE) produced a long-linear, concentration-dependent reduction in the amplitude of the evoked EPSP/EPSC. By comparison, the delta 2 receptor agonist [D- Ala2,Glu4]deltorphin (DELT) was unable to reduce the evoked EPSP/EPSC by more than 50% at 100 microM, the highest concentration tested. At concentrations that reduced evoked EPSP/EPSCs by 40–60%, neither DAMGO, DPDPE, nor DELT decreased the amplitude of the postsynaptic current produced by brief pressure ejection of (S)-alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5- methyl-4-isoxazole-propionic acid, suggesting a presynaptic site of action of these opioid receptor agonists. Bath application of 200 nM naltriben (NTB), a delta 2 receptor antagonist, competitively increased the EC75 of DELT by 15.3-fold, but did not antagonize either DPDPE or DAMGO. The EC75 of DELT was further increased by 169.7-fold in the presence of 1 microM NTB. However, this high concentration of NTB also increased the EC50 of DPDPE by about threefold in a noncompetitive manner and antagonized DAMGO in a noncompetitive manner. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Risikofaktoren für Probleme mit exzessiver Computer- und Internetnutzung von 14- bis 17-jährigen Jugendlichen in Deutschland: Ergebnisse einer deutschlandweiten Repräsentativerhebung

Zusammenfassung In dem vorliegenden Artikel wird zunachst ein Modell vorgestellt, mit Hilfe dessen Probleme mit exzessiver Computer- und Internetnutzung von Jugendlichen aus drei Perspektiven abgebildet werden konnen: die wissenschaftlichobjektive Perspektive, die subjektive Perspektive der Eltern und die subjektive Perspektive der Jugendlichen. Datengrundlage bildet eine Reprasentativerhebung von 1744 Jugendlichen zwischen 14 und 17 Jahren in Deutschland sowie jeweils einem dazugehorigen Elternteil. Des Weiteren werden mit einer logistischen Regression Risikofaktoren wie Geschlecht, Sozialstatus, Familienklima und Nutzungszeiten dahingehend untersucht, inwieweit sie die Wahrscheinlichkeit erhohen konnen, zur problematischsten Gruppe zu gehoren. Schlagworter: Familie, Internetnutzung im Jugendalter, Risikofaktoren Internetsucht, exzessive Mediennutzung, Reprasentativerhebung Deutschland ----- Risk Factors for Problems with Excessive Computer and Internet use of 14- to 17-Year-Old Adolescents in Germany: Results of a Countrywide Representative Survey Abstract The article begins with the introduction of a model that intends to capture the problems resulting from excessive computer and internet use by adolescents. The model contains three perspectives: the scientific-objective perspective, the subjective perspective of parents and the subjective perspective of adolescents. The data basis for this is a representative survey of 1744 adolescents in Germany (aged 14 to 17) including one parent per adolescent. In addition, the article uses a logistic regression to investigate if riskfactors like gender, social state, emotional family environment and amount of adolescent’s internet use might enhance the probability of being part of the most problematic sub-group. Keywords: family, internet use in adolescence, risk-factors internet addiction, excessive media use, representative survey Germany
Judgment Based on Improved Decision Tree Algorithm

Key resource page is one of the most important search target pages for Web search users. Decision tree learning is one of the most widely-used and practical methods for inductive inference in machine learning. Because of the difficulty in uniform sampling of Web pages, there are not enough negative instances for training a key resource decision tree. To solve the problem, the original algorithm is partly modified to learn from global instead of individual instance information. With the same evaluation method as TREC (Text Retrieval Conference) 2003, large scale retrieval experiments based on improved decision tree algorithm achieves more than 40% improvement than the ones based on the original algorithm. It not only offers an effective way for selecting Web key resource pages, but also shows a possible way to improve decision tree learning performances.
Early effects of gliadin on enterocyte intracellular signalling involved in intestinal barrier function

Background and aims: Despite the progress made in understanding the immunological aspects of the pathogenesis of coeliac disease (CD), the early steps that allow gliadin to cross the intestinal barrier are still largely unknown. The aim of this study was to establish whether gliadin activates a zonulin dependent enterocyte intracellular signalling pathway(s) leading to increased intestinal permeability. Methods: The effect of gliadin on the enterocyte actin cytoskeleton was studied on rat intestinal epithelial (IEC-6) cell cultures by fluorescence microscopy and spectrofluorimetry. Zonulin concentration was measured on cell culture supernatants by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Transepithelial intestinal resistance (Rt) was measured on ex vivo intestinal tissues mounted in Ussing chambers. Results: Incubation of cells with gliadin led to a reversible protein kinase C (PKC) mediated actin polymerisation temporarily coincident with zonulin release. A significant reduction in Rt was observed after gliadin addition on rabbit intestinal mucosa mounted in Ussing chambers. Pretreatment with the zonulin inhibitor FZI/0 abolished the gliadin induced actin polymerisation and Rt reduction but not zonulin release. Conclusions: Gliadin induces zonulin release in intestinal epithelial cells in vitro. Activation of the zonulin pathway by PKC mediated cytoskeleton reorganisation and tight junction opening leads to a rapid increase in intestinal permeability.
Empirical Models of Pollen Limitation, Resource Acquisition, and Mast Seeding by a Bee‐Pollinated Wildflower

Synchronous mast seeding is increasingly recognized as common in plant populations. Recent theoretical models show that synchronous mast seeding could be a consequence of resource allocation and storage within individual plants, coupled by pollen limitation in low‐flowering years. We used long‐term population and weather data to parameterize models of flowering based on stored resources and pollen limitation in Astragalus scaphoides, a bee‐pollinated plant that flowers in alternate years. We used these models to test whether internal resource dynamics could explain mast seeding in A. scaphoides and, if so, whether synchrony was caused by pollen limitation and/or fluctuations in precipitation. We compared predictions of models that included all combinations of three factors: constant versus precipitation‐dependent resource gain, uniform versus heterogeneous resource gain (among individual plants), and resource‐dependent versus resource‐ and pollen‐limited fruit set. Pollen limitation and heterogeneous resource gain were necessary and sufficient to explain alternate‐year flowering, but precipitation increased the quantitative match between model predictions and flowering dynamics. Together, our results support the importance of density‐dependent pollen limitation as an ultimate and proximate cause of mast seeding in A. scaphoides. Precipitation does not act as a direct cue for synchrony in this species but might affect long‐term resource gain and fruiting dynamics.
The evolution of the international children's digital library searching and browsing interface

Elementary-age children (ages 6--11) are among the largest user groups of computers and the Internet, so it is important to design searching and browsing tools to support them. However, many such tools do not consider their skills and preferences. In this paper, we present the design rationale and process for creating the searching and browsing tool for the International Children's Digital Library (ICDL), the results from a user study evaluating it, and the challenges and possibilities it presents for other children's interfaces.
Questionnaire and interview in screening for hearing impairment in adults

Conclusion. Questionnaire and brief interview played an important complementary role in the mass hearing screening. Objectives. To evaluate the efficacy of mass screening for hearing loss. Subjects and methods. Review of a 9-year prospective screening (n=31 902) in a university. The screening comprised pure tone hearing screening at two frequencies (1000 Hz and 4000 Hz) and a questionnaire. Brief interview was introduced during the later 4-year period. The final diagnosis was made in the university hospital. Results. In hearing screening tests, approximate sensitivity was 89% for 1000 Hz and 91% for 4000 Hz. Approximate specificity was 89% and 88% for 1000 Hz and 4000 Hz, respectively. Brief interview with the subjects on the spot improved the accuracy, especially in specificity. Low tone sensorineural hearing loss, exudative otitis media and chronic otitis media could be overlooked without questionnaires.