Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Teachers’ guidance, family participation and track choice: the educational disadvantage of immigrant students in Italy

In Italy, as in other European countries, students of foreign origin are over-represented in the vocational school tracks, with relevant consequences on their limited chances of attaining a university degree. While research has long underlined the weight that a family’s social, cultural and economic capital has on a child’s school performance, educational expectations and choices, the role that school and teachers themselves play in the transition from lower to upper secondary school has been rarely explored in Italian sociological research. The present study aims to bridge this gap in the literature, showing how teachers’ orienting practices, interacting with highly differentiated patterns of family participation in the school guidance process, can play a relevant role in reproducing foreign-origin students’ segregation into the lower tracks of the school system.
MMSLDI: a distributed data integration system

This paper addresses the issues of data integration in large scale systems that composed of large number of data sources. To handle these issues, it proposes a distributed integration system that is called Multi-Mediators System for Large-Scale Data Integration (MMSLDI). MMSLDI consists of an integration architecture and a set of sub-systems called mapping systems. The purpose of the integration architecture is to provide an infrastructure for logical distribution of the data sources and the interaction between them. The purpose of the mapping system is to facilitate querying of a set of heterogeneous data sources that are distributed over multiple data sources. To implement the proposed system, the specifications of a multi-agent system are provided. MMSLDI enables the reducing of the general query processing time by eliminating unnecessary visits to the data sources that do not contribute to the answer of the query. Moreover, it satisfies the requirements of adaptation to various kinds of domains, decentralized control, and automation of its processes.
Alerting Network Dysfunction in Early Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract The objective of this study is to assess attention in recently diagnosed relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients. Twenty-seven patients with early multiple sclerosis and low clinical disability scores (EDSS<2) and 27 sex-, age-, and education-matched healthy controls underwent attention assessment using the Attentional Network Test, a computerized task designed to measure efficiency independently in 3 attentional networks (Alerting, Orienting and Executive Control). MS patients had significantly less efficiency in the Alerting network (p = .006). In contrast, in the Orienting and Executive Control networks, they did not differ from controls. A significant interaction between Alerting and Executive Control was also found in the MS patients (p = .007). Early relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis particularly affects the Alerting domain of attention, whereas the Orienting and Executive Control domains are not affected. (JINS, 2012, 18, 1–7)
Co-simulation of control for thermal and electrical smart micro grids on a PLC-based testbed

We propose a co-simulation architecture for a campus with multiple buildings equipped with air conditioning (AC) system, photovoltaic (PV) panels and energy storage systems (ESSs). The energy generated by the PV panels, the instantaneous power consumption in the buildings as well as the temperature variations inside the building are simulated, while the exchange of information and the control operations are implemented in hardware on development kits in order to assess the impact of realistic communication and control solutions. The advantage of the co-simulation architecture is the ability to emulate in a short time phenomena that are otherwise slow (such as temperature changes), thus providing a solution for fast prototyping of control and communication architectures for smart grids.We also integrate the control of AC and batteries into a new single control strategy. Main contributions of the paper are: a simplification of both the PV model and the power consumption models present in the literature, the integration of the models for the PV panels, battery, thermal system and power load models into a single simulator, the design of a control and communication architecture for the optimization of the power consumption, the integration of the control of the AC into the battery control. Results obtained with the co-simulation architecture are presented and discussed.
Studying Hallucinations Within the NIMH RDoC Framework

We explore how hallucinations might be studied within the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) framework, which asks investigators to step back from diagnoses based on symptoms and focus on basic dimensions of functioning. We start with a description of the objectives of the RDoC project and its domains and constructs. Because the RDoC initiative asks investigators to study phenomena across the wellness spectrum and different diagnoses, we address whether hallucinations experienced in nonclinical populations are the same as those experienced by people with psychotic diagnoses, and whether hallucinations studied in one clinical group can inform our understanding of the same phenomenon in another. We then discuss the phenomenology of hallucinations and how different RDoC domains might be relevant to their study. We end with a discussion of various challenges and potential next steps to advance the application of the RDoC approach to this area of research.
How to assess performance in cycling: the multivariate nature of influencing factors and related indicators

Finding an optimum for the cycling performance is not a trivial matter, since the literature shows the presence of many controversial aspects. In order to quantify different levels of performance, several indexes have been defined and used in many studies, reflecting variations in physiological and biomechanical factors. In particular, indexes such as Gross Efficiency (GE), Net Efficiency (NE) and Delta Efficiency (DE) have been referred to changes in metabolic efficiency (EffMet), while the Indexes of Effectiveness (IE), defined over the complete crank revolution or over part of it, have been referred to variations in mechanical effectiveness (EffMech). All these indicators quantify the variations of different factors [i.e., muscle fibers type distribution, pedaling cadence, setup of the bicycle frame, muscular fatigue (MFat), environmental variables, ergogenic aids, psychological traits (PsychTr)], which, moreover, show high mutual correlation. In the attempt of assessing cycling performance, most studies in the literature keep all these factors separated. This may bring to misleading results, leaving unanswered the question of how to improve cycling performance. This work provides an overview on the studies involving indexes and factors usually related to performance monitoring and assessment in cycling. In particular, in order to clarify all those aspects, the mutual interactions among these factors are highlighted, in view of a global performance assessment. Moreover, a proposal is presented advocating for a model-based approach that considers all factors mentioned in the survey, including the mutual interaction effects, for the definition of an objective function E representing the overall effectiveness of a training program in terms of both EffMet and EffMech.
Glucose‐dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and its receptor (GIPR): Cellular localization, lesion‐affected expression, and impaired regenerative axonal growth

Glucose‐dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) was initially described to be rapidly regulated by endocrine cells in response to nutrient ingestion, with stimulatory effects on insulin synthesis and release. Previously, we demonstrated a significant up‐regulation of GIP mRNA in the rat subiculum after fornix injury. To gain more insight into the lesion‐induced expression of GIP and its receptor (GIPR), expression profiles of the mRNAs were studied after rat sciatic nerve crush injury in 1) affected lumbar dorsal root ganglia (DRG), 2) spinal cord segments, and 3) proximal and distal nerve fragments by means of quantitative RT‐PCR. Our results clearly identified lesion‐induced as well as tissue type‐specific mRNA regulation of GIP and its receptor. Furthermore, comprehensive immunohistochemical stainings not only confirmed and exceeded the previous observation of neuronal GIP expression but also revealed corresponding GIPR expression, implying putative modulatory functions of GIP/GIPR signaling in adult neurons. In complement, we also observed expression of GIP and its receptor in myelinating Schwann cells and oligodendrocytes. Polarized localization of GIPR in the abaxonal Schwann cell membranes, plasma membrane‐associated GIPR expression of satellite cells, and ependymal GIPR expression strongly suggests complex cell type‐specific functions of GIP and GIPR in the adult nervous system that are presumably mediated by autocrine and paracrine interactions, respectively. Notably, in vivo analyses with GIPR‐deficient mice suggest a critical role of GIP/GIPR signal transduction in promoting spontaneous recovery after nerve crush, insofar as traumatic injury of GIPR‐deficient mouse sciatic nerve revealed impaired axonal regeneration compared with wild‐type mice. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Underwriting Cycles in Asia

This study examines the presence and causes of the underwriting cycle in Asia. It also compares the characteristics of the underwriting cycle in emerging markets in Asia with its characteristics in developed markets. We found that, first, second-order autoregression results support the existence of the underwriting cycle in Asia. Second, the analysis of premium changes provides some support for the rational expectations/institutional intervention hypothesis. Third, although there is little evidence to prove that the stock markets and interest rates have caused the cycle in Asia, the results seem to indicate that the underwriting cycles in Asian countries are mainly related to the pace of the economic growth in those countries. Fourth, our results with respect to the factors affecting the changes in premiums generally differ from those found for the developed nations.
The Life Cycle of Groups: Group Developmental Stage Theory

Originally published in Contemporary Psychology: APA Review of Books, 1981, Vol 26(7), 562. Reviews the book, The Life Cycle of Groups: Group Developmental Stage Theory by Roy B. Lacoursiere (1980). Groups progress through five stages orientation, dissatisfaction, resolution, production, and termina
Paid Family Leave, Fathers' Leave-Taking, and Leave-Sharing in Dual-Earner Households

Using difference-in-difference and difference-in-difference-in-difference designs, we study California's Paid Family Leave (CA-PFL) program, the first source of government-provided paid parental leave available to fathers in the Unites States. Relative to the pre-treatment mean, fathers of infants in California are 46 percent more likely to be on leave when CA-PFL is available. In households where both parents work, we find suggestive evidence that CA-PFL increases both father-only leave-taking (i.e., father on leave while mother is at work) and joint leave-taking (i.e., both parents on leave at the same time). Effects are larger for fathers of first-born children than for fathers of later-born children.
Data Vaporizer - Towards a Configurable Enterprise Data Storage Framework in Public Cloud

We propose a novel cloud-based data storage solution framework named Data Vaporizer (DV). The proposed framework provides many unique features such as storing data over multiple clouds or storage zones, resistance against organized vendor attacks, maintaining data integrity and confidentiality through client-side processing, fault-tolerance against failure of one or more cloud storage locations and avoids vendor lock-in of data. Data Vaporizer is highly configurable to meet various client data encryption requirements, compliance to industry standards and fault tolerance constraints depending on the nature and sensitivity of the data. To enhance the level of security and reliability, especially to protect data against malicious attacks and secure key management in cloud, DV uses advanced techniques of secret sharing of the keys. The architecture and optimality of data placement and efficient key management algorithm of DV ensure that the solution is highly scalable. The data foot print and subsequent cost incurred by our storage solution is minimal, considering the benefits provided. The initial response for the adoption of DV in actual client scenarios is promising.
Response of facial and rubrospinal neurons to axotomy: changes in mRNA expression for cytoskeletal proteins and GAP-43

Neurons confined within the mammalian CNS usually do not regenerate after axonal injury, while axonal regeneration is the rule in the PNS. It has been hypothesized that this may be related to differences in the microenvironment of the PNS versus CNS and to differences in the neuronal response to injury. In order to test the latter hypothesis, we compared changes in gene expression after axotomy in two populations of neurons: rat facial motoneurons and rat rubrospinal neurons. In situ hybridization with cDNA probes for the medium and light neurofilament protein revealed a reduced mRNA content in both facial and rubrospinal neurons at all times investigated (i.e., 1, 2, and 3 weeks after axotomy). On the other hand, mRNAs for actin and tubulin were increased in both neuronal populations during the first week after axotomy. While this increase was sustained in facial motoneurons for several weeks, total tubulin mRNA and actin mRNA were decreased in rubrospinal neurons at 2 and 3 weeks after axotomy, coincident with their atrophy. The developmentally regulated T alpha 1 tubulin mRNA, which was previously shown to be reexpressed in facial motoneurons after axotomy, was elevated severalfold in axotomized rubrospinal neurons, and increased levels persisted in some rubrospinal neurons as late as 7 weeks after axotomy. Similarly, the developmentally regulated GAP-43 mRNA increased in both axotomized facial and rubrospinal neurons, and increased levels were sustained in some axotomized rubrospinal neurons for at least 7 weeks. The response of rubrospinal neurons to axotomy in the cervical spinal cord is, in the first week, qualitatively similar to the response of facial motoneurons. However, by 2 weeks after axotomy there is a generalized reduction in mRNA levels for all three cytoskeletal proteins that is associated with neuronal atrophy. During this period, mRNA levels for the two specific markers of the growth state, T alpha 1 tubulin and GAP-43, remain elevated. Thus, axotomy of rubrospinal neurons appears to set in motion two independent events. First, an axotomy signal initiates a cell-body reaction similar to that of PNS neurons, including increased mRNA levels for T alpha 1 tubulin and GAP- 43. Later, a generalized cellular atrophy and decrease in mRNA levels occur without reversing the specific responses of T alpha 1 and GAP-43 to axotomy. We conclude that the failure of rubrospinal neurons to regenerate is not due to a failure to initiate gene-expression changes characteristic of regenerating peripheral neurons.
Upper Extremity Retraining Following Stroke: Effects of Bilateral Practice

Clinical observation of bilateral action and the motor control literature suggested a novel method of normalizing patterns of upper extremity movement following stroke, a problem that continues to challenge rehabilitation research. Eight single case, mul tiple baseline experiments on post-acute stroke subjects compared bilateral isokine matic training (BIT) against unilateral practice with the hemiplegic upper extremity (four experiments) or against bilateral practice with hands linked (four experiments). Unilateral performance with the hemiplegic arm of three grasp and reach actions (block placement, simulated drinking, peg to eye level target) was measured by blind, standardized observational kinematic analysis over four phases of ten daily sessions. For all three actions, phase 1 comprised baseline conditions of either unilateral prac tice or bilateral practice with linked hands. Baselines continued until introduction of BIT in staggered order to each of the three actions in phases 2, 3, or 4. Improvements were statistically superior to the generally negligible effects of unilateral or hands linked practice for all three actions in six experiments. One experiment showed significant effects in two of the three actions and the eighth in only one action. Improvements were clinically significant, normal performance ranges being reached for the majority of cases, with good maintenance at six-month follow-up. Key Words: Bilateral prac tice—Brain reorganization—Stroke—Rehabilitation.
Robustness Analysis of Structured Matrix Factorization via Self-Dictionary Mixed-Norm Optimization

We are interested in a low-rank matrix factorization problem where one of the matrix factors has a special structure; specifically, its columns live in the unit simplex. This problem finds applications in diverse areas such as hyperspectral unmixing, video summarization, spectrum sensing, and blind speech separation. Prior works showed that such a factorization problem can be formulated as a self-dictionary sparse optimization problem under some assumptions that are considered realistic in many applications, and convex mixed norms were employed as optimization surrogates to realize the factorization in practice. Numerical results have shown that the mixed-norm approach demonstrates promising performance. In this letter, we conduct performance analysis of the mixed-norm approach under noise perturbations. Our result shows that using a convex mixed norm can indeed yield provably good solutions. More importantly, we also show that using nonconvex mixed (quasi) norms is more advantageous in terms of robustness against noise.
Privacy Implications of Ubiquitous Caching in Named Data Networking Architectures

Content is at the heart of next-generation Internet architectures such as Content-Centric Networking (CCN): Instead of routing location-based messages to end hosts, the network transmits location-independent, named content objects. Such data objects can (and are envisioned to) be cached in arbitrary network nodes. In this technical report, we discuss several privacy attacks related to the ubiquitous presence of caching in CCN: Attackers can monitor access to specific content objects by other users connected to the same cache, they can discover the names of objects stored in the cache, and they can duplicate entire data flows from and to other users of the cache. We identify the architectural features and protocol functions that make these attacks possible, and we recommend measures to mitigate cache-based attacks.
Detecting honeypots and other suspicious environments

To learn more about attack patterns and attacker behavior, the concept of electronic decoys, i.e. network resources (computers, routers, switches, etc.) deployed to be probed, attacked, and compromised, is used in the area of IT security under the name honeypots. These electronic baits lure in attackers and help in assessment of vulnerabilities. Because honeypots are more and more deployed within computer networks, malicious attackers start to devise techniques to detect and circumvent these security tools. This paper will explain how an attacker typically proceeds in order to attack this kind of systems. We will introduce several techniques and present diverse tools and techniques which help attackers. In addition, we present several methods to detect suspicious environments (e.g. virtual machines and presence of debuggers). The article aims at showing the limitation of current honey pot-based research. After a brief theoretical introduction, we present several technical examples of different methodologies.
Imaging of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract and are defined by their expression of KIT (CD117). This article includes 109 pathologically proven GISTs, with emphasis on their various computed tomography (CT) features. Although the images of GISTs on the CT scan are often distinct from those of epithelial tumors, radiologists should be familiar with these features for the accurate diagnosis of GISTs.
The Production and Consumption Accounting Principles as a Guideline for Designing Environmental Tax Policy

This paper evaluates two alternative tax policies aimed at reducing atmospheric pollutant emissions. One based upon an environmental tax that burdens directly firms' emissions, and the other one that burdens both directly and indirectly household consumption's emissions. Applying input-output approach, we reallocate the emissions generated in the economy according to the responsibility definition, i.e. the production or the consumption accounting principle. Afterwards, we analyse the effects on the products' prices of implementing an ad-quantum environmental tax based on the Producer Pays Principle (PPP) and/or on the User Pays Principle (UPP). The results obtained, show that both PPP and UPP environmental tax have the same effect on the final products' prices. However, the price of the intermediate products is only affected by the PPP environmental tax, whereas the UPP environmental tax keeps the prices unchanged.
The vaginal microbiota, host defence and reproductive physiology

The interaction between the human host and the vaginal microbiota is highly dynamic. Major changes in the vaginal physiology and microbiota over a woman's lifetime are largely shaped by transitional periods such as puberty, menopause and pregnancy, while daily fluctuations in microbial composition observed through culture‐independent studies are more likely to be the results of daily life activities and behaviours. The vaginal microbiota of reproductive‐aged women is largely made up of at least five different community state types. Four of these community state types are dominated by lactic‐acid producing Lactobacillus spp. while the fifth is commonly composed of anaerobes and strict anaerobes and is sometimes associated with vaginal symptoms. The production of lactic acid has been associated with contributing to the overall health of the vagina due to its direct and indirect effects on pathogens and host defence. Some species associated with non‐Lactobacillus vaginal microbiota may trigger immune responses as well as degrade the host mucosa, processes that ultimately increase susceptibility to infections and contribute to negative reproductive outcomes such as infertility and preterm birth. Further studies are needed to better understand the functional underpinnings of how the vaginal microbiota affect host physiology but also how host physiology affects the vaginal microbiota. Understanding this fine‐tuned interaction is key to maintaining women's reproductive health.