Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A tagging algorithm for mixed language identification in a noisy domain

The bilingual nature of the Maltese Islands gives rise to frequent occurrences of code switching, both verbally and in writing. In designing a polyglot TTS system capable of handling SMS messages within the local context, it was necessary to come up with a pre-processing mechanism for identifying the language of origin of individual word tokens. Given that certain common words can be interlingually ambiguous and that the domain under consideration is both open and subject to containing various word contractions and spelling mistakes, the task is not as straightforward as it may seem at ﬁrst. In this paper we discuss a language neutral language identiﬁcation approach capable of handling the characteristics of the domain in a robust fashion.
Effect of curcumin in the amelioration of pancreatic islets in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the antidiabetic effect of curcumin and its potential in amelioration of pancreatic islets against damage under diabetic condition. MATERIAL AND METHOD Diabetic mice were induced by injection of STZ (60 mg/kg body weight). Male mice were divided into 3 groups: group I was normal mice, group II was diabetic mice and group III diabetic mice were treated with curcumin (200 mg/kg body weight). The blood glucose levels and body weights were recorded every two weeks. After 4 weeks, 8 weeks and 12 weeks, the animals in each group were sacrificed. Histopathology of pancreatic tissues, pancreatic islets areas and numbers were observed under light microscope. RESULTS The weight loss and the elevation of blood glucose levels were observed in diabetic mice and diabetic mice treated with curcumin at 4 weeks, 8 weeks and 12 weeks. The reduction of pancreatic islets areas and numbers were presented in diabetic mice and diabetic mice fed with curcumin at 4 weeks. At 8 weeks of diabetic mice, the numbers of pancreatic islets were decreased however the pancreatic islets hyperplasia was prominently investigated, whereas the noticeable increase in numbers of small pancreatic islets were observed in diabetic mice fed with curcumin. Histopathological observation at 12 weeks revealed the accumulation of lymphocytes in the shrunken pancreatic islets of diabetic mice, while an absent lymphocytes infiltration in the pancreatic islets and the increase in numbers of small islets of Langerhans appeared nearly the ducts in the pancreas of diabetic mice treated with curcumin at 12 weeks. CONCLUSION Curcumin treatment at 12 week can exert beneficial effect in diabetes mellitus, regarding the improvement of pancreatic islets. The islets of Langerhans neogenesis is characterize by the presentation of small islets increase in numbers nearly the ducts and no insulitis.
Effects of early or late-evening fatiguing physical activity on sleep quality in non-professional sportsmen.

BACKGROUND This study aims to understand whether night sleep-quality is distorted by fatiguing physical activity (PA) when conducted early or late in the evening. METHODS Nine males (18-38yrs) performed sessions of fatiguing-PA over 3 consecutive days (Mon-Wed), for 2 weeks. One week the PA was performed at 17h, and in the other week at 21h. A Control-week included no PA (PAABSENT). The fatiguing-PA sessions comprised several sets of the 20m Shuttle-Run-Test (20mSRT). Sleep was assessed by actigraphic recordings acquired over three nights each week. It included the nights following the PA-sessions and the same days in the week of PAABSENT. Sleep-quality perception was evaluated by mean of the National Sleep Foundation-Sleep Diary. The heart-rate (HR) and body-temperature (BT) at bed-time and waking-up were also registered. RESULTS Neither the 20mSTR-estimated VO2max nor the number of maximal 20mSRT sets were different in the PA17h and PA21h sessions. Compared to the PAABSENT, the PA17h and PA21h sessions increased the HR at bedtime, which recovered to baseline level after the night of sleep. BT was also reduced when waking-up compared to bed-time, but this was also observed in PAABSENT. Sleep parameters measured by means of actigraphy were not modified by fatiguing activity when compared to PAABSENT. Nevertheless, the subjective perception of sleep-quality was negatively altered by fatiguing PA. CONCLUSIONS Fatiguing PA performed early or late at the evening has no impact on objective sleep-quality but, subjectively, a deterioration of sleep-quality is perceived by the subjects.
Quality of life outcomes in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder: relationship to treatment response and symptom relapse.

OBJECTIVE Data were analyzed from 2 prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of escitalopram in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) to characterize the baseline levels of functional disability and impairment in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and to assess the relationship between treatment outcomes (response or relapse) and disability or HRQoL. METHOD Data from a 24-week, placebo-controlled, fixed-dose trial (N = 466) of escitalopram (10-20 mg/d) or paroxetine (40 mg/d) and from a 40-week, flexible-dose (escitalopram 10-20 mg/d), placebo-controlled relapse-prevention trial (N = 468) were analyzed. Obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms (DSM-IV criteria) were assessed using the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (YBOCS), functioning was assessed using the Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS), and HRQoL was assessed using the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form (SF-36). Baseline data were pooled for patients across both studies. For patients in the fixed-dose study, SDS and SF-36 scores were compared across treatment groups and for responders versus nonresponders. In the relapse-prevention trial, SDS and SF-36 scores were compared for relapsed versus nonrelapsed patients. RESULTS Patients with more severe baseline symptoms (YBOCS > or = 27) reported significantly greater impairment on the SDS (P < .001) and SF-36 (except for bodily pain). Patients receiving escitalopram or paroxetine reported significant improvements on most SF-36 dimensions and on the SDS compared to placebo; however, improvements in work-related functioning were seen earlier for patients receiving escitalopram (20 mg/d). At the study endpoints, SDS and SF-36 scores were significantly better for patients who were responders (versus nonresponders) and for patients who did not relapse (versus relapsers). CONCLUSIONS Obsessive-compulsive disorder is associated with significant impairment in functioning and HRQoL. Significant differences in disability and HRQoL between responders and nonresponders or relapsers and nonrelapsers suggest a relationship between symptomatic and functional outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION lundbecktrials.com Identifiers: 10205 and 10193.
Savings and Bequests

Empirical studies have indicated that the elderly seem to accumulate wealth after retirement, and that the desire to leave bequests is an important determinent of saving behavior, both kinds of results have cast doubt on the validity of the life cycle hypothesis of consumption. In the first part of this paper, a model of bequests is specified, and the implications for consumption and wealth trajectories are derived. The main result is that, even with a bequest motive, consumption generally decreases with age after retirement, and that wealth will also decrease for all but wealthy households. In the empirical part of the paper, wealth changes of retired households are reported over 10 years of panel data. Contrary to many results from cross-section data, the elderly do dissave: over 10 years the wealth of the elderly in the sample decreases by about 27 real. A test for a bequest motive is proposed. There is no evidence whatsoever for abequest motive.
Exchange Rate Volatility and Trade Flows: Evidence from China, Pakistan and India

This study examines the impact of exchange rate fluctuations on trade flows in case of China, Pakistan and India by using the time series data from 1980 to 2013. Most of the researchers have advocated that exchange rate volatility is negatively associated with general level of trade. In this study we have used the standard deviation of the moving average of the logarithm of the exchange rate as a proxy for volatility. And to investigate this relationship, we have applied the Autoregressive Distributive Lag (ARDL) approach for co-integration which estimates the short and long run relationship among the variables for the said period. The results of this empirical work have suggested that exchange rate volatility is negatively associated with Chinese exports in short run while positively associated in long run. However, in the case of Pakistan and India both in the short run and long run, the exchange rate volatility is negatively associated with total volume of trade.
Improved vision-related function after ranibizumab vs photodynamic therapy: a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE To compare patient-reported visual function in those with neovascular age-related macular degeneration treated with ranibizumab or verteporfin photodynamic therapy (PDT). DESIGN Multicenter, double-masked, phase 3 trial (ANCHOR). Participants were randomized in a 1:1:1 ratio to receive 0.3 or 0.5 mg of intravitreal ranibizumab plus sham verteporfin or sham injections plus active verteporfin monthly. The National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25 (NEI VFQ-25) was administered at baseline and 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Mean change from baseline in NEI VFQ-25 scores at 12 months. RESULTS At 12 months, patients treated with ranibizumab (0.3 mg [n = 137] or 0.5 mg [n = 139]) had mean improvements in NEI VFQ-25 composite scores of 5.9 (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.6 to 8.3) and 8.1 (95% CI, 5.3 to 10.8) points, respectively; patients treated with PDT (n = 142) had a mean improvement of 2.2 points (95% CI, -0.3 to 4.7; vs 0.5 mg of ranibizumab, P < .001; vs 0.3 mg of ranibizumab, P = .003). At each dose through 24 months, patients treated with ranibizumab were more likely to improve in most subscales, including the prespecified subscales (near activities, distance activities, and vision-specific dependency). CONCLUSIONS Patients treated with ranibizumab were more likely to report clinically meaningful improvements in visual function through 24 months compared with those treated with verteporfin PDT. Application to Clinical Practice Ranibizumab treatment in neovascular age-related macular degeneration can improve patient-reported visual function. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00061594.
Multiple on-site winery festivals: tourist motivations, winery festival destination performance, and repatronage intention

Little research has been done focusing on multiple festivals and those wineries hosting on-site festivals specifically located in the Southeastern US. The goal of this study was to employ multiple winery festivals to more fully understand winery tourists' motivations by examining push factors and pull factors of the attendees for on-site winery festivals located in the Southeastern US. The study utilized a gap measure between guest expectations and what the venue delivered by way of the attributes of the destination. Cluster analysis was performed to assess various market segments. The reliability scores produced from analysis of the motivation survey questions rated 0.860, indicating a relationship exists between the reliability of the instrument and the data obtained.
The role of visualization in learning from computer‐based images

Among the sciences, the practice of geology is especially visual. To assess the role of spatial ability in learning geology, we designed an experiment using: (1) web‐based versions of spatial visualization tests, (2) a geospatial test, and (3) multimedia instructional modules built around QuickTime Virtual Reality movies. Students in control and experimental sections were administered measures of spatial orientation and visualization, as well as a content‐based geospatial examination. All subjects improved significantly in their scores on spatial visualization and the geospatial examination. There was no change in their scores on spatial orientation. A three‐way analysis of variance, with the geospatial examination as the dependent variable, revealed significant main effects favoring the experimental group and a significant interaction between treatment and gender. These results demonstrate that spatial ability can be improved through instruction, that learning of geological content will improve as a result, and that differences in performance between the genders can be eliminated.
On the perception of time: experiential impact

"I don't believe it: another year has flown by-it seems that time is going by at an ever-faster rate. " This often-expressed perception of time, actually the speed of time, is both qualitatively and quantitatively explored herein. While the speed of time is clearly invariant (at least on earth and at speeds that are orders of magnitude below the speed of light), there is ample and plausible evidence that serves to contribute to our perception of a faster moving time. More specifically, it seems that both nature and nurture impact or influence our perception of time, in particular, the speed of time. In this paper, we briefly review the cognitive and related literature to understand why the older we get, the more we perceive the speed of time to increase-there is a clinical reason for this nature-related aging phenomenon. We then show that nurture-related or experiential factors can also affect our perceived speed of time. More specifically, time series data that concern factors which impact our daily lives can be used to model or correlate with our perception of time. It is suggested that nurture reinforces and about doubles nature's impact; that is, the older we get, the more we perceive time to be speeding up. Interestingly, when age is controlled, the experiential data suggests, for example, that a 62-year-old in 1997 perceived time to be about 7.69 times as fast as that perceived by a 62-year-old in 1897; this phenomenon is less extreme for younger aged persons. Finally, it should be noted that understanding the way we perceive the speed of time over time is not only an important endeavor in its own right, but it also has a potentially significant impact on our ability to cope, on our work productivity, on our lifestyle, indeed on all aspects of our life.
Owner-managers, clusters and local embeddedness: small firms in the Sheffield (UK) metal-working cluster

The primary objective of this paper is to explore the ways in which the characteristics of owner-managers influence the extent to which their firms are embedded within local clusters of economic activity. Data are drawn from an interview survey of a random sample of small metal-working firms in Sheffield, UK. The data are analysed using non-parametric statistical methods to test bivariate relationships. Owner-manager attributes are found to have no influence on the extent of the use of local material supply networks but they do influence the extent of dependence on local markets. Owner-managers born and bred in the local region with limited formal education, working as an operative (rather than executive) prior to start up and with many years experience are more likely to rely on local markets. Owner-manager characteristics are also linked to participation in business networks. Those with most experience and those previously working for large firms are more likely to participate. It is concluded that owner-manager attributes can be important in explaining the level of embeddedness of small firms in a cluster of economic activity and that such attributes need to be built into theories of cluster behaviour.
A Multifunctional GPV System Using Adaptive Observer Based Harmonic Cancellation Technique

This paper presents a multipurpose three-phase double-stage grid interfaced photovoltaic (GPV) system using an adaptive nonlinear control strategy. Along with a peak power extraction from a photovoltaic array, the proposed system is capable of harmonics currents elimination, reactive power compensation, grid currents balancing, and adaptive dc-link voltage control. The fundamental and harmonics information from the polluted load current are precisely estimated using an adaptive observer. A strictly positive real Lyapunov function is used to derive update laws for an adaptive observer. The DC-link voltage is adaptively adjusted in proportion to the point of common coupling voltage to minimize switching losses in voltage source converter and to avoid its tripping in sensitive distribution grids. A feed-forward loop for PV contribution is included to improve system response under dynamic conditions. Simulated and test results depict the performance of the GPV system with aforementioned functionalities. Improved steady-state and dynamic performances are observed with the proposed nonlinear adaptive estimation based control approach. The total harmonic distortions in grid currents are found well within the limits prescribed by an IEEE-519 standard.
Applying backpressure to balance resource usage in software-defined wireless backhauls

The expected higher complexity of upcoming 5G wireless backhauls suggests the need to evolve towards a software defined networking (SDN) paradigm to increase the degree of programmability of these networks. Within the context of software defined wireless backhaul, one important issue is the provision of an even resource consumption of both network and IT resources. Backpressure policies have shown their ability to balance resource consumption in traditional (non-SDN) wireless backhauls. This paper analyzes two use cases in which backpressure policies can be integrated in software-defined wireless backhaul to manage network and IT resources. The first use case proposes an SDN application based on a centralized backpressure policy to balance network resources in the wireless backhaul. Simulation results reveal how the granularity of routing decisions in the SDN application significantly affects the data plane performance, suggesting a trade-off between data plane performance and overload in the control plane. The second use case proposes a distributed backpressure policy to deal with the management of computing resources by balancing the processing load caused by OpenFlow (OF) switch requests among the available distributed SDN controllers. Simulation results demonstrate how a dynamic and distributed backpressure policy can balance the processing load amongst different SDN controllers, hence, leading to significant improvements with respect to static mapping policies.
Pollution and income growth: A Dynamic Panel Data Analysis

The analysis of the form of the pollution-economic growth relationship presents a major interest to found public politics aiming emissions reduction. Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) theory focuses in an association the income per capita and environmental degradation that takes an inverted U shape. Most of recent studies demonstrate that this hypothesis is valid only for a small sample of countries. The importance of the incorporation of control variables when analyzing the income-pollution relationship was supported by researchers. This article aims to know the equation form of the EKC permitting the generalization of this hypothesis over the largest number of countries or group of countries by leading a dynamic panel study over the period 1980-2010 incorporating several control variables such as population, technology and energetic efficiency. Keywords: Panel data, economic growth, CO2 emissions, Kyoto protocol;
Rethinking ‘Five Eyes’ Security Intelligence Collection Policies and Practice Post Snowden

Abstract The Edward Snowden leaks challenge policy makers and the public's understanding and perspectives on the role of security intelligence in liberal democratic states. This article explores the challenges confronting security intelligence collection by the ‘Five Eyes’ countries – particularly those most affected by the leaks. We argue that the debate now needs to move beyond simplistic notions of privacy vs. security to a more detailed understanding of the policy and ethical dilemmas confronting policy makers and intelligence agencies. To that end, we provide a schematic framework (methods, context and target) to promote a better understanding of the practical, policy and ethical problems for security intelligence collection emerging post Snowden. The framework is a first step in identifying common principles that could be used develop an ethically informed set of policy guidelines to help decision makers better navigate between citizen's two basic rights: security and privacy.
The organization of decentralized information processing

In a decision-theoretic model of a firm, the author represents managers as information processors of limited capacity; efficiency is measured in terms of (1) the number of processors and (2) the delay between the receipt of information by the organization and the implementation of the decision. The author characterizes efficient networks for both one-shot and repeated regimes, as well as the corresponding 'production function' relating the number of items processed to the number of processors and the delay. He sketches some applications to common decision paradigms, and implications for decentralization and organizational returns to scale. Copyright 1993 by The Econometric Society.
Predictors of adolescent suicide attempts: a nationally representative longitudinal study of Norwegian adolescents.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the risk and protective factors for previous and future suicide attempts among adolescents. METHOD A representative sample of high school students (N = 9,679) in grades 7 through 12 (aged 12-20 years) were followed from 1992 to 1994. Response rate was 97% at initial testing and 80% at follow-up. Measures of psychiatric symptoms (depressed mood, eating problems, conduct problems), substance use, self-worth, pubertal timing, social network, and social integration were included. RESULTS A total of 8.2% had ever attempted suicide and 2.7% reported an attempt during the 2-year study period. Logistic regression analysis showed that future attempts were predicted by previous attempt, female gender, young age, perceived early pubertal development (stronger among girls), suicidal ideation, alcohol intoxication, not living with both parents, and poor self-worth. CONCLUSIONS The importance that the clinician ask about previous suicidal behaviors is underscored. Early pubertal timing (particularly among girls), loss of self-worth, and alcohol intoxication may serve as risk factors for future suicide attempts.
Challenges for stem cells to functionally repair the damaged auditory nerve

Introduction: In the auditory system, a specialized subset of sensory neurons are responsible for correctly relaying precise pitch and temporal cues to the brain. In individuals with severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing impairment these sensory auditory neurons can be directly stimulated by a cochlear implant, which restores sound input to the brainstem after the loss of hair cells. This neural prosthesis therefore depends on a residual population of functional neurons in order to function effectively. Areas covered: In severe cases of sensorineural hearing loss where the numbers of auditory neurons are significantly depleted, the benefits derived from a cochlear implant may be minimal. One way in which to restore function to the auditory nerve is to replace these lost neurons using differentiated stem cells, thus re-establishing the neural circuit required for cochlear implant function. Such a therapy relies on producing an appropriate population of electrophysiologically functional neurons from stem cells, and on these cells integrating and reconnecting in an appropriate manner in the deaf cochlea. Expert opinion: Here we review progress in the field to date, including some of the key functional features that stem cell-derived neurons would need to possess and how these might be enhanced using electrical stimulation from a cochlear implant.