Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effect of language of instruction on reasoning in bilingual children

ABSTRACT The effect of language of instruction on verbal reasoning of balanced bilingual children was investigated. Subjects were 36 sixth-grade French-English bilinguals who were receiving primary instruction in either French or English. Eight types of verbal analogies were created by varying the language of the analogy stem (French or English), the language of the analogy solution (French or English), and level of difficulty (easy or hard). The primary analysis was conducted through ANOVA with program type as between-subjects variable and item types as repeated measures factors. The results showed a significant interaction between language of instruction and language of presentation. In addition, there were different language effects for the two groups. The introduction of the noninstructional language (French) had a significant effect on the mean response time of the English Language Program Group at both levels of difficulty. The French Language Program Group showed a more complex pattern of results: there was a statistically significant advantage for the All-English items as compared with the All-French items on the easy analogies but a trend towards poorer performance upon introduction of English on the hard analogies. These results are discussed in terms of the differences between the two groups of subjects and the effect of academic experience on language-related thought processes and fluency. The distinction between contextualized and decontextualized language is also discussed.
Significaciones y prioridades en la autogestión de las ERT argentinas. El caso de Chilavert ocho años después de su recuperación

La recuperacion de empresas en Argentina es un proceso protagonizado por algunos trabajadores como respuesta colectiva ante la perdida de empleo en un contexto nacional marcado por un progresivo empeoramiento de las condiciones laborales que estalla en la crisis del ano 2001. El objetivo de este trabajo, centrado en el protagonismo agencial de los trabajadores, es abordar la significacion subjetiva que tuvo para ellos la recuperacion. Me servire para ello de las entrevistas realizadas en Chilavert, una empresa grafica recuperada de Buenos Aires en el ano 2010, ocho despues de iniciar el proceso. En estas se recoge la vision que tienen sobre los acontecimientos, los distintos actores implicados y sobre las acciones llevadas a cabo asi como sobre las cuestiones que consideran mas importantes sobre la situacion actual de la empresa.
Hierarchical Clustering on HDP Topics to build a Semantic Tree from Text

An ideal semantic representation of text corpus should exhibit a hierarchical topic tree structure, and topics residing at different node levels of the tree should exhibit different levels of semantic abstraction( i.e., the deeper level a topic resides, the more specific it would be). Instead of learning every node directly which is a quite time consuming task, our approach bases on a nonparametric Bayesian topic model, namely, Hierarchical Dirichlet Processes (HDP). By tuning on the topic’s Dirichlet scale parameter settings, two topic sets of different levels of abstraction are learned from the HDP separately and further integrated into a hierarchical clustering process. We term our approach as HDP Clustering(HDP-C). During the hierarchical clustering process, a lower level of specific topics are clustered into a higher level of more general topics in an agglomerative style to get the final topic tree. Evaluation of the tree quality on several real world datasets demonstrates its competitive performance.
Goal-driven dynamics learning via Bayesian optimization

Real-world robots are becoming increasingly complex and commonly act in poorly understood environments where it is extremely challenging to model or learn their true dynamics. Therefore, it might be desirable to take a task-specific approach, wherein the focus is on explicitly learning the dynamics model which achieves the best control performance for the task at hand, rather than learning the true dynamics. In this work, we use Bayesian optimization in an active learning framework where a locally linear dynamics model is learned with the intent of maximizing the control performance, and used in conjunction with optimal control schemes to efficiently design a controller for a given task. This model is updated directly based on the performance observed in experiments on the physical system in an iterative manner until a desired performance is achieved. We demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed approach through simulations and real experiments on a quadrotor testbed.
Education, Class Fractions and the Local Rules of Spatial Relations

This paper develops previous analyses of data from an ESRC-funded study of middle-class parents' choices of childcare in two London locations (Battersea and Stoke Newington). It tentatively explores differences between the educational choices made in the two localities and connections which occur between educational and spatial preferences and practices. These connections within the two class fraction samples are presented using Basil Bernstein's arguments concerning the relations between pedagogical practices and social class. The argument is that the class fractions identified here use space differently and concomitantly engage in different kinds of social relations.
Formation of Inter-Strand Cross-Linkings in the Photoreactions between Furocoumarins and DNA

A furocoumarin intercalated between two base pairs of native DNA can photoreact with two pyrimidine bases engaging both its 4',5'- and its 3,4-double bond. This fact was evidenced studying the behaviour of the fluorescence acquired by DNA during irradiation at 365 nm. When this double reaction occurs, a cross-linking is formed between the two strands of DNA, as denaturation and renaturation experiments have demonstrated. The various furocoumarin derivatives have a very diverse ability to form cross-linkages, which is independent of their photobinding capacity. This different ability is due mainly to the structure of furocoumarins and to the steric relationships that the intercalated furocoumarin molecules have with the stacked pyrimidine bases.
Hierarchical processing of complex motion along the primate dorsal visual pathway

Neurons in the medial superior temporal (MST) area of the primate visual cortex respond selectively to complex motion patterns defined by expansion, rotation, and deformation. Consequently they are often hypothesized to be involved in important behavioral functions, such as encoding the velocities of moving objects and surfaces relative to the observer. However, the computations underlying such selectivity are unknown. In this work we have developed a unique, naturalistic motion stimulus and used it to probe the complex selectivity of MST neurons. The resulting data were then used to estimate the properties of the feed-forward inputs to each neuron. This analysis yielded models that successfully accounted for much of the observed stimulus selectivity, provided that the inputs were combined via a nonlinear integration mechanism that approximates a multiplicative interaction among MST inputs. In simulations we found that this type of integration has the functional role of improving estimates of the 3D velocity of moving objects. As this computation is of general utility for detecting complex stimulus features, we suggest that it may represent a fundamental aspect of hierarchical sensory processing.
Habitual snoring and sleep bruxism in a paediatric outpatient population in Hong Kong.

OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of habitual snoring and sleep bruxism in children attending the out-patient clinics of a paediatric department. METHODOLOGY A cross-sectional survey of parents was conducted with questionnaire administered by paediatric nurses. Parents were recruited when they brought their children to the out-patient clinics. Sex and age were recorded. Presence and absence of habitual snoring and sleep bruxism were noted. Types of diseases that brought the children to the out-patient clinics were also noted. RESULTS Twenty-nine of the 200 recruited children were noted to have habitual snoring (14.5%, 95% C.I. 10%-20%). The mean age of these habitual snorers was 6.2 +/- 3.1 years. For habitual snorers, male to female ratio was 1.4 to 1. Sixteen of these 28 children accepted a sleep polysomnographic examination. Eleven children were found to have snoring during the night of study. Two were found to have obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome. Sleep bruxism was found in 17 children (8.5%, 95% C.I.5%-13%). Sleep bruxism was closely related to habitual snoring as 16 out of the 17 children with sleep bruxism were also habitual snorers (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION Habitual snoring and sleep bruxism were commonly found in children attending paediatric clinics. Paediatricians should be aware of these problems and be prepared to deal with them. Habitual snoring and sleep bruxism were closely related. Further studies into this relationship is needed.
The determination of player transfer fees in English professional soccer

Unlike most major U.S. sport teams, it is common for professional soccer clubs around the world to trade players for cash. This article develops a model of the player-transfer market in soccer in which observed transfer fees are determined by player characteristics, selling-club characteristics, buying-club characteristics, and time effects. The model is based on data on 1,350 transfer fees in English professional soccer from June 1990 to August 1996. The estimated model is used to investigate the rate of inflation in transfer fees. In addition, the determination of transfer fees is considered within different segments of the transfer market. It is found that the determination of transfer fees differs markedly among segments.
Using Transfer Learning Between Games to Improve Deep Reinforcement Learning Performance and Stability

We explore transfer learning in the context of deep reinforcement learning to perform well on different OpenAI Gym games. Specifically, we use Deep Q-learning to play the games Snake and PuckWorld. We want to see if we can use a pre-trained Deep Q-Network from PuckWorld to play Snake, and with some additional training or layers, see if what is learned from one game can be adapted to another. We find that transfer learning not only boosts performance for the game Snake, but also leads to far greater performance stability while learning, potentially showing value of transfer learning for safe reinforcement learning.
Utah State University From the SelectedWorks of Mary Conner 2005 Epidemiology of Chronic Wasting Disease in Free-Ranging Mule Deer : Spatial , Temporal , and Demographic Influences on Observed Prevalence Patterns

We analyzed chronic wasting disease (CWD) prevalence data from mule deer populations in northcentral Colorado, USA, to discern the likely influences of temporal, spatial, and demographic factors on patterns observed in naturally infected populations. In addition to reaffirming spatial heterogeneity among wintering mule deer subpopulations, we report marked differences in CWD prevalence by sex and age groups as well as clear local trends of increasing prevalence over a 7-yr period. Prevalence of CWD differed by age (yearling vs. adult), sex, and geographic area at two different spatial scales (game management unit or population unit winter range) and increased over time at both geographic scales. Disease status (positive or negative) was not independent of age for males (n 5 285, df 5 6, x2 5 18.4, P 5 0.005) or females (n 5 387, df 5 8, x2 5 17.2, P 5 0.028). Among males, prevalence increased and then declined across age classes, peaking in 5to 6-yr-old individuals; among females, prevalence showed no definite age-related pattern. Demographic, spatial, and temporal factors all appear to contribute to the marked heterogeneity in CWD prevalence in endemic portions of northcentral Colorado, USA. These factors likely combine in various ways to influence epidemic dynamics on both local and broad geographic scales.
Elevations of Inflammatory and Procoagulant Biomarkers in Elderly Persons With Renal Insufficiency

Background—Renal insufficiency has been associated with cardiovascular disease events and mortality in several prospective studies, but the mechanisms for the elevated risk are not clear. Little is known about the association of renal insufficiency with inflammatory and procoagulant markers, which are potential mediators for the cardiovascular risk of kidney disease. Methods and Results—The cross-sectional association of renal insufficiency with 8 inflammatory and procoagulant factors was evaluated using baseline data from the Cardiovascular Health Study, a population-based cohort study of 5888 subjects aged ≥65 years. C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, factor VIIc, and factor VIIIc levels were measured in nearly all participants; interleukin-6, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, plasmin-antiplasmin complex, and D-dimer levels were measured in nearly half of participants. Renal insufficiency was defined as a serum creatinine level ≥1.3 mg/dL in women and ≥1.5 mg/dL in men. Multivariate linear regression was used to compare adjusted mean levels of each biomarker in persons with and without renal insufficiency after adjustment for other baseline characteristics. Renal insufficiency was present in 647 (11%) of Cardiovascular Health Study participants. After adjustment for baseline differences, levels of C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, interleukin-6, factor VIIc, factor VIIIc, plasmin-antiplasmin complex, and D-dimer were significantly greater among persons with renal insufficiency (P <0.001). In participants with clinical, subclinical, and no cardiovascular disease at baseline, the positive associations of renal insufficiency with these inflammatory and procoagulant markers were similar. Conclusion—Renal insufficiency was independently associated with elevations in inflammatory and procoagulant biomarkers. These pathways may be important mediators leading to the increased cardiovascular risk of persons with kidney disease.
Beyond our walls: impact of patient and provider coordination across the continuum on outcomes for surgical patients.

OBJECTIVES To investigate patients' experience with coordination of their postsurgical care across multiple settings and the effects on key outcomes. DATA SOURCES Primary data collected over 18 months from 222 unilateral knee-replacement patients at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, MA. STUDY DESIGN Patients were surveyed about the coordination of their postdischarge care during the 6-week period postdischarge when they received care from rehabilitation facilities and/or home care agencies and follow-up care from the surgeon. DATA COLLECTION Patients were surveyed before surgery and at 6 and 12 weeks postsurgery. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Patient reports highlight problems with coordination across settings and between providers and themselves. These problems, measured at 6 weeks, were associated with greater joint pain, lower functioning, and lower patient satisfaction at 6 weeks after surgery. At 12 weeks after surgery, coordination problems were associated with greater joint pain, but were not associated with functional status. CONCLUSION Coordination across settings affects patients' clinical outcomes and satisfaction with their care. Although accountable for transfer to the next care setting, providers are neither accountable for nor supported to coordinate across the continuum. Addressing this system problem requires both introducing coordinating mechanisms and also supporting their use through changes in providers' incentives, resources, and time.
Religious orientation and attitudes toward money: relationships with narcissism and the influence of gender

When combined with Lasch's (1979, 1984) speculations about the narcissism of consumerist society, Sorokin's (1992) analysis of ideational freedom suggests that the Intrinsic Religious Orientation Scale should predict a reduced desire for money and lower narcissism with opposite relationships expected for the Extrinsic Scale. Confirmation of these hypotheses appeared in a sample of 418 undergraduates who responded to the Religious Orientation (Allport and Ross, 1967), Narcissism (Margolis and Thomas, 1980), and Money Attitude (Yamauchi and Templer, 1982) Scales. Also as expected, narcissism was associated with an expanded desire for money. Gender proved to be a noteworthy variable as well, with males, for example, being more narcissistic and less intrinsically religious. Males also expressed higher levels of the especially narcissistic Power–Prestige attitudes about money. These findings most generally indicated that Sorokin's interpretation of freedom might supply useful guidance in future psychology of religion research.
Poor Prognosis of Phosphatase of Regenerating Liver 3 Expression in Gastric Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

Background Overexpression of phosphatase of regenerating liver 3 (PRL-3) has been implicated in gastric cancer (GC) metastasis. Epidemiological studies have evaluated the relationship between PRL-3 expression and prognosis in GC. However, results still remains controversial. In this study, a meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the association of PRL-3 expression with overall survival (OS) and clinicopathological characteristics. Methods Literature databases were searched to identify eligible studies dated until April 2013. Summary hazard ratios (HRs) or odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were calculated to estimate the association. Results A total of 1380 GC patients from six studies were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, the combined HR estimate for OS in a random-effect model was 1.89 (95% CI = 1.38–2.60; P<0.001). Results showed that PRL-3 overexpression was significantly associated with OS, indicating that it may be a biomarker for poor prognosis of GC. Both subgroup and sensitivity analyses further identified the prognostic role of PRL-3 expression in GC patients. Moreover, PRL-3 overexpression was significantly associated with tumor stage (OR = 2.25; 95% CI = 1.63–3.12; P<0.001), depth of invasion (OR = 2.03; 95% CI = 1.38–2.98; P<0.001), vascular invasion (OR = 2.52; 95% CI = 1.79–3.56; P<0.001), lymphatic invasion (OR = 3.74; 95% CI = 2.49–5.63; P<0.001), and lymph node metastasis (OR = 4.56; 95% CI = 2.37–8.76; P<0.001). However, when age, sex, tumor size, and tumor differentiation were considered, no obvious association was observed. Conclusions This meta-analysis reveals significant association of PRL-3 overexpression with OS and some clinicopathological features in GC. PRL-3 may be a predicative factor of poor prognosis and aggressive tumor behavior in GC patients.
Type IV pili of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans can transfer electrons from extracellular electron donors

Studies on Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans accepting electrons from Fe(II) have previously focused on cytochrome c. However, we have discovered that, besides cytochrome c, type IV pili (Tfp) can transfer electrons. Here, we report conduction by Tfp of A. ferrooxidans analyzed with a conducting‐probe atomic force microscope (AFM). The results indicate that the Tfp of A. ferrooxidans are highly conductive. The genome sequence of A. ferrooxidans ATCC 23270 contains two genes, pilV and pilW, which code for pilin domain proteins with the conserved amino acids characteristic of Tfp. Multiple alignment analysis of the PilV and PilW (pilin) proteins indicated that pilV is the adhesin gene while pilW codes for the major protein element of Tfp. The likely function of Tfp is to complete the circuit between the cell surface and Fe(II) oxides. These results indicate that Tfp of A. ferrooxidans might serve as biological nanowires transferring electrons from the surface of Fe(II) oxides to the cell surface.
Health Care Administration in the United States and Canada: Micromanagement, Macro Costs

A decade ago, U.S. health administration costs greatly exceeded Canada's. Have the computerization of billing and the adoption of a more business-like approach to care cut administrative costs? For the United States and Canada, the authors calculated the 1999 administrative costs of health insurers, employers' health benefit programs, hospitals, practitioners' offices, nursing homes, and home care agencies; they analyzed published data, surveys of physicians, employment data, and detailed cost reports filed by hospitals, nursing homes, and home care agencies; they used census surveys to explore time trends in administrative employment in health care settings. Health administration costs totaled at least $294.3 billion, $1,059 per capita, in the United States vs. $9.4 billion, $307 per capita, in Canada. After exclusions, health administration accounted for 31.0 percent of U.S. health expenditures vs. 16.7 percent of Canadian. Canada's national health insurance program had an overhead of 1.3 percent, but overhead among Canada's private insurers was higher than in the U.S.: 13.2 vs. 11.7 percent. Providers' administrative costs were far lower in Canada. Between 1969 and 1999 administrative workers' share of the U.S. health labor force grew from 18.2 to 27.3 percent; in Canada it grew from 16.0 percent in 1971 to 19.1 percent in 1996. Reducing U.S. administrative costs to Canadian levels would save at least $209 billion annually, enough to fund universal coverage.
Correct Instantiation of a System Reconfiguration Pattern: A Proof and Refinement-Based Approach

System substitution can be defined as the capability to replace a system by another one that preserves the specification of the original one. It may occur in different reconfiguration situations like failure management or maintenance. When substituting a system at runtime, a key requirement is to correctly restore the state of the substituted one. This paper proposes a correct by construction generic model for system reconfiguration defined using formal methods, based on a system substitution operator. Systems are seen as state transition systems. This proposal relies on refinement and proofs. The formal development is conducted with the Event-B method. It consists in defining system substitution as a system composition operator associated to proof obligations. A generic formal model is developed using Event-B. Specific systems instantiate this generic model using a particular use of refinement-based on the definition of witnesses. This proposal is illustrated with an electronic commerce service.
Analysis and design of an AC-DC single-stage buck-boost full-bridge converter

A new AC-DC single-stage, buck-boost, full-bridge converter is proposed in the paper. The outstanding features of the converter are that it can operate with an excellent input power factor with and a dc bus voltage that is less than 450 V. In the paper, the operation of the converter is discussed in detail, its steady-state characteristics are examined, and a design procedure is developed. The feasibility of the converter is confirmed with experimental results obtained from a prototype converter.
CLEC9A Is a Novel Activation C-type Lectin-like Receptor Expressed on BDCA3+ Dendritic Cells and a Subset of Monocytes

We describe here the first characterization of CLEC9A, a group V C-type lectin-like receptor located in the “Dectin-1 cluster” of related receptors, which are encoded within the natural killer (NK)-gene complex. Expression of human CLEC9A is highly restricted in peripheral blood, being detected only on BDCA3+ dendritic cells and on a small subset of CD14+CD16- monocytes. CLEC9A is expressed at the cell surface as a glycosylated dimer and can mediate endocytosis, but not phagocytosis. CLEC9A possesses a cytoplasmic immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation-like motif that can recruit Syk kinase, and we demonstrate, using receptor chimeras, that this receptor can induce proinflammatory cytokine production. These data indicate that CLEC9A functions as an activation receptor.