Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Why Do T Tauri Disks Accrete?

Observations of T Tauri stars and young brown dwarfs suggest that the accretion rates of their disks scale strongly with the central stellar mass, approximately ∝ M. No dependence of accretion rate on stellar mass is predicted by the simplest version of the Gammie layered disk model, in which nonthermal ionization of upper disk layers allows accretion to occur via the magnetorotational instability. We show that a minor modification of Gammie's model to include heating by irradiation from the central star yields a modest dependence of on the mass of the central star. A purely viscous disk model could provide a strong dependence of accretion rate on stellar mass if the initial disk radius (before much viscous evolution has occurred) has a strong dependence on stellar mass. However, it is far from clear that at least the most massive pre-main-sequence disks can be totally magnetically activated by X-rays or cosmic rays. We suggest that a combination of effects are responsible for the observed dependence, with the lowest mass stars having the lowest mass disks, which can be thoroughly magnetically active, while the higher mass stars have higher mass disks that have layered accretion and relatively inactive or "dead" central zones at some radii. In such dead zones, we suggest that gravitational instabilities may play a role in allowing accretion to proceed. In this connection, we emphasize the uncertainty in disk masses derived from dust emission and argue that T Tauri disk masses have been systematically underestimated by conventional analyses. Further study of accretion rates, especially in the lowest mass stars, would help to clarify the mechanisms of accretion in T Tauri stars.
Developmental Predictors of Violent Extremist Attitudes

Objectives: This study examines the influence of collective strain on support for violent extremism among an ethnically diverse sample of Swiss adolescents. This study explores two claims derived from general strain theory: (1) Exposure to collective strain is associated with higher support for violent extremism and (2) the effect of collective strain is conditional on perceptions of moral and legal constraints. Methods: This study uses data from two waves of the Zurich Project on the Social Development of Children and Youth. We use ordinary least squares procedures to regress violent extremist attitudes at age 17 on strain, moral and legal constraints, and control variables measured at ages 15 to 17. Conditional effects were examined using an interaction term for collective strain and moral neutralization and legal cynicism, respectively. Results: The results show that collective strain does not have a direct effect on violent extremist attitudes once other variables are controlled. However, the degree to which individuals neutralize moral and legal constraints amplifies the impact of collective strain on violent extremist attitudes. Conclusions: This study shows that those who already espouse justifications for violence and rule breaking are more vulnerable to extremist violent pathways, particularly when exposed to collective social strife, conflict, and repression.
Gestational diabetes and the incidence of type 2 diabetes: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE To examine factors associated with variation in the risk for type 2 diabetes in women with prior gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We conducted a systematic literature review of articles published between January 1965 and August 2001, in which subjects underwent testing for GDM and then testing for type 2 diabetes after delivery. We abstracted diagnostic criteria for GDM and type 2 diabetes, cumulative incidence of type 2 diabetes, and factors that predicted incidence of type 2 diabetes. RESULTS A total of 28 studies were examined. After the index pregnancy, the cumulative incidence of diabetes ranged from 2.6% to over 70% in studies that examined women 6 weeks postpartum to 28 years postpartum. Differences in rates of progression between ethnic groups was reduced by adjustment for various lengths of follow-up and testing rates, so that women appeared to progress to type 2 diabetes at similar rates after a diagnosis of GDM. Cumulative incidence of type 2 diabetes increased markedly in the first 5 years after delivery and appeared to plateau after 10 years. An elevated fasting glucose level during pregnancy was the risk factor most commonly associated with future risk of type 2 diabetes. CONCLUSIONS Conversion of GDM to type 2 diabetes varies with the length of follow-up and cohort retention. Adjustment for these differences reveals rapid increases in the cumulative incidence occurring in the first 5 years after delivery for different racial groups. Targeting women with elevated fasting glucose levels during pregnancy may prove to have the greatest effect for the effort required.
REFF book as a Mode-2 learning platform

This paper explores augmented reality as a set of technologies and processes that weave hypermedial content into printed publications thus fostering new educational practices. The idea was to implement a platform fostering what has been defined as ‘Mode-2’ knowledge production practice. This is a practice that involves multi-disciplinary teams, brought together for short periods of time to work on specific, complex problems in the real world. In particular this paper focuses on augmented reality as a bridge to extend traditional hypermediality to paper-based educational tools, analyzing as case study a book recently released by the Italian publisher FakePress. The book addresses the concept of remix as a political and educational practice and is based on an extensive use of QR codes and fiduciary markers that act as triggers to retrieve and show additional content published by both authors and readers through an open CMS (Content Management System). The QR codes and the fiduciary markers work as links to hypermedial remixes that extend the limits of traditional educational text books.
Accelerated Robust Point Cloud Registration in Natural Environments through Positive and Unlabeled Learning

Localization of a mobile robot is crucial for autonomous navigation. Using laser scanners, this can be facilitated by the pairwise alignment of consecutive scans. In this paper, we are interested in improving this scan alignment in challenging natural environments. For this purpose, local descriptors are generally effective as they facilitate point matching. However, we show that in some natural environments, many of them are likely to be unreliable, which affects the accuracy and robustness of the results. Therefore, we propose to filter the unreliable descriptors as a prior step to alignment. Our approach uses a fast machine learning algorithm, trained on-the-fly under the positive and unlabeled learning paradigm without the need for human intervention. Our results show that the number of descriptors can be significantly reduced, while increasing the proportion of reliable ones, thus speeding up and improving the robustness of the scan alignment process.
GATA-6 promotes cell survival by up-regulating BMP-2 expression during embryonic stem cell differentiation

Genetic inactivation of the transcription factor GATA-6 in the embryoid body induces massive apoptosis at the early stage of ES cell differentiation. Evidence is provided that BMP-2 is a direct transcription target of GATA-6 and mediates GATA-6-dependent cell survival in concert with endoderm-derived basement membrane.
Automated Provisioning of Back-end Databases in Shared Dynamic Content Server Clusters

Automated Provisioning of Back-end Databases in Shared Dynamic Content Server Clusters Gokul Soundararajan Master of Applied Science Graduate Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering University of Toronto 2005 This thesis describes Vivaldi, a self-configuring architecture for scaling the database tier of dynamic content web services. We design an automatic and transparent provisioning algorithm that provides a unified approach to load and fault management in a database cluster. Our algorithm is based on dynamic data replication and provides strong consistency guarantees (i.e., 1-copy serializability) for the database cluster. Our algorithm dynamically allocates tasks to commodity databases across workloads in response to peak loads or failure conditions thus providing quality of service to clients. We investigate our transparent provisioning mechanisms in the database tier using two dynamic content applications: the TPC-W e-commerce benchmark and the RUBIS auction site benchmark. We demonstrate that our techniques provide both high resource usage and quality of service under different load and failure scenarios.
The multilingual thesaurus of LAURIN

Among the wide range of digital libraries, an interesting, yet quite neglected, subclass is constituted by those exclusively dealing with newspaper clippings. Compared with book-oriented digital libraries, clipping libraries are more difficult to seize, since they are wide and unstructured, and the subjects and content of a clipping are completely heterogeneous. LAURIN is an EU-funded project involving seventeen participants from several countries, including two software companies and a large group of libraries, whose main purpose is to set up a network of digitalized newspaper clipping archives that can be easily accessed through the Internet, for searching and retrieving clippings. The project also provides the libraries with models and methodologies to be used for scanning, digitalizing, storing, indexing, and making accessible newspaper clippings. The core of the LAURIN system is an integrated multilingual Thesaurus. In this paper we illustrate how to express the thesaurus in terms of a knowledge base, and how to exploit such a knowledge base to improve the fundamental task of clipping retrieval.
Spectrum of myeloid neoplasms and immune deficiency associated with germline GATA2 mutations

Guanine‐adenine‐thymine‐adenine 2 (GATA2) mutated disorders include the recently described MonoMAC syndrome (Monocytopenia and Mycobacterium avium complex infections), DCML (dendritic cell, monocyte, and lymphocyte deficiency), familial MDS/AML (myelodysplastic syndrome/acute myeloid leukemia) (myeloid neoplasms), congenital neutropenia, congenital lymphedema (Emberger's syndrome), sensorineural deafness, viral warts, and a spectrum of aggressive infections seen across all age groups. While considerable efforts have been made to identify the mutations that characterize this disorder, pathogenesis remains a work in progress with less than 100 patients described in current literature. Varying clinical presentations offer diagnostic challenges. Allogeneic stem cell transplant remains the treatment of choice. Morbidity, mortality, and social costs due to the familial nature of the disease are considerable. We describe our experience with the disorder in three affected families and a comprehensive review of current literature.
Effect of Human Auditory Efferent Feedback on Cochlear Gain and Compression

The mammalian auditory system includes a brainstem-mediated efferent pathway from the superior olivary complex by way of the medial olivocochlear system, which reduces the cochlear response to sound (Warr and Guinan, 1979; Liberman et al., 1996). The human medial olivocochlear response has an onset delay of between 25 and 40 ms and rise and decay constants in the region of 280 and 160 ms, respectively (Backus and Guinan, 2006). Physiological studies with nonhuman mammals indicate that onset and decay characteristics of efferent activation are dependent on the temporal and level characteristics of the auditory stimulus (Bacon and Smith, 1991; Guinan and Stankovic, 1996). This study uses a novel psychoacoustical masking technique using a precursor sound to obtain a measure of the efferent effect in humans. This technique avoids confounds currently associated with other psychoacoustical measures. Both temporal and level dependency of the efferent effect was measured, providing a comprehensive measure of the effect of human auditory efferents on cochlear gain and compression. Results indicate that a precursor (>20 dB SPL) induced efferent activation, resulting in a decrease in both maximum gain and maximum compression, with linearization of the compressive function for input sound levels between 50 and 70 dB SPL. Estimated gain decreased as precursor level increased, and increased as the silent interval between the precursor and combined masker-signal stimulus increased, consistent with a decay of the efferent effect. Human auditory efferent activation linearizes the cochlear response for mid-level sounds while reducing maximum gain.
Smart, smarter, smartest… the consumer meets the smart electrical grid

In the current debate towards a more energy efficient supply and demand in household settings, notions such as smart grids, smart meters and smart appliances are of main importance. Different stakeholders are involved, but often neglected is the exact role of the customer, or more specific, his opinion, attitude, drivers or barriers towards these developments. As a consequence, this paper employs a user-centric perspective. It addresses issues such as the effect of giving personalized feedback on energy consumption and refers to studies that have been conducted concerning a possible future implementation of smart meters and smart appliances. Furthermore, it describes an innovative combination of different methodological techniques on the level of energy monitoring and user interrogation. This methodological set-up will allow to gain a clear insight in the willingness of consumers to accept different kinds of measures when it comes to smart metering and smart appliances in their daily life, as to have an efficient user adoption in the future.
A comparison of extinction risk in shallow versus deep water reefs

Background Often called the rainforests of the sea, coral reefs are one of the most diverse ecosystems on Earth, but this diversity is in trouble. Recently, coral reefs are thought to be experiencing a worldwide decline from increases in pollution and global temperatures, and certain coral reef ecosystems are more threatened than others (Jackson 2010). Coral reefs are considered to be one of the most resilient ecosystems throughout the history of life on Earth, but currently, more than sixty percent of remaining coral reefs are threatened with extinction (Bongaerts et al. 2010; Bridge et al. 2013). In particular, shallow coral reefs are currently facing a higher risk of extinction than deep coral reefs—this is largely due to more human contact and increased environmental variation in shallow reefs (Bak et al. 2005). However, it is important to consider that because of increased accessibility of shallow reefs, data on shallow coral reefs are typically more abundant than on deep coral reefs. Due to this shortcoming, extinction risk for deep coral reefs are likely underestimated (Menza et al. 2007a). While shallow reef conservation is typically prioritized, conservation of both shallow coral reefs and deep coral reefs is important to preserve the biodiversity of coral reefs. Shallow coral reefs and deep coral reefs share some fundamental ecological qualities, but they are also characterized by distinct traits. Shallow reefs are typically characterized as existing in a 0-30 meters depth range with light penetration (Men-za et al. 2007a). Due to relatively consistent light penetration, shallow reefs have the highest percent cover of photosynthet-ic organisms in comparison to other reefs (Slattery and Lesser 2012). Shallow reefs are the type of ecosystem that we usually think of when we think about coral reefs because they occupy warm, shallow, tropical waters. We have more contact with shallow reefs making them a much more studied and identifiable ecosystem. Deep coral reefs, on the other hand, are much less accessible because of their depth, and the costs associated with their exploration. Deep reefs are characterized as existing below 30 meters in depth and typically have little or no light penetration (Bongaerts et al. 2010). They are commonly found in deep water canyons or on continental slopes or shelves and have been known to reach depths of up to 3,000 meters (Hourigan et al. 2007). The majority of deep water corals have separate sexes, which is a contrast from shallow water corals, …
The effect of tissues in galvanic coupling Intrabody Communication

Intrabody Communication (IBC) is a technique that uses the human body as a transmission medium for electrical signals to connect wearable electronic sensors and devices. Understanding the contributions of tissues for signal transmission in IBC, which requires a good understanding of dielectric properties of biological tissues, paves a way for practical implementation of IBC in Body Sensor Networks. Presently, there is a lack of accurate and clear analysis on how the different tissues affect signal propagation through human body. In this work, we introduce a simple and efficient approach to understand the influence of different tissues on signal propagation through human body. In this approach, we propose a single Cole-Cole dispersion for the dielectric spectrum of four tissues (skin, fat, muscle, and cortical bone) for the frequency range of 100 KHz to 10 MHz. We measured gain and phase shift of galvanic coupling type IBC on the upper arm of three subjects. It was found that for the given frequency range, the impedance magnitude of skin decreases quickly whereas impedances of the other tissues were less affected. In a similar manner, the impedance phase angle of skin is up to 60 degrees larger than that of the other tissues. From the measurement, we observed that these characteristics of skin highly affect the measured gain and phase shift. As a result, we infer skin mainly affects signal propagation through the human body in galvanic coupling.
A Vehicle License Plate Detection Method Based on Clustering Analysis

For the problem of vehicle license plate detection in complex background image, a vehicle license plate detection method based on clustering analysis theory is propose. Based on FCM (Fuzzy C-Mean) clustering algorithm, For the features of vehicle license plate, FCM algorithm is improved to effective segment the image, then according to the features of license plate in image, using progressive scanning mode, find the horizontal edge probability density of each pixel can be obtained to detect the area of vehicle license plate. In terms of testing time and testing effect the method is achieved better results.
Search Strategies Used by Older Adults in a Virtual Reality Place Learning Task.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY Older adults often have problems finding their way in novel environments such as senior living residences and hospitals. The purpose of this study was to examine the types of self-reported search strategies and cues that older adults use to find their way in a virtual maze. DESIGN AND METHODS Healthy, independently living older adults (n = 129) aged 55-96 were tested in a virtual maze task over a period of 3 days in which they had to repeatedly find their way to a specified goal. They were interviewed about their strategies on days 1 and 3. Content analysis was used to identify the strategies and cues described by the participants in order to find their way. Strategies and cues used were compared among groups. RESULTS The participants reported the use of multiple spatial and non-spatial strategies, and some of the strategies differed among age groups and over time. The oldest age group was less likely to use strategies such as triangulation and distance strategies. All participants used visual landmarks to find their way, but the use of geometric cues (corners) was used less by the older participants. IMPLICATIONS These findings add to the theoretical understanding of how older adults find their way in complex environments. The understanding of how wayfinding changes with age is essential in order to design more supportive environments.
The Effectiveness of Countercyclical Fiscal Policy in Turkey during the Recent Economic Crisis : Evidence from a Natural Experiment 1

During the recent economic crisis, Turkey was one of the countries experiencing the sharpest contraction in GDP. Yet, the subsequent recovery was stronger and faster compared to the OECD average with GDP growth rates of around 10%. Given that Turkey implemented a range of countercyclical fiscal measures that were fairly large relative to other developing countries and to previous crises, the question that immediately arises is whether these measures helped to stabilize the economy. This paper evaluates the effectiveness of a particular measure of the Turkish fiscal response package to the recent global financial crisis, namely a temporary cut in the value added tax (VAT) and special consumption tax (SCT) on a range of durable goods which according to estimates provided a stimulus to the Turkish economy of 0.27% of GDP excluding any multiplier effects. From a theoretical perspective, contrary to other measures such as a decrease of income taxes or an increase in public investment, it is much more likely that a cut of 1 We wish to thank Fatih Özatay for extensive comments. This work is supported by the Economic Research Forum (ERF). The contents and recommendations do not necessarily reflect ERF’s views, and the authors bear the sole responsibility for all errors. a Address: Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW), P.O. Box 103443, D-68304 Mannheim, Germany. E-mail:
Croatian Academic Research Wide Area Monitoring System - CARWAMS

Paper describes start-up of Croatian Academic Research Wide Area Monitoring System (CARWAMS), which is intended to support involvement of small R&D teams into fast developing synchronized measurement technology (SMT). Low voltage synchrophasors are collected by platform called WAMSTER, including handheld Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) and GPRS data transfer to a dedicated served. Measurements are available on-line. CARWAMS uses previously developed Phasor Data Concentrator (PDC) with added pseudo real time monitoring applications such as angle and frequency instability. Archived measurements and calculated results are used for post mortem analysis and further development of applications.
Enhanced parallel implementation of the K-Means clustering algorithm

K-Means is one of the major clustering algorithms thanks to its simplicity and performance. Also, clustering is widely used in several applications that involve image processing, machine intelligence and others. This work discusses an enhanced parallel implementation of K-Means clustering using Cilk Plus and OpenMP on the CPU and CUDA on the GPU. The results are presented for different datasets and images of varying data sizes with concentration on relatively large data. Different numbers of features and clusters are also considered.
Event-based consensus of first-order discrete time multi-agent systems

In this paper, the event-based consensus problem of first-order multi-agent systems with discrete-time models is studied. For each agent, the triggering function is defined to determine the triggering time instants and the controller is updated only at its own triggering time instants, which are dependent of the states of its neighbors. Furthermore, the Zeno-like behavior for triggering time sequence is excluded. Finally, a numerical simulation example is presented to show the effectiveness of the proposed event-based control strategy.