Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Unheard Voices: Counterstories of Latinx Immigrant Parents’ Experiences Navigating Metro Atlanta Public Schools

Schools in the Atlanta area are experiencing a significant influx of Latinx populations (Odem & Browne, 2011). Even though educators and school systems are aware of this movement and provide services in an attempt to increase Latinx parental involvement in their schools, few studies have been conducted that explore the perspectives of Latinx parents on metro Atlanta schools and little effort has been put into understanding the nuances of the Latinx parents’ culture (Georgia Department of Education, 2010). The lack of Latinx parents’ participation in school programs has led to a common misconception that Latinx families do not place a high value on education and therefore do not want to get involved in their children’s academic experience (Delgado-Gaitán, 2004). As communities of Latinx families a group constantly misunderstood by school officials grow and develop in the metro Atlanta area, in this study I explore the value Latinx place on education. More specifically, I presented in-depth interviews with Latinx immigrant parents of metro Atlanta public school students. Special attention was paid to their navigation of the educational system and the negotiation of their culture in the process, including the challenges rooted in language barriers, cultural differences, and immigration status. I explored such characteristics through a Critical Race Theory (CRT) framework. Yosso (2006) described cultural wealth in Latinx communities as the sum of different forms of capital, or “the total extent of an individual’s accumulated assets and resources” (p. 50). She identified such resources as aspirational, familial, social, navigational, resistant, and linguistic capital. This study revealed these forms of capital through Latinx parents’ counterstories, which are narratives centered on the experiential knowledge of people of color. This study provides a unique contribution to the limited educational research on Latinx immigrants in metro Atlanta’s public schools by highlighting educational tensions as well as identifying the kinds of cultural wealth that assist Latinx parents in navigating them. Findings are useful because the Latinx’ counterstories help educators develop more successful school programs by considering the Latinx families’ needs and taking into account their contributions to education. INDEX WORDS: Latinx parental involvement, counterstories, critical race theory, Atlanta. UNHEARD VOICES: COUNTERSTORIES OF LATINX IMMIGRANT PARENTS’ EXPERIENCES NAVIGATING METRO ATLANTA PUBLIC SCHOOLS by MICHELLE S. YRIGOLLEN-ROBBINS
Predicting Clarification Questions in a Social Dialog System

Spoken dialog systems have a broad application in human-machine-interaction, which enable direct conversations between human and machines. Due to immense technical limitations, spoken dialog systems encounter with enormous errors from the automatic speech recognition component. Hence, the process to repair those errors is triggered frequently. On the other hand, it has been researched for long how to generate “natural” dialogues under the restriction of incompetent speech recognition. Since social dialogue, on the contrary to goal-oriented dialogue, is the tendency in field spoken dialog system, many processes, models and engaging techniques are at starting and relative immature. Therefore we focus on clarification issues in social dialog systems in this thesis. The topic of this thesis is to identify different classes of clarification questions in social dialogue and thereby to predict a clarification question in social spoken dialog systems. The “naturalness” of a social dialog system should be enhanced accordingly. The approach in this thesis involves language modelling and classification. Several language models were built according to different classes defined in this thesis. Two classifiers were trained, one was for question/statement prediction, the other was for subdivision of clarification questions. Both procedures require corpora as training and test data, thus the OpenSubtitles corpus is exploited in this thesis. To examine our approach, a user study is performed. The user study is constructed with query groups, each query group has a pattern and each class of the clarification question has a question serving as reaction to the pattern. The participant of the study needs to score how appropriate is each questions in the situation. The results of each sub-class in the study were close to each other, they were overall slightly better than neutral. However, the study reveals that vague and brief questions were appropriate in the most of the situations in the study.
A Comprehensive Survey in Towards to Future FANETs

The growing use of UAVs in the last years, has showed that is possible to use them like communication data network in several areas. Such network formed by UAVs is known in the literature as Flying Ad Hoc Networks (FANET). This kind of network has attracted, recently, attention of the research community, showing a promising future. This paper consists in a survey presenting to the reader concepts, architecture, applications, routing, simulators and possible integration among FANET and other technologies as well as challenges to be faced in the FANETs.
Optimal Control of the Parameters of the Production Line

The problem of optimal control of the parameters of the production flow line - stocks (work in process) and the rate of processing of objects of labour for a technological operation is considered. The article presents a mathematical formulation of the problem of controlling the parameters of a production line with restrictions on work in progress and the speed of machining parts for each technological operation. The control program is determined by the specified quality criteria. An example of the calculation of the optimal control for the production line parameters is presented.
Computer aided detection of tumor and edema in brain FLAIR magnetic resonance image using ANN

This paper presents an efficient region based segmentation technique for detecting pathological tissues (Tumor & Edema) of brain using fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) magnetic resonance (MR) images. This work segments FLAIR brain images for normal and pathological tissues based on statistical features and wavelet transform coefficients using k-means algorithm. The image is divided into small blocks of 4×4 pixels. The k-means algorithm is used to cluster the image based on the feature vectors of blocks forming different classes representing different regions in the whole image. With the knowledge of the feature vectors of different segmented regions, supervised technique is used to train Artificial Neural Network using fuzzy back propagation algorithm (FBPA). Segmentation for detecting healthy tissues and tumors has been reported by several researchers by using conventional MRI sequences like T1, T2 and PD weighted sequences. This work successfully presents segmentation of healthy and pathological tissues (both Tumors and Edema) using FLAIR images. At the end pseudo coloring of segmented and classified regions are done for better human visualization.
Transfer pricing under an origin based VAT system

This paper analyzes transfer pricing incentives under a destination-based and an origin-based VAT system. While a switch to the origin-based VAT may moderate or reinforce the incentive for transfer pricing induced by income tax differentials, we show that in the case of the EU this switch tends to reduce the transfer pricing incentive and thus should remove one of the last major objections against the adoption of an origin-based VAT system in the EU.
Relationship Between Aerobic Capacity With Oxidative Stress and Inflammation Biomarkers in the Blood of Older Mexican Urban-Dwelling Population

The maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) constitutes an indicator of an organism’s capacity to integrate oxygen into the metabolism to obtaining energy. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between VO2max and oxidative stress (OxS) and chronic inflammation in the elderly individuals. A cross-sectional and exploratory study was conducted in a sample of 52 older persons. We measured plasma lipid peroxides (LPO), red blood cell glutathione peroxidase, red blood cell superoxide dismutase, and total antioxidant status. The interleukin 10 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were measured in serum by ELISA. The VO2max was determined by the Rockport aerobic test, and the energy expenditure (caloric expenditure and metabolic equivalence unit (MET) per day) was measured by a 3-day activity record. We observed a positive correlation between VO2 max with IL-10, MET/day•day-1 and kcal•day-1 (r = 0.31, P < .05, r = 0.44, P < .01, and r = 0.29, P < .05, respectively), and a negative correlation with the body mass index, TNF-α, and LPO (r = −0.27, P < .05, r = −0.29, P < .05, and r = −0.40, P < .01 respectively). Our findings suggest that there is an inverse relationship between the aerobic capacity and the OxS and chronic inflammation biomarkers in the blood in older Mexican adults.
Asymmetry and multiscale dynamics in macroeconomic time series analysis

This thesis consists of three independent articles preceded by an introductory chapter. The first two articles focus on exchange rate dynamics in emerging market and developing economies, taking into account nonlinearities and asymmetries which are relevant for these countries and are potentially due to (i) transaction costs and other market frictions, and (ii) official intervention in the foreign exchange market. The third article is devoted to the analysis of the effects of monetary policy at different time horizons. The first article evaluates the purchasing power parity (PPP) theory in a panel of Sub-Saharan African countries. Unit root tests that are based on exponential smooth transition autoregressive (ESTAR) models are applied to account for nonlinearities and asymmetries in real exchange rate adjustment towards its equilibrium (mean) value. The results indicate empirical support for the PPP theory. The second article examines the relationship between current account adjustment and exchange rate flexibility in a panel of emerging market and developing economies. The purpose of this article is to (i) obtain a measure of exchange rate flexibility that considers autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity and possible asymmetric responses of the exchange rate to shocks, and (ii) apply suitable dynamic panel data estimators to investigate this relationship. The results indicate that more flexible exchange rates are associated with faster current account adjustment. By means of wavelets the third article investigates the liquidity effect and the long-run neutrality of money at detailed timescales using time series data for Sweden and the US. The results indicate a significant liquidity effect at horizons of one to four years, but there is no evidence of monetary neutrality.
Glycoside Hydrolase Activities of Thermophilic Bacterial Consortia Adapted to Switchgrass

ABSTRACT Industrial-scale biofuel production requires robust enzymatic cocktails to produce fermentable sugars from lignocellulosic biomass. Thermophilic bacterial consortia are a potential source of cellulases and hemicellulases adapted to harsher reaction conditions than commercial fungal enzymes. Compost-derived microbial consortia were adapted to switchgrass at 60°C to develop thermophilic biomass-degrading consortia for detailed studies. Microbial community analysis using small-subunit rRNA gene amplicon pyrosequencing and short-read metagenomic sequencing demonstrated that thermophilic adaptation to switchgrass resulted in low-diversity bacterial consortia with a high abundance of bacteria related to thermophilic paenibacilli, Rhodothermus marinus, and Thermus thermophilus. At lower abundance, thermophilic Chloroflexi and an uncultivated lineage of the Gemmatimonadetes phylum were observed. Supernatants isolated from these consortia had high levels of xylanase and endoglucanase activities. Compared to commercial enzyme preparations, the endoglucanase enzymes had a higher thermotolerance and were more stable in the presence of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([C2mim][OAc]), an ionic liquid used for biomass pretreatment. The supernatants were used to saccharify [C2mim][OAc]-pretreated switchgrass at elevated temperatures (up to 80°C), demonstrating that these consortia are an excellent source of enzymes for the development of enzymatic cocktails tailored to more extreme reaction conditions.
The role of game jams in developing informal learning of computational thinking: a cross-european case study

This paper will present a cross-European experience of game jams as part of a Horizon 2020 funded project: No-one Left Behind (NOLB). The NOLB project was created to unlock inclusive gaming creation and experiences in formal learning situations from primary to secondary level, particularly for children at risk of social exclusion. The project has engendered the concept of game jams, events organised with the aim of designing and creating small games in a short time-frame around a central theme. Game jams can support engagement with informal learning beyond schools across a range of disciplines, resulting in an exciting experience associated with strong, positive emotions which can significantly support learning goals. This paper will disseminate experience of two cross-European game jams; the first a pilot and the second having over 95 submissions from countries across Europe, America, Canada, Egypt, the Philippians and India. Data collected through these games jams supports that coding, designing, reflection, analysing, creating, debugging, persevering and application, as well as developing computational thinking concepts such as decomposition, using patterns, abstraction and evaluation. The notion of game jams provides a paradigm for creating both formal and informal learning experiences such as directed learning experience, problem-solving, hands-on projects, working collaboratively, and creative invention, within a learner-centred learning environment where children are creators of their own knowledge and learning material.
Voluntary Community Human Immunodeficiency Virus Testing, Linkage, and Retention in Care Interventions in Kenya: Modeling the Clinical Impact and Cost-effectiveness

Abstract Background In southwest Kenya, the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is about 25%. Médecins Sans Frontières has implemented a voluntary community testing (VCT) program, with linkage to care and retention interventions, to achieve the Joint United Nations Program on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 90-90-90 targets by 2017. We assessed the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of these interventions. Methods We developed a time-discrete, dynamic microsimulation model to project HIV incidence over time in the adult population in Kenya. We modeled 4 strategies: VCT, VCT-plus-linkage to care, a retention intervention, and all 3 interventions combined. Effectiveness outcomes included HIV incidence, years of life saved (YLS), cost (2014 €), and cost-effectiveness. We performed sensitivity analyses on key model parameters. Results With current care, the projected HIV incidence for 2032 was 1.51/100 person-years (PY); the retention and combined interventions decreased incidence to 1.03/100 PY and 0.75/100 PY, respectively. For 100000 individuals, the retention intervention had an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of €130/YLS compared with current care; the combined intervention incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was €370/YLS compared with the retention intervention. VCT and VCT-plus-linkage interventions cost more and saved fewer life-years than the retention and combined interventions. Baseline HIV prevalence had the greatest impact on the results. Conclusions Interventions targeting VCT, linkage to care, and retention would decrease HIV incidence rate over 15 years in rural Kenya if planned targets are achieved. These interventions together would be more effective and cost-effective than targeting a single stage of the HIV care cascade.
Comparison of Adjuvant Therapies Using Quality-Of-Life Considerations

The benefit for patients with operable breast cancer treated with adjuvant systemic therapy is small, if reduction of early mortality within the context of randomized control trials is used for treatment comparison. One might consider that the 75%–85% of patients who die despite treatment are overtreated, as are patients who remain alive even without therapy within a given time frame. Larger treatment benefits in terms of avoided or delayed breast cancer relapse have been demonstrated even at early phases of follow-up in the vast majority of adjuvant trials. Exposure of all patients to adjuvant therapy at a time at which no symptoms of disease are present is detrimental in terms of quality of life. Based on our assumption that the quality of life of the patient is typically altered both by subjective toxic effects of adjuvant treatment and by the appearance of relapse, we developed a method of comparing treatment effects in terms of time without symptoms of disease and toxicity of treatment (TWiST). Because the impact of treatment on relapse rates appears earlier than survival effects in all adjuvant therapy trials, and because the value of time without relapse in terms of the quality of life of the patients is as yet poorly defined, we have generalized our method of comparing treatment attitudes to include individual qualitative judgment values. The experience gained from integrating quality-of-life issues into clinical trials for breast cancer might also be applied to other diseases characterized by a chronic course, toxic treatments, and gains in periods of relative or absolute freedom from toxic effects and progressive disease.
Microbial Evaluation of Sputum of Cystic Fibrosis Patients

Article history: Received: 17 Sep 2010 Accepted: 13 Oct 2010 Available online: 27 July 2011 Background: Cystic fibrosis disease is a common hereditary autosomal recessive disorder in which loss of lung function caused by infectious factors is the most common cause of the patient’s death. In this study, the microbes in sputum of the cystic fibrosis patients have been studied during relapses of the disease. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 129 sputum cultures of the patients with cystic fibrosis, who were hospitalized in Mofid Children's Hospital in Tehran during 2004-2009 with relapse of disease, were studied. The data were collected through census method and based on the information concerning (gender, age, type of germ and the appropriate antibiotics). Results: The most common germs in the sputum of these patients are Pseudomonas aeruginosa (approximately 36%) and then respectively klebsiella (13%), Staphylococcus aureus (9.3%) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (5.4%). Examination of antibiogram showed that these germs give an appropriate response to antibiotics such as Ceftazidime, vancomycin, imipenem, ciprofloxacin, azithromycin, rifampin and largely to aminoglycosides. Conclusion: Considering the more prevalence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, combined therapy with ceftazidime or imipenem along with aminoglycoside and further treatment with oral azithromycin are recommended. More studies in this area are necessary. Copyright © 2012 Zahedan University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved.
Cognitive Assessment of Patients With Alzheimer's Disease by Telemedicine: Pilot Study

Background Approximately 46.8 million people are living with dementia worldwide and their number will grow in the next years. Any potential treatment should be administered as early as possible because it is important to provide an early cognitive assessment and to regularly monitor the mental function of patients. Information and communication technologies can be helpful to reach and follow patients without displacing them, but there may be doubts about the reliability of cognitive tests performed by telemedicine. Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability of the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog) tests administered in hospital by videoconference to patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. Methods The tests were administered to 28 Alzheimer's disease outpatients (8 male, mean age 73.88, SD 7.45 years; 20 female mean age 76.00, SD 5.40 years) recruited and followed in the Alzheimer’s Unit of the A Cardarelli National Hospital (Naples, Italy) at baseline and after 6, 12, 18, and 24 months of observation. Patients were evaluated first face-to-face by a psychologist and then, after 2 weeks, by another psychologist via videoconference in hospital. Results This study showed no differences in the MMSE and ADAS-cog scores when the tests were administered face-to-face or by videoconference, except in patients with more pronounced cognitive deficits (MMSE<17), in which the assessment via videoconference overestimated the cognitive impairment (face to face, MMSE mean 13.9, SD 4.9 and ADAS-cog mean 9.0, SD 3.8; videoconference, MMSE mean 42.8, SD 12.5 and ADAS-cog mean 56.9, SD 5.5). Conclusions We found that videoconferencing is a reliable approach to document cognitive stability or decline, and to measure treatment effects in patients with mild to moderate dementia. A more extended study is needed to confirm these results.
Restorative Operations for Crohn's Disease

Restoration of the continuity of the intestinal tract is one of the key concepts for maintaining the quality of life in patients with Crohn's disease. Restorative procedures have an important role in the scope of operative modalities for these patients. The authors review operative options aimed at fulfilling these goals including restorative partial small bowel resection; segmental, subtotal, and total colectomies; and ileal pouch anal anastomosis in patients with Crohn's disease.
High linearity and high input impedance matching common gate CMOSLNA in 2.4GHz ISM band

A high linearity and low input reflection coefficient (<−10 dB) common gate CMOS LNA has been fabricated in this paper using 0. 13μm CMOS technology. The low noise amplifier is optimized for working in the 2.4 GHz frequency band range. The common gate topology with pi-matched input provides high IIP3 and best input matching characteristics. Advanced Design System (ADS) software is used for simulation. The fabricated LNA uses 1.2V supply voltage and it exhibits a linearity of 12 dBm, input reflection coefficient (S11) of −26.894 dB, reverse gain (S12) of −18.604 dB, noise figure of 3.513 dB, and gain of 7.526.
Stingray Detection of Aerial Images Using Augmented Training Images Generated by a Conditional Generative Model

In this paper, we present an object detection method that tackles the stingray detection problem based on aerial images. In this problem, the images are aerially captured on a sea-surface area by using an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), and the stingrays swimming under (but close to) the sea surface are the target we want to detect and locate. To this end, we use a deep object detection method, faster RCNN, to train a stingray detector based on a limited training set of images. To boost the performance, we develop a new generative approach, conditional GLO, to increase the training samples of stingray, which is an extension of the Generative Latent Optimization (GLO) approach. Unlike traditional data augmentation methods that generate new data only for image classification, our proposed method that mixes foreground and background together can generate new data for an object detection task, and thus improve the training efficacy of a CNN detector. Experimental results show that satisfiable performance can be obtained by using our approach on stingray detection in aerial images.