Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Seaweed fails to prevent ocean acidification impact on foraminifera along a shallow-water CO2 gradient

Ocean acidification causes biodiversity loss, alters ecosystems, and may impact food security, as shells of small organisms dissolve easily in corrosive waters. There is a suggestion that photosynthetic organisms could mitigate ocean acidification on a local scale, through seagrass protection or seaweed cultivation, as net ecosystem organic production raises the saturation state of calcium carbonate making seawater less corrosive. Here, we used a natural gradient in calcium carbonate saturation, caused by shallow-water CO2 seeps in the Mediterranean Sea, to assess whether seaweed that is resistant to acidification (Padina pavonica) could prevent adverse effects of acidification on epiphytic foraminifera. We found a reduction in the number of species of foraminifera as calcium carbonate saturation state fell and that the assemblage shifted from one dominated by calcareous species at reference sites (pH ∼8.19) to one dominated by agglutinated foraminifera at elevated levels of CO2 (pH ∼7.71). It is expected that ocean acidification will result in changes in foraminiferal assemblage composition and agglutinated forms may become more prevalent. Although Padina did not prevent adverse effects of ocean acidification, high biomass stands of seagrass or seaweed farms might be more successful in protecting epiphytic foraminifera.
Voronoi Image Segmentation and Its Applications to Geoinformatics

As various geospatial images are available for analysis, there is a strong need for an intelligent geospatial image processing method. Segmenting and districting digital images is a core process and is of great importance in many geo-related applications. We propose a flexible image segmentation framework based on generalized Voronoi diagrams through Euclidean distance transforms. We introduce a three-scan algorithm that segments images in O(N) time when N is the number of pixels. The algorithm is capable of handling generators of complex types (point, line and area), Minkowski metrics and different weights. This paper also provides applications of the proposed method in various geoinformation datasets. Illustrated examples demonstrate the usefulness and robustness of our proposed method.
On reducing the processing load of Redundancy Elimination algorithms

Redundancy Elimination (RE) algorithms, which typically are used for improving network performance, work by splitting network packet payload in content dependent chunks and comparing their fingerprints for similarity. However, due to excessive processing power demand, most of the proposed algorithms are not suitable for real world deployment. This work proposes a novel technique, which takes into account the traffic type (video, text, music, etc.), and uses that to reduce the processing load form the RE boxes. Preliminary results show that this technique decreases the processor load by an average of 75% with an example mix of text and binary files, while keeping the compression factor comparable to that of similar algorithms. The total memory access, and the cache size per node are also decreased greatly.
Topographic Analysis of Correlated Components

Independent component analysis (ICA) is a method to estimate components which are as statistically independent as possible. However, in many practical applications, the estimated components are not independent. Recent variants of ICA have made use of such residual dependencies to estimate an ordering (topography) of the components. Like in ICA, the components in those variants are assumed to be uncorrelated, which might be a rather strict condition. In this paper, we address this shortcoming. We propose a generative model for the source where the components can have linear and higher order correlations, which generalizes models in use so far. Based on the model, we derive a method to estimate topographic representations. In numerical experiments on articial data, the new method is shown to be more widely applicable than previously proposed extensions of ICA. We learn topographic representations for two kinds of real data sets: for outputs of simulated complex cells in the primary visual cortex and for text data.
Pattern occurrence statistics and applications to the Ramsey theory of unavoidable patterns

As suggested by Currie, we apply the probabilistic method to problems regarding pattern avoidance. Using techniques from analytic combinatorics, we calculate asymptotic pattern occurrence statistics and use them in conjunction with the probabilistic method to establish new results about the Ramsey theory of unavoidable patterns in the full word case (both nonabelian sense and abelian sense) and in the partial word case. Keywords: Combinatorics on words; Partial words; Unavoidable patterns; Abelian patterns; Probabilistic method; Analytic combinatorics; Ramsey theory.
Identification and Assessment of Dyslexia in Bi/multilingual Children

When slow progress is made by children who are learning to read and write in their second or third language, it is often assumed that they simply have a language problem: if they knew the target language better, they would find it easier to learn to read. In this paper we argue that, while that is often true, there is a risk that learning difficulties associated with dyslexia will sometimes be overlooked. In support of this argument we present evidence that pupils from linguistic minority communities are under-represented in specialist teaching provision and show how traditional approaches to identifying dyslexia are likely to under-identify bilingual children with dyslexia. The article proposes how good practice may be developed in the assessment of dyslexia with bilingual children and highlights the value in this context of recent approaches to defining dyslexia which do not depend upon exclusionary criteria or an IQ-achievement discrepancy.
Parameterized Complexity Results for Exact Bayesian Network Structure Learning

Bayesian network structure learning is the notoriously difficult problem of discovering a Bayesian network that optimally represents a given set of training data. In this paper we study the computational worst-case complexity of exact Bayesian network structure learning under graph theoretic restrictions on the (directed) super-structure. The super-structure is an undirected graph that contains as subgraphs the skeletons of solution networks. We introduce the directed super-structure as a natural generalization of its undirected counterpart. Our results apply to several variants of score-based Bayesian network structure learning where the score of a network decomposes into local scores of its nodes. Results: We show that exact Bayesian network structure learning can be carried out in non-uniform polynomial time if the super-structure has bounded treewidth, and in linear time if in addition the super-structure has bounded maximum degree. Furthermore, we show that if the directed super-structure is acyclic, then exact Bayesian network structure learning can be carried out in quadratic time. We complement these positive results with a number of hardness results. We show that both restrictions (treewidth and degree) are essential and cannot be dropped without loosing uniform polynomial time tractability (subject to a complexity-theoretic assumption). Similarly, exact Bayesian network structure learning remains NP-hard for "almost acyclic" directed super-structures. Furthermore, we show that the restrictions remain essential if we do not search for a globally optimal network but aim to improve a given network by means of at most k arc additions, arc deletions, or arc reversals (k-neighborhood local search).
A new perspective on ℋ2 controller reduction

This paper considers ℋ<sub>2</sub> or LQG controller reduction from all (suboptimal) stabilizing ℋ<sub>2</sub> controller parametrization. It is shown that the closed-loop stability is guaranteed and performance degradation is limited if certain weighted controller reduction errors are small.
Classic Kaposi's sarcoma associated with human herpesvirus 8 infection in a 13-year-old male: a case report.

PURPOSE Classic Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is rare in children. Although its etiology is not fully understood, human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) is present in the angiogenic lesions. We report an HIV-negative, 13-year-old patient of Sicilian descent with HHV-8-associated classic KS to facilitate the diagnosis and treatment of this entity in children. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN DNA was extracted from the skin specimen of the patient and analyzed via PCR assay and Southern blot hybridization for HHV-8 DNA. The amplified HHV-8 DNA was cloned, sequenced, and compared with the prototype HHV-8-KS330/BAM. RESULTS The patient presented with purpuric lesions on the distal lower extremities and the tip of his nose, associated with thrombocytopenia and leukopenia, suggesting an immune-mediated cytopenia. While on prednisone, he developed marked vascular proliferation in the groins. Biopsy of the skin lesions showed KS, and HHV-8 was detected in the tissues by PCR. Sequence analysis of the amplified DNA was homologous to the prototype HHV-8-KS330/BAM. His HHV-8 strain was the A subgroup, the type associated with Mediterranean classic KS. Stopping prednisone and treatment with IFN-alpha and IgG resulted in regression of the groin lesions. CONCLUSIONS This report emphasizes the importance of recognizing classic KS in children and avoiding immunosuppressive therapies in indolent classic KS. The diagnostic and therapeutic strategies were effective and well tolerated.
The Role of IGF-1 and Ghrelin in the Compensation of Intrauterine Growth Restriction

The role of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and ghrelin in intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR) neonates in comparison to appropriate for gestational age (AGA) ones was investigated. Levels of IGF-1/insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP3), ghrelin, insulin, and cortisol were determined in 20 singleton, full-term IUGR and 20 respective AGA neonates at birth (umbilical cord-UC), on days 1 (d1) and 4 (d4) postnatally. The ratio of IGF-1 to birth weight was higher in IUGR than in AGA in both UC (18.2 ± 1.2 vs14.4 ± 0.9, P = .05) and d1 (9.6 ± 0.5 vs 6.8 ± 0.3, P = .05). A significant positive correlation was found between IGF-1 and ghrelin levels and a negative one between IGFBP3 and ghrelin only in IUGR. In both groups, fetal IGF-1 levels negatively correlated with fetal cortisol levels. Intrauterine growth restricted neonates demonstrate a relative IGF-1 resistance in an attempt to drive energy toward survival on the expense of growth. The observed correlations between ghrelin and IGF-1/IGFBP3 postnatally indicate that ghrelin might play a role in the compensation of intrauterine undernutrition, promoting postnatal growth.
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Attracts Regulatory T Cells into the Fetal-Maternal Interface during Early Human Pregnancy1

Regulatory T cells (Treg) expand during pregnancy and are present at the fetal-maternal interface at very early stages in pregnancy. The migration mechanisms of Treg to the pregnant uterus are still unclear. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is secreted by the blastocyst immediately after fertilization and has chemoattractant properties. Therefore, we sought to analyze whether hCG secreted by early trophoblasts attracts Treg to the uterus and hence contributes to maternal tolerance toward the fetus. Decidua and placenta tissue samples from patients having spontaneous abortions or ectopic pregnancies were employed to evaluate Treg and hCG levels. Age-matched samples from normal pregnant women served as controls. We further performed in vitro studies with primary first trimester trophoblast cells and a choriocarcinoma cell line (JEG-3) aiming to evaluate the ability of secreted hCG to attract Treg. Patients having miscarriages or ectopic pregnancy presented significantly decreased hCG mRNA and protein levels associated with decreased Foxp3, neuropilin-1, IL-10, and TGF-β mRNA levels as compared with normal pregnant women. Using migration assays we demonstrated that Treg were attracted by hCG-producing trophoblasts or choriocarcinoma cells. Treg migration toward cells transfected with hCG expression vectors confirmed the chemoattractant ability of hCG. Our data clearly show that hCG produced by trophoblasts attracts Treg to the fetal-maternal interface. High hCG levels at very early pregnancy stages ensure Treg to migrate to the site of contact between paternal Ags and maternal immune cells and to orchestrate immune tolerance toward the fetus.
Acoustic characteristics of the third-order quasi-symmetric Lamb wave mode in an AlN/3C-SiC plate

In this study, the phase velocity and electromechanical coupling coefficient of the third-order quasi-symmetric (QS3) Lamb wave mode in a composite membrane composed of an AlN film and a cubic silicon carbide (3C-SiC) layer are theoretically and experimentally investigated. According to the theoretical simulation results, the epitaxial 3C-SiC (100) layer enhances the electromechanical coupling coefficient of the QS3 Lamb wave mode in the composite plate with a proper thickness ratio of AlN film to 3C-SiC layer. In addition, the 3C-SiC layer smoothes the phase velocity dispersion, making the QS3 mode applicable to the designs for the Lamb wave resonators. The experimental results show that the epitaxial 3C-SiC layer not only boosts the quality factor (Q) but also reduces the temperature coefficient of frequency (TCF) of the QS3 Lamb wave mode. While the 2.5-μm-thick AlN film and 2.6-μm-thick epitaxial 3C-SiC layer are employed, a Lamb wave resonator utilizing the QS3 mode exhibits a low motional impedance of 91 ohm and a high Q up to 5510 at a series resonance frequency (fs) of 2.92 GHz, resulting in a very high fs·Q product, 1.61×1013 Hz.
Op weg naar een realtime twitter anlyse tijdens crisis voor operationeel crisismanagement

Dit artikel sluit aan op de ontwikkeling dat steeds meer mensen gebruik maken van sociale media en tijdens een crisis of incident informatie en opinies hierover publiceren, waardoor er een nieuwe informatiebron is ontstaan. Hieruit zouden waterschappen en veiligheidsregio‟s relevantie informatie kunnen halen. Doormiddel van een analyseinstrument dat gebruik maakt van filters is het Pukkelpopfestival incident geanalyseerd. Tijdens dit incident waaide er door een plotselinge storm een festivaltent om, waarbij bezoekers om het leven kwamen. Door de visualisatie van Twitterberichten (en retweets) kunnen er onregelmatigheden in het Twitterverkeer ontdekt worden. Door het filteren van Twitterberichten op mogelijke voorspellers van het incident, schade, slachtoffers, informatie over de toestand, kan informatie aan het licht komen waar crisisprofessionals mogelijk op kunnen handelen. Ook is te zien dat burgers Twitter gebruiken om elkaar bij te staan met zaken als onderdak en transport. Tenslotte worden er conclusies en aanbevelingen geboden.
An Efficient Timing and Frequency Synchronization Scheme for OFDM based TETRA Systems

An efficient timing and frequency synchronization scheme for orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) based TETRA system is present. TETRA specifies its own preamble for timing synchronization and frequency offset estimation. Two correlators are utilized in this paper to make timing more accurately. A frequency offset estimator with adjustable parameter is proposed in time domain. According to the operation condition, set the proper range of the frequency offset estimator so that the best accuracy can be achieved. Simulation result shows that the proposed schemes exhibit good performances in the channel model defined in TETRA.
The Comprehension Strategies of Second Language (French) Listeners: A Descriptive Study

ABSTRACT This paper reports on a study of the relationship between the types of listening comprehension strategies reported, the frequency of their use, and the differences in reported use across four variables: level of language proficiency, gender, listening ability, and learning style. High school students of French reported on their thought processes during a think-aloud procedure. All students reported using metacognitive and cognitive strategies, with an overall increase in total number of strategies reported by proficiency level. Results indicate clear differences in reported strategy use by listening ability and proficiency level. The use of metacognitive strategies, such as comprehension monitoring, problem identification, and selective attention appeared to be the significant factor distinguishing the successful from the less successful listener. Differences for gender were minimal, and differences for learning style were inconclusive. A qualitative analysis of representative protocols also pointed to the integral role of metacognitive strategies as well as differences in the use of prior knowledge, inferencing, prediction skills, and monitoring. Results are discussed in the light of information-processing theory. Implications for pedagogy conclude the paper.
Radius Three Trees in Graphs with Large Chromatic Number

A class $\Gamma$ of graphs is $\chi$-bounded if there exists a function $f$ such that $\chi \left(G\right) \leq f \left(\omega \left(G\right) \right)$ for all graphs $G \in \Gamma$, where $\chi$ denotes chromatic number and $\omega$ denotes clique number. Gyarfas and Sumner independently conjectured that, for any tree T, the class ${\rm Forb} \left(T\right)$, consisting of graphs that do not contain T as an induced subgraph, is $\chi$-bounded. The first author and Penrice showed that this conjecture is true for any radius two tree. Here we use the work of several authors to show that the conjecture is true for radius three trees obtained from radius two trees by making exactly one subdivision in every edge adjacent to the root. These are the only trees with radius greater than two, other than subdivided stars, for which the conjecture is known to be true.
The Multiple Solitaire Paradigm

Cooperation and competition have not been adequately studied as independent variables. The Multiple Solitaire Paradigm is presented as a method for examining the differential effects of cooperation and competition on personality, situation, and task variables. The rules and procedures for using the paradigm are presented and the usefulness of the paradigm in studying the effects of instructions, reinforcement, and task interdependence on cooperation and competition is discussed.
Design and implementation of a differential LNA for WiMAX system

The low noise and high gain differential Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) was designed for an IEEE 802.16 Worldwide Interoperability Microwave Access (WiMAX) application. This paper presents a 3.3 GHz to 3.8 GHz CMOS LNA with differential and cascode circuits to reduce the noise figure (NF) and enhance the gain. The LNA was fabricated with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) 0.18 μm 1P6M standard CMOS process, the cascode technique can reduce the miller effect of gate-drain capacitor C<inf>gd</inf> in order to enhance gain, and the active balun can enhance gain and reduce noise. The circuit performances were measured by using on-wafer test. The differential LNA exhibits that the noise figure is 3.3 dB ~ 3.8 dB from 3.3 GHz to 3.8 GHz, the maximum power gain S<inf>21</inf> is 14.4±0.6 dB and S<inf>31</inf> is 12.4 ± 0.5 dB. The output return loss S<inf>22</inf> and S<inf>33</inf> are less than −11 dB. The power consumption is 14.8 mW at V<inf>DD</inf>=1.2 V.
Monitoring of Individual Needs in Diabetes (MIND): Baseline Data From the Cross-National Diabetes Attitudes, Wishes, and Needs (DAWN) MIND Study

OBJECTIVE To test the feasibility and impact of implementing the computer-assisted Monitoring of Individual Needs in Diabetes (MIND) procedure, which is aimed at improving recognition and management of the psychological needs of diabetic patients in routine care. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS The MIND study was implemented in diabetes clinics across eight countries as part of the annual review. The computerized assessment covered emotional well-being (World Health Organization 5 Well-Being Index), diabetes-related distress (Problem Areas in Diabetes), life events, and the patient’s agenda. Medical data were retrieved from the charts, and agreed-upon actions were recorded. RESULTS Of 1,567 patients monitored using the MIND, 24.9% had either likely depression or high diabetes-related distress; 5.4% had both. Over 80% of these patients were newly identified cases, and 41% of patients with depression were referred to a mental health professional. CONCLUSIONS Monitoring of well-being and diabetes-related distress as part of routine diabetes care is feasible and helps to identify and discuss unmet psychosocial needs.
Beyond output: the analysis of interlanguage development

One of the main challenges faced by second langague acquisition research is to find an answer to the question of which processes and strategies guide the learner's attempt to acquire a foreign language. Whereas most investigations are based on the learner's output, this paper argues in favor of a more comprehensive approach. It tries to close the speculative gap between output and the underlying processes by integrating three types of questions: (a) What requirements do learners impose on their own interlanguage output? (b) What linguistic knowledge concerning the fulfillment of their requirements do learners have stored in their memories? (c) What linguistic forms do learners actually use in their interlanguage output and how do these comply with their underlying knowledge? An analysis which goes beyond the bounds of output by combining what learners want with what they know along with what they produce leads to insights into their interlanguage processes. Quantitative procedures are introduced which measure learners' knowledge with respect to their requirement of correctness and also the extent to which their output complies with what they know. Three empirical studies are presented. They demonstrate that an analysis which combines information about requirements, knowledge and output can deal effectively with some of the dynamic aspects of interlanguage behavior.
Colour-emotion association study on abstract art painting

Most art paintings especially abstract art are created to evoke an emotional feeling in the viewer. Colour as a dominant low-level feature plays a significant role in visual perception. Colours can bring out different emotional feelings and the findings from several psychology studies have shown bright colours generally relate to positive emotions, whereas dark colours relate to negative emotions. This paper focuses on the study of relationships between colours and emotionson abstract art images. In this work, the colour featurevectors were extracted from images using the fuzzy colour histogram method, whereas emotion typevectors were obtained from a user rating study done on an abstract art imagedataset. Ourstudy shows that some emotion types have highly significant association with certain colours. For example, the fear emotion has a positive correlation with the colour black with a significant value of p <; 0.01.