Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Motivational, Online Guide to Help English Language Learners with the Development,Implementation, and Evaluation of their Individual Pronunciation Improvement Plans

A Motivational, Online Guide to Help English Language Learners with the Development, Implementation, and Evaluation of Their Individual Pronunciation Improvement Plans Sofía Laura Carreño Galdame Department of Linguistics and English Language, BYU Masters of Art Intelligibility is one of the major concerns among ESL learners due to its impact on their ability to communicate with native speakers of English (Derwing & Munro, 2005). Even though pronunciation is often addressed in classrooms, it is difficult to tackle all intelligibility issues relevant for each student. Therefore, it is crucial for ESL learners to spend some extra time outside of class improving their pronunciation. Faced with a daunting task of regulating and taking charge of their own learning, they often have questions with respect to what exactly they need to work on, what activities will help them achieve their goals, how they need to organize those activities, and how long they should practice until they can see results. In such an endeavor, issues like motivation to persist and put forth great effort arise and influence outcomes. In sum, many factors are in play when ESL learners strive to improve their intelligibility. The main purpose of creating Sofia’s ESL Pronunciation Lab is to guide ESL learners in improving intelligibility, while helping them feel confident and motivated about what they are doing. Thirty students participated in the pilot-testing phase of this project. They participated in six weeks of self-regulated instruction followed by the completion of a survey at the end of that period. The results show that Sofia’s ESL Pronunciation Lab accomplished its purpose. Students thought that the website guided them well in the creation and implementation of their own improvement plan. They also thought that the online guide was professional and informative. Several students gave constructive feedback to further enhance the website. Most suggestions were related to including more graphics and visuals as well as adding more content, such as examples and activities. Overall, students believed that the online guide was a helpful addition to the current instruction they were receiving as part of an intensive English language program of study.
Application-Level Optimization of Big Data Transfers through Pipelining, Parallelism and Concurrency

In end-to-end data transfers, there are several factors affecting the data transfer throughput, such as the network characteristics (e.g., network bandwidth, round-trip-time, background traffic); end-system characteristics (e.g., NIC capacity, number of CPU cores and their clock rate, number of disk drives and their I/O rate); and the dataset characteristics (e.g., average file size, dataset size, file size distribution). Optimization of big data transfers over inter-cloud and intra-cloud networks is a challenging task that requires joint-consideration of all of these parameters. This optimization task becomes even more challenging when transferring datasets comprised of heterogeneous file sizes (i.e., large files and small files mixed). Previous work in this area only focuses on the end-system and network characteristics however does not provide models regarding the dataset characteristics. In this study, we analyze the effects of the three most important transfer parameters that are used to enhance data transfer throughput: pipelining,parallelism and concurrency. We provide models and guidelines to set the best values for these parameters and present two different transfer optimization algorithms that use the models developed. The tests conducted over high-speed networking and cloud testbeds show that our algorithms outperform the most popular data transfer tools like Globus Online and UDT in majority of the cases.
Tissue and cellular distribution of an adhesion molecule in the carcinoembryonic antigen family that serves as a receptor for mouse hepatitis virus.

BACKGROUND The receptor for the murine coronavirus mouse hepatitis virus (MHV)-A59, called MHVR or Bgp1a, is a glycoprotein in the carcinoembryonic antigen family of the Ig superfamily. Biliary glycoprotein (Bgp) isoforms play a role in cell adhesion, bile acid transport, and ecto-ATPase activity. MHV-resistant SJL/J mice express a different allele of Bgp1 called Bgp1b. Analysis of the tissue and cellular distribution of Bgp1 proteins can therefore provide new insight on both cellular functions and MHV-A59--induced pathogenesis. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Bgp1 expression was analyzed in the digestive, respiratory, endocrine, urinary, and central nervous systems of adult BALB/c and SJL/J mice by immunocytochemistry and immunoelectron microscopy using a monoclonal Ab specific for the N-terminal domain of the Bgp1a proteins and polyclonal rabbit anti-Bgp1, which recognizes both the Bgp1a and Bgp1b proteins. The function of Bgp1 proteins as viral receptors was tested on tissue sections by a virus binding assay. MHV-A59 replication was analyzed by immunocytochemistry. RESULTS Bgp1 expression was observed on membranes of epithelial cells (including hepatocytes, intestinal, endocrine, and respiratory epithelial cells), kidney proximal tubules, and endothelial cells in many tissues. It was usually localized at the apical pole of the cells and, when present, on the brush borders and the cilia. A new direct virus binding assay showed that MHV attachment onto cells correlates with Bgp1 expression. Viral infection was detected in hepatocytes, lymphoid tissue, and the exocrine pancreas but not in endocrine cells, enterocytes, kidney, or respiratory cells. In the central nervous system, no immunolabeling of neurons or glial cells was found with anti-Bgp1 Ab. CONCLUSIONS Bgp1 proteins are present on BALB/c and SJL/J epithelia and endothelia. These glycoproteins might be involved in cell-to-cell contacts, for example between hepatocytes. On BALB/c mice, Bgp1a expression is consistent with the tropism of MHV-A59 for the liver. However, Bgp1a was also expressed on cells that were not infected by MHV-A59.
Spatio-temporal correlations in fMRI time series : the whitening approach

For the purpose of statistical characterization of the spatio-temporal correlation structure of high-dimensional fMRI time series we propose an innovation approach, based on whitening the data by nearest-neighbors autoregressive modeling with external inputs (NN-ARx). It is demonstrated that the whitening step is suitable for elucidating the significant instantaneous spatial dependences between remote voxels. Potential and limitations of characterizing causality by autoregressive modeling are discussed in the context of the study of brain connectivity structure. Results for the analysis of fMRI data recorded during visual and motor stimulus experiment are also shown.
Observational Learning of a Bimanual Coordination Task: Understanding Movement Feature Extraction, Model Performance Level, and Perspective Angle

Observational Learning of a Bimanual Coordination Task: Understanding Movement Feature Extraction, Model Performance Level, and Perspective Angle. (December 2009) Noah J. Dean, B.S.; M.S., Angelo State University Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. John J. Buchanan One experiment was adminstered to address three issues central to identifying the processes that underlie our ability to learn through observation. One objective of the study was to identify the movement features (relative or absolute) extracted by an observer when demonstration acts as the training protocol. A second objective was to investigate how the performance level of the model (trial-to-trial variability in strategy selection) providing the demonstrations influences movement feature extraction. Lastly, a goal was to test whether or not visual perspective of the model by the observer (firstperson or third-person) interacts with the aforementioned variables. The goal of the task was to trace two circles templates with a 90° relative phase offset between the two hands. Video recordings of two models practicing over three days were used to make three videos for the study; an expert performance, discovery performance, and instruction performance video. The discovery video portrayed a decrease in relative phase error and a transition from high trial-to-trial variability in the strategy selection to use of a single strategy. The instruction video also portrayed a decrease in relative phase error, but with no strategy search throughout practice. The expert video showed no
Multiagent Reinforcement Learning Algorithm Research Based on Non Markov Environment

In this paper several multiagent reinforcement learning algorithms are investigated, compared and analyzed. An effective reinforcement learning algorithm based on non Markov environment is proposed. This algorithm uses linear programming to find the best-response policy, and avoids solving multiple Nash equilibria problem. The algorithm involves simple procedures and easy computations, and can guarantee good learning convergence in some situations. Experiment results show that this algorithm is effective. Keyword: multiagent; reinforcement learning; markov environment; nash equilibria
Mechanisms of Clinical Arrhythmias

The mechanisms responsible for cardiac arrhythmias are generally divided into categories of disorders of impulse formation, disorders of impulse conduction, or combinations of both.1 Using the features of entrainment (see below), arrhythmias caused by macro-reentry circuits can be identified. It is important to realize that our present diagnostic tools do not permit unequivocal determination of the electrophysiological mechanisms responsible for many clinically occurring arrhythmias or their ionic bases. This is especially true for ventricular arrhythmias. It may be difficult to separate reentry, particularly microreentry, from automaticity. In addition, an episode of tachycardia caused by one mechanism can precipitate a tachycardia perpetuated by a different mechanism. For example, an initiating tachycardia or premature complex caused by abnormal automaticity can precipitate an episode of tachycardia sustained by reentry. Initiation or termination of tachycardias by pacing stimuli, response to overdrive pacing, the demonstration of electrical activity bridging diastole, fixed coupling, and a variety of other clinically used techniques do not provide absolute proof of the mechanisms.
“Because you have Talked about your Feelings, you Don't Have to Think about them in School”: Experiences of School-Based Counselling for Primary School Pupils in Northern Ireland

ABSTRACT Well-being is increasingly being recognised as an important aspect of children's lives. Barnardo's Northern Ireland “Time 4 Me” school-based counselling service was established in 2007 with the purpose of providing individual counselling for primary school children and wrap-around support for parents/carers and school staff. The focus of the service is to improve the emotional well-being of pupils by helping them cope better with life problems in order to increase their learning capacity. The Time 4 Me service employs an “outcome-informed” approach and routinely administers a range of outcome tools to all service participants—pupils, parents/carers and school staff—to capture change over time and overall impact. The service employs a range of measures to track impact, including the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, the Child Outcome Rating Scale and the Child Session Rating Scale. In addition, the service has created a bespoke qualitative “experience of intervention” survey to capture the views of children using the service. This article presents qualitative data collected from this survey from all pupils who used the Time 4 Me service in the academic year 2013/14. This was a total of 120 primary school pupils from 20 schools. Results indicated children accessed school-based counselling for relational problems and behaviour and emotional issues. Differences in the reasons children use counselling have been found in terms of gender and age group. Key findings presented in this article focus on what children reported they liked about counselling, what methods and strategies they found helpful, and the changes they reported in their lives.
Characterizing truthful multi-armed bandit mechanisms: extended abstract

We consider a multi-round auction setting motivated by pay-per-click auctions for Internet advertising. In each round the auctioneer selects an advertiser and shows her ad, which is then either clicked or not. An advertiser derives value from clicks; the value of a click is her private information. Initially, neither the auctioneer nor the advertisers have any information about the likelihood of clicks on the advertisements. The auctioneer's goal is to design a (dominant strategies) truthful mechanism that (approximately) maximizes the social welfare. If the advertisers bid their true private values, our problem is equivalent to the multi-armed bandit problem, and thus can be viewed as a strategic version of the latter. In particular, for both problems the quality of an algorithm can be characterized by regret, the difference in social welfare between the algorithm and the benchmark which always selects the same "best" advertisement. We investigate how the design of multi-armed bandit algorithms is affected by the restriction that the resulting mechanism must be truthful. We find that truthful mechanisms have certain strong structural properties -- essentially, they must separate exploration from exploitation -- and they incur much higher regret than the optimal multi-armed bandit algorithms. Moreover, we provide a truthful mechanism which (essentially) matches our lower bound on regret.
An Approach to Assessing the Reliability of Anthropometrics in Elderly Patients

Although anthropometrics have traditionally been utilized in the assessment of protein‐energy malnutrition, little is known of the reliability of these measurements in elderly patient populations. In this study, the reliability of an anthropometric measurement protocol, designed for ease in measurement of both independent and functionally debilitated elderly patients, is evaluated. An analysis of variance technique was used to calculate the test‐retest variance for each of three observers. Although the experience of the three observers was equivalent, the precision of their measurements varied considerably. After repeat practice sessions, improved measurement reliability was demonstrated. For all the observers, the test‐retest variance was found to be proportional to the size of the measurement and to be influenced by the accuracy in which the site for each measurement was located. Based on this study, we conclude that when using anthropometrics it is important to know the reliability of each observers' measurements. Because of the correlation between the test‐retest variance and the measurement value, we suggest that the variance be expressed as a percentile. A method for transforming the variances is presented.
New approach of accident benefit analysis for rear end collision avoidance and mitigation systems

In Germany approximately 12% of all accidents with persons injured and approximately 20% of all material damage accidents are caused by cars in rear end collisions. As a consequence, Bosch is introducing collision avoidance and mitigation systems for rear impact scenarios. Warning, brake support, and autonomous emergency braking are part of Bosch's Advanced Emergency Braking Systems which address such accidents. This study determines the benefit of these assistance and safety systems and estimates the collision avoidance capability considering the driver's behavior. By analyzing representative accidents with injuries from the GIDAS (German In-Depth Accident Study) database, a high potential for collision warning and avoidance systems was determined. For the first time in such a study, this analysis considers the effects of different driver reactions due to warning, braking support, or autonomous braking with respect to the possible driver behavior. For this, a calculation method was developed and used for evaluating the accidents automatically. Both accident avoidance and average speed reduction was determined for different driver types, warning strategies and applications. From the results, an avoidance ratio of 38% for Predictive Collision Warning up to 72% for Automatic Emergency Braking, of all rear-end accidents can be expected for a realistic driver. Therefore it is estimated that 3 out of 4 accidents with severe injuries could be avoided based on the Emergency Brake Assist function and assuming a 100% installation rate. The potential to reduce collision speed in non avoided accidents is calculated on an average basis and is determined to be between 25% and 55% for the realistic driver. The results in the analyses show the high efficiency of the Bosch AEBS functions in avoiding accidents or mitigating injuries by reducing collision speed and should encourage the introduction of Advanced Emergency Braking Systems across a wide range. The full text of this paper may be found at: http://www-nrd.nhtsa. dot.gov/pdf/esv/esv21/09-0281.pdf For the covering abstract see ITRD E145407.
Analyzing Past and Predicting Future Drought with Comprehensive Drought Indices for Arkansas-Red River Basin

This study is intended to examine the past drought and predict future drought scenarios for Arkansas-Red River Basin with comprehensive drought indices ranging from meteorology, hydrometeorology to hydrology. In this proceeding, we present some early results and analysis with the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and the Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI). Historical climate data within the 1900-2009 timeframe were archived to derive the drought indices calculations. The projected A2, A1B climate data modules from 16 statistically downscaled Global Climate Models (GCM) were applied in drought occurrence frequency and affected area prediction. The results from the SPI and PDSI show that widespread drought took place in the 1910s, 1930s, 1950s and 1960s, which agrees with the historical climate record. Both the SPI and PDSI indicate more frequent droughts in the second part of the 21 century, but predictions from the two indices were carried out under different scenarios. The two indices describe future drought characteristics from a temporal and a spatial perspective. Future SPI values indicate that there might be a 110 year period of drought cycles occurring in the Arkansas-Red River Basin under A2, and future PDSI shows more severe droughts in the western portions of the basin under A1B.
Selective Phosphodiesterase 4B Inhibitors: A Review

Abstract Phosphodiesterase 4B (PDE4B) is a member of the phosphodiesterase family of proteins that plays a critical role in regulating intracellular levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) by controlling its rate of degradation. It has been demonstrated that this isoform is involved in the orchestra of events which includes inflammation, schizophrenia, cancers, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, contractility of the myocardium, and psoriatic arthritis. Phosphodiesterase 4B has constituted an interesting target for drug development. In recent years, a number of PDE4B inhibitors have been developed for their use as therapeutic agents. In this review, an up-to-date status of the inhibitors investigated for the inhibition of PDE4B has been given so that this rich source of structural information of presently known PDE4B inhibitors could be helpful in generating a selective and potent inhibitor of PDE4B.
A Novel Control-flow based Intrusion Detection Technique for Big Data Systems

Security and distributed infrastructure are two of the most common requirements for big data software. But the security features of the big data platforms are still premature. It is critical to identify, modify, test and execute some of the existing security mechanisms before using them in the big data world. In this paper, we propose a novel intrusion detection technique that understands and works according to the needs of big data systems. Our proposed technique identifies program level anomalies using two methods - a profiling method that models application behavior by creating process signatures from control-flow graphs; and a matching method that checks for coherence among the replica nodes of a big data system by matching the process signatures. The profiling method creates a process signature by reducing the control-flow graph of a process to a set of minimum spanning trees and then creates a hash of that set. The matching method first checks for similarity in process behavior by matching the received process signature with the local signature and then shares the result with all replica datanodes for consensus. Experimental results show only 0.8% overhead due to the proposed technique when tested on the hadoop map-reduce examples in real-time.
The METIS 5G System Concept: Meeting the 5G Requirements

The development of every new generation of wireless communication systems starts with bold, high-level requirements and predictions of its capabilities. The 5G system will not only have to surpass previous generations with respect to rate and capacity, but also address new usage scenarios with very diverse requirements, including various kinds of machine-type communication. Following this, the METIS project has developed a 5G system concept consisting of three generic 5G services: extreme mobile broadband, massive machine-type communication, and ultra-reliable MTC, supported by four main enablers: a lean system control plane, a dynamic radio access network, localized contents and traffic flows, and a spectrum toolbox. This article describes the most important system-level 5G features, enabled by the concept, necessary to meet the very diverse 5G requirements. System-level evaluation results of the METIS 5G system concept are presented, and we conclude that the 5G requirements can be met with the proposed system concept.
Diet, rumen biohydrogenation and nutritional quality of cow and goat milk fat

The potential to modify the milk fatty acid (FA) composition by changing the cow or goat diets is reviewed. Ruminal biohydrogenation (RBH), combined with mammary lipogenic and A-9 desaturation pathways, considerably modifies the profile of dietary FA and thus milk composition. The pasture has major effects by decreasing saturated FA and increasing FA considered as favorable for human health (c9-18:1, 18:3n-3 and c9t11-CLA), compared to winter diets, especially those based on maize silage and concentrates. Plant lipid supplements have effects similar to pasture, especially linseed, but they increase to a larger extent, simultaneously several trans isomers of 18:1 and, conjugated or non-conjugated 18:2, especially when added to maize silage or concentrate-rich diets. The goat responds better for milk 18:3n-3 and c9t11-CLA, and sometimes less for c9-18:1, and is less prone to the RBH trans-11 to trans-10 shift, which has been shown to be time dependent in the cow. The respective physiological roles of most milk trans FA have not been studied to date, and more studies in rodents and humans fed dairy products modified by changing ruminant diet are required before recommending a larger use of lipid sources and how to combine them with the different feeding systems used by dairy farmers.
Le TBI : un nouvel instrument pour innover l’enseignement / apprentissage du FLE

Le dispositif techno-pedagogique propose dans cet article, sollicite pleinement le Tableau Blanc Interactif (TBI). Il vise le developpement de capacites d’expression et de communication en langue francaise dans des situations d’apprentissage concretes, et approfondit la reflexion sur le fonctionnement de la langue. L’engagement sociocognitif de l’apprenant y est tout particulierement sollicite pour qu’il puisse donner plus de sens a son apprentissage. Sur un plan purement theorique, c’est aussi l’occasion de considerer les differentes actions pedagogiques qu’il est possible d’envisager avec le TBI en classe de FLE.