Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Conduct Problems and Treatment across Home and School: A Review of the Literature

Treatment of conduct problems in the home setting has received much attention in the literature, and there are well established, empirically derived treatment programs that have been demonstrated to be effective. However, treatment for conduct problems in the classroom has not received a comparable amount of attention, and the intervention programs are diverse, occasionally lacking empirical support, and often not consistent with strategies used in the home setting. As past research has demonstrated that conduct problems in multiple settings is related to poorer prognosis, it is logical to suggest that interventions should focus on as many of the settings as possible in which a child displays the behaviour problems. This paper reviews the literature on the effects of conduct problems in the classroom, on teacher managerial skills, and on interventions across the home and school settings. It is concluded that classroom management of conduct problems could be improved by providing a hierarchical system of intervention strategies.
Reliable accounting in grids

Grid computing is a distributed environment in which a remote service is provided by a resource owner to a client by means of a grid infrastructure. One of the major expectations for grid computing is about the rising of a market where users pay to access the computational and storage capacity offered by a resource owner. In this scenario, all the steps of the economic transaction related to the fulfilment of a service are accomplished with the mediation of the grid infrastructure. Several economic models have been proposed for determining how to charge the services offered through a grid. In this paper, we outline one important security issue that may arise in models where services are priced according to the amount of resources they consume. Our contribution is to propose a new security model where secure grid transactions are possible even when resource owners and clients are corrupted.
Improving Automatic Evaluation of Mandarin Pronunciation with Speaker Adaptive Training (SAT) and MLLR Speaker Adaption

Automatic pronunciation evaluation (APE) can be implemented with a speech recognition model trained by standard, "golden" speakers. The pronunciation accuracy is then measured with the Goodness of Pronunciation (GOP) as reported in our earlier work [1]. In this paper, we investigate two main strategies for improving the evaluation: speaker adaptive training (SAT) for reducing the speaker-specific characteristics in model training and MLLR-based speaker adaptation in evaluation for reducing mismatch between the trained model and a testing speaker. Overall, the proposed strategies improve the correlation between evaluations made by APE and human experts from 0.69 to 0.76, approaching the upper bound value of 0.78 among human expert evaluators. Additionally, APE also shows a consistency of 0.93 better than the consistency of 0.83 among human experts.
Impact d'une sieste sur plasticité cérébrale induite par stimulation magnétique transcrânienne

Impact d'une sieste sur plasticité cérébrale induite par stimulation magnétique transcrânienne par Zoran Sekerovic Département de psychologie Faculté des arts et des sciences Mémoire présenté à la Faculté des études supérieures en vue de l'obtention du grade de M.Sc. importante variabilité inter et intra-individuelle dont les possibles causes sont discutées. Abstract In humans, various repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) protocols can be used to modulate motor cortical plasticity. These techniques have shed light on the role of sleep in neural plasticity regulation. Recent work has demonstrated that when a night of sleep follows one session of rTMS over the hand motor cortex (M1), the capacity to induce subsequent plasticity by another rTMS session in M1 is enhanced. The present study investigated whether such metaplasticity could also benefit from a day nap. Fourteen healthy participants received two sessions of intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) known for its excitatory effects on cortical excitability over M1 spaced by either a 90-minute nap or an equivalent amount of wake. Motor cortical excitability was measured in terms of amplitude of motor evoked potentials (MEP), which were assessed before iTBS and after the stimulation. Results show that the first iTBS session did not induce significant change in MEP amplitude. The second iTBS session induced variable plastic changes regardless of whether participants slept or stayed awake. The effects of iTBS on motor cortical excitability were highly variable within and between individuals. The possible causes of such variability are discussed
Data quality and factor analysis of the Danish version of the Relationship Scale Questionnaire

Background The Relationship Scale Questionnaire (RSQ) is a widely-used measure of adult attachment, but whether the results obtained by the RSQ fit the attachment construct has only been examined to a limited extent. Objective The objectives of this study were to investigate the psychometric properties of the Danish translation of the RSQ and to test whether the results are consistent with the hypothesized model of attachment. Methods The study included two samples: 602 general practitioners and 611 cancer patients. The two samples were analyzed separately. Data quality was assessed by mean, median and missing values for each item, floor and ceiling effects, average inter-item correlations and Cronbach’s α for each subscale. Test-retest was assessed by intra-class correlations among 76 general practitioners. A confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to establish evidence of the four proposed subscales. Due to an inadequate fit of the model, data was randomly split into two equally sized subsamples and an exploratory factor analysis was conducted for all 30 items in the first subsample comprised of 286 cancer patients and 285 general practitioners. The EFA yielded a three-factor structure which was validated through a confirmatory factor analyses in a second subsample comprised of 278 cancer patients and 289 general practitioners. Results The data quality of the RSQ was generally good, except low internal consistency and low to moderate test-retest reliability. The four subscales of the RSQ were not confirmed by the confirmatory factor analysis. An exploratory factor analysis suggested a three-factor solution for both general practitioners and patients, which accounted for 61.1% of the variance among general practitioners and 62.5% among patients. The new three-factor solution was verified in a confirmatory factor analyses. Conclusion The proposed four-factor model of the RSQ could not be confirmed in this study. Similar challenges have been found by other studies validating the RSQ. An alternative three-factor structure was found for the RSQ.
Fully integrated CMOS data and clock recovery for wireless biomedical implants

In order to minimize the size and improve the efficiency of power consumption, most of wireless implantable Microsystems use Amplitude Shift Keying (ASK) modulator to transmit, through a RF link, data and energy to the internal implants. In this paper, we propose a new structure of wireless data and clock recovery dedicated for biomedical implants. It consists in a fully integrated ASK demodulator unit and a digital Manchester decoder. The demodulator is based on active components instead of the passive elements, as resistance or capacitance, to extract a robust data with a low modulation index. The whole digital Manchester decoder intends to recover data and clock from the demodulated signal. The following design has been validated by CADENCE environment using Specter simulation in a standard AMS 0. 35μm CMOS process. The data rate is simulated by 1Mbps speed for 10MHz carrier frequency and 20% modulation index.
Zerocrossing-based fine structure representation to convey Mandarin tonal information: A study on the noise effect

Since the fine structure cue of the speech signal has been believed to be important for the pitch perception of cochlear implant (CI) users, studies are actively ongoing with attempts to propose novel CI speech processing strategies incorporating the fine structure cue. A speech synthesis model with the zerocrossing-based fine structure representation has been recently developed. This paper further examines its ability to convey Mandarin tonal information in the noisy conditions. Acoustic simulation experiment of Mandarin tone identification was conducted. The experimental results supported that the zerocrossing-based speech processing strategy could more efficiently convey Mandarin tonal information than the traditional continuous-interleaved-sampling (CIS) method, even when the Mandarin voices were contaminated by the speech-spectrum shaped noise at low signal-to-noise-ratio levels. It is believed that the zerocrossing technique would facilitate the development of novel CI speech processor to enhance the pitch perception of cochlear implantees speaking tonal language, such as Mandarin.
VEGF189 binds NRP1 and is sufficient for VEGF/NRP1-dependent neuronal patterning in the developing brain

The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGFA, VEGF) regulates neurovascular patterning. Alternative splicing of the Vegfa gene gives rise to three major isoforms termed VEGF121, VEGF165 and VEGF189. VEGF165 binds the transmembrane protein neuropilin 1 (NRP1) and promotes the migration, survival and axon guidance of subsets of neurons, whereas VEGF121 cannot activate NRP1-dependent neuronal responses. By contrast, the role of VEGF189 in NRP1-mediated signalling pathways has not yet been examined. Here, we have combined expression studies and in situ ligand-binding assays with the analysis of genetically altered mice and in vitro models to demonstrate that VEGF189 can bind NRP1 and promote NRP1-dependent neuronal responses. Summary: Although VEGF165 was thought to be the sole VEGF isoform acting through neuropilin 1 (NRP1), VEGF189 also binds to and signals through NRP1 in several types of developing mouse neurons.
Real‐time Light Animation

Light source animation is a particularly hard field of real‐time global illumination algorithms since moving light sources result in drastic illumination changes and make coherence techniques less effective. However, the animation of small (point‐like) light sources represents a special but practically very important case, for which the reuse of the results of other frames is possible. This paper presents a fast light source animation algorithm based on the virtual light sources illumination method. The speed up is close to the length of the animation, and is due to reusing paths in all frames and not only in the frame where they were obtained. The possible applications of this algorithm are the lighting design and systems to convey shape and features with relighting.
Policy-Based SLA-Aware Cloud Service Provision Framework

Cloud computing has emerged as a new paradigm, which is the long-held dream of computing as utility, customer get it on an on-demand model. When discuss about performance requirement and QoS (Quality of Service) of service, it is hard to tackle these problem in a round consideration. In this work we propose an SLA-aware (Service Level Agreement aware) framework ¨C cloud service provider (CSP) for cloud service (cloud infrastructure) delivery, and making allowance for the benefit of stakeholder of cloud service provider and service consumer. By using our proposed system and hierarchy SLA monitoring model we reached our win-win objective which is maximum revenue of cloud provider and minimum SLA violation.
Region-of-interest reduction using edge and depth images for pedestrian detection in urban areas

For real-time pedestrian detection, it is important to identify a relatively small set of region-of-interests (ROIs) accurately improve the computational efficiency. In this paper, we propose a ROI reduction method that exploits edges and depth information obtained from stereo images. In the proposed method, special features of urban areas along with depth and ground plane information are used to reduce the number of ROIs in stereo-based pedestrian detection. Experimental results show that the proposed method improves the speed of pedestrian detection while keeping the detection performance.
fSOLATION OF INDOLE-3-ACETIC ACID FRO'M CORN KERNELS & ETIOLATED CORN SEEDLINGS 1'2

IJndole-3-acetic acid (IAA) has been commonly accepted as an important platnt auxin (4, 14, 20). Grain of corn (Zea ;nays L.) is a rich source and milligraini quantities have been isolate(l by alkaline hydrolysis of the mlature kernels (2. 16). or by direct extraction fromii immllature kernels (15). A number of reports have appeared concerning occurrence of TAA in vegetative portions of plants, but in many cases (liethyl ether has been used as the extracting solxenit in a manner which can allow the enzymatic conv-ersion of tryptophan to IAA (40). In other cases, the existence of IAA is presumed from the bioassay of chromiiatograms run in a single solvent. Thus proof that free IAA is generally distributed in gt'roWing plant tissue is not yet available (1). In a previous study (35), relatively large amounts of IAA have been dletected in Ulstilago Zeae (Beckm.) Ung. tumilors and smiialler amiiounlts in healthy, earlytassel-stage corn stalks. Thie objective of the present study was to isolate free IAA from vegetative plant tissue using sufficientlv rigorous isolation and assay procedures to establish its ideentity. MIethods were developed to permit the use of kilogram quantities of plant tissue. anid the additioil of trace amiiounts of TAA-2-C'4 facilitate(d evaluIation of losses (luring isolation.
A Public Policymaker's Dilemma: Economic Development Meets Complexity Theory

Conventional economics falls short in addressing complex social issues. By examining the cost-benefit analysis framework, this paper analyzes the theoretical underpinnings of mainstream economic development and its problematic assumptions of diminishing returns and optimal market equilibrium. After shedding light on the pitfalls of cost-benefit analysis, and subsequently economic development, the author offers implications that policymakers should be aware of when faced with economic issues characteristic of complexity in the form of increasing returns, multiple equilibria and potential path dependence. All around the United States, public policymakers rely on economic studies to decide on alternative development paths. Do we choose plan A or plan B? At the crux of such works is the process of cost-benefit analysis (CBA) or its manifestations, including cost-effectiveness, regulatory impact analyses, and project or benefit evaluation. Every USA federally funded economic development initiative over $100 million must conduct a cost-benefit analysis in compliance with the Office of Management and Budget. Judges often require a CBA study before authorizing new projects that disrupt the environment. While this technique is pervasive in applied economics, it has poor theoretical foundations and is unable to deal with the emerging science of complexity theory. Regardless, this technique is mainstream and used by the economic development profession suggesting that policymakers ought to be cautious in its application. In the spirit of this dilemma, the following examines economic decision-making in the face of complexity theory. CBA is used as an example of how conventional economic theory falls short when seeking solutions for complex issues. The paper finishes with implications for public policymakers faced with the dilemma of using a tool that may not prescribe appropriate courses of action to spur economic development. Overview of Cost-Benefit Analysis Cost-benefit analysis, and economic development, traces its roots into the 17 th century and emerged as a technique in the early 20 th century with the passing of the Flood Control Act of 1934. In this field's seminal work, D. W. Pearce laid the foundation for CBA as a procedure for measuring the gains and losses to individuals in terms of money and then aggregating those money valuations to find net social gains or losses (Pearce 1984, 3). Kornai identifies three major axioms underlying cost-benefit analysis. These are the existence of a social welfare function, the objective to maximize the social profit function and finally, the assumptions of convexity of production possibility sets along with the concavity of social welfare functions (Chakravarty 1987, 687). In other words, CBA rests on the existence of consumer surplus; that surplus can be measured in terms of money; and one can determine overall costs and benefits in markets consistent with
Anticholinesterases in the heart‐lung preparation

In 1949 Biilbring & Burn showed that the activity of the isolated auricles of the rabbit was related to the synthesis of acetylcholine. They observed that the spontaneous contractions of the auricles ceased at the end of 24-30 hr, but were resumed if acetylcholine (ACh) was added to the bath. They determined the choline acetylase activity of the auricles and found that it was high initially, was low when the auricles ceased to beat, and became high again when the beat was resumed. Further evidence bearing on the view that ACh controls the initiation and conduction of the contractions has been provided by Burn & Kottegoda (1953) who have studied the effect of eserine on the auricles, by Biilbring, Kottegoda & Shelley (1954) who have studied the effect of eserine on the cholinesterase in the auricles, and by Briscoe & Burn (1954) who have studied the action of other anticholinesterases and of quinidine on the auricles. Low concentrations of eserine usually slowed the rate of the auricles, but in about one-quarter of the trials they increased it. Higher concentrations always slowed the rate, and concentrations between 10-4 and 10-3 g/ml. arrested the beat. Low concentrations increased the amplitude, and higher ones increased it more. Concentrations above 10-4 g/ml. diminished the amplitude. We have now investigated the action of anticholinesterases in the Starling heart-lung preparation of the dog to determine their effect in conditions much closer to those existing in the body. In this preparation the vagus nerves are cut and the central nervous system is excluded so that no impulses reach the heart by way of the sympathetic nerves. The heart rate is therefore determined by the pacemaker free from reflex and central control.
Speaker and language recognition using speech codec parameters

Abstract : In this paper, we investigate the effect of speech coding on speaker and language recognition tasks. Three coders were selected to cover a wide range of quality and bit rates: GSM at 12.2 kb/s, G.729 at 8 kb/s, and G.723. 1 at 5.3 kb/s. Our objective is to measure recognition performance from either the synthesized speech or directly from the coder parameters themselves. We show that using speech synthesized from the three codecs, GMM-based speaker verification and phone-based language recognition performance generally degrades with coder bit rate, i.e., from GSM to G.729 to G.723. 1, relative to an uncoded baseline. In addition, speaker verification for all codecs shows a performance decrease as the degree of mismatch between training and testing conditions increases, while language recognition exhibited no decrease in performance. We also present initial results in determining the relative importance of codec system components in their direct use for recognition tasks. For the G.729 codec, it is shown that removal of the post-filter in the decoder helps speaker verification performance under the mismatched condition. On the other hand, with use of G.729 LSF-based mel-cepstra, performance decreases under all conditions, indicating the need for a residual contribution to the feature representation.
Fast type reconstruction for dynamically typed programming languages

Type inference and type reconstruction derive static types for program elements that have no static type associated with them. They have a wide range of usage, such as helping to eliminate the burden of manually specifying types, verifying whether a program is type-safe, helping to produce more optimized code or helping to understand programs. While type inference and type reconstruction is an active field of research, most existing techniques are interested foremost in the precision of their approaches, at the expense of execution speed. As a result, existing approaches are not suited to give direct feedback in development environments, where interactivity dictates very fast approaches. This paper presents a type reconstruction algorithm for variables that is extremely fast (in the order of milliseconds) and reasonably precise (75 percent). The system is implemented as a byte-code evaluator in several Smalltalk environments, and its execution speed and precision are validated on a number of concrete case studies.
Evaluating the Word Sense Disambiguation Performance of Statistical Machine Translation

We present the first known empirical test of an increasingly common speculative claim, by evaluating a representative Chinese-toEnglish SMT model directly on word sense disambiguation performance, using standard WSD evaluation methodology and datasets from the Senseval-3 Chinese lexical sample task. Much effort has been put in designing and evaluating dedicated word sense disambiguation (WSD) models, in particular with the Senseval series of workshops. At the same time, the recent improvements in the BLEU scores of statistical machine translation (SMT) suggests that SMT models are good at predicting the right translation of the words in source language sentences. Surprisingly however, the WSD accuracy of SMT models has never been evaluated and compared with that of the dedicated WSD models. We present controlled experiments showing the WSD accuracy of current typical SMT models to be significantly lower than that of all the dedicated WSD models considered. This tends to support the view that despite recent speculative claims to the contrary, current SMT models do have limitations in comparison with dedicated WSD models, and that SMT should benefit from the better predictions made by the WSD models. The authors would like to thank the Hong Kong Research Grants Council (RGC) for supporting this research in part through grants RGC6083/99E, RGC6256/00E, and DAG03/04.EG09.
Instructional Supervision: The Winter and the Warm.

Instructional supervisors hold a unique posi tion in the nation's school systems. Whether called consultants, coordinators, or curriculum specialists, they are expected to assist and guide teachers in ways that will improve their perform ance and effectiveness. For supervisors themselves to be effective, they must be motivated to work beyond minimum standards. Knowing factors that affect how super visors feel about their jobs is important to those who supervise them. I asked 85 central office supervisors in Louisiana to describe actual job ex periences that resulted in positive and negative attitudes toward their work. Most seemed to ap preciate the chance to describe highs and lows in their work situations. Each related two-experi ences—one that led to extremely good feelings about the job and another that led to extremely bad feelings. I analyzed the descriptions and clas sified them to determine the primary factors that are dissatisfiers ("the winter") and those that are satisfiers ("the warm"). Their two main sources of job dissatisfaction were interpersonal relations and school policy and administration. Sources of satisfaction were achievement and recognition.