Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
MediaEvo project: the life in a medieval town

The MediaEvo Project aims to develop a multi-channel and multi-sensory platform for edutainment in cultural heritage for the realization of a digital didactic game oriented towards the knowledge of medieval history and society by means of the integration of human sciences and data processing technologies. It deals with historical findings, geo-morphological inquiries, data management systems and the definition of a virtual immersive platform for playing and educating. This paper introduces the theoretical questions related to the educative use of Virtual Reality technology and describes the steps of the reconstruction of the town of Otranto in the Middle Ages: data collection and integration, organization of work, peripherals and software applications. During its definition, the platform that has been planned for educational purposes has proved to be useful for testing the hypothesis coming from researchers about the ancient town and its everyday life. At the end of project, other research fields have been tested on the game: new peripherals for motion and interaction, virtual treasure hunt and Augmented Reality technology.
Adaptive Checkpoint Replication for Supporting the Fault Tolerance of Applications in the Grid

A major challenge in a dynamic Grid with thousands of machines connected to each other is fault tolerance. The more resources and components involved, themore complicated and error-prone becomes the system. Migol is an adaptive Grid middleware, which addresses the fault tolerance of Grid applications and services by providing the capability to recover applications from checkpoint files automatically. A critical aspect for an automatic recovery is the availability of checkpoint files: If a resource becomes unavailable, it is very likely that the associated storage is also unreachable, e. g. due to a network partition. A strategy to increase the availability of checkpoints isreplication.In this paper, we present the Checkpoint Replication Service. A key feature of this service is the ability to automatically replicate and monitor checkpoints in the Grid.
The TUM system for the REVERB Challenge: Recognition of Reverberated Speech using Multi-Channel Correlation Shaping Dereverberation and BLSTM Recurrent Neural Networks

This paper presents the TUM contribution to the 2014 REVERB Challenge: we describe a system for robust recognition of reverberated speech. In addition to an HMM-GMM recogniser, we use bidirectional long short-term memory (LSTM) recurrent neural networks. These networks can exploit long-range temporal context by using memory cells in the hidden units, which increases the robustness against reverberation. The LSTM is trained with phonemes as targets, and the predictions are converted into observation likelihoods and used as an acoustic model. Furthermore, we apply a dereverberation method called correlation shaping on the 8-channel recordings. This method applies a reduction of the long-term correlation energy in the received reverberant speech. The linear prediction residual, which generally contains information about reverberation, is processed to suppress the long-term correlation that is mostly due to the speaker-to-receiver impulse response. Using dereverberation as a front-end of the GMM in combination with the LSTM predictions leads to substantial improvements of the word error rate, achieving 11.19 % (relative improvement of about 35 %) and 28.13 % (improvement of about 30 %) with simulated and real data test sets, respectively. In the single-channel case, in which the dereverberation technique can not be applied, improvements of about 20 % (for simulated data) and 7 % (for real data) are obtained with the LSTM technique.
Performance Evaluation of PCN-Based Admission Control

Pre-congestion notification (PCN) marks packets when the PCN traffic rate exceeds an admissible link rate and this marking information is used as feedback from the network to take admission decisions for new flows. This idea is currently under standardization in the IETF. Different marking algorithms are discussed and various admission control algorithms are proposed that decide based on the packet markings whether further flows should be accepted or blocked. In this paper, we propose a two-layer architecture that makes the coexistence of various algorithms explicit. We propose novel control algorithms, investigate their behavior under various conditions, and compare them with existing approaches.
The evolution of virulence and pathogenicity in plant pathogen populations

The term virulence has a conflicting history among plant pathologists. Here we define virulence as the degree of damage caused to a host by parasite infection, assumed to be negatively correlated with host fitness, and pathogenicity the qualitative capacity of a parasite to infect and cause disease on a host. Selection may act on both virulence and pathogenicity, and their change in parasite populations can drive parasite evolution and hostparasite co-evolution. Extensive theoretical analyses of the factors that shape the evolution of pathogenicity and virulence have been reported in last three decades. Experimental work has not followed the path of theoretical analyses. Plant pathologists have shown greater interest in pathogenicity than in virulence, and our understanding of the molecular basis of pathogenicity has increased enormously. However, little is known regarding the molecular basis of virulence. It has been proposed that the mechanisms of recognition of parasites by hosts will have consequences for the evolution of pathogenicity, but much experimental work is still needed to test these hypotheses. Much theoretical work has been based on evidence from cellular plant pathogens. We review here the current experimental and observational evidence on which to test theoretical hypotheses or conjectures. We compare evidence from viruses and cellular pathogens, mostly fungi and oomycetes, which differ widely in genomic complexity and in parasitism. Data on the evolution of pathogenicity and virulence from viruses and fungi show important differences, and their comparison is necessary to establish the generality of hypotheses on pathogenicity and virulence evolution. INTRODUCTION
Macroalgae Has No Effect on the Severity and Dynamics of Caribbean Yellow Band Disease

By removing herbivores and promoting increases in macroalgae, overfishing is thought to indirectly cause coral disease and mortality. We performed three field manipulations to test the general hypothesis that overfishing and the subsequent alteration of coral reef trophic dynamics are a cause of coral epizootics. Specifically, we asked whether the presence of macroalgae can influence within- and among-colony spread rates of Caribbean Yellow Band Disease in Montastraea faveolata. Macroalgae were placed next to infected and healthy, adult and small coral colonies to measure effects on disease spread rate, coral growth and coral survival. Surprisingly, the addition of macroalgae did not affect disease severity or coral fitness. Our results indicate that macroalgae have no effect on the severity and dynamics of Caribbean Yellow Band Disease and that fisheries management alone will not mitigate the effects of this important epizootic.
Scapegoats and Optimal Allocation of Responsibility

We consider a model of hierarchical organizations in which agents have the option of reducing the probability of failure by investing towards their decisions. A mechanism specifies a distribution of sanctions in case of failure across the levels of the hierarchy. It is said to be investment-inducing if it induces all agents to invest in equilibrium. It is said to be optimal if it does so at minimal total punishment. We characterize optimal investment-inducing mechanisms in several versions of our benchmark model. In particular we refer to the problem of allocating individuals with diverse qualifications to different levels of the hierarchy as well as allocating tasks of different importance across different hierarchy levels. We also address the issue of incentive-optimal hierarchy architectures.
Uncouplers of Oxidative Phosphorylation Can Enhance a Fas Death Signal

ABSTRACT Recent work suggests a participation of mitochondria in apoptotic cell death. This role includes the release of apoptogenic molecules into the cytosol preceding or after a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential ΔΨm. The two uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) and 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) reduce ΔΨm by direct attack of the proton gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane. Here we show that both compounds enhance the apoptosis-inducing capacity of Fas/APO-1/CD95 signaling in Jurkat and CEM cells without causing apoptotic changes on their own account. This amplification occurred upstream or at the level of caspases and was not inhibited by Bcl-2. The effect could be blocked by the cowpox protein CrmA and is thus likely to require caspase 8 activity. Apoptosis induction by staurosporine in Jurkat cells as well as by Fas in SKW6 cells was unaffected by CCCP and DNP. The role of cytochrome c during Fas-DNP signaling was investigated. No early cytochrome c release from mitochondria was detected by Western blotting. Functional assays with cytoplasmic preparations from Fas-DNP-treated cells also indicated that there was no major contribution by cytochrome c or caspase 9 to the activation of effector caspases. Furthermore, an increase of rhodamine-123 uptake into intact cells, which has been explained by mitochondrial swelling, occurred considerably later than the caspase activation and was blocked by Z-VAD-fmk. These data show that uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation can presensitize some but not all cells for a Fas death signal and provide information about the existence of separate pathways in the induction of apoptosis.
Effects of a rater training on rating accuracy in a physical examination skills assessment

Background: The accuracy and reproducibility of medical skills assessment is generally low. Rater training has little or no effect. Our knowledge in this field, however, relies on studies involving video ratings of overall clinical performances. We hypothesised that a rater training focussing on the frame of reference could improve accuracy in grading the curricular assessment of a highly standardised physical head-to-toe examination. Methods: Twenty-one raters assessed the performance of 242 third-year medical students. Eleven raters had been randomly assigned to undergo a brief frame-of-reference training a few days before the assessment. 218 encounters were successfully recorded on video and re-assessed independently by three additional observers. Accuracy was defined as the concordance between the raters' grade and the median of the observers' grade. After the assessment, both students and raters filled in a questionnaire about their views on the assessment. Results: Rater training did not have a measurable influence on accuracy. However, trained raters rated significantly more stringently than untrained raters, and their overall stringency was closer to the stringency of the observers. The questionnaire indicated a higher awareness of the halo effect in the trained raters group. Although the self-assessment of the students mirrored the assessment of the raters in both groups, the students assessed by trained raters felt more discontent with their grade. Conclusions: While training had some marginal effects, it failed to have an impact on the individual accuracy. These results in real-life encounters are consistent with previous studies on rater training using video assessments of clinical performances. The high degree of standardisation in this study was not suitable to harmonize the trained raters’ grading. The data support the notion that the process of appraising medical performance is highly individual. A frame-of-reference training as applied does not effectively adjust the physicians' judgement on medical students in real-live assessments.
Fault Detection for High-Voltage Circuit Breakers Based on Time–Frequency Analysis of Switching Transient $E$ -Fields

A noninvasive approach for high-voltage (HV) circuit breaker (CB) diagnosis, based on the time–frequency analysis of the transient electric fields (E-fields) radiated due to switching operations outside the enclosure [switching transient E-fields (STEFs)], is presented in this paper. By use of a synthetic test platform, this paper measures the STEFs generated by CBs working in both normal and fault status and analyses their primary parameters, such as the amplitude, the center frequency, and the number of pulses. The correlation between the different working status of the CBs and the time–frequency characteristics of their STEFs is established. Based on the comparison and analysis of the main features, the STEFs could reflect the operating states and serve as an indicator of the early insulation defect of the HV CBs. The proposed defect detection method has been validated experimentally, which makes the most of the high changing rate of the induced current on the CB enclosure that itself is a weak signal and hard to capture by traditionally adopted means. This method can further be a useful reference of defect or fault diagnosis for the switchgear in operation.
An algorithm for the computer control of a flexible manufacturing system

Abstract The problem of production management for an automated manufacturing system is described. The system consists of machines that can perform a variety of tasks on a family of parts. The machines are unreliable, and the main difficulty the control system faces is to meet production requirements while the machines fail and are repaired at random times. A multilevel hierarchical control algorithm is proposed which involves a stochastic optimal control problem at the first level. Optimal production policies are characterized, and a computational scheme is described.
Why do we need to employ Bayesian statistics and how can we employ it in studies of moral education?: With practical guidelines to use JASP for educators and researchers

ABSTRACT In this article, we discuss the benefits of Bayesian statistics and how to utilize them in studies of moral education. To demonstrate concrete examples of the applications of Bayesian statistics to studies of moral education, we reanalyzed two data sets previously collected: one small data set collected from a moral educational intervention experiment, and one big data set from a large-scale Defining Issues Test-2 survey (DIT). The results suggest that Bayesian analysis of data sets collected from moral educational studies can provide additional useful statistical information, particularly that associated with the strength of evidence supporting alternative hypotheses, which has not been provided by the classical frequentist approach focusing on P-values. Finally, we introduce several practical guidelines pertaining to how to utilize Bayesian statistics, including the utilization of newly developed free statistical software, Jeffrey’s Amazing Statistics Program (JASP), and thresholding based on Bayes Factors (BF), to scholars in the field of moral education. Video abstract Read the transcript Watch the video on Vimeo
Static Balance Performance and Sensory Integration Abilities of Children with Dyslexia and Developmental Coordination Disorder

: Introduction: Postural dysfunctions are described in Developmental Disorders: the static balance deficit is one of the major features of Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) and is reported in Dyslexic Children. With computerized dynamic posturography (CDP) balance can be assessed objectively. The primary aim of this study was to assess the postural function in DCD and Dyslexic in comparison with a Control Group (CG) using CDP. Subjects and Methods: Forty-seven children (29 males e 18 females) were assessed using all the six conditions of the Sensory Organizing Test (SOT). 18 CG children (mean age 9.66 ± 1.96 years), 15 Dyslexic children (mean age 9.78 ± 1.09 years) and 14 DCD children (mean age 8.35 ± 1.79 years) were included. Results: DCD had poorer balance measured with the SOT score in every condition (p<0.05) except in SOT 3 (p= n.s.) compared to the CG. Dyslexic children had a good postural control compared to the CG, except in SOT 5 (p = 0.02). Conclusions: CDP showed that the DCD group had, as expected, a poorer balance than DD and CG. It is possible to differentiate Dyslexics from the CG only in SOT 5, indicating that the postural disturbance of this group is probably of primarily central vestibular origin. The somatic-sensory input had the same influence on balance function in the three groups.
New reproductive technologies in Serbia - who are the women in the national IVF program?

The present rise of modern technologies has given hope to women who have failed to achieve this highly valued ideal of motherhood, simultaneously imposing many ethical, legal, socio-cultural and gender issues related to assisted reproductive technologies (ART). The aim of this study is analisys of attitudes towards ART and determination of basic socio-demographic variables of infertile woman in state funded in vitro fertilization (IVF) program. We have applied method of survey 1 ksenijapele@gmail.com 2 zotovic@ff.uns. ac.rs Ksenija Kričković Pele, Marija Zotović Kostić: Nove reproduktivne tehnologije u Srbiji 97 research among 50 women in IVF program in Novi Sad. The average respondent who is included in the IVF program is 34 years old, has completed secondary school and lives in the city. She is religious, of the Serbian Orthodox confession; works in a state company and is of average financial situation. She has been with her partner in a relationship for almost 7 years. She finds the IVF very stressful and complicated, but she is not worried about the potential risks and complications of these treatments. A total of 80% of women strongly believe that they will manage to become pregnant and deliver a healthy baby from the first attempt. Respondents have a positive attitude towards ART, but without involving third-parties in the reproductive process. Traditional use of ART is prevailing in Serbia.
Instrumentation

Keeping this in mind, this chapter will cover the fundamental theoretical and technological background of this technical revolution, in order to provide the basic skills and knowledge required to allow the reader to understand the basic measurement methods and devices commonly employed in the measurement field, employ them in the correct way and advance in the study of more complex measurement instruments and systems.
Comparing Path Dependence and Spatial Targeting of Land Use in Implementing Climate Change Responses

Land use patterns are the consequence of dynamic processes that often include important legacy issues. Evaluation of past trends can be used to investigate the role of path dependence in influencing future land use through a reference “business as usual” (BAU) scenario. These issues are explored with regard to objectives for woodland expansion in Scotland as a major pillar of climate change policy. Land use changes based upon recent trends and future transient scenarios to 2050 are used to assess viability of targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions using analysis based on net emission change factors. The BAU scenario is compared with alternative future scenarios incorporating policy targets and stronger spatial targeting of land use change. Analysis highlights recent trends in new woodland planting on lower quality agricultural land due to socioeconomic and cultural factors. This land is mainly in the wetter uplands and often on carbon-rich soils. Woodland planting following this path dependence can therefore result in net carbon emissions for many years into the future due to soil disturbance during establishment. In contrast, alternative scenarios with more lowland woodland planting have net sequestration potential, with greatest benefits when carbon-rich soils are excluded from afforestation. Spatial targeting can also enhance other co-benefits such as habitat networks and climate change adaptation.
Overcoming Language Barriers: Assessing the Potential of Machine Translation and Topic Modeling for the Comparative Analysis of Multilingual Text Corpora

ABSTRACT This study assesses the potential of topic models coupled with machine translation for comparative communication research across language barriers. From a methodological point of view, the robustness of a combined approach is examined. For this purpose the results of different machine translation services (Google Translate vs. DeepL) as well as methods (full-text vs. term-by-term) are compared. From a substantive point of view, the integratability of the approach into comparative study designs is tested. For this, the online discourses about climate change in Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States are compared. First, the results show that the approach is relatively robust and second, that integration in comparative study designs is not a problem. It is concluded that this as well as the relatively moderate costs in terms of time and money makes the strategy to couple topic models with machine translation a valuable addition to the toolbox of comparative communication researchers.
XMM–Newton observations of UW CrB: detection of X-ray bursts and evidence for accretion disc evolution

UW CrB (MS 1603+2600) is a peculiar short-period X-ray binary that exhibits extraordinary optical behaviour. The shape of the optical light curve of the system changes drastically from night to night, without any changes in overall brightness. Here we report X-ray observations of UW CrB obtained with XMM-Newton. We find evidence for several X-ray bursts, confirming a neutron star primary. This considerably strengthens the case that UW CrB is an accretion disc corona system located at a distance of at least 5-7 kpc (3-5 kpc above the Galactic plane). The X-ray and Optical Monitor (ultraviolet-optical) light curves show remarkable shape variation from one observing run to another, which we suggest are due to large-scale variations in the accretion disc shape resulting from a warp that periodically obscures the optical and soft X-ray emission. This is also supported by the changes in phase-resolved X-ray spectra.
A study of new industrialization and foreign direct investment (FDI) based on China's East, Middle and West regions

In recent years, China has made remarkable achievements in bringing in foreign investments. Not only foreign direct investment (FDI) made up for the insufficient construction funds in China, it also effectively promoted China’s process of new industrialization. This paper presents the situation of FDI and process of new industrialization in China’s east, middle and west regions from 1981 to 2009 and study the linkage between these two factors with co-integration theories. First, FDI has the biggest promotional effect on the process of new industrialization in the middle region, followed by the east region and the effect on the west region is the last. Second, the long-term equilibrium elasticity of FDI in the east region to the process of new industrialization is 0.3221, that in the middle region is 0.3863 and that in the west region is 0.1936. Third, there exists bilateral Granger cause between FDI and process of new industrialization in the middle region, while only significant unilateral Granger cause exists in the east and west regions.