Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
GraphConnect: A Regularization Framework for Neural Networks

Deep neural networks have proved very successful in domains where large training sets are available, but when the number of training samples is small, their performance suffers from overfitting. Prior methods of reducing overfitting such as weight decay, Dropout and DropConnect are data-independent. This paper proposes a new method, GraphConnect, that is data-dependent, and is motivated by the observation that data of interest lie close to a manifold. The new method encourages the relationships between the learned decisions to resemble a graph representing the manifold structure. Essentially GraphConnect is designed to learn attributes that are present in data samples in contrast to weight decay, Dropout and DropConnect which are simply designed to make it more difficult to fit to random error or noise. Empirical Rademacher complexity is used to connect the generalization error of the neural network to spectral properties of the graph learned from the input data. This framework is used to show that GraphConnect is superior to weight decay. Experimental results on several benchmark datasets validate the theoretical analysis, and show that when the number of training samples is small, GraphConnect is able to significantly improve performance over weight decay.
Handwriting performance, self-reports, and perceived self-efficacy among children with dysgraphia.

OBJECTIVE This study examined the relationships between children's self-reports on their handwriting performance, their actual handwriting process and product, and wider motor-perceived self-efficacy. METHOD Twenty-one children with dysgraphia and 21 typically developing children copied a paragraph on an electronic tablet as part of a Computerized Penmanship Evaluation Tool. Handwriting product was evaluated by the Hebrew Handwriting Evaluation. Participants completed the Children's Questionnaire for Handwriting Proficiency (CHaP) and the Perceived Efficacy and Goal Setting System (PEGS). RESULTS The study group's CHaP scores significantly correlated with handwriting process, product measures (rs = .46 - .59, ps = .034 - .005), and PEGS scores, all of which were significantly poorer compared with those of the control participants. CONCLUSIONS Children are aware of their handwriting deficits and are able to report them. Children's reports may contribute to the identification of dysgraphia and facilitate their participation in occupational therapy intervention and in class.
Photoexcretion and Fate of Glycolate in a Hot Spring Cyanobacterial Mat

Photosynthesis by Synechococcus lividus, the sole oxygenic phototroph inhabiting the surface of the 55°C cyanobacterial mat in Mushroom Spring, Yellowstone National Park, causes superoxic and alkaline conditions which promote glycolate photoexcretion. At O2 concentrations characteristic of the top 2 mm of mat during the day, up to 11.8% of NaH14CO3 fixed in the light was excreted, and glycolate accounted for up to 58% of the excreted photosynthate. Glycolate was neither incorporated nor metabolized by S. lividus, but it was incorporated by filamentous microorganisms in the mat. Incubation of mat samples with NaH14CO3 resulted in labeling of both S. lividus and filaments, but the addition of nonradioactive glycolate increased the level of 14C in the aqueous phase and decreased the extent of labeling of filaments. This suggests that cross-feeding of glycolate from S. lividus to filamentous heterotrophs occurs and that underestimation of the extent of photoexcretion is probable.
IκBɛ provides negative feedback to control NF-κB oscillations, signaling dynamics, and inflammatory gene expression

NF-κB signaling is known to be critically regulated by the NF-κB–inducible inhibitor protein IκBα. The resulting negative feedback has been shown to produce a propensity for oscillations in NF-κB activity. We report integrated experimental and computational studies that demonstrate that another IκB isoform, IκBɛ, also provides negative feedback on NF-κB activity, but with distinct functional consequences. Upon stimulation, NF-κB–induced transcription of IκBɛ is delayed, relative to that of IκBα, rendering the two negative feedback loops to be in antiphase. As a result, IκBɛ has a role in dampening IκBα-mediated oscillations during long-lasting NF-κB activity. Furthermore, we demonstrate the requirement of both of these distinct negative feedback regulators for the termination of NF-κB activity and NF-κB–mediated gene expression in response to transient stimulation. Our findings extend the capabilities of a computational model of IκB–NF-κB signaling and reveal a novel regulatory module of two antiphase negative feedback loops that allows for the fine-tuning of the dynamics of a mammalian signaling pathway.
Brucellosis in Venezuela.

Brucellosis is a public health problem in Venezuela and affects large numbers of animals. The most important biovar in the country is Brucella abortus. In cattle and buffalo it causes high rates of abortions in females and infertility in males; it is transmissible to occupationally exposed humans. In 1968, an official program was set up for the control and eradication of the disease and it is still in place. Amongst the control provisions, this program provides for the vaccination of female calves with strain 19 and the slaughtering of positive reactors following the official diagnosis (rapid agglutination in plate test). According to the official reports, the positive reactors ranged from 0.8 to 1.2% in the past few years. These values do not corroborate reports showing an average positive rate of 10.5% and even higher values in some areas of the country. The government is working to approve a new resolution that will replace the rapid agglutination in plate test with the Card Test, the use of 2-Mercaptoetanol, fixation of complement and competitive ELISA as confirmatory tests. In addition, there will be an obligatory vaccination with B. abortus strain 19 or B. abortus RB51 of all female calves between 3- and 8-month-old and a recommended revaccination at 10-15-month-old and adult cows in high prevalence areas. These measures should allow help to reduce the prevalence of the disease in cattle herds and thus minimize the risk for human populations.
An interactive learning system incorporated application to the educational radio station website

This paper presents a new mechanism of reusing and value-added mechanism to the digital archived contents of the National Education Radio, as its interactive nature diffuses it from traditional attempts in the past. Aiming to improve the quality of user experiences, relevance of their content and expand on their target audience, our research team mediates by incorporating the design thinking method of cross-domain integration, along with a service design approach, in creating a new interactive learning platform for the current radio station website. Acting as a new, integrated source of knowledge for both listeners as teachers and learners, it allows for the huge amount of high quality content produced by the station over the years to inculcate by a broader audience in the future, with both more efficiency and value-added.
Houseparents’ Expectations: A Crucial Variable in the Performance of Blind Institutionalized Children

The study to test the degree of relationship between the blind child's performance and expectations of houseparents, the most significant others in the institutionalized child's life, supported the hypothesis that houseparents’ influence on behavior was statistically significant. The author contends that it is of utmost importance, therefore, that houseparents and other significant personnel be selected carefully and receive continued training. They must become familiar, through role-taking, with the world of the blind, and blind and sighted together must determine behavioral expectancies for the blind child. But in human kindness there is a paradox; that which it seeks to help it can also destroy. —Chevigny, 1946
R5-SHIV Induces Multiple Defects in T Cell Function during Early Infection of Rhesus Macaques Including Accumulation of T Reg Cells in Lymph Nodes

Background HIV-1 is a pathogen that T cell responses fail to control. HIV-1gp120 is the surface viral envelope glycoprotein that interacts with CD4 T cells and mediates entry. HIV-1gp120 has been implicated in immune dysregulatory functions that may limit anti-HIV antigen-specific T cell responses. We hypothesized that in the context of early SHIV infection, immune dysregulation of antigen-specific T-effector cell and regulatory functions would be detectable and that these would be associated or correlated with measurable concentrations of HIV-1gp120 in lymphoid tissues. Methods Rhesus macaques were intravaginally inoculated with a Clade C CCR5-tropic simian-human immunodeficiency virus, SHIV-1157ipd3N4. HIV-1gp120 levels, antigen-specificity, levels of apoptosis/anergy and frequency and function of Tregs were examined in lymph node and blood derived T cells at 5 and 12 weeks post inoculation. Results/Conclusions We observed reduced responses to Gag in CD4 and gp120 in CD8 lymph node-derived T cells compared to the peripheral blood at 5 weeks post-inoculation. Reduced antigen-specific responses were associated with higher levels of PD-1 on lymph node-derived CD4 T cells as compared to peripheral blood and uninfected lymph node-derived CD4 T cells. Lymph nodes contained increased numbers of Tregs as compared to peripheral blood, which positively correlated with gp120 levels; T regulatory cell depletion restored CD8 T cell responses to Gag but not to gp120. HIV gp120 was also able to induce T regulatory cell chemotaxis in a dose-dependent, CCR5-mediated manner. These studies contribute to our broader understanding of the ways in which HIV-1 dysregulates T cell function and localization during early infection.
A fermentação cultural da década brasileira de 60

A principal caracteristica da decada de 60 e a contradicao. Ela se expressa atraves de variadas e multiplas posicoes em todos os campos da atividade politica, economica e cultural. Este ensaio aborda o conjunto dessas especificidades que constituiram um dos mais ricos e paradoxais periodos da historia brasileira contemporânea.
Cancer Cachexia Signaling Pathways Continue to Emerge Yet Much Still Points to the Proteasome

Cachexia is a life-threatening consequence of cancer that diminishes both quality of life and survival. It is a syndrome that is characterized by extreme weight loss resulting mainly from the depletion of skeletal muscle. Research from the past decades investigating the mechanisms of tumor-induced muscle wasting has identified several key cachectic factors that act through the ubiquitin-dependent proteasome system. Signaling pathways that mediate the effects of these cachectic factors have also subsequently emerged. Here, we review some of these pathways specific to myostatin, nuclear factor κB, and the newly elucidated dystrophin glycoprotein complex. Although these molecules are likely to employ distinct modes of action, results suggest that they nevertheless maintain a link to the proteasome pathway. Therefore, although the proteasome remains a preferred choice for therapy, the continually emerging upstream signaling molecules serve as additional promising therapeutic targets for the treatment of tumor-induced muscle wasting.
Nonlinear $q$-voter model with inflexible zealots

We study the dynamics of the nonlinear q-voter model with inflexible zealots in a finite well-mixed population. In this system, each individual supports one of two parties and is either a susceptible voter or an inflexible zealot. At each time step, a susceptible adopts the opinion of a neighbor if this belongs to a group of q≥2 neighbors all in the same state, whereas inflexible zealots never change their opinion. In the presence of zealots of both parties, the model is characterized by a fluctuating stationary state and, below a zealotry density threshold, the distribution of opinions is bimodal. After a characteristic time, most susceptibles become supporters of the party having more zealots and the opinion distribution is asymmetric. When the number of zealots of both parties is the same, the opinion distribution is symmetric and, in the long run, susceptibles endlessly swing from the state where they all support one party to the opposite state. Above the zealotry density threshold, when there is an unequal number of zealots of each type, the probability distribution is single-peaked and non-Gaussian. These properties are investigated analytically and with stochastic simulations. We also study the mean time to reach a consensus when zealots support only one party.
Laboratory Evaluation of Finely Milled Brick Debris as a Soil Stabilizer

Brick is one of the most common building materials, and it is also one of the largest components of waste generated from both construction and demolition. Reuse of this waste would reduce the environmental and social impacts of construction. One potential bulk use of such waste is as a cementing agent for soil stabilization. However, this is currently limited by the need to mill the residue to a particle size below 0.035 mm. In this study, the behavior of two soil types stabilized using alkali-activated brick dust was investigated. The unconfined compression strength at different curing temperatures and moistures and the use of different types and concentrations of alkaline activators were investigated. It was found that the addition of brick dust resulted in an increase in the soil strength between 1.7–2.3 times with respect to the non-stabilized material, suggesting that the resulting materials will find practical applications in construction.
Effect of Tacrine on Behavioral Symptoms in Alzheimer's Disease: An Open-Label Study

We conducted an open-label study designed to assess the effects of tacrine on behavioral changes in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Twenty-eight subjects completed a baseline evaluation and at least one assessment during treatment. Behavioral symptoms and cognitive function were assessed with the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), respectively. The mean NPI score at the maximum individual dose of tacrine attained was markedly decreased (behavior improved, compared to baseline). Symptoms of anxiety, apathy, hallucinations, aberrant motor behaviors, and disinhibition were most responsive. Subject stratification by dementia severity revealed a substantially reduced mean NPI score only in the group with moderate dementia, independent of cognitive response. Over half of the subjects with cognitive improvement had a marked reduction in behavioral symptoms, particularly apathetic behaviors. These data suggest that tacrine may be beneficial for selected behavioral symptoms in AD patients, particularly at higher doses and in those with moderate cognitive deficits.
Fusion of expert knowledge with data using belief functions: a case study in waste-water treatment

This paper presents a methodology for combining expert knowledge with information from statistical data, in classification and prediction problems. The method is based on (1) a case-based approach allowing to predict a quantity of interest from past cases in the form of a belief function, (2) Bayesian networks for modelling expert knowledge and (3) a tuning mechanism allowing to optimally discount information sources by optimizing a performance criterion. This methodology is applied to the prediction of chemical oxygen demand solubility in waste-water The approach is expected to be useful in situations where both small databases and partial expert knowledge are available.
The French Expatriate Assignment: Helping Accompanying Spouses to Adapt by Assuming the Role of Anthropologist

THE FRENCH EXPATRIATE ASSIGNMENT: HELPING ACCOMPANYING SPOUSES TO ADAPT BY ASSUMING THE ROLE OF ANTHROPOLOGIST Angela M. Williams Department of French and Italian Master of French Studies A common practice of multinational companies is to temporarily transfer employees to international locations in order to exchange technology, launch new ventures, and facilitate communication within the company. To do this, multinational companies must make a number of decisions regarding their expatriate programs. Even though international companies would rather stay focused on the professional performance of their employees without having to “meddle” in personal and family affairs, recent research has shown that the adaptation of the accompanying spouse is one of the most critical factors in expatriate assignment success or failure. By studying the available literature on expatriate spouse adaptation, coupled with conducting my own exploratory research with American expatriate spouses currently living in France, I was led to the conclusion that adequate, pre-departure preparation is indispensable to an expatriate spouse’s successful cross-cultural adaptation. To improve the efficacy of predeparture training, I propose providing expatriate spouses with personal trainers who will teach them to adopt a new mindset for the purpose of conducting cultural analysis. This mindset involves assuming the role of anthropologist—just as an actor would assume a role in a play. The benefits of this approach are twofold: firstly, imagining oneself as an anthropologist provides excellent motivation to get out and explore a new culture rather than avoiding it and hiding out in the safe haven of one’s own home; secondly, having a new, temporary identity will help create the emotional distance necessary to minimize reactionary, negative feelings and allow for progressive, cross-cultural understanding. While being sensitive to prospective expatriate spouses’ personal goals, personal trainers should provide concrete methods to help mitigate culture shock’s related stresses, as well as helping expatriate spouses develop appropriate coping skills to assist them in dealing with the unsettling experience of living in another culture. By implementing improvements in relocation programs, such as the solution I propose, multinational companies can maintain an acceptable return on investment for their relocation programs while affording expatriate employees and their respective families an enriching and lifechanging intercultural experience.
An effective hybrid fault-tolerant architecture for pipelined cores

Increasing vulnerability of transistors and interconnects due to CMOS technology scaling is continuously challenging the reliability of future electronic circuits and systems. Lifetime reliability is gaining attention over performance as a design factor even for lower-end commodity applications. In this paper we propose an effective hybrid fault-tolerant architecture able to deal with permanent and transient faults in combinational parts of pipelined cores. The principle consists in triplicating the combinational logic parts but, unlike TMR, only two copies run in parallel while the third one remains in standby until an error is detected. We have implemented this approach on a MIPS microprocessor as case study. Experiments show that our approach is comparable to TMR in terms of area with a notable power saving and offers a full protection against transient and permanent faults.
On bandwidth request mechanism with piggyback in fixed IEEE 802.16 networks

This paper investigates the random channel access mechanism specified in the IEEE 802.16 standard for the uplink traffic in a point-to-multipoint (PMP) network architecture. An analytical model is proposed to study the impacts of the channel access parameters, bandwidth configuration and piggyback policy on the performance. The impacts of physical burst profile and non-saturated network traffic are also taken into account in the model. Simulations validate the proposed analytical model. It is observed that the bandwidth utilization can be improved if the bandwidth for random channel access can be properly configured according to the channel access parameters, piggyback policy and network traffic.
Sound masking efficiency of echo-time-reversed masker

This paper investigates the masking efficiency of a new sound masker named echo-time-reversed masker. The masker is obtained by generating an acoustic echo from the target speech and then processing it with time reversal method. The masking efficiency of the echo-time-reversed masker is evaluated by two objective intelligibility measurements, i. e. the perceptual evaluation of speech quality (PESQ) measure and the modified normalized covariance metric (NCM) measure. Results show that the intelligibility of the masked speech decreases as the target-to-masker ratio (TMR) decreases, or the frame length increases. Besides, the masking efficiency of echo-time-reversed masker and that of time-reversed masker are compared as well. Results show that with the same target-to-masker ratio (TMR), the echo-time-reversed masker is much more efficient in reducing speech intelligibility.
Information Security, Part of the IT-Integration Process

IT-security and IT-integration are two important themes that preoccupy the companies. Both should give the company the possibility to gain more profit from the information processing. The present procedures in the integration process and in the design of ISMS have common parts and influence each other. These arguments for including the security issues, as an important part of the IT integration
Recent legalization of cannabis use: effects on sleep, health, and workplace safety

php and incorporate the Creative Commons Attribution – Non Commercial (unported, v3.0) License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/). By accessing the work you hereby accept the Terms. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further permission from Dove Medical Press Limited, provided the work is properly attributed. For permission for commercial use of this work, please see paragraphs 4.2 and 5 of our Terms (https://www.dovepress.com/terms.php). Nature and Science of Sleep 2017:9 249–251 Nature and Science of Sleep Dovepress
Structural Priming and Second Language Learning.

Structural priming (or syntactic priming) is a speaker's tendency to reuse the same structural pattern as one that was previously encountered (Bock, 1986). This study investigated (a) whether the implicit learning processes involved in long-lag structural priming lead to differential second language (L2) improvement in producing two structural types (complex, double-object dative and simple, separated phrasal-verb structures) compared to more explicit memory processes involved in no-lag structural priming and (b) whether additional explicit instruction leads to increased production of target structures than either implicit learning or explicit memory processes alone. Learners showed an overall increase in target structure production in a picture description task and marginal improvement in grammaticality judgment tests after the structural priming session. Results revealed that explicit instruction combined with structural priming speeded short-term improvement more than implicit instruction involving implicit learning alone in the form of long-lag structural priming. However, only implicit learning via long-lag structural priming resulted in increased production of the complex structure during a second testing session 1 day later. This study is the first to directly compare explicit instruction to implicit instruction in a structural priming paradigm, taking into account both the complexity of structures and the long-term effects of instruction on L2 production.