Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Methods to Load Balance a GCR Pressure Solver Using a Stencil Framework on Multi- and Many-Core Architectures

The recent advent of novel multi- and many-core architectures forces application programmers to deal with hardware-specific implementation details and to be familiar with software optimisation techniques to benefit from new high-performance computing machines. Extra care must be taken for communication-intensive algorithms, which may be a bottleneck for forthcoming era of exascale computing. This paper aims to present a high-level stencil framework implemented for the EULerian or LAGrangian model (EULAG) that efficiently utilises multi- and many-cores architectures. Only an efficient usage of both many-core processors (CPUs) and graphics processing units (GPUs) with the flexible data decomposition method can lead to the maximum performance that scales the communication-intensive Generalized Conjugate Residual (GCR) elliptic solver with preconditioner.
Caring for agents and agents that care: building empathic relations with synthetic agents

When building agents and synthetic characters, and in order to achieve believability, we must consider the emotional relations established between users and characters, that is, we must consider the issue of "empathy". Defined in broad terms as "An observer reacting emotionally because he perceives that another is experiencing or about to experience an emotion", empathy is an important element to consider in the creation of relations between humans and agents. In this paper we will focus on the role of empathy in the construction of synthetic characters, providing some requirements for such construction and illustrating the presented concepts with a specific system called FearNot! FearNot! was developed to address the difficult and often devastating problem of bullying in schools. By using role playing and empathic synthetic characters in a 3D environment, FearNot! allows children from 8 to 12 to experience a virtual scenario where they can witness (in a third-person perspective) bullying situations. To build empathy into FearNot! we have considered the following components: agentýs architecture; the charactersý embodiment and emotional expression; proximity with the user and emotionally charged situations.We will describe how these were implemented in FearNot! and report on the preliminary results we have with it.
A model for the pore size distribution in random and isotropic mixtures of cylindrical fibres and circular disks

A model for the distribution of pore sizes in systems of randomly distributed cylindrical fibers and circular disks is developed that derives from simple excluded-volume considerations. The dimensions of the particles with finite hard cores are mapped onto those of a hypothetical system of fully penetrable objects in a manner that preserves the overall core-occupied volume fraction and specific surface area. This mapping enables us to obtain estimates for the pore size distribution, and for the first and second moments of the pore sizes, as functions of the particle volume fraction and mixture composition in terms of closed-form, analytical expressions.
The Social Life of Cameraphone Images

Cameraphones show the potential to revolutionize personal photography. We gave cameraphones linked to an Internetbased uploading and sharing system (MMM2) to a tightlyconnected group of 40 people for up to ten months. This paper examines cameraphone use as both continuous and discontinuous with prior practices in personal photography. We describe the social uses of cameraphones we observed among our participants: creating and maintaining social relationships, constructing personal and group memory, self-presentation, and self-expression. We note that the success of new technologies depends in part on how well they integrate with the users’ heterogeneous networks of technologies, practices, and people.
Artificielle Evolving Autonomous Self-Assembly in Homogeneous Robots

This research work illustrates an approach to the design of controllers for self-assembling robots in which the self-assembly is initiated and regulated by perceptual cues that are brought forth by the physical robots through their dynamical interactions. More specifically, we present a homogeneous control system that can achieve assembly between the modules (fully autonomous robots) of a mobile self-reconfigurable system without a priori introduced behavioural or morphological heterogeneities. The control system is an evolved dynamical neural network that directly controls all the actuators and causes the dynamic specialisation of the robots by allocating roles between them based solely on their interaction. Our results suggest that direct access to the orientations or intentions of the other agents is not a necessary condition for robot coordination: our robots coordinate without direct or explicit communication, contrary to what assumed by most research works in collective robotics. Finally, we show that our evolved controllers prove to be successful when tested on a real hardware platform, the swarm-bot. The performance of our evolved neuro-controllers is similar to the one achieved by existing modular or behaviour-based approaches, owing to the effect of an emergent recovery mechanism that was not foreseen during the evolutionary simulation. However, contrary to other approaches, our system proved to be robust against changes in the experimental setup, because of the reduction in the number of user-defined preconditions for robot self-assembly.
Family-transmitted stress in a wild bird

Significance Different environmental stimuli can lead animals to go into an emergency state and experience stress; but can an individual notice the stress experienced by other members of its social group and develop a similar physiological reaction? We demonstrate that such a form of cross-over of stress can actually occur in wild animal populations. Gull chicks that grew up with experimentally stressed siblings showed increased secretion of stress hormones. In the short term the cross-over of stress seemed to be favorable, improving chicks’ antipredator behavior, but in the long term the chicks grew slowly and attained a reduced adult size, showed increased accumulation of cell damage, and developed a poor-quality juvenile plumage. The cross-over of stress can be an important but complex selective force. Recent data suggest that, in animals living in social groups, stress-induced changes in behavior have the potential to act as a source of information, so that stressed individuals could themselves act as stressful stimuli for other individuals with whom they interact repeatedly. Such form of cross-over of stress may be beneficial if it enhances adaptive responses to ecological stressors in the shared environment. However, whether stress can be transferred among individuals during early life in natural populations remains unknown. Here we tested the effect of living with stressed siblings in a gull species where, as in many vertebrates, family represents the basic social unit during development. By experimentally modifying the level of stress hormones (corticosterone) in brood mates, we demonstrate that the social transfer of stress level triggers similar stress responses (corticosterone secretion) in brood bystanders. Corticosterone-implanted chicks and their siblings were faster in responding to a potential predator attack than control chicks. In gulls, fast and coordinated reactions to predators may increase the chances of survival of the whole brood, suggesting a beneficial fitness value of cross-over of stress. However, our data also indicate that living with stressed brood mates early in life entails some long-term costs. Near independence, fledglings that grew up with stressed siblings showed reduced body size, high levels of oxidative damage in lipids and proteins, and a fragile juvenile plumage. Overall, our results indicate that stress cross-over occurs in animal populations and may have important fitness consequences.
A Topic Model for Building Fine-grained Domain-specific Emotion Lexicon

Emotion lexicons play a crucial role in sentiment analysis and opinion mining. In this paper, we propose a novel Emotion-aware LDA (EaLDA) model to build a domainspecific lexicon for predefined emotions that include anger, disgust, fear, joy, sadness, surprise. The model uses a minimal set of domain-independent seed words as prior knowledge to discover a domainspecific lexicon, learning a fine-grained emotion lexicon much richer and adaptive to a specific domain. By comprehensive experiments, we show that our model can generate a high-quality fine-grained domain-specific emotion lexicon.
Indefinite Kernel Logistic Regression

Traditionally, kernel learning methods require positive definitiveness on the kernel, which is too strict and excludes many sophisticated similarities, that are indefinite. To utilize those indefinite kernels, indefinite learning methods are of great interests. This paper aims at the extension of the logistic regression from positive definite kernels to indefinite ones. The proposed model, named indefinite kernel logistic regression (IKLR), keeps consistency to the regular KLR in formulation but it essentially becomes non-convex. Thanks to the positive decomposition of an indefinite kernel, IKLR can be transformed into a difference of two convex models, which follows the use of concave-convex procedure. Moreover, aiming at large-scale problems in practice, a concave-inexact-convex procedure (CCICP) algorithm with an inexact solving scheme is proposed with convergence guarantees. Experimental results on multi-modal datasets demonstrate the superiority of the proposed IKLR model over kernel logistic regression with positive definite kernels and other state-of-the-art indefinite learning based methods.
Restorative Justice Classics: Most Influential Authors, Books and Essays

This research seeks to identify "the classic literature and authors" of restorative justice. Using multiple ranking sources, this research seeks to rank the the most influential authors, books and essays in the field of restorative justice. Using data from citation indexes, Google scholar, library content analysis and an international nomination process, the research identifies the top 25 authors, books and essays in restorative justice.
Expatriation: traditional criticisms and international careers: introducing the Special Issue

In this introduction to our special issue, we will first seek to discuss the extent to which recent expatriation research and literature is still subject to earlier criticisms. Second, we will discuss the future research needs concerning the theme of this special issue, international careers, briefly reviewing the dominating research theme within the international career context (i.e., the career impacts of international assignment) and suggesting some future research areas. After that, we will offer a particularly promising new avenue for future research: the new forms of international work. We will conclude by summarizing the articles for this special issue and illustrate how they fit within this new avenue. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Efficacy of gene therapy for X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency.

BACKGROUND The outcomes of gene therapy to correct congenital immunodeficiencies are unknown. We reviewed long-term outcomes after gene therapy in nine patients with X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID-X1), which is characterized by the absence of the cytokine receptor common gamma chain. METHODS The nine patients, who lacked an HLA-identical donor, underwent ex vivo retrovirus-mediated transfer of gamma chain to autologous CD34+ bone marrow cells between 1999 and 2002. We assessed clinical events and immune function on long-term follow-up. RESULTS Eight patients were alive after a median follow-up period of 9 years (range, 8 to 11). Gene therapy was initially successful at correcting immune dysfunction in eight of the nine patients. However, acute leukemia developed in four patients, and one died. Transduced T cells were detected for up to 10.7 years after gene therapy. Seven patients, including the three survivors of leukemia, had sustained immune reconstitution; three patients required immunoglobulin-replacement therapy. Sustained thymopoiesis was established by the persistent presence of naive T cells, even after chemotherapy in three patients. The T-cell-receptor repertoire was diverse in all patients. Transduced B cells were not detected. Correction of the immunodeficiency improved the patients' health. CONCLUSIONS After nearly 10 years of follow-up, gene therapy was shown to have corrected the immunodeficiency associated with SCID-X1. Gene therapy may be an option for patients who do not have an HLA-identical donor for hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation and for whom the risks are deemed acceptable. This treatment is associated with a risk of acute leukemia. (Funded by INSERM and others.)
The Effect of Tobacco Smoke on Protein Synthesis in Macrophages 1

Summary The results of short-term experiments suggest that exposure to cigarette smoke severely inhibits protein synthesis in macrophages. However, when macrophages are exposed to low levels of cigarette smoke for longer periods, both protein and RNA synthesis show marked increases. These data support electron microscopic evidence of active protein synthesis in alveolar macrophages from human smokers' lungs, and suggest that macrophages have the capacity to adapt to toxic changes in their environment.
A transient peak of infections during onset of rheumatoid arthritis: a 10-year prospective cohort study

Objectives The role of infection in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has not been determined. We aimed to document the infectious burden and some aspects of antibacterial immunity in a large and prospective cohort study of RA patients in the early and late stages of the disease and in their relatives predisposed to RA. Setting Clinical and laboratory examination of all individuals enrolled in the study was performed in the Republican Clinical Hospital, Kazan, Russia. Participants 376 patients with RA, 251 healthy first-degree relatives and 227 healthy controls without a family history of autoimmune disease (all females) were examined twice annually over more than 10 years. Primary and secondary outcome measures The following parameters were investigated: type, duration and frequency of infections, bacterial colonisation and serum levels of IgG to bacteria, serum levels of total Ig, plasma cytokine levels, granulocyte reactive oxygen species production, lysozyme activity and phagocytosis. Results There were no significant differences in infection rate between healthy controls (median 14 days/year) and RA patients (13). However, infection rates were higher (p<0.001) in healthy relatives (53) and early stage patients (62), which groups also showed heavy bacterial skin colonisation. In contrast, late stage patients had fewer infection days (12; p<0.001) than healthy controls, although bacterial colonisation was still heavy. Phagocyte function and antibacterial antibody generation, together with compensatory cytokine production, were observed to be subnormal in the healthy relatives as well as in RA patients. Conclusions We observed a marked increase in overall infections at the time of RA onset, and signs of a defective antibacterial defence mechanism, contrasting with fewer infections in the late RA stage. It can be speculated that frequent early infections initiate a compensatory immune hyper-reactivity which reduces the infection load while stimulating the development of RA in predisposed individuals.
The impact of the skills gap on the recruitment of MIS graduates

Enrollment in MIS degree programs has been dropping significantly since 2001. Some of the reasons for this decline include the perceived lack of jobs for MIS graduates, confusion over the variety of computing degree programs, disinterest in MIS careers, and MIS programs which fail to prepare students adequately for careers in MIS. This paper looks at each of these potential causes for the enrollment decline and offers suggestions to reverse this trend. Given the lack of material support for the first three potential causes of the decline in enrollment, the bulk of this research is devoted to investigating the deficiencies of the MIS program from the employer's perspective. We will conduct a survey which will identify which skills MIS graduates are lacking from the employer's point of view and what impact this skills gap has on the recruitment practices of the employers. Our belief is that once employers begin actively recruiting for MIS graduates, the misperceptions of the job prospects for MIS graduates by potential students will likewise diminish and enrollment in the programs which respond to industries' needs will subsequently rebound.
Using Descendants as Instrumental Variables for the Identification of Direct Causal Effects in Linear SEMs

In this paper, we present an extended set of graphical criteria for the identification of direct causal effects in linear Structural Equation Models (SEMs). Previous methods of graphical identification of direct causal effects in linear SEMs include methods such as the single-door criterion, the instrumental variable and the IV-pair, and the accessory set. However, there remain graphical models where a direct causal effect can be identified and these graphical criteria all fail. As a result, we introduce a new set of graphical criteria which uses descendants of either the cause variable or the effect variable as “pathspecific instrumental variables” for the identification of the direct causal effect as long as certain conditions are satisfied. These conditions are based on edge removal and the existing graphical criteria of instrumental variables, and the identifiability of certain other total effects, and thus can be easily checked.
A performance evaluation of connectionless overlay networks for ATM

Introducing the asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) causes a backwards compatibility problem, because ATM is connection-oriented whereas most of today's LANs are connectionless. Interconnection can be achieved by the use of connectionless servers (CLS). These servers together with a number of preestablished virtual circuits form a connectionless overlay network on top of ATM. In this paper we evaluate overlay networks that differ in number location and interconnection of CLSs by computation of mean cell delay and link load.
Crystal structure of the Leishmania major MIX protein: A scaffold protein that mediates protein–protein interactions

Infection by Leishmania and Trypanosoma causes severe disease and can be fatal. The reduced effectiveness of current treatments is largely due to drug resistance, hence the urgent need to develop new drugs, preferably against novel targets. We have recently identified a mitochondrial membrane‐anchored protein, designated MIX, which occurs exclusively in these parasites and is essential for virulence. We have determined the crystal structure of Leishmania major MIX to a resolution of 2.4 Å. MIX forms an all α‐helical fold comprising seven α‐helices that fold into a single domain. The distribution of helices is similar to a number of scaffold proteins, namely HEAT repeats, 14‐3‐3, and tetratricopeptide repeat proteins, suggesting that MIX mediates protein–protein interactions. Accordingly, using copurification and mass spectroscopy we were able to identify several proteins that may interact with MIX in vivo. Being parasite specific, MIX is a promising new drug target and, thus, the structure and potential interacting partners provide a basis for structure‐guided drug discovery.
Age and Aural Comprehension Achievement in Francophone Adults.

The study reported in this article examined the relationship between age and second language (L2) achievement of adults in an instructional setting. Older (aged 25 to 41) and younger (aged 17 to 24) learners were compared with respect to short-term development in aural comprehension. The adult subjects, native speakers of Quebec French with limited L2 proficiency, were military personnel learning English in an intensive program. A pretest/post-test procedure was used to assess gains made by subjects in listening and to compare groups. In analyzing gains, two matched-pair samples were used, each comprised of 18 pairs of older and younger subjects matched on five variables: informal exposure, pretest score, nonverbal IQ, education, and previous ESL instruction. In both samples, the mean gain was significantly greater for younger subjects than for older subjects. In addition, stepwise regression analysis showed age, along with pretest score, to be an important predictor of post-test (achievement) score; other variables were not significant. The study suggests that in adult L2 learners, rate of achievement in aural comprehension decreases with increasing age. Implications of this finding for adult L2 instruction are discussed.
Unlocking epigenetic codes in neurogenesis

Epigenetic modulations orchestrate with extracellular environmental cues to determine the spatial and temporal expression of key regulators in neural stem/progenitor cells to control their proliferation, fate specification, and differentiation. Here, Yao and Jin review the latest in our knowledge of epigenetic regulation in neurogenesis and offer a perspective for future studies.
Rejection of empathy and its linguistic manifestations

Trust is a crucial quality in the development of individuals and societies and empathy plays a key role in the formation of trust. Trust and empathy have growing importance in studies of negotiation. However, empathy can be rejected which complicates its role in negotiation. This paper presents a linguistic analysis of empathy by focusing on rejection of empathy in negotiation.
Artesunate Dose Escalation for the Treatment of Uncomplicated Malaria in a Region of Reported Artemisinin Resistance: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background The emergence of artemisinin resistance has raised concerns that the most potent antimalarial drug may be under threat. The currently recommended daily dose of artesunate (AS) is 4 mg/kg, and is administered for 3 days together with a partner antimalarial drug. This study investigated the impact of different AS doses on clinical and parasitological responses in malaria patients from an area of known artemisinin resistance in western Cambodia. Methods Adult patients with uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria were randomized into one of three 7-day AS monotherapy regimens: 2, 4 or 6 mg/kg/day (total dose 14, 28 and 42 mg/kg). Clinical, parasitological, pharmacokinetic and in vitro drug sensitivity data was collected over a 7-day inpatient period and during weekly follow-up to 42 days. Results 143 patients were enrolled (n = 75, 40 and 28 to receive AS 2, 4 and 6 mg/kg/day respectively). Cure rates were high in all treatment groups at 42 days despite almost half the patients remaining parasitemic on Day 3. There was no impact of increasing AS dose on median parasite clearance times, median parasite clearance rates or on the proportion of patients remaining parasitemic on Day 3. However at the lowest dose used (2 mg/kg/d) patients with parasitemia >10,000/µL had longer median (IQR) parasite clearance times than those with parasitemia <10,000/µL (63 (48–75) vs. 84 (66–96) hours, p<0.0001). 19% of patients in the high-dose arm developed neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count <1.0×109/L) by Day 14 and resulted in the arm being halted early. Conclusion There is no pharmacodynamic benefit of increasing the daily dose of AS (4mg/kg) currently recommended for short-course combination treatment of uncomplicated malaria, even in regions with emerging artemisinin resistance, as long as the partner drug retains high efficacy. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00722150.