Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Shared System of Representation Governing Quantity Discrimination in Canids

One way to investigate the evolution of cognition is to compare the abilities of phylogenetically related species. The domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris), for example, still shares cognitive abilities with the coyote (Canis latrans). Both of these canids possess the ability to make psychophysical “less/more” discriminations of food based on quantity. Like many other species including humans, this ability is mediated by Weber’s Law: discrimination of continuous quantities is dependent on the ratio between the two quantities. As two simultaneously presented quantities of food become more similar, choice of the large or small option becomes random in both dogs and coyotes. It remains unknown, however, whether these closely related species within the same family – one domesticated, and one wild – make such quantitative comparisons with comparable accuracy. Has domestication honed or diminished this quantitative ability? Might different selective and ecological pressures facing coyotes drive them to be more or less able to accurately represent and discriminate food quantity than domesticated dogs? This study is an effort to elucidate this question concerning the evolution of non-verbal quantitative cognition. Here, we tested the quantitative discrimination ability of 16 domesticated dogs. Each animal was given nine trials in which two different quantities of food were simultaneously displayed to them. The domesticated dogs’ performance on this task was then compared directly to the data from 16 coyotes’ performance on this same task reported by Baker et al. (2011). The quantitative discrimination abilities between the two species were strikingly similar. Domesticated dogs demonstrated similar quantitative sensitivity as coyotes, suggesting that domestication may not have significantly altered the psychophysical discrimination abilities of canids. Instead, this study provides further evidence for similar non-verbal quantitative abilities across multiple species.
Effects of Probiotics and Synbiotics on Obesity, Insulin Resistance Syndrome, Type 2 Diabetes and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Review of Human Clinical Trials

The use of probiotics and synbiotics in the prevention and treatment of different disorders has dramatically increased over the last decade. Both probiotics and synbiotics are well known ingredients of functional foods and nutraceuticals and may provide beneficial health effects because they can influence the intestinal microbial ecology and immunity. The present study reviews the effects of probiotics and synbiotics on obesity, insulin resistance syndrome (IRS), type 2 diabetes (T2D) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in human randomized clinical trials. Select probiotics and synbiotics provided beneficial effects in patients with obesity, mainly affecting the body mass index and fat mass. Some probiotics had beneficial effects on IRS, decreasing the cell adhesion molecule-1 levels, and the synbiotics decreased the insulin resistance and plasma lipid levels. Moreover, select probiotics improved the carbohydrate metabolism, fasting blood glucose, insulin sensitivity and antioxidant status and also reduced metabolic stress in subjects with T2D. Some probiotics and synbiotics improved the liver and metabolic parameters in patients with NAFLD. The oral intake of probiotics and synbiotics as co-adjuvants for the prevention and treatment of obesity, IRS, T2D and NAFLD is partially supported by the data shown in the present review. However, further studies are required to understand the precise mechanism of how probiotics and synbiotics affect these metabolic disorders.
Presupernova Evolution of Rotating Massive Stars. II. Evolution of the Surface Properties

We investigate the evolution of the surface properties of models for rotating massive stars, i.e., their luminosities, effective temperatures, surface rotational velocities, and surface abundances of all isotopes, from the zero-age main sequence to the supernova stage. Our results are based on the grid of stellar models by Heger, Langer, & Woosley, which covers solar metallicity stars in the initial-mass range 8-25 M☉. Results are parameterized by initial mass, initial rotational velocity and major uncertainties in the treatment of the rotational mixing inside massive stars. Rotationally induced mixing processes widen the main sequence and increase the core hydrogen-burning lifetime, similar to the effects of convective overshooting. It can also significantly increase the luminosity during and after core hydrogen burning, and strongly affects the evolution of the effective temperature. Our models predict surface rotational velocities for various evolutionary stages, in particular for blue supergiants, red supergiants, and for the immediate presupernova stage. We discuss the changes of the surface abundances due to rotationally induced mixing for main sequence and post-main-sequence stars. We single out two characteristics by which the effect of rotational mixing can be distinguished from that of massive close binary mass transfer, the only alternative process leading to nonstandard chemical surface abundances in massive stars. A comparison with observed abundance anomalies in various types of massive stars supports the concept of rotational mixing in massive stars and indicates that it is responsible for most of the observed abundance anomalies.
Sustained clinical remission in rheumatoid arthritis: prevalence and prognostic factors in an inception cohort of patients treated with conventional DMARDS.

OBJECTIVE Clinical remission is now a realistic goal in managing RA following the introduction of biologic agents. As there are limited data on sustained remission in conventionally treated RA, this study examines prevalence and predictive factors of sustained remission in a pre-biologic inception cohort of RA. METHODS Patients with recent onset RA and before use of DMARDs were recruited from nine centres. Standard clinical and radiological assessments were recorded at baseline and yearly. Point remission was defined by DAS of <1.6, and sustained remission if DAS was <1.6 at all 3-, 4- and 5-year follow-ups. Sustained remission was compared with baseline features, with mortality and with radiological and functional progression in 704 patients. RESULTS Point remission at 3, 4 and 5 years was 25, 26 and 22%, respectively. Eleven per cent (n = 78) had sustained remission. Male sex, short duration of symptoms and less tender joints at baseline were independent predictors of sustained remission. These patients had fewer DMARD therapies and less radiographic progression by 5 years. Mean HAQ decreased from 0.79 to 0.13 (P < 0.001) in sustained remission, compared with an increase from 0.92 to 1.1 (P < 0.001) in the non-remission group. CONCLUSION Sustained clinical remission by 5 years with conventional DMARDs was 11%, half as likely as point remission. Prognostic factors were similar to comparable studies and simple to measure. Patients in sustained clinical remission showed less structural damage and better functional outcomes.
Three Different Methods of Expression Profile Analysis in Plants

In the last 15 years many advances have been made in techniques available to molecular biologists. In the field of gene expression in particular, several new methods have become common use for determining changes in gene expression over the course of plant development, changes induced by external stimulus, and differences in the various tissue types of a plant. Here we describe the theory, general methods, and some applications for three of these new techniques in the broad field of plant biology DNA microarray, quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR, and serial analysis of gene expression. DOI = 10.3329/ptcb.v16i1. 1107 Plant Tissue Cult. & Biotech. 16(1): 63-76, 2006 (June)
Local geometrized Rankin-Selberg method for GL(n)

Abstract We propose a geometric interpretation of the classical Rankin-Selberg method for GL( n ) in the framework of the geometric Langlands program. Our main result is local. For n = 2 we apply it to prove a global result that gives a geometric version of the computation of the scalar product of two normalized cusp Hecke eigenforms as a residue of the Rankin-Selberg convolution.
An integrated framework for biometrics security

Security methods based on biometric are gaining importance increasingly for the last few years. Such methods take into account humans' unique physical or behaviour traits that help to identify them based on their intrinsic characteristics. In this paper, we have proposed an integrated framework for image enhancement, face detection, feature extraction and face recognition. The proposed framework will be applied to images produced by surveillance cameras which usually produce low quality images.
A Fetch Resident Split Jump Mechanism for Non-Deterministic Processors

Using non-deterministic execution of cryptographic algorithms has been proposed as an effective defence against differential power analysis (DPA) attacks. Such attacks are thwarted by, for example, buffering the instruction stream and issuing instructions in a random though valid order. For random instruction issue to be effective, the fetch unit must be able to supply a steady stream of instructions so as to maximise the number of instructions from which to randomly select. We describe a mechanism which has been specialised to the task of minimising the number of fetch unit stalls while encapsulating jump related behaviour in one place. Since this mechanism helps to maximise the level of security against DPA while allowing subsequent pipeline stages to be less complex, it is a valuable addition to current non-deterministic processors.
Hydatid Disease Involving Some Rare Locations in the Body: a Pictorial Essay

Hydatid disease (HD) is an endemic illness in many countries, and it poses an important public health problem that's influenced by peoples' socioeconomic status and migration that spreads this disease. Although rare, it may occur in any organ or tissue. The most common site is the liver (59-75%), followed in frequency by lung (27%), kidney (3%), bone (1-4%) and brain (1-2%). Other sites such as the heart, spleen, pancreas and muscles are very rarely affected. Unusual sites for this disease can cause diagnostic problems. This pictorial essay illustrates various radiological findings of HD in the liver, spleen, kidney, pancreas, peritoneal cavity, omentum, adrenal, ovary, lung, mediastinum and retroperitoneum. Familiarity with the imaging findings of HD may be helpful in making an accurate diagnosis and preventing potential complications.
Scheduling Parallel Computations

A model for parallel computations is given as a directed graph in which nodes represent elementary operations, and branches, data channels. The problem considered is the determination of an admissible schedule for such a computation; i.e. for each node determine a sequence of times at which the node initiates its operation. These times must be such that each node, upon initiation, is assured of having the necessary data upon which to operate. Necessary and sufficient conditions that a schedule be admissible are given. The computation rate of a given admissible schedule is defined and is shown to have a limiting value 1/&pgr; where &pgr; is a parameter dependent upon the cycles in the graph. Thus, the computation cannot proceed at a rate exceeding 1/&pgr;. For &ggr; ≥ &pgr;, the class of all periodic admissible schedules with period &ggr; is characterized by the solution space of a certain system of linear inequalities. In particular, then, the maximum computation rate of 1/&pgr; is attainable under a periodic admissible schedule with period &pgr;. A class of all-integer admissible schedules is given. Finally, an algorithm is given for the determination of the number of initiations of each node in the graph defining a parallel computation. An example for a system of difference equations is given in detail.
Intergroup Interaction as Related to Status and Leadership Differences between Groups

The experiment herein reported upon is one part of a larger project designed to study several aspects of intergroup interaction. This portion was a laboratory test of the hypothesis: the greater the differentiation between groups, the greater the likelihood of intergroup conflict. In other words, according to this hypothesis, if some measure is available by which differences between groups can be ranked (i.e., groups A and B are "more different" from each other than are groups C and D) this measure will be related to the amount of conflict between the groups. This hypothesis was originally suggested several years ago by Williams (19, pp. 51-58). Intergroup conflict was selected as the particular mode of interaction to be investigated because of its practical importance, and because conflict lends itself especially well to experimental manipulation. While it is hardly necessary to justify a small-group study today, there are three areas of importance of such a study which should be specified briefly. First, interaction is the basic concept for sociology, and one which therefore merits much study. Second, a study of intergroup interaction, as differentiated from intragroup interaction, is necessary in order to place studies of individual groups in their proper perspective, as well as being of importance in its potential contribution to practical affairs. Third, the study of small groups has merit not only because of the great number and impact of such groups in society, but, even more importantly, because such studies are a methodological device-a technique. They are the sociologist's test-tube, whereby he can control the variables he is studying, in order to gain knowledge about large social systems. Space limitations prevent a detailed exposition of the theoretical frame of reference within which this study was conducted. The writings of Simmel, von Wiese, and Cooley on interaction and groups were, of course, very influential. More recent works which shaped this project were: (a) the writings
Identität und Identitätsstörungen beim Persönlichkeitsstörungen : Definition, Konzeptionen und Perspektiven aus psychodynamischer Sicht

Patients with borderline personality disorder suffer from instability in their sense of identity. Purpose of the paper is to arrive at a consistent and clinically relevant concept of identity and identity disturbance, one which will be meaningful to psychiatric diagnosis and research. In this review the term identity, as well as identity disturbances in patients with borderline personality disorders, will be traced and clarified. Identity disturbance means a not fully integrated personality identity that is underdeveloped due to the contradicting self- and object representation of the individual. The missing identity integration in severe personality disorders is called identity diffusion. Identity diffusion manifests itself clinically through an experience of chronic emptiness and contradictory behaviour, as well as in a contradicting self-awareness and superficial awareness of others. Personal identity mediates between outer (psychosocial) and inner (self)-influences, and serves the individual as a coherent psychological unit of stability and goal orientation for the individual towards the future. During the course of personality development, psychosocial as well as self-influences are constantly coordinated and exchanged through the identity as a psychological organisation form. The identity is actively shaped through this process and is consciously perceived in the immediate personal identity experience. Individual identity work involves the task of developing lifelong stable interpretation patterns. This identity work also includes implementing the process of narrative self-understanding. Patients with personality disorders have a weak sense of identity and an underdeveloped competence for identity development. Self-esteem and narcissistic regulation must be stabilised through detachment and separation from incompatible aspects of external reality and internal mental representations. In such a case, coping, which involves biographical threshold situations and change dynamics in later stressful life events, threatens to fail. The development of identity to a higher and fully integrated level breaks down. Existing identity segments and yet-to-be-integrated life experiences remain divergent. Identity disturbance is clinically characterised as a continuum with identity diffusion at one end and integrated personal identity at the other. It remains unclear, whether identity disturbances can be found in all personality disorders or whether they merely demonstrate a specific criterion for patients with borderline personality disorder. Empirical-quantitative examination of identity disturbances via psychometric testing procedures fails to do justice to the complex subject of identity and identity disturbance. The significance of personal identity and identity disturbance for the clinical psychiatric diagnosis should be more closely studied with a combination of research approaches, utilising quantitative instruments as well as qualitative methods.
Evidence for the existence of adaptive thermogenesis during weight loss

The present study was performed to further investigate the adaptive component of thermogenesis that appears during prolonged energy restriction. Fifteen obese men and twenty obese women underwent a 15-week weight-loss programme. During this programme, body weight and composition as well as resting energy expenditure (REE) were measured at baseline, after 2 and 8 weeks of energy restriction (-2929 kJ/d) and drug therapy (or placebo), and finally 2–4 weeks after the end of the 15-week drug therapy and energy restriction intervention, when subjects were weight stable. Regression equations were established in a control population of the same age. These equations were then used to predict REE in obese men and women at baseline, after 2 and 8 weeks, as well as after the completion of the programme. In both men and women body weight and fat mass were significantly reduced (P < 0.05 in all cases) while fat-free mass remained unchanged throughout the programme. At baseline, REE predicted from the regression equation was not significantly different from the measured REE in men, while in women the measured REE was 13 % greater than predicted. After 2 weeks of energy restriction, measured REE had fallen by 469 and 635 kJ/d more than predicted and this difference reached 963 and 614 kJ/d by week 8 of treatment in men and women respectively. Once body-weight stability was recovered at the end of the programme, changes in REE remained below predicted changes in men (-622 kJ/d). However, in women changes in predicted and measured REE were no longer different at this time, even if the women were maintaining a reduced body weight. In summary, the present results confirm the existence of adaptive thermogenesis and give objective measurements of this component during weight loss in obese men and women, while they also emphasize that in women this component seems to be essentially explained by the energy restriction.
Black box linear algebra: extending wiedemann's analysis of a sparse matrix preconditioner for computations over small fields

Wiedemann's paper, introducing his algorithm for sparse and structured matrix computations over arbitrary fields, also presented a pair of matrix preconditioners for computations over small fields. The analysis of the second of these is extended here in order to provide more explicit statements of the expected number of nonzero entries in the matrices obtained as well as bounds on the probability that the matrices being considered have maximal rank. It is hoped that this will make Wiedemann's second preconditioner of more practical use. This is part of ongoing work to establish that this matrix preconditioner can be used to bound the number of nontrivial nilpotent blocks in the Jordan normal form of a preconditioned matrix, in such a way that one can also sample uniformly from the null space of the originally given matrix. If successful this will result in a black box algorithm for the type of matrix computation required when using the number field sieve for integer factorization that is provably reliable (unlike some heuristics, presently in use) and --- by a small factor --- asymptotically more efficient than alternative provably reliable techniques that make use of other matrix preconditioners or require computations over field extensions.
Extension of the SpanishWordNet

WordNet divides adjectives in descriptives and relationals basically and they are represented in an enumerative way. The category was not introduced in Eu- roWordNet and Spanish adjectives in the SpanishWordNet are the translation of the English synsets. This paper describes a proposal of organizing and incorporating adjec- tives into the SpanishWordNet in terms of representing its polymorphic behaviour. The new organization would be made according to the adjectives taxonomy of MikroKos- mos ontology. It results that the ontological approach can be used to explain adjectives polysemy. In the end a new adjectival classication appears in EuroWordNet, in terms of the three types of entities of the Top Ontology.
Aggregated interference control for cognitive radio networks based on multi-agent learning

This paper deals with the problem of aggregated interference generated by multiple cognitive radios (CR) at the receivers of primary (licensed) users. In particular, we consider a secondary CR system based on the IEEE 802.22 standard for wireless regional area networks (WRAN), and we model it as a multi-agent system where the multiple agents are the different secondary base stations in charge of controlling the different secondary cells. We propose a solution for the aggregated interference problem based on a form of real-time multi-agent reinforcement learning known as decentralized Qlearning, so that the multi-agent system is designed to learn an optimal policy by directly interacting with the surrounding environment in a distributed fashion. Simulation results reveal that the proposed approach is able to fulfil the primary users interference constraints, without introducing signalling overhead in the system.
A Short Course in Family Therapy: Translating Research Into Practice

This article outlines a graduate-level, one-time-only family therapy course that prepares counseling trainees to be competent at entry-level family therapy in the United States. The approach outlined addresses the training concerns of programs that significantly emphasize individual-focused paradigms and that have limited time to train counseling trainees in family therapy. The pedagogical model draws from the empirically supported brief strategic family therapy model, family process research, relational psychotherapy, and integrative psychotherapy approaches. This article highlights the importance of preparing trainees to develop a strong understanding of how families function before they delve into family therapy treatment. It also highlights the ease at which empirically supported interventions can be integrated into a family therapy course. Although anecdotes and teaching evaluations indicate that the model fits well for trainees, the model needs to be tested for its long-term utility in clinical settings and it needs to be expanded to couples counseling.