Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Differential item functioning analysis on a measure of mindfulness (MAP)

Analysis of the differential item functioning (DIF) is of great importance when developing or validating psychological instruments, since it enables to identify whether there are bias on a given instrument concerning sample characteristics. Considering this importance, in this study, we verified the presence of DIF within items of a new instrument for the measurement of mindfulness (MAP), regarding the sex, age, practice with meditation, and use of alternative medicine of the sample. For this, 788 Brazilian adults, mean age of 26 years (SD=9.59), most women (79%) and single, responded the MAP. Overall, no DIF was identified with the positively worded items, indicating that the analyzed items do not favor, specifically, any of the groups tested in the present study. ***Análise do funcionamento diferencial de uma medida de atenção plena (MAP)***Análise do funcionamento diferencial do item (DIF) é de extrema importância quando se está desenvolvendo ou adaptando instrumentos psicológicos, já que possibilita verificar diferenças nos escores por conta de variáveis diversas àquela mensurada pelo instrumento. Neste estudo, verificamos a presença de DIF nos itens de uma nova medida de mindfulness (MAP), considerando o sexo, idade, experiência com meditação, e o uso de medicina alternativa da amostra. Participaram 788 adultos brasileiros, com média de idade de 26 anos (DP=9,59), sendo a maioria mulheres (79%) e solteiros (79%), os quais responderam a MAP. De forma geral, não foram encontrados DIF considerados moderados ou altos na subscala mindfulness. Os resultados indicam que os itens da MAP não favorecem, exclusivamente, nenhum dos grupos testados.
Prevalence and Correlates of Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Alaska Eskimos: The GOCADAN Study

Background and Purpose— The recent increase in clinical cardiovascular disease in Alaska Eskimos suggests that changes in traditional lifestyle may have adverse public health consequences. This study examines the prevalence of subclinical vascular disease and its relation to risk factors in Alaska Eskimos. Methods— Participants in the population-based Genetics of Coronary Artery Disease in Alaska Natives (GOCADAN) Study underwent evaluation of cardiovascular disease risk factors and carotid ultrasound. Outcome variables were carotid intimal-medial thickness and presence and extent of atherosclerosis. Results— In multivariate analyses, intimal-medial thickness and presence and extent of atherosclerosis were all associated with traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors but not dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids. Rates of carotid atherosclerosis were higher than those reported in 2 large population-based US studies. Conclusions— Alaska Eskimos have similar traditional risk factors for carotid atherosclerosis as other ethnic and racial populations but have higher prevalences of atherosclerosis, possibly attributable to higher rates of smoking.
Spatial Group Based Random Access for M2M Communications

We expect that the number of machine-to-machine (M2M) devices will rapidly increase in the near future due to a growing demand for a wide range of M2M applications such as e-health, public safety, surveillance, remote maintenance and control, and smart metering. Therefore, the future cellular networks should accommodate a large number of M2M devices and their random access (RA) requests at a specific time instant. In this letter, we propose a novel RA scheme to effectively increase the number of available preambles for the future M2M communication environment. The proposed scheme provides additional preambles by spatially partitioning a cell coverage into multiple group regions and reducing cyclic shift size in RA preambles. As a result, the proposed RA scheme can accommodate a significantly larger number of machine nodes with much lower collision probability and shorter random access delay, compared to a conventional RA scheme.
Text comprehension and its relation to coherence and cohesion in children's fictional narratives

This study investigated the relation between children's text comprehension, their ability to produce a coherent and cohesive story, and the extent to which external cues aid these aspects of narrative production. Children with reading comprehension difficulties demonstrated deficits in both aspects of story organization, relative to same-age skilled comprehenders and younger children of equivalent comprehension ability. Their performance was poor when a topic title was used to elicit the narrative, but performance improved when stories were elicited with more informative verbal and pictorial prompts. Stories with poorer structures did not contain proportionately fewer connectives in general, but the type of connective included differed in relation to story event structure. These findings are discussed in relation to the use of coherence and cohesion in narratives and their relation to comprehension skill.
Dynamic Anisotropic Occlusion

We present a new real-time shadow rendering approach whose kernel is a hierarchical disk-based approximation to the scene geometry. We show that this approximated representation greatly accelerates the visibility inquiry, facilitating the real-time computation of anisotropic occlusion in GPU. By taking account of anisotropic occlusion, our approach can simulate the shadow cast from not only ambient light, but also point, directional and environment lights. Because no pre-computation is required, it is suitable for dynamically deforming objects. 1. Motivation
Navigating Intersectional Approaches, Methods, and Interdisciplinarity to Health Equity in LGBTQ+ Communities

Abstract The broad spectrum of health services and wellness surrounding lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) communities operates within multiple layers of social inequities. Research using intersectionality features numerous research methods purposed specifically for clarity toward increasing health equity. Generated in the scope of various research methods (e.g., quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods), utilizing intersectionality illustrates potential to explore complex phenomena and outcomes within LGBTQ+ communities. As intersectionality thrives on interdisciplinarity, this article focuses on three overarching purposes: (a) accentuate health equity and social justice across an interdisciplinary scope for LGBTQ+ communities, (b) highlight formative principles grounded in intersectionality, and (c) supplement recommendations for research targeting health equity.
Restoration of images corrupted by mixed Gaussian-impulse noise by iterative soft-hard thresholding

We address the problem of restoration of images which have been affected by impulse or a combination of impulse and Gaussian noise. We propose a patch-based approach that exploits approximate sparse representations of image patches in learned dictionaries. For every patch, sparse representation in a dictionary is enforced by ℓ1-norm penalty, and sparsity of the residual is enforced by ℓ0-quasi-norm penalty. The obtained non-convex problem is solved iteratively by a combination of soft and hard thresholding, and a proof of convergence to a local minimum is given. Experimental evaluation suggests that the proposed approach can produce state-of-the-art results for some types of images, especially in terms of the structural similarity (SSIM) measure. In addition, the proposed iterative thresholding algorithm could possibly be applied to general inverse problems.
Study of occlusions problem in stereo vision

This paper presents a symmetric multiple windows using improved fast algorithm in stereo matching. The symmetric multiple windows method is an adaptive and stable scheme, which can smooth depth discontinous area. The method of single matching phase is used to estimate disparity. The adaptive property of symmetric multiple windows are adopted to reduce mistake matching probability. To produce smooth and detailed disparity maps, two assumptions that were originally proposed by Marr and Poggio are adopted: uniqueness and continuity. The improved sum of squared differences (SSD) algorithm avoids repeatedly computing, reduces the computing complexity efficiently. This paper demonstrates and discusses performances with real stereo pairs, the algorithmpsilas excellence can efficiently identify and reduce mistake matching in occluded region, then produce smooth image, and shorten matching time.
Automatic perceptual categorization of disordered connected speech

The objective of the presentation is to report experiments involving the automatic classification of disordered connected speech into binary (normal, pathological) or multiple (modal, moderately hoarse, severely hoarse) categories. The multi-category classification according to the perceived degree of hoarseness is considered to be clinically meaningful and desirable given that the reliable perceptual classification by humans of disordered voice stimuli is known to be difficult and time-consuming. The acoustic cues are temporal signal-to-dysperiodicity ratios as well as mel-frequency cepstral coefficients. The classifiers are support vector machines which have been trained and tested on two connected speech corpora. The binary classification accuracy has been high (98%) for both sets of acoustic cues. The multi-category classification accuracy has been 70% when based on signal-to-dysperiodicity ratios and 59% when based on mel-frequency cepstral coefficients.
Semantics of pointers, referencing and dereferencing with intensional logic

Intensional logic is applied to the semantics of an Algol-like programming language. This approach associates with expressions their senses, or meanings relative to possible worlds, here interpreted as machine states. These meanings lie in the semantic domains of a higher order typed intensional logic. The advantage of the approach is that it preserves compositionality of the meaning function, even in opaque contexts. This study extends earlier work in this direction, by T.M. V. Janssen and P. Van Emde Boas (1977), to pointers, including dereferenced pointers on both sides of assignments. It is shown how this approach gives an elegant solution to the problem of pointer semantics which is simple, compositional, and implementation independent. <<ETX>>
Operation of Self-Sensitive Cantilever in Liquid for Multiprobe Manipulation

We describe a novel and simple operation method of using a self-sensitive cantilever of an atomic force microscopy (AFM) system in liquid. As for operation of the cantilever in liquid, Al lines of an integrated piezoresistor patterned on the cantilever are easily damaged by electrochemical corrosion. To realize safe operation without the damage, an additional electrode was inserted into the liquid. By applying DC voltage and controlling the potential of the electrode, the Al lines of the piezoresistor circuit on the cantilever could be protected from the electrochemical corrosion. By using this method, AFM imaging of collagen fibrils was demonstrated in physiological saline. Furthermore, the technique allowed us to realize a multiprobe AFM system with a simple configuration. Two cantilever probes were successfully operated like a knife and fork for the manipulation of collagen fibers in liquid.
An approach for test suite selection to validate applications on deployment of COTS upgrades

Typically, COTS undergo frequent upgrades. Organizations while deploying these upgrades ensure the correctness of existing systems by carrying out exhaustive regression tests. This process is typically costly and time-consuming. An efficient approach to regression testing would be to execute a subset of the system test suite that provides sufficient confidence in the system behavior. In that respect, we have developed a test framework that facilitates capturing and modeling of component interactions. These interactions are analyzed to select a subset of test cases to be executed during regression testing. The approach has been applied to a Web-based system and the results obtained are quite promising.
A Camera Calibration Method using Concentric Circles for Vision Applications

In this paper, we present a new method for camera calibration using concentric circles. We demonstrate that camera calibration is possible using two views of a concentric circle with known size. A new method to determine the position of the projected center of the circle is introduced. Based on the accurate estimation of the projected circle center of two sets of 3-D concentric circles, the proposed calibration method estimates the intrinsic camera parameters using two sets of 3-D concentric circles obtained from the same viewpoint. We validate the performance of the method using both synthetic and real images. Our method shows a comparable performance with respect to similar calibration methods using a plane. The use of concentric circles, however, greatly simplifies the calibration problem. We also demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed calibration method through the recovery of 3-D structure of an object, placed on a turntable, using a sequence of images taken from the static cameras.
Facebook Depression or Facebook Contentment

Within the literature, Facebook has received much attention in order to understand the potential positive and negative effects associated with using the social networking site. The current chapter provides a discussion of the empirical support for the differential outcomes associated with actively posting and chatting on Facebook vs. passively browsing Facebook, as well as the underlying mechanisms for the effects. Specifically, the current chapter will discuss two perspectives related to the differential effects of active and passive Facebook use: Facebook contentment (a wellbeing enhancing effect) and Facebook depression (a wellbeing diminishing effect). The authors also discuss the extension of the results to other social media platforms and provide suggestions for future research.
Hemocompatibility assessment and drug release kinetics investigation from materials based on electrospun nanofibers

Objective(s): Polymeric nanofiber has a huge potential for a various biomedical applications such as wound healing and orthopedic implant. Since most of the future applications of therapeutic nanofiber are interacting with human blood components, it is important to investigate hemocompatibility. Methods: In this study, nanofibers with antibacterial properties were synthesizedby electrospun of polymeric composite of chitosan (CS), poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO) and vancomycin (vanco). The results obtained from scanning electron microscopy (SEM), FTIR spectroscopy, antibacterial and hemolysis tests of nanofiber were evaluated. The kinetic and drug release mechanism of drug loaded electrospun samples were also investigated by UV-Vis spectrophotometry and the appropriate model was proposed for prediction of drug release.Results: The surface morphology of a composite nanofiber indicated that the nanofiber is flat and smooth. The results of antibacterial tests showed that prepared nanofiber has antibacterial properties against of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Hemolysis test indicate that this nanofiber has non hemolytic impact on red blood cells (RBCs). The model of antibiotic release from the nanofiber was examined and it was found that the release mechanism can be described as Fickian diffusion model. According to this model, the kinetic degree of the drug release is around 0.38. Conclusions: Infections and pathophysiological factors cause delayed healing of wound healing. Therefore, using antibacterial nanofibers for elimination of antibacterial infection from wounds, accelerate wound healing.
Diversity, competition, extinction: the ecophysics of language change

As indicated early by Charles Darwin, languages behave and change very much like living species. They display high diversity, differentiate in space and time, emerge and disappear. A large body of literature has explored the role of information exchanges and communicative constraints in groups of agents under selective scenarios. These models have been very helpful in providing a rationale on how complex forms of communication emerge under evolutionary pressures. However, other patterns of large-scale organization can be described using mathematical methods ignoring communicative traits. These approaches consider shorter time scales and have been developed by exploiting both theoretical ecology and statistical physics methods. The models are reviewed here and include extinction, invasion, origination, spatial organization, coexistence and diversity as key concepts and are very simple in their defining rules. Such simplicity is used in order to catch the most fundamental laws of organization and those universal ingredients responsible for qualitative traits. The similarities between observed and predicted patterns indicate that an ecological theory of language is emerging, supporting (on a quantitative basis) its ecological nature, although key differences are also present. Here, we critically review some recent advances and outline their implications and limitations as well as highlight problems for future research.
The Neoliberalization of Municipal Land Policy in Sweden

In Sweden, local governments’ practice of the ‘municipal land instrument’—that is, the use of public land ownership as a tool for facilitating urban development—has a long tradition. In the post‐war era, public land ownership constituted an important component of state‐led housing production, which had both a productive and a redistributive purpose. Departing from a political economy perspective, this article demonstrates how the redistributive aspect of the municipal land instrument has been dissolved under neoliberalization, and discusses why the use of this instrument is problematic from both a democratic and ethical point of view. Based on a case study in Helsingborg, the article argues that, in using public land to leverage private investment in urban development, local decision makers adopt an interest in supporting rent extraction from tenants and housing owners, while subsidizing investment costs for developers. The dual role that municipalities assume as landowner‐developers and planning authorities enable them to facilitate urban development effectively, but it is also problematic because it transgresses the public–private law divide inherent to Swedish law. Assuming this dual role, municipalities place themselves in a biased position that risks undermining the legitimacy of governmental actions in general, and the planning system in particular. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Awareness and Knowledge of Poor Vision among Students in Hail University

Background: Awareness of common eye diseases particularly impaired vision and their prevention and treatment can play an important role in encouraging people to seek timely eye care and can therefore help in reducing the burden of visual impairment. Objective: This cross sectional observational study was carried out to assess the level of awareness and knowledge about the problem of poor vision among Saudi students in Hail University. Methods: A standardized questionnaire was randomly distributed to students aged 18-24 years of both sexes. A total of 1484 subjects agreed to participate, answered the questionnaire and were involved in the study. Results: Findings showed that1330 students considered poor vision to be a problem. Most of them considered elders the most susceptible age group followed by teenagers. More than half of the students did not know which gender is more affected by poor vision. More than one-third (37.5%) of them considered poor vision as a genetic disorder. Others reported errors of refraction, cataract and senility (10.6%, 8.4% and 6.55%respectively). However, 28.3% of the students did not know exactly the predisposing causes of poor vision. Two-thirds of the study population thought that poor vision could be prevented. Regular periodic examination of the eyes and prevention of the predisposing factors were recommended (31.3% and 32.7% respectively) as the best methods to prevent poor vision. There was significant association between the level of awareness and knowledge of the students about poor vision and the gender, type and level of education. Conclusion: The detected levels of knowledge is still not the optimum especially among female students, non-scientific colleges and in the earlier levels of university education. This emphasizes the need to involve such students in a proper eye health education program. This will help increasing the awareness of the community at large.
Activity‐dependent excitability changes in hippocampal CA3 cell Schaffer axons

The membrane potential changes following action potentials in thin unmyelinated cortical axons with en passant boutons may be important for synaptic release and conduction abilities of such axons. In the lack of intra‐axonal recording techniques we have used extracellular excitability testing as an indirect measure of the after‐potentials. We recorded from individual CA3 soma in hippocampal slices and activated the axon with a range of stimulus intensities. When conditioning and test stimuli were given to the same site the excitability changes were partly masked by local effects of the stimulating electrode at intervals < 5 ms. Therefore, we elicited the conditioning action potential from one axonal branch and tested the excitability of another branch. We found that a single action potential reduced the axonal excitability for 15 ms followed by an increased excitability for ∼200 ms at 24°C. Using field recordings of axonal action potentials we show that raising the temperature to 34°C reduced the magnitude and duration of the initial depression. However, the duration of the increased excitability was very similar (time constant 135 ± 20 ms) at 24 and 34°C, and with 2.0 and 0.5 mm Ca2+ in the bath. At stimulus rates > 1 Hz, a condition that activates a hyperpolarization‐activated current (Ih) in these axons, the decay was faster than at lower stimulation rates. This effect was reduced by the Ih blocker ZD7288. These data suggest that the decay time course of the action potential‐induced hyperexcitability is determined by the membrane time constant.