Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
How English-Learning Infants Respond to Markedness and Faithfulness Constraints

According to the nativist interpretation of Optimality Theory (Prince and Smolensky (1993)), all language learners are born with a set of universal constraints. Learnability arguments entail that, in the initial state, markedness constraints outrank faithfulness constraints (Prince (personal communication, September 26, 1993), Smolensky (1996a), Tesar and Smolensky (2000)). This study investigates whether English learners give evidence of observing markedness and faithfulness constraints relating to nasal place assimilation. Employing the Headturn Preference Procedure (Jusczyk (1998b), Kemler Nelson et al. (1995)), these investigations introduce a general experimental paradigm for exploring infants' phonological grammars. English learners at 4.5 and 10 months of age gave evidence of observing both markedness and faithfulness constraints and ranked markedness above faithfulness. After a brief instability around 15 months, at 20 months they display the adult English pattern, with markedness outranking faithfulness.
Monitoring threshold cryptography based wireless sensor networks with projective plane

Securing information transaction in a dynamic environment like wireless ad-hoc and sensor networks is a challenging task due to the vulnerability and resource-constraints in wireless domain. In recent days, threshold cryptography gained significant attention for its theoretically proven robustness in securing such self-organized networks with resource-efficient group multicasting technique. However, threshold-cryptography requires node-to-node secret sharing and combining them at later stage, both of which demands significant computational and communicational resources at the nodes. The transitive effect of internal malicious nodes lying about their assigned shares during share-exchange process can make the system run out of resources for high threshold value. Moreover, node-to-node secret sharing suffers the chance of passive eavesdropping. In this paper, we propose a fully-distributed threshold-cryptography based scheme that can overcome the above-mentioned shortcomings of the existing schemes by applying projective-plane based grouping approach where smaller overlapping sub-groups of n unique nodes exchange their shares using multicasting to form the final secret. The communication complexity reduces to O(√n) from O(n2) of existing schemes.
Polymorphisms of PHF11 and DPP10 Are Associated with Asthma and Related Traits in a Chinese Population

Background: Initial studies by positional cloning have identified the genes encoding the plant homeodomain zinc finger protein 11 (PHF11) and dipeptidyl-peptidase 10 (DPP10) as asthma susceptibility genes. The variants in the two genes have been associated with asthma in several populations of European or Latin American origin. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the common PHF11 and DPP10 polymorphisms for associations to asthma and asthma-related traits in a Han Chinese population. Methods: We genotyped six polymorphic markers in PHF11 and five polymorphic markers in DPP10 in a Han Chinese case-control cohort consisting of 408 asthma patients and 288 unrelated disease-free controls recruited from the Northern region of China. We analyzed the association between these markers and asthma as well as a number of intermediate, asthma-related traits. Linkage disequilibrium and haplotype patterns were also evaluated. Results: Significant associations were identified between two makers in PHF11 (rs1046295 and rs16659) and asthma susceptibility (odds ratio, OR = 1.32, 95% con fidence interval, CI = 1.06–1.65, p = 0.0096, for rs1046295, and OR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.12–1.75, p = 0.0026, for rs16659). A strong association was observed between an SNP in DPP10 (rs10208402) and loge-transformed total IgE (p = 0.0003) and the percentage of peripheral blood eosinophils (p = 0.0023). A weak association between rs1430090 in DPP10 and forced expiratory volume in 1 s was also observed (p = 0.048). Haplotype analysis revealed two protective haplotypes in PHF11 against asthma. Conclusion: The results provide supporting evidence for genetic variants in PHF11 and DPP10 genes underlying asthma susceptibility and asthma-related quantitative traits in a Han Chinese population.
OF ARM MOVEMENTS DURING ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING FOR THE DESIGN OF AN ACTIVE UPPER LIMB EXOSKELETON FOR ADULTS WITH DUCHENNE Barcelona

Adults with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), due to their severe muscle weakness, have problems performing basic activities of daily living (ADL). The possibility to use an arm support to perform the movements by themselves offers a new paradigm for these patients, giving them more self-autonomy and independence. However, current arm supports do not provide enough assistance for DMD adult patients. Moreover, these patients are sited on a wheelchair, so they have limited mobility, and their quality of life would be greatly improved if they had an inconspicuous and functional assistive arm support. Flextension A-Gear project emanates with the objective to develop an active upper-limb exoskeleton for DMD patients that can be worn underneath clothing and supports the arm for the independent execution of essential activities of daily living. In this project, researchers aim to obtain an adequate balance between complexity and functionality in design of the device. This work is carried out in collaboration with that project with the aim to find what are the biomechanical requirements for the design of an active upper-limb exoskeleton for patients that suffer Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, which should be at the same time simple and aesthetic. For this purpose, kinematic (joint angles, range of motion, angular velocities, angular accelerations), dynamic (joint torques) and energetic (mechanical joint powers) quantities associated to 4 tasks performed by 6 healthy subjects were analysed. Moreover, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) has been applied to the three shoulder rotations with the aim of minimizing the number of orthosis actuators at that joint. The results obtained correspond to the biomechanical requirements for the design of an upperlimb exoskeleton for DMD patients. They show how the degrees of freedom and axes can be reduced and readjusted in order to obtain a simpler and functional model. It is concluded that the pro-supination angle can be neglected, and the three axes of rotation of the shoulder can be reduced into two without losing much functionality. Moreover, the results show that having a gravity compensation mechanism, like passive orthoses do, would reduce the required actuator powers, yielding a light and cost-efficient design. 4 [Analysis of arm movements for the design of an upper-limb exoskeleton for DMD patients
Does Bilingualism Change Native-Language Reading?

Becoming a bilingual can change a person's cognitive functioning and language processing in a number of ways. This study focused on how knowledge of a second language influences how people read sentences written in their native language. We used the cognate-facilitation effect as a marker of cross-lingual activations in both languages. Cognates (e.g., Dutch-English schip [ship]) and controls were presented in a sentence context, and eye movements were monitored. Results showed faster reading times for cognates than for controls. Thus, this study shows that one of people's most automated skills, reading in one's native language, is changed by the knowledge of a second language.
Wireless Sensor Technologies and Applications

Recent years have witnessed tremendous advances in the design and applications of wirelessly networked and embedded sensors. Wireless sensor nodes are typically low-cost, low-power, small devices equipped with limited sensing, data processing and wireless communication capabilities, as well as power supplies. They leverage the concept of wireless sensor networks (WSNs), in which a large (possibly huge) number of collaborative sensor nodes could be deployed. As an outcome of the convergence of micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) technology, wireless communications, and digital electronics, WSNs represent a significant improvement over traditional sensors. In fact, the rapid evolution of WSN technology has accelerated the development and deployment of various novel types of wireless sensors, e.g., multimedia sensors. Fulfilling Moore’s law, wireless sensors are becoming smaller and cheaper, and at the same time more powerful and ubiquitous. [. ]
USER AUTHENTICATION THROUGH CUED CLICK POINTS BASED GRAPHICAL PASSWORD

User authentication is a fundamental component in most computer security context. In recent years, computer and network security has been formulated as a technical problem. A key area in security research is authentication which is the determination of whether a user should be allowed access to a given system or resource. In this respect, Authentication is a process by which a system verifies the identity of a user. Authentication may also be generalized by saying that â€œto authenticateâ€ means â€œto authorizeâ€. Users tend to pick passwords that can be easily guessed, on the other hand, if a password is hard to guess, then it is often hard to remember. To address this problem some researchers have developed authentication methods that use pictures as passwords, known as graphical passwords.Graphical passwords are a proposed alternative to text passwords that have been shown to have good usability and security properties that use images for login, and leverage the picture superiority effect for good usability and memorability. Categories of graphical passwords have been distinguished on the basis of different kinds of memory retrieval (recall, cued-recall, and recognition). Though there are several kinds of graphical password, But We have choose to implement the cued click based due to efficient and more secured, Cued click points is a click-based graphical password scheme, Users click on one point per image for a sequence of images. The next image is based on the previous clickpoint. Performance was very good in terms of speed, accuracy, and number of errors. Graphical passwords may offer better security than text-based passwords because many people, in an attempt to memorize text-based passwords, use plain words rather than the recommended jumble of characters.
Rain granularity effects on bandwidth demand for faded DVB‐RCS systems

Broadband satellite communication networks, operating at Ka band and above, play a vital role in today's worldwide telecommunication infrastructure. The problem, however, is that rain can be the most dominant impairment factor for radio propagation above 10 GHz. This paper studies bandwidth and time slot allocation problem for rain faded DVB‐RCS satellite networks. We investigate how using finer rain granularity can improve bandwidth utilization in DVB‐RCS return links. The paper presents a mathematical model to calculate the bandwidth on demand. We formulate the radio resource allocation as an optimization problem and propose a novel algorithm for dynamic carrier bandwidth and time slots allocation, which works with constant bit rate type of traffic. We provide theoretical analysis for the time slot allocation problem and show that the proposed algorithm achieves optimal results. The algorithm is evaluated using a MATLAB simulation with historical rain data for the UK. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Biofilms Formed by Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae In Vivo Contain both Double-Stranded DNA and Type IV Pilin Protein

ABSTRACT Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHI) strains are members of the normal human nasopharyngeal flora, as well as frequent opportunistic pathogens of both the upper and lower respiratory tracts. Recently, it has been shown that NTHI can form biofilms both in vitro and in vivo. NTHI strains within in vitro-formed biofilms differentially express both epitopes of lipooligosaccharide (LOS) and the outer membrane proteins P2, P5, and P6, whereas those generated either in a 96-well plate assay in vitro or in a mammalian host have been shown to incorporate a specific glycoform of sialylated LOS within the biofilm matrix. While DNA has been identified as a key component of the biofilm matrix formed in vitro by several bacterial pathogens, here we demonstrate for the first time that in addition to sialylated LOS, the biofilm formed by NTHI in vivo contains both type IV pilin protein and a significant amount of double-stranded DNA. The DNA appeared to be arranged in a dense interlaced meshwork of fine strands as well as in individual thicker “ropes” that span water channels, suggesting that DNA could be imparting structural stability to the biofilm produced by NTHI in vivo. The presence of type IV pilin protein both appearing as small aggregates within the biofilm matrix and tracking along DNA strands supports our observations which showed that type IV pili are expressed by NTHI during experimental otitis media when these bacteria form a biofilm in the middle ear space.
Evaluating Privacy Practices in Web 2.0 Services

This paper discusses the effectiveness of privacy practices and tools employed by Web 2.0 service providers to facilitate users protect their privacy and respond to public pressure. By experimenting on three recently introduced tools, which claim to offer users access and choice on the data stored about them, we analyse their privacy preserving features. Research results indicate their limited effectiveness with regard to user privacy. We discuss discrepancy between stated goals of these privacy enhancing tools and actual goals these tools accomplish.
POSSIBLE INVOLVEMENT OF MONOAMINES IN THE RELEASE OF ADIPOKINETIC HORMONE IN THE LOCUST SCHISTOCERCA GREGARIA

1. The adipokinetic hormone release, which can be induced by anticholinesterases, is reduced by depleting the content of monoamines in the nervous system. 2. The participation of monoamines in the pathway of release of adipokinetic hormone is studied in vivo and in vitro. 3. A possible mechanism for anticholinesterase-induced release of this hormone involving cholinergic and aminergic transmission is postulated.
Blickbewegungsdiagnostik bei Hockeynationalspielern und ihre Trainingsimplikationen

Die Rolle der Antizipation fur eine erfolgreiche Bewaltigung von Spielsituationen ist in den letzten Jahren in der Sportwissenschaft verstarkt analysiert worden. Es hat sich durchgangig gezeigt, dass sich Experten von Novizen durch eine bessere Antizipationsleistung und Mustererkennung unterscheiden. Dieser Befund ist uber verschiedene Sportarten, wie Badminton (Abernethy & Russell, 1987a, 1987b), Baseball (Shank & Haywood, 1987), Fusball (Honer, 2002; Williams, 2002) oder Tennis (Starkes, 1987), hinweg konsistent (vgl. zusammenfassend Williams, Davids & Williams, 1999). Im Mittelpunkt der nachfolgend dargestellten Untersuchungen steht eine Blickbewegungsdiagnostik von Hockeyschutzen bei Strafecken (Studie 1) und eines Torhuters bei Siebenmetern (Studie 2). In diesen spielentscheidenden Situationen ist weniger die motorische Ausfuhrung, als vielmehr die antizipatorische Leistung von Bedeutung.
Preoperative staging of papillary thyroid carcinoma: comparison of ultrasound imaging and CT.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound imaging with that of CT in the preoperative evaluation of primary tumors and cervical lymph nodes in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma and to determine whether CT has greater diagnostic value than ultrasound alone in the care of these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study population consisted of 299 consecutively registered patients with pathologically proven papillary thyroid carcinoma. The diagnostic accuracies of ultrasound, CT, and the combination of ultrasound and CT in the evaluation of primary tumors and lymph node metastasis were compared. We performed subgroup analysis to compare the findings on papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (10 mm in maximum diameter or smaller) with the findings on papillary thyroid carcinoma larger than 1 cm in maximum diameter. RESULTS Ultrasound was more accurate than CT in prediction of the presence of extrathyroidal tumor extension and of malignant disease in both thyroid lobes (p < 0.05) for overall lesions and for the two subgroups. In prediction of central node (neck level VI) metastasis, CT had greater sensitivity than ultrasound alone (p = 0.04) for overall lesions. Although the combination of ultrasound and CT had greater sensitivity than ultrasound alone in prediction of the presence of central node metastasis in the two subgroups, the sensitivity of the combination of ultrasound and CT did not reach statistical significance for papillary thyroid microcarcinoma. Ultrasound alone and ultrasound with CT had greater sensitivity than CT in prediction of lateral node (levels II-V) metastasis, but there was no significant difference in diagnostic value between ultrasound and the combination of ultrasound and CT for overall lesions or for the two subgroups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION High-resolution ultrasound can be accurate in preoperative evaluation for extrathyroidal tumor extension and lateral lymph node metastasis. CT had greater sensitivity than ultrasound alone in the detection of central lymph node metastasis for all lesions. For papillary thyroid microcarcinoma, however, there was no significant difference in the diagnostic accuracy rates of ultrasound, CT, and the combination of ultrasound and CT.
Rollin' on E

Abstract Ecstasy use has spread beyond the rave and club scenes into other arenas of party culture, and from middle-class America to working-class and low-income neighborhoods of large cities. In order to explore ecstasy use among inner city adolescents and young adults, we conducted in-depth interviews with 23 poly-drug users who had used ecstasy, in Hartford, CT. Most users reported positive experiences while on the drug. Negative experiences were most often related to poly-drug mixing. However, heavy users (40+ times ever used) experienced negative aftereffects, which led them to decide to decrease or halt their use. Some participants discussed using ecstasy during sex, and irregular use of condoms. These findings point to the need for more in-depth research on MDMA use within inner city settings, with a particular focus on ethnic and cultural context, self-controlled drug use, poly-drug mixing, and sex risk behaviors.
Metabolic adaptation to experimentally increased glucose demand in ruminants.

Four Dorset wethers were studied in a Latin square design with 72-h periods to determine the metabolic adaptations that occur in support of increased glucose demand in ruminants. Wethers injected at 8-h intervals with excipient or a total of . 5, 1.0, or 2.0 g/d of phlorizin excreted an average of 0, 72.7, 97.9, and 98.5 g/d of glucose into the urine, respectively. Both acute (2 to 24 h after the first injection) and chronic (8-h intervals from 8 to 72 h after the first injection) adaptations of plasma variables to phlorizin treatment were assessed. Concentrations of plasma glucose decreased linearly with increasing phlorizin dose during the 1st 24 h of treatment and tended to decrease linearly with phlorizin dose during 8 to 72 h of treatment. Urea N tended to increase linearly during 2 to 24 h and increased linearly during 8 to 72 h. Nonesterified fatty acids increased linearly with phlorizin injection during the entire treatment period. beta-Hydroxybutyrate increased quadratically with phlorizin injection during 2 to 24 h and tended to increase quadratically during 8 to 72 h. The ratio of insulin to glucagon tended to decrease linearly with phlorizin injection during the 1st 24 h but was unaffected from 8 to 72 h. Triiodothyronine, but not thyroxine, tended to decrease linearly with phlorizin injection during 8 to 72 h. Cortisol was not affected by treatment. Digestibilities of energy and N were not affected by treatment. Urinary energy excretion increased with phlorizin injection in proportion to the amounts of glucose excreted into the urine. These data indicate that phlorizin-treated wethers largely adapted to phlorizin treatment by 24 h after the first injection and are a suitable model for further investigations of hepatic adaptation to increased glucose demand in ruminants.
Phase II Study of Combined Administration of 5-Fluorouracil, Epirubicin and Mitomycin-C by Hepatic Artery Infusion in Patients with Liver Metastases of Gastric Cancer

This multicenter phase II study evaluated the efficacy of the FEM regimen (5-fluorouracil 333 mg/m2 each week, epirubicin 30 mg/m2 once every 4 weeks and mitomycin-C 2.7 mg/m2 once every 2 weeks) administered by hepatic artery infusion (HAI) for unresectable hepatic metastases of gastric cancer. The response rates were 55.6% (complete response: 3, partial response: 32, no change: 21, progressive disease: 7/63) and the mean 50% survival was 10.5 months. Most responders died due to the progression of extrahepatic lesions. HAI of the FEM regimen induced a high response rate in patients with hepatic metastases of gastric cancer, and the prognosis-determining factor was the existence of extrahepatic lesions in many patients.
Central Nervous System Mechanisms Involved in Inhibition of Renal Sympathetic Nerve Activity Induced by Arginine Vasopressin

Previous studies have suggested that intravenous infusion of arginine vasopressin (AVP) inhibits sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) in rabbits by its action at the brainstem. This study aimed to determine, first, whether this action of AVP depended on functioning baroreflex mechanisms. The second aim was to determine the role of the nucleus tractus solitaril (NTS) in mediating this action of AVP. Experiments were performed in rabbits anesthetized with αo-chloralose. Intravenous infusions of AVP (1, 3, and 10 mU/kg/min) resulted in progressive inhibition of renal SNA in rabbits with intact arterial baroreceptors and vagal afferents as well as in rabbits with sinoaortic denervation and bilateral vagotomy. The magnitudes of renal SNA inhibition evoked with AVP were comparable in the two groups. Renal SNA inhibition evoked with AVP at doses of 1 and 3 mU/kg/min in rabbits after sinoaortic denervation and vagotomy was totally blocked by chemical lesions with kainic acid of the bilateral NTS or the area postrema. Lesions of the NTS or the area postrema markedly attenuated (by about 60%) but did not totally block the response evoked with AVP at a dose of 10 mU/kg/mln. AVP microinjected directly into the NTS did not evoke changes in renal SNA or arterial pressure, whereas AVP microinjected into the area postrema suppressed renal SNA. These results suggest that intravenous AVP at lower doses inhibited renal SNA by causing excitation of the NTS neurons, and this action of AVP did not depend on functioning baroreflex mechanisms. The second suggestion is that the NTS was unlikely to be the site where AVP directly interacted but instead received a neural connection, presumably from the area postrema, where AVP might directly interact.