Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bayesian nonparametric Plackett-Luce models for the analysis of preferences for college degree programmes

In this paper we propose a Bayesian nonparametric model for clustering partial ranking data. We start by developing a Bayesian nonparametric extension of the popular Plackett-Luce choice model that can handle an infinite number of choice items. Our framework is based on the theory of random atomic measures, with the prior specified by a completely random measure. We characterise the posterior distribution given data, and derive a simple and effective Gibbs sampler for posterior simulation. We then develop a Dirichlet process mixture extension of our model and apply it to investigate the clustering of preferences for college degree programmes amongst Irish secondary school graduates. The existence of clusters of applicants who have similar preferences for degree programmes is established and we determine that subject matter and geographical location of the third level institution characterise these clusters.
The Temporary Importance of Role Models for Women's Political Representation

This article investigates the supply side of women's political representation by focusing on how the election of female politicians affects the motivation of women to run for office in other units. The analysis relies on an original data set of over 1,500 municipal elections in Switzerland, starting with the first election after the introduction of women's suffrage. In the first election in which women could participate, the election of a woman in a given municipality was associated in the next election with an additional female candidate in 10% of its neighbors. The relationship decreases over time, fades away after 16 years, and is driven primarily by new female candidates in units where no female incumbents are running for reelection. These findings suggest that role models are important for improving women's representation, but only in its early stages. This conclusion could be relevant for understanding the political representation of other underrepresented groups.
Globalization and Emerging Markets: With or Without Crash?

We analyze the effects of financial and trade globalization on the likelihood of financial crashes in emerging markets. While trade globalization always makes crashes less likely, financial globalization may make them more likely, especially when trade costs are high. Pessimistic expectations can be self-fulfilling and lead to a collapse in demand for goods and assets. Such a crash comes with a current account reversal and drops in income and investment. Lower-income countries are more prone to such demand-based financial crises. A quantitative evaluation shows our model is consistent with the main stylized facts of financial crashes in emerging markets.
OFDM Channel Estimation Based on Impulse Response Decimation: Analysis and Novel Algorithms

In this paper, OFDM data-aided channel estimation based on the decimation of the Channel Impulse Response (CIR) through the selection of the Most Significant Samples (MSS) is addressed. Our aim is to approach the Minimum Mean Square Error (MMSE) channel estimation performance, while avoiding the need for a-priori knowledge of channel statistics (KCS). The optimal set of samples is defined in the instantaneous and average senses. We derive lower bounds on the estimation mean-square error (MSE) performance for any MSS selection strategy. We show how MSS-based channel estimation can approach these MSE lower bounds. We introduce novel MSS strategies oriented towards instantaneous decimation (Instantaneous Energy Selection - IES), and windowed decimation (Average Energy Selection - AES). We also consider decimation via Threshold Crossing Selection (TCS), which we characterize analytically, to derive the optimum threshold in the minimum MSE sense. We also propose a sub-optimal method for threshold setting that does not require KCS. Finally, we provide numerical results in terms of both MSE estimation performance and Bit Error Rate (BER) of a coded OFDM system using the proposed channel estimators, to show that they indeed approach MMSE performance.
Interest, Prior Knowledge, and Learning

This article discusses the importance of studying interest and reviews research on the association between interest and prior knowledge. It is concluded that there is a substantial linear relationship between interest and prior knowledge. Previous findings of minimal interest-knowledge relationships were attributed to one, or more, of the following: (a) Knowledge and interest measures reflecting different content, (b) questionable reliability or validity of the measures, (c) ideographic assignment to high/low groups introducing error into group assignments, (d) use of materials not suited to the sample, and (e) possible confounding of interest and knowledge measures. Research suggests that working on interesting, compared to neutral, materials may engage deeper cognitive processing, arouse a wider, more emotional, and more personal associative network, and employ more imagery. A model of the interest-knowledge relationship is updated, and suggestions for further research are made. Finally, the similarity between interest and curiosity is explored, and the advantages of research on these constructs are discussed.
Spatial and Temporal Memory in 20 and 60 Year Olds

Younger (mean age = 20 years) and older (mean age = 64 years) adults were tested on spatial and temporal memory tasks. No age difference was observed on the temporal task but older adults performed worse than younger adults on the spatial task. The absence of an age-related decline in performance on the temporal task is counter to most previous developmental research on adults' memory. This finding indicates that normal aging is not associated with poor encoding or retention of all types of information. The presence of an age-related decline in performance on the spatial task is consistent with most research on memory aging. Moreover, this finding indicates that aging affects retention of some types of information often assumed to be encoded automatically.
Privacy Preserving Multiple Keyword Search for Confidential Investigation of Remote Forensics

Remote forensics can help investigators perform investigation without need to ship hard drives or travel to a remote location. With increased use of cloud computing technologies, it is becoming more and more difficult to perform post-event forensic investigation. The difficulty consists in that thousands upon thousands of disparate data from different data owners may be stored on a single storage device (e.g., a remote server). To clone a copy of data from the storage device is a costly and time consuming task and may not be easy due to the huge volume of data. Even if it is possible to make a clone, investigating all the data one by one will inevitably result in exposing irrelevant data to the investigators while data owners may be unwilling to expose it because it may involve their privacy information. The other alternative is to let the server administrator search the relevant information and retrieve the data for the investigators provided a warrant can be provided. However, sometimes, the investigators need to keep the investigation subject confidential due to the confidentiality of the crime or the server administrator may be one of the suspects. In this paper, we address how to solve this problem by multiple keyword search over encrypted data, so that the investigators can obtain the necessary evidence while keeping the investigation subject confidential and at the same time, the irrelevant data can be protected from exposing to the investigators.
High Prevalence of Hepatozoon Spp. (Apicomplexa, Hepatozoidae) Infection in Water Pythons (Liasis fuscus) From Tropical Australia

Molecular methods were used to identify blood parasites frequently observed in blood smears of water pythons (Liasis fuscus) captured in our study area in the Northern Territory of Australia. A nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using primers amplifying the 18s ribosomal RNA (rRNA) nuclear gene resulted in a short PCR product (180 bp) matching this region in the genus Hepatozoon. However, because of the short sequence obtained, 2 new primers were designed based on 18s rRNA sequences of 3 Hepatozoon taxa available in GenBank. Using these primers, approximately 600 bp of the parasite's 18s rRNA gene was amplified successfully and sequenced from 2 water python samples. The new primers were used to investigate the prevalence of blood parasites in 100 pythons. In 25 of these samples we did not observe any blood parasites when examining stained slides. All the samples revealed a 600-bp PCR product, demonstrating that pythons in which we did not visually observe any parasites were infected by Hepatozoon spp. We also analyzed the nucleotide sequences of blood parasites in 4 other reptile taxa commonly encountered in our study area. The sequences obtained from water pythons and from 1 of these taxa were identical, suggesting that the parasite is capable of infecting hosts at different taxonomic levels.
A Randomized Controlled Trial with Bright Light and Melatonin for the Treatment of Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder

Delayed sleep phase disorder (DSPD) is a circadian rhythm sleep disorder. Patients with DSPD have problems initiating sleep if they go to bed at a conventional time, and they often have problems waking at desired times. If they rise early in the morning, they usually experience severe sleepiness during morning hours. In the present study, we investigated the short- and long-term effects on measures of subjective and objective sleepiness and cognitive function of bright light and melatonin treatment alongside gradually advanced rise times in adolescents and young adults. Four treatment conditions were used in the short-term intervention (2 weeks): dim light (placebo) + placebo capsule, bright light + placebo capsule, dim light (placebo) + melatonin capsule, and bright light + melatonin capsule. This was followed by a long-term intervention (3 months) including 2 conditions: no treatment and combined bright light + melatonin treatment. Effects of treatment on sleepiness and fatigue were the primary outcome measures, and effects on cognitive function were secondary outcome measures. On a gradual advancement of the rise time schedule, all treatment conditions (bright light, melatonin, combination, and placebo) were almost equally effective in improving subjective daytime sleepiness, fatigue, and cognitive function in the 2-week study. The 2-week intervention showed no effect on objective sleepiness. Long-term treatment increased some of the positive effects seen after 2 weeks. The combined bright light and melatonin treatment improved subjective daytime sleepiness, fatigue, and cognitive function in the 3-month study. The no-treatment group returned to baseline values on most variables. In conclusion, a gradual advancement of rise times seems to produce positive effects on subjective sleepiness, fatigue, and cognitive performance during short-term treatment of patients with DSPD. However, the benefits from gradually advanced rise times seem to wear off, suggesting that the continuation of bright light and melatonin treatment is beneficial to maintain positive effects over time.
Radiofrequency ablation in kidney tumour management: A method of real-time monitoring

Abstract Objective. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an alternative to surgery in kidney tumour management. The aim was to describe a method of real-time temperature monitoring during ultrasound-guided RFA and establish the related efficacy and safety. Material and methods. Over a 6-year period 110 radiofrequency ablations in patients with kidney tumours and in most cases contraindications to surgery were performed. For the real-time temperature-monitored intervention 42 larger renal lesions exceeding 30 mm (range 31–59 mm) were selected. The monopolar Cool-tip RFA system was applied. The procedure involved the placement of up to three single radiofrequency probes within the tumour before starting the ablation session. Then, while ablating a tumour with one of the probes the remaining non-active electrode(s) served as real-time thermometer(s) to monitor simultaneously the temperature within the ablation zone. The average ablation time was between 10 and 15 min. The absence of contrast enhancement on computed tomography (CT) was considered to be a successful treatment. Results. At a mean follow-up of 24 months (range 6–60 months), 38 tumours (90%) showed no contrast enhancement on CT. Four incompletely ablated tumours (10%) were successfully treated with the second ablation session. Two major and two minor complications occurred. At the time of writing, no local progression has been observed. Conclusion. RFA with the use of non-active probes as thermal probes to monitor the temperature within the tumour results in high efficacy and is associated with low complication rates.
Coping style in predicting posttraumatic stress disorder among Israeli students

Abstract This prospective study examines the role played by individual coping style in predicting posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among 81 undergraduate students exposed to a terrorist explosion on a bus near their university. Using the Multidimensional Coping Inventory (COPE; Carver et al., 1989), subjects' coping style was measured two weeks before the attack (trait coping style) and again one month after the attack (state coping style). Both measurements were then examined as PTSD predictors at six months. A multiple logistic regression analysis revealed four PTSD predictors: high levels of trait-avoidance coping style; high levels of state-avoidance coping style; high levels of trait emotion-focused coping style; and low levels of state problem-focused coping style. These findings provide evidence to support the importance of early assessment of coping responses among those exposed to a traumatic event.
The impact of a teacher education course on pre‐service teachers' beliefs about inclusion: an international comparison

In this comparative study, the impact of two stand-alone university courses on pre-service teachers' attitudes, concerns and teaching efficacy to teach in inclusive classrooms is examined. Twenty-eight pre-service teachers (PSTs) from Australia and 60 PSTs from Canada completed a survey at pre- and post-stages of the course. It was found that after completion of the course, Australian participants' attitudes improved, their concerns declined, and they became more confident in their ability to teach in inclusive classrooms. Similarly, Canadian participants' concerns declined and their teaching efficacy improved, but they became more apprehensive about teaching in inclusive classrooms. Relationships among the three variables (attitudes, concerns and teaching efficacy) were examined at pre- and post-test stages for both cohorts to understand how they interacted within each of the two countries. Implications of the findings for teacher education are discussed.
The English past tense: Analogy redux

Abstract The debate over how best to characterize inflectional morphology has been couched largely in terms of the “dual-mechanism” approach described in Pinker (Words and rules: the ingredients of language, Basic Books, 1999) versus “single-mechanism” connectionist approaches derived from Rumelhart and McClelland (On learning past tenses of English verbs, MIT, 1986). There are, however, other single-mechanism approaches. The exemplar-based or analogical models of Daelemans et al. (TimBL: Tilburg Memory-Based Learner, version 4.3 reference guide, ILK, 2002) and Skousen (Analogical modeling of language, Kluwer Academic, 1989) also model inflectional usage accurately within a single-mechanism. The most striking theoretical claim peculiar to these purely analogical models is that they do not posit any resident linguistic generalizations for processing language. Instead they process new instances of usage by comparing them systematically to remembered instances of previous usage. Based on a comparison of their Minimal Generalization Model with an adaptation of Nosofsky's (Journal of Mathematical Psychology 34: 393–418, 1990) Generalized Context Model, Albright and Hayes (Cognition 90: 119–161, 2003) argue that such purely analogical models are intrinsically inadequate for modeling the English past tense. This paper shows, however, that Skousen's (Analogical modeling of language, Kluwer Academic, 1989) Analogical Model performs as well as the Minimal Generalization Model. The implications of these results for cognitive linguistics are discussed.
Opinions of pre-service classroom teachers among music education Sınıf öğretmeni adaylarının müzik eğitimine ilişkin görüşleri

The purpose of this study is to analyse the opinions of pre-service classroom teachers among music education. Qualitative method is used in the study and the study is a descriptive study. Study group is consisted of the 16 4 th grade students who receive education in Adnan Menderes University Faculty of Education Department of Classroom Teaching. Criterion sampling is used from purposive sampling methods in the study. To determine the opinions of pre-service classroom teachers among music education semi-structured interview technique was carried out. Results of the study indicated that pre-service classroom teachers think music has positive effects on children and various things can be thought with music. Four of the participants see themselves inadequate in giving music education while half of the participants see themselves efficient and other four of the participants claim they are better than most of the classroom teachers around. Results has also shown that pre-service classroom teachers think that a classroom teacher should play the recorder, sight-read and write down scores, should have the musical culture and instrument knowledge, should develop materials, play an instrument except recorder, have the knowledge of the repertoire, know teaching methods, conduct the national anthem, sing properly and be creative. Ozet Bu calismanin amaci, sinif ogretmeni adaylarinin muzik egitimine iliskin goruslerini ortaya koymaktir. Arastirima nitel arastirma turunde ve betimsel bir niteliktedir. Arastirmanin calisma grubunu Adnan Menderes Universitesi Egitim Fakultesi Sinif Ogretmenligi Anabilim Dali 4. sinifta ogrenim gormekte olan 16 sinif ogretmeni olusturmaktadir. Arastirmada amacli ornekleme yontemlerinden olcut ornekleme kullanilmistir. Katilimcilarin muzik egitimine iliskin goruslerini belirlemek amaciyla ogrencilerle yari yapilandirilmis gorusme yapilmistir. Arastirmadan elde edilen sonuclar dogrultusunda sinif ogretmeni adaylarinin, muzigin cocuk uzerinde olumlu etkileri oldugunu ve muzikle farkli seylerin kavratilabilecegini dusundukleri ortaya konmustur. Katilimcilarin yarisi kendilerini muzik egitimi verme konusunda yeterli gorurken, dort katilimci kendisini yetersiz gormekte, diger dort katilimci da durumlarinin etraflarindaki sinif ogretmenlerine gore iyi oldugunu ileri surmektedirler. Ayrica arastirmanin bulgulari sinif ogretmeni adaylarinin bir sinif ogretmeninin blokflut calabilmesi, nota okuyup yazabilmesi, muzik kulturune ve calgi bilgisine sahip olmasi, materyal gelistirebilmesi, blokflut disinda bir calgi calabilmesi, dagarcik bilgisine sahip olmasi, ogretim yontemi bilmesi, istiklal marsini yonetebilmesi, dogru sarki soyleyebilmesi, yaratici olmasi gerektigini dusunduklerini ortaya koymustur.
Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 3–Specific Tumor Uptake and Biodistribution of 89Zr-MSB0010853 Visualized by Real-Time and Noninvasive PET Imaging

The human epidermal growth factor receptor 3 (HER3) is an interesting target for antitumor therapy. For optimal HER3 signaling inhibition, a biparatopic Nanobody construct (MSB0010853) was developed that binds 2 different HER3 epitopes. In addition, MSB0010853 contains a third HER3 epitope that binds albumin to extend its circulation time. MSB0010853 is cross-reactive with HER3 and albumin of mouse origin. We aimed to gain insight into MSB0010853 biodistribution and tumor uptake by radiolabeling the Nanobody construct with 89Zr. Methods: MSB0010853 was radiolabeled with 89Zr. Dose- and time-dependent tumor uptake was studied in nude BALB/c mice bearing a subcutaneous HER3 overexpressing H441 non–small cell lung cancer xenograft. Dose-dependent biodistribution of 89Zr-MSB0010853 was assessed ex vivo at 24 h after intravenous injection. Protein doses of 5, 10, 25, 100, and 1,000 μg were used. Time-dependent biodistribution of MSB0010853 was analyzed ex vivo at 3, 6, 24, and 96 h after intravenous administration of 25 μg of 89Zr-MSB0010853. PET imaging and biodistribution were performed 24 h after administration of 25 μg of 89Zr-MSB0010853 to mice bearing human H441, FaDu (high HER3 expression), or Calu-1 (no HER3 expression) tumor xenografts. Results: Radiolabeling of MSB0010853 with 89Zr was performed with a radiochemical purity of greater than 95%. Ex vivo biodistribution showed protein dose– and time-dependent distribution of 89Zr-MSB0010853 in all organs. Uptake of 89Zr-MSB0010853 in H441 tumors was only time-dependent. Tumor could be visualized up to at least 96 h after injection. The highest mean SUV of 0.6 ± 0.2 was observed at 24 h after injection of 25 μg of 89Zr-MSB0010853. 89Zr-MSB0010853 tumor uptake correlated with HER3 expression and was highest in H441 (6.2 ± 1.1 percentage injected dose per gram [%ID/g]) and lowest in Calu-1 (2.3 ± 0.3 %ID/g) xenografts. Conclusion: 89Zr-MSB0010853 organ distribution and tumor uptake in mice are time-dependent, and tumor uptake correlates with HER3 expression. In contrast to tumor uptake except for kidney uptake, organ distribution of 89Zr-MSB0010853 is protein dose–dependent for the tested doses. 89Zr-MSB0010853 PET imaging gives insight into the in vivo behavior of MSB0010853.
FRICTION AND WEAR OF LOW TEMPERATURE DEPOSITED TIN COATING SLIDING IN DRY CONDITIONS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS

Original scientific paper In this research the influence of sliding speed on friction and wear of TiN coatings during dry reciprocating sliding against alumina ball was studied. Additionally, in order to find the optimum sliding speed, the coatings with different surface roughness were tested. The range of surface roughness analysed in this research provides insight into a rarely studied domain of fine surface finish. The wear tests were conducted with low load and low sliding speeds in order to determine the wear behaviour of TiN coatings in mild conditions. Low values of friction factor were obtained, ranging from 0,13 to 0,24. For all surface roughness the decreasing trend of the friction factor and increasing trend of the wear rate with increase in the sliding speed was observed. The optimum balance of low friction factor and the lowest wear rate was found for the coating with average roughness (Ra) value of 20 nm.
Prediction of Effective Permittivity of Diphasic Dielectrics as a Function of Frequency

An analytical model based on an equivalent impedance circuit for effective permittivity of a composite dielectric as a function of frequency with complex-shaped inclusions is presented. The geometry of the capacitor containing this composite dielectric is discretized into partial impedance elements, the total equivalent impedance is calculated, and the effective permittivity of the composite dielectric is obtained from this equivalent impedance. An example application using this method is given for an individual cell of a diphasic dielectric consisting of a high-permittivity spherical inclusion enclosed in a low-permittivity parallelepiped. The capacitance and resistance for individual discretized elements in the composite cell are modeled as a function of an inclusion radius. The proposed approach is then extended to a periodic three-dimensional structure comprised of multiple individual cells. The equivalent impedance model is valid for both static and alternating applied electric fields, over the entire range of volume fraction of inclusions. The equivalent impedance model has a few advantages over existing effective medium theories, including no limitations on the shape of inclusions or their separation distance.