Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of sintering temperature on the properties of modified mechanical alloyed CaCu/sub 3/Ti/sub 4/O/sub 12/

This paper presents the effects of calcination time and sintering temperature on the properties of CaCu3Ti4O12. Electroceramic material of CaCu3Ti4O12 was prepared using a modified mechanical alloying technique that covers several processes, which are preparation of raw material, mixing and ball milling for 5 hours, calcination, pellet forming and, sintering. The objective of this modified technique is to enable the calcination and sintering processes to be carried out at a shorter time and lower temperature. The x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis result shows that a single-phase of CaCu3Ti4O12 was completely formed by calcination at 750degC for 12 hours. Meanwhile, the grain size of a sample sintered at 1050degC for 24 hours is extremely large, in the range of 20-50 mum obtained from field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) images. The dielectric constant value of 14,635 was obtained at 10 kHz by impedance (LCR) meter in the sintered sample at 1050degC. However, the dielectric constant value of samples sintered at 900 and 950degC is quite low, in the range of 52-119.
Elementary Directed Listening to Music: A Singing Approach versus a Nonsinging Approach

The basic purpose of this study was to compare a singing approach to a nonsinging approach with regard to aural thematic recognition and thematic preference. The sample consisted of 241 students in Grades 5 and 6. Upon completion of the researcher-developed art music listening program, participating teachers administered the Thematic Aural Perception Test and Musical Thematic Preference Questionnaire. These researcher-generated tests had reliability coefficients of . 84 and . 87, respectively. Analyses of variance indicated that subjects who sang thematic material had a significantly higher rate of aural recall (p < .05) than subjects who did not sing. There was no significant difference with regard to preference. Evaluative comments from the participating teachers were valuable in formulating suggestions for teaching and further research.
Self-Reports of Traumatic Events in a Random Sample of Incarcerated Women

Abstract As the number of incarcerated women increases, in-depth knowledge about women's life experiences is needed to direct treatment, pre-release planning, and supervision. This study describes the nature, scope, and socioeconomic correlates of traumatic life events in a random sample of 403 women entering a state correctional facility. Ninety-nine percent of the sample reported having experienced at least one traumatic life event; 81% experienced five or more. Reports of several experiences differed by age, race, and marital status. The most compelling findings were related to the experience of homelessness. Women who had been without a place to live for at least seven days were between 2.19 and 5.62 times more likely to have experienced 14 of 21 traumatic events. Most of these events were defined by interpersonal violence. Implications for correctional policy are discussed, particularly the potential for incarceration to replicate or ameliorate symptoms of traumatic stress through the structure and routine of the prison environment.
Influence of the extracellular matrix on endogenous and transplanted stem cells after brain damage

The limited regeneration capacity of the adult central nervous system (CNS) requires strategies to improve recovery of patients. In this context, the interaction of endogenous as well as transplanted stem cells with their environment is crucial. An understanding of the molecular mechanisms could help to improve regeneration by targeted manipulation. In the course of reactive gliosis, astrocytes upregulate Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and start, in many cases, to proliferate. Beside GFAP, subpopulations of these astroglial cells coexpress neural progenitor markers like Nestin. Although cells express these markers, the proportion of cells that eventually give rise to neurons is limited in many cases in vivo compared to the situation in vitro. In the first section, we present the characteristics of endogenous progenitor-like cells and discuss the differences in their neurogenic potential in vitro and in vivo. As the environment plays an important role for survival, proliferation, migration, and other processes, the second section of the review describes changes in the extracellular matrix (ECM), a complex network that contains numerous signaling molecules. It appears that signals in the damaged CNS lead to an activation and de-differentiation of astrocytes, but do not effectively promote neuronal differentiation of these cells. Factors that influence stem cells during development are upregulated in the damaged brain as part of an environment resembling a stem cell niche. We give a general description of the ECM composition, with focus on stem cell-associated factors like the glycoprotein Tenascin-C (TN-C). Stem cell transplantation is considered as potential treatment strategy. Interaction of transplanted stem cells with the host environment is critical for the outcome of stem cell-based therapies. Possible mechanisms involving the ECM by which transplanted stem cells might improve recovery are discussed in the last section.
Overall survival with everolimus, sunitinib, and placebo for advanced pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: A matching-adjusted indirect comparison of randomized trials.

237 Background: Everolimus and sunitinib are approved in the US and EU for treating advanced pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNET). No randomized trial has directly compared these treatments for pNET. This study indirectly compared overall survival (OS) with everolimus vs. 1) placebo and 2) sunitinib. METHODS Individual patient data were used from the RADIANT-3 trial of everolimus 10 mg/day vs. placebo (cutoff: April 4, 2010); published summary data were used from the A6181111 trial of sunitinib 37.5 mg/day vs. placebo (cutoff: June 1, 2010). To adjust for cross-trial differences, RADIANT-3 patients were subjected to exclusion criteria used in A6181111 and then re-weighted to match A6181111 in terms of baseline demographics, performance status, time since diagnosis, disease sites, distant metastases and prior therapy. After matching, OS was compared between balanced trial populations for everolimus in RADIANT-3 vs. 1) the placebo arm in A6181111, which had access to sunitinib after early stopping, and 2) the sunitinib arm in A6181111. Progression-free survival (PFS) was also assessed, but was confounded by early stopping of A6181111. RESULTS Analyses included 394 patients from RADIANT-3 (after excluding 15 with worse performance status than allowed in A6181111 and 1 with missing baseline data) and all 171 patients in A6181111. Before matching, patients in RADIANT-3 had better performance status, more prior use of somatostatin analogues and less prior use of systemic chemotherapy. After matching, these and all other baseline characteristics were well-balanced between trials. Everolimus was associated with prolonged OS vs. placebo in A6181111 (hazard ratio [HR] for death = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.38-0.98, p=0.04). No statistically significant difference was observed with everolimus vs. sunitinib in OS (HR for death = 0.81, 95%CI=0.49-1.31) or in PFS (HR for progression = 0.84, 95% CI=0.46-1.53). CONCLUSIONS After adjusting for cross-trial differences, treatment of advanced pNET with everolimus was associated with prolonged OS compared to treatment with placebo.
A comparison of different gingival depigmentation techniques: ablation by erbium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser and abrasion by rotary instruments

Purpose The aim of this study is to compare two different gingival depigmentation techniques using an erbium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG) laser and rotary instruments. Methods Two patients with melanin pigmentation of gingiva were treated with different gingival depigmentation techniques. Ablation of the gingiva by Er:YAG laser was performed on the right side, and abrasion with a rotary round bur on the opposite side. Results The patients were satisfied with the esthetically significant improvement with each method. However, some pigment still remained on the marginal gingival and papilla. The visual analog scale did not yield much difference between the two methods, with slightly more pain on the Er:YAG laser treated site. Conclusions The results of these cases suggest that ablation of the gingiva by an Er:YAG laser and abrasion with a rotary round bur is good enough to achieve esthetic satisfaction and fair wound healing without infection or severe pain. Prudent care about the gingival condition, such as the gingival thickness and degree of pigmentation along with appropriate assessment is needed in ablation by the Er:YAG laser procedure.
Second Order Components of Moving Plaids Activate Extrastriate Cortex: A Positron Emission Tomography Study

A moving plaid is a composite pattern produced by superimposing two sinusoidal gratings which differ in orientation and motion direction. The perceived drift direction of a plaid appears to be determined partly by a binocular mechanism, which follows intersection of constraint rules (Burke and Wenderoth, 1993b), and partly by a monocular mechanism, which tracks the dark and bright intersects of the plaid, the contrast envelopes. The first neurones that respond to plaids as patterns rather than component gratings are found in area V5, also known as MT, which is exclusively binocular. Therefore, the psychophysical evidence suggesting that the contrast envelope tracking mechanism is monocular is surprising but has been obtained consistently. We aimed to localize the contrast envelope tracking mechanism by undertaking a positron emission tomography (PET) activation experiment in which the subjects were presented with alternating plaid components during the control scan and with the moving plaid resulting from the superposition of these components as the activation scan. The results showed differential activation in area V3. Recent results from macaque single cell recordings have also demonstrated increased sensitivity to moving plaid stimuli compared to the plaid component gratings in V3 neurones.
Predicting stage transitions for smoking cessation applying the attitude-social influence-efficacy model

Abstract Cross-sectional studies integrating motivational stages with expectancy value models have suggested that contemplating smokers perceive more advantages of quitting and social support than precontemplators. Moreover, smokers preparing to quit were found to differ from precontemplators and contemplators by having higher self-efficacy expectations. Using the ASE model, the present study confirmed the findings of these cross-sectional studies. The longitudinal design of this study, however, facilitated prediction of transitions that smokers made during a 10-month follow-up. Smokers who progressed from precontemplation perceived more advantages of quitting than those who remained in precontemplation. Smokers regressed from contemplation perceived fewer advantages of quitting than those who did not regress. Finally, smokers who progressed from preparation had higher self-efficacy expectations than those who did not progress. In sum, the present study provided longitudinal support for the o-pattern, whi.
Assessment of Atrial Electromechanical Coupling Characteristics and P-Wave Dispersion in Patients with Atrial Septal Aneurysm

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate atrial conduction abnormalities obtained by Doppler tissue imaging (DTI) and electrocardiogram analysis in Atrial septal aneurysm (ASA) patients. Methods: A total of 30 patients with ASA (11 males/19 females, mean age 29.6 ± 11.3 years) and 25 controls (9 males/16 females, mean age 27.6 ± 9.98 years) were included. Interatrial and intraatrial electromechanical coupling (PA) intervals were measured with DTI. P-wave dispersion (Pd) was calculated from the 12-lead electrocardiogram. Systolic and diastolic left ventricular (LV) functions were measured by using conventional echocardiography and DTI. Results: Atrial electromechanical coupling at the left lateral mitral annulus (PA lateral) was significantly delayed in ASA patients (59.3 ± 4.2 vs 48.5 ± 1.1 ms, P < 0.0001). Interatrial (PA lateral - PA tricuspid) and intraatrial (PA septum - PA tricuspid) electromechanical coupling interval were significantly longer in ASA patients (26.1 ± 6.2 vs 14.4 ± 6.75 ms, P < 0.0001 and 9.04 ± 1.1 vs 5.4 ± 2.5 ms, P < 0.0001). maximum P-wave (Pmax) duration and Pd were significantly longer in ASA patients (98.3 ± 8.1 vs 86.4 ± 7.8 ms, P < 0.001 and 20.7 ± 0.9 vs 12.3 ± 1.5, P < 0.0001). Systolic and diastolic left ventricular functions of both groups were comparable. Conclusion: This study shows that atrial electromechanical coupling intervals and Pd are delayed in ASA patients.
Comparison of Movement Times Involving Wrist and Forearm Actions

Previous research by Poole ( 1970) has established that most of the velocity developed in overhead badminton stroking is a function of lower arm mechanics. There has been disagreement as to whether wrist action (flexion and extension) or forearm rotation (pronation and supination) is the best movement to generace racket-head velocity. The purpose of this study was to compare the movement times of simulated racket-stroking actions involving the wrist "snap" technique and forearm rotation. Both forehand and backhand overhead stroke patterns were investigated. Ss were 29 male and 29 female college students who were beginning badminton players. Movement time was measured using a 1/100 sec. timer with a microswitch arrangement. A hinged racket handle was moved through a 120" arc, with che distal end moving 40 in. Measurements for each S were made using four actions: ( 1 ) wrist flexion, ( 2 ) forearm pronation, ( 3 ) wrist extension/ hypertension, ( 4 ) forearm supination. Testing order was rotated from S to S and the average of 5 trials each was used in computations. A test-retest reliability coefficient of . 96 was determined in a preliminary study.
Facebook Democracy: The Architecture of Disclosure and the Threat to Public Life

technology for social change. It is time to give serious intellectual attention to the generation and analysis of such evidence. Hand’s book is an important call for this, not least because of his recognition of the wide-ranging significance of personal photography in contemporary everyday culture. The relations between ‘old’ and ‘new’ photographic technologies point to situations and responses to situations that remain fluid and ‘on the move’, involving the mutual interaction of forces of change and structures of continuity. Generally, Hand tells the story of this well. He does so in part because he is cautious not simply to play up what is novel, or simply to play down what is being inherited and taken forward. The current scenario may be one of contradictory tendencies, with for example mnemonic photographic practices becoming more individualized and privatized, and the images produced becoming more widely distributed, publicly accessible and collectively defined, but the analytical challenge in all of this is to grasp together these tendencies and show them as part of the same complex picture. Hand proves to be a reliable guide in taking us through what remains a rather bewildering landscape, one which we need continuously to monitor, attending as much to the experience and practice of those involved in making and engaging with personal photography as to the technologies and software facilities they deploy in doing so.
A high-resolution head-related transfer function and three-dimensional ear model database

Nowadays immersive three-dimensional virtual scenes have become very popular. This paper presents and provides a database of 48 head-related transfer function (HRTF) datasets and the corresponding three-dimensional ear mesh models of individual subjects, in order to select or model an HRTF dataset for binaural synthesis and auditory reproduction. For easy access, the database of the Institute of Technical Acoustics (RWTH Aachen University, Germany) is accessible online. The HRTF measurement setup and the generation of the three-dimensional models of the ear geometry, reconstructed from magnetic resonance imaging scans, are specifically described in depth.
A Classification Approach for Selecting Forecasting Techniques for Intermittent Demand

The intermittent demand forecasting problem involves the forecasting of demand series that are charact erized by the time between demands being significantly larger tha n the unit of time used for the forecast period. Th is causes the time series associated with the demand to have a la rge percentage of periods for which there are no de mands. These types of series are often found in spare parts inve ntory management systems. This paper examines the intermittency of a demand series by relating the lag-1 correlatio n coefficient of non-zero demand, squared coefficie nt of variation of non-zero demand and probability of zero of the d emand series to the error properties of various for ecasting techniques. A classification method is presented by which a time series can be characterized in terms of key parameters related to intermittency and through thi s relationship the best of a set of forecasting tec hniques can be recommended. The method is illustrated on both real intermittent demand series and randomly generated time series in order to understand the efficacy of the procedur e to improve overall forecasting effectiveness.
An Analysis of Certification Practices for Music Educators in the Fifty States

Bruner (1977) observed that “Americans are a changing people; their geographical mobility makes imperative some degree of uniformity among high school and primary schools. Yet the diversity of American communities and of American life in general makes equally imperative some degree of variety” (p. 9). These observations also pertain to teacher credentialing practices in the United States. A mobile society will see not only students relocating from state to state, but teachers as well. While uniform teacher certification procedures, as called for by the Carnegie Task Force on Teaching as a Profession (1986), the Holmes Group (1986), and Gallegos (1978), may seem accommodating to teachers, the diversity of school settings and student populations among the states necessitates variety in certification practices. Each state determines its own standards for certifying teachers. Consequently, certification practices among states vary significantly. Differences in standards appear even more varied when looking at a single certification area, such as music. For those involved in music teacher education, knowledge of the various certification practices is an important tool in providing quality, relevant preparation for future music educators. While it is expected that those involved with music educator training be familiar with certification practices for the state in which their college or university is located, an awareness of requirements in other states is also valuable, particularly for private schools and programs serving a large number of out-of-state students. Knowledge of certification practices can shape assignments and activities within methods courses. While students planning to reside and teach in the same state as the college or university may use state goals and standards when planning lessons and identifying lesson objectives, students planning to teach in other states may benefit from citing standards or criteria from other states or the National Standards for Music Education (Coalition of National Arts Education Asoociations, 1994). In addition, those serving as advisors to students can offer accurate and helpful information to students interested in teaching in other states, particularly in terms of testing and additional course requirements.
Why Can Methods for Comparing Means Have Relatively Low Power, and What Can You Do to Correct the Problem?

1. J. Cohen, Statistical Power Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences, 2nd ed. (Erlbaum, Hillsdale, NJ, 1988). This is the source of the system of power analysis described here; the power values and sam ple sizes of the illustrations derive from this book's tables. 2. J. Neyman and E.S. Pearson, On the use and interpretation of certain test criteria for purposes of statistical inference, Biometrika, 20A, 175-240, 263-294 (1928); J. Neyman and E.S. Pearson, On the problem of the most efficient tests of statistical hypotheses, Transactions of the Royal Society of London Series A, 231, 289-337 (1933). 3. J. Cohen, Things I have learned (so far), American Psychologist, 45, 1304-1312 (1990). 4. For an article-length treatment of sample size determination using the . 80 convention and a = . 01, . 05, and . 10, see J. Cohen, A power primer, Psychological Bulletin (in press). A useful alternative treatment is offered in H.C. Kraemer and S. Thie mann, How Many Subjects? Statistical Power Anal ysis in Research (Sage, Newbury Park, CA, 1987). 5. J. Cohen, The statistical power of abnormal social psychological research: A review, Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 65, 145-153 (1962). 6. P. Sedlmeier and G. Gigerenzer, Do studies of statistical power have an effect on the power of studies? Psychological Bulletin, 105, 309-316 (1989).
Love on the Margins

National data on romantic relationships reveal a prominent gap between members of devalued and dominant groups in the United States, with devalued group members experiencing less positive relationship outcomes. However, little research examines how social stigma affects relationship quality for members of devalued groups and moderating factors have generally not been explored in the literature. In the current studies, we experimentally examined the effects of social stigma on relationship quality among women (Study 1) and African Americans (Study 2) as well as whether these effects differed based upon relationship length (Studies 1 and 2). Results showed that individuals involved in shorter relationships reported lesser relationship quality after social stigma was made salient, while those involved in longer relationships reported somewhat greater relationship quality after social stigma was made salient. Implications for future research on social stigma and relationship quality as well as moderating factors are discussed.
A Practical Guide to Focus-Group Research

This article guides readers through the decisions and considerations involved in conducting focus-group research investigations into students' learning experiences. One previously published focus-group study is used as an illustrative example, along with other examples from the field of pedagogic research in geography higher education. An approach to deciding whether to use focus groups is suggested, which includes a consideration of when focus groups are preferred over one-to-one interviews. Guidelines for setting up and designing focus-group studies are outlined, ethical issues are highlighted, the purpose of a pilot study is reviewed, and common focus-group analysis and reporting styles are outlined.