Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spherical-object representation and fast distance computation for robotic applications

A three-dimensional object representation technique for generating spherical geometries and a fast procedure for computing distances using this geometry are presented. An object is approximated by an infinite number of spheres. The shortest distance between two objects is obtained by finding the two spheres, one from each object, that are closest. Exceptional numerical results have been obtained, for example, the maximum time for computing self-collision for a standard PUMA robot arm is equal to 2.3 ms with an error in distance of less than 1 cm. It is noted that this makes the new technique an invaluable tool for computing distances and therefore permits collision detection in real-time. This technique has been applied to a complex robotic system consisting of two PUMA robots, each mounted on a three-degree-of-freedom platform used to study robotic assembly of structures in space. <<ETX>>
The Development of a General Disaster Preparedness Belief Scale Using the Health Belief Model as a Theoretical Framework

The Health Belief Model (HBM) is one of the oldest and most recognized conceptual framework of health behavior and can be applied to disaster preparedness efforts which focus predominantly on human behavior. The study aims to develop and test the psychometric properties of the General Disaster Preparedness Belief (GDPB) scale based on the HBM. A study group of 286 academic and administrative staff working in a Turkish University located in the city of Yalova completed a GDPB scale instrument containing 60 items. Exploratory Factor Analyses (EFA) was used for the construct validity of scale. Item analysis was assessed using item–total correlations and Cronbach’s alpha coefficients. The EFA extracted six factors that jointly accounted for 59.2% of variance observed namely; Self efficacy (8 items), Cues to action (5 items), perceived susceptibility (6 items), perceived barriers (6 items), perceived benefits (3 items) and perceived severity (3 items). Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for the subscales ranged from 0.90 to 0.74. The GDPB scale based on the HBM was found to be a valid and reliable tool. Findings from this study can be used to guide intervention aimed at informing and educating people about disaster preparedness.
Explicit Instruction in Self-Regulatory Skills and Deliberate Practice

v CHAPTER 1. REVIEW OF LITERATURE . 1 CHAPTER 2. METHODS . 10 2.1 Pre-Test . 10 2.2 Selection of Participants . 15 2.3 Pre-Test Scoring and Analysis . 17 2.4 Treatment: Instructional Period . 25 2.5 Post-Test . 30 CHAPTER 3. ANALYSIS OF INSTRUCTIONAL SESSIONS . 33 3.1 Description of Sessions.33 3.2 Analysis of Time Spent.37 CHAPTER 4. RESULTS . 41 4.1 Performance Gain Scores.41 4.2 Practice Behaviors . 47 4.3 Self-Regulatory Behaviors . 53 4.4 Practice Behavior Questionnaire.56 CHAPTER 5. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS . 62 5.1 Instructional Model . 62 5.2 Changes in Participant Behavior . 67 5.3 Weaknesses of the Study and Areas for Further Research . 71 5.4 Summary . 72 REFERENCES . 73 APPENDIX . 77 A . 77 B . 81 C . 85 D . 95 VITA . 98
Recruitment of Early Postnatal Parvalbumin-Positive Hippocampal Interneurons by GABAergic Excitation

GABAergic synaptic inputs targeting cortical principal cells undergo marked changes in their functional properties from depolarizing at early postnatal life to hyperpolarizing at mature stages. In contrast, the nature of GABAA receptor-mediated signaling in interneurons during maturation of neuronal networks is controversial. By using gramicidin perforated-patch and whole-cell recordings from LIM homeobox 6 (Lhx6)-positive dentate gyrus perisomatic-targeting parvalbumin-expressing interneurons (PV-INs), we show that signaling at first formed GABAergic synapses at postnatal day 3 (P3) is excitatory and switches to shunting during the course of the first to second postnatal week. GABAergic synaptic inputs at P3–P6 reliably evoke action potentials in 65% of Lhx6-EGFP-expressing perisomatic-targeting cells and boost spike induction upon conjoint activation of glutamatergic fibers. Thus, GABAergic inputs change their functional role during maturation. They facilitate the recruitment of perisomatic-targeting INs in early postnatal circuits when network connectivity and synaptic glutamate receptor-mediated excitation are low and control spike timing at later stages when connectivity and glutamate-mediated drive are high.
Inferring expressed genes by whole-genome sequencing of plasma DNA

The analysis of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in plasma represents a rapidly advancing field in medicine. cfDNA consists predominantly of nucleosome-protected DNA shed into the bloodstream by cells undergoing apoptosis. We performed whole-genome sequencing of plasma DNA and identified two discrete regions at transcription start sites (TSSs) where nucleosome occupancy results in different read depth coverage patterns for expressed and silent genes. By employing machine learning for gene classification, we found that the plasma DNA read depth patterns from healthy donors reflected the expression signature of hematopoietic cells. In patients with cancer having metastatic disease, we were able to classify expressed cancer driver genes in regions with somatic copy number gains with high accuracy. We were able to determine the expressed isoform of genes with several TSSs, as confirmed by RNA-seq analysis of the matching primary tumor. Our analyses provide functional information about cells releasing their DNA into the circulation.
Attempts to prime intellectual virtues for understanding of science: Failures to inspire intellectual effort

Abstract Strategies for effectively communicating scientific findings to the public are an important and growing area of study. Recognizing that some complex subjects require recipients of information to take a more active role in constructing an understanding, we sought to determine whether it was possible to increase subjects’ intellectual effort via “priming” methodologies. In particular, we asked whether subconsciously priming “intellectual virtues” (IVs), such as curiosity, perseverance, patience, and diligence might improve participants’ effort and performance on various cognitive tasks. In the first experiment, we found no significant differences in either effort or understanding between IV-primed and neutrally-primed individuals across two different priming techniques. The second experiment measured the effect of IV-priming on intellectual effort in simpler, shorter-duration puzzles and exploration activities; here, we observed an effect, but given its low strength and short duration, we do not believe that priming of IVs is a promising strategy for science communication.
Dialogic Pedagogy: The Importance of Dialogue in Teaching and Learning

Over the last year a fierce debate has raged (primarily on Twitter) between adherents of so-called traditional teaching methods – championed among others by teachers at Michaela, a well-known Free School – and those of so-called progressive teaching methods. Dialogic Pedagogy lands squarely in the middle of that debate, adopting an evidence-based and theoretically-supported approach to pedagogy. While not combatants themselves, the authors of the various chapters have a clear view on the importance of dialogic pedagogy and how to promote it successfully. ‘Where instruction relies heavily on recitational methods, school knowledge is bound to remain somewhat like school uniform for many learners: something you put on when you have to go to school and sit in class, but which you discard as quickly as possible when you go home at the end of the day’ (p. 33). The subheading is The importance of dialogue in teaching and learning – and the vision espoused throughout is one which considers dialogue to be fundamental in enabling students to think about what they are learning and to deepen their understanding, rather than simply being able to regurgitate what they have been told.
Intramural hematomas of the gastrointestinal system: a 5-year single center experience

Purpose Although spontaneous intramural hematomas of the gastrointestinal tract are very rare, they may be observed with the use of oral anticoagulant, though less frequently in cases of hematological malignancy and other bleeding disorders. Cases diagnosed as spontaneous intramural hematoma have been assessed in our clinic. Methods The cases, which were diagnosed as spontaneous intramural hematoma in the gastrointestinal tract (SIHGT) following anamnesis, physical examination, biochemical, radiological and endoscopic findings from July 2008 to July 2012, have been assessed retrospectively. Results Seven out of 13 cases were women and the mean age was 65.1 years (34 to 82 years). The most frequent complaint on admission was abdominal pain. The most frequent location of SIHGT was the ileum (n = 8). Oral anticoagulant use was the most common cause of etiology (n = 12). In 10 cases, International normalized ratio values were higher than treatment range (2 to 3, where mechanical valve replacement was 2.5 to 3.5) and mean value was 7.6 (1.70 to 23.13). While 12 cases were discharged without problems with medical treatment, one case with acute myeloid leukemia died in the intensive care unit following cerebrovascular attack. Conclusion Spontaneus bleeding and hematomas that may arise in connection with bleeding diathesis may be fatal in cases with long-term oral anticoagulant treatment and insufficient follow-up. In management of these cases, it may be necessary to arrange conservative follow up and/or initialize low molecular weight heparin, and administer vitamin K as well as replace blood products and coagulation factors when indicated.
Misconceptions about Stroke: Causal Attributions for Stroke-Related Symptoms Reflect the Age of the Survivor

With visible disabilities, observers tend to overgeneralise from the disability. In contrast, with invisible disabilities such as traumatic brain injury and stroke, observers often fail to allow for challenges resulting from the disability. Persons who have suffered a stroke claim that people misunderstand their symptoms and stigmatise them as a result of these symptoms. This misunderstanding, which happens particularly with young survivors of stroke, may reflect people's causal attributions for symptoms that follow a stroke. Using a scenario design, this cross-sectional study examined whether people attribute ambiguous symptoms that may result from stroke to other causes (the stroke survivor's personality and age) and whether these attributions reflect the age of the stroke survivor. Participants (N = 120) read scenarios describing a male who was aged either 22, 72, or whose age was unstated and who showed four symptom changes: fatigue, depression, irritability and reduced friendships. For each symptom change, participants rated three causal attributions: the person's age, his personality and stroke. The age of the person in the scenario affected attributions; when the person in the scenario was 22, participants attributed his symptoms significantly more to his personality than to his age or stroke, whereas when he was 72, participants attributed his symptoms more to his age than to his personality or stroke and when his age was unstated, they attributed his symptoms equally to age, stroke and personality. Because misattributions for stroke symptoms hinder rehabilitation, therapy can target people's misattributions to enhance rehabilitation for survivors of stroke.
Oxygen and light-element synthesis by neutron-capture reactions in metal-free and extremely metal-poor AGB stars

The metal-free (Population III: Pop. III) and extremely metal-poor (EMP) stars of low-and intermediate-masses experience mixing of hydrogen into the helium convection during the early TP-AGB phase, differently from the metal-rich stars. We have studied nucleosynthesis in the helium convective zone with 13C formed from mixed protons as a neutron source by using a nuclear network from H through S. In the absence or scarcity of pristine metals, neutron-recycling reactions, l2C (n, γ) 13C (α, n) 16O and also 16O (n, γ) 17O (α, n) 20Ne promote the synthesis of O and light elements, including their neutron-rich isotopes and the odd atomic number elements. Based on the results, we demonstrate that the peculiar abundance patterns of C through Al observed for the three most irondeficient, carbon-rich stars can be reproduced in terms of nucleosynthesis in Pop. III, AGB stars in three different mass ranges. We argue that these three stars were born as low-mass members of Pop. III binaries, and later were subjected to surface pollution by mass transfer in the binary systems. It is also shown that AGB nucleosynthesis with hydrogen mixing explains the abundances of C, O, Na, Mg, and Al observed for most of carbon-enhanced EMP (CEMP) stars, including all CEMP-s stars with s-process elements. In addition, the present results are used to single out nucleosynthetic signatures of the early generations of stars other than AGB stars. © 2009. Astronomical Society of Japan.
Acute hyperglycemia alters mood state and impairs cognitive performance in people with type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE To examine the effects of acute hyperglycemia on cognitive function and mood in people with type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Twenty subjects with type 2 diabetes, median age 61.5 years (range 53.1-72.0), known duration of diabetes 5.9 years (range 2.8-11.2), BMI 29.8 kg/m2 (range 22.0-34.6), and HbA1c 7.5% (range 6.7-8.4) were studied. Treatment modalities varied from antidiabetic medications to insulin. A hyperinsulinemic glucose clamp was used to maintain arterialized blood glucose at either 4.5 (euglycemia) or 16.5 mmol/l (hyperglycemia) on two occasions in a randomized and counterbalanced fashion. Tests of information processing, immediate and delayed memory, working memory, and attention were administered, along with a mood questionnaire, during each experimental condition. RESULTS Speed of information processing, working memory, and some aspects of attention were impaired during acute hyperglycemia. Subjects were significantly more dysphoric during hyperglycemia, with reduced energetic arousal and increased sadness and anxiety. CONCLUSIONS During acute hyperglycemia, cognitive function was impaired and mood state deteriorated in a group of people with type 2 diabetes. These findings are of practical importance because intermittent or chronic hyperglycemia is common in people with type 2 diabetes and may interfere with many daily activities through adverse effects on cognitive function and mood.
Influence of Lecturer Immediacy on Students’ Learning Outcomes: Evidence from a Distance Education Program at a University in Saudi Arabia

Research on communication behaviours in fostering effective learning outcomes has become important, particularly in the distance education setting, where there is no face-to-face communication. Given the issue of physical distance between lecturer and students, the concept of behavioural immediacy aims to encompass behavioural styles that simulate a sense of co-presence in mediated communications to compensate for the lack of direct verbal contact and body language cues. Immediacy behaviours practised by the lecturer in virtual classrooms may reduce their psychological distance from students, creating a more social environment and increasing sensory stimulation, to aid the learning process. This research was undertaken at a university in Saudi Arabia (a premier provider of distance education courses) to investigate the influence of lecturer immediacy (verbal and non-verbal) on the affective and cognitive dimensions of learning in a virtual classroom environment. The results showed a positive significant relationship between affective/cognitive learning and verbal/non-verbal immediacy of lecturers in virtual classrooms. Some gender differences were found showing that male students were more willing than female students to learn when the lecturer practised immediacy behaviours.
Insights into the Market Impact of Different Investment Styles

Modern day equity markets are populated by investors pursuing a number of investment styles. In this paper we simulate the behaviour of investors pursuing various types of these styles in order to examine whether their interaction is a major contributing factor to inefficiencies within markets and particularly to the anomalous pricing behaviour identified in the literature. We found that small market fractions constituted by momentum and growth investors are very disruptive to markets, significantly increasing their volatility and causing mispricing for extended periods of time. They also induce an increase in both the risk and trading volume experienced by the other types of investors. We conclude that momentum and growth investing may be a source of the many market anomalies and serious thought should be given to policy, economic and social implications of equity pricing consistently not reflecting fundamental value.
Differences in Vaginal Lactobacilli Composition of Iranian Healthy and Bacterial Vaginosis Infected Women: A Comparative Analysis of Their Cytotoxic Effects with Commercial Vaginal Probiotics

Background Vaginal flora of healthy women is dominated by Lactobacillus species which can prevent bacterial vaginosis. Objectives The current study aimed to determine the differences in vaginal lactobacilli composition of Iranian healthy and bacterial vaginosis (BV) infected women and compared their cytotoxic effects with commercial vaginal probiotics. Patients and Methods One hundred and seventy eight vaginal specimens were collected from healthy and BV infected women. Lactobacillus colonies were obtained by culturing on laked blood BHI and MRS medias and genetically defined by 16s rRNA sequencing. Differentiating the specimens to normal, intermediate and BV infected were carried out by Ison and Hey grading protocol. Identification of Lactobacillus strains in vaginal specimens were performed by Multiplex PCR. The inhibitory effects of lactobacilli on Hela (tumoral cervical cells) and HNCF-pi52 (normal cervical cells) were conducted by MTT and trypan blue assays. Results L. crispatus, L. gasseri, L. iners, L. jensenii, L. acidophilus and L. rhamnosus were the most frequently occurring species in vagina of healthy Iranian women. L. crispatus and L. jensenni were significantly higher in the normal than in the BV infected groups. Also the cytotoxic effect of L. crispatus on tumoral cervical cells was higher than other lactobacilli including commercial probiotics. Conclusions As L. crispatus and L. jensenni were significantly higher in BV infected women and the cytotoxic effect of L. crispatus on tumoral cervical cells was high, introduction of new probiotics seems necessary.
Regulating Monopolistic ISPS without Neutrality

Net neutrality has been heavily debated as a potential Internet regulation. Advocates have expressed concerns about the pricing power of ISPs, which might be used to discriminate Content Providers (CPs), and consequently destroy innovations at the edge of the Internet and hurt the user welfare. However, without service differentiation, ISPs do not have incentives to expand infrastructure capacities and provide quality of services, which will eventually impair the future Internet. Although competition among ISPs would alleviate the problem and reduce the need for regulations, the problem is more severe in monopolistic markets. We study the service differentiation offered by a monopolistic ISP and find that its profit-optimal strategy makes an ordinary service "damaged good", which hurts the welfare of CPs. Instead of imposing net neutrality regulations, we propose a flexible and lenient policy framework that generalizes net neutrality regulations. We find that a stringent regulation is needed when 1) the ISP's capacity is abundant, 2) the profit distribution of CPs is concentrated, or 3) the utility of CPs and their users are not positively correlated. We believe that by allowing the ISPs to differentiate services under a well designed policy constraint, the utility of the Internet ecosystem could be greatly improved.
Paired Tumor and Normal Whole Genome Sequencing of Metastatic Olfactory Neuroblastoma

Background Olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB) is a rare cancer of the sinonasal tract with little molecular characterization. We performed whole genome sequencing (WGS) on paired normal and tumor DNA from a patient with metastatic-ONB to identify the somatic alterations that might be drivers of tumorigenesis and/or metastatic progression. Methodology/Principal Findings Genomic DNA was isolated from fresh frozen tissue from a metastatic lesion and whole blood, followed by WGS at >30X depth, alignment and mapping, and mutation analyses. Sanger sequencing was used to confirm selected mutations. Sixty-two somatic short nucleotide variants (SNVs) and five deletions were identified inside coding regions, each causing a non-synonymous DNA sequence change. We selected seven SNVs and validated them by Sanger sequencing. In the metastatic ONB samples collected several months prior to WGS, all seven mutations were present. However, in the original surgical resection specimen (prior to evidence of metastatic disease), mutations in KDR, MYC, SIN3B, and NLRC4 genes were not present, suggesting that these were acquired with disease progression and/or as a result of post-treatment effects. Conclusions/Significance This work provides insight into the evolution of ONB cancer cells and provides a window into the more complex factors, including tumor clonality and multiple driver mutations.
Demand for Wildlife Hunting in British Columbia

We present estimates of the demand for hunting licenses by residents and non residents in British Columbia for the period 1971–2000. We obtain estimates of both short-run and long- run price elasticities and discuss their revenue implications for future fee increases. We find the demand by non residents to be strongly correlated with U.S. income variation over the business cycle, but find no such role for cyclical income variation for resident hunters. The ability of the government to increase revenues from resident hunters turns out to be limited, particularly in the long run, while greater opportunities exist to raise revenues from U.S. hunters as short- and long-run price elasticities of demand are quite inelastic. We argue that conservation surcharges on foreign hunters are one way to capture more of the resource rent.
The psychogenesis of terrorism

Studies concerning both mental disorder and involvement in terrorism have a long and convoluted history. The literature that has focused on attempting to understand psychological drivers of terrorist behaviour has shifted through multiple stages. Moving from untested assumptions of psychopathology, personality, and deviance, towards more empirically sound interpretations of sociology. While the early studies were correctly debunked on methodological grounds, the existing consensus, spawned from the growing interest in sociology, that mental disorder never plays a role in terrorism, is likely to be a fallacy when we consider the complexity of the problem and the diverse pool of individuals who engage in it. This body of research falls into line with highly influential seminal reviews, and more recent re-examination of the role of group processes in terrorism. This thesis takes the starting position that the logic of an act of targeted violence being either borne out of mental health problems or terrorism is likely to be a false dichotomy. Instead, we are likely to see a range of mental disorders across the arc of terrorist involvement. This thesis utilises multiple existing and novel inferential statistical techniques on both qualitative and quantitative datasets, to address the current discord both in the understanding of the potential role of psychopathology, and to re-examine currently well accepted, but as yet untested theories of terrorist behaviour. The intent of this multi-pronged methodology is to provide practitioners with a holistic understanding of the problem as well as suggestions toward preventing and disrupting future offences.