Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sensitivity, Approximation, and Uncertainty in Power System Dynamic Simulation

Parameters of power system models, in particular load models, are seldom known exactly, yet dynamic security assessment relies upon simulation of those uncertain models. This paper proposes a computationally feasible approach to assessing the influence of uncertainty in simulations of power system dynamic behavior. It is shown that trajectory sensitivities can be used to generate accurate first-order approximations of trajectories that arise from perturbed parameter sets. The computational cost of obtaining the sensitivities and perturbed trajectories is minimal. The mathematical structure of the trajectory approximations allows the effects of uncertainty to be quantified and visualized using worst-case analysis and probabilistic approaches
ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF COMMUNITY COLLEGE TRANSFER STUDENTS AND "NATIVE" STUDENTS AT A LARGE STATE UNIVERSITY

Students were randomly chosen from the class of 1998 and 1999 at a large public university. Fifty in each class were community college transfer students who transferred to the university in the fall of 1996 and fall of 1997; 50 in each class were native students who had entered the university in the fall of 1994 and the fall of 1995. All students were from the College of Arts and Sciences. These groups of students were compared by GPAs at the end of the lower division work (sophomore year for natives and at the end of the second year of community college work for transfers). Students also were compared at the end of their first semester in their academic major to determine if transfer shock was evident for transfer students and if a GPA decline was evident for natives. Lastly, the students GPAs were compared at the end of the spring semesters of 1998 and 1999 to determine if there was recovery from transfer shock for the transfers and from the possible decline in GPA for native students. Retention and graduation rates for both groups were compared.
High Dose Ilaprazole/Amoxicillin as First-Line Regimen for Helicobacter pylori Infection in Korea

Objective. The eradication rate of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) following standard triple therapy has declined over the past few decades. This study has determined whether high dose dual therapy (PPI and amoxicillin) is adequate for eradicating H. pylori in Korea. Methods. This was an open-labeled study of H. pylori infected treatment-naive patients. Subjects received dual therapy for 14 days: ilaprazole 40 mg tablets given twice a day and amoxicillin 750 mg tablets given 4 times a day. At the end of the therapy, the subjects visited the clinic to confirm compliance and monitor for any side effects. Subjects visited again after 4–6 weeks to confirm H. pylori status through a urea breath test. Results. The cure rate of H. pylori was 79.3% (23 of 29) (95% confidence interval: 61.6–90.2) in the intention-to-treat analysis and 82.1% (23 of 28) in the per-protocol analysis. Compliance rates were high (96.6%) and side effects were minimal and tolerable. Conclusion. A high dose of ilaprazole + amoxicillin was ineffective as the first-line therapy for eradicating H. pylori in Korea. Future studies should focus on intragastric pH measurements and assess amoxicillin resistance.
Pain, Suffering, and Humiliation: The Systemization of Violence in Kidnapping for Ransom

This study explores how violence is used to manipulate a victim during a kidnapping for ransom. A particular interest was to understand the degree of intensity, its pattern, and its function during the offense. To investigate, 181 kidnapping cases were examined from 32 countries, and 34 variables were identified that characterized violence toward the victim. A multidimensional scaling procedure was used to explore the structure of violence. Cruelty was found to be systematic and varied in the degree of intensity and focus. Kidnappers directed their attacks on the body or the psyche of the victim, and did so in a strategically calculated manner. This suggested that violence toward a victim is not random but a highly systemized form of torture.
School discipline in the United States: prevention, correction and long term social development

Since the onset of public education in America, the public has expected schools to develop self-discipline among children and to use disciplinary measures. These two expectations continue to be supported in both public polls and federal initiatives in education. This article reviews strategies used by the most highly effective classroom teachers to achieve the long-term goal of self-discipline while simultaneously achieving the short-term goal of classroom management and control of discipline problems. Research shows that effective teachers can be characterized by an authoritative style-a style that combines three types of strategies: classroom management and positive climate strategies for preventing behavior problems, operant learning strategies for the short-term management and control of behavior problems, and decision-making and social problem-solving strategies for achieving the long-term goal of self-discipline. These strategies are supported by research and theory in school psychology, developmental psychology, and educational psychology. They also are exemplified in three national projects, profiled in this article, that employ a comprehensive, broad-based, preventive approach to improving prosocial behavior and social problem-solving skills among children.
Assessment of Knowledge of Dental Staff at a Saudi Arabian University Regarding the Prophylaxis for Infective Endocarditis

The use of prophylactic antibiotics for the prevention of infective endocarditis following dental procedures has long been debated and there is still confusion regarding its efficacy. As a result, the prophylactic treatment varies considerably amongst different countries across the world and amongst different dental practitioners. Aim: To evaluate the knowledge of dental staff regarding the guidelines for the prevention of infective endocarditis. Methods: This was a cross sectional analytical study which included all staff members. A self administered questionnaire was used and responses were “graded” according to the American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines. Results: The response rate was 87% (N=39) and 97% reported to use the AHA guidelines; 66% reported their knowledge was based on previous training and scientific journals. Of those cardiac conditions and dental procedures which required prophylaxis; 47% and 65% chose the correct option, respectively. Penicillin was prescribed as the drug of choice by the majority of respondents. Conclusions: Although almost all staff reported the use of the AHA guidelines, many were not following them. The study emphasizes the need for continuous education and evaluation of this critical aspect of dentistry.
Alcohol treatment effects on secondary nondrinking outcomes and quality of life: the COMBINE study.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the full range of alcohol treatment effectiveness, it is important to assess secondary nondrinking outcome dimensions in addition to primary alcohol consumption outcomes. METHOD We used a large sample (n=1,226) of alcohol-dependent participants entering the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism-sponsored COMBINE (Combining Medications and Behavioral Interventions) Study, a multisite clinical trial of pharmacological (naltrexone [ReVia] and acamprosate [Campral]) and behavioral interventions, to examine the effects of specific treatment combinations on nondrinking functional outcomes. We assessed the outcomes at baseline and at the end of 16 weeks of alcohol treatment and again at the 26-week and/or 52-week postrandomization follow-ups. RESULTS (1) Drinking and secondary outcomes were significantly related, especially at the follow-up periods. A higher percentage of heavy drinking days, more drinks per drinking day, and lower percentage of days abstinent were associated with lower quality-of-life measures. (2) All nondrinking outcomes showed improvement at the end of 16 weeks of treatment and most maintained improvement over the 26-week and 52-week follow-ups. Only two measures returned to pretreatment levels at 52 weeks: percentage of days paid for work and physical health. Improvements of nondrinking outcomes remained even after adjusting for posttreatment heavy drinking status. (3) Although nondrinking outcomes showed overall improvement, specific pharmacological and behavioral treatment combinations were not differentially effective on specific secondary outcomes. CONCLUSIONS In the current study, changes that resulted from treatment were multidimensional, and improvements in nondrinking outcomes reflected the overall significant improvement in drinking but they were not differentiated between treatment combination groups. Findings from this study support the importance of including secondary nondrinking outcomes in clinical alcohol-treatment trials.
THE EFFECT OF SOFT NEWS ON PUBLIC ATTACHMENT TO THE NEWS

Data from a national Australian survey provide little evidence of a significant effect for the taste for soft news on news attachment among the general public as well as the six common sex-by-age targeted market segments of the news industry. This contradicts recent arguments that soft news is necessary to democratic life because, in an age of media proliferation and audience fragmentation, it keeps attention-scarce people with the news.
Evaluating the use of Apo-neocarzinostatin as a cell penetrating protein

Protein–ligand complex neocarzinostatin (NCS) is a small, thermostable protein-ligand complex that is able to deliver its ligand cargo into live mammalian cells where it induces DNA damage. Apo-NCS is able to functionally display complementarity determining regions loops, and has been hypothesised to act as a cell-penetrating protein, which would make it an ideal scaffold for cell targeting, and subsequent intracellular delivery of small-molecule drugs. In order to evaluate apo-NCS as a cell penetrating protein, we have evaluated the efficiency of its internalisation into live HeLa cells using matrix-assisted laser-desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry and fluorescence microscopy. Following incubation of cells with apo-NCS, we observed no evidence of internalisation.
Nest Box Use and Nesting Success of House Wrens (Troglodytes Aedon) in a Midwestern Wetland Park

I placed 67 milk-carton nest boxes designed for Prothonotary Warblers {Protonotaria dtrea) in a suburban Indianapolis wetland park and monitored them during the 2000 nesting season. My intent was to determine if nest box use and/or nest success by warblers or other cavity nesters were influenced by distance to water, recreational activity, tree diameter, canopy shading, or box height. No warblers nested, but 19 boxes (28%) were used by House Wrens (Troglodytes aedon; 24 nests) or Carolina Chickadees (Poecile carolinensis; 1 nest). Only 23% of wren nests fledged young. Failures were due to predation, usually by mammals that ripped open the cardboard boxes. Tree diameter significantly influenced box use and potentially nest success (wrens preferred smaller trees). Other variables did not significantly affect box use or nest success. Milk-carton boxes were acceptable to House Wrens but were more vulnerable to mammalian predators in this suburban park than in studies of Prothonotary Warblers in wilder settings. OHIO J SCI 103 (2):25-28, 2003
Teaching ethics in accounting: a discussion of cross-cultural factors with a focus on Confucian and Western philosophy

There has been pressure from various business and professional accounting bodies to place greater emphasis on ethics education. This has been reflected in academic research and curriculum development. The purpose of this paper is to expand the debate on accounting ethics education to take into account the globalization of business, accounting and educational services and to draw attention to the importance of cross-cultural factors. To illustrate this the paper discusses the impact that Confucius has had on the ethical thinking of East and South East Asia. Where appropriate, comparisons are made with Western attitudes and secular philosophies. This focus has been chosen because of the current and future importance of the Asian area to global commerce, and the fact that an understanding of its ethical thinking and behaviour is not possible without an appreciation of Confucian thought.
Facing Nuclear Risks: Lessons from the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster

This paper discusses the sociological lessons learnt from the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant accident that occurred on 11 March 2011. This disaster is the second largest nuclear accident after the Chernobyl accident. Meltdown and explosions occurred because of the hydrogen released from the damaged core. A large amount of radioactive materials has been released. Many people, around 150 000, are still in evacuation by government order or by their own choice. The incident has several characteristics. First, it is the first severe accident of a nuclear power station, the complex disaster being triggered by a large earthquake and tsunami. Second, the four reactors were simultaneously endangered. Third, the uncontrolled situation of the melted-down reactors has continued for more than 9 months. Fourth, it is the first severe accident of a nuclear power plant on the coast. Scientists are worried about serious contamination of seawater and damages to the ecosystem. This accident is a human disaster which an electric company and the national government are very much responsible for due to a series of “underestimates,” such as that of the height of a possible tsunami, the possibility of a “station blackout” and lengthy periods of no AC power. A lot of confusing and misleading information, along with the deliberate concealment of information and delay in information disclosure occurred. Located in the background of all of this is the “Atomic Circle,” a very closed relationship between politicians, government, academics, industry and the media. We should try and learn from all of this in building a post-nuclear East Asia. This would be the greatest lesson from the tragic Fukushima disaster and the greatest message to East Asia, the world and future generations.
A forward modeling approach to paleoclimatic interpretation of tree‐ring data

[1] We investigate the interpretation of tree-ring data using the Vaganov-Shashkin forward model of tree-ring formation. This model is derived from principles of conifer wood growth, and explicitly incorporates a nonlinear daily timescale model of the multivariate environmental controls on tree-ring growth. The model results are shown to be robust with respect to primary moisture and temperature parameter choices. When applied to the simulation of tree-ring widths from North America and Russia from the Mann et al. (1998) and Vaganov et al. (2006) data sets, the forward model produces skill on annual and decadal timescales which is about the same as that achieved using classical dendrochronological statistical modeling techniques. The forward model achieves this without site-by-site tuning as is performed in statistical modeling. The results support the interpretation of this broad-scale network of tree-ring width chronologies primarily as climate proxies for use in statistical paleoclimatic field reconstructions, and point to further applications in climate science.
BIST fault diagnosis in scan-based VLSI environments

Existing BIST diagnostic techniques assume the existence of a very few bit errors in a test response sequence. This assumption is unrealistic since in a practical BIST environment a single defect in a circuit can usually cause hundreds or thousands of errors in a test response sequence. This paper presents a novel BIST fault diagnostic technique for scan-based VLSI devices, without making the above assumption. Based on faulty signature information our scheme guarantees correct identification of the scan flops that capture errors during test, regardless of the number of errors the circuit may produce. In addition, it is also capable of identifying the failing test vectors with a better diagnostic capacity than existing techniques. The proposed scheme does not assume any specific fault model. Thus, it is able to diagnose all voltage-detectable faults. This paper analyzes the efficiency of the scheme in terms of diagnostic coverage. Experimental results on several large ISCAS89 benchmark circuits and industrial circuits are also included.
An Analysis of OFDM Peak Power Reduction Techniques for WiMAX Systems

The main drawback of Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) systems is the high peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR), which significantly reduces the efficiency of the transmit high power amplifier (H PA). Several methods have been proposed in the literature to reduce the peak power of OFDM signals and substantial gains were reported. In this paper, the effectiveness of some recently proposed methods is evaluated for WiMAX systems. Using typical HPA models and spectral masks, these PAPR reduction methods are evaluated in terms of the total system degradation.
TQM as an Arbitrary Sign for Play: Discourse and Transformation

This paper opens up quality management discourse. A historical review traces quality control discourse before TQM appeared. It is argued that rather than `Japanization', the challenge, paradoxically, is the westernization of `foreign'/ Japanese management technologies. To explore a conceptual possibility, the naming of TQM is scrutinized. When TQM is revealed as an arbitrary linguistic sign (de Saussure 1959), the limit of representation based on signified-signifier dichotomy becomes apparent. An arbitrary sign makes playing with substitutes possible (Derrida 1978). Specifically, de Saussure' s sign-signified-signifier trichotomy allows three substitutions. In so doing, a supplementary understanding of TQM is offered. The potential for reconsidering the emergence and transformation of other arbitrary signs (e.g. BPR and HRM) in the management/organization discourse makes this seemingly perverse deconstruction of TQM worthwhile.
5th International Conference on Concussion in Sport (Berlin)

Sport-related concussion (SRC) has received much media coverage over the past 5 years. In the face of misinformation about this injury in the minds of parents, coaches and athletes, it is critical that all involved stakeholders receive scientifically sound and up-to-date information regarding SRC and its potential consequences. One of the most significant developments in SRC over the past two decades has been the establishment of the Concussion In Sport Group (CISG). This group has organised the key consensus meetings in this field and has published assessment tools that have …
Clinicopathological significance and potential drug target of p15INK4B in multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a clonal malignancy characterized by the proliferation of malignant plasma cells in the bone marrow and the production of monoclonal immunoglobulin. In addition to genetic changes, gene hypermethylation is an alternative mechanism of tumor suppressor gene inactivation in MM. The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1 (CDKN2B or p15INK4B) gene lies adjacent to the tumor suppressor gene, cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2 (CDKN2A), and is frequently mutated and deleted in a wide variety of tumors, including MM. However, there is a lack of systematic analysis of p15 epigenetic modification such as methylation in MM from different studies that can provide more powerful estimation of an effect. In this study, we have systematically reviewed the studies of p15INK4B promoter methylation in MM and quantified the association between p15INK4B promoter methylation and MM using meta-analysis methods. We observed that the frequency of p15INK4B methylation is significantly higher in MM patients than in normal healthy controls. The pooled odds ratio (OR) from ten studies including 394 MM and 99 normal individuals is 0.08, while confidence interval (CI) is 0.03–0.21 (P<0.00001). This indicates that p15INK4B inactivation through methylation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of MM. In addition, the frequency of p15INK4B methylation was significantly higher in patients with MM than in those with asymptomatic monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance. The pooled OR from four studies is 0.40, 95% CI =0.21–0.78 (P=0.007). These results suggest that silencing of p15INK4B gene expression by epigenetic modification such as promoter hypermethylation plays a role not only in the initiation of MM but also in plasma cell malignant transformation, disease progression, and development.
System integration of a solar sensor and a spherical parallel manipulator for a 3-axis solar tracker platform design

This paper presents the authors' ongoing work on designing a novel 3-axis solar tracker platform utilizing a 3-DOF spherical parallel manipulator with revolute joints and a solar sensor. The selected solar sensor and the SPM configuration are described in details. A novel approach is proposed for the SPM platform orientation estimation based on solar sensor measurements employing trigonometric identities and quaternion rotation representation. The proposed approach is experimentally verified using a SPM 3D-printed prototype equipped with a solar and an orientation sensors. It is assumed that the proposed concept for a novel 3-axis solar tracker platform can further applied to design novel mobile solar tracking systems.
Distinctiveness and memory.

I BASIC ISSUES 1. The Concept of Distinctiveness in Memory Research: 2. Modelling Distinctiveness: Implications for General Memory Theory 3. Emotion, Significance, Distinctiveness and Memory 4. Encoding and Retrieval Processes in Distinctiveness Effects: Toward an Integrative Framework 5. Reducing Memory Errors: The Distinctiveness Heuristic 6. Assessing Distinctiveness: Measures of Item-Specific and Relational Processing II BIZARRENESS 7. Resolution of Discrepant Memory Strengths: An Explanation of the Effects of Bizarreness on Memory 8. Memory for Bizarre and Other Unusual Events: Evidence from Script Research III DISTINCTIVENESS AND IMPLICIT MEMORY TESTS 9. Conceptual Implicit Memory and the Item-Specific - Relational Distinction 10. The Distinctiveness Effect in Explicit and Implicit Memory IV DISTINCTIVENESS AND MEMORY ACROSS THE LIFE SPAN 11. Distinctiveness Effects in Children's Memory 12. Adult Age Differences in Episodic Memory: Item-Specific, Relational and Distinctive Processing V DISTINCTIVENESS IN THE SOCIAL CONTEXT 13. The Effects of Social Distinctiveness: The Phenomenology of Being in a Group 14. Distinctiveness and Memory: A Comparison of the Social and Cognitive Literatures VI THE NEUROSCIENCE OF DISTINCTIVENESS AND MEMORY 15. Multiple Electrophysiological Indices of Distinctiveness 16. Neural Correlates of Incongruity 17. Stimulus Novelty Effects on Recognition Memory: Behavioral Properties and Neuroanantomical Substrates VII DENOUEMENT 18. What Do Explanations of the Distinctiveness Effect Need to Explain? 19. Distinctiveness and Memory: Comments and a Point of View
Finding identity without discrimination: the plight of Arab American adolescents

This study investigated the relationship between self-reported discrimination and ethnic identity among 61 Arab American adolescents between the ages of 12 and 18 years. Participants completed the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure (MEIM) to obtain an assessment of their ethnic identities. Additionally, the lead author developed a questionnaire asking participants to self-report if either they or another Arab student they knew had been ‘treated badly or differently because of their ethnicity’. Consistent with the rejection-identification model, respondents who had reported experiencing discrimination, knowing of others who had experienced discrimination, or both had higher ethnic identity scores than those who had not, although the only significant difference was found between the group that experienced both types of discrimination and the non-discrimination group. Implications of these results are discussed as well as directions for future research.