Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Searching for Binary and Nonbinary Block and Convolutional LDPC Codes

A unified approach to search for and optimize codes determined by their sparse parity-check matrices is presented. Replacing the nonzero elements of a binary parity-check matrix (the base or parent matrix) either by circulants or by companion matrices of elements from a finite field GF(2m), we obtain quasi-cyclic low-density parity-check (LDPC) block codes and binary images of nonbinary LDPC block codes, respectively. By substituting monomials of a formal variable D, we obtain the polynomial description of an LDPC convolutional code. A set of performance measures applicable to different classes of LDPC codes is considered, and a greedy algorithm for code performance optimization is presented. The heart of the new optimization algorithm is a fast procedure for searching for LDPC codes with large girth of their Tanner graphs. For a few classes of LDPC codes, examples of codes combining good error-correcting performance with compact representation are obtained. In particular, we present optimized convolutional LDPC codes and conclude that the LDPC block codes are still superior to their convolutional counterparts if both decoding complexity and coding delay are considered. Moreover, a specific channel model can easily be embedded into the optimization loop. Thereby, the code can be optimized for a specific channel. The efficiency of such an optimization is demonstrated via an example of faster than Nyquist (FTN) signaling using LDPC codes. The FTN strategy combined with a rate R = 1/2 LDPC code of length 64800 optimized for effective data rate R = 3/4 gains more than 0.5 dB compared with the standard LDPC codes of the same rate and length. The obtained gain corresponds to transmission at the capacity of the binary input additive white Gaussian noise channel. In most numerical examples, we consider codes with bidiagonal structure of the parity-check matrix. This restriction preserves low encoding complexity and allows fair comparison with codes selected for communication standards.
Performing classification using all kinds of distances as evidences

The classifiers based on the theory of evidence appear well founded theoretically, however, they have still difficulties to nicely deal with the sparse, the noisy, and the imbalance problems. This paper presents a new general framework to create evidences by defining many kinds of distances between the query and its multiple neighborhoods as the evidences. Particularly, it applies the relative transformation to define the distances. Within the framework, a new classifier called relative evidential classification (REC) is designed, which takes all distances as evidences and combines them using the Dempster'rule of combination. The classifier assigns the class label to the query based on the combined belief. The novel work of this method lies in that a new general framework to create evidences and a new approach to define the distances in the relative space as evidences are presented. Experimental results suggest that the proposed approach often gives the better results in classification.
The Effect of the Directed Case Study Method on the Critical Thinking Skills of High School Students

ii Dedication . iii Acknowledgements . iv List of Tables . viii List of Figures . ix Chapter 1: Introduction . 1 Background, Context, History, and Conceptual Framework for the Problem . 4 Statement of the Problem . 6 Purpose of the Study . 6 Research Question . 7 Rationale, Relevance, and Significance of the Study . 8 Definition of Terms.9 Assumptions, Delimitations, and Limitations . 10 Summary . 11 Chapter 2: The Literature Review . 12 Conceptual Framework . 22 Theoretical Lens.23 Review of Research Literature . 26 Review of Methodological Literature and Methodological Issues . 30 Synthesis of Research Findings . 40 Critique of Previous Research . 44 Summary . 46
Q-degradation in high purity niobium cavities: Dependence on temperature and RRR-value

The observation in 1989 that the Q-value of superconducting cavities fabricated from high purity niobium could significantly degrade when these cavities were kept for longer periods of time at temperatures between 50K and 200K became a major concern for accelerator projects employing superconducting cavities. A large number of investigations were carried out at various laboratories and the initial hypothesis expressed in precipitation of a niobium-hydride phase was supported by additional experimental data by other laboratories. The detrimental effect of hydrogen precipitation in niobium has been known for many years, but nevertheless the performance degradations of the cavities came as an unexpected surprise, when a rather uniform additional loss distribution over the whole cavity surface was measured on a temperature map. It was experimentally verified that the Q-degradation could be avoided, if the cavities were cooled down quickly through the dangerous temperature region; hydrogen degassing at temperatures above 700{degree}C eliminated the deterioration, but subsequent extensive chemical surface treatment seemed to reverse the process. For large scale accelerator projects like CEBAF the cryogenic system might prefer certain cooldown cycles; therefore it is of great interest to determine the exact temperature range which does not effect cavity performance, if a string of cavitiesmore » were held at these temperatures. In the following we report on the investigation of the Q-degradation of a niobium cavity under various conditions. 6 refs.« less
Self-expression through sport participation: exploring participant desired self-image

ABSTRACT Research questions: The current study is aimed at providing preliminary answers to two research questions: (1) What salient self-images do people pursue for self-expression in the context of sport participation? (2) To what extent does participant desired self-image (PDSI) influence consumer behavior? Research methods: In Phase 1 of the study, a comprehensive review of literature, two focus groups, and an open-ended survey (N = 113) were conducted to generate the initial pool of self-images. In Phase 2, an exploratory factor analysis using online survey data (N = 370) was conducted to explore the underlying factor structure of PDSI. In Phase 3, a confirmatory factor analysis and a structural equation modeling analysis using online survey data (N = 483) were conducted to validate the proposed PDSI scale and test the influence of PDSI on consumer behavior. Results and findings: A PDSI measurement scale was developed and validated, resulting in 19 desired self-images under three dimensions: inner self-merit, lifestyle pursuance, and social self-presentation. Findings of the structural relationship model revealed that PDSI influenced personal involvement, money expenditure, and time expenditure. Implications: This study preliminarily unearthed salient items in PDSI, highlighted the symbolic nature of sport activities, and demonstrated the importance of PSDI in sport participation. These findings provided implications for practitioners to accommodate PDSI through long-term and integrated marketing efforts and shed a light on studies in branding, community sport, and public health.
Application of On-Site Wastewater Treatment in Ireland and Perspectives on Its Sustainability

The wastewater of one third of Ireland’s population is treated on-site using domestic treatment systems (DWWTSs) that usually consist of a septic tank and soil attenuation system. Within the past four years, the legislative framework for these systems has undergone a major change with a registration and inspection regime being introduced to identify legacy sites that will require remediation work, particularly in areas of the country underlain by subsoils of very low permeability. Against this background this study aims to assess the overall sustainability of existing DWWTSs as well as alternative treatment and disposal options. The results show that main CO 2eq emissions are from the methane production in septic tanks. The reduced methane production in mechanically aerated secondary treatment systems was found to counterbalance the related emissions due to the additional energy requirements. In contrast, septic tank systems have the lowest construction and operational costs representing the most economically sustainable solution. Pressurised disposal systems are slightly more expensive but have the potential to reduce environmental impact on surface water and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Clustered decentralised treatment solutions could be environmentally and economically sustainable but ownership, management and related financial and legal issues will need to be addressed and developed.
Data and Knowledge Extraction Based on Structure Analysis of Homogeneous Websites

The World Wide Web includes several types of website applications. Mainly these applications are related to business, organizations, companies, and others. There is a lack to get raw data sets to study the behavior of the internal structure of each type of these websites. Where websites structures include treasure of links, and sub-links, in addition to some embedded features associated with the internal structure of each website. The objective of this paper is to analysis a set of homogeneous websites to establish raw data sets. These data sets can be employed for several research purposes. It also can be used to extract some invisible aspects/features within the structure. Several steps are required to accomplish this objective; first, to propose an algorithm for structure analysis, second, to implement the proposed algorithm as a software tool for the purpose of extraction and establishment of raw data sets (real data set), third, to extrapolate a set of rules or relations from these data sets. This data set can be employed for researches purposes in the field of web structure mining, to estimate important factors related to websites development processes, and websites ranking. The results comprise creation of Oriented Data Sets (ODS) for research purposes and also for deducing a set of features represents a type of new discovered knowledge in this ODS.
Leisure Loyalty: The Role of Involvement and Constraints

Although the effect of leisure constraints and involvement on loyalty has drawn attention in recent years, there are a limited number of studies for bicycle users. For this purpose, we investigated a) the main constraints for enrolled university students and the level of loyalty, b) the impact of perceived constraints on bicycle use c) the relationships between variables (leisure constraints, involvement, and loyalty) in the present study. This study consisted of 498 (289 female and 209 male) university students. When the main constraints of university students’ participation were examined, the highest constraints average scores were determined as "infrastructure", "laws and legislation" and "physical and economic" constraints, respectively. The regression analysis demonstrated that bicycle constraints significantly influenced both leisure involvement and loyalty. Besides, the sub-dimension attraction and self-expression of involvement significantly affected participation loyalty. In conclusion, these results suggest that marketing strategies could be improved to strengthen leisure involvement and to minimize constraints in order to increase loyalty.
A CHANDRA/HETGS CENSUS OF X-RAY VARIABILITY FROM Sgr A* DURING 2012

We present the first systematic analysis of the X-ray variability of Sgr A* during the Chandra X-ray Observatory's 2012 Sgr A* X-ray Visionary Project. With 38 High Energy Transmission Grating Spectrometer observations spaced an average of 7 days apart, this unprecedented campaign enables detailed study of the X-ray emission from this supermassive black hole at high spatial, spectral and timing resolution. In 3 Ms of observations, we detect 39 X-ray flares from Sgr A*, lasting from a few hundred seconds to approximately 8 ks, and ranging in 2–10 keV luminosity from ∼1034 erg s−1 to 2 × 1035 erg s−1. Despite tentative evidence for a gap in the distribution of flare peak count rates, there is no evidence for X-ray color differences between faint and bright flares. Our preliminary X-ray flare luminosity distribution dN/dL is consistent with a power law with index ; this is similar to some estimates of Sgr A*'s near-IR flux distribution. The observed flares contribute one-third of the total X-ray output of Sgr A* during the campaign, and as much as 10% of the quiescent X-ray emission could be comprised of weak, undetected flares, which may also contribute high-frequency variability. We argue that flares may be the only source of X-ray emission from the inner accretion flow.
Upper-Division Students' Difficulties with Ampere's Law.

This study presents and interprets some conceptual difficulties junior-level physics students experience with Ampere’s law. We present both quantitative data, based on students’ written responses to conceptual questions, and qualitative data, based on interviews of students solving Ampere’s law problems. We find that some students struggle to connect the current enclosed by an Amperian loop to the properties of the magnetic field while some students do not use information about the magnetic field to help them solve Ampere’s law problems. In this paper, we show how these observations may be interpreted as evidence that some students do not see the integral in Ampere’s law as representing a sum and that some students do not use accessible information about the magnetic field as they attempt to solve Ampere’s law problems. This work extends previous studies into students’ difficulties with Ampere’s law and provides possible guidance for instruction.
A systematic literature review to explore how staff in schools describe how a sense of belonging is created for their pupils

ABSTRACT Pupils have been found to be more motivated, engaged and dedicated to their education if they experience a sense of belonging in their school environment. This systematic literature review aimed to explore descriptions of how staff in secondary schools create a sense of belonging for their pupils. Databases, including PsycINFO: Ovid online, Education Resources Information Centre (ERIC), Applied Social Sciences Index & Abstracts (ASSIA) and EBSCOhost were searched for relevant qualitative research studies. PRISMA guidelines were followed, to identify, screen and select relevant research papers, resulting in 5 studies being screened against a recognised scoring framework. The current systematic literature review identified methods that were perceived to be useful when supporting pupils to develop a sense of belonging within their secondary school environment, both at the individual staff and whole school, systemic level. Limitations of the review are identified and directions for further research are also discussed.
Representing layered monads

There has already been considerable research on constructing modular, monad-based specifications of computational effects (state, exceptions, nondeterminism, etc.) in programming languages. We present a simple framework in this tradition, based on a Church-style effect-typing system for an ML-like language. The semantics of this language is formally defined by a series of monadic translations, each one expanding away a layer of effects. Such a layered specification is easy to reason about, but its direct implementation (whether by parameterized interpretation or by actual translation) is often prohibitively inefficient.By exploiting deeper semantic properties of monads, however, it is also possible to derive a vastly more efficient implementation: we show that each layer of effects can be uniformly simulated by continuation-passing, and further that multiple such layers can themselves be simulated by a standard semantics for call/cc and mutable state. Thus, even multi-effect programs can be executed in Scheme or SML/NJ at full native speed, generalizing an earlier single-effect result. As an example, we show how a simple resumption-based semantics of concurrency allows us to directly simulate a shared-state program across all possible dynamic interleavings of execution threads.
Assessing Marketing Performance: Reasons for Metrics Selection

In recent years both practitioners and academics have shown an increasing interest in the assessment of marketing performance. This paper explores the metrics that firms select and some reasons for those choices. Our data are drawn from two UK studies. The first reports practitioner usage by the main metrics categories (consumer behaviour and intermediate, trade customer, competitor, accounting and innovativeness). The second considers which individual metrics are seen as the most important and whether that differs by sector. The role of brand equity in performance assessment and top management orientations are key considerations. We found consistency between orientation and metrics. Within these categories we identified 19 metrics that could be regarded as primary and could therefore serve as a short-list for initial selection. However, the sector importantly moderates that selection, not least because competitive benchmarking requires similar metrics to be available. Control, orientation and institutional theories appeared to influence metrics selection and the absence of agency theory is probably due to the research method of this paper. We concluded with some propositions formally to test the basis of metrics selection.
Perceived loneliness among home-dwelling older adults with and without memory disorder: A population-based study

The aim of this population-based cross-sectional study was to describe and compare the prevalence and features of perceived loneliness among home-dwelling older adults with (n = 129) and without (n = 244) memory disorder. The latter group was randomly resampled from 789 respondents stratified by age to obtain a standardized control group. Loneliness was assessed using the six-item De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale, and perceived stress using Cohen, Kamarck and Mermelstein’s 10-item Perceived Stress Scale. Results show that severe loneliness was common among the home-dwelling older adults, especially those with memory disorder, who also perceived stress more frequently than those without memory disorder. Both groups, but again more frequently those with memory disorder, were more likely to be emotionally than socially lonely. Thus, when planning social and healthcare services and interventions to mitigate loneliness among older adults living at home, memory problems and emotional loneliness require particular consideration.
Tracing the origin of Treponema pallidum in China using next-generation sequencing

Syphilis is a systemic sexually transmitted disease caused by Treponema pallidum ssp. pallidum (TPA). The origin and genetic background of Chinese TPA strains remain unclear. We identified a total of 329 single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) in eight Chinese TPA strains using next-generation sequencing. All of the TPA strains were clustered into three lineages, and Chinese TPA strains were grouped in Lineage 2 based on phylogenetic analysis. The phylogeographical data showed that TPA strains originated earlier than did T. pallidum ssp. pertenue (TPE) and T. pallidum ssp. endemicum (TPN) strains and that Chinese TPA strains might be derived from recombination between Lineage 1 and Lineage 3. Moreover, we found through a homology modeling analysis that a nonsynonymous substitution (I415F) in the PBP3 protein might affect the structural flexibility of PBP3 and the binding constant for substrates based on its possible association with penicillin resistance in T. pallidum. Our findings provide new insight into the molecular foundation of the evolutionary origin of TPA and support the development of novel diagnostic/therapeutic technology for syphilis.
Gestational Zearalenone Exposure Causes Reproductive and Developmental Toxicity in Pregnant Rats and Female Offspring

Zearalenone (ZEN) is an oestrogenic mycotoxin commonly found in food and feed products and can affect reproduction and development in both humans and animals. This study aimed to determine the toxic effects of ZEN on maternal SD rats and the F1 female offspring. Sixty-four pregnant rats were divided into 4 groups and exposed to feed contaminated with ZEN (0, 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg feed) on gestational days (GDs) 0–21. Compared with the controls, the groups exposed to 10 and 20 mg/kg ZEN showed significantly decreased feed intake and body weight of pregnant rats and/or female offspring. Meanwhile, 20 mg/kg ZEN significantly decreased the birth weight and viability of F1 newborn rats. Moreover, 10 and 20 mg/kg ZEN diets increased follicle-stimulating hormone concentrations but decreased oestradiol in both maternal and F1 adult rats. In the F1 generation, ZEN caused no pathological changes in ovaries and uterus in weaned rats, but significant follicular atresia and a thinning uterine layer were found in F1 female adult rats in the 20 mg/kg ZEN group. These impairments concurred with the inhibited mRNA and protein levels of oestrogen receptor-alpha (Esr1) and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) in the adult uterus and/or ovaries. Furthermore, 10 and/or 20 mg/kg ZEN exposure significantly reduced Esr1, gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor (GnRHr), and ATP binding cassette transporters b1 and c1 (ABCb1 and ABCc1) in the placenta and foetal and weaned F1 brains, and also produced a dose-dependent increase in 3β-HSD in the placenta. Additionally, 20 mg/kg ZEN significantly upregulated ABCc5 expression in the placenta and ovaries of weaned rats. These results suggested that prenatal ZEN exposure in rats affected maternal and foetal development and may lead to long-term reproductive impairment in F1 adult females.
Lpha a Collaboration

Lattice QCD with Wilson quarks and a chirally twisted mass term (tmQCD) has been introduced in refs. [1,2]. We here apply Symanzik's improvement programme to this theory and list the counterterms which arise at first order in the lattice spacing a. Based on the generalised transfer matrix, we define the tmQCD Schrödinger functional and use it to derive renormalized on-shell correlation functions. By studying their continuum approach in perturbation theory we then determine the new O(a) counterterms of the action and of a few quark bilinear operators to one-loop order.
An integrative intervention for cultivating gratitude among adolescents and young adults

ABSTRACT Emerging evidence indicates that practicing gratitude contributes to well-being. The goal of this investigation was to develop a comprehensive, effective intervention for promoting gratitude among adolescents and young adults (ages 16–30). Findings from experimental data indicate that three existing gratitude activities (three good things, benefit appraisals, and a gratitude letter) fostered unique facets of gratitude (Study 1). A combined intervention enhanced gratitude, hope, and prosocial intentions among young adults (Study 2) and adolescents (Study 3). This work extends the literature by providing empirical evidence on how benefit appraisal influence adults, revealing the unique effects of existing gratitude activities, and showing that an integrative intervention is effective for both adolescents and young adults. Furthermore, the resulting intervention is relatively brief and can be implemented online or in-person, which could facilitate widespread dissemination. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.