Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Legal and the Local: Using Disparate Impact Analysis to Understand the Consequences of Writing Assessment

In this article, we investigate disparate impact analysis as a validation tool for understanding the local effects of writing assessment on diverse groups of students. Using a case study data set from a university that we call Brick City University, we explain how Brick City’s writing program undertook a self-study of its placement exam using the disparate impact process followed by the Office for Civil Rights of the US Department of Education. This three-step process includes analyzing placement rates through (1) a threshold statistical analysis, (2) a contextualized inquiry to determine whether the placement exam meets an important educational objective, and (3) a consideration of less discriminatory assessment alternatives. By employing such a process, Brick City re-conceptualized the role of placement testing and basic writing at the university in a way that was less discriminatory for Brick City’s diverse student population.
ICT as a Catalyst in Problem-Based Learning Processes?: A Comparison of Online and Campus-Based PBL in Swedish Fire-Fighter Training

This article focuses on the impact on learning processes when digital technologies are integrated into PBL problem-based learning oriented distance training. Based on socio-cultural perspectives on learning and a comparative distance-campus as well as a time-perspective, instructor and student roles, and learning activities were explored. Interviews with instructors and students were collected from the two study modes at the beginning and at the end of the training period. The results showed that online PBL, compared to campus-based PBL, evolved towards a more individual, real-life and literacy-oriented problem-solving process with supervising instructors and self-directed learning among students. The follow-up study in the latter part of the training showed that the extended technology integration resulted in both phases of dissemination and normalization. The development in online PBL affected both the course design and educational talks throughout the training. However, the prevailing teaching culture and educational deficiencies of new instructors contributed to a gradual normalization of the online PBL.
Validity of Heavy Traffic Steady-State Approximations in Open Queueing Networks

We consider a single class open queueing network, also known as a Generalized Jackson Network (GJN). A classical result in heavy traffic theory asserts that the sequence of normalized queue length processes of the GJN converge weakly to a Reflected Brownian Motion (RBM) in the orthant, as the traffic intensity approaches unity. However, barring simple instances, it is still not known whether the stationary distribution of RBM provides a valid approximation for the steady-state of the original network. In this paper we resolve this open problem by proving that the re-scaled stationary distribution of the GJN converges to the stationary distribution of the RBM, thus validating a so-called “interchange-of-limits” for this class of networks. Our method of proof involves a combination of Lyapunov function techniques, strong approximations, and tail probability bounds that yield tightness of the sequence of stationary distributions of the GJN. Short Title: Steady-state approximations in open queueing networks
Molecular Mechanisms of ZnO Nanoparticle Dispersion in Solution: Modeling of Surfactant Association, Electrostatic Shielding and Counter Ion Dynamics

Molecular models of 5 nm sized ZnO/Zn(OH)2 core-shell nanoparticles in ethanolic solution were derived as scale-up models (based on an earlier model created from ion-by-ion aggregation and self-organization) and subjected to mechanistic analyses of surface stabilization by block-copolymers. The latter comprise a poly-methacrylate chain accounting for strong surfactant association to the nanoparticle by hydrogen bonding and salt-bridges. While dangling poly-ethylene oxide chains provide only a limited degree of sterical hindering to nanoparticle agglomeration, the key mechanism of surface stabilization is electrostatic shielding arising from the acrylates and a halo of Na+ counter ions associated to the nanoparticle. Molecular dynamics simulations reveal different solvent shells and distance-dependent mobility of ions and solvent molecules. From this, we provide a molecular rationale of effective particle size, net charge and polarizability of the nanoparticles in solution.
Using Covert Response Activation to Test Latent Assumptions of Formal Decision-Making Models in Humans

Most decisions that we make build upon multiple streams of sensory evidence and control mechanisms are needed to filter out irrelevant information. Sequential sampling models of perceptual decision making have recently been enriched by attentional mechanisms that weight sensory evidence in a dynamic and goal-directed way. However, the framework retains the longstanding hypothesis that motor activity is engaged only once a decision threshold is reached. To probe latent assumptions of these models, neurophysiological indices are needed. Therefore, we collected behavioral and EMG data in the flanker task, a standard paradigm to investigate decisions about relevance. Although the models captured response time distributions and accuracy data, EMG analyses of response agonist muscles challenged the assumption of independence between decision and motor processes. Those analyses revealed covert incorrect EMG activity (“partial error”) in a fraction of trials in which the correct response was finally given, providing intermediate states of evidence accumulation and response activation at the single-trial level. We extended the models by allowing motor activity to occur before a commitment to a choice and demonstrated that the proposed framework captured the rate, latency, and EMG surface of partial errors, along with the speed of the correction process. In return, EMG data provided strong constraints to discriminate between competing models that made similar behavioral predictions. Our study opens new theoretical and methodological avenues for understanding the links among decision making, cognitive control, and motor execution in humans. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Sequential sampling models of perceptual decision making assume that sensory information is accumulated until a criterion quantity of evidence is obtained, from where the decision terminates in a choice and motor activity is engaged. The very existence of covert incorrect EMG activity (“partial error”) during the evidence accumulation process challenges this longstanding assumption. In the present work, we use partial errors to better constrain sequential sampling models at the single-trial level.
Preclinical Memory Profile in Alzheimer Patients with and without Allele APOE-epsilon4

To investigate the association between APOE-Ε4 allele and memory phenotype in the preclinical stage of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We compared an extensive preclinical memory profile at the baseline evaluation of 2 AD genotype groups: APOE-Ε4 allele carriers and patients with APOE-Ε3 homozygosity. Baseline memory performance was carried out at least 2 years (interval of 27.7 ± 4 months) before AD diagnosis was established, and analysis included different modalities of working memory (visuoperceptive, visuospatial, digit span and processing speed), of declarative memory (recent, verbal learning, prospective and semantic) and of nondeclarative memory (procedural, incidental and priming). We found no significant differences: memory performance was similar in both genotype groups. The presence of the APOE-Ε4 allele does not seem to be sufficient to cause a distinctive preclinical memory phenotype in AD patients.
Chemical communication of queen supergene status in an ant

Traits of interest to evolutionary biologists often have complex genetic architectures, the nature of which can confound traditional experimental study at single levels of analysis. In the fire ant Solenopsis invicta, the presence of a Mendelian ‘supergene’ is both necessary and sufficient to induce a shift in a fundamental property of social organization, from single‐queen (monogyne) to multiple‐queen (polygyne) colonies. This selfish genetic element, termed the Social b (Sb) supergene, contains > 600 genes that collectively promote its fitness by inducing the characteristic polygyne syndrome, in part by causing polygyne workers to accept only queens bearing the Sb element (a behaviour termed ‘worker Sb discrimination’). Here, we employ a newly developed behavioural assay to reveal that polygyne workers, many of which bear the Sb element, employ chemical cues on the cuticle of queens to achieve worker Sb discrimination, but we found no evidence for such pheromonally mediated worker Sb discrimination in monogyne workers, which universally lack the Sb element. This polygyne worker Sb discrimination was then verified through a ‘green beard’ effect previously described in this system. We thus have demonstrated that the Sb element is required both for production of relevant chemical cues of queens and for expression of the behaviours of workers that collectively result in worker Sb discrimination. This information fills a critical gap in the map between genotype and complex phenotype in S. invicta by restricting the search for candidate genes and molecules involved in producing this complex social trait to factors associated with the Sb element itself.
A Cognitively Grounded Measure of Pronunciation Distance

In this study we develop pronunciation distances based on naive discriminative learning (NDL). Measures of pronunciation distance are used in several subfields of linguistics, including psycholinguistics, dialectology and typology. In contrast to the commonly used Levenshtein algorithm, NDL is grounded in cognitive theory of competitive reinforcement learning and is able to generate asymmetrical pronunciation distances. In a first study, we validated the NDL-based pronunciation distances by comparing them to a large set of native-likeness ratings given by native American English speakers when presented with accented English speech. In a second study, the NDL-based pronunciation distances were validated on the basis of perceptual dialect distances of Norwegian speakers. Results indicated that the NDL-based pronunciation distances matched perceptual distances reasonably well with correlations ranging between 0.7 and 0.8. While the correlations were comparable to those obtained using the Levenshtein distance, the NDL-based approach is more flexible as it is also able to incorporate acoustic information other than sound segments.
Sensing charges of the Ciona intestinalis voltage-sensing phosphatase

Voltage control over enzymatic activity in voltage-sensitive phosphatases (VSPs) is conferred by a voltage-sensing domain (VSD) located in the N terminus. These VSDs are constituted by four putative transmembrane segments (S1 to S4) resembling those found in voltage-gated ion channels. The putative fourth segment (S4) of the VSD contains positive residues that likely function as voltage-sensing elements. To study in detail how these residues sense the plasma membrane potential, we have focused on five arginines in the S4 segment of the Ciona intestinalis VSP (Ci-VSP). After implementing a histidine scan, here we show that four arginine-to-histidine mutants, namely R223H to R232H, mediate voltage-dependent proton translocation across the membrane, indicating that these residues transit through the hydrophobic core of Ci-VSP as a function of the membrane potential. These observations indicate that the charges carried by these residues are sensing charges. Furthermore, our results also show that the electrical field in VSPs is focused in a narrow hydrophobic region that separates the extracellular and intracellular space and constitutes the energy barrier for charge crossing.
Job insecurity and wellness of employees in a co–operation

The primary objective of this research was to validate the Afrikaans version of the Job Insecurity Scale (TIS) for employees (N = 286) in a co-operation in the North-West Province by conducting a cross-sectional survey design. Results demonstrated that the Afrikaans version of the JIS is reliable and valid with two items which need some refinement in future studies. Importance of job features and importance of changes to total job was higher for females. The cultural group 'other' indicated the higher levels of likelihood to lose a job feature compared to White participants. This was also experienced by participants with a qualification level of Grade 7 and lower compared to participants with a degree. Additionally these participants experienced higher levels in likelihood to changes in the total job in comparison to participants with a qualification level Grade 8-9, degree and post degree.
Helminth Parasites of Unisexual and Bisexual Whiptail Lizards (Teiidae) in North America. III. The Chihuahuan Spotted Whiptail (Cnemidophorus exsanguis)

Twenty-four of 87 (28%) parthe-nogenetic Chihuahuan spotted whiptails (Cnemidophorus exsanguis) from nine counties of New Mexico and seven counties of Texas were infected with one or more endoparasites. These included a linstowiid cestode (Oochoristica bivitellobata) in seven (8%), a larval spirurid nematode (Physaloptera sp.) in nine (10%) and an oxyurid nematode (Pharyngodon warneri) in 10 (11%). This note, the third in a series of reports on helminths of Cnemidophorus spp. , documents parasites in C. exsanguis for the first time.
An improved minimum variance beamforming applied to plane-wave imaging in medical ultrasound

Minimum variance beamformer (MVB) is an adaptive beamformer which provides images with higher resolution and contrast in comparison with non-adaptive beamformers like delay and sum (DAS). It finds weight vector of beamformer by minimizing output power while keeping the desired signal unchanged. We used the eigen-based MVB and generalized coherence factor (GCF) to further improve the quality of MVB beamformed images. The eigen-based MVB projects the weight vector with a transformation matrix constructed from eigen-decomposing of the array covariance matrix that increases resolution and contrast. GCF is used to emphasis on coherence part of images that improves the resolution. Four different datasets provided by IUS 2016 beamforming challenge are used to evaluate the proposed method. In comparison with DAS with rectangular weight vector, our method improved contrast about 8.52 dB and 6.20 dB for simulation and experimental contrast phantoms, respectively. It also enhanced lateral (axial) resolution about 87% (40%) and 73% (21%) for simulated and experimental resolution phantoms, respectively.
H2S reaction of Se-capped metallic precursors to form Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2 absorber layers

The precursor reaction process for the formation of Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2 (CIGSSe) absorber layers offers great potential for both high efficiency and large scale module production. Nevertheless, long reaction times can create a barrier for cost reduction. In this work, we report on a pathway to a 70 % faster precursor reaction process using a Se-capped metallic precursor. The effects of the precursor reaction time and Se-layer thickness on the through-film Ga- and S-profiles are characterized. These parameters allow control of the band gap profile and the device performance. The process further yields reduced void formation at the Mo/CIGSSe interface and improved adhesion.
Institutional Repository Restricted ambiguity of erasing morphisms

A morphism h is called ambiguous for a string s if there is another morphism that maps s to the same image as h; otherwise, it is called unambiguous. In this paper, we examine some fundamental problems on the ambiguity of erasing morphisms. We provide a detailed analysis of so-called ambiguity partitions, and our main result uses this concept to characterise those strings that have a morphism of strongly restricted ambiguity. Furthermore, we demonstrate that there are strings for which the set of unambiguous morphisms, depending on the size of the target alphabet of these morphisms, is empty, finite or infinite. Finally, we show that the problem of the existence of unambiguous erasing morphisms is equivalent to some basic decision problems for nonerasing multi-pattern languages.
Sensitivity of Household Transmission to Household Contact Structure and Size

Objective Study the influence of household contact structure on the spread of an influenza-like illness. Examine whether changes to in-home care giving arrangements can significantly affect the household transmission counts. Method We simulate two different behaviors for the symptomatic person; either s/he remains at home in contact with everyone else in the household or s/he remains at home in contact with only the primary caregiver in the household. The two different cases are referred to as full mixing and single caregiver, respectively. Results The results show that the household’s cumulative transmission count is lower in case of a single caregiver configuration than in the full mixing case. The household transmissions vary almost linearly with the household size in both single caregiver and full mixing cases. However the difference in household transmissions due to the difference in household structure grows with the household size especially in case of moderate flu. Conclusions These results suggest that details about human behavior and household structure do matter in epidemiological models. The policy of home isolation of the sick has significant effect on the household transmission count depending upon the household size.
Moving beyond Stylized Economic Network Models: The Hybrid World of the Indian Firm Ownership Network1

A central theme of economic sociology has been to highlight the complexity and diversity of real world markets, but many network models of economic social structure ignore this feature and rely instead on stylized one-dimensional characterizations. Here, the authors return to the basic insight of structural diversity in economic sociology. Using the Indian interorganizational ownership network as their case, they discover a composite—or “hybrid”—model of economic networks that combines elements of prior stylized models. The network contains a disconnected periphery conforming closely to a “transactional” model; a semiperiphery characterized by small, dense clusters with sporadic links, as predicted in “small world” models; and finally a nested core composed of clusters connected via multiple independent paths. The authors then show how a firm’s position within the mesolevel structure is associated with demographic features such as age and industry and differences in the extent to which firms engage in multiplex and high-value exchanges.
A partitioner-centric model for SAMR partitioning trade-off optimization: Part II

Optimal partitioning of structured adaptive mesh applications necessitates dynamically determining and optimizing for the most time-inhibiting factor, such as data migration and communication volume. However, a trivial monitoring of an application evaluates the current partitioning rather than the inherent properties of the grid hierarchy. We present a model that given a structured adaptive grid, determines ab initio to what extent the partitioner should focus on reducing the amount of data migration to reduce execution time. This model contributes to the meta-partitioner, our ultimate aim of being able to select and configure the optimal partitioner based on the dynamic properties of the grid hierarchy and the computer. We validate the predictions of this model by comparing them with actual measurements (via traces) from four different adaptive simulations. The results show that the proposed model generally captures the inherent optimization-need in SAMR applications. We conclude that our model is a useful contribution, since tracking and adapting to the dynamic behavior of such applications lead to potentially large decreases in execution times.
Acalculous Diffuse Gallbladder Wall Thickening in Children

Purpose Gallbladder (GB) wall thickening can be found in various conditions unrelated to intrinsic GB disease. We investigated the predisposing etiologies and the outcome of acalculous GB wall thickening in children. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 67 children with acalculous GB wall thickening who had visited our institute from June 2010 to June 2013. GB wall thickening was defined as a GB wall diameter >3.5 mm on abdominal ultrasound examination or computed tomography. Underlying diseases associated with GB wall thickening, treatment, and outcomes were studied. Results There were 36 boys and 31 girls (mean age, 8.5±4.8 years [range, 7 months-16 years]). Systemic infection in 24 patients (35.8%), acute hepatitis in 18 (26.9%), systemic disease in 11 (16.4%), hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in 4 (6.0%), acute pancreatitis in 3 (4.5%), and specific liver disease in 3 (4.5%) predisposed patients to GB wall thickening. Systemic infections were caused by bacteria in 10 patients (41.7%), viruses in 5 patients (20.8%), and fungi in 2 patients (8.3%). Systemic diseases observed were systemic lupus erythematosus in 2, drug-induced hypersensitivity in 2, congestive heart failure in 2, renal disorder in 2. Sixty-one patients (91.0%) received symptomatic treatments or treatment for underlying diseases. Five patients (7.5%) died from underlying diseases. Cholecystectomy was performed in 3 patients during treatment of the underlying disease. Conclusion A wide range of extracholecystic conditions cause diffuse GB wall thickening that resolves spontaneously or with treatment of underlying diseases. Surgical treatments should be avoided if there are no definite clinical manifestations of cholecystitis.
Attitudes and beliefs of african americans toward participation in medical research

OBJECTIVE: To describe barriers to participation of African Americans in research.DESIGN: Focus group interviews conducted in 1997.PATIENTS: Thirty-three African-American adults presenting to an urban public hospital for outpatient medical care participated in one of five focus groups.MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: African-American patients’ attitudes toward medical research were measured. Mistrust of doctors, scientists, and the government was reported consistently by the participants. Many participants described concerns about the ethical conduct of clinicians and investigators when poor or minority patients are involved and cited examples of exploitation as supporting evidence for their mistrust of the medical establishment. While participants were clear about the violation of human rights in the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, all were misinformed of the historical facts of the study. Few participants understood the concept of informed consent. Participants saw signing the document as relinquishing their autonomy and as a legal protection for physicians. Despite these concerns, participants gave recommendations to improve minority participation in research.CONCLUSIONS: African-American participants in this study described distrust of the medical community as a prominent barrier to participation in clinical research. Participants described real and perceived examples of exploitation to support their distrust of researchers. The goal of the consent process, to inform patients of risks and benefits so as to facilitate self-determination, was misinterpreted by these participants. Understanding the importance of interpersonal trust within the clinical relationship may prove to be a significant factor in enhancing participation in clinical trials.