Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reliability and Credibility of Progress Test Criteria Developed by Alumni, Faculty, and Mixed Alumni-Faculty Judge Panels

Objective. To compare the reliability and credibility of Angoff-based, absolute criteria derived by faculty, alumni, and a combination of alumni and faculty judge panels. Methods. Independently, faculty, alumni, and mixed faculty-alumni judge panels developed pass/fail criteria for an 86-item test. Generalizability and decision studies were performed. Root mean square errors (RMSE) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for reliability and credibility assessment. School graduate performance upon the North American Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) was the comparator for credibility assessment. Results. RMSEs were 1.06%, 1.42%, and 2.32% for the alumni, faculty, and mixed judge panels respectively. The school's NAPLEX pass rate was 97.5%. This rate triangulated well with the faculty judge panel (pass rate = 93.9%, CI95% = 87.1% - 98.2%), but did not with either mixed judge or alumni judge panels. Conclusions. Faculty-derived criteria offer superior pass/fail decision defensibility relative to both alumni derived and mixed faculty-alumni derived criteria.
The induction of antibody production by IL-6 is indirectly mediated by IL-21 produced by CD4+ T cells

Interleukin (IL) 6 is a proinflammtory cytokine produced by antigen-presenting cells and nonhematopoietic cells in response to external stimuli. It was initially identified as a B cell growth factor and inducer of plasma cell differentiation in vitro and plays an important role in antibody production and class switching in vivo. However, it is not clear whether IL-6 directly affects B cells or acts through other mechanisms. We show that IL-6 is sufficient and necessary to induce IL-21 production by naive and memory CD4+ T cells upon T cell receptor stimulation. IL-21 production by CD4+ T cells is required for IL-6 to promote B cell antibody production in vitro. Moreover, administration of IL-6 with inactive influenza virus enhances virus-specific antibody production, and importantly, this effect is dependent on IL-21. Thus, IL-6 promotes antibody production by promoting the B cell helper capabilities of CD4+ T cells through increased IL-21 production. IL-6 could therefore be a potential coadjuvant to enhance humoral immunity.
Rotor Fault Detection in Line-fed Induction Machines Using Complex Wavelet Analysis of Startup Transients

Three–phase inductions machines are the primary consumers of electric power in industrialized countries, they can typically consume between 40 to 50% of all the generated power (Thomsom et al., 2001). Diagnostic testing of induction machines is therefore of tremendous importance in many applications, and has been the focus of intense research for many years (Aller et al., 2002), (Antonino-Daviu et al., 2006), (Briz et al., 2008), (Benbouzid, 2000), (Douglas et al. 2003), (Douglas et al. 2004), (Douglas et al. 2005), (Douglas et al. 2005-b), (Faliang Niu & Jin Huang, 2005), (Nandi & Toliyat, 2005), (Thomson & Fenger, 2001), (Supangat et al., 2006). Based on the results from failure surveys, the failure mechanism for induction machines can be divided into the following four general categories, with the percentage of total failure shown (Thomsom et al., 2001).  Stator related: 40%  Rotor related: 10%  Bearing related: 40%  Other: 10%
The effect of study abroad on intercultural competence: a longitudinal case study of international postgraduate students at a British university

ABSTRACT Educational sojourns abroad are not only increasingly popular; it is also believed that they have many positive outcomes for students. The transformative potential of a study sojourn abroad has been claimed in linguistic and broader intercultural terms (e.g. Brown [2009] “The Transformative Power of the International Sojourn: An Ethnographic Study of the International Student Experience.” Annals of Tourism Research 36 (3): 502–521; EYP [2014]. “Erasmus Exchange Programme. ” Accessed July 3. http://europa.eu/youth/article/erasmus-exchange-programme_en). However, whether and, if so, how prolonged exposure to multicultural study settings affects students’ intercultural competence (IC) remains under-explored in the higher education context. This mixed methods longitudinal case study tracked a multinational group of international postgraduate students at a single British university (N = 223) in order to explore possible changes in IC over time. Quantitative questionnaire-based data were collected at two points in time (October and June), and qualitative data were obtained from a sub-sample of students (N = 20) who took part in semi-structured interviews throughout the academic year (October, February and June). The findings provide some indication for the malleability and dynamic nature of IC, challenge prior assertions and further complicate our understanding of the impact of a study sojourn abroad on IC.
Word-based and Character-based Word Segmentation Models: Comparison and Combination

We present a theoretical and empirical comparative analysis of the two dominant categories of approaches in Chinese word segmentation: word-based models and character-based models. We show that, in spite of similar performance overall, the two models produce different distribution of segmentation errors, in a way that can be explained by theoretical properties of the two models. The analysis is further exploited to improve segmentation accuracy by integrating a word-based segmenter and a character-based segmenter. A Bootstrap Aggregating model is proposed. By letting multiple segmenters vote, our model improves segmentation consistently on the four different data sets from the second SIGHAN bakeoff.
Variable flip angle‐based fast three‐dimensional T1 mapping for delayed gadolinium‐enhanced MRI of cartilage of the knee: Need for B1 correction

Delayed gadolinium‐enhanced MRI of cartilage is a technique, which involves T1 mapping to identify changes in the structural integrity of cartilage associated with osteoarthritis. Currently, the gold standard is 2D inversion recovery turbo spin echo, which suffers from long acquisition times and limited coverage. Three‐dimensional variable flip angle (VFA) is an alternate technique, which has been shown to be accurate when an estimate of T1 is available a priori. This study validates the variable flip angle method for delayed gadolinium‐enhanced MRI of cartilage of the femoro‐tibial knee cartilage. When amplitude of (excitation) radiofrequency field inhomogeneities were minimized using nonselective pulses and amplitude of (excitation) radiofrequency field correction using an additional acquisition of a amplitude of (excitation) radiofrequency field map, the accuracy of T1 measurements were improved, and slice‐to‐slice variations over the 3D volume were minimized. In conclusion, fast 3D T1 mapping using the variable flip angle method with amplitude of (excitation) radiofrequency field correction appears to be an efficient and accurate method for delayed gadolinium‐enhanced MRI of cartilage of the knee. Magn Reson Med, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Simulations and experiments of aperiodic and multiplexed gratings in volume holographic imaging systems

A new methodology describing the effects of aperiodic and multiplexed gratings in volume holographic imaging systems (VHIS) is presented. The aperiodic gratings are treated as an ensemble of localized planar gratings using coupled wave methods in conjunction with sequential and non-sequential ray-tracing techniques to accurately predict volumetric diffraction effects in VHIS. Our approach can be applied to aperiodic, multiplexed gratings and used to theoretically predict the performance of multiplexed volume holographic gratings within a volume hologram for VHIS. We present simulation and experimental results for the aperiodic and multiplexed imaging gratings formed in PQ-PMMA at 488nm and probed with a spherical wave at 633nm. Simulation results based on our approach that can be easily implemented in ray-tracing packages such as Zemax® are confirmed with experiments and show proof of consistency and usefulness of the proposed models.
Case Study: COSMIC Approximate Sizing Approach without Using Historical Data

In mature engineering disciplines, international consensus can be reached on measurement, as evidenced through established measurement standards. In software engineering, there are 5 functional size measurement standards. These standards work best when the functionality to be measured is fully known, although this usually doesn't happen in the early phases of software development. The techniques most often used to approximate the sizing of the software to be developed in the early phases involve historical data. However, gathering historical data is a challenge in itself. This paper proposes the use of a fuzzy logic model to approximate the functional size of a piece of software.
Stability Analysis for Time-Delay Systems using Rekasius's Substitution and Sum of Squares

In this paper, a new delay-dependent stability analysis for time-delay linear time-invariant (TDLTI) systems is derived. In contrast to many recent approaches, which often utilize Lyapunov-Krasovskii functionals and linear matrix inequalities, an alternative approach is proposed in this paper. The proposed stability analysis is formulated in the frequency domain and investigates the characteristic equation by using the so-called Rekasius substitution and recently established sum of squares techniques from computational semialgebraic geometry. The advantages of the proposed approach are that the stability analysis is often less conservative than many approaches based on Lyapunov-Krasovskii functionals, as demonstrated on a well-known benchmark example, and that the stability analysis is very flexible with respect to additional analysis objectives
Emotion and achievement in the classroom

With the exception of extensive research on test anxiety since the 1950s (Sarason & Mandler, 1952; Zeidner, 2007) and on emotions in achievement settings based on attribution theory (Weiner, 1985), empirical educational research has largely neglected students' emotions. Over the past decade, however, a discernible increase in theoretical and empirical contributions on emotions in education is reflected in numerous special issues and edited volumes (Efklides & Volet, 2005; Linnenbrink, 2006; Linnenbrink-Garcia & Pekrun, 2011; Lipnevich & Roberts, 2012; Schutz & Lanehart, 2002; Schutz & Pekrun, 2007). Nonetheless, with the exception of research on anxiety/achievement relations (e.g., Hembree, 1988; Ma, 1999; Seipp, 1991), there exist only scattered empirical findings on relations between other emotions and academic achievement (Pekrun, 2006). This lack of emphasis is reflected in arecent PsychINFO search (January 2011) for manuscript titles inc1uding "achievement" and "anxiety" (532) as compared to "enjoyment" (10), "hope" (14), "pride" (7), "anger" (8), "shame" (8), or "boredom" (3). In contrast to 1,015 titles inc1uding "achievement" and "self-concept," the relatively small number of publications in the field of emotions as compared to self-concept research is c1early evident.
Two-way (true full-duplex) wireless

Current wireless systems are one-way (similar to walkie-talkies), meaning that disjoint time or frequency segments are used to transmit and to receive. Realization of two-way wireless has challenged the research community for many years. This article1 establishes the theory and presents practical realization of two-way (true full-duplex) wireless. In contrast to the widely accepted beliefs, it is shown that two-way wireless is not only feasible, but is fairly simple, with virtually no degradation in signal-to-noise-ratio2. The innovation is in the antenna design and multiple levels for cancelling self-interference. Methods are developed to support Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) two-way transmission, and asynchronous two-way links (useful in networking applications). The developed hardware uses off-the-shelf components, antennas have a simple structure, are omnidirectional (can be directional, if needed), do not suffer from bandwidth limitations, have a small size/spacing, and the increase in overall complexity is minimal. It is shown that two-way wireless can do more than doubling the rate. In particular: 1) Facilitates wireless networking. In particular, the ability to handle asynchronous users enables superimposing a half-duplex, low bit rate, low power, easy to detect network for control signaling superimposed (physical overlay, rather than logical) on top of the network of primary full-duplex data links. The superimposed links are separated from the primary full-duplex data links in the code domain, and use time multiplexing plus Carrier Sense Multiple Access (CSMA) among themselves. However, the conventional problems of CSMA are avoided as control links operate in parallel with primary full-duplex data links. The physical layer of control links is designed such that full-duplex data links can detect and cancel the interference caused by the superimposed control links. 2) Enhances security through desirable jamming. 3) Provides the ground to realize unconditional security (beyond computational or information theoretical security), using a simple method introduced in this article. 4) Facilitates multi-node distributed & collaborative signaling, including realization of Network Information Theoretic setups, and cognitive wireless. 5) Exploiting feedback, it improves point-to-point throughput, and enables ultra low power transmission. 6) Doubles the point-to-point throughput.
Repression by the 3′ UTR of fem‐3, asex‐determining gene, relies on a ubiquitous mog‐dependent control in Caenorhabditis elegans

The fem‐3 sex‐determining gene is repressed post‐transcriptionally via a regulatory element in its 3′ untranslated region (UTR) to achieve the switch from spermatogenesis to oogenesis in the Caenorhabditis elegans hermaphrodite germ line. In this paper, we investigate the fem‐3 3′ UTR control in somatic tissues using transgenic reporter assays, and we also identify six genes essential for this control. First, we find that a reporter transgene bearing a wild‐type fem‐3 3′ UTR is repressed in somatic tissues, whereas one bearing a mutant fem‐3 3′ UTR is derepressed. Moreover, control by mutant 3′ UTRs is temperature sensitive as predicted from the temperature sensitivity of the fem‐3 gain‐of‐function (gf) mutations. Secondly, we find a fem‐3 3′ UTR RNA‐binding activity in somatic tissues, in addition to the previously reported germ‐line‐specific binding by FBF. Thirdly, we find that each of six genes, mog‐1–mog‐6, is required for repression by the fem‐3 3′ UTR. Therefore, the mog genes not only affect the sperm/oocyte switch in the germ line, but also function in somatic tissues. We suggest that the mog genes may encode components of a ubiquitous machinery that is used for fem‐3 3′ UTR‐mediated repression and the sperm/oocyte switch.
Building a second opinion: learning cross-company data

Background: Developing and maintaining a software effort estimation (SEE) data set within a company (within data) is costly. Often times parts of data may be missing or too difficult to collect, e.g. effort values. However, information about the past projects-although incomplete- may be helpful, when incorporated with the SEE data sets from other companies (cross data). Aim: Utilizing cross data to aid within company estimates and local experts; Proposing a synergy between semi-supervised, active and cross company learning for software effort estimation. Method: The proposed method: 1) Summarizes existing unlabeled within data; 2) Uses cross data to provide pseudo-labels for the summarized within data; 3) Uses steps 1 and 2 to provide an estimate for the within test data as an input for the local company experts. We use 21 data sets and compare the proposed method to existing state-of-the-art within and cross company effort estimation methods subject to evaluation by 7 different error measures. Results: In 132 out of 147 settings (21 data sets X 7 error measures = 147 settings), the proposed method performs as well as the state-of-the-art methods. Also, the proposed method summarizes the past within data down to at most 15% of the original data. Conclusion: It is important to look for synergies amongst cross company and within-company effort estimation data, even when the latter is imperfect or sparse. In this research, we provide the experts with a method that: 1) is competent (performs as well as prior within and cross data estimation methods) 2) reflects on local data (estimates come from the within data); 3) is succinct (summarizes within data down to 15% or less); 4) cheap (easy to build).
Perceptions of Cultural Inclusion: A Study of the Work-Family Interface for Maori Employees Within New Zealand

Creating a work environment that is inclusive towards diverse cultures is beneficial to employees and organizations. The present study tests the effects of Perceived Cultural Inclusion (PCI) on work-family related outcomes on a sample of Maori N=349 (the indigenous people of New Zealand) employees. Because of the strong links between inclusion and Perceived Organizational Support (POS), PCI has been based on POS; and a direct effects model revealed that PCI was directly related to POS and work-family related outcomes (conflict, enrichment and balance). However, testing different models (direct effects only, partial mediation and full mediation) indicated that a partial mediation model was superior. PCI’s ability to predict POS and also to predict enrichment in both directions (work-family and family-work), and POS’s ability to predict work-family conflict and enrichment, highlights the importance of PCI to enrichment. In addition, the final model revealed that work-family conflict and both directions of enrichment predicted work-life balance. These results emphasize the importance of cultural inclusion to the work-family interface for Maori employees, and the interpretations of, and implications for these findings are discussed in this paper.
Loss of rachis cell viability is associated with ripening disorders in grapes

Rachises of grape (Vitis vinifera L.) clusters that appeared healthy or displayed symptoms of the ripening disorders berry shrivel (BS) or bunch-stem necrosis (BSN) were treated with the cellular viability stain fluorescein diacetate and examined by confocal microscopy. Clusters with BS and BSN symptoms experienced a decrease of cell viability throughout the rachis, and their berries contained 70–80% less sugar than healthy berries. The xylem-mobile dye basic fuchsin, infiltrated via the cut base of shoots with one healthy and one BS cluster, moved to all berries on the healthy cluster but generally failed to move into the peduncle of the BS cluster. Peduncle girdling did not interrupt dye movement in the xylem, but stopped solute accumulation in berries and led to berry shrinkage. In contrast, surgically destroying the peduncle xylem at the onset of ripening did not affect berry growth and solute accumulation. These results indicate that cessation of sugar and water accumulation in BS and BSN is associated with phloem death in the rachis. Although xylem flow to the berries may also cease, a functional xylem connection to the shoot may not be required for normal ripening, while water loss from berries by transpiration and xylem efflux may explain the characteristic berry shrinkage that is associated with these ripening disorders. The similarity of internal tissue breakdown in BS and BSN rachises and the correlation observed here between the proportion of shrinking berries on a cluster and the severity of rachis necrosis suggest that there may be a gradual transition between the two ripening disorders. Seeds from healthy and BS clusters showed no differences in colour, morphology, weight, viability, and ability to germinate, which indicates that the disorder may not appear until seeds are mature.
A sensitivity-based wiresizing approach to interconnect optimization of lossy transmission line topologies

This paper presents a sensitivity-based wiresizing algorithm for interconnect delay optimization of lossy transmission line topology under MCM technologies. Our approach computes the maximum delay and its sensitivities with respect to the widths of wires in the topology via high order moments based on an exact moment matching model. Compared with other approaches, it achieves analytical sensitivity computation and calculates higher order moments (sensitivities) recursively from lower order moments for tree network. It can yield optimal wiresizing solution for interconnect delay minimization. Experiments show that the delay estimation using high order moments is very accurate compared with SPICE simulation and our approach can reduce the maximum rising delay by over 60% with small penalty in routing area. Besides delay optimization, the final solution eliminates the over-shoot of response waveform and is robust under parameter variations.
Effect of Sodium and Potassium Salts on Growth and Oxalate Content of Halogeton.

Halogeton glonteratus (M. Bieb.) C. A. Mey. is a poisonous annual weed which has become established on approximately 10.5 million acres of the western range. It is found primarily in Utah, Nevada, Idaho, and Wyonming but occurs also in California, Oregon, Colorado, and MIontana. In addition to causing direct losses from poisoning of sheep, halogeton seriously reduces the number of acres suitable for grazing over broad areas formerly used for winter sheep range. Fleming, Miller, and Vawter (6) found in 1942 that the toxic substance in halogeton was oxalic acid, and further work by Dye (5) established that this poison occurred in its toxic fornm primarily as a soluble salt. The leaves of a vigorous halogeton plant usually contain in excess of 30 percent soluble oxalates (dry weight) during the late summer and early autumn. In addition, about three or four percent of the dry weight consists of insoluble oxalates believed to be primarily salts of Ca or Mg. Either Na or K would be required in rather large quantities to maintain the cation-anion balance within the plant and to supply cations for each molecule of oxalate produced. Experimental evidence has shown that halogeton accumulates large quantities of these univalent cations an(l that Na is absorbed much more readily than K. Dye (5) found a leafseed-sepal fraction of halogeton to contain 14.52 percent Na vs. 0.73 percent K and Beath et al (2), in whole plant analysis, found Na to comprise 28.6 percent of the dry weight vs. 2.6 percent K. Dye (5) also found that the leaf-seed-sepal fraction contained more than 5 percent Cl. These data indicate that soluble oxalates are likely to occur primarily as Na salts and that NaCl is the principal salt form absorbed on the desert. The use of Na in plant nutrition has been extensively studied. This element has been reported essential as a micronutrient for bladder saltbush, A triplex vesicaria, Heward (3), and for the bluegreen alga, Anabaena cylindrica (1). Sodium has never been shown to completely replace K, although Na may in many instances produce both increases in yield and dry weight. An increased growth with NaCl was demonstrated in Salicornia by Van Eijk (12). Lehr (9) obtained significantly greater yields