Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Structure, dielectric, and piezoelectric properties of (0.97-x)BiScO3-xPbTiO3-0.03Pb(Mn1/3Nb2/3)O3 high temperature and high power piezoelectric ceramics

(0.97-x)BiScO<sub>3</sub>-xPbTiO<sub>3</sub>-0.03Pb(Mn<sub>1/3</sub>Nb<sub>2/3</sub>)O<sub>3</sub> (BS-PT-PMN) (x=0.54, 0.56, 0.58, 0.59, 0.60, and 0.62) ceramics were prepared by traditional solid state reaction method. The high Curie temperature T<sub>c</sub>, large piezoelectric constant d<sub>33</sub> and high mechanical factor Q<sub>m</sub> were obtained in the ternary solid solutions at the same time. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) separating rhombohedral and tetragonal phase was found at x= 0.58. Values of the dielectric constant ε<sub>r</sub> dielectric loss tanθ at 1kHz, Curie temperature T<sub>c</sub>, piezoelectric constant d<sub>33</sub> and for the composition x=0.58 were of 710, 0.015, 437°C, 300 C/N and 200, respectively. Temperature-dependent electromechanical coupling coefficient were stable from room temperature up to 400°C, about 250°C higher than that of conventional Pb(Zr, Ti)O<sub>3</sub> (PZT) piezoelectric ceramics. These results indicated BS-PT-PMN ceramics could be promising candidates for high temperature and high power piezoelectric applications.
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Promotes Long-Term Potentiation-Related Cytoskeletal Changes in Adult Hippocampus

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is an extremely potent, positive modulator of theta burst induced long-term potentiation (LTP) in the adult hippocampus. The present studies tested whether the neurotrophin exerts its effects by facilitating cytoskeletal changes in dendritic spines. BDNF caused no changes in phalloidin labeling of filamentous actin (F-actin) when applied alone to rat hippocampal slices but markedly enhanced the number of densely labeled spines produced by a threshold level of theta burst stimulation. Conversely, the BDNF scavenger TrkB–Fc completely blocked increases in spine F-actin produced by suprathreshold levels of theta stimulation. TrkB–Fc also blocked LTP consolidation when applied 1–2 min, but not 10 min, after theta trains. Additional experiments confirmed that p21 activated kinase and cofilin, two actin-regulatory proteins implicated in spine morphogenesis, are concentrated in spines in mature hippocampus and further showed that both undergo rapid, dose-dependent phosphorylation after infusion of BDNF. These results demonstrate that the influence of BDNF on the actin cytoskeleton is retained into adulthood in which it serves to positively modulate the time-dependent LTP consolidation process.
The Role of Security as a Customer Perception on Customers ’ Online Purchasing Behavior

This study examined the factors influencing consumers’ perception of online shopping anddeveloped a causal model that explains how this perception affects their online-shopping behavior. A sample of 100 people from the Kuala Lumpur was conveniently selected to respond to a structural questionnaire. Research found that factors like, trust, customer service, customers’ income, price of products or services and security are more important to encourage people to purchase online the computer related products and services. In other side factors like product customization and price of product were not much effective on purchasing behavior of the respondents. So high level of security in online marketing of computer related products and services has this potential to growth more and more to encourage people to reduce the time and cost of transaction. Most important concern regarding to online shopping is the security of transactions. The study intends to explore the understanding of consumer behavior regarding to the direct and indirect influences of the perceptions of online shopping on consumer behavior. Based on our analysis first, a factor analysis was conducted on the student’s perception of 13 items, and three factors,“convenience, anxiety regarding security, and “poor navigation”, were extracted. A model was created reflecting the direct influence of these three “perception”-related factors on behavior or their indirect influence through consumers’ attitudes.
WALD . LIKELIHOOD RATIO , AND LAGRANGE MULTiPLIER TESTS

5.1. The problem 5.2. The test statistics 5.3. The inequality 5.4. A numerical example 5.5. Instrumental variables 6. Asymptotic equivalence and optimality of the test statistics 7. The Lagrange Multiplier test as a diagnostic 8. Lagrange Multiplier tests for non-spherical disturbances 8.1. Testing for heteroscedasticity 8.2. Serial correlation 9. Testing the specification of the mean in several complex models 9.1. Testing for non-linearities 9.2. Testing for common factor dynamics 9.3. Testing for exogeneity 9.4. Discrete choice and truncated distributions 10. Alternative testing procedures 11. Non-standard situations 12. Conclusion References
Simulating GI/GI/1 queues and insurance risk processes with subexponential distributions

The paper deals with estimating small tail probabilities of the steady-state waiting time in a GI/GI/1 queue with heavy-tailed (subexponential) service times. The problem of estimating infinite horizon ruin probabilities in insurance risk processes with heavy-tailed claims can be transformed into the same framework. It is well-known that naive simulation is ineffective for estimating small probabilities and special fast simulation techniques like importance sampling, multilevel splitting, etc., have to be used. Previous fast simulation techniques for queues with subexponential service times have been confined to M/GI/1 queueing systems. The general approach is to use the Pollaczek-Khintchine transformation to transform the problem into that of estimating the tail distribution of a geometric sum of independent subexponential random variables. However, no such useful transformation exists when one goes from Poisson arrivals to general interarrival-time distributions. We describe an approach that is based on directly simulating the random walk associated with the waiting-time process of the GI/GI/1 queue, using a change of measure called delayed subex-potential twisting: an importance sampling idea recently developed and found useful in the context of M/GI/1 heavy tailed simulations.
Predictors of Relationship Satisfaction in Online Romantic Relationships

Based on traditional theories of interpersonal relationship development and on the hyperpersonal communication theory, this study examined predictors of relationship satisfaction for individuals involved in online romantic relationships. One hundred-fourteen individuals (N = 114) involved in online romantic relationships, and who had only engaged in computer-mediated communication (CMC) with their partners, completed an online questionnaire about their relationships. Intimacy, trust, and communication satisfaction were found to be the strongest predictors of relationship satisfaction for individuals involved in online romances. Additionally, perceptions of relationship variables differed depending on relationship length and time spent communicating. Implications for interpersonal and hyperpersonal communication theories, and future investigation of online relationships, are discussed.
Traditional vs. Project-Based Learning: The Effects on Student Performance and Motivation in Honors Level Mathematics Courses

Since the charge by the National Council for Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) to move away from the traditional learning (TL) method of instruction to more learner-controlled techniques, project-based learning (PBL) has been on the rise. This quasi-experimental nonequivalent control group design study compared the academic achievement of 122 eleventh and twelfth grade students who were instructed using PBL techniques, with a control group of their counterparts who were instructed using TL techniques, in honors level mathematics courses. Pretest and Posttest data collected from both groups of students were statistically analyzed using independent t-tests, and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA), respectively, since the independent t-tests on the pretest data yielded significant differences between the two groups. The ANCOVA results showed a statistically significant difference between the mean performance of the PBL group and the mean performance of the TL group. Similar results were obtained when the mean performance of male students only, as well as the performance of female students only, were compared between the two groups, thereby revealing that PBL instructional method helped to improve student achievement in honors level mathematics courses. In addition, students’ motivation data obtained from the Instructional Materials Motivation Survey (IMMS) were analyzed using Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The results showed that there was no statistically significant difference in the motivation of students instructed using PBL method and students instructed using TL method. The study further discussed implications for teaching and learning, as well as made recommendations for future research.
Responding to Their Voice: The Needs of Postsecondary Students With Intellectual or Developmental Disability

&NA; Date Presented 3/30/2017 Students with intellectual or developmental disabilities are entering postsecondary programs. Persisting adaptive behavior needs affect performance and participation. This research served to better understand student needs and potential roles of occupational therapy in postsecondary settings. Primary Author and Speaker: Lucretia Berg Contributing Authors: Tracy Jirikowic, Ginger MacDonald, Katie Haerling
An Analysis of State Music Education Certification and Licensure Practices in the United States

Teacher certification and licensure practices for music educators vary by state. Enhancing music teacher educator knowledge of state music education certification and licensure practices can inform music teacher preparation and improve future music teacher quality. The purpose of this study was to compile relevant information for music educators about the certification practices of each of the United States and the District of Columbia as of January 2016, and to examine the commonalities and differences among the states’ policies. Results revealed a movement toward comprehensive certification for all grade levels and music subject areas. Researchers noted heightened accountability through increased testing requirements and the inclusion of teacher performance assessments.
Retrosigmoid Versus Translabyrinthine Approach for Acoustic Neuroma Resection: An Assessment of Complications and Payments in a Longitudinal Administrative Database

Object Retrosigmoid (RS) and translabyrinthine (TL) surgery remain essential treatment approaches for symptomatic or enlarging acoustic neuromas (ANs). We compared nationwide complication rates and payments, independent of tumor characteristics, for these two strategies. Methods We identified 346 and 130 patients who underwent RS and TL approaches, respectively, for AN resection in the 2010-2012 MarketScan database, which characterizes primarily privately-insured patients from multiple institutions nationwide. Results Although we found no difference in 30-day general neurological or neurosurgical complication rates, in TL procedures there was a decreased risk for postoperative cranial nerve (CN) VII injury (20.2% vs 10.0%, CI 0.23–0.82), dysphagia (10.4% vs 3.1%, CI 0.10–0.78), and dysrhythmia (8.4% vs 2.3%, CI 0.08–0.86). Overall, there was no difference in surgical repair rates of CSF leak; however, intraoperative fat grafting was significantly higher in TL approaches (19.8% vs 60.2%, CI 3.95–9.43). In patients receiving grafts, there was a trend towards a higher repair rate after RS approach, while in those without grafts, there was a trend towards a higher repair rate after TL approach. Median total payments were $16,856 higher after RS approaches ($67,774 vs $50,918, p < 0.0001), without differences in physician or 90-day postoperative payments. Conclusions Using a nationwide longitudinal database, we observed that the TL, compared to RS, approach for AN resection experienced lower risks of CN VII injury, dysphagia, and dysrhythmia. There was no significant difference in CSF leak repair rates. The payments for RS procedures exceed payments for TL procedures by approximately $17,000. Data from additional years and non-private sources will further clarify these trends.
If we teach writing, we should write

Abstract This paper describes some of the key principles and practices of Teachers as Writers groups in the UK. It draws on participants' own accounts of the personal and pedagogic benefits of these voluntary teacher‐led activities. It also presents a case‐study of a teacher who used her experience of the process of writing in such a group to support students who were writing analytically about poetry in an A level (senior secondary) literature course.
The HEXACO–60: A Short Measure of the Major Dimensions of Personality

We describe the HEXACO–60, a short personality inventory that assesses the 6 dimensions of the HEXACO model of personality structure. We selected the 10 items of each of the 6 scales from the longer HEXACO Personality Inventory–Revised (Ashton & Lee, 2008; Lee & Ashton, 2004, 2006), with the aim of representing the broad range of content that defines each dimension. In self-report data from samples of college students and community adults, the scales showed reasonably high levels of internal consistency reliability and rather low interscale correlations. Correlations of the HEXACO–60 scales with measures of the Big Five factors were consistent with theoretical expectations, and convergent correlations between self-reports and observer reports on the HEXACO–60 scales were high, averaging above . 50. We recommend the HEXACO–60 for use in personality assessment contexts in which administration time is limited.
Understanding of self-heating enhanced degradation in pLDMOSFETs by MR-DCIV method

Self-heating enhanced degradation in pLDMOSFETs was studied by non-destructive MR-DCIV method. Due to self-heating effect in pLDMOSFETs, several times larger MR-DCIV degradation per finger was observed for multi-finger devices with higher temperature rise and less channel edge heat dissipation. Our study has shown that self-heating induced degradation shared the similar trends and mechanism to NBTI.
Influence of the Biliary System on Biliary Bacteria Revealed by Bacterial Communities of the Human Biliary and Upper Digestive Tracts

Biliary bacteria have been implicated in gallstone pathogenesis, though a clear understanding of their composition and source is lacking. Moreover, the effects of the biliary environment, which is known to be generally hostile to most bacteria, on biliary bacteria are unclear. Here, we investigated the bacterial communities of the biliary tract, duodenum, stomach, and oral cavity from six gallstone patients by using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. We found that all observed biliary bacteria were detectable in the upper digestive tract. The biliary microbiota had a comparatively higher similarity with the duodenal microbiota, versus those of the other regions, but with a reduced diversity. Although the majority of identified bacteria were greatly diminished in bile samples, three Enterobacteriaceae genera (Escherichia, Klebsiella, and an unclassified genus) and Pyramidobacter were abundant in bile. Predictive functional analysis indicated enhanced abilities of environmental information processing and cell motility of biliary bacteria. Our study provides evidence for the potential source of biliary bacteria, and illustrates the influence of the biliary system on biliary bacterial communities.
SDSNM: A Software-Defined Security Networking Mechanism to Defend against DDoS Attacks

The Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack has seriously harmed network availability over decades and there is still no effective defense mechanism. The emerging software-defined networking (SDN) gives a new way to rethink the defense of DDoS attacks. In this paper, we first modeled DDoS attacks from the perspective of network architecture. Then a software-defined security networking mechanism (SDSNM) was proposed to remove or restrict these necessary conditions which were summarized from the model. The SDSNM is mainly implemented at the edge SDN networks as well as inherits the infrastructure of IP core network. The Cloud computing and Chord technologies were applied to solve the expansibility and consistency problems. Experiments based on the prototype proved that the brand new mechanism was feasible and incrementally deployable. DDoS attacks were unable to be launched if strict access control policies were used. The attacker along with hosts in botnet can be located quickly and accurately when loose access control policies were used.
Community-based game design: experiments on social games for commonsense data collection

Games with A Purpose have successfully harvested information from web users. However, designing games that encourage sustainable and quality data contribution remains a great challenge. Given that many online communities have enjoyed active participation from a loyal following, this research explores how human computation games may benefit from rich interactions inherent in a community. We experimented by implementing two games for commonsense data collection on the leading social community platforms: the Rapport Game on Facebook and the Virtual Pet Game on PTT. In this paper, we present the choices of interaction mode and goal-oriented user model for building a community-based game. The data quality, collection efficiency, player retention, concept diversity, and game stability of both games are analyzed quantitatively from data collected since August/November 2008. Our findings should provide useful suggestions for designing community-based games in the future.
Distribution-Based Face Detection using Calibrated Boosted Cascade Classifier

This study presents a distribution-based face detection. The proposed face detection integrates information over image space and scale because the face can be recognized even if a small warp is applied. We must calibrate raw classifier outputs for information integration. Two salient contributions of this paper are calibration for a boosted cascade classifier and a distribution-based face detection. We first propose a new calibration method that converts the raw classifier outputs into posterior probabilities. This calibration method enables us to obtain a "Face Likelihood Distribution "from an input scene. The second contribution is the distribution-based face detection, which evaluates the local face likelihood distribution over space and scale. In contrast, existing methods evaluate the face similarity value only at that point, which causes misdetection. Experimental results using 170 input scenes, which might or might not include faces, show that the proposed method improves the detection rate by about 5%.
Building Storage Registers from Crash-Recovery Processes

This paper defines a new type of register, called a storage register, to represent blocks of a replicated logical volume built from a distributed collection of disks. We give a formal specification of storage registers and, in doing so, we extend linearizability to a crash-recovery model. Existing algorithms that implement registers on top of message-passing primitives typically assume a crashstop failure model. Our work illustrates the difficulties in moving to a more general failure model and presents an efficient implementation of storage registers in a message-passing system with crash-recovery processes.
Marijuana on the Mind? The Impact of Marijuana on Cognition, Brain Structure, and Brain Function, and Related Public Policy Implications

Although marijuana (MJ) has been used for thousands of years, the public’s opinion of MJ has shifted drastically over the past century, leaving many wondering about its potential risks and benefits. This article summarizes research detailing the impact of recreational MJ and related variables (frequency, magnitude, potency, and mode of MJ use) on cognition, brain structure, and brain function. MJ use, particularly at young ages, has been reported to undermine cognition, as well as alter brain structure and function. Furthermore, we discuss how data from recreational MJ studies, as well as more recent medical marijuana (MMJ) research findings, relate to legalization efforts. Considerations for policymakers, such as age limits, guidelines for safe use, and the therapeutic potential of certain constituents of MJ (i.e., cannabidiol), are also outlined. In recent years, policy has outpaced science; important areas in need of further research are noted.
Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 9A isolates contain diverse mutations to wcjE that result in variable expression of serotype 9V-specific epitope.

BACKGROUND Streptococcus pneumoniae is a significant pathogen capable of expressing protective and antigenically diverse capsules. To better understand the molecular basis of capsular antigenic diversity, we investigated the hypothetical serological role of wcjE, which encodes a capsule O-acetyltransferase, in the vaccine-targeted serotype 9V and related serotype 9A. METHODS We inactivated wcjE by recombination in a serotype 9V strain and determined wcjE sequences of 11 serotype 9A clinical isolates. We determined the antigenic phenotypes of these pneumococcal strains with serogroup 9-specific antibodies and flow cytometry. RESULTS Inactivation of wcjE in a serotype 9V strain resulted in expression of the 9A phenotype. Each serotype 9A clinical isolate contained a distinct mutation to wcjE. Flow cytometry showed that some 9A isolates (herein named 9Aα) expressed trace amounts of 9V-specific epitopes whereas others (named 9Aβ) did not express any. Recombination with 9Aα wcjE alleles into a 9Aβ strain conferred partial expression of 9V-specific epitopes. CONCLUSIONS Each serotype 9A strain independently arose from a serotype 9V strain. Furthermore, clinical isolates identified as 9A can contain mutations to wcjE that are either partially functional or completely nonfunctional, demonstrating a previously unidentified antigenic heterogeneity of serotype 9A isolates.
Editorial: Genomics Research on Non-model Plant Pathogens: Delivering Novel Insights into Rust Fungus Biology

The diversity among rust fungi is simply astounding: over 7000 species that evolved to colonize niches all over the plant kingdom. This diversification likely involved major host jumps, especially considering that the life cycles of heteroecious rusts, such as the cereal rusts, involve sexual and asexual stages that take place on completely unrelated host plants (Savile, 1976; McTaggart et al., 2015), but also co-evolution in diverse natural settings, establishing equilibrium (e.g., Thrall et al., 2012). These interactions resulted in complex life styles including for many rusts, the production of up to five different spore types, each requiring very different developmental programs and hence gene expression.