Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An environment-dependent semi-empirical tight binding model suitable for electron transport in bulk metals, metal alloys, metallic interfaces, and metallic nanostructures. I. Model and validation

Semi-empirical Tight Binding (TB) is known to be a scalable and accurate atomistic representation for electron transport for realistically extended nano-scaled semiconductor devices that might contain millions of atoms. In this paper, an environment-aware and transferable TB model suitable for electronic structure and transport simulations in technologically relevant metals, metallic alloys, metal nanostructures, and metallic interface systems are described. Part I of this paper describes the development and validation of the new TB model. The new model incorporates intra-atomic diagonal and off-diagonal elements for implicit self-consistency and greater transferability across bonding environments. The dependence of the on-site energies on strain has been obtained by appealing to the Moments Theorem that links closed electron paths in the system to energy moments of angular momentum resolved local density of states obtained ab initio. The model matches self-consistent density functional theory electronic structure results for bulk face centered cubic metals with and without strain, metallic alloys, metallic interfaces, and metallic nanostructures with high accuracy and can be used in predictive electronic structure and transport problems in metallic systems at realistically extended length scales.
Impact of Leadership Styles on Employee Engagement and Conflict Management Practices in Nigerian Universities.

This study explores how leadership styles impact work engagement and conflict management practices in Nigerian universities. It utilises a qualitative research design, focusing on 40 semi-structured interviews with senior university management staff comprising Vice-Chancellors, Registrars, Bursars, Deans of Faculties and senior non-teaching staff (i.e. chief librarians) of some selected institutions. The findings reveal cultural values shaping the choice of authoritative, transactional and transformational leadership styles were commonly adopted. Results further indicate how Nigerian academic institutions and processes are considered as being overly bureaucratic and transactional. Additionally, some context-specific norms were found to influence leadership functions impacting work engagement and conflict management practices. In summary, the study suggests practice and policy implications that can enhance the direction and development of effective leadership in this context.
Distribution of IL-28B genotypes in patients with hepatitis C and healthy individuals in Jahrom city

Aim: The purpose of this study was to compare the distribution of interleukin (IL)-28B genotypes between Iranian healthy individuals and patients with chronic hepatitis C based on the genotype. Background: Polymorphisms in the region of IL-28B gene have been identified as the strongest genetic pretreatment predictor of sustained virological response (SVR) in hepatitis C infection. Patients and methods: In this study, 147 patients with chronic hepatitis C and 80 healthy individuals were included. The IL-28B rs12979860 and rs8099917 polymorphisms were genotyped by PCR-RFLP method and the frequency of IL-28B polymorphisms with respect to HCV genotypes was also determined. Results: The frequencies of rs12979860 TT, CC and CT genotypes in the chronic hepatitis C patients and healthy individuals were as follows: 10.8% vs. 11.3%, 38.7% vs. 46.2% and 50.3% vs. 42.5%. Also, the frequencies of rs8099917 TT, GG and GT genotypes in the chronic hepatitis C patients was 61.9%, 6.1% and 32% and in controls was 47.5%, 11.2% and 41.3%. The differences in the distribution of rs12979860 genotypes and alleles between HCV genotype 1 and HCV genotype 3a infected patients were statistically significant. Conclusion: The rs12979860 C allele is the favorable allele for the spontaneous clearance of HCV. It seems that the impact of IL-28B polymorphism on the spontaneous clearance of HCV genotype 3 is more prominent than HCV genotype 1, which results in the observation of higher rs12979860 C allele frequency in chronic hepatitis C patients with HCV genotype 3 than HCV genotype 1.
Millipede phylogeny revisited in the light of the enigmatic order Siphoniulida

The discovery of six specimens of the enigmatic order Siphoniulida, including for the first time males, prompted a modern re-analysis of current phylogenetic schemes for the class Diplopoda derived from traditional morphological and developmental characters. The data matrix was constructed and analysed using paup. The resulting phylogenetic hypotheses corroborated the longest standing, traditional classification, but also demonstrated clearly that more characters must be included to reach a better resolution. Recent alternative phylogenetic hypotheses and classifications are discussed in the light of the current analysis. The validity of a putative helminthomorph synapomorphy, the location of male gonopods on the 7th body ring, is discussed. Scanning electron microscopy corroborated morphological characters already described for the Siphoniulida: modified anterior legs, an apparently legless 3rd body ring, pyriform head, antennae with clavate setae, and absence of ozopores. The highly modified gonopods of the Siphoniulida are described for the first time; only the anterior legs of the 7th ring are modified into gonopods, the posterior legs of this ring are developed as normal walking legs. The gnathochilarium differs from the Colobognatha and consists of well-developed stipites with palps, elongated lingual plates with palps and a narrow central sclerite, most likely the mentum. Structures on the epiproct may possibly be spinnerets. Despite the discovery of adult males, the Siphoniulida are still considered Helminthomorpha incertae sedis.
Corrective feedback , over a decade of research since Lyster and Ranta ( 1997 ) : Where do we stand today ?

It has been just over a decade since the publication of Lyster and Ranta’s critical articles on corrective feedback. Since then, there have been numerous publications in this area of classroom based Second Language Acquisition research. Lyster and Ranta (1997) and Lyster (1998b) found that recasts are the most common, but least effective, form of oral corrective feedback employed by foreign language teachers. Further, Lyster and Ranta concluded that students often fail to notice recasts by confusing them with a repetition or affirmation of their own utterances. This review of literature will explore the research on recasts in the decade following the publication of Lyster and Ranta’s seminal articles. The following will serve as guiding questions: 1) Does current research on recasts continue to support Lyster and Ranta’s (1997) and Lyster’s (1998b) findings? 2) What factors influence the effectiveness of recasts? 3) How do teachers and learners perceive recasts? Current findings indicate that there may be a mismatch in teachers’ and students’ perceptions of what is considered to be effective feedback on oral errors.
Signal reconstruction from noisy, aliased, and nonideal samples: What linear MMSE approaches can achieve

This paper addresses the problem of interpolating a (non-bandlimited) signal from a discrete set of noisy measurements obtained from non-δ sampling kernels. We present a linear estimation approach, assuming the signal is given by a continuous model for which first and second order moments are known. The formula provides a generalization of the well-known discrete-discrete Wiener style estimator, but does not necessarily involve Fourier domain considerations. Finally, some experiments illustrate the flexibility of the method under strong noise and aliasing effects, and shows how the input autocorrelation, the sampling kernel and the noise process shape the form of the optimal interpolating kernels.
Is It Live or Is It Internet? Experimental Estimates of the Effects of Online Instruction on Student Learning

This article presents the first experimental evidence on the effects of live versus Internet media of instruction. Students in a large introductory microeconomics course at a major research university were randomly assigned to live lectures versus watching these same lectures in an Internet setting where all other factors (e.g., instruction, supplemental materials) were the same. We find modest evidence that live-only instruction dominates Internet instruction. These results are particularly strong for Hispanic students, male students, and lower-achieving students. We also provide suggestions for future experimentation in other settings.
Relay assisted spectrum sensing in cognitive radio

We consider a cooperative spectrum sensing problem in which a relay user (RU) assists a secondary user (SU) in order to detect the presence of a primary user (PU). We propose three different schemes, namely amplify-and-forward, compress-and-forward, and decode-and-forward, where the RU transmits an amplified, compressed or decoded version of the observed signal toward the SU, respectively. We investigate the Neyman — Pearson criterion for each scheme. The theoretical performance of the tests is then analyzed in terms of probability of false alarm and mis-detection and closed-form expressions are derived for Rayleigh fading channels. Simulation results illustrate significant cooperative gain achieved by the proposed strategies. Numerical results are provided that give insights into the trade-offs between the primary and RU's transmit power and the performance of the proposed protocols in this three node network.
Prognostics and health management based refurbishment for life extension of electronic systems

To provide an early warning of failure for cost effective maintenance to extend the life of electronic systems, there is a growing interest to perform prognostics and health management. This paper provides a review of various prognostics and health management approaches that involve sensing, parameter interpretation, anomaly detection, weak components diagnosis, system health assessment, and remaining useful life prediction. Using prognostics and health management, a method is developed for electronic system life extension based on refurbishment in this study. Research areas of prognostics and health management for electronic system life extension are suggested, and recommendations are provided for designers and manufacturers who are interested in extending the life of electronic systems via refurbishment. Following these recommendations, electronic system life cycle cost could be minimized via refurbishment.
Please Scroll down for Article Communications in Statistics -theory and Methods Additive Hazards Model for Competing Risks Analysis of the Case-cohort Design Additive Hazards Model for Competing Risks Analysis of the Case-cohort Design

This article may be used for research, teaching and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution , reselling , loan or sub-licensing, systematic supply or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. The publisher does not give any warranty express or implied or make any representation that the contents will be complete or accurate or up to date. The accuracy of any instructions, formulae and drug doses should be independently verified with primary sources. The publisher shall not be liable for any loss, actions, claims, proceedings, demand or costs or damages whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with or arising out of the use of this material. ABSTRACT Competing risks analysis of the case-cohort design is often required in epidemiological studies and for this, some methods have been proposed under the proportional hazards model. It is known that the proportional hazards model may not fit survival data well sometimes. This paper considers the analysis under the additive hazards model. Methods are proposed for estimating regression parameters and cumulative baseline hazard functions as well as cumulative incidence functions. The proposed estimators are shown to be consistent and asymptotically normal using the martingale central limit theory. Simulation studies are conducted and suggest that the proposed methods perform well.
Mapping kernels for infinite mapping systems

The mapping kernel is a generalization of Haussler’s convolution kernel, and has a wide range of application including kernels for higher degree structures such as trees. Like Haussler’s convolution kernel, a mapping kernel is a finite sum of values of a primitive kernel. One of the major reasons to use the mapping kernel template in engineering novel kernels is because a strong theorem is known for positive definiteness of the resulting mapping kernels. If the mapping kernel meets the transitivity condition and if the primitive kernel is positive definite, the mapping kernel is also positive definite. In this paper, we generalize this theorem by showing, even when we extend the definition of mapping kernels so that a mapping kernel can be a converging sum of countably infinite primitive kernel values, the transitivity condition is still a criteria to determine positive definiteness of mapping kernels according to the extended definition. Interestingly, this result is also useful to investigate positive definiteness of mapping kernels determined as finite sums, when they do not meet the transitivity condition. For this purpose, we introduce a general method that we call covering technique.
Compassionate Liberals and Polite Conservatives: Associations of Agreeableness With Political Ideology and Moral Values

Political conservatism has been characterized by resistance to change and acceptance of inequality, with liberalism characterized by the polar opposite of these values. Political attitudes are heritable and may be influenced by basic personality traits. In previous research, conservatism (vs. liberalism) has been associated positively with Conscientiousness and negatively with Openness-Intellect, consistent with the association of conservatism with resistance to change. Less clear, however, are the personality traits relating to egalitarianism. In two studies, using a personality model that divides each of the Big Five into two aspects, the present research found that one aspect of Agreeableness (Compassion) was associated with liberalism and egalitarianism, whereas the other (Politeness) was associated with conservatism and traditionalism. In addition, conservatism and moral traditionalism were positively associated with the Orderliness aspect of Conscientiousness and negatively with Openness-Intellect. These findings contribute to a more nuanced understanding of personality’s relation to political attitudes and values.
FUSE Observations of Outflowing O VI in the Dwarf Starburst Galaxy NGC 1705

We report FUSE far-UV spectroscopy of the prototypical dwarf starburst galaxy NGC 1705. These data allow us for the first time to directly probe the coronal-phase (T = a few times 105 K) gas that may dominate the radiative cooling of the supernova-heated interstellar medium (ISM) and thereby determine the dynamical evolution of the starburst-driven outflows in dwarf galaxies. We detect a broad (~100 km s-1 FWHM) and blueshifted (Δv = 77 km s-1) O VI λ1032 absorption line arising in the previously known galactic outflow. The mass and kinetic energy in the outflow we detect is dominated by the warm (T ~ 104 K) photoionized gas which is also seen through its optical line emission. The kinematics of this warm gas are compatible with a simple model of the adiabatic expansion of a superbubble driven by the collective effect of the kinetic energy supplied by supernovae in the starburst. However, the observed properties of the O VI absorption in NGC 1705 are not consistent with the simple superbubble model, in which the O VI would arise in a conductive interface inside the superbubble's outer shell. The relative outflow speed of the O VI is too high and the observed column density (log N = 14.3) is much too large. We argue that the superbubble has begun to blow out of the ISM of NGC 1705. During this blowout phase the superbubble shell accelerates and fragments. The resulting hydrodynamical interaction as hot outrushing gas flows between the cool shell fragments will create intermediate-temperature coronal gas that can produce the observed O VI absorption. For the observed flow speed of ~102 km s-1, the observed O VI column density is just what is expected for gas that has been heated and which then cools radiatively. Assuming that the coronal-phase gas is in rough pressure balance with the warm photoionized gas, we estimate a cooling rate of order ~0.1 M☉ yr-1 and ~1039 ergs s-1 in the coronal gas. The latter represents less than 10% of the supernova heating rate. Independent of the assumed pressure, the lack of observed redshifted O VI emission from the back side of the outflow leads to upper limits on the cooling rate of ≤20% of the supernova heating rate. Since the X-ray luminosity of NGC 1705 is negligible, we conclude that radiative losses are insignificant in the outflow. The outflow should therefore be able to fully blow out of the ISM of NGC 1705 and vent its metals and kinetic energy. This process has potentially important implications for the evolution of dwarf galaxies and the intergalactic medium.
Influence of Sowing Times, Densities, and Soils to Biomass and Ethanol Yield of Sweet Sorghum

The use of biofuels helps to reduce the dependency on fossil fuels and therefore decreases CO 2 emission. Ethanol mixed with gasoline in mandatory percentages has been used in many countries. However, production of ethanol mainly depends on food crops, commonly associated with problems such as governmental policies and social controversies. Sweet sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is one of the most potential and appropriate alternative crops for biofuel production because of its high biomass and sugar content, strong tolerance to environmental stress conditions and diseases, and wide adaptability to various soils and climates. The aim of this study was to select prospective varieties of sweet sorghum, optimum sowing times and densities to achieve high yields of ethanol production and to establish stable operational conditions in cultivating this crop. The summer-autumn cropping season combined with the sowing densities of 8.3–10.9 plant m − 2 obtained the highest ethanol yield. Among cultivated locations, the soil with pH of 5.5 and contents of Al and Zn of 39.4 and 0.6 g kg − 1 , respectively, was the best condition to have an ethanol yield >5000 L ha − 1 . The pH ≥ 6.0 may be responsible for the significant reduction of zinc content in soils, which decreases both biomass of sweet sorghum and ethanol yield, while contents of N, P, K, organic carbon (OC) and cation exchange capacity (CEC), and Fe likely play no role. The cultivar 4A was the preferred candidate for ethanol production and resistant to pests and diseases, especially cut worm ( Agrotis spp.).
Predominance of Late-Spiking Neurons in Layer VI of Rat Perirhinal Cortex

Recent work demonstrated the importance of perirhinal cortex (PR) in a variety of behavioral tasks and disease processes. Studies from our laboratory revealed that some layers of PR contain neurons with unusual properties. Here we report a detailed examination of the cellular neurobiology of layer VI of PR, using whole-cell recordings and biocytin cell fills in horizontal rat brain slices. The most striking finding is that an overwhelming majority (∼86%) of neurons are late-spiking (LS) cells, which can delay the onset of their spike trains by several seconds or more relative to the onset of a depolarizing current step. LS neurons previously have been shown to exist only in very small numbers in a limited number of other cortical regions. Anatomical reconstructions have revealed that the LS neurons vary greatly in morphology, including both pyramidal and nonpyramidal cells. Another surprising physiological finding is the fact that single-spiking (SS) neurons are the second most common cell type (∼7%). SS neurons issue only a single action potential even in response to extreme depolarization. They have been seen previously in the amygdala, but never in cortex. A third remarkable finding is that there are almost no regular spiking (RS) neurons, unlike all other cortical regions that have been studied. This unique abundance of LS neurons in layer VI, along with the presence of SS neurons and the absence of RS neurons, demonstrates that layer VI of PR is unlike any other cortical region that has been studied to date.
Exploring the process by which positive racial identity develops and influences academic performance in Black youth: Implications for social work

ABSTRACT Although racial-ethnic socialization and racial-ethnic identity interlink to influence youth's developmental outcomes, the extant research has tended to investigate these constructs and their effect on youths’ outcomes separately. We therefore used path analysis to investigate the interrelationships between prominent racial-ethnic socialization and racial-ethnic identity constructs in one model to ascertain whether when considered simultaneously they have direct and/or mediated effect associations with the academic performance of African-American youths. Participants were drawn from the Maryland Adolescent Development in Context Study. Findings reveal that parenting practices that expose youths to racial/cultural heritage of African-Americans, in tandem with those that alert youths to potential discrimination and strategies to respond, may influence youths’ racial-ethnic identity domains. These racial-ethnic identity domains in turn shape one another in a complex way to positively predict academic performance. Implications for social work research and practice are discussed.
Identifying Elements of Voice and Fostering Voice Development in First-Grade Science Writing

Identifying Elements of Voice and Fostering Voice Development in First-Grade Science Writing McKenna Lucille Maguet Department of Teacher Education, BYU Master of Arts The purpose of this multi case study was to better understand voice in first grade science writing. Voice is the ability for individuals to synchronize specific narrative elements to express themselves with greater confidence and individuality. Three first-grade participants were chosen and their use of voice in science writing was examined across 8 weeks. Specific elements of voice were identified within atypical informational texts for primary grade learners in science. The 7 elements include descriptive words, placement of text and picture, creative punctuation, conversational tone, comparisons, imagery, and repeated text. The 7 voice elements were taught to a class of first-grade students. Findings from this study reveal that first graders can use descriptive words, creative punctuation, and conversational tone in their writing with great success before being formally taught, which indicates that these first graders are comfortable using these voice elements in their writing. These first graders also use text and picture placement, comparisons, and imagery prior to the weeks they are taught but with limited success. These first graders do not use repeated text until being formally taught, which indicates that it is a difficult voice element for them to include in science writing. Hand signals prove to be effective in helping these young children grasp the voice elements. Lessons used in the study are included. Mentor texts with examples of voice elements that children emulated during the study are also included and are helpful for these students. In addition to writing with words, these first graders also convey important information through their pictures. These young students can accomplish the requirements found in the Common Core State Standards to provide an opening, supply 3 facts about a subject, and write a conclusion. However, they can do this with a quality of voice that was not present in their writing prior to the unit.