Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Computing student practices of cheating and plagiarism: a decade of change

Cheating in undergraduate computing courses is an ongoing and widespread concern. In this paper we report an investigation of changes over the last decade in computing students' attitudes towards cheating practices, the extent of cheating behavior, and factors which influence cheating at an Australian university. A comparative analysis of data from surveys in 2000 and 2010 of undergraduate students in a School of Information Technology found that students in 2010 considered cheating less acceptable and the practice of cheating was reportedly lower. These results are discussed in terms of measures that have been taken to address this problem.
Stein estimation for the drift of Gaussian processes using the Malliavin calculus

We consider the nonparametric functional estimation of the drift of a Gaussian process via minimax and Bayes estimators. In this context, we construct superefficient estimators of Stein type for such drifts using the Malliavin integration by parts formula and superharmonic functionals on Gaussian space. Our results are illustrated by numerical simulations and extend the construction of James-Stein type estimators for Gaussian processes by Berger and Wolpert [J. Multivariate Anal. 13 (1983) 401-424].
Hormonal Cycle Modulates Arousal Circuitry in Women Using Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Sex-specific behaviors are in part based on hormonal regulation of brain physiology. This functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study demonstrated significant differences in activation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) circuitry in adult women with attenuation during ovulation and increased activation during early follicular phase. Twelve normal premenopausal women were scanned twice during the early follicular menstrual cycle phase compared with late follicular/midcycle, using negative valence/high arousal versus neutral visual stimuli, validated by concomitant electrodermal activity (EDA). Significantly greater magnitude of blood oxygenation level-dependent signal changes were found during early follicular compared with midcycle timing in central amygdala, paraventricular and ventromedial hypothalamic nuclei, hippocampus, orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), anterior cingulate gyrus (aCING), and peripeduncular nucleus of the brainstem, a network of regions implicated in the stress response. Arousal (EDA) correlated positively with brain activity in amygdala, OFC, and aCING during midcycle but not in early follicular, suggesting less cortical control of amygdala during early follicular, when arousal was increased. This is the first evidence suggesting that estrogen may likely attenuate arousal in women via cortical-subcortical control within HPA circuitry. Findings have important implications for normal sex-specific physiological functioning and may contribute to understanding higher rates of mood and anxiety disorders in women and differential sensitivity to trauma than men.
Magnetic field variations and seismicity of solar active regions

Dynamical changes in the solar corona have proven to be very important in inducing seismic waves into the photosphere. Different mechanisms for their generation have been proposed. In this work, we explore the magnetic field forces as plausible mechanisms to generate sunquakes as proposed by Hudson, Fisher & Welsch. We present a spatial and temporal analysis of the line-of-sight magnetic field variations induced by the seismically active 2003 October 29 and 2005 January 15 solar flares and compare these results with other supporting observations.
Ales Stones in Southern Sweden: A Remarkable Monument of the Sun Cult and Advanced Astronomy in the Bronze Age

Ales Stones is a famous stone ship in southern Sweden. Besides its size (69 m) and location right beside the shore of the Baltic, it is a remarkable monument of the Sun Cult and very advanced knowledge of astronomy by the Bronze Age people. This paper summarizes the findings, and puts it into the context of other monuments in southern Sweden. Also presented are a new time-correction of the sunrise at Winter solstice 700 BC and a remarkable sun-wheel on the Island of Bornholm of astronomical dimensions almost identical to those of the Ales Stones monument: the Madsebakke Sun-wheel. It all provides a congruent picture of intensive Sun Cult activity and close connections between of southeast Sweden and the Island of Bornholm.
Localization of Low Lying Eigenmodes for Chirally Symmetric Dirac Operator

We consider properties of zero and near-zero modes for overlap fermion operator in SU(2) lattice gluodynamics. The density of the states is of the order of Lambda(QCD) while the localization volume of the modes tends to zero in physical units with the lattice spacing tending to zero. The situation changes drastically when we study "vortex removed" configurations.
Conformational and thermodynamic hallmarks of DNA operator site specificity in the copper sensitive operon repressor from Streptomyces lividans

Metal ion homeostasis in bacteria relies on metalloregulatory proteins to upregulate metal resistance genes and enable the organism to preclude metal toxicity. The copper sensitive operon repressor (CsoR) family is widely distributed in bacteria and controls the expression of copper efflux systems. CsoR operator sites consist of G-tract containing pseudopalindromes of which the mechanism of operator binding is poorly understood. Here, we use a structurally characterized CsoR from Streptomyces lividans (CsoRSl) together with three specific operator targets to reveal the salient features pertaining to the mechanism of DNA binding. We reveal that CsoRSl binds to its operator site through a 2-fold axis of symmetry centred on a conserved 5′-TAC/GTA-3′ inverted repeat. Operator recognition is stringently dependent not only on electropositive residues but also on a conserved polar glutamine residue. Thermodynamic and circular dichroic signatures of the CsoRSl–DNA interaction suggest selectivity towards the A-DNA-like topology of the G-tracts at the operator site. Such properties are enhanced on protein binding thus enabling the symmetrical binding of two CsoRSl tetramers. Finally, differential binding modes may exist in operator sites having more than one 5′-TAC/GTA-3′ inverted repeat with implications in vivo for a mechanism of modular control.
One-cycle control of switching converters

A pulsed nonlinear control technique, one-cycle control, is introduced. This technique takes advantage of the pulsed and nonlinear nature of switching converters and achieves instantaneous control of the average value of the chopped voltage or current. This technique provides fast dynamic response and good input-perturbation rejection. It is suitable for the control of pulsewidth-modulated (PWM) converters and quasi-resonant converters. The one-cycle control theory is developed based on the analysis of the basic buck converter with conventional feedback control and current-mode control. Experiments were conducted to verify the feasibility of one-cycle control of the buck converter. The dynamic behavior of one-cycle controlled switching converters is studied. The Cuk converter is used as an example for the analysis and experiments. The one-cycle control theory is generalized to control all types of switching converters: constant frequency, constant turn-on time, constant turn-off time, and variable switches. <<ETX>>
Spatial search using discrete quantum walks

We study the quantum walk search algorithm of Shenvi, Kempe, and Whaley [PRA 67 052307 (2003)] on data structures of one to two spatial dimensions, on which the algorithm is less efficient than in three or more spatial dimensions. Our aim is to understand why the quantum algorithm is dimension dependent whereas the best classical algorithm is not, and to find in more detail how the efficiency of the quantum algorithm varies with spatial dimension or accessibility of the data.
Alginate-modifying enzymes: biological roles and biotechnological uses

Alginate denotes a group of industrially important 1-4-linked biopolymers composed of the C-5-epimers β-D-mannuronic acid (M) and α-L-guluronic acid (G). The polysaccharide is manufactured from brown algae where it constitutes the main structural cell wall polymer. The physical properties of a given alginate molecule, e.g., gel-strength, water-binding capacity, viscosity and biocompatibility, are determined by polymer length, the relative amount and distribution of G residues and the acetyl content, all of which are controlled by alginate modifying enzymes. Alginate has also been isolated from some bacteria belonging to the genera Pseudomonas and Azotobacter, and bacterially synthesized alginate may be O-acetylated at O-2 and/or O-3. Initially, alginate is synthesized as polymannuronic acid, and some M residues are subsequently epimerized to G residues. In bacteria a mannuronan C-5-epimerase (AlgG) and an alginate acetylase (AlgX) are integral parts of the protein complex necessary for alginate polymerization and export. All alginate-producing bacteria use periplasmic alginate lyases to remove alginate molecules aberrantly released to the periplasm. Alginate lyases are also produced by organisms that utilize alginate as carbon source. Most alginate-producing organisms encode more than one mannuronan C-5 epimerase, each introducing its specific pattern of G residues. Acetylation protects against further epimerization and from most alginate lyases. An enzyme from Pseudomonas syringae with alginate deacetylase activity has been reported. Functional and structural studies reveal that alginate lyases and epimerases have related enzyme mechanisms and catalytic sites. Alginate lyases are now utilized as tools for alginate characterization. Secreted epimerases have been shown to function well in vitro, and have been engineered further in order to obtain enzymes that can provide alginates with new and desired properties for use in medical and pharmaceutical applications.
Evaluation of symptom presentation in dyspeptic patients referred for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in Estonia.

AIM To investigate the structure of dyspeptic symptoms and determine the association between dyspeptic symptoms and endoscopic findings in patients referred for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy by family physicians in a country with a high prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection. METHODS Consecutive outpatients (n=172; median 36 years, range 18-75; 85 male; 87 female) were referred to upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Patient history was recorded prior to upper gastrointestinal endoscopy using the computer-aided Glasgow Diagnostic System for Dyspepsia (GLADYS). Family physicians used open access endoscopy with a short waiting list. Two biopsies, both from the antrum and the corpus, were taken for histological assessment. RESULTS Out of the 172 patients studied, 81% (n=139) were H. pylori positive, 65% (n=112) were younger than 45 years. The incidence of peptic ulcer was 44% (n=75). Upper abdominal pain was the predominant complaint in 73% (n=126) of the patients, as well as the most frequent overall complaint. Hunger pain, night pain, periodical nature of symptoms, and history over 2 years were of independent value in differentiating between peptic ulcer and functional dyspepsia. The symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease and irritable bowel syndrome predominated in the minority of patients (11% and 5% respectively) but accompanied other complaints in almost 2/3 of the patients. In 32 out of 75 patients with peptic ulcer, the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and in 29 cases the presence of frequent heartburn and regurgitation were noted. CONCLUSIONS Classical symptoms are valuable in predicting the diagnosis of peptic ulcer. Heartburn and acid regurgitation are present in both gastroesophageal reflux disease and peptic ulcer. Irritable bowel syndrome is common in patients with peptic ulcer.
Evolution of the colour-radius and morphology-radius relations in SDSS galaxy clusters

We have investigated the redshift evolution of the colour-clustercentric radius relation and the morphology-clustercentric radius relation in three redshift bins, 0.02 ≤ z ≤ 0.14, 0.14 < z ≤ 0.20 and 0.20 < z ≤ 0.30, using a homogeneous sample of 736 galaxy clusters selected from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. Both the relations are well-defined in all the redshift bins; the fraction of blue/late-type galaxies increases toward the outside of clusters. Blue/late-type galaxy fractions are found to decrease with decreasing redshift at any clustercentric radius. The trend is consistent with the Butcher-Oemler effect and the morphological Butcher-Oemler effect. In addition, we find that colour (spectral) evolution is almost completed by z ∼ 0.2, whereas morphological evolution continues to the present day. The colour-radius relation is smooth in all the -redshift bins, while the morphology-radius relation has a break only in the highest redshift bin. It is also found that fractions of blue late-type galaxies decrease mostly between the highest and the intermediate-redshift bins, while the fraction of red late-type galaxies continuously decreases with decreasing redshift through all redshift bins. These results are consistent with the interpretation that the time-scale of the colour (spectral) evolution is shorter than that of the morphological evolution. It is suggested that red-late-type galaxies in the middle of the transformation are observed as passive spiral galaxies.
Procedures and Tools Used by Teachers When Completing Functional Vision Assessments with Children with Visual Impairments

Introduction This study analyzed survey responses from 314 teachers of students with visual impairments regarding the tools and procedures used in completing functional vision assessments (FVAs). Methods Teachers of students with visual impairments in the United States and Canada completed an online survey during spring 2016. Results The majority of participants reported that they primarily assess pre-academic and academic students in kindergarten through 12th grade (K-12). More than 95% of all participants indicated that they assess near and distance visual acuity. Other commonly assessed skills and abilities were tracking (n = 298; 95%), peripheral visual fields (n = 296; 94%), and color perception (n = 293; 93%). Approximately 50% of survey participants indicated that they use a screening tool in determining the need for an orientation and mobility (O&M) evaluation. Discussion The procedures and tools used by participants in completing FVAs varied based on the specific student being assessed. There was also considerable variation in visual skills assessed, as well as in what was included in the assessment report by the participants. Based on comments from participants, it appears that there are complex factors that influence the decision-making process regarding possible referrals for an O&M evaluation or a clinical low vision evaluation. Implications for practitioners Teachers should reflect on their own practices and procedures to determine whether they are including all pertinent information in their FVA reports, as well as explore whether they should assess additional visual skills in order to provide a rich description of how the student uses his or her vision throughout the day in a variety of environments.
NJL and QCD from String Theory

We study a configuration of D-branes in string theory that is described at low energies by a four-dimensional field theory with a dynamically broken chiral symmetry. In a certain region of the parameter space of the brane configuration the low-energy theory is a non-local generalization of the Nambu-Jona-Lasinio (NJL) model. This vector model is exactly solvable at large N_c and dynamically breaks chiral symmetry at arbitrarily weak 't Hooft coupling. At strong coupling the dynamics is determined by the low-energy theory on D-branes living in the near-horizon geometry of other branes. In a different region of parameter space the brane construction gives rise to large N_c QCD. Thus the D-brane system interpolates between NJL and QCD.
The impact of known breast cancer polygenes on critical illness insurance

Abstract Genetic studies indicate that the inherited risk of breast cancer is mediated by the well-studied major genes BRCA1 and BRCA2, and a polygenic component, probably with many genes each making a small contribution. Recently, seven polygenes have been found contributing an estimated 3.6% of all familial risk. This suggests that the polygenic component may involve well over 100 genetic loci. We extrapolate these new results into a polygenic model with 147 genetic loci and simulate lifetimes of families to calculate the premium ratings appropriate for a family history of breast or ovarian cancer. We model the adverse selection costs arising from restricting the use of genetic test information in critical illness insurance underwriting in light of new European legislation banning the use of gender for insurance underwriting. In this setting, we confirm the overall conclusion of a previous study which used a simpler model that the polygene confers higher adverse selection risk than the BRCA genes. We establish that their three-gene polygenic model does not overly inflate the insurance costs attributable to a polygenic component of breast cancer risk under a model with 147 polygenes.
DISTRIBUTION AND CHARACTERISTICS OF INFRARED DARK CLOUDS USING GENETIC FORWARD MODELLING

Infrared Dark Clouds (IRDCs) are dark clouds seen in silhouette in mid-infrared surveys. They are thought to be the birthplace of massive stars, yet remarkably little information exists on the properties of the population as a whole (e.g., mass spectrum, spatial distribution). Genetic forward modeling is used along with the Two Micron All Sky Survey and the Besançon Galactic model to deduce the three-dimensional distribution of interstellar extinction toward previously identified IRDC candidates. This derived dust distribution can then be used to determine the distance and mass of IRDCs, independently of kinematic models of the Milky Way. Along a line of sight that crosses an IRDC, the extinction is seen to rise sharply at the distance of the cloud. Assuming a dust-to-gas ratio, the total mass of the cloud can be estimated. The method has been successfully applied to 1259 IRDCs, including over 1000 for which no distance or mass estimate currently exists. The IRDCs are seen to lie preferentially along the spiral arms and in the molecular ring of the Milky Way, reinforcing the idea that they are the birthplace of massive stars. Also, their mass spectrum is seen to follow a power law with an index of −1.75 ± 0.06, steeper than giant molecular clouds (GMCs) in the inner Galaxy but comparable to clumps in GMCs. This slope suggests that the IRDCs detected using the present method are not gravitationally bound, but are rather the result of density fluctuations induced by turbulence.
Processing of Temporal Unpredictability in Human and Animal Amygdala

The amygdala has been studied extensively for its critical role in associative fear conditioning in animals and humans. Noxious stimuli, such as those used for fear conditioning, are most effective in eliciting behavioral responses and amygdala activation when experienced in an unpredictable manner. Here, we show, using a translational approach in mice and humans, that unpredictability per se without interaction with motivational information is sufficient to induce sustained neural activity in the amygdala and to elicit anxiety-like behavior. Exposing mice to mere temporal unpredictability within a time series of neutral sound pulses in an otherwise neutral sensory environment increased expression of the immediate-early gene c-fos and prevented rapid habituation of single neuron activity in the basolateral amygdala. At the behavioral level, unpredictable, but not predictable, auditory stimulation induced avoidance and anxiety-like behavior. In humans, functional magnetic resonance imaging revealed that temporal unpredictably causes sustained neural activity in amygdala and anxiety-like behavior as quantified by enhanced attention toward emotional faces. Our findings show that unpredictability per se is an important feature of the sensory environment influencing habituation of neuronal activity in amygdala and emotional behavior and indicate that regulation of amygdala habituation represents an evolutionary-conserved mechanism for adapting behavior in anticipation of temporally unpredictable events.
Medical Waste Management and Disposal Practices of Health Facilities in Kumbo East and Kumbo West Health Districts

The provision of healthcare generates waste which can be detrimental to health and the environment. Management of healthcare waste is still a challenge in developing countries as practices, capacities and policies on waste disposal are grossly inadequate and require intensification. With the growing trend of biomedical services in Kumbo Cameroon, the medical waste management practices in this area was investigated to generate data that could guide policy in planning for an effective and sustainable waste management program. A qualitative cross sectional study was conducted in 30 of the 52 health facilities in study area. Participating facilities were selected by convenience sampling and personnel by random sampling. Data was collected using questionnaires, interviews and direct field observations and results analyzed using SPSS V 17.0. P-values <0.05 were considered significant. Participants aware of the existence of a national policy guide on waste management were mostly administrators (66.7%). Only 2 (6.6%) health facilities had a copy of this document. None of the participating facilities kept records of their medical waste management practices. All participants were aware of the health risk of healthcare waste. Use of PPE varied among participants and was highest among employed waste handlers (EWH) (100%) and laboratory technicians (100%) while the lowest (69%) was among pharmacy attendants. Gloves were the most commonly used PPE. Most of the EWH (55.6%) used examination gloves which was inappropriate. Not all participants segregated or disinfected waste. Waste bins were not colour-coded and all facilities had appropriate safety boxes for sharps. In 86.7% of health facilities, waste disposal was by burning in pits located within 400 m away from the facility. These pits were not protected from scavengers. Only 4 facilities had incinerators and all did not meet the required standards, as none was equipped with a scrubber. Even after segregation at the point of generation, wastes were mixed at the point of final disposal. Waste management practices in study site did not meet standard practices. There is an urgent need for proper medical waste management in Kumbo East and Kumbo West to minimise threats to human health and the environment. Regular supervision and enforcement of policy on medical waste management is paramount. Key words: Medical waste, medical waste management, disposal, Kumbo