Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gender Differences in Mathematics Performance in Trinidad and Tobago: Examining ‎Affective Factors

This study investigates gender differences in performance on the mathematics component on the Standard 3 National Assessment in Trinidad and Tobago. Of interest is whether there is a relationship between attitudinal differences regarding mathematics and student beliefs in their mathematical abilities and student gender classification. Results indicate that whereas girls performed better than boys on all categories and all skill areas on the test, the effect sizes were small. The results of a MANOVA with follow-up descriptive discriminant analysis also indicate that while boys and girls did not differ with regard to the perception of the school environment, educational values and goals, and general academic self-concept, they differ significantly on the persistence and mathematics self-concept factors. Girls tend to persist more, but hold lower mathematics self-concept than boys.
Program Development for Primary School Teachers' Critical Thinking.

The objectives of this research were: 1) to study the elements and indicators of primary school teachers’ critical thinking, 2) to study current situation, desirable situation, development technique, and need for developing the primary school teachers’ critical thinking, 3) to develop the program for developing the primary school teachers’ critical thinking, and 4) to study the findings of usage in development program for primary school teachers’ critical thinking by using Research and Development. The samples were 384 primary school teachers, and 34 volunteered teachers to participate in development by using questionnaire, evaluation form, and tests. The statistic using for data analysis included the percentage, mean, standard deviation, modified priority needs index (PNI modified ), and t-test. The research findings found that: 1) the elements and indicators of primary school teachers’ critical thinking consisted of 3 elements and 12 indicators of critical thinking ability, and 6 elements and 24 indicators of critical thinking disposition, 2) the current situation of primary school teachers’ critical thinking was in “High” level, for desirable situation, it was in “The Highest” level, 3) the development program, consisted of: the principles, objectives, contents, and development activities included 4 Parts, Part 1: the readiness preparation, Part 2: training, Part 3: integration with work practice, and Part 4: posttest, and measurement and evaluation. 4. The posttest score was significantly higher than the pretest score at . 01 level.
Determination of pathological clonus characteristics using a haptic ankle manipulator

Clonus is a self sustained oscillatory movement of the extremities often seen after lesions of the central nervous system. There is still controversy about the origin of clonus whether it is i) an autonomous pacemaker-like oscillator, ii) a reflexive mediated feedback property or iii) a combination of both. With the use of a haptic robot we were able to initiate clonus in patients (n=7). We would conclude the underlying mechanism to be autonomous when the frequency of movement would not change with additional external damping and inertia. Results however showed distinct changes in frequency of movement, varying the peripheral conditions. Furthermore, when the clonus was suddenly stopped by a controlled increase of a huge external damper, clear bursting was observed in the triceps EMG while there was no rotation of the ankle. In conclusion, i) clonus is initiated by spinal reflexes (probably la or lb afferents), ii) also during clonus the same spinal reflexes are likely to contribute to the maintenance of ankle rotation and iii) the after bursting directs to self sustained firing of neural circuitry. These conclusions implicate the existence of a reflexive controlled oscillator. Future research will be performed using detailed model simulations to test different gains between reflexive feedback and neural oscillations, e.g. from the alpha - motorneurons.
The expiration reflex from the trachea and bronchi

The expiration reflex (ER) is a forced expiratory effort against a closed glottis that subsequently opens to eject laryngeal debris and prevent aspiration of material. It is distinct from the cough reflex. Its source is usually assumed to be restricted to the larynx and vocal folds, and its possible origin from the tracheobronchial (TB) tree has been suggested but never studied. The current authors re-analysed previous records with mechanical or chemical stimulation of the TB tree to see if an ER can consistently be elicited, and to see whether it has properties similar to that from the larynx and vocal folds. A random review was made of some of the extensive literature on TB “cough” to see if it confirmed the authors’ conclusions. The TBER was consistently seen in cats and rabbits, either alone or followed by cough. These results are consistent with many studies in other species, including humans. It was enhanced, relative to cough, by inflation of the lungs and by general anaesthesia. Tracheobronchial expiration reflex occurs frequently with mechanical stimulation of the tracheobronchial tree. It differs fundamentally from many of the properties of “true” cough. Its features similar to the laryngeal expiration reflex suggest that both should be labelled “expiration reflexes” and not cough. Its existence should be taken into account in experimental, and possibly clinical, studies on tracheobronchial cough.
The Quality of Romantic Relationships in Late Adolescence: Associations with Parental Conflict and Adolescent Attachment.

EVANS, RAVEN LASHAUN. The Quality of Romantic Relationships in Late Adolescence: Associations with Parental Conflict and Adolescent Attachment Security. (Under the direction of Dr. Mary Haskett.) Romantic relationships play a key role in the lives of adolescents. Dating experiences and quality of romantic relationships have been found to be strong predictors of academic, social, and emotional adjustment of adolescents; therefore, it is important to understand factors that contribute to the quality of these relationships. Extant research, albeit limited in quantity and scope, indicates that witnessing interparental conflict can have a negative impact on adolescents’ relationships with peers and romantic partners. Although research on mechanisms that explain the link between interparental conflict and adolescent’s relationship quality is limited, there is some evidence that adolescents’ attachment to parents might mediate that link. Thus, it was hypothesized that quality of late adolescents’ romantic relationships would be predicted by the level of conflict witnessed between their parents and that adolescents’ attachment to their mothers would mediate that relation. In addition, the role of adolescent gender as a moderator of the association between attachment and quality of romantic relationships was explored. A total of 210 college students (ages 18-19) completed self-report questionnaires regarding conflict strategies witnessed in the home during the previous three years, maternal attachment, and perceptions of social support and negative interchanges in their most recent romantic relationship. Analyses to test the hypothesized mediation model were conducted using regression procedures recommended by Baron and Kenny (1986) and the bootstrapping approach suggested by Preacher and Hayes (2008). Results indicated that witnessed interparental conflict did not predict quality of romantic relationships in late adolescence and maternal attachment was not found to play a significant mediating role. Further, gender did not moderate the link between attachment and quality of romantic relationships. Results are discussed in terms of potential explanations for the failure to find support for hypotheses and directions for future research are provided. The Quality of Romantic Relationships in Late Adolescence: Associations with Parental Conflict and Adolescent Attachment Security by Raven Lashaun Evans A dissertation submitted to the Graduate Faculty of North Carolina State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy
Motivic integration and projective bundle theorem in morphic cohomology

Abstract We reformulate the construction of Kontsevich's completion and use Lawson homology to define many new motivic invariants. We show that the dimensions of subspaces generated by algebraic cycles of the cohomology groups of two K-equivalent varieties are the same, which implies that several conjectures of algebraic cycles are K-statements. We define stringy functions which enable us to ask stringy Grothendieck standard conjecture and stringy Hodge conjecture. We prove a projective bundle theorem in morphic cohomology for trivial bundles over any normal quasi-projective varieties.
Insulin Like Growth Factor 2 Expression in the Rat Brain Both in Basal Condition and following Learning Predominantly Derives from the Maternal Allele

Insulin like growth factor 2 (Igf2) is known as a maternally imprinted gene involved in growth and development. Recently, Igf2 was found to also be regulated and required in the adult rat hippocampus for long-term memory formation, raising the question of its allelic regulation in adult brain regions following experience and in cognitive processes. We show that, in adult rats, Igf2 is abundantly expressed in brain regions involved in cognitive functions, like hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, compared to the peripheral tissues. In contrast to its maternal imprinting in peripheral tissues, Igf2 is mainly expressed from the maternal allele in these brain regions. The training-dependent increase in Igf2 expression derives proportionally from both parental alleles, and, hence, is mostly maternal. Thus, Igf2 parental expression in the adult rat brain does not follow the imprinting rules found in peripheral tissues, suggesting differential expression regulation and functions of imprinted genes in the brain.
Asymptotic Analysis of Spatially Correlated MIMO Multiple-Access Channels With Arbitrary Signaling Inputs for Joint and Separate Decoding

While the capacity of a single-user, point-to-point, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) channel has been well known, the achievable capacity of a MIMO channel in the presence of other co-channel users is much less understood. One such important scenario is the multiple-access (MA) channel where communication occurs from many uncoordinated mobile users to a common base station receiver (i.e., multipoint-to-point). Unlike previous studies whose emphases were on the idealized spatially uncorrelated channels with Gaussian signaling inputs from users, this paper derives a general analytical expression for the asymptotic (in the sense of large-system limit) sum-rate of a MIMO-MA system where the transmitters and the receiver can have different spatial correlations, and the users' inputs are not necessarily Gaussian. In addition to the sum-rate formula that assumes optimal joint decoding at the base station, we also derive the asymptotic sum-rate of a more practical system which performs separate decoding (multiuser detection followed by a bank of temporal error-correction decoders). Our analytic formulae are important in that they reveal the sum-rate one's system can achieve given the spatial correlation structures at the transmitters and receiver, and the input signal distributions. For special cases that users are homogeneous or users have Gaussian inputs, our results degenerate to previously published results. Furthermore, through computer simulations, we see that the proposed asymptotic solution gives good estimates for the ergodic sum-rate of the systems even with only a few antenna elements at each transmitter and receiver
Data Clustering with Cluster Size Constraints Using a Modified K-Means Algorithm

Data clustering is a frequently used technique in finance, computer science, and engineering. In most of the applications, cluster sizes are either constrained to particular values or available as prior knowledge. Unfortunately, traditional clustering methods cannot impose constrains on cluster sizes. In this paper, we propose some vital modifications to the standard k-means algorithm such that it can incorporate size constraints for each cluster separately. The modified k-means algorithm can be used to obtain clusters in preferred sizes. A potential application would be obtaining clusters with equal cluster size. Moreover, the modified algorithm makes use of prior knowledge of the given data set for selectively initializing the cluster centroids which helps escaping from local minima. Simulation results on multidimensional data demonstrate that the k-means algorithm with the proposed modifications can fulfill cluster size constraints and lead to more accurate and robust results.
An efficient admission control method of real-time multicast connections in wide area networks

There are two major difficulties in real-time multicast connection setup. One is the design of an efficient distributed routing algorithm which optimizes the network cost of routing trees under the real-time constraints. The other is the integration of routing with admission control into one single phase of operations. This paper presents a real-time multicast connection setup mechanism, which integrates multicast routing with real-time admission control. The proposed mechanism performs the real-time admission tests on a COT (cost optimal tree) and a SPT (shortest path tree) in parallel, aiming at optimizing network cost of the routing tree under real-time constraints. It has the following important features: (1) it is fully distributed; (2) it achieves sub-optimal network cost of routing trees; (3) it takes less time and less network messages for a connection setup.
Dissociation of Bimanual Responses With the Simon Effect: On the Nonunitization of Bimanual Responses

The authors examined whether responses of the 2 hands were completely unitized when participants (N = 36) produced bimanual responses to lateralized targets in a Simon-type paradigm. Their primary aim was to investigate whether lateralized stimuli differentially influence the response dynamics of the 2 hands. Simon effects were obtained in reaction time and force; components of the bimanual response by the hand on the same side as the lateralized stimulus were more forceful than were those of the other hand. Also, Simon effects were larger when the lateralized target appeared alone than when it was accompanied by a distractor on the other side of the display. Finally, responses of the 2 hands were correlated most strongly when stimulus displays were symmetrical. The authors conclude that bimanual responses are strongly coupled, but not perfectly so.
Attachment and shame-coping style: A relationship mediated by fear of compassion?

Theorists have proposed that shame is a predominant emotion presented in psychotherapy. Research has focused on shame proneness; less is known about how one copes with shame. Research suggests the best antidotes for shame are receptiveness to compassion from others and the ability to be self-compassionate. However, studies have demonstrated that some individuals fear compassion; perhaps they anticipate deception or feel they are unworthy of compassion. This study examined the association between adult attachment (i.e., attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance) and shame-coping style. Fear of compassion from others (FoC-FromOthers) and fear of compassion for self (FoC-ForSelf) were conceptualized as mediators between the attachment dimensions and shame-coping styles. Males and females were analyzed separately. Factor analysis revealed a three factor structure for shame-coping style (i.e., withdrawal/attack self, avoidance, and attack other). For men and women, attachment anxiety was a significant predictor of all three shamecoping styles; attachment avoidance was a significant predictor for shame-coping styles withdrawal/attack self and attack other, but not shame-coping style avoidance. For men, FoC-FromOthers partially mediated the relationship between attachment anxiety and shamecoping styles withdrawal/attack self and attack other; it partially mediated the relationship between attachment avoidance and withdrawal/attack self. For women, FoC-FromOthers
A New Feasible Approach to Natural Language Database Query

A truly natural language interface to databases also needs to be practical for actual implementation. We developed a new feasible approach to solve the problem and tested it successfully in a laboratory environment. The new result is based on metadata search, where the metadata grow in largely linear manner and the search is linguistics-free (allowing for grammatically incorrect and incomplete input). A new class of reference dictionary integrates four types of enterprise metadata: enterprise information models, database values, user-words, and query cases. The layered and scalable information models allow user-words to stay in original forms as users articulated them, as opposed to relying on permutations of individual words contained in the original query. A graphical representation method turns the dictionary into searchable graphs representing all possible interpretations of the input. A branch-and-bound algorithm then identifies optimal interpretations, which lead to SQL implementation of the original queries. Query cases enhance both the metadata and the search of metadata, as well as providing casebased reasoning to directly answer the queries. This design assures feasible solutions at the termination of the search, even when the search is incomplete (i.e., the results contain the correct answer to the original query). The necessary condition is that the text input contains at least one entry in the reference dictionary. The sufficient condition is that the text input contains a set of entries corresponding to a complete, correct single SQL query. Laboratory testing shows that the system obtained accurate results for most cases that satisfied only the necessary condition.
Repeatability of Metabolically Active Volume Measurements with 18F-FDG and 18F-FLT PET in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer

In addition to tumor size measurements with CT, there is a need for quantitative measurements of metabolic active volumes, possibly adding to tracer uptake measurements in oncologic response evaluation with PET. The aim of this study was to evaluate the metabolic volume test–retest variability in 18F-FDG and 3′-deoxy-3′-18F-fluorothymidine (18F-FLT) PET studies for various commonly used volumes of interest (VOIs) and the dependence of that variability on lesion size and relative radiotracer uptake. Methods: Twenty non–small cell lung cancer patients were scanned twice with 18F-FDG (n = 11) or 18F-FLT (n = 9). VOIs were defined on images reconstructed with normalization- and attenuation-weighted ordered-subset expectation maximization using 4 isocontours (A41%, A50%, and A70% thresholds, adapted for local background, and 50% threshold, uncorrected for background). Statistical analysis comprised intraclass correlation coefficients and Bland–Altman analysis. Results: In the 18F-FDG and 18F-FLT groups, 34 and 20 lesions, respectively, were analyzed. Median volumes at the A50% threshold were 3.31 and 2.19 mL (interquartile range, 1.91–8.90 and 1.52–7.27 mL) for 18F-FDG and 18F-FLT, respectively. Intraclass correlation coefficients were greater than 0.9, with the exception of the A70%-based metabolic volumes for 18F-FLT. For lesions greater than 4.2 mL, repeatability coefficients (RCs = 1.96 × SD) of the percentage difference ranged from 22% to 37% for 18F-FDG and from 39% to 73% for 18F-FLT, depending on the VOI method being used. Repeatability was better for larger tumors, but there was no dependence on absolute uptake (standardized uptake value). Conclusion: Results indicate that changes of greater than 37% for 18F-FDG and greater than 73% for 18F-FLT (1.96 × SD) for lesions with A50% metabolic volumes greater than 4.2 mL represent a biologic effect. For smaller lesions (A50% VOI < 4.2 mL), an absolute change of 1.0 and 0.9 mL for 18F-FDG and 18F-FLT, respectively, is biologically relevant. Considering the balance between the success rate of automatic tumor delineation and repeatability of metabolic volume, a 50% threshold with correction for local background activity (A50%) seems optimal among the VOI methods evaluated.
Single feature-based non-convulsive epileptic seizure detection using multi-class SVM

Epileptic seizures are abnormal, excessive, synchronous and unprovoked neural activity occuring in the brain affecting 2% of the world population. Epileptic patients mostly generates interictal EEG which on accurate detection provides vital information for epileptic seizure prediction. Nonconvulsive epilepsy, most commonly occuring epilepsy, results in continuous seizing of brain and the patient becomes unresponsive during the episode. This type of epileptic seizures show minimal symptoms and are often under-diagnosed resulting in late treatment. A multi level classification (epileptic, interictal and normal) providing interictal information in addition to normal and epileptic informations proves to be highly useful to Neurologists in the prediction and diagnosis of nonconvulsive epileptic seizures. An automated multilevel SVM based nonconvulsive epileptic seizure detection method utilizing a single feature vector (enabling fast classification) calculated from the fifth detail wavelet coefficients of the given EEG data is proposed here. Case study on different features like energy, mean energy, entropy, mean cross correlation, mean curve length, coefficient of variation, interquartile range and median absolute deviation yielded an optimum single feature. Energy, entropy, interquartile range and median absolute deviation were effective (above 95% accuracy) for the multi-level classification of EEG data with interquartile range being optimum feature with 99.96% accuracy and very low runtime of less than six seconds.
ROSAT ALL-SKY SURVEY MAP OF THE CYGNUS LOOP : OVERALL STRUCTURE AND COMPARISON WITH RADIO MAP

Abstract. The Cygnus Loop is one of the largest and nearestsupernova remnants. It was observed by the PSPC detector ofthe Rontgen-Satellite ROSAT during the survey phase of the¨ROSAT mission. This has resulted in the highest–sensitivitycomplete x-ray image of the Cygnus Loop. It also has the highspatial resolution of one arcmin and contains spectral informa-tion. It is thus the best map of the Cygnus Loop for studyingthe overall spatial and spectral structure of its x-ray emission.The Cygnus Loop shows x-ray emission from a more exten-sive region than previously appreciated, including the south“blowout” region and a newly detected west “bubble”. Signiﬁ-cant ﬁne scale spectral variations are detected. The structure ofthe Cygnus Loop in x-rays is compared to the radio structure re-cently observed at 1420 MHz with one arcmin resolution usingthe synthesis telescope of the Dominion Radio AstrophysicalObservatory.Key words: shock waves – ISM: Cygnus Loop – ISM: super-nova remnants – X-rays: ISM1. IntroductionThe Cygnus Loop is a well-studied large (3