Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
From Kabul to the Academy: Narratives of Afghan Women's Journeys to and Through U.S. Doctoral Programs

This study explored the experiences of seven Afghan women pursuing doctoral degrees in a variety of disciplines and programs across the United States. The guiding question for this study was: What factors influence Afghan women‘s journeys to and experiences in doctoral programs? In an attempt to understand Afghan women doctoral students, I provided a historical background of Afghanistan and education in Afghanistan followed by a literature review on South Asian women, the broader category for Afghan women. Within this literature review I explored the following components: culture, gender, immigration, experiences in postsecondary education; all factors that may be influential in the journey of South Asian women in U.S. postsecondary education. Finally, a critical race feminism theoretical framework was utilized to fuse the factors affecting South Asian women in higher education and provide a theoretical guide for further research specifically investigating Afghan women in doctoral programs. Through the use of narrative inquiry, I provided an individual and collective story of the lives of seven Afghan women in U.S. doctoral programs. From these stories, four themes emerged as influential in the lives of the participants. The four themes that emerged were faith, identity, capital, and family.
An Analytic Throughput Model for TCP NewReno

This paper develops a simple and accurate stochastic model for the steady-state throughput of a TCP NewReno bulk data transfer as a function of round-trip time and loss behavior. Our model builds upon extensive prior work on TCP Reno throughput models but differs from these prior works in three key aspects. First, our model introduces an analytical characterization of the TCP NewReno fast recovery algorithm. Second, our model incorporates an accurate formulation of NewReno's timeout behavior. Third, our model is formulated using a flexible two-parameter loss model that can better represent the diverse packet loss scenarios encountered by TCP on the Internet. We validated our model by conducting a large number of simulations using the ns-2 simulator and by conducting emulation and Internet experiments using a NewReno implementation in the BSD TCP/IP protocol stack. The main findings from the experiments are: 1) the proposed model accurately predicts the steady-state throughput for TCP NewReno bulk data transfers under a wide range of network conditions; 2) TCP NewReno significantly outperforms TCP Reno in many of the scenarios considered; and 3) using existing TCP Reno models to estimate TCP NewReno throughput may introduce significant errors.
Does Knowledge on Professional Accounting Influence Career Choice?

The role of professional accountants is very important in a developing country. In Malaysia, the accounting profession is regulated under the Accountants Act 1967. Although universities are churning out thousands of accounting graduates, the number of professional accountants is still lacking. This study therefore attempts to investigate whether students’ level of knowledge on professional accounting background influences their career choice as professional accountants. Questionnaires were distributed to graduating accounting students at Universiti Teknologi MARA Terengganu. Data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results indicated that knowledge about professional accounting background is not influenced by the students’ exam grade. Results also showed a significant relationship between knowledge about professional accounting background and students career choice to become a public accountant. In conclusion, students viewed the job as a public accountant as the only career in accounting profession as opposed to others such as financial controllers, a financial analyst, or a management position. For future studies, it is recommended to have more variables and number of samples from various semesters for better and accurate result.
An HMM-Based Approach for Off-Line Unconstrained Handwritten Word Modeling and Recognition

Describes a hidden Markov model-based approach designed to recognize off-line unconstrained handwritten words for large vocabularies. After preprocessing, a word image is segmented into letters or pseudoletters and represented by two feature sequences of equal length, each consisting of an alternating sequence of shape-symbols and segmentation-symbols, which are both explicitly modeled. The word model is made up of the concatenation of appropriate letter models consisting of elementary HMMs and an HMM-based interpolation technique is used to optimally combine the two feature sets. Two rejection mechanisms are considered depending on whether or not the word image is guaranteed to belong to the lexicon. Experiments carried out on real-life data show that the proposed approach can be successfully used for handwritten word recognition.
Probing the Brain Substrates of Cognitive Processes Responsible for Context Effects on Recognition Memory

ABSTRACT Context effects on episodic recognition memory involve separable contributions of target-context binding, additive familiarity, and configural constancy. Here we examine whether these factors reflect contributions of processes attributed to different brain substrates. First, we challenged frontal and medial temporal lobe-based cognitive capacities in healthy young adults, employing divided attention tasks at encoding and retrieval, and extended retrieval delay, respectively. Target-context binding effects were specifically attenuated by delay, but not by divided attention. In a second experiment, older adults were identified by neuropsychological testing as having different levels of frontal and medial temporal lobe-dependent cognitive functions. Consistent with Experiment 1, older adults with low medial temporal lobe function exhibited reduced target-context binding effects, but levels of frontal function did not modulate binding effects. These findings indicate that unlike source memory, context effects on memory are associated with the integrity of medial temporal lobe-based processes but not with the integrity of frontal lobe-based processes. Our findings also emphasize the importance of discriminating between functional subgroups in the attempt to characterize memory processes in older adults.
Equivalent Transformations of Automata by Using Behavioural Automata

This paper uses category theory to emphasize the relationships between Mealy, Moore and Rabin-Scott automata, and the behavioural automata are used as a unifying framework. Some of the known links between Mealy, Moore and Rabin- Scott automata are translated into isomorphisms of categories, and we also show how behavioural automata connect to these automata. Considering the distinction between final and sequential behaviours of an automaton, we define a sequential version of Mealy automata and study its relationship to behavioural automata.
Seeing face-like objects: an event-related potential study

The N170 event-related potential component is larger to faces than to other objects but also varies in amplitude between non-face objects. This study investigated the hypotheses that these differences are related to the perceived face-likeness of the objects. Event-related potentials were recorded from 18 participants who classified objects as ‘face like’ or ‘non-face like’. Images of actual faces were also presented. The N170 was larger (more negative) to objects classified as face like than to those classified as non-face like. These data suggest that the amplitude of the N170 to objects is affected by the face-likeness of the objects.
Stability of multi-source droop-controlled Electrical Power System for more-electric aircraft

The paper deals with the stability of DC Electrical Power System (EPS) with paralleled sources for More Electric Aircraft (MEA). It is known that in presence of tightly controlled power-electronic driven loads the EPS bus capacitances and cable impedances have a significant effect on the system stability boundaries. The paper investigates these boundaries for one of the major paradigms for future MEA EPS that assumes multiple sources feeding into the single main bus. The power sharing between the sources is achieved by implementing droop control. The paper considers possible droop strategies, derives corresponding reduced-order models and applies the impedance criteria to derive EPS stability margins. For the case system considered, the root contours were employed to derive the bus capacitor values to ensure EPS stable operation. The derived stability margins are verified through time-domain simulations.
Comparing and Evaluating Layout Algorithms within GraphEd

Abstract Graph drawing and layout algorithms are gaining growing interest and importance for the visualization of complex data structures. But, despite many algorithms and concepts, there is no satisfactory solution to the central problem of the criteria for good and readable layouts. We approach this problem and evaluate layout algorithms by comparing their effect on a large set of sample graphs. In each run we compute statistical data which is collected and evaluated. Our experiments show that traditional layout criteria, such as minimal area or maximal edge length or straight line edges, are not as important as they may appear. Balance is often better than optimization, and displaying the intended and inherited structure of a graph is often more important than these formal cost criteria.
Role of Investment Shocks in Explaining Business Cycles in Turkey

This paper aims to understand the role of investment shocks in explaining output fluctuations observed in Turkish economy. For this purpose a small open economy DSGE model is estimated on Turkish data for 2002:1-2012:2 period by Bayesian methods. Variance decomposition analysis shows that permanent technology shock is the key driving force of business cycles in Turkish economy and the role of investment shock is less spelled.
Exploring the Nature of Teacher Professionalism in an Era of High-Stakes Accountability

Author(s): Dela Victoria, Leigh McNeill | Advisor(s): Wills, John | Abstract: According to existing research, teacher professionalism has been severely compromised during this most recent era of high stakes accountability in education. Studies have shown a significant lack of teacher autonomy regarding curricular and instructional decision-making, leading researchers and those in education to question the current status and nature of teacher professionalism. To investigate the current state of teacher professionalism in elementary education I conducted a qualitative case study in two elementary schools with vastly different achievement levels and varying degrees of teacher experience. Data included observations of teaching in classrooms, observations of staff meetings and grade level meetings, interviews with teachers, interviews with administrators and collection of documents, such as curriculum and assessment data. Findings indicate that micro-level contextual factors such as physical and cultural environments, student achievement levels, role of administration, and teacher experience, to be central in determining the nature of professionalism at each school. Additionally, conceptualizations of professionalism did not always dictate nor even translate into teacher practice at each site. While findings from previous studies suggest that teacher professionalism and practice are strongly influenced by macro-level educational decision-making, this research demonstrates the importance of attending to site level factors in shaping conceptualizations of professionalism and teachers' professional practice.
Mid-IR emission of galaxies in the Virgo cluster III. The data

We present ISOCAM imaging data at 6.75 and 15 μ m for 145 galaxies in the Virgo cluster and in the Coma/A1367 supercluster. Of these, 99 form a complete, optically-selected, volume-limited sample including galaxies in the core and in the periphery of the Virgo cluster, suitable for statistical analysis. 34 of the Virgo galaxies were resolved by ISOCAM: for these objects we present mid-IR images, radial light and colour profiles, as well as effective and isophotal radii, surface brightness and light concentration indices. The mid-IR colours of the target galaxies show a weak trend with the H band luminosity, with values of F (6.75 μ m)/ F (15 μ m) ≥ 1 found generally in massive objects ($L_H\ge 10^{10}$ $L_{H\odot}$), and F (6.75 μ m)/ F (15 μ m) ≤ 1 in low-mass ( L H ≤ 10 10 $L_{H\odot}$) dwarf galaxies. All early-type galaxies (type ≤ S0a) have F (6.75 μ m)/ F (15 μ m) ≥ 1, as expected when the mid-IR emission is dominated by the photosphere of the cold stellar population. The mid-IR, near-IR and visible light concentration indices of bright galaxies are tightly correlated with one another, indicating that the spatial distribution of the mid-IR emitting sources is, to the first order, similar to that of the stars.
European Conference on Information Systems ( ECIS ) 10-6-2011 THE EVOLUTION OF PROCESS MODELS IN IS RESEARCH : FROM A PUNCTUATED SOCIAL PROCESS MODEL TO A SOCIO-TECHNICAL PROCESS MODEL

The implementation of information technology and its association with organizational change has been an important theme in the Information Systems (IS) literature over the past 30 years. The progression of variance and process theories provide an in-depth overview of the emergence of richer accounts of IS change. In this paper we chronicle the evolution of process models and related theory. We also show how the application of process thinking in IS research has improved our understanding of complex IS change. These models depict more faithfully actors’ lived experiences and preserve the details and essential effects of critical events. An emerging benefit the process models is the capability to identify common patterns in a project’s evolutionary trajectory.
Faktor-Faktor Yang Mempengaruhi Minat Mahasiswa Akuntansi Dalam Pemilihan Karir Sebagai Akuntan Publik

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk meguji secara empiris Pengaruh Penghargaan Finansial terhadap minat mahasiswa akuntansi dalam pemilihan karir sebagai akuntan public, Pengaruh Pertimbangan Pasar Kerja terhadap minat mahasiswa akuntansi dalam pemilihan karir sebagai akuntan public, Pengaruh Lingkungan Keluarga terhadap minat mahasiswa akuntansi dalam pemilihan karir sebagai akuntan public, Pengaruh Personalitas terhadap minat mahasiswa akuntansi dalam pemilihan karir sebagai akuntan public, Pengaruh Pengakuan Professional terhadap minat mahasiswa akuntansi dalam pemilihan karir sebagai akuntan public, Pengaruh Lingkungan Kerja terhadap minat mahasiswa akuntansi dalam pemilihan karir sebagai akuntan public. Penelitian ini termasuk kedalam jenis penelitian kuantitatif dengan metode purposive sampling. Sampel penelitian ini sebanyak 129 mahasiswa S1 Akuntansi Universitas Serang Raya. Instrument penelitian ini berupa kuesioner dengan menggunakan skala likert. Metode analisis data dilakukan dengan menggunakan bantuan program spss (Statisticial Package For social Science). Alat analisis yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini yaitu analisis regensi berganda. Hasil penelitian diperoleh bahwa Penghargaan Finansial, Pertimbangan Pasar Kerja, Lingkungan Keluarga, Personalitas, Pengakuan Profesional dan Lingkungan Kerja berpengaruh signifikan terhadap Minat mahasiswa dalam pemilihan karir sebagai akuntan public.
Parent and Teacher Ratings of Attention-deficit/hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms: Factor Structure and Normative Data

Comprehensive assessment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms includes parent and teacher questionnaires. The ADHD Rating Scale–5 was developed to incorporate changes for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.; DSM–5; American Psychiatric Association , 2013). This study examined the fit of a correlated, 2-factor structure of ADHD (i.e., DSM–5 conceptual model) and alternative models; determined whether ADHD symptom ratings varied across teacher and child demographic characteristics; and presented normative data. Two samples were included: (a) 2,079 parents and guardians (1,131 female, 948 male) completed ADHD symptom ratings attended kindergarten through 12th grade. The 2-factor structure was confirmed for both parent and teacher ratings and was invariant across child gender, age, informant, informant gender, and language. In general, boys were higher in symptom frequency than girls; older children were rated lower than younger children, especially for hyperactivity–impulsivity; and non-Hispanic children were rated higher than Hispanic children. Teachers also rated non-Hispanic African American children higher than non-Hispanic White, Asian, and Hispanic children. Non-Hispanic White teachers provided lower hyperactivity–impulsivity ratings than non-Hispanic, African American, and Hispanic teachers. Norma-tive data are reported separately for parent and teacher ratings by child gender and age. The merits of using the ADHD Rating Scale–5 in a multimodal assessment protocol are discussed. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurode-velopmental disorder that involves exhibition of developmentally inappropriate levels of inattention (IA) and/or hyperactivity– impulsivity (HI; American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013). Epidemiological studies consistently indicate that approximately 5% of children and adolescents worldwide have ADHD (Polanc-zyk, de Lima, Horta, Biederman, & Rohde, 2007), with an even greater percentage (11%) of children in the United States having received the diagnosis (based on parent report) from community practitioners (Visser et al., 2014). ADHD symptoms begin during childhood; continue across the life span for most individuals; and are associated with significant impairment in academic, social, emotional, and/or occupational functioning (APA, 2013; Barkley, 2015). Thus, measures that can screen for and assess symptoms and related impairment are critical for successful treatment of this disorder. Robert Reid have a financial interest in the ADHD Rating Scale–5, which was used in this study to assess parent and teacher ratings of ADHD symptoms.
Folic Acid Supplementation in Pregnancy and the Risk of Pre-Eclampsia—A Cohort Study

This prospective cohort study designed to assess the effect of folic acid supplementation in pregnancy on the risk of preeclampsia (PE) took place in Ottawa, ON and Kingston, ON, Canada, from September 1, 2002 to August 31, 2008. Pregnant women, less than 20 weeks gestational age were recruited and delivered in the Ottawa region and the Kingston General Hospital. Demographic characteristics of the study participants and the patterns of supplementation of folic acid were described and occurrence of PE between women with folic acid supplementation during pregnancy and women without were compared. Multiple logistic regression was used in the estimation of the independent effect of supplementation of folic acid. Additional analyses assessing the effect of low RBC and serum folate and dose-response relationship were performed. Analyses were performed in all study participants, and then in high risk and low risk sub-groups, respectively. A total of 7,669 participants were included in the final analysis. Ninety five percent of the study participants were taking folic acid supplementation in early second trimester. The rate of PE was lower in the supplementation group than in the no supplementation group, and the difference was statistically significant in high risk women. Similar patterns of associations were observed in analysis by RBC and serum folate levels and in dose-response analysis. Folic acid supplementation in pregnancy may reduce PE risk in pregnant women, especially in those women with increased risk of developing PE.
Increased language co-activation leads to enhanced cross-linguistic phonetic convergence

Purpose: This study investigates the effects of bilingual language modes (or settings) on the speech production patterns of a group of early Catalan/Spanish bilinguals from Majorca, Spain. Our main research question was as follows: are bilingual speech patterns modulated by the level of (co-)activation of a bilingual’s two languages? Design: Bilingual participants were classified as a function of their linguistic experience (or dominance), from Catalan- to Spanish-dominant. Subsequently, we recorded their speech in two experimental settings: a unilingual setting in which only Catalan words were uttered, and a bilingual setting in which both Catalan and Spanish words (cognates) were produced in random order. Data and analysis: The study examined the acoustic realization of Spanish and Catalan unstressed /a/, which surfaces as [a] in Spanish but is reduced to schwa, [ə], in Catalan. The acoustic characteristics of unstressed /a/ were explored across the two languages and the two experimental settings. Findings: Catalan unstressed /a/, which was similarly reduced to schwa in the speech of all participants, became slightly more similar to Spanish unstressed /a/ (i.e., it had a higher first formant) when produced alongside Spanish words (bilingual setting) than when produced in a Catalan unilingual setting. There were no effects of linguistic experience, and the effects of setting did not interact with experience. Originality: Very few studies have reported the effects of dynamic cross-linguistic interference in phonetic production, and even fewer have reported them with a phonetic variable resulting from a language-specific phonological process (unstressed vowel reduction) rather than a phonemic contrast. Implications: These findings suggest that cross-linguistic interaction is dynamic and modulated by language activation, and that an absence of dominance effects does not necessarily entail an absence of online cross-linguistic phonetic influence.
Credit Conditions and Recoveries from Recessions Associated with Financial Crises

Recoveries from recessions associated with a financial crisis tend to be sluggish. In this paper, we present evidence that stressed credit conditions are an important factor constraining the pace of recovery. In particular, using industry-level data, we find that industries relying more on external finance grow more slowly than other industries during recoveries from recessions associated with financial crises. Additional tests, based on establishment size, on alternative definitions of financial crises, and on corporate-government interest rate spreads, support the findings. Moreover, for subsets of industries where financial frictions are more severe, we find much stronger differential growth effects.
Phylogenetic relationships in the family Alloherpesviridae

Phylogenetic relationships among herpesviruses (HVs) of mammals, birds, and reptiles have been studied extensively, whereas those among other HVs are relatively unexplored. We have reconstructed the phylogenetic relationships among 13 fish and amphibian HVs using maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses of amino acid sequences predicted from parts of the DNA polymerase and terminase genes. The relationships among 6 of these viruses were confirmed using the partial DNA polymerase data plus the complete sequences of the terminase, helicase, and triplex protein genes; the position of these viruses among all other sequenced HVs was also investigated using the complete terminase gene. The results established the monophyly of the fish and amphibian HVs (Alloherpesviridae) separate from the HVs of mammals, birds, and reptiles (Herpesviridae) and the single recognized HV of bivalve mollusks (Malacoherpesviridae) in the order Herpesvirales. Two major clades in the family Alloherpesviridae were recognized: one consisting of viruses from cyprinid and anguillid hosts and the other of viruses from ictalurid, salmonid, acipenserid, and ranid hosts. A comparison of virus and host phylogenies suggested that closely related HVs in this family may have coevolved with their hosts, whereas significant codiversification was not apparent for the more distantly related viruses.