Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Family-based approach to the child welfare system: an integration of Bowen family theory concepts

ABSTRACT The purpose of this article is to apply Bowen family systems theory to work with families involved in the child welfare system. An overview of family systems theory is provided, and then specific tenets of Bowen family systems theory are presented. The authors highlight incidents within the child welfare setting that can be conceptualized through Bowen family therapy terms and concepts. A case study is used to highlight how this theory could be applied in practice. Furthermore, recommendations for child welfare practice and policy implications are discussed, utilizing the lens of a Bowenian family systems approach.
FPGA Based Implementation of MSOVA for CDMA2000 Turbo Decoder

Soft output Viterbi algorithm (SOVA) and max-log-maximum a posteriori (Max-Log-MAP) are used for turbo codes decoding. SOVA is considered a simple way of implementation with higher throughput in comparison to the Max-Log-MAP, while the later is still superior from decoding performance point of view. A modified SOVA (MSOVA) was theoretically proven to be equivalent to Max-Log-MAP. In this paper a HW implementation for CDMA2000 turbo decoder using MSOVA is presented. This implementation is based on the MSOVA, using Xilinx Virtex 2 pro FPGA. The implementation was shown to have higher throughput and lower latency than a commercial decoder
Analysis and design of a three-section transmission-line transformer

A three-section transmission-line transformer for matching three arbitrary frequencies and an arbitrary load is proposed. In this paper, the design parameters of the proposed transmission line are analyzed based on an ideal transmission-line circuit model. A design procedure and some simple design equations are derived. The validity of the results is proven by numerous results from analysis, simulation, and experiment.
Exosomes mediate LTB4 release during neutrophil chemotaxis

Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) is secreted by chemotactic neutrophils, forming a secondary gradient that amplifies the reach of primary chemoattractants. This strategy increases the recruitment range for neutrophils and is important during inflammation. Here, we show that LTB4 and its synthesizing enzymes localize to intracellular multivesicular bodies, which, upon stimulation, release their content as exosomes. Purified exosomes can activate resting neutrophils and elicit chemotactic activity in an LTB4 receptor-dependent manner. Inhibition of exosome release leads to loss of directional motility with concomitant loss of LTB4 release. Our findings establish that the exosomal pool of LTB4 acts in an autocrine fashion to sensitize neutrophils towards the primary chemoattractant, and in a paracrine fashion to mediate the recruitment of neighboring neutrophils in trans. We envision that this mechanism is used by other signals to foster communication between cells in harsh extracellular environments.
Critical thinking practices in teacher education programmes: a systematic review

ABSTRACT Promoting students’ critical thinking is an important task of Teacher Education. This is a review paper of 39 research papers regarding the critical thinking practices that are utilised in Teacher Education programmes, including instructional approaches and strategies, ways of assessment, their results, and the factors that affect their success. Both the description and the results of the studies, as well as researchers’ interpretations/discussion of their findings, are content analysed based on the construction of an analysis chart. A critical analysis of the characteristics of interventions according to the results and researchers’ opinions shows that a variety of factors affect their success. Thus, the personal (i.e. students’ learning style and motivation), methodological (i.e. methods, tools, duration, feedback), and contextual (i.e. classroom climate, supportive initiatives) features of the intervention are important for effective CT instruction and the improvement of student teachers’ CT skills and dispositions.
Cosmological Constraints from the Virial Mass Function of Nearby Galaxy Groups and Clusters

In this thesis, I present a new determination of the cluster mass function in a volume 107 h -3 Mpc3 using the ROSAT-2MASS-FAST Group Survey (R2FGS). R2FGS is an X-ray-selected sample of systems from the ROSAT All-Sky Survey in the region 6 > 0' and 0.01 < z < 0.06, with target galaxies for each system compiled from the Two Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS). The sample is designed to focus on lowmass groups and clusters, so as to break a degeneracy between the cosmological parameters m, and os. In addition, R2FGS covers a very large area of sky (, 4.13 ster.), which is necessary given the low redshift limit of the survey. I acquire optical redshifts for the target galaxies in R2FGS from the literature and from new data collected with the FAST spectrograph on Mt. Hopkins. After removing foreground and background galaxies (interlopers) using a dynamical maximum-velocity criterion, I estimate the group and cluster masses using the full virial theorem, and subsequently verify the results using the projected mass estimator. I briefly investigate the up Lx and M Lx scaling relations, as well as the halo occupation function. Due to interloper issues with some of the systems, I apply a luminosity-dependent correction to the virial masses, and subsequently use these masses to compute the virial mass function of the sample. By comparing this mass function to predictions from various cosmological models, I constrain the parameters •,m and 8s. I find Qm = 0.26 +0.07 and U8 = 1.02 +3; the R2FGS value for Qm agrees very well with the recent FiveYear WMAP (WMAP5) result, although the R2FGS value for as is somewhat larger than that found by WMAP5. Future work will include an expansion of the survey to 6> -200 and z < 0.04, which will greatly increase its degeneracy-breaking power. Thesis Supervisor: Claude R. Canizares Title: Professor of Physics Thesis Supervisor: Dr. Kenneth J. Rines Title: Astronomer, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
A technique for image quality assessment based on a human visual system model

This paper describes an objective quality measure for compressed pictures based on a model of the human visual system (HVS). The structure of natural images and of the coding errors introduced by compression schemes is taken into consideration when determining appropriate HVS parameters. Higher level perceptual factors are also taken into account through the use of Importance Maps. This allows a weighting of the visible errors, since errors occurring in regions of high visual importance have a greater effect on our overall perception of picture quality than those in lower importance regions. The results show the improved predictions achieved by this technique, in particular for images coded with spatially varying quality.
New mechanism of membrane fusion

We have carried out Monte Carlo simulation of the fusion of bilayers of single chain amphiphiles which show phase behavior similar to that of biological lipids. The fusion mechanism we observe is very different from the “stalk” hypothesis. Stalks do form on the first stage of fusion, but they do not grow radially to form a single bilayer diaphragm. Instead, stalk formation destabilizes the membranes and results in hole formation in the vicinity of the stalks. When holes in each bilayer nucleate spontaneously next to the same stalk, an incomplete fusion pore is formed. The fusion process is completed by propagation of the initial connection, the stalk, along the edges of the aligned holes.
The modified Riccati equation in target tracking: some recent results

Some recent results on the modified Riccati equation are studied in this paper. This modified Riccati equation has already been associated with tracking a target under measurement uncertainty. We consider the special case of tracking a target without clutter, but with a probability of detection of less than one. This special case has received quite some attention recently, especially in relationship with Cramer Rao bounds, or equivalently expected performance. Furthermore, in some other recent works, new theoretical results on the modified Riccati equation have been derived. We will compare these results and point out their importance for performance assessment and prediction in a target tracking context.
Artificial Life and the Web: WebAL Comes of Age

A brief survey is presented of the first 18 years of web-based Artificial Life ("WebAL") research and applications, covering the period 1995-2013. The survey is followed by a short discussion of common methodologies employed and current technologies relevant to WebAL research. The paper concludes with a quick look at what the future may hold for work in this exciting area.
Unique Neural Circuitry for Neonatal Olfactory Learning

Imprinting ensures that the infant forms the caregiver attachment necessary for altricial species survival. In our mammalian model of imprinting, neonatal rats rapidly learn the odor-based maternal attachment. This rapid learning requires reward-evoked locus ceruleus (LC) release of copious amounts of norepinephrine (NE) into the olfactory bulb. This imprinting ends at postnatal day 10 (P10) and is associated with a dramatic reduction in reward-evoked LC NE release. Here we assess whether the functional emergence of LC α2 inhibitory autoreceptors and the downregulation of LC α1 excitatory autoreceptors underlie the dramatic reduction in NE release associated with termination of the sensitive period. Postsensitive period pups (P12) were implanted with either LC or olfactory bulb cannulas, classically conditioned with intracranial drug infusions (P14), and tested for an odor preference (P15). During conditioning, a novel odor was paired with either olfactory bulb infusion of aβ-receptor agonist (isoproterenol) to assess the target effects of NE or direct LC cholinergic stimulation combined with α2 antagonists and α1 agonists in a mixture to reinstate neonatal levels of LC autoreceptor activity to assess the source of NE. Pups learned an odor preference when the odor was paired with either olfactory bulb isoproterenol infusion or reinstatement of neonatal LC receptor activity. These results suggest that LC autoreceptor functional changes rather than olfactory bulb changes underlie sensitive period termination.
A standard stellar library for evolutionary synthesis: I. calibration of theoretical spectra

We present a comprehensive hybrid library of synthetic stellar spectra based on three original grids of model atmosphere spectra by Kurucz (1995), Fluks et al. (1994), and Bessell et al. (1989, 1991), respectively. The combined library has been intended for multiple-purpose synthetic photometry applications and was constructed according to the precepts adopted by Buser & Kurucz (1992): (i) to cover the largest possible ranges in stellar parameters (Te ,l og g ,a nd (M=H)); (ii) to provide flux spectra with useful resolution on the uniform grid of wave- lengths adopted by Kurucz (1995); and (iii) to provide synthetic broad{band colors which are highly realistic for the largest possible parameter and wavelength ranges. Because the most astrophysically relevant step consists in establishing a realistic library, the corresponding color calibration is described in some detail. Basically, for each value of the eective temperature and for each wavelength, we calculate the correction function that must be applied to a (theoretical) solar{abundance model flux spectrum in order for this to yield synthetic UBVRIJHKL colors matching the (empirical) color{temperature calibrations derived from observations. In this way, the most important systematic dierences existing between the original model spectra and the observations can indeed be eliminated. On the other hand, synthetic UBV and Washington ultravio- let excesses(U B) and(C M) and(C T1) obtained from the original giant and dwarf model spectra are in excel- lent accord with empirical metal{abundance calibrations (Lejeune & Buser 1996). Therefore, the calibration algo- rithm is designed in such a way as to preserve the original dierential grid properties implied by metallicity and/or luminosity changes in the new library, if the above cor- rection function for a solar{abundance model of a given eective temperature is also applied to models of the same temperature but dierent chemical compositions (M=H) and/or surface gravities logg. Send oprint requests to :R. Buser While the new library constitutes a rst{order approx- imation to the program set out above, it will be allowed to develop toward the more ambitious goal of matching the full requirements imposed on a standard library . M ajor input for renement and completion is expected from the extensive tests now being made in population and evolu- tionary synthesis studies of the integrated light of globular clusters (Lejeune 1997) and galaxies (Bruzual et al. 1997).
Excessive daytime sleepiness in multiple system atrophy (SLEEMSA study).

BACKGROUND Sleep disorders are common in multiple system atrophy (MSA), but the prevalence of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is not well known. OBJECTIVE To assess the frequency and associations of EDS in MSA. DESIGN Survey of EDS in consecutive patients with MSA and comparison with patients with Parkinson disease (PD) and individuals without known neurologic disease. SETTING Twelve tertiary referral centers. PARTICIPANTS Eighty-six consecutive patients with MSA; 86 patients with PD matched for age, sex, and Hoehn and Yahr stage; and 86 healthy subject individuals matched for age and sex. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), modified ESS, Sudden Onset of Sleep Scale, Tandberg Sleepiness Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, disease severity, dopaminergic treatment amount, and presence of restless legs syndrome. RESULTS Mean (SD) ESS scores were comparable in MSA (7.72 [5.05]) and PD (8.23 [4.62]) but were higher than in healthy subjects (4.52 [2.98]) (P < .001). Excessive daytime sleepiness (ESS score >10) was present in 28% of patients with MSA, 29% of patients with PD, and 2% of healthy subjects (P < .001). In MSA, in contrast to PD, the amount of dopaminergic treatment was not correlated with EDS. Disease severity was weakly correlated with EDS in MSA and PD. Restless legs syndrome occurred in 28% of patients with MSA, 14% of patients with PD, and 7% of healthy subjects (P < .001). Multiple regression analysis (with 95% confidence intervals obtained using nonparametric bootstrapping) showed that sleep-disordered breathing and sleep efficiency predicted EDS in MSA and amount of dopaminergic treatment and presence of restless legs syndrome in PD. CONCLUSIONS More than one-quarter of patients with MSA experience EDS, a frequency similar to that encountered in PD. In these 2 conditions, EDS seems to be associated with different causes.
Religion and Mental Health Among Older Adults: Do the Effects of Religious Involvement Vary by Gender?

Objectives. Few studies explore how the relationship between religious involvement and mental health varies by gender among the aging population. This article outlines a series of arguments concerning the effects of gender in moderating the effect of religious involvement on mental health and examines them empirically. Methods. Using two waves (2001 and 2004) of the Religion, Aging, and Health Survey, this study estimates the differential effect of gender in the religion–mental health connection using multivariate analyses for a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults aged 66–95 years. Results. Results suggest that (a) men obtain more mental health benefits from religious involvement than women, (b) women with higher levels of organizational religious involvement have similar levels of mental health as those with moderate and lower levels of organizational religious involvement, (c) men with very high levels of organizational religious involvement tend to have much higher levels of mental health than all other men. Discussion. The relationship between organizational religious involvement and mental health is found to be mostly a nonlinear one such that those with the highest levels of religiosity receive all the benefits. The findings suggest a number of promising research directions on the religion–mental health connection among older Americans.
Fast and reliable PCA-based temporal segmentation of video sequences

With significantly increasing number of archived movie sequences a need of their automatic indexation and annotation is raising. Robust and fast temporal segmentation of video sequences is one of the challenging research topics in this area. In this paper we propose a new temporal segmentation method of the video sequences based on PCA approach. Contrary to standard approaches based on histogram or motion field analysis the proposed method does not require any such a complex analysis. The method starts with sparse greyscale sampling and eigen-analysis of input sequence. A sum of absolute derivatives of temporal mixing coefficients of main eigen-images is then used as cuts detection feature, while dissolve transitions are detected by means of coefficients¿ specific behaviour. The functionality of the method was successfully tested on number of sequences ranging from artificial set of similar dynamic textures to professional documentary movies. Although, the results may not be unexpected, we believe that proposed method provides novel, very fast and reliable way of movie cuts detection.
A computational model of loudness density

Loudness density is the distribution of loudness across dimensions of time and frequency. A computational model of loudness density is described that reproduces equal-loudness level contours from time-domain representations of tones. The model also demonstrates increase in loudness as the bandwidth of a multi-tone complex increases, an observation that is consistent with psychophysical measurements. The model provides an efficient method for computing the loudness of arbitrary acoustic waveforms. When loudness is assumed to be the decision variable for psychophysical tasks such as intensity discrimination and masked thresholds, model-predicted performance can be compared with psychophysical measurements. The similarity between model predictions and psychophysical estimates of suppression is noteworthy because the model provides no separate mechanism for suppression. Suppression in the model is only possible through the same mechanism that provides compression for single tones. Its ability to predict suppressive effects suggests that it also may be a useful tool for exploring more general mechanisms of auditory signal processing.
An investigation of student teacher development in pre-service English language teacher education in Malaysia

Research suggests that many factors contribute to the formation of the student teachers’ reflective practice, including the nature of their teacher education, their experiences in a community of practice, and how they build their professional identity as adult learners. The purpose of this study is to investigate the significance and development of reflection and reflective skills for Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) student teachers from a major teacher education institute in Malaysia. The research addressed three questions: To what extent do student teachers use reflection in their lessons? In what ways do their capacities for reflective practice develop over the practicum? What facilitating factors and barriers exist in the development of their reflective practice? Adopting a purposive sampling approach, ten student teachers, three mentor teachers and a supervisor were selected. All of the student teachers were studying for a bachelor’s degree in TESL. They attended three phases of semi-structured interviews during the three months of their final practicum; the interviews took place after classroom observations every month. Mentor teachers and supervisors were also interviewed. Adopting an interpretivist approach, the weekly reflective diaries of the student teachers and the transcripts from the final phase of the post-observation interviews provided highly personal information from which vignettes of the participants were drawn. Thematic analysis of the interview data revealed four significant issues affecting reflective practice: relational issues, such as how student teachers navigate issues arising within a community of practice; situational issues, for instance how they implement the curriculum; developmental issues, including how the quality of reflection may be judged; and experiential issues, which include how the student teachers construct their professional identities. The findings support most of the existing literature and provide valuable insights into the significance of reflection for these novice teachers, the extent to which they master reflective skills in their practice, and the factors that influence reflection. However, further analysis and discussion revealed that whilst the student teachers’ use of reflection during their practicums is evident, the role and quality of this reflection is ambiguous. Similarly, whilst supervisors and mentor teachers may insist that reflection be actively encouraged, the rationale behind how and why it is used goes unexplored. The findings also highlighted the role that andragogy, communities of practice and experiential learning may play in partnership with reflection, serving to reconstruct reflective practice in teacher education. The study concludes by reviewing the implications of the research and putting forth ideas for further study.
POTENTIAL OF USING AUTOMATICALLY EXTRACTED STRAIGHT LINES IN RECTIFYING HIGH RESOLUTION SATELLITE IMAGES

The quick advance in remote sensing technologies provides the ability to acquire high quality metric information. This is achievable by forming the relationship between image coordinates and ground coordinates as 2D and 2D-to3D transformation models. Most of these models are based on point features. Although point-based transformation models are well developed, it is time-consuming and costly to measure point coordinates manually. In addition, automatic point extraction algorithms especially in satellite images are far inferior in quality. This makes other feature-based transformation models more attractive. Linear features have greater potential than other features not only in automation but also in representation and modelling. This study investigates rectifying satellite images with different resolutions and orientations using line-based transformation models. In addition, the relative relationships between linear features are imposed by incorporating geometric constraints. Straight lines are extracted using an automated linear feature extraction algorithm. Experiments are conducted with different sets of straight lines and their results are reported and analyzed. The research reveals that line-based transformation models provide equivalent results to those obtained using point-based transformation models especially when geometric constraints are forced. In addition, combined point/line-based transformation models were also investigated and the results are similar to those achieved with point or line features only.