Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Attachment influences on understanding of self and others : a cross-cultural study of British and Cypriot college students

The main purpose of the studies conducted in this thesis was to explore relations between attachment representations and individuals' understanding self and others. The first two studies focused on young adults, whereas Study Three involved a sample of children aged between 4 and 6 years. Study One investigated how (a) cultural differences in caregiving practices related to young adults' perceptions of their parents as being caring versus overprotective, (b) perceived parenting and culture impacted on attachment style in relationships with peers, and (c) representations of relationships with parents and peers related to individuals' self- esteem. Cypriot college students (n = 236) were compared with British university undergraduates (n = 168). Compared with their British counterparts, the Cypriot participants perceived their parents to have been more overprotective and were less likely to report secure attachment style in their relationships with peers. Regardless of culture, higher perceived parental care and secure or dismissing attachment style with peers were independently associated with higher self-esteem. The results of Study Two on a sample of 73 Cypriot college students showed that similar relations were observed between attachment representations and self- esteem when attachment was assessed in terms of unconscious internal working models (IWMs) of parental attachment relationships using the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI). Individuals classified as secure or dismissing on the AAI reported higher self-esteem than those in the preoccupied group. Study Two also addressed how attachment representations related to adults' theory of mind abilities, and investigated whether such abilities mediated the relation between attachment and self- esteem. Preoccupied attachment as assessed either by the AAI or self-reported attachment style with peers was associated with slower processing on an adult theory of mind task. However, there was no evidence for theory of mind abilities mediating the relation between attachment and self-esteem. Study Three investigated inter-relations between attachment representations, theory of mind, emotion understanding, and self-view in a sample of 80 Cypriot children with a mean age of 61.5 months. Secure attachment representations were associated with superior theory of mind and emotion understanding, but much weaker relations between attachment representations and self-view were found compared with the results on the adult samples in Studies Two and Three. Moreover, the one significant relation observed between attachment and self-view appeared to be indirect, and was mediated by children's emotion understanding. The results are discussed in terms of (a) the influence of perceived parental attachment on relationships with peers, (b) the discriminant validity of the IWM construct, and (e) the tendency of adults and children to use their mentalising abilities in interpreting and explaining other people's behaviour.
An Octave-Range, Watt-Level, Fully-Integrated CMOS Switching Power Mixer Array for Linearization and Back-Off-Efficiency Improvement

The power mixer array is presented as a novel power generation approach for non-constant envelope signals. It comprises several power mixer units that are dynamically turned on and off to improve the linearity and back-off efficiency. At the circuit level, the power mixer unit can operate as a switching amplifier to achieve high peak power efficiency. Additional circuit level linearization and back-off efficiency improvement techniques are also proposed. To demonstrate the feasibility of this idea, a fully-integrated octave-range CMOS power mixer array is implemented in a 130 nm CMOS process. It is operational between 1.2 GHz and 2.4 GHz and can generate an output power of +31.3 dBm into an external 50 ¿ load with a PAE of 42% and a gain compression of only 0.4 dB at 1.8 GHz. It achieves a PAE of 25%, at an average output power of +26.4 dBm, and an EVM of 4.6% with a non-constant-envelope 16 QAM signal. It can also produce arbitrary signal levels down to -70 dBm of output power with the 16 QAM-modulated signal without any RF gain control circuit.
FATIGUE CRACK GROWTH (FCG) MODELING IN THE PRESENCE OF NANO- OBSTACLES BY PIYAS BAL CHOWDHURY THESIS

A combination of molecular dynamics and dislocation dynamics simulations is performed to model fatigue crack growth (FCG) in a nano-twinned nickel single crystal. Molecular dynamics simulations are employed to investigate the irreversible interaction of crack-tip emitted dislocations with nano-twins in the vicinity of the crack upon cyclic loading. A method is developed to quantify the irreversibility of slip, and calculate it as a function of the twin lamella thickness and crack-tip to twin lamella spacing. Subsequently, atomistically calculated slip irreversibility is utilized in dislocation dynamics crack growth simulations to understand the role of thickness of the nano-twins as well as the crack-tip to twin spacing on da/dN. In molecular dynamics simulations, in order to study the cyclic slip-twin interactions, the nano-twinned single grain specimen is set up such that it favors two separate cases comprising pure screw and pure edge dislocation nucleation from the crack-tip. Both screw and edge dislocations demonstrate a cyclic steady-state interaction mechanism with the nano-twin under strain control loading. The da/dN formulations, based on discrete dislocation dynamics, are derived for the cases ranging from single to multiple screw or edge dislocations emission from the crack-tip over cycles. The molecular dynamics slip irreversibility is incorporated into the dislocation dynamics based da/dN calculations. An implementation of these formulations demonstrates that both for the cases of decreasing nanotwin thickness or lowering of crack-tip to twin spacing, da/dN also decreases complying with some recent experimental findings in literature.
ANTIBACTERIAL, INSECTICIDAL AND IN VIVO CYTOTOXICITY ACTIVITIES OF SALIX TETRASPERMA

The present study was designed to investigate antibacterial, insecticidal and in vivo cytotoxic activities of the methanol: ethylacetate (1:9) extract of leaves, barks and roots of Salix tetrasperma. Antibacterial test were done against five Gram-positive and four Gram-negative bacteria. Bark extract was active against all tested microbial species and the highest activity was shown against Escherichia coli with a zone of inhibition 12 ± 0.02 mm. The leaves extract was active against all the Gram positive bacterial strain whereas inactive against all the Gram negative bacterial strain except Shegella flexneri while root extract showed insignificant activity. In insecticidal study, the root and leaves extract of Salix tetrasperma showed moderate activity with 26% and 20% mortality rate of Tribolium castaneum at a dose of 50mg/ml in 48 hours, respectively and bark extract had no activity. In respect of in vivo cytotoxicity, Root and bark extract showed moderate cell growth inhibition, whereas leaves extract had no activity at all. INTRODUCTION: The history of plants being used for medicinal purpose is probably as old as the history of mankind. Simultaneous with population explosion, virulent strains of microorganisms become more common and their increased attack accounts for increased mortality . Bangladesh, being a country with high density of population, infectious diseases becomes a great challenge in the health and economic sector. Despite the large numbers of synthetic antibiotics having different chemical nature have been developed in the last few decades, inappropriate and injudicious uses of antibiotics or self treatment practices developed resistance to microbes . So the developments of new antibacterial agents are necessary to combat the problem of microbial resistance and for substitution with ineffective ones. Moreover, higher plants are rich source of novel natural substances that can be used to develop new antibacterial agent as well as environmental safe methods for insect control . Not only the world wide annual losses of food grains storage caused by insects have been estimated to be about 10% of the world’s production, but losses of 25% or more may also occur in tropical countries through
The Coevolution of Secrecy and Stigmatization Evidence from the Content of Distressing Secrets

We propose a coevolutionary model of secrecy and stigmatization. According to this model, secrecy functions to conceal potential fitness costs detected in oneself or one’s genetic kin. In three studies, we found that the content of participants’ distressing secrets overlapped significantly with three domains of social information that were important for inclusive fitness and served as cues for discriminating between rewarding and unrewarding interaction partners: health, mating, and social-exchange behavior. These findings support the notion that secrecy functions primarily as a defense against stigmatization by suppressing information about oneself or one’s kin that evolutionarily has been devalued in mating and social exchange.
Policy Alienation and the Power of Professionals: Confronting New Policies

Contents: Preface 1. Introduction to Policy Alienation and the Power of Professionals 2. Historical Background of Alienation 3. Public Policies and Alienation 4. Measurement Instrument of Policy Alienation 5. Antecedents of Policy Alienation 6. Policy Alienation and Resistance to Change 7. Policy Alienation, Organizational Context, Personality and Resistance to Change 8. Discussion and Conclusions References Index
The Suspension of Cash Payments as a Monetary Regime

By setting bounds on money growth, the commodity standard is a solution to the monetary authorityâ€™s time inconsistency problem, which arises from the fixed wage structure of the economy. If there is a supply shock to the backing commodity, the suspension of the commodity standard may be desirable in terms of stabilisation of production and consumption. By representing a credible commitment to return to the commodity standard, the suspension of cash payments maintains the value and circulation of money. Lessons and evidence are taken from Englandâ€™s experience of the suspension of cash payments between 1797 and 1821.
Feature extraction method of hyperspectral scattering images for prediction of total viable count in pork meat

This study aimed to investigate the capabilities of hyperspectral scattering imaging in tandem with Gaussian function, Exponential function and Lorentzian function for rapid and nondestructive determination of total viable count (TVC) in pork meat. Two batches of fresh pork meat was purchased from a local market and stored at 10°C for 1-9 d. Totally 60 samples were used, and several samples were taken out randomly for hyperspectral scattering imaging and conventional microbiological tests on each day of the experiments. The functions of Gaussian, Exponential and Lorentzian were employed to model the hyperspectral scattering profiles of pork meat, and good fitting results were obtained by all three functions between 455 nm and 1 000 nm. The Lorentzian function performed best for fitting the hyperspectral scattering profiles of pork meat compared with other functions. Both principal component regression (PCR) and partial least squares regression (PLSR) methods were performed to establish the prediction models. Among all the developed models, the models developed using parameters CE (scattering width parameter of Exponential function) and CL (scattering width parameter of Lorentzian function) by PLSR method gave superior results for predicting pork meat TVC, with RV and RMSEV of 0.92, 0.59 log CFU/g, and 0.91, 0.61 log CFU/g, respectively. In addition, based on the improved hyperspectral scattering system, parameter c which represented the scattering widths in all three functions gave more accurate prediction results, regardless of the modeling methods (PCR or PLSR). The obtained results demonstrated that hyperspectral scattering imaging combined with the presented data analysis algorithm can be a powerful tool for evaluating the microbial safety of meat in the future. Keywords: hyperspectral scattering imaging, pork meat, total viable count, Lorentzian function, Gaussian function, Exponential function DOI: 10.3965/j.ijabe. 20150804.1559 Citation: Tao F F, Peng Y K, Li Y Y. Feature extraction method of hyperspectral scattering images for prediction of total viable count in pork meat. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2015; 8(4): 95－105.
Claudin-4 as a Marker for Distinguishing Malignant Mesothelioma From Lung Carcinoma and Serous Adenocarcinoma

We compared claudin-4 with Ber-EP4 and carcinoembryonic antigen as markers to distinguish mesothelioma from lung adenocarcinoma, poorly differentiated lung squamous cell carcinoma, and serous adenocarcinoma of the uterus or ovary. All mesothelioma specimens were negative for claudin-4, but 3 of 18 specimens were focally positive for Ber-EP4. In contrast, lung adenocarcinoma including poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma was highly positive for claudin-4, but expression of Ber-EP4 and carcinoembryonic antigen varied widely. Claudin-4 in poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma had a lower positive expression rate than in adenocarcinoma. Granular claudin-4 immunoreactivity was conspicuous in poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma; this immunoreactive pattern was also observed in mesothelioma. Claudin-4 was thus considered very useful marker for distinguishing mesothelioma and adenocarcinoma, even if histological specimens are small, as in biopsies that contain limited numbers of tumor cells. However, it should be mentioned that claudin-4 has a limit in discrimination between squamous cell carcinoma from mesothelioma.
Sustaining and broadening intervention impact: a longitudinal randomized trial of 3 adolescent risk reduction approaches.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether the addition of a parental monitoring intervention (Informed Parents and Children Together [ImPACT]) alone or with "boosters" could enhance (either broaden or sustain or both) the effect of a small group, face-to-face adolescent risk reduction intervention Focus on Kids (FOK). METHODS A longitudinal, randomized, community-based cohort study was conducted of 35 low-income, community-based, in-town settings. A total of 817 black youths aged 12 to 16 years at baseline were studied. After completion of baseline measures, youths were randomized to receive a face-to-face intervention alone (FOK only), a face-to-face intervention and a parental monitoring intervention (FOK plus ImPACT), or both of the above plus boosters (FOK plus ImPACT plus boosters). Risk and protective behaviors were assessed at 6 and 12 months after intervention. RESULTS At 6 months' follow-up, youths in families that were assigned to FOK plus ImPACT reported significantly lower rates of sexual intercourse, sex without a condom, alcohol use, and cigarette use and marginally lower rates of "risky sexual behavior" compared with youths in families that were assigned to FOK only. At 12 months after intervention, rates of alcohol and marijuana use were significantly lower and cigarette use and overall risk intention were marginally lower among FOK plus ImPACT youths compared with FOK only youths. With regard to the boosters delivered at 7 and 10 months, 2 risk behaviors--use of crack/cocaine and drug selling--were significantly lower among the youths who were assigned to receive the additional boosters compared with youths without the boosters. The rates of the other risk behaviors and intentions did not differ significantly. CONCLUSIONS The results of this randomized, controlled trial indicate that the inclusion of a parental monitoring intervention affords additional protection from involvement in adolescent risk behaviors 6 and 12 months later compared with the provision of an intervention that targets adolescents only. At the same time, the results of the present study do not provide sufficient evidence that booster sessions further improve targeted behaviors enough to include them in a combined parent and youth intervention.
Assessing the Odds: Disproportional Discipline Practices and Implications for Educational Stakeholders

Abstract:One frequently held assumption found within the school discipline literature suggests that students of color- particularly African American, male, low-income populations- are at an increased risk of receiving exclusionary discipline sanctions. Aside from race, gender, and socioeconomic status; however, less is known about other factors that increase the likelihood of a student being excluded from classroom instruction as a result of disciplinary action. These other factors are equally important in understanding disproportional trends found in school discipline. Subsequently, the purpose of this article is to systematically explore other explanations relative to the odds of a student being suspended or expelled from school. Based on the findings from this study, recommendations to various educational stakeholders were offered.
Pancreatic Resections for Advanced M1-Pancreatic Carcinoma: The Value of Synchronous Metastasectomy

Background. For M1 pancreatic adenocarcinomas pancreatic resection is usually not indicated. However, in highly selected patients synchronous metastasectomy may be appropriate together with pancreatic resection when operative morbidity is low. Materials and Methods. From January 1, 2004 to December, 2007 a total of 20 patients with pancreatic malignancies were retrospectively evaluated who underwent pancreatic surgery with synchronous resection of hepatic, adjacent organ, or peritoneal metastases for proven UICC stage IV periampullary cancer of the pancreas. Perioperative as well as clinicopathological parameters were evaluated. Results. There were 20 patients (9 men, 11 women; mean age 58 years) identified. The primary tumor was located in the pancreatic head (n = 9, 45%), in pancreatic tail (n = 9, 45%), and in the papilla Vateri (n = 2, 10%). Metastases were located in the liver (n = 14, 70%), peritoneum (n = 5, 25%), and omentum majus (n = 2, 10%). Lymphnode metastases were present in 16 patients (80%). All patients received resection of their tumors together with metastasectomy. Pylorus preserving duodenopancreatectomy was performed in 8 patients, distal pancreatectomy in 8, duodenopancreatectomy in 2, and total pancreatectomy in 2. Morbidity was 45% and there was no perioperative mortality. Median postoperative survival was 10.7 months (2.6–37.7 months) which was not significantly different from a matched-pair group of patients who underwent pancreatic resection for UICC adenocarcinoma of the pancreas (median survival 15.6 months; P = .1). Conclusion. Pancreatic resection for M1 periampullary cancer of the pancreas can be performed safely in well-selected patients. However, indication for surgery has to be made on an individual basis.
Price elasticity and the growth of computer spending

The price of computers is a key factor in explaining the growth of computer spending. However, it remains unclear whether the price elasticity of the demand for computers is constant over time. Findings on the pattern of price elasticity will have important implications in the study of information technology (IT) innovation diffusion. To test the hypothesis of dynamic price elasticity, we extend existing growth models to include a price factor with different elasticity specifications. Nested specifications of three growth models were tested using spending data from 1955 to 1984 adjusted by a quality price index for computers. The results indicate that three out of four competing models depict dynamic price elasticity over the investigated period. A similar pattern is also observed when the models are estimated using more recent data on mainframe computer spending. Our results underscore the dynamic behavior of price sensitivity in computer spending over time. They offer a new perspective to study innovation attributes and to examine their impacts empirically over time. Implications for information systems (IS) management and IT suppliers are also discussed.
Prevalence and associated factors for decreased appetite among patients with stable heart failure.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To explore the prevalence of decreased appetite and factors associated with appetite among patients with stable heart failure. BACKGROUND Decreased appetite is an important factor for the development of undernutrition among patients with heart failure, but there are knowledge gaps about prevalence and the factors related to appetite in this patient group. DESIGN Observational, cross-sectional study. METHODS A total of 186 patients with mild to severe heart failure were consecutively recruited from three heart failure outpatient clinics. Data were obtained from medical records (heart failure diagnosis, comorbidity and medical treatment) and self-rated questionnaires (demographics, appetite, self-perceived health, symptoms of depression and sleep). Blood samples were taken to determine myocardial stress and nutrition status. Heart failure symptoms and cognitive function were assessed by clinical examinations. The Council on Nutrition Appetite Questionnaire was used to assess self-reported appetite. Bivariate correlations and multivariate linear regression analyses were conducted to explore factors associated with appetite. RESULTS Seventy-one patients (38%) experienced a loss of appetite with a significant risk of developing weight loss. The final multiple regression model showed that age, symptoms of depression, insomnia, cognitive function and pharmacological treatment were associated with appetite, explaining 27% of the total variance. CONCLUSION In this cross-sectional study, a large share of patients with heart failure was affected by decreased appetite, associated with demographic, psychosocial and medical factors. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Loss of appetite is a prevalent problem among patients with heart failure that may lead to undernutrition. Health care professionals should routinely assess appetite and discuss patients' experiences of appetite, nutrition intake and body weight and give appropriate nutritional advice with respect to individual needs.
Analysis by synthesis of glottal airflow

Modelli ng of the glottal airflow has been performed with two different methods. One is with a frequency domain analog synthesizer, FLEA. The special aim of that study by Båvegård and Fant (1994a, 1994b) was to quantify and verify the interaction ripple on the flow, which is caused by the oral and tracheal loads when glottis is regarded as an oscill ator. In this case the glottal area variation with time is described in terms of the LF model of Fant, Lilj encrants and Lin (1985). This model can be characterized as a specific class of shapes that can be quantified with as littl e as three parameters. It can mostly be controlled to generate shapes having both temporal and spectral properties that are very similar to those of natural glottal flow functions. However, apart from the good match between model and data that can be achieved, it is still only a description of the end result delivered by the generation process. Some special features like the mentioned interaction with external mechanisms can be studied, but it does not in general explain how various features in the waveforms actually originated.
Dengue antibodies in a suburban community in Malaysia.

Dengue fever is caused by any of the four serotypes of the dengue virus. Patients with previous dengue infection of one serotype are at risk to secondary dengue infection due to another serotype. In endemic areas, there is a cocirculation of several different dengue serotypes and a high prevalence of dengue antibodies in the population 3. This favours the occurrence of secondary dengue infections that may lead to complications such as DHF and dengue shock syndrome (DSS).