Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Handling of Constraints in Finite-Element Response Sensitivity Analysis

In this paper, the direct differentiation method (DDM) for finite-element (FE) response sensitivity analysis is extended to linear and nonlinear FE models with multi-point constraints (MPCs). The analytical developments are provided for three different constraint handling methods, namely: (1) the transformation equation method; (2) the Lagrange multiplier method; and (3) the penalty function method. Two nonlinear benchmark applications are presented: (1) a two-dimensional soil-foundation-structure interaction system and (2) a three-dimensional, one-bay by one-bay, three-story reinforced concrete building with floor slabs modeled as rigid diaphragms, both subjected to seismic excitation. Time histories of response parameters and their sensitivities to material constitutive parameters are computed and discussed, with emphasis on the relative importance of these parameters in affecting the structural response. The DDM-based response sensitivity results are compared with corresponding forward finite difference analysis results, thus validating the formulation presented and its computer implementation. The developments presented in this paper close an important gap between FE response-only analysis and FE response sensitivity analysis through the DDM, extending the latter to applications requiring response sensitivities of FE models with MPCs. These applications include structural optimization, structural reliability analysis, and finite-element model updating.
Doing flood risk science differently: an experiment in radical scientific method

In this paper, we describe an experiment in which the position of scientists with respect to flood risk management is fundamentally changed. Building on a review of three very different approaches to engaging the public in science, we contrast the normal way in which science is used in flood risk management in England and Wales with an experiment in which knowledge regarding flooding was co-produced. This illustrates a way of working with experts, both certified (academic natural and social scientists) and non-certified (local people affected by flooding), for whom flooding is a matter of concern, and where the event, flooding, is given agency in the experiment. We reveal a deep and distributed understanding of flood hydrology across all experts, certified and uncertified, involved in the experiment. This did not map onto the conventional dichotomy between ‘universal’ scientific expertise and ‘local’ lay expertise. By working with the event we harnessed, produced and negotiated a new and collective sense of knowledge, sufficient in our experiment to make a public intervention in flood risk management in our case-study location. The manner in which the academic scientists involved in the practice of their science were repositioned was radical as compared with normal scientific method. It was also radical for a more fundamental reason: the purpose of our experiment became as much about creating a new public capable of making a political intervention in a situation of impasse, as it was about producing the solution itself. The practice of knowledge generation, the science undertaken, worked with the hybridisation of science and politics rather than trying to extract science from it.
Period and period change measurements for 143 SuperWASP eclipsing binary candidates near the short-period limit and discovery of a doubly eclipsing quadruple system

Building on previous work, a new search of the SuperWASP archive was carried out to identify eclipsing binary systems near the short-period limit. 143 candidate objects were detected with orbital periods between 16 000 and 20 000 s, of which 97 are new discoveries. Period changes significant at 1σ or more were detected in 74 of these objects, and in 38 the changes were significant at 3σ or more. The significant period changes observed followed an approximately normal distribution with a half-width at half-maximum of ~0.1 s yr-1. There was no apparent relationship between period length and magnitude or direction of period change. Amongst several interesting individual objects studied, 1SWASP J093010.78+533859.5 is presented as a new doubly eclipsing quadruple system, consisting of a contact binary with a 19 674.575 s period and an Algol-type binary with a 112 799.109 s period, separated by 66.1 AU, being the sixth known system of this type.
Source normalization for language-independent speaker recognition using i-vectors

Source-normalization (SN) is an effective means of improving the robustness of i-vector-based speaker recognition for under-resourced and unseen cross-speech-source evaluation conditions. The technique of source-normalization estimates directions of undesired within-speaker variation more accurately than traditional methods when cross-source variation is not explicitly observed from each speaker in system development data. Source normalization can be incorporated into Within Class Covariance Normalization (WCCN) as an effective preprocessing step to Probabilistic Linear Discriminant Analysis (PLDA) based speaker recognition with i-vectors. This paper proposes to extend the application of sourcenormalization to the reduction of language-dependence in PLDA speaker recognition by normalising for the variation that separates languages. Evaluated on the NIST 2008 and 2010 speaker recognition evaluation (SRE) data sets, the proposed Language Normalized WCCN (LN-WCCN) provides relative improvements of 26% in minimum DCF and 14% in EER under multilingual scenarios without detriment to common Englishonly conditions. LN-WCCN is also shown to significantly improve calibration performance when calibration parameters are learned from scores mismatched to evaluation conditions.
Reach out and Touch Someone: Analysis of Nonverbal Comforting Responses.

Nonverbal comforting responses to an hypothetical scenario were collected and categorized by an analytic inductive technique in an effort to extend the boundaries of comforting research. This resulted in twelve identifiable categories of nonverbal responses to a situation calling for comforting communication. Participants also completed the Affective Orientation Measure (AO) to assess the relationship of use of emotions to comforting. Results indicated that males reported fewer comforting strategies and less diverse comforting responses than did females. Comforting strategy use was positively correlated with affective orientation.
Set in Stone or Set in Motion?: Multimodal and Digital Writing With Preservice English Teachers

This study examines the literacy practices of pre-service English teachers engaged in multimodal and digital composing in a writing methods course designed to support both print-based and digital and/or multimodal composition practices. By examining the struggles and resistances of pre-service English teachers as they adapted print-based writing processes to multimodal or digital compositions, the researchers hope to identify strategies, practices, and approaches that will help pre-service teachers develop new writing pedagogies.
SELF-DETERMINED MOTIVATION AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION IMPORTANCE

It is widely accepted that when psychological needs for autonomy, competence and relatedness are encouraged in physical education classes, they can play a potentially important role in enhancing motivation and positive consequences. Purpose. The purpose of this study was to analyse the relations between self-determination theory and the importance and usefulness pupils give to physical education. Basic procedures. The sample consisted of 440 Spanish students, aged between 14 and 16, who were measured for psychological mediators (autonomy, competence and relatedness), motivation types (intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation and amotivation) and physical education importance (PEI). Main findings. The results showed that PEI was positively related to autonomy, competence, relatedness and self-determined motivation. Amotivation was negatively associated with PEI. Conclusions. The satisfaction of the three basic psychological needs and self-determined motivation develop a more positive attitude of the students towards physical education. The results are discussed with regard to enhancing participation rates and, potentially, physical activity levels.
Social Determinants of Frailty in Elderly Mexican Community‐Dwelling Adults

an outbreak was first documented suggests collateral damage caused by the continued overuse of quinolones. A restriction of quinolone use in LTCF A was therefore implemented to limit the selection of quinolone-resistant bacteria. These findings highlight several important concerns First, comparison of the antibiogram for LTCF A with that of its associated hospital-documented higher resistance rates in LTCF A. The resistance patterns documented in specific areas of LTCF A helped to direct attention to locations where enhanced infection control practices would have the greatest effect (the ventilator unit). Antibiotic stewardship programs and continued surveillance, including the creation of specific antibiograms, are necessary for appropriate antibiotic prescription in areas where patients are most debilitated, have multiple sources of infection (tracheostomy sites, feeding tube sites, pressure ulcers, peripherally inserted central catheter lines, and urinary catheters), and often receive several antibacterial agents. In addition, as patients approach the end of life, it may be prudent for physicians to discuss a more-palliative approach and avoid inappropriately prescribing antibiotics for organism eradication without the hope of cure. In this manner, physicians can focus on improving their patients’ quality of life and reduce the selection of multi-drug-resistant bacteria. In conclusion, LTCFs should generate specific antibiograms to guide antibiotic stewardship and not rely on their associated hospital’s antibiogram, because antibiotic susceptibility patterns vary dramatically between facilities. This practice, in conjunction with stewardship initiatives, is now being implemented in LTCF A and will be monitored to assess its overall effect.
Representational systems and symbolic systems

s Connectionist models provide a promising alternative to the traditional computational approach that has for several decades dominated cognitive science and artificial intelligence, although the nature of connectionist models and their relation to symbol processing remains controversial. Connectionist models can be characterized by three general computational features: distinct layers of interconnected units, recursive rules for updating the strengths of the connections during learning, and "simple" homogeneous computing elements. Using just these three features one can construct surprisingly elegant and powerful models of memory, perception, motor control, categorization, and reasoning. What makes the connectionist approach unique is not its variety of representational possibilities (including "distributed representations") or its departure from explicit rule-based models, or even its preoccupation with the brain metaphor. Rather, it is that connectionist models can be used to explore systematically the complex interaction between learning and representation, as we try to demonstrate through the analysis of several large networks.
Resistance to peer group pressure: an inadequate basis for alcohol education

This paper explores the notion of ‘peer group pressure’ as it has been deployed in educational interventions on alcohol for adolescents. It is argued that ‘peer group pressure’ is an inadequate explanation for youthful alcohol use and that interventions formulated around the inculcation of resistance to peer group norms must inevitably be at variance with the everyday experience of those at whom such interventions are aimed. The paper argues that a reformulation of the concept of ‘peer group pressure’ opens up its positive features and that these offer a strong base for a new range of educational initiatives.
Nephele/PACTs: a programming model and execution framework for web-scale analytical processing

We present a parallel data processor centered around a programming model of so called Parallelization Contracts (PACTs) and the scalable parallel execution engine Nephele [18]. The PACT programming model is a generalization of the well-known map/reduce programming model, extending it with further second-order functions, as well as with Output Contracts that give guarantees about the behavior of a function. We describe methods to transform a PACT program into a data flow for Nephele, which executes its sequential building blocks in parallel and deals with communication, synchronization and fault tolerance. Our definition of PACTs allows to apply several types of optimizations on the data flow during the transformation. The system as a whole is designed to be as generic as (and compatible to) map/reduce systems, while overcoming several of their major weaknesses: 1) The functions map and reduce alone are not sufficient to express many data processing tasks both naturally and efficiently. 2) Map/reduce ties a program to a single fixed execution strategy, which is robust but highly suboptimal for many tasks. 3) Map/reduce makes no assumptions about the behavior of the functions. Hence, it offers only very limited optimization opportunities. With a set of examples and experiments, we illustrate how our system is able to naturally represent and efficiently execute several tasks that do not fit the map/reduce model well.
Speed of information processing in high and low susceptible subjects: a preliminary study.

Abstract A backward masking paradigm was employed to test die hypothesis that high hypnotic susceptible Ss are able to process information at a faster rate than low susceptible Ss. The critical interstimulus interval was determined for 8 high and 8 low susceptible Ss. A t-test analysis of the critical interstimulus intervals showed a significant difference between high and low susceptible Ss with the high susceptible Ss showing a lower critical interstimulus interval. Mean critical interstimulus intervals for die high (76 milliseconds) and low (98 milliseconds) susceptible groups suggested that the high susceptible Ss were an average of 22 milliseconds faster at processing information. Results were interpreted as being consistent with, and providing support for attentional theories of hypnosis.
Null and hypomorph Prickle1 alleles in mice phenocopy human Robinow syndrome and disrupt signaling downstream of Wnt5a

ABSTRACT Planar cell polarity (PCP) signaling plays a critical role in tissue morphogenesis. In mammals, disruption of three of the six “core PCP” components results in polarity-dependent defects with rotated cochlear hair cell stereocilia and open neural tube. We recently demonstrated a role of Prickle1, a core PCP molecule in Drosophila, in mammalian neuronal development. To examine Prickle1 function along a broader developmental window, we generated three mutant alleles in mice. We show that the complete loss of Prickle1 leads to systemic tissue outgrowth defects, aberrant cell organization and disruption of polarity machinery. Curiously, Prickle1 mutants recapitulate the characteristic features of human Robinow syndrome and phenocopy mouse mutants with Wnt5a or Ror2 gene defects, prompting us to explore an association of Prickle1 with the Wnt pathway. We show that Prickle1 is a proteasomal target of Wnt5a signaling and that Dvl2, a target of Wnt5a signaling, is misregulated in Prickle1 mutants. Our studies implicate Prickle1 as a key component of the Wnt-signaling pathway and suggest that Prickle1 mediates some of the WNT5A-associated genetic defects in Robinow syndrome.
The effects of verb network strengthening treatment on sentence production in individuals with aphasia

words would not receive systematic activation with the current treatment stimuli. Nouns were assumed to receive less systematic spreading activation than verbs even though noun retrieval was the primary treatment task. This is because noun retrieval was focused on strengthening the verb, so verb-verb spreading activation would be strongest since the trained verb received the most focused attention. The mechanism for improvement on the connected speech task was proposed to be similar to that for sentence production improvement of non-probe sentences. Generalization to connected speech are not often reported in treatment research, so improvement in 3/4 participants in the current study suggests effective treatment and emphasizes the need for choosing generalization measures and scoring procedures carefully. Improvements were achieved with only 4 to 6 weeks of treatment, a relatively short period of time for such gains. This is very encouraging, as the number of treatment sessions is often limited in rehabilitation settings. Clinical implications Verb deficits and treatments are typically associated with persons with nonfluent aphasia. However, the results of the current study illustrate that persons with fluent aphasia also exhibit verb deficits and can benefit from treatment. Descriptive testing
Of Course We’re Exclusive

Monogamy is often emphasized to the Hispanic youth, but only a few studies consider attitudes toward monogamy. This study fills that gap by examining Hispanic college students’ (n = 347) attitudes using the Monogamy Attitudes and the Emotional (MAS) and Sexual Monogamy Views Scales (ESMVS; Schmookler & Bursik, 2007). MANOVA results indicate the differences based on biological sex and self-reported cheating. College health professionals can use these results to better develop and implement effective sexual education programs for Hispanic college students.
A multidimensional examination of a creativity‐based opportunity recognition model

Purpose – This paper seeks to detail an exploratory examination of a multidimensional, creativity‐based theoretical model of opportunity recognition originally proposed by Hills et al. and later refined by Lumpkin et al., but never empirically tested. The paper also aims to examine the relationship between individual dimensions of the model and creativity.Design/methodology/approach – Analyses were conducted using AMOS software on a sample of 145 entrepreneurs. One structural equation model (SEM) and three confirmatory factor analysis models were tested.Findings – The five‐dimensional model – consisting of preparation, incubation, insight, evaluation, and elaboration – was determined to be the best fitting model. The SEM model also indicated that incubation and elaboration were significantly related to creativity. Overall, a multidimensional, creativity‐based approach to modeling opportunity recognition is supported by this study.Research limitations/implications – Cross‐sectional data do not allow for te.
The Relationship Between Latino Adolescents’ Perceptions of Discrimination, Neighborhood Risk, and Parenting on Self-Esteem and Depressive Symptoms

Guided by Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological framework, this study examined the roles of Latino adolescents’ reports of discrimination, neighborhood risk, parent-child conflict over culture, and parental support in relation to their self-esteem and depression. Analysis of self-report data from 383 ninth grade, Latino students from one Los Angeles high school was used to validate a Multigroup Structural Equation Model of self-esteem and depressive symptoms for boys and girls. As expected, self-esteem was negatively and significantly related to depressive symptoms, yet the influence of other factors were less clear. Five paths marked the influence of mothers’ and fathers’ interactions on youths’ outcomes, demonstrating a strong path from fathers’ support to adolescent self-esteem and differing paths from cultural conflict with mother and father to youth outcomes. Neighborhood risks were significantly related to boys’ and girls’ self-esteem and depressive symptoms, especially for boys. Societal discrimination was significantly related to youths’ reports of depressive symptoms yet not significantly related to self-esteem. Results are discussed in terms of applications for both practice and future research.
Screening for suicide risk factors in prison inmates: Evaluating the efficiency of the Depression, Hopelessness and Suicide Screening Form (DHS)

The Depression, Hopelessness and Suicide Screening Form (DHS; Mills & Kroner, 2002) is a recently developed self-report instrument to aid in screening inmates in the titled areas. Research has shown the DHS to have good internal consistency, factor structure and construct validity. The present study extends the previous validation research by comparing the disclosure of suicide risk factors on the DHS with both interview-based and file review information. In addition, the DHS scores were used to predict psychological distress. The results indicate that despite the paper-and-pencil self-report approach of the DHS it is comparably efficient in gathering suicide risk factors to other methods. In addition, the predictive accuracy of the DHS in identifying inmates experiencing psychological distress was confirmed. The current study has implications for the method of collection of suicide screening information. The discussion centres on the potential of self-report in screening for suicide and self-harm indicators in inmate populations.
Qualitative Social Work Research in the Asia-Pacific Region

In articulating our ideas for a special issue on qualitative research in the AsiaPacific region we were mindful of the diversity of research and practice in this region. Geography, social, economic and political history, culture and religion have all played their part in determining the nature of social work practice and research in this vast region. We were interested to discover how cultural frameworks and the context in which the research was carried out influenced research design and practice. Each of the four articles speak to these issues and demonstrate through a range of perspectives how research practice is embedded within the cultural context of the populations being studied and how this impacts both on the topics to be studied and on research protocols and processes. Two themes are fundamental to our understanding of research in the Asia-Pacific region and have relevance for researchers in other regions who wish to authentically engage with knowledge production and dialogue with other qualitative researchers about the issues that contribute to the construction of research practice. The first concerns the universality of qualitative research and the challenges inherent in building understanding of research practice across cultures and the second is focused on the emerging presence of indigenous social work and the challenge to indigenization which is perceived as importing social work practice from the west to the rest without little consideration of the cultural and local contexts of practice (Gray et al., 2008b: 8). Indigenous social work involves indigenous peoples identifying culturally relevant responses to diverse local contexts including their leadership in developing EDITORIAL