Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Social Construction of Technology: Structural Considerations

Although scholarship in the social construction of technology (SCOT) has contributed much to illuminating technological development, most work using this theoretical approach is committed to an agency-centered approach. SCOT scholars have made only limited contributions to illustrating the influence of social structures. In this article, the authors argue for the importance of structural concepts to understanding technological development. They summarize the SCOT conceptual framework defined by Trevor Pinch and Wiebe Bijker and survey some of the methodological and explanatory difficulties that arise with their approach. Then the authors present concepts from organizational sociology and political economy that illuminate structural influences in shaping phenomena of interest to SCOT scholars. These structural concepts can be applied to the study of the design, development, and transformation of technology. The authors conclude that the limited amount of scholarship on structural factors in the social shaping of technological development presents numerous opportunities for research.
Understanding the Association between Positive Psychological Functioning at Work and Cognitive Wellbeing in Teachers

Teachers play a central role in facilitating children’s cognitive, emotional, and behavioral development. Therefore, it is essential to investigate and understand the psychological factors that are associated with effective teaching and teacher wellbeing. The purpose of the present study is to present the association between teachers’ positive functioning at work and cognitive wellbeing in Turkish educators. Participants of the study comprised of 295 teachers (60.3% female), and they ranged in age from 23 to 55 years (M = 32.43, SD = 7.85). Findings from correlation analysis demonstrated the significant and positive association between cognitive wellbeing and school connectedness, teaching efficacy, and overall teacher functioning, ranging from moderate to large effect. Following, the outcomes indicated the significant effects of wellbeing groups on teachers’ functioning and revealed that teachers with high levels of wellbeing had greater positive functioning at work than those with low and average wellbeing levels. Taken together, the results suggest that high level of wellbeing is associated with teachers’ healthy and successful functioning at work.
Effects of Team-based Learning on Learning Attitude, Learning Motivation, Problem Solving Ability, Participation in Lessons of Nursing Students

It is organized to evaluate the effect of nursing students' learning attitude, learning motivation, problem solving ability, and class participation, after applying team-based learning to basic nursing classes. The subjects were 103 people in the second year of the G region. The data collection was from September 1 to December 5, 2016 by using t-test, one-way ANOVA, paired t-test and Pearson's correlation coefficient. Result is that the ability to solve problems increased, showing a statistically significant difference. Learning attitude and motivation of learning increased and the degree of participation didn't change, but there were no statistically significant differences. The learning attitude shows positive correlation with learning motivation, problem-solving skills and participation. After team based-learning, learning attitude showed a positive correlation with learning motivation, problem solving ability and class participation. Learning motivation shows positive correlation with class participation and so does problem solving ability with participation. Based on the results of this study, in order to improve the practical ability, it is necessary to activate the self-directed active learning method such as team base for nursing major study.
The constraints that influence the application of feature films in EFL classrooms in Algeria

Many learners of English in Algeria struggle with the basics of the language: poor understanding, weak grammar, inadequate vocabulary, and a lack of the four language skills. One of the crucial challenges a teacher of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) may face in Algeria is that English is not used authentically in the settings in which learners live, and learners are not motivated to learn in a conventional way. One of the widespread multimedia technologies that have become gradually more common in the teaching of English as a foreign language is film application. The research literature highlights the advantages of using films in language classes and how they can improve students’ language skills. This study investigates the constraints that influence the use of feature films in Algeria based on the main findings of a research study that was carried out at one university in Algeria involving teachers of oral expression and first-year EFL students through the use of semi-structured interviews. The findings show that the use of films is, to a great extent, effective in EFL classes. However, a key issue is how teachers can avoid the potential challenges that may influence the whole process.
Summer aridity in the United States: Response to mid‐Holocene changes in insolation and sea surface temperature

We examine the response of summer precipitation to mid‐Holocene insolation forcing and insolation‐induced changes in sea surface temperature. Using a high‐resolution nested climate modeling system, we find that mid‐Holocene insolation forcing results in drier‐than‐present conditions over the central continental United States (U.S.) and northern Rocky Mountains, as well as wetter‐than‐present conditions over the Atlantic seaboard and northwestern Great Plains. We find that changes in summer precipitation are dominated by changes in large‐scale processes, with similar patterns of change in the global and nested models. We also find that insolation‐induced changes in sea surface temperature do not change the basic pattern of precipitation response, primarily because the dynamical response is very similar with and without sea surface temperature changes. Notably, drier‐than‐present conditions over the central U.S. are associated with enhanced anticyclonic circulation aloft over the mid‐continent and reduced low‐level moisture content over the Gulf of Mexico and south‐central U.S., while wetter‐than‐present conditions over the Atlantic seaboard are associated with enhanced low‐level cyclonic circulation and elevated low‐level moisture content. The simulated patterns of precipitation and soil moisture agree with proxy moisture records from most regions, indicating both that insolation was the strongest determinant of mid‐Holocene summer aridity in the continental U.S. and that high‐resolution nested climate modeling systems are able to capture the basic response of midlatitude warm‐season aridity to changes in external climate forcing.
Eye gaze tracking using an active stereo head

In the eye gaze tracking problem, the goal is to determine where on a monitor screen a computer user is looking, ie. , the gaze point. Existing systems generally have one of two limitations: either the head must remain fixed in front of a stationary camera, or, to allow for head motion, the user must wear an obstructive device. We introduce a 3D eye tracking system where the head motion is allowed without the need for markers or worn devices. We use a pair of stereo systems: a wide angle stereo system detects the face and steers an active narrow FOV stereo system to track the eye at high resolution. For high resolution tracking, the eye is modeled in 3D, including the corneal ball, pupil and fovea. We discuss the calibration of the stereo systems, the eye model, eye detection and tracking, and we close with an evaluation of the accuracy of the estimated gaze point on the monitor.
Expansion complexes for finite subdivision rules. II

This paper gives applications of earlier work of the authors on the use of expansion complexes for studying conformality of finite subdivision rules. The first application is that a one-tile rotationally invariant finite subdivision rule (with bounded valence and mesh approaching 0) has an invariant partial conformal structure, and hence is conformal. The paper next considers one-tile single valence finite subdivision rules. It is shown that an expansion map for such a finite subdivision rule can be conjugated to a linear map, and that the finite subdivision rule is conformal exactly when this linear map is either a dilation or has eigenvalues that are not real. Finally, an example is given of an irreducible finite subdivision rule that has a parabolic expansion complex and a hyperbolic expansion complex.
Towards a dichotomy theorem for the counting constraint satisfaction problem

The Counting Constraint Satisfaction Problem (#CSP) over a finite domain can be expressed as follows: given a first-order formula consisting of a conjunction of predicates, determine the number of satisfying assignments to the formula. #CSP can be parametrized by the set of allowed constraint predicates. In this paper we start a systematic study of subclasses of #CSP restricted in this way. The ultimate goal of this investigation is to distinguish those restricted subclasses of #CSP which are tractable, i.e. solvable in polynomial time, from those which are not. We show that the complexity of any restricted #CSP class on a finite domain can be deduced from the properties of polymorphisms of the allowed constraints, similar to that for the decision CSP. Then we prove that if a subclass of the #CSP is tractable, then constraints allowed by the class satisfy some very restrictive condition: it has to have a Mal'tsev polymorphism, that is a ternary operation m(x, y, z) such that m(x, y, y) = m(y, y, x) = x. This condition uniformly explains all existing complexity results for particular cases of #CSP, and allows us to obtain new results and to conjecture a criterion distinguishing tractable counting CSPs. We also obtain a dichotomy theorem for the complexity of #CSP with a 3-element domain and give new simpler proofs of the dichotomy results for the problem of counting graph homomorphisms.
Development of a Semicircular Bend (SCB) Test Method for Performance Testing of Nebraska Asphalt Mixtures

Granted that most distresses in asphalt (flexible) concrete (AC) pavements are directly related to fracture, it becomes clear that identifying and characterizing fracture properties of AC mixtures is a critical step towards a better pavement design. This report examines the testing variables of a reliable and practical semicircular bending (SCB) test for evaluating the fracture characteristics of asphalt concrete mixtures at intermediate service temperature conditions. The first part of this report investigates the repeatability of the SCB fracture test method by integrating a statistical-experimental approach to identify testing variables of the SCB test that result in repeatable test results. Toward this end, five testing variables (the number of testing specimens, specimen thickness, notch length, loading rate, and testing temperature) of the SCB test were investigated due to their significant effects on mixture fracture characteristics. After statistical analysis of 18 specimens tested with a typical testing variables, approximately, five to six specimens/replicates were found to be a reasonable sample size that could properly represent asphalt concrete fracture behavior using the SCB test method. The coefficient of variation (COV) of the mixture fracture energy was used to evaluate the effect of each variable on the repeatability of test results. A range of 1 mm/min. to 5 mm/min. for the loading rate, a notch length from 5 mm to 25 mm, and a specimen thickness of 40 mm to 60 mm and a testing temperature of 15-40°C showed a good repeatability of fracture energy with small COVs (≤15 %). The second part of this work is to investigate the sensitivity of the SCB test using the previously determined testing variables. Fourteen different asphalt concrete (AC) mixtures collected from 12 field construction projects in Nebraska were used in this task. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) test showed statistically significant differences between mixtures at a 95% confidence level. Tukey’s honestly significant difference (HSD) multiple-comparison analysis found similarities within mixtures of same types and differences between mixture types. In addition, the fracture energy of bituminous mixtures increased with increasing amount of virgin asphalt content in mixture. Overall, the SCB test method developed herein proved to be repeatable and sensitive to changes in mixtures, and thus a promising tool for evaluating the fatigue fracture resistance of AC mixtures.
How to Perform and Interpret Timed Barium Esophagogram

Timed barium esophagogram (TBE) is a simple and objective method for assessing the esophageal emptying. The technique of TBE is similar to usual barium swallow with some modifications, which include taking multiple sequential films at pre-decided time interval after a single swallow of a fixed volume of a specific density barium solution. While many authors have used height and width of the barium column to assess the esophageal emptying, others have used the area of the barium column. TBE is being used in patients with suspected or confirmed achalasia and to follow-up those who have been treated with pneumatic dilation or myotomy. This review discusses technique of performing TBE, interpretation and its utility in clinical practice.
UNA based iterative test data generation and its evaluation

A number of approaches have been proposed to automatically generate test data to traverse a given path in a program. We present a program execution based approach to generate test data for a given path. The technique derives a desired input for a test path by iteratively refining an arbitrarily chosen input. A set of linear constraints on the increments to the input are derived to refine the input. We solve this constraint set using a Unified Numerical Approach (UNA) developed in this paper. Our technique can generate both integer and floating point inputs as well as handle arrays and loops. We determine a basis set of paths for a program and use our technique to generate test data for this set. We implemented and experimentally evaluated our technique. We present results of generating input for scientific programs. The experimental results show that the technique is effective in that it generates input for most of the paths in the basis sets and also efficiently detects linear infeasible paths. Our experiments also show that our technique is efficient in the number of iterations required to generate test data. The time performance shows that it provides a practical method to automatically generate test data for scientific programs.
Antimicrobial susceptibility and antibiotic resistance gene transfer analysis of foodborne, clinical, and environmental Listeria spp. isolates including Listeria monocytogenes

The aims of this study were to assess antibiotic resistance pheno‐ and genotypes in foodborne, clinical, and environmental Listeria isolates, as well as to elucidate the horizontal gene transfer potential of detected resistance genes. A small fraction of in total 524 Listeria spp. isolates (3.1%) displayed acquired antibiotic resistance mainly to tetracycline (n = 11), but also to clindamycin (n = 4) and trimethoprim (n = 3), which was genotypically confirmed. In two cases, a tetracycline resistance phenotype was observed together with a trimethoprim resistance phenotype, namely in a clinical L. monocytogenes strain and in a foodborne L. innocua isolate. Depending on the applied guidelines, a differing number of isolates (n = 2 or n = 20) showed values for ampicillin that are on the edge between intermediate susceptibility and resistance. Transferability of the antibiotic resistance genes from the Listeria donors, elucidated in vitro by filter matings, was demonstrated for genes located on transposons of the Tn916 family and for an unknown clindamycin resistance determinant. Transfer rates of up to 10−5 transconjugants per donor were obtained with a L. monocytogenes recipient and up to 10−7 with an Enterococcus faecalis recipient, respectively. Although the prevalence of acquired antibiotic resistance in Listeria isolates from this study was rather low, the transferability of these resistances enables further spread in the future. This endorses the importance of surveillance of L. monocytogenes and other Listeria spp. in terms of antibiotic susceptibility.
The Role of Platform Boundary Resources in Software Ecosystems: A Case Study

The success of software ecosystems highly depends on the variety and quality of end-user applications. Therefore, attracting third-party developers and facilitating application development is crucial. Platform boundary resources enable third-party developers to create the applications. Thus, the platform boundary resources expose and extend the platform architecture. We conducted an industrial case study on third-party developer experience, particularly on the role of platform boundary resources in exposing the platform architecture and facilitating development. The studied ecosystem is centered on managing end-users' content across devices, the ecosystem was in its pre-commercial phase. The results identify the platform boundary resources in the case study and propose a model for classifying the resources. Further, designing the platform boundary resources is not only about opening up the platform architecture. Instead, the platform boundary resources need to account for a rich variety of applications, or at least not limit too much the creativity of third-party developers, while still aiming at the ease of development. We conclude that the platform boundary resources need to be created for the third-party developers, rather than from the platform architecture.
Outpatient prescribing errors and the impact of computerized prescribing

AbstractBACKGROUND: Medication errors are common among inpatients and many are preventable with computerized prescribing. Relatively little is known about outpatient prescribing errors or the impact of computerized prescribing in this setting. OBJECTIVE: To assess the rates, types, and severity of outpatient prescribing errors and understand the potential impact of computerized prescribing. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study in 4 adult primary care practices in Boston using prescription review, patient survey, and chart review to identify medication errors, potential adverse drug events (ADEs) and preventable ADEs. PARTICIPANTS: Outpatients over age 18 who received a prescription from 24 participating physicians. RESULTS: We screened 1879 prescriptions from 1202 patients, and completed 661 surveys (response rate 55%). Of the prescriptions, 143 (7.6%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 6.4% to 8.8%) contained a prescribing error. Three errors led to preventable ADEs and 62 (43%; 3% of all prescriptions) had potential for patient injury (potential ADEs); I was potentially life-threatening (2%) and 15 were serious (24%). Errors in frequency (n=77, 54%) and dose (n=26, 18%) were common. The rates of medication errors and potential ADEs were not significantly different at basic computerized prescribing sites (4.3% vs 11.0%, P=.31; 2.6% vs 4.0%, P=.16) compared to handwritten sites. Advanced checks (including dose and frequency checking) could have prevented 95% of potential ADEs. CONCLUSIONS: Prescribing errors occurred in 7.6% of outpatient prescriptions and many could have harmed patients. Basic computerized prescribing systems may not be adequate to reduce errors. More advanced systems with dose and frequency checking are likely needed to prevent potentially harmful errors.
Noncommutative function theory and unique extensions

We generalize to the setting of Arveson's maximal subdiagonal subalgebras of finite von Neumann algebras, the Szeg\"o $L^p$-distance estimate, and classical theorems of F. and M. Riesz, Gleason and Whitney, and Kolmogorov. In so doing, we are finally able to provide a complete noncommutative analog of the famous cycle of theorems characterizing the function theoretic generalizations of $H^\infty$. A sample of our other results: we prove a Kaplansky density result for a large class of these algebras, and give a necessary condition for when every completely contractive homomorphism on a unital subalgebra of a C*-algebra possesses a unique completely positive extension.
The Development of Trust for Best Friend Versus Other Friend in Childhood and Adolescent Relationship

Trust as experienced in childhood and adolescent best friend and other friend dyads was examined with respect to age differences, sex differences, and differences in perspective taking. A sample of 109 students in grade levels 4 (9-10 .years; N =27), 6 (11-12 years; N = 29), 8 (13-14 years; N = 25), and 10 (15-16 years; N = 28), were selected to provide for a cross-section of school age youth. Age and gender differences for trust in regard to the dyadic relationships were investigated using a modified version of Sharabany's Intimacy Scale, and a modified version of the Prisoner's Dilemma Game; the latter being a measure developed by the principal investigator. In addition to these two measures, approximately 55 % of the subjects were rated for level of perspective taking by using a modified version of Selman's Friendship Domain Interview. This measure allowed the youths to answer open ended questions and probes about trust in a friendship. The findings in this study are the product of data generated from three trust measures. Some ubiquitous findings did emerge from the statistical analyses, suggesting that significant differences among the factors were dependent on the type of task/measure, and the nature of the relationship being addressed. An effect for age was not significant with the SISm measure, but was significant for the PD and Issue-Concept measures. However, interpretations of these results were not consistent, and were reflective of the measure employed. Significant gender differences were observed in the modified Sharabany Intimacy Scale, with females making more trusting descriptive choices than males. In the Prisoner's Dilemma, gender differences were embedded in the effect for grade. Gender differences were not present in the issue-concept scores from the interviews, an effect which supports previous research (Brion-Meisels, 1977; Enright, 1977; Selman, 1980) . Finally, with respect to friend, significant differences were noted in the SISm and PD measures with trust ratings for best friend being higher than those for other friend.