Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessing the Sustainability of Existing Buildings Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process

Relative concepts of sustainability are more and more influenced by societies around the world. The construction industry, especially for building construction development, is being accused of promoting environmental impacts that range from excess use of resources to pollution generation. This paper present an application of the sustainability concept applied to buildings, as well as, a contribution to the development of practices, methodology and tools for evaluation of already existing buildings. In order to achieve that, this study will detail how current systems to evaluate building performance operate, and how can we improve them. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), a multi-criteria method, is used as a tool to investigate the relative importance of the criteria, sub-criteria and families of indicators established by the researcher and interested parties, and adjust the proposed system to the local culture. AHP usage allowed a deeper insight into the problem.
Cathepsin Inhibition-Induced Lysosomal Dysfunction Enhances Pancreatic Beta-Cell Apoptosis in High Glucose

Autophagy is a lysosomal degradative pathway that plays an important role in maintaining cellular homeostasis. We previously showed that the inhibition of autophagy causes pancreatic β-cell apoptosis, suggesting that autophagy is a protective mechanism for the survival of pancreatic β-cells. The current study demonstrates that treatment with inhibitors and knockdown of the lysosomal cysteine proteases such as cathepsins B and L impair autophagy, enhancing the caspase-dependent apoptosis of INS-1 cells and islets upon exposure to high concentration of glucose. Interestingly, treatment with cathepsin B and L inhibitors prevented the proteolytic processing of cathepsins B, D and L, as evidenced by gradual accumulation of the respective pro-forms. Of note, inhibition of aspartic cathepsins had no effect on autophagy and cell viability, suggesting the selective role of cathepsins B and L in the regulation of β-cell autophagy and apoptosis. Lysosomal localization of accumulated pro-cathepsins in the presence of cathepsin B and L inhibitors was verified via immunocytochemistry and lysosomal fractionation. Lysotracker staining indicated that cathepsin B and L inhibitors led to the formation of severely enlarged lysosomes in a time-dependent manner. The abnormal accumulation of pro-cathepsins following treatment with inhibitors of cathepsins B and L suppressed normal lysosomal degradation and the processing of lysosomal enzymes, leading to lysosomal dysfunction. Collectively, our findings suggest that cathepsin defects following the inhibition of cathepsin B and L result in lysosomal dysfunction and consequent cell death in pancreatic β-cells.
Dual priority SDMA in aeronautical communications

In order to achieve an efficient usage of limited aeronautical spectrum for broadband air to ground (A/G) communications, in this paper, an underlay mode space division multiple access (SDMA) is developed to support dual priority levels of services simultaneously for the future A/G communication system. Using orthogonal beamforming over the antenna array, the proposed underlay mode SDMA is able to provide interference free communications for the high priority service (e.g., air traffic control, ATC) of the m-th airborne station (AS-m), while its spectrum resource can be multiplexed in underlay mode for another low priority service (e.g., airline passenger communications, APC) of AS-n. We further propose an orthogonal deficiency based AS pairing criterion to minimize the performance degradation of low priority services. The signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) outage probability and achievable rate of underlay services are analyzed, while the simulation results confirm that the throughput could be approximately doubled when the number of pairing candidates is sufficiently large.
Kinetic Monte Carlo simulation of heteroepitaxial growth: Wetting layers, quantum dots, capping, and nanorings

A new kinetic Monte Carlo algorithm that efficiently accounts for elastic strain is presented and applied to study various phenomena that take place during heteroepitaxial growth. For example, it is demonstrated that faceted quantum dots occur via the layer-by-layer nucleation of pre-pyramids on top of a critical layer with faceting occurring by anisotropic surface diffusion. It is also shown that the dot growth is enhanced by the depletion of the critical layer which leaves behind a wetting layer. Capping simulations provide insight into the mechanisms behind dot erosion and ring formation. The algorithm used for the simulations presented here is based on the observation that adatom and dimer motion is essentially decoupled from the elastic field. This is exploited by decomposing the film into two parts: the weakly bonded portion and the strongly bonded portion. The weakly bonded portion is taken to evolve independent of the elastic field. In this way the elastic field need only be updated infrequently. Extensive validation reveals that there is little loss of fidelity but the algorithm is fifteen to twenty times faster.
CENSORS: A Combined EIS–NVSS Survey Of Radio Sources — I. Sample definition, radio data and optical identifications

A new sample of radio sources, with the designated name CENSORS (A Combined EIS-NVSS Survey Of Radio Sources), has been defined by combining the National Radio Astronomy Observatory Very Large Array Sky Survey (NVSS) at 1.4 GHz with the ESO Imaging Survey (EIS) Patch D, a 3° by 2° region of sky centred at RA 09 h 51 m 36 s . 0, Dec. -21°00'00" (J2000). New radio observations of 199 NVSS radio sources with NVSS flux densities S 1 . 4 G H z > 7.8 mJy are presented, and are compared with the EIS I-band imaging observations which reach a depth of I ∼ 23; optical identifications are obtained for over two-thirds of the ∼150 confirmed radio sources within the EIS field. The radio sources have a median linear size of 6 arcsec, consistent with the trend for lower flux density radio sources to be less extended. Other radio source properties, such as the lobe flux density ratios, are consistent with those of brighter radio source samples. From the optical information, 30-40 per cent of the sources are expected to lie at redshifts z ≥ 1.5. One of the key goals of this survey is to accurately determine the high-redshift evolution of the radio luminosity function. These radio sources are at the ideal flux density level to achieve this goal; at redshifts z ∼ 2 they have luminosities which are around the break of the luminosity function and so provide a much more accurate census of the radio source population at those redshifts than the existing studies of extreme, high radio power sources. Other survey goals include investigating the dual-population unification schemes for radio sources, studying the radio luminosity dependence of the evolution of radio source environments, and understanding the radio power dependence of the K-z relation for radio galaxies.
Psychometric Evaluation of the Offender Coping Self-Efficacy Scale in the Context of Incarceration and Upon Re-entry

Minhdan Ta (343 words) Incarceration presents unique stressors that affect psychological well-being. Identifying selfefficacy for different types of coping strategies to manage stressors may help treatment teams develop appropriate interventions aimed at reducing recidivism. Consequently, I developed and evaluated the preliminary psychometric properties of the Offender Coping Self-Efficacy Scale (OCSS). An initial pool of 47 items was used to assess inmates’ confidence in their ability to cope with stressors related to incarceration and re-entry. The scale was completed by a sample of inmates (N = 144) who were 18 years or older and serving time at one of two county jails. The majority of the participants were male (78.4%), White (51.4%), and had a high school diploma or equivalent (39.2%). About 60% of the participants had been sentenced and were serving their sentence in the county jail. Items were selected using standardized estimates, itemtotal correlations, and construct definitions. The final 30-items had an internal consistency alpha of . 92, with subscale alphas ranging from . 70 to . 86. The OCSS’s underlying factor structure was examined using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of seven models, in addition to an exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Based on item-level analyses, the OCSS best fit a bi-factor model with three coping strategies and two settings ( [371; N = 144] = 733.293, p < .01, CFI = 0.82, and RMSEA = 0.083). A single-order, six-factor structure, of coping strategy and setting factors with a total OCSS had similar fit ( [395; N = 144] = 789.589, p < .001, CFI = 0.81, and RMSEA = 0.084). Structural equation modeling was used to estimate the OCSS’s construct validity in a nomological net of related constructs. A strong, positive correlation was found between the OCSS and a related measure of coping self-efficacy. Less strong correlations were found with the OCSS and measures of general self-efficacy, coping, career decision-making self-
Quantifying Barriers to Meditation as a Health Behavior: Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Determinants of Meditation Practice Inventory

Title of Thesis: QUANTIFYING BARRIERS TO MEDITATION AS A HEALTH BEHAVIOR: EXPLORATORY AND CONFIRMATORY FACTOR ANALYSIS OF THE DETERMINANTS OF MEDITATION PRACTICE INVENTORY Carly Hunt Rietschel, Master of Arts, 2016 Thesis Directed By: Professor Mary Ann Hoffman, PhD Department of Counseling, Higher Education, and Special Education Although the benefits of mindfulness meditation practices have been widely documented, research data suggest that there are barriers to regularly engaging in meditation behavior. In order to explore research questions pertaining to meditation initiation and adherence, psychometrically valid scales to assess barriers to meditation practice are necessary. The aim of the present study was to explore the factor structure and construct validity of the Determinants of Meditation Practice Inventory (DMPI) (Williams et al., 2011), a perceived barriers to meditation scale. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses along with construct validity tests were performed on data obtained from two large, community samples. Results supported the DMPI as a valid scale assessing perceived barriers with four factors, Lack of Interest, Knowledge Concerns, Pragmatic Concerns and Sociocultural Beliefs. The present study offers a DMPI-revised scale that may be reliably used to assess attitudes and beliefs that might impede meditation behavior.
American Journal of Epidemiology Original Contribution Use of Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drugs and Distal Large Bowel Cancer in Whites and African Americans

Despite the belief that the etiology of and risk factors for rectal cancer might differ from those for colon cancer, relatively few studies have examined rectal cancer in relation to use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The authors evaluated the association between NSAIDs and distal large bowel cancer in African Americans and whites, using data from a population-based case-control study of 1,057 incident cases of adeno-carcinoma of the sigmoid colon, rectosigmoid junction, and rectum and 1,019 controls from North Carolina (2001– 2006). NSAID use was inversely associated with distal large bowel cancer in whites (odds ratio (OR) ¼ 0.60, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.46, 0.79). The inverse association was evident for all types of NSAIDs but was slightly stronger with prescription NSAIDs, particularly selective cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitors (OR ¼ 0.38, 95% CI: 0.25, 0.56). Compared with whites, a relatively weak inverse association was found in African Americans (OR ¼ 0.87, 95% CI: 0.55, 1.40), although odds ratio heterogeneity by race could not be confirmed (P ¼ 0.21). In addition, the strength of the association with NSAIDs varied by tumor location, suggesting more potent effects for rectal and rectosigmoid cancers than for sigmoid cancer. The chemopreventive potential of NSAIDs might differ by population and by tumor characteristics. The inverse association between nonsteroidal antiinflam-matory drugs (NSAIDs) and colorectal cancer has been well documented (1–13); however, relatively few studies have focused specifically on rectal cancer, despite the belief that the etiology of and risk factors for rectal cancer might differ from those for colon cancer. The proximal and distal parts of the large bowel have different embryonic origins, as well as physiologic differences in bile salt concentration and bacterial populations (14). Different genetic aberrations have been associated with cancers arising at different subsites of the large bowel (15). Moreover, although the anatomic distribution of colorectal cancer has been shown to differ between African Americans and whites (16, 17), there have been few studies of risk factors for colorectal cancer in African Americans. We therefore examined the association between NSAIDs and adenocarcinoma of the distal large bowel (i.e., sigmoid colon, rectosigmoid junction, and rec-tum) in African Americans and whites. We used data from phase 2 of the North Carolina Colon Cancer Study. North Carolina Colon Cancer Study II is a population-based case-control study in 33 counties in the central and eastern part of North Carolina. patients with a first diagnosis of invasive adenocarcinoma of …
Developmental Psychology Is Working Memory Training Effective ? A Meta-Analytic Review

s screened (n = 225) Abstracts excluded (n = 113) Full-text ar cles assessed for eligibility (n = 114) Full-text ar cles excluded (n = 91) Reasons: -Did not have a working memory interven on or did not report empirical data (n = 75). -Did not have a control group or compares two types of WM training (no untreated control group); (Gibson, Gondoli, et al. 2011 Holmes, Gathercole, Place, Dunning et al. 2010; Mezzacappa & Buckner, 2010) -Different control groups for working memory and transfer measures (K. I. E. Dahlin, 2011) -Only used ra ng scales (Beck, Hanson, et al., 2010) -Did not report data on the targeted transfer measures (Buschkuehl, Jaeggi, et al, 2008; Engvig, Fjell, et al. 2010; Li, Schmiedek, et al. 2008; Kinsella, Mullaly, et al. 2009; Lundquist, Grundstr m, et al. 2010; Løhaugen, Antonsen et al. 2010; Owen, Hampshire et al. 2010; Serino, Ciaramelli, et al. 2007; Takeuchi, Sekiguchi et al. 2010; Vogt, Kappos, et al. 2009). -Retracted by authors (Persson & Reuter-Lorenz, 2008) Studies included in meta-analysis (n = 23 studies, 30 independent group comparisons) In cl us io n cr it er ia Search features: • Electronic databases (ERIC, Medline, APA PsychNET, ProQuest disserta ons, PsychInfo, and all cita on databases included in ISI web of knowledge from 1980-5.11.2011 with keywords “working memory training”). • Cita on search on author names • Scanning reference lists • Hand search of journals that specialize in publishing research on learning disabili es • Search in prior narra ve reviews • Google scholar • E-mail request to researchers in the field Se ar ch Included studies must: • Be randomized controlled trials or quasi-experiments with a treatment and either a treated or untreated control group tested preand pos est. • The treatment group had to receive an interven on for at least 2 weeks based on an adap ve computerized program that aimed to train working memory skills (verbal, visuo-spa al, or both). • Par cipants could be of any language background and learner status, but studies of adults older than 75 years were excluded. • The studies must provide data so that an effect size can be computed for the transfer measures. Figure 1. Flow diagram for the search and inclusion criteria for studies in this review. ISI Institute for Scientific Information; WM working memory; ERIC Education Resources Information Center; APA American Psychological Association. Adapted from “Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: The PRISMA Statement,” by D. Moher, A. Liberati, J. Tetzlaff, D. G. Altman, and The PRISMA Group, 2009, PLoS Med 6(6). Copyright 2009 by the Public Library of Science. 5 WORKING MEMORY TRAINING
X-Ray Properties of the Abell 644 Cluster of Galaxies

We use new ASCA observations and archival ROSAT PSPC data to determine the X-ray spectral properties of the intracluster gas in Abell 644. From the overall spectrum, we determine the average gas temperature to be 8.64 keV and an abundance of 0.32 ± 0.04 Z☉. The global ASCA and ROSAT spectra imply a cooling rate of 214 M☉ yr-1. The PSPC X-ray surface brightness profile and the ASCA data suggest a somewhat higher cooling rate. We determine the gravitational mass and gas mass as a function of radius. The total gravitating mass within 1.2 Mpc is 6.2 × 1014 M☉, of which 20% is in the form of hot gas. There is a region of elevated temperature 1. ′5-5' to the west of the cluster center. The south-southwest region of the cluster also shows excess emission in the ROSAT PSPC X-ray image, aligned with the major axis of the optical cD galaxy in the center of the cluster. We argue that the cluster is undergoing or has recently undergone a minor merger. The combination of a fairly strong cooling flow and evidence for a merger make this cluster an interesting case to test the disruption of cooling flow in mergers.
Mature Erythrocytes of Iguana iguana (Squamata, Iguanidae) Possess Functional Mitochondria

Electron microscopy analyses of Iguana iguana blood preparations revealed the presence of mitochondria within erythrocytes with well-structured cristae. Fluorescence microscopy analyses upon incubation with phalloidin-FITC, Hoechst 33342 and mitochondrial transmembrane potential (Δψm)-sensitive probe MitoTracker Red indicated that mitochondria i) widely occur in erythrocytes, ii) are polarized, and iii) seem to be preferentially confined at a "perinuclear" region, as confirmed by electron microscopy. The analysis of NADH-dependent oxygen consumption showed that red blood cells retain the capability to consume oxygen, thereby providing compelling evidence that mitochondria of Iguana erythrocytes are functional and capable to perform oxidative phosphorylation.
High‐density SNP genotyping array for hexaploid wheat and its secondary and tertiary gene pool

Summary In wheat, a lack of genetic diversity between breeding lines has been recognized as a significant block to future yield increases. Species belonging to bread wheat's secondary and tertiary gene pools harbour a much greater level of genetic variability, and are an important source of genes to broaden its genetic base. Introgression of novel genes from progenitors and related species has been widely employed to improve the agronomic characteristics of hexaploid wheat, but this approach has been hampered by a lack of markers that can be used to track introduced chromosome segments. Here, we describe the identification of a large number of single nucleotide polymorphisms that can be used to genotype hexaploid wheat and to identify and track introgressions from a variety of sources. We have validated these markers using an ultra‐high‐density Axiom® genotyping array to characterize a range of diploid, tetraploid and hexaploid wheat accessions and wheat relatives. To facilitate the use of these, both the markers and the associated sequence and genotype information have been made available through an interactive web site.
SURVEY ON MOBILITY MANAGEMENT PROTOCOLS FOR IPv6 BASED NETWORK

The mobility management in IP based network in general and IPv6 network in particular has under gone lots of changes in the last few years. Many mobility management schemes for IPv6 have been proposed and successfully implemented so far. In this paper, a brief survey of existing protocols for providing seamless mobility in IP based network is carried out with an emphasis on mobility management in IPv6. The discussion of this paper includes few well-established protocols like Mobile IPv6, Hierarchical Mobile IPv6, Fast handover in MIPv6. We have also included few latest proposals in the area of IPv6 mobility management at the end of the paper. This discussion will help new researchers in this field to give a direction in their work. At the beginning of the paper we have also discussed Mobile IPv4 as the first protocol for IP mobility support.
Designing and Analyzing Studies That Randomize Schools to Estimate Intervention Effects on Student Academic Outcomes Without Classroom-Level Information

This paper provides practical guidance for researchers who are designing and analyzing studies that randomize schools—which comprise three levels of clustering (students in classrooms in schools)—to measure intervention effects on student academic outcomes when information on the middle level (classrooms) is missing. This situation arises frequently in practice because many available data sets identify the schools that students attend but not the classrooms in which they are taught. Do studies conducted under these circumstances yield results that are substantially different from what they would have been if this information had been available? The paper first considers this problem in the context of planning a school randomized study based on preexisting two-level information about how academic outcomes for students vary across schools and across students within schools (but not across classrooms in schools). The paper next considers this issue in the context of estimating intervention effects from school-randomized studies. Findings are based on empirical analyses of four multisite data sets using academic outcomes for students within classrooms within schools. The results indicate that in almost all situations one will obtain nearly identical results whether or not the classroom or middle level is omitted when designing or analyzing studies.
MOVING FRAMES AND NOETHER’S CONSERVATION LAWS—THE GENERAL CASE

In recent works [Gonçalves and Mansfield, Stud. Appl. Math., 128 (2012), 1–29; Mansfield, A Practical Guide to the Invariant Calculus (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2010)], the authors considered various Lagrangians, which are invariant under a Lie group action, in the case where the independent variables are themselves invariant. Using a moving frame for the Lie group action, they showed how to obtain the invariantized Euler–Lagrange equations and the space of conservation laws in terms of vectors of invariants and the Adjoint representation of a moving frame. In this paper, we show how these calculations extend to the general case where the independent variables may participate in the action. We take for our main expository example the standard linear action of SL(2) on the two independent variables. This choice is motivated by applications to variational fluid problems which conserve potential vorticity. We also give the results for Lagrangians invariant under the standard linear action of SL(3) on the three independent variables.