Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Suggestion modulates deeply ingrained processes

Behavioural scientists typically classify cognitive processes as either controlled or automatic. Whereas controlled processes are slow and effortful, automatic processes are fast and involuntary. Cognitive researchers have recently begun investigating how top-down influence in the form of suggestion can allow individuals to modulate the automaticity of deeply ingrained processes. The present thesis surveys a background of converging findings that collectively indicate that certain individuals can derail involuntary processes, such as reading. We extend previous Stroop findings to several other well-established automatic paradigms, including the McGurk effect. We thus demonstrate how, in the case of highly suggestible individuals, suggestion seems to wield control over a process that is likely even more automatic than the Stroop effect. Furthermore, we present findings from two novel experimental paradigms exploring the potential of shifting automaticity in the opposite direction – i.e., transforming, without practice, a controlled task into one that is automatic. In addition, we present findings from an experiment leveraging de-automatization to illuminate a longstanding debate on the nature of hypnotic suggestibility: whether it reflects a stable trait determined by cognitive aptitude or a flexible skill amenable to attitudinal factors such as beliefs and expectations. We surreptitiously controlled light and sound stimuli to convince participants that they were responding strongly to hypnotic suggestions for visual and auditory hallucinations. Extending our previous findings, we indexed hypnotic suggestibility by de-automatizing an involuntary audiovisual phenomenon—the McGurk effect. Our findings intimate that, at least in the present experimental context, expectation hardly correlates with—and is unlikely to be a primary determinant of—high hypnotic suggestibility. Finally, the thesis concludes by addressing related evidence from the neuroscience of contemplative practices and discussing how these findings pave the road to a more scientific understanding of voluntary control and automaticity. %%%%Les scientifiques distinguent habituellement deux classes de processus cognitifs : les processus controles et les processus automatiques. Tandis que les processus controles sont lents et requierent un effort, les processus automatiques sont rapides et involontaires. Les chercheurs en sciences cognitives ont recemment commence a etudier comment l'influence des suggestions peut de moduler l'automaticite de processus profondement enracines. La presente these examine un ensemble de decouvertes qui indiquent collectivement que certaines personnes peuvent modifier des processus involontaires. Nous etendons les decouvertes precedentes sur l'effet Stroop a plusieurs autres paradigmes automatiques bien etablis, y compris l'effet McGurk. Nous demontrons ainsi comment, dans le cas des individus tres suggestibles, la suggestion semble exercer un controle sur un processus qui est probablement encore plus automatique que…
Crisis in Education and Future Challenges for Nepal

Over the last few decades, more particularly in the three previous ones, there has been a rapid increase in the number of students enrolling at all levels of education. In absolute figures, primary school numbers grew significantly from around 400,000 in 1971 to 3.9 million in 2001. Over the same period, the combined numbers in lower secondary and secondary schools increased from 120,000 to 1.5 million. At post secondary level, including tertiary education, numbers increased from 17,000 in 1971 to 210,000 in 2005, resulting in a current enrolment ratio of around 6%. (NLSS II). The credit for these quantitative achievements in terms of schools, teachers and students at all levels of the education system is down to a strong social demand for education and the efforts made by the people as well as the government. Credit must also be given to bilateral and multilateral donors for providing the government with the necessary resources to develop the educational infrastructures required to meet the increasing demand.
The use of photo-elicitation in field research. Exploring Maasai representations and use of natural resources

This paper examines the use of visual methods in geographical field research, and in particular photo-elicitation. The technique involves photos, videos and other forms of visual representation used in an interview, with informants asked to comment on the images. The aim is to promote more direct involvement of the informants in the research process and to encourage and stimulate the collection of quantitatively and qualitatively different information to that obtained in conventional interviews. The potential and limitations of this technique in the field are investigated, describing and discussing photo-elicitation data collection in the Maasai village of Mkuru in northern Tanzania to explore the use and preservation of natural resources. Results and methodological insights from the fieldwork are presented and discussed.
2-Wasserstein Approximation via Restricted Convex Potentials with Application to Improved Training for GANs

We provide a framework to approximate the 2-Wasserstein distance and the optimal transport map, amenable to efficient training as well as statistical and geometric analysis. With the quadratic cost and considering the Kantorovich dual form of the optimal transportation problem, the Brenier theorem states that the optimal potential function is convex and the optimal transport map is the gradient of the optimal potential function. Using this geometric structure, we restrict the optimization problem to different parametrized classes of convex functions and pay special attention to the class of input-convex neural networks. We analyze the statistical generalization and the discriminative power of the resulting approximate metric, and we prove a restricted moment-matching property for the approximate optimal map. Finally, we discuss a numerical algorithm to solve the restricted optimization problem and provide numerical experiments to illustrate and compare the proposed approach with the established regularization-based approaches. We further discuss practical implications of our proposal in a modular and interpretable design for GANs which connects the generator training with discriminator computations to allow for learning an overall composite generator.
Chemical and Nutritional Composition of Coleus tuberosus (Ubi Kemili) Tubers from Malaysia: Preliminary Studies

Coleus tuberosus is a tuber vegetable of the Lamiceae family, consisting of about 200 different species which include ornamental, medicinal plants and plants with edible tubers. This paper reports the chemical and nutritional composition of coleus potato. This study focused on the two parts of the tubers; peel and flesh. The flesh analyses resulted in 4.13% moisture, 5.73 g crude protein, 0.20 g fat, 85.67 g total carbohydrates, 4.27 g ash, minerals (potassium 1136.08 mg, calcium 16.06 mg, and magnesium 74.23 mg, iron 1.33 mg) and �-carotene 54.07 �g/100 g of dry weight. While the peel analyses resulted in 8.27% moisture, 8.73 g crude protein, 0.37 g fat, 68.60 g total carbohydrates, 14.03 g ash, minerals (potassium 3025.75, calcium 257.47 mg, and magnesium 70.03 mg, iron 49.76 mg/100 g dw) and �-carotene 661.87 �g/100 g dw. Amino acids and sugar contents were analyzed and indentified in both of flesh and peel of co leus potato. In general, coleus potato could be considered as one of the good sources of minerals especially (potassium, calcium, magnesium and iron) and �-carotene. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study reporting the chemical composition of C. tuberosus. The data obtained will present the important indication of the potentially nutraceutical of coleus potato as one of the cheaper sources of nutrients.
The experience of growing up with a parent with schizophrenia—A qualitative study.

In this study, we investigated the subjective experiences of 6 individuals from Spain who grew up with a parent with schizophrenia. Our objectives were to explore participants’ perceptions of the effects of these experiences upon their development and their sense of continuing impact upon their adult lives and relationships. Our approach was guided by interpretative phenomenological analysis and data collection involved in-depth interviews with participants. Three themes were generated: role change and loss, prison of silence, and “Who am I? ”. The findings highlighted the stigma of schizophrenia in society, a lack of support, emotional deprivation in childhood, and lasting negative effects for these participants upon their world view.
Working Paper No. 70. Conflict, State and Decentralisation: from social progress to an armed dispute for local control, 1974-2002.

Our objective is to determine the variables that explain the armed activity of irregular groups since the mid-1970s and to establish the possible causes of their expansion up to 2002, especially in terms of decentralisation (understood as the increased political, budgetary and administrative autonomy of local government). Over the past 30 years, Colombia has experienced profound changes at an economic, social and institutional level. Not only has the process of urbanisation been consolidated at the same time as the participation of agriculture in GDP has fallen, but the process of decentralisation has accelerated since the mid-1980s. We believe that decentralisation turned the conflict into a dispute for local power. This is manifested in the use of violence to gain control of public goods and services, to influence political and electoral results of interest to the irregular groups, and to consolidate local-level territorial control. The analysis of early guerrilla activity (1974-1982) shows socio-economic factors (poverty, inequality) to be the greatest variables. However, from the mid-1980s guerrilla activity is linked to the process of decentralisation, which created incentives for irregular groups to consolidate local power bases via the use of violence. The State’s weakness in the monopoly of force and the administration of justice facilitated the guerrilla groups’ expansion and the intensification of their armed activities, as well as those of the illegal ‘self-defence groups’. The statistical and econometric results reveal a strong connection between the intensification of armed activities and local governments’ greater political independence and fiscal strength. This study used new historical data on the conflict, and new municipal economic, fiscal, social and political information. New IEPRI municipal information on the activities and actions of the different guerrilla groups (FARC, ELN, M-19) from 1974 to 1982 was used, as were municipal databases – belonging to the Social Foundation, the National Planning Department and the President’s Office – on the actions and attacks of guerrilla, ‘self-defence’ and criminal groups between 1985 and 2002.
Constraint - Induced Movement Therapy: Determinants and Correlates of Duration of Adherence to Restraint use Among Stroke Survivors with Hemiparesis

Background: Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) was developed to improve purposeful movement of the stroke-affected extremity by restrictingthe use of the unaffected extremity. The two main components of CIMT are the training of the more-impaired arm to perform functional tasks, and the restraint of the less-impaired arm. One challenge that the application of CIMT faces is in ensuring adherence to the use of restraint. Purpose: There is a need to determine the factors that may influence adherence, as this would allow CIMT to be delivered more effectively, and prevent situations where unrealistic expectations are placed on stroke–affected individuals. Methods: Thirty stroke survivors with hemiparesis who met the inclusion criteria were consecutively recruited from the physiotherapy out-patient clinics, using a purposive sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on clinical and socio-demographic parameters. The participants were given a restraint and an adherence time log-book, to make a daily record during the period they wore the restraint. The adherence time logbook was collected at the end of every week of the 3-week study. Motor function and functional use of the upper limb were measured using Motricity Index and Motor Activity Log respectively. Data was analysed using mean and standard deviations, independent t-test and Spearman rho; p was significant at 0.05. Results: Gender (p=0.73) and side affected/handedness (p=0.79) had no significant influence on the percentage duration of adherence to restraint use (DARU). The influence of socio-economic status was seen, with the participants of middle socio-economic status adhering for longer duration (p=0.02). Age had weak and no significant correlation with percentage DARU (p=0.55). There was significantly fair correlation between motor function/functional use at any stage (p=0.55) and the corresponding percentage duration of adherence to restraint use, except the functional use in the first week (p=0.44). Conclusion: Socio-economic status should be considered when applying CIMT. DOI: 10.5463/dcid.v22i3. 84
Foeto-maternal outcome of abruptio placentae at a Nigerian tertiary hospital

Abruptio placentae remain a major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality and a significant cause of perinatal loss especially in the resource poor countries like Nigeria. The objective of this study was to determine the risk factors, maternal and perinatal outcomes of patients managed for abruptio placentae at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, (UATH), during a five-year period. A retrospective 5-year review of all cases of abruptio placentae managed at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital between 2012 and 2016 was carried out. The patients’ case notes were retrieved from the records department of the hospital and studied for socio-demographic characteristics, parity, gestational age, clinical presentation, risk factors for abruptio placentae, foetal and maternal outcomes. Total number of deliveries during the study period was 10767. Fifty-five (0.51%) women had abruptio placentae. Age significantly affected the incidence of abruptio placenta in this study (p=0.001). Parity was not significantly associated with abruptio placenta (p=0.73). Abruptio placentae occurred more frequently amongst unbooked women (70.9%). Maternal complications were postpartum haemorrhage (16.4%), haemorrhage shock (10.9%), postpartum anaemia (acute) (21.8%), and puerperal sepsis (3.6%). There was one maternal death, giving a case fatality rate of 1.8%. Adverse foetal outcome was noted in severe cases of abruptio placentae. There were seven perinatal deaths giving a perinatal mortality rate of 127 per 1000 births. Abruptio placentae is associated with adverse maternal and foetal outcome. Lack of antenatal care, increasing maternal age and multiparity are independently associated with abruptio placentae and this has significant impact on the fetomaternal outcome from the complications. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment of placental abruption will significantly improve foetal and maternal outcome. Key words: Abruptio placentae, risk factors, maternal, perinatal outcomes.
Characterization, Fate, and Re-Suspension of Aerosol Particles (0.3-10 µm): The Effects of Occupancy and Carpet Use

ABSTRACTIn this study we present the particle number size distribution (diameter 0.3–10 µm with 1-minute time resolution) inside four offices (naturally ventilated) inside two university buildings. Each office had a typical environment in terms of occupancy and furniture. We focused on the differences between workdays and weekends in terms of particle number (PN) and particle mass (PM, assuming spherical particles with unit density) concentrations. Moreover, we illustrated the effect of workers’ activity (occupancy, smoking, etc.). We also applied a simple indoor aerosol model to estimate the fate (gravitational settling and exfiltration) and source strength of aerosol particles within the measured particle size range. During workdays, the highest measured 24-hour average PM10–1 in the occupied office was 41.5 µg m–3 (PN10–1 = 2.2 cm–3) compared to 9.0 µg m–3 (PN10–1 = 1.2 cm–3) in the unoccupied offices. The ventilation rate of the offices that were opposite to each other was about 0.15 h–1 whereas it was 0.28–0.38 h–1 for the other offices, which were a bit distant from each other. The gravitational settling analysis suggested that a suitable particle density (ρp) could be ~1.7 g cm–3 with a shape factor χ ~1.57, which is similar to mineral dust particles. The gravitational settling rate of particles around 2 µm in diameter was about 0.3 h–1. The source strength of indoor dust particles was higher in the occupied and carpeted offices (re-suspension emission rate as high as 235 µg m–3 h–1) in comparison to unoccupied and uncarpeted offices (75 µg m–3 h–1). This study provided us with an insight about the effect of occupancy and carpet use on the dynamic behavior (fate and re-suspension) of dust particles inside university office buildings located in semi-arid regions.
LINEAR STABILITY OF A DOUBLE-BARRED COAST

The linear stability of singleand double-barred coasts is studied. For a single-barred beach, the wavelength of the fastest growing mode increases with increasing trough width. The maximum growth rate itself decreases with increasing distance between the shore and the crest of the bar. The spatial structure is an undulating pattern and is independent of the alongshore wavelength of the perturbation. These results show good qualitative agreement with a previous study. The stability of double-barred beaches is studied, fixing the alongshore wavelength, with the focus on the sensitivity of the growth rate and the spatial pattern to two geometrical parameters, viz. the crest height of the outer breaker bar and the distance between the crests of the two breaker bars. The spatial structure at the position of the inner bar is similar to the undulating pattern found in the single-barred experiments. The amplitude of the perturbation on the outer breaker bar depends on the distance between the breaker bars and on the height of the outer breaker bar.
Effects of atmospheric dust deposition on leaf chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of cow-tail shrubs (Smirnovia iranica) in the desert regions of Kashan, Iran

Smirnovia iranica, a native valuable woody species from Fabaceae, is an adaptable plantfrom the central sandy areas of Iran. Changes in chlorophyll fluorescence andphotosynthetic pigment characteristics were analysed in the course of dust accumulationduring April (Ap); April and May (AM); and April, May and June (AMJ) periods,respectively. The results obtained from the analysis of variance indicated that there was asignificant difference among different dust-loading periods of S. iranica in terms of thecharacteristics mentioned. Extending dust accumulation resulted in a significant reductionin the Fv /Fm ratio in AM and AMJ. A significant effect of dust deposition on thermaldissipation of the light energy (D) value was observed in AM and reached the highest valuein AMJ. In all evaluated plants, during the course of dust accumulation, there was adecrease in the photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (ΦPSII), and from AM. Asimilar influence of the extending dust accumulation periods on ΦPSII was observed for theelectron transport rate (ETR). Our results proved that dust deposition decreased overallplant performance through its severe effect on pigment content and resulted in a significantinhibition of PSII efficiency throughout this study period.
MICROBIAL ASSESSMENT OF MEAT SOLD IN AROUND THE HYDERABAD CITY.

B.Srinu. Food borne pathogens are major causes for the food borne illness in the developing countries due to changing the food habits. The main objective of the present study is to investigate the microbial quality of meat sold in retail shops in around the Hyderabad city and to determining their susceptibility to different antimicrobial agents. A total of 120 samples were collected from the 15 retail shops and are processed and analyzed for potential food borne pathogens using standard methods. Antibiotic susceptibility test was performed by using disk diffusion method. Out of 120 samples 8(6.67%), 39(32.5%) and 46(38.33%) were positive for Salmonella spp. , E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus respectively. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing for E. coli showed resistant to Ampicillin, Naldixic acid, Gentamicin, but sensitive to remaining all the antibiotics tested. Among the S. aureus isolates 90% were resistant to Nitrofurontaine, 80% to Ampicillin, 68% to Norfloxicin, 60% to Cefpodoxime, 38% to streptomycin, and 20% to Kanamycin but all (98%) of the isolates were sensitive to Co-trimoxazole. Whereas, isolates of Salmonella spp. shown resistant to Ampicillin (86%), Gentamycin (92%), Tetracycline (78%) and 60% to Cefpodoxime but 44% (17) isolates were sensitive to all the antibiotics tested. Present study concluded that the meat from retail meat shops is important sources of bacteria of public health significance i.e. Salmonella, E.coli and Staphylococci in Hyderabad city. Presence of this pathogenic microorganisms indicating there is a need to screening of meat from the retail shops to monitor hygienic conditions.
Effects of Lower-Extremity and Trunk Muscle Fatigue on Balance

Objective: To examine the impact of lower-extremity and trunk muscle fatigue on static and dynamic balance tests. Methods: An isokinetic dynamometer at constant angular velocities of 60°/s, 90°/s, 120°/s, and 180°/s was used to test the isokinetic strength of knee and trunk muscles in 30 healthy sedentary volunteers (14 men and 16 women). Lower- extremity fatigue was produced with the StairMaster, and trunk muscle fatigue was produced with an isokinetic dyna- mometer. Static and dynamic balance measurements were assessed with a balance assessment system before and after muscle fatigue in each subject. Results: There was a significant difference between the prefatigue - postfatigue trunk and lower extremity muscles and the static balance scores. But the dynamic right, left and front balance test scores were not significantly different before and after fatigue of the trunk and lower-extremity muscles. Conclusion: Balance is affected by a generalized fatigue of trunk muscles and lower-extremity muscles. However, it ap- pears that static balance control is affected by the fatigue of trunk and lower-extremity muscles while dynamic balance is affected partly by trunk and lower-extremity muscular fatigue.
Acoustic and Electromagnetic Emissions as Precursor Phenomena in Failure Processes

Abstract: In this work, we measured the electromagnetic field, given by the moving charges, during laboratory fracture experiments on specimens made of different heterogeneous materials. We investigated the mechanical behaviour of concrete and rocks samples loaded up to their failure by the analysis of acoustic emission (AE) and electromagnetic emission (EME). All specimens were tested in compression at a constant displacement rate and monitored by piezoelectric (PZT) transducers for AE data acquisition. Simultaneous investigation into magnetic activity was performed by a measuring device calibrated according to metrological requirements. In all the considered cases, the presence of AE signals has been always observed during the damage process, whereas it is very interesting to note that the magnetic signals were generally observed only in correspondence to sharp stress drops or the final collapse.