Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sex Segregation in US Manufacturing

This paper studies interplant sex segregation in the US manufacturing industry The study differs from previous work in that we have detailed information on the characteristics of both workers and firms and because we measure segregation in a new and better way We report three main findings First there is a substantial amount of interplant sex segregation in the US manufacturing industry although segregation is far from complete Second we find that female managers tend to work in the same plants as female supervisees even once we control for other plant characteristics And finally we find that interplant segregation can account for a substantial fraction of the male/female wage gap in the manufacturing industry particularly among blue-collar workers
Zonotopic Set-Membership State Estimation for Switched Systems With Restricted Switching

In this article, a novel set-membership state estimation method based on zonotopes is proposed for switched systems subject to unknown-but-bounded disturbance with average dwell time (ADT) switching. By testing the consistency between the system model and measured output, an intersection zonotope is constructed based on mode-dependent and semitime-dependent correction matrix. Then, by constructing semitime-dependent <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$P$</tex-math></inline-formula>-radius functions, the issue of <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$L_{\infty }$</tex-math></inline-formula> disturbance attenuation performance for the intersection zonotope is addressed. Finally, a numerical example is presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Free and fair elections

The holding of elections has become universal but only about half of all elections are free and fair. Electoral malpractice not only distorts the quality of representation but has implications for political, social and economic outcomes. Existing datasets either provide information on election quality for a large number of elections but offer little detail, or they provide very detailed information for a small number of elections. Our data collection effort closes this gap by providing ten variables of election quality for all leadership elections for the period 1975–2011. We use these data to provide an assessment of elections that is closely tied to the commonly used term ‘free and fair’. We define ‘freeness’ of the election as the rules of the election and the process leading up to the election, and ‘fairness’ of the election refers to the events on the election day. Our data show that the quality of elections has declined over time. These electoral problems are mainly due to issues in the run-up to the elections. Using probit regressions we investigate the possible causes of election malpractice. Our analysis suggests that the freeness and the fairness of the elections are related to a number of variables, such as income, aid, executive constraints and the presence of election monitors, but that these variables have differential effects on freeness and fairness.
A scalable high-speed current-mode winner-take-all network for VLSI neural applications

This paper describes a very flexible, high-speed current-mode winner-take-all network (WTA) for use in artificial neural systems. Since the WTA is based on a network of identical current switching cells requiring only adjacent transistor matching, it is particularly suited to use in large systems. In addition, since the network is based on a tree structure, very little space is occupied by interconnect, thus ensuring a very compact layout. This WTA has current (matching score) inputs and provides a buffered, binary encoded voltage output. >
Dialogic-interactive media: Alternative learning media to improve speaking skills

The COVID-19 pandemic has not ended, so the learning process is still being carried out online. This results in ambiguity about how to teach. Language learning must be able to improve language skills, but some of these skills are difficult to teach. Based on the survey, speaking skills are the most difficult skills to teach online. Efforts are needed to overcome this, because speaking is considered the ultimate goal of language learning and the most basic skill to achieve. The purpose of this study was to develop dialogic-interactive media to improve students' speaking skills. The type of research used is development research using the Plomp Model (Preliminary Research, Prototype Phase, & Assessment Phase). Based on the research stages, the research objectives described in this article are to (1) describe the results of development research at the Preliminary Research stage and (2) describe the results of development research at the Prototyping Phase. The data analysis technique used in this research is descriptive data analysis technique. Based on the results of the study, it is shown that the use of learning methods and media in learning to speak has not helped students to improve their speaking skills. Therefore, interactive dialogical media were developed (introduction, interactive setting, everyday talk, learning talk, teaching talk, presenting; questioning; extending) and the teacher had a good response to the media model developed for use in learning to speak.
The Implementation of Industrial Byproduct in Malaysian Peat Improvement: A Sustainable Soil Stabilization Approach

Peat is a well-known problematic soil associated with poor engineering properties. Its replacement with an expensive competent foundation material is practiced for road embankment construction which is costly and causes greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, this paper investigated the effectiveness of a byproduct from a metal industry (silica fume) to stabilize peat along with ordinary Portland cement (OPC) through a series of experimental tests. After peat-indexed characterization, a number of standard compaction and mechanical tests were performed on the stabilized and parent peat. For this purpose, nine designated mixes were prepared possessing various combinations of silica fume (SF) and 10–20% OPC. Unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and California Bearing Ratio (CBR) tests were carried out after 7, 14, and 28 days of curing to assess strength enhancement and binder effectiveness, and the microstructural evolution induced by the binders was examined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The analysis revealed a substantial improvement in mechanical properties with the incorporation of SF and OPC, ultimately meeting the minimum strength requirement for highway construction (i.e., 345 kPa). A peak UCS of 1063.94 kPa was recorded at 20% SF, and an unsoaked CBR value of 42.95 was observed using 15% SF and 15% OPC after 28 days of curing. Furthermore, the increasing percentage of hydraulic binders exhibited brittle, collapsible failure, while the microstructural study revealed the formation of a dense matrix with a refined pore structure in the treated peat. Finally, a significant statistical analysis was carried out by correlating the test parameters. In this way, rather than stockpiling and dumping, an industrial byproduct was implemented in peat stabilization in an eco-friendly manner.
Adapting traditional shelter for disaster mitigation and reconstruction: experiences with community-based approaches

Natural disasters are on the increase, not so much because natural hazards are growing in number, but because poor people are becoming more vulnerable. Vulnerability is as important a cause of disasters as the physical events that trigger them. Poor people's vulnerability is often increased when development goes wrong. Thus, development is a contributing factor in the occurrence and scale of disasters. At the same time, disasters, when they happen, cause serious setbacks to development. To get out of the vicious circle, more attention will have to be paid to mitigation and tackling the causes of vulnerability. Formal approaches to mitigation, initiated mainly by the public sector, have often been inefficient and at times have left people more vulnerable. A successful alternative approach, community-based disaster mitigation, can reduce vulnerability by engaging popular approaches, local knowledge and social capital, whilst addressing their weaknesses. Some examples of community-based mitigation are derived as lessons: learn from the past, build relations with communities, encourage participation, involve local builders and artisans, build local capacity, document and share lessons, and influence formal education.
MAC-Net: Model Aided Nonlocal Neural Network for Hyperspectral Image Denoising

Hyperspectral image (HSI) denoising is an ill-posed inverse problem. The underlying physical model is always important to tackle this problem, which is unfortunately ignored by most of the current deep learning (DL)-based methods, producing poor denoising performance. To address this issue, this paper introduces an end-to-end model aided nonlocal neural network (MAC-Net) which simultaneously takes the spectral low-rank model and spatial deep prior into account for HSI noise reduction. Specifically, motivated by the success of the spectral low-rank model in depicting the strong spectral correlations and the nonlocal similarity prior in capturing spatial long-range dependencies, we first build a spectral low-rank model and then integrate a nonlocal U-Net into the model. In this way, we obtain a hybrid model-based and DL-based HSI denoising method where the spatial local and nonlocal multi-scale and spectral low-rank structures are effectively exploited. After that, we cast the optimization and denoising procedure of the hybrid method as a forward process of a neural network and introduce a set of learnable modules to yield our MAC-Net. Compared with traditional model-based methods, our MAC-Net overcomes the difficulties of accurate modeling thanks to the strong learning and representation ability of DL. Unlike most “black-box” DL-based methods, the spectral low-rank model is beneficial to increase the generalization ability of the network and decrease the requirement of training samples. Experimental results on the natural and remote sensing HSIs show that MAC-Net achieves state-of-the-art performance over both model-based and DL-based methods. The source code and data of this article will be made publicly available at https://github.com/bearshng/mac-net for reproducible research.
Empowering the Role of the Integrated Foster Post Cadres in Improving the Quality of Life of Diabetes Mellitus Patients

Introduction: Nurses as one of the health workers have a role in managing Diabetes Mellitus patients, the quality life of Diabetes Mellitus patients affects physical health, psychological conditions, level of dependence, social relations and the patient's relationship with the surrounding environment. Actions and interventions in controlling Diabetes Mellitus disease require appropriate therapeutic regimens, as well as involving families. By empowering the health cadres, it can improve the quality life of people with Diabetes Mellitus who are in the working area of the Kesamben Health Center, Jombang Regency. Methods: This research is a quasi-experimental study with a non-randomized control group pre-test post- test design. In this study, the treatment group was given a treatment in the form of training for Integrated Foster Post Cadres to improve for Diabetes Mellitus, while the control group was not given any treatment. Results: The results showed that there was a significant difference in the quality of life between the treatment group and the control group due to skills improvement training for Integrated Foster Post Cadres Diabetes Mellitus with the results of the independent t test on self-efficacy obtained t value of 25.055 (p = 0.000), while the value t of quality life is 25,790 (p = 0,000). Conclusion: Nurses can empower Integrated Foster Post Cadres in the community by improving the quality of life for people with Diabetes Mellitus. Integrated Foster Post Cadres play an active role in the community in the scope of knowledge, signs and symptoms, complications of Diabetes Mellitus which can encourage DM sufferers to be motivated to improve the quality of life.
Improved High-Order Model for Freeway Traffic Flow

An improved high-order continuum model is developed based on hyperbolic conservation laws with relaxation, linearized stability analysis, and more realistic considerations of traffic flow. The improved high-order model allows smooth traveling wave solutions as well as contact shocks (different densities moving at the same speed), is able to describe the amplification of small disturbances on heavy traffic, and allows fluctuations of speed around the equilibrium values. Furthermore, unlike existing high-order models, it does not result in negative speeds at the tail of congested regions and disturbance propagation speeds greater than the traffic flow velocity because the improved model has a zero characteristic speed and a nonnegative characteristic speed that is equal to the traffic flow velocity. The relaxation time is a function of density and, in the equilibrium limit, the improved high-order model is consistent with the simple continuum model. The improved high-order model is compared with the simple continuum model. Exemplary test results suggest that the improved high-order model is intuitively correct. Comparison of numerical results with field data suggests that the improved high-order model yields lower error levels than the simple continuum model.
The development of irrigation design schools or how history structures human action

Several approaches (“schools”) of irrigation development and design have developed in the last 200 years. Three important schools developed in the context of colonies: the Dutch in the former Netherlands East Indies, the British in former British India and Africa, the French in north‐western Africa. Although circumstances for irrigation changed from colonial to post‐colonial times, irrigation design and management practices in the post‐colonial period remained largely based on colonial approaches. Engineering education is an important mechanism in this process of preference‐guided selection of design solutions. In this contribution irrigation schools are conceptualized as technological regimes, which consist of explicit and implicit rules for irrigation design. The main conclusion is that design options available to modern engineers are the product of a contextualized development and selection process within a colonial context. This does not imply that artefacts from a certain context cannot be a welcome solution for a design problem in another context. A regime conceptualization emphasizes the importance of daily practice and routines as structuring factors in technological development. Recognizing such routine‐based decision‐making processes may not immediately lead to improvements in irrigation system design, but understanding irrigation design processes is a necessary first step to take for such improvement. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Évaluation de l'état du béton par la technique d'analyse spectrale des ondes de Rayleigh

The evaluation of concrete deteriorations is essential to optimize the costs and ensure that the required retrofits are durable. A study undertaken on many experimental concrete specimens has shown that an analysis of the dispersion of Rayleigh waves enables differentiation between concrete of different mechanical properties, description of the evolution of these properties with respect to depth, and detection of defaults in the concrete mass. The study of the different monitoring and processing parameters associated with this technique reveals that the choice of the type of emission source must be accomplished with respect to the thickness of the material under study, and that the distance between the emission source and the sensors as well as the distance between sensors do not have any effect on the Rayleigh wave speed profile. A new monitoring configuration is proposed to improve the experimental procedure.Key words: concrete, deterioration, nondestructive tests, spectral analysis of Rayleigh waves. [J.
PERSISTENT DRINKING DRIVERS IN THE U.S.

Substantial progress has been made in the U.S. in reducing the impaired driving problem. Future gains will be more difficult because of certain high risk groups of drivers who are more resistant to change. Persistent drinking drivers are one of those groups: they drink and drive again and again; their behavior apparently has not been affected by information and education; and many of them have not been deterred by laws and enforcement or even by arrest and punishment. We need to know who this driver is, what he knows and thinks, and how he acts. This paper gives a brief overview of recent data and studies on the persistent drinking driver primarily from the U.S. Programs being initiated to deal with some of these high risk drivers are listed.
Green Synthesis of Iron Nanoparticles from Spinach Leaf and Banana Peel Aqueous Extracts and Evaluation of Antibacterial Potential

Spinacia oleracea (spinach) and Musa acuminata (banana) were chosen for the study, and aqueous extracts of spinach leaf extract (SLE) and banana peel extract (BPE) were prepared for the synthesis of iron nanoparticles (FeNPs), and their antibacterial potential against pathogenic bacteria Bacillus subtilis (MTTC 1133) and Escherichia coli (MTTC 62) was evaluated. In 10 minutes at 60°C, the color of the mixture (FeCl3+SLE) changed from light green to dark blackish-brown, and the color of the mix (FeCl3+BPE) changed from transparent yellow to dark black, confirming the synthesis of FeNPs from SLE and BPE, respectively. The UV-Vis spectra of spinach- and banana-derived FeNPs revealed two peaks ranging from 240 to 430 nm and multiple peaks at 240, 270, and 395 nm, respectively. FTIR spectroscopy was used to show different functional groups on BPE and SLE, and their role in FeNP synthesis was predicted. TEM micrographs showed that the particles were in nanoscale, ranging in size from 20 to 50 nm for BPE-derived FeNPs and 10 to 70 nm for SLE-derived FeNPs. The FeNP (BPE and SLE) XRD analysis revealed amorphism, with a weak iron characteristic peak, indicating noncrystallinity. The antibacterial potential of BPE- and SLE-FeNPs was investigated, and inhibition zones (mm) against B. subtilis ( 22.70 ± 0.4 ) and E. coli ( 20.45 ± 1.66 ) were observed, as well as SLE-FeNPs against B. subtilis ( 23.56 ± 1.00 ) and E. coli ( 20.33 ± 0.58 ). There were no significant differences in antibacterial activities between BPE-FeNPs and SLE-FeNPs. Positive controls were tetracycline and gentamicin, both standard antibiotics, at 5 μg/disk. SLE- and BPE-derived green FeNPs were also analysed in vivo of D. melanogaster life history traits, i.e., fecundity, hatchability, viability, and duration of development for toxicity evaluation. SLE- and BPE-derived green FeNPs at a concentration of 10 mg/L were fed flies compared to normal diet-fed flies (control sample), and no significant differences were observed between them. The findings suggest that FeNPs have a high antibacterial potential and could be used as antibacterial agents against pathogenic bacteria while being nontoxic in nature.
DEVELOPMENT OF STOCHASTIC MODELS FOR DYNAMICS OF SELF-ASSEMBLED SURFACTANT SYSTEMS

of Dissertation Presented to the Graduate School of the University of Florida in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy DEVELOPMENT OF STOCHASTIC MODELS FOR DYNAMICS OF SELF-ASSEMBLED SURFACTANT SYSTEMS By Yong Nam Ahn August 2012 Chair: Dmitry I. Kopelevich Major: Chemical Engineering Understanding dynamic processes in surfactant self-assembled systems is crucial in various technological applications. The goal of this study is to develop stochastic models for dynamic processes in surfactant systems using coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations. Two types of processes are considered. The first of the investigated processes is molecular transport across oil-water interfaces covered by nonionic surfactants. Resistance of the surfactant monolayer to the solute transport is shown to be controlled by dense regions in the monolayer. Resistance to the transport of a hydrophobic (hydrophilic) solute increases as the length of the surfactant head (tail) group increases. Barriers for solute transport through surfactant monolayers are also influenced by the solute size. The non-adiabatic coupling of the monolayer with the solute position and configuration causes deviations of the system dynamics from the minimum energy path, which effectively leads to an increase of the barrier for the solute transport. The second type of the considered processes is micellar self-assembly and disaggregation. We present a detailed model for two of the elementary steps involved in self-assembly of surfactants, namely addition/removal of a single surfactant molecule to/from a spherical micelle. Multi-dimensional free energy landscapes parametrized by monomer and micellar degrees of freedom are obtained using a series of constrained simulations. We observe that the system trajectory on the free energy landscape is
Evaluation of usage of bone scan index in assessment of metastatic prostate cancer

Introduction: Prostate cancer has been the leading type of cancer to affect male population, and as such, it is a subject to efforts to furthermore diagnostic tools already in existence as well as development of new ones which will Aid early diagnostic, treatments as well as a follow up procedures and clinical trials. Bone scan index is a useful and objective biomarker used as a valuable tool for determination as to precise bone involvement in advanced cases, as well as a tool to predict the outcome in prostate cancer patients in clinical trials.Methods: This paper is a non-experimental (qualitative) research, that is, a scientific review of the literature.Results: The results we analyzed in this paper were collected from published academic journals.Conclusion: As a new imaging biomarker, bone scan index has potential to predict therapeutic effects and survival of patients with prostate cancer. Using measurable diagnostic image parameters, the bone scan index is important for determining metastatic bone changes in prostate cancer patients.
Strategies to facilitate effective caring for patients in primary health care clinics

Background Caring is described as the innermost core of nursing which occurs in a relationship between the patient and the care provider. Although caring in nursing is associated with maintaining and strengthening of the patient’s sense of dignity and being a person, there seems to be a gap between caring theories in nursing, healthcare policies and caring for patients by professional nurses in primary health care clinics. Developing strategies that will facilitate effective caring for patients by professional nurses in primary health care clinics within an ethical and mindful manner became an area of focus in this study. Objectives To develop strategies to facilitate effective caring for patients by professional nurses in primary health care clinics in South Africa. Method Strategies were developed based on the conceptual framework developed in Phase 2, which was derived from synthesis of the results of Phase 1 of the previously conducted study and supported by literature. The conceptual framework reflects the survey list of Dickoff, James and Wiedenbach’s practice theory. Results Three strategies were developed: 1) facilitating maintaining of the empowering experiences; 2) facilitating addressing the disempowering experiences by professional nurses, and 3) facilitating addressing of the disempowering primary health care clinic systems. Conclusion The developed strategies, being the proposed actions, procedures and behaviours, could facilitate effective caring for patients by professional nurses in primary health care clinics.