Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exploring a Role for Parental Mental Health in Perception and Reports of Pain on Behalf of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have a higher prevalence of pain compared to those without ASD. Pain is a leading cause of morbidity and disability worldwide and may contribute to adverse health outcomes in people with ASD, thus warranting further research on this special population. The present study used data from 1,423 children with ASD and 46,023 children without ASD and their mothers from the combined 2016-2017 National Survey of Children's Health. Mothers reported child pain and ASD status and their own mental health status. Mothers reporting a status of “Fair or Poor” were considered as having maternal mental health conditions (MMHCs) for the purposes of this study. Children with and without ASD who had mothers with MMHCs had higher odds of pain compared to children with mothers without MMHCs. These increased odds did not attenuate as a result of controlling for co-occurring neurological conditions, which have been associated with increased pain in children with ASD. Thus, parent mental health may alter perception and/or reports of pain on behalf of children with and without ASD. Future research should include more detailed assessments of parent mental health and clinical assessments of children in order to explore the role of parent mental health in the experiences of pain and other symptoms present in children with ASD.
Use of patterned laser liftoff process and electroplating nickel layer for the fabrication of vertical-structured GaN-based light-emitting diodes

The fabrication process and performance characteristics of a vertical-structured GaN-based light-emitting diode (VM-LED) employing nickel electroplating and patterned laser liftoff techniques are presented. As compared to regular LED, the forward voltage drop of the VM-LED at 20–80 mA is about 10%–21% lower, while the light output power (Lop) is more than twice in magnitude. Especially, the Lop exhibits no saturation or degradation at an injection current up to 520 mA which is about 4.3 times higher than that of the regular one. Substantial improvements in the VM-LEDs performances are mainly attributed to the use of metallic substrate which results in less current crowding, larger effective area, and higher thermal conductivity.
Testing of modern semiconductor memory structures

In this thesis, we study the problem of faults in modern semiconductor memory structures and their tests. According to the 2005 ITRS, the systems on chip (SoCs) are moving from logic and memory balanced chips to more memory dominated devices in order to cope with the increasing application requirements. The embedded memories are expected to utilize more than 60% of the chip area after 2009. In addition, future SoCs are believed to embed memories of increasing capacities. As a result, the overall SoC yield will be dominated by the memory yield. This trend may make the overall yield unacceptable, unless special measures have been taken. In this thesis we propose and classify DRAM specific fault models relevant for the state-of-the-art semiconductor technologies. We also define and validate a set of DRAM targeted march tests. In addition, we propose a methodology for deriving conditions and tests for linked memory faults. We also investigate the detection conditions for linked memory faults when one of the faults involved is an address decoder fault. Finally, we propose various optimizations for test time reduction and/or increased fault coverage. We aimed at high relevancy of the ideas proposed in this thesis. For as far as possible the fault models and the tests presented here are validated using real industrial products. Some of the concepts originally proposed by the author more than 10 years ago are still being widely used by the industry and referred to by the academia. For example, many industrial products did use or are still using March LR, one of the tests derived in this thesis, for testing their (embedded) memories.
A new algorithm for the reconfiguration of distribution feeders for loss minimization

The authors report a power-flow-minimum heuristic algorithm for determining the minimum loss configuration of radial distribution networks. The algorithm is based on the concept of optimum flow pattern which is determined by solving the KVL and KCL (Kirchoff's voltage and current laws) equations of the network. The optimum flow pattern of a single loop formed by closing a normally open switch is found, and the flow pattern is established in the radial network by opening a closed switch. This process is repeated until the minimum loss configuration is obtained. A simple, fast and approximate power flow method has also been developed to assist the reconfiguration algorithm. The proposed reconfiguration algorithm has been found to give better network configuration than those obtained by some other methods. >
Key Factors for Buying Intention towards the Existence of Halal Cosmetics: Study on Wardah Cosmetic

The implementation of the Indonesian government regulation on halal product assurance in 2017 has further increased demand for halal cosmetics. A preliminary questionnaire was distributed to find out early problem that's assumed will be crucial to the existence of individual buying intention towards halal cosmetics. Based on the data gathered from the preliminary questionnaire, it can be concluded that people are not aware of the substance that are considered as Halal. The lack of knowledge in halal cosmetic substance are believed to impact the existence of consumer’s buying intention towards halal cosmetic itself. This research used data from 275 samples of respondents, the samples were collected by giving online questionnaires. Structural Equation Modelin (SEM) is used as analyzing tool to test the hypotheses and using Smart PLS 3.0 as the statistic software to conduct the calculations. This research has found that the most significant factor from this model that influences the consumers buying intention towards halal cosmetic is Attitude. This means that the higher attitude of persisting on buying Halal cosmetics, the better it is for Wardah. For further research because the model is able to moderately predict the consumer buying intention on halal cosmetic, by using the complete model of TRA and predict if intention will affect future behavior towards halal cosmetics.
COMPARISON OF METHODS TO PREDICT RESPONSE SPECTRA AT INSTRUMENTED SITES GIVEN THE MAGNITUDE AND DISTANCE OF AN EARTHQUAKE

We compare four methods, all based on Bayesian regressions, to predict response spectra at instrumented sites, located at the hill and lakebed zones in Mexico City, that have recorded several recent earthquakes. The regressions are built as functions of magnitude and closest distance to the rupture area of the earthquake, using more than 20 subduction earthquakes (thrust-faulting mechanism) recorded since 1964. The four methods are: (1) a regression on observed response spectra; (2) a regression on observed Fourier amplitude spectra and use of random vibration theory to estimate the response spectra, (3) a regression on observed response spectra at the reference hill-zone station multiplied by response spectral ratios; and (4) a regression on Fourier amplitude spectra at the reference hill zone, multiplied by Fourier spectral ratios and use of the random vibration theory to estimate response spectra.
Multi-speaker TTS with Deep Learning

—Recent advancements in technology have allowed for great development in the ﬁeld of Speech Synthesis. As such, present-day speech synthesis applications are expected to function for multiple voices, and ensure a fast generation of natural–sounding synthetic speech for enhanced feasibility. This study suggests a multi-speaker text-to-speech (TTS) system for European Portuguese that enables the addition of new speakers without requiring extensive training and data. The proposed model framework comprises two systems: a sequence-to-sequence (Seq2Seq) regressive stage for acoustic feature prediction, followed by a neural vocoder for waveform generation. The model employs a universal vocoder which does not require ﬁne-tuning for new voices. The Seq2Seq regressive model predicts acoustic features in the form of Mel-spectrograms by decoding the combination of linguistic embeddings — extracted from the text input —, and speaker embeddings conveying the target speaker identity. The model operates in a multi-speaker setting and can be ﬁne-tuned simultaneously to multiple unseen speakers. Subjective tests have shown that the proposed model registered comparable performance to another state-of-the-art TTS system, while employing less than half of training data. Furthermore, the proposed model was capable of producing meaningful results when trained with reduced data — under three minutes of speech. At last, the universal vocoder performed, on average, 11 times faster than the speaker–dependent neural vocoder of the state-of-the-art TTS approach used for comparison.
Seismic evaluation of unreinforced masonry buildings — a state-of-the-art report

The potential vulnerability of old unreinforced masonry buildings, designed with little or no consideration for seismic-design requirements, is well documented. In regions without seismic retrofit ordinances prescribing a specific method to evaluate existing unreinforced masonry buildings, engineers have generally resorted to either conservative methods or various advanced analytical models. Although some approaches have received broader acceptance than others, there is still no consensus among practising engineers in North America. To provide perspective on the spectrum of strategies available and a clear overview of the state-of-the-art on this topic, this paper (i) presents the theoretical background and practical applications of a new procedure to evaluate unreinforced masonry bearing wall buildings, developed in California and recently integrated into the new Canadian Guidelines for the Seismic Evaluation of Existing Buildings, and (ii) summarizes the findings from other recent experimental and analy.
Compositional Verification of Byzantine Consensus

Until now, computer-aided proofs of the liveness of byzantine consensus algorithms assumed synchrony to reason in lock steps or the error-prone manual intervention of experts in the proof checker but could not be automated through model checking. We propose a compositional approach to verify a consensus algorithm, for any number n of processes and any upper bound t < n /3 on the number of byzantine processes. To this end, we identify a fairness property that makes this—otherwise purely asynchronous—byzantine consensus algorithm amenable to model checking. We decompose the algorithm in two parts: an inner broadcast algorithm and an outer decision algorithm. We encode these algorithms using threshold automata, and we formalize their properties in temporal logic. This allows us to automatically check the inner broadcasting algorithm, assuming fairness. For the veriﬁcation of the outer algorithm, we simplify the automaton of the inner algorithm by relying on its checked properties. We verify in less than 70 seconds, not only the safety of byzantine consensus but also its liveness. shows synchrony.
Stigma as a barrier to treatment and adoption of innovation

Diseases such as mental illnesses, HIV, or certain cancer types carry a stigma that may deter patients from seeking treatment and, in turn, hinder the diffusion of innovative therapies. We investigate the link between social stigma as a barrier to access treatment and the adoption of innovation using the population of patients diagnosed with advanced lung cancer in Ontario (Canada) over the last decade: among all cancers, lung cancer suffers most from stigma because of its association with smoking behavior. Thanks to the rich information on patients at the geographic level, we are able to incorporate social stigma in a model of patient’s utility for pursuing treatment. We find that patients face significant stigma acting as a barrier to treatment participation, which in turn slows down the adoption of innovative lung cancer treatment. Removing social stigma would increase the use of innovative treatment by 4%, with benefits in survival outweighing the additional treatment costs. ∗Laura Grigolon: University of Mannheim and C.E. P.R, Department of Economics and MaCCI, L3, 5-7 Mannheim, Germany. (Email: laura.grigolon@uni-mannheim.de). Laura Lasio: McGill University, CIREQ, CIRANO, 855 Sherbrooke St W, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 2T7 Canada, (Email: laura.lasio@mcgill.ca). We are grateful to Pierre Dubois, Margaret Kyle, Michelle Sovinsky, and Frank Verboven for their helpful comments. We gratefully acknowledge financial support from SSHRC (Insight Development Grant) and the German Research Foundation (DFG) through CRC TR 224 (Project A02). But I think that’s how you associate it. Because the first thing they ask– even me, the first thing I would ever ask somebody was, “Did you smoke? ” (Female lung cancer patient, recent quitter) But I feel really guilty, and it’s as though– well, like I said, I’m not sure if I’m not blaming myself for having it. Although I don’t know what I did to do it, I feel guilty. I feel guilty. And it’s– it’s– it’s strange. I don’t think I would feel that guilty with anything else. (Male lung cancer patient, never smoker) Quotes from Hamann et al. (2013).
Observer Dependent Biases of Quantum Randomness: Effect Stability and Replicability1

Quantum mechanics (QM) proposes that a quantum system measurement does not register a pre-existing reality but rather establishes reality from the superposition of potential states. Measurement reduces the quantum state according to a probability function, the Born rule, realizing one of the potential states. Consequently, a classical reality is observed. The strict randomness of the measurement outcome is well-documented (and theoretically predicted) and implies a strict indeterminacy in the physical world’s fundamental constituents. Wolfgang Pauli, with Carl Gustav Jung, extended the QM framework to measurement outcomes that are meaningfully related to human observers, providing a psychophysical theory of quantum state reductions. The Pauli-Jung model (PJM) proposes the existence of observer influences on quantum measurement outcomes rooted in the observer’s unconscious mind. The correlations between quantum state reductions and (un)conscious states of observers derived from the PJM and its mathematical reformulation within the model of pragmatic information (MPI) were empirically tested. In all studies, a subliminal priming paradigm was used to induce a biased likelihood for specific quantum measurement outcomes (i.e., a higher probability of positive picture presentations; Studies 1 and 2) or more pronounced oscillations of the evidence than expected by chance for such an effect (Studies 3 and 4). The replicability of these effects was also tested. Although Study 1 found strong initial evidence for such effects, later replications (Studies 2 to 4) showed no deviations from the Born rule. The results thus align with standard QM, arguing against the incompleteness of standard QM in psychophysical settings like those established in the studies. However, although no positive evidence exists for the PJM and the MPI, the data do not entirely falsify the model’s validity.
The Potential Effects of Garden Cress Seeds (Lepidium Sativum L.) on the Bone of Female Rats Suffering from Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is associated with a high rate of morbidity and mortality worldwide. This study was designed to investigate the probable effect of Garden Cress seeds (GCs) on the bone of osteoporotic female rats. Thirty healthy adult female albino rats (weigh, 200±10g) were used in this study. The rats were haphazardly divided into two main groups. The first main group (6 rats) was fed on a basal diet as a control negative group. The second main group (24 rats) fed on a basal diet containing 100mg prednisone acetate as a source of glucocorticoid/kg diet for two weeks to induce osteoporosis. One group was selected as a positive control group, three groups were fed on prednisone acetate diets containing GCs powder at the level of 2.5, 5, and 7.5%. The proximate chemical composition of GCs powder contained 2.75, 23.67, 22.81, 5.16, 8.42, and 37.19 g/100g for moisture, protein, fat, ash, crude fiber, and total carbohydrates respectively, while caloric value recorded 448.73 Kcal/100g. The minerals content were 309.21, 612.54, 341.10, and 5.74 mg/100g for calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and zinc. The biological results showed a significant improvement (P≤0.05) in values of Ca and P in serum and femur bone of osteoporotic rats fed on a basal diet containing different ratios of GCs. Bone mineral content and bone mineral density also increased as compared to the control positive group. Kidney and
An Improved Non‐CSD 2‐Bit Recursive Common Subexpression Elimination Method to Implement FIR Filter

The number of adders and critical paths in a multiplier block of a multiple constant multiplication based implementation of a finite impulse response (FIR) filter can be minimized through common subexpression elimination (CSE) techniques. A two‐bit common subexpression (CS) can be located recursively in a non‐canonic sign digit (CSD) representation of the filter coefficients. An efficient algorithm is presented in this paper to improve the elimination of a CS from the multiplier block of an FIR filter so that it can be realized with fewer adders and low logical depth as compared to the existing CSE methods in the literature. Vinod and others claimed the highest reduction in the number of logical operators (LOs) without increasing the logic depth (LD) requirement. Using the design examples given by Vinod and others, we compare the average reduction in LOs and LDs achieved by our algorithm. Our algorithm shows average LO improvements of 30.8%, 5.5%, and 22.5% with a comparative LD requirement over that of Vinod and others for three design examples. Improvement increases as the filter order increases, and for the highest filter order and lowest coefficient width, the LO improvements are 70.3%, 75.3%, and 72.2% for the three design examples.
Influences of Paratransit as A Feeder of Mass Transit System in Developing Countries Based on Commuter Satisfaction

Introduction of paratransit as a feeder for mass transit system in developing cities is one of the solutions to improve mass transit patronage. Further, taking advantage of the existing paratransit which is a low capital intensive solution is key. Presently, paratransit services perform the role of connecting people to the stations. Nonetheless, people are still dissatisfied with the quality of service provided by this mode of transport. This study attempts to investigate the potential of paratransit as well as determine the influences of commuter perceptions on paratransit service to the attitudes on mass transit connectivity and the behavioral intention in usage of mass transit and paratransit as a feeder. Satisfaction of commuters has a positive influence on mass transit connectivity attitudes and the future use of both paratransit and mass transit. Therefore, improvement policies regarding paratransit service must be carefully drawn with the purpose of enhancing the performance of mass transit.
Novel optical line codes tolerant to fiber chromatic dispersion

A novel family of optical line codes to counteract the effects of a dispersive fiber is presented. The performance of the first code in the family, referred to as order-1 code, is analytically evaluated and compared to that of the duobinary and phased amplitude-shift signaling (PASS) codes, which are a modified form of duobinary proposed by Stark et al. (1999). The order-1 line code turns out to be very robust to chromatic dispersion and, for a given penalty, allows the bridging of a distance 1.5 times (or more) greater than duobinary. The novel family of codes was conceived by exploiting the finding that, approximately, a very dispersive fiber turns an input pulse into the form of its Fourier transform seen in the time domain. Higher-order codes allow the bridging of larger distances if combined with appropriate chirping.
OPTIMUM DESIGN OF PIN-JOINTED STEEL STRUCTURES WITH PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

An efficient optimum design algorithm is presented for the pin-jointed steel structures subjected to multiple load cases. The displacement, stress, buckling, and minimum size constraints are considered in the formulation of the design problem. Optimality criteria approach is employed for handing the displacement restrictions. The stress and buckling limitations are reduced to lower bounds on design variables and treated as similar to those of minimum size constraints. This is achieved by first expressing the allowable critical stresses as specified by the design codes as nonlinear equations, and then solving them to obtain the critical values of design variables. This leads to a straightforward and easy-to-program algorithm that is particularly suitable for microcomputers. The numerical examples solved, on the other hand, clearly show the practical applicability and efficiency of the method, even in the case of large structures.
Recommendations for Seismic Evaluation and Retrofit of Low-Rise URM Structures

Based on the results of a full-scale lateral load test of a two-story unreinforced masonry (URM) structure, modifications are suggested for the model implied by FEMA 356 for the in-plane analysis of perforated URM walls. These modifications allow the model to address global issues such as flange participation, overturning effects, and global rocking. In addition, changes are proposed to the pier model as well as to the definition of effective pier height. Following a description of each modification, the analysis results obtained using the proposed model and FEMA 356 are compared with experimental results. In terms of base shear resistance, the proposed model displayed an average error (absolute value) of 13% compared with an average error of 21% from FEMA 356. In addition, the proposed model also provided more accurate representation of failure modes. The improved accuracy of the proposed model is primarily attributed to the consideration of global issues. The results of a parametric analysis are also pr.
Engineering of Saccharomyces cerevisiae for 24-Methylene-Cholesterol Production

24-Methylene-cholesterol is a necessary substrate for the biosynthesis of physalin and withanolide, which show promising anticancer activities. It is difficult and costly to prepare 24-methylene-cholesterol via total chemical synthesis. In this study, we engineered the biosynthesis of 24-methylene-cholesterol in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by disrupting the two enzymes (i.e., ERG4 and ERG5) in the yeast’s native ergosterol pathway, with ERG5 being replaced with the DHCR7 (7-dehydrocholesterol reductase) enzyme. Three versions of DHCR7 originating from different organisms—including the DHCR7 from Physalis angulata (PhDHCR7) newly discovered in this study, as well as the previously reported OsDHCR7 from Oryza sativa and XlDHCR7 from Xenopus laevis—were assessed for their ability to produce 24-methylene-cholesterol. XlDHCR7 showed the best performance, producing 178 mg/L of 24-methylene-cholesterol via flask-shake cultivation. The yield could be increased up to 225 mg/L, when one additional copy of the XlDHCR7 expression cassette was integrated into the yeast genome. The 24-methylene-cholesterol-producing strain obtained in this study could serve as a platform for characterizing the downstream enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of physalin or withanolide, given that 24-methylene-cholesterol is a common precursor of these chemicals.