Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Teacher Leader Model Standards in Context: Analyzing a Program of Teacher Leadership Development to Contextual Behaviours of Teacher Leaders

A National Science Foundation-funded Mathematics and Science Partnership program, Leadership for Educators: Academy for Driving Economic Revitalization in Science (LEADERS), aimed to develop science teacher leaders who would influence the quality of science teaching in their respective schools. To fulfill a need to evaluate leadership abilities of teachers within LEADERS, a Teacher Leadership Instrument was developed based on our previous work. This paper examines the performance of teachers as outlined in the Teacher Leader Model (TLM) Standards following their enrollment in three teacher leadership courses aligned with these Standards. The study employed a qualitative approach to analyze peer professional development sessions provided by teacher leaders, and to rate leadership behaviours and practices. Results indicate that 31 of the 37 functions were exhibited by the teacher leaders, with most observations occurring at a developing level. Behaviours related to effective presentation and facilitation were observed most frequently, but the teacher leaders also incorporated research-based practices, information about assessments, and links to the community in their sessions. Further, these behaviours linked back to the intended outcomes of the three leadership courses. The results demonstrate one manner in which teacher leaders perform the functions of the TLM Standards in the context of professional development sessions.
Alkali Activation of Milled Red Brick Waste and Calcined Illite Clay with Silica Gel Addition

The role of precursor characteristics and mixture composition design of alkali-activated materials (AAM) has been intensively researched with different types of alumino-silicate sources. Two illite-based precursors were prepared and investigated—(i) raw illite clay (IC) treated in a laboratory at 700, 750, and 800 °C and (ii) a red brick waste coming from the brick production plant. The fineness of precursors was determined and compared. The precursors were activated with 6 M and 7 M NaOH alkali solutions. Silica gel addition was considered in the composition of AAM. The XRD results indicate the transformation of both precursor types under alkali activation. The efflorescence salts were analyzed on the samples with silica gel addition. Calcined IC precursor allowed us to obtain AAM with a strength from 11 to 16 MPa with an increasing strength gain during curing. The red brick waste precursor showed a compressive strength from 14 to 28 MPa. A high early strength was obtained with no further strength increase. The hydrosodalite and zeolite crystals were detected in the structure of AAM based on the red brick waste precursor. The results indicate different characteristics of AAM based on similar source precursors, showing the important role of the proper treatment of precursors before alkali activation.
Predicting Potential Spawning Habitat by Ensemble Species Distribution Models: The Case Study of European Anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) in the Strait of Sicily

Species distribution models (SDMs) are important tools for exploring the complex association between species and habitats. Here, we applied six SDMs combining 1946 pieces of presence/absence data regarding European anchovy eggs with environmental parameters from surveys conducted in the Strait of Sicily from 1998 to 2016. We aimed to investigate the mechanisms influencing spawning habitat suitability for anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus). The dataset was split into a training subset (75%) and a test subset (25%) for evaluating the predictive performance of the models. The results suggested the role of environmental parameters in explaining egg occurrence, model accuracy and spatial predictions. Bottom depth consistently had the highest importance, followed by absolute dynamic topography, which gives insights about local mesoscale oceanographic features. Each modelling method, except the linear model, produced successful performance for both the training and the test datasets. The spatial predictions were estimated as weighted averages of single-model predictions, with weights based on discriminatory power measured by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). This ensemble approach often provided more robust predictions than a single model. The coastal waters were identified as the most favorable for anchovy spawning, especially the south-central sector and the area around the southern-most tip of Sicily.
Perirhinal Cortex LTP Does Not Require Astrocyte BDNF-TrkB Signaling

Neurons release and respond to brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) with bursts of brain activity. BDNF action is known to extend to peri-synaptic astrocytes, contributing to synaptic strengthening. This implies that astrocytes have a set of dynamic responses, some of which might be secondary to activation of the tropomyosin tyrosine kinase B (TrkB) receptor. Here, we assessed the contribution of BDNF to long-term synaptic potentiation (LTP), by specifically deleting TrkB in cortical astrocytes. TrkB deletion had no effect on LTP induction, stabilization and maintenance, indicating that TrkB signaling in astrocytes is extraneous to transducing BDNF activity for synaptic strengthening.
Changes in Volatile Composition of Cape Hake Fillets under Modified Atmosphere Packaging Systems during Cold Storage

Fresh ready-to-cook fish fillets are susceptible to loss of freshness and accumulation of off-odour due to accelerated microbial spoilage. Suboptimal storage temperature and packaging conditions accelerate this process, limiting the economic potential. This study investigated the effects of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and storage temperature (0 °C and 4 °C) on the volatile compounds (VOCs) of Cape hake (Merluccius capensis) fish fillets as a predictor of shelf life and quality. Fresh Cape hake fillets were packaged under active modified atmosphere (40% CO2 + 30% O2 + 30% N2) and passive modified atmosphere (0.039% CO2 + 20.95% O2 + 78% N2) with or without an absorbent pad and stored at 0 °C and 4 °C for 12 d. The results obtained demonstrated that changes in VOCs and concentration were significantly (p < 0.05) influenced by MAP conditions, storage temperature and duration. A total of 16 volatiles were identified in the packaged Cape hake fillets: 4 primary VOCs and 12 secondary VOCs. The spoilage VOCs identified include tri-methylamine (TMA) (ammonia-like), esters (sickeningly sweet) and sulphur group (putrid). The concentration of secondary VOCs increased continuously during storage. Active-MA-packaged fillets performed better and had lower TMA values of 0.31% at 0 °C on day 12 in comparison to 7.22% at 0 °C under passive on day 6. Ethyl acetate was detected in passive-MA-packaged fillets stored at 0 °C on day 3, and the levels increased to 3.26% on day 6, while active-MA-packaged fillets maintained freshness. This study showed that in conjunction with TMA, VOCs such as esters and sulphur-related compounds could be used as spoilage markers for Cape hake fish fillets.
Biogas Production from Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Food Waste Mixed with Domestic Wastewater

This research was to investigate the potential of biogas production from the co- digestion of canteen wastewater and food waste. Batch experiments were carried out under various substrate ratios1 : 1 : 0, 1 : 1 : 1, 1 : 1 : 2, 1 : 2 : 1, 2 : 1 : 1, 2 : 2 : 1, 3 : 2 : 1, 4 : 2 : 1, 6 : 5 : 1, 8 : 5 : 1, 10 : 3 : 1, 10 : 4 : 1 and 10 : 5 : 1 (canteen wastewater : swine manure : food residue waste) at room temperature. The biogas production was carried for a retention period of 7 days to investigate suitable mixing ratio. The suitable ratio was tested in a plastic container 200 liter with bath and fed-batch experiment for a retention period of 45 days. The results revealed that fermentation slurry mixing ratio of 1 : 2 : 1 was found to be optimum, which gave the methane production with composition 47.34-61 %CH4. The biogas yield and thermal energy were 88.86 L/day and 69 kcal respectively.These primary results indicated the significance of co-digestion of canteen wastewater with food waste for biodegradation and biogas production.
A genetic algorithm predictor for vehicular rollover

A model-based genetic algorithm predictor is developed to estimate the potential for vehicular rollover. The model is based on a 1997 Jeep Cherokee Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) and is discretized at 100 Hz. Preliminary simulation results indicate rollover prediction of 400 ms in advance of the actual event. Such advance prediction would then allow the use of active anti-roll algorithms and systems such as differential braking or active suspension control.
Towards a fault tolerant RISC-V softcore

As predicted by Gordon E. Moore in 1975, the number of transistors has doubled every two years over the last decades. This technology scaling led to a higher performance of Integrated Circuits (ICs) like processors, but have also made these devices more susceptible to Single Event Effects (SEEs). SEEs are caused by transistors changing state unintended due to particles disposing significant amounts of energy when they hit an IC. In this thesis, the design, implementation, and verification of a fault tolerant RISC-V processor, which can detect two errors and correct one error, is presented. The RISC-V Instruction Set Architecture (ISA) is an open-source architecture which defines all interactions between the software and hardware. Two designs, the ECC-based and Hybrid design, are presented which both use Error Correction Codes (ECC) and N-Modular Redundancy (NMR) for adding fault tolerance to the softcore. Hamming Single Error Correction, Double Error Detection (SECDED) codes were selected as the ECC coding scheme. The hybrid design, which uses NMR in the pipeline and ECC for memory elements, is chosen for implementation, because it has a lower complexity, less Single Points of Failure (SPOFs) and a higher estimated clock frequency. The design's fault tolerance is verified with fault injection through saboteurs, which are placed at predefined locations in the design. The test architecture for the design consists of a verification suite, a simulation-based environment using ModelSim and an on-board test environment using a Spartan-6 Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). The verification tests showed that the hybrid design can mitigate all injected single and double faults, without having a single failure occurring. The design did not meet the clock frequency and resource utilization targets set by Technolution B.V. because of long delay paths and large decoders. The design, however, allows for improvements like the insertion of extra pipeline stages and parallel decoding and data processing
Alternative Media & Mainstream Politics: The Case of Mediated Political Fusion

Abstract Recent research concerning alternative media has provided some insight concerning the increasing role of those media in mainstream political communication. In this study, we conducted interviews with key leaders in local level Democratic and Republican Parties in the United States Midwest. These were the individuals who chaired the parties and executive committees, maintained the social and interactive media platforms for the parties, and managed high-profile campaigns. Our interviews revealed that there were leaders in the community who made use of alternative media in some ways. What is more, we found that there were key individuals across both parties who included alternative media content in their political work, or included links or content from such media in their social media feeds. Such findings demonstrate the increasing fusion of activist and mainstream politics, which hold important implications for political communication in that Midwestern county.
Critical Role of Maternal Selenium Nutrition in Neurodevelopment: Effects on Offspring Behavior and Neuroinflammatory Profile

Research in both animals and humans shows that some nutrients are important in pregnancy and during the first years of life to support brain and cognitive development. Our aim was to evaluate the role of selenium (Se) in supporting brain and behavioral plasticity and maturation. Pregnant and lactating female rats and their offspring up to postnatal day 40 were fed isocaloric diets differing in Se content—i.e., optimal, sub-optimal, and deficient—and neurodevelopmental, neuroinflammatory, and anti-oxidant markers were analyzed. We observed early adverse behavioral changes in juvenile rats only in sub-optimal offspring. In addition, sub-optimal, more than deficient supply, reduced basal glial reactivity in sex dimorphic and brain-area specific fashion. In female offspring, deficient and sub-optimal diets reduced the antioxidant Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity in the cortex and in the liver, the latter being the key organ regulating Se metabolism and homeostasis. The finding that the Se sub-optimal was more detrimental than Se deficient diet may suggest that maternal Se deficient diet, leading to a lower Se supply at earlier stages of fetal development, stimulated homeostatic mechanisms in the offspring that were not initiated by sub-optimal Se. Our observations demonstrate that even moderate Se deficiency during early life negatively may affect, in a sex-specific manner, optimal brain development.
Integrated Calibration of Strap-Down Geomagnetic Vector Measurement System

Strap-down geomagnetic vector measurement system usually consists of three-axis magnetometer and inertial units, which is an effective device for measuring geomagnetic vector. However, its measurement accuracy is limited by disturbance of ferromagnetic material, measurement error of magnetometer and error caused by misalignment. Therefore, an integrated calibration method for strap-down geomagnetic vector measurement system is proposed. Firstly, the integrated error model is established, and a system with linear equations constraint is constructed by the measurements of inertial units, three-axis magnetometer and proton magnetometer; secondly, calibration parameters can be estimated by two-step least squares estimation (LSE); finally, geomagnetic vector measurement can be calibrated with these parameters in real time. Simulation results show that the relative errors between estimation and true parameters are less than 3%. Experimental results demonstrate that the errors of strap-down geomagnetic vector measurement system are suppressed effectively after integrated calibration, where North, Vertical and East component measurement errors are reduced from 809.2 nT, 300.0 nT, 776.8 nT to 14.8 nT (1.83% of uncalibrated value), 11.9 nT (3.97%), 32.5 nT (4.18%) respectively, and measurement accuracy of declination and inclination are achieved to 0.1°. Furthermore, the calibration error and time are least compared with traditional methods.
Simulating queuing behaviour of pedestrians in subway stations

The aim of this study was to simulate pedestrian movements in the queuing process in subway stations using microscopic simulation models. The queuing process was divided into two stages – walking and selecting a queue, and entering a queue and waiting in that queue. To represent the boundary of these two stages, a novel queuing line concept was developed. This queuing line dynamically changes with factors such as pedestrian preference, queue shape and queue length. Furthermore, two corresponding microscopic simulation models were developed to handle those two stages on the basis of the social force model and the queuing rule, respectively. Typically, the queuing rule is determined by the desired force, the impact of the nearest pedestrian ahead in the same direction and a self-stopping mechanism. Two examples – a ticket office and a security check in a subway station – were used to verify the validity of the proposed models.
An Edge-Combining Frequency-Multiplying Class-D Power Amplifier

The class-D power amplifier (PA) is commonly implemented in CMOS, but its operating frequency is often limited due to the power loss of parasitic capacitances and the lower transition frequency of the PMOS transistor. In this brief we demonstrate edge-combining frequency-multiplication embedded directly in the output-stage, allowing higher-frequency operation of the class-D PA, while maintaining similar performance to a lower-frequency PA. A 65nm CMOS prototype achieves output power and system efficiency of 22.3dBm and 30.2%, respectively. The prototype is tested with a D-BPSK signal and achieves an EVM of 2%-rms. Although the prototype was not embedded with amplitude modulation capability, it can be readily adapted for such operation using switched-capacitor PA techniques.
Frequency synthesizers and oscillator architectures based on multi-order harmonic generation

Frequency Synthesizers and Oscillator Architectures Based on Multi-Order Harmonic Generation. (December 2011) Mohammed Mohsen Abdul-Salam Abdul-Latif, B.S., Cairo University; M.S., Cairo University Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Edgar Sánchez-Sinencio Frequency synthesizers are essential components for modern wireless and wireline communication systems as they provide the local oscillator signal required to transmit and receive data at very high rates. They are also vital for computing devices and microcontrollers as they generate the clocks required to run all the digital circuitry responsible for the high speed computations. Data rates and clocking speeds are continuously increasing to accommodate for the ever growing demand on data and computational power. This places stringent requirements on the performance metrics of frequency synthesizers. They are required to run at higher speeds, cover a wide range of frequencies, provide a low jitter/phase noise output and consume minimum power and area. In this work, we present new techniques and architectures for implementing high speed frequency synthesizers which fulfill the aforementioned requirements. We propose a new architecture and design approach for the realization of wideband millimeter-wave frequency synthesizers. This architecture uses two-step multi-order harmonic generation of a low frequency phase-locked signal to generate
Management of Nuisance Macromoths in Expressways through Academic-Industrial Collaboration: Light Trap Designed on the Basis of Moths' Preferences for Light Attributes

Aggregation of flying insects such as gypsy moths at commercial light sources in summer not only has an aesthetically negative impact on public facilities but also permits the establishment of new insect populations there from the next year. Although energy-efficient light traps equipped with light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have recently been used for controlling pest insects in agriculture, there are very few maintenance-free light traps that are available on the market. Based on the results of field surveys, we fabricated a prototype light trap in which the preferences of insects for light irradiation angle and wavelength are implemented. Field experiments revealed that flying moths were attracted more to light with a narrow irradiation angle than to light with a wide irradiation angle. Moreover, there was a tendency for fewer moths to be collected when fluorescent paint was applied to the surface of the flight-interception board, indicating that a high contrast made by illumination and the background is preferred by flying moths. Taken together with our previous results, we found that the moth catch was influenced more by modification of the light design than by change in visible light wavelengths. A semi-portable light trap, named the “Kurihara trap” after the primary contributor to its development, is made of light-weight plastic and is driven by solar power. This light trap is omnidirectional and maintenance-free and is therefore suitable for deployment in the backyards of rest areas as well as at houses for long-term macromoth sampling.
A study on consumersâ€™ attitude towards counterfeit products In Malaysia

The study aims to investigate which of the social and personality factors affects the attitude of the consumers towards counterfeit products. The study is also set out to examine the relationship of consumersâ€™ attitude towards counterfeit product with purchase intention. A conceptual model is proposed by following the studies of Huang et al. (2004), De Matos et al. (2007) and Phau and Teah (2009). A survey of 270 respondents was conducted in the Malaysian market. Pearson correlation, multiple regression and the Sobel test were used to test the hypotheses postulated and research question. It is discovered that perceived risk, price consciousness, novelty seeking and normative susceptibility are the independent variables that strongly influence consumersâ€™ attitude towards counterfeit product. Attitude towards counterfeit product was also found significant in influencing purchase intention. This reinforces the mediator role of attitude in its relationship with purchase intentions. By having a better understanding of the consumersâ€™ behavioral intentions of buying counterfeit products, the manufacturers and marketers of the genuine brand products can make better marketing strategies to entice the consumer to buy the original product and not the counterfeit version. Theoretical contribution of this study is an extension of knowledge of consumersâ€™ attitude with regards to counterfeit products.
Quality of Life in Patients with Chronic Psychotic Disorders: A Practical Model for Interventions in Romanian Mental Health Centers

Background and Objectives: Current psychiatric care is increasingly focusing on patients’ quality of life (QoL). Research is still trying to determine the main factors which influence QoL. The present study aims to assess the QoL of patients with chronic psychotic-spectrum disorders, as well as its relation to symptomatology, functionality, adaptive behavior, and perceived level of recovery. Materials and Methods: The study included a sample of 78 patients with chronic psychosis. Symptomatology and illness severity were assessed with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the Clinical Global Impression Scale-Severity (CGI-S) scales, respectively. The Global Assessment of Functioning Scale (GAFS) and the Adaptive Behavior Assessment System II (ABAS-II)-Adult Form were used for the assessment of patients’ functionality, and the Quality-of-Life Inventory (QOLI) scale was applied for the evaluation of QoL. Results: According to the CGI-Severity scale, 20.5% of the patients were borderline mentally ill, and 24.4% were mildly ill. The highest number of patients (34.6%) were moderately ill, while 14.1% and 2.6% were markedly ill and severely ill, respectively. Among the moderately ill patients, more than half (63%) were patients with schizophrenia, 18.5% were patients with delusional disorder, and 18.5% were patients with schizoaffective disorder. Most of the patients (43.6%) presented moderate functioning deficiency, while 38.5% of the patients presented severe deficiency, according to the GAFS score. When assessed with the ABAS, we observed that almost half of the patients (44.9%) showed an average functioning across skill areas in the conceptual, social, and practical domains. A percent of 67.9% of the patients presented an average QoL, while 15.4% and 12.8% showed a very low and low QoL. QoL was not influenced by the patients’ symptomatology, gender, and education level. Having children, family support, better social and conceptual skills, and a higher perceived level of recovery was correlated with an increased QoL, hierarchical multiple regression R2 = 0.379, F(9, 68) = 2.616, and p = 0.012. Conclusions: Psychiatric interventions in psychosis should focus not only on symptoms’ control, but also on improving social and family support, as well as adaptive skills to increase the patients’ QoL.