Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
PAPER:The Effect of Teacher and Student Characteristics on TIMSS 2011 Mathematics Achievement for Fourth and Eighth Grade Students in Turkey

Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) has been taken place for almost 20 years in order to determine the trends in mathematics and science achievement of fourth and eighth grades students. This means that cross-sectional data can be obtained by TIMSS so as to see which variables play role in students’ achievement at different grades in each administration. This study examined student and teacher level variability of the students’ mathematics achievement for each grade in terms of TIMSS 2011 Turkish data. The common variables adressed in both 4th and 8th grade students' questionnaire and their teachers' questionnaire were selected to be compared. More precisely, confidence in teaching Mathematics, teacher working conditions, school emphasis on academic success, teacher career satisfaction, collabarate to improving teaching, and instruction to engage students in learning were selected as teacher level variables addressed in teacher questionnaire. As student level where addressed in student questionnaire were being bullied at school, students’ engagement in Mathematics, students’ confident in mathematics, students’ like learning Mathematics, belogning to school, and parents’ involvement in students learning. Due to the nested structure of the data in TIMSS, hierarchical linear modeling analysis was performed using HLM 7 software. According to the findings of the study, for both grade level, of all teacher level variables, only the variable school emphasis on academic success perceived by teachers had statistically significant effect on schools' mean mathematics achievements. Moreover, of all the student level variables, being bullied at school, students’ confident in mathematics, students’ engagement in mathematics and parents’ involvement in students learning variables were found to have statistically significant effects on students' mathematics achievement for both grade level. Findings from this study will provide a potentially fruitful contribution to related literature.
Latent semantic analysis-based image auto annotation

The image retrieval is a particular case of information retrieval. It adds more complex mechanisms to relevance image retrieval: visual content analysis and/or additional textual content. The image auto annotation is a technique that associates text to image, and permits to retrieve image documents as textual documents, thus as in information retrieval. The image auto annotation is then an effective technology for improving the image retrieval. In this work, we propose the AnnotB-LSA algorithm in its first version for the image auto-annotation. The integration of the LSA model permits to extract the latent semantic relations in the textual describers and to minimize the ambiguousness (polysemy, synonymy) between the annotations of images.
Association of Plasma IL-6 and Hsp70 with HRV at Different Levels of PAHs Metabolites

Background Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is associated with reduced heart rate variability (HRV), a strong predictor of cardiovascular diseases, but the mechanism is not well understood. Objectives We hypothesized that PAHs might induce systemic inflammation and stress response, contributing to altered cardiac autonomic function. Methods HRV indices were measured using a 3-channel digital Holter monitor in 800 coke oven workers. Plasma levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) were determined using ELISA. Twelve urinary PAHs metabolites (OH-PAHs) were measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results We found that significant dose-dependent relationships between four urinary OH-PAHs and IL-6 (all P trend<0.05); and an increase in quartiles of IL-6 was significantly associated with a decrease in total power (TP) and low frequency (LF) (P trend = 0.014 and 0.006, respectively). In particular, elevated IL-6 was associated in a dose-dependent manner with decreased TP and LF in the high-PAHs metabolites groups (all P trend<0.05), but not in the low-PAHs metabolites groups. No significant association between Hsp70 and HRV in total population was found after multivariate adjustment. However, increased Hsp70 was significantly associated with elevated standard deviation of NN intervals (SDNN), TP and LF in the low-PAHs metabolites groups (all P trend<0.05). We also observed that both IL-6 and Hsp70 significantly interacted with multiple PAHs metabolites in relation to HRV. Conclusions In coke oven workers, increased IL-6 was associated with a dose-response decreased HRV in the high-PAHs metabolites groups, whereas increase of Hsp70 can result in significant dose-related increase in HRV in the low-PAHs metabolites groups.
Why Psychologists Must Change the Way They Analyze Their Data: the Case of Psi: Comment on Bem (2011)

Does psi exist? D. J. Bem (2011) conducted 9 studies with over 1,000 participants in an attempt to demonstrate that future events retroactively affect people's responses. Here we discuss several limitations of Bem's experiments on psi; in particular, we show that the data analysis was partly exploratory and that one-sided p values may overstate the statistical evidence against the null hypothesis. We reanalyze Bem's data with a default Bayesian t test and show that the evidence for psi is weak to nonexistent. We argue that in order to convince a skeptical audience of a controversial claim, one needs to conduct strictly confirmatory studies and analyze the results with statistical tests that are conservative rather than liberal. We conclude that Bem's p values do not indicate evidence in favor of precognition; instead, they indicate that experimental psychologists need to change the way they conduct their experiments and analyze their data. Bem (2011) presented nine experiments that test for the presence of psi. 1 The experiments were designed to assess the hypothesis that future events affect people's thinking and people's behavior in the past (henceforth, precognition). As indicated by Bem, precognition—if it exists—is an anomalous phenomenon, because it conflicts with what we know to be true about the world (e.g., weather forecasting agencies do not employ clairvoyants, casinos make profits). In addition, psi has no clear grounding in known biological or physical mechanisms. 2 Despite the lack of a plausible mechanistic account of precog-nition, Bem (2011) was able to reject the null hypothesis of no precognition in eight out of nine experiments. For instance, in Bem's first experiment 100 participants had to guess the future position of pictures on a computer screen, left or right. And indeed, for erotic pictures, the 53.1% mean hit rate was significantly higher than chance, t͑99͒ ϭ 2.51, p ϭ . 01. Bem (2011) took these findings to support the hypothesis that people " use psi information implicitly and nonconsciously to enhance their performance in a wide variety of everyday tasks " (p. 16). In further support of psi, Utts (1991, p. 363) concluded in a Statistical Science review article that " the overall evidence indicates that there is an anomalous effect in need of an explanation " (but see Diaconis, 1978; Hyman, 2007). Do these results mean that psi can now be considered real, replicable, and reliable? We think that the answer to this question is negative …
Deriving Optimal Successive Decoders for the Asynchronous CDMA Channel Using Information Theory

The symbol-asynchronous, Gaussian Code- Division Multiple Access (CDMA) channel is considered where the users transmit channel coded information independently of each other using quadrature-amplitude modulation. The receiver is of a successive decoding type and therefore allows the users to employ independent single-user coding and decoding. We derive successive decoding structures that are optimal in that they maxi- mize average mutual information subject to certain causality con- straints. Depending on these constraints, the resulting successive decoder may or may not preserve the sum-rate (i. e., sum of the users' rates) capacity of the channel. Moreover, it is found that each set of constraints corresponds to a structured factorization of a multivariate spectrum that is both unique and optimal over the constraints. I. INTRODUCTION The asynchronous Gaussian CDMA channel is considered in which each of simultaneously active users transmits a sequence of information symbols using passband pulse-amplitude modulation (PAM). The sequence of complex-valued information symbols sent by the -th user is denoted as , or more succinctly as ,w here is the -th symbol transmitted by the -th user. 1 It is assumed that these sequences are mutually independent, wide-sense stationary (w.s.s.) processes. The receiver observes the waveform due to user's transmission (in the absence of noise) where the complex-valued pulse is the -th user's signature waveform convolved with the channel im- pulse response. When all users are active, the receiver observes an asynchronous superposition of such waveforms corrupted by noise so that
Soft multiuser decoding for vector quantization over Rayleigh fading CDMA channels

Joint optimization of the source and multiuser decoder is considered for vector quantization over a frequency-selective Rayleigh fading synchronous CDMA channel. The optimal (minimum mean squared error) decoder and a suboptimal "user-separated" version are presented. The proposed decoders are soft in the sense that they utilize the soft information available from the channel at the receiver. Simulation results show a significant performance gain of the soft decoders with respect to the conventional scheme that uses maximum likelihood multiuser detection followed by table look-up decoding.
Explicit and implicit algorithms for binate covering problems

We survey techniques for solving binate covering problems, an optimization step often occurring in logic synthesis applications. Standard exact solutions are found with a branch-and-bound exhaustive search, made more efficient by bounding away regions of the search space. Standard approaches are said to be explicit because they work on a direct representation of the binate table, usually as a matrix. Recently, covering problems involving large tables have been attacked with implicit techniques. They are based on the representation by reduced-ordered binary decision diagrams of an encoding of the binate table. We show how table reductions, computation of a lower bound, and of a branching column can be performed on the table so represented. We report experiments for two different applications that demonstrate that implicit techniques handle instances beyond the reach of explicit techniques. Various aspects of our original research are presented for the first time, together with a selection of the most important old and new results scattered in many sources.
Algebraic Space-Time Codes that Achieve Maximal Diversity and/or Capacity Optimality with Low Peak-to-Mean Power Ratio

A spreading scheme is proposed that outperforms the originally suggested Hadamard transform in terms of reducing the Peak-To-Mean Envelope Power Ratio (PMEPR) of the full diversity Diagonal Algebraic Space-Time (DAST) and the Threaded Algebraic Space-Time (TAST) codes. The corresponding “Low PMEPR Space-Time” (LPST) codes proposed in this paper are obtained using the properties of certain cyclotomic number fields. For the DAST code withM transmit antennas, our construction leads to a decrease in the PMEPR by approximately a factor ofM relative to the Hadamard transform by ensuring that the resulting space-time code transmits only QAM symbols at the rate of 1 symbol per channel use. For rates beyond 1 symbol per channel use and up to a guaranteed amount, the LPST codes have significantly smaller PMEPR than the corresponding TAST codes. The LPST codes do not change the complexity of decoding or the exact performance compared to the TAST codes with the same parameters. Additionally, with the concept of punctured LPST codes proposed in this paper, significant performance improvement over the reduced layer TAST schemes are obtained. Particular instances of the punctured LPST codes are also shown to possess the capacity optimality property. Numerical examples are provided to illustrate the advantage of the proposed codes in terms of PMEPR reduction and performance improvement for very high rate wireless communications.
How do callings relate to job performance? The role of organizational commitment and ideological contract fulfillment

Do individuals with callings perform better than those without? Why or why not? There are not clear answers to these questions in the literature. Using a social exchange framework, we posit an intervening process between callings and job performance, focusing on the role of organizational commitment and ideological contract fulfillment – the degree to which organizations live up to their ideological promises. Specifically, individuals with callings will be more committed to their organization, and this commitment, in turn, leads to job performance. Further, this relationship of calling to job performance through commitment will be attenuated when employees perceive under-fulfillment of ideological contract. We found support for these hypotheses across three studies that utilized self- or supervisor-rated performance data from a non-profit organization and multiple for-profit organizations. Interestingly, while the relationship between commitment and performance did depend on fulfillment of the ideological psychological contract, contrary to our prediction, the calling-commitment relationship was not attenuated by under-fulfillment of ideological contract. Our findings deepen our understanding of the organizational implications of callings from a social exchange-based perspective. This study further informs practitioners as to hiring and motivating individuals with a calling.
Lower bounds on precedence-constrained scheduling for parallel processors

We consider two general precedence-constrained scheduling problems that have wide applicability in the areas of parallel processing, high performance compiling, and digital system synthesis. These problems are intractable so it is important to be able to compute tight bounds on their solutions. A tight lower bound on makespan scheduling can be obtained by replacing precedence constraints with release and due dates, giving a problem that can be efficiently solved. We demonstrate that recursively applying this approach yields a bound that is provably tighter than other known bounds, and experimentally shown to achieve the optimal value at least 86.5% of the time over a synthetic benchmark. We compute the best known lower bound on weighted completion time scheduling by applying the recent discovery of a new algorithm for solving a related scheduling problem. Experiments show that this bound significantly outperforms the linear programming-based bound. We have therefore demonstrated that combinatorial algorithms can be a valuable alternative to linear programming for computing tight bounds on large scheduling problems.
Person–Group Dissimilarity in Personality and Peer Victimization

The present study examined the role of person–group dissimilarity in personality in peer victimization. It was hypothesized that adolescents who show more deviation from the classroom norm in personality experience more peer victimization. Data from 1108 adolescents (48% boys; Mage = 13.56 years, SD = 1.13) from 54 classrooms were used to test this hypothesis. Data included measurements of self–reported and bully–disclosed victimization and Big Five and Dark Triad personality traits. Results of generalized linear mixed models including polynomial equations and subsequent response surface analyses partly supported our hypothesis. Person–group dissimilarity in the shape of personality profiles was related to more bully–disclosed victimization, but not to self–reported victimization. Dissimilarity in neuroticism and Machiavellianism was related to both more self–reported and bully–disclosed victimization. Dissimilarity in extraversion, openness to experience, and psychopathy was only related to more self–reported victimization. Unexpectedly, dissimilarity in agreeableness was related to less self–reported victimization. Moreover, our results also indicated that certain levels of congruent person–group combinations in agreeableness, neuroticism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy were related to more peer victimization. Overall, findings of this study emphasize the importance of considering classroom norms in relation to peer victimization. Copyright © 2017 European Association of Personality Psychology
What factors deter self-identified White anti-racist social workers from interrupting acts of racism in interpersonal interactions

Current National Association of Social Workers codes, mandates, and policies require members to work to end racism. Although there is a strong need for social workers to consistently act against racism there are times social workers choose not to interrupt racism in interpersonal interactions. This study was interested in learning how social workers understand their decisions not to act against racism to gain a better understanding of the barriers to interrupting racism. This information may assist social workers in meeting their personal and professional obligations to combat racism. Ten self-identified White anti-racist social workers were interviewed for this qualitative study. Participants were asked to reflect on their experiences identifying as anti-racist and choosing to interrupt/not interrupt racism in interpersonal interactions. The research noted participants' anti-racist expression emerged from varying levels of racial awareness. Participants described significant internal and external factors impacting their choice to stand against racism and revealed a deep complexity to individual decisions not to interrupt racism. Findings suggest that increased awareness of the intrapersonal and interpersonal factors that make disrupting racism challenging may help social workers act more consistently to interrupt racism in interpersonal interactions. WHAT FACTORS DETER SELF-IDENTIFIED WHITE ANTI-RACIST SOCIAL WORKERS FROM INTERRUPTING ACTS OF RACISM IN INTERPERSONAL INTERACTIONS? A project based upon independent investigation, submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Social Work. Mary Panke Smith College School for Social Work Northampton, Massachusetts 01063 Summer, 2011
Writing style determination using the KNN text model

The aim of the paper is writing style investigation. The method used is based on re-sampling approach. We present the text as a series of characters generated by distinct probability sources. A re-sampling procedure is applied in order to simulate samples from the texts. To check if samples are generated from the same population we use a KNN-based two-sample test. The proposed method shows high ability to distinguish variety of different texts.
The relationship between causal and counterfactual reasoning

This thesis represents a contribution to the study of causal and counterfactual reasoning. In six experiments, the relationship between causal selection and counterfactual reasoning and selection is directly investigated. The results support the conclusion that causal contingency information is available for both causal and counterfactual judgements, and that its availability interacts with task demands. Specifically, causal and counterfactual selections were found to depend on the specificity of the description of the outcomes (Experiments 1 to 3). Furthermore, when considering causal chains, causal and counterfactual selections correspond to probability increases and change (Experiments 4 and 5), and can be described by a model that takes those changes into account. Further evidence is offered by the analysis of causal and counterfactual conditionals. It was found that when frequency information is used, the assessments of these conditionals tend to agree (Experiments 6 and 7), as predicted by recent theories of conditional reasoning. The results are interpreted based on the main theories of reasoning available, and it is proposed that these explanations can be integrated into the larger framework of causal models.
Stereo Matching and View Interpolation Based on Image Domain Triangulation

This paper presents a new approach for stereo matching and view interpolation problems based on triangular tessellations suitable for a linear array of rectified cameras. The domain of the reference image is initially partitioned into triangular regions using edge and scale information, aiming to place vertices along image edges and increase the number of triangles in textured regions. A region-based matching algorithm is then used to find an initial disparity for each triangle, and a refinement stage is applied to change the disparity at the vertices of the triangles, generating a piecewise linear disparity map. A simple post-processing procedure is applied to connect triangles with similar disparities generating a full 3D mesh related to each camera (view), which are used to generate new synthesized views along the linear camera array. With the proposed framework, view interpolation reduces to the trivial task of rendering polygonal meshes, which can be done very fast, particularly when GPUs are employed. Furthermore, the generated views are hole-free, unlike most point-based view interpolation schemes that require some kind of post-processing procedures to fill holes.
Design of Bandpass Filter Based on Hybrid Planar Waveguide Resonator

This paper presents a new concept of bandpass resonator based upon the association of planar and substrate integrated waveguide technologies. The selectivity, control of rejection, and ease of design are significantly enhanced by the hybrid planar waveguide resonator compared to the classical substrate integrated waveguide resonators. The hybrid planar waveguide resonator is built from the association of two elements: a substrate integrated circular cavity and a transmission line. When these two elements are connected together, they permit the occurrence of the pole and the transmission zero of the hybrid planar waveguide resonator. This paper describes and discusses the design procedure for n th-order filters. This procedure relies on an iterative process between synthesis equations and a graph. Electrical performances and particularly Q factor are brought to the fore through the realization of a single resonator. The design procedure is then validated through the realization and measurement of a C-band second-order filter. Finally, a third-order filter in the Ku -band is designed, realized, and measured.
Crystal Structures of T. b. rhodesiense Adenosine Kinase Complexed with Inhibitor and Activator: Implications for Catalysis and Hyperactivation

Background The essential purine salvage pathway of Trypanosoma brucei bears interesting catalytic enzymes for chemotherapeutic intervention of Human African Trypanosomiasis. Unlike mammalian cells, trypanosomes lack de novo purine synthesis and completely rely on salvage from their hosts. One of the key enzymes is adenosine kinase which catalyzes the phosphorylation of ingested adenosine to form adenosine monophosphate (AMP) utilizing adenosine triphosphate (ATP) as the preferred phosphoryl donor. Methods and Findings Here, we present the first structures of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense adenosine kinase (TbrAK): the structure of TbrAK in complex with the bisubstrate inhibitor P1,P5-di(adenosine-5′)-pentaphosphate (AP5A) at 1.55 Å, and TbrAK complexed with the recently discovered activator 4-[5-(4-phenoxyphenyl)-2H-pyrazol-3-yl]morpholine (compound 1) at 2.8 Å resolution. Conclusions The structural details and their comparison give new insights into substrate and activator binding to TbrAK at the molecular level. Further structure-activity relationship analyses of a series of derivatives of compound 1 support the observed binding mode of the activator and provide a possible mechanism of action with respect to their activating effect towards TbrAK.