Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Life Events and Relationships on Adult Women's Decisions To Enroll in College

This study was designed to investigate the role of life events and “relationship” morality in women's decisions to enroll in college. Interviews with 38 women, ages 25–46, indicated that the timing for women returning to college was determined by the state of their relationships and life events and not solely by motivation. Enrollment was often postponed until children were “old enough,” family responsibilities were lessened, or fellow workers or employers would not be inconvenienced.
Paintings as Architectural Space: “Guided Tours” by Cézanne and Hokusai

In this paper, we present a comparative analysis of 2 painters' (Cézanne and Hokusai) efforts to enhance active participatory perception (Gibson, 1966, 1979/1986) in their landscape work. As exemplars, we use Cézanne's paintings of Mount Sainte-Victoire and Hokusai's prints of the Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, noting how the similarities and differences in scientific and Chinese perspectives affect our perception of the landscapes. Although both artists used linear perspective and axonometry, geometric standards that originated in architecture and later were adopted by painters, they frequently violated these standards through innovative technical devices. As a result, Cézanne and Hokusai created unique architectural spaces into which we are not only invited but also guided by our own active perception and anticipated 20th-century artistic and scientific movements, including cubism, phenomenology, and Gibson's (1966) theory of active perception.
Basic Proteins of Rodent Peripheral Nerve Myelin: Immunochemical Identification of the 21.5K, 18.5K, 17K, 14K, and P2 Proteins

Abstract: Proteins in peripheral nervous system and central nervous system myelin and homogenates of sciatic nerve and brain from young and adult mice and rats were characterized with affinity‐purified anti‐P2 and anti‐myelin basic protein sera after electrophoretic transfer from sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gels to nitrocellulose sheets. Using this method we have identified a component of rodent peripheral nervous system myelin as P2 protein. Peripheral nervous system myelin also showed the presence of four basic proteins in addition to P2 protein. These were found to be analogous to the 14, 17, 18.5, and 21.5K species found in the central nervous system myelin. A number of high‐molecular‐weight proteins were also detected with anti‐myelin basic protein serum in peripheral nervous system, as well as central nervous system myelin. In addition, we report the presence of a high‐molecular‐weight P2 cross‐reactive protein in rodent brain stem homogenates, but not in central nervous system myelin.
Apartheid in South Africa

In this paper the authors argue that Euro-American ‘mainstream’ models of psychological intervention have limited value in the context of South African apartheid. Given the unique nature of political oppression and economic disparity, apartheid in South Africa is a contributing etiological factor in the onset of psychological difficulties. The case is made that counselling and psychotherapy must go beyond merely dealing with intrapsychic phenomena, toward a mandate to address political, economic and social variables which influence behavior. Reformulations have occurred in the nature and form of apartheid resulting in a dynamic political and economic system that promises further shifts in the future. Given the undeniable delay between legal and political change on one hand, and the fundamental transformation of South Africa from a position of racism and violence to a democratic, non-racial society on the other hand, the search for alternative psychological intervention models will remain an imperative.
A Numerical Study of the Effects of Wind Direction on Turbine Wakes and Power Losses in a Large Wind Farm

In this study, large-eddy simulations (LESs) were performed to investigate the effects of changing wind direction on the turbine wakes and associated power losses in the Horns Rev offshore wind farm. In the LES framework, the turbulent subgrid-scale stresses are parameterized using a tuning-free Lagrangian scale-dependent dynamic model, and the turbine-induced forces are computed using a dynamic actuator-disk model with rotation (ADM-R). This dynamic ADM-R couples blade-element theory with a turbine-specific relation between the blade angular velocity and the shaft torque to compute simultaneously turbine angular velocity and power output. A total of 67 simulations were performed for a wide range of wind direction angles. Results from the simulations show a strong impact of wind direction on the spatial distribution of turbine-wake characteristics, such as velocity deficit and turbulence intensity. This can be explained by the fact that changing the wind angle can be viewed as changing the wind farm layout relative to the incoming wind, while keeping the same wind turbine density. Of particular importance is the effect of wind direction on the distance available for the wakes to recover and expand before encountering other downwind turbines (in full-wake or partial-wake interactions), which affects the power losses from those turbines. As a result, even small changes in wind direction angle can have strong impacts on the total wind farm power output. For example, a change in wind direction of just 10° from the worst-case full-wake condition is found to increase the total power output by as much as 43%. This has important implications for the design of wind farms and the management of the temporal variability of their power output.
Analysis of 3-MCPD and 1,3-DCP in Various Foodstuffs Using GC-MS

This is an Open-Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. 3-Monochloro-1,2-propanediol (3-MCPD) and 1,3-dichloro-2-propanol (1,3-DCP) are not only produced in the manufacturing process of foodstuffs such as hydrolyzed vegetable proteins and soy sauce but are also formed by heat processing in the presence of fat and low water activity. 3-MCPD exists both in free and ester forms, and the ester form has been also detected in various foods. Free 3-MCPD and 1,3-DCP are classified as Group 2B by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Although there is no data confirming the toxicity of either compound in humans, their toxicity was evidenced in animal experimentation or in vitro. Although few studies have been conducted, free 3-MCPD has been shown to have neurotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, and carcinogenicity. In contrast, 1,3-DCP only has mutagenic activity. The purpose of this study was to analyze 3-MCPD and 1,3-DCP in various foods using gas chromatography -mass spectrometry. 3-MCPD and 1,3-DCP were analyzed using phenyl boronic acid derivatization and the liquid–liquid extraction method, respectively. The analytical method for 3-MCPD and 1,3-DCP was validated in terms of linearity, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantitation, accuracy and precision. Consequently, the LODs of 3-MCPD and 1,3-DCP in various matrices were identified to be in the ranges of 4.18~10.56 ng/g and 1.06~3.15 ng/g, respectively.
A parallel scheme for accelerating parameter sweep applications on a GPU

This paper proposes a parallel scheme for accelerating parameter sweep applications on a graphics processing unit. By using hundreds of cores on the graphics processing unit, we found that our scheme simultaneously processes multiple parameters rather than a single parameter. The simultaneous sweeps exploit the similarity of computing behaviors shared by different parameters, thus allowing memory accesses to be coalesced into a single access if similar irregularities appear among the parameters’ computational tasks. In addition, our scheme reduces the amount of off‐chip memory access by unifying the data that are commonly referenced by multiple parameters and by placing the unified data in the fast on‐chip memory. In several experiments, we applied our scheme to practical applications and found that our scheme can perform up to 8.5 times faster than a naive scheme that processes a single parameter at a time. We also include a discussion on application characteristics that are required for our scheme to outperform the naive scheme. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation and Strategy for Use of MIRU-VNTRplus, a Multifunctional Database for Online Analysis of Genotyping Data and Phylogenetic Identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex Isolates

ABSTRACT Because of its portable data, discriminatory power, and recently proposed standardization, mycobacterial interspersed repetitive-unit-variable-number tandem-repeat (MIRU-VNTR) typing has become a major method for the epidemiological tracking of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) clones. However, no public MIRU-VNTR database based on well-characterized reference strains has been available hitherto for easy strain identification. Therefore, a collection of 186 reference strains representing the primary MTBC lineages was used to build a database, which is freely accessible at http://www.MIRU-VNTRplus.org . The geographical origin and the drug susceptibility profile of each strain were stored together with comprehensive genetic lineage information, including the 24-locus MIRU-VNTR profile, the spoligotyping pattern, the single-nucleotide- and large-sequence-polymorphism profiles, and the IS6110 restriction fragment length polymorphism fingerprint. Thanks to flexible import functions, a single or multiple user strains can be analyzed, e.g., for lineage identification with or without the use of reference strains, by best-match or tree-based analyses with single or combined marker data sets. The results can easily be exported. In the present study, we evaluated the database consistency and various analysis parameters both by testing the reference collection against itself and by using an external population-based data set comprising 629 different strains. Under the optimal conditions found, lineage predictions based on typing by 24-locus MIRU-VNTR analysis optionally combined with spoligotyping were verified in >99% of the cases. On the basis of this evaluation, a user strategy was defined, which consisted of best-match analysis followed, if necessary, by tree-based analysis. The MIRU-VNTRplus database is a powerful tool for high-resolution clonal identification and has little equivalent in terms of functionalities among the bacterial genotyping databases available so far.
Faculty development for the evaluation system: a dual agenda

Faculty development for the evaluation process serves two distinct goals. The first goal is to improve the quality of the evaluations submitted by the faculty. Providing an accurate assessment of a learner’s capabilities is a skill and, similar to other skills, can be developed with training. Frame-of-reference training serves to calibrate the faculty’s standard of performance and build a uniform language of the evaluation. Second, areas for faculty professional growth can be identified from data generated from learners’ evaluations of the faculty using narrative comments, item-level comparison reports, and comparative rank list information. This paper presents an innovative model, grounded in institutional experience and review of the literature, to provide feedback to faculty evaluators, thereby improving the reliability of the evaluation process, and motivating the professional growth of faculty as educators.
A Primer on Action Research for the School Administrator.

he word research often conjures up images of a scientist conducting experiments in a distant, secluded laboratory. Mention educational research, and reactions may include recollections of one's master's thesis or uncomplimentary thoughts of an eccentric professor engaging in some abstract study unrelated to practice. To many educators-teachers and supervisors alike-the value of research is marginal at best. A fundamental premise of this article is that proper use of research by school leaders is not only beneficial, but also necessary and urgent if we are to renew our schools and empower our educational leaders.
Chemical methods of male contraception.

Inhibition of spermatogenesis has been achieved by both steroidal and nonsteroidal compounds. The meiotic stage of spermatogenesis seems to be most sensitive to chemical and heat damage. Impaired secretion of luteinizing hormone produces cessation of spermatogenesis. Methallibure a hydrazine which reversibly suppresses spermatogenesis affects the sexual activity of animals. Estrogens have also been used in experimental animals to repress spermatogenesis. Chemicals acting directly on the testis such as Myleran and Tretamine have been linked to damage to spermatagonia and are therefore unacceptable. There is not enough known about the role of the epididymis to make a systematic study of drugs which effect it but methylenedimethanesulphonate and alpha-chlorhydrin have been shown to cause sterility through this channel.
Science and Cultural Process: Defining an Anthropological Approach to Science Education

The purpose of this article is to define, through discussion and example, the notion of an 'anthropological approach' to science education research, as well as to advocate the potential contribution of such an approach to several research domains and to questions of access and equity. While many science education researchers in the last fifteen years have done work which one might describe as 'anthropological', these writers come from a variety of camps and may or may not think of themselves principally in this light. We hope that the value of this article lies in opening a dialogue about what an 'anthropological' approach to science research might be, as well as about how such an approach might redefine the role which science education research, and science itself, plays in the lives of teachers, students and communities which it affects.
Studying author collaboration and recurring themes

Every year, billions of dollars in research funding are allocated to universities and the private sector by various investors. Each investor is usually interested in funding a different area of research, and their ultimate goal is to maximize the effect of that investment by selecting the best qualified organizations. Investors need to find organizations that maximize the productivity of research, for they ensure that all funding would be well spent. Our tool, Research Journal Network (RJN), gives investors a detailed summary of research activities, so that resources can be allocated more effectively. This paper describes the design, development and testing of a visualization tool targeted on publications, specifically on their keywords and authors — and the institutions they belong to. RJN offers sponsors and research funding institutions, visualizations aimed to describe trends, activity volume, and interinstitutional work. Being able to observe this information in an organized manner will potentially enhance the user’s experience when analyzing data. Consequently, this tool will help the decision making process when assigning funds to research institutes. Our general contribution relies on providing visualizations of large amounts of different research investigation data, so that funding agencies can better analyze their funding decisions. We implemented our tool in a way that the user can perform both high level abstractions and highly detailed analysis of specific research institutions/researchers in a short amount of clicks. It is worth mentioning that very few similar applications have been developed. Our aim is to contribute with a solution to this problem, so that future research funding assigning investigation can be properly conducted.
Genetic Homogeneity Revealed Using SCoT, ISSR and RAPD Markers in Micropropagated Pittosporum eriocarpum Royle- An Endemic and Endangered Medicinal Plant

Pittosporum eriocarpum Royle, a medicinally important taxon, is endemic to Uttarakhand region of Himalaya. It has become endangered due to over-collection and the loss of habitats. As raising plants through seeds in this plant is problematic, a reliable protocol for micropropagation using nodal explants has been developed. High shoot regeneration (95%) occurred in MS medium augmented with BA 0.4mg/l in combination IBA 0.6mg/l. In vitro regenerated shoots were rooted in MS medium supplemented with three auxins, of which 0.6 mg/l indole butyric acid proved to be the best for rooting (90%) with maximum number of roots per shoot. Thereafter, rooted plants were hardened and nearly 73% of rooted shoots were successfully acclimatized and established in the field. Start codon targeted (SCoT), inter simple sequence repeats (ISSR) and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were used to validate the genetic homogeneity amongst nine in vitro raised plantlets with mother plant. DNA fingerprints of in vitro regenerated plantlets displayed monomorphic bands similar to mother plant, indicating homogeneity among the micropropagated plants with donor mother plant. The similarity values were calculated based on SCoT, ISSR and RAPD profiles which ranged from 0.89 to 1.00, 0.91 to 1.00 and 0.95 to 1.00 respectively. The dendrograms generated through Unweighted Pair Group Method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) analysis revealed 97% similarity amongst micropropagated plants with donor mother plant, thus confirming genetic homogeneity of micropropagated clones. This is the first report on micropropagation and genetic homogeneity assessment of P. eriocarpum. The protocol would be useful for the conservation and large scale production of P. eriocarpum to meet the demand for medicinal formulations and also for the re-introduction of in vitro grown plants in the suitable natural habitats to restore the populations.
Coreference is not always either/or: psycholinguistic evidence for near-identity

Coreference has been traditionally defined dichotomously as identity-of-reference or non-identity-of-reference. Here, we consider the existence of a near-identity category for referential relations that are neither coreferent nor non-coreferent. We present a three-task experiment on the interpretation of the identity relationship between the referents of noun phrases in English and in Catalan. The experiment collected the judgements and reaction times (RTs) of 70 English speakers and 34 Catalan speakers to investigate the reality of a near-identity category that undermines the traditional dichotomous approach to coreference. The results show that whereas some referential relations are classified as either identity or non-identity by the majority of participants, there is a third class of relations for which the judgements are split between identity and non-identity. This third class of relations also shows a longer RT. This evidence supports the conclusion that it does not suffice to distinguish between identity-of-reference and non-identity-of-reference, but that it is psychologically plausible to assume a middle-ground category of near-identity to include those referential relations on which participants disagree as to whether they are coreferent. In addition, the results allow to conclude that near-identity relations involve higher processing complexity. The fact that this is true for both English and Catalan points towards the cross-linguistic nature of near-identical referents.
Distributed Intelligence: Overview of the Field and Its Application in Multi-Robot Systems

This article overviews the concepts of distributed intelligence, outlining the motivations for studying this field of research. First, common systems of distributed intelligence are classified based upon the types of interactions exhibited, since the type of interaction has relevance to the solution paradigm to be used. We outline three common paradigms for distributed intelligence — the bioinspired paradigm, the organizational and social paradigm, and the knowledge-based, ontological paradigm — and give examples of how these paradigms can be used in multi-robot systems. We then look at a common problem in multi-robot systems — that of task allocation — and show how the solution approach to this problem is very different depending upon the paradigm chosen for abstracting the problem. Our conclusion is that the paradigms are not interchangeable, but rather the selection of the appropriate paradigm is dependent upon the specific constraints and requirements of the application of interest. Further work is needed to provide guidance to the system designer on selecting the proper abstraction, or paradigm, for a given problem.
Du Signal à l'Information : le capteur intelligent

Le capteur a profite des recents progres en matiere d'integration des composants electroniques qui permettent desormais de rassembler dans un meme volume tres reduit a la fois le capteur, l'electronique de conditionnement des signaux et les circuits numeriques de traitement des donnees et de communication avec l'exterieur. Mais le capteur Intelligent va bien au-dela de cette simple juxtaposition, il sait extraire l'information necessaire a une prise de decision, il integre des services qui lui permettent de participer pleinement a la mission du systeme de decision distribue, au sein duquel les equipements cooperent via un systeme de communication dedie, l'ossature d'une veritable base de donnees temps-reel. Ce memoire introduit progressivement la notion de capteur intelligent en s'appuyant sur de nombreux exemples tires de l'experience personnelle de l'auteur, depuis des capteurs a base de polymeres piezoelectriques pour des applications industrielles, jusqu'aux systemes domotiques pour le suivi de la sante a domicile, en passant par des capteurs embarques pour la telemedecine.
Papillary Muscle Function Does Not Predict Mitral Regurgitation in Patients with Normal Left Ventricular Systolic Function: A Transesophageal Echocardiographic Study

Objective: To evaluate LV papillary muscles (PM) function using transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), and to determine the relationship between PM function and mitral regurgitation in patients with normal left ventricular sys-tolic function. Design: TEE examinations were prospectively performed. End diastolic and end systolic PM lengths were obtained from the transgastric long axis views and fractional systolic shortening (FS) was calculated. LV ejection fraction was determined using modified Simpson rule and mitral regurgitation was determined using regurgitant jet area by color flow. Setting: Tertiary Center. Patients: 85 consecutive adult patients (51 with mitral regurgitation and 34 without) with normal LV chamber dimensions and LV systolic function, meeting enrollment criteria. Results: The % FS in patients with mitral regurgitation was 21.7 ± 3.6% for anterior PM (APM) and 18.7 ± 4.6% for posterior PM (PPM). In those without mitral regurgitation, the values were as follows; 22.6 ± 5.4% (APM) and 19.5 ± 3.8% (PPM). In a subgroup of patients with severe mitral regurgitation (n = 23), the values for PM FS were 20.3 ± 6.8 (APM) and 18.4 ± 6.9 % (PPM). There was no statistically significant difference in PM fractional shortening between the groups. Anterior papillary muscle length was longer in those patients with mitral regurgitation compared to those without [(End-diastolic length (cm): 3.38 ± 0.61 v 2.88 ± 0.47(p: 0.008) and end-systolic length of 2.46 ± 0.51 v 2.17 ± 0.33 (p: 0.04)]. These differences are more pronounced in those with severe mitral regurgitation (p: 0.002 and 0.004 for EDL and ESL respectively. Conclusion: In patients with normal LVEF, PM contraction is similar in those with and without MR. In patients with MR however, anterior PM length (ED & ES) is significantly increased. Our data suggests that in patients with normal LVEF, PM dysfunction appears to play no significant role in the causation of MR. Anterior papillary muscle length however, appears to be a major determinant of mitral regurgitation in such patients.