Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Endometriosis Gene Expression Heterogeneity and Biosignature: A Phylogenetic Analysis

Endometriosis is a multifactorial disease with poorly understood etiology, and reflecting an evolutionary nature where genetic alterations accumulate throughout pathogenesis. Our objective was to characterize the heterogeneous pathological process using parsimony phylogenetics. Gene expression microarray data of ovarian endometriosis obtained from NCBI database were polarized and coded into derived (abnormal) and ancestral (normal) states. Such alterations are referred to as synapomorphies in a phylogenetic sense (or biomarkers). Subsequent gene linkage was modeled by Genomatix BiblioSphere Pathway software. A list of clonally shared derived (abnormal) expressions revealed the pattern of heterogeneity among specimens. In addition, it has identified disruptions within the major regulatory pathways including those involved in cell proliferation, steroidogenesis, angiogenesis, cytoskeletal organization and integrity, and tumorigenesis, as well as cell adhesion and migration. Furthermore, the analysis supported the potential central involvement of ESR2 in the initiation of endometriosis. The pathogenesis mapping showed that eutopic and ectopic lesions have different molecular biosignatures.
A Constant Output Current Three-Phase Diode Bridge Employing a Novel "Electronic Smoothing Inductor"

 The paper presents a novel extension of a conventional three-phase diode bridge rectifier with capacitive smoothing of the output voltage which improves the power factor at the AC input and which reduces the ripple current stress on the smoothing capacitor. The basic concept of the proposed system is the arrangement of an active element between the output of the diode bridge and the smoothing capacitor which is controlled in a way that it "emulates" an ideal smoothing inductor. With this the input currents of the diode bridge showing usually high peak amplitudes are transformed to a 120° rectangular shape which ideally result in a total power factor of 0.955. The active element mentioned before is realized by a low-voltage switch-mode converter stage of small power rating as compared to the output power of the rectifier. Starting from a discussion of the drawbacks of three-phase diode rectifiers with capacitive smoothing, the paper describes basic concept, stationary operation and dimensioning guidelines, design of the control and the transient behavior of the proposed system. Finally, measurements taken from a laboratory model are presented.
A Methodology for Constructing Fuzzy Rule-Based Classification Systems

In this paper, a methodology to obtain a set of fuzzy rules for classification systems is presented. The system is represented in a layered fuzzy network, in which the links from input to hidden nodes represents the antecedents of the rules, and the consequents are represented by links from hidden to output nodes. Specific genetic algorithms are used in two phases to extract the rules. In the first phase an initial version of the rules is extracted, and in second one, the labels are refined. The procedure is illustrated by applying it to two real-world classification problems.
The Very Grief a Cure of the Disease

Abstract This article uses Elizabethan poetics and the Renaissance sonnet as a template for understanding the power of reading as it is exhibited in modern-day mental health contexts, specifically in the work of national charity The Reader. Our concern is with the medicine of verbal beauty, representative expression and formal ordering towards perfection – in particular, the relation of ‘erected wit’ and ‘infected will’ in Sidney’s Defence of Poetry. We examine reading group transcripts produced as part of research projects on reading and mental health conducted by the Centre for Research into Reading, Literature and Society (CRILS) at the University of Liverpool (where the authors are based). We demonstrate how Elizabethan poetry, precisely by not offering a form of directive or targeted therapy, has the potential to help ease the suffering of those whose personal and existential problems are too often ignored by conventional therapies because ‘incurable’ as such.
Temporal Learning Using Echo State Network for Human Activity Recognition

Several works have been applied non-temporal classification techniques in the Human Activity Recognition area. Instead of that, we present an approach for modelling the human activities using a temporal learning tool. Here, the activities are considered as time-dependent events, and we use a temporal learning method for their classification. We employ a well-known learning tool named Echo State Network (ESN). An ESN is a specific type of Recurrent Neural Networks, which has proven well performances for solving benchmark problems with sequential and time-series data. Another advantage is that the method is very robust and fast during the learning algorithm. Therefore, it is a good tool for being applied in real time contexts. We apply the proposed approach for analyzing a well-know benchmark dataset, and we obtain promising results.
Analysis of Task Systems in Elementary Physical Education Classes

The purpose of this study was to describe and analyze task systems in elementary physical education classes. Two elementary physical education specialists were observed during 34 classes. Systematic observation strategies were used to describe and analyze classroom events. Data supported the existence of managerial and instructional task systems along with an informal social task system. Students complied with managerial tasks; modifications were not evident. Students’ responses to instruction were either (a) on the stated task with success or little or no success, (b) upward or downward task modifications, or (c) off-task. Primarily, students stayed on-task whether they were successful or not. Relationships among tasks within lessons indicated that the teachers used a pattern of informing, extending, and applying tasks. A less formal accountability system was evident as children were not involved in the formal exchange of performance for grades. Managerial, instructional, and social task systems did not .
Spirituality and Coping Mechanisms in Caring for Epilepsy: A Qualitative Analysis of the Cultural and Environmental Context of Epilepsy in Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT The causes and treatment of epilepsy might be influenced by social and cultural effects. Research indicates that laypeople in general in Saudi Arabia may hold cultural beliefs about seizures. This qualitative study was carried out to explore how parents understand seizures, realize the suffering of their children and whether their understanding affects the way they seek appropriate help. Parents believed seizures are attributed to cultural and spiritual factors. For health professionals in Saudi Arabia, developing a model of cultural competence for the management of epilepsy is seen as an important goal for better understanding and better interventions.
The Design and Analysis of Protocol Sequences for Robust Wireless Accessing

In this paper, a family of linear congruence sequences with interesting cross-correlation properties is investigated for potential applications in defining new multiple access protocols for distributed wireless systems. One can show that for any finite subset of the sequences with rate sum not exceeding a certain level, there cannot have enough collisions to completely block any particular user no matter how they are shifted with respect to one another. The user un-suppressibility and service guarantee can be exploited in many applications such as wireless sensor or impulse radio systems. To enhance the system's allowable rate sum while possessing the non-blocking property, new protocol sequences are designed. Besides, the throughput shift-invariant property is obtained.
Cluster Characteristics in a MIMO Indoor Propagation Environment

Essential parameters of physical, propagation-based MIMO channel models are the fading statistics and the directional spread of multipath clusters. In this paper we determine these parameters in the azimuth-of-arrival/azimuth-of-departure (AoA/AoD) domain based on comprehensive indoor MIMO measurements at 5.2 GHz in a cluttered office environment using the SAGE algorithm for parameter estimation. Due to cluster identification in AoA/AoD-domain we found a greater number of clusters than those reported in previous publications. Regarding the fading statistics of clusters, so far not studied, strong (obstructed-)line-of-sight clusters show Rician fading, corresponding to few dominant propagation paths, whereas most clusters exhibit Rayleigh fading, corresponding to many paths with approximately equal powers and uncorrelated phases. Root-mean-square cluster azimuth spreads (CASs) were estimated with a novel method by appropriately restricting the support of the cluster azimuth distribution. We found that the estimated CASs are different when seen from transmitter or receiver, i.e. their ranges are from 2deg to 9deg and from 2deg to 7deg at the transmitter side and the receiver side, respectively
Visualization and user ’ s confidence in the Document Printing Center Application

The main goal of the research was to explore an added value of a visualization and find out which characteristics of the visualization increase the user's confidence. For this the usability experiment has been performed on prototypes with different types of visualization (context free visualization of elements vs. contextualized one and elements only visualization vs. integrated one) and various pictures of elements.
An Investigation of the Impact Cultural Identity Plays in Shaping the Teaching Philosophy of Second-Generation Immigrant Educators

This paper investigates the role(s) cultural identity(ies) of second-generation immigrant educators play in shaping their teaching philosophy. A teacher’s philosophy is never set in stone and is constantly evolving (Huggett, 1930), for the better, in relation to the changes in the education field, and the experiences they gain over the years. Thus far, the literature is focused on the identities and philosophies of immigrant educators, but this research has yet to be extended to second-generation immigrant (an individual who was born in Canada, but whose parent(s) have immigrated to Canada) (Jaya & Jurva, 2008) educators. This fact illustrates the value my research study can contribute to this growing research field. A qualitative case study approach, in compliance with the ethical review procedure of the Master of Teaching program, was employed gathering data through two (2) semi-structured interviews and promptly transcribed, coded, and analyzed. The data generated four (4) major themes: cultural identity (childhood and youth, upbringing and school experience, and search for identity), qualities of teaching and education, teaching experience (professional experience and reflection), and mentorship.
Musical instrument modeling: the case of the piano

Real-time sound synthesis by physical modeling requires accurate design of each model block, together with special care on efficiency, computability, complexity issues. This paper review the case of the piano: implementation of the complete model is discussed, from the sound generation mechanism to radiation issues and couplingpedal effects. Several design techniques are discussed and compared with focus on accuracy and efficiency issues.
Effects of Public Service Motivation on Turnover and Job Satisfaction in the U.S. Teacher Labor Market

ABSTRACT A substantial body of research has addressed the importance of the match between the person and the organization, or jobs for individuals and organizational outcomes across diverse fields. Despite growing attention to the role of the person–environment (P–E) fit, there are few studies incorporating the characteristics of jobs in the relationship between public service motivation (PSM) and job satisfaction. Drawing on the growing literature concerning PSM and teacher recruitment and retention, this study investigates whether altruistic work values, such as a strong altruistic desire and a preference for correcting social inequity, affect job satisfaction and teacher turnover.
Inference in Two-Step Panel Data Models with Weak Instruments and Time-Invariant Regressors : Bootstrap versus Analytic Estimators

The primary advantage to panel data is the ability they afford to control for unobserved heterogeneity. The fixed-effects (FE) estimator is by far the most popular technique for exploiting this advantage, but it eliminates any time-invariant regressors along with the unobserved time-invariant effects. Their partial effects can be easily recovered in a second-step regression of residuals, constructed from the FE estimator and the time means of the data, on the time-invariant variables. Hausman and Taylor (1981) proposed such a two-step estimator, allowing for some of the time-invariant variables to be correlated with the effects. Unfortunately, the Hausman-Taylor procedure appears to have been overlooked in empirical applications where the time-invariant variables are of interest. In this paper, we resurrect the Hausman-Taylor estimator and extend their work by deriving the asymptotic covariance matrix with instruments for the second-step estimators. Because of the complexity of the asymptotic formula, its finite-sample bias, and its inaccuracy in inference with weak instruments, we first adapt the pairs and two wild bootstrapping alternatives (restricted and unrestricted) to standard-error estimation of the second-step estimators. Using Monte Carlo methods, we examine four combinations of weak and strong instruments with weak and strong endogeneity in the second step and find that the wild estimators dominate, producing a minimal error rejection probability (ERP) of computed t-values, defined as the difference between the nominal and actual probability of rejection under the hull hypothesis. Since increasing T has no significant effect, we set T = 5 and find that the ERPs for the wild bootstrap methods are very close to zero at substantially smaller values of N than for the other methods. The dominance of the wild bootstrap methods over the asymptotic and pairs methods is greatest with weak instruments, strong endogeneity, and small N . This dominance diminishes but still obtains even with N = 1600 and T = 5. Weak instruments is a much greater problem for the pairs and asymptotic methods than is strong endogeneity. Power curves for the wild methods and the pairs are highly similar, implying that the wild methods should generally be employed with endogeneity.
Separating natural and bomb‐produced radiocarbon in the ocean: The potential alkalinity method

The use of radiocarbon (Δ14C) as a tracer for oceanic processes generally requires differentiation of naturally occurring radiocarbon from the bomb component produced by atmospheric nuclear weapons testing. We present a new separation method based on the strong linear correlation between Δ14C and potential alkalinity. Unlike previous techniques the new algorithm is applicable at all latitudes. Additionally, the potential alkalinity method provides an estimate of surface ocean prebomb Δ14C concentrations. Predictions with the technique appear to be unbiased and have uncertainties which are less than previous techniques.
BMP Inhibition in Seminomas Initiates Acquisition of Pluripotency via NODAL Signaling Resulting in Reprogramming to an Embryonal Carcinoma

Type II germ cell cancers (GCC) can be subdivided into seminomas and non-seminomas. Seminomas are similar to carcinoma in situ (CIS) cells, the common precursor of type II GCCs, with regard to epigenetics and expression, while embryonal carcinomas (EC) are totipotent and differentiate into teratomas, yolk-sac tumors and choriocarcinomas. GCCs can present as seminomas with a non-seminoma component, raising the question if a CIS gives rise to seminomas and ECs at the same time or whether seminomas can be reprogrammed to ECs. In this study, we utilized the seminoma cell line TCam-2 that acquires an EC-like status after xenografting into the murine flank as a model for a seminoma to EC transition and screened for factors initiating and driving this process. Analysis of expression and DNA methylation dynamics during transition of TCam-2 revealed that many pluripotency- and reprogramming-associated genes were upregulated while seminoma-markers were downregulated. Changes in expression level of 53 genes inversely correlated to changes in DNA methylation. Interestingly, after xenotransplantation 6 genes (GDF3, NODAL, DNMT3B, DPPA3, GAL, AK3L1) were rapidly induced, followed by demethylation of their genomic loci, suggesting that these 6 genes are poised for expression driving the reprogramming. We demonstrate that inhibition of BMP signaling is the initial event in reprogramming, resulting in activation of the pluripotency-associated genes and NODAL signaling. We propose that reprogramming of seminomas to ECs is a multi-step process. Initially, the microenvironment causes inhibition of BMP signaling, leading to induction of NODAL signaling. During a maturation phase, a fast acting NODAL loop stimulates its own activity and temporarily inhibits BMP signaling. During the stabilization phase, a slow acting NODAL loop, involving WNTs re-establishes BMP signaling and the pluripotency circuitry. In parallel, DNMT3B-driven de novo methylation silences seminoma-associated genes and epigenetically fixes the EC state.
An Analysis of Principal Attrition in a Large Urban School District

Title of Document: AN ANALYSIS OF PRINCIPAL ATTRITION IN A LARGE URBAN SCHOOL DISTRICT Douglas W. Anthony, Doctor of Education, 2016 Directed By: Margaret J. McLaughlin, Ph.D., Chair, and John Norris, Ph.D., Director Principal attrition is a national problem particularly in large urban school districts. Research confirms that schools that serve high proportions of children living in poverty have the most difficulty attracting and retaining competent school leaders. Principals who are at the helm of high poverty schools have a higher turnover rate than the national average of three to four years and higher rates of teacher attrition. This leadership turnover has a fiscal impact on districts and negatively affects student achievement. Research identifies a myriad of reasons why administrators leave the role of principal: some leave the position for retirement; some exit based on difficulty of the role and lack of support; and some simply leave for other opportunities within and outside of the profession altogether. As expectations for both teacher and learner performance drive the national education agenda, understanding how to keep effective principals in their jobs is critical. This study examined the factors that principals in a large urban district identified as potentially affecting their decisions to stay in the position. The study utilized a multidimensional, web-based questionnaire to examine principals’ perceptions regarding contributing factors that impact tenure. Results indicated that:  having a quality teaching staff and establishing a positive work-life balance were important stay factors for principals;  having an effective supervisor and collegial support from other principals, were helpful supports; and  having adequate resources, time for long-term planning, and teacher support and resources were critical working conditions. Taken together, these indicators were the most frequently cited factors that would keep principals in their positions. The results were used to create a framework that may serve as a potential guide for addressing principal retention. AN ANALYSIS OF PRINCIPAL ATTRITION IN A LARGE URBAN SCHOOL DISTRICT
SYNTHESIS OF THINNED PLANAR CIRCULAR ARRAY ANTENNAS USING MODIFIED PARTICLE SWARM OPTIMIZATION

In this paper, the authors present an optimization method based on modifled Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm for thinning large multiple concentric circular ring arrays of uniformly excited isotropic antennas that will generate a pencil beam in the vertical plane with minimum relative side lobe level (SLL). Two difierent cases have been studied, one with flxed uniform inter-element spacing and another with optimum uniform inter-element spacing. In both the cases, the number of switched ofi elements is made equal to 220 or more. The half- power beam width of the synthesized pattern is attempted to make equal to that of a fully populated array with uniform spacing of 0:5‚. Simulation results of the proposed thinned arrays are compared with a fully populated array to illustrate the efiectiveness of our proposed method.
Multiplication with noisy spiking neurons

Multiplication is an operation which is fundamental in mathematics, but it is also relevant for many sensory computations in the nervous system. Nevertheless, despite a number of suggestions in the literature, it is not known how multiplication is implemented in neural circuitry. We propose a simple feedforward circuit that combines a rate model of neural activity and a realistic input-output relation to accurately and e ciently implement multiplication. A simulation of a network with integrate and re neurons is used to demonstrate the feasibility of the circuit.
Educational Differences in Healthy Behavior Changes and Adherence Among Middle-aged Americans

Although the better-educated are more likely to practice healthy behaviors when measured at one point in time, there is no clear evidence regarding whether more educated people are more likely to initiate healthy behavior changes in the face of new chronic conditions and whether they are better able to adhere to these healthy changes, once made. I use data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) (1992-2010) to examine smoking cessation and starting physical activity by educational attainment over an 18-year period among 16,606 respondents ages 50 to 75. The more-educated are the least likely to smoke and most likely to be physically active in middle age. They are also most likely to make healthy changes overall and better adhere to them. Education also shapes behavior change after a new diagnosis, which likely contributes to socioeconomic status differences in chronic disease management and health outcomes.
Fuzzy CoCo: a cooperative-coevolutionary approach to fuzzy modeling

Co-evolutionary algorithms have received increased attention in the past few years within the domain of evolutionary computation. In this paper, we combine the search power of co-evolutionary computation with the expressive power of fuzzy systems, and introduce a novel algorithm, called Fuzzy CoCo (fuzzy cooperative coevolution). We demonstrate the efficacy of Fuzzy CoCo by applying it to a hard, real-world problem - breast cancer diagnosis, obtaining the best results to date while expending less computational effort than previous processes. Analyzing our results, we derive guidelines for setting the algorithm parameters given a (hard) problem to solve. We hope Fuzzy CoCo proves to be a powerful tool in the fuzzy modeler toolkit.
Methodology of Intelligent Energy Management System Simulation for Electric Vehicle Applications with Asynchronous Logic Controller

Power management in electrical vehicles has become significantly a challenging task due to the growing number of sub-systems, components and energy storage systems development. Moreover, efficient modelling, simulation, evaluation and optimization of power consumption is further complicated due to the asynchronous nature of power supply requests from those sources. This paper describes a methodology of modeling and simulation of an intelligent energy management system for electric vehicles in a MatLab Simulink environment. A centralized control architecture with an asynchronous-based controller was proposed as a novel design and implementation approach in order to optimize the computational time and energy consumption for real time applications with stochastic load requests in line with balancing the load request between the components of the hybrid energy storage system.