Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reciprocity and cultural diversity: Creating successful field education placements

In the Asia Pacific region, social work student placements often involve students whose cultural understandings differ from those of the agencies that can offer them placements. This chapter discusses the work of a facilitative supervisor who built learning opportunities for culturally diverse students within an Australian mainstream non government organisation. Between 2004 and 2007, ten students from culturally diverse backgrounds and varying disciplines were offered placements with a research trial that aimed to challenge dominant forms of social work and welfare practice. The facilitative approach of the supervisor and a positive orientation to learning supported a mutually fulfilling, reciprocal partnership for students, supervisor and the host agency alike. We draw on the supervisor's experiences and student evaluation materials to illustrate and discuss how this reciprocity was achieved. We conclude by discussing the implications of this experience for social work educators in the Asia Pacific region.
Elementary special education teachers' cultural awareness and beliefs in one urban school district regarding African American learners

Elementary Special Education Teachers' Cultural Awareness and Beliefs in One Urban School District Regarding African American Learners. (December 2011) Janet Elaine Willis, B.S., University of Houston (Central Campus); M.Ed., Prairie View A&M University; M.Ed., Texas Southern University Co-Chairs of Advisory Committee: Dr. P. J. Larke Dr. G. Webb-Hasan Today‘s urban schools are composed of students from diverse cultural backgrounds and varying levels of academic readiness. At the same time, approximately 88% of teachers are White and middle-class. The dispositions of teachers have important educational ramifications. Teachers' beliefs structure the classroom atmosphere, influence perceptions regarding the abilities of students, and impact how they teach and expect students to learn and behave. In order to foster an accepting and productive learning environment, teachers must have cultural awareness. To ensure that all learners receive a solid academic foundation, teachers must be able to instruct dissimilar students. Special educators have been trained to work with students with unique, special needs, but the reality of today's demographics and special education classrooms in particular mandate that they also have the cultural knowledge to effectively serve diverse students. Perceptions and attitudes of elementary special education teachers
Applications of Graphical Models : Image Inpainting using Belief-Propagation

In this thesis, we seek to solve image processing problems using graphical models. The main problem we shall deal with is known as image ‘inpainting’ – that is, trying to restore ‘scratched’, or otherwise corrupted regions of an image. We will show that techniques known as nonparametric belief-propagation can be used in this setting – an approach that we believe has not previously been applied to this problem. By using such techniques, we will attempt to inpaint images faster than any existing techniques. Problems in the field of image processing are often approached using graphical models. Consequently, many models, and many inference algorithms have been developed. Two such classes of algorithms are belief-propagation and gradient-ascent. Yet while both of these algorithms seek to solve the same optimisation problem, the conditions under which they can be applied are very different. Gradient-based approaches are typically preferred when dealing with images. This occurs due to the fact that images are typically represented using high-order models, for which beliefpropagation techniques tend to be very expensive. Gradient-based approaches are often faster, in spite of the fact that they may require several thousand iterations to converge, compared to belief-propagation approaches which converge in very few iterations. In this thesis, we will try to address the shortcomings of belief-propagation to render it applicable to the problem of image inpainting. We will present results to demonstrate that by using such techniques, we are able to inpaint images significantly faster than existing gradient-based approaches.
Variable-Selection-Based Epidemic Disease Diagnosis

Epidemic surveillance in a community involves monitoring infection trend, triggering alarms before outbreaks, and identifying sources and paths of disease transmission. Algorithms for outbreak detection that are derived from industrial statistical process control (SPC) and scan statistics have been reported in the literature, but there are relatively few methods reported for identifying transmission paths. In this work, we propose an expanded spatial-temporal (EST) model for identifying infection sources. Three dimensional information, subject, location, and time, are expanded into a two-dimensional space by dividing the time horizon into segments and multiplying each segment by the locations. Based on the EST model, we further propose a variable-selection algorithm to identify potential location/time combinations as sources of infection, and thus achieve diagnosis. Numerical simulations show that the proposed scheme is effective in locating infection sources.
Environmental Protection and Economic Growth: What Do the Residuals Tell Us?

Conventional wisdom implies economic growth and environmental quality are incompatible policy objectives. Recent empirical evidence, however, suggests stringency of environmental regulations are only weakly (or not at all) associated with decreased manufacturing activity. This paper uses more recent (1982-1994) state-level panel data to test if environmental regulations affect manufacturing employment. Estimation results from our three-stage sample selection panel data model suggest that state environmental regulations adversely affect job growth in three of the four industries analyzed.
Binding Properties and Stability of the Ras-Association Domain of Rap1-GTP Interacting Adapter Molecule (RIAM)

The Rap1-GTP interacting adapter protein (RIAM) is an important protein in Rap1-mediated integrin activation. By binding to both Rap1 GTPase and talin, RIAM recruits talin to the cell membrane, thus facilitating talin-dependent integrin activation. In this article, we studied the role of the RIAM Ras-association (RA) and pleckstrin-homology (PH) domains in the interaction with Rap1. We found that the RA domain was sufficient for GTP-dependent interaction with Rap1B, and the addition of the PH domain did not change the binding affinity. We also detected GTP-independent interaction of Rap1B with the N-terminus of RIAM. In addition, we found that the PH domain stabilized the RA domain both in vitro and in cells.
Design of a 3-stage voltage controller for EMV actuation in SI engines

It was proven that variable valve timing used in the SI engines could have obvious benefits on high fuel economy, low exhaust emission, and good engine performance. Electromagnetic valve (EMV) offers very high flexibility in valve timing. With EMV system in an SI engine, the valve timing can then be adjusted adaptively according to any engine operating situations, and each cylinder can have different settings for valve timing. Since the EMV runs very fast, there are problems of vibration and noise due to the impact between valve and valve seat. To improve these problems this paper presents two control methods to perform soft-land control. One is a fuzzy logic controller to control the movement of EMV. The other one is a novel 3-stage voltage control method which aims to get optimal real-time control for EMV. Simulation results show the fuzzy logic controller provides lower impact velocity (0.4m/s), while the optimized 3-stage voltage controller offers simple control and acceptable performance.
'Local governance' in policing: The trade-offs between performance, knowledge and risk management in balancing quality with quantitative measures.

In discussing policing issues the press, public and politicians routinely focus on quantitative measures as these are perceived to be easier to measure and understand. However, this often overshadows pivotal qualitative details of major police processes such as the initial investigation which can significantly influence investigative outcomes. This study aims to develop-test and evaluate a theoretical model of local governance (i.e. decisions at the local level) in which trade-offs take place between knowledge, risk and performance in decisions at different organisational levels. The research findings highlight opportunities that exist for developing a more holistic and balanced approach to performance evaluation in the public sector, by balancing quantitative measures with more qualitative indicators.
A Variant of the Schmidt-Takagi Encryption Scheme

Schmidt and Takagi proposed a variant of the Paillier encryption scheme which employs modulus n = pq [16]. Their scheme has a good property that the one-wayness is under the factoring assumption, and has an additively homomorphic property. Their scheme can be applied to trapdoor commitment and on-line/off-line signature. In this paper, we propose a new variant of the Schmidt-Takagi encryption scheme described as Et(r, m) = r s (1 + mn) mod n, where n, s, t are the public key, m a message, and r a random number. Our scheme has the one-wayness under the chosen plaintext attack based on the factoring problem, and the indistinguishability under the chosen plaintext attack based on the desicional composite residuosity problem. Our scheme implies the Schmidt-Takagi encryption scheme when s = t = 1. Compared with the Damg̊ard-Jurik encryption scheme, although the modulus of our schemes employs n = pq (their scheme employs n = pq), the encryption and decryption speed of our scheme is faster than that of their scheme. Furthermore, we get that Et is additively homomorphic in m if t ≥ ⌈(s+1)/2⌉. In addition, by adding a parameter t we have some properties closely related to homomorphic, which can be applied to cryptographic applications [9].
Bridging Technical Spaces: Model Translation from TA to XMI and Back Again

There are many different techniques and notations for extracting architecturally interesting information from the source code of existing software systems. This process is known as reverse engineering. One current problem with reverse engineering techniques is that models of software systems cannot easily be transferred from one notation and storage format to another. We refer to this as the problem of bridging technical spaces. In this work, we approach the issue of bridging between the SWAG technical space and the UML technical space. The SWAG technical space, named after the Software Architecture Group at the University of Waterloo, consists of fact extractors, fact manipulators, schemas, and a fact storage language the Tuple-Attribute language (TA). The UML technical space consists of the UML metamodel, the XML Metadata Interchange (XMI) format for encoding UML models, and various UML modeling tools. We have designed and implemented a plugin for MagicDraw UML, which will import, export, and merge between XMI-encoded UML models and TA-encoded Function-Level Schema models. We document evidence of what is referred to as a bridge domain a technical space which exists between two encodable spaces. The metamodels of the two notation languages that we have focused on are very rich and flexible, but neither technical space is capable of fully expressing an accurate architectural model of any given software system; however, each technical space is capable of maintaining certain semantic information relevant to that technical space through multiple merge operations.
A convolutionally coded orthogonal multicarrier DS/CDMA system in time limited asynchronous channels

In this paper, we propose to transmit convolutionally coded DS waveforms over orthogonally overlapped subchannels in time limited asynchronous channels. The bit error rate of the decoder output is investigated along with simulation results under several conditions on the channel state information (CSI). It is shown that the proposed system, the convolutionally coded orthogonal multicarrier DS/CDMA system, significantly outperforms the system using frequency diversity combining. It is also shown that the proposed system has better performance than the convolutionally coded almost non-overlapped multicarrier DS/CDMA system under the condition that the information rate and total available bandwidth are the same for both systems.
Transcriptome analysis of chronic lymphoid leukemia reveals isoform regulation associated with mutations in SF 3 B 1

Genome sequence studies of chronic lympoid leukemia (CLL) have provided a comprehensive overview of recurrent somatic mutations in coding genes. One of the most intriguing discoveries has been the prevalence of mutations in the HEAT-repeat domain of the splicing factor SF3B1. A frequently observed variant is predicted to cause the substitution of a lysine with a glutamic acid at position 700 of the protein (K700E). However, the molecular consequences of the mutations and their contribution to the cancer phenotype are largely unknown. We aimed to investigate the consequences of the K700E mutation in SF3B1 on transcript isoform regulation in CLL. We sequenced the transcriptomes of six samples: four CLL tumour cells, of which two contained the K700E mutation in SF3B1, and CD19 positive cells from two healthy donors. We identified 41 genes that showed differential usage of exons associated with the mutated status of SF3B1 (false discovery rate 10%). These genes were enriched in pathways including ”interferon signaling” and ”mRNA splicing”. Additionally, we found evidence of differential exon usage of the genes UQCC and RPL31 as a consequence of mutations in SF3B1 in our CLL data; notably, a similar effect on these genes was described in a previously published study of uveal melanoma. These data provide an initial view of transcript isoform consequences of the SF3B1 (K700E) mutation in CLL, some of which might contribute to the tumourigenesis of CLL. Studies of larger cohorts and model systems are required to extend these findings.
Coupled Vertical Monopole Antennas in the Presence of a Lossy Half-Space: Self- and Mutual- Admittances/Impedances

Unknown current distribution (UCD), self-and mutual-admittances/impedances and grounding impedances of coupled vertical monopole antennas (CVMAs) in the presence of lossy ground are determined in this paper. The ground is treated as a linear, isotropic and homogenous lossy half-space (LHS) of known electrical parameters. Influence of the LHS, expressed by the Sommerfeld's integral kernel (SIK), is modelled in a new, simple and efficient way. Afterwards, numerically solving the system of integral equations of Hallen's type (SIE-H), UCDs along antenna conductors are obtained. For this purpose, the method of moments (MoM) is applied assuming the unknown current distribution in a polynomial form.
In fl ation , Financial Development and Endogenous Growth ∗

The paper extends the literature on financial development, inflation, and growth by using the idea that both the rates of return on physical and human capital affect growth. This leads to the introduction of the investment rate into the model, as a proxy for the return to physical capital, along with the inflation rate as a variable affecting the return to human capital. As a result financial development plays a different role from the typical growth-enhancing effect found pervasively in the literature. Instead the results suggest a new hypothesis linking financial development to the nature of the effect of inflation on growth. JEL: C23, E44, O16, O42
Europe Versus Asia - Future of Tourism Trade

The shift share analysis conducted here is an attempt to forecast the balance of trade between Europe and Asia in the medium term in order to determine the directions of trade shift between these two growth regions. The study examines tourist arrivals from 1990 to 2002 inclusive into a selection of European and Asian countries and forecasts arrivals into each region from each other region for 2005 to 2007. The forecasting is a combination of existing published forecasts, for selected countries, and individual time series analysis using a structural modelling technique. The analysis showed that Asia had a competitive advantage over Europe in travel from Africa, Americas and Oceania from1990 to 2002. Compared to the period of 1990 to 1995, the absolute growth of tourist arrivals from all regions to Asia over the period of 1995 to 2000 was two and a half times larger. The allocation effect for Oceania was positive during 2000-2002 indicating that Asia was increasingly specialized in attracting tourists from Oceania and Asia was increasingly gaining ground in attracting more tourists from the Middle East from 1995 onwards.
Design and Implemenation of a Unified e-ID Card for Secure e-Voting System (MUSES)

-- Security and convenience in e-Voting system has been a major issue that has been looked into recently in time past. Application of smart card technology has brought breakthroughs which affect this aspect. But there can be improvement in the convenience of a general smart card society by solving the problem of carrying a barrage of smart cards in order to identify with various e-Government and e-Payment systems. The general security of an e-voting process was improved by implementing biometric (fingerprint authentication) into the process. Thus, a 3-factor authentication system was developed based on PIN, Smart Card, and Biometrics. Also, attempt was made to develop a multipurpose and multifunctional card for the convenience of all carriers. With these, security and convenience are achieved.
FOUNDATIONS' GOVERNANCE FOR STRATEGIC PHILANTHROPY

This paper examines whether effective governance plays a major role in driving foundations strategy when it comes to making the choice between reactive or proactive philanthropy models. More specifically, we investigate the relationships between philanthropic strategy (expressive, receptive, proactive and collaborative) and [a] board capital (competences and networks), [b] board processes (planning, control, evaluation, etc.), and [c] chairman power (entrenchment and tenure).
New Algorithms for Secure Outsourcing of Large-Scale Systems of Linear Equations

With the rapid development in availability of cloud services, the techniques for securely outsourcing the prohibitively expensive computations to untrusted servers are getting more and more attentions in the scientific community. In this paper, we investigate secure outsourcing for large-scale systems of linear equations, which are the most popular problems in various engineering disciplines. For the first time, we utilize the sparse matrix to propose a new secure outsourcing algorithm of large-scale linear equations in the fully malicious model. Compared with the state-of-the-art algorithm, the proposed algorithm only requires (optimal) one round communication (while the algorithm requires $L$ rounds of interactions between the client and cloud server, where $L$ denotes the number of iteration in iterative methods). Furthermore, the client in our algorithm can detect the misbehavior of cloud server with the (optimal) probability 1. Therefore, our proposed algorithm is superior in both efficiency and checkability. We also provide the experimental evaluation that demonstrates the efficiency and effectiveness of our algorithm.
Cognitive and Biological Individual Differences in Problematic Alcohol use

• A submitted manuscript is the version of the article upon submission and before peer-review. There can be important differences between the submitted version and the official published version of record. People interested in the research are advised to contact the author for the final version of the publication, or visit the DOI to the publisher's website. • The final author version and the galley proof are versions of the publication after peer review. • The final published version features the final layout of the paper including the volume, issue and page numbers.
Estimating Plasma Glucose from Interstitial Glucose: The Issue of Calibration Algorithms in Commercial Continuous Glucose Monitoring Devices

Evaluation of metabolic control of diabetic people has been classically performed measuring glucose concentrations in blood samples. Due to the potential improvement it offers in diabetes care, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in the subcutaneous tissue is gaining popularity among both patients and physicians. However, devices for CGM measure glucose concentration in compartments other than blood, usually the interstitial space. This means that CGM need calibration against blood glucose values, and the accuracy of the estimation of blood glucose will also depend on the calibration algorithm. The complexity of the relationship between glucose dynamics in blood and the interstitial space, contrasts with the simplistic approach of calibration algorithms currently implemented in commercial CGM devices, translating in suboptimal accuracy. The present review will analyze the issue of calibration algorithms for CGM, focusing exclusively on the commercially available glucose sensors.
Variability of vaginal pH determination by patients and clinicians.

PURPOSE Measurement of intravaginal pH provides a reasonable assessment of vaginal health but is fraught with the potential for several sampling errors. The purposes of the study were to determine the variability of self-sampled vaginal pH among women using an inexpensive swab-based pH test compared with a clinician-obtained specimen, and variability of vaginal pH within 3 regions of the normal vagina. METHODS In this cross-sectional study, women obtained a vaginal specimen using a cotton-tip applicator, transferred it to pH paper, and interpreted the results. A clinician also blindly interpreted these tests. Thereafter, a clinician obtained 3 swab specimens from the proximal, middle, and distal vagina for pH testing. Results were compared using Wilcoxon signed rank test, interclass correlation coefficients, Bland-Altman plots, and mixed-model analysis of variance. RESULTS Interclass correlation coefficients were moderately high comparing subjects with clinician for the swab-based pH test (0.74). Subjects' swab pH values (4.5) were significantly lower than clinicians' pH values (4.7, P = .0001). Intravaginal pH did not vary between the 3 anatomic locations. CONCLUSIONS Self-sampled intravaginal pH interpretations vary slightly compared with clinician-obtained specimens. Because swab pH sampling does not detect an intravaginal pH gradient in normal women, self-sampling technique may vary considerably without affecting outcomes. Our findings support self-sampling for vaginal pH before using over-the-counter products for presumed vaginitis.
A BLR origin for the iron K$\alpha$ line in NGC7213

The X-ray spectrum of NGC7213 is known to present no evidence for Compton reflection, a unique result among bright Seyfert 1s. The observed neutral iron K$\alpha$ line, therefore, cannot be associated with a Compton-thick material, like the disc or the torus, but is due to Compton-thin gas, with the Broad Line Region (BLR) as the most likely candidate. To check this hypothesis, a long Chandra HETG observation, together with a quasi-simultaneous optical spectroscopic observation at the ESO NTT EMMI were performed. We found that the iron line is resolved with a FWHM=$2 400^{+1 100}_{-600}$ km/s, in perfect agreement with the value measured for the broad component of the H$\alpha$, $2640^{+110}_{-90}$ km/s. Therefore, NGC7213 is the only Seyfert 1 galaxy whose iron K$\alpha$ line is unambiguously produced in the BLR. We also confirmed the presence of two ionised iron lines and studied them in greater detail than before. The resonant line is the dominant component in the Fe XXV triplet, therefore suggesting an origin in collisionally ionised gas. If this is the case, the blueshift of around 1000 km/s of the two ionised iron lines could be the first measure of the velocity of a starburst wind from its X-ray emission.