Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Why Anticyclones Can Split

Abstract The question of whether anticyclones can split and break up is readdressed using a numerical, multilayer, primitive equation model. Applying the conservation of integrated angular momentum (IAM) to barotropic and baroclinic vortices, it has been argued that anticyclones can never split, no matter what their structure is. When an anticyclone splits, the IAM has to increase as the newly formed eddies are pushed away from their original center. Conservation of IAM prohibits such an increase. Several numerical simulations, however, have shown anticyclonic splitting. In a multilayer model, a vertical transport of IAM is possible. For counterrotating eddies (an anticyclone on top of a cyclone) it is easy to see that a vertical exchange of IAM allows the eddy to break up. For a compensated or weakly corotating eddy, breakup is only possible when, in addition to a vertical transport of IAM, in the deep layer(s) IAM is exchanged between the core of the vortex and the surrounding fluid. In the presence of .
Team study training in the college biology laboratory

Students in college biology laboratory classes were grouped heterogeneously or homogeneously according to preferred cognitive learning style and were instructed using the cooperative learning method Student Teams-Achievement Divisions (STAD). In the first year of a two-year study students were given training in a team study strategy. No significant difference in achievement, as measured by the difference in pre and post-test scores, was detected for the students grouped homogeneously when compared with the students grouped heterogeneously. However there was a significant difference (p > 0.005) in score improvement between the year that students had training in the scripted team study strategy and the year they did not. In the first year of the study, when students had training in the strategy, the mean improvement in scores between pre and post-tests was 35.5%, but in the second year, when students did not have training in this strategy, the mean improvement was 18.6%.
Electronic health information standard for patient transfer based on CDA, focused on patient information in small-sized hospitals (JHCIS)

In this paper, the electronic health information standard is a standard prototype which can be used for patient information transfer among hospitals in Thailand, based on Clinical Document Architecture (CDA) in the xml format. The prototype is developed for Java Health Center Information System (JHCIS), which is a healthcare information system developed by the Ministry of Public Health and widely used in small-sized hospitals. This paper proposes a new method for electronic patient transfer in order to replace the traditional way of using paper work. When transferring a patient, his information in the database of the host hospital will be exported into the CDA-based standard file which can be electronically transferred to the destination hospital. Then, the destination hospital can import information in the received CDA-based standard file into its database automatically. The proposed method consists of 3 main processes including: 1) data mapping, 2) CDA revising, and 3) standard prototype implementation. First, data mapping is a process to map components in CDA to contents in the JHCIS database. Second, CDA is revised based on the mapping results, in order to make it suitable for Thai health information. Third, the standard prototype is implemented for patient information transfer, focusing on JHCIS. The program adapters are developed to: 1) export patient health information records in the JHCIS database to be in the format of the revised CDA-based standard, and 2) import patient health information records in the received CDA-based standard files back into the JHCIS database.
QSAR and Docking Studies on Capsazepine Derivatives for Immunomodulatory and Anti-Inflammatory Activity

Capsazepine, an antagonist of capsaicin, is discovered by the structure and activity relationship. In previous studies it has been found that capsazepine has potency for immunomodulation and anti-inflammatory activity and emerging as a favourable target in quest for efficacious and safe anti-inflammatory drug. Thus, a 2D quantitative structural activity relationship (QSAR) model against target tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was developed using multiple linear regression method (MLR) with good internal prediction (r2 = 0.8779) and external prediction (r2 pred = 0.5865) using Discovery Studio v3.5 (Accelrys, USA). The predicted activity was further validated by in vitro experiment. Capsazepine was tested in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced inflammation in peritoneal mouse macrophages. Anti-inflammatory profile of capsazepine was assessed by its potency to inhibit the production of inflammatory mediator TNF-α. The in vitro experiment indicated that capsazepine is an efficient anti-inflammatory agent. Since, the developed QSAR model showed significant correlations between chemical structure and anti-inflammatory activity, it was successfully applied in the screening of forty-four virtual derivatives of capsazepine, which finally afforded six potent derivatives, CPZ-29, CPZ-30, CPZ-33, CPZ-34, CPZ-35 and CPZ-36. To gain more insights into the molecular mechanism of action of capsazepine and its derivatives, molecular docking and in silico absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity (ADMET) studies were performed. The results of QSAR, molecular docking, in silico ADMET screening and in vitro experimental studies provide guideline and mechanistic scope for the identification of more potent anti-inflammatory & immunomodulatory drug.
Incorporation of synchronized phasor measurements in generalized state estimation

State Estimation (SE) plays a vital role in real-time monitoring and controlling of larger power systems, as it provides the most likely operation state, and helps to keep it working in a secure mode. The first SE algorithms were developed considering the entire system modeled at the bus-branch level, which considers that the topology processor is fed by correct status of switches and circuit breakers. This work is focused on the Generalized State Estimation approach, in which switches and circuit breakers are explicitly represented in the network model, with their status being estimated. Besides, the incorporation of synchronized phasor measurements, are also investigated. Three different methods of incorporating such measurements are discussed here, and the results reveal which one is more suitable in the current stage.
Effect of Surgical Treatment on Lipid Peroxidation Parameters and Antioxidant Status in the Serum of Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease

The various risk factors for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) are almost identical to those for atherosclerosis and include abnormal levels of lipids or lipoproteins. Lipid peroxidation parameters and total antioxidant capacity in the serum of male patients with PAD before surgery as well as 3–5 days and 7–10 days after surgery were measured. We also compared these parameters with those in a group of patients receiving simvastatin therapy. Concentrations of lipid hydroperoxides (LOOHs) and malondialdehyde, the total antioxidant capacity (assessed by ferric reducing antioxidant power assay), concentration of thiol (-SH) groups, and ceruloplasmin activity were determined spectrophotometrically in PAD patients treated surgically (Group I) or pharmacologically (Group II). The patients before surgical treatment had significantly higher concentrations of malondialdehyde but lower ceruloplasmin activity than those observed in Group II, treated with simvastatin. No significant differences before surgery in ferric reducing antioxidant power or thiol concentrations were found between the two groups. However, in Group I, both ferric reducing antioxidant power and thiol group concentrations decreased 3–5 days postoperatively, and ceruloplasmin activity increased 7–10 days after surgical treatment. The presented results demonstrate diverse oxidative stress responses to surgical treatment and confirm the beneficial effects of statin therapy in PAD.
Acute variation in cognitive function in hemodialysis patients: a cohort study with repeated measures.

BACKGROUND Although cognitive function in hemodialysis patients is believed to be best 24 hours after the dialysis session, the extent of variation during the dialysis cycle is unknown. STUDY DESIGN Cohort study with repeated measures. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS Hemodialysis centers; patients aged 55 years or older. PREDICTOR Time of assessment related to the dialysis session. Time 1 (T1) occurred approximately 1 hour before the dialysis session; T2, 1 hour into the session; T3, 1 hour after; and T4, the next day. OUTCOMES Measures of cognitive function using a 45-minute cognitive battery. An average composite score was calculated to measure global cognitive function, equal to the average of subjects' standardized scores on all tests given at each test time. Times were classified as best and worst according to composite scores. MEASUREMENTS Testing was conducted on average over 2 dialysis sessions to avoid test fatigue. The cognitive battery included tests of verbal fluency, immediate and delayed verbal and visual memory, and executive function, administered at 4 times. RESULTS In the 28 subjects who completed testing at 3 or 4 testing times, mean age was 66.7 +/- 9.5 years and mean dialysis vintage was 44.7 +/- 33.3 months. Using a general linear model for correlated data, the composite score was significantly lower (poorer) during dialysis (T2) than shortly before the session (T1) or on the next day (T4; P < 0.001 for both). LIMITATIONS Relatively small sample size, testing delays, results may not be generalizable. CONCLUSION Global cognitive function varies significantly during the dialysis cycle, being worst during dialysis and best shortly before the session or on the day after. Clinician visits may be most effective at these times.
Signal detection in the auditory midbrain : neural correlated and mechanisms of spatial release from masking

Normal-hearing listeners have a remarkable ability to hear in noisy environments, while hearing-impaired listeners and automatic speech-recognition systems often have difficulty in noise. With the ultimate goal of improving hearing aids and speech-recognition systems, we study the neural mechanisms involved in one aspect of noisy-environment listening, " spatial release from masking, " which is the observation that a signal is more easily detected when its source is spatially separated from a masking-noise source. We use neurophysiology, computational modeling, and psychoacoustics to investigate the neural mechanisms of spatial release from masking, and we focus on low frequencies, which are important for speech recognition and are often spared in hearing-impaired listeners. Previous studies suggest that at low frequencies, listeners use interaural time differences (ITDs) to improve signal detection when signals and maskers are spatially separated in azimuth. To determine how individual neurons respond to spatially separated signals and maskers, we record in anesthetized cats from low-frequency, ITD-sensitive neurons in the inferior colliculus (IC), a major center of converging auditory pathways in the midbrain. We develop a computational model of the neuron responses, which incorporates both interaural cross-correlation (as used in existing binaural models) and amplitude-modulation sensitivity. The need for modulation sensitivity to predict the neural responses indicates that binaural and temporal processing are interacting in signal detection, rather than acting independently as is often assumed. This modification is especially important because most natural sounds, including speech, have pronounced envelope fluctuations that previous models of binaural detection have not utilized. To relate these neurophysiological results to human behavioral thresholds, we define population thresholds based on the most sensitive neurons in the population. The neural population thresholds are similar to human behavioral thresholds, indicating that low-frequency, ITD-sensitive neurons in the IC may be necessary for low-frequency spatial release from masking in humans. Both interaural correlation and modulation sensitivity seem to be required for the model population thresholds to predict human behavioral thresholds. Overall, our findings suggest that considering the auditory system's modulation sensitivity and interaural cross-correlation in the design of hearing aids and speech-recognition systems may improve these devices' performance in noise.
Continuous Education and Training of Employees: An Empirical Study in Hong Kong

Based on literature review, we posit that if employers show support to their staff by endorsing their continuous education and training (CET), these employees will be more satisfied and can perform better not only in their studies but also in their jobs as well. With the employer endorsement of continuous education and training (EECET) as the dependent variable, we investigate its relationship with six independent variables, which are employees' CET performance, motivation to learn, learner satisfaction, perceived organizational support, perceived job performance and job satisfaction. By using 276 part-time postgraduate students of two major universities in Hong Kong as our samples, our research results indicate that all these independent variables are positively related to EECET.
siRNA-based spherical nucleic acids reverse impaired wound healing in diabetic mice by ganglioside GM3 synthase knockdown

Significance Diabetic patients often suffer from impaired wound healing, which can develop into nonhealing diabetic ulcers, facilitate bacterial infections, and necessitate amputation. Current strategies for treatment have failed to achieve the anticipated efficacy and do not address the fundamental molecular abnormalities that prevent efficient wound closure. In this work, we introduce a previously unidentified approach to treating diabetic wound healing by using topically delivered spherical nucleic acids to effect the knockdown of ganglioside-monosialic acid 3 (GM3) synthase, a mediator of impaired wound healing, in type 2 diabetic mice. In addition to laying the groundwork for developing a therapy for a debilitating condition, this work also validates the critical role of GM3 in diabetic wound healing. Spherical nucleic acid (SNA) gold nanoparticle conjugates (13-nm-diameter gold cores functionalized with densely packed and highly oriented nucleic acids) dispersed in Aquaphor have been shown to penetrate the epidermal barrier of both intact mouse and human skin, enter keratinocytes, and efficiently down-regulate gene targets. ganglioside-monosialic acid 3 synthase (GM3S) is a known target that is overexpressed in diabetic mice and responsible for causing insulin resistance and impeding wound healing. GM3S SNAs increase keratinocyte migration and proliferation as well as insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1) receptor activation under both normo- and hyperglycemic conditions. The topical application of GM3S SNAs (50 nM) to splinted 6-mm-diameter full-thickness wounds in diet-induced obese diabetic mice decreases local GM3S expression by >80% at the wound edge through an siRNA pathway and fully heals wounds clinically and histologically within 12 d, whereas control-treated wounds are only 50% closed. Granulation tissue area, vascularity, and IGF1 and EGF receptor phosphorylation are increased in GM3S SNA-treated wounds. These data capitalize on the unique ability of SNAs to naturally penetrate the skin and enter keratinocytes without the need for transfection agents. Moreover, the data further validate GM3 as a mediator of the delayed wound healing in type 2 diabetes and support regional GM3 depletion as a promising therapeutic direction.
A discussion on three critical issues for assuring quality of the users' requirements specification

The paper tries to step in a forbidden area of software engineering — to achieve the users' requirements specification of ideal quality in DIRPT (Do it Right the First Time) way. The key idea happens to be a trilogy: modeling business relevant to the purpose of the software to be developed with a compact business model, defining a complete set of inhomogeneous users in conformity with the business model, and eliciting user's requirements by strictly adhering to correspondent user's definition. The result seems encouraging.
Contrast sensitivity dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease

We compared the spatial contrast sensitivity of six patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD) and six age-matched control subjects in a parametric design. Results demonstrate reduced contrast sensitivity in patients with AD at all but the lowest frequency tested. The results suggest that the effect of AD on spatial contrast sensitivity is stronger at higher frequencies and provide a rationale for complaints of poor vision in AD patients.
Combining EEG Frontal asymmetry studies with affective algorithmic composition and expressive performance models

This paper draws together two strands of research in different disciplines: EEG Frontal Asymmetry studies and Affective-based Algorithmic Composition and Performance. There have been numerous studies which support the hypothesis that Frontal EEG asymmetry is an indicator of arousal and valence of emotion. There have also been a number of studies examining which music features are related to which emotional perception, in the generative composition of, and performance of, music. This paper presents a novel system – called the Combined EEG System which utilises both types of studies. It takes as input raw EEG data, and attempts to output a piano composition and performance which expresses the estimated emotional content of the EEG data. Such a system may be the first step in the development of tools allowing unskilled composers or subjects with problems in emotional expression, to better express themselves through music.
Adaptive uncertain information fusion to enhance plan selection in BDI agent systems

—Correctly modelling and reasoning with uncertain information from heterogeneous sources in large-scale systems is critical when the reliability is unknown and we still want to derive adequate conclusions. To this end, context-dependent merging strategies have been proposed in the literature. In this paper we investigate how one such context-dependent merging strategy (originally deﬁned for possibility theory), called largely partially maximal consistent subsets (LPMCS), can be adapted to Dempster-Shafer (DS) theory. We identify those measures for the degree of uncertainty and internal conﬂict that are available in DS theory and show how they can be used for guiding LPMCS merging. A simpliﬁed real-world power distribution scenario illustrates our framework. We also brieﬂy discuss how our approach can be incorporated into a multi-agent programming language, thus leading to better plan selection and decision making.
Moral Developmental Scale in Iranian Culture

The study explored the structure of Moral Developmental Scale in Iranian Islamic culture. Participants were 380 Data were analyzed using Principal component analysis and Confirmatory Factor Analysis. Principal component analysis resulted in four components with Eigen values >1, which together explain 54.81% of the variance. Confirmatory factor analysis of indicators of structural equation model testing demonstrated that the postulated model was a fit to the data.
LAND-USE PLANNING FOR SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA: A SPATIAL AND MULTI-OBJECTIVE OPTIMIZATION APPROACH

Land-use planning, which requires finding a balance among different conflicting social, economic and environment factors, is a complex task needed everywhere, including Africa. One example is the city of Zanzibar in Tanzania, which is under special consideration for land-use revision. From one side, the city has high potentials for tourist industry and at the other side there are major challenges with the city structure and poor accessibilities. In order to prepare a proper land-use plan for the city, a variety of influencing conflicting factors needs to be considered and satisfied. This can be regarded as a common problem in many African cities, which are under development. This paper aims to address the problem by proposing and demonstrating the use of Geographical Information System (GIS) and multi-objective optimization for land-use planning, in Zanzibar as a case study. The measures which have been taken by Zanzibar government to address the development challenges through the Zanzibar Strategy for Growth and Reduction of Poverty (ZSGRP) were identified by studying related documents and interviewing experts. Based on these, two objective functions were developed for land-use planning. Optimum base land-use plans were developed and mapped by optimizing the objective functions using the NSGA-II algorithm. The results show that the proposed approach and outputs can considerably facilitate land-use planning in Zanzibar. Similar approaches are highly recommended for other cities in Africa which are under development.
Going Against the Flow: A Longitudinal Study of the Effects of Cognitive Skills and Gender Beliefs on Occupational Aspirations and Outcomes1

Occupational sex segregation persists in part due to cultural beliefs in the existence of gender differences in skills. This article explores potential resistance to the gender-typical aspirations and outcomes that re-create occupational sex segregation: cognitive skills in gender-atypical areas (i.e., math skills for women and verbal skills for men) and beliefs about women’s prioritization of family over paid work. Using the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, 1979 cohort, I find that individuals with skills in areas considered gender atypical have less traditional occupational aspirations and outcomes than their otherwise-similar counterparts. This process varies by gender, however. The results reflect the differential valuation of math and verbal skills. I conclude that programs designed to encourage women to pursue gender-atypical occupations that align with their gender-atypical skills are focusing on the least resistant group.
Standardization of Child, Parent and Teacher's Forms of Child Behavior Checklist in the City of Isfahan

Objectives: The Purpose of this study was the standardization of the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), in the city of Isfahan. Method: Subjects consisted of 1880 seven to eleven -year old schoolchildren in Isfahan, in addition to their parents and teachers. Data were gathered using the Youth Self- Report (YSR), the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and the Teacher's Report Form (TRF). The CBCL itself comprises two sections, namely, skills and behavioral and emotional problems. Subsequent to back-translation and the assessment of face validity, the Farsi version of the checklist was administered to the subjects. Data were analyzed by SPSS-17 using Pearson's correlation. Results: The highest Cronbach's alpha for parent, teacher and child forms were 0.90, 0.93, and 0.82 respectively. Regarding construct validity, the correlation of the subscales of the section of behavioral and emotional problems, and its total score in parent, teacher and child forms were 0.62-0.88, 0.44-0.91 and 0.51-0.85 respectively. Also, the correlation of the subscales of the skills section and its total score in parent, teacher and child forms were 0.24-0.82, 0.77-0.93 and 0.64-0.87 respectively. Conclusion: Cronbach's alpha, correlation between the forms, and correlation between the subscales and the total score of the related sections, point to the construct validity and appropriate reliability of this tool, for the assessment of skills and behavioral problems of these children.