Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The psychological impact of partner abuse on women and their relationships : a thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology

Psychosocial and relationship factors were investigated in relation to partner abuse in a survey of 104 New Zealand female tertiary student volunteers. Using the Conflict Tactics Scales partner abuse was categorised in four ways: verbal and physical abuse occurring within the year preceding the study, and verbal and physical abuse occurring prior to that. Compared to non-abused students, students who had been verbally abused during the year preceding the study used exit more as a problem-solving style, and rated themselves less effective in problem-solving, less committed to the relationship, less satisfied with the relationship, more attracted by alternatives to the relationship and more inclined to have an external locus of control for relationship satisfaction. Students who were verbally abused during the year preceding the study were also subject to more general feelings of distress and to negative affect, while rating their partners less effective in problem-solving, and more repressive of their autonomy and relatedness needs. Students who had been verbally abused prior to the year leading up to the study differed from non-abused students in sociability. Students who were physically abused during the year preceding the study differed from non-abused students in their perceptions of the effectiveness of their approach to problem-solving, and in closeness to their partner. Students who had been physically abused prior to the year leading up to the study differed from non-abused students in ratings of their partner's use of hostile control. These results support the findings of studies carried out across clinical samples, and indicate that abused women do differ from non-abused women across a range of psychosocial and relationship factors.
Prediction of spatial patterns of urban dynamics in Pune, India

The potential of Markov chain and cellular automata model with help of agents that play a vital role in a cities urbanisation through fuzziness in the data and hierarchal weights (for principal agents) have been used to understand and predict the urban growth for the Pune city, India. The model utilizes temporal land use changes with probable growth agents such as roads drainage networks, railway connectivity, slope, bus network, industrial establishments, educational network etc., to simulate the growth of Pune for 2025 using two scenarios of development - implementation of City Development Plan (CDP) and without CDP. In the study, multi temporal land use datasets, derived from remotely-sensed images of 1992, 2000, 2010 and 2013, were used for simulation and validation. Prediction reveals that future urban expansion would be in northwest and southeast regions with intensification near the central business district. This approach provides insights to urban growth dynamics required for city planning and management.
Distributed fault diagnosis for multiple mobile robots using an agent programming language

Programming autonomous multi-robot systems can be extremely complex without the use of appropriate software development techniques to abstract away the hardware heterogeneity and to overcome the complexity of distributed software to coordinate autonomous behavior. Moreover, real-world environments are dynamic, which can generate unpredictable events that can lead the robots to failure. This paper presents a highly abstract cooperative fault diagnosis method for a team of mobile robots described through a high level programming environment based on ROS (Robot Operating System) and the Jason multi-agent framework. When a robot detects a failure, it can perform two types of diagnosis methods: a local method executed on the faulty robot itself and a cooperative method where another robot helps the faulty robot to determine the source of failure. A case study demonstrates the effectiveness of out approach on two robots.
Developing an instrument for assessing student biblical worldview

Several Christian school associations and many Christian schools identify developing a biblical worldview in their students as an important component of their organizational mission, yet few report on their level of success. This research project used the definition of worldview as derived by James W. Sire (2004) as the basis for a three-dimensional conception of worldview. The dimensions are propositional, behavioral, and heart orientation. Based on that definition, and following a review of the conceptual literature and quantitative research into worldview, the researcher developed a new instrument, the 3-Dimensional Worldview Survey, which attempts to measure worldview along all three dimensions. The 76-item instrument has a subscale for each dimension. The validity of the instrument was evaluated by a review of a panel of 11 experts in worldview, and the internal reliability of the instrument was evaluated by administering the instrument to a convenience sample of 52 high school students at a Christian school in Minnesota. Cronbach’s alpha for the pilot study was . 919 for the complete instrument. Following these two studies, the instrument was revised and additional suggestions for further testing provided for future research.
Tensile deformation and failure of amyloid and amyloid-like protein fibrils

Here we report a series of full atomistic molecular dynamics simulations of six amyloid or amyloid-like protein fibrils in order to systematically understand the effect of different secondary structure motifs on the mechanical tensile and failure response of cross-η? > protein fibrils. We find a similar failure behavior across the six structures; an initial failure event occurs at small strains involving cooperative rupture of a group of hydrogen bonds, followed by a slow one-by-one hydrogen bond rupture process as the remaining η? > -sheets peel off with very low applied stress. We also find that the ultimate tensile strength of the protein fibrils investigated scales directly with the number of hydrogen bonds per unit area which break in the initial rupture event. Our results provide insights into structure–property relationships in protein fibrils important for disease and engineering applications and lay the groundwork for the development of materials selection criteria for the design of de novo amyloid-based functional biomaterials.
Startle points: A proposed framework for identifying situational cues, and developing realistic emergency training scenarios

Real-world crises are not prescriptive and may contain unexpected events, described here as startle points. Including these events in emergency training simulator scenarios is crucial in order to prepare for startle points that may arise in the real world. Startle points occur when individuals who assess and monitor emergency scenarios, are suddenly faced with an unexpected event, and are unsure how to proceed. This paper offers a nonempirical framework that explores how cues generated by startle points affect decision making. Future research will use the framework to explore how experts and novices experience, and then adapt to startle points, as a function of decision mode, situation awareness, and emotional arousal. The resulting data can then be used to identify cues surrounding startle points and as a consequence, create dynamic scenarios for online training simulators so that individuals can prepare and adapt to them, and transfer acquired skills to real-world emergencies.
Altered Semen Quality in Relation to Urinary Concentrations of Phthalate Monoester and Oxidative Metabolites

Background: Phthalates are multifunctional chemicals used in a variety of consumer, medical, and personal care products. Previously, we reported dose–response associations of decreased semen quality with urinary concentrations of monobutyl phthalate (MBP) and monobenzyl (MBzP) phthalate, which are metabolites of dibutyl phthalate and butylbenzyl phthalate, respectively. The present study extends our work in a larger sample of men and includes measurements of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) oxidative metabolites. Methods: Between January 2000 and May 2004, we recruited 463 male partners of subfertile couples who presented for semen analysis to the Massachusetts General Hospital. Semen parameters were dichotomized based on World Health Organization reference values for sperm concentration (<20 million/mL) and motility (<50% motile) and the Tygerberg Kruger Strict criteria for morphology (<4% normal). The comparison group was men with all 3 semen parameters above the reference values. In a single spot urine sample from each man, phthalate metabolites were measured using solid-phase extraction coupled to high-performance liquid chromatography isotope-dilution tandem mass spectrometry. Results: There were dose–response relationships of MBP with low sperm concentration (odds ratio per quartile adjusted for age, abstinence time, and smoking status = 1.00, 3.1, 2.5, 3.3; P for trend = 0.04) and motility (1.0, 1.5, 1.5, 1.8; P for trend = 0.04). There was suggestive evidence of an association between the highest MBzP quartile and low sperm concentration (1.00, 1.1, 1.1, 1.9; P for trend = 0.13). There were no relationships of monoethyl phthalate, monomethyl phthalate, and the DEHP metabolites with these semen parameters. Conclusion: The present study confirms previous results on the relationship of altered semen quality with exposure to MBP at general population levels. We did not find associations between semen parameters and 3 DEHP metabolites.
Clinical outcome with correlation to disseminated tumor cell (DTC) status after DTC-guided secondary adjuvant treatment with docetaxel in early breast cancer.

PURPOSE The presence of disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) in bone marrow (BM) predicts survival in early breast cancer. This study explores the use of DTCs for identification of patients insufficiently treated with adjuvant therapy so they can be offered secondary adjuvant treatment and the subsequent surrogate marker potential of DTCs for outcome determination. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with early breast cancer who had completed six cycles of adjuvant fluorouracil, epirubicin, and cyclophosphamide (FEC) chemotherapy underwent BM aspiration 2 to 3 months (BM1) and 8 to 9 months (BM2) after FEC. Presence of DTCs in BM was determined by immunocytochemistry using pan-cytokeratin monoclonal antibodies. If one or more DTCs were present at BM2, six cycles of docetaxel (100 mg/m(2), once every 3 weeks) were administered, followed by DTC analysis 1 and 13 months after the last docetaxel infusion (after treatment). Cox regression analysis was used to evaluate disease-free interval (DFI). RESULTS Of 1,066 patients with a DTC result at BM2 and available follow-up information (median follow-up, 71.9 months from the time of BM2), 7.2% were DTC positive. Of 72 docetaxel-treated patients analyzed for DTCs after treatment, 15 (20.8%) had persistent DTCs. Patients with remaining DTCs had markedly reduced DFI (46.7% experienced relapse) compared with patients with no DTCs after treatment (adjusted hazard ratio, 7.58; 95% CI, 2.3 to 24.7). The docetaxel-treated patients with no DTCs after treatment had comparable DFI (8.8% experienced relapse) compared with those with no DTCs both at BM1 and BM2 (12.7% experienced relapse; P = .377, log-rank test). CONCLUSION DTC status identifies high-risk patients after FEC chemotherapy, and DTC monitoring status after secondary treatment with docetaxel correlated strongly with survival. This emphasizes the potential for DTC analysis as a surrogate marker for adjuvant treatment effect in breast cancer.
Facile synthesis of silver nanoparticles decorated boron nitride nanosheets hybrids

A simple method for decoration of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on boron nitride nanosheets (BNNSs) has been designed based on liquid-phase exfoliation and surface chemical reduction in organic solvent. In the present work, N, N-dimethylformamide was employed as both the exfoliation solvent of BNNSs and the reducing agent of Ag+ ions. Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) was introduced to stabilize the AgNPs and control their sizes. No other additives were present in the system. The structure and morphology of the nanocomposites (BNNSs/AgNPs) were comfirmed by means of scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM). The results demonstrated AgNPs with a small particle size (10-20 nm) and good distribution on the surface of BNNSs. This method will facilitate the preparation of BNNS-based materials for various applications.
Distributed under Creative Commons Cc-by 4.0 Space-use, Movement and Dispersal of Sub-adult Cougars in a Geographically Isolated Population

Cougar (Puma concolor) observations have increased in Midwest North America, with breeding populations re-establishing in several regions east of their contemporary range. The Cypress Hills Uplands, located in southwest Saskatchewan and southeast Alberta, was recently re-colonized by cougars and now supports the easternmost confirmed breeding population of cougars in Canada. A number of factors contribute to this cougar range expansion, but it is dispersal that provides the mechanism for re-colonization of historic range. We used GPS-collar data to examine space-use and movement behavior of sub-adult cougars, the age class associated with dispersal, in the Cypress Hills. Conditional logistic regression and a two-stage modeling approach were used to estimate resource selection functions (RSF) of sub-adult cougars during two distinct ranging behaviors: transient movements (i.e., dispersal and exploratory forays) and localizing movements (i.e., temporary home ranges). Linear regression was used to model movement rates, measured as the distance between consecutive 3-h GPS-relocations, of sub-adult cougars relative to different habitats, times of day and between transient and localizing behavior. All individual sub-adult cougars displayed bouts of transient and localizing behavior. All male cougars dispersed from their natal ranges and travelled considerably farther distances than female cougars. One male dispersed over 750 km eastward through the agricultural belt of northern Montana and southern Saskatchewan. Males occupied temporary home ranges in more open habitats on the fringes of the insular Cypress Hills, while females appeared to be recruited into the adult population, occupying treed habitat that provided more suitable cover. During both ranging behaviors, sub-adult cougars selected for rugged terrain and proximity to hydrological features (likely supporting riparian habitats) and avoided open cover types. Differences in habitat selection between ranging behaviors were observed in response to open water, roads and elevation. Although certain habitat characteristics were preferred, transient and localizing cougars used fast-paced nocturnal movements and shortened daytime movements when traversing open habitats to effectively limit their residency and exposure in less-suitable landscapes. Additionally, cougars moved greater distances at night during transient behavior compared to localizing behavior indicating cougars used cover of darkness to traverse novel terrain. In doing so, sub-adult cougars can successfully disperse several hundred kilometres across a matrix of open habitat in search of resources and mates. How to cite this article Morrison et al. (2015), Space-use, movement and dispersal of sub-adult cougars in a geographically isolated population.
A New Growing Method for Simplex-Based Endmember Extraction Algorithm

A new growing method for simplex-based endmember extraction algorithms (EEAs), called simplex growing algorithm (SGA), is presented in this paper. It is a sequential algorithm to find a simplex with the maximum volume every time a new vertex is added. In order to terminate this algorithm a recently developed concept, virtual dimensionality (VD), is implemented as a stopping rule to determine the number of vertices required for the algorithm to generate. The SGA improves one commonly used EEA, the N-finder algorithm (N-FINDR) developed by Winter, by including a process of growing simplexes one vertex at a time until it reaches a desired number of vertices estimated by the VD, which results in a tremendous reduction of computational complexity. Additionally, it also judiciously selects an appropriate initial vector to avoid a dilemma caused by the use of random vectors as its initial condition in the N-FINDR where the N-FINDR generally produces different sets of final endmembers if different sets of randomly generated initial endmembers are used. In order to demonstrate the performance of the proposed SGA, the N-FINDR and two other EEAs, pixel purity index, and vertex component analysis are used for comparison
Gemcitabine and Docetaxel Compared With Observation, Radiation, or Other Chemotherapy Regimens as Adjuvant Treatment for Stage I-to-IV Uterine Leiomyosarcoma

Objectives We aimed to compare progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) among patients with stage I-to-IV uterine leiomyosarcoma (uLMS) who received adjuvant gemcitabine-docetaxel, were observed, received radiation only, or were treated with a chemotherapy regimen other than gemcitabine-docetaxel. Methods/Materials This is a retrospective cohort study of 128 women with uLMS. Data included age, body mass index, race, stage, mitotic count, residual disease, adjuvant treatment, PFS, and OS. Variables were compared by Fisher exact or Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. Time to progression or death was plotted using Kaplan-Meier curves. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate hazard ratios for progression or death by patient and tumor characteristics. Results Fifty-six (44%) women received adjuvant chemotherapy, 41 (32%) received adjuvant radiation, and 31 (24%) were observed. Of those receiving chemotherapy, 30 received gemcitabine-docetaxel, and 26 received other chemotherapy. Disease stage for the chemotherapy groups was evenly distributed. In the radiation group, 80% of patients had early-stage disease. Age, body mass index, and residual disease were similar between the groups. Mitotic count was uniformly 10 or greater only in the gemcitabine-docetaxel group. Age, stage, and residual disease were associated with worst PFS and OS. After adjusting for these variables, there was no difference in PFS or OS between gemcitabine-docetaxel and the other treatment groups. Conclusions There was no difference in PFS or OS in women with uLMS treated with adjuvant gemcitabine-docetaxel versus those who were observed or received radiation only or a chemotherapy regimen other than gemcitabine-docetaxel. There is a need to identify novel therapies to treat this aggressive disease.
Image Guided Radiation Therapy

An overview of Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), a true revolution in the field of radiation oncology in that it provides the unprecedented means of conforming to the shape of the target tissues in 3-dimensions, reducing the risk of complications thereby improving the quality of life of irradiated patients. Moreover, IMRT provides the means to deliver higher than conventional doses thus improving the chance of cure in these patients. Despite its established benefits, several barriers exist to the widespread clinical implementation of IMRT.
Expressing stereological results ‘PER CM3’, is not enough

Stereological results are usually expressed as volumes, areas, lengths, or numbers per cm3 of tissue. This has led to wildly incorrect conclusions about tissues when they have been distorted (and effectively ‘diluted’) by oedema. Similar problems occur whenever the reference parameters (volume, area, weight, etc.) differ between one group and another.
Narrow scope for resolution-free community detection

Detecting communities in large networks has drawn much attention over the years. While modularity remains one of the more popular methods of community detection, the so-called resolution limit remains a significant drawback. To overcome this issue, it was recently suggested that instead of comparing the network to a random null model, as is done in modularity, it should be compared to a constant factor. However, it is unclear what is meant exactly by ‘resolution-free’, i.e. not suffering from the resolution limit. Furthermore, the question remains what other methods could be classified as resolution-free. In this paper we suggest a rigorous definition and derive some basic properties of resolution-free methods. More importantly, we are able to prove exactly which class of community detection methods are resolution-free. Furthermore, we analyze which methods are not resolution-free, suggesting there is only a limited scope for resolution-free community detection methods. Finally, we provide such a natural formulation, and show it performs superbly.
Identity and Variation Spaces: Revisiting the Fisher Linear Discriminant

The Fisher Linear Discriminant (FLD) is commonly used in classification to find a subspace that maximally separates class patterns according to the Fisher Criterion. It was previously proven that a pre-whitening step can be used to truly optimize the Fisher Criterion. In this paper, we study the theoretical properties of the subspaces induced by this whitened FLD. Of the four subspaces induced, two are most important for classification and representation of patterns. We call these Identity Space and Variation Space. We show that only the between-class variation remains in Identity Space, and only the within-class variation remains in Variation Space. Both spaces can be used for decomposition and representation of class data. Moreover, we give sufficient conditions for these spaces to exist. Finally, we also run experiments to show how Identity and Variation Spaces may be used for classification and image synthesis.
BigDataBench-S: An Open-Source Scientific Big Data Benchmark Suite

Data generated from modern scientific instrumentation have grown up to an unprecedented scale. Moreover, data formats and computational behaviors of scientific big data workloads are much more complex than those in Internet services. These two facts pose a serious challenge to scientific data management and analytics. Among many concerns, the first one is how to build a comprehensive and representative scientific big data benchmark suite. Previous benchmark efforts either focus on Internet areas (i.e. BigDataBench) or pay attention to a specific area (i.e. GeneBase). This paper presents our preliminary work on building a comprehensive scientific big data benchmark suite---BigDataBench-S. Also, we use BigDataBench-S to evaluate several general-purpose big data management systems specifically designed for Internet services applications. Our evaluation shows: these systems cannot achieve expected performance for many scientific workloads, especially for complex matrix computation, for the lack of appropriate mechanisms and policies on data storage, query optimization and support of distributed matrix computation.