Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Original Contribution COMPARING THE ATTRIBUTIVE STYLES OF BLIND AND SEEING BOY STUDENTS

Purpose: The main purpose of the present research has been comparing the attributive styles of blind and seeing boy students of Ardebil city. Methods: In order to achieve this aim, using simple random sampling method, 36 boy students (18 seeing and 18 blind students) were selected from among the students who had been busy studying in exceptional, common and also integrative schools of Ardebil city in academic year 2008-2009. In the present research in order to gather data attributive style questionnaire (ASQ) was used, and the way of the study was of the type causative-comparative and data from the research has been analyzed using multiple analysis of variance (MANOVA). Results: Results from the research showed that there were significant differences between attributive style of seeing and blind students concerning internal-external, unstable-stable and generalnegligible components. Conclusions: These findings suggested that, attributive styles of blind persons are external, stable, and global.
Study on the effects of axial clearance size on the operation of an axial flow electric motor cooling fan

In the case of axial flow fan rotors used for electric motor cooling, an axial clearance is present between the rotor shroud inlet and the perforated cover. The effect of axial clearance size on the operation of a case study fan has been investigated. The means of investigation were Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Computational Aero-Acoustics (CAA). The CFD and CAA results revealed that the axial clearance size is a sensitive parameter in influencing both fan aerodynamics and aero-acoustics, for which the major mechanisms, associated with the leakage flow, were qualitatively identified. The studies suggested the existence of an acoustically unfavourable clearance size for which maximum noise emission can be expected. A semi-empirical model was outlined as a starting point in prediction of cooling flow rate as a function of axial clearance size as well as other parameters.
PET/CT images quantification for diagnostics and radiotherapy applications

Background: In our Institute PET/CT images are used for detecting, staging and monitoring various malignant tumours. Standard Uptake Value (SUV) is now common place in our clinical PET/CT oncology. Moreover, PET images are used for target volume definition in radiotherapy applications. Even if PET represents a powerful diagnostics tool, the quantitative data extracted from PET are affected by the limited resolution of the system. The aims of this work is to analysed by a phantom study the accuracy of the data quantified by our tomograph and the validation of the segmentation method used for radiotherapy applications. Journal of Diagnostic Imaging in Therapy. 2015; 2(1): 18-29 Ferrando et al. ISSN: 2057-3782 (Online) http://dx.doi. org/10.17229/jdit.2015-0216-013 19 Methods: The phantom study was performed on a PET/CT system using the IEC Phantom with spheres filled with different sphere/background activity ratios (RS/B). Sphere volumes were determined using an adaptive thresholding method. SUV assessment was evaluated measuring the SUV values in each sphere and the percentage error respect to the true value. Hot Contrast Recovery Coefficients (HCRC) were also measured. Results: A linear relationship between thresholds and volumes was observed for volumes up to 10 mL. Between 10 mL and 5.5 mL thresholds decrease reaching a minimum at 1.1 mL. For volumes <1.1 mL thresholds increase exponentially. No dependence on the acquisition time was observed but thresholds depend on sphere volumes, RS/B and smoothing filter. SUV is quantified for volumes up to 2.5 mL with an underestimation of 10%, for smaller dimensions SUV values are underestimated up to 80%. Hot Contrast Recovery Coefficients range from 87% to 16%. Conclusions: For objects with very small volume (<2.5 mL) the SUV values are affected by a significant error (up to 80%). From the clinical point of view this means that very small lesions with low measured SUVmax might represent a false negative. Moreover, the limited PET resolution influences lesion segmentation: the adaptive thresholding method is an useful tool for tumour boundary definition but it may provide unreliable results for volumes less than 2.5 mL.
Myxomycetes occurring on selected agricultural leaf litters

Although studies of myxomycetes (plasmodial slime moulds) in the Asia Pacific region have been remarkable for the past years, studies about myxomycetes assemblages in association with homogenous vegetation are relatively few. In an effort to investigate further about myxomycetes assemblages in monotypic vegetation, the present study was carried out in three different agricultural plantations (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze. , Dimocarpus longan Lour. , Psidium guajava L. ). Ninety percent (90%) of the moist chamber cultures gave a total of 165 records (107 determinable fruiting bodies and 58 plasmodial records). From these records, 20 myxomycetes morphospecies composed of 17 clear-cut species and three varieties of the species Arcyria cinerea were recorded. The occasionally reported myxomycetes species Physarum tenerum in other Southeast Asian countries seems to be abundantly occurring for the agricultural litters in Vietnam. This study noted that agricultural leaf litter substrates with leathery leaf texture can serve as spore traps for myxomycetes that are dispersing in the environment. Hence, agricultural litters are good microhabitat for many known cosmopolitan myxomycetes. This is the first report of myxomycetes assemblages associated with Camellia sinensis, Dimocarpus longan and Psidium guajava leaf litters.
Reward Devaluation Attenuates Cue-Evoked Sucrose Seeking and Is Associated with the Elimination of Excitability Differences between Ensemble and Non-ensemble Neurons in the Nucleus Accumbens

Visual Abstract Animals must learn relationships between foods and the environmental cues that predict their availability for survival. Such cue–food associations are encoded in sparse sets of neurons or “neuronal ensembles” in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). For these ensemble-encoded, cue-controlled appetitive responses to remain adaptive, they must allow for their dynamic updating depending on acute changes in internal states such as physiological hunger or the perceived desirability of food. However, how these neuronal ensembles are recruited and physiologically modified following the update of such learned associations is unclear. To investigate this, we examined the effects of devaluation on ensemble plasticity at the levels of recruitment, intrinsic excitability, and synaptic physiology in sucrose-conditioned Fos-GFP mice that express green fluorescent protein (GFP) in recently activated neurons. Neuronal ensemble activation patterns and their physiology were examined using immunohistochemistry and slice electrophysiology, respectively. Reward-specific devaluation following 4 d of ad libitum sucrose consumption, but not general caloric devaluation, attenuated cue-evoked sucrose seeking. This suggests that changes in the hedonic and/or incentive value of sucrose, and not caloric need, drove this behavior. Moreover, devaluation attenuated the size of the neuronal ensemble recruited by the cue in the NAc shell. Finally, it eliminated the relative enhanced excitability of ensemble (GFP+) neurons against non-ensemble (GFP−) neurons observed under non-devalued conditions, and did not induce any ensemble-specific changes in excitatory synaptic physiology. Our findings provide new insights into neuronal ensemble mechanisms that underlie the changes in the incentive and/or hedonic impact of cues that support adaptive food seeking.
Lap Mentor-based assessment of laparoscopic surgical skills: a validation study

Objective: To validate the scores of assessments of basic laparoscopic surgical skills obtained through performance on LAP Mentor. Design: Cross-sectional validation study. Setting: Oman Medical Specialty Board (OMSB) skills lab, Muscat, Oman. Participants: Twenty-three surgical residents, registered with OMSB, at different years of residency, underwent assessment of basic laparoscopic surgical skills on the LAP Mentor. A construct validation model was used to validate the scores. Results: 35% of the candidates, all belonging to the senior group, passed the assessment. Cronbach’s alpha was 0.87 with a standard error of measurement of 1.53 (95% confidence interval). The intra-class coefficient varied from 0.88 to 0.95 for different scales. Factor analysis revealed two underlying constructs, i.e. technical skills and patient safety skills, that explained competency in laparoscopy surgery. A review of the literature supported content validity evidence. Relationships with other variables were documented through convergent and divergent evidence. A correlation for the data revealed that actual residency year and total score achieved were significantly related (r = 0.51, N = 23, P = 0.01, two-tailed). Senior residents scored significantly higher than junior residents on overall performance. Fisher’s exact test showed that more seniors than juniors passed on overall performance using specific criteria determined by factor analysis and Angoff’s method for standard setting. The majority of residents and raters agreed or strongly agreed on feasibility, conducting such tests regularly, meaningful feedback, and objectivity and reuse of the tools. Conclusions: Assessment on LAP Mentor using different rating scales and construct-based standard setting methods provides meaningful scores. Periodic summative assessment is acceptable to residents.
Automatic Cognitive Load Classification Using High- Frequency Interaction Events: An Exploratory Study

There is still a challenge of creating an evaluation method which can not only unobtrusively collect data without supplement equipment but also objectively, quantitatively and in real-time evaluate cognitive load of user based the data. The study explores the possibility of using the features extracted from high-frequency interaction events to evaluate cognitive load to respond to the challenge. Specifically, back-propagation neural networks, along with two feature selection methods (nBset and SFS), were used as the classifier and it was able to use a set of features to differentiate three cognitive load levels with an accuracy of 74.27%. The main contributions of the research are: (1) demonstrating the use of combining machine learning techniques and the HFI features in automatically evaluating cognitive load; (2) showing the potential of using the HFI features in discriminating different cognitive load when suitable classifier and features are adopted. Automatic Cognitive Load Classification Using HighFrequency Interaction Events: An Exploratory Study
Early anomaly detection and localisation in distribution network: a data‐driven approach

The measurement data collected from the supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system installed in distribution network can reflect the operational state of the network effectively. In this paper, a random matrix theory (RMT) based approach is developed for early anomaly detection and localization by using the data. For every feeder in the distribution network, a corresponding data matrix is formed. Based on the Marchenko-Pastur Law for the empirical spectral analysis of covariance `signal+noise' matrix, the linear eigenvalue statistics are introduced to indicate the anomaly, and the outliers and their corresponding eigenvectors are analyzed for locating the anomaly. As for the low observability feeders in the distribution network, an increasing data dimension algorithm is designed for the formulated low-dimensional matrices being more accurately analyzed. The developed approach can detect and localize the anomaly at an early stage, and it is robust to random disturbance and measurement error. Cases on Matpower simulation data and real SCADA data corroborate the feasibility of the approach.
Effects of fat reserves on annual apparent survival of blackbirds Turdus merula

1. Fat reserves are stored energy that may help birds survive periods of harsh winter weather. This hypothesis predicts that annual apparent survival is higher for birds with large fat reserves than for birds with few or no fat reserves in winter. 2. Blackbirds (Turdus merula Linnaeus) were ringed in central Italy from 16 November to 20 February during 1990-2001. Fat scores were recorded for each bird. We used these capture-mark-recapture data for 1703 blackbirds to estimate the effect of large fat reserves on annual apparent survival, while controlling for transients, using computer programs SURVIV and MARK. Probability of birds retaining large fat reserves, or retaining few fat reserves, over 2 successive years was also estimated. 3. Birds with large fat reserves did not have higher estimated annual apparent survival than birds with few fat reserves (Φ large = (Φ few = 0.595, SE = 0.043), inconsistent with our prediction. No effects of age, sex or year were detected on annual apparent survival. Birds with few fat reserves in any given year tended to have few fat reserves the following year (ψ few→large = 0.332, SE = 0.052). Birds with large fat reserves in any given year were unlikely to have large fat reserves the next year (ψ large→few = 0.585, SE = 0.080). 4. Large fat reserves may not increase annual survival of blackbirds wintering in central Italy. Winter weather in our study area may be too mild to effect survival. Alternatively, increased predation risk associated with large fat reserves may counteract any benefits of reduced starvation risk.
Light-Independent Feature Detection using Intensity Data of Laser Range Finder

This paper describes a preprocessing method for a robust feature detection under extreme lighting environment. The feature detection is widely used on the computer vision, nevertheless one of its technical problem is that it is not robust to lighting environment. This research focuses on an intensity image provided from Laser Range Finder. The intensity image is equivalent to a magnitude of the reflected light emitted from the LRF. The proposed method exploits the camera image and the intensity image conplementarily: first, the camera image is preprocessed such of the image that each pixel is labeled based on its lighting condition. Subsequently, the intensity image is combined with the camera image and the number of features from both images are regulated in accordance with their feature quantity. The proposed method is validated in both indoor /outdoor field experiment.
Validation of Stratification-Driven Phytoplankton Biomass and Nutrient Concentrations in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean as Simulated by EC-Earth

We validated simulations of the Earth system model (ESM) EC-Earth-NEMO of present-day temperature, salinity, nutrient, and chlorophyll a profiles with in situ observations in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean (29–63º N). Simulations with standard parametrization (run 1) and improved parametrization of vertical mixing (run 2) were compared. Run 1 showed shallower mixed layer depths (MLDs) in spring as compared to observations owing to lower salinities in the upper 200 m of the subpolar North Atlantic (>55º N). This coincided with a mismatch with observed timing and magnitude of the phytoplankton spring bloom. In contrast, the model performed well south of 55º N. Run 2 showed improved springtime MLD, phytoplankton dynamics, and nutrient distributions in the subpolar North Atlantic. Our study underlines the sensitivity of subpolar North Atlantic phytoplankton blooms to surface freshening, suggesting that future fresh-water inflow from Arctic and Greenland Ice sheet melting could significantly affect phytoplankton productivity. These findings contribute to the generic validation of the EC-Earth ESM and underline the need for rigorous validation of physics-biology links, in particular the sub polar North Atlantic where complex seasonal stratification/vertical mixing processes govern upper ocean phytoplankton productivity.
Masters Thesis: Event-Triggered Control for Vehicle Platooning

This thesis covers the implementation of Event-Triggering Control (ETC) on Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control (CACC). CACC has the potential to increase road capacity, by having safe vehicle following with small intervehicle distance (less than 1 second), to increase traffic flow by eliminating shockwave effects, such that string-stable behavior is achieved, and it increases vehicle safety and driving comfort. CACC uses Vehicle-To-Vehicle (V2V) or Vehicle-To-Infrastructure (V2I) communication. However, excessive use of this wireless communication may result in reliability issues of the communication network. By means of Event-Triggered Control, this issue can be tackled by establishing communication only when it is necessary, while guaranteeing desired closed-loop performance. In this thesis, an event-triggered controller for heterogeneous vehicle platooning is designed, which is decentralized, guarantees vehicle-following with small intervehicle distances, is robust against time-varying delays, and guarantees a positive minimum inter-event time. The algorithm is backed up by simulations, and it shows that communication is significantly reduced while maintaining desired closed-loop performance, when compared to periodic communication. Master of Science Thesis Ahmed Hashish
Direct constraints on minimal supersymmetry from Fermi-LAT observations of the dwarf galaxy Segue 1

The dwarf galaxy Segue 1 is one of the most promising targets for the indirect detection of dark matter. Here we examine what constraints 9 months of Fermi-LAT gamma-ray observations of Segue 1 place upon the Constrained Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (CMSSM), with the lightest neutralino as the dark matter particle. We use nested sampling to explore the CMSSM parameter space, simultaneously fitting other relevant constraints from accelerator bounds, the relic density, electroweak precision observables, the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon and B-physics. We include spectral and spatial fits to the Fermi observations, a full treatment of the instrumental response and its related uncertainty, and detailed background models. We also perform an extrapolation to 5 years of observations, assuming no signal is observed from Segue 1 in that time. Results marginally disfavour models with low neutralino masses and high annihilation cross-sections. Virtually all of these models are however already disfavoured by existing experimental or relic density constraints.
Sensitivity analysis of Aerodynamic Roughness Length on Surface Air Temperature in Eastern China

Aerodynamic roughness length is an important surface parameter that influences energy and water exchanges at the land-atmosphere interface, thereby affects regional climate. This study is to investigate the sensitivity of aerodynamic roughness length on climate in Eastern China, which has been experiencing the fast process of urbanization during the past 30 years. Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (RAMS) was used to perform a series of one-year simulations over Eastern China. Six sensitivity tests were conducted by changing vegetation roughness length with ±10%, ±50%,±90% and compared to a control run with the model's 'default' parameterization of roughness length. The results show that as the magnitudes of roughness length changes increase, surface air temperature has more distinctive responses. More localized changes occur in the Southeast China than Northeast China, corresponding to the more varied vegetation covers in the south. Besides, surface air temperatures of different land covers have different sensitivity to aerodynamic roughness length. Domain averaged surface air temperature has a negative response to the changes of roughness length. With 90% of changes in roughness length, for mixed croplands, the differences of surface air temperature between sensitivity and control tests have a positive maximum around 0.7 k, and a negative maximum near -0.4 k in summer. While for short grassland, the positive maximum is around 0.2 k and the negative maximum is about -0.4 k. Thus, the need to realistically represent both the spatial and temporal distribution of vegetation roughness length in regional climate models is highlighted. Key words—Aerodynamic roughness length, RAMS, Regional climate modeling.
Bereavement: A Universal Process of Growth through Readjustment.

Difficult as it may be to accept, loss and grieving are natural components of living. Traditionally, the bereaved have relied upon the help of clergy, family, and the medical profession. The behavioral and social sciences virtually ignored loss, grief and bereavement as subjects until as recently as 15 or 20 years ago. However, counselors are increasingly cilled upon to meet the challenge of helping the bereaved to grow and ultimately readjust by offering encouragement, quality bereavement care, and readily available support services. Bereavement counseling requires specialized training and education designed to produce caring, informed counselors. This article reviews the phases of bereavement (numbing, urge to recover the lost object, disorganization and despair, reorganization) and specific interventions (professional individual intervention; prefessional group intervention; self-help intervention) based on publiihed literature and personal observation. The experience of loss :nd be:eavement in death creates a prototype for dealing with a variety of losses which can lead to increased awareness and personal growth. (JBJ) *********************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made ir from the original document. *********************************************************************** Bereavement: A Universal Process of Growth Through Readjustment Camille Copeland, PhD. Assistant Professor, Department of Counseling Psychology and Special Education Duquesne University Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282 Phone: 412-396-6599 Fax: 412-396-5585 Susan Noble, Ms Ed. Research Assistant, Department of Counseling Psychology and Special Education Duquesne University Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282 Phone: 412-832-7462 Sherry Feldstein, Ms Ed. Adjunct Faculty, Department of Counseling Psychology and Special Education Duquesne University Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282 Phone: 412-521-5925 Fax: 412-244-0620 DI PART 0:ENT E I MCAT ION EDUCATIONAL kESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER ERIC / 0 Du, wilmot I hat. hPr, opforli, ,,, 10,ivCd 110111 tr. , person in ergionlation on/milling it L.1 . hange, ',aye linen wade to ilipinductrOil quality l'oinls ii iew or oininnin, . Anil in nob neves, aniv al, r BEST COPY AVAILABLE 2 PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY
Explorer Can Water Mutual Funds Aid Sustainable Development ?

We conduct the first comparative analysis of the financial performance of global water mutual funds with conventional, ecology and natural resources mutual funds. Based on a unique sample of 88 water, 198 ecology, 370 natural resources, and 7,437 conventional mutual funds covering the 2008 – 2017 period, we contrast the financial performance of these four different fund types. On average, water mutual funds perform comparably to conventional mutual funds and outperform ecology and natural resources funds. The performance dynamics is linked to the state of the economy, such that the outperformance by water mutual funds is not observed when markets are bearish. Overall, fund risk-adjusted performance is predominantly driven by investor activity, especially with regards to their perception of environmental regulatory risk profiles of funds’ constituents. JEL classification: F30, G11, G15, G23, M14