Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Number Sense in Siblings of Children with Mathematical Learning Disabilities: A Longitudinal Study

Number sense, counting and logical thinking were assessed in 14 siblings of children with Mathematical Learning Disabilities (MLD) and in 41 age matched children without family members with MLD. The children were tested in kindergarten and followed up in grade 1. A 0-100 number line estimation paradigm with three formats (Arabic digits, dots and number) was used as a measure of number sense. Results reveal that siblings of children with MLD are less proficient in number line placements compared to non-siblings, with both groups having a logarithmic representation in kindergarten and grade 1. Siblings also differ from non siblings on procedural and conceptual counting knowledge and logical thinking in kindergarten. In addition, our findings suggest that nnumber line estimation in kindergarten is especially predictive for untimed procedural calculation performances in grade 1, whereas procedural counting knowledge is related to timed fact retrieval skills in grade 1. Our findings also reveal that MLD had a familial aggregation. Clinical siblings especially differ from non-clinical siblings on the estimation with Arabic numbers (in kindergarten and grade 1) and number words (in grade 1), pointing to the fact that especially symbolic number line estimation tasks on a 0-100 scale can be used as screeners for MLD. Implications for the understanding and diagnosis of MLD are discussed.
Efficient and effective sparse tensor reordering

This paper formalizes the problem of reordering a sparse tensor to improve the spatial and temporal locality of operations with it, and proposes two reordering algorithms for this problem, which we call BFS-MCS and Lexi-Order. The BFS-MCS method is a Breadth First Search (BFS)-like heuristic approach based on the maximum cardinality search family; Lexi-Order is an extension of doubly lexical ordering of matrices to tensors. We show the effects of these schemes within the context of a widely used tensor computation, the CANDECOMP/PARAFAC decomposition (CPD), when storing the tensor in three previously proposed sparse tensor formats: coordinate (COO), compressed sparse fiber (CSF), and hierarchical coordinate (HiCOO). A new partition-based superblock scheduling is also proposed for HiCOO format to improve load balance. On modern multicore CPUs, we show Lexi-Order obtains up to 4.14× speedup on sequential HiCOO-Mttkrp and 11.88× speedup on its parallel counterpart. The performance of COO- and CSF-based Mttkrps also improves. Our two reordering methods are more effective than state-of-the-art approaches. The code is released as part of Parallel Tensor Infrastructure (ParTI! ): https://github.com/hpcgarage/ParTI.
Experimenting With Academic ESL: An ESL/Sociology Link

To improve academic ESL, a community college has been experimenting with linking an ESL class to a Sociology class. The primary goal was to use the methodology of Content Based Instruction to develop a curriculum that would promote academic vocabulary acquisition, critical thinking, and authentic communication in a sheltered environment. The paradigm of Action Research was used as a framework to reflect on the strengths of the program and to identify activities that engaged the students and contributed to improved language skills. Supplementary assignments of a Young Adult novel and provocative movies, used across both the ESL and Sociology class, helped students to apply abstract concepts to familiar situations. The structure of the link produced an effective learning community and a support system for the students. We suggest that linking ESL to a content course might be preferable to other options for developmental ESL students entering college.
Oxidized multi-walled carbon nanotubes for improving the electrocatalytic activity of a benzofuran derivative modified electrode

In the present paper, the use of a novel carbon paste electrode modified by 7,8-dihydroxy-3,3,6-trimethyl-3,4-dihydrodibenzo[b,d]furan-1(2H)-one (DTD) and oxidized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (OCNTs) is described for determination of levodopa (LD), acetaminophen (AC) and tryptophan (Trp) by a simple and rapid method. At first, the electrochemical behavior of DTD is studied, then, the mediated oxidation of LD at the modified electrode is investigated. At the optimum pH of 7.4, the oxidation of LD occurs at a potential about 330 mV less positive than that of an unmodified carbon paste electrode. Based on differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), the oxidation current of LD exhibits a linear range between 1.0 and 2000.0 μM of LD with a detection limit (3σ) of 0.36 μM. DPV was also used for simultaneous determination of LD, AC and Trp at the modified electrode. Finally, the proposed electrochemical sensor was used for determinations of these substances in human serum sample.
Socio-economic impacts of a micro-hydropower plant on rural livelihoods

Electricity is one of the key determinants for economic growth of a nation. Although the benefits of rural electrification are immense, more than 44% of the people do not have access to electricity in Nepal. Micro-hydropower (MHP) scheme is considered the most feasible decentralized renewable energy option for providing reliable and affordable electricity to the remote and isolated areas of Nepal. This study assesses the impact of a MHP plant on socio-economic conditions in the remote village, Sikles, in Nepal. Cross-sectional research design was used to collect information with a structured questionnaire, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions. Results revealed that the village electrification had brought a series of positive changes in the rural livelihoods. Traditional kerosene lamps like Tuki and Panas were completely abandoned, and firewood consumption was reduced. Electric lights in households extended the day providing additional hours for evening reading and work. The micro-hydro based electricity was used to power modern agro-processing mills in the village, which reduced drudgery for women as they no longer had to use ineffective and distant traditional water mills. Thus, micro-hydro scheme provides clean, affordable and sustainable renewable energy both locally and globally. Key words: Renewable energy, micro-hydropower, poverty, rural electrification, socio-economic.
Antifungal Efficacy of Moringa oleifera Lam.

Background: The success of chemotherapy lies in the continuous search for new drugs to counter the challenge posed by resistant microbes. Moringa oleifera has been traditionally used in Indian folklore medicine for the treatment of various microbial infections. Objective: To investigate antifungal activity and explore the phytochemistry of methanolic and ethyl acetate leaf extracts of M. oleifera . Methods: Disc diffusion and broth dilution methods were used for antifungal activity and standard qualitative chemical tests for the identification of phytoconstituents. Results: Both the plant extracts showed antifungal activity against Rizopus stolonifer and Microsporum gypsum. Ethyl acetate extract was more active against M. gypsum , while R. stolonifer was more sensitive to methanolic extract. MIC ranged from 1.56 to 6.25mg/ml for both the extracts. The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids flavonoids, glycosides, tannins, triterpenoids and steroids. Conclusion: The study showed potential antifungal activity of M. oleifera extracts, particularly against dermatophytic fungi, M. gypseum, therefore, provides justification for the use of the plant species in folk medicine to treat skin and other infectious diseases.
FIRST STEPS TO AUTOMATED INTERIOR RECONSTRUCTION FROM SEMANTICALLY ENRICHED POINT CLOUDS AND IMAGERY

Abstract. The automated generation of a BIM-Model from sensor data is a huge challenge for the modeling of existing buildings. Currently the measurements and analyses are time consuming, allow little automation and require expensive equipment. We do lack an automated acquisition of semantical information of objects in a building. We are presenting first results of our approach based on imagery and derived products aiming at a more automated modeling of interior for a BIM building model. We examine the building parts and objects visible in the collected images using Deep Learning Methods based on Convolutional Neural Networks. For localization and classification of building parts we apply the FCN8s-Model for pixel-wise Semantic Segmentation. We, so far, reach a Pixel Accuracy of 77.2 % and a mean Intersection over Union of 44.2 %. We finally use the network for further reasoning on the images of the interior room. We combine the segmented images with the original images and use photogrammetric methods to produce a three-dimensional point cloud. We code the extracted object types as colours of the 3D-points. We thus are able to uniquely classify the points in three-dimensional space. We preliminary investigate a simple extraction method for colour and material of building parts. It is shown, that the combined images are very well suited to further extract more semantic information for the BIM-Model. With the presented methods we see a sound basis for further automation of acquisition and modeling of semantic and geometric information of interior rooms for a BIM-Model.
Application of multivariate probit on determinants of sesame farmers market outlet choices in Gimbi District, Ethiopia

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is an important crop produced in Ethiopia for oilseed production and it was ranked first in total production from oil crops in 2013. The study is based on a survey of 166 farmers covering six kebeles in Gimbi district, Ethiopia with the objectives of identifying factors affecting choice of market outlet of sesame producers in the study area. Data were collected from both primary and secondary sources in 2015/2016. Multivariate probit model was for analysis. The results indicated that the probability of wholesalers to choose an outlet was positively and significantly affected by household education, distance from the nearest market, quantity produced and market price of sesame but negatively affected by collector market outlets. On the other hand, the probability of choosing cooperative marketing outlet is positively affected by membership of cooperative and distance from the market whereas it is negatively affected by market price of sesame. Therefore, the study confirmed the continued viability of sesame marketing cooperatives as suppliers of sesame-to-sesame buyers in the study area. The results obtained have important implications for farm management and future of farmers, as well as for the assessment of their development impacts. Key words: Sesame, multivariate probit model, market outlet choices.
Histogenesis of diencephalon in goat foetuses

Histogenesis of diencephalon was studied using 46 goat foetuses ranging from 2.5 cm CRL (40 days of gestation) to 41.5 cm CRL (full term). By 40 days, the roof plate was converted into the tela choroidea and along with the growing blood vessels, formed the choroid plexus of the third ventricle. Proliferation of neuroblasts in localized regions of the mantle layer led to formation of nuclei in the seventh week. The nerve tracts also appeared at this stage. At 81 days the internal medullary lamina extended into the thalamus from the stratum zonale dividing it into medial and lateral portions. Supraoptic nucleus started developing towards the end of second month. Typical neurons appeared in most of the thalamic and hypothalamic nuclei during fourth month. During fifth month, supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei of hypothalamus showed bipolar cells. Histologically the diencephalon was adult-like towards term.
The Role of Cortical Feedback Circuitry on Functional Maps of V2 in Primates: Effects on Orientation Tuning and Direction Selectivity

Extensive work in anatomy, neurophysiology and brain imaging has approached the challenge of understanding visual processing in human and non-human primate brains. This approach has been very successful in generating a roadmap of the primate brain: identifying a large number of different cortical areas associated with different functions and cognitive skills. Recent developments in multi-unit recordings combined with inactivation paradigms have provided powerful methods for the study of cortical circuits and novel insights into cortical dynamics.
Palynological study of some Iranian species of Scabiosa L. (Caprifoliaceae)

The pollen morphology of six species of Scabiosa L. (Caprifoliaceae) from Iran has been examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Pollen grains were tricolpate in S. columbaria and triporate in the rest studied species. Two types of exine ornamentation were revealed: spinulate and gemmate. The pollen shape in polar view varied from triangular to circular among investigated taxa. Statistical analysis showed that some quantitative morphological features such as polar axis (P), equatorial axis (E) and aperture diameter were main characters in identification of the taxa studied. These taxa were separated from each other using cluster analysis and placed within two clusters. Our result based on UPGMA analysis is in agreement with morphological classification and recent findings on taxonomic position of the Scabiosa . Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 23 (2): 215-222, 2016 (December)
Organization of morphological and genetic diversity of Caribbean and Venezuelan papaya germplasm

Introduction . The severe impact of papaya bacterial canker in the West Indies justified launching a program to transfer the genetic resistance/tolerance identified in local germplasm to good-quality cultivars. As a first step, a germplasm collection from the Caribbean was gathered and its morphological and genetic diversity assessed. Materials and methods . The total sample included 50 accessions from the Lesser Antilles, Cuba, Venezuela, Costa Rica and Hawaii. Morphological data from a subsample of 29 accessions were submitted to analysis of variance, principal component analysis and Neighbor-Joining cluster analysis. Nine isozyme systems were tested, and the corresponding data were processed for cluster analysis and genetic parameters, including the fixation index, diversity indices and heterozygosity. Results . Eighteen of the 47 Caribbean and Venezuelan accessions exhibited hermaphroditism. Venezuelan accessions displayed the widest morphological diversity, while those from Barbados were distinguished by fruit quality. Sexual type affected leaf and flower traits. Cluster analysis shows little morphological differentiation between origins, with the relative grouping of the accessions from Guadeloupe or Barbados. Only four isozyme systems were polymorphic, producing 34 distinct zymotypes, with a relatively high heterozygosity and a particular diversity in Venezuela, Guadeloupe and Barbados. Geographic structuration appears limited in the cluster analysis among individuals; however, it is clearer when considering the six best-represented populations, with one cluster representing Venezuela, Trinidad and Barbados, and one for Guadeloupe, Martinique and Grenada. Discussion . The low level of fixation is attributed to dioecy and to the low level of selection. The relative isolation of island populations has favored geographic differentiation, albeit limited. The differentiation between the good-quality germplasm from Barbados and the tolerant populations from Martinique and Guadeloupe encourages the development of a marker-assisted introgression scheme.
The Integrated Propulsion Strategy Theory: A Resources, Capability and Industrial Organization

Strategic management is dominated by three views, the Industrial Organization Theory, the Resource Based View and the Dynamic Capabilities Approach. While the Resource Based View and the Dynamic Capability Approach are often portrayed as sister theories, the Industrial Organization Theory is sometimes cited as a competing theory with respect to the others. Nevertheless, all three views are complimentary. This paper argues that positioning, picking and propulsion are all essential to a robust strategy and presents the Integrated Propulsion Strategy Theory that rigorously integrates these three pillars of strategy theory. The framework also introduces a coefficient to measure dynamic capabilities.
Head Tracking with NintendoWiimote to view Terrain Maps

This research report aims to investigate the viability of creating an application for the purpose of interactively viewing 3d terrain maps with the motion of a user’s head by performing headtracking using the Nintendo Wiimote. This investigation begins by reviewing previous work done in the field of head tracking. It then details the theory of operation of the Nintendo Wiimote followed by a series of tests conducted on the Wiimote to verify its ability to reliably provide motion sensing data. A review and assessment of some of the various graphics programs and file formats used to render, view and store terrain map data is presented. Some of the available Wiimote api’s are also reviewed here. In conclusion it was found that the Wiimote doesn’t necessarily outperform previous technologies used for head tracking, however it does incorporate functionality which can greatly simplify head tracking systems. Also the combination of GlovePIE scripts and MeshLab showed the most potential for the development of a head-tracking-terrain-map-viewing application.
Penalaan Optimal Power System Stabilizer

Abstrak—Ketidakstabilan pada suatu generator mampu menyebabkan pemadaman total pada suatu system tenaga listrik, seperti yang terjadi pada PLTU Pacitan, Senin, 12 Mei 2014 [1]. Sayangnya, analisis kestabilan dinamik masih sering menggunakan model SMIB yang hanya fokus mengamati 1 mesin saja. Dalam beberapa penelitian terakhir, analisis kestabilan dinamik multi mesin dilakukan dengan terlebih dahulu mereduksi system multi mesin menjadi single mesin. Metode reduksi jaringan yang umum digunakan adalah metoda konvensional seperti REI-Dimo, Ward Equivalent, dan Cohenrency Equivalent. Metode reduksi yang lebih baru menggunakan rugi-rugi jaringan untuk mendapatkan nilai impedansi ekuivalen saluran antara generator dengan bus tak berhingga. Metode baru ini menawarkan proses kalkulasi yang sederhana dibandingkan metode yang lain. Namun, metode baru ini memiliki kelemahan seperti, tidak terjaminnya konvergensi dan tidak merepresentasikan operating point mesin. Oleh karena itu, untuk mengatasi permasalahan tersebut dilakukan pendekatan reduksi menggunakan power flow tracing untuk menentukan kontribusi generator pada sistem secara utuh. Model SMIB hasil reduksi digunakan sebagai dasar penalaan power system stabilizer. PSS mampu meningkatkan redaman osilasi jika ditala secara optimal. Untuk mendapatkan penalaan dan redaman optimal, digunakan pendekatan optimasi hybrid adaptive chaotic differential evolution (HACDE). Metode optimasi DE merupakan metode yang unik, sederhana, handal, dan cepat konvergen. Analisis eigenvalue multi-objective digunakan sebagai fungsi objektif metode optimasi HACDE. Berdasarkan simulasi, metode power flow tracing lebih unggul dibandingkan metode superposisi dalam hal mencari kerugian saluran akibat kontribusi daya sebuah generator. Kemudian, berdasarkan hasil simulasi penalaan parameter PSS pada Generator Pacitan Sistem Transmisi 150kV Jawa Tengah didapatkan urutan metode optimasi yang memiliki nilai fitness menggunakan eigenvalue terbaik, yaitu HACDE (0,869), DE (0,722), RD-PSO (0,686), dan PSO (0,534). Selain itu melalui evaluasi domain waktu menggunakan ITAE didapatkan urutan, yaitu HACDE (12,89), PSO (14,78), DE (16,02), dan RD-PSO (21,21). Oleh karena itu, HACDE lebih unggul untuk mendapatkan nilai optimal parameter PSS guna memberikan redaman optimal pada osilasi Generator Pacitan.
Beyond the Gutenberg Parenthesis: Exploring New Paradigms in Media and Learning

There are those who agree with Tom Pettitt that we are entering into a period where text based literacy is no longer the only measure of intelligence, nor is it the only form of valuable communications and knowledge acquisition for today’s media-centric children. As Prensky states, today’s youth speak ‘digital’ as their primary language. While his comments may be tempered by the fact that they are based on personal observation and correspondence with others, Prensky does make a point. In order to reach these children and stimulate their interest in reading and writing, it may be better to being by teaching to their strengths and if digital is the basis of those skills, then starting with digital media has considerable merit. This paper presents the some of the foundations behind Jenkins’ premise that remixing and appropriation of previously created works is a valid first step in the learning process. The authors suggest that mixing media with story invention creates a learning environment of considerable power. The paper also discusses a series of related studies in which these hypotheses were investigated and a few words about the ramifications these results may have on future studies in this area.
CHINA SPALLATION NEUTRON SOURCE DESIGN∗

The China Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS) is an accelerator-based high-power project currently in preparation under the direction of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). The complex is based on an H− linear accelerator, a rapid cycling proton synchrotron accelerating the beam to 1.6 GeV, a solid tungsten target station, and five initial instruments for spallation neutron applications. The facility will operate at 25 Hz repetition rate with a phase-I beam power of about 120 kW. The major challenge is to build a robust and reliable user’s facility with upgrade potential at a fractional of “world standard” cost.
A Model-Free Control System Based on the Sliding Mode Control Method with Applications to Multi-Input-Multi-Output Systems

In this paper, a model-free sliding mode control technique for linear and nonlinear uncertain multi-input multi-output (MIMO) systems is proposed. The developed method does not require a mathematical model of the dynamic system. Instead, the controller relies on state measurements and estimates of the error between previous and current control inputs to stabilize the system. Knowledge of the system’s order, shape of the control input matrix, and control gain bounds, if non-unitary, are the only variables required to develop the controller. Lyapunov’s stability criterion is used in the derivation process to ensure closed-loop asymptotic stability. High frequency chattering, often observed with the sliding mode control method, is eliminated using a smoothing boundary layer. Simulations are performed on a nonlinear two mass-spring-damper system and a quadrotor model to examine the performance of the proposed control law.