Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Time of Reaction in Using the Pushing of Button in Exper- iment of Evoked Cognitive Potentials (R300)

Background Evoked cognitive potentials are a promising experimental technique that can be useful in diagnosis of various cognitive disorders, especially connected to the various memory impairments. Of particular interest to researchers is the study of the cognitive evoked potentials’ latency when recognition of various stimuli is involved. Objective The method of Luria was used to determine the volume of verbal memory. To study the physiological nature and functional role of evoked cognitive potentials observed during the reaction to stimuli, and to determine the degree of conscious control involved in this reaction. To do so the experimental data were statistically analyzed to determine the numerical correlation between the working memory capacity and the cognitive potential’s latency. Design The cognitive Eps were measured for 166 healthy subjects and 63 others that had some pathological brain condition (circulatory encephalopathy and other brain circulatory disorders), varied by the age and gender. Measurements were done with the Neurosoft Neuro-MVP 4 computerized encephalography system, which implemented the standard method of large latency neural response measurement for P300 waves. Measurements were done in the setup where the subject had to recognize the significant stimuli and react to them by pressing a button. The significant stimulus was represented by a 2 kHz tone, while the insignificant stimuli were the frequently repeated 1 kHz tones. The brainwaves were registered in Cz-M1 and Cz-M2 outputs. This method allowed detection and latency measurements of the main response components N2, P3a and N3. Working memory capacity was determined by the number of words from a 10-15 word sets correctly reproduced shortly after exposures, as outlined by Luria. Results A statistically significant non-linear correlation was observed between the memory capacity and the EP’s latency, which was fitted by a modified hyperbolic function. Additionally, greater latencies were observed for subjects suffering from the memory disorders, and much shorter latencies were in general noted for the male subjects as opposed to the female ones. One more interesting observation was that in many cases the absolute reaction time was less than the cognitive potential peak taken as a conscious decision, suggesting that it is in many cases an automatic reaction. Conclusions: This cognitive potentials measurement, being an instrumental method, allows a clinical psychologist much greater flexibility in his diagnostic repertory, as it can be used even in the cases where word tests cannot. Also, the reaction time shorter than the latency of conscious reaction to stimuli adds weight to the simultaneous codes theory of automatic reactions.
APPLICABILITY OF RESILIENT CONSTITUTIVE MODELS OF GRANULAR MATERIAL FOR UNBOUND BASE LAYERS

Analytical design methods for pavements require the determination of the resilient behavior of each layer. Granular material behavior under traffic loading is nonlinear and stress path dependent. Because the deformation characteristics of the material are significantly affected by stress magnitude and path, stress-strain behavior must be modeled accurately. A wide range of graded granular material types was selected to assess the applicability of stress-strain models. A repeated load triaxial test apparatus, which can cycle deviatoric and cell pressure, was used to test a variety of stress paths for furnace bottom ash, graded washed river sand, sand and gravel, Fontainebleu sand, limestone, and gritstone. Linear and nonlinear regression programs were used to obtain the parameters for five different models. The results indicated that there is no unique model to represent the granular material behavior under all circumstances. Elhannani's model can be used for predicting the response to cyclic deviatoric stress with cyclic cell pressure test data. Using K-theta and Pappin and Brown models, approximate predictions can be made of axial stiffness under the cycling of both stresses using parameters obtained from more-simple only-cyclic deviatoric stress test data.
sociologia

Desde sua origem a sociologia enfrenta desafios acerca de sua legitimação enquanto conhecimento científico e acadêmico. É constantemente desafiada a demonstrar sua relevância e utilidade. Por ter como objetivo compreender as relações sociais, desvendando o aparente e recuperando o não visível nas estruturas sociais, incomoda pelo que revela. Por não ser uma ciência normativa, é questionada em sua utilidade. Neste artigo recupero historicamente alguns momentos desse debate, centrando na sociologia brasileira, sua institucionalização e expansão, os ataques que vem recebendo mais recentemente pelo poder público, e os desafios enfrentados no quadro pandêmico que estamos vivendo.
Crack Detection on a Retaining Wall with an Innovative, Ensemble Learning Method in a Dynamic Imaging System

In this study, an innovative, ensemble learning method in a dynamic imaging system of an unmanned vehicle is presented. The feasibility of the system was tested in the crack detection of a retaining wall in a climbing area or a mountain road. The unmanned vehicle can provide a lightweight and remote cruise routine with a Geographic Information System sensor, a Gyro sensor, and a charge-coupled device camera. The crack was the target to be tested, and the retaining wall was patrolled through the drone flight path setting, and then the horizontal image was instantly returned by using the wireless transmission of the system. That is based on the cascade classifier, and the feature comparison classifier was designed further, and then the machine vision correlation algorithm was used to analyze the target type information. First, the system collects the target image and background to establish the samples database, and then uses the Local Binary Patterns feature extraction algorithm to extract the feature values for classification. When the first stage classification is completed, the classification results are target features, and edge feature comparisons. The innovative ensemble learning classifier was used to analyze the image and determine the location of the crack for risk assessment.
Clinical Psychologists' Use of Transformative Models of Psychosis.

Some theories (e.g. Jackson's Paradigm Shifting Hypothesis) and many personal accounts suggest that some psychotic crises, whilst distressing, can also be transformative, leading to growth and valued outcomes. However, little is known about the extent to which this idea informs mainstream mental health care. Clinical psychologists are influential advocates of psychosocial approaches more broadly: this study explored their use of transformative models. Twelve UK clinical psychologists were interviewed: transcripts informed a grounded theory. No participants saw psychosis as a purely biological problem where the content of experiences is irrelevant. Two held a 'biopsychosocial' model, viewing psychosis as an illness with psychosocial elements. Most either held a continuum view (i.e. schizotypy), in which psychosis-proneness was also associated with positive attributes such as creativity or sensitivity, or a 'fully psychological' view, seeing experiences as meaningful and/or as adaptive responses to events. Many believed that psychosis can be transformative in a broad sense i.e. lead to 'post-traumatic growth'. Some went further, believing that it can be a purposeful (e.g. an attempt, albeit painful and sometimes unsuccessful, to solve problems), or even a spiritual phenomenon. Participants' perspectives influenced their therapeutic approach: those who saw experiences as purposeful were more likely to facilitate direct engagement with them and to support clients to explore potentially transformative aspects. However, this represented an extension of conventional approaches rather than being qualitatively different. More research is needed to clarify how widespread this approach is, to explore its utility, and to establish for whom and when it may be appropriate.
A Flak Jacket, a Weapon, and a Laptop: Going Wireless and Paperless Within a Major Metropolitan Police Department

In February 2001, a major metropolitan police department in the southeast began the rollout of a mobile information system that will eventually enable all information relating to incident reports, arrests, and investigations to be collected, distributed, and managed in a paperless, wireless environment. The system, dubbed Mobile Knowledge Policing System (MKPS), began as a grass roots project within the police department to reduce paperwork, increase data accuracy, share knowledge and information, and promote a problem solving analytical framework. The system has been under development for five years, from concept to initial implementation, and is now in the initial phase of implementation. The development strategies and approaches used to develop this system, the technologies employed, and, most importantly, the challenges faced in merging wireless, wired, database, and applications technologies while satisfying the user requirements of the police department are detailed in the following report. This case analysis illustrates a number of key issues that must be addressed within the development and implementation of a complex information system, particularly where immature technologies comprise an important piece of the application. As such, this case will be of considerable interest to practitioners and academicians alike. The lessons that can be learned are many and varied.
DETECTION AND MONITORING OF PATHOGENS IN ANIMAL AND HUMAN ENVIRONMENT BY A HANDHELD IMMUNOSENSOR AND CFD SIMULATION

This research demonstrates technology for detection of pathogens and environmental monitoring using a handheld optofluidic immunosensor and CFD simulation. The current methods such as ELISA and PCR require few hours for identification which means it is unavailable for early-monitoring. The use of a near-real-time, handheld biosensor device in a real animal/human environment is the key to monitoring the spread of dangerous pathogens. A 3-D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation is needed to track the pathogens within an environment. This dissertation has four papers that demonstrate technologies for the detection and monitoring of pathogens and the miniaturization of these detection systems for in field applications with a handheld immunosensor and CFD simulation. In the first paper, an environmental prediction model was developed for optimal ventilation in a mushroom house by using sensible heat balance and 3-D CFD method. It is shown that the models can be used for farmers to predict the environmental conditions over different locations in a mushroom house. In the second paper, a field lab-on-a-chip system was constructed to detect mouse immunoglobulin G and Escherichia coli by using light scattering detection of particle immunoagglutination. Antibody-conjugated particles were able to be stored in a 4°C refrigerator for at least 4 weeks and to be lyophilized as a powder form for the storage in room temperature.
PARKING DIFFICULTY AND PARKING INFORMATION NEEDS FOR OFF-STREET SPACES IN THE CBD

As an ITS component, parking information systems have been deployed to alleviate parking difficulty. There is a void, however, in investigating the parking difficulty and its relationship with parking information, which is needed for justifying the implementation of a parking information system. This paper presented an investigation of impact of levels of parking information on parking difficulty, with the development of ordered probit models. By varying the level of parking information, the reduction in parking difficulty was quantified. The study presented in this paper is actually one part of a project. A survey was conducted in the project to collect data about parking difficulty and information and technology needs. The relationship between parking difficulty and information levels was presented in this paper, while the parking information and technology needs were presented in other papers
The place of work

This graduation project deals with the conversion of the former VROM ministry at the Rijnstraat 8 in The Hague. The former ministry is converted into the firt Dutch Rijkskantoor. Bringing the civil servants and the public together is one of the main themes of the design. Another item researched was the possibility for personalization within flexible work spaces. User research was performed using questionnaires filled out by civil servants of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment. The project proposes a toned down version of the flexible work space, in which way finding and personalization are dealt with.
THE IMPACT OF TWO ESSENTIAL WEB SITE BUILDINGCOMPONENTS: THE EXPERIMENTAL STUDYON THE HYPERLINK AND NODE

To investigate the impact of the usage of number of hyperlinks and node size in Web sites on users’ perceptions, laboratory experiments were conducted using four versions of Web sites developed by the authors with undergraduate students at the University of Mississippi. Data were gathered through a post experiment questionnaire and post-test, and then analyzed and investigated for the impact of hyperlink and node on the efficacy of Web site designs. Principal components analysis followed by varimax rotations was conducted to evaluate factorial validity. Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficients were also computed to confirm the significant internal reliabilities among the measures. Population equality was checked by Levene test using pretest scores. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) with follow-up univariate tests (two-way ANOVAs) was used to verify proposed hypotheses. Results of the study indicate that the hyperlink and node of the Web sites are very important to deliver more positive users' perceptions. This study found that Web site structure designed with many hyperlinks and small node size yields the most positive users' perceptions.
HP1717 Contributes to Streptococcus suis Virulence by Inducing an Excessive Inflammatory Response and Influencing the Biosynthesis of the Capsule

Streptococcus suis 2 (SS2) is an important zoonotic pathogen that substantially harms the swine industry and poses threats to human health. Excessive inflammation is considered to be a hallmark of SS2 infection because it is responsible for most clinical signs of SS2, especially streptococcal toxic shock-like syndrome. However, the current knowledge of SS2-induced excessive inflammation remains limited. In this study, we identified HP1717 as a novel extracellular pro-inflammatory protein in SS2 that can induce robust expression of inflammatory cytokines in RAW264.7 macrophages. Notably, the pro-inflammatory ability of HP1717 was dose-dependent and heat-sensitive, and it required the recognition of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and the phosphorylation of both extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB). Further, by constructing a deletion mutant, we demonstrated that HP1717 significantly influenced the biosynthesis of the bacterial capsule, which plays a critical role in the virulence of SS2 by interfering with the ability of host immune cells to phagocytize and kill the pathogen. Indeed, the mutant strain displayed reduced resistance to whole-blood killing compared with the wild strain. Finally, murine experiments indicated that the deletion of hp1717 in SS2 reduced the lethality, pro-inflammatory activity, and bacterial loads in mice. Collectively, our data reveal HP1717 as a novel virulence-related factor of SS2 that can induce an excessive inflammatory response and significantly affect the bacterial capsule, thus expanding our understanding of the pathogenesis of S. suis.
Molecular detection of two virulence factors of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from burn patients

:-The present study aimed to identify two virulence genes in P. aeruginosa isolated from infected burn wound. Out of 70 burn swabs, 54 (77%) showed positive growth on enriched media which obtained from burn wound at Al-Mussan Teaching Hospital in Mussan province, Iraq. Only 13 isolates (35%) identified as P. aeruginosa , and those isolates examined using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for detection the exo S and phz S genes. The results recorded that 46% and 77% of isolates have exo S, phz S genes, respectively. We concluded a P. aeruginosa harbor diverse percentages of both genes as virulence factors, and those factors must be increased the pathogenicity of this pathogen.
Age-related Deficits in Voluntary Activation: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Whether there are age-related differences in neural drive during maximal effort contractions is not clear. This review determined the effect of age on voluntary activation during maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVC). The literature was systematically reviewed for studies reporting voluntary activation quantified with the interpolated twitch technique (ITT) or central activation ratio (CAR) during isometric contractions in young (18-35 years) and old adults (>60 years, mean ≥65 years). Of the 2,697 articles identified, 54 were eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis. Voluntary activation was assessed with electrical stimulation (ES) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) on 5 different muscle groups. Random-effects meta-analysis revealed lower activation in old compared with young adults (d=-0.45, 95% CI [-0.62 - -0.29], p<0.001), with moderate heterogeneity (52.4%). To uncover the sources of heterogeneity, subgroup analyses were conducted for muscle group, calculation method (ITT or CAR), and stimulation type (ES or TMS) and number (single, paired or train stimulations). The age-related reduction in voluntary activation occurred for all muscle groups investigated except the ankle dorsiflexors. Both ITT and CAR demonstrated an age-related reduction in voluntary activation of the elbow flexors, knee extensors and plantar flexors. ITT performed with paired and train stimulations showed lower activation for old than young adults with no age difference for the single electrical stimulation. Together, the meta-analysis revealed that healthy older adults have a reduced capacity to activate some upper and lower limb muscles during MVCs; however, the effect was modest and best assessed with at least paired stimulations to detect the difference.
PULSE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM FOR MEASURING WAVE PROPAGATION IN SOILS. DISCUSSION AND CLOSURE

A discussion of a paper with the aforementioned title by K. Nakagawa, K. Soga, and J.K. Mitchell, published in this journal (Volume 122, Number 4, April 1996), is presented. The discussion focuses on the issue of measurement accuracy, noting that the authors used frequency-selective filters in processing the recorded data. The discussion points out that frequency-selective filters will in general introduce phase distortions, resulting in a time delay in the filtered records. A two-pass filtering process, using infinite impulse response type filters, is suggested. Discussion is followed by closure from the authors.
Evaluating the teaching and learning of fractions through modelling in Brunei : measurement and semiotic analyses

This thesis is submitted to the University of Manchester for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). This study developed an experimental small group teaching method in the Realistic Mathematics Education tradition for teaching fractions using models and contexts to year 7 children in Brunei (N=89) whose effectiveness was evaluated using a treatment-control design: the E1 group was given the experimental lessons, the E2 group who was given ? normal? lessons taught by the experimenter, and a whole class (E3) group which acted as the control group. The experimental teaching was video recorded and subject to semiotic analysis, aiming to describe the objectifications that realized ? learning of fractions? by the groups.The research addresses two research questions:1. How effective was the experimental teaching in helping learners make sense of fractions, with respect to equivalence of fractions and flexibility of unitizing? 2. What were the semiotic learning and teaching processes in the experimental group of the RME-like lessons? This study used a mixed method approach with a quasi-experimental design (QED) for the quantitative side, and a semiotic analysis for the qualitative side. Quantitatively, the experimental teachings proved to be relatively effective with an effect size of 0.6 from the pre- to the delayed post-teaching test, compared to the E2 and the control groups.The basic findings pertaining to the semiotic analyses were:a. The mediation of the production of fractions in terms of length, from the production of fractions in terms of the number of parts which led to equivalence of fractions;b. The use of language and gesture help to objectify the equivalence of fractions and the flexibility of unitizing? in some case it involved gesturing to the self;c. The role of the Hour-Foot clock (HFC) as a model in a realistic context; andd. The complexity of the required chains of objectifications reflects the difficulties of the topic.
Chiral-selective Plasmonic Metasurface Absorber Based on Bilayer Fourfold Twisted Semicircle Nanostructure at Optical Frequency

In this paper, we demonstrate theoretically a plasmonic metasurface absorber (PMSA) for the high chiral-selective absorption for right-handed and left-handed circular polarization (RCP and LCP) lights at optical frequency. The PMSA is composed of a dielectric substrate sandwiched with bi-layer fourfold twisted semicircle nanostructure. Numerical simulation results that the proposed PMSA has a strong chiral selective absorption bands, where absorption peaks for LCP and RCP lights occur at different resonance frequencies resulting in significant circular dichroism (CD) effect. It is shown that the maximum absorbance of the PMSA can reach to 93.2% for LCP light and 91.6% for RCP light, and that the maximum CD magnitude is about 0.85 and 0.91 around 288.5 THz and 404 THz, respectively. The mechanism of the strong chiroptical response of the PMSA is illustrated and revealed by electric fields distributions. Furthermore, the influence of the geometry of the proposed PMSA on the chiral-selective absorption characterization is studied systematically. Due to the strong chiral-selective absorption and CD effect, the proposed PMSA can be found many potential applications in some areas, such as chiral imaging, optical filters, detecting, and optical communications.PACS numbers: 42.25. Bs, 78.20. −e