Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Differences in Reading by the Economic Status of Texas Grade 4 Boys and Girls in Special Education: A Multiyear Statewide Investigation

In this investigation, the degree to which the economic status (i.e., Not Economically Disadvantaged, Economically Disadvantaged) of Texas Grade 4 boys and girls in special education was related to their reading performance was addressed. Archival data from the Texas Education Agency Public Education Information Management System were analyzed for 2014-2015, 2015-2016, 2016-2017, and 2017-2018 school years on the Texas state-mandated reading assessment for Grade 4 students. Inferential statistical analyses, conducted separately for boys and girls in special education, revealed that boys and girls in poverty had statistically significantly lower reading test scores than boys and girls who were not in poverty. Results in all four school years were consistent with the existing research literature in that poverty negatively affects reading performance. Implications for policy and practice were provided, as well as recommendations for future research.
Laboratory Stand for Simplified Verification of Missile Dynamics for Didactic Purposes

Abstract The purpose of this study was to describe dynamics of missile based on bibliography, simplify the model to the easiest form, and verify it with the use of a designed laboratory stand. Next, a simple control system of the missile was designed. The stand is prepared for didactic purposes. A mathematical model was derived by applying Newton's second law together with the earth's coordinate system and the base coordinate system. Parameters of the actual rocket model were determined using the created laboratory stand. Synthesis of the rocket roll system was designed using Simulink PID Tuner application (MathWorks, Inc. Natick, Massachusetts, USA). A control system was based on a proportional-integral (PI) regulator. The designed control system was subjected to simulated tests in MATLAB Simulink (MathWorks, Inc. Natick, Massachusetts, USA).
Effectiveness of different rotary file systems in removing the root canal filling material: A micro-computed tomography study

Background. This study aimed to examine the retreatment efficiency of four NiTi rotary file systems with micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). Methods. Forty premolar teeth were shaped up to F2 using the ProTaper Universal rotary file system and obturated with MTA Fillapex. The root canals were scanned with micro-CT to evaluate the volume of root canal filling before retreatment. The samples were randomly divided into four groups according to the file system used to remove root canal filling material (n=10): ProTaper Universal Retreatment, ProTaper NEXT, EdgeFile XR, and EdgeFile® X3 NiTi system. All the samples were scanned with a micro-CT device for the second time to evaluate the amount of residual filling material in the root canals. The percentages of filling material removed from root canals were calculated. Additionally, the time spent on the removal of the root canal filling material was recorded. The data were analyzed using the Shapiro-Wilk and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Results. There were no significant differences between the groups in the percentage of root canal filling material removal. However, a statistically significant difference was found between the groups in the time required to reach the apex and remove the entire filling material. The time required to remove the root canal filling material was higher in the EdgeFile® X3 group. Conclusion. NiTi files manufactured for root canal preparation can be used effectively and safely to remove root canal filling materials. EdgeFile XR produced for retreatment can be used as an alternative to ProTaper Universal Retreatment files.
Survey on Multi- Channel Access Methods for Wireless LANs

The last decade has seen great progress in the field of wireless LANs. Their deployment is manifested in several areas of applications. However, these applications face many obstacles due to the complexity of managing the medium access. This shortcoming usually leads to some problems such as numerous collisions, throughput degradation and increased delays. To overcome these challenges, research works have focused on new multi- channel access methods that reduce contention as well as collision probability. Several transmissions can occur simultaneously in the same transmission area, thus considerably improving throughput and reducing delays to access the medium. However, the idea of using multiple channels arouses various problems such as the multi-channel hidden terminal, deafness and the logical partition. We present in this paper main multi-channel access methods generally discussed in the work of the scientific community. They are classified into two main categories: (1) the single rendezvous approach such as the split-phase, the dedicated channel and the common hopping; (2) the parallel rendezvous such as SSCH (Slotted Seeded Channel Hopping) and McMAC (Parallel Rendezvous Multi-Channel MAC Protocol). We can then deduce that for a multi-hop topology that we envision to achieve with a very reduced radio cost, some of these methods are not suitable for the desired single interface prototyping. Keywords—Wireless LANs; Medium Access Control; Multi-
Oshoring and Productivity: Evidence Using Swedish Firm Level Data

The objective of this paper is to analyze imported intermediate material and services on …rm level productivity. The analysis is based on an administrative dataset on Swedish …rms, 1997-2002. The results show that both material and service oshoring increase …rm level productivity. The largest productivity gain of imported intermediate material comes from oshoring to Asia and Eastern Europe. Further, …rms that engage in service oshoring obtain a higher productivity eect of labor input and …rms that oshore material get an additional productivity eect of material input.
Stand alone intelligent digital distance relay

Remote end infeed causes problems in distance relay especially under high resistance earth fault conditions. Although a distance relay set to an ideal operating region can cover the fault resistance at one particular load condition, the operating region is affected by changes in load condition. Hence a distance relay may overreach or underreach when load changes. From the main factors which affect the ideal digital distance relay operating region, a stand alone intelligent digital distance relay which can adapt to these changes is presented. This approach does not need communication links from the remote end of the line or the system control center. Numerous computer simulations have been carried out on realistic system configurations and the results show that there is a high potential for developing an intelligent digital distance relay.
Application of Genetic Algorithm in Regional Planning (Case Study: Site Selection for Comprehensive Universities)

Today, inaccurate planning of higher education institutes cause indiscriminate expansion of diminutive higher education units in cities. Difficulties on entering valid and authentic universities and their limitation on accepting students, easy registration in these small units, etc. encourage young population to welcome these units. The issue causes a significant decline in quality of higher education in the country. Very little researches have been done on site selection ofuniversities. Some of them consider the issue as an economic enterprise. Expansion of higher education institutes after Islamic revolution of Iran follows no clear objective and plan. Spatial distribution of universities and higher education institutes clearly shows a lack of macro perspective and objective expansion of the institutes.Main objective of the research is site selection for comprehensive universities. Criteria for classifying higher education institutes, the importance of site selecting for universities, indexes required for selecting their optimal location, and the area of comprehensive university are discussed in this research. Characteristics of higher education in North Khorasan Province was studied and analyzed. Appropriate indexes in site selection fora comprehensive university are collected and studied, and classified using GIS and Matlab software and analyzed by genetic algorithm.
Generation of OAM radio waves using circular time-switched array antenna

A circular time-switched array (TSA) is analysed and configured to radiate radio waves which correspond to the modes associated with orbital angular momentum (OAM) theory. Results are presented to show that the harmonic frequencies radiated by the circular TSA directly correspond to OAM modes of progressive order, including negative modes.
Implant energy determination from time-of-flight measurement

High-energy ion implanters using RF acceleration have advantages over electrostatic implementations. However, beam energy from such systems is not simply related to DC voltages as it is in electrostatic systems. Traditionally, energy control in these machines relies on beam collimation from a final energy magnet. Axcelis has developed a novel approach that calculates the energy from the time delay of pulses generated by two spatially separated beam current probes. The compact and cost-effective design is based on a precision, programmable delay line and a unique pulse correlation technique. The prototype hardware has yielded a delay resolution and repeatability of better than ±100 picoseconds. Absolute energy calibration of the system is established through a nuclear interaction measurement. This patented Time-of-Flight (TOF) methodology has demonstrated the potential for <1.0 % measurement accuracy.
Estimating cell type composition using isoform expression one gene at a time

Human tissue samples are often mixtures of heterogeneous cell types, which can confound the analyses of gene expression data derived from such tissues. The cell type composition of a tissue sample may itself be of interest and is needed for proper analysis of differential gene expression. A variety of computational methods have been developed to estimate cell type proportions using gene‐level expression data. However, RNA isoforms can also be differentially expressed across cell types, and isoform‐level expression could be equally or more informative for determining cell type origin than gene‐level expression. We propose a new computational method, IsoDeconvMM, which estimates cell type fractions using isoform‐level gene expression data. A novel and useful feature of IsoDeconvMM is that it can estimate cell type proportions using only a single gene, though in practice we recommend aggregating estimates of a few dozen genes to obtain more accurate results. We demonstrate the performance of IsoDeconvMM using a unique data set with cell type–specific RNA‐seq data across more than 135 individuals. This data set allows us to evaluate different methods given the biological variation of cell type–specific gene expression data across individuals. We further complement this analysis with additional simulations.
(Re)constructing identity in the transnational classroom: the student perspective

ABSTRACT This study examines the ways in which accounting students re(construct) their identities in a transnational education (TNE) environment when taught by visiting academics from another culture. Using focus groups with TNE accounting students and classroom observation, our findings show that TNE students’ identities are forged through a continual dialogic process of negotiation and mediation between previous and current pedagogical practices, their own and other individuals’ cultural values and assumptions, institutional expectations, and their pre-professional identities as accountants. We also highlight that culture, and the influence it exerts on students, is dynamic and cannot be overly generalised. Our findings also have important implications for the design and delivery of domestic accounting programmes with large international cohorts.
Exploring the impact of climate change on the future of community‐based wildlife conservation

Community‐based conservation (CBC) is a wildlife governance approach popular in areas projected to experience a decline in precipitation due to climate change. A survey of residents in four Namibian CBC areas found that the overwhelming majority of respondents felt that (a) a prolonged drought coincided with an increased rate of human‐wildlife conflict (HWC), and (b) costs from HWC outweighed any CBC benefits they received. Perceptions of increased HWC frequency were negatively associated with the likelihood of respondents feeling that wildlife benefits exceeded costs. These findings raise questions about the impact of predicted climate change effects on CBC programs across much of the global south.
Operation Modes and Characteristics of the Z-Source Inverter With Small Inductance or Low Power Factor

The Z-source inverter, utilizing a unique LC network and previously forbidden shoot-through states, provides unique features, such as the ability to buck and boost voltage with a simple single-stage structure. The analysis and control methods provided in the literature are based on an assumption that the inductor current is relatively large, continuous, and has small ripple. This assumption becomes invalid when the load power factor is low or the inductance is small in order to minimize the inductor's size and weight for some applications where volume and weight are crucial. Under these conditions, the inductor current has high ripple or even becomes discontinuous. As a result, the Z-source inverter exhibits new operation modes that have not been discussed before. This paper analyzes these new operation modes and the associated circuit characteristics.
Quality of Service Management and Interoperability

Within this chapter quality of service management strategies are assessed with respect to their applicability and efficiency in the Air Traffic Management (ATM) context. In particular addressing the service demands of ATM communication, such as strict latency and loss limitations is considered herein. This also covers techniques for the selection of links for data transmission and the interaction between technology independent and technology dependent components in the networking architecture by means of standardized communication protocols such as IEEE 802.21 and ETSI BSM extensions.
From the Top of Martian Olympus to Deep Craters and Beneath: Mars Radiation Environment Under Different Atmospheric and Regolith Depths

In preparation for future human habitats on Mars, it is important to understand the Martian radiation environment. Mars does not have an intrinsic magnetic field and Galactic cosmic ray (GCR) particles may directly propagate through and interact with its atmosphere before reaching the surface and subsurface of Mars. However, Mars has many high mountains and low‐altitude craters where the atmospheric thickness can be more than 10 times different from one another. We thus consider the influence of the atmospheric depths on the Martian radiation levels including the absorbed dose, dose equivalent and body effective dose rates induced by GCRs at varying heights above and below the Martian surface. The state‐of‐the‐art Atmospheric Radiation Interaction Simulator based on GEometry And Tracking Monte Carlo method has been employed for simulating particle interactions with the Martian atmosphere and terrain. We find that higher surface pressures can effectively reduce the heavy ion contribution to the radiation, especially the biologically weighted radiation quantity. However, enhanced shielding (both by the atmosphere and the subsurface material) can considerably enhance the production of secondary neutrons which contribute significantly to the effective dose. In fact, both neutron flux and effective dose peak at around 30 cm below the surface. This is a critical concern when using the Martian surface material to mitigate radiation risks. Based on the calculated effective dose, we finally estimate some optimized shielding depths, under different surface pressures (corresponding to different altitudes) and various heliospheric modulation conditions. This may serve for designing future Martian habitats.
Physical and Digital Security Mechanisms: Properties, Combinations and Trade-offs

We research the security of physical and digital systems. Starting point is a simple conceptual framework: systems range from being completely physical to completely automated. The former only use physical security mechanisms, whereas the latter only use digital security mechanisms. In between these lies a mixed category of hybrid systems, which can use both digital and physical security mechanisms. Following this framework we study the security of physical, digital and hybrid systems in four domains: access control, voting in elections, IT infrastructure and rights management. We begin with investigating the underlying properties of physical and digital systems: characteristics of a physical or digital object that, under specific conditions, have positive or negative effects on security. In total we present twenty physical and five digital security properties. These properties are then used to identify the differences between physical and digital security in each case. Next we examine hybrid systems to understand how to combine physical and digital security, and what the trade-offs are between these two. Finally, these results are used to create two methods that help improve information security: - A method for assessing security risks of physical, digital and hybrid systems. This method is built around security properties: they are used to understand the security of existing systems (by identifying the properties and how they could change) or to design new systems (by building in those properties and conditions that have positive effects on security). - A method for assessing the security of hybrid systems through security patterns. These patterns are reusable designs that show how to combine physical and digital security optimally. We present a total of thirteen patterns that are useful both to design and to evaluate the security of hybrid systems. Both methods were tested successfully in a focus group meeting with security experts.
DNA damage response proteins in canine cancer as potential research targets in comparative oncology

Abstract The DNA damage response (DDR) is a complex signal transduction network that is activated when endogenous or exogenous genotoxins damage or interfere with the replication of genomic DNA. Under such conditions, the DDR promotes DNA repair and ensures accurate replication and division of the genome. High levels of genomic instability are frequently observed in cancers and can stem from germline loss‐of‐function mutations in certain DDR genes, such as BRCA1, BRCA2, and p53, that form the basis of human cancer predisposition syndromes. In addition, mutation and/or aberrant expression of multiple DDR genes are frequently observed in sporadic human cancers. As a result, the DDR is considered to represent a viable target for cancer therapy in humans and a variety of strategies are under investigation. Cancer is also a significant cause of mortality in dogs, a species that offers certain advantages for experimental oncology. Domestic dogs present numerous inbred lines, many of which display predisposition to specific forms of cancer and the study of which may provide insight into the biological basis of this susceptibility. In addition, clinical trials are possible in dogs and may lead to therapeutic insights that could ultimately be extended to humans. Here we review what is known specifically about the DDR in dogs and discuss how this knowledge could be extended and exploited to advance experimental oncology in this species.
Environmental benchmarking methodology for the identification of key environmental aspects of a product

Environmental benchmarking has been used as one of the tools for the identification of key environmental aspects. However, there are limitations of the conventional environmental benchmarking method that include selection of green focal areas and systematic consideration of a product throughout its entire life cycle. This paper proposes a systematic, practical and simplified environmental benchmarking method. The proposed method includes elements such as goal definition, criteria for choosing products for benchmarking, system boundary setting based on function of the product, time for conducting benchmarking, among others. Environmental benchmarking was conducted on two levels: product and major subassemblies. Engineering parameters that represent key environmental aspects are identified together with the measurement method To enhance the comprehension of the designers, the benchmarking results are expressed in the form of table and figure. The proposed method has been applied to four different brands of cellular phones in the Korean market for the application of the method. The evaluation results suggest that the proposed method can provide simple and quick identification of the key environmental aspects of a product throughout its entire life cycle.
Segmentation of underwater 3D acoustical images for augmented and virtual reality applications

In this paper, an algorithm devoted to the segmentation of acoustic three-dimensional sparse images is presented. The goal is the discrimination and the reconstruction of the objects present in an underwater scene. The final aim is to obtain an augmented representation of such images providing a virtual representation of the recognized objects in order to support a human operator for the navigation and inspection of underwater environments.
The Efficacy of Head-Down and Head-Up Synthetic Vision Display Concepts for Retro- and Forward-Fit of Commercial Aircraft

The retrofit question concerns whether useful and effective synthetic vision displays are usable in aircraft that have limited-size display spaces. Two experiments were conducted to examine the efficacy of these displays and develop field-of-view and terrain texture recommendations for design. The first experiment examined issues of field of view and display size using an Asheville, North Carolina, synthetic vision database and fixed-based simulator. The second experiment was conducted on the NASA B-757 aircraft at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and investigated the efficacy of both head-down and head-up displays and generic and photorealistic terrain texture. Both experiments confirmed the retrofit capability and that all sizes and texturing methods were found to be viable candidates for synthetic vision displays. These results, future directions, and implications for meeting national aeronautic safety and capacity goals are discussed.