Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Examination of Research Theses

ABSTRACT The examination of postgraduate research theses is of vital importance to academic institutions as well as to students. This paper reviews examination procedures at one university, summarising examiners’ comments on 58 theses. A number of questions regarding examiner anonymity, alternatives to the traditional doctoral dissertation, and most importantly, the criteria for the award of degrees are raised. Although great care is taken in choosing examiners, the criteria they are expected to employ are inadequate. Rates of progress of research students in different degree programs suggest that some students may well lack adequate information about the extent of their task as postgraduates.
Genuine memory bias versus response bias in anxiety

Low and high trait anxiety undergraduates were presented with physical‐threat, ego‐threat, positive, and neutral words. Following an orienting task promoting lexical—but not semantic—processing, unexpected free recall or recognition tests were presented. High anxiety participants showed increased correct recall of both types of threat‐related words, but also increased incorrect recall (intrusions) and incorrect recognition (false alarms) of these words. Furthermore, participants high in anxiety had reduced sensitivity (d′) for ego‐threat words, and reduced cautiousness (β) for physical‐threat words. This tendency to report threat‐related information regardless of prior presentation suggests that there is a response bias rather than a memory bias in anxiety. In addition, this bias is likely to be mediated by depression insofar as physical‐threat information is concerned, although the bias can be attributed to trait anxiety insofar as ego‐threat information is concerned.
Trajectory tracking fault tolerant controller design for Takagi-Sugeno systems subject to actuator faults

This paper investigates the problem of fault tolerant control (FTC) design for nonlinear Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) models with measurable premise variables. The idea is to synthesize a fault tolerant controller ensuring state trajectory tracking. Based on Lyapunov theory, new less conservative approaches are proposed in term of Linear Matrix Inequality (LMI). A PI observer is needed to estimate simultaneously the faults and the faulty system states in order to reconfigure the FTC law. A numerical example is considered to compare the conservatism of the proposed FTC approaches with the existing one and to illustrate the effectiveness of the FTC technique vs. the classical controller design methodology.
Unveiling TRPV1 Spatio-Temporal Organization in Live Cell Membranes

Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) is a non-selective cation channel that integrates several stimuli into nociception and neurogenic inflammation. Here we investigated the subtle TRPV1 interplay with candidate membrane partners in live cells by a combination of spatio-temporal fluctuation techniques and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) imaging. We show that TRPV1 is split into three populations with fairly different molecular properties: one binding to caveolin-1 and confined into caveolar structures, one actively guided by microtubules through selective binding, and one which diffuses freely and is not directly implicated in regulating receptor functionality. The emergence of caveolin-1 as a new interactor of TRPV1 evokes caveolar endocytosis as the main desensitization pathway of TRPV1 receptor, while microtubule binding agrees with previous data suggesting the receptor stabilization in functional form by these cytoskeletal components. Our results shed light on the hitherto unknown relationships between spatial organization and TRPV1 function in live-cell membranes.
Posted pricing for robust crowdsensing

Mobile crowdsensing has been considered as a promising approach for large scale urban data collection, but has also posed new challenging problems such as incentivization and quality control. Among the other incentivization approaches, posted pricing has been widely adopted by commercial systems due to the reason that it naturally achieves truthfulness and fairness and is easy to be implemented. However, the fundamental problem of how to set a right posted price in crowdsensing systems remains largely open. In this paper, we study a quality-aware Bayesian pricing problem for mobile crowdsensing where the users' sensing costs and qualities for participating in crowdsensing are drawn from known distributions learned from historical information, and our goal is to choose an appropriate posted price to recruit a group of participants with reasonable sensing qualities for robust crowdsensing, while the total expected payment is minimized. We show that our problem is NP-hard and has close ties with the well known Poisson Binomial Distributions (PBD). To solve our problem, we first discover some non-trivial submodular properties of PBD, which have not been reported before, then we propose a novel "ironing method" that transforms our problem from a non-submodular optimization problem into a submodular one by leveraging the newly discovered properties of PBD. Finally, with the ironing method, an approximate algorithm with provable performance ratio is provided, and we also conduct extensive numerical simulations to demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach.
Selecting Capacities in Computer Communication Systems

This paper considers the selection of capacities, in two classes of open queueing network models of computer communication systems: 1) local-balanced queueing networks with multiple classes of customers and 2) the Reiser-Kobayashi diffusion approximation model. The problem of selecting optimal bandwidths for communication lines and switches and computing machinery is difficult due to 1) the economy of scale exhibited by components (i.e., the bandwidth per dollar increases with the total cost of the component) and 2) the discrete nature of computer/communication components (for instance it is possible to lease communication lines with 2400-Bd or 4800-Bd band-widths but not one with a 2401.3-Bd bandwidth). This paper develops aun algorithm to select servers taking both of these characteristics of server costs into account. The contribution of this paper is to discuss 1) the optimization of more general network models with 2) the consideration of more realistic tariffs and 3) more constraints on network behavior than were previously analyzed.
Loyalists and Revolutionaries: Political Elites in Comparative Perspective

This paper identifies a series of similarities and differences involving two matched lists of loyalist and revolutionary leaders, building towards two complementary sets of results. The delineation of the similarities highlights a single leadership group that transcends the loyalist-revolutionary distinction and focuses on leadership characteristics in general. The elaboration of the differences yields a small cluster of key variables that effectively separates two leadership types and makes possible probabilistic statements about leaders who are likely to turn to loyalist or revolutionary politics. The paper draws on its main findings to outline an "interactional" theory of political leadership.
A strategy for transporting tall objects with a swarm of miniature mobile robots

This paper proposes a strategy for transporting a tall, and potentially heavy, object to a goal using a large number of miniature mobile robots. The robots move the object by pushing it. The direction in which the object moves is controlled by the way in which the robots distribute themselves around its perimeter - if the robots dynamically reallocate themselves around the section of the object's perimeter that occludes their view of the goal, the object will eventually be transported to the goal. This strategy is fully distributed, and makes no use of communication between the robots. A controller based on this strategy was implemented on a swarm of 12 physical e-puck robots, and a systematic experiment with 30 randomized trials was performed. The object was successfully transported to the goal in all the trials. On average, the path traced by the object was about 8.4% longer than the shortest possible path.
Identifying Sentiment Words Using an Optimization-based Model without Seed Words

Sentiment Word Identification (SWI) is a basic technique in many sentiment analysis applications. Most existing researches exploit seed words, and lead to low robustness. In this paper, we propose a novel optimization-based model for SWI. Unlike previous approaches, our model exploits the sentiment labels of documents instead of seed words. Several experiments on real datasets show that WEED is effective and outperforms the state-of-the-art methods with seed words.
Wireless sensor network for smart power metering

In this paper, the problematic of power metering is targeted. Places with shared power sources, where electricity usage is calculated equally according to the number of users, are often misused by single users for illegitimate power usage. Special wireless sensor network was developed and implemented in a scenario of multi‐store parking garage to solve this problem. This paper is an extended version of the paper published in the iNetSApp'15 section of the FedCSIS 2015 IEEE international conference. This paper is supplemented with measured waveforms of mains magnitudes for concrete electrical appliances (bulb, refrigerator, and electric motor). Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Diagnostic accuracy of the ultrasonographic features for subcentimeter thyroid nodules suggested by the revised American Thyroid Association guidelines.

BACKGROUND Recommendations for subcentimeter thyroid nodules that need fine-needle aspiration biopsy are renewed in the revised American Thyroid Association (ATA) guidelines published in 2009. We applied these recommendations to analyze the diagnostic performance of the ATA guidelines and compared it to that of other modified guidelines. METHODS We evaluated 1054 nodules with sizes of 6-10 mm in 991 patients. A total of 713 nodules were included in the study population by excluding nodules with insufficient results for deciding whether they had a benign or malignant cytology. Frequencies of ultrasonographic features in benign and malignant nodules were compared, and odds ratios of suspicious ultrasonographic features were obtained with univariate and multivariate analysis. Seven modified guidelines were made based on the revised ATA guidelines and from multivariate analysis results. Diagnostic performances of the guidelines were compared by sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (Az) value. RESULTS In addition to hypoechogenicity, infiltrative margin, microcalcification, and taller-than-wide shape that were suggested by the ATA guidelines, solid composition and macrocalcification were significantly associated with malignancy on multivariate analysis (p=0.001 and 0.003, respectively). Increased vascularity, however, was not significantly associated with malignant nodules (odds ratio 0.729, p=0.212). Among the eight guidelines, the ATA guidelines showed the lowest diagnostic performance (Az=0.616). Excluding increased vascularity and including solid composition with or without macrocalcification to the suspicious ultrasonographic features of the ATA guidelines improved sensitivity (96.6% vs. 97.0%), specificity (26.6% vs. 42.9%), PPV (48.3% vs. 54.7%), and NPV (91.7% vs. 95.2%), thereby resulting in the highest Az value (Az=0.699, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that excluding increased vascularity and adding solid composition to the suspicious ultrasonographic features of the ATA guidelines would significantly improve the diagnostic performance in subcentimeter nodules for the identification of malignant lesions.
The neon content of nearby B-type stars and its implications for the solar model problem

The recent downward revision of the solar photospheric abundances now leads to severe inconsistencies between the theoretical predictions for the internal structure of the Sun and the results of helioseismology. There have been claims that the solar neon abundance may be underestimated and that an increase in this poorly-known quantity could alleviate (or even completely solve) this problem. Early-type stars in the solar neighbourhood are well-suited to testing this hypothesis because they are the only stellar objects whose absolute neon abundance can be derived from the direct analysis of photospheric lines. Here we present a fully homogeneous NLTE abundance study of the optical Ne i and Ne ii lines in a sample of 18 nearby, early B-type stars, which suggests log � (Ne) = 7.97 ± 0.07 dex (on the scale in which log � [H] = 12) for the present-day neon abundance of the local interstellar medium (ISM). Chemical evolution models of the Galaxy only predict a very small enrichment of the nearby interstellar gas in neon over the past 4.6 Gyr, implying that our estimate should be representative of the Sun at birth. Although higher by about 35% than the new recommended solar abundance, such a value appears insufficient by itself to restore the past agreement between the solar models and the helioseismological constraints.
Learning About Performance Appraisal the Experiential Way

Early the second week of class, permanent work teams are formed around management/OB topics the group will investigate and/or do research on and deliver oral and written reports on late in the semester. They are immediately required to go through a Group Formation Exercise as described in the Instructor’s manual for Schermerhorn et al., Managing Organizational Behavior. It is brief, structured and simple and requires minimal group interaction in its preparation, while fostering the getting acquainted stage. For those not familiar with it, it involves a beginning inventory, a mission/goal statement, individual priorities and time allocation and a brief biographical sketch of each group member. A 4-to-5 page written report due the fourth week of class is the group’s product from this assignment. Only 25 points are possible on the report, less than 5% of total points possible for the semester.
The relationship between self-presentation styles and coping with social stress

The need for a joint consideration of self-presentation and coping is emphasized. In doing so, differences between the acquisitive style and the protective styles of self-presentation were explored with respect to coping intentions and reactions. A video simulating the situation just before a public speech was presented to 168 students as a social stress scenario. High protective compared with low protective self-presenters were more engaged in avoidance coping and more concerned with intentions that indicate avoidance of social disapproval. Furthermore, they tended to use non-authentic self-presentation and were less engaged in entertaining the audience. An almost opposite pattern of results emerged for high acquisitive compared with low acquisitive self-presenters. Implications of these findings for Snyder's self-monitoring theory include the differentiation between acquisitive self-monitors, protective self-monitors, high self-monitors (high on both styles) and low self-monitors (low on both styles).
Effects of Media Framing of Obesity Among Adolescents

This article examined the effects of media framing of obesity on adolescents' causal attributions, causal beliefs, and evaluations of health messages. The goal was to understand what types of messages are most effective in communicating the risks of obesity, leading to changes in beliefs and attitudes. To do so, an experiment was conducted with a 2 × 2 between-subject factorial design, with the factors being frames (episodic vs. thematic) and valences (positive vs. negative). The dependent variables were message attitude, causal attribution, and individual and societal causal beliefs. Results indicated that those exposed to the episodic frame, compared to the thematic frame, were more likely to attribute the cause of obesity to individuals and evaluate the messages more positively. Message valence, however, had limited impact. These results have both theoretical and practical implications.
Experiences of action leaning in two SME business support programmes

Action learning sets are used by Lancaster University Management School's Institute for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development to provide business support to owner managers of small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs). This paper compares the experiences of participants and facilitator of two programmes: one part of a wider programme of business support, the other a standalone programme of action learning. The paper describes the format of the sets and looks at the benefits to participants. It examines some of the outcomes for the participants and the learning gained by the facilitator. It concludes with some reflections from the facilitator on his experiences and on the appropriateness of action learning sets for SME owner managers.
A Different Approach for Cellular Oncogene Identification Came from Drosophila Genetics

© 2013 Magdalena and Savu, licensee InTech. This is an open access chapter distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. A Different Approach for Cellular Oncogene Identification Came from Drosophila Genetics
Tangible spin cube for 3D ring menu in real space

In this paper, we introduce a novel interface, the Tangible Spin Cube, for experiencing a 3D ring menu in real space. It enables a tangible object-referenced 3D ring menu and its items' placement by using multi-marker tracking. Also, it supports spin interaction using hall sensor-based spin detection for natural menu browsing. Finally, we evaluate the performance of the current prototype's spin detection and show an example of a 3D ring menu application.
Investigation of the role of the carboxyl-terminal tails of the alpha and beta isoforms of the human thromboxane A(2) receptor (TP) in mediating receptor:effector coupling.

We have investigated the functional coupling of alpha and beta isoforms of the human thromboxane A(2) receptor (TP) to Galpha(16) and Galpha(12) members of the G(q) and G(12) families of heterotrimeric G proteins in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cell lines HEK.alpha10 or HEK.beta3, stably over-expressing TPalpha and TPbeta, respectively. Moreover, using HEK.TP(Delta328) cells which over-express a variant of TP truncated at the point of divergence of TPalpha and TPbeta, we investigated the requirement of the C-tail per se in mediating G protein coupling and effector activation. Both TPalpha and TPbeta couple similarly to Galpha(16) to affect increases in inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP(3)) and mobilisation of intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)](i)) in response to the TP agonist U46619. Whilst both TP isoforms mediated [Ca(2+)](i) mobilisation in cells co-transfected with Galpha(12), neither receptor generated corresponding increases in IP(3), indicating that the Galpha(12)-mediated increases in [Ca(2+)](i) do not involve PLC activation. Verapamil, an inhibitor of voltage dependent Ca(2+) channels, reduced [Ca(2+)](i) mobilisation in TPalpha and TPbeta cells co-transfected with Galpha(12) to approximately 40% of that mobilised in its absence, whereas [8-(N,N-diethylamino)-octyl-3,4, 5-trimethoxybenzoate, hydrochloride] (TMB-8), an antagonist of intracellular Ca(2+) release, had no effect on [Ca(2+)](i) mobilisation by either receptor isoform co-transfected with Galpha(12). Despite the lack of differential coupling specificity by TPalpha and TPbeta, TP(Delta328) signalled more efficiently in the absence of a co-transfected G protein compared to the wild type receptors but, on the other hand, displayed an impaired ability to couple to co-transfected Galpha(11), Galpha(12) or Galpha(16) subunits. In studies investigating the role of the C-tail in influencing coupling to the effector adenylyl cyclase, similar to TPalpha but not TPbeta, TP(Delta328) coupled to Galpha(s), leading to increased adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP), rather than to Galpha(i). Whereas TP(Delta328) signalled more efficiently in the absence of co-transfected G protein compared to the wild type TPalpha, co-transfection of Galpha(s) did not augment cAMP generation by TP(Delta328). Hence, from these studies involving the wild type TPalpha, TPbeta and TP(Delta328), we conclude that the C-tail sequences of TP are not a major determinant of G protein coupling specificity to Galpha(11) and Galpha(16) members of the G(q) family or to Galpha(12); it may play a role in determining G(s) versus G(i) coupling and may act as a determinant of coupling efficiency.
A Study of Correlation between Intra-abdominal Fat and Lipid Profiles and Some Anthropometric Parameters in Vegetarian and Non-vegetarian Middle Aged Women of Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh

Abstract In this cross-sectional study, forty seven randomly collected middle aged vegetarian (n=30) and non vegetarian (n=17) women between the age group 40 - 60 years of Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India, were included to measure height, weight, BMI, intra- abdominal fat, five skinfold measurements, viz. biceps, triceps, subscapular, suprailiac and abdominal and seven lipid profiles, viz. serum cholesterol, High Density Lipoprotein-C (HDL-C), Low Density Lipoprotein-C (LDL-C), Triglycerides, VLDL-C, Total Cholesterol : High Density Lipoprotein-C ratios and Low Density Lipoprotein - C : High Density Lipoprotein–C ratios. Results indicate statistically significant positive correlations between intra-abdominal fat, and weight and BMI for both vegetarian (r=0.32 and 0.34 respectively) and non-vegetarian (r= 0.48 and 0.63 respectively) middle aged women (P<0.01) also in biceps skinfold (r=0.43). In lipid profiles, negative correlations were observed between intra-abdominal fat and HDL-C both in vegetarian (r = -0.25) and non-vegetarian (r =- 0.17) middle aged women, though the differences were statistically non-significant.
Assessing Child Aggression: A Tale of Two Measures

ABSTRACT Overt-relational and reactive-proactive subtypes of aggression have demonstrated a reliable network of relationships with social-adjustment variables and these variables have been shown to be effective predictors of future behavior problems and social maladjustment. In this study, the two measures representing these classification systems were examined and compared in terms of the internal structure of behavioral items used to reflect dimensions of aggressive behavior and their pattern of social-adjustment correlates. Results for the relational-overt measure (Children's Social Behavioral Scale) demonstrate findings consistent with previous research and provide additional construct validity for these subtypes. Within the present sample, the reactive-proactive measure failed to replicate the indicated two factors and examination of the social-adjustment relationships for proactive aggression produces unanticipated results. The implications of the findings are discussed.