Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Making a Big School Smaller: The School-Within-a-School Arrangement for Middle Level Schools.

ABSTRACT Although there is controversy as to whether middle-lsel education should be more comparable to high school or to elementary school, this paper argues that the school within a school (SWAS) conoi.pt effectively rakes large schools seem smal: so that the? have more in common with a typical K-5 school than with a grade-10-through-12 high school. The advantages of such an arrangement permit medium-sized and large middle schools to divide into smaller subunits called "houses. " The house plan tends to personalize teaching and learning. Students may leave the house for specialized subjects such as music, foreign language, science, health, and physics1 education. Evidence suggests that SWAS and minischool programs have been shown to produce significant achievement growth; to improve attendance and behavior; and to generate student, staff, and parent satisfaction. The report concludes by arguing that middle school policymakers should give house plans and small schools within big schools a chance. Appended are five pages of references. (JAM)
Olfaction in consumption: Measurement and applications

Multisensory experience in consumption is a current topic in marketing. However, little is still known about the variability in consumers in terms of individual propensities to actively engage their senses in purchase decision-making. This is specifically true for the olfactory sense. Research into the need for smell by consumers has long been hindered by the lack of measurement instruments. Based on five studies, this paper contributes to the further development of a scale measuring the need for olfactory cues. The suggested scale consists of three dimensions with five items each, thus being an economic tool for market research. Two field applications provide insights into its external validity. Qualitative investigations disclose the underlying reasons of the observed smelling behaviour. Moreover, common patterns of need for touch and need for smell are identified serving segmentation purposes
NLP 4 SE : Evaluation of Natural Language Processing Techniques for Software Engineering Tasks

• {PL+NL} Comprehension: Code search (SEARCH), sentimental analysis (SENTI), code/repo topic modelling (TOPIC), type inference (SEM), semantic/syntax defect detection (BUGLOC) Since around 2015, the researchers of NLP and SE communities started work together closely, and produced a line of exploratory work in this area. There are two flavors of NLP techniques being applied to these problems: (1) Training-light, or traditional NLP: semantic parsing (SemPar) and language modelling (LM). (2) Training-heavy, or deep learning NLP: sequence/tree-shaped encoder and decoder based on recurrent neural network (RNN) architecture, attention mechanism etc. However, these two flavors are not totally separate. Instead, we think that the essential difference is in how much manual feature engineering is applied and how much data is available to train a huge yet high quality matrix of parameters. However, this is a young field and naturally, we are wondering what is proven to be working and what is not, and what can we learn from that. Specifically, in this report, we ask the following two questions:
Reconstruction and actual trends of landslide activities in Bruust–Haltiwald, Horw, canton of Lucerne, Switzerland

Abstract. A spatiotemporal reconstruction of slope movements on the edge of Lake Lucerne near the municipality of Horw, canton of Lucerne, is presented. The reconstruction was realized by analyzing growth reactions of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and fir (Abies alba Mill.) trees growing on this slope. Before dendrochronological sampling, a detailed geomorphological mapping of the landslide was conducted with the aim to determine the spatial extent of the sliding area. For tree-ring analyses, 124 increment cores from 62 trees were analyzed following standard techniques of dendrogeomorphology. In addition, long micro-sections were prepared from the entire cores to extend the common eccentricity analyses by microscopic determination of the onset of reaction wood in fir and beech. Results clearly show that the area is moving at least since 1948. A significant concentration of events was observed between the years 1990 and 2000 as well as after 2006. The definition of a threshold to define events using an eccentricity index alone is problematic and needs to be adapted to specific site conditions. For this reason, we recommend always combining the application of an eccentricity index with a detailed visual (anatomical) inspection to check for the occurrence of reaction wood.
Reinforcement Learning for Robust Missile Autopilot Design

Designing missiles' autopilot controllers has been a complex task, given the extensive flight envelope and the nonlinear flight dynamics. A solution that can excel both in nominal performance and in robustness to uncertainties is still to be found. While Control Theory often debouches into parameters' scheduling procedures, Reinforcement Learning has presented interesting results in ever more complex tasks, going from videogames to robotic tasks with continuous action domains. However, it still lacks clearer insights on how to find adequate reward functions and exploration strategies. To the best of our knowledge, this work is pioneer in proposing Reinforcement Learning as a framework for flight control. In fact, it aims at training a model-free agent that can control the longitudinal flight of a missile, achieving optimal performance and robustness to uncertainties. To that end, under TRPO's methodology, the collected experience is augmented according to HER, stored in a replay buffer and sampled according to its significance. Not only does this work enhance the concept of prioritized experience replay into BPER, but it also reformulates HER, activating them both only when the training progress converges to suboptimal policies, in what is proposed as the SER methodology. Besides, the Reward Engineering process is carefully detailed. The results show that it is possible both to achieve the optimal performance and to improve the agent's robustness to uncertainties (with low damage on nominal performance) by further training it in non-nominal environments, therefore validating the proposed approach and encouraging future research in this field.
Protective effects of Ligustrum lucidum fruit extract on acute butylated hydroxytoluene-induced oxidative stress in rats

H.M. Lin a,1, F.L. Yen c,1, L.T. Ng b, C.C Lin d,∗ a Graduate Institute of Natural Products, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan b Department of Biotechnology, Tajen University, Pingtung, Taiwan c Graduate Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan d Faculty of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
In Search of Stars: Network Formation among Heterogeneous Agents

This paper reports results from a laboratory experiment on network formation among heterogeneous agents. The experimental design extends the Bala-Goyal (2000) model of network formation with decay and two-way flow of benefits by introducing agents with lower linking costs or higher benefits to others. Furthermore, agents’ types may be common knowledge or private information. In all treatments, the (efficient) equilibrium network has a “star” structure. While equilibrium predictions fail completely with homogeneous agents, star networks frequently occur with heterogeneous agents. Stars are not born but rather develop: with a high-value agent, the network’s centrality, stability, and efficiency all increase over time. A structural econometric model based on best response dynamics and other-regarding preferences is used to analyze individual linking behavior. Maximum-likelihood estimates of the underlying structural parameters, obtained by pooling data from several treatments, allow us to explain the main treatment effects. JEL classification: C72, C92, D82, D85
A review of focused ion beam milling techniques for TEM specimen preparation

The use of focused ion beam (FIB) milling for the preparation of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) specimens is described. The operation of the FIB instrument is discussed and the conventional and lift-out techniques for TEM specimen preparation and the advantages and disadvantages of each technique are detailed. The FIB instrument may be used for rapid site-specific preparation of both cross-section and plan view TEM specimens. q 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Spatial processes and evolutionary models: a critical review

Evolution is a fundamentally population level process in which variation, drift and selection produce both temporal and spatial patterns of change. Statistical model fitting is now commonly used to estimate which kind of evolutionary process best explains patterns of change through time using models like Brownian motion, stabilizing selection (Ornstein–Uhlenbeck) and directional selection on traits measured from stratigraphic sequences or on phylogenetic trees. But these models assume that the traits possessed by a species are homogeneous. Spatial processes such as dispersal, gene flow and geographical range changes can produce patterns of trait evolution that do not fit the expectations of standard models, even when evolution at the local‐population level is governed by drift or a typical OU model of selection. The basic properties of population level processes (variation, drift, selection and population size) are reviewed and the relationship between their spatial and temporal dynamics is discussed. Typical evolutionary models used in palaeontology incorporate the temporal component of these dynamics, but not the spatial. Range expansions and contractions introduce rate variability into drift processes, range expansion under a drift model can drive directional change in trait evolution, and spatial selection gradients can create spatial variation in traits that can produce long‐term directional trends and punctuation events depending on the balance between selection strength, gene flow, extirpation probability and model of speciation. Using computational modelling that spatial processes can create evolutionary outcomes that depart from basic population‐level notions from these standard macroevolutionary models.
The anti-inflammatory and anti-remodeling effect of tiotropium bromide in the subacute cigarette exposure mouse model

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is an inflammatory lung disease mainly caused by cigarette smoke inhalation. We aimed to evaluate the effect of tiotropium bromide, which is an anticholinergic bronchodilator, on inflammation and remodeling in the subacute cigarette exposure mice model. Thirty-five healthy 25-40 g male balbc mice were categorized into 3 groups: control group (n=7), those exposed to cigarette smoke (n=18), and those exposed to cigarette smoke and treated with tiotropium bromide (n=10). After 5 weeks, tiotropium or saline was administered to mice for a period of two weeks by inhalation. The mice were anesthetized, bronchoalveolar lavage was performed and lung tissues removed. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), macrophage inflammatory protein-1α (MIP-1α), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) measurements were made in BAL fluid. The lung tissues were fixated and sections were stained for morphological evaluation of the lung tissues. The presence of cells undergoing apoptosis and the macrophages were determined by immunohistochemical detection of caspase-3 and MAC387. We found that cigarette exposure significantly increased the IL-1β, TNF-α and MIP-1α levels. Furthermore, tiotropium significantly improved the IL-1β, TNF-α and MIP-1α levels (P<0.05). The smoke exposure group exhibited an increased thickness of the alveolar wall, pulmonary edema and hemorrhage, as well as infiltration of the inflammatory cells into the alveolar spaces. In the Thio group the interstitial fibrosis and inflammation were decreased compared to the smoke group. The numbers of MAC387-labeled cells and the caspase-3-labeled cells were higher in the smoke group than in the other groups (P<0.0001). Besides its bronchodilator effect, tiotropium may be a promising therapeutic choice to control inflammation and remodeling due to cigarette exposure.
Regional Export Growth

The purpose of this master thesis is to study whether a high accessibility to R&D performed by firms and universities respectively generate export growth. This suggestion is founded in the theory of the product cycle why this thesis also scrutinizes its validity. Firms in a region which have a high access to knowledge and research should have a front position within export. This access can be sub-divided into the unit of performance or with respect to the geographical location. Due to the data used in the analysis and its complexity, the final result is an indication rather than precise. The accessibility is doubtlessly of major importance for the export growth but the subdivisions give different results. Research performed by firms seems to affect the export growth positively irrespective of the localisation. Also, the external accessibility to firm research has a larger impact on the export growth than if it is performed internally. The access to research performed by universities gives the most notable results. Without statistical significance a tendency can only be distinguished. The research performed by universities seems more difficult to absorb by firms irrespective of geographical location. The relation between firms and universities may be two folded where it is positive as well as competitive.
Title : Identification of particular groups of microRNAs that positively or negatively impact on beta cell function in obese models of type 2 diabetes

Aims/hypothesis: MicroRNAs are key regulators of gene expression involved in health and disease. The goal of our study was to investigate the global changes in beta cell microRNA expression occurring in two obesity-associated type 2 diabetes models and to assess their potential contribution to the development of the disease. Methods: MicroRNA profiling of pancreatic islets isolated from pre-diabetic and diabetic db/db mice and from mice fed a high fat diet was performed by microarray. The functional impact of the changes in microRNA expression was assessed by reproducing them in vitro in primary rat and human beta cells. Results: MicroRNAs differentially expressed in both models of obesity-associated type 2 diabetes fall in two distinct categories. A group including miR-132, miR-184 and miR-3383p, displays expression changes occurring long before the onset of diabetes. Functional studies indicate that these expression changes have positive effects on beta cell activities and mass. In contrast, modifications in the level of miR-34a, miR-146a, miR-199a-3p, miR-203, miR-210, and miR-383 primarily occur in diabetic mice, and result in increased beta cell apoptosis. These results indicate that obesity and insulin resistance trigger adaptations in the level of particular microRNAs to allow sustained beta cell function, and that additional microRNA deregulation negatively impacting on insulin-secreting cells may be causative of beta cell demise and diabetes manifestation. Conclusions/interpretation: We propose that maintenance of blood glucose homeostasis or progression toward glucose intolerance and type 2 diabetes may be determined by the balance between expression changes of particular microRNAs.
A low-cost quadrature decoder/counter interface integrated circuit for AC induction motor server control

An AC motor server control IC which performs the quadrature decoder, counter, and bus interface function is presented in this paper. This interface IC employing TSMC 0. 6µm SPTM technology has been fabricated and tested and the results indicate that its function fully works. A novel noise filter logic is included in the design which allows reliable operations in noisy environments. It also contains a quadrature decoder such that the phase lag of an external clock and the input signal can be determined.
THE RELATIVE EFFICIENCY OF PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Aside from revenue mobilization, one of the arguments for allowing the private sector to assume a larger role in the provision of education is that it would increase efficiency, as administrators become more responsive to the needs of students and their parents. But what is the evidence? Based on case studies that compare private and public secondary education in Colombia, the Dominican Republic, the Philippines, Tanzania, and Thailand, private school students generally out perform public school students on standardized math and language tests. This finding remains even after holding constant the fact that, on average, private school students in these countries come from more advantaged backgrounds than their public school counterparts. In addition, preliminary evidence shows that the unit costs of private schools are lower than those of public schools. Although these results cannot, in themselves, be used as arguments for massive privatization, they indicate that governments should reconsider policies that restrain private sector participation in education. Further research is needed to determine whether some teaching and administrative practices in private schools are applicable to public schools.
Risk Assessment based Data Augmentation for Robust Image Classification using Convolutional Neural Network

Autonomous driving is increasingly popular among people and automotive industries in realizing their presence both in passenger and goods transportation. Safer autonomous navigation might be very challenging if there is a failure in sensing system. Among several sensing systems, image classification plays a major role in understanding the road signs and to regulate the vehicle control based on urban road rules. Hence, a robust classifier algorithm irrespective of camera position, view angles, environmental condition, different vehicle size & type (Car, Bus, Truck, etc.,) of an autonomous platform is of prime importance. In this study, Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) based classifier algorithm has been implemented to ensure improved robustness for recognizing traffic signs. As training data play a crucial role in supervised learning algorithms, there come an effective dataset requirement which can handle dynamic environmental conditions and other variations caused due to the vehicle motion (will be referred as challenges). Since the collected training data might not contain all the dynamic variations, the model weakness can be identified by exposing it to variations (Blur, Darkness, Shadow, etc.,) faced by the vehicles in real-time as a initial testing sequence. To overcome the weakness caused due to the training data itself, an effective augmentation technique enriching the training data in order to increase the model capacity for withstanding the variations prevalent in urban environment has been proposed. As a major contribution, a framework has been developed to identify model weakness and successively introduce a targeted augmentation methodology for classification improvement. Targeted augmentation is based on estimated weakness caused due to the challenges with difficulty levels, only those necessary for better classification were then augmented further. Predictive Augmentation (PA) and Predictive Multiple Augmentation (PMA) are the two proposed methods to adapt the model based on targeted challenges by delivering with high numerical value of confidence. We validated our framework on two different training datasets (German Traffic Sign Recognition Benchmark (GTSRB) and Heavy Vehicle data collected from bus) and with 5 generated test groups containing varying levels of challenge (simple to extreme). The results show impressive improvement by ≈ 5-20% in overall classification accuracy thereby keeping their high confidence.
Ultrafast Dynamics Through Conical Intersections in 2,6-dimethylpyridine Studied with Time-resolved Photoelectron Imaging

The ultrafast dynamics through conical intersections in 2,6-dimethylpyridine has been studied by femtosecond time-resolved photoelectron imaging coupled with time-resolved mass spectroscopy. Upon absorption of 266 nm pump laser, 2,6-dimethylpyridine is excited to the S2 state with a ππ* character from S0 state. The time evolution of the parent ion signals consists of two exponential decays. One is a fast component on a timescale of 635 fs and the other is a slow component with a timescale of 4.37 ps. Time-dependent photo-electron angular distributions and energy-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy are extracted from time-resolved photoelectron imaging and provide the evolutive information of S2 state. In brief, the ultrafast component is a population transfer from S2 to S1 through the S2/S1 conical intersections, the slow component is attributed to simultaneous IC from the S2 state and the higher vibrational levels of S1 state to S0 state, which involves the coupling of S2/S0 and S1/S0 conical intersections. Additionally, the observed ultrafast S2→S1 transition occurs only with an 18% branching ratio.
Value Estimating the of spectrum

In most parts of the world, the radio spectrum is under-utilized. Large portions of the FM and UHF bands are unused in many countries, even in the developed world. In places where the demand for spectrum is higher, applications such as simulcast, loop programming and near-video-on-demand (NVoD) show that there is no acute shortage. There are, however, local problems in densely populated areas, along regional and country borders and at certain times of the day (e.g. during the rush hours) or the year (e.g. New Year).
Envisioning the archipelago

Certain limitations arise from the persistent consideration of two common relations of islands in the humanities and social sciences: land and sea, and island and continent/mainland. What remains largely absent or silent are ways of being, knowing and doing—ontologies, epistemologies and methods—that illuminate island spaces as inter-related, mutually constituted and co-constructed: as island and island. Therefore, this paper seeks to map out and justify a research agenda proposing a robust and comprehensive exploration of this third and comparatively neglected nexus of relations. In advancing these aims, the paper’s goal is to (re)inscribe the theoretical, metaphorical, real and empirical power and potential of the archipelago: of seas studded with islands; island chains; relations that may embrace equivalence, mutual relation and difference in signification.