Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Youth Civic Development: Implications of Research for Social Policy and Programs

Document Type Article Publication Date 2001 Volume 15 Issue 1 Publication Title Social Policy Report Abstract Democracies must insure that each new generation of citizens identify with the common good and become engaged members of their communities. Such goals are prominent in the missions of public schools and community youth organizations. This report summarizes research which points to directions youth programs and policies should follow to achieve these civic goals. Recommended Citation Flanagan, Constance A. and Faison, Nakesha, "Youth Civic Development: Implications of Research for Social Policy and Programs" (2001). Civic Engagement. 11. https://digitalcommons.unomaha. edu/slceciviceng/11  Download
Privacy-Preserving Building of Self-Organizing Maps

Received 03.06. 2015, received in revised form 09.07. 2015, accepted 24.08. 2015 Various data mining techniques are designed for extracting significant and valuable patterns from huge databases. Today databases are often divided between several organizations for the reason of limitations like geographical remoteness, but the most important limit is preserving privacy, unwillingness of data disclosing. Every party involved in analysis wants to keep its own information private because of legal regulations and reasons of know-how. Secure multiparty computations are designed for data mining execution in a multiparty environment, where it is extremely important to maintain the privacy of the input (and possibly output) data. A self-organizing map is the data mining method by which analytics can display patterns on two-dimensional intuitive maps and recognize data clusters. This article presents protocols for preserving privacy in the process of building self-organizing maps. The protocols allow the implementation of a self-organizing map algorithm for two parties with horizontally partitioned data and for several parties with vertically partitioned data.
Environmental Impacts of Urban Sprawl: A Survey of the Literature and Proposed Research Agenda

‘Urban sprawl’ has recently become a subject of popular debate and policy initiatives from governmental bodies and nonprofit organizations. However, there is little agreement on many aspects of this phenomenon: its definition, its impacts—both nonmonetary and monetary—economic and policy models that predict the presence of sprawl, and decision-support models that could assist policymakers in evaluating alternative development schemes that may have characteristics of sprawl. In particular, there is relatively little research on urban sprawl that focuses specifically on measurement and modeling of environmental impacts. The purpose of this paper is twofold: to survey the literature on urban sprawl, with a focus on environmental aspects and to identify a research agenda that might result in a greater number of anaytical tools for academics and practitioners to characterize, monetize, model, and make planning decisions about sprawl.
Digging the Neolithic stamp-seals of SE Europe from archaeological deposits, texts and mental constructs

The article presents the archaeological and experimental data on the Neolithic stamp- seals from phenomenological perspective. An alternative view to their production, consumption and symbolic values is proposed by employing concepts of affordances, constraints, icons, indexes and symbols. It is argued that the stamp-seal motifs probably conveyed specific information, while objects were included in various networks of meaning. Similar importance is given to the fact that the stamp seals probably evolved a secondary mode of use.
Synchronization of estrus in paca ( Cuniculus paca L . ) : possible impacts on reproductive and productive parameters

Estrus synchronization is a reproductive biotechnology used to improve artificial insemination or pairing through the manipulation of the estrous cycle at a desirable time. Employing this technique in captive pacas (Cuniculus paca L.) is important because it creates expectation of meeting the demand for paca meat and, consequently, reduces poaching. Thus, this research aims to verify the effect of a progestogen implant associated with two doses of eCG on the synchronization and induction of fertile estrus. Twenty-seven adult pacas were used, 18 non-pregnant females and nine males, divided into three groups. G1 and G2 females groups (treatments) received 1.5 mg Norgestomet and were injected intramuscularly, seven days later, with 0.13 mg of prostaglandin. After 24 hours the implants were removed and the animals immediately received 25 IU and 50 IU of ECG intramuscularly, respectively. The mating of the three groups took place on the same days. G3 females’ group (control) showed estrus on different days after D0. Females under treatment displayed estrus only after removing the implant (D8). G1, G2, and G3 pregnancy rates were 100%, 66%, and 50%, respectively. Regarding births per parturition, 100% of G1 and G3 produced one offspring, while 50% of G2 produced two. Progestogen in the form of subcutaneous implants was effective in mimicking the luteal phase of the estrous cycle. After removal, implants favored the occurrence of a fertile estrus. As a conclusion, further studies must be conducted in order to establish in-depth possible association between 50 IU of eCG, and the occurrence of twin pregnancies.
Fire and the Development of Oak Forests

ak (Quercus) represents one of the most dominant species groups in the eastern deciduous forest of North America (Table 1). In certain eastern regions, oak dominance reflects the importance of this genus in presettlement forests (Abrams and Downs 1990, Spurr 1951, Whitney and Davis 1986). Yet, in other regions, the current distribution of oak greatly exceeds that of the original vegetation (Abrams 1986, Howell and Kucera 1956, Nowacki et al. 1990). Thus, the development of oak species has occurred through a variety of ecological pathways and disturbance conditions. The dominance of oak in presettlement forests is particularly interesting because most oaks are considered early to midsuccessional species. Indeed, most recent studies indicate the potential for widespread oak replacement by more shade-tolerant species in mature forests (Christensen 1977, Lorimer 1984, Nowacki et al. 1990). However, this phenomenon may vary with regional and edaphic factors and be more pronounced on mesic rather than on xeric sites (Abrams 1986, Host et al. 1987, McCune and Cottam 1985, Nowacki and Abrams 1991). These observations have led researchers to ask the following questions about oak ecology in eastern
Anisotropic Turbulent Advection of a Passive Vector Field: Effects of the Finite Correlation Time

The turbulent passive advection under the environment (velocity) field with finite correlation time is studied. Inertial-range asymptotic behavior of a vector (e.g., magnetic) field, passively advected by a strongly anisotropic turbulent flow, is investigated by means of the field theoretic renormalization group and the operator product expansion. The advecting velocity field is Gaussian, with finite correlation time and prescribed pair correlation function. The inertial-range behavior of the model is described by two regimes (the limits of vanishing or infinite correlation time) that correspond to nontrivial fixed points of the RG equations and depend on the relation between the exponents in the energy energy spectrum e ∝ k ⊥ 1-ξ and the dispersion law ω ∝ k ⊥ 2-η . The corresponding anomalous exponents are associated with the critical dimensions of tensor composite operators built solely of the passive vector field itself. In contrast to the well-known isotropic Kraichnan model, where various correlation functions exhibit anomalous scaling behavior with infinite sets of anomalous exponents, here the dependence on the integral turbulence scale L has a logarithmic behavior: instead of power-like corrections to ordinary scaling, determined by naive (canonical) dimensions, the anomalies manifest themselves as polynomials of logarithms of L . Due to the presence of the anisotropy in the model, all multiloop diagrams are equal to zero, thus this result is exact.
Parabolic singular limit of a wave equation with localized boundary damping

We will consider the family of wave equations with boundary damping $\qquad\qquad \qquad\qquad \epsilon u_{t t} -\Delta u + \lambda u =f $ on $\Omega \times (0,T)$ $(P_{\epsilon, \lambda, \Gamma_0})\qquad\qquad u_t + \frac{\partial u}{\partial \vec{n}} =g$ on $\Gamma_1 \times (0,T) $ $\qquad\qquad u=0 $ on $\Gamma_0 \times (0,T)$ where $0< \epsilon \leq \epsilon_0$, $\Omega \subset \mathbb R^N$ is a regular open connected set, $\lambda \geq 0$ and $\Gamma = \Gamma_0\cup \Gamma_1$ is a partition of the boundary of $\Omega$. We will also consider the case where $\Gamma_0$ is empty (see below for more precise assumptions on $\lambda$, $\Omega$ and $\Gamma_0$, $\Gamma_1$). For this problem the corresponding formal singular perturbation at $\epsilon =0$ is $\qquad\qquad \qquad\qquad -\Delta u + \lambda u =f$ on $\Omega \times (0,T) $ $(P_{0, \lambda, \Gamma_0}) \qquad\qquad u_t + \frac{\partial u}{\partial \vec{n}} =g$ on $\Gamma_1 \times (0,T) $ $\qquad\qquad u=0 $ on $ \Gamma_0 \times (0,T)$ We are here concerned with the well possedness of both problems for the non--homogeneous case, i.e. $f=f(t,x)$, $g=g(t,x)$, and with the convergence, as $\epsilon$ approaches $0$, of the solutions of $(P_{\epsilon, \lambda, \Gamma_0})$ to solutions of $(P_{0, \lambda, \Gamma_0})$.
Female-biased sexual allocation in cosexual plants: Result of sink-limited growth of fruits

To explain female-biased sexual allocation in cosexual plants, I developed a game theoretic model incorporating a source–sink relationship of flower and fruit growth. In this model, flower/fruit growth rate is either limited by its sink strength (the product of its potential relative growth rate and absolute size) or by the source strength (supply rate of reproductive resources) of the plant. I show that female-biased sexual allocation is evolutionarily stable if fruit growth is sink-limited at least in the early stage of its growth. The degree of female-bias is strong if the supply rate of reproductive resources is large relative to the potential relative growth rate. The degree of female-bias is also strong if the relative cost of producing one seed compared with that of producing one ovule is large, in contrast to previous sexual allocation models, in which the sexual allocation ratio was independent of the costs of producing one ovule and one seed. Thus, sink-limitation of fruit growth can be a general factor that selects for female-biased sexual allocation observed in cosexual plants irrespective of their mating systems.
Uniqueness theorems for parabolic equations and Martin boundaries for elliptic equations in skew product form

We determine Martin boundaries of product domains for elliptic equations in skew product form via Widder type uniqueness theorems. We show that the fiber of the Martin boundary at infinity of the base space degenerates into one point if any nonnegative solution to the Dirichlet problem for a corresponding parabolic equation with zero initial and boundary data is identically zero.
Efficient Power Saving Mechanism Considering Unavailability Interval in the IEEE 802.16e Systems

In the IEEE 802.16e system, we propose an efficient power saving mechanism that increases the unavailability interval when the mobile station (MS) uses multiple power saving classes(PSCs). Through the simulation results, we show that the proposed mechanism reduces the power consumption of MSs considerably compared with conventional mechanism.
Membership Functions for Fuzzy Focal Elements

The paper presents a study on data-driven diagnostic rules, which are easy to interpret by human experts. To this end, the Dempster-Shafer theory extended for fuzzy focal elements is used. Premises of the rules (fuzzy focal elements) are provided by membership functions which shapes are changing according to input symptoms. The main aim of the present study is to evaluate common membership function shapes and to introduce a rule elimination algorithm. Proposed methods are first illustrated with the popular Iris data set. Next experiments with five medical benchmark databases are performed. Results of the experiments show that various membership function shapes provide different inference efficiency but the extracted rule sets are close to each other. Thus indications for determining rules with possible heuristic interpretation can be formulated.
Editorial: Frames and debates for disability, childhood and the global South: Introducing the Special Issue

Our understanding of disability, as readers of this journal will be aware, is rooted in the epistemology of disability studies, seeing it not as a medical state contained within the body or mind of a person, but as a socially created phenomenon that takes its shape through social relations, cultural representations, and modes of production and reproduction. This means that disability cannot be discussed in universal or generalised terms, but always requires attention to the specific embodied, social, cultural and economic contexts in which it occurs. This special issue, therefore, seeks to explore the interconnections and intersections of disability, childhood, and South/North relations, three areas that are rarely examined together 1 . Disability and childhood: rationale and mutual configurations Disability studies is a relatively new academic field that has emerged in part from the disability rights movement and social change activism, spurred largely by people labelled and marginalized as ‘disabled’ in the UK and USA (Thomas, 2004). As such, many of the debates in the field focus on the economic and cultural contexts of the global North. These debates often assume the availability of advanced medical, educational and welfare services and discuss the relations of power within such services (Grech, 2009). Further, while disability studies in North contexts often assumes impairment to be caused by natural and unavoidable conditions, bodies also bear the mark of global power, and the social analysis of disability (particularly in relation to global South contexts) cannot ignore the ways bodies are constructed and impacted through the economic conditions of globalization and postcolonialism (Erevelles, 2014; Grech and Soldatic, 2015; Meekosha, 2011; Meekosha and Soldatic, 2011). Many of the papers in this issue explore how disability is created within different local and national contexts that have been colonized, and which are impacted by increased poverty and global inequality such as Kenya (Corcoron), India (Vaidya), Vietnam (Burr) and Brazil (Do Nascimento et al.). Other authors in this special issue consider NorthSouth relations and how these frame our understandings of disability and childhood (see Nixon et al; and Wolbring and Ghai), or focus on communities impacted by colonialism and extreme poverty, even when geographically located in the global North, such as indigenous people in Canada (see the article by Stienstra).
Time-Mode Approach for Mixed Analog-Digital Signal Processing

Brushless DC Motors (BLDCM) are widely used in automated industrial applications like Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machinery, aerospace applications and in the field of robotics. But it still suffers from commutation torque ripple, which mainly depends on speed and transient line current in the commutation interval. This work presents a new circuit topology and a DC link voltage control strategy to keep incoming and outgoing phase currents changing at the same rate during commutation. A Single-Ended Primary Inductor Converter (SEPIC) and a switch selection circuit are employed in front of the inverter. The desired commutation voltage is accomplished by the SEPIC converter. The cause of commutation ripple is analyzed, and the way to obtain the desired DC link voltage is introduced in detail. Finally, simulation results show that, compared with the DC-DC converter, the proposed method can obtain the desired voltage much faster and minimize commutation torque ripple more efficiently at both high and low speeds.
Specific effects of large asteroids on the orbits of terrestrial planets and the ASETEP database

The necessity to take into account the perturbations caused by a large number of asteroids on the terrestrial planets is fundamental in the construction of modern numerical ephemeris on the solar system. Therefore about 300 of the largest asteroids were taken into account in recent ephemeris. Yet, the uncertainty on the mass values of the great majority of these asteroids constitutes a crucial and the main limit of accuracy of this ephemeris. Consequently, it is important to conduct a specific and detailed study of their individual effects especially on the terrestrial planets, which are far more affected than the giant planets. This was already done explicitly, but only for Mars and for only two orbital elements (a and λ). We aim both to confirm these previous results and to extend the study to all orbital elements and to the other three terrestrial planets (Mercury, Venus and the Earth), which are priori less affected by asteroid perturbations. Our methodology consists in several steps: we carried out precise computations of the orbital motions of the planets at short (100 y) and longer (1000 y) time scales with numerical integration. For that purpose we included the eight planets and also considered 43 of the most powerful asteroids. These were added to the numerical integrations once separately and once combined to determine their specific effects on the orbital elements of the Earth and the three other terrestrial planets. This procedure also allowed us to assess the spatial geocentric coordinates of the three terrestrial planets. We determined the signal that represents the effects by simple subtraction. Then we systematically analyzed this signal by FFT (fast Fourier transform), and finally we adjusted the signal with a set of sinusoidal components. We analyzed in detail the variations of the six orbital elements a, e, i, Ω, ω̃ and λ of Mercury, Venus, the Earth-Moon barycenter (EMB) and Mars that are caused by the individual influences of the set of our 43 selected asteroids. We compared our results for Mars with the analytical ones on the semi-major axis and the longitude. The tow studies agree very well. All our results, consisting of 1032 different curves (43 asteroids × 4 planets × 6 orbital elements) and the related tables that provide the fitted Fourier and Poisson components are gathered the ASETEP database (asteroid effect on the terrestrial planets). Moreover, we include in this database the influence of our sample of 43 asteroids on three fundamental parameters: the distance and the bidimensional orientation vector (α, δ) from the EMB to each of the other terrestrial planets. This database, which will be regularly updated by taking into account more asteroids with improved mass determinations, constitutes a precious tool for understanding specifically the influence of the large asteroids on the orbital motion of the terrestrial planets, and also for better understanding how modern ephemeris can be improved.
Reconsidering Graduate Employability: The 'graduate identity' approach

This paper attempts to elaborate a cogent alternative to the skills agenda as an approach to graduate employability. This alternative is based on two things: first, a conceptual and theoretical analysis of the nature of human behaviour; and second, the claim that situated behaviour can only be properly understood by interpreting activity as performance-of-a-kind. Such interpretation depends upon there being a set of social practices and a set of identities appropriate to the social situation. This analysis of employability leads to suggestions for undergraduate curriculum enhancement.
A classification of aquatic plant communities within the Nothern Rocky Mountains

—A synecological study of aquatic macrophyte plant communities was conducted across northern Idaho and western Montana during the summers of 1997, 1998, and 1999. A total of 111 natural and man-made water bodies were sampled based on a stratification of environmental variables thought to influence plant species distribution (i.e., elevation, landform, geology, and water body size). Plant species foliar cover data were used to develop a hierarchical, floristic-based community type classification with TWINSPAN and DECORANA software. Six planmergent (conspicuous portion of vegetative plant body on the water surface) and 24 submergent (vegetative plant body found primarily underwater) community types were identified. Multivariate analysis indicated that all community types displayed significant differences in plant species composition, and the Sorenson’s floristic similarity between communities averaged 10% for planmergent and 8% for submergent types. Canonical correspondence analysis was used to inspect relationships between abiotic factors and plant species abundance. Results of this analysis indicated some relationships between species distributions and abiotic factors; however, chance introduction of plant species to water bodies is a process considered to be equally important to the presence of the community types described.
Credence Attributes’ Valuation and Price Dispersion: Quantile Regression vs. Stochastic Frontier – an Application to Health Claims in Yogurts

Food manufacturers use health claims to signal higher product quality and attract health oriented consumers. However, consumers’ willingness to pay for health-related attributes may not be large enough to repay firms of the high costs associated with developing, certifying, and marketing such products. We investigate the impact of several health-related credence attributes on product’s price, and what may help manufacturers to reach consumers with the highest willingness to pay for yogurt. To achieve our goals we use a large database of yogurt sales in Italy and two empirical approaches recently introduced in the hedonic price literature: Quantile Regression (QR) and Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA). Results show that the implicit prices of health claims differ across price levels (i.e. quantiles), and that manufacturers differ in their ability to target consumers with high willingness to pay.
The Relative Importance of the Dimensions of Organizational Justice at Iranian Public Organization's Compensation System

As human resources have become viewed as more critical to organizational success, many organizations have realized that it is the people in an organization that can provide a competitive advantage (Gratton, 1998, pp: 13-14). Some ways that human resources become a competitive advantage are through attracting and retaining employees with unique professional and technical capabilities, investing in training and development of those employees, and compensating them in ways that keep them competitive with their counterparts in other organizations (Barney & Wright, 1998, pp: 31-46). The aim of this study is to find the relative importance and prioritization of organizational justice dimensions in Iranian public organization's compensation system. The research method is a descriptive one-and simple stratified random sampling was applied in selecting the sample population and then based on Morgan's sample volume formula 150 questionnaires were distributed. The validity of the study was confirmed through using expert support and questionnaires, reliability and measuring Cranach's alpha (=./83). For data analysis the relative importance technique was applied. The finding of this research indicate that distributive justice (2=./295) has the highest relative importance and has the greatest effect on the effectiveness of human resources management in the research findings some recommendations are provided to improve the justice perception in compensation system in public organizations.