Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Future of Higher Education and the Future of Higher Education Research

Higher education research isclosely linked to the debates on highereducation policy and practice. It provides theinformation basis for decisions about thefuture of higher education. As the themes of the public debate on problems and reform needs in higher education change quickly, higher education research has to anticipate future problems andthemes of debates in order to develop conceptsand to generate knowledge well in advance.Future-conscious higher education researchmight aim to identify likely future changes inthematic areas which are already in thelimelight of public attention, as trends in theareas of expansion of higher education,diversification of structures of the highereducation system, system steering andinstitutional management as well asinternationalisation and globalisation suggest.Moreover, future-conscious higher educationresearch should try to identify thematic areasnot frequently discussed at present but likelyto be major issues in the future. For example,professionalisation of higher education interms of the emergence and expansion of newadministrative and service professions inhigher education institutions might havefar-reaching implications in the future and isworth to be paid attention by higher educationresearchers.
CLUSTERS PERFORMANCE IN THE ROMANIAN AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY

Nowadays, we are facing a highlighted interest in developing clusters in the automotive sector with the purpose of successfully using the intellectual capital elements in order to be more efficient and to face the pressure generated by innovation and high costs. Therefore, based on a literature review, this paper starts with general considerations regarding the role and the importance of clusters to the economy as a whole, followed by an analysis at the level of the automotive industry. The main goal of the article is to identify models for measurement of clusters performance in the automotive industry in order to illustrate the efficiency of using the intellectual capital in the Romanian automotive industry. The results presented are part of a more elaborated PhD research, conducted by the authors.
Spatial differences in larval abundance within the coastal boundary layer impact supply to shoreline habitats

Explorations of the dynamics of nearshore regions of the coastal zone are missing from many efforts to understand larval transport and delivery to suitable habitats. Larval distribu- tions in the coastal ocean are variable and depend on physical processes and larval behaviors, leading to biophysical interactions that may increase larval retention nearshore and bolster their return to natal sites. While recent evidence suggests that many larvae are retained within a few kilometers from shore, few studies incorporate measurements sufficiently close to shore to plausi- bly assess supply to the shoreline benthos. We measured cross-shore distributions of larvae of benthic crustaceans between 250 and 1100 m from shore (i.e. just beyond the surf zone) within the coastal boundary layer (CBL) — a region of reduced alongshore flow — and simultaneously quan- tified a suite of physical factors that may influence larval distributions. We found high larval abun- dance within the CBL, with a peak at 850 m from shore, and a decrease in abundance along the shoreward edge of the sampled transect. We also found distinctly different larval assemblages at outer stations within the CBL, as compared to inner stations that are more influenced by shoreline dynamics. These patterns persisted across sample dates, suggesting that the spatial structure of nearshore larval assemblages is at least somewhat robust to temporal changes in physical condi- tions. Thus, while larval abundance appears to be high within the CBL, larvae appear to be sparse within the narrow band of water adjacent to the surf zone. Low larval supply adjacent to suitable habitats has important implications for the coupling of supply and recruitment, and resulting dynamics of shoreline populations.
Studying Part-Time at University: From Research to Policy to Practice

In the last few years universities in Canada have seen a noticeable decline in part-time enrollments. This trend has given rise to a number of pressing concerns regarding the needs and aspirations of part-time stu- dents and the status and future of part-time study. Unfortunately, these concerns exist against a backdrop of relatively little research on part- time university students, programs, and attendance which is useful for decisions on policy and practice. This paper highlights the results of research which examined part-time programming at Canadian universi- ties and the needs and characteristics of undergraduate student popula- tions with potential for part-time degree completion. It is argued that the mature, working, part-time learner constitutes a distinct nontraditional group, with a distinct set of educational needs and expectations. The findings suggest changes which may be necessary in university function- ing in order to better serve these student populations in the future. Results are compared with other recent research and implications for institutional policy and practice are discussed.
Synthesis of Uniform Bi2WO6-Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites with Significantly Enhanced Photocatalytic Reduction Activity

In this work, the uniform B2WO6-reduced graphene oxide (BWO–RGO) nanocomposites are prepared via electrostatic self-assembly of positively charged BWO with negatively charged GO sheets and then the composited GO is reduced via the hydrothermal treatment. The close interfacial contact and strong electronic interaction between BWO and RGO are achieved by this facile and efficient self-assembly route. Photocatalytic degradation of pollutant bisphenol A, selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol, removal of heavy metal ion Cr(VI), and selective reduction of 4-nitrophenol are selected as the probe reactions to investigate the photocatalytic activities of as-obtained BWO–RGO nanocomposites. The experimental results demonstrate the photocatalytic redox activities of BWO–RGO composites are predominantly dependent on the energy levels of photoinduced electrons or holes. In particular, the upshift of the valence band and conduction band edge of catalysts induced by the electronic interaction between BWO and RGO has an .
Packing incentives and a reliable N–H···N pyridine synthon in co-crystallization of bipyridines with two agrochemical actives

The co-crystallization of agrochemical actives thiophanate-methyl and thiophanate-ethyl with 2,2′-bipyridine, 4,4′-bipyridine and 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane was investigated with conventional crystallization, the slurry method and liquid-assisted grinding. Co-crystals of both thiophanates with all bipyridines were found and the structures solved with single crystal X-ray diffraction. Whereas the 2,2′-bipyridine co-crystals seem to form because of a combination of weak interactions, and in the case of the thiophanate-methyl, partly because of close packing incentives, the 4,4′-bipyridine and 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane co-crystals form mainly because of a favourable N–H⋯N–pyridine hydrogen bonding synthon.
Applying ecological criteria to marine reserve design: A case study from the california channel islands

Using ecological criteria as a theoretical framework, we describe the steps involved in designing a network of marine reserves for conservation and fisheries man- agement. Although we describe the case study of the Channel Islands, the approach to marine reserve design may be effective in other regions where traditional management alone does not sustain marine resources. A group of agencies, organizations, and individuals established clear goals for marine reserves in the Channel Islands, including conservation of ecosystem biodiversity, sustainable fisheries, economic viability, natural and cultural heritage, and education. Given the constraints of risk management, experimental design, monitoring, and enforcement, scientists recommended at least one, but no more than four, reserves in each biogeographic region. In general, the percentage of an area to be included in a reserve network depends on the goals. In the Channel Islands, after consideration of both conservation goals and the risk from human threats and natural catastrophes, scientists recommended reserving an area of 30-50% of all representative habitats in each biogeo- graphic region. For most species of concern, except pinnipeds and seabirds, information about distributions, dispersal, and population growth was limited. As an alternative to species distribution information, suitable habitats for species of concern were used to locate potential reserve sites. We used a simulated annealing algorithm to identify potential reserve network scenarios that would represent all habitats within the smallest area possible. The analysis produced an array of potential reserve network scenarios that all met the established
A Symantic Public Key Encryption with Midden Field for Keyword Search

: A lot of interest has been recently into public-key encryption with keyword search(PEKS),which keeps public-key encrypted documents amendable to secure keyword search. However, PEKS resist against keyword guessing attack by assuming that the size of the keyword space is beyond the polynomial level. We present the first efficient Identity-Based Encryption (IBE) scheme that is fully secure without random oracles. We first present our IBE construction and reduce the security of our scheme to the decisional Bilinear Diffie-Hellman (BDH) problem. Additionally, we show that our techniques can be used to build a new signature scheme that is secure under the computational Diffie-Hellman assumption without random oracles. Identity-based encryption is a very convenient tool to avoid key management. Recipient-privacy is also a major concern nowadays. To combine both, anonymous identity-based encryption has been proposed. This paper extends this notion to adversaries(the authority itself). Accordingly, we compromise the exactness of search trapdoor by mapping at least two search(PEKS) We prove our scheme to be semantically secure in the Random Oracle(RO) model. The search complexity of our scheme is dependent on the actual number of the cipher containing the queried keyword, rather than the number of all cipher. Finally, we present a generic SPCHS construction from anonymous identity based encryption and collision-free full-identity malleable Identity-Based Key Encapsulation Mechanism (IBKEM) with anonymity .
Diversity of invertebrate colonists on simple and complex substrates at hydrothermal vents on the Juan de Fuca Ridge

This study examines the role of complex physical substrate structure on the colonization of hydrothermal vent invertebrates to test the hypothesis that the diversity of colonizing species can be enhanced by the provision of complex physical structure. Colonization was studied over 1 yr inter- vals between 2001 and 2003 at 2 diffuse venting sites near Axial Volcano, on the Juan de Fuca Ridge (depth 1500 m), on 2 types of artificial substrates with the same planar area but different levels of structural complexity: a complex structure with interstitial spaces (sponge) and a mimic of the seafloor (basalt). Colonist assemblages were compared between substrate types using univariate and multivariate measures of community composition. While the most abundant taxa on both substrate types were gastropods and polychaetes, colonist assemblages were significantly dissimilar between substrate types, due to the greater relative abundances of polychaete and meiofaunal species colo- nizing sponges. Overall, the faunal assemblages colonizing sponge substrates had higher species richness, diversity and evenness than assemblages colonizing the basalts. Our results suggest that complex physical substrate structure can facilitate the colonization of a diverse faunal assemblage at diffuse hydrothermal vents on the Juan de Fuca Ridge.
Reflecting on Online Course Evaluations: Five Must-Do's for Faculty and Students.

This article will review the experiences of a graduate counselor educator in teaching and evaluating her online courses. The author will summarize her most effective instructional and assessment mechanisms, based on student performance through achievement of course objectives as well as students' feedback and comments on specific online counseling courses and methods. The article will then provide five guidelines or must-do's that have demonstrated success for faculty members and students in fully online courses at the graduate education level. These five must-do's emerged from a thorough and comprehensive review of ten online graduate counseling courses taught at a metropolitan university in New York City within the past three years. The data collected is currently being analyzed and synthesized into a research report. The five recommendations proposed by the primary instructor include Presence, Interaction, Clarity, Consistency, and Availability, which create the acronym, “PICCA”, to summarize a proactive and creative approach to teaching and learning in online courses (Cicco, 2013; Cicco, 2015). Underlying the faculty and student roles in a PICCAbased online course is the understanding that each individual has a responsibility to remain attentive and engaged throughout the duration of the course and should hold an authentic commitment to strive for an optimal learning experience. The article will also include suggestions on specific ways to adapt and implement PICCA in the virtual
Perception and acceptance of white wines by consumers belonging to different age groups

Aims: This study investigated whether age has an impact on perception and liking of white wine.Methods and results: Differences between two groups of 50plus consumers (each n=50, 50-65 and 65-80 years) and a group of young subjects (n=50, 25-40 years) regarding white wine perception and liking were investigated. Participants blindly rated the perceived sweetness, sourness, aroma intensity and overall liking of six different wines on an 11-point scale. Subjects also performed a taste and smell test. Finally, socio-demographic data and consumerism were collected. This study demonstrated that elderly people perceive sweetness, sourness and aroma intensity only slightly differently compared to younger subjects. The older groups gave slightly higher liking-marks, but results were not significantly different. Sensory attributes (sweet, sour, aroma) of the wines had most influence on liking.Conclusion: This study delivers no proof that age and/or gender explains liking as insulated factor. Generally it seems that sour products were liked less, whereas regularly consumed and sweeter products were preferred.Significance and impact of the study: As sensory properties of the wines, in combination with experience, contribute most to the overall liking of the product, it seems to be more successful economically for producers/outlets to provide wines rich in positively engaged attributes or possessing familiar flavour profiles to the consumers, irrespective of the socio-demographic group of the potential buyer.
Fire-fuel-climate linkages in the northwestern USA during the Holocene

Variations in fire regimes can be inferred from changes in the abundance of sedimentary charcoal found in lake and bog sediments. When analysed with pollen data, inferences can be made about past vegetation dynamics and climate as well. The analysis of high-resolution charcoal records generally involves the decomposition of charcoal influx into (a) a slowly varying ‘background’ component that provides information about long-term changes in regional fire activity, biomass and/or depositional processes, and (b) a ‘peaks’ component that represents local fire events. In this study, 15 high-resolution charcoal records from the northwestern USA and associated pollen data were examined to describe the variations and controls of charcoal influx and background trends. Late-Holocene charcoal influx levels at each site were compared with late-Holocene sedimentation rates, vegetation and fire frequency, and with modern climate and physical site characteristics to better understand the spatial variability in charcoal abundance. Charcoal abundance was largely determined by physical site characteristics (eg, lake and watershed size) and the proportion of woody taxa. Background trends displayed regional similarities, and the subcontinental scale trend based on all records correlated closely with woody taxa proportions in the pollen spectra. Background charcoal and woody taxa proportions increased together from minima in the Late Glacial to maxima in the late Holocene. The strong similarity in these trends suggests that background charcoal influx is a function of fuel characteristics, which in turn are governed by climate and vegetation. Variations in sedimentation rate and fire frequency had little influence on background charcoal trends.
MIAMI UNIVERSITY-THE GRADUATE SCHOOL CERTIFICATE FOR APPROVING THE DISSERTATION

LEARNING AND GENERALIZATION AS A FUNCTION OF COMPLEXITY, PARITY, AND ABSTRACTION WITHIN TWO PRIMITIVE BOOLEAN FAMILIES by Mark David Hammerly The question of what makes a given Boolean concept harder or easier to learn than another has been extensively investigated. Recently, Feldman (2000) argued persuasively that much of the difficulty inherent in learning a Boolean rule stems from two orthogonal factors: complexity, which is a measure of the logical incompressibility of the Boolean function, and parity, which refers to the number exemplars placed in the positive category. The present experiment sought to determine the individual contribution of each to the learning process by holding one constant and varying the other. 195 subjects were randomly assigned to one of fifteen different groups formed from the factorial combination of rule order (complexity increasing, complexity decreasing, parity increasing, parity decreasing, control with both forces static) and stimulus set abstraction (shapes, gauges, medical diagnoses). Subjects learned three bidimensional rules from two primitive Boolean families theorized to be ‘building blocks’ for more complex concepts (Neisser and Weene, 1962). They were then asked to transfer this knowledge to a rule within the same stimulus set that had higher complexity and a third relevant dimension. Dependent measures were learning speed and transfer of training. Non-parametric statistics were used to carry out omnibus analyses and planned comparisons due to a pronounced skew in the data. Complexity overall had a much greater affect on learning speed than either parity or a control. It is speculated that differences between parity and a control might only be revealed in the presence of a covarying index of complexity. There was no order, increasing or decreasing, across either complexity or parity, which promoted transfer. Medical diagnoses were significantly easier to learn that either shapes or gauges, while training on gauges led to significantly worse transfer of training. The former result is theorized to arise from the need to translate visual stimuli into coherent statements suitable for hypothesistesting, while the later is ascribed to the unique combination of visual complexity and this ‘translation
Mapping High vs. Low Planning Knowledge in Survivors of Brain Injury

Distinguishing the comprehension of goal-directed actions from the enactment of those actions is the mental stage of planning, which we identify as planning knowledge. This distinction allows rehabilitation efforts to utilise reading comprehension of a fictional character's plans as a possible cognitive retraining tool. Hypothesising that comprehension of physical cause and effect is relatively intact in brain injury survivors, we compared survivors with high vs. low scores on the errand-planning task for comprehension of inferences based on physical cause and effect versus planning knowledge domains. Results indicate that those survivors with high errand-planning scores formed inferences from both knowledge domains, while survivors with low errand-planning scores were unable to form knowledge-based inferences. These findings suggest that a rehabilitation focus on comprehension of actions towards a goal state may retrain survivors’ skill at the mental stage of planning.
Modified centrifugal technique for determining polymer demand and achievable dry solids content in the dewatering of anaerobically digested sludge

AbstractThis study aims to characterize anaerobically digested sludge (ADS) and correlate the sludge characteristics in terms of soluble organic compounds with polymer demand (PD) during sludge conditioning. The PD required to achieve maximum dewatering of the ADS studied is in the range of 8–10 kg polymer/dry ton. The commonly used capillary suction time parameter to evaluate the solid–liquid separation ability was not a reliable indicator for assessing dewatering. Instead, in this study, a modified centrifugal technique proposed by Higgins (Higgins MCT) was used to assess the maximum achievable dry solids content of the biosolids cake. The Higgins MCT is readily obtained using a bench-scale centrifuge equipped with a modified centrifuge bucket. Using the Higgins MCT, the maximum dry solids contents obtained from conditioned ADS was 30 wt%. These values were comparable to the dry solids content obtained from the same sludge at full-scale level. Our results suggest Higgins MCT is suitable for assessing th.
Defect microdynamics in minerals and solid state mechanisms of seismic wave attenuation and velocity dispersion in the mantle

The propagation of seismic waves in the Earth's mantle can be significantly affected by relaxation processes, causing attenuation and velocity dispersion (reduction). This paper reviews the solid-state mechanisms of relaxation processes based on the theory of defect microdynamics in solids together with some experimental observations on defects in minerals (particularly in olivine). For a given mechanism to have a significant effect on seismic wave propagation, both the density and the mobility of the defects must be in an appropriate range. The examination of the densities (and geometry) and mobilities of defects in olivine shows that dislocation and/or grain boundary mechanisms can have a significant effect on seismic wave propagation, although wide distributions of geometrical factors (such as spacing of pinning points) and of mobilities are required to explain all available data. Point defect mechanisms, however, are unlikely to be important because their densities are too small and/or their mobilities are too large. Since the dislocation density and/or grain size are determined in most cases by the long-term tectonic stress, seismic wave attenuation and velocity dispersion (reduction) involving these defects are likely to depend on the magnitude of the tectonic stress as well as the temperature. Theoretical considerations suggest a wide range of dependence of seismic wave attentuation (and velocity dispersion) on the long-term tectonic stress. This is particularly the case for dislocation mechanisms and warrants careful experimental investigation. Dislocations and/or grain boundaries cause anelastic behavior (relaxation peaks) when they are pinned or blocked at some points. Pinning or blocking becomes ineffective at high temperatures and/or low frequencies, causing a transition to viscoelastic behavior. Both laboratory and seismological observations of internal friction are dominated by the “high-temperature background” where internal friction increases monotonically with temperature, which can be interpreted as a gradual transition to viscoelastic behavior or to a wide distribution of relaxation times. However, in most experimental studies to date, the dislocation densities or the grain sizes were not well controlled, making it difficult to identify the attenuation mechanisms and preventing any quantitative applications to Earth. The need for better characterization of defect microstructures in experimental specimens is emphasized.