nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Racial Disproportionalities in Discipline: The Role of Zero Tolerance Policies

Student safety represents an important goal for schools; however, policies designed to facilitate school safety may have unintended negative consequences. Zero tolerance policies, those that mandate severe punitive measures, have been widely implemented by school leaders over the last several decades; however, recent research suggests that such policies may contribute to racial disparities in the use of discipline. This chapter reviews the history of zero tolerance policies in schools and, through descriptive analysis of data from the Civil Rights Data Collection of 2011 2012, documents racial disparities in the use of expulsions. Findings suggest that while zero tolerance policies may contribute to such disparities, the racial disparities are more pronounced for non zero tolerance expulsions. Implications for policy and practice are discussed.
Learning based Control for Autonomous Mobile Robots

Learning based Control for Autonomous Mobile Robots Christopher John Ostafew Doctor of Philosophy Graduate Department of Aerospace Science and Engineering University of Toronto 2016 As mobile robots leave structured indoor environments to operate in challenging outdoor environments, their motion controllers require advanced techniques to mitigate the effects of unmodelled surface materials (e.g. snow, sand, grass) terrain topography (e.g. side slopes, inclines) and complex robot dynamics. This thesis investigates learning based control within the context of path tracking autonomous mobile robots. Learning based algorithms alleviate the need for significant engineering work in identifying and modelling all disturbances that a controller may be required to mitigate. Furthermore, they are capable of predicting and acting in anticipation of repeatable effects and disturbances not modelled prior to deployment. The learning based algorithms reduce tracking errors, increase operational speed, and increase localization reliability. Specifically, the thesis presents four approaches: 1) Iterative Learning Control (ILC) 2) Learning based Nonlinear Model Predictive Control (LB NMPC) 3) Robust Min Max LB NMPC (MM LB NMPC) and 4) Robust Constrained LB NMPC (RC LB NMPC) ILC generates an acausal feedforward signal that reduces the path tracking errors using information from any previous trial. While the approach is computationally appealing, ILC typically assumes that the robot is initialized with identical initial conditions for each trial and tracking the same desired path (i.e. generalization is non trivial) On the other hand, LB NMPC is a technique that uses a learned process model directly, enabling interpolation and extrapolation from experiences. In this case, the current control action is obtained by solving a finite horizon optimal control problem using the current
Pakistan US Relations: An Interpretation

Almost one year after US President Bill Clinton's short stopover in Islamabad, there seems to be no interlude in the US campaign for restoration of democracy in Pakistan, the demand for ban on the so called Islamic militant movements allegedly carrying out terrorism in the Indian held Kashmir, facilitating the extradition of Osama bin Laden (indicted by a US court for bomb attacks in US embassies in East Africa) and a respect for the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir. A failure on part of Pakistan to comply with these demands could mean an abrupt cut off in aid supplies from the leading financial institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. If President Clinton's visit dealt a serious blow to the expectations that many Pakistanis entertained that the US still had some regard for its former ally in South Asia, the recent events like the exile of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to Saudi Arabia and Pakistan's decision to unilaterally withdraw some of its troops along LoC in Kashmir raised suspicions that Islamabad was caving in under Washington's pressure. Recently there have been indications that US India relationship is assuming a strategic and military dimension which could pose security problems for Pakistan. The scenario described above could be regarded as the logical outcome of an"unequal relationship" that has developed between Pakistan and the United States over the last 53 years. The relationship stemmed from Pakistan's limitations in foreign policy manoeuvers in the initial years of country's independence and the United States policy of exploiting Pakistan's limited options to its Own advantage. What followed in the process was an attempt on part of Pakistan to adjust its national interests to the US priorities in the global arena. The adjustment effort did not lay the foundations of a relationship based on equality and reciprocity, it rather resulted in a partnership between a strong and weak nation. The agreements that Pakistan entered with the US in mid and late 50s
US and China Aid to Africa: Impact on the Donor Recipient Trade Relations

This paper investigates the impact of the US and China's foreign aids to Africa on trade flows between donor and recipient countries. Evidence from the gravity model estimates reveals that the two donors' exports are strengthened by their aids to African partners. Interestingly, China's aid shows a positive effect on its total volume of trade and imports from Africa, while the aid from the US exhibits little impact on the US Africa total trade and its imports from Africa. A possible explanation for such a difference could be due to the dissimilar national interests of donors in Africa. This study finally suggests that African countries should accelerate the pace of advancing domestic economies and rely less on foreign assistance, in order to establish a fairer and more equal international economic order.
Extended Occupational Therapy Reintegration Strategies for a Woman With Guillain Barre Syndrome: Case Report.
Venue: The American journal of occupational therapy official publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association

This case report describes a unique long term functional recovery process to promote successful community reintegration for a woman with Guillain Barre syndrome (GBS) a rare autoimmune disease. Her main symptoms were very limited mobility and depressive symptoms due to the unknown cause of and cure for the illness. Holistic occupational strategies helped the client stabilize her emotional state, create a safe home environment, improve a communication method, increase physical activity, and promote social participation. Participation in a fall prevention clinical trial lowered her risk of falling; at 9 mo, she reached 75% of the maximum Social Integration score; at 13 mo, she reached near normal level for activities of daily living (ADLs) and her fastest time for the Timed Up and Go test; and at 2 yr, she achieved a 100% score in instrumental ADLs. For community integration of clients with GBS, a comprehensive strategic self management approach should be prescribed for long term recovery.
Impact of Spirituality on Depression, Anxiety and Stress of Students Preparing for Competitive Exams

Gradually over the years trend towards education system in our country has changed, it has become highly competitive. On the basis of one's grades admissions to various "top colleges" is provided, which further leads to "high packaged placements" On the basis of one's job status and college ranking their self worth is measured and all this puts lot of burden on students who have to continuously strive to achieve better than their batch mates, their siblings, relatives, neighbors etc.  The aim of the study was to see whether spirituality would have any impact on depression, anxiety and stress in male and female students preparing for competitive exams.  Participants were 60 students (30 males and 30 females) from areas of Rajasthan and Delhi, India, in the age range of 16 25 years, with no history of any psychiatric illness. They gave their consent to participate in the study. Spirituality was assessed using the daily spiritual experience scale by Underwood Teresi, (2002) depression, anxiety, and stress levels through Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scales (DASS by Lovibond Lovibond, 1995) Sample was purposive and the data were collected in individual situations.  There was difference between male and female students with regard to spirituality, depression, anxiety and stress, however only on the dimension of anxiety the results were significant, where female students had significantly more anxiety than that of male students (t 2.87, p .01) With regard to correlation between spirituality, depression, anxiety and stress there was significant inverse correlation for male and female students. However only for anxiety scores in females, there was a significant inverse correlation (r= .417, p= .01)  It can be concluded that spirituality to some extent helps in reducing anxiety. At the same time it is essential for us to realize that spirituality is not the only way to help the young stressed students to cope with this life challenge, the family simultaneously needs to be supportive and not over pressurize the students and should stop comparing them to one or the other. However due to the small sample size the result findings cannot be generalized.
Gender Difference in the Impact of Examination Stress on Psychological and Physiological Profiles of Dental Students

The stress impactduring preparatory,examination and post examination periodson psychophysiological parameters in 40 normal male and female dental students was studied and the gender difference was explored. The stress level was assessed using Perceived Stress Scale (PSS);psychological changes were assessed by determining short term and long term memory (STM, (LTM) using RAVLT Word List A and B Subsections and physiological changes were determined by recordingsystolic blood pressure (SBP) diastolic blood pressure (DBP) heart rate (HR) and heart rate variation 30:15 ratio) The results revealed that perceived stressdecreased significantly in post exam period inboth the genders (p< 0.0001)than in preparatory period. STM and LTM did not show any significant change in both the genders. SBP was not altered significantly in exam and post exams periods compared to that of preparatory period in males and it increased significantly in exam period(p< 0.015) in females.DBP decreased more significantly in males and less significantly in females after exams (p 0.008, 0.028) HR decreased significantly after exams in both the genders compared to that of preparatory period(p 0.0007, 0.0001) 30:15 ratiodecreasedmore significantly in males and less significantly in females during exams (p 0.0001, 0.008).Thus, theexamination stress affects the psycho physiological variables in both genders and the effect was equal in both the genders with elevated sympathetic activity. Counseling, yoga and meditation may be useful in combating these stress effects and prevent the future complications
A risk worth taking: Perceived risk as moderator of satisfaction, loyalty, and willingness to pay premium price

This research investigates the moderating role of perceived risk in the relationship between satisfaction, loyalty, and willingness to pay premium price (WTP) A total of 364 respondents were recruited from Amazon's Mechanical Turk panel. Financial, social, performance, and psychological risks have significant negative effects on the relationship between satisfaction and WTP, whereas only financial risks have significant negative effects on the relationship between loyalty and WTP. Using moderated mediation analysis, we found that the mediating effects of loyalty diminish significantly in high social risk conditions and diminish completely in high financial risk conditions.
Relationship between Perceived Risk, Evaluation, Satisfaction, and Behavioral Intention: A Case of Local Festival Visitors

This study analyzes the relationship between perceived risk, evaluation, satisfaction, and behavioral intention of tourists attending a local festival. Based on a survey with a sample of 465 respondents attending a local festival in South Korea, a structural equation model (SEM) is proposed that involves festival related perceived risk, perceptual evaluation, overall satisfaction, and behavioral intention for future attendance at this and other festivals. Firstly, the results show that while risk may lead to a negative perception of a festival, it has no effect on satisfaction or subsequent behavioral intention. Secondly, the results show that direct causality exists between perception, satisfaction and future intention. Thirdly, a demand for diversity in programs determines perceptions of risk, which in turn permits a segmentation of visitors based on these characteristics. The findings of this study contribute to successful planning and marketing strategies to meet the demands of psychologically segmented tourists, especially in festival studies.
The Relationship of Customer Perceived Risk and Customer Satisfaction

This article aims to address the relationship between customer's Perceived Risk and customer's satisfaction. In industries with high competition like the Airline industry, it is vital to know the customers' needs, in order to satisfy, and to keep them loyal. Moreover, this article aims to present a strategy by deal with influence of relationship marketing, brand image, and service quality to decrease customer's perceived risk and increase customer satisfaction. Hypotheses are tested on questionnaire data on 776 passengers of Iranian airlines in an International Airport. The data was then analyzed by Structural Equation Modeling. The results indicate that service quality, relationship marketing, and brand image are related with customer's perceived risk. In addition, strong negative correlation has been found between the perceived risk and customer's satisfaction. The results are limited to airline industry and data collected from one international airport. More examples of researches from other industries and gathering data from larger population will help generalization of suggested model. Managers need improvement of service quality, relationship marketing, and brand image in order to decreasing the customer's perceived risk and increasing customer's satisfaction in order to improve the firm's profitability and performance. This study contributes to the knowledge by empirical study in customer's perceived risk and customer's satisfaction relationship. Moreover, proposing an applicable model to reduce perceived risk and increase the customer's satisfaction will help scholars and practitioners.
PREDICTION OF SOIL SETTLEMENT BASED ON CONSTANT PLASTIC INDEX METHOD

The development of Constant Plastic Index (CPI) method is an approach model based on the theory of consolidation. The objective behind the development CPI method is to predicts critical state settlement whereby CPI is to achieved secondary settlement and reduced time of consolidation. The development CPI has been derived base on the ultimate soil settlement where soils are classified accordingly using initial void ratio, final void ratio and thickness of soil layers. The linear and non linear soil was developed by the relationship between an exponential stress void ratio and the parabolic permeability void ratio. The external forces is normally consolidated soil layers and develop Stratum index factor (SIF) and Void ratio function(VRF) which is composed of such a soil varies nonlinearly in deposition. Development of CPI will used to predicts critical state settlement, using Eurelian method By combination of these elements, the Potential Instability of settlement was develop and integrate CSRating makes concerted effort to produce CSstatement guidelines and better design strategy for geo mechanics engineer to involve in soil development settlement analysis. Finally, modification of CPI method can be determine soil settlement by using CSRating.
Mice deficient for striatal Vesicular Acetylcholine Transporter (VAChT) display impaired short term but normal long term object recognition memory
Venue: Behavioural Brain Research

Substantial evidence implicates Acetylcholine (ACh) in the acquisition of object memories. While most research has focused on the role of the cholinergic basal forebrain and its cortical targets, there are additional cholinergic networks that may contribute to object recognition. The striatum contains an independent cholinergic network comprised of interneurons. In the current study, we investigated the role of this cholinergic signalling in object recognition using mice deficient for Vesicular Acetylcholine Transporter (VAChT) within interneurons of the striatum. We tested whether these striatal VAChT(D2 Cre flox/flox) mice would display normal short term (5 or 15min retention delay) and long term (3h retention delay) object recognition memory. In a home cage object recognition task, male and female VAChT(D2 Cre flox/flox) mice were impaired selectively with a 15min retention delay. When tested on an object location task, VAChT(D2 Cre flox/flox) mice displayed intact spatial memory. Finally, when object recognition was tested in a Y shaped apparatus, designed to minimize the influence of spatial and contextual cues, only females displayed impaired recognition with a 5min retention delay, but when males were challenged with a 15min retention delay, they were also impaired; neither males nor females were impaired with the 3h delay. The pattern of results suggests that striatal cholinergic transmission plays a role in the short term memory for object features, but not spatial location.
Design and Implementation of Wireless Based Android Controlled Spy vehicle

A new version of wireless controlled vehicle is proposed for spying purposes. This research will apply the smart phone to transmit bluetooth wireless data to the Arduino Uno then it will give the data for vehicle's movement. This robot supposes a movable spy robot with wireless system by using Arduino Uno as a main controller. The spy robot is made up of an IP camera, DC motors, servo motors for camera rotation, lithium rechargeable ion batteries, and four movable wheels. Smart phone camera is used as an IP camera to capture livestreaming video surrounding the robot and that information will be appeared in user's smart phone GUI window. In this vehicle, the bluetooth signals transmitted from the user's smartphone are used for vehicle motion and then the camera mounted on robot will take the video livestreaming. This livestreaming information is sent back to the user's smart phone via wifi wireless system. For the system, the simulation result is done by using Proteus Professional schematic software. Arduino programming language is used for Arduino Uno and Basic4 Android programming is used to write desired App in smart phone.
Large scale synthesis of N doped carbon quantum dots and their phosphorescence properties in a polyurethane matrix.
Venue: Nanoscale

An easy, large scale synthesis of N doped carbon quantum dots (CQDs) was developed by using isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) as a single carbon source under microwave irradiation. The yield of raw N doped CQDs was about 83% which is suitable for industrial scale production. A detailed formation mechanism for N doped CQDs involving self polymerization and condensation of IPDI was demonstrated. Moreover, the obtained N doped CQDs can be homogeneously dispersed in various organic monomers and do not need toxic organic solvents as dispersing agents. This advantage expands the range of applications of CQDs in composites. The N doped CQDs dispersed in polyurethane (PU) matrixes emit not only fluorescence but also phosphorescence and delayed fluorescence at room temperature upon excitation with ultraviolet (UV) light. Furthermore, the phosphorescence of CQD/PU composites is sensitive to oxygen and therefore, the obtained CQDs could be exploited in the development of novel oxygen sensors.
Utilising clinoform architecture to understand the drivers of basin margin evolution: a case study in the Taranaki Basin, New Zealand

Morphological variations within continental margin clinoforms can help improve our understanding of sediment dispersal on, the composition of, and the sediment transport mechanisms occurring along shelf margins. In this study, we combine 2D and 3D seismic reflection and well data to document variations in clinoform morphologies within the Pliocene Recent Giant Foresets Formation of the northern Taranaki Basin, offshore western New Zealand. Quantitative analysis of slope geometries, shelf edge trajectories and geomorphological patterns allowed for the identification of three major stages of clinoform evolution. These results were combined with the analysis of isochron maps and seismic attribute extractions to determine the temporal and spatial relationship between depositional patterns and tectonic activity. Stage 1 clinoforms (early Pliocene) have gentle and smooth architectures, low angle foresets and rising rollover trajectories. During stage 1, the shelf edge region was stable and a few slope fans developed. Stage 2 clinoforms (early late Pliocene) are characterised by concave profiles, increased foreset steepness, mostly flat rollover trajectories and dissected shelfedge regions. Slope steepening during Stage 2, which coincided with a relative sea level fall, is reflected in an increase in canyon incision and sediment bypass towards the basin. The onset of backarc rifting and formation of the Northern Graben during stage 2 caused local changes in basin physiography and focusing of sediment dispersal along the axis of the structure; deep water deposits are thus expected in more distal parts of the basin. Stage 3 (late Pliocene Recent) clinoforms are characterised by sigmoidal, higher and steeper architectures, rising rollover trajectories and dissected slopes that lack a clear connection to the shelf edge area. Stage 3 conditions were dominated by an increase in sediment supply and accommodation, and the progradation of the system resulted in gradually steeper slope gradients that triggered slope mass wasting. This study demonstrates that the systematic description of clinoform architectures can be coupled with process oriented interpretations associated with paleoenvironmental and tectonic conditions at the time of deposition to reconstruct basin evolution through time, to predict sediment character in distal portions of the system and to understand the influence of underlying structures on the overall stratigraphic evolution of the system.