Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
IRANIAN EFL TEACHERS’ ATTITUDES TOWARDS TEACHING METHODS AND MATERIALS OF HIGH SCHOOL ENGLISH TEXTBOOKS

Recently, interest in research on EFL teaching, CLT-based methodology and materials, and post-method pedagogy has gain momentum in the Iranian mainstream education. This study was conducted; 1) to explore EFL teachers’ attitudes towards the present EFL methodologies and content of high school textbooks; 2) to examine any probable relationship between teachers’ attitudes towards post method pedagogy and their students’ achievement; and 3) to probe any correlation between the teachers’ instructional experience and their attitudes towards the present teaching methods and materials. To this end, a questionnaire was designed to elicit EFL teachers’ beliefs. The subjects were 594 Iranian EFL teachers selected from different cities all over Iran. After the administration of the questionnaire, the data were analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistical procedures. The results indicated that: a) the Iranian EFL teachers hold different patterns of attitudes towards the dominant teaching methods and content of high school English textbooks, b) there is no relationship between the teachers’ positive or negative attitudes towards post method and their students’ achievement, and c) more experienced teachers’ attitudes are different from the attitudes held by less-experienced ones.
Genes and body fat

This paper reviews recent data concerning the role of inherited differences in body fat content. The heritability of percent body fat or fat mass reaches about 25% of the age and gender adjusted phenotypic variance. One study has reported a significant major gene effect accounting for almost one half of the variance in body fat content. Experimental overfeeding studies suggest that body weight and fat gains are influenced by undefined genetic characteristics. Significant heritability estimates have been reported for major determinants of body fat content, including fat content of the diet, resting metabolic rate, thermic response to food, and level of habitual physical activity. Animal genetic studies and other experimental approaches indicate that the number of genes affecting body fat content, and associated with the susceptibility to obesity, is likely to be high. Currently available research strategies along with more extensive intermediate phenotyping will advance our knowledge about the genetic basis of human obesity. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An improved adaptive differential evolution algorithm with population adaptation

In differential evolution (DE), there are many adaptive algorithms proposed for parameters adaptation. However, they mainly aim at tuning the amplification factor F and crossover probability CR. When the population diversity is at a low level or the population becomes stagnant, the population is not able to improve any more. To enhance the performance of DE algorithms, in this paper, we propose a method of population adaptation. The proposed method can identify the moment when the population diversity is poor or the population stagnates by measuring the Euclidean distances between individuals of a population. When the moment is identified, the population will be regenerated to increase diversity or to eliminate the stagnation issue. The population adaptation is incorporated into the jDE algorithm and is tested on a set of 25 scalable CEC05 benchmark functions. The results show that the population adaptation can significantly improve the performance of the jDE algorithm. Even if the population size of jDE is small, the jDE algorithm with population adaptation also has a superior performance in comparisons with several other peer algorithms for high-dimension function optimization.
When exposed to environmental sounds, would perceived loudness not be affected by social context? ht

After decades of predominantly correlation studies of non-auditory factors and environmental noise annoyance, Maris, Stallen, Vermunt and Steensma (2007a,2007b) have demonstrated experimentally that a negative and positive relationship between producer and receiver of environmental sounds can cause the receiver to be more and less annoyed by the sound, respectively. This finding raises the question whether the context of environmental sound, and social context in particular, could already be determining responses to environmental sounds at earlier stages of auditory processing. This paper will present answers regarding perceived loudness, which is generally considered to be a more immediate (and less evaluative) response to sound exposure than the feeling of annoyance. From a statistics point of view, there is room for early influences as isophones which are based upon equal loudness judgments seem to hide no less, if not more, variation than the mean annoyance score at various sound pressure levels (cf. Berglund and Preis, 1997). It will be argued that seemingly conflicting empirical findings could be reconciled by postulating different attentional mechanisms as they vary with task characteristics and demands. Ideas will be presented by which the presumed theoretical model could be tested experimentally.
CHARACTERIZATION OF MYCOBACTERIUM MARINUM- INDUCED GRANULOMAS IN ZEBRAFISH AND THE ROLE OF FATTY ACID ACCUMULATION AND HYPOXIA IN ESX-5- MEDIATED HYPERVIRULENCE SUMMARY

Human granulomas induced by M. tuberculosis are highly organized structures that can contain dormant mycobacteria for decades. Several animal models have been employed to study tuberculosis (TB) and granulomas. In this study, we characterized granulomas formed in adult zebrafish upon infection with the fish pathogen M. marinum, and found a high degree of similarity with human TB lesions. The macrophage core of the M. marinum–induced granulomas was found to contain epithelioid and multinucleated giant cells and we could show a ring of CD4+ T cells, including FoxP3+ regulatory cells, surrounding the structure. In addition, we established that M. marinum-induced granulomas in zebrafish can be hypoxic, a prerequisite for mycobacterial dormancy. Dormancy is associated with an accumulation of TAG, composed of (host-derived) fatty acids. Interestingly, we found that a hypervirulent strain of M. marinum that is impaired in ESX-5-mediated protein secretion is significantly reduced in its ability to import extracellular fatty acids. Fatty acid uptake could partially be restored by rerouting the ESX-5-dependent lipase LipY to the ESX-1 secretion system, leading to expression of this protein on the bacterial cell surface of ESX-5-deficient M. marinum. However, rerouting LipY did not revert the hypervirulent phenotype in adult zebrafish, indicating that other ESX-5-dependent factors are involved in this process.
Longitudinal Intravital Imaging of the Retina Reveals Long-term Dynamics of Immune Infiltration and Its Effects on the Glial Network in Experimental Autoimmune Uveoretinitis, without Evident Signs of Neuronal Dysfunction in the Ganglion Cell Layer

A hallmark of autoimmune retinal inflammation is the infiltration of the retina with cells of the innate and adaptive immune system, leading to detachment of the retinal layers and even to complete loss of the retinal photoreceptor layer. As the only optical system in the organism, the eye enables non-invasive longitudinal imaging studies of these local autoimmune processes and of their effects on the target tissue. Moreover, as a window to the central nervous system (CNS), the eye also reflects general neuroinflammatory processes taking place at various sites within the CNS. Histological studies in murine neuroinflammatory models, such as experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, indicate that immune infiltration is initialized by effector CD4+ T cells, with the innate compartment (neutrophils, macrophages, and monocytes) contributing crucially to tissue degeneration that occurs at later phases of the disease. However, how the immune attack is orchestrated by various immune cell subsets in the retina and how the latter interact with the target tissue under in vivo conditions is still poorly understood. Our study addresses this gap with a novel approach for intravital two-photon microscopy, which enabled us to repeatedly track CD4+ T cells and LysM phagocytes during the entire course of EAU and to identify a specific radial infiltration pattern of these cells within the inflamed retina, starting from the optic nerve head. In contrast, highly motile CX3CR1+ cells display an opposite radial motility pattern, toward the optic nerve head. These inflammatory processes induce modifications of the microglial network toward an activated morphology, especially around the optic nerve head and main retinal blood vessels, but do not affect the neurons within the ganglion cell layer. Thanks to the new technology, non-invasive correlation of clinical scores of CNS-related pathologies with immune infiltrate behavior and subsequent tissue dysfunction is now possible. Hence, the new approach paves the way for deeper insights into the pathology of neuroinflammatory processes on a cellular basis, over the entire disease course.
A Broadband Reflectarray Antenna Using Triple Gapped Rings With Attached Phase-Delay Lines

A broadband linearly polarized single-layer reflectarray antenna constructed by element cells of triple gapped rings with phase-delay lines (TGR-PDLs) attached to the outer one is presented in this communication. The novel TGR-PDL element is composed of three circular rings, each with a pair of gaps which are orthogonally positioned, and two identical PDLs are attached to each half of the outer ring. The characteristics of the proposed element are first analyzed and then a linear and smooth phase response covering about 600° is obtained by adjusting the length of the PDL. Based on the element cell, an offset-fed reflectarray antenna of an octagon-shaped aperture with 266 mm in diameter is designed, fabricated, and measured to verify the broadband property of the proposed element. The measurement results show that about 31.5% of 1-dB gain bandwidth is realized, and the maximum gain at the center frequency of 10 GHz is about 25.78 dBi, which is equivalent to about 50% aperture efficiency.
Social position and mortality from respiratory diseases in males and females

Although social differences in respiratory diseases are considerable, few studies have focused on this disease entity using mortality as an outcome. Does mortality from respiratory disease, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) differ with social position measured by education, income, housing and employment grade? The study population consisted of 26,392 males and females from pooling of two population studies in the Copenhagen area. Data was linked with information from social registers in Statistics Denmark. The relationship between socioeconomic factors and risk of death from respiratory disease and COPD was assessed with an average duration of follow-up of 12 yrs. Education was strongly associated with respiratory mortality in both sexes. The association was stronger in later birth cohorts comparing the highest level of education (>11 yrs) with the lowest (<8 yrs). Although smoking rates were inversely associated with the level of education, the social gradient was not affected by adjustment for smoking. In males, but not in females, there was an additional effect of other indicators of social position, i.e. employment grade (white collar versus blue collar), household income, housing conditions (less than one person per room versus more), and cohabitation (cohabiting versus living alone). Similar results were found for mortality from COPD. The results confirm the existence of a strong social gradient in respiratory mortality and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which is independent of smoking and is stronger in males. Social disadvantage is a potentially avoidable cause of death from respiratory disease and further research is needed to explain the excess risk in the socioeconomically disadvantaged.
Reliability / precision uncertainity in shape fitting problems

The precision/uncertainty duality has been long known in the context of Hough transform, where a shape in an image cannot be fit precisely using the Hough transform without compromising the certainty or reliability of the fitting. This paper mathematically shows that such duality also exists while using the least squares based method. This paper also proposes a method to quantify the reliability of a fit. Further, based on the proposed measure of reliability, an optimization scheme to strike a balance between the precision and reliability is suggested. Though the mathematical formulations deal with only straight line, considering it as the simplest and basic geometric primitive, it is argued that such duality exists for any shape fitting and applies to any shape fitting method.
Semiquantitative Proteomic Analysis of the Human Spliceosome via a Novel Two-Dimensional Gel Electrophoresis Method

ABSTRACT More than 200 proteins associate with human spliceosomes, but little is known about their relative abundances in a given spliceosomal complex. Here we describe a novel two-dimensional (2D) electrophoresis method that allows separation of high-molecular-mass proteins without in-gel precipitation and thus without loss of protein. Using this system coupled with mass spectrometry, we identified 171 proteins altogether on 2D maps of stage-specific spliceosomal complexes. By staining with a fluorescent dye with a wide linear intensity range, we could quantitate and categorize proteins as present in high, moderate, or low abundance. Affinity-purified human B, Bact, and C complexes contained 69, 63, and 72 highly/moderately abundant proteins, respectively. The recruitment and release of spliceosomal proteins were followed based on their abundances in A, B, Bact, and C spliceosomal complexes. Staining with a phospho-specific dye revealed that approximately one-third of the proteins detected in human spliceosomal complexes by 2D gel analyses are phosphorylated. The 2D gel electrophoresis system described here allows for the first time an objective view of the relative abundances of proteins present in a particular spliceosomal complex and also sheds additional light on the spliceosome's compositional dynamics and the phosphorylation status of spliceosomal proteins at specific stages of splicing.
Stunting and obesity in childhood: a reassessment using longitudinal data from South Africa.

BACKGROUND A series of cross-sectional studies have found a relationship between stunting and obesity in childhood. Because height appears in both the numerator of indices of stunting and the denominator of indices of obesity, random errors made by fieldworkers measuring heights can produce negative bias in estimates of this relationship. METHODS With longitudinal data, height can be instrumented with its lagged value in a two-stage probit regression model, purging the estimated association between the probability of being obese or underweight and the height-for-age z-score of this errors-in-variables bias. Such a model is fitted to a cohort of 1110 primary-school-age children measured in 1993-2004 in a panel study in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The study also collected detailed data on households' demographic and socio-economic characteristics. RESULTS Risk factors for stunting, wasting and obesity differed in this population. Stunting was not associated with childhood obesity in either the cross-sectional or two-stage models. In the cross-sectional analysis, however, random measurement errors masked a negative association between children's height-for-age and their probability of being underweight or wasted that emerged in the two-stage instrumental variable models. This association was further amplified, rather than attenuated, by controlling for children's household income, racial group, residence and mother's education. CONCLUSIONS The validity of the findings of earlier cross-sectional studies of the association between stunting and obesity in childhood is dependent on the precision with which they measured height. Random measurement error can also mask an association between being stunted and underweight in cross-sectional studies.
Environmentally induced (co)variance in sperm and offspring phenotypes as a source of epigenetic effects

Traditionally, it has been assumed that sperm are a vehicle for genes and nothing more. As such, the only source of variance in offspring phenotype via the paternal line has been genetic effects. More recently, however, it has been shown that the phenotype or environment of fathers can affect the phenotype of offspring, challenging traditional theory with implications for evolution, ecology and human in vitro fertilisation. Here, I review sources of non-genetic variation in the sperm phenotype and evidence for co-variation between sperm and offspring phenotypes. I distinguish between two environmental sources of variation in sperm phenotype: the pre-release environment and the post-release environment. Pre-release, sperm phenotypes can vary within species according to male phenotype (e.g. body size) and according to local conditions such as the threat of sperm competition. Post-release, the physicochemical conditions that sperm experience, either when freely spawned or when released into the female reproductive tract, can further filter or modify sperm phenotypes. I find evidence that both pre- and post-release sperm environments can affect offspring phenotype; fertilisation is not a new beginning – rather, the experiences of sperm with the father and upon release can drive variation in the phenotype of the offspring. Interestingly, there was some evidence for co-variation between the stress resistance of sperm and the stress resistance of offspring, though more studies are needed to determine whether such effects are widespread. Overall, it appears that environmentally induced covariation between sperm and offspring phenotypes is non-negligible and further work is needed to determine their prevalence and strength.
Analysis on the Relationship of Extrovert – Introvert Personality and Students' Speaking Performance

This study is an attempt to investigate the probable roles of extrovert-introvert personality towards speaking performance of the 2013 academic year students of English Education Study Program in FKIP UNTAN. To achieve such a purpose, 33 students were selected on the basis of availability sampling procedure and their personality type was determined by using Mark Parkinson Personality Questionnaire. Then the writer summarized and analyzed students' midterm speaking scores. The personality and the students score were correlated by using Pearson Product Moment. The result of t-test revealed that there is statistically significant difference between the personality types of the participants' speaking performance. There is also a different learning style between the introvert and extrovert students, introvert students prefer to study alone while the extroverts prefer to participate and study in group. Hopefully this research can be useful for achieving more effective English teaching and learning process.
Parallel randomized heuristics for the set covering problem

We propose a general scheme to derive heuristics for the Set Covering Problem. The scheme is iterative and embeds constructive heuristics within a randomized procedure. A first group of heuristics is obtained by randomizing the choices made at each step when the solution is constructed in a way similar to that of the so called "Ant System"; a second group of more efficient heuristics is obtained by introducing a random perturbation of the costs of the problem instance. Some computational results are presented. Different parallel implementations are discussed and some performance measures reported.
Structure of corrections to electroweak interactions in Higgsless models

Recently, Higgsless models of electroweak symmetry breaking have been proposed. Based on compactified five-dimensional gauge theories, these models achieve unitarity of electroweak boson self-interactions through the exchange of a tower of massive vector bosons rather than the exchange of a scalar Higgs boson. In this paper, using deconstruction, we analyze the form of the corrections to the electroweak interactions in a large class of these models, allowing for arbitrary 5-D geometry, position-dependent gauge coupling, and brane kinetic-energy terms. We show that many models considered in the literature, including those most likely to be phenomenologically viable, are in this class. By analyzing the asymptotic behavior of the correlation function of gauge currents at high momentum, we extract the exact form of the relevant correlation functions at tree level and compute the corrections to precision electroweak observables in terms of the spectrum of heavy vector bosons. We determine when nonoblique corrections due to the interactions of fermions with the heavy vector bosons become important, and specify the form such interactions can take. In particular, we find that in this class of models, so long as the theory remains unitary, S-4cos{sup 2}{theta}{sub W}T>O(1), where S and T are the usual oblique parameters. Wemore » concur with the result of Cacciapaglia et al. that small or negative S is possible--though only at the expense of substantial negative T at tree level. Although we stress our results as they apply to continuum 5-D models, they apply also to models of extended electroweak gauge symmetries motivated by models of hidden local symmetry. « less
Soteria: Through Madness to Deliverance

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Calibration of sampling oscilloscopes with high-speed photodiodes

We calibrate the magnitude and phase response of equivalent-time sampling oscilloscopes to 110 GHz. We use a photodiode that has been calibrated with our electrooptic sampling system as a reference input pulse source to the sampling oscilloscope. We account for the impedance of the oscilloscope and the reference photodiode and correct for electrical reflections and distortions due to impedance mismatch. We also correct for time-base imperfections such as drift, time-base distortion, and jitter. We have performed a rigorous uncertainty analysis, which includes a Monte Carlo simulation of time-domain error sources combined with error sources from the deconvolution of the photodiode pulse, from the mismatch correction, and from the jitter correction
The Impact of Matrix Notes on Textbook Comprehension in a College-level Introductory Psychology Course

This paper examines whether matrix notes, a graphic form of note taking, helped lower ability students in a college level introduction to psychology course develop self-regulation and deep processing skills that would increase exam scores. Throughout the semester, students were surveyed and 16 were interviewed about study habits and perceptions of matrix notes. Exam scores and class averages were also considered. The study supported the hypothesis that students would develop deeper processing skills and earn higher exam scores. While the data shows that students grew in self-regulation ability, it is not clear if they did so as a result of matrix notes or of other interventions.