Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inclined Geosynchronous Spaceborne–Airborne Bistatic SAR: Performance Analysis and Mission Design

Geosynchronous synthetic aperture radar (GEO-SAR) offers new opportunities for continuous Earth observation missions with large coverage and short revisit cycle. The unique features of GEO-SAR present huge potentials for bistatic observation applications. In this paper, the concept and advantages of GEO bistatic SAR (GEO-BiSAR) are first investigated. The system consists of a GEO illuminator and an airborne receiver, such as an airplane or a near-space vehicle. Compared with a monostatic GEO-SAR system, the bistatic configuration can provide finer spatial resolution and higher signal-to-noise ration (SNR) with less system complexity. The spatial resolution characteristics are then analyzed based on generalized ambiguity function, where the time-varying GEO velocity, Earth rotation, and ellipsoid Earth surface are taken into consideration. Meanwhile, the bistatic SNR is analyzed using the integration equation model. In this paper, the mission design for GEO-BiSAR aims at identifying a set of receiver flight parameters and bistatic configurations to obtain the desired spatial resolution and SNR. Based on the desired imaging performance of a specific application background, the mission design process is modeled as a nonlinear equation system (NES). Finally, a mission design method based on fast nondominated sorting genetic algorithm is proposed to solve the NES and obtain multiple optimal solutions to guide the receiver flight missions. Examples of the mission design process are given to validate the effectiveness of the proposed method. The results of the mission design can be conveniently used to guide the receiver flight mission for the desired imaging performance, which is highly desirable in practical applications.
A Sharp Decay Estimate for Positive Nonlinear Waves

We consider a strictly hyperbolic, genuinely nonlinear system of conservation laws in one space dimension. A sharp decay estimate is proved for the positive waves in an entropy weak solution. The result is stated in terms of a partial ordering among positive measures, using symmetric rearrangements and a comparison with a solution of Burgers's equation with impulsive sources.
Water pipe tobacco smoking among middle and high school students.

OBJECTIVES We examined prevalence rates of water pipe tobacco smoking among young people as a first step in assessing the health implications of this form of tobacco use. METHODS We examined water pipe use with data from the 2007 Florida Youth Tobacco Survey, which assessed tobacco-related beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors among the state's middle and high school students. RESULTS Four percent of middle school students and 11% of high school students reported ever having used a water pipe. Adolescent boys were significantly more likely than adolescent girls to use water pipes, and African American adolescents were significantly less likely than adolescents from other racial/ethnic backgrounds to do so. Those who indicated ever having tried cigarettes and those who reported positive attitudes toward the social nature of cigarette use were more likely to have tried water pipes. CONCLUSIONS Water pipe use appears to be widespread among middle and high school students. Further research is needed to assess the health risks associated with water pipe tobacco smoking as well as young people's attitudes toward this form of tobacco use.
The coaching relationship:An interpretative phenomenological analysis

Objectives:There is a lack of research on the coaching relationship (O’Broin & Palmer, 2006a). The current paper will present the findings from a qualitativstudy that explored experiences of workplace coaching including the coaching relationship.Design:The study adopted a qualitative design and the data was analysed by Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (Smith, Jaraman, & Osborn, 1999). Methods:Nine participants, from two large organisations, were interviewed about their experiences of coaching.Results:‘The coaching relationship’ was identified as a main theme which, in turn, comprised of three sub-themes; valuable coaching relationship; trust; and transparency. These themes highlighted that the coaching relationship was very valuablefor the participants and that this relationship was dependent on trust and improved by transparency.Conclusions:It was concluded that it is important that coaches are aware of, and are working with, the coaching relationship. Nevertheless, the participants also highlighted that the relationship was not the only factor that made coaching useful. Working towards goals and improving performance were also valuable components of the coaching. It was, therefore, suggested that coaching may be most beneficial if it incorporates a number of components, including a focus on the relationship.
AVP receptor is required for neurohypophyseal hormone-dependent differentiation in C 2 C 12 cells

Vasopressin (AVP), oxytocin (OT) and related peptides induce differentiation and hypertrophy in myogenic cells expressing the V1a-vasopressin receptor (V1aR) or the oxytocin receptor (OTR). Either receptor can transduce both ligand signals. Binding of AVP and OT to the V1aR the target cells activates phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis, which in turn releases Ca 2+ from internal stores. The AVP-dependent increase in cytosolic Ca 2+ induces the activation of calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase (CaMK) and calcineurin signaling, two pathways required for the full expression of the differentiated phenotype. Here we investigate the role of V1aR in myogenesis and hypertrophy by ectopically restoring V1aR expression and function using the C2C12 cell line, which is an experimental model of satellite cells that do not respond to AVP treatment. Our results show that AVP treatment enhances myogenic differentiation in V1aR-transfected C2C12 cultures alone. Moreover, calcium imaging analyses performed in individual control and V1aR-transfected C2C12 cells demonstrated that the presence of V1aR is sufficient to make C2C12 cells responsive to neurohypophyseal hormones stimulation, as demonstrated by the rapid and sustained release of calcium from internal stores observed in V1aR-transfected cells. These data demonstrate that, despite the high levels of OTR expressed by C2C12 cells, both AVP and OT failed to stimulate the differentiation program, thereby indicating that the presence of V1aR is essential to mediate the effects of neurohypophyseal hormones on myogenic differentiation in C2C12 cells.
Autorregulação da Motivação: Crenças e Estratégias de Alunos Portugueses do 7º ao 9º Ano de Escolaridade

A motivacao e um tema essencial quando se reflete sobre a aprendizagem e o sucesso escolar. A autorregulacao da motivacao na aprendizagem (AMA) e identificada como um aspeto fundamental das competencias de autorregulacao da aprendizagem. O processo de AMA inclui o metaconhecimento sobre a motivacao e as estrategias de regulacao da motivacao. Neste estudo, a Escala de Autorregulacao da Motivacao na Aprendizagem (EAMA) foi aplicada a 316 estudantes entre o 7o e o 9o ano de Escolaridade. Os resultados obtidos indicam que as expectativas de autoeficacia, o valor da tarefa e as metas de realizacao sao bons preditores do uso de estrategias de AMA. Foram encontradas diferencas entre os generos e o ano escolar na utilizacao de estrategias e nas crencas motivacionais.
Dielectric properties on the radiation and thermal aged PEEK

The dielectric properties of gamma-ray irradiated and thermally aged polyetheretherketone (PEEK) have been investigated. Results of the temperature dependency of the dielectric properties indicated that the glass transition temperature of the aged PEEK increased with radiation and thermal ageing. The frequency dependency of dielectric properties implied that the magnitude of radiation and thermal induced dipoles and ions increased as radiation and thermal ageing. The values of the relaxation intensity calculated using Cole-Cole's circular arc can be useful for the evaluation of the degradation level of PEEK.
Neuromyelitis optica

Opinion statementNeuromyelitis optica (NMO, Devic’s syndrome) is characterized by concurrence of optic neuritis and transverse myelitis, typically associated with a lesion in the spinal cord extending over three or more vertebral segments. It is an inflammatory, demyelinating central nervous system disorder, and although it is most commonly relapsing, it is distinct from multiple sclerosis in that it is more severe, tends to spare the brain, and is associated with a longitudinally extensive lesion on spinal cord MRI. Furthermore, NMO is associated with a highly specific serum autoantibody marker, NMO-IgG, which targets the water channel aquaporin-4. The disease follows a relapsing course in more than 90% of patients. The relapses account for almost all disability associated with the disease because a secondary progressive course is uncommon, in contrast to multiple sclerosis. We recommend intravenous corticosteroids for acute myelitis and optic neuritis relapses, followed quickly by rescue plasmapheresis for severe, progressive, steroid-refractory events. Overwhelming evidence supports humoral autoimmune mechanisms in the pathogenesis of NMO, and most available data suggest that systemic immunosuppression is required to prevent attacks. We recommend long-term treatment with oral agents such as azathioprine or mycophenolate mofetil for patients with relatively mild disease and rituximab for those with more severe, recent attacks or treatment-refractory disease. We also recommend immunosuppression for at least 5 years in NMO-IgG seropositive patients presenting with a first-ever attack of longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis because they are at high risk for relapse or conversion to NMO.
Guiding students to the right questions: adaptive navigation support in an E-Learning system for Java programming

Rapid growth of the volume of interactive questions available to the students of modern E-Learning courses placed the problem of personalized guidance on the agenda of E-Learning researchers. Without proper guidance, students frequently select too simple or too complicated problems and ended either bored or discouraged. This paper explores a specific personalized guidance technology known as adaptive navigation support. We developed JavaGuide, a system, which guides students to appropriate questions in a Java programming course, and investigated the effect of personalized guidance a three-semester long classroom study. The results of this study confirm the educational and motivational effects of adaptive navigation support.
The Dandelion Code: A New Coding of Spanning Trees for Genetic Algorithms

There are many applications where it is necessary to find an optimal spanning tree. For several of these, recent research has suggested the use of genetic algorithms (GAs). Historically, the Pruumlfer code has been one of the most popular representations for spanning trees, due largely to the bijective mapping between genotype and phenotype. However, it is has attracted much criticism for its low locality, a primary reason for its poor performance in GAs. Other representations such as direct encoding and network random keys have been shown to be far more effective. In 2001, an alternative called the Blob code was identified and adapted for use in GAs. It was shown to exhibit significantly higher locality than the Pruumlfer code. For a simple test problem, a GA using the Blob code was found to substantially outperform one using the Pruumlfer code. This paper suggests an alternative called the Dandelion code, which is more efficient and exhibits yet higher locality. Although both direct encoding and NetKeys are shown to give better results on the test problems used in this paper, the Dandelion code should be considered as a strong alternative, particularly for very large networks
The development of an implicit association test for measuring forgiveness.

1 Declaration . 2 Acknowledgements . 3 Chapter 1: Forgiveness and the Implicit Association Test . 4 1.1 What is forgiveness? 5 1.2 Measuring Forgiveness . 9 1.3 The “Mono-Method Bias” & Limitations of self-report . 11 1.3. 1 Self-presentation concerns: Unwillingness to accurately report attitudes. 11 1.3. 2 The limits of introspection: Inability to accurately report attitudes . 13 1.4 Existing alternatives to self-report in forgiveness research . 14 1.4. 1 Behavioural approaches . 14 1.4. 2 Physiological approaches . 16 1.5 The Implicit Association Test. 18 1.5. 1 Why the IAT? 21 1.5. 2 What does the IAT actually measure? 23 1.5. 3 Summary of the IAT . 24 1.6 Thesis aims and overview . 25 Chapter 2: Developing an Implicit Association Test for Forgiveness and the potential effects of stimulus word valence . 27 2.1 Chapter Overview . 28 2.2 Extra-attitudinal influences on IAT effects . 28 2.2.1 Salience Asymmetries: the IAT as a figure-ground task . 28 2.2.2 Strategic recoding of the IAT tasks: Beyond salience . 31 2.2.3 Strategic recoding based on valence of category and/or stimuli . 33 2.2.4 Evaluating the impact of valence effects . 35 2.3 The present work . 37 2.4 Study 1 . 37 2.4. 1 Study Overview . 37 2.4. 2 IAT design . 38 2.4. 3 Assessing the validity of the Forgiveness-Revenge IAT . 40 2.4. 4 Summary of hypotheses . 43 2.4. 5 Method . 44 2.4. 6 Results . 52 2.4. 7 Discussion . 57 2.8 Study 2a . 62 2.8. 1 Overview of Study . 62
Patients with type 2 diabetes have a high frequency of the C282Y mutation of the hemochromatosis gene.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether a specific mutation (C282Y) associated with primary hemochromatosis (PHC) is more common in patients with type 2 diabetes than in a control group of patients with type 1 diabetes. Patients with type 2 diabetes have a two- to threefold higher rate of PHC than the general population. Recent identification of a genetic mutation in patients with PHC raises the possibility that the mutation is related to type 2 diabetes. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS One hundred and five patients with type 2 diabetes and 103 control patients with type 1 diabetes, who attended the same tertiary care diabetes clinic, who were of European origin, and in whom there was no clinical suspicion of hemochromatosis. INTERVENTIONS Patients completed a brief clinical assessment and provided a blood sample. Iron studies were measured in serum, and DNA was assayed for the presence of the C282Y and H63D mutations of the HFE gene. RESULTS Twenty-three of 105 patients (21.9%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 14.0, 29.8) with type 2 diabetes (1 homozygote) and 12 of 103 patients (11.7%; 95% CI 5.5, 17.9) with type 1 diabetes (all heterozygotes) had at least 1 copy of the C282Y mutation (odds ratio [OR] = 2.1; 95% CI 1.0, 4.5; p = 0.048). Neither serum ferritin nor transferrin saturation level identified patients with a C282Y mutation. CONCLUSION The C282Y gene mutation is a potential genetic marker for type 2 diabetes. It, or a closely linked gene, may be associated with greater than 20% of cases of type 2 diabetes.
Midazolam Inhibits Hippocampal Long-Term Potentiation and Learning through Dual Central and Peripheral Benzodiazepine Receptor Activation and Neurosteroidogenesis

Benzodiazepines (BDZs) enhance GABAA receptor inhibition by direct actions on central BDZ receptors (CBRs). Although some BDZs also bind mitochondrial receptors [translocator protein (18 kDa) (TSPO)] and promote the synthesis of GABA-enhancing neurosteroids, the role of neurosteroids in the clinical effects of BDZs is unknown. In rat hippocampal slices, we compared midazolam, an anesthetic BDZ, with clonazepam, an anticonvulsant/anxiolytic BDZ that activates CBRs selectively. Midazolam, but not clonazepam, increased neurosteroid levels in CA1 pyramidal neurons without changing TSPO immunostaining. Midazolam, but not clonazepam, also augmented a form of spike inhibition after stimulation adjacent to the pyramidal cell layer and inhibited induction of long-term potentiation. These effects were prevented by finasteride, an inhibitor of neurosteroid synthesis, or 17PA [17-phenyl-(3α,5α)-androst-16-en-3-ol], a blocker of neurosteroid effects on GABAA receptors. Moreover, the synaptic effects were mimicked by a combination of clonazepam with FGIN (2-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]-N,N-dihexylacetamide), a selective TSPO agonist, or a combination of clonazepam with exogenous allopregnanolone. Consistent with these in vitro results, finasteride abolished the effects of midazolam on contextual fear learning when administrated 1 d before midazolam injection. Thus, dual activation of CBRs and TSPO appears to result in unique actions of clinically important BDZs. Furthermore, endogenous neurosteroids are shown to be important regulators of pyramidal neuron function and synaptic plasticity.
Wealth, Marriage, and Sex Selection∗

Sex selection continues to be a serious problem in India, despite many decades of economic progress. It is widely believed that large marriage payments to the groom’s family or dowries are the main cause of sex selection in India, especially among the wealthy. Our theoretical model clarifies this argument, showing that the root cause of sex selection is not dowries but specific frictions in the marriage market, which arise because of the structure of the marriage institution. The model predicts that relatively wealthy households within castes, which define independent marriage markets in India, will be more likely to practice sex selection. This prediction is tested with unique data we have collected, covering the entire population of 1.1 million individuals residing in half a rural district in South India. We find that the variation in sex ratios within castes in this single district is comparable to the variation across all districts in the country. Given that the marriage market is organized the same way in all castes, sex selection may be a more pervasive problem than is currently believed. Estimation of the model’s structural parameters allows us to quantify the impact of alternative policies, which operate through the marriage market, to reduce sex selection. We find that cash transfers to adult women, which forwardlooking parents will take into account when making sex selection decisions, are substantially more effective than transfers to their parents when they are children.
Expression of 5′Nucleotidase Activity and Wheat‐Germ Agglutinin Binding Sites in Mononuclear Phagocytes From Bone Marrow Cultures

The question as to whether the various types of mononuclear phagocyte found in bone marrow cultures and recognized by specific peroxidatic (PO) activity patterns differ in the expression of binding sites for the lectin wheat‐germ agglutinin (WGA) and the activity of the ectoenzyme 5′nucleotidase (5′N) was investigated. Monoblasts, promonocytes, monocytes, and/or exudate macrophages, and exudate‐resident macrophages generally showed a high level of WGA binding, and a considerably lower level was found in the PO‐negative cells and in resident macrophages. 5′N activity was absent in monoblasts, promonocytes, and in the great majority of the monocytes and/or exudate macrophages, but was demonstrable in exudate‐resident macrophages and resident macrophages, as well as in PO‐negative macrophages after 4 days of culture. On the basis of the successive occurrence of the above‐mentioned phenotypes in cultures, the possibility that this diversity in WGA binding and 5′N activity is related to modulation during cell differentiation is discussed. The present findings led to the conclusion that the PO‐negative macrophages, whose origin was previously not entirely certain, are precursors of resident macrophages.
Inhibition of tumorigenic potential and prostate‐specific antigen expression in LNCaP human prostate cancer cell line by 13‐cis‐retinoic acid

Prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) is a member of the kallikrein family and has been an important biological marker for prostate cancer. The mechanisms regulating PSA expression in prostatic cancer cells are unclear. The present study was designed to elucidate the role of 13‐cis‐retinoic acid (RA) in regulation of PSA and the tumorigenic potential of the human prostate cancer cell line LNCaP. The growth regulation of LNCaP cells was examined by DNA synthesis and doubling time. The tumorigenic potential of prostate cancer cells was analyzed by soft agar colony‐forming assay, in vitro invasion assay, type IV collagenase assay and binding to extracellular matrix assay. The nuclear receptors for retinoic acid (RARα, ‐β, ‐γ and RXRα, ‐β,‐γ) as well as PSA mRNA were determined by Northern blot using specific oligonucleotide probes. Our results suggest that 13‐cis‐RA significantly inhibits PSA secretion and expression both at the mRNA and protein levels compared with untreated cells. Electron microscopic studies suggest that after 13‐cis‐RA treatment, cells become more differentiated as they contain lumina, lined by plasma membrane and microvilli. Prostate cancer cell growth and tumorigenic potential after 13‐cis‐RA treatment was significantly decreased compared with controls. Nude mice tumorigenicity studies showed that 13‐cis‐RA‐treated cells produced significantly smaller tumors compared with untreated cell tumors. There was also a significant increase in the expression of RXRa mRNA after 13‐cis‐RA treatment compared with untreated cells.
Pivot task increases knee frontal plane loading compared with sidestep and drop-jump

Abstract The purpose of this study was to assess kinematic and kinetic differences between three tasks (drop-jump, sidestep cutting, and pivot tasks) commonly used to evaluate anterior cruciate ligament risk factors. Nineteen female collegiate soccer athletes from a Division I institution participated in this study. Participants performed a drop-jump task, and two unanticipated tasks, sidestep cutting and pivot. Repeated-measures analyses of variance were conducted to assess differences in the kinematic and kinetic parameters between tasks. The pivot task had lower knee flexion (−41.2 ± 8.8°) and a higher valgus angle (−7.6 ± 10.1°) than the sidestep (−53.9 ± 9.4° and −2.9 ± 10.0°, respectively) at maximum vertical ground reaction force. The pivot task (0.8 ± 0.3 multiples of body weight) had higher peak posterior ground reaction force than the drop-jump (0.3 ± 0.06 multiples of body weight) and sidestep cutting (0.3 ± 0.1 multiples of body weight), as well as higher internal varus moments (0.72 ± 0.3 N · m/kg · m) than the drop-jump (0.14 ± 0.07 N · m/kg · m) and sidestep (0.17 ± 0.5 N · m/kg · m) at peak stance. During the pivot task, the athletes presented a more erect posture and adopted strategies that may place higher loads on the knee joint and increase the strain on the anterior cruciate ligament.
Role identity and reasoned action in the prediction of repeated behavior

In this study we compare predictions derivedfrom the theory of reasoned action and identity theory regarding intentions to give blood and blood donation behavior over a seven-month period. Using a sample of 658 blood donors stratified by number of donations, we found that the addition of measures of the importance of the blood donor role identity, of social relations connected to blood donation, and of habit significantly improved the prediction of intentions and donation over the levels provided by the Fishbein-Ajzen model. A developmental analysis suggested that the theory of reasoned action was most effective in predicting intentions and donation for first-time donors. Whereas the full augmented model was most applicable to long-term donors. The results were interpreted to mean that although the Fishbein-Ajzen model may be the most parsimonious model for the prediction of many non-role behaviors, it should be augmented with identity-theory variables for the prediction of established role behaviors.