Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
College Students’ Views about the Journalism Education in Spain = Valoración de los estudiantes sobre la enseñanza del Periodismo en España

The paper presents the results of a survey with a sample of 1,552 journalism students from five public universities during the academic year 2011-12. The research addresses two objectives: how students evaluate the journalism studies and to know if they believe the studies are necessary to purpose of exercising the profession. The results indicate that most students believe appropriate the journalism studies, but almost but almost 25% considered them unnecessary. Students assess the quality of the training received in schools with an approved. There has been a multiple linear regression to find which variables explain this evaluation. The most influential is the course you are enrolled, followed by functions that respondents give to faculties. The paper presents the advantage of working with data from the largest sample used so far, which also includes all courses and the first promotions of students in the undergraduate studies according to the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). It can be a valuable starting point for further researchs to make decisions on the academic. The study is part of the Sudents Journalism Project with journalism students in seven countries: Australia, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Spain, Switzerland and the United States.
Consumer attitudes toward personalization features and intention to purchase online

In this study, a model of attitude toward personalization and purchase intention is developed to investigate how consumer attitudes and intention to purchase using personalization features are influenced by privacy and security concerns and by previous online purchase experiences. The behavioral intention model (Fishbein, 197 5) has been adopted for theoretical model building. To collect data, an e-mail survey was distributed to 7,000 online consumers who had at least online shopping experience and a sample of 1140 usable responses were used for data analysis. The results indicated that 1) attitudes toward personalization features were important determinants of consumer intentions to purchase online, 2) consumer concerns about privacy and security had a significant influence on consumer attitudes toward personalization features, and 3) previous online purchase experience had no influence on consumer attitudes toward personalization features. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.
GRB 021004: A Possible Shell Nebula around a Wolf‐Rayet Star Gamma‐Ray Burst Progenitor

The rapid localization of GRB 021004 by the HETE‐2 satellite allowed nearly continuous monitoring of its early optical afterglow decay, as well as high‐quality optical spectra that determined a redshift of z = 2.328 for its host, an active starburst galaxy with strong Lyman‐α emission and several absorption lines. Spectral observations show multiple absorbers blueshifted by up to 3,155 km s−1 relative to the host galaxy Lyman‐α emission. We argue that these correspond to a fragmented shell nebula, gradually enriched by a Wolf‐Rayet wind over the lifetime of a massive progenitor bubble. In this scenario, the absorbers can be explained by circumstellar material that have been radiatively accelerated by the GRB emission. Dynamical and photoionization models are used to provide constraints on the radiative acceleration from the early afterglow.
Goal-Driven Multi-Process Analysis

Extant process modeling techniques address different aspects of processes, such as activity sequencing, resource allocation, and organizational responsibilities. These techniques are usually based on graphic notation and are driven by practice rather than by theoretical foundations. The lack of theoretical principles hinders the ability to ascertain the “correctness” of a process model. A few techniques (notably Petri Nets) are formalized and apply verification mechanisms (mostly for activity sequencing and concurrency). However, these techniques do not deal with important aspects of process design such as process goals.
Endogenous Productivity and Multiple Steady States

We endogenize total factor productivity in a neoclassical model with increasing returns to scale. We obtain multiple steady-state equilibria with an arbitrarily small degree of increasing returns to scale. While the most productive rms operate across all the steady states, in a poverty trap less productive rms operate as well. This results in lower average rm productivity and total factor productivity. A calibrated version of our model displays sizable di¤erences in TFP and output across steady state equilibria. JEL: L16, O11, O33, O40
Small-world graphs: models, analysis and applications in network designs

Small-world properties are common in many large-scale real-world networks such as social networks, the Internet, or biological networks. In 2000, Kleinberg produced a new model for a striking aspect of acquaintance networks: that short chains can be found using limited local information only (e.g. a search based on a first-name basis). This model added random links to a 2D grid, such that the random links were more likely to connect closer nodes. We expand Kleinberg's work to a more general study of graphs formed by adding a generic distribution (often non-uniform) of random links to a class of local-contact graphs. We study general rules and characteristics which produce small-world (and related) properties. We also use our observations to design practical networks. We focus on the abstract properties of the random link distributions which introduce short paths (typically, with length as a poly-log of network size) between the sites of the local-contact graph. By finding such general properties, we give a thorough analysis of Kleinberg's small-world models. We also develop new techniques for analyzing structures with non-uniform random links. Moreover, we develop a general framework to construct small-world graphs, featuring a hierarchical family of classes of random structures where short paths are available and can be found using decentralized routing strategies in our more refined classes. Our analysis also suggests applications in designing practical networks. We propose routing strategies (and routing data structures) that exploit the special features of our network constructions. We also consider other issues such as construction cost and congestion, which help to identify and characterize possibly good network topologies, suggested by our network construction method. Thus, we develop a framework that his a two-fold contribution: (1) as a theoretical platform for modeling and analyzing small-world networks, and (2) as a design tool to construct cost-effective routing networks where multiple design factors are simultaneously optimized. Also, we have started studying more general models that consider geographical non-uniformities: for example, we look at the localities in the Internet physical topology where skewed distributions are typical. We have obtained initial results, although much remains future work.
FPGA implementation of high speed XTS-AES for data storage devices

This paper presents a novel architecture of XTS-AES mode for data storage devices. An enhanced fully pipelined and area efficient XTS-AES mode design using one AES core is proposed. We propose a design of XTS module to handle the data blocks to be encrypted using a single AES core. Considering previous work in XTS, few designs have been published that use a single AES core, and few efforts have been targeted toward their optimization. This paper describes hardware implementation of XTS-AES design with a throughput of 19.56 Gbps and a maximum achievable frequency of 153.84 MHz. This design is written in Verilog HDL and verified on Altera Cyclone II FPGA.
Longitudinal Study of Urinary Phenanthrene Metabolite Ratios: Effect of Smoking on the Diol Epoxide Pathway

We have proposed that urinary phenanthrene metabolites could be used in a carcinogen metabolite phenotyping approach to identify individuals who may be susceptible to cancer induction by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). In support of this proposal, we have developed methods for quantitation of r-1,t-2,3,c-4-tetrahydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrophenanthrene (PheT) and phenanthrols (HOPhe) in human urine. PheT is the end product of the diol epoxide metabolic activation pathway of PAH, whereas HOPhe are considered as detoxification products. In this study, we investigated the longitudinal consistency of these metabolites over time in smokers and nonsmokers and compared their levels. Twelve smokers and 10 nonsmokers provided urine samples daily for 7 days, then weekly for 6 weeks. Levels of PheT, HOPhe, and PheT/HOPhe ratios were relatively constant in most individuals, with mean coefficients of variation ranging from 29.3% to 45.7%. There were no significant changes over time in levels of the metabolites or in ratios. These results indicate that a single urine sample should be sufficient when comparing phenanthrene metabolites in different groups. PheT/HOPhe ratios were significantly higher in smokers than in nonsmokers, showing that smoking induces the diol epoxide metabolic activation pathway of phenanthrene. This finding is consistent with previous studies indicating that inducibility of PAH metabolism contributes to cancer risk in smokers. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2005;14(12):2969–74)
A recipe for galaxy formation

We present a detailed prescription for how galaxy formation can be modelled in hierarchical theories of structure formation. Our model incorporates the formation and merging of dark matter halos, the shock heating and radiative cooling of baryonic gas gravitationally confined in these halos, the formation of stars regulated by the energy released by evolving stars and supernovae, the merging of galaxies within dark matter halos, and the spectral evolution of the stellar populations that are formed. The procedure that we describe is very flexible and can be applied to any hierarchical clustering theory. We explore the effects of varying the stellar initial mass function, star formation rates and galaxy merging. The results we compare with an extensive range of observational data, including the B and K galaxy luminosity functions, galaxy colours, the Tully-Fisher relation and galaxy number counts.These data strongly constrain the models and enable the relative importance of each of the physical process to be assessed. We present a broadly successful model defined by a plausible choice of parameters. This fiducial model produces a much more acceptable luminosity function than most previous studies. This is achieved through a modest rate of galaxy mergers and strong suppression of star formation in halos of low circular velocity. However, it fails to produce galaxies as red as many observed ellipticals and, compared with the observed Tully-Fisher relation, the model galaxies have circular velocities which are too large. ** uuencoded compressed postscript file containing all text and figures. **
LAST MINUTE: a Multimodal Corpus of Speech-based User-Companion Interactions

We report about design and characteristics of the LAST MINUTE corpus. The recordings in this data collection are taken from a WOZ experiment that allows to investigate how users interact with a companion system in a mundane situation with the need for planning, re-planning and strategy change. The resulting corpus is distinguished with respect to aspects of size (e.g. number of subjects, length of sessions, number of channels, total length of records) as well as quality (e.g. balancedness of cohort, well designed scenario, standard based transcripts, psychological questionnaires, accompanying in-depth interviews).
A Case Study of the Impact of a Reformed Science Curriculum on Student Attitudes and Learning in a Secondary Physics Classroom.

IX CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION . 11 The Problem and Its Context . 11 Purpose of the Study . 20 The Research Question . 21 Definition of Terms . 22 Delimitations . 23 CHAPTER 2: REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE. 24 Schools and Society . 24 Historical . 27 The Teachers’ Perspective . 32 The Effect of the Current Curriculum on Student Attitudes . 40 CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLGY . 53 Overall Approach and Rationale . 53 Population and Site Selection . 55 Data-Gathering Method . 58 Observations . 58 Field Notes . 60 Attitude Survey . 61 Interviews . 62 Student Artifacts . 65 Data Analysis Procedures . 66
BER analysis of CAN under BPSK passband CAN-HD interference

An increasing demand for processing a large amount of data traffic resulted in the necessity of higher data rate of in-vehicle systems. In this regard, the controller area network for high data rate (CAN-HD) improves the data rate and is also compatible with conventional controller area network (CAN) system. To improve the data rate, the CAN-HD uses more bandwidth and allocates its power to the passband. Additionally, the CAN-HD is compatible with the conventional CAN by using a low-pass filter in a conventional CAN receiver. However, as more power is allocated in the passband, the bit error rate (BER) may increase due to the CAN-HD interference. In order to mitigate such problem, we analyze the performance of standard CAN receiver with high passband power for providing the criterion for proper power allocation for the passband signal.
Variability of Homotopic and Heterotopic Callosal Connectivity in Partial Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum: A 3T Diffusion Tensor Imaging and Q-Ball Tractography Study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Little is known about the anatomic connectivity of callosal axons in individuals with partial agenesis of the corpus callosum (pAgCC). We used tractography based on both diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and high angular resolution diffusion imaging (HARDI) to investigate interhemispheric white matter connectivity in pAgCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: DTI and HARDI were performed at 3T on 6 individuals with pAgCC and 8 control subjects. For HARDI analysis, a Q-ball reconstruction method capable of visualizing multiple intravoxel fiber orientations was used. In both DTI and HARDI, whole-brain 3D fiber tractography was performed by using deterministic streamline algorithms. Callosal fibers were then segmented to identify separately connections between homologous cortical regions (homotopic fibers) and nonhomologous regions (heterotopic fibers) by using manually drawn regions of interest. RESULTS: In control individuals, we observed densely connected homotopic fibers. However, in individuals with pAgCC, we identified not only homotopic connections but also heterotopic connections in 4 of 6 subjects. Furthermore, the observed homotopic connections in pAgCC did not necessarily correlate with the position or size of the residual callosum. The nature of homotopic and heterotopic connectivity varied considerably among subjects with pAgCC, and HARDI recovered more callosal fibers than DTI. CONCLUSION: Individuals with pAgCC demonstrate a remarkable diversity of callosal connectivity, including a number of heterotopic tracts that are absent in healthy subjects. The patterns of their callosal connections cannot be predicted from the appearance of their callosal fragments on conventional MR imaging. More tracts and more extensive fibers within tracts are recovered with HARDI than with DTI.
Characterization of actin filament severing by actophorin from Acanthamoeba castellanii

Actophorin is an abundant 15-kD actinbinding protein from Acanthamoeba that is thought to form a nonpolymerizable complex with actin monomers and also to reduce the viscosity of polymerized actin by severing filaments (Cooper et al., 1986. J. Biol. Chem. 261:477-485). Homologous proteins have been identified in sea urchin, chicken, and mammalian tissues. Chemical crosslinking produces a 1:1 covalent complex of actin and actophorin. Actophorin and profilin compete for crosslinking to actin monomers. The influence of actophorin on the steady-state actin polymer concentration gave a Kd of 0.2 microM for the complex of actophorin with actin monomers. Several new lines of evidence, including assays for actin filament ends by elongation rate and depolymerization rate, show that actophorin severs actin filaments both at steady state and during spontaneous polymerization. This is confirmed by direct observation in the light microscope and by showing that the effects of actophorin on the low shear viscosity of polymerized actin cannot be explained by monomer sequestration. The severing activity of actophorin is strongly inhibited by stoichiometric concentrations of phalloidin or millimolar concentrations of inorganic phosphate.
DTI Study of Cerebral Normal-Appearing White Matter in Hereditary Neuropathy With Liability to Pressure Palsies (HNPP)

AbstractThe majority of previous studies on hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies (HNPP) were focused on peripheral nerves, whereas cerebral alterations in HNPP have been less attended to. In this work, Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was used to detect the changes in WM, especially in the normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) in HNPP patients for its sensitivity in probing the microstructure of WM, the sensitive metric was searched for probing cerebral alterations and the regional distribution of cerebral abnormalities was identified. Twelve HNPP patients and 12 age- and gender-matched healthy controls underwent the conventional MRI, DTI scan, and electrophysiological examination. The conventional MRI images were first analyzed to identify abnormal intense regions and the NAWM regions. NAWM refers to the white matter regions that do not include the lesions on conventional MRI. The apparent diffusion coefficient and fractional anisotropy (FA) values of the NAWM were then measured and compared between patient and control groups. The sensitivity and specificity of 3 methods and the cerebral regional distribution of MR signal abnormalities were further analyzed. Hyperintense foci were observed on T2 weighted image and fluid attenuated inversion recovery images in 6 patients. Compared to the controls, FA values of the patients were significantly lower in bilateral frontal, orbitofrontal, and temporal NAWMs; whereas the electrophysiological examination results of patients and controls exhibited no statistically significant difference. The sensitivity of FA value was higher than that of electrophysiological examination and conventional MRI. The majority of abnormal signals on conventional MRI images and abnormal FA values were located in the frontal and temporal lobes. The results of our study show cerebral WM changes in HNPP patients. FA value in DTI has been shown to be sensitive to the cerebral microstructural changes in HNPP. The frontal lobe is the predilection site that is most involved in HNPP.
Effects of different five-day progesterone-based synchronization protocols on the estrous response and follicular/luteal dynamics in dairy cows

This study compared the responses shown by lactating dairy cows to four different P4-based protocols for AI at estrus. Cows with no estrous signs 96 h after progesterone intravaginal device (PRID) removal were subjected to fixed-time AI (FTAI), and their data were also included in the study. In Experiment I, follicular/luteal and endometrial dynamics were assessed every 12 h from the beginning of treatment until AI. The estrous response was examined in Experiment II, and fertility was assessed in both experiments. The protocols consisted of a PRID fitted for five days, along with the administration of different combinations of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH), equine chorionic gonadotropin and a single or double dose (24 h apart) of prostaglandin F2α. In Experiment I (40 cows), animals receiving GnRH at the start of treatment showed a significantly higher ovulation rate during the PRID insertion period while estrus was delayed. In Experiment II (351 cows), according to the odds ratios, cows showing luteal activity at the time of treatment were less likely to show estrus than cows with no signs of luteal activity. Treatment affected the estrous response and the interval from PRID removal to estrus but did not affect conception rates 28–34 days post AI. Primiparous cows displayed a better estrous response than multiparous cows. Our findings reveal acceptable results of 5-day P4-based protocols for AI at estrus in high-producing dairy cows. Time from treatment to estrus emerged as a good guide for FTAI after a 5-day P4-based synchronization protocol.
Demography, Capital Flows and International Portfolio Choice over the Life-cycle

In an aging world, how does a country's demographic structure impact global trades in safe and risky assets and their respective prices? We answer these questions combining portfolio choice over the life-cycle with a two-region, general equilibrium model. We show that when one region is aging faster than the other, its demand for both safe and risky assets increases, whereas a greater portfolio share is allocated into safe assets. Absent perfectly elastic supply, this results in a change in autarky rates and, in an open economy, in international asset trades. Calibrating the model to the U.S. and Europe, we predict a positive net external equity position and a negative net external debt position for the U.S. The model allows us to quantitatively assess the impact of demographic change on trade in various types of assets, whereas previously, the focus has been on aggregate capital flows. In addition, general equilibrium price effects can explain a significant portion of the valuation effects present in international foreign asset positions.
DLX5, FGF8 and the Pin1 isomerase control ΔNp63α protein stability during limb development: a regulatory loop at the basis of the SHFM and EEC congenital malformations

Ectrodactyly, or Split-Hand/Foot Malformation (SHFM), is a congenital condition characterized by the loss of central rays of hands and feet. The p63 and the DLX5;DLX6 transcription factors, expressed in the embryonic limb buds and ectoderm, are disease genes for these conditions. Mutations of p63 also cause the ectodermal dysplasia–ectrodactyly–cleft lip/palate (EEC) syndrome, comprising SHFM. Ectrodactyly is linked to defects of the apical ectodermal ridge (AER) of the developing limb buds. FGF8 is the key signaling molecule in this process, able to direct proximo-distal growth and patterning of the skeletal primordial of the limbs. In the limb buds of both p63 and Dlx5;Dlx6 murine models of SHFM, the AER is poorly stratified and FGF8 expression is severely reduced. We show here that the FGF8 locus is a downstream target of DLX5 and that FGF8 counteracts Pin1–ΔNp63α interaction. In vivo, lack of Pin1 leads to accumulation of the p63 protein in the embryonic limbs and ectoderm. We show also that ΔNp63α protein stability is negatively regulated by the interaction with the prolyl-isomerase Pin1, via proteasome-mediated degradation; p63 mutant proteins associated with SHFM or EEC syndromes are resistant to Pin1 action. Thus, DLX5, p63, Pin1 and FGF8 participate to the same time- and location-restricted regulatory loop essential for AER stratification, hence for normal patterning and skeletal morphogenesis of the limb buds. These results shed new light on the molecular mechanisms at the basis of the SHFM and EEC limb malformations.
What Makes the Difference? A Practical Analysis of Research on the Effectiveness of Distance Education

This article reports findings of a meta-analytical study of research on distance education. The purpose of this study was to identify factors that affect the effectiveness of distance education. The results show that although the aggregated data of available studies show no significant difference in outcomes between distance education and face-to-face education as previous research reviews suggest, there is remarkable difference across the studies. Further examination of the difference reveals that distance education programs, just like traditional education programs, vary a great deal in their outcomes, and the outcome of distance education is associated with a number of pedagogical and technological factors. This study led to some important data-driven suggestions for and about distance education.