Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Using an adaptive UPA scheme with a channel-aware OFDM technique for wireless transmission of JPEG2000 images

In this paper, an adaptive scheme is developed for an Unequal Power Allocation (UPA) algorithm in a way to allow variable size grouping of the coding passes to enhance the optimization process at different Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) values. The optimization algorithm exploits the hierarchical structure of the JPEG2000 images and uses a distortion model along with the channel state information (CSI) for allocating optimal values of power on each coding pass to minimize the end-to-end distortion. Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) technique is incorporated within the transmitter to enable transmission of the JPEG2000 images over block fading frequency selective channels. In this paper, we propose a channel assignment strategy, within our OFDM transmitter, which passes the more important coding passes over the subcarriers with higher channel gain. Simulation results indicate an improvement of up to 2 dB in the decoded image quality and potentiality of energy conservation when the adaptive UPA scheme along with the channel assignment strategy are used.
Regional cerebral blood flow in the amygdala and medial prefrontal cortex during traumatic imagery in male and female Vietnam veterans with PTSD.

CONTEXT Theoretical neuroanatomic models of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the results of previous neuroimaging studies of PTSD highlight the potential importance of the amygdala and medial prefrontal regions in this disorder. However, the functional relationship between these brain regions in PTSD has not been directly examined. OBJECTIVE To examine the relationship between the amygdala and medial prefrontal regions during symptom provocation in male combat veterans (MCVs) and female nurse veterans (FNVs) with PTSD. DESIGN Case-control study. SETTING Academic medical center. PARTICIPANTS Volunteer sample of 17 (7 men and 10 women) Vietnam veterans with PTSD (PTSD group) and 19 (9 men and 10 women) Vietnam veterans without PTSD (control group). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES We used positron emission tomography and the script-driven imagery paradigm to study regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) during the recollection of personal traumatic and neutral events. Psychophysiologic and emotional self-report data also were obtained to confirm the intended effects of script-driven imagery. RESULTS The PTSD group exhibited rCBF decreases in medial frontal gyrus in the traumatic vs neutral comparison. When this comparison was conducted separately by subgroup, MCVs and FNVs with PTSD exhibited these medial frontal gyrus decreases. Only MCVs exhibited rCBF increases in the left amygdala. However, for both subgroups with PTSD, rCBF changes in medial frontal gyrus were inversely correlated with rCBF changes in the left amygdala and the right amygdala/periamygdaloid cortex. Furthermore, in the traumatic condition, for both subgroups with PTSD, symptom severity was positively related to rCBF in the right amygdala and negatively related to rCBF in medial frontal gyrus. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest a reciprocal relationship between medial prefrontal cortex and amygdala function in PTSD and opposing associations between activity in these regions and symptom severity consistent with current functional neuroanatomic models of this disorder.
Upper gastrointestinal lesions in children on chronic haemodialysis.

1. Sesso R, Anção MS, Madeira SA. Aspectos epidemiológico do tratamento dialı́tico na grande São Paulo. Revista da Associação Médica do Brasil 1994; 40: 10–14 2. Gabow P. Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. N Engl J Med 1993; 329: 332–342 3. Dalgaard OZ, Søren N. Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease in the 1980s. Clin Genet 1989; 36: 320–325 4. Higashira E, Nutahara K, Kojima M, et al. Prevalence and renal prognosis of diagnosed autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease in Japan. Nephron 1998; 80: 421–427
Fivebrane instantons and Calabi-Yau fourfolds with flux

Using recent results on eleven-dimensional superspace, we compute the contribution of fivebrane instantons with four fermionic zeromodes in M-theory compactifications on Calabi-Yau fourfolds with flux. We find that no superpotential is generated in this case. This result is compatible with a certain flux-dependent modification of the arithmetic genus criterion.
Close stars and an inactive accretion disc in Sgr A* : eclipses and flares

A cold neutral and extremely dim accretion disc may be present as a remnant of past vigorous activity around the black hole at our Galactic Centre (GC). Here we discuss ways to detect such a disc through its interaction with numerous stars present in the central 0.01 pc of the Galaxy. The first major effect expected is X-ray and near-infrared (NIR) flares arising when stars pass through the disc. The second is eclipses of the stars by the disc. We point out conditions under which the properties of the expected X-ray flares are similar to those discovered by Baganoff et al. The combination of the expected flares and eclipses offers an invaluable tool for constraining the disc density, size, plane and even direction of rotation. The winds of the O-type stars are optically thick to free-free absorption in radio frequencies. If present near the Sgr A* core, these stellar winds can modulate and even occult the radio source.
Exploring the utilization of technology in teaching English: Practices and impediments

The utilisation of technology into classroom practices basically promotes studentcentered instructions that require teachers to be professionally well trained and confident enough to use various technology tools and resources. This study was conducted to explore secondary school EFL teachers’ experiences and practices of modern technology usage into their classroom pedagogy and possible impediments of utilizing technology tools. Eight EFL teachers were purposefully selected from public secondary schools of the Kathmandu valley. A semi-structure interview was administered to collect the required data. The thematic data analysis revealed that the EFL teachers employed different pedagogical strategies for the effective integration of technology; however, some impediments were identified such as insufficient professional ICT skills and knowledge of EFL teachers, inadequate ICT infrastructure at school, teachers’ workload and time constraint, and digital device among students. This study suggests that EFL teachers need professional development trainings particularly designed on the TPACK framework, adequate ICT infrastructure at school, revised teachers’ workload and time constraint, and supportive school environment to promote technology utilization into EFL pedagogy.
Enhancing consumer satisfaction and retail patronage through brand experience, cognitive pleasure, and shopping enjoyment: A comparison between lifestyle and product-centric displays

ABSTRACT Despite the importance of retail atmospherics documented in the literature, little empirical research has been done on the issue of what specific aspects of retail atmospherics can enhance experiential marketing. As an attempt to address this research void, the primary purpose of this study is to compare the effect of product display (lifestyle vs. product-centric) on consumer satisfaction and retail patronage intentions. In so doing, this study examines the mediating role of hedonic shopping experiences operationalized through three separate sub-dimensions (i.e. brand experience, shopping enjoyment, and cognitive pleasure) while controlling a brand effect (i.e. testing two types of product display in a single brand context). The results showed that the lifestyle display creates higher brand experience, shopping enjoyment, cognitive pleasure, satisfaction, time spent, and patronage intentions compared to the product-centric display. This study provides empirical evidence supporting the importance of experiential marketing. The implications of fashion retailing are discussed, as well as limitations and areas for future research.
Pre-Service Teachers’ Integration into Teachers’ Community during Teaching Practicum

Teaching practicum is a strategic place where pre-service teachers transformthemselves from being pre-service teachers (PSTs) to become novice teachers. Datafrom a case study on how a group of PSTs experience integrate into teachers'community during teaching practicum in Indonesian context shows that their journeyis not linear; it encompasses a complex process, enriched by tension and conflict beforesome of them hold a sense of belonging to teachers community in their placementschools. Their ample engagement and participation with members of schoolcommunity during teaching practicum program have effectively played as a significantfactor behind their integration and identity transition.
An Investigation Into Determinants Of Corporate Disclosure & Transparency Of Listed Companies In Zimbabwe During Financial Crisis (2007-2008)

:- Zimbabwe, once a breadbasket of Southern Africa, faced the worst financial crisis in 2008. This study critically examined the degree of corporate disclosure and transparency using annual reports of 2007 and 2008 of listed companies in Zimbabwe and analysed corporate disclosure practices as a function of specific firm characteristics. The analysis used the disclosure and transparency scores extracted from a survey instrument designed to rate disclosure practices of publicly listed companies by using the OECD Corporate Governance Principles as an implicit benchmark. The methodology utilised was mainly on quantitative research. The researcher constructed a corporate disclosure and transparency model. Undue influence on the model parameters was investigated using standardised residuals and Cook‘s distance measures. Since the diagnostics for the regression model used in this study is a good fit of the observed data, the results can be generalized to the wider population of Zimbabwean companies. This study indicates that Zimbabwean publicly listed companies have low levels of corporate disclosure and transparency. Overall, the empirical results show that Zim babwean firms‘ are weakest in the role of stakeholders in corporate governance. Furthermore, the results indicate that the va riability in corporate disclosure and transparency scores can best be explained in terms of accounting standards and total debt to total assets (leverage). The results are broadly consistent with the notion that good corporate governance leads to better corporate disclosure and transparency in less developed markets. The research findings in this study are comparable to similar studies during financial crisis of 1997 that swept through most of East Asia and to World Bank Group-ROSC of 2000.
Palmitate Activates Autophagy in INS-1E β-Cells and in Isolated Rat and Human Pancreatic Islets

We have investigated the in vitro effects of increased levels of glucose and free fatty acids on autophagy activation in pancreatic beta cells. INS-1E cells and isolated rat and human pancreatic islets were incubated for various times (from 2 to 24 h) at different concentrations of glucose and/or palmitic acid. Then, cell survival was evaluated and autophagy activation was explored by using various biochemical and morphological techniques. In INS-1E cells as well as in rat and human islets, 0.5 and 1.0 mM palmitate markedly increased autophagic vacuole formation, whereas high glucose was ineffective alone and caused little additional change when combined with palmitate. Furthermore, LC3-II immunofluorescence co-localized with that of cathepsin D, a lysosomal marker, showing that the autophagic flux was not hampered in PA-treated cells. These effects were maintained up to 18-24 h incubation and were associated with a significant decline of cell survival correlated with both palmitate concentration and incubation time. Ultrastructural analysis showed that autophagy activation, as evidenced by the occurrence of many autophagic vacuoles in the cytoplasm of beta cells, was associated with a diffuse and remarkable swelling of the endoplasmic reticulum. Our results indicate that among the metabolic alterations typically associated with type 2 diabetes, high free fatty acids levels could play a role in the activation of autophagy in beta cells, through a mechanism that might involve the induction of endoplasmic reticulum stress.
Disobedient media – unruly citizens: governmental communication in crisis

Introduction During the previous years, the demand for critical research in governmental communication in Finland has been on the increase. Several governmental agencies have commissioned academic institutions to critically examine their communication activities. An invitation to produce policy proposals to enhance citizens’ participation and other democratic activities is often included. In this chapter, I want to ask why this research interest has emerged and why it is situated at the present day. My initial answer is that this interest results from the political elite’s need to find new ways of communicating directly to citizens and of circumventing the ‘corrupting’ influence of the media and journalists. Among authorities, the feeling is widespread that the media today do not function properly and fail in providing citizens with the information that is deemed necessary to maintain an informed and democratic citizenship.
Laparoscopy in Complicated Pediatric Appendicitis

Background: Complicated appendicitis (gangrenous or perforated) has been associated with increased risk for postoperative complications, especially intraabdominal abscess. Caution has been advised when attempting laparoscopic appendectomy for complicated appendicitis in children. The objective of our study was to assess the incidence of intraabdominal abscess formation after laparoscopic appendectomy in pediatric patients presenting with complicated appendicitis. Methods: This is a retrospective review of 52 pediatric patients presenting with acute appendicitis at a single teaching institution who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy by a single surgeon. All laparoscopic procedures were completed without conversion. Treatment complications and outcomes were recorded for all cases. Results: Five of the 52 patients (10%) had complicated appendicitis. One of the 5 patients (20%) developed intraabdominal abscess postoperatively and underwent laparoscopic drainage during the same admission. No other complications were noted. None of these patients was readmitted for wound infections or intraabdominal abscesses. The single postoperative abscess occurred early during our initial experience with laparoscopic appendectomy. Conclusion: Laparoscopic appendectomy seems to be a safe alternative for the treatment of complicated appendicitis in children. Caution is recommended during the initial experience of surgeons with this procedure, because the complication rate seems to be higher during the learning curve. Close postoperative follow-up and a high index of suspicion for development of complications is recommended. As surgeons' experience accumulates, the safety of the procedure seems to increase. A prospective, randomized trial is recommended to establish the role of laparoscopy in complicated appendicitis in the pediatric population.
Critical Analysis and Evaluation of the UAE Twelfth Grade Students’ Language Instructional Material Based on the Set Goals and Objectives

Textbook is in the heart of any language teaching and learning program as it relieves some pressure placed on teachers’ shoulders, provides students with a sense of progress and cohesion as well as providing education systems with the main structure by which they work and function. Therefore, great attention is paid to this critical area of research by syllabi developers and designers in addition to educationalists, scholars and researchers as a way to improve second language teaching and learning. One of main areas that concerns with the development of textbooks is to evaluate such textbooks to meet students’ needs in accordance with the intended goals and objectives. The current research focuses on evaluating the UAE twelfth grade students’ language textbook to check its compatibility, in terms of layout, topic and design, with the goals and objectives as set by the UAE educational process’s decision makers. Some recommendations for the effective use of the current instructional material as well as some suggestions for future research are provided.
Associations of Decadal to Multidecadal Sea‐Surface Temperature Variability with Upper Colorado River Flow 1

Abstract: The relations of decadal to multidecadal (D2M) variability in global sea‐surface temperatures (SSTs) with D2M variability in the flow of the Upper Colorado River Basin (UCRB) are examined for the years 1906‐2003. Results indicate that D2M variability of SSTs in the North Atlantic, North Pacific, tropical Pacific, and Indian Oceans is associated with D2M variability of the UCRB. A principal components analysis (with varimax rotation) of detrended and 11‐year smoothed global SSTs indicates that the two leading rotated principal components (RPCs) explain 56% of the variability in the transformed SST data. The first RPC (RPC1) strongly reflects variability associated with the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation and the second RPC (RPC2) represents variability of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation, the tropical Pacific Ocean, and Indian Ocean SSTs. Results indicate that SSTs in the North Atlantic Ocean (RPC1) explain as much of the D2M variability in global SSTs as does the combination of Indian and Pacific Ocean variability (RPC2). These results suggest that SSTs in all of the oceans have some relation with flow of the UCRB, but the North Atlantic may have the strongest and most consistent association on D2M time scales. Hydroclimatic persistence on these time scales introduces significant nonstationarity in mean annual streamflow, with critical implications for UCRB water resource management.
Blood glucose estimations in adolescents with type 1 diabetes: predictors of accuracy and error.

OBJECTIVE To examine predictors of blood glucose (BG) estimation accuracy and errors in adolescents with Type 1 diabetes. METHOD Seventy-eight adolescents (ages 11-19) rated their physical symptoms and estimated their BG prior to conducting daily BG tests. BG estimation data were subject to an error grid analysis. Hierarchical regression was used to identify predictors of BG estimation accuracy and errors. RESULTS The average participant made accurate BG estimations 37% of the time and clinically relevant BG estimation errors 24% of the time. Girls and older adolescents had higher BG estimation accuracy rates and lower BG estimation error rates than boys and younger adolescents. Higher BG variability was also associated with increased BG estimation errors. CONCLUSIONS Although boys, younger adolescents, and those with higher BG variability showed higher BG estimation error rates, most participants showed low rates of BG estimation accuracy and high rates of BG estimation error. Health providers may underestimate the frequency of inappropriate self-treatment as a result of patient difficulty in estimating BG accurately.
RU28318, an Aldosterone Antagonist, in Combination with an ACE Inhibitor and Angiotensin Receptor Blocker Attenuates Cardiac Dysfunction in Diabetes

Aims. We evaluated the effects of RU28318 (RU), a selective mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) antagonist, Captopril (Capt), an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, and Losartan (Los), an angiotensin receptor blocker, alone or in combination with ischemia/reperfusion- (I/R-) induced cardiac dysfunction in hearts obtained from normal and diabetic rats. Methods. Isolated hearts were perfused for 30 min and then subjected to 30 min of global ischemia (I) followed by a period of 30 min of reperfusion (R). Drugs were administered for 30 min either before or after ischemia. Drug regimens tested were RU, Capt, Los, RU + Capt, RU + Los, Capt + Los, and RU + Capt + Los (Triple). Recovery of cardiac hemodynamics was evaluated. Results. Recovery of cardiac function was up to 5-fold worse in hearts obtained from diabetic animals compared to controls. Treatment with RU was generally better in preventing or reversing ischemia-induced cardiac dysfunction in normal hearts compared to treatment with Capt or Los alone. In diabetic hearts, RU was generally similarly effective as Capt or Los treatment. Conclusions. RU treatment locally might be considered as an effective therapy or preventative measure in cardiac I/R injury. Importantly, RU was the most effective at improving −dP/dt (a measure of diastolic function) when administered to diabetic hearts after ischemia.
Educational Equity and School Structure: School Size, Overcrowding, and Schools-Within-Schools

Consistent with the Williams v. California suit, our focus in this article is on educational equity, particularly the interface between equity and school organization. We concentrate on two structural issues, school size and school overcrowding, and one specific school structure, schools-within-schools. We organize the article as an interpretive summary of existing studies of these topics, concentrating on how these structural issues relate to social stratification in student outcomes, particularly academic achievement. Our evidence is drawn from both national studies and, when available and appropriate, from research that discusses the effects of school structure in California. We use this evidence to define which size high schools are best for all students (600–900 students), which responses to school overcrowding are appropriate (building more schools rather than adding portable classrooms or multitrack year-round schooling), and how creating smaller learning communities in high schools can work well for everyone by reducing the potential for internal stratification. California policies, however, have not promoted these responses. In many cases they have actually exacerbated inequality in educational outcomes and assisted the transformation of the social differences students bring to school into academic differences. We advocate reforms that are associated with high achievement and achievement that is equitably distributed by race, ethnicity, class, or family origin. Reforms that raise achievement of children at the lower end of the distribution without damaging those at the top are ones toward which we believe our nation should strive. By offering empirical evidence of practices that lead toward this important goal, we hope to inform the important debates surrounding the Williams case.
Indigenous Knowledge of Traditional Medicine: Answering the Question of Knowledge Acquisition and Transmission among the Traditional Health Practitioners in Uganda

Geleneksel sagaltim pratikleri, pek cok Afrika ulkesinin ulusal saglik sistemlerine eklemlenmis bir sekilde uzun yillardir surdurulmekte ve tecrube edilmektedir. Betimleyici bir arastirma dizayni dogrultusunda bu calisma, geleneksel saglik pratisyenlerinin, bitkisel ilaclarla geleneksel sagaltim irfanini kazanma yollarini ortaya cikarmayi amacliyor. Bircok ruhani sifaci ve otacinin neyi bildiklerinden haberdar olmak olasi iken nasil bildiklerini kesfetmek neredeyse imkansizdir. Bu durum kolaylikla kendisi saglik icin tehlike arzeden bir sagaltim anlayisina donusebilir. Bu calisma icerisinde gorusulen geleneksel sifaci ve otacilarin bir kismi, sagaltim pratiklerinin cogu icin mantiki/bilimsel bir aciklamaya sahip olmadiklarini ifade ettiler. Cogu hastaligin dogru aciklamaya degil dogru ota yanit verdigine inaniyordu. Yine de ulasilmasi zor ve uzak bolgelerde yasayan genellikle fakir insanlarin hayatini kurtarmaktaki rolleri dikkate alindiginda geleneksel sifaci ve otacilarin, birbirlerinin uygulamalarini ogrenmeyi de icerecek sekilde kendi pratiklerinin neligini anlamalarina yardim edecek bilimsel arastirmalarin yapilmasi kritik onemde olabilir