Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Media richness and user acceptance of Second Life

Second Life is a 3-D multi user virtual environment and is used as a platform for education by many institutions around the world. It offers a variety of communication channels to perform academic activities for both distance and on-campus education. As such, Second Life provides an excellent platform to test the implications of media richness theory (MRT). This paper aims at examining the media richness of Second Life and its impact on the user acceptance. Media Richness Theory and Technology Acceptance Model have been used as its theoretical basis. PLS approach is used to test the hypothesised relationships. Our study results suggest that Second Life is highly rich medium and is capable of promoting effective communication among its users. We found that media richness has a direct positive effect on the perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use of Second Life which in turn leads to actual usage. Some implications of our findings are discussed and ideas for future research are also presented.
Principals Responding to Constant Pressure

This conceptual article presents a review of the research concerning the stress level of principals over the past three decades, with emphasis on the occupational stress that principals encounter because of heightened accountability and expectations for student achievement. Mindfulness meditation, as a stress management intervention, provides the theoretical background for this article; the scientific evidence concerning benefits of mindfulness meditations are reviewed. Finally, the author presents suggestions for the prevention and reduction of stress for principals.
On graphs with linear Ramsey numbers

For a ®xed graph H, the Ramsey number r (H ) is de®ned to be the least integer N such that in any 2-coloring of the edges of the complete graph KN, some monochromatic copy of H is always formed. Let H(n, ) denote the class of graphs H having n vertices and maximum degree at most . It was shown by ChvataÂ l, RoÈdl, SzemereÂdi, and Trotter that for each there exists c ( ) such that r (H )< c ( )n for all H 2 H(n, ). That is, the Ramsey numbers grow linearly with the size of H. However, their proof relied on the well-known regularity lemma of SzemereÂdi and only gave an upper bound for c( ) which grew like an exponential tower of 20s of height . This was remedied substantially in a recent paper of Eaton, who showed that one could take c  < 22c for some ®xed c. Eaton, however, also used a variant of the regularity lemma in her proof. In this paper, we avoid the use of the regularity lemma altogether, and show that one can in fact take, for some ®xed c, c  < 2 (log )2 in the general case, and even
Lack of Altered BECN1 Gene Expression in Iranian Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML), one of the most prevalent leukemia types in adults, demonstrates great heterogeneity in molecular and clinical terms. Hence, there is a necessity to the mechanisms involved in AML generation in order to determine optimal treatment. This cross sectional study aimed to assess changes in BECN1 gene expression in with blood samples from 30 AML patients, compared with samples from 15 healthy persons. RNA was extracted and cDNA was synthesized and Real Time PCR applied to determine BECN1 gene expression. The results showed no significant differences in BECN1 gene expression between patients with AML and normal controls (P > 0.05). It appears that expression of BECN1 does not play a significant role in genesis of AML leukemia.
Ethic of Care and Real-Life Moral Dilemma Content in Male and Female Early Adolescents

A sample of 23 female and 23 male early adolescents, 11 through 12 years of age, was assessed on the Ethic of Care Interview (ECI), a new care-based morality measure. In addition, content analyses of the children's real-life moral dilemmas were conducted. As expected, girls scored significantly higher on the ECI than boys, and more girls than boys scored at ECI Level 2 (conventions of goodness, caring for others). The hypothesis that more girls than boys would generate "personal" real-life dilemmas and that more boys than girls would generate "impersonal" ones was also confirmed. Analysis of the central issues in the real-life dilemmas indicated that girls tended to be concerned about hurting others and maintaining friendships, whereas boys tended to be concerned about leisure activities, such as sports, and avoiding trouble. Possible explanations for these gender differences as well as directions for future research are discussed.
Is There a “Best” Way to Detect and Minimize Publication Bias?

Using 14 meta-analyses that included both published (n = 199) and unpublished (n = 50) randomized trials, we evaluated the utility of different analytical approaches to detect, assess robustness, and minimize publication bias in meta-analysis. The rank correlation and graphical tests indicated funnel plot asymmetry in 3 and 7 of the 14 meta-analyses, respectively. The file drawer number estimates using Iyengar-Greenhouse method were between 1.5 and 4.7 times smaller compared to Rosenthal’s estimates. The median difference between the Trim and Fill estimates and the actual number of missing studies was 1 (range -4, 6). Weighted estimation methods adjusted for publication bias and provided estimates of intervention effect close to the reference standard, on average. We showed there are differences in the conclusions one would reach clinically based on the different analytical approaches dealing with publication bias. Our results also suggest that the appropriate use of these methods improves the reliability and accuracy of meta-analysis.
Boosting Conversational Question Answering with Fine-Grained Retrieval-Augmentation and Self-Check

Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) aims to generate more reliable and accurate responses, by augmenting large language models (LLMs) with the external vast and dynamic knowledge. Most previous work focuses on using RAG for single-round question answering, while how to adapt RAG to the complex conversational setting wherein the question is interdependent on the preceding context is not well studied. In this paper, we propose a conversation-level RAG approach, which incorporates fine-grained retrieval augmentation and self-check for conversational question answering (CQA). In particular, our approach consists of three components, namely conversational question refiner, fine-grained retriever and self-check based response generator, which work collaboratively for question understanding and relevant information acquisition in conversational settings. Extensive experiments demonstrate the great advantages of our approach over the state-of-the-art baselines. Moreover, we also release a Chinese CQA dataset with new features including reformulated question, extracted keyword, retrieved paragraphs and their helpfulness, which facilitates further researches in RAG enhanced CQA.
Viral mutation rates: modelling the roles of within-host viral dynamics and the trade-off between replication fidelity and speed

Many viruses, particularly RNA viruses, mutate at a very high rate per genome per replication. One possible explanation is that high mutation rates are selected to meet the challenge of fluctuating environments, including the host immune response. Alternatively, recent studies argue that viruses evolve under a trade-off between replication speed and fidelity such that fast replication is selected, and, along with it, high mutation rates. Here, in addition to these factors, we consider the role of viral life-history properties: namely, the within-host dynamics of viruses resulting from their interaction with the host. We develop mathematical models incorporating factors occurring within and between hosts, including deleterious and advantageous mutations, host death owing to virulence and clearance of viruses by the host. Beneficial mutations confer both a within-host and a transmission advantage. First, we find that advantageous mutations have only a weak effect on the optimal genomic mutation rate. Second, viral life-history properties have a large effect on the mutation rate. Third, when the speed–fidelity trade-off is included, there can be two locally optimal mutation rates. Our analysis provides a way to consider how life-history properties combine with biochemical trade-offs to shape mutation rates.
Prosodic Boundary Strengthening in the Phonetics-Prosody Interface

Prosodic structure has been assumed to serve as a frame for articulation, so that phonetic shaping of abstract phonological representations is fine-tuned as a function of the prosodic system of the language. The intricate relationship between phonetics and prosodic structure has been explored in the literature under the rubric of the phonetics–prosody interface. This paper reviews various aspects of the phonetics–prosody interface and discusses how prosodic structure modulates phonetic realization within and across languages. A particular attention is paid to boundary-related prosodic strengthening (i.e., spatial and/or temporal expansion of articulation that arises in the vicinity of prosodic junctures), especially in association with domain-initial positions (also known as domain-initial strengthening, DIS, effects). Prosodic boundary strengthening is further discussed in terms of how it is language-specifically fine-tuned, how it is understood in dynamical terms, and how it relates to linguistic functions (as syntagmatic vs. paradigmatic contrast enhancement) that are all further conditioned by other factors of the linguistic sound system of individual languages such as the prominence system and the phonetic feature system.
Practical beamforming based on RSSI measurements using off-the-shelf wireless clients

WLANs have become an important last-mile technology for providing internet access within homes and enterprises. In such indoor deployments, the wireless channel suffers from significant multipath scattering and fading that degrades performance. Beamforming is a smart antenna technology that adjusts the transmissions at the transmitter to reenforce the signals received through multiple paths at the receiver. However, doing this requires the accurate estimation of the channel coefficients at the receiver and its knowledge at the transmitter which off-the-shelf WiFi clients are incapable of doing. In this work, we develop a novel procedure that uses Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) measurements at the receiver along with an intelligent estimation methodology at the transmitter to achieve beamforming benefits. Using experiments in an indoor office scenario with commercial WiFi clients, we show that the scheme achieves significant performance improvements across diverse scenarios.
A trial of zinc supplementation in young rural Gambian children

The present study tested the hypothesis that inadequate Zn intake might be responsible for failure to thrive and impaired catch-up growth in young rural Gambian children, and that Zn supplements might be beneficial. Gambian children might be deprived of Zn because of its poor availability from their predominantly plant-based diet. Rural Gambian children (110; fifty boys, sixty girls) aged between 0.57 and 2.30 years were divided into two matched groups, one to receive 70 mg Zn twice weekly for 1.25 years, and the other a placebo. Growth and mid-upper-arm circumference were measured at weekly intervals throughout the study and illnesses were monitored. Capillary blood and urine samples were collected at 0, 2 and 8 weeks. Body weights and arm circumferences showed a linear increase, plus a seasonal effect (rainy season faltering). For body weight there was no significant overall effect of the supplement. For arm circumference, a very small (2 %) but significant (P < 0.01) difference favoured the supplemented group. Plasma thymulin was much lower at the first clinic than at the second and third clinics, and in vitro Zn stimulation was greater at the first clinic. There was, however, no effect of Zn in vivo. Likewise, Zn did not significantly benefit T-cell numbers or ratios, secretory IgA in urine, circulating hormone levels or biochemical indices of Zn status. One index of intestinal permeability, i.e. lactulose: creatinine, was improved (P < 0.02) by the supplement, but the lactulose: mannitol value was not; this requires further investigation. Dietary Zn deficiency is, thus, unlikely to be of major overall importance for rural Gambian children's ability to thrive, and blanket Zn supplementation is not justified. There may, however, be vulnerable sub-groups who would benefit from Zn supplements.
Specificity of the HP1 chromo domain for the methylated N‐terminus of histone H3

Recent studies show that heterochromatin‐associated protein‐1 (HP1) recognizes a ‘histone code’ involving methylated Lys9 (methyl‐K9) in histone H3. Using in situ immunofluorescence, we demonstrate that methyl‐K9 H3 and HP1 co‐localize to the heterochromatic regions of Drosophila polytene chromosomes. NMR spectra show that methyl‐K9 binding of HP1 occurs via its chromo (chromosome organization modifier) domain. This interaction requires methyl‐K9 to reside within the proper context of H3 sequence. NMR studies indicate that the methylated H3 tail binds in a groove of HP1 consisting of conserved residues. Using fluorescence anisotropy and isothermal titration calorimetry, we determined that this interaction occurs with a KD of ∼100 μM, with the binding enthalpically driven. A V26M mutation in HP1, which disrupts its gene silencing function, severely destabilizes the H3‐binding interface, and abolishes methyl‐K9 H3 tail binding. Finally, we note that sequence diversity in chromo domains may lead to diverse functions in eukaryotic gene regulation. For example, the chromo domain of the yeast histone acetyltransferase Esa1 does not interact with methyl‐ K9 H3, but instead shows preference for unmodified H3 tail.
Poor control of risk factors for vascular disease among adults with previously diagnosed diabetes.

CONTEXT Control of blood glucose levels, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels is proven to reduce the risk of vascular disease among individuals with diabetes mellitus; however, the current state of control of these risk factors among individuals in the United States is uncertain. OBJECTIVES To examine 1999-2000 national data on control of risk factors for vascular disease among adults with previously diagnosed diabetes and to assess trends during the past decade. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Review of data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III, conducted 1988-1994) and NHANES 1999-2000, cross-sectional surveys of a nationally representative sample of the noninstitutionalized civilian US population. Participants were adults aged 20 years and older with previously diagnosed diabetes who participated in both the interview and examination in either NHANES III (n = 1265) or NHANES 1999-2000 (n = 441). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Levels of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), blood pressure, and total serum cholesterol in reference to target goals. RESULTS Compared with NHANES III, participants with previously diagnosed diabetes in NHANES 1999-2000 were similar by age and sex, were less likely to be non-Hispanic white, were diagnosed at an earlier age, had a higher body mass index, and were more likely to use insulin in combination with oral agents. In NHANES 1999-2000, only 37.0% of participants achieved the target goal of HbA1c level less than 7.0% and 37.2% of participants were above the recommended "take action" HbA1c level of greater than 8.0%; these percentages did not change significantly from NHANES III (P =.11 and P =.87, respectively). Only 35.8% of participants achieved the target of systolic blood pressure (SBP) less than 130 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) less than 80 mm Hg, and 40.4% had hypertensive blood pressure levels (SBP > or =140 or DBP > or =90 mm Hg). These percentages did not change significantly from NHANES III (P =.10 and P =.56, respectively). Over half (51.8%) of the participants in NHANES 1999-2000 had total cholesterol levels of 200 mg/dL or greater (vs 66.1% in NHANES III; P<.001). In total, only 7.3% (95% confidence interval, 2.8%-11.9%) of adults with diabetes in NHANES 1999-2000 attained recommended goals of HbA1c level less than 7%, blood pressure less than 130/80 mm Hg, and total cholesterol level less than 200 mg/dL (5.18 mmol/L). CONCLUSION Further public health efforts are needed to control risk factors for vascular disease among individuals with diagnosed diabetes.
“I Ain't Queer”: Love, Masculinity and History in Brokeback Mountain

Ang Lee's big gay tragic historical love story, Brokeback Mountain, was released internationally in late 2005 and early 2006. Lee's film told the story of two cowboys who fell in love while shepherding on Brokeback Mountain in Wyoming in 1963. Although the film narrated a demonstrably American story, appeals to a socio-historical connection were widespread in Australia. Indeed, Brokeback Mountain's cinematic release in this country coincided with “Australia Day,” a national day of celebration in which beginnings, nationhood, and “settlement” are reaffirmed. In this article, we track the explosion of publicly-audible conversations that took place in Brokeback Mountain's wake in Australia in 2006. On the one hand, we seek to historicize this film; on the other, we also consider the political ways in which it historicized. As the “noise” about Brokeback Mountain became almost impossible to ignore in Australia, we noticed the film tended to be viewed as a cause for celebration. Through an analysis of the politics of historical stories and the gendered politics of emotion, we seek to complicate the notion that this film signified a radical departure from homophobic cinematic and cultural traditions.
The Problem of `Authentic Experience': Storytelling in Anti-Racist and Anti-Homophobic Education

Educational workshops are a common approach to addressing racism and homophobia in institutional and organizational settings. One underlying rationale of these efforts is that more knowledge of “the other” — non-white and queer participants — will lead to greater equity. This article investigates this premise through empirical research into anti-racist and anti-homophobic workshops in a variety of settings. In particular, our analysis focuses on the uses of “storytelling” and other workshop strategies commonly employed to encourage the disclosure of personal stories by and about the “other. ” We argue that, particularly in anti-racist contexts, these strategies have exacted a heavy toll on the tellers, reinforced the exclusionary notions of identity that underlie a racist culture, and had only a limited effect in fostering organizational change. While many of these same problems are present in anti-homophobia educational workshops, differences in the relations of power between the “tellers” and the “listeners,” between who is solicited to tell stories and how, and in the nature of sexual versus racial identity also suggest important distinctions between these different forms of educational practice. Within this context however, queer youth of color and transgender youth continue to report that storytelling can exact a heavier toll on them than others. There is little empirical literature analyzing anti-oppression workshops and their effects in both schools and community organizations. Our study addresses this gap in the sociological literature.
Optimal Circular Flight of Multiple UAVs for Target Tracking in Urban Areas

This work is an extension of our previous result in which a novel single-target tracking algorithm for fixed-wing UAVs (Unmanned Air Vehicles) was proposed. Our previous algorithm firstly finds the centre of a circular flight path, rc, over the interested ground target which maximises the total chance of keeping the target inside the camera field of view of UAVs, , while the UAVs fly along the circular path. All the UAVs keep their maximum allowed altitude and fly along the same circle centred at rc with the possible minimum turn radius of UAVs. As discussed in [1,4], these circular flights are highly recommended for various target tracking applications especially in urban areas, as for each UAV the maximum altitude flight ensures the maximum visibility and the minimum radius turn keeps the minimum distance to the target at the maximum altitude. Assuming a known probability distribution for the target location, one can quantify , which is incurred by the travel of a single UAV along an arbitrary circle, using line-of-sight vectors. From this observation, (the centre of) an optimal circle among numerous feasible ones can be obtained by a gradient-based search combined with random sampling, as suggested in [1]. This optimal circle is then used by the other UAVs jointly tracking the same target. As the introduction of multiple UAVs may minimise further, the optimal spacing between the UAVs can be naturally considered. In [1], a typical line search method is suggested for this optimal spacing problem. However, as one can easily expect, the computational complexity of this search method may undesirably increase as the number of UAVs increases. The present work suggests a remedy for this seemingly complex optimal spacing problem. Instead of depending on time-consuming search techniques, we develop the following algorithm, which is computationally much more efficient. Firstly, We calculate the distribution (x), where x is an element of , which is the chance of capturing the target by one camera along . Secondly, based on the distribution function, (x), find separation angles between UAVs such that the target can be always tracked by at least one UAV with a guaranteed probabilistic measure. Here, the guaranteed probabilistic measure is chosen by taking into account practical constraints, e.g. required tracking accuracy and UAVs' minimum and maximum speeds. Our proposed spacing scheme and its guaranteed performance are demonstrated via numerical simulations.
Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori cagA, vacA, iceA, babA2 genotypes in Polish children and adolescents with gastroduodenal disease.

INTRODUCTION Infection with Helicobacter pylori is a major cause of chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer disease in children and its consequences in adulthood can lead to serious complications, including in particular the development of gastric cancer. Our aim was to analyze the relationship between the occurrence of selected genes such as cagA, vacA, iceA, and babA2 determining pathogenicity of H. pylori strains and clinical outcome in children. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study was performed on H. pylori strains isolated from biopsies taken from 130 children and adolescents with non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD), gastric and duodenal ulcers (PUD) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Genes such as cagA, vacA (allelic variants: s1/ s2, m1/m2), iceA (allelic variants: iceA1, iceA2) and babA2 were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS The cagA gene was detected in 79/130 (60.8%) H. pylori isolates. The presence of the cagA gene was significantly associated with duodenal ulcer (p<0.05). The vacAs1/m1 genotype as more frequent in children with ulcers than in other groups, whereas the vacAs2/m2 genotype was more frequent in patients with gastritis and GERD. The iceA1, iceA2 and babA2 genes were present in 59/130 (45.4%), 27/130 (21%) and 30/130 (23.1%) of the strains, respectively. The vacAs1/cagA+ genotype was most frequently observed in strains isolated from children with PUD. The predominant genotype in children with NUD and GERD was vacAs2/cagA-/iceA1+/babA2-. CONCLUSION The study showed a high incidence of strains with increased virulence, possessing cagA, vacAs1 and iceA1 genes in symptomatic children with H. pylori infection.