Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Development of Multimedia Courseware of Lines and Planes in 3-Dimension : an Application of van Hiele ’ s Model

With the advent of computer technology, the role of visualization in Mathematics education has become an area of current research interest. This paper is inspired by and utilizes the van Hiele’s levels for teaching and learning Lines and Planes in 3 Dimensions. Based on an early study, students have been identified of having problems in visualizing figures. In an attempt to overcome this problem, a multimedia courseware was developed based on a framework that utilizes van Hiele’s Geometric model for visualizing 3D models. This paper also points out the features of van Hiele’s model and shows that they are also characteristics of the proposed levels of Lines and Planes in 3D. The tools used for developing the courseware are 3DS Max 7 and Macromedia Director MX. A conceptual framework was developed based on van Hiele’s model. In order to gauge the effectiveness of the courseware as an aid for visualizing 3D models, a testing was conducted with 60 high school students aged 14 years old. The groups are divided into control and experimental. The results have shown that the students have demonstrated the ability to visualize and enhance their understanding on the topic after using the courseware.
Improving efficacy of interleukin‐12‐transfected dendritic cells injected into murine colon cancer with anti‐CD137 monoclonal antibodies and alloantigens

Intralesional administration of cultured dendritic cells (DCs) engineered to produce IL‐12 by in vitro infection with recombinant adenovirus frequently displays eradicating efficacy against established subcutaneous tumors derived from the CT26 murine colon carcinoma cell line. The elicited response is mainly mediated by cytolitic T lymphocytes. In order to search for strategies that would enhance the efficacy of the therapeutic procedure against less immunogenic tumors, we moved onto malignancies derived from the inoculation of MC38 colon cancer cells that are less prone to undergo complete regression upon a single intratumoral injection of IL‐12‐secreting DCs. In this model, we found that repeated injections of such DCs, as opposed to a single injection, achieved better efficacy against both the injected and a distantly implanted tumor; that the use of semiallogeneic DCs that are mismatched in one MHC haplotype with the tumor host showed slightly better efficacy; and that the combination of this treatment with systemic injections of immunostimulatory anti‐CD137 (4‐1BB) monoclonal antibody achieved potent combined effects that correlated with the antitumor immune response measured in IFN‐γ ELISPOT assays. The elicited systemic immune response eradicates concomitant untreated lesions in most cases. Curative efficacy was also found against some tumors established for 2 weeks when these strategies were used in combination. These are preclinical pieces of evidence to be considered in order to enhance the therapeutic benefit of a strategy that is currently being tested in clinical trials. Supplementary Material for this aricle can be found on the International Journal of Cancer website at http://www.interscience. wiley.com/jpages/0020‐7136/suppmat/index.html. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Genetic Relationship among Maize Genotypes as Revealed by SSR Markers

In this investigation, nine maize genotypes were used to check the genetic relationship using 20 PCR based markers (SSR). These markers produced 55 polymorphic bands with an average of 2.75 bands per primer. Maximum genetic similarity (i.e., 0.733) was found based on Jaccard’s coefficient of similarity. A dendrogram was constructed using unweight pair group mean arithmetic (UPGMA) method which clustered into two main groups based on their genetic diversity which was further confirmed by the principal component analysis. These findings clearly depicted that SSR markers could help in successful detection of genetic relationship in maize and further assist in improvement of maize productivity.
Stress activation of cellular markers of inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis: protective effects of tumor necrosis factor alpha antagonists.

OBJECTIVE Psychological stress is thought to aggravate disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), although the physiologic mechanisms are unclear. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) is an inflammatory cytokine involved in the exacerbation of RA, and TNFalpha antagonists have emerged as efficacious treatments. The purpose of this study was to determine whether RA patients show increased monocyte production of TNFalpha following acute psychological stress and whether such responses are abrogated in RA patients taking TNFalpha antagonists. METHODS A standardized stress task was administered to 3 groups of subjects: RA patients taking TNFalpha antagonists, RA patients not taking such medications, and healthy controls. Lipopolysaccharide-stimulated monocyte production of inflammatory cytokines was repeatedly measured using intracellular staining and flow cytometry. Subjective stress, cardiovascular responses, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels, and cortisol levels were also measured. RESULTS The stress task induced increases in subjective stress, cardiovascular activity, and levels of ACTH and cortisol, with similar responses in the 3 groups. In addition, the stress task induced a significant increase (P < 0.001) in monocyte production of TNFalpha among RA patients who were not taking TNFalpha antagonists. However, monocyte production of TNFalpha did not change following psychological stress in RA patients taking TNFalpha antagonists or in healthy controls. CONCLUSION Brief psychological stress can trigger increased stimulated monocyte production of TNFalpha in RA patients. The use of TNFalpha antagonists protects against stress activation of cellular markers of inflammation in RA patients.
Spanish aspectual se as an indirect object reflexive: The import of atelicity, bare nouns, and leísta PCC repairs

Abstract This article discusses four properties of Spanish aspectual se constructions. 1. The telicity inducing effects of se; 2. The ungrammaticality of bare noun direct objects; 3. Leísta Spanish Person Case Constraint (PCC) repairs; and 4. A central/terminal coincidence relation between the direct object and the subject. I show that aspectual se does not induce telicity with stative VPs. The ungrammaticality of bare noun direct objects results from the direct object functioning as an ‘inner subject’ of a complex predicate formed by the verb and a null preposition, the complement of which is a pro coreferential with the external argument. The semantics of the null P plus verb give rise to a central/terminal coincidence relation between the direct object and the complement of P. Moreover, I argue that the null pro moves to Spec, Appl and functions as an indirect object. In this respect, aspectual se is an indirect object reflexive. The resulting structure, moreover, is fundamentally a double object construction, a construction in which PCC effects are known to hold.
Toxoplasmosis and Cytomegalovirus Infection among Aborted Women in Al-Anbar Governorate

Background: Toxoplasmosis and cytomegalovirus infection constitutes a major economic and public health problem in the world particulary in the developing countries including the Middle East due to the high rate of morbidity and mortality especially. , among pregnant women and patients. Objective: This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of toxoplasmosis and infection among aborted women in order to establish basic knowledge for future pregnancy care. Materials and Methods: A total number of 340 blood samples (230 samples from aborted women and 110 samples from normal pregnant women as control was collected and tested for the presence of IgG and IgM concering Toxoplasma gondii and CMV. Results: A significant higher rate of IgG and IgM specific for Toxoplasma (58.3% and 8.3%) among aborted women than control women (36.4% and 2.7%), respectively. A higher seropositivity rates of anti-CMV IgG (90.4%) and IgM (6.1%) in aborted women than in normal control women (82.7% and 3.6%), respectively. The overall prevalence of toxoplasmosis and CMV infection was increased with increasing age of aborted women and frequency of recurrent of abortion . The rates of toxoplasmosis and CMV infection were higher among abortd women living in rural areas than those living in urban areas. Conclusion: Toxoplasmosis as well as CMV infection are more prevalent among aborted women .
A usability-centred perspective on intention to use mobile payment

Mobile payment is a new and rapidly adopting alternative payment method especially in Asia. By analysing mobile payment interface usability and expanding the Microsoft Usability Guideline, this paper presented a model for studying intention to use mobile payment. A survey method was used by collecting data from 202 potential mobile payment users. The findings showed that interaction behaviour was a significant antecedent of intention to use mobile payment. Furthermore, five mobile payment interface usability factors (content, ease of use, promotion, made-for-the-medium and emotion) have positive influences on interaction behaviour and intention to use mobile payment. The findings will be beneficial for managers and developers when they make decisions on the development of mobile payment systems.
Determinants of Abnormal Liver Function Tests in Diabetes Patients in Myanmar

Abnormal liver function tests are not uncommon encounter in diabetes mellitus patients. The aim of this study was to find out the liver function test abnormalit ies in a group of d iabetic patients in Myan mar and to determine the factors associated with these biochemical changes. In this cross sectional study conducted at the diabetic clinic of Yangon General Hospital, Myan mar between March 2006 and February 2007, a total of 81 patients were included. The means of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), γ glutamyl transferase (γ GT), bilirubin and prothrombin time fall within normal range. Raised ALT and AST were noted in 18.5% and 14.8% respectively. 4.9% had high bilirubin and prolonged prothrombin time each, γGT was normal in all patients. The mean values of ALT and AST had no significant correlat ion with age, family h istory of diabetes, mode of therapy or type of diabetes. Although mean ALT had no correlation with gender of the d iabetes patients, AST was found to be significantly elevated in men. Values of ALT and AST were also significantly higher with increasing BMI. Hepatomegaly, increased liver echogenicity and presence of fatty liver were the factors significantly correlated with elevated A LT and AST values. In conclusion, abnormal liver function results are more co mmon among diabetes patients. Elevated ALT and AST are the markers for associated non alcoholic fatty liver disease in diabetes patients. Testing for A LT and AST, should be carried out to screen underlying fatty liver, especially in male diabetes patients with high BMI.
An Upper Bound Limit Analysis to Determine the Stability of Slope Considering the Effect of Earthquake

The cell-based smoothed finite element method (CS-FEM) and second order cone programming (SOCP) are used to access the seismic stability of slope in cohesivefrictional soil. In this study, the seismic force will be considered as the inertial load which calculated through horizontal acceleration factor αh. The stability factor is expressed in the form of a dimensionless number γmaxHtan/c; where H is the slope height, γmax and c are the maximum unit weight and cohesion of soil, respectively. In addition, the failure mechanisms of slope will be obtained directly from solving the optimization problems. A series of simulations are carried out and the results confirm that this numerical procedure provides stable and accurate solutions to seismic stabilities in compare with those using finite element method as well as the influence of the properties of soil to the slope stability.
Dopamine D4 receptor exon III genotype influence on the auditory evoked novelty P3

The functional implications of the dopamine D4 receptor gene (DRD4) exon III polymorphism and its role in the modulation of temperament and in the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders are still a matter of debate. Based on evidence from animal studies, we hypothesised that this polymorphism is involved in the modulation of the cortical response to novelty as reflected by the auditory evoked novelty P3 event-related potential. In a sample of 46 healthy volunteers, we observed an interactive effect of DRD4 exon III genotype and the eye-blink rate, a measure of central dopaminergic activity, on the novelty P3. These findings suggest that the DRD4 exon III polymorphism influences the processing of novelty and that this influence depends on tonic dopaminergic activity.
A GPS Phase-Locked Loop Performance Metric Based on the Post-Discriminator Estimate of Phase Error

We propose a novel GPS phase-lock loop (PLL) performance metric based on the standard deviation of tracking error (defined as the discriminator’s estimate of the true phase error), and expound the advantages of this metric over the popular phase jitter metric (which is based on the true phase error) using theory, numerical simulation, and experimental results. We derive an augmented GPS phase-lock loop (PLL) linear model, which includes the effect of coherent averaging, to be used in conjunction with this proposed metric. The augmented linear model allows more accurate calculation of tracking error standard deviation in the presence of additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) as compared to the traditional linear model. The standard deviation of tracking error, with a threshold of 45 degrees (corresponding to half of the arctangent discriminator pull-in region), is shown to be a more reliable/robust measure of PLL performance under interference conditions than the phase jitter metric. In addition, the augmented linear model is shown to be valid up until this threshold, which facilitates efficient performance prediction, so that time-consuming direct simulations and costly experimental testing can be reserved for designs that are much more likely to be successful. The effect of varying receiver reference oscillator quality on the tracking error metric is also considered.
DESIGN AND OPTIMIZATION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC BAND GAP STRUCTURES

The thesis deals with the design and optimization o f periodic structures for surface waves suppression on electrically dense dielectric substrates. The design of such structures is rather complicated due to the large f actor of uncertainty how the electromagnetic band gap (EBG) properties change de p nding on the unit cell geometry. Without a proper approach, the design of EBGs is ba sed on trial-and-error. In this thesis, the basic theory of electromagnetic wave propagation in metamaterials is presented first. Second, the corre t dispersion diagram computation in the selected full-wave software tools is discussed. The main attention is turned then to the automated design and optimization of EBG struct ures using different global evolutionary algorithms. The practical exploitation of the developed technique is demonstrated on design examples of reduced-size and dual-band EBGs, periodic structures with simultaneous electromagnetic band g ap and artificial magnetic conductor (AMC) properties and periodic structures acting as superstrates. The last chapter of the thesis is devoted to the experimental verification of computer models.
Cellular and molecular regulation of factor V expression in human megakaryocytes

The mechanisms responsible for regulating FV expression in normal human megakaryocytes are unknown. To test the hypothesis that they are related to cell maturation events, we correlated human megakaryocyte FV antigen content with several putative maturation markers including cell size, morphologic stage of development, and ploidy level. Mature megakaryocytes were isolated from normal marrow by counterflow centrifugal elutriation. The cells were immunofluorescently labeled with a monoclonal antibody probe (B10) directed against the FV connecting peptide (150 kDa) and then reacted with Chromomycin A3 to allow for simultaneous DNA quantitation in the same cell. After processing, individual cells were stages and sized. FV antigen and nuclear DNA levels (ploidy) were measured by microphotometric measurements of total cytoplasmic or nuclear fluorescence. A total of 1,006 cells were examined, of which 12% were stage I, 8% were stage II, 35% were stage III, and 45% were stage IV. The geometric mean diameter (± SD) of cells in these stages was 48.3 ± 11.8 μm2, 54.9 ± 14.4 μm2, 61.7 ± 20.02 μm2, and 56.7 ± 13.2 μm2, respectively. Respective ploidy values in arbitrary fluorescence units, where 2 N = 5%, were 28.2 ± 18.2%, 31.4 ± 19.3%, 54.3 ± 26.6%, and 33.2 ± 22.7%. Calculated correlation coefficients (r) and coefficient of determination (r2) values suggested that FV antigen levels varied independently of any of the maturation markers studied. However, FV antigen levels could be upregulated by 24 h exposure to 8 nM phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). Presence of FV mRNA in a pure population of megakaryocytes was demonstrated by in situ hybridization and the polymerase chain reaction. Relative levels of megakaryocyte FV mRNA, as assessed by in situ hybridization, failed to reveal a detectable change after PMA exposure in spite of an increase in detectable protein. These data suggest that FV synthesis may be regulated at the post‐transcriptional level and that it is subject to regulatory influences which are not coordinately linked to development of other terminal maturation markers.
CARDIFF METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY CARDIFF SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES DEPARTMENT OF HEALTHCARE SCIENCES AND FOOD BSc (Hons) Human Nutrition and Dietetics

Introduction: In wales around 23% of adults are obese, the highest rates are in the most deprived areas. Snack foods may be in part to blame for an increase in obesity rates. Checkouts in food shops have been found to contain a high number of high fat, salt or sugar (HFSS) snacks particularly in low income areas. Fruit and vegetable availability and consumption is reported to be low in more deprived areas, with the lowest rates of consumption being in the North Wales area. Methods: The study is a cross-sectional audit, with data collected though observations. It took place in the Rhyl West 2 area (RW2A) which is a deprive area in Wales. Snacks on and in view of checkouts were audited, to identify the range of healthy versus HFSS snacks available. Fruit and vegetable availability in the shops within (RW2A) were also recorded. Results: All shops had snack foods on at least some of their checkouts. 78% of checkouts audited contained snack foods. Of these 48% contained healthy snack and 58% contained HFSS snacks. This shows a greater availability of HFSS snacks on checkouts. Supermarkets had greater availability of healthy snack items compared to in-town shops. All in-town shops offered fruit and vegetables in some form however the quality and variety varied between shops. Conclusion: It would be possible to make healthy snack swaps from the items available at the supermarket checkouts however not at most in-town shop checkouts. It would also be possible to meet the 5-a-day recommendations for fruit and vegetables when shopping in the in-town shops however, the variety and quality available would be reduced compared to a supermarket. Introduction In Wales, around 23% of adults are obese with the highest rates being in the most deprived areas (Welsh government, 2017). Without intervention this is estimated to rise to over 50% of the adult population by 2050, costing the NHS an estimated 10 billion pound per year
Numerical Study of Effects of Synclinal Basement Topography on Ground Motion Characteristics

The effects of radius of curvature, focal length and depth of synclinal basement topography (SBT) on ground motion characteristics in both the quantitative and qualitative manners are documented in this paper. Seismic responses of various unbounded SBT models were computed using a 2D fourth-order spatial accurate SH-wave finite-difference (FD) algorithm. In order to accurately quantify the SBT effects on the spectral amplification of ground motion, a frequency dependent damping in time-domain FD simulation is implemented based on rheology of generalised Maxwell body, widely known as GMB-EK rheological model. The computed seismic responses on the vertical array along the focal length as well as snapshots at various times revealed that the amplification pattern caused by SBT very much depends on radius of curvature, focal length, depth of SBT and the rheology of the sediment overlying the basement. The spectral amplification caused by SBT is computed just by taking the spectral ratio of responses with and without SBT in the model in order to exclude the effects of impedance contrast at the sediment basement interface. A frequency dependent amplification of ground motion is inferred. Results of this study depict that consideration of SBT effect is as much important as that of surface hills/ridges during seismic hazard assessment.
INFLUENCE OF LATTICE DEFECTS ON GRAIN BOUNDARY SELF-DIFFUSION IN NICKEL

An extremely wide spectrum of experimental results on the grain boundary (GB) self-diffusivities in nickel was published in the literature. Currently, our previously published results show a pronounced dependence of diffusivities on both purity and thermo-mechanical history. A possible reason for the large scatter of published experimental data could be a contribution arising from some crystal lattice defects other than GBs. Thus, in the present work, the impact of the selected lattice defects on diffusion processes, grain growth and twin production has been investigated. Hence, the cast and cold-rolled nickel specimens of purity grades from 99.5% to over 99.99% were selected to study the influence of the material purity and fabrication on microstructure and its evolution during thermal treatment and thereby on the mass transport properties. At the same time, a few examples of measured data from the literature are presented that fall outside the physically plausible range and a possible reason for it is suggested.
Social capital , con fl ict and welfare

This paper analyzes the role of external conflict as a force that can create social capital. Hostile inter-group interactions can help to resolve intra-group social dilemmas but these potential gains must be weighed against the insecurity of hostile relations with an out-group. Our central result is that the presence of an outside threat can induce higher levels of social capital either because a protective aspect of social capital comes into play and/ or as a reallocation of investments from private to social capital. Given that social capital is potentially subject to free-riding, the threat, by promoting a greater level of social capital, can be welfare improving. When the threat is severe, social capital and welfare are more likely to fall. This effect of an external threat on social capital is stronger in poor economies. These results can shed light on the sometimes contradicting empirical evidence on the relationship between conflict and social capital. “War gives a sense that we can rise above our smallness and divisiveness,” Chris Hedges (2002).