Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
La rage en Afrique, maladie oubliée ou négligée – le cas d’une ville en Afrique de l’Ouest

Objectif : Ce travail visait a decrire les caracteristiques de la rage en milieu urbain(Bamako). Il s’agit plus specifiquement de calculer la prevalence de la rage dans la zone d’etude Methodologie : Une etude transversale a ete menee a partir des dossiers des patients ayant consulte au Centre antirabique apres exposition et suspicion de rage humaine de janvier 1995 a decembre 2011. Resultat : quatre-vingt-neuf cas de rage humaine ont ete recenses sur une population estime de plus 1 809106 d’habitants, soit une prevalence de 5 cas 100000 habitant par an. La tranche d’age la plus touchee etait celle de moins de 15 ans. L’animal en cause des cas de rage humaine etait le chien dans 91 % cas. Pour les morsures 62,2% ont ete evaluees grade II de l’OMS, 33% ont effectue prophylaxie post exposition. Le delai entre la morsure et les premiers symptomes allait de 3 a 4 semaines dans 61 cas sur 89 (68%), Celui entre le debut des premiers signes et le deces etait de quatre jours. Le diagnostic de rage humaine a ete evoque sur des arguments cliniques : agitation et hydrophobie mortelle en quelques jours, suite a la morsure d’animal connu ou non. Conclusion : des progres restent encore a faire pour evaluer la reelle incidence de la rage au Mali.
Mentor Graphics：向嵌入式市场发力

Mentor Graphics首席执行官（CEO）Wally Rhines和嵌入式系统部门亚太区经理徐志亮,在该公司年度盛会EDA Tech Forum2010召开之际接受了EDN China技术编辑的专访,就公司的EDA和嵌入式市场策略进行深入交流。 设计工具对嵌入式开发的全面支持Mentor Graphics在先进的功能验证、PCB/MAD/FPGA和嵌入式等技术领域提供技术创新的产品与完整解决方案,
ABC transporter-dependent brain uptake of the 5-HT 1 B receptor radioligand [ C-11 ] AZ 10419369

Background: We have explored the possibility that the serotonin 1B receptor radioligand [C]AZ10419369 is a substrate for adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, such as P-glycoprotein (P-gp), Mrp4, and Bcrp, in rodents and whether there is a species difference regarding its blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetration. Methods: In a series of preclinical positron emission tomography measurements, we have administered [C] AZ10419369 to mice, rats, and guinea pigs under baseline conditions and, on separate experimental days, after administration of the ABC transporter inhibitor, cyclosporin A (CsA). Results: During baseline conditions, the brain uptake was low in mice and rats, but not in guinea pigs. After CsA pretreatment, the peak whole brain uptake values of [C]AZ10419369 increased by 207% in mice, 94% in rats, and 157% in guinea pigs. Binding potentials (BPND) could not be estimated during baseline conditions in mice and rats. After CsA pretreatment, the highest BPND values were obtained in the striatum and thalamus (BPND ≈ 0.4) in mice, while in rats, the highest binding areas were the striatum, thalamus, hypothalamus, and periaqueductal gray (BPND ≈ 0.5). In guinea pigs, we did not find any significant changes in BPND between baseline and CsA pretreatment, except in the striatum. Conclusions: The results indicate that BBB penetration of [C]AZ10419369 was hindered by ABC transporter activity in mouse, rat, and guinea pig. This study highlights the importance of ABC transporters in the design of preclinical positron emission tomography (PET) studies.
An extension to the XCS classifier system for stochastic environments

We analyze XCS learning capabilities in stochastic environments where the result of agent actions can be uncertain. We show that XCS can cope when the degree of uncertainty is limited. We propose an extension to XCS, called XCSµ, which can learn optimal solutions for higher degrees of uncertainty. We test XCSµ when the uncertainty affects the whole environment and when the uncertainty is limited to some areas. Finally, we show that XCSµ is a proper extension of XCS in that it coincides with it when it is applied to deterministic environments.
Literacy education in the Digital Age: Using blogging to teach writing

Through an in-depth and detailed analysis of one specific case, this study demonstrated that digital technologies, for example, blogging, wikis and social networking, have a role to play in the development of literacy skills in the primary classroom. The findings from this study suggest, that in this instance blogging was successfully integrated into teaching and learning sequences to achieve numerous English syllabus writing outcomes. This study also demonstrated that, in addition to the development of traditional literacy skills, concerned mainly with the ability to construct “well structured and well presented” (BOS, 2007, p37) texts, the collaborative use of the classroom blog provided students with the means to develop critical literacy skills in relation to interacting with an audience and each other (BOS,
The Effects of Audio Feedback on the L2 Writing Quality of Egyptian University Students

The present study investigates the effects of training ESL students to utilize audio feedback on the fluency, accuracy, content and organization of their writing. It also examines ESL student attitudes and perceptions towards audio feedback and audio feedback training. Audio feedback is an innovative error correction technique in which the teacher records comments on students’ writing and saves them as an audio file. The audio file is then used by the student to revise a piece of writing. Audio feedback training refers to the idea of training ESL students on how to successfully utilize audio feedback in order to reap its benefits during writing revision. Using a pretest and posttest utilizing TOFEL argumentative prompts, the researcher collected writing samples from 39 ESL students studying English at an American accredited university in Cairo, Egypt. The participants were divided into two groups, a control group and an experimental group. Prior to the posttest, both groups were given audio feedback on writing errors pertaining to fluency, accuracy, content, and organization. The experimental group also received a 20-minute audio feedback training session.
When Best Intentions Go Awry: The Failures of Concrete Representations to Help Solve Probability Word Problems.

We replicated the general results of two previous experiments showing that external representations hinder college students’ ability to solve probability word problems. In the present experiment, we converted our training and a portion of our practice materials to a multimedia format. The concrete-representations group was instructed in how to use Venn diagrams to solve probability problems involving nonmutually exclusive events; the control group was instructed only in the formulation of equations. Results indicated that the control group outperformed the concreterepresentations group on transfer problems; additionally, there was a main effect for performance on transfer problems, favoring near-transfer problems over far-transfer problems. Contrary to our previous findings, in the present study cognitive load did not appear to be a factor in the lower performance of the concrete-representations condition. Theoretical Framework Recent research has called into question the efficacy of using concrete representations as an aid to solving mathematics problems. For example, Kaminski, Sloutsky, & Heckler (2008) found that college students who studied a mathematical concept using an abstract, symbolic representation outperformed their peers who learned the same concept using concrete representations (and even outperformed a third group who learned through both abstract and concrete representations). Koedinger, Alibali, & Nathan (2008) showed that concrete representations produce greater learning for simple mathematics problems but abstract representations are more efficacious when solving more complex mathematics problems. Our own previous work (Beitzel, Staley, & DuBois, 2007, 2008) corroborates the general outcomes of these studies. We presented undergraduate students with training in either an abstract representation (i.e., an equation) or a concrete representation in the context of solving word problems involving two different types of probability: (a) joint probability of independent events and (b) total probability of non-mutually exclusive events. In two separate experiments, students who were trained to use the abstract representation completed posttest problems with a higher degree of accuracy than their counterparts who were trained to use the concrete representations. In our second study (Beitzel et al., 2008) we hypothesized that the greater cognitive load (e.g., Van Merriënboer & Sweller, 2005) imposed by the use of the concrete representations might be responsible for the poorer performance of students using those representations. Our results confirmed this prediction; students using the concrete representations reported significantly higher levels of mental demand than students using only the abstract representations.
Malformations in embryos of the deposit-feeding amphipod Monoporeia affinis in the Baltic Sea

The embryonic development of the deposit-feeding Baltic amphipod Monoporeia affjnis (Lindstrom) was studied from fertilization to hatching. Severe types of aberrant embryonic development are described and the normal variation of the aberrations is estimated. Between 2 and 6% malformed, 0 and 5 % undifferentiated and 0 and 6% dead eggs and embryos were observed at different sites in the coastal area of the northern Baltic proper and the Bothnian Sea without local contaminant &scharges. The embryonic development of M. affinis was described to facilitate the use of the embryo variables in field studies of sediment toxicity. The merits of the different embryo variables as biomarkers in effect monitoring were evaluated. Gravid females were sampled in the receiving waters of 2 different types of pulp mills and an aluminum smeltery. Fecundity (eggs per female) and frequency of malformed, enlarged, undifferentiated and dead embryos per female were determined. Frequency of malformed embryos was higher at industrially affected stations as compared to reference areas (p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001 and p = 0.003 respectively). The highest frequencies (15.3%) were recorded close to the alurninum smeltery. In reference areas the frequency vaned between 1.5 and 4.9. The number of enlarged embryos with oedema was higher near the pulp m d s (p = 0.03, p > 0.0001), particularly the pulp mill with a bleaching stage, where 25 to 40% embryos per female were affected. Background frequencies of enlarged embryos (0.7 to 3.5%) were observed outside the alurninum smeltery. UnMferentiated eggs and dead eggs did not correlate to the exposure situation, suggesting these variables are of lunited value in effect monitoring of xenobiotics. The frequency of malformed embryos was increased also when fecundity, reproduction success and developmental stage of embryos were unaffected. Thus, the variable is suggested to be particularly toxicant-sensitive and by analysing the number of malformed embryos of M. affinis an early warning of affected populations could be provided.
Effects of rosiglitazone pretreatment on blood glucose, lipid levels, urea, and microalbuminuria in rats undergoing 70% pancreatectomy

1Yozgat Bozok University Hospital, General Surgery Department, Yozgat, 2Department of Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, 3Department of Medical Biochemistry, Gazi University, Ankara, 4Department of Endocrinology, Bozyaka Research and Training Hospital, Izmir, 5Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, 6Department of General Surgery, Ataturk Research and Training Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
Benchmarking: A Signpost to Excellence in Quality and Productivity

Preface. Introduction. Aspects and Categories of Benchmarking. Implementation of Benchmarking. Stage 1: Decide What to Benchmark. Stage 2: Identify Benchmarking Partners. Stage 3: Gather Information. Stage 4: Analyze. Stage 5: Implement for Effect. From Benchmarking to Benchlearning. Bibliography. Index.
Voluntary Information Acquisition in an Asymmetric-Information Game: Comparing Learning Theories in the Laboratory

This paper proposes an experimental design of voluntary information acquisition to discriminate among different learning models and implements this design in two-stage asymmetric-information games. Subjects information-seeking behavior reveals that, in relation to belief-updating, they tend to choose certain information set that is consistent with belief-based learning theories rather than reinforcement theories. A hybrid learning model with information acquisition- a variant of the Generalized Experience-Weighted-Attraction model (Shafran, 2012) - is also proposed. It successfully captures the different learning speeds of players with asymmetric roles at the aggregate level, and shows that players best respond to information that they choose to examine. This study suggests that tracking subjects voluntary information choice is a complementary tool for analyzing players learning behaviors.
Effets antihypertenseurs des extraits de Terminalia superba Engler & Diels (Combretaceae) : étude in vivo et in vitro

Terminalia superba Engler & Diels (Combretaceae) est utilisee en medecine traditionnelle au Cameroun pour les soins d'hypertension arterielle (HTA). L'objectif du travail de cette these a ete d'apporter des bases scientifiques a son utilisation traditionnelle. Nous avons evalue les effets d'un extrait aqueux de T. superba chez des rats normaux ou soumis a deux modeles d'HTA secondaire : l'HTA induite par le glucose et l'HTA induite par l'ethanol. L'extrait aqueux exerce un effet hypotenseur, antihypertenseur et antioxydant. Quatre extraits de T. superba : l'extrait aqueux (AQU), au methanol (MET), au chlorure de methylene (MC) et au methanol/chlorure de methylene (MCM) ont des effets vasodilatateurs les anneaux aortiques isoles de rat, denues ou non d'endothelium vasculaire et contractes a la phenylephrine ou au chlorure de potassium. L'extrait MC est le plus actif et reduit les flux calciques. L'extrait MC a exerce un effet anti-hypertenseur chez le rat spontanement hypertendu, une diminution du stress oxydatif, une amelioration de la fonction endotheliale. Il n'a affecte ni la diurese, ni l'activite des cytochromes P450 3A hepatiques. Les extraits AQU et au MC se sont reveles faiblement toxiques, avec des DLso respectivement superieures a 5000 mg/kg et 2000 mg/kg. L'extrait MC aux doses de 300 et de 600 mg/kg a revele des zones de congestion vasculaires et d'inflammations reversibles apres arret du traitement. Ce travail a valide sur le plan pharmacologique l'utilisation de T. superba comme traitement alternatif a l'HTA. Il sera question d'identifier les composes purs a l'origine de l'activite cardio-vasculaire de la plante, et a poursuivre les etudes toxicologiques.
The Effect of Second Language Instruction on Acquisition of Relative Clauses in the Russian Language

THE EFFECT OF SECOND LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION ON THE ACQUISITION OF RELATIVE CLAUSES IN THE RUSSIAN LANGUAGE Valentina N. Dunn Center for Language Studies Master of Arts The purpose of this research was to test the predictions of the Accessibility Hierarchy (AH) theory (Keenan & Comrie, 1977) applying it to the Russian language. According to this theory, relative clauses (RC) are acquired in a fixed unidirectional order: from subject (S) – the highest (unmarked) and more susceptible to relativization position – to object of comparative (OCOM) – the lowest (marked) and less susceptible to relativization position. Since some researchers (Hamilton, 1994) claim that the AH is multidirectional rather than unidirectional, this study takes into consideration these findings as well. The present study attempts to determine (a) if learners of the Russian language are able to make generalizations about more unmarked RC positions after receiving instruction only on a relatively marked relative clause position (in this study it is OPR – object of a preposition), and (b) if instruction on unmarked relative clause position facilitates learners’ ability to generalize that learning to marked relative clauses. Participants of the study were Brigham Young University students studying Russian as a second language. Two groups, the basic treatment group (BG) and the complex treatment group (CG) with a total of fifty-four subjects, completed pretests and posttests, each of which included two elicitation tasks: a combination test (CT) and a grammaticality judgment test (GJT). Both groups received instruction between the tests. The BG received instruction on the subject (S), the direct object (DO), and the indirect object (IO) RC positions. The CG received instruction only on the OPR position. Three types of error, incorrect adjacency, incorrect morphological RC ending, and pronoun retention, were analyzed separately. In addition, the CT investigated the acquisition of pied-piping structure in the OPR and GEN types. The results of the research support Hamilton’s (1994) findings and suggest that generalization is clearly not unidirectional. Regardless of type of instruction the subjects of both groups generalized their learning in both directions.
Language, discipline or task? : a comparison study of the effectiveness of different methods for delivering content-based instructions to EFL students of Business Studies

This research aims to conduct a comparison study of the effectiveness of different CBI (content-based instruction) methods delivered to ESL students of business studies in order to investigate the interactions between different aspects of academic literacies, identify the strengths and weaknesses of different CBI methods, explore students’ perceptions and learning experience of the CBI programme under different types of instructions, and provide some pedagogical implications for CBI programmes. Some EAP (English for Academic Purposes) courses were criticised for their overemphasis on the general ‘academic core’ rather than the disciplinary generic feature, in spite of using subject content as a vehicle of language. By contrast, numerous immersion programmes which adopted the sheltered model were also accused of insufficient language development and difficulty in applying theory to problem-solving, though language learning was considered subconscious acquisition. The latest movement of learner-centred and task-based teaching was claimed to be the most effective instructional approach, because it may fill the gap between language instruction and discipline instruction, promote the advancement of critical and analytical thinking, and facilitate the development of diverse academic abilities in a holistic and collaborative manner. Consequently, language, disciplinary knowledge and problem-solving skills have become three major academic domains and their interrelationships are worthy of investigation. The basic strategy for this research includes delivering three different CBI methods to three groups, administering eight hybrid post-tests after each teaching session to examine students’ academic learning outcomes, and holding three blocks of semi-structured interviews to explore students’ learning experiences with different CBI interventions. The post-tests results were analysed using correlation test and MANOVA. Thematic content analysis was used to analyse the interview data.
Design of a Persistence Server for the Relational Hypergraph Model

Abstract : The fundamental purpose of this research is to develop an automated software evolution tool, CASES, for large and complex systems. CASES (Computer-Aided Software Evolution System) is based on the Relational Hypergraph model that is a formal model for describing software evolution processes. This model provides the preliminary mathematical definitions to support the development of CASES. There are five basic functions related to software evolution steps: step refinement, project evaluation, constraint management, personnel management, and step management. There are also five functions related to software evolution components: component management, component traceability, version control and configuration management, dependency management, and inference rule management. CASES is implemented by using Java JDK 1.1. 7 and Swing 1.0. 3 under the Visual Cafe version 3.0 environment. The primary contributions of this research include: (1) Providing an automated tool for software evolution; (2) Validating a software evolution model, the RH model; (3) Allowing reuse of software evolution components; (4) Describing the software evolution processes; (5) Automating the version control of software evolution objects; (6) Tracing the software evolution activities; and (7) Managing and controlling job scheduling and assignment.
Challenges for the Maintenance of Traditional Knowledge in the Satoyama and Satoumi Ecosystems, Noto Peninsula, Japan

This paper proposes an appropriate mechanism for the maintenance of traditional knowledge (TK) associated with wild edible plants, seaweeds and mushrooms in the satoyama and satoumi ecosystems located in the Noto Peninsula, Japan. The conceptual framework of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) was adapted to this study to examine the impact of the drivers of change on TK and components of human well-being, changes in TK and components of human well-being, and interrelations amongst them. Relevant data were collected through conducting in-depth interviews and administering a survey. The results of the survey revealed that 46 wild edible plants, 12 seaweeds, and 19 mushroom species are widely collected for a variety of purposes in the selected sites. Unfortunately, it was determined that the current trend in the study sites is increasing erosion of traditional knowledge and relevant traditional practices due to the impacts of the drivers addressed in this study (e.g. ageing and migration). Assessment of the linkages between TK and human well-being shows that both the decline in TK and the drivers of change adversely affect five fundamental components of human well-being (e.g. health, development of good social relations, and security). Recognizing this undesirable trend, a holistic strategy was developed to sustain, use, and transmit TK as a living cultural resource in society. Within this context, a number of potential responses (e.g. economic, tourism-related, social and behavioural) and instruments (e.g. Community Development Fund) for providing benefit sharing among the target groups were developed to achieve success in the effective maintenance and promotion of TK and also to contribute to sustainable development strategies in the Peninsula.
An Internetwork Authentication Architecture

Abstract : Current internet works do not have effective host-to-host authentication mechanisms. The lack of these mechanisms contributes substantially to currently widespread network security problems. Public key authentication is a good approach to providing optional authentication in internet works. An internet work authentication architecture using public key authentication technology is proposed as a possible mechanism to substantially improve the security of large internet works. Limitations of the proposed authentication architecture are also described. Network, Authentication, Security, Digital signature, Internet