Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Using sitcoms in B1/B2 EFL environments to enhance listening skills: a pragmatic approach

Este proyecto de investigacion tiene como objetivo analizar el impacto de ver comedias situacionales en las habilidades linguisticas, la de escuchar particularmente, en estudiantes en un numero de paises y determinar si es que estas herramientas podrian tambien ayudar a los estudiantes de Instituto de Idiomas de la Universidad de Cuenca o no. Los resultados de este estudio fueron obtenidos del analisis de las opiniones, perspectivas e intereses en relacion a las comedias de situacion y series de television en general de los docentes y estudiantes. Los resultados muestran que los estuantes en el Instituto de Idiomas estan interesados en mejorar su ingles mientras ven comedias de situacion. Sin embargo, para lograrlo, la frecuencia con la que las ven definitivamente necesita incrementar. Los docentes del Instituto creen firmemente que las series de television y las comedias de situacion pueden promover la motivacion y el interes en el ingles de los estudiantes mientras mejoran sus habilidades pragmaticas y de escucha. Despues de analizar los resultados, una serie de actividades basadas en comedias de situacion fueron creadas para facilitar el uso de comedias de situacion como herramientas para estudiantes y profesores de ingles en ambientes de ingles como lengua extranjera.
No Correlation of the Disease Severity of Influenza A Virus Infection with the rs12252 Polymorphism of the Interferon-Induced Transmembrane Protein 3 Gene

The 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic, which involved a more pathogenic virus than seasonal influenza viruses, rapidly spread around the world and caused many deaths in humans. The members of the interferon-induced transmembrane (IFITM) protein family prevent viral replication and are crucial for defending the host cell against influenza A virus (IAV). Several studies suggest that the CC genotype at the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs12252 of IFITM3 confers a genetic predisposition to pandemic influenza A in Europeans and Han Chinese, although one study in a British cohort failed to show an association. In order to examine whether an SNP of the IFITM3 gene is correlated with the disease severity of pandemic IAV (H1N1) infection in a Korean population, we investigated the genotype and allele frequencies of this polymorphism in 300 healthy Koreans by automatic direct sequencing and compared the disease severity based on epidemiological studies of the H1N1 virus reported in several countries. The frequencies of the CC genotype and the C allele in the IFITM3 polymorphism were higher in the Korean population than in the European populations, but not in Chinese and Japanese populations. The prevalence of severe cases of the pandemic 2009 IAV infection in Koreans was similar to that in Europeans (p = 0.106). In addition, the prevalence of deaths among all positive cases with pandemic 2009 IAV infection in Koreans was significantly lower than that in Europeans. These results suggest that the IFITM3 genotype may not be a determinant of disease severity of IAV infection.
GENITOR II: a distributed genetic algorithm

Abstract GENITOR is a genetic algorithm which employs one-at-a-time reproduction and allocates reproductive opportunities according to rank to achieve selective pressure. Theoretical arguments and empirical evidence suggest that GENITOR is less vulnerable to some of the biases that degrade performance in standard genetic algorithms. A distributed version of GENITOR which uses many smaller distributed populations in place of a single large population is introduced. GENITOR II is able to optimize a broad range of sample problems more accurately and more consistently than GENITOR with a single population. GENITOR II also appears to be more robust than a single population genetic algorithm, yielding better performance without parameter tuning. We present some preliminary analyses to explain the performance advantage of the distributed algorithm. A distributed search is shown to yield improved search on several classes of problems, including binary encoded feedforward neural networks, the Traveling Salesman Pr.
Community-Based Prevention Marketing

This article describes the application and refinement of community-based prevention marketing (CBPM), an example of community-based participatory research that blends social marketing theories and techniques and community organization principles to guide voluntary health behavior change. The Florida Prevention Research Center has worked with a community coalition in Sarasota County, Florida to define locally important health problems and issues and to develop responsive health-promotion interventions. The CBPM framework has evolved as academic and community-based researchers have gained experience applying it. Community boards can use marketing principles to design evidence-based strategies for addressing local public health concerns. Based on 6 years of experience with the “Believe in All Your Possibilities” program, lessons learned that have led to revision and improvement of the CBPM framework are described.
Preparation for clinical practice: a survey of medical students’ and graduates’ perceptions of the effectiveness of their medical school curriculum

This paper describes the perceptions of students and graduates of the Hebrew University—Hadassah medical school in Israel regarding the effectiveness of their medical education in preparing them for work in the clinical setting. The six-year curriculum consists of three years of mainly lecture-based Basic Science courses, and three years of clinical education, consisting of clinical clerkship rotations of various lengths. An anonymous questionnaire containing 114 items was distributed to 294 students (in their clinical years) and 500 graduates of the faculty. A total of 371 respondents completed the questionnaire (response rate 49%). Overall 60% of the respondents were generally satisfied with the medical training they received. However, respondents indicated many deficiencies in the curriculum, and in their competences. More than half of the respondents felt that Basic Science courses lacked clinical relevance. Almost 40% of the respondents reported that students were not taught sufficient clinical skills in preparations for clinical practice. At least 50% of the respondents reported that they had not received adequate exposure to 26 out of the 36 important clinical activities and skills during clerkships. Only 33% of the respondents agreed that the fundamental knowledge, skills, attitudes and values that medical students should possess at the time of graduation were made explicitly clear to them. Perspectives of students and graduates were compared. In many questions significantly more graduates tended to rate their learning experience better than students. This study illuminates many aspects of the curriculum the faculty needs to address in order to prepare physicians effectively and efficiently for clinical work. It also stresses the need to integrate better preclinical and clinical studies, and to change to active learning methods. This study demonstrates the necessity of gathering information from students and graduates to evaluate their medical education experience.
Modeling and Analysis for Workflow Constrained by Resources and Nondetermined Time: An Approach Based on Petri Nets

Time and resource management and verification are two important aspects of workflow management systems. In this paper, we present a modeling and analysis approach for a kind of workflow constrained by resources and nondetermined time based on Petri nets. Different from previous modeling approaches, there are two kinds of places in our model to represent the activities and resources of a workflow, respectively. For each activity place, its input and output transitions represent the start and termination of the activity, respectively, and there are two timing functions in it to define the minimum and maximum duration times of the corresponding activity. Using the constructed Petri net model, the earliest and latest times to start each activity can be calculated. With the reachability graph of the Petri net model, the timing factors influencing the implementation of the workflow can be calculated and verified. In this paper, the sufficient conditions for the existence of the best implementation case of a workflow are proved, and the method for obtaining such an implementation case is presented. The obtained results will benefit the evaluation and verification of the implementation of a workflow constrained by resources and nondetermined time.
Familial myelodysplasia and acute myeloid leukaemia – a review

Familial occurrence of myelodysplasia (MDS) and/or acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is rare but can provide a useful resource for the investigation of predisposing mutations in these myeloid malignancies. To date, examination of families with MDS/AML has lead to the detection of two culprit genes, RUNX1 and CEBPA. Germline mutations in RUNX1 result in familial platelet disorder with propensity to myeloid malignancy and inherited mutations of CEBPA predispose to AML. Unfortunately, the genetic cause remains obscure in most other reported pedigrees. Further insight into the molecular mechanisms of familial MDS/AML will require awareness by clinicians of new patients with relevant family histories.
Acquisition of a state-space model for one-dimensional active noise control

The acquisition of a state-space model for Active Noise Control (ANC) for a one-dimensional acoustic duct system is discussed. A complex-valued state-space model with infinite dimension is derived theoretically. The key system coefficient-acoustic terminal impedance is determined based on system identification method. By checking the eigenvalue's consistency, the acoustic terminal impedance is determined by taking average of its estimations corresponding to each resonance frequency. The proposed approach is further extended into a peak-by-peak identification approach so as to reduce the complexity and computation load caused by potential high-order system identification. Compared with most existing models and approaches for ANC design, the unique feature of the proposed model and method is that the physical meanings of all system coefficients are kept in the developed model, which provides sufficient details for supporting ANC design and analysis.
OBSERVATIONS AND ADVERTISING: CONTROVERSIES IN THE PRESCRIBING OF HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY

Since scientists in the 1930s discovered sex hormones, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been a source of considerable controversy and debate. This debate continues with the publication of the results of the Women's Health Initiative, a large randomized controlled trial that has once again altered the way women and their care providers view this therapy. Over the years the evidence increasingly has suggested that HRT is not effective for the prevention of cardiovascular disease in women. However, the prevailing opinion denied this, and millions of women were prescribed estrogen with or without progestin under the assumption that cardioprotection was possible. Why did this practice continue in the face of mounting evidence of harm? In this article we will explore the role that the media and pharmaceutical companies have played in the widespread use of these hormones despite evidence of significant side effects and lack of prevention efficacy.
Suckling and four-times daily milking: influence on ovulation, estrus and serum luteinizing hormone, glucocorticoids and prolactin in postpartum holsteins.

Holstein cows were assigned at calving to be (1) milked at 12-hr (n = 5) or (2) 6-hr (n =5) intervals or (3) suckled ad libitum by one calf and milked at 12-hr intervals (n = 6). Suckling resulted in an increase in the postpartum (PP) interval to first ovulation (39.7 vs 21.2 days), but increased milking frequency did not. Delayed resumption of episodic luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion was associated with the increased PP interval to ovulation in suckled cows. Both frequency and amplitude of episodic LH peaks were reduced (P less than .05) on days 7 and 14 PP in suckled cows compared to nonsuckled cows (1.2 vs 2.5 peaks/4.5 hr and 1.8 vs 2.8 ng/ml, respectively). Suckling did not significantly modify basal of milking-induced concentrations of prolactin or total glucocorticoids. Nor did serum concentrations of progesterone or estradiol-17 beta differ between suckled and nonsuckled cows, or between day 7 and day 14 PP. Milking-induced secretion of both prolactin and total glucocorticoids were greater (P less than .05) on day 14 PP than on day 7 PP in both suckled and nonsuckled cows. These results suggest that suckling may delay the first PP ovulation by suppressing episodic LH secretion. Alternations in prolactin, total glucocorticoids, progesterone or estradiol-17 beta do not apper to mediate directly the effects of suckling on PP episodic LH secretion and (or) ovulation.
FinFETs on insulator with silicided source/drain

In this paper, some new developments of SOI and FOI (fin-on-insulator) FinFETs with conventional silicide S/D and Schottky barrier S/D are summarized. It is observed that large junction leakages occur for bulk FinFETs with conventional silicide S/D. By forming Ni(Pt)Si (5% Pt) silicide with conventional silicide process, parasitic resistances of FOI FinFETs are dramatically reduced without increasing of leakage currents and then device performance are increased significantly. An additional 50% performance enhancement is achieved for the FOI FinFETs with Schottky barrier S/D. The good controls of short channel effects and channel leakage are also obtained for FinFETs on insulator. High-k metal gate is used for the FinFETs.
Peptidergic innervation of the rat cornea.

Corneal nerves regulate corneal epithelial integrity, proliferation, and wound healing. The mechanisms by which the nerves mediate their effects remain poorly understood; however, the release of biologically active neuropeptides has been hypothesized. The purpose of the current investigation was to determine the relative densities, distribution patterns, and origins of rat corneal nerves containing each of eight different neuropeptides, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), substance P (SP), galanin (GAL), neuropeptide Y (NPY), methionine-enkephalin (M-ENK), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), somatostatin (SOM), and cholecystokinin (CCK). In the first set of experiments, immunohistochemical demonstrations of the above neuropeptides were performed on free-floating corneal sections cut tangential to the corneal surface. The results showed that six of the peptides, CGRP, SP, GAL, NPY, M-ENK, and VIP were present in rat corneal nerves. The innervation patterns of corneal nerves containing each of these six peptides were then documented by mapping all fibers in serial sections from select corneal quadrants onto a series of line drawings by using a drawing tube. In the second set of experiments, the origins of the corneal peptidergic nerve fibers were determined by selective ocular denervations. Unilateral combined sensory and sympathetic ocular denervations or unilateral sympathetic ocular denervations were performed in adult rats by transecting the ophthalmomaxillary nerve and/or removing the superior cervical ganglion. After 5-7 days, each of the ipsilateral corneas was sectioned and processed immunohistochemically for the presence of one of the six peptides found in experiment one, and the fibers that survived the ocular denervations were plotted onto line drawings. Ocular denervations revealed that corneal peptidergic nerves have sensory (CGRP, SP, and GAL), sympathetic (NPY), and parasympathetic (GAL, NPY, M-ENK, and VIP) origins. The results of this investigation have shown that the peptidergic innervation of the rat cornea is more extensive and complex than previously reported. This is the first investigation to show the presence of GAL in the rat cornea, and the first to demonstrate the presence of NPY-, VIP-, and M-ENK-IR nerve fibers in the cornea of any species.
Long working hours, occupational health and the changing nature of work organization.

BACKGROUND The impact of long working hours on health has been of major concern since the late 19th Century. Working hours are again increasing in the US. METHODS An overview of historical, sociological, and health-related research presented at an international conference on long working hours is discussed as an introduction to a special section in this issue. RESULTS Research indicates that long working hours are polarizing along class lines with professionals working regular though longer hours and less well-educated workers having fewer though more irregular hours. Extended and irregular hours are associated with acute reactions such as stress and fatigue, adverse health behavior such as smoking, and chronic outcomes such as cardiovascular and musculoskeletal disorders. CONCLUSIONS Improved methodologies are needed to track exposure to long working hours and irregular shifts longitudinally. Research should focus on the adverse impact that sleep-deprived and stressed workers may have on the health of the public they serve. A variety of protective efforts should be undertaken and evaluated.
The Economic Legacy of Warfare: Evidence from European Regions

Historical warfare in Europe inflicted numerous costs on rural populations. To reduce such costs, rural populations relocated behind the relative safety of urban fortifications. We argue that war-related urbanization had positive consequences for long-run regional economic development. We geocode the locations of more than 600 conflicts in early modern Europe. We find a positive and significant relationship between historical conflict exposure and regional economic development today. Our results are robust to a wide range of econometric techniques, alternative samples, and economic outcomes. Human capital accumulation stands out as one channel through which war-related urbanization translated into regional economic development. Our results highlight the military origins of European wealthy urban belt.
Correction of a Glutathione Deficiency in the Aging Mosquito Increases Its Longevity

The decrease of tissue glutathione (GSH) concentrations in different senescent organisms gave rise to our hypothesis that a glutathione deficiency is a biochemical cause of the aging process. A rigorous test of this notion would be the correction of the deficiency and concomitant increase in life span. To this end, adult mosquitoes were fed magnesium thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid, and their GSH levels and life spans were determined. The GSH levels increased 50–100% (P < 0.005) regardless of the age when feeding was initiated or whether the feeding period extended over 2 days or the entire life span. Also the median life spans increased 30–38% over control values (P < 0.005). The responses were specific for the thiazolidine carboxylate moiety, because MgCl2 had no effect. These findings confirm the GSH deficiency hypothesis and demonstrate a specific biochemical mechanism of aging that can be nutritionally modified.
Molecular analysis of the cryptic and functional phn operons for phosphonate use in Escherichia coli K-12

We cloned the cryptic phn operon of a K-12 strain, phn(EcoK), and analyzed the nucleotide sequence of the phn region (11,672 bp). An mRNA start site upstream of the phnC gene was identified by S1 nuclease mapping. The pho regulon activator PhoB protects a pho box region near the mRNA start in DNase I footprinting and methylation protection experiments. The sequence of the cryptic phn(EcoK) operon was very similar to that of the functional phn operon of an Escherichia coli B strain, phn(EcoB) (C.-M. Chen, Q.-Z. Ye, Z. Zhu, B. L. Wanner, and C. T. Walsh, J. Biol. Chem. 265:4461-4471, 1990). The phnE(EcoK) gene has an 8-bp insertion, absent from the phnE(EcoB) gene, which causes a frameshift mutation. The spontaneous activation of the cryptic phn(EcoK) operon is accompanied by loss of this additional 8-bp insertion. Studies of the structure, regulation, and function of the phn region suggest that the phosphate starvation-inducible phn operon consists of 14 cistrons from phnC to phnP.
Surface orientation dependence of ion bombardment damage during plasma processing

Geometrical transition to three dimensional (3D) or Si nanowire (SNW) MOSFETs imposes critical issues regarding process technologies. High energy ion bombardment damage in 3D MOSFETs has been considered inevitable because of the fundamental nature of plasma process. In this study, we further investigated plasma-induced physical damage (PPD) on Si substrates with different surface orientations - (100), (111), and (110) to emulate PPD of future 3D and SNW devices. A classical molecular dynamics simulation implies that the channeling of incident ions is expected in a substrate with the (110) plane. However, spectroscopic ellipsometry identified thinner damaged layers in the case of (110) plane for higher ion energies (> 500 eV) and the pseudo-extinction coefficient k was smaller for the (110) plane. A capacitance-voltage measurement confirmed that the damaged layer consisted of SiO2. Thus, the same Si loss leading to Si recess that degrades device performance is presumable on both of the planes. The present findings provide key guidelines for designing future SNW devices exposed to plasma.
Mortality and infectious disease associated with infant-feeding practices in developing countries.

This review examines the available studies bearing on the relation between infant-feeding mode and infectious illness in the populations of less-developed countries. A companion critical review of studies of the relationship of infant-feeding methods and infection in industrialized countries has concluded that, although laboratory studies provide biologic plausibility for a lower infection rate in breast-fed infants, an effect, if present, is apparently modest.39 The strongest evidence for a protective effect of breast-feeding in industrialized countries is for gastrointestinal (diarrheal) illness. In this review of studies among populations in developing countries we found the evidence for an important protective effect of breast-feeding against infectious illness to be much stronger. This conclusion was reached despite serious problems in the design of many of the studies reviewed. One characteristic that distinguishes populations in less-developed countries from those of industrialized ones is the infant mortality. Even today, infant mortality for much of the world is up to ten times higher than infant mortality in the United States and Northern Europe.46 This undoubtedly reflects differences in sanitation, nutrition, housing, and other indicators of socioeconomic status. Much of the difference in rates of infant and child mortality and morbidity is attributable to high rates of infectious illness, especially gastrointestinal disease. Thus, in these populations, the positive effects of breast-feeding are of greater potential importance for the health of the infant population and should be easier to detect in clinical and epidemiologic studies. In this review we will address the following key questions: (1) whether the method of infant feeding (breast v other) is associated with differences in rates of mortality, both overall and infectious, and in rates of infectious morbidity in less-developed countries;
Serotonin and catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia: a possible therapeutic role for SSRI s?

Summary Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is a rare malignant arrhythmia, usually diagnosed in the adolescent years. The diagnosis can typically be made by one or more of the following: a positive family history, exercise electrocardiography, ambulatory ECG monitoring and/ or an intra-cardiac, electrophysiological examination. This is a case report of a patient with CPVT that was refractory to treatment with beta-blockade and an implanted automatic cardioverter defibrillator. However, after a selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI) was added to the therapeutic regimen, no further episodes of ventricular tachycardia occurred during the following two years.