Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
L2 Teachers' Pedagogic Knowledge Base: a Comparison between Experienced and Less Experienced Practitioners

Second language teacher education community has become increasingly interested in the pedagogical knowledge base of teachers as a window into practitioners' mental lives. The present study was conducted to document likely differences between the pedagogic thoughts of experienced and less experienced teachers. Eight teachers participated in the project. Data were collected through the use of stimulated recall. The analysis of the data shows that there are differences both in the number and the order of the thoughts teachers produced in different groups. Experienced teachers produced an average of five pedagogical thoughts per minute, while their less experienced counterparts produced 3 thoughts. The top thought category for less experienced teachers was Language Management, while for the experienced teachers Self- Reflection ranked first. Some thought categories were also absent in the report of less experienced practitioners.
Effect of Compost and some Biofertilizers on Growth , Yield , Essential Oil Productivity and Chemical Composition of Rosmarinus officinalis , L . Plants

This investigation was carried out at the experimental farm of Medicinal and Aromatic plants Research Department, Horticulture Research, Dokki, Giza during two successive seasons of 2009/2010 and 2010/2011.The research aimed to study the effect of compost rates (2,4and 8 ton/fed) and some biofertilizers (Azotobacter Chroococcum, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus circulanse) alone or all strains in a mixture with or without compost on growth, yield, essential oil productivity and chemical composition of Rosmarinus officinalis, L. plants. The results showed that, in both seasons, the highest plant height; number of branches; plant fresh and dry weights, oil percentage and yield in fresh herb and total carbohydrates were given by adding compost at 8 ton/ fed compared to other compost treatments; Azotobacter Chroococcum (AZ) + Bacillus megaterium (B1) +Bacillus circulanse (B2) compared to other biofertilizers treatments; compost at 8 ton / fed + Az+B1+B2 compared to other combination treatments.
Subjective Effects of Thiopental in Young Adults with and without a Family History of Alcoholism.

BACKGROUND The development of alcohol use disorders is genetically influenced, and may be mediated through differences in the subjective response to alcohol. There is some evidence to suggest that response differences to alcohol could be conveyed by heritable differences in GABAA receptors. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether individuals with a family history positive (FHP) for alcohol dependence would experience alterations in response to the GABAA receptor agonist thiopental, in comparison to family history negative (FHN) subjects. METHODS 73 subjects (24 FHP and 49 FHN) between the ages of 21 and 30 years were administered sub-anesthetic doses of the GABAA receptor agonist thiopental and placebo on two separate test days. Various alcohol-related measures were administered, including those examining subjective effects, coordination, and cognition. RESULTS Sub-anesthetic doses of thiopental produced alcohol-like subjective effects, as well as alcohol-like impaired coordination and cognition in healthy subjects. While there were no significant main effects in subjective, coordination, or cognitive effects between FHP and FHN individuals, analysis of peak effects suggested FHP had blunted sedative, but not stimulant effects compared to FHN. CONCLUSION Thiopental produced alcohol-like effects and perceived similarities to alcohol in healthy individuals. Subtle differences in sedative effects are consistent with reports of blunted FHP response to the negative but not stimulant effects of alcohol. Future studies are needed to better understand how this insight informs our understanding of the heritable risk for alcoholism and the treatment of alcohol use disorders.
An Efficient Zero-Forcing Precoding Design for Cognitive MIMO Broadcast Channels

We consider linear precoding design for an underlay cognitive radio multiple-input multiple-output broadcast channel in the presence of multiple primary users (PUs). Under the assumption of imperfect channel state information (CSI) of the PUs, the objective of this letter is to maximize the sum rate of the secondary system, subject to the power budget at the secondary base station and the interference power constraints at the PUs. The design problem is non-convex, and thus is difficult to solve in general. Herein, we first convert a non-convex constraint related to the imperfect CSI of the PUs into a convex constraint, and then invoke a rank relaxation method to transform the considered problem into a convex-concave problem based on a downlink-uplink duality result. Simulation results are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed design against CSI imperfection.
A Codebook-Based Concept for Hybrid CSI Feedback in FDD Massive MIMO Systems

In this paper we discuss the pros and cons of non-precoded and beamformed Channel State Information (CSI) downlink (DL) reference signal schemes for Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) massive MIMO systems. We propose a hybrid mode of operation between the two, factorizing the antenna ports into a set of slow and fast ports with different update rates using a codebook with factorized precoders designed for a dual-polarized Uniform Planar Array (UPA). We show with simulation results that the proposed hybrid CSI feedback scheme can increase both average and 5th percentile spectral efficiency compared to the non-precoded CSI reference signal scheme. Compared to the beamformed CSI reference signal scheme, it can significantly increase the 5th percentile spectral efficiency with only a small loss in average spectral efficiency.
A New Mechanism for Tracking a Mobile Target Using Grid Sensor Networks

Tracking moving targets is one of the important problems of wireless sensor networks. We have considered a sensor network where numerous sensor nodes are spread in a grid like manner. These sensor nodes are capable of storing data and thus act as a separate datasets. The entire network of these sensors act as a set of distributed datasets. Each of these datasets has its local temporal dataset along with spatial data and the geographical coordinates of a given object or target. In this paper an algorithm is introduced that mines global temporal patterns from these datasets and results in the discovery of linear or nonlinear trajectories of mov- ing objects under supervision. The main objective here is to perform in-network aggregation between the data contained in the various datasets to discover global spatio-temporal patterns; the main constraint is that there should be minimal com- munication among the participating nodes. We present the algorithm and analyze it in terms of the communication costs.
Use of a vascular sheath for introduction of radiofrequency ablation probe during radiofrequency ablation of osteoid osteoma

Abstract Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has now become a preferred treatment option for osteoid osteoma. Accurate placement of RFA probe into the nidus of osteoid osteoma is important for good clinical outcome. Various methods and techniques have been described in the literature available. We describe the technique of using a vascular access sheath for introduction of RFA probe after bone drilling, which prevents loss of access to drill track and also serves as a pathway for accurate placement of RFA probe, thereby reducing the risk of damage to the RFA probe tip itself and the surrounding soft tissue.
Negative Regulation of STAT3 Protein-mediated Cellular Respiration by SIRT1 Protein*

In mammals, the transcriptional activity of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is regulated by the deacetylase SIRT1. However, whether the newly described nongenomic actions of STAT3 toward mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation are dependent on SIRT1 is unclear. In this study, Sirt1 gene knock-out murine embryonic fibroblast (MEF) cells were used to delineate the role of SIRT1 in the regulation of STAT3 mitochondrial function. Here, we show that STAT3 mRNA and protein levels and the accumulation of serine-phosphorylated STAT3 in mitochondria were increased significantly in Sirt1-KO cells as compared with wild-type MEFs. Various mitochondrial bioenergetic parameters, such as the oxygen consumption rate in cell cultures, enzyme activities of the electron transport chain complexes in isolated mitochondria, and production of ATP and lactate, indicated that Sirt1-KO cells exhibited higher mitochondrial respiration as compared with wild-type MEFs. Two independent approaches, including ectopic expression of SIRT1 and siRNA-mediated knockdown of STAT3, led to reduction in intracellular ATP levels and increased lactate production in Sirt1-KO cells that were approaching those of wild-type controls. Comparison of profiles of phospho-antibody array data indicated that the deletion of SirT1 was accompanied by constitutive activation of the pro-inflammatory NF-κB pathway, which is key for STAT3 induction and increased cellular respiration in Sirt1-KO cells. Thus, SIRT1 appears to be a functional regulator of NF-κB-dependent STAT3 expression that induces mitochondrial biogenesis. These results have implications for understanding the interplay between STAT3 and SIRT1 in pro-inflammatory conditions.
Precision protein assays on compartmentalized biosensor arrays

A biological measurement microsystem enables precision protein assays by compartmentalization of biosensors in a sensor array. Using a PDMS microfluidic interface on an 8 by 8 Giant Magnetoresistive sensor array, this compartmentalization technique performs all required measurements, including biological references, on a single sensor chip alongside the actual sample(s) to be measured. All data is acquired simultaneously on a single chip, circumventing a range of possible errors currently present in sequential biosensor measurement approaches. With our approach, we achieve a low concentration estimation error of 11%. Additionally this compartmentalization technique enables high throughput measurements using multiple samples on a single chip with a large-scale array of solid-state sensors.
Signature of gravity waves in polarization of the microwave background

Using spin-weighted decomposition of polarization in the cosmic microwave background (CMB) we show that a particular combination of Stokes $Q$ and $U$ parameters vanishes for primordial fluctuations generated by scalar modes, but does not for those generated by primordial gravity waves. Because of this gravity wave detection is not limited by cosmic variance as in the case of temperature fluctuations. We present the exact expressions for various polarization power spectra, which are valid on any scale. Numerical evaluation in inflation-based models shows that the expected signal is of the order of 0.5 $\ensuremath{\mu}$K, which could be directly tested in future CMB experiments.
Right ventricular load at exercise is a cause of persistent exercise limitation in patients with normal resting pulmonary vascular resistance after pulmonary endarterectomy.

BACKGROUND Pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) provides a potential cure for patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). However, successfully operated patients can continue to suffer from a limitation of exercise capacity, despite normalization of pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). The purpose of the present study was to explore the cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) profile and the pulmonary hemodynamic response to exercise in these patients. METHODS Thirteen successfully operated patients with CTEPH and persistent dyspnea and control subjects underwent a CPET and a right-sided heart catheterization at rest and during exercise. RESULTS The CPET profile of the patients was characterized by mild hyperventilation and decreased peak oxygen uptake (VO2). While there were no differences in resting hemodynamics between patients and control subjects, PVR was higher in the patients after 10 min of exercise (111 ± 46 dynes/s/cm(5) vs 71 ± 42 dynes/s/cm(5), P = . 04), and pulmonary arterial compliance (Ca) was lower (5.5 ± 2.3 mL/mm Hg vs 8.1 ± 3.5 mL/mm Hg, P = .048). Ca under exercise correlated with peak VO2 in the patients (R(2) = 0.825, P = . 022). CONCLUSIONS After successful PEA, patients with persistent exertional dyspnea display an abnormal pulmonary hemodynamic response to exercise, characterized by increased PVR and decreased Ca. Decreased Ca under exercise is a strong predictor of limited exercise capacity in these patients.
Radiation Induced Charge Trapping in Ultrathin ${\rm HfO}_{2}$-Based MOSFETs

Radiation induced charge trapping in ultrathin HfO2 -based n-channel MOSFETs is characterized as a function of dielectric thickness and irradiation bias following exposure to 10 keV X-rays and/or constant voltage stress. Positive and negative oxide-trap charges are observed, depending on irradiation and bias stress conditions. No significant interface-trap buildup is found in these devices under these irradiation and stress conditions. Enhanced oxide-charge trapping occurs in some cases for simultaneous application of constant voltage stress and irradiation, relative to either type of stress applied separately. Room temperature annealing at positive bias after irradiation of transistors with thicker gate dielectric films leads to positive oxide-trapped charge annihilation and/or neutralization in these devices, and net electron trapping. The oxide thickness dependence of the radiation response confirms the extreme radiation tolerance of thin HfO2 dielectric layers of relevance to device applications, and suggests that hole traps in the thicker layers are located in the bulk of the dielectric. A revised methodology is developed to estimate the net effective charge trapping efficiency, fot, for high-kappa dielectric films. As a result, estimates of fot for Hf silicate capacitors and Al2O3 transistors in previous work are reduced by up to 18%.
Enhancing learners’ attitudes toward reflective practice

Medical students are often dissatisfied with the amount and quality of teaching rendered to them by residents. As a quality improvement project, we conducted a cross sectional analysis on internal medicine residents using an anonymous questionnaire to evaluate the perceptions of internal medicine residents at our program towards teaching medical students. Out of the 50 residents in the program, American medical graduates (AMG) comprised of 22% residents (11) while International medical graduates (IMG) comprised of 78% residents (39). Some of the significant results that the survey revealed were that majority of senior level residents (81% of PGY 3) either never or only occasionally gave a formative feedback to students about their progress notes (p value 0.048 compared to other PGYs using chi square test). The other significant finding was that 69% of residents from all levels either never or only occasionally observe medical students performing a bedside history and physical exam. Our study indicates that the residents in PGY 3 were not as enthusiastic to offer teaching to a disinterested students as compared to residents from PGY 2 and PGY 1. We think this difference might be attributable to the fact that there is a minority of American graduates amongst our PGY 3 residents. A resident who graduated from a US medical school may not perceive a student, who may seem disinterested to an international graduate, in the same manner. Responses to a question regarding estimates of average debt on a medical student showed that IMGs in PGY 1 tended to underestimate the amount. It was unclear if knowledge of high amounts of debt on medical students resulted in more effort towards student education from residents. Resident as a teacher workshops have shown to enhance enthusiasm for teaching, more learner-centered and empathic approaches, and a richer understanding of teaching principles and skills (Morrison et al. 2005). Our survey also concurs in this regard and a majority of our residents showed willingness to participate in such a training workshop. Learning from this study, we feel that differences in cultural and educational background of international medical graduates can affect their perceptions regarding teaching medical students especially during their early years; this should be addressed during resident as teacher training programs, and the need for formative feedback should be emphasized.
Building a consumer experience framework in the housing refurbishment service industry

The objective of this study is to apply concepts of consumer experience, using qualitative analysis, to construct a new theoretical framework for the housing refurbishment service industry and to adopt confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to verify a consumer experience scale in relation to housing refurbishment. The aim is to explore the factors and relationships among consumer experiences of housing refurbishment services using qualitative and quantitative analyses. Drawing data from semi-structured interviews with 87 consumers, the results demonstrated that the value experience was a new experience created by the housing refurbishment service. This study also offered several relational propositions regarding experience processes and developed a consumer experience scale specific to the housing refurbishment industry. In addition, based on a sample of 601 consumers for quantitative analysis, the results clearly supported the proposed scale of consumer experience in the housing refurbishment industry.
Quantitative Electroencephalography Analysis for Improved Assessment of Consciousness in Cerebral Hemorrhage and Ischemic Stroke Patients

Consciousness is frequently assessed in acutely brain-injured patients. However, a direct measure of consciousness based on neurological examinations and behavioral observations is time-consuming and costly in medical labors. This paper aims to explore effective quantitative electroencephalography (EEG) measures to facilitate the objective assessment of consciousness. We do two studies in this paper. In the first study, the EEG signals recorded from 27 cerebral hemorrhage patients are analyzed to explore whether the phase synchrony index is effective in distinguishing the states of consciousness in cerebral hemorrhage patients. In the second study, 14 EEG recordings from four ischemic stroke patients, who have experienced more than two types of conscious disturbance, are studied to complement the analysis of the longitudinal value of the phase synchrony index. In both studies, a weighted sum of the six quantitative EEG features is analyzed on its correlation with the level of consciousness, and a linear regression model is built for the correlation analysis. In the first study, the phase synchrony index of the left and the right hemispheres (PSI-LR) in the beta band has shown a significant correlation with the level of consciousness in cerebral hemorrhage patients (Pearson correlation coefficients <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\rho = 0.500$ </tex-math></inline-formula> and Spearman correlation coefficients <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\rho = 0.400$ </tex-math></inline-formula>). In the second study, PSI-LR also shows a high correlation with the longitudinal changes of consciousness in ischemic stroke patients (Pearson correlation coefficients <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\rho = 0.884$ </tex-math></inline-formula> and Spearman correlation coefficients <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\rho = 0.887$ </tex-math></inline-formula>). Furthermore, the linear regression model combining the six quantitative EEG (QEEG) features shows a determination coefficient of 44.2% in cerebral hemorrhage patients and 83.8% in longitudinal ischemic stroke investigations, respectively. The PSI-LR is an effective indicator in not only identifying the disturbance of consciousness in cerebral hemorrhage patients, but also monitoring the changes of consciousness in ischemic stroke patients. A linear combination of the six QEEG features investigated in this paper is a new measure to improve the assessment of consciousness.
Cloud data integrity checking protocol from lattice

Cloud computing is a distributed computing model, which provides services and resources. As a new type of storage services, cloud storage provides a new method for mass data storage management. Nowadays, more and more users upload their data to cloud storage servers and retrieve data when needed. One of the basic tasks of cloud storage is to guarantee the integrity between retrieved and uploaded data. Therefore, data integrity checking of cloud storage becomes a key issue. This paper proposes a privacy-preserving public verifying cloud data integrity checking protocol. To achieve security against quantum computer attacks, we resort to constructing homomorphic linear authenticator based on a lattice-based homomorphic signature algorithm. To eliminate data content exposure to achieve privacy, we use the blind checking technique. Theoretical analysis indicates that our scheme achieves security against malicious cloud server and privacy against third party auditor TPA, and resists the known-proof forgery attack. Compared with other protocols, our protocol does not resort to rank-based authenticated skip list, saving storage and communication overhead. Furthermore, it makes use of matrix-vector multiplication operation, avoiding great amount of module exponential operation, which reduces the computational labour for cloud server and TPA.
Modified neutrosophic approach to color image segmentation

Abstract. We improved an image segmentation algorithm based on neutrosophic set (NS) and extended the modified method into color image segmentation. The original NS image segmentation approach transformed the images into NS domain, which is described using three membership sets: T, I, and F. Then two operations, α-mean and β-enhancement operations were employed to reduce the set indeterminacy. Although this method was quite successful in image segmentation application, some drawbacks still exist, such as oversegmentation and fixed α and β parameters. Thus, a new algorithm is proposed to overcome these limitations of the NS-based image segmentation algorithm. Then, the new modified method is extended into color image segmentation. The NS-based image segmentation algorithm is applied to each color channel independently. Then each channel is moved to a matrix column, respectively, to construct the input matrix to the γ-K-means clustering. Experiments are conducted on a variety of images, and our results are compared with those new existing segmentation algorithm. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed approach can segment the color images automatically and effectively.