Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Some Reminiscences

(The following article is the substance of a chapter of an autobiographical account by the late John Henry Muirhead, in which with characteristic modesty the author gives the “recollection of a Journeyman in Philosophy of some movements of life and thought in his time.” Professor Muirhead was closely connected with the Institute of Philosophical Studies and its Journal from its inception, and it was thought that readers of Philosophy would appreciate this account of visitors, philosophical and other, to Birmingham in the early years of the present century. The volume John Henry Muirhead will be published shortly by Messrs. George Allen and Unwin, and will include a short biographical completion and memoir together with a bibliography of Muirhead's writings.)
Classification and tendencies of evaluations in e-learning

The use of information technology in education is a very promising field which has led to many paradigms, educational models and the implementation of e-learning systems that are effectively used in education and training. For educators, training professionals and corporate managers, it is always hectic to choose the right approach and accordingly the e-learning system that fit their actual business needs. This is mainly due to the lack of comprehensive studies done to assess and compare existing systems that allow guiding stakeholders choosing the right e-learning system for the right learners in the right learning context. This paper is a contribution towards this direction; it proposes an overview of approaches that have been conducted to assess e-learning systems. From this study we propose a classification of approaches and e-learning systems that is based on four main criteria: i) Who: that deals with the stakeholders and actors of learning systems; ii) What: which represents the elements of an e-learning system to evaluate; iii) When: addresses the phase of development of the e-learning system in which the assessment is done; iv) Which: the method used to evaluate the systems. The results of this work are presented and discussed in this paper.
Endomyocardial fibrosis in Sudan: clinical and echocardiographic features

Summary Objective: Endomyocardial fibrosis (EMF) is a rare disease and is often an underdiagnosed and forgotten cardiomyopathy. The objective of this study was to document the current frequency of EMF in Sudan by defining and selecting cases from patients attending the echocardiography laboratory. Additionally we aimed to create an EMF registry for Sudan. Methods: The study started in January 2007 and is on-going. All the patients attending our echocardiography clinics in four different hospitals in Khartoum, Sudan, were included. Transthoracic echocardiography was used as the main diagnostic and selection tool. The diagnosis of EMF was based on predefined criteria and definitions, and was further supported by additional clinical, ECG, laboratory and chest X-ray findings. Results: Out of 4 332 cases studied, 23 (0.5%) were found to have features of EMF. Females constituted 52% and the age range was 24 to 67 years. All patients presented with dyspnoea grades III–IV. Advanced heart failure with gross fluid overload was seen in 54% of cases and ascites was seen in 30%. EMF was biventricular in 53%, left ventricular in 29% and right ventricular in 18% of cases. Apical and ventricular wall fibrosis was found in all cases, followed by atrial enlargement, atrioventricular valve incompetence, ventricular cavity obliteration, restrictive flow pattern and pericardial effusion. Additional echocardiographic features are defined and discussed. Conclusion: Although a rare disease, cases of EMF can be identified in Sudan if a high index of suspicion is observed. New echocardiographic features of ventricular wall layering, endocardial fibrous shelf and endomyocardiopericarial fibrosis were identified and are discussed.
UWB planar 180° hybrid formed by in-phase and out-of-phase Wilkinson dividers

The paper describes an ultra wideband (UWB) planar 180° hybrid in microstrip-slot technology. The device uses three in-phase and one out-of-phase Wilkinson power dividers. The out-of-phase divider uses an in-phase divider with two ±90° phase shifters in the form of double microstrip to slotline transitions in its output ports. The hybrid suffers about 4dB signal loss because of the Wilkinson combiners and the microstrip-slot transitions. This shortfall is compensated by its UWB operation. The simulated and measured results of the proposed hybrid show a well-balanced power division between the output ports and good return losses of the difference (Δ) and summation (Σ) ports across the band from 3 to 11GHz. The isolation between the difference and summation ports is excellent and the phase characteristics are close to the ideal 0° and 180° across this band.
OR I NDIAN S IGN L ANGUAGE

Indian Sign Language (ISL) interpretation is the major research work going on to aid Indian deaf and dumb people. Considering the limitation of glove/sensor based approach, vision based approach was considered for ISL interpretation system. Among different human modalities, hand is the primarily used modality to any sign language interpretation system so, hand gesture was used for recognition of manual alphabets and numbers. ISL consists of manual alphabets, numbers as well as large set of vocabulary with grammar. In this paper, methodology for recognition of static ISL manual alphabets, number and static symbols is given. ISL alphabet consists of single handed and two handed sign. Fourier descriptor as a feature extraction method was chosen due the property of invariant to rotation, scale and translation. True positive rate was achieved 94.15% using nearest neighbourhood classifier with Euclidean distance where sample data were considered with different illumination changes, different skin color and varying distance from camera to signer position.
A new real pole delay model for RLC interconnect using second order approximation

In this paper, a new time delay model is presented for the case real poles in RLC interconnect for a step input. The proposed delay model is based on the second order approximate transfer function of distributed RLC interconnect network. The proposed model would be an efficient analytical tool to estimate RLC interconnect behavior. The results indicate that the real pole model is much faster than the previously developed complex pole model.
Caldariomyces fumago DSM1256 Contains Two Chloroperoxidase Genes, Both Encoding Secreted and Active Enzymes

Inspection of transcriptome data from the chloroperoxidase (CPO)-producing fungus Caldariomyces fumago DSM1256 led to the discovery of two distinct CPO mRNA sequences. This strain could be shown to contain the newly identified isogene as well as produce and secrete both isoenzymes. The CPO2 enzyme bears high sequence similarity to the well-characterized CPO (87% identity for the mature proteins). It shows two insertions in the signal peptide and in the C-terminal propeptide, and one deletion in the mature polypeptide close to the C-terminus. Furthermore, it lacks one of the serine residues known to be O-glycosylated in the CPO sequence. The demonstration of a CPO isogene which is expressed as a secreted and active CPO clarifies the nature of this isoenzyme already identified in earlier reports. A structure model comparison shows a high conservation of the active site and the substrate channel, suggesting very similar catalytic properties.
The Anti‐Androgen Hydroxyflutamide and Androgens Inhibit Interleukin‐6 Production by an Androgen‐Responsive Human Osteoblastic Cell Line

While androgens clearly have significant skeletal effects, the paracrine mediators of androgen action on bone are at present unclear. Interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) is a candidate cytokine that is produced by osteoblastic lineage cells and promotes osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption. Here, we assessed constitutive as well as IL‐1β– and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α)–stimulated IL‐6 mRNA expression by Northern analysis and protein secretion by immunoassay in a human androgen‐responsive osteoblastic cell line (hFOB/AR‐6) which contains ∼4000 androgen receptors (ARs)/nucleus. Treatment with 5α‐dihydrotestosterone (DHT) dose‐dependently inhibited constitutive and TNF‐α/IL‐1β–stimulated IL‐6 mRNA steady‐state levels in hFOB/AR‐6 cells by 70–80% at 10−7 M. In addition, testosterone also suppressed TNF‐α/IL‐1β–stimulated IL‐6 mRNA levels by 57%, while the adrenal androgen dehydroepiandrosterone had no effect. Of note, the specific AR antagonist, hydroxyflutamide, also inhibited IL‐6 mRNA levels by 70%. Consistent with the Northern analyses, treatment with 5α‐DHT, testosterone, and hydroxyflutamide also inhibited IL‐6 protein production by 79%, 62%, and 71%, respectively (p < 0.001), while these agents had no effect on IL‐6 soluble receptor levels. Finally, we demonstrated that hydroxyflutamide treatment of hFOB/AR‐6 cells markedly inhibited the activation and binding of NF‐κB (a known stimulator of IL‐6 gene transcription) to its response element, thus providing a potential mechanism for its effect on IL‐6 production by osteoblasts. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that suppression of osteoblast IL‐6 production by androgens may mediate, at least in part, the antiresorptive effects of androgens on bone. Moreover, our findings also indicate that hydroxyflutamide, which is a known AR antagonist in most tissues, may function as a selective AR modulator for effects on IL‐6 production by osteoblasts.
An improved numerical method for solving a class of continuous-time linear programming problems

In this paper we consider a class of infinite-dimensional linear programming problems, called continuous-time linear programming problems (CLP). In our previous paper, we presented a discrete approximation method for solving (CLP) and established the estimation for error bounds of searched numerical solutions. However, the computation times involved can be very large as a result of solving a very large finite-dimensional linear program. We will focus on a special class of (CLP) and provide improved methods to overcome the computational bottleneck.
Genotype profile for thirteen tetranucleotide repeat loci and two pentanucleotide repeat loci in four endogamous Tamil population groups of India.

Blood samples were obtained by venipuncture from random individuals of the populations: Tanjore Kallar (101), Vanniyar (87), Pallar (33) and Paraiyar (21). DNA was isolated using standard phenol/chloroform procedure (1). The 13 tetranucleotide repeat loci and two pentanucleotide repeat loci were amplified using the PowerPlex® 16 system (Promega Corporation, Madison) according to manufacturer's recommendations (2). The amplified products were separated and detected using the ABI Prism™ 377 DNA Sequencer (PE Applied Biosystems, Foster City). The data were analyzed using DNATYPE program (3). The genotype frequencies of the 15 loci studied in the four endogamous Tamil populations are given in Tables 1–4. Statistical results for G-square test, exact test, observed and expected homozygosity are presented in Tables 5–8. The data are consistent with that generated on other studied Indian population groups (4–7).
Dynamic clustering for max-min fairness with joint processing CoMP

We consider dynamic base station (BS) clustering and beamformer design for coordinated multipoint transmission with joint processing (JP). We formulate the problem for joint BS clustering and beamformer design to maximize the minimum rate among all the users. The max-min rate problem is formulated from the perspective of sparse optimization framework, where the sparsity is induced by penalizing the joint beamformer vector density. The problem is non-convex, therefore, we propose a novel application of the successive second order cone programming (SSOCP) approach for the joint processing and clustering problem. Numerical examples demonstrate that the serving set sizes in the network can be greatly reduced which in turn lessen the backhaul burden without significant impact on the achievable rate by properly selecting a single parameter in the problem.
Causality of Product Awareness Coconut Flour Towards Future Engagement, Indonesian Market

In order to establish a future engagement of the Indonesian market in terms of coconut flour, awareness of the product is needed for the consumer decision making to purchase the product which will lead to future engagement. This study aims to examine the effects of product and awareness and consumer decision making towards future engagement in Indonesia. By employing SmartPLS, we prove that existence of product has a relatively strong negative relationship with awareness (.55); while awareness has a relatively weak relationshipwith consumer decision making to purchase a product (.37) and the decision made by customer to purchase healthy product have a relatively strong positive relationship towards engagement of the product in the future (.66). Further implications are discussed.
Differences Between Men and Women in Ambulatory Blood Pressure Thresholds for Diagnosis of Hypertension Based on Cardiovascular Outcomes

Previous studies have reported sex differences in the pathophysiology of hypertension and responses to blood pressure (BP)-lowering medications. Moreover, men exhibit typically higher BP than women, the differences being greater for systolic (SBP) than diastolic (DBP) BP. These differences become apparent during adolescence and remain significant at least until 55–60 yrs of age. Despite such significant sex-related differences in BP regulation, the current recommended ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) thresholds for diagnosis of hypertension do not differentiate between men and women. We aimed to derive separate male and female diagnostic thresholds for the awake and asleep SBP and DBP means based upon cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcome. We prospectively studied 3344 subjects (1718 men/1626 women), 52.6 ± 14.5 yrs of age, during a median follow-up of 5.6 yrs. Those with hypertension at baseline were randomized to ingest all their prescribed hypertension medications upon awakening or the entire daily dose of ≥1 of them at bedtime. At baseline, BP was measured at 20-min intervals from 07:00 to 23:00 h and at 30-min intervals at night for 48 h, and physical activity was simultaneously monitored every minute by wrist actigraphy to accurately derive the awake and asleep BP means. Identical assessment was scheduled annually and more frequently (quarterly) if treatment adjustment was required. Cox regression analysis was used to derive outcome-based reference thresholds for ABPM in men and women. Men exhibited greater event rates than women of CVD death, myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, coronary revascularization, and heart failure; however, event rates of non-CVD death and cerebrovascular events were comparable. The relationship between progressively higher ambulatory BP and CVD risk increased more rapidly in women than men for awake SBP/DBP means ≥125/75 mm Hg and asleep means ≥110/70 mm Hg. The derived outcome-based reference thresholds for men were 135/85 mm Hg for the awake and 120/70 mm Hg for the asleep SBP/DBP means. In terms of CVD outcome, the equivalent cutoff threshold values for women were 125/80 mm Hg for the awake and 110/65 mm Hg for the asleep SBP/DBP means. Outcome-based reference thresholds for the diagnosis of hypertension were 10/5 mm Hg lower for ambulatory SBP/DBP in women than men. This marked sex difference indicates the need for revision of current guidelines that propose diagnostic thresholds for ambulatory BP without differentiation between men and women. (Author correspondence: rhermida@uvigo.es)
Using GPS Tracking to Understand the Transportation Costs of Displacement: A San Francisco Pilot

Author(s): Zuk, Miriam; Lieberworth, Audrey; Chapple, Karen | Abstract: California’s housing crisis has spurred residential displacement of low income households from its high-cost coastal regions. Yet little is known about the transportation costs of displacement. As low income households are displaced from high to lower cost areas that may lack high quality transit options, one may expect them to shift transportation modes, have longer commutes and pay more of their income for transportation. This study aimed to pilot several data collection instruments in an effort to design a larger study on the transportation costs of displacement. We attempted to recruit people who were about to be evicted to download a GPS app on their phone and answer two surveys about their travel patterns and other characteristics before, during and after their eviction. After seven months of active recruitment, partnering with eviction defense organizations, we terminated the study without having collected any data. Ultimately we believe a lighter touch study would have been more successful and that it may have been too much to ask a person undergoing what may be considered a traumatic life event to install a GPS tracking app on their phone and dedicate several hours and emotional energy to a study. The need to characterize the transportation costs of displacement, however, is still important and we believe a shorter retrospective survey may be a more appropriate data collection method to pilot.
Performance considerations of MIMO-based ad-hoc networks

In this paper, we focus upon the effect of MUI on the channel estimation stage, through a non-parametric approach, in open-loop and closed-loop SpU-MIMO systems. The corresponding BER is integrated within a general framework for MAC-layer performance evaluation of ad-hoc networks. This framework is used to derive the throughput-related network performance and to provide corresponding numerical examples for ALOHA-based scenarios, along with analysis of various trade-offs.
Assessing the Determinants of Customer Satisfaction in Major Supermarkets in Vietnam

This study attempts to identify the determinants of customer satisfaction in major supermarkets in Vietnam. The sample size includes 250 responses collected by convenient method at supermarkets in Vietnam. The SERVQUAL model is employed and Exploratory Factors Analysis is utilised as research design. The results confirm that customer satisfaction is positively influenced by tangibility, empathy, responsiveness, assurance and reliablity. The strongest determinant of customer satisfaction is responsiveness (β=0.261). From these findings, some recommendations for Vietnamese supermarkets to improve their customer satisfaction were proposed.
Thomas Aquinas: A Portrait

Leaving so few traces of himself behind, Thomas Aquinas seems to defy the efforts of the biographer. Highly visible as a public teacher, preacher, and theologian, he nevertheless has remained nearly invisible as man and saint. What can be discovered about Thomas Aquinas as a whole? In this short, compelling portrait, Denys Turner clears away the haze of time and brings Thomas vividly to life for contemporary readers-those unfamiliar with the saint as well as those well acquainted with his teachings. Building on the best biographical scholarship available today and reading the works of Thomas with piercing acuity, Turner seeks the point at which the man, the mind, and the soul of Thomas Aquinas intersect. Reflecting upon Thomas, a man of Christian Trinitarian faith yet one whose thought is grounded firmly in the body's interaction with the material world, a thinker at once confident in the powers of human reason and a man of prayer, Turner provides a more detailed human portrait than ever before of one of the most influential philosophers and theologians in all of Western thought.
Studying the Integration of Adult-born Neurons

Neurogenesis occurs in adult mammalian brains in the sub-ventricular zone (SVZ) of the lateral ventricle and in the sub-granular zone (SGZ) of the hippocampal dentate gyrus throughout life. Previous reports have shown that adult hippocampal neurogenesis is associated with diverse brain disorders, including epilepsy, schizophrenia, depression and anxiety (1). Deciphering the process of normal and aberrant adult-born neuron integration may shed light on the etiology of these diseases and inform the development of new therapies. SGZ adult neurogenesis mirrors embryonic and post-natal neuronal development, including stages of fate specification, migration, synaptic integration, and maturation. However, full integration occurs over a prolonged, 6-week period. Initial synaptic input to adult-born SGZ dentate granule cells (DGCs) is GABAergic, followed by glutamatergic input at 14 days (2). The specific factors which regulate circuit formation of adult-born neurons in the dentate gyrus are currently unknown. Our laboratory uses a replication-deficient retroviral vector based on the Moloney murine leukemia virus to deliver fluorescent proteins and hypothesized regulatory genes to these proliferating cells. This viral technique provides high specificity and resolution for analysis of cell birth date, lineage, morphology, and synaptogenesis. A typical experiment often employs two or three viruses containing unique label, transgene, and promoter elements for single-cell analysis of a desired developmental process in vivo. The following protocol describes a method for analyzing functional newborn neuron integration using a single green (GFP) or red (dTomato) fluorescent protein retrovirus and patch-clamp electrophysiology.
Effects of a simulated heat wave on photophysiology and gene expression of high- and low-latitude populations of Zostera marina

Climate models predict increases in frequency of summer heat waves. In Europe, such events have already caused declines in seagrass meadows, highlighting the importance of short-term responses of local communities to climate stress. Understanding the variability among populations along the European thermal gradient in response to heat waves is crucial for seagrass conservation and management. Using a mesocosm we compared effects of a simulated heat wave on the photophysiology of Zostera marina populations coming from low (43° N, Adriatic Sea) and high latitudes (56° N, North and Baltic Seas). Measurements before, during and up to 4 wk after the heat wave included photophysiological parameters derived from light response curves generated by PAM fluorometry and gene expression using qRT-PCR. In all 3 populations, initial exposures to thermal stress were characterized by increases in dark adapted effective quantum yield (Y0), maximum electron transfer rate of PSII (ETRmax) and slope of the light response curve (α), coinciding with upregulations of the gene superoxidase dismutase [Mn]. With continuation of the heat wave these initial effects disappeared, demonstrated by declines in Y0, ETRmax and α relative to controls. Z. marina from the Adriatic suffered from the simulated heat wave as much as its high-latitude counterparts. However, we also demonstrate slight photophysiological differences between the populations during the recovery phase, where performance of high-latitude populations continued declining even after water temperatures returned to control levels, while photochemical activity fully recovered in the Adriatic population. These results might draw the attention of future studies and seagrass conservation efforts.
A measure of styles of handling interpersonal conflict.

The article discusses a research on various styles of handling interpersonal conflict. For the measurement of conflict styles, seven non-random samples were used to generate and select suitable items. Five factorially independent and reliable scales for conflict styles from a national sample were constructed. These were used to test further validities of the scales against the measures of role status and sex. Results indicated that the test-retest and internal consistency reliability coefficients are satisfactory and compare favorably with other existing instruments.