Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Time-management Training on Test-anxiety and Self-efficacy of Iranian Intermediate EFL Learners

The present study aimed to examine the effect of time-management training on Iranian EFL learners' test-anxiety and self-efficacy. A quasi-experimental design was used. The study was carried out in Tabriz Azad University and University of Applied Sciences and Technology. Thirty-eight BA students majoring in TEFL who enrolled in the above mentioned context in the academic year 1390-1391 participated in the study. The instruments used in the study were Time-Management Behavior Scale constructed by Macan, Shahani, Dipboye, et al. (1990), General Self-Efficacy Scale constructed by Jerusalem and Schwarzer (1992) and Westside Test-Anxiety Scale constructed by Driscoll (2007). The results indicated that there was a significant difference between the mean scores of experimental group's test-anxiety before and after time-management training and also there was a significant difference between the mean scores of experimental group and control group's test-anxiety after intervention. These findings also apply to the mean scores of self-efficacy. Therefore, it can be concluded that time-management training affects EFL learners' test-anxiety and self-efficacy. The findings of this study have some implications for researchers, teachers, universities and institutions.
Relocation of resources in road transportation based on the use of data from the GPS based systems

The data about routes of ambulances in period of extensive number of days, extracted from the database connected to GPS system, are used in the calculations of coordinates related to the locations where these vehicles should be parked during „waiting for call” time. The mathematic problem known as „p-median” is resolved by apropriate algorithm implemanted in three steps. Defined optimisation method is tested and implemnted on site. In addition to the description of the implemented system for relocation of resources in road traffic, certain side effects of the project are analyzed. Focus of attention was drawn to the importance of the project as an example of the innovative entrepreneurship.
Performance analysis of IP traffic over a WDM ring network in the presence of crosstalk

This paper evaluates the performance of IP traffic over WDM ring network in the presence of linear crosstalk due to optical add drop multiplexer and nonlinear crosstalk due to four wave mixing. Packet error rate analysis is chosen because it indicates how many IP packets are transmitted in error. The results show that a higher PER occurs in a WDM ring network when the number of nodes, the number of channels and the bit rate are higher. Increasing the burstiness of IP traffic improves the PER performance and allow more channels and larger number of nodes to be accommodated.
Word Translation Disambiguation without Parallel Texts ∗

Word Translation Disambiguation means to select the best translation(s) given a source word in context and a set of target candidates. Two approaches to determining similarity between input and sample context are presented, using n-gram and vector space models with huge annotated monolingual corpora as main knowledge source, rather than relying on large parallel corpora. Experiments on SemEval’s Cross-Lingual Word Sense Disambiguation task (2010 English→German part) show some models on average surpassing the baselines, suggesting that translation disambiguation without parallel texts is feasible.
Casting as an Adjunct to Neurodevelopmental Therapy for Cerebral Palsy

The neurodevelopmental (NDT) approach to cerebral palsy is based on the premises that the child with cerebral palsy will develop maladaptive patterns of motor activity, and that these should be inhibited or extinguished and more appropriate patterns of muscle function should be facilitated'. Basic techniques involve positioning and handling the child in a way that provides an adequate amount of support, in order to help control the body and reduce tone, while allowing enough mobility for the development of motor skills. Equipment has been introduced into this program as an adjunct to the handling techniques. Adaptive seats provide support to the trunk and head in the sitting position, thereby achieving decreased tone compared to that seen with attempts at unsupported upright sitting2. The prone
Changes in Climatic Water Balance Drive Downhill Shifts in Plant Species’ Optimum Elevations

Many mountain plant species in California shifted downhill, tracking regional changes in water balance. Uphill shifts of species’ distributions in response to historical warming are well documented, which leads to widespread expectations of continued uphill shifts under future warming. Conversely, downhill shifts are often considered anomalous and unrelated to climate change. By comparing the altitudinal distributions of 64 plant species between the 1930s and the present day within California, we show that climate changes have resulted in a significant downward shift in species’ optimum elevations. This downhill shift is counter to what would be expected given 20th-century warming but is readily explained by species’ niche tracking of regional changes in climatic water balance rather than temperature. Similar downhill shifts can be expected to occur where future climate change scenarios project increases in water availability that outpace evaporative demand.
Fate of Infecting Simian Virus 40-Deoxyribonucleic Acid in Nonpermissive Cells: Integration into Host Deoxyribonucleic Acid

Nonpermissive 3T3 cells were infected with purified superhelical simian virus 40 (SV40) deoxyribonucleic acid I (DNA I). One hour after infection, approximately 60% of the intracellular SV40 DNA was converted to relaxed forms. One day after infection, all intracellular SV40 DNA was present as slow-sedimenting material, and no SV40 DNA I was detectable. At 2 days after infection there appeared viral DNA sequences cosedimenting with cellular DNA during alkaline velocity centrifugation. Furthermore, by both alkaline equilibrium gradient centrifugation and by DNA-ribonucleic acid hybridization analysis, covalent linkage of viral DNA sequences to cellular DNA was demonstrated. Integration of SV40 DNA into cellular DNA did not appear to require DNA synthesis, although DNA synthesis followed by mitotic division of the cells enhanced the amount of viral DNA integrated. Based on data obtained by two different methods, it was calculated that 1,100 to 1,200 SV40 DNA equivalents must be integrated per cell by 48 hr after infection.
Complications of Midgut Carcinoid Tumors and Carcinoid Syndrome

The carcinoid syndrome, associated with carcinoid tumors of the midgut, consists of symptoms such as diarrhea, flushing, wheezing and cardiovascular symptoms. This review focuses on these symptoms and discusses therapeutic options. The symptoms are caused by the secretion of biogenic amines, polypeptides and other factors of which serotonin is the most prominent. However, diarrhea is also due to factors such as malabsorption. Besides antitumor therapy, more specific interventions such as serotonin receptor blockers can be useful. The carcinoid heart disease involves the tricuspid and pulmonary valve. In the pathogenesis, serotonin plays a central role. The therapeutic approach is mostly symptomatic. Other cardiovascular complications include bowel ischemia and hypertension. Pellagra and psychiatric symptoms are due to a depletion of tryptophan, which is consumed by the carcinoid tumor for serotonin synthesis. Finally, follow-up and clinical practice of patients with carcinoid tumors are discussed.
Inhibition of human recombinant T‐type calcium channels by the endocannabinoid N‐arachidonoyl dopamine

Background and purpose: N‐arachidonoyl dopamine (NADA) has complex effects on nociception mediated via cannabinoid CB1 receptors and the transient receptor potential vanilloid receptor 1 (TRPV1). Anandamide, the prototypic CB1/TRPV1 agonist, also inhibits T‐type voltage‐gated calcium channel currents (ICa). These channels are expressed by many excitable cells, including neurons involved in pain detection and processing. We sought to determine whether NADA and the prototypic arachidonoyl amino acid, N‐arachidonoyl glycine (NAGly) modulate T‐type ICa
Improving Blind Image Steganalysis using Genetic Algorithm and Fusion Technique

The Steganography is the science of communication of secret information using carrier/s between two or multiple entities. The secret information can be embedded into an existing image, audio or video or even as a complex combination of all three. In case the secret feature is visible, attention & attack is inevitable & evident, our primary goal is to creatively engineer concealment of the secret information/data on or within a given subject. Steganalysis is a creative art, a process of discovering hidden secrets and successfully extracting the information. In short, steganography is the harbinger of Steganalysis. The recent past has reported a large number of innovative & powerful steganalysis techniques. To make things simple, these techniques could be broadly categorized under two streams, specific-base or universal-base. Each category of techniques has a set of advantages and disadvantages. In real life situations, the steganalyst will not be able to know what or which steganographic technique is used. Here in this paper, we propose a novel method that enables identification of the steganographic technique used to introduce/embed secret information on a conventional item and also offer scalability.
Indigenous strains of Lactobacillus isolated from the Istrian cheese as potential starter cultures

Istrian ewe’s milk cheese is an autochthonous product that is manufactured for generations on small family farms in the Croatian peninsula Istria. Traditional Istrian cheese is made from unpasteurized ewe’s milk, without the addition of starter cultures. Consequently, the specific flavour and texture of the Istrian cheese is owed to metabolic processes of indigenous microflora of which Lactobacillus species play pivotal role. Characterisation and selection of indigenous lactobacilli may result in the potential use of selected strains as starter, bioprotective or even probiotic cultures. This study focuses on potential use of Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus casei isolated from traditional Istrian cheese as starter cultures, by using methods that determine their proteolytic, lipolytic, antimicrobial and haemolytic potential, as well as their ability of acidification, autoaggregation and survival in simulated gastrointestinal conditions. Our results indicated that from 12 representative strains most revealed a low or moderate proteolytic activity as well as absence of lipolytic and haemolytic activities. From 12 strains, 5 of them showed a medium to strong acidification ability and lowered the pH of milk below 5.00 after 24 hours of incubation. Furthermore, almost all isolates exhibited antimicrobial activity against Serratia marcescens, and lowest number of isolates showed antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria innocua. The studied Lactobacillus strains revealed high survival rate in a simulated oral cavity and duodenum conditions, while the survival ability in a simulated gastric conditions was much lower. Ability to aggregate was low for all tested strains, after 3 hours and after 5 hours of incubation.
Root and aerial infections of Chamaecyparis lawsoniana by Phytophthora lateralis : a new threat for European countries

Summary Phytophthora lateralis has been isolated from root and collar lesions in Port-Orford Cedar (POC) trees (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana) in north-western France (Brittany). These trees, planted in hedgerows, displayed symptoms similar to the typical symptoms of POC root disease. Until now, the disease has been found outside of the nurseries only in western North America. Aerial symptoms, not associated with root or collar infections, were also observed, and P. lateralis was isolated from branch lesions. Similar symptoms were previously observed only in one POC root disease site, located in the Pacific coast of Oregon where climatic conditions are similar to those occurring in Brittany. The reported aetiology as well as the morphological characteristics (deciduous sporangia) of P. lateralis suggests that this species could be air-dispersed, as described for P. ramorum, a closely related species. This outbreak of P. lateralis in Brittany in farming landscapes associated with the aerial spread of this pathogen represents a new threat for European countries.
Sketch Based 3 D Character Deformation

Most 3D character editing tools are complex and non-intuitive. It takes lot of skill and labor from the artists to create even a draft 3D humanoid model. This paper proposes an intuitive 2D sketch-driven drafting tool that allows users to quickly shape and proportion existing detailed 3D models. We leverage on our existing vector shape representation to describe character bodypart segments as affine-transformed circle-triangle-square shape blends. This is done for both the input 2D doodle as well as for the extracted point clouds from 3D library mesh. The simplified body part vector shapes help describe the relative deformation between the source (3D library mesh) and the target (2D frontal sketch). The actual deformation is done using automatically setup Free Form Deformation cages. To perform body-part shape analysis, we first segment the mesh with Baran and Popovic’s algorithm for automatic fitting of an input skeleton to a given 3D mesh, followed by our existing 2D shape vector fitting process. There are several promising character design applications of this paper; e.g. accelerated personality pre-visualization in movie production houses, intuitive customization of avatars in games and interactive media, and procedural character generation.
Nonsurgical treatment of chronic subdural hematoma.

✓ A nonsurgical treatment consisting of osmotherapy with 20% Mannitol was performed on a consecutive series of 23 male patients with chronic subdural hematoma, ranging from 21 to 71 years in age, including seven serious cases. Disappearance or marked reduction of the hematoma content and complete clinical recovery were obtained in 22 patients. The duration of the treatment was 12 to 106 days. Follow-up study from 8 months to 3½ years showed no sequelae, recurrence, or complications.
Molecular Basis for the Inhibition of Prostanoid Biosynthesis by Nonsteroidal Anti‐inflammatory Agents

Many nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs exert their effects by inhibiting the synthesis of prostanoids. More specifically, these agents block the synthesis of prostaglandin endoperoxide G2 from arachidonic acid by competing with arachidonate for binding to the cyclooxygenase active site of prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase. Studies of the molecular biology of prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase indicate that there is a single gene for the enzyme. Thus, tissue-specific effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs probably result from differences in drug distribution and/or metabolism and not from the existence of tissue-specific prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase isozymes. Aspirin causes inactivation of prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase by first binding to the cyclooxygenase active site and then acetylating the protein at Ser530. Although the cyclooxygenase activity is inactivated, the hydroperoxidase activity of prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase is unaltered by Aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Replacement of Ser530 of the native enzyme with an alanine residue by site-directed mutagenesis yields a prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase with unaltered catalytic and substrate binding activities. Thus, the hydroxyl group of Ser530 is not essential for enzyme activity. Instead, it appears likely that acetylation of prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase by Aspirin simply places a bulky acetyl group at or near the cyclooxygenase active site, thereby interfering with arachidonic acid binding. (Stroke 1990;21(suppl IV):IV-24-rV-28)
Culture, role and group work: A social network analysis perspective on an online collaborative course

This paper discusses the patterns of network dynamics within a multicultural online collaborative learning environment. It analyses the interaction of participants (both students and facilitators) within a discussion board that was established as part of a 3-month online collaborative course. The study employs longitudinal probabilistic social network analysis (SNA) to identify the patterns and trends within the network. It conjectures and tests a set of hypotheses concerning the tendencies towards homophily/heterophily and preferential attachment. The paper presents identified interaction network patterns in relation to cultural differences. It also evaluates network dynamics by considering participant roles and group work in the course under study. Results of social network analyses are reported along with measures of statistical confidence in findings. The potential for extending exploratory SNA methods and visualisation techniques in educational research are discussed here.
Shadow enhancers enable Hunchback bifunctionality in the Drosophila embryo

Significance Enhancers are regions of regulatory DNA that control gene expression and cell fate decisions during development. Enhancers compute the expression pattern of their target gene by reading the concentrations of input regulatory proteins. Many developmental genes contain multiple enhancers that control the same output pattern, but it is unclear whether these enhancers all compute the pattern in the same way. We use measurements in single cells and computational models in Drosophila embryos to demonstrate that two enhancers that encode the same gene expression pattern compute differently: the same regulatory protein represses one enhancer and activates the other. Pairs of enhancers that generate the same pattern by performing different computations may impart special properties to developmental systems. Hunchback (Hb) is a bifunctional transcription factor that activates and represses distinct enhancers. Here, we investigate the hypothesis that Hb can activate and repress the same enhancer. Computational models predicted that Hb bifunctionally regulates the even-skipped (eve) stripe 3+7 enhancer (eve3+7) in Drosophila blastoderm embryos. We measured and modeled eve expression at cellular resolution under multiple genetic perturbations and found that the eve3+7 enhancer could not explain endogenous eve stripe 7 behavior. Instead, we found that eve stripe 7 is controlled by two enhancers: the canonical eve3+7 and a sequence encompassing the minimal eve stripe 2 enhancer (eve2+7). Hb bifunctionally regulates eve stripe 7, but it executes these two activities on different pieces of regulatory DNA—it activates the eve2+7 enhancer and represses the eve3+7 enhancer. These two “shadow enhancers” use different regulatory logic to create the same pattern.
Intervention minimized semi-autonomous control using decoupled model predictive control

This paper proposes semi-autonomous control that minimizes intervention considering driver's steering and braking intentions. The biggest challenge of this problem is how to fairly judge driver's intentions that appear differently in the lateral and longitudinal directions and how to minimize controller intervention. A decoupled model predictive control (MPC) and optimal intervention decision methods are proposed considering driver incompatibility. Several MPCs are designed first considering the fact that the driver can avoid obstacles either by braking or moving to the left or right lanes. The control input to avoid the collision is calculated for each MPC such that its intervention can be minimized reflecting the driver's intention. After driver incompatibility is formalized, the optimal input is selected to minimize the incompatibility among the paths that can avoid accidents. The proposed algorithm is validated in simulations where collision can be avoided while minimizing the intervention.
A Novel approach for Enhancement of Image Contrast Using Adaptive Bilateral filter with Unsharp Masking Algorithm

In this project, Unsharp mask refers to a process used in both film and digital photographic processing to increase the apparent sharpness of an image. In this article we explain the working of both film and digital versions of the process, and discuss the meaning of the name. The article does not attempt to teach techniques for the effective use of the process. Enhancement of contrast and sharpness of an image is required in many applications. Unsharp masking is a classical tool for sharpness enhancement. We propose a generalized unsharp masking algorithm using the exploratory data model as a unified framework. The proposed algorithm is designed to address three issues: 1) simultaneously enhancing contrast and sharpness by means of individual treatment of the model component and the residual, 2) reducing the halo effect by means of an Bilateral filter, and 3) solving the out-ofrange problem by means of log-ratio and tangent operations. We also present a study of the properties of the logratio operations and reveal a new connection between the Bregman divergence and the generalized linear systems. This connection not only provides a novel insight into the geometrical property of such systems, but also opens a new pathway for system development.
Surgical treatment of dystonia

Surgical treatment of dystonia has experienced a tremendous change over the past decade. Whilst selective peripheral denervation is reserved for cervical dystonia refractory to botulinum toxin injections, deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the pallidum has gained a wide scope and presents an elementary column in the treatment of medically refractory patients, nowadays. There is consensus that idiopathic generalized, cervical and segmental dystonia are good indications for DBS, although there is still a paucity of studies providing high‐level data according to EBM criteria. Efficacy is maintained on longterm. Several other forms of primary dystonia are still under investigation but it appears that patients with Meige syndrome and myoclonus‐dystonia gain also marked benefit. Study of the outcome in secondary dystonia disorders is more complex, in general, but patients with tardive dystonia gain similar improvement than patients with idiopathic dystonia. Overall, the risk profile of pallidal DBS is quite low, and it has been shown to be cognitively safe. The effect of pallidal DBS on non‐dystonic extremities has not received much attention, albeit there are hints for a pro‐akinetic mechanism. Several questions remain to be solved including optimal programming of stimulation settings, battery drain with high stimulation energies and the elucidation of the mechanisms of DBS in dystonia.
CDMP1/GDF5 Has Specific Processing Requirements That Restrict Its Action to Joint Surfaces*

CDMP1/GDF5 has not demonstrated biological activity in Xenopus embryos when overexpressed by mRNA injection. We provide biological and biochemical evidence that to become active, the protein requires cleavage by two distinct proteolytic enzymes. We demonstrate a specific overlap in the expression patterns of CDMP1/GDF5 with the proteases required to release the mature peptide at the location of the future articular surface but not in the future joint space. Taken together, these observations provide a plausible mechanism for local action of CDMP1/GDF5 consistent with requirements imposed by current models of pattern formation in the developing limb.