Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Latin American university students’ perceptions of social networks and group work

In recent years, the Internet and Web 2.0 tools have played a fairly pivotal role in university education. Social software tools have stood out in particular, with social networks attracting the most attention. In the field of education, social networks have gradually become a highly valuable didactic resource because the students who populate today’s university classrooms also live out a large part of their lives on those networks. Student group work is a cornerstone of the constructivist view of teaching, which can draw on resources of this type because, among other things, they foster socialisation, information searching, the attainment of a common goal, etc. But, for all of this to happen, students must have positive attitudes towards group work. This article presents the results of a study on university students’ level of knowledge of social networks and their perceptions of group work. It was conducted on a sample of students from Argentina, Spain, the Dominican Republic and Venezuela. The findings particularly show that the students held high perceptions of group work and of the opportunity to work online with fellow students from different geographical areas. En los últimos tiempos la formación universitaria ha estado bastante centrada en el entorno de internet y de las herramientas de la web 2.0. Destacan dentro de este entramado las clasificadas como software social, siendo las redes sociales las que más atención despiertan. En el ámbito educativo las redes sociales se han ido dibujando como un recurso de gran valor didáctico, dado que los estudiantes que hoy habitan las aulas universitarias viven inmersos en ellas. La visión constructivista de la enseñanza, apoyada fundamentalmente en el trabajo en grupo de los estudiantes, puede alimentarse a través de este tipo de recursos, debido a que potencia, entre otros aspectos, la socialización, la búsqueda de información, el logro de una meta común, etc.; pero para ello el alumno debe tener actitudes positivas para trabajar en grupo. En este trabajo, realizado con estudiantes de Argentina, España, República Dominicana y Venezuela, exponemos los resultados obtenidos en un estudio sobre el grado de conocimiento que tiene el alumnado respecto a las redes sociales y sus percepciones para trabajar en grupo. Entre los hallazgos encontrados destaca que los estudiantes tienen una elevada percepción respecto al trabajo en grupo, junto con la posibilidad de trabajar online con compañeros que no están en su misma zona geográfica
Evaluation of palatal bone density in adults and adolescents for application of skeletal anchorage devices.

OBJECTIVES To measure the cortical and cancellous bone densities of the palatal area in adolescents and adults and to compare bone quality among placement sites of temporary anchorage devices. MATERIALS AND METHODS One hundred twenty cone beam computerized tomography scans were obtained from 60 adolescents (mean age, 12.2 ± 1.9 years) and 60 adults (24.7 ± 4.9 years). The measurements of palatal bone density were made in Hounsfield units (HU) at 72 sites at the intersections of eight mediolateral and nine anterioposterior reference lines using InVivoDental software. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to analyze intragroup and intergroup differences. RESULTS The cortical and cancellous bone densities in the adults (816 and 154 HU, respectively) were significantly higher than those in the adolescents (606 and 135 HU; P < .001 and P = .032, respectively). However, the anterior portion of the cortical bone in adolescents had similar density values to the posterior portion of the cortical bone in adults. Gender comparison revealed that females had greater cortical bone densities (769 HU) than their male counterparts did (654 HU; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS Palatal bone densities were significantly higher in adults than in adolescents, and the anterior palatal areas of adolescents were of similar values to those at the posterior palate of adults.
The origin and use of a relative clause construction that targets objects in Orungu (Bantu, Gabon)

This paper provides an analysis of two relative clause constructions in the Gabonese Bantu language Orungu that are in complementary distribution. The choice between them is determined by the target of relativisation in a typologically interesting way, in that it involves the combination of the criteria of the syntactic relation, thematic role and referential properties of the target. The construction that targets most types of objects is formally nearly identical to relative clauses that target the subject of a passive clause and we argue that it originates in the syntactic reanalysis of such subject relatives. That is, relative clauses that targeted the subject of a passive clause have been reanalysed as relative clauses that target the object of an active clause. This shows a rare type of change in relative clause constructions, which is unique in Bantu, but grounded in the universal tendencies captured by the accessibility hierarchy.
A framework for analysing the social affordance of Web 2.0 tools

Web 2.0 tools with social network features provide new possibilities for distance education. However, it is still challenging to use them in educational practice. The lack of a comprehensive understanding of Web 2.0 tools might be one of the important reasons for this challenge. This paper suggests a systemic framework for analysing the social affordance of Web 2.0 tools, which is important to online learning. The proposed framework is based on four fields of literature, including the current affordance research, the features of Web 2.0 tools, the needs of distance education and pedagogy theory. It includes four dimensions, social connection, information aggregation, reflection and expression, and dialogue and collaboration. In each dimension, indicators and analysis method are also proposed. A case study is presented to show the process of analysis. In this case study, interaction in a post-graduate course supported by a micro-blog and a forum are analysed with an integrated analysis methodology including content analysis, social network analysis and online behaviour analysis. The affordance of micro-blogs was discussed based on this proposed framework.
Performance analysis of a cylindric dielectric lens antenna for 77 GHz automotive radar

This paper introduces a novel dielectric lens antenna configuration for automotive radar applications. A cylindric lens fed by a uniform linear array (ULA) accomplishes elevation beam shaping and simultaneously allows for the application of array signal processing in the azimuth plane. Measured and simulated radiation patterns show a superior performance compared to a conventional antenna concept without lens.
Docosahexaenoic acid supplementation induces dose and time dependent oxidative changes in C6 glioma cells

In view of the promising use of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in the prevention and treatment of neurological diseases, it is necessary to ascertain the lack of detrimental oxidative effects. We evaluated short- and long-term effects of 25, 50 and 75 μM docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation on the oxidative status of C6 glial cells. DHA was incorporated into cells dose and time dependently without any cytotoxic effect. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) level was related to DHA dose and supplementation time. At the lowest dose no significant increase in ROS values was observed at hour 24. Low doses of DHA strengthened the cellular antioxidant defence system as highlighted by a raise in both GPX and catalase activity, and the decreased levels of lipid peroxidation. This effect was pronounced at 24 h of supplementation, almost disappeared at hour 48, while after 72 h an opposite effect was observed: lipid peroxidation increased concomitantly with DHA doses. Therefore, the final effect of DHA on cellular redox status is dependent on dose and time supplementation.
Projections from the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus to the forebrain, with special emphasis on the extended amygdala

The paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT) is part of a group of midline and intralaminar thalamic nuclei implicated in arousal and attention. This study examined the connections between the PVT and the forebrain by using the retrograde tracer cholera toxin B (CTb) and the anterograde tracer biotin dextran amine (BDA). The anterior and posterior regions of the PVT were found to send a dense projection to the nucleus accumbens. The posterior PVT was also found to provide a strong projection to the lateral bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BST), interstitial nucleus of the posterior limb of the anterior commissure (IPAC), and central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA), regions associated with the extended amygdala. In contrast, the anterior PVT was found to send a weaker projection to the extended amygdala. The basolateral nucleus of the amygdala and the medial prefrontal cortex were found to receive a relatively weak projection from the PVT, and other regions of the BST and amygdala were found to be poorly innervated by the PVT. In addition, the PVT was found to innervate regions in the extended amygdala that contained corticotropin‐releasing factor (CRF) neurons, many of which were found to receive apparent contacts from PVT fibers. The projection from the PVT to the nucleus accumbens and extended amygdala places the PVT in a key anatomical position to influence adaptive behaviors as well as the physiological and neuroendocrine responses associated with these behaviors. J. Comp. Neurol. 506:263–287, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Start Me Up – How Fathers' Unemployment Affects Their Sons' School-to-Work Transitions

Using data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP), continuous-time duration models are applied to examine whether paternal unemployment delays sons' school-to-work transitions and thus leads to a spell of early career non-employment. The results show that substantial delaying effects of fathers' unemployment exist and that they are heterogeneous among educational groups. Therefore, paternal unemployment implies long-run intergenerational costs by hindering sons' smooth school-to-work transitions which can be expected to have long-lasting negative labor market consequences.
Topology-Preserving Off-screen Visualization: Effects of Projection Strategy and Intrusion Adaption

With the increasing amount of data being visualized in large information spaces, methods providing data-driven context have become indispensable. Off-screen visualization techniques, therefore, have been extensively researched for their ability to overcome the inherent trade-off between overview and detail. The general idea is to project off-screen located objects back to the available screen real estate. Detached visual cues, such as halos or arrows, encode information on position and distance, but fall short showing the topology of off-screen objects. For that reason, state of the art techniques integrate visual cues into a dedicated border region. As yet, the dimensions of the navigated space are not reflected properly, which is why we propose to adapt the intrusion of the border pursuant to the position in space. Moreover, off-screen objects are projected to the border region using one out of two projection methods: Radial or Orthographic. We describe a controlled experiment to investigate the effect of the adaptive border intrusion to the topology as well as the users' intuition regarding the projection strategy. The results of our experiment suggest to use the orthographic projection strategy for unconnected point data in an adaptive border design. We further discuss the results including the given informal feedback of participants.
Anopheles gambiae males produce and transfer the vitellogenic steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone to females during mating

In female insects, the steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) plays a major role in activating vitellogenesis, a process required for egg development. By contrast with vertebrates, production of large amounts of hormonal steroids has not been reported in adult male insects. In the present study, we analyzed steroidogenesis in both male and female adult of the malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae and we found that A. gambiae male mosquitoes produce high amounts of the steroid hormone 20E. Importantly, we found that male accessory glands, but not testes, are the source of 20E. Moreover, this steroid hormone is stored in male accessory glands and delivered to females during mating. These findings suggest that male 20E may not act as a true male sex steroid, but more likely as an allohormone. Our results give new insights into species-specific physiological processes that govern the reproductive success of the malaria mosquito. This could thus lead to the identification of new target genes for manipulating male and/or female reproductive success, a promising way to reduce or eliminate mosquito population and therefore to control malaria transmission.
The role of polyphosphates in the sequestration of matrix metalloproteinases

This study outlines the potential of a novel therapeutic dressing for the management of chronic wounds. The dressing incorporates polyphosphate, a non toxic compound with a number of beneficial characteristics in terms of wound healing, in a foam matrix. The aim of this study was to identify the potential of polyphosphate incorporated in the foam dressing to sequester the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and proteases derived from Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Methods used included gelatin zymography and milk‐casein agar plate analysis. Results have shown that this dressing is effectively capable of reducing the levels of MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 in both their active and latent forms using an in vitro model. The dressing also demonstrated the compound's potential in the regulation of P. aeruginosa derived proteases.
Scanning electron microscopy of the corneal endothelium of ostrich

The aim of this study was to examine the endothelial surface morphology and perform a morphometric analysis of the corneal endothelial cells of ostrich (Struthio camelus) using scanning electron microscopy. Polygonality, mean cell area, cell density and coefficient of variation of mean cell area were analyzed. The normal corneal endothelium consisted of polygonal cells of uniform size and shape with few interdigitations of the cell borders. Microvilli appeared as protusions on the cellular surface. The average cell area was 269±18μm2 and the endothelial cell density was 3717±240cells mm -2 . The coefficient of variation of the cell area was 0.06, and the percentage of hexagonal cells was 75%. The parameters evaluated did not differ significantly between the right and the left eye from the same ostrich. The results of this study showed that the ostrich corneal endothelial cells appear quite similar to those of the other vertebrates.
Circulating Magnetic Microbubbles for Localized Real-Time Control of Drug Delivery by Ultrasonography-Guided Magnetic Targeting and Ultrasound

Image-guided and target-selective modulation of drug delivery by external physical triggers at the site of pathology has the potential to enable tailored control of drug targeting. Magnetic microbubbles that are responsive to magnetic and acoustic modulation and visible to ultrasonography have been proposed as a means to realize this drug targeting strategy. To comply with this strategy in vivo, magnetic microbubbles must circulate systemically and evade deposition in pulmonary capillaries, while also preserving magnetic and acoustic activities in circulation over time. Unfortunately, challenges in fabricating magnetic microbubbles with such characteristics have limited progress in this field. In this report, we develop magnetic microbubbles (MagMB) that display strong magnetic and acoustic activities, while also preserving the ability to circulate systemically and evade pulmonary entrapment. Methods: We systematically evaluated the characteristics of MagMB including their pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, visibility to ultrasonography and amenability to magneto-acoustic modulation in tumor-bearing mice. We further assessed the applicability of MagMB for ultrasonography-guided control of drug targeting. Results: Following intravenous injection, MagMB exhibited a 17- to 90-fold lower pulmonary entrapment compared to previously reported magnetic microbubbles and mimicked circulation persistence of the clinically utilized Definity microbubbles (>10 min). In addition, MagMB could be accumulated in tumor vasculature by magnetic targeting, monitored by ultrasonography and collapsed by focused ultrasound on demand to activate drug deposition at the target. Furthermore, drug delivery to target tumors could be enhanced by adjusting the magneto-acoustic modulation based on ultrasonographic monitoring of MagMB in real-time. Conclusions: Circulating MagMB in conjunction with ultrasonography-guided magneto-acoustic modulation may provide a strategy for tailored minimally-invasive control over drug delivery to target tissues.
Superior Sensitivity and Decreased Time to Detection with the Bactec Peds Plus/F System Compared to the BacT/Alert Pediatric FAN Blood Culture System

ABSTRACT Here, we compare the sensitivities and times to detection (TTD) of BacT/Alert Pediatric FAN (PF) and Bactec Peds Plus blood culture bottles. Test bottles were inoculated with 2 ml of banked whole blood, 1-ml aliquots of antibiotic suspension, and organisms diluted to simulate a bacteremia level of 10 to 100 CFU/ml. The control bottles were inoculated with 3 ml of banked blood and organism suspensions only. The organism-drug combinations were Staphylococcus epidermidis and vancomycin, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin, Streptococcus pneumoniae, vancomycin, and ceftriaxone, Streptococcus agalactiae, ampicillin, and cefotaxime, Escherichia coli, cefotaxime, and cefepime, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, piperacillin-tazobactam, cefepime, and gentamicin, Neisseria meningitidis and ceftriaxone, and Haemophilus influenzae and ceftriaxone. The control and test bottle combinations were tested in duplicate. The bottles were incubated for 5 days; 32 control and 104 test bottles were incubated. Overall, the bacterial recovery rates for the PF and Peds Plus bottles were 37% and 62%, 94% and 100% in the controls, 19% and 50% in the test bottles, and 33% and 92% in the bottles with vancomycin, respectively. No bacteria were recovered from the bottles with S. pneumoniae, S. agalactiae, E. coli, N. meningitidis, or H. influenzae in combination with cefotaxime or ceftriaxone. The Peds Plus system detected P. aeruginosa in bottles with cefepime and piperacillin-tazobactam, but the PF system recovered bacteria only in bottles with trough levels of piperacillin-tazobactam. The mean TTD were shorter in the Peds Plus system controls (14.2 versus 18.0 h; P = 0.001) and the test bottles (14.3 versus 17.8 h; P = 0.008) than in the PF bottles. Overall, we demonstrated superior sensitivity, TTD, and antibiotic neutralization in the Bactec Peds Plus system compared to those in the Pediatric FAN system.
Large scale visual classification with SVM, create the unique article through NLP

Lack of Proper Information around Sri Lankan Historical Places cause to give false information. If ruins scattered around same place tourists are struggling to identify them. Sometimes there are small sign boards but they don't provide enough information. In this paper we address this challenge by using user captured image or search imaged. Our approach is produced a single document about identified places. System identify the places through training dataset using SVM. System will increase the accuracy of prediction by taking GPS data and user inputs necessarily. The evaluation shows that our approach is more accurate than the existing systems.
The post-thrombotic syndrome: incidence and prognostic value of non-invasive venous examinations in a six-year follow-up study

Summary The ability to predict severity of the post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) early after acute deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) is limited. The aim of our study was to examine the incidence of PTS prospectively and to evaluate the predictive value of non-invasive venous examinations shortly after DVT for the development of PTS. In 93 patients with DVT thrombosis score (TS), reflux, venous outflow resistance (VOR) and calf muscle pump dysfunction (CMP) were examined prospectively. After one, two and six years patients were evaluated for PTS using the clinical scale of the CEAP-classification (PTS present ≥3 on a scale from 0 to 6). Area under the curves (AUC) were used to evaluate the predictive value of the non-invasive examinations at one and three months after diagnosis of DVT for future PTS. The cumulative incidence of PTS increased from 49% (32/65) after one year to 55% (36/65) and 56% (27/48) after two and six years, whereas the incidence of patients with PTS class 4 progressed from 20% after two years to 33% after six years. The prognostic value to predict PTS was highest for the combination of TS, VOR and reflux measured three months after diagnosis and showed anAUC of 0.77 (0.65−0.90) for PTS after one year. In conclusion, the incidence of PTS after DVT did not increase significantly after one year, whereas during longer follow-up the severity of PTS rose in patients with PTS. Moreover, measurement of TS, VOR and reflux three months after DVT could predict, with reasonable accuracy, the risk of PTS after one year of follow-up.
Non-invasive determination of the absorption coefficient of the brain from time-resolved reflectance using a neural network

We investigated the performance of a neural network for derivation of the absorption coefficient of the brain from simulated non-invasive time-resolved reflectance measurements on the head. A five-layered geometry was considered assuming that the optical properties (except the absorption coefficient of the brain) and the thickness of all layers were known with an uncertainty. A solution of the layered diffusion equation was used to train the neural network. We determined the absorption coefficient of the brain with an RMS error of <6% from reflectance data at a single distance calculated by diffusion theory. By applying the neural network to reflectance curves obtained from Monte Carlo simulations, similar errors were found.
Natural image illuminant estimation via deep non-negative matrix factorisation

The influence of environmental light sources affects the colour cast in natural images. In computer vision, biased colours have a significant influence on object recognition and classification. Illuminant estimation aims to eliminate these effects and obtain the image in canonical white light. In this study, the authors propose a deep non-negative matrix factorisation (DeepNMF) method to estimate the illuminant of colour-biased images. DeepNMF deeply factorises the input matrix into multiple layers, separating the image into patches and reshaping each channel of the patch as an [R,G,B] matrix. Based on the diagonal model, they assume that the final layer is the estimated illuminant of each patch. Mean pooling is then used to estimate the illuminant of the overall image. The angular error is used as a metric to test the authors’ method on three commonly used colour constancy datasets. The results show that the proposed method is comparable to state-of-the-art methods, although it is simpler to implement. As the proposed method uses a single image as input, it does not require a learning process.