Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
E-learning in a low-status female profession: the role of motivation, anxiety and social support in the learning divide

The literature seems to suggest that women may be at risk from being excluded from adult education programmes, which use e-learning, especially when they have low economic status. Based on a survey of 551 women, family day care providers, we conclude that there is a persistent divide in PC access and use, as well as in perceived PC skills according to age. Yet, this divide seems to run less along traditional lines, suggesting that personal factors play a more important role. Motivation and anxiety are two related but distinct personal factors that influence computer use and skills in this population. We also found that these factors are mediated by the family context: motivation is higher when (young) children are present in the family. Moreover, children may represent an important form of social support for women not yet using computers. This study concludes that the concerns about the gender gap in computer use may benefit from taking the scaffolding possibilities of the family into consideration and that there may be a case for growing optimism in the use of information and communication technology for adult learning in specific, gender-segregated professions with low status.
A pretty-printer for every occasion

Tool builders dealing with many different languages, and language designers require sophisticated pretty-print techniques to minimize the time needed for constructing and adapting pretty-printers. We combined new and existing pretty-print techniques in a generic pretty-printer that satisfies modern pretty-print requirements. Its features include language independence, customization, and incremental pretty-printer generation. Furthermore, we emphasize that the recent acceptance of {\sc xml} as international standard for the representation of structured data demands flexible pretty-print techniques, and we demonstrate that our pretty-printer provides such technology.
Signal to noise ratio considerations in the analysis of sweep visual-evoked potentials.

More investigators are recommending rapid sweep displays to estimate visual-evoked potential (VEP) sensory thresholds. Theoretically, phase-sensitive analysis offers a higher signal to noise ratio (SNR) than phase-insensitive techniques and, therefore, a more reliable and equally valid threshold estimate. Phase-sensitive analysis assumes that the VEP phase does not change over the period of one sweep. This study tests the assertion that the VEP phase is sufficiently stable for valid and reliable phase-sensitive detection. Mathematical analysis shows that phase-sensitive detection yields a lower SNR than phase-insensitive analysis if the phase error is < 45 degrees . We recorded the VEP to contrast reversing sinusoidal gratings of sweeping spatial frequency (12.5-0.2 epd) from 26 subjects. In most, phase varied > 180 degrees Over one sweep. Moreover, these large phase shifts could not be diminished by modifying contrast reversal rate, direction of spatial frequency sweep, or sweep time. We conclude that when using spatial frequency sweeps, phase-insensitive detection is superior to phase-sensitive. The filter's bandwidth and the effect of SNR on sensory threshold estimations also are discussed.
Surface tension and interfacial fluctuations in d-dimensional Ising model

The surface tension of rough interfaces between coexisting phases in 2D and 3D Ising models are discussed in view of the known results and some original calculations presented in this paper. The results are summarised in a formula, which allows to interpolate the corrections to ﬁnite–size scaling between two and three dimensions. The physical meaning of an analytic continuation to noninteger values of the spatial dimensionality d is discussed. Lattices and interfaces with properly deﬁned fractal dimensions should fulﬁl certain requirements to possibly have properties of an analytic continuation from d –dimensional hypercubes. Here 2 appears as the marginal value of d below which the ( d − 1)– dimensional interface splits in disconnected pieces. Some phenomenological arguments are proposed to describe such interfaces. They show that the character of the interfacial ﬂuctuations at d < 2 is not the same as provided by a formal analytic continuation from d –dimensional hypercubes with d ≥ 2. It, probably, is true also for the related critical exponents.
Exploitation of pre-sortedness for sorting in query processing: the TempTris-algorithm for UB-trees

Bulk loading is used to efficiently build a table or access structure if a large data set is available at index time, e.g., the spool process of a data warehouse or the creation of intermediate results during query processing. The authors introduce the TempTris algorithm that creates a multidimensional partitioning from a one-dimensionally sorted stream of tuples. In order to achieve that, TempTris exploits the fact that a one-dimensional order can be used as a partial multidimensional order for the creation of a multidimensional partitioning. In this way, TempTris avoids external sorting for the creation of a multidimensional index. In combination with the Tetris sort algorithm, TempTris can be used to create intermediate query processing results that can (without external sorting), be reused to generate various sort orders. As an example of this new processing technique we propose an efficient algorithm for computing an aggregation lattice. Thus, TempTris can also be used to speed up the processing of CUBE operators that frequently occur in OLAP applications.
Pseudo-Genetic Algorithmic Composition

This paper presents a realtime music composition system based on a theme and variation approach. The system uses MIDI and allows up to sixteen instruments to play together. Each instrument requires input of short MIDI files containing musical sequences. Operations inspired by genetic algorithms generate new sequences. Opposed to true, bit-level genetic algorithms the operations modify concrete note properties. This approach facilitates the generation of new sequences within the context intended by the user. Based on the input files the system establishes a list of filters for the purpose of selection. Selection becomes a straight-forward task that affords no user intervention. Scheduling inserts an entire selected sequence into an output queue at a time.
The TP53 gene, tobacco exposure, and lung cancer

Of the various genetic alterations in lung cancer, the abnormalities of the TP53 gene (p53) are among the most frequent and important events. Because of its importance, many aspects of TP53 have been studied, including preneoplastic lesions and TP53as a marker for early detection and prognosis and as a therapeutic option. We summarize recent knowledge of TP53 in lung cancer with a special emphasis on the relationship between smoking exposure (e.g, cigarette, etc.) and specific mutational pattern of TP53by analyzing the latest version of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) database on TP53 mutations in human cancer. Our analysis confirmed several other studies showing significant differences in the frequencies of G:C to T:A transversions between ever‐smokers and never‐smokers. Furthermore, when comparing the mutational spectrum by gender, important differences were noted between male and female never‐smokers. We concluded that the previously noted G:C to T:A transversions were mainly due to female smokers having a high frequency of these changes compared to female never‐smokers. There was no relationship between adenocarcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas independent of gender. We also examined the seven codons which have been previously identified as hot spots, that is, the sites of frequent G:C to T:A transversions in smoking‐related lung cancers. However, there was no specific codon which was strongly related to smoke exposure despite a moderate relationship. We considered the term “warmspot” may be more appropriate. While mutations of TP53 are frequent in lung cancers, further investigation is necessary to understand their role for lung carcinogenesis, especially as they relate to gender differences, and to translate our laboratory knowledge to clinical applications. Hum Mutat 21:229–239, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Spectrum of EGFR Gene Copy Number Changes and KRAS Gene Mutation Status in Korean Triple Negative Breast Cancer Patients

Anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) therapy has been tried in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients without evaluation of molecular and clinical predictors in several randomized clinical studies. Only fewer than 20% of metastatic TNBCs showed response to anti-EGFR therapy. In order to increase the overall response rate, first step would be to classify TNBC into good or poor responders according to oncogenic mutation profiles. This study provides the molecular characteristics of TNBCs including EGFR gene copy number changes and mutation status of EGFR and KRAS gene in Korean TNBC patients. Mutation analysis for EGFR, KRAS, BRAF and TP53 from a total of 105 TNBC tissue samples was performed by direct sequencing, peptide nucleic acid-mediated PCR clamping method and real-time PCR. Copy number changes of EGFR gene were evaluated using multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification. Out of all 105 TNBCs, 15.2% (16/105) showed EGFR copy number changes. Among them, increased or decreased EGFR copy number was detected in 13 (5 single copy gain, 2 amplification and 4 high-copy number amplification) and 3 cases (3 hemizygous deletion), respectively. The mutation frequencies of KRAS, EGFR and TP53 gene were 1.9% (G12V and G12D), 1.0% (exon 19 del) and 31.4%, respectively. There was no BRAF V600E mutation found. Future studies are needed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of TNBC patients who undergo anti-EGFR therapy according to the genetic status of EGFR.
Sexuality in older adults: Clinical and psychosocial dilemmas

The present review aims to throw some light on the various aspects of sexuality in older adults and the challenges faced by medical professionals working in this area. Keyword searches using the terms "sexuality," "sexual dysfunction," "geriatric," "old age," and others in combination were carried out on PubMed, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Relevant clinical trials, case studies, and review papers were selected. This was further supplemented with the clinical experience of the authors, who work with older patients in a psychiatric outpatient setting with a dedicated sexual disorders clinic. Sexuality is a lifelong phenomenon and its expression a basic human right across all ages. However, the construct of normalcy for sex in aging is blurred, with agism playing a distinct role. Older adults face much stigma when expressing sexual desires or concerns, both from their own families and the health-care system. Sexual dysfunctions due to comorbid medical illnesses and medications are often treatable. Evidence-based treatments for sexual dysfunction in the elderly, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer, and other orientations are especially underrepresented in research; available research has several limitations. Sexuality in people with dementia and sexual rights in nursing homes are gray areas. Medical training, treatment guidelines, and health-care facilities all need to be stepped up in terms of awareness and quality of care provided to the elderly with concerns related to sexuality.
Sketching Cartoons by Example

We introduce a novel example-based framework for reusing traditional cartoon drawings and animations. In contrast to previous approaches our aim is to design new characters and poses by combining fragments of the original artwork. Using standard image manipulation tool this task is tedious and time consuming. To reduce the amount of manual intervention we combine unsupervised image segmentation, fragment extraction and highquality vectorization. The user can simply select an interesting part in the original image and then adjust it in a new composition using a few control scribbles. Thanks to ease of manipulation proposed sketch-based interface is suitable both for experienced artists and unskilled users (e.g. children) who wish to create new stories in the style of masters. Practical results confirm that using our framework high-quality cartoon drawings can be produced within much shorter time frames as compared with standard approaches.
Status report on hypertension in Africa - Consultative review for the 6th Session of the African Union Conference of Ministers of Health on NCD's

Hypertension has always been regarded as a disease of affluence but this has changed drastically in the last two decades with average blood pressures now higher in Africa than in Europe and USA and the prevalence increasing among poor sections of society. We have conducted a literature search on PubMed on a broad range of topics regarding hypertension in Africa, including data collection from related documents from World Health Organization and other relevant organizations that are available in this field. We have shared the initial results and drafts with international specialists in the context of hypertension in Africa and incorporated their feedback. Hypertension is the number one risk factor for CVD in Africa. Consequently, cardiovascular disease (CVD) has taken over as number one cause of death in Africa and the total numbers will further increase in the next decades reflecting on the growing urbanization and related lifestyle changes. The new epidemic of hypertension and CVD is not only an important public health problem, but it will also have a big economic impact as a significant proportion of the productive population becomes chronically ill or die, leaving their families in poverty. It is essential to develop and share best practices for affordable and effective community-based programs in screening and treatment of hypertension. In order to prevent and control hypertension in the population, Africa needs policies developed and implemented through a multi-sectoral approach involving the Ministries of Health and other sectors including education, agriculture, transport, finance among others.
On Battery Recovery Effect in Wireless Sensor Nodes

With the perennial demand for longer runtime of battery-powered Wireless Sensor Nodes (WSNs), several techniques have been proposed to increase the battery runtime. One such class of techniques exploiting the battery recovery effect phenomenon claims that performing an intermittent discharge instead of a continuous discharge will increase the usable battery capacity. Several works in the areas of embedded systems and wireless sensor networks have assumed the existence of this recovery effect and proposed different power management techniques in the form of power supply architectures (multiple battery setup) and communication protocols (burst mode transmission) in order to exploit it. However, until now, a systematic experimental evaluation of the recovery effect has not been performed with real battery cells, using high-accuracy battery testers to confirm the existence of this recovery phenomenon. In this article, a systematic evaluation procedure is developed to verify the existence of this battery recovery effect. Using our evaluation procedure, we investigated Alkaline, Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH), and Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) battery chemistries, which are commonly used as power supplies for Wireless Sensor Node (WSN) applications. Our experimental results do not show any evidence of the aforementioned recovery effect in these battery chemistries. In particular, our results show a significant deviation from the stochastic battery models, which were used by many power management techniques. Therefore, the existing power management approaches that rely on this recovery effect do not hold in practice. Instead of a battery recovery effect, our experimental results show the existence of the rate capacity effect, which is the reduction of usable battery capacity with higher discharge power, to be the dominant electrochemical phenomenon that should be considered for maximizing the runtime of WSN applications. We outline power management techniques that minimize the rate capacity effect in order to obtain a higher energy output from the battery.
M ay 2 00 0 Curvature Estimates and the Positive Mass Theorem

The Positive Mass Theorem implies that any smooth, complete, asymptotically flat 3-manifold with non-negative scalar curvature which has zero total mass is isometric to (IR, δij). In this paper, we quantify this statement using spinors and prove that if a complete, asymptotically flat manifold with non-negative scalar curvature has small mass and bounded isoperimetric constant, then the manifold must be close to (IR, δij), in the sense that there is an upper bound for the L 2 norm of the Riemannian curvature tensor over the manifold except for a set of small measure. This curvature estimate allows us to extend the case of equality of the Positive Mass Theorem to include non-smooth manifolds with generalized non-negative scalar curvature, which we define.
Monolithic integration of a class DE inverter for on-chip resonant DC-DC converters

A fully-integrated series resonant class DE inverter is realized in a 130 nm 1.2 V CMOS technology with an on-chip spiral inductor and an integrated MIMcap. It is used as the first stage in fully-integrated class DE DC-DC resonant converters. The inherent soft switching yields high conversion efficiency at high switching frequencies. Low switching peak-voltages are present in the circuit, alleviating the need for on-chip high-voltage techniques. The use of on-chip passives reduces the bill of materials (BOM) considerably. The maximum output power of the series resonant class DE inverter is 11.6 mW. The maximum power efficiency is 65.2 %. The measurement results confirm and improve previous simulations.
A APRENDIZAGEM ORGANIZACIONAL E O AUTODESENVOLVIMENTO NO ÂMBITO DO TELETRABALHO / ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE FRAMEWORK TELEWORKING

Analisa-se a atividade fenomenica laboral do teletrabalho, sob os aspectos da legislacao, da aprendizagem organizacional e do autodesenvolvimento. Parte-se da ideia de que o teletrabalho cinge-se no cumprimento da jornada fora do ambiente fisico da empresa, usando meios tecnologicos para controle e subordinacao. Na alca de mira da pesquisa, tem-se uma gestao com foco na flexibilidade de jornada. Por meio de uma pesquisa qualitativa exploratoria, atraves de entrevistas, e realizada a analise de discurso, cotejando a postura dos agentes ante esta singularidade empregaticia, observando, entre outros, a falta de interacao com a cultura organizacional da empresa e ausencia de controle especifico de jornada dos teletrabalhadores.
A multi-scale fractal dimension based onboard ship saliency detection algorithm

Detection of ship targets in the sea area is an important field in remote sensing image target detection. As the ships and the surrounding areas are very different in texture, that makes it a possible solution to detect the ships using the texture feature. Aiming at the detection of ship targets, a novel ship target detection algorithm in a large scene of the optical remote sensing image is proposed in this paper. This algorithm is based on the conspicuity of ship targets of multi-scale fractal dimension feature in the sea background, and then the detection of ship targets is realized by the method of visual saliency model. In this paper, the accuracy of fractal dimension feature of small or medium-sized window by using differential box counting algorithm has been improved. The novel algorithm proposed in this paper is based on the significant difference of natural background and man-made objects in multi-scale fractal dimension feature. Then, the conspicuous fractal feature is obtained by using center-surround difference arithmetic operator, in order to highlight the target in the saliency map normalization is need in the final step. On the basis of the saliency map the rapid detection of ship targets in the sea background can be realized. Experimental results show that ship targets in the sea background can be detected accurately with this algorithm, and also the false alarm rate has been effectively reduced.
Induction of Inflammation in Vascular Endothelial Cells by Metal Oxide Nanoparticles: Effect of Particle Composition

Background The mechanisms governing the correlation between exposure to ultrafine particles and the increased incidence of cardiovascular disease remain unknown. Ultrafine particles appear to cross the pulmonary epithelial barrier into the bloodstream, raising the possibility of direct contact with the vascular endothelium. Objectives Because endothelial inflammation is critical for the development of cardiovascular pathology, we hypothesized that direct exposure of human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) to ultrafine particles induces an inflammatory response and that this response depends on particle composition. Methods To test the hypothesis, we incubated HAECs for 1–8 hr with different concentrations (0.001–50 μg/mL) of iron oxide (Fe2O3), yttrium oxide (Y2O3), and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles and subsequently measured mRNA and protein levels of the three inflammatory markers intra-cellular cell adhesion molecule-1, interleukin-8, and monocyte chemotactic protein-1. We also determined nanoparticle interactions with HAECs using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and transmission electron microscopy. Results Our data indicate that nanoparticle delivery to the HAEC surface and uptake within the cells correlate directly with particle concentration in the cell culture medium. All three types of nanoparticles are internalized into HAECs and are often found within intracellular vesicles. Fe2O3 nanoparticles fail to provoke an inflammatory response in HAECs at any of the concentrations tested; however, Y2O3 and ZnO nanoparticles elicit a pronounced inflammatory response above a threshold concentration of 10 μg/mL. At the highest concentration, ZnO nanoparticles are cytotoxic and lead to considerable cell death. Conclusions These results demonstrate that inflammation in HAECs following acute exposure to metal oxide nanoparticles depends on particle composition.
Evolución de un Juego Educacional de Ingeniería de Software a través de Técnicas de Elicitación de Requisitos

The principal task of requirements engineering is the definition of requirements that reflects the understanding of the problem. In this process different approaches for information elicitation may be used. In our case we show that the application of elicitation strategies in the right form can improve the evolution of an existing artifact. In this paper we show the evolution of an education game. The principal task of requirements engineering is the definition of requirements that reflects the understanding of the problem. In this process different approaches for information elicitation may be used. In our case we show that the application of elicitation strategies in the right form can improve the evolution of an existing artifact. In this paper we show the evolution of an education game. The modeling of the game evolved as well, we moved from a situational model to an intentional model.