Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Baby boomer and Genx elementary principals : differing perspectives on schooling

Studies on generational analys is inform us that each generation is shaped by the influences they share during their fo rmati ve years. The common experi ences and hi sto ri ca l circumstances experienced during thi s time influences their generational identity and results in a world view that is unique to that generation. Thi s wo rl d view and generati onal identity impacts their belief system and pract ices as they emerge as leaders in mid-life. While the current structures and policies that guide today ' s educat ional system were establi shed by the Baby Boomer generati on, we could see significant changes as the Baby Boomer behemoth begins to leave the workfo rce. Aro und the yea r 20 14, school ad mini stra tors fro m Generation X are expected to be the dominant generation in schoo l leadershi p pos itions, significant ly impacting educa tiona l po li cy and prac ti ce. The primary foc us of this study was to inves ti gate diffe rences in the way in whi ch Baby Boomer and GenX elementary principals view the system of ed ucation. In examining the definin g events and the social and educat ional contex t in whi ch each o r these generations came of age, it is clea r that the contex t in which each generat ion fo rmed their wo rl d view was qui te diffe rent. Thi s has resul ted in diffe ring leadershi p styles and diffe ring perspecti ves toward schoo ling. The research offe rs a num ber of implications for educators. The study ill uminates the impac t o f generational identity on the cyc les of school refo rm and sur faces differing assumptions between the current and emerging generation of schoo ls leaders around the function. structure and process of ed ucati on. Surfacing these assumptions is im portant to understanding their beliefs toward current and proposed reform efforts and is integral to impacting any kind of sustained reform efforts. BABY BOOM ER AND GENX ELEMENTARY PRINCIPALS: DIFFERIN G PERSPECTIVES ON SCHOOLING A Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Education
Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 Induces Glucose Transporter-1 Expression through Activation of the Serum Response Factor/Ets-Like Protein-1 in Adipocytes*

Background: FGF21 increases glucose uptake in adipocytes by enhancing the expression of glucose transporter-1 (GLUT1). Results: FGF21 induces the phosphorylation of the transcription factors serum response factor (SRF) and Ets-like protein-1 (Elk-1), which in turn bind to a highly conserved cis-element within the GLUT1 gene promoter for transcriptional activation. Such a stimulatory effect of FGF21 is impaired in adipose tissue of diet-induced obese mice. Conclusion: SRF and Elk-1 act synergistically to mediate FGF21-induced GLUT1 gene expression in adipocytes. Significance: The findings provide new molecular insights into the metabolic actions of FGF21 in its major target tissue. Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a liver-secreted endocrine factor with multiple beneficial effects on obesity-related disorders. It enhances glucose uptake by inducing the expression of glucose transporter-1 (GLUT1) in adipocytes. Here we investigated the signaling pathways that mediate FGF21-induced GLUT1 expression and glucose uptake in vitro and in animals. Quantitative real-time PCR and a luciferase reporter assay showed that FGF21 induced GLUT1 expression through transcriptional activation. The truncation of the GLUT1 promoter from −3145 to −3105 bp, which contains two highly conserved serum response element (SRE) and E-Twenty Six (ETS) binding motif, dramatically decreased FGF21-induced promoter activity of the GLUT1 gene. A chromatin immunoprecipitation assay demonstrated that the transcription factors serum response factor (SRF) and Ets-like protein-1 (Elk-1) were recruited to the GLUT1 promoter upon FGF21 stimulation. The siRNA-mediated knockdown of either SRF or Elk-1 resulted in a marked attenuation in FGF21-induced GLUT1 expression and glucose uptake in adipocytes. In C57 lean mice, a single intravenous injection of FGF21 induced phosphorylation of Elk-1 at Ser383 and SRF at Ser103 and also led to the recruitment of Elk-1 and SRF to the GLUT1 promoter in epididymal fats. By contrast, such effects of in vivo FGF21 administration were blunted in high fat diet-induced obese mice. In conclusion, FGF21 induces GLUT1 expression and glucose uptake through sequential activation of ERK1/2 and SRF/Elk-1, which in turn triggers the transcriptional activation of GLUT1 in adipocytes. The impairment in this signaling pathway may contribute to FGF21 resistance in obese mice.
Point pattern matching algorithm based on local topological characteristic and probabilistic relaxation labeling

To reduce the impact of outliers and noises on point pattern matching, a novel point pattern matching algorithm based on local topological characteristic and probabilistic relaxation labeling (LTC-PRL) is proposed in this paper. For each point in a point set, partial adjacent points are used to describe its local topological characteristic. To avoid the defects in angle coding of the existing global topological characteristic, a binary adjacent code is adopted in the local topological characteristic. And since the assignment of angle is greater than the distance, bigger weight is given to the angle while computing the similarity of the local topological characteristic among points. Finally, a robust compatibility measurement is defined and the support function is iterated by probabilistic relaxation labeling to get the best matching result. Experiments on synthetic data and the real image data show that the LTC-PRL has great matching performance when outliers and noises exist.
Signal Alteration in the Optic Nerve Head on 3D T2-weighted MRI: a Potential Neuroimaging Sign of Glaucomatous Optic Neuropathy

ABSTRACT Purpose: To investigate whether a signal alteration (SA) in the optic nerve head (ONH) on 3D T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is associated with glaucomatous optic neuropathy Materials and Methods: A total of 35 patients with bilateral open-angle glaucoma and 31 age-matched controls underwent 3D high-resolution (0.98 × 0.98 × 1 mm3) T2-weighted MRI and detailed ophthalmologic examinations including spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT). Two independent reviewers blinded to subject data determined mild or prominent SA on 3D T2-weighted MRI for the incomplete or complete loss of ocular hypointense continuity in the ONH, respectively. The prevalence of SAs was compared between the two groups with the chi-square test. The OCT measurements were compared among the eyes with a mild or prominent SA and those without an SA using the Kruskal–Wallis test. Results: Of the 35 eyes with glaucoma, 26 eyes (74.3%) exhibited an SA in the ONH, whereas it was observed in 5 (16.1%) of the 31 controls (P < 0.001). The eyes with a prominent SA had a significantly different average retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (P = 0.002) and the ONH parameters except for the disk area (all P < 0.001) than those without an SA. The eyes with a mild SA had a significantly narrower neural rim area, larger cup volume, and larger average and vertical cup-to-disk ratios compared with those without an SA (P = 0.011, 0.003, 0.004, and 0.004, respectively) Conclusions: The SA in the ONH on 3D T2-weighted MRI was significantly more frequent in eyes with open-angle glaucoma than in the controls.
Democracy building in the regional context: Insights from the European Parliament and beyond

International parliamentary institutions (IPIs) are seen as a valid response to the democratic challenges posed by globalization and regional integration. Following the principles underpinning their national counterparts, IPIs can contribute to democratization by promoting the representation of affected publics and facilitating their incorporation into regional or global governance structures. They can also foster the articulation of popular interests in coherent democratic claims and lead to greater levels of transparency and accountability, and therefore contribute to a greater legitimacy of supranational actors. With this study the United Nations University – Institute on Comparative Regional Integration Studies (UNU-CRIS) and the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) seek to analyze this emerging phenomenon. The purpose is to critically examine the democratic capacities of IPIs and the way they perform as vectors of democratization. What is the status of democracy in regional integration and cooperation processes? Do IPIs play an important role in promoting democratic practices across regions? How can we strengthen international legislative assemblies? The research aims to answer such questions and to produce tangible policy recommendations for policy makers, practitioners and experts that will enhance the democratic performance of IPIs.
Thoracoabdominal aortic replacement for Crawford extent II aneurysm after thoracic endovascular aortic repair.

BACKGROUND The surgical treatment of Crawford extent II aneurysms after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) remains challenging, because of the need to remove the failed endograft and the complexity of the aortic reconstruction. We retrospectively reviewed our experience with surgical management of Crawford extent II aneurysms after TEVAR using thoracoabdominal aortic replacement (TAAR). METHODS Eleven patients (10 males, 1 female) with Crawford extent II aneurysm after TEVAR were treated with TAAR between August 2012 and May 2015. The indications included: diameter >5.0 cm; persistent pain; size increase >0.5 cm/year; and no suitable landing zone for re-TEVAR. Five patients underwent surgery under deep hypothermic cardiac arrest, two under mild hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass, and four under direct aortic cross-clamping under normothermia. Two patients had Marfan syndrome. RESULTS There were no in-hospital deaths. Continuous renal replacement therapy was required in three patients. One patient needed re-intubation, and two patients had prolonged intubation (>72 h). One patient sustained paraplegia after surgery but recovered during follow-up. Cerebrospinal fluid drainage were used in four patients (3 immediately in the operation room, and 1 in the intensive care unit when the patient suffered paraplegia). One patient died during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS TAAR represents a feasible option for the treatment of Crawford extent II aneurysms after TEVAR, with acceptable surgical risks and favorable results.
Current Account Determination in the Eurozone

While the eurozone's aggregate current account balance has remained near zero since its conception in 1999, the current accounts of individual members have been remarkably divergent; the peripheral or southern countries (Greece, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, and Italy) have run current account deficits approaching double digits and the core or northern countries (Germany, France, Netherlands, Finland, Austria, and Belgium) have run correspondingly large surpluses. The aim of this paper is to identify the economic, financial, and other factors that influence the current account balances of the eurozone countries and determine to what extent external imbalances are driven by the same set of factors across multiple member countries. If any of these factors represent structural imbalances, a policy priority for the eurozone must be to correct them. To this end, I review the relevant economic theory, literature, and stylized facts and use a dynamic panel system-GMM and country-specific VARs. Using these methods, I find evidence of the Twin Deficit Hypothesis, Convergence Hypothesis, and the Competitiveness Hypothesis; however, the peripheral countries' current account balances are most influenced by gross fixed capital investment.
Bioactive and Thermally Compatible Glass Coating on Zirconia Dental Implants

The healing time of zirconia implants may be reduced by the use of bioactive glass coatings. Unfortunately, existing glasses are either bioactive like Bioglass 45S5 but thermally incompatible with the zirconia substrate, or they are thermally compatible but exhibit only a very low level of bioactivity. In this study, we hypothesized that a tailored substitution of alkaline earth metals and alkaline metals in 45S5 can lead to a glass composition that is both bioactive and thermally compatible with zirconia implants. A novel glass composition was analyzed using x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, dilatometry, differential scanning calorimetry, and heating microscopy to investigate its chemical, physical, and thermal properties. Bioactivity was tested in vitro using simulated body fluid (SBF). Smooth and microstructured glass coatings were applied using a tailored spray technique with subsequent thermal treatment. Coating adhesion was tested on implants that were inserted in bovine ribs. The cytocompatibility of the coating was analyzed using L929 mouse fibroblasts. The coefficient of thermal expansion of the novel glass was shown to be slightly lower (11.58·10–6 K–1) than that of the zirconia (11.67·10–6 K–1). After storage in SBF, the glass showed reaction layers almost identical to the bioactive glass gold standard, 45S5. A process window between 800 °C and 910 °C was found to result in densely sintered and amorphous coatings. Microstructured glass coatings on zirconia implants survived a minimum insertion torque of 60 Ncm in the in vitro experiment on bovine ribs. Proliferation and cytotoxicity of the glass coatings was comparable with the controls. The novel glass composition showed a strong adhesion to the zirconia substrate and a significant bioactive behavior in the SBF in vitro experiments. Therefore, it holds great potential to significantly reduce the healing time of zirconia dental implants.
Effect of mifepristone on pregnancy, pregnancy-specific protein B (PSPB), progesterone, estradiol-17beta, prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) and prostaglandin E (PGE) in ovariectomized 90-day pregnant ewes.

The objective of this experiment was to determine the effect of mifepristone, a progesterone receptor antagonist, on pregnancy and secretion of steroids, pregnancy-specific protein B (PSPB) and prostaglandins at mid-pregnancy in ewes. Ninety-day pregnant ewes were ovariectomized (OVX) and treatments were initiated 72 h post-OVX. Ewes received (1) vehicle, (2) prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha, 8 mg/58 kg/bw, i.m.) 84 h post-OVX, (3) mifepristone (50 mg intrajugular at 72, 84, 96, and 108 h post-OVX), (4) mifepristone (50mg) + PGF2alpha, (5) mifepristone (100 mg intrajugular at 72, 84, 96, and 108 h), and (6) mifepristone (100 mg) + PGF2alpha. Ewes treated with vehicle or PGF2alpha alone did not abort (P > or = 0.05). But, 60, 80, 60, and 100% of ewes treated with mifepristone (50 mg), mifepristone (50 mg) + PGF2alpha, mifepristone (100 mg), and mifepristone (100 mg) + PGF2alpha, respectively, aborted (P < or = 0.05). Profiles of progesterone, estradiol-17beta, prostaglandin E (PGE), or PSPB did not differ (P > or = 0.05) among treatment groups. Profiles of PGF2alpha of treatment groups receiving mifepristone with or without PGF2alpha differed (P < 0.05) from vehicle or PGF2alpha alone-treated ewes. It is concluded that progesterone actions are necessary to suppress uterine/placental secretion of PGF2alpha and that maintenance of critical progesterone: estradiol-17beta and PGE:PGF2alpha ratios are necessary for maintenance of pregnancy.
Biomonitoring of human exposure to carcinogenic nitroaromatic compounds: a pilot study on DNA adduct formation by 1,6-dinitropyrene in rats.

DNA adduct formation by 1,6-dinitropyrene (DNP) was examined in various rat tissues. Intraperitoneal administration of 0.2, 1.0 or 5.0 mg DNP/kg b.w. caused the formation of one major and, at the higher doses, two minor DNA adducts. The highest level of about 300 adducts/10(9) nucleotides was found in urinary bladder DNA. 5-10-fold lower adduct levels were found in the DNA of white blood cells (WBC), liver, lung and small intestinal mucosa. DNA adduct levels in the bladder were highest in Sprague-Dawley males followed by Sprague-Dawley females and Wistar males. Administration by gavage was less effective than intraperitoneal injection. Intratracheal instillation of microcrystalline DNA suspensions did not lead to any detectable adduct formation. The results indicate that WBC DNA may not be a reliable DNA source for biomonitoring human exposure to nitroarenes and that nitroarene-DNA adducts may only be detectable at high levels of exposure.
Evaluation of compliance with recommendations of prevention of thromboembolism in atrial fibrillation in the elderly, by data reuse of electronic health records

Under-prescription of anticoagulants in the elderly with atrial fibrillation (AF) has been described in several studies, showing that only 15 to 44% of them receive anticoagulants. However, the European Society of Cardiology recommendations state that anticoagulants should be systematically prescribed. In case of refusal of the treatment by the patient, a platelet aggregation inhibitor should be prescribed in monotherapy or bitherapy according to the HAS-BLED bleeding risk score. In all the cases the patient should receive an antithrombotic treatment. In this work we observe the adequacy of prescription practices to the recommendations for AF in the elderly by data reuse on a monocentric observational retrospective cohort. Data of a 222 beds French community hospital were extracted for the year 2013. The patients aged over 75 years and presenting AF were selected. The HAS-BLED score was calculated and the consistency of the prescriptions with the recommendations of the European Society of Cardiology was verified. Then the compliance rate to the recommendations was calculated. The rules detected 433 patients with AF and aged over 75 years. From those patients, 45% received an anticoagulant, 32.1% received platelet aggregation inhibitors and 22.9% did not receive any antithrombotic treatment. When a platelet aggregation inhibitor was prescribed the recommendation for bitherapy was not followed in 97% of the cases. The compliance rate to the recommendations was 47.8%. This work highlights a major problem of quality of the prescriptions in the hospital field and shows how data reuse can help describing this type of issues.
The role of emotional intelligence on psychological well-being and early maladaptive schema in adolescents: a research portfolio

51 Hypotheses 55 Method 57 Procedure and Ethical Considerations 57 Measures 57 Participants 59 Sample size calculation 60 Statistical Analysis 60 Results 61 Data Analysis 61 Descriptive statistics and demographics 61 Bivariate analyses 63 References for Journal Article 74 Full References for Portfolio 82 Table of Appendices 94 Appendix 1: University of Edinburgh ethics approval confirmation 95 Appendix 2: Education board ethics approval confirmation 96 Appendix 3.1: Correspondence and information for Head Teachers 97 Appendix 3.2: Information sheet for parents 100 Appendix 3.3: Information sheet for pupils 101 Appendix 4: Overview of questionnaire pack for research study 102 Appendix 4.2: Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale 104
Early rehabilitation of patients with severe acquired brain injury: Strategies to promote participation

Abstract Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of professional specialists in early rehabilitation who face demanding pedagogical challenges in facilitating and promoting participation of the severe acquired brain injury patient. Method: In a qualitative study, using phenomenological philosophy and thinking, the experiences of specialist professional experts were investigated. Data were generated in five individual interviews and one focus-group interview. The interview questions were grounded in a preliminary field study. In a four-step phenomenological analysis, empirical themes were identified, using the computer program N-Vivo10; they were structured and organized, and the results were theoretically stated and supported. Results: Important practice knowledge emerged in this study that led to the proposal of a determined, client-centred approach when facilitating the promotion of severe acquired brain injury patients’ participation in early rehabilitation. Four factors are important in this approach: (i) gain contact, (ii) register responses, (iii) intentional interaction, (iv) partial participation. Together they constitute the elements in a proposal for a new model: the GRIP model. Conclusion: The four factors that shape the GRIP model can enrich neurorehabilitation services and support professional experts in early rehabilitation interventions with severe acquired brain injury patients regaining participation and functioning in everyday life.
A Novel Low-Profile Monopole Antenna With Beam Switching Capabilities

In this paper, a new compact monopole surrounded by four switched parasitic elements having the ability to work in the directional (beam steering) and omnidirectional modes is presented. The antenna is designed to operate over a 6% bandwidth in the both modes. In the directional mode, the beam is steered in the azimuth plane and a front-to-back ratio greater than 10 dB is achieved over the bandwidth of interest. To steer the beam, the parasitic elements surrounding the driven element are connected and disconnected to the ground plane through switches. The performance of the antenna with both ideal and non-ideal switches is discussed based on the simulation and measurement results. To overcome the adverse effect of the non-ideal switch on the antenna radiation pattern and transmission coefficient, a transformer network is used in the switch circuit. It is shown that the accurate design of this transformer network can reduce the adverse effects significantly.
Innovative profile of 176 companies in the regions of Antioquia, Santander, Risaralda and Quindio Colombia

This paper shows the key factors that influence the development of innovation in Colombian companies of the departments of Antioquia, Quindío, Risaralda and Santander. Taking as input the innovative profile of the methodological tool, developed by the research group in “Policy and Management of Technology” from The Pontificia Bolivariana University: “Technology Management Methodology for Project” (MGT), applied to 176 companies. This approach was conducted through a series of tests of hypotheses focused on measuring variables like, “diffusion of innovation”, “know-how”, “competitive technical intelligence”, “employees with technology training” and “experimental development budget for R & D + I”, among other. According to these approaches, the states of the innovation, key factors to the analyzed firms in each region, were validated. Statistical models, critical z and percentage distribution, were used to validate the hypotheses, by means of which it was possible to identify weak key factors and opportunities in the various departments analyzed.
sEMG-based approach for estimating wrist and fingers joint angles using discrete wavelet transform

In this paper, we propose a support vector regression (SVR)-based approach for continuous estimation of wrist and fingers joint angles from surface Electromyography (sEMG) signals. In particular, the proposed approach utilizes the discrete wavelet transform (DWT) to generate a time-frequency representation of the sEMG signals. Then, we extract a set of features using the obtained DWT details and approximations coefficients. Finally, the computed features are used to train a set of SVR models that can estimate the wrist and fingers joint angles. In order to evaluate the performance of the proposed approach, we utilize a publicly available database, namely, the Ninapro database. Experimental results show that the proposed approach was able to achieve an average regression accuracy (r2) of 0.64.