Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Students’ perceptions of the usefulness of an E-book with annotative and sharing capabilities as a tool for learning: a case study

E-books offer a range of benefits to both educators and students, including ease of accessibility and searching capabilities. However, the majority of current e-books are repository-cum-delivery platforms of textual information. Hitherto, there is a lack of empirical research that examines e-books with annotative and sharing capabilities. This research study aims at exploring the usefulness of a next-generation e-book (NG-eBook), with annotative and sharing capabilities, with the focus on using the e-book to promote student learning through reflection and sharing of ideas. Thirty-six tertiary level students from three diploma modules participated in the study. Overall findings suggest that the NG-eBook promoted student learning experiences by enabling student engagement and interaction. Future research directions pertaining to the use of e-books in education contexts are suggested.
Transatlantic Institutions: Can Partnership be Engineered?

The transatlantic alliance is widely viewed as being in a state of decline. Conflict over the war in Iraq highlighted a growing divergence between the Bush administration and European Union governments in their attitudes towards multilateralism. The rift severely tested institutions created to manage bilateral EU–US relations in the aftermath of the cold war. This article examines how well this institutional architecture has held up. It scrutinises the limitations of networked governance in transatlantic relations and acknowledges the quandary of trying to manufacture partnership using imperfect institutions. The Brussels–Washington channel is only one among many through which transatlantic relations flow, but we argue that it continues to gain in importance. Despite the limits of institutional engineering, we conclude that the US and the EU remain each other's most important ally.
The Lowest-Degree Polynomial with Nonnegative Coefficients Divisible by the n-th Cyclotomic Polynomial

We pose the question of determining the lowest-degree polynomial with nonnegative coefficients divisible by the $n$-th cyclotomic polynomial $\Phi_n(x)$. We show this polynomial is $1 + x^{n/p} + \cdots + x^{(p-1)n/p}$ where $p$ is the smallest prime dividing $n$ whenever $2/p > 1/q_1 + \cdots + 1/q_k$, where $q_1, \ldots, q_k$ are the other (distinct) primes besides $p$ dividing $n$. Determining the lowest-degree polynomial with nonnegative coefficients divisible by $\Phi_n(x)$ remains open in the general case, though we conjecture the existence of values of $n$ for which this degree is, in fact, less than $(p-1)n/p$.
Association of MICA gene polymorphisms with Chlamydia trachomatis infection and related tubal pathology in infertile women.

BACKGROUND The course and morbidity of Chlamydia trachomatis infections are determined by host genetic factors, virulence of the micro-organism and environmental factors. Major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related A (MICA) gene is highly polymorphic as a potential host genetic candidate. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of polymorphic extracellular domains of MICA with C. trachomatis infection and related tubal factor infertility. METHODS Effect of MICA on the susceptibility to C. trachomatis infection and its association with tubal pathology were investigated in 214 infertile women recruited during the period from 2004 to 2007. Subjects were tested for C. trachomatis antibodies, and were further divided into two groups: those with (n = 42) and without (n = 59) tubal pathology based on laparoscopy results. The relationship between prevalence of C. trachomatis, tubal pathology and MICA allele polymorphisms was analysed. RESULTS Women with tubal infertility more often had antibodies to C. trachomatis [66.7 versus 39.1%; odds ratio (OR): 3.12, 95% CI: 1.68-5.78, P = 0.004] than infertile women without tubal pathology. Moreover, allele 008 had a highly negative correlation with C. trachomatis infection (P(c) = 0.0036, OR: 2.14), while other allele polymorphisms showed no significant association with the disease. No statistically significant differences were found in the MICA allele frequencies of C. trachomatis-positive women with or without tubal pathology. CONCLUSIONS The association of a specific MICA allele with C. trachomatis IgG antibodies among women with infertility suggests that the MICA locus might modify host susceptibility to C. trachomatis infection.
Effects of prenatal exposure to the Dutch famine on adult disease in later life: an overview

Abstract People who were small at birth have been shown to have an increased risk of CHD and chronic bronchitis in later life. These findings have led to the fetal origins hypothesis that proposes that the fetus adapts to a limited supply of nutrients, and in doing so it permanently alters its physiology and metabolism, which could increase its risk of disease in later life. The Dutch famine — though a historical disaster — provides a unique opportunity to study effects of undernutrition during gestation in humans. People who had been exposed to famine in late or mid gestation had reduced glucose tolerance. Whereas people exposed to famine in early gestation had a more atherogenic lipid profile, somewhat higher fibrinogen concentrations and reduced plasma concentrations of factor VII, a higher BMI and they appeared to have a higher risk of CHD. Though the latter was based on small numbers, as could be expected from the relatively young age of the cohort. Nevertheless, this is the first evidence in humans that maternal undernutrition during gestation is linked with the risk of CHD in later life. Our findings broadly support the hypothesis that chronic diseases originate through adaptations made by the fetus in response to undernutrition. The long-term effects of intrauterine undernutrition, however, depend upon its timing during gestation and on the tissues and systems undergoing critical periods of development at that time. Furthermore, our findings suggest that maternal malnutrition during gestation may permanently affect adult health without affecting the size of the baby at birth. This gives the fetal origins hypothesis a new dimension. It may imply that adaptations that enable the fetus to continue to grow may nevertheless have adverse consequences for health in later life. CHD may be viewed as the price paid for successful adaptations to an adverse intra-uterine environment. It also implies that the long-term consequences of improved nutrition of pregnant women will be underestimated if these are solely based on the size of the baby at birth. We need to know more about what an adequate diet for pregnant women might be. In general, women are especially receptive to advice about diet and lifestyle before and during a pregnancy. This should be exploited to improve the health of future generations.
Optimal number and placement of Through Silicon Vias in 3D Network-on-Chip

In this paper, we analyze the performance impact of different number of Through Silicon Vias (TSVs) in 3D Network-on-Chip (NoC). The adoption of a 3D NoC design depends on the performance and manufacturing cost of the chip. Therefore, a study of the placement of the TSV, that connects different layers of a 3D chip, is crucial. A 64-core 3D NoC is modeled based on state-of-the-art 2D chips. We discuss the number of TSVs required for a 3D NoC. Different placements of layer-layer connections are explored. We present benchmark results using a cycle accurate full system simulator based on realistic workloads. Experiments show that under different workloads, the average network latencies in two configurations (full and quarter connection) are reduced by 14.78% and 7.38% respectively, compared with the one-eighth connection design. The improvement of performance is a trade-off of manufacturing cost. Our analysis and experiment results provide a guideline for selecting optimal number of TSVs in 3D NoCs.
Introduction to robust calibration and variance stabilisation with VSN

where fit is an object of class vsn that contains the fitted calibration and transformation parameters, and the method predict applies the fit to the data. The two-step protocol is useful when you want to fit the parameters on a subset of the data, e. g. a set of control or spike-in features, and then apply the model to the complete set of data (see Section ? for details). Furthermore, it allows further inspection of the fit object, e. g. for the purpose of quality assessment. Besides ExpressionSets, there are also justvsn methods for AffyBatch objects from the affy package and RGList objects from the limma package. They are described in this vignette. The so-called glog2 (short for generalised logarithm) is a function that is like the logarithm (base 2) for large values (large compared to the amplitude of the background noise), but is less steep for smaller values. Differences between the transformed values are the generalised log-ratios. These are shrinkage estimators of the logarithm of the fold change. The usual log-ratio is another example for an estimator1 of log fold change. There is also a close relationship between background correction of the intensities and the variance properties of the different estimators. Please see Section ? for more explanation of these issues. How does VSN work? There are two components: First, an affine transformation whose aim is to calibrate systematic experimental factors such as labelling efficiency or detector sensitivity. Second, a glog2 transformation whose aim is variance stabilisation. An affine transformation is simply a shifting and scaling of the data, i. e. a mapping of the form x 7→ (x − a)/s with offset a and scaling factor s. By default, a different offset and a different scaling factor are used for each column, but the same for all rows within a column. There are two parameters of the function vsn2 to control this behaviour: With the parameter strata, you can ask vsn2 to choose different offset and scaling factors for different groups (“strata”) of rows. These strata could, for example, correspond to sectors on the array2. With the parameter calib, you can ask vsn2 to choose the same offset and scaling factor throughout3. This can be useful, for example, if the calibration has already been done by other means, e. g. quantile normalisation.
A Universal Digital Image Steganalysis Method Based on Sparse Representation

With the development of modern steganography technologies, steganalysis has been a new research topic in the field of information security. Since JPEG images have been widely used in our daily life, the steganalysis for JPEG images becomes very important and significant. This paper propose a new steganalysis method based on sparse representation, intending to overcome the shortcomings of traditional classifiers in the field of universal steganalysis for JPEG images. Experimental results show that, comparing with the universal steganalysis method for JPEG stego images based on SVM, our method improves detection accuracy to some extent, and can avoid "over-fitting" problem in the process of classification. Experimental results also prove that our method is more robust than SVM when the detection images meet with Gaussian noises or Salt-Pepper noise.
Interactions between Shh, Sostdc1 and Wnt signaling and a new feedback loop for spatial patterning of the teeth

Each vertebrate species displays specific tooth patterns in each quadrant of the jaw: the mouse has one incisor and three molars, which develop at precise locations and at different times. The reason why multiple teeth form in the jaw of vertebrates and the way in which they develop separately from each other have been extensively studied, but the genetic mechanism governing the spatial patterning of teeth still remains to be elucidated. Sonic hedgehog (Shh) is one of the key signaling molecules involved in the spatial patterning of teeth and other ectodermal organs such as hair, vibrissae and feathers. Sostdc1, a secreted inhibitor of the Wnt and Bmp pathways, also regulates the spatial patterning of teeth and hair. Here, by utilizing maternal transfer of 5E1 (an anti-Shh antibody) to mouse embryos through the placenta, we show that Sostdc1 is downstream of Shh signaling and suggest a Wnt-Shh-Sostdc1 negative feedback loop as a pivotal mechanism controlling the spatial patterning of teeth. Furthermore, we propose a new reaction-diffusion model in which Wnt, Shh and Sostdc1 act as the activator, mediator and inhibitor, respectively, and confirm that such interactions can generate the tooth pattern of a wild-type mouse and can explain the various tooth patterns produced experimentally.
Spermatid Giant Cells, Tubular Hypospermatogenesis, Spermatogonial Swelling, Cytoplasmic Vacuoles, and Tubular Dilatation in the Testes of Normal Rabbits

Testes of 36 normal New Zealand white rabbits (8, 15, 18, 26, and greater than 52 weeks of age) were examined by light and electron microscopy. The incidence and number of affected tubules were determined for spermatid giant cells, focal tubular hypospermatogenesis, cytoplasmic swelling of spermatogonia, intracytoplasmic vacuoles in seminiferous epithelium, and tubular dilatation. Spermatogenesis commenced at 15–18 weeks of age and was present in all rabbits by 18 weeks. Spermatid giant cells occurred in 96% of rabbits 15 weeks of age and older. Focal hypospermatogenesis was present in 14–57% of testes once active spermatogenesis began. Ninety-seven percent of testes in all age groups combined had spermatogonial swelling. Infrequent dilated seminiferous tubules were present in five rabbits. Ultrastructurally, spermatid giant cells were round cells with multiple nuclei that appeared to arise by widening of narrow intercellular bridges that normally connect spermatogenic epithelial cells. Pale-staining spermatogonia consisted of cytoplasmic and nuclear swelling with disruption of plasma and nuclear membranes. Tubules with spermatogonial swelling were more numerous in 15- and 18-week-old rabbits. There were no significant differences in incidence or extent of spermatid giant cells, focal hypospermatogenesis, cytoplasmic vacuoles, or tubular dilatation between age groups after spermatogenesis commenced. Although the cause of these changes is not known, they were frequent findings in normal rabbits 15 weeks of age and older.
Look-Ahead Value Ordering for Constraint Satisfaction Problems

Looking ahead during search is often useful when solving constraint satisfaction problems. Previous studies have shown that looking ahead helps by causing dead-ends to occur earlier in the search, and by providing information that is useful for dynamic variable ordering. In this paper, we show that another benefit of looking ahead is a useful domain value ordering heuristic, which we call look-ahead value ordering or LVO. LVO counts the number of times each value of the current variable conflicts with some value of a future variable, and the value with the lowest number of conflicts is chosen first. Our experiments show that look-ahead value ordering can be of substantial benefit, especially on hard constraint satisfaction problems.
Frequency doubling technology and high-pass resolution perimetry in glaucoma and ocular hypertension.

PURPOSE To study the correlation between frequency doubling technology perimetry (FDT) and high-pass resolution perimetry (HRP) in eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma, suspect glaucoma, ocular hypertension, and in normal eyes. PATIENTS AND METHODS Ninety-four patients (162 eyes) were studied. Visual fields were assessed by HRP, FDT screening C-20-5 and FDT threshold C-20 programs. In eyes with a discrepancy between the test results, a comprehensive clinical examination was performed, including optic disc photography and Heidelberg retinal tomography (HRT). RESULTS There was a strong correlation between HRP global deviation and the FDT mean deviation (for FDT threshold C-20 test), and between HRP score and FDT score (for FDT screening C-20-5 ). The correlation coefficients were r = -0.83 and r = 0.77, respectively. In all, 75 eyes (46.3%) had normal HRP and FDT screening results, while 67 eyes (41.4%) showed abnormal results in both tests. In 12 eyes (7.4%) HRP was within normal limits while FDT screening was abnormal. Seven of these eyes were judged to have glaucoma; three of them had converted from ocular hypertension to glaucoma. In eight eyes (4.9%) HRP was abnormal while FDT screening was normal. Three of these were judged to have glaucoma. Thus, the sensitivity and specificity of the FDT screening test for the detection of glaucoma were 91.7% and 87.8%, respectively. CONCLUSION There was a strong correlation between FDT threshold C-20, FDT screening C-20-5 and HRP test results. Frequency doubling technology perimetry C-20-5 represents a good screening test for the detection of optic nerve damage in open-angle glaucoma.
Perioperative management of ventricular assist device patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a pathophysiologic state of inadequate myocardial contraction and/or relaxation leading to decreased cardiac output and inadequate organ perfusion. CHF, a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, can result from a variety of insults to the myocardial tissue. According to American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) guidelines for the evaluation and management of chronic heart failure there are four classes based on stages of the syndrome (Table I)(1). In the early stages of the disease, ventricular contractility is maintained by adrenergic stimulation, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone activation, and other neurohormonal and cytokine system responses(2,3). However, as the disease progresses and these compensatory mechanisms cease to provide benefit, ventricular dilation and fibrosis occur and cardiac function deteriorates. This produces a chronic state of low perfusion, ACC/AHA Class D (Table II). New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification is also used to assess the severity of functional limitations and correlates fairly well with prognosis (Table II). Strategies for treating end-stage CHF aim to improve quality of life, limit disease progression, and prolong life. Medical therapies such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI), b blockers, diuretics, inotropic agents, and antiarrhythmics represent the usual standard of care for CHF management. However, even multidrug regimens may not prevent progression toward Class D CHF; when this occurs, there is a greater than 75% two-year mortality risk, with surgical intervention being the only effective treatment. According to ACC/AHA guidelines, the only established surgical treatment option for advanced heart failure is transplantation(1). Certainly, cardiac transplantation represents the definitive therapy for terminal CHF; it is associated with excellent 1-year survival (> 80%), 5-year survival (60%), and functional capacity(4). However, whereas > 10,000 patients are on a heart transplant waiting list, fewer than 2,200 donor hearts are available each year(5). Also, these organs are usually reserved for patients < 65 years of age, even though older patients have the highest prevalence of CHF. Furthermore, patients with comorbidities are often ineligible for transplantation. It is this mismatch between the increasing number of potential candidates for cardiac transplantation and the relatively fixed
Low back pain and lumbar angles in Turkish coal miners.

BACKGROUND This study was designed to assess the incidence of low back pain among Turkish coal miners and to investigate the relationship between angles of the lumbar spine and low back pain in coal miners. METHODS Fifty underground workers (Group I) and 38 age-matched surface workers (Group II) were included in the study. All the subjects were asked about low back pain in the past 5 years. The severity of low back pain was evaluated with 10 mm visual analog scale (VAS). Modified oswestry low back pain disability questionnaire (MOSW) was used to measure functional disability. Sacral horizontal angle (SHA), lumbosacral angle (LSA), and lumbar lordosis were measured through Cobb method. RESULTS The prevalance of low back pain was higher in Group I than in Group II (78.0%, 32.4%, respectively, P < 0.001). The mean VAS score was higher in Group I than in Group II (P < 0.05). There was no difference in MOSW scores between the two Groups. The mean SHA was lower in Group I than in Group II (P = 0.02). No statistically significant difference was determined in lumbar angles of underground and surface workers with low back pain (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The results of the study showed that low back pain occurred in 78.0% of Turkish coal miners. Although the nature of the occupation may have influenced coal miners' lumbar spinal curvature, lumbar angles are not a determinant for low back pain in this population. Further extensive studies involving ergonomic measurements are needed to validate our results for Turkish coal mining industry.
High Glucose Attenuates Protein S-Nitrosylation in Endothelial Cells

OBJECTIVE Hyperglycemia-induced endothelial dysfunction, via a defect of nitric oxide (NO) bioactivity and overproduction of superoxide, is regarded as one of the most significant events contributing to the vascular lesions associated with diabetes. However, the mechanisms underlying such hyperglycemic injury remain undefined. We hypothesized that alterations in cellular protein S-nitrosylation may contribute to hyperglycemia-induced endothelial dysfunction. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We exposed endothelial cells to high glucose in the presence and absence of reactive oxygen species inhibitors and used the biotin switch assay to analyze the alteration in the global pattern of protein S-nitrosylation compared with cells cultured under normal glucose conditions. We identified endogenous S-nitrosylated proteins by mass spectrometry and/or immunoblotting with specific antibodies. RESULTS High-glucose treatment induced a significant reduction of endogenous S-nitrosylated proteins that include endothelial NO synthase, β-actin, vinculin, diacylglycerol kinase-α, GRP78, extracellular signal–regulated kinase 1, and transcription factor nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). Interestingly, these changes were completely reversed by inhibition of superoxide production, suggesting a key role for oxidative stress in the regulation of S-nitrosylation under hyperglycemic conditions. In addition, we found that in parallel with the restoration of decreased S-nitrosylation of NF-κB, high glucose–induced NF-κB activation was blocked by the superoxide inhibitors. CONCLUSIONS The alterations in protein S-nitrosylation may underlie the adverse effect of hyperglycemia on the vasculature, such as endothelial dysfunction and the development of diabetic vascular complications.
Absence of a low-temperature anomaly of the anomalous Hall conductivity in thin amorphous ferromagnetic Fe films.

The anomalous Hall effect of amorphous, high-resistance, Fe films (2-10 monolayers thick) is measured as a function of temperature. We find a logarithmic temperature dependence of the anomalous Hall resistance similar to the Coulomb anomaly of the resistance but twice its magnitude. The measurements are in excellent agreement with a recent theoretical calculation by Langenfeld and Wolfle and provide us with an independent confirmation of the influence of the enhanced Coulomb interaction in disordered electron systems on transport properties