Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cyber Worlds: New Playgrounds for Bullying

The experiences of 247 middle school children around cyberbullying were examined through in-class questionnaires. Their use of different media, their experiences with cyberbullying, and the relationships among school type, gender, and grade level were analyzed. Of the students in this sample 33% of female and 20% of male students reported being a cybervictim or a bully. Social networking sites and cell phones were the media most often used. Interesting results included a nonlinear relationship between Internet use and cyberbullying and the increase in cyberbullying throughout middle school. Also, students perceived that neither teachers nor parents were prepared to assist them with cyberbullying problems.
Lyssaviruses and Bats: Emergence and Zoonotic Threat

The continued detection of zoonotic viral infections in bats has led to the microbial fauna of these mammals being studied at a greater level than ever before. Whilst numerous pathogens have been discovered in bat species, infection with lyssaviruses is of particular significance from a zoonotic perspective as, where human infection has been reported, it is invariably fatal. Here we review the detection of lyssaviruses within different bat species and overview what is understood regarding their maintenance and transmission following both experimental and natural infection. We discuss the relevance of these pathogens as zoonotic agents and the threat of newly discovered viruses to human populations.
An Examination of a Risk/Needs Assessment Instrument and Its Relation to Religiosity and Recidivism Among Probationers in a Muslim Culture

This study was conducted to assess the value of administering a risk/need assessment instrument to low-risk offenders in Pakistan. The Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (LS/CMI) and a measure of religiosity, the Muslim Religiosity-Personality Inventory (MRPI): Abridged Scale, were administered to probationers in this highly devout Muslim country that has little experience with risk/need assessment. In spite of the low recidivism rate, predictive validities based on correlation and receiver operating characteristic analyses were comparable with those of Western cultures overall, and for samples based on gender, geographic location, and type of crime. Although religiosity was negatively correlated with recidivism, it offered no incremental validity to the LS/CMI to predict recidivism because it was also correlated negatively with the LS/CMI. The findings have theoretical implications for the risk assessment of low-risk offenders and for the contribution of religiosity to offender risk and practical implications for the Pakistani justice system.
Delay-constrained efficient broadcasting in duty-unaware asynchronous wireless sensor networks

In wireless sensor networks (WSNs), the broadcasting is used for remote network configuration, information dissemination, route discovery and so on by propagating messages across the whole network. To reduce the energy consumption of the asynchronous WSNs, sensor nodes usually adopt independent wake/sleep scheduling. However, this may induce unpredictable waiting delay. In some real-time applications, the broadcasting should be accomplished within a limited time. In this paper, we propose a broadcasting protocol to save energy under a constrained end-to-end (E2E) delay. We estimate the average one-hop delay and use an adjusting factor to balance the remaining delay of continuous hops. Then, we set up a sender candidate node set for each node according to its waiting delay constraint, and choose the least-cost energy node to forward the packet under the constrained waiting delay to save energy. The simulation results show that our broadcasting protocol is more energy efficient than conventional protocols under E2E delay constraint.
Les risques juridiques et leur cartographie

La cartographie des risques juridiques est un outil de representation et de gestion preventive de ce type de risque dont l’importance est croissante pour l’entreprise. Elle doit etre fondee sur les consequences des risques juridiques identifies en termes de destruction de valeur sur trois registres distincts (valeur strategique, valeur financiere et valeur institutionnelle). L’outil de base de la detection du risque juridique en est sa definition elle-meme. La chaine de valeur de l’activite consideree est prise comme point de depart d’un processus permettant d’evaluer le degre d’incertitude que presentent les normes juridiques impliquees a chaque stade, d’identifier les evenements qui vont pouvoir croiser ces normes et d’evaluer le degre d’incertitude lie a ces evenements, pour enfin apprecier l’impact du risque juridique et le positionner ainsi sur la cartographie du risque juridique de l’entreprise. Chaque etape de cette methodologie, qui s’appuie sur des travaux menes dans le cadre d’un contrat de recherche avec un grand groupe de distribution, est illustree par des exemples significatifs. Nous montrons egalement que la demarche contribue a renforcer les synergies entre la fonction juridique et les autres fonctions de l’entreprise.
Serum microRNA characterization identifies miR-885-5p as a potential marker for detecting liver pathologies

Circulating miRNAs (microRNAs) are emerging as promising biomarkers for several pathological conditions, and the aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of using serum miRNAs as biomarkers for liver pathologies. Real-time qPCR (quantitative PCR)-based TaqMan MicroRNA arrays were first employed to profile miRNAs in serum pools from patients with HCC (hepatocellular carcinoma) or LC (liver cirrhosis) and from healthy controls. Five miRNAs (i.e. miR-885-5p, miR-574-3p, miR-224, miR-215 and miR-146a) that were up-regulated in the HCC and LC serum pools were selected and further quantified using real-time qPCR in patients with HCC, LC, CHB (chronic hepatitis B) or GC (gastric cancer) and in normal controls. The present study revealed that more than 110 miRNA species in the serum samples and wide distribution ranges of serum miRNAs were observed. The levels of miR-885-5p were significantly higher in sera from patients with HCC, LC and CHB than in healthy controls or GC patients. miR-885-5p yielded an AUC [the area under the ROC (receiver operating characteristic) curve] of 0.904 [95% CI (confidence interval), 0.837–0.951, P<0.0001) with 90.53% sensitivity and 79.17% specificity in discriminating liver pathologies from healthy controls, using a cut off value of 1.06 (normalized). No correlations between increased miR-885-5p and liver function parameters [AFP (α-fetoprotein), ALT (alanine aminotransferase), AST (aspartate aminotransferase) and GGT (γ-glutamyl transpeptidase)] were observed in patients with liver pathologies. In summary, miR-885-5p is significantly elevated in the sera of patients with liver pathologies, and our data suggest that serum miRNAs could serve as novel complementary biomarkers for the detection and assessment of liver pathologies.
Quantification of uncertainty in pedotransfer function‐based parameter estimation for unsaturated flow modeling

While pedotransfer functions (PTFs) have long been applied to estimate soil hydraulic parameters for unsaturated flow and solute transport modeling, the uncertainty associated with the estimates is often ignored. The objective of this study is to evaluate uncertainty of the PTF‐estimated soil hydraulic parameters and its effect on numerical simulation of moisture flow. Contributing to the parameter estimation uncertainty are (1) the PTF intrinsic uncertainty caused by limited data used for PTF training and (2) the PTF input uncertainty in pedotransfer variables (i.e., PTF inputs). The PTF intrinsic uncertainty is assessed using the bootstrap method by generating multiple bootstrap realizations of the soil hydraulic parameters; the realizations follow normal or lognormal distributions. The PTF input variables (i.e., bulk density and soil texture) are obtained using the cokriging technique. The PTF input uncertainty is quantified by assuming that the cokriging estimates follow a normal distribution. Our results show that the PTF input uncertainty dominates over the PTF intrinsic uncertainty and determines the spatial distribution of the PTF parameter estimation uncertainty. When the parameter estimation uncertainty is included, the spatial variability of the measured soil hydraulic parameters is better captured. This is also the case for the observed moisture contents, whose spatial variability is well bracketed by the prediction intervals. However, this is only possible after the PTF input uncertainty is considered. These results suggest that additional sample acquisition for the PTF input variables would have a more favorable impact on reduction of the parameter estimation uncertainty than collecting additional soil hydraulic parameter measurements for PTF development.
The Effects of Fixation and Dehydration on the Histological Quality of Undecalcified Murine Bone Specimens Embedded in Methylmethacrylate

Abstract Histological evaluation is a complex, multistep process culminating in tissue staining. All of the steps leading up to the staining affect the final quality, but too often the effects of these preparations are not given enough consideration. Fixatives in particular usually are chosen not for efficacy but for convenience and availability. This study attempts to create guidelines for selecting fixatives for bone tissue histological evaluation. We compared two of the most widely used fixatives, ethanol and formalin, in their use on mouse tibias embedded in methylmethacrylate and subsequently stained with toluidine blue, safranin O, or Von Kossa. Our results show that ethanol fixation (70%) and subsequent processing in methylmethacrylate gives better staining results for bone cell related elements than fixing in 10% neutral buffered formalin with the same processing and embedding techniques. Further we demonstrated than an additional acetone dehydration and clearing step allowed for even better visualization in bone specimens fixed with 70% ethanol. However, the additional acetone step did not enhance visualization in bone specimens fixed with 10% neutral buffered formalin. Finally, marrow elements were more easily visualized when fixed with formalin as opposed to ethanol. (The J Histotechnol 32(1):27–31, 2009) Submitted September 23, 2008; accepted with revisions January 24, 2009
Study of Science Teachers' Perception and Students' Application Ability of Physics Concepts

2 Abstract: Secondary school students mostly memorize the facts, laws, principles and concepts and recall it in examination. This study aimed at to assess the ability to which the secondary school science students can apply physics concepts in familiar and unfamiliar problem situation. Perceptions of Physics' teachers toward the performance of Secondary school science students in Physics class were considered as one of the factors influencing the application abilities of the students. Causal relationship was explored between the physics concept application abilities of the secondary school science students and the Physics teachers' perceptions. The students' application abilities of physics concepts measured on concept application ability test were found as 33 %, a significantly low performance. The private sector Students performed remarkably better than the public sector students and no significant difference was found between the performance of boys and girls students. The over all comparison of public and private sectors secondary school Physics teachers' perceptions toward students' performance in Physics class room showed no significant difference. Positive and non-significant causal relationship was explored between students' physics concept application abilities in terms of score on concept application ability test and the Physics teachers' perceptions toward science students' performance in class.
Notch Band Antenna for Wireless Applications

In this project a wideband E-shaped patch antenna using Uslots is to be described. A patch antenna, also known as a rectangular micro strip antenna, is an antenna with a low profile, can be mounted on a flat surface. A wide range of radiation pattern can be achieved with this antenna and it is inexpensive. The wide-band mechanism is explored by investigating the behavior of the currents on the patch. This Eshaped antenna is slotted by using U-slots. A notch band characteristic can be achieved by using U slots in 50 ohms feed lines. A parametric study is presented with the results showing that the antenna can be operated at 1.0 GHz up to 12.0 GHz frequency band with return loss of -30.5 dB. Parameters such as S11 and VSWR also have been improved. The design and simulation of antenna is done by using Ansoft HFSS.
Reduction of nonpoint source contamination of surface water and groundwater by starch encapsulation of herbicides.

The loss of the preemergent herbicide atrazine in surface runoff from experimental field plots growing corn (Zea mays L.) has significantly reduced using a starch-encapsulated formulation versus a conventional powdered formulation. Field edge losses of starch-encapsulated atrazine were described as following a Rayleigh distribution totaling 1.8% of applied herbicide compared to exponentialpowdered atrazine losses of 2.9% applied-a 40% decrease. This has important implications for the reduction of nonpoint source contamination of surface water by agricultural chemicals. Unsaturated zone release of starch-encapsulated atrazine was gradual, but comparable weed control was maintained
The Efficacy of Anger Management Training on Adjustment Skills of High School Male Students in Tehran

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to determine the efficacy of an anger management training on adjustment skills in a sample of high school male students with significant anger management problems, and proneness to aggression and violence due to drastic expression of anger. Method: The State-Trait Anger Inventory was administered to 170 grade 2 and 3 high school students as a screening tool. Subjects who scored at the 75th percentile or higher in this test were considered as the target population, from whom 32 individuals were randomly selected and divided into two groups. The anger management training program was administered to 16 members of the group as a screening instrument. Students' Adjustment Questionnaire was used to measure adjustment skills. Data were analyzed using covariance analysis. Results: The observed F proportion was statistically significant (p<0.01). After the control or modification of the pretest's contribution, the mean scores of the two groups were different in post-tests. This study showed that 58% of changes in maladjustment scores in individuals in post- test are explained through anger management training program and the maladjustment scores of individuals in pretest, with a 27% specific share of experiment variable. Conclusion: Anger management training program can
The role of near-infrared spectroscopy in the detection of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques

Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Most acute coronary syndromes are caused by a rupture of a vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque which can be characterized by a lipid-rich necrotic core with an overlying thin fibrous cap. Many vulnerable plaques can cause angiographically mild stenoses due to positive remodelling, which is why the extent of coronary artery disease may be seriously underestimated. In recent years, we have witnessed a paradigm shift in interventional cardiology. We no longer focus solely on the degree of stenosis; rather, we seek to determine the true extent of atherosclerotic disease. We seek to identify high-risk plaques for improvement in risk stratification of patients and prevention. Several imaging methods have been developed for this purpose. Intracoronary near-infrared spectroscopy is one of the most promising. Here, we discuss the possible applications of this diagnostic method and provide a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge.
Real-Time Optimal Monetary Policy with Undistinguishable Model Parameters and Shock Processes Uncertainty

This paper studies optimal real-time monetary policy when the central bank takes the exogenous volatility of the output gap and inflation as proxy of the undistinguishable uncertainty on the exogenous disturbances and the parameters of its model. The paper shows that when the exogenous volatility surrounding a specific state variable increases, the optimal policy response to that variable should increase too, while the optimal response to the remaining state variables should attenuate or be unaffected. In this way the central bank moves preemptively to reduce the risk of large deviations of the economy from the steady state that would deteriorate the distribution forecasts of the output gap and inflation. When an empirical test is carried out on the U.S. economy the model predictions tend to be consistent with the data.
Preliminary Phytochemical and Physicochemical Characterization of Gynura segetum (Lour) Merr (Compositae) Leaf

Purpose: To carry out phytochemical and physicochemical studies on the leaves of Gynura segetum. Methods: Preliminary phytochemical and physicochemical studies using chromatographic techniques,were carried out, Parameters evaluated include ash value, loss on drying and extractive value, amongst others. Results: Phytochemical results revealed that the leaves of Gynura segetum contain alkaloid, terpene, flavonoid, tannin and saponin. Mean ash value (%) was 13.5 (total), 2.49 (acid-insoluble ash) and 6.14 (water-soluble ash). Loss on drying was 10.70 % while extractive value was 20.60 % in water and 14.13 % in ethanol. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) analysis indicates the presence of rutin in the methanol extract of G. segetum and this was supported by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) studies. Conclusion: Useful quantitative and descriptive data essential for identifying and characterizing the plant for the purpose of quality control are presented.
Exploring the Impact of a Conversational Agent When Triggering Students' Discourse in Online Collaboration

In this paper, we describe a dialogue-based system that utilizes a teacher-configurable conversational agent to trigger students' discourse in collaborative activities. This prototype web-based system, named MentorChat, aims to induce learning-generating cognitive activity by prompting online learners' discussions. We evaluated the effect of the conversational agent on student learning in a collaborative context by conducting an experimental lab study. Two conditions were contrasted: (1) students who discussed online and provided an answer to a key domain issue guided only by a collaboration script (control condition), and (2) students who, along with the collaboration script, were prompted by the agent during their discussion, to elaborate on key domain concepts (treatment). Our findings suggest a positive learning effect of the treatment condition. They also indicate that the agent unsolicited prompts can improve students' ability to recall important domain concepts in a post-test control instrument.
Widespread decline in greenness of Amazonian vegetation due to the 2010 drought

During this decade, the Amazon region has suffered two severe droughts in the short span of five years – 2005 and 2010. Studies on the 2005 drought present a complex, and sometimes contradictory, picture of how these forests have responded to the drought. Now, on the heels of the 2005 drought, comes an even stronger drought in 2010, as indicated by record low river levels in the 109 years of bookkeeping. How has the vegetation in this region responded to this record‐breaking drought? Here we report widespread, severe and persistent declines in vegetation greenness, a proxy for photosynthetic carbon fixation, in the Amazon region during the 2010 drought based on analysis of satellite measurements. The 2010 drought, as measured by rainfall deficit, affected an area 1.65 times larger than the 2005 drought – nearly 5 million km2 of vegetated area in Amazonia. The decline in greenness during the 2010 drought spanned an area that was four times greater (2.4 million km2) and more severe than in 2005. Notably, 51% of all drought‐stricken forests showed greenness declines in 2010 (1.68 million km2) compared to only 14% in 2005 (0.32 million km2). These declines in 2010 persisted following the end of the dry season drought and return of rainfall to normal levels, unlike in 2005. Overall, the widespread loss of photosynthetic capacity of Amazonian vegetation due to the 2010 drought may represent a significant perturbation to the global carbon cycle.
Targeting class I histone deacetylases in cancer therapy

Introduction: Class I histone deacetylases (HDACs) are often overexpressed in cancer, and their inhibition typically leads cancer cells, but not normal cells, to apoptosis. Hence, the field of cancer therapy has experienced a continued surge in the development of HDAC inhibitors. Areas covered: Class I comprises of HDAC1, 2, 3 and 8. HDAC1, 2 and 3 are active as subunits of multiprotein complexes while an HDAC8 complex has not been identified. Besides being a major contributor to poor prognosis in childhood neuroblastoma, little is known of HDAC8 functions and substrates. The targeting and activities of HDAC1 – 3 are modulated by post-translational modifications and association with numerous proteins. The composition of the various HDAC complexes is cell type dependent and fluctuates with intra- and intercellular stimuli. These HDAC complexes play roles at multiple levels in gene expression and genome stability. The application of isoform-specific HDAC inhibitors has met with varying success in clinical trials. Expert opinion: To elucidate the mechanism and cellular impact of HDAC inhibitors, we need to identify the spectrum of class I HDAC complexes and their functions. In the cases of HDAC1 – 3, selectivity of HDAC inhibitors should be directed against relevant complexes. HDAC8 active site unique features facilitate the design of selective inhibitors.
Alternating diffusion maps for dementia severity assessment

In this paper we address the detection of Alzheimer's disease based solely on EEG recordings. We assume that the state of Alzheimer's disease can be described by a latent manifold, captured by the EEG sensors and apply alternating diffusion to reveal this common underlying manifold from multiple EEG sensors. We show that based on a small number of EEG electrodes, a new representation can be obtained, which allows a clear distinction between healthy subjects and Alzheimer patients in different disease stages.
Embedded Throughput Improving of Low-rate EDR Packets for Lower-latency

With increasing utilization of the wireless devices in different fields such as medical devices and industrial fields, the paper presents a method for simplify the Bluetooth packets with throughput enhancing. The paper studies a vital issue in wireless communications, which is the throughput of data over wireless networks. In fact, the Bluetooth and ZigBee are a Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN). With taking these two systems competition consideration, the paper proposes different schemes for improve the throughput of Bluetooth network over a reliable channel. The proposition depends on the Channel Quality Driven Data Rate (CQDDR) rules, which determines the suitable packet in the transmission process according to the channel conditions. The proposed packet is studied over additive White Gaussian Noise (AWGN) and fading channels. The Experimental results reveal the capability of extension of the PL length by 8, 16, 24 bytes for classic and EDR packets, respectively. Also, the proposed method is suitable for the low throughput Bluetooth. Keywords—Bluetooth, throughput, adaptive packets, EDR packets, CQDDR, low latency. Channel condition