Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Achieving Transformative Sustainability Learning: Engaging Head, Hands and Heart.

– The current UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development echoes many scholars' calls to re‐envision education for sustainability. Short of a complete overhaul of education, the paper seeks to propose learning objectives that can be integrated across existing curricula. These learning objectives are organized by head, hands and heart – balancing cognitive, psychomotor and affective domains. University programs and courses meeting these learning objectives exhibit an emergent property here termed transformative sustainability learning (TSL). , – Theoretically, TSL grew from traditions of sustainability education and transformative education. Practically, TSL emerged from experimental learning collaborations sponsored by the University of British Columbia in 2003 and 2004 in an effort to enable explicit transitions to sustainability‐oriented higher education. Primarily through action research, these community‐based, applied learning experiences constituted cyclical processes of innovation, implementation and reflection. , – The paper finds: advancement of head, hands and heart as an organizing principle by which to integrate transdisciplinary study (head); practical skill sharing and development (hands); and translation of passion and values into behaviour (heart); development of a cognitive landscape for understanding TSL as a unifying framework amongst related sustainability and transformative pedagogies that are inter/transdisciplinary, practical and/or place‐based; creation of learning objectives, organized to evaluate a course or program's embodiment of TSL. , – By enabling change within existing structures of higher education, the paper complements and contributes to more radical departures from the institution. The work to date demonstrates potential in applying this learning framework to courses and programs in higher education.
Eurographics/ Ieee-vgtc Symposium on Visualization (2006) Efficient Surface Reconstruction from Noisy Data Using Regularized Membrane Potentials

We present a novel, physically-motivated method for surface reconstruction that can recover smooth surfaces from noisy and sparse data sets, without using orientation information. A new volumetric technique based on regularized-membrane potentials for aggregating the input sample points is introduced, which manages improved noise tolerability and outlier removal, without sacrificing much with respect to detail (feature) recovery. In this method, sample points are first aggregated on a volumetric grid. A labeling algorithm that relies on intrinsic properties of the smooth scalar field emerging after aggregation is used to classify grid points as exterior or interior to the surface. We also introduce a mesh-smoothing paradigm based on a mass-spring system, enhanced with a bending-energy minimizing term to ensure that the final triangulated surface is smoother than piecewise linear. The method compares favorably with respect to previous approaches in terms of speed and flexibility.
Radio and submillimetre observations of wind structure in zeta Puppis

We present radio and submillimetre observations of the O4I(n)f star zeta Pup, and discuss structure in the outer region of its wind (similar to10-100 R-*). The properties of bremsstrahlung, the dominant emission process at these wavelengths, make it sensitive to structure and allow us to study how the amount of structure changes in the wind by comparing the fluxes at different wavelengths. Possible forms of structure at these distances include Corotating Interaction Regions (CIRs), stochastic clumping, a disk or a polar enhancement. As the CIRs are azimuthally asymmetric, they should result in variability at submillimetre or radio wavelengths. To look for this variability, we acquired 3.6 and 6 cm observations with the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA), covering about two rotational periods of the star. We supplemented these with archive observations from the NRAO Very Large Array (VLA), which cover a much longer time scale. We did not find variability at more than the +/-20% level. The long integration time does allow an accurate determination of the fluxes at 3.6 and 6 cm. Converting these fluxes into a mass loss rate, we find. (M)over dot = 3.5 x 10(-6) M-circle dot/yr. This value confirms the significant discrepancy with the mass loss rate derived from the Halpha profile, making zeta Pup an exception to the usually good agreement between the Halpha and radio mass loss rates. To study the run of structure as a function of distance, we supplemented the ATCA data by observing zeta Pup at 850 mum with the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT) and at 20 cm with the VLA. A smooth wind model shows that the millimetre fluxes are too high compared to the radio fluxes. While recombination of helium in the outer wind cannot be discounted as an explanation, the wealth of evidence for structure strongly suggests this as the explanation for the discrepancy. Model calculations show that the structure needs to be present in the inner similar to70 R-* of the wind, but that it decays significantly, or maybe even disappears, beyond that radius.
Predictors of Developing Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Treated HCV-Carriers in Morocco according to University Hospital Experience

Introduction. Hepatitis C is the first major cause for HCC in Morocco. Antiviral treatment reduces the risk of developing HCC but few cases of HCC in HCV-treated patients were reported. We aimed to define this population's features and to identify predictive factors of developing HCC. Patients and Methods. We included all HCV carriers who developed HCC after antiviral treatment from January 2002 to April 2010. We compare HCV-treated patients with no developed HCC to HCC population using khi-2 and Fisher Exact analysis. Results. 369 HVC-treated patients were considered, and 20 HCC were reported. The risk of HCC was not significant according to gender and genotypes (resp., P = 0.63 and P = 0.87). Advanced age and severe fibrosis were significant risk factors (resp., P = 0.003 and P = 0.0001). HCC was reported in 2.6% of sustained virological responders versus 12.5% of nonresponders (P = 0.004). Conclusion. In our series, 5% of previously treated patients developed an HCC. Advanced age and severe fibrosis at HCV diagnosis are predictive factors of HCC occurrence. Sustained virological response reduces considerably the risk of HCC occurrence but screening is indicated even after SVR.
Defective Neutrophil Oxidative Burst in Preterm Newborns on Exposure to Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci

The neutrophil oxidative burst is a product of the regulated assembly of the multicomponent oxidase enzyme. Our aim was to compare the oxidative burst in term (n = 10) and preterm newborns <31 wk gestational age (n = 10) after stimulation with coagulase-negative staphylococci in vitro. Strains of Streptococcus epidermidis with different invasive and slime-producing properties, one strain of S. haemolyticus, and one strain of group B-streptococcus were investigated. A whole-blood flow cytometric assay using the oxidation of hydroethidine to ethidium bromide was used. The oxidative activity in unstimulated neutrophil granulocytes [polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs)] was similar in term and preterm newborns, but the preterm newborns showed a significantly lower capacity to up-regulate the oxidative burst intensity after bacterial stimulation (p = 0.004). In the term but not in the preterm group, the oxidative burst intensity after bacterial stimulation correlated with the baseline oxidative burst intensity. After bacterial stimulation, there was a trend toward a greater percentage of activated neutrophils in the term group than in the preterm group, but the difference was less pronounced than that in oxidative burst intensity. Significant differences in oxidative burst response to different bacterial strains were observed (p < 0.001), but the differences could not be correlated exclusively to invasive capacity or slime-producing properties. It is concluded that the baseline oxidative activity is similar in term and preterm PMNLs but that preterm PMNLs have a decreased capacity to increase the oxidative burst in response to bacterial stimulation.
Dynamic Consent: A Possible Solution to Improve Patient Confidence and Trust in How Electronic Patient Records Are Used in Medical Research

With one million people treated every 36 hours, routinely collected UK National Health Service (NHS) health data has huge potential for medical research. Advances in data acquisition from electronic patient records (EPRs) means such data are increasingly digital and can be anonymised for research purposes. NHS England’s care.data initiative recently sought to increase the amount and availability of such data. However, controversy and uncertainty following the care.data public awareness campaign led to a delay in rollout, indicating that the success of EPR data for medical research may be threatened by a loss of patient and public trust. The sharing of sensitive health care data can only be done through maintaining such trust in a constantly evolving ethicolegal and political landscape. We propose that a dynamic consent model, whereby patients can electronically control consent through time and receive information about the uses of their data, provides a transparent, flexible, and user-friendly means to maintain public trust. This could leverage the huge potential of the EPR for medical research and, ultimately, patient and societal benefit.
Interleukin-10 Expression Mediated by an Adeno-Associated Virus Vector Prevents Monocrotaline-Induced Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Rats

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a fatal disease associated with inflammation and pathological remodeling of the pulmonary artery (PA). Interleukin (IL)-10 is a pleiotropic antiinflammatory cytokine with vasculoprotective properties. Here, we report the preventive effects of IL-10 on monocrotaline-induced PAH. Three-week-old Wistar rats were intramuscularly injected with an adeno-associated virus serotype 1 vector expressing IL-10, followed by monocrotaline injection at 7 weeks old. IL-10 transduction significantly improved survival rates of the PAH rats 8 weeks after monocrotaline administration compared with control gene transduction (75% versus 0%, P<0.01). IL-10 also significantly reduced mean PA pressure (22.8±1.5 versus 29.7±2.8 mm Hg, P<0.05), a weight ratio of right ventricle to left ventricle plus septum (0.35±0.04 versus 0.42±0.05, P<0.05), and percent medial thickness of the PA (12.9±0.3% versus 21.4±0.4%, P<0.01) compared with controls. IL-10 significantly reduced macrophage infiltration and vascular cell proliferation in the remodeled PA in vivo. It also significantly decreased the lung levels of transforming growth factor-β1 and IL-6, which are indicative of PA remodeling. In addition, IL-10 increased the lung level of heme oxygenase-1, which strongly prevents PA remodeling. In vitro analysis revealed that IL-10 significantly inhibited excessive proliferation of cultured human PA smooth muscle cells treated with transforming growth factor-β1 or the heme oxygenase inhibitor tin protoporphyrin IX. Thus, IL-10 prevented the development of monocrotaline-induced PAH, and these results provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of human PAH.
Corporate Equity Ownership, Strategic Alliances and Product Market Relationships

This paper examines long-term block ownership by corporations and performance changes in firms with corporate block owners. We also examine potential reasons for corporate ownership including benefits in product market relationships, alleviation of financing constraints, and board monitoring by corporate owners. We find the largest significant increases in targets' stock prices, investment, and operating profitability when ownership is combined with alliances, joint ventures, and other product market relationships between purchasing and target firms, especially in industries with high research and development. Our findings are consistent with the conclusion that block ownership by corporations has significant benefits in product market relationships. Copyright The American Finance Association 2000.
Density functional theory study of the effect of Vanadium doping on electronic and optical properties of NiO

The effect of Vanadium (V) doping on electronic and optical properties of NiO is discussed. Electronic and optical properties of a 32-atom supercell of V[Formula: see text]Ni[Formula: see text]O [Formula: see text] obtained from first-principles calculations, performed within density functional theory (DFT), using the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) with the Hubbard potential [Formula: see text] were studied and compared to those of a 32-atom supercell of pure NiO. From the electronic structure and complex dielectric function analysis, the V doping causes the reduction of the bandgap by inducing the localized V [Formula: see text] state in the NiO bandgap region, and the first optical transition for V-doped NiO occurs at a lower frequency than the one for the intrinsic NiO. The bandgap shrinkage to about 2 eV makes NiO when doped with V a potential candidate for visible light range application in photocatalytic applications. The resulting effects on refractive index, reflectivity, absorption, optical conductivity and loss function for V-doped NiO are compared to those of pristine NiO.
Formal Verification Techniques for Model Transformations: A Tridimensional Classification

In Model Driven Engineering (MDE), models are first-class citizens, and model transformation is MDE's "heart and soul". Since model transformations are executed for a family of (conforming) models, their validity becomes a crucial issue. This paper proposes to explore the question of the formal verification of model transformation properties through a tridimensional approach: the transformation involved, the properties of interest addressed, and the formal verification techniques used to establish the properties. This work is intended for a double audience. For newcomers, it provides a tutorial introduction to the field of formal verification of model transformations. For readers more familiar with formal methods and model transformations, it proposes a literature review (although not systematic) of the contributions of the field. Overall, this work allows to better understand the evolution, trends and current practice in the domain of model transformation verification. This work opens an interesting research line for building an engineering of model transformation verification guided by the notion of model transformation intent.
Partial replacement of succinate dehydrogenase function by phage- and plasmid-specified fumarate reductase in Escherichia coli.

Phages capable of transducing succinate dehydrogenase mutants (sdh) of Escherichia coli were isolated from pools of artificially constructed recombinant lambda phages using a selective casein digest medium. These phages produced characteristically dense turbid plaques, and as prophages they increased the aerobic growth efficiencies of sdh mutants on complex media but were unable to promote growth with succinate as sole carbon and energy source (an essential feature of sdh + strains). The phages were identified as fumarate reductase transducing phages (lambda frdA) by the presence of a characteristic 4.9 kilobase pairs R.HindIII fragment of bacterial DNA, the expression of a polypeptide with a relative molecular mass of 72,000 (the frdA gene product) and by comparing their transducing activities with authentic lambda frdA phages. In parallel studies a strain containing a ColE1-frd hybrid plasmid (pGS1 = pLC16.43) was characterized. Transfer of pGS1 to sdh mutants was accompanied by increased aerobic growth efficiencies on complex media and the ability to utilize succinate as sole carbon and energy source. It was concluded that fumarate reductase can replace succinate dehydrogenase but the extent of the reversal of the sdh lesion depends on frd gene dosage and the titration of the repressor which normally prevents aerobic synthesis of the reductase.
A Multimodal Analysis of Vocal and Visual Backchannels in Spontaneous Dialogs

Backchannels (BCs) are short vocal and visual listener responses that signal attention, interest, and understanding to the speaker. Previous studies have investigated BC prediction in telephone-style dialogs from prosodic cues. In contrast, we consider spontaneous face-to-face dialogs. The additional visual modality allows speaker and listener to monitor each other's attention continuously, and we hypothesize that this affects the BC-inviting cues. In this study, we investigate how gaze, in addition to prosody, can cue BCs. Moreover, we focus on the type of BC performed, with the aim to find out whether vocal and visual BCs are invited by similar cues. In contrast to telephone-style dialogs, we do not find rising/falling pitch to be a BC-inviting cue. However, in a face-to-face setting, gaze appears to cue BCs. In addition, we find that mutual gaze occurs significantly more often during visual BCs. Moreover, vocal BCs are more likely to be timed during pauses in the speaker's speech.
An Auto-tuning Solution to Data Streams Clustering in OpenCL

Due to its applicability to numerous types of data, including telephone records, web documents, and click streams, the data stream model has recently attracted attention. For analysis of such data, it is crucial to process the data in a single pass, or a small number of passes, using little memory. This paper provides an OpenCL implementation for data streams clustering, and then presents several optimizations for it, which make it more efficient in terms of memory usage. In order to maximize performance for different problem sizes and architectures, we also propose an auto-tuning solution. Experimental results show that our fully optimized implementation can perform 2.1x and 1.4x faster than the native OpenCL implementation on NVIDIA GTX480 and AMD HD5870, respectively, it can also achieve 1.4x to 3.3x speedup relative to the original CUDA implementation solution on GTX480.
Effects of wood ash on soil fertility and plant performance in southwestern Kenya

A field experiment was conducted in Kisii county, southwestern Kenya from February to May 2017. The purpose of the study was to examine the effect of wood ash on soil pH, soil nutrient content and productivity of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and compare it to effects from mineral fertilizer (Diammonium phosphate, DAP) application and liming using calcium carbonate, CaCO3. Two weeding approaches with different timings were also included in the study. The experiment was two-factorial with six fertilizer/lime treatments (recommended dose of mineral fertilizer, mineral fertilizer dose used by farmers, mineral fertilizer dose used by farmers with lime, lime only, wood ash and a control where no amendments were made) and two weeding treatments (early and farmers practice) replicated four times. Soil samples were collected before experiment establishment and four weeks after the experiment was established. Data was taken on soil pH, available P, exchangeable base cation content, CEC and BS. Parameters for plant growth and development recorded were emergence, days to developmental stage V4 and R1, number of flowers and pods, bean yield and plant biomass. This was collected throughout the growing season. Data were analysed using ANOVA and Spearman’s correlation coefficient. The soil pH after treatments was found to be significantly higher in the ash treatment compared to the control and the treatments where only mineral fertilizer and no lime was applied. Lime application had no significant effect on the soil pH. However, base saturation was higher in the treatments where lime was applied than in the other treatments. No significant effects by the different treatments were recorded on available P or exchangeable base cations. The number of flowers and pods per plant was higher in plots treated with ash than in those treated with lime. The harvested plant biomass was lower in the lime treatment than in the other treatments. No significant differences were found in bean yield. Plant performance did not differ between weeding treatments, nor were there any significant interactions between fertilizer/lime treatment and weeding approach. Based on these results ash successfully increased soil pH. There are also indications that wood ash can provide other nutrients to meet the requirement of beans when grown under these conditions. Studies performed over a longer period of time would be required to see long term effects on soil pH, nutrient status and plant performance.
Topographic separation of fornical fibers associated with the anterior and posterior hippocampus in the human brain: An MRI‐diffusion study

Evidence from rat and nonhuman primate studies indicates that axons comprising the fornix have a characteristic topographical organization: projections from the temporal/anterior hippocampus mainly occupy the lateral fornix, whereas the more medial fornix contains fibers from the septal/posterior hippocampus. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the same topographical organization exists in the human brain.
Tiling Agents for Self-Modifying AI , and the Löbian Obstacle *

We model self-modification in AI by introducing “tiling” agents whose decision systems will approve the construction of highly similar agents, creating a repeating pattern (including similarity of the offspring’s goals). Constructing a formalism in the most straightforward way produces a Gödelian difficulty, the “Löbian obstacle. ” By technical methods we demonstrate the possibility of avoiding this obstacle, but the underlying puzzles of rational coherence are thus only partially addressed. We extend the formalism to partially unknown deterministic environments, and show a very crude extension to probabilistic environments and expected utility; but the problem of finding a fundamental decision criterion for self-modifying probabilistic agents remains open.
Guidelines for Growth Hormone and Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I Treatment in Children and Adolescents: Growth Hormone Deficiency, Idiopathic Short Stature, and Primary Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I Deficiency

Background/Aims: On behalf of the Drug and Therapeutics, and Ethics Committees of the Pediatric Endocrine Society, we sought to update the guidelines published in 2003 on the use of growth hormone (GH). Because idiopathic short stature (ISS) remains a controversial indication, and diagnostic challenges often blur the distinction between ISS, GH deficiency (GHD), and primary IGF-I deficiency (PIGFD), we focused on these three diagnoses, thereby adding recombinant IGF-I therapy to the GH guidelines for the first time. Methods: This guideline was developed following the GRADE approach (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation). Results: This guideline provides recommendations for the clinical management of children and adolescents with growth failure from GHD, ISS, or PIGFD using the best available evidence. Conclusion: The taskforce suggests that the recommendations be applied in clinical practice with consideration of the evolving literature and the risks and benefits to each individual patient. In many instances, careful review highlights areas that need further research.
When Not Thinking Leads to Being and Doing

Suppressing stereotypes often results in more stereotype use, an effect attributed to heightened stereotype activation. The authors report two experiments examining the consequences of suppression on two self-relevant outcomes: the active self-concept and overt behavior. Participants who suppressed stereotypes incorporated stereotypic traits into their self-concepts and demonstrated stereotype-congruent behavior compared to those who were exposed to the same stereotypes but did not suppress them. These findings address issues emerging from current theories of suppression, priming, and the active self.