Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Measuring the Impact of a Supplemental Civic Education Program on Students' Civic Attitude and Efficacy Beliefs.

This study examines the impact of Project Citizen Philippines, an extra-classroom civic education program, on its 3 rd and 4 th year high school participants’ civic attitude and efficacy beliefs. Three hundred forty three participants and 107 non-participants from various public high schools in the Philippines’ National Capital Region were compared on their scores on relevant scales, using the Mann-Whitney U test. Qualitative data was also gathered and analyzed using randomly selected student reflection papers. Findings indicate that project participants scored higher in the efficacy and attitude measures used than non-participants. Passages from the reflection papers lend support to these findings. The results are discussed in relation to other findings in the literature, and in light of the country’s current and planned school-based civic education programs. An implication of the study is the need to promote extra-classroom activities to supplement curriculum-based civic education efforts and to reach as wide a student population as possible, and to systematically evaluate and document such efforts towards providing data in furthering civic education in the Philippines.
Identification of a Novel Rab11/25 Binding Domain Present in Eferin and Rip Proteins*

Rab11, a low molecular weight GTP-binding protein, has been shown to play a key role in a variety of cellular processes, including endosomal recycling, phagocytosis, and transport of secretory proteins from the trans-Golgi network. In this study we have described a novel Rab11 effector,EF-hands-containingRab11-interacting protein (Eferin). In addition, we have identified a 20-amino acid domain that is present at the C terminus of Eferin and other Rab11/25-interacting proteins, such as Rip11 and nRip11. Using biochemical techniques we have demonstrated that this domain is necessary and sufficient for Rab11 binding in vitro and that it is required for localization of Rab11 effector proteins in vivo. The data suggest that various Rab effectors compete with each other for binding to Rab11/25 possibly accounting for the diversity of Rab11 functions.
PERINEAL TRAUMA IN PRIMIPAROUS WOMEN WITH SPONTANEOUS VAGINAL DELIVERY: EPISIOTOMY OR SECOND DEGREE PERINEAL TEAR?

Objectives: To estimate the incidence of perineal trauma in primiparous women with spontaneous vaginal delivery and to identify the factors associated with second-degree lacerations. Materials and Methods: A subset analysis of women with spontaneous vaginal deliveries (n=489) from an institutional review board-approved parent study in healthy, nulliparous, continent pregnant women, attending the public health care system of Catalonia (northeast Spain). Primary outcome measure was perineal trauma according to the RCOG classification. For the bivariate analysis, the Student’s t-test, ANOVA and the chi-squared test, or the corresponding non-parametric tests were used. Rates, relative risks and odds ratios (multivariate analysis) were estimated along with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: About 91% (95% CI: 88-93%) of women with vaginal deliveries showed some degree of perineal trauma. Nulliparous women with spontaneous deliveries who did not undergo an episiotomy were 9 times more likely to present a tear (any grade) than those who received an episiotomy [Relative risks (RR) = 9.6, 95% CI: 6.3%-14.6%, P<0.001]. Only episiotomy reached statistical significance in bivariate and multivariate analyses (P<0.0001), revealing the protective effect of episiotomy respect to second-degree tear. Conclusion: The absence of episiotomy was the only variable independently associated with second degree perineal tears, showing a clear protective effect.
Glutathione Is a Low-Affinity Substrate of the Human Sodium-Dependent Dicarboxylate Transporter

Background/Aims: During a single pass through the kidneys, more than 80% of glutathione (GSH) is excreted, indicating not only glomerular filtration, but also tubular secretion. The first step in tubular secretion is the uptake of a substance across the basolateral membrane of proximal tubule cells by sodium-dependent and -independent transporters. Due to the dicarboxylate-like structure, we postulated that GSH uptake across the basolateral membrane is mediated by the sodium-dependent dicarboxylate transporter 3 (NaDC3). Methods: Tracer uptake and electrophysiologic measurements using a two-electrode voltage clamp device were performed in Xenopus laevis oocytes expressing the human (h)NaDC3. Results: Uptake of succinate, the reference substrate of hNaDC3, was inhibited by GSH in a dose-dependent manner with an IC50 of 1.88 mM. GSH evoked potential-dependent inward currents, which were abolished under sodium-free conditions. At -60 mV, GSH currents showed saturation kinetics with a KM of 1.65 mM. Conclusion: hNaDC3 present at the basolateral membrane of proximal tubule cells mediates sodium-dependent GSH uptake. The kinetic data show that NaDC3 is a low-affinity GSH transporter.
Relevance of hypointense brain MRI lesions for long-term worsening of clinical disability in relapsing multiple sclerosis

Background: The accrual of brain focal pathology is considered a good substrate of disability in relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). However, knowledge on long-term lesion evolution and its relationship with disability progression is poor. Objective: The objective of this paper is to evaluate in RRMS the long-term clinical relevance of brain lesion evolution. Methods: In 58 RRMS patients we acquired, using the same scanner and protocol, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at baseline and 10±0.5 years later. MRI data were correlated with disability changes as measured by the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Results: The annualized 10-year lesion volume (LV) growth was +0.25±0.5 cm3 (+6.7±8.7%) for T2-weighted (T2-W) lesions and +0.20±0.31 cm3 (+11.5±12.3%) for T1-weighted (T1-W) lesions. The univariate analysis showed moderate correlations between baseline MRI measures and EDSS at 10 years (p < 0.001). Also, 10-year EDSS worsening correlated with LV growth and the number of new/enlarging lesions measured over the same period (p < 0.005). In the stepwise multiple regression analysis, EDSS worsening over 10 years was best correlated with the combination of baseline T1-W lesion count and increasing T1-W LV (R = 0.61, p < 0.001). Conclusion: In RRMS patients, long-term brain lesion accrual is associated with worsening in clinical disability. This is particularly true for hypointense, destructive lesions.
Azorean savings banks and the 1929 economic crisis

What sets the Azorean banking system apart in the Portuguese context is the concentration of Caixas Economicas or Savings Banks accounting for half of these financial institutions in Portugal.These saving banks were promoted and had as shareholders mainly small and medium local traders and landlords with export businesses. These small institutions were the only bank network covering most of the islands and preceded the expansion of a national network of agencies created mostly after the Second World War. This paper examines the effects of the 1929 crisis on the Azorean banking system which was generalized, and had deep and lon lasting effects, using unpublished data from the archive of Banco de Portugal. It is a case of contagion, typical of a banking crisis, affecting the credibility and confidence of all institutions and leadind to an interruption of payments for a period of two years. Bankruptcies are limited to Caixa Bancaria Raposo de Amaral and Caixa economica Socorros Mutuos but the reestructuring spreads over a ten yera period.The contraction of monetary circulation caused by the banking crisis and the monetary integration are also major factors contributing to the long and deep economic crisis tham spread from 1929 to 1945.
A CRITICAL APPRAISAL OF THE CLASSIFICATION OF UROTHELIAL TUMOURS: TIME FOR A REVIEW OF THE EVIDENCE AND A RADICAL CHANGE?

In 1998, 25 years after the first WHO classification of bladder tumours [1], a revised classification was published by the WHO and the International Society for Urologic Pathology [2], followed shortly by the official WHO booklet [3]. Both publications introduced a new category of ‘papillary urothelial neoplasms of low malignant potential’ (PUNLMP) but diverged in their system of grading carcinomas, one recommending a two-tiered highand lowgrade approach [2], the other the continued use of three grades [3]. The most recent 2004 WHO classification [4] has essentially adopted the 1998 two-grade classification [2], but it is still not in routine practice. An examination of the evidence behind the WHO recommendations and the potential effects of any change might explain this apparent lack of enthusiasm.
A 24-/60-GHz CMOS On-Chip Dual-Band Bandpass Filter Using Trisection Dual-Behavior Resonators

This letter presents the design and implementation of a 24-/60-GHz millimeter-wave dual-band on-chip bandpass filter using a 0.18-mum standard CMOS process. The concept of quarter-wavelength stepped-impedance resonator (lambda/4 SIR) is utilized to realize stopband characteristics at desired frequencies and reduce the chip size. The structure of the open-circuited dual-behavior resonators (OC-DBRs) produces one passband with two transmission zeros on either side. The size of the designed filter is 1.030 times 0.590 mm2.
Comment on "Segment Synthesis in Logical Data Base Design"

The examples shown in Figs. 2 and 3 of [ 13 illustrate the existence of simple cycles in the data model between the department and the manager of each case. Such relations, which are cyclic on a one-to-one basis, are frequent, both in the conceptual construction of data models by users and in the implementation of a data base for multi-file systems. To indicate this simple equivalency, the relation (D, M ) can be replaced by an equivalent single domain, say X . Because of the frequency of occurrence of binary one-to-one relations, I have termed such relations a lexicon [ 21. On applying this simplification, the result of the analysis for minimum cover given in [ 11 is a single set of relations as follows:
The immunogenic activity of ribosomal fractions derived from Brucella abortus

SUMMARY The immunizing activity of ribosome preparations derived from Brucella abortus strain 19 cells was examined in guinea-pigs and mice. After subcutaneous injections of Br. abortus ribosomes in Freund's incomplete adjuvant, both mice and guinea-pigs developed immunity to challenge by virulent Br. abortus 544 organisms which was at least as effective as the protection conferred by live strain 19 vaccine. Both mice and guinea-pigs also developed agglutinating and complement-fixing antibodies and delayed hypersensitivity to Br. abortus antigens. Conversely, ribosome preparations elicited delayed hypersensitivity reactions on intracutaneous injection into guinea-pigs chronically infected with Br. abortus or Br. melitensis. On injection into rabbits, Br. abortus ribosomes incorporated in incomplete adjuvant induced high titres of agglutinins, complement fixing antibodies and precipitins for Br. abortus antigens. On immunochemical examination, the ribosome preparations were not grossly contaminated with antigens derived from the cell surface. They were chemically complex, however, and in addition to RNA contained numerous protein components identified by disk electrophoresis. The nature of the components responsible for conferring protection against Br. abortus was not determined.
The Evolution of the U.S. Internet Peering Ecosystem

A new Internet Peering Ecosystem is rising from the Ashes of the 1999/2000 U.S. Telecommunications Sector crash. Global Internet Transit Providers have gone bust and a critical broadband infrastructure provider has failed, leaving in their wake a large set of Internet players to fend for themselves to provide their customers with Internet services. A broad set of Service Providers that were once focused only on growing their market share (at any cost) now are bending down to shave pennies off of their cost structure. Those who can not prove the viability of their business model while satisfying their customer demands are out of business.
STAT: Energy-efficient statistical threshold arrangement scheme for unmanned surveillance system

In this paper, we present an energy-efficient statistical threshold arrangement scheme (STAT) for unmanned surveillance system with massive intelligent network cameras. By statistically adjusting event-detection thresholds' level, the surveillance system can enhance the performance of power consumption and storage utilization efficiency. Throughout performance evaluation, we demonstrate the excellence of our proposed scheme.
Endogenous peptide defense signals in Arabidopsis differentially amplify signaling for the innate immune response

AtPep1, a 23-aa peptide encoded by Arabidopsis PROPEP1, a member of a small, six-member gene family, activates expression of the defense gene PDF1.2 (encoding defensin) and its own precursor gene, PROPEP1, through the jasmonate/ethylene signaling pathway, mediated by a cell-surface receptor, PEPR1. Overexpression of two family members, PROPEP1 and PROPEP2, enhances resistance of Arabidopsis plants against the pathogen Pythium irregulare, and PROPEP2 and PROPEP3 are expressed at highly elevated levels in Arabidopsis in response to pathogen infections and to several pathogen-associated molecules (general elicitors). Here, we report that PDF1.2, PR-1 (pathogenesis protein), and PROPEP genes were differentially expressed in the leaves of intact plants sprayed with methyl jasmonate and methyl salicylate and in excised leaves supplied through cut petioles with peptides derived from the C terminus of each of the encoded proteins. The expression of PDF1.2 and PR-1 elicited by the peptides was blocked in mutant plants deficient in the jasmonate/ethylene and salicylate pathways, and in wild-type plants by treatment with diphenylene iodonium chloride, an inhibitor of hydrogen peroxide production. PROPEP1, PROPEP 2, and PROPEP3 genes appear to have roles in a feedback loop that amplifies defense signaling pathways initiated by pathogens.
Spike Protein VP8* of Human Rotavirus Recognizes Histo-Blood Group Antigens in a Type-Specific Manner

ABSTRACT Rotaviruses (RVs), an important cause of severe diarrhea in children, have been found to recognize sialic acid as receptors for host cell attachment. While a few animal RVs (of P[1], P[2], P[3], and P[7]) are sialidase sensitive, human RVs and the majority of animal RVs are sialidase insensitive. In this study, we demonstrated that the surface spike protein VP8* of the major P genotypes of human RVs interacts with the secretor histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs). Strains of the P[4] and P[8] genotypes shared reactivity with the common antigens of Lewis b (Leb) and H type 1, while strains of the P[6] genotype bound the H type 1 antigen only. The bindings between recombinant VP8* and human saliva, milk, or synthetic HBGA oligosaccharides were demonstrated, which was confirmed by blockade of the bindings by monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific to Leb and/or H type 1. In addition, specific binding activities were observed when triple-layered particles of a P[8] (Wa) RV were tested. Our results suggest that the spike protein VP8* of RVs is involved in the recognition of human HBGAs that may function as ligands or receptors for RV attachment to host cells.
Making Transportation Sustainable: Insights from Germany

This paper compares various aspects of transportation policy between the United States and Germany. It looks at car ownership, exhaust gas emissions, differences in travel behavior (especially automobile use versus transit ridership, walking and bicycling), gasoline prices, highway user tax and fees, costs of car ownership (including sales tax, driver license costs, gas taxes, fuel efficiency and its regulation, and other costs), policies to improve and integrate public transit systems, policies promoting safe cycling and walking, and policies that discourage suburban sprawl and encourage mixed land use. In every case, the policies in Germany tend to encourage walking, bicycling and transit ridership, over automobile use; and United States policies reward driving and tend to punish transit ridership, walking and bicycling. Lessons to be learned from Germany are discussed.
Effects of Conditioning Lesions on Transplant Survival, Connectivity, and Function

Are there mechanisms intrinsic to the brain that can be drawn upon to promote functional repair after central nervous system (CNS) injury? Brain transplants provide a powerful approach for investigating this question. The successful grafting of neurons into damaged brain depends not only on the type of neurons transplanted but on the ability of the host brain to support and integrate these cells. In cell culture, for example, neurons will grow only if provided the proper medium and substrate. Similarly, the mature brain must provide the proper environment and be sufficiently adaptable to incorporate fetal neurons into its circuits. One of the first clues to the nature of intrinsic mechanisms came from the observation that introducing a delay between the time of injury and transplantation could significantly enhance the survival and integration of grafted neurons. This effect is correlated with the production and accumulation of trophic factors in the brain in response to injury. Thus, transplanted neurons may depend upon the establishment of proper “conditions” to enhance survival, integration, and behavioral function.
A Plant miRNA Contributes to Antibacterial Resistance by Repressing Auxin Signaling

Plants and animals activate defenses after perceiving pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) such as bacterial flagellin. In Arabidopsis, perception of flagellin increases resistance to the bacterium Pseudomonas syringae, although the molecular mechanisms involved remain elusive. Here, we show that a flagellin-derived peptide induces a plant microRNA (miRNA) that negatively regulates messenger RNAs for the F-box auxin receptors TIR1, AFB2, and AFB3. Repression of auxin signaling restricts P. syringae growth, implicating auxin in disease susceptibility and miRNA-mediated suppression of auxin signaling in resistance.
A Novel Rumor Routing for Wireless Sensor Network

Rumor routing is a routing protocol based on query for wireless sensor networks, which selects next hop randomly during establishing path and the path may not be optimal and may be loop. So this paper puts forward a novel rumor routing (NRR), which bases on ant colony optimization and can resolve the loop route that established by rumor routing, and has good convergence, comparing to rumor routing, NRR has more probability to establish complete route, and can save more energy.
Back-projection SAR imaging using FFT

This paper describes a novel method based on the back-projection approach to generate SAR images. The back-projection operation has various “fast” implementations all using multilevel algorithms. In this paper a back-projection algorithm using the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) is proposed. The basic method does not employ interpolation by using non uniform sampling, and it obtains the same results as the straightforward computation, with O(N^2logN) instead of O(N^4) complexity. This method is optimal for SPOT mode and for wide-band scenarios, however to expand the algorithm flexibility two additional implementations are presented. As opposed to the basic method which does not use interpolation at all, these implementations require interpolation in the imaging process, but the error introduced is negligible.
A case study of modeling the object oriented programming knowledge as an educational ontology

Educational ontologies represent important resources for intelligent tutoring systems, elearning systems and web-based education in universities. They can be developed by modeling the knowledge domain of each university course for all didactical activities: teaching, learning and examination. The paper presents a case study of modeling the object oriented programming knowledge as an ontology by following methodological guidelines of the EduOntoFrame framework. The resulted educational ontology, CS-OOP-Onto, was implemented in Protégé, a Java-based ontology editor. Basic concepts as well as advanced concepts of object oriented programming were included in CS-OOP-Onto, facilitating teaching and learning the Object Oriented Programming course at different levels of knowledge. The modular structure of the ontology allows its extensibility with specific knowledge from different object oriented programming languages such as C++, C# and Java.
The Effects of IT Project Risk Management Factors on Project Performance

Many companies have considered IT outsourcing as one of strategic alternatives in order to rapidly respond to changing business environment and strengthen their competitiveness. Despite its strategic role, however, IT outsourcing project has been plagued by a high failure rate and difficulty in realizing the promised project performance because of its inappropriate risk management. This study examines the effect of IT project management risk factors on project performance. We propose that project risk management factors(communication, technology sharing, and project control) influence project performance(process performance and product performance). Based on the empirical results, theoretical and practical implications of the study are discussed along with its limitations.