Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Supporting learner autonomy: theory and practice in a distance learning context

There is overwhelming consensus among language learning researchers on the benefits of developing an autonomous approach by learners (Hurd et al. 2001, p344). Despite the difficulty in defining what Little (2004) describes as a "problematic term" and a "slippery concept", he suggests there is also broad agreement on what this means. Autonomous learners "understand the purpose of their learning programme, explicitly accept responsibility for their learning, share in the setting of goals, take initiatives in planning and executing learning and evaluate its effectiveness" (Little 2004). However, it is also argued (e.g. by Candy 1991; Little 1995) that the achievement of learner autonomy depends on the willingness of teachers to hand over these responsibilities. Teachers must be committed to creating a learning environment where learners can gradually "learn how to learn" and experience autonomy in order to become more autonomous, a process which Little (2004) calls "autonomisation". In distance learning, much of the responsibility for autonomisation rests with the teaching/learning materials. However, these materials are often mediated and supported by tutors who can use their contact with learners to develop learning skills. This chapter explores the tutor role in autonomisation in a distance language learning programme of The Open University in the UK (OU(UK)).
Asymmetric Information, Security Design, and the Pecking (Dis)Order

We study a security design problem under asymmetric information, in the spirit of Myers and Majluf (1984). We introduce a new condition on the right tail of the firm-value distribution that determines the optimality of debt versus equity-like securities. When asymmetric information has a small impact on the right-tail, risky debt is preferred for low capital needs, but convertible debt is optimal for larger capital needs. In addition, we show that warrants are the optimal financing instruments when the firm has already pre-existing debt in its capital structure. Finally, we provide conditions that generate reversals of the standard pecking order.
Does the level of socioeconomic deprivation at the location of cardiac arrest in an English region influence the likelihood of receiving bystander-initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation?

Background Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a leading cause of mortality. Administration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by a bystander witnessing a cardiac arrest has been shown to increase the likelihood of return of spontaneous circulation and survival. This study analyses the association between the socioeconomic status of the location where a person suffers a cardiac arrest and the proportion of victims with OHCA receiving bystander CPR. Methods Retrospective analysis of all OHCAs occurring in North East England from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2011: data obtained from the North East Cardiac Arrest Network Registry. Results Of 3179 OHCAs with an attempt at resuscitation, 623 patients received bystander-initiated CPR (19.6%). From quintile (Q) 1 to Q5 (most deprived to least deprived), bystander-initiated CPR rates increased from 14.5% to 23.3% (p for trend <0.001). Patients in the least deprived quintile were significantly more likely to receive bystander-initiated CPR when compared with those in the most deprived quintile (OR=1.78, 95% CI 1.32 to 2.39, p≤0.001). Conclusions Increasing socioeconomic status at the location of cardiac arrest is positively associated with the likelihood of bystander CPR for OHCA in this region of England.
Principles of Financial Management

I. INTRODUCTION TO FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT. 1. Introduction and Overview. 2. The Financial Environment: Concepts and Principles. 3. Accounting, Cash Flows, and Taxes. 4. Financial Statement Analysis. II. BASIC VALUATION. 5. The Time Value of Money. 6. Valuing Bonds and Stocks. 7. Risk and Return. Enrichment Section--Valuation. Topic A: Capital Market Efficiency. Topic B: Options and Contingent Outcomes. Topic C: Financial Contracting. III. CAPITAL BUDGETING: STRATEGIC ASSET ALLOCATION. 8. Business Investment Criteria. 9. Capital Budgeting Cash Flows. 10. Capital Budgeting in Practice. IV. Long-Term Financial Decisions. 11. Cost of Capital. 12. Capital Structure Policy. 13. Dividend Policy. 14. Long-Term Financial Alternatives. 15. International Corporate Finance. V. Working Capital Management. 16. Cash and Working Capital Management. 17. Accounts Receivable and Inventory Management. 18. Financial Planning. Enrichment Section--Topics in Financial Management. Topic D: Issuing Securities and the Role of Investment Banking. Topic E: Derivatives and Hedging. Topic F: Mergers and Acquisitions. Appendix A. Using a Business Calculator. Appendix B. Cumulative Distribution Function for the Standard Normal Random Variable. Answers to Selected Problems. Author Index. Subject Index.
Information Technology Strategy for Knowledge Management in Indian Industry

Information technology (IT) has a crucial role in knowledge management (KM), as the facilitator or enabler. To find the IT strategy for KM and related aspects such as the tools being utilised, and the problems faced by Indian firms, research was conducted in leading firms in three sectors of the Indian economy; namely software, pharmaceutical and petroleum marketing, covering both the private and public sectors. The results indicated that Indian firms have implemented many IT tools. The internet is the most widely used tool, whereas KM software is the least used. The way IT is growing or implemented and maintained in the firms under study is not encouraging. Barring a few software sector firms, IT tools are neither well maintained nor fully exploited by the firms. In addition, Indian firms lack an IT strategy for KM.
Tracking control of the linear differential inclusion

The tracking control of linear differential inclusion is discussed. First, the definition of uniformly ultimate boundedness for linear differential inclusion is given. Then, a feedback law is constructed by using the convex hull Lyapunov function. The sufficient condition is given to guarantee the tracking error system uniformly ultimately bounded. Finally, a numerical example is simulated to illustrate the effectiveness of this control design.
Modulation of carcinogen-metabolizing cytochromes P450 by phytochemicals in humans

Introduction: Cytochrome P450 (CYP) families 1 – 3, besides oxidizing environmental and dietary chemicals, leading to their elimination, catalyze the bioactivation of exogenous as well as endogenous carcinogens. Phytochemicals, particularly those which are active food components, were shown to be able to affect specific CYP expression and/or activity in animal models and in human in vitro systems. Human intervention studies involving healthy volunteers were also performed. This review describes human CYP modulation by naturally occurring phytochemicals which can not only affect carcinogen metabolism in humans, but also change the drug response. Areas covered: The authors present an overview of carcinogens metabolizing human CYP modulation in different model systems as well as studies on human dietary intervention. Furthermore, the authors provide examples of the phytochemicals that affect CYP expression and activity. Expert opinion: CYP, which are involved in carcinogen activation, can metabolize a range of substrates and inducing CYP by one substrate may also increase the metabolism of another. The ultimate proof of the efficacy of CYP modulation strategy for chemoprevention may be provided by clinical trials involving risk populations, which are difficult to perform. The new human-like models are highly desired for the study of modulation of carcinogen-metabolizing CYP.
Understanding the Structured Credit Crisis

The financial crisis which is raging in the West is quite strange. Why is it that repayment problems in a very particular segment of the United States housing finance market (subprime mortgages) has degenerated into a generalised credit crisis which could have completely paralysed the international bank liquidity market without the repeated and massive intervention of the central banks? To understand this we have to delve into the arcane world of the financial model called the securitization of debts which has become prevalent in the United States since 2001. Recent studies have shown that this model leads to reduced risk aversion on the part of lenders and an under assessment of the risk attached to loans. The spreading of risk, which is the purpose of securitization, is accompanied by a loss of information on the risk of loans right along the chain, from the end borrower to the buyers of tranches of secured debt. This financial model has become a loss generating machine.
Optimization of the In vitro Pyrogen Test (IPT) Regarding Detection of Pyrogens in Air Samples

Pyrogens are substances that may induce fever in the human body. They can be parts of bacteria, virus or fungi and due to the reaction they may cause in the body, they are routinely looked for in the medical technology industries. A method called in vitro pyrogen test (IPT) has been developed to detect these pyrogens. It is based on the fever reaction in the human body and only requires blood in combination with a solution believed to contain pyrogens. If the result is positive, the production of cytokines is started. The cytokines of interest in the IPT method are those involved in the fever process and two of them are IL-1β and TNF-α, which are the cytokines used as markers of infection in this study. Since the production of cytokines is in proportion to the amount of pyrogens, the inflammation-inducing potential of the sample can be decided. Due to problems in standardizing the method, mainly because it handles with living blood cells, focus is still pointed at improving it. The aim of this study was to optimize parameters within the IPT method by analysing air samples taken in indoor surroundings believed to contain pyrogens. The different parameters included extraction of the filter from the air sampling, incubation of whole blood and sample extract and analysis of the incubation with ELISA (enzyme linked immunosorbent assay). More specific, some of the issues concerned extraction media, time and shaking intensity for the extraction, blood ratio for the whole blood incubation and cytokines suitable for the method. A possible approach for the IPT method, when analysing air samples containing pyrogens, was reached.
VALUE CHAINS AND STANDARDS IN SHRIMP EXPORT

This study analyzes the food safety compliance performances of different stakeholders in value chains of Bangladesh and Thailand from mother shrimp collection to consumers’ plate. Data and information collected through field surveys, interviews, and interactions with different stakeholders in Bangladesh, Thailand and Japan were analyzed and used as the basis of the paper. The results reveal that the competent authority monitors the hygiene and sanitation condition of the buyer-driven value chain activities, whereas processors-cum-exporters implement HACCP procedures about 85% to 90% in all stages of production, distribution, processing and export of shrimp to assure the quality standards. ‘Shrimp suppliers certificate’ and ‘farmers and region code’ in Bangladesh while ‘movement document’ and ‘fry movement document’ in Thailand are used as traceability tools. Both the countries have already started working for certification, eco-labeling and sustainable seafood trade. However, it is recommended to ensure chain traceability together with improved management to increase products’ competitiveness.
Genetic determinants of biofilm development of opaque and translucent Vibrio parahaemolyticus

Vibrio parahaemolyticus isolates display variation in colony morphology, alternating between opaque (OP) and translucent (TR) cell types. Phase variation is the consequence of genetic alterations in the locus encoding the quorum sensing output regulator OpaR. Here, we show that both cell types form stable, but distinguishable biofilms that differ with respect to attachment and detachment profiles to polystyrene, pellicle formation and stability at the air/medium interface, and submerged biofilm architecture and dispersion at a solid/liquid interface. The pellicle, which is a cohesive mat of cells, was exploited to identify mutants having altered or defective biofilm formation. Transposon insertion mutants were obtained with defects in genes affecting multiple cell surface characteristics, including extracellular polysaccharide, mannose‐sensitive haemagglutinin type 4 pili and polar (but not lateral) flagella. Other insertions disrupted genes coding for potential secreted proteins or transporters of secreted proteins, specifically haemolysin co‐regulated protein and an RTX toxin‐like membrane fusion transporter, as well as potential modifiers of cell surface molecules (nagAC operon). The pellicle screen also identified mutants with lesions in regulatory genes encoding H‐NS, a CsgD‐like repressor and an AraC‐like protein. This work initiates the characterization of V. parahaemolyticus biofilm formation in the OP and TR cell types and identifies a diverse repertoire of cell surface elements that participate in determining multicellular architecture.
Vaccine-Related Internet Search Activity Predicts H1N1 and HPV Vaccine Coverage: Implications for Vaccine Acceptance

The Internet is a primary source for health-related information, and Internet search activity is associated with infectious disease outbreaks. The authors hypothesized that Internet search activity for vaccine-related information would predict vaccination coverage. They examined Internet search activity for H1N1 and human papilloma virus (HPV) disease and vaccine information in relation to H1N1 and HPV vaccine uptake. Google Insight for Search was used to assess the volume of Internet search queries for H1N1- and vaccine-related terms in the United States in 2009, the year of the H1N1 pandemic. Vaccine coverage data were also obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at the state level for H1N1 vaccinations in 2009. These same measures were collected at the state level for HPV- and vaccine-related search terms in 2010 as well as HPV vaccine uptake in that year. Analyses showed that the search terms H1N1 and vaccine were correlated with H1N1 vaccine uptake; ordinal regression found the H1N1 search term was independently associated with H1N1 vaccine coverage. Similarly, the correlation between vaccine search volume and HPV coverage was significant; ordinal regression showed the search term vaccine independently predicted HPV vaccination coverage. This is among the first studies to show that Internet search activity is associated with vaccination coverage. The Internet should be exploited as an opportunity to dispel vaccine misinformation by providing accurate information to support vaccine decision making.
Corporate Governance, Cost of Capital and Financial Distress

The purpose of this paper is to investigate differences in the systems of governance in the United States and Japan. We will look at the unique characteristics of the Japanese financial system which lower capital costs to companies in Japan and prevent them from taking over companies in financial distress. Moreover, we will investigate major changes in the recent corporate financial system in Japan and the effects of the decline of financiaJ institutions upon the governance system and its implication in the financial distress of manufacturing companies.
Promotion of transferrin folding by cyclic interactions with calnexin and calreticulin

Calnexin, an abundant membrane protein, and its lumenal homolog calreticulin interact with nascent proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum. Because they have an affinity for monoglucosylated N‐linked oligosaccharides which can be regenerated from the aglucosylated sugar, it has been speculated that this repeated oligosaccharide binding may play a role in nascent chain folding. To investigate the process, we have developed a novel assay system using microsomes freshly prepared from pulse labeled HepG2 cells. Unlike the previously described oxidative folding systems which required rabbit reticulocyte lysates, the oxidative folding of transferrin in isolated microsomes could be carried out in a defined solution. In this system, addition of a glucose donor, UDP‐glucose, to the microsomes triggered glucosylation of transferrin and resulted in its cyclic interaction with calnexin and calreticulin. When the folding of transferrin in microsomes was analyzed, UDP‐glucose enhanced the amount of folded transferrin and reduced the disulfide‐linked aggregates. Analysis of transferrin folding in briefly heat‐treated microsomes revealed that UDP‐glucose was also effective in elimination of heat‐induced misfolding. Incubation of the microsomes with an α–glucosidase inhibitor, castanospermine, prolonged the association of transferrin with the chaperones and prevented completion of folding and, importantly, aggregate formation, particularly in the calnexin complex. Accordingly, we demonstrate that repeated binding of the chaperones to the glucose of the transferrin sugar moiety prevents and corrects misfolding of the protein.
Role of inflammation in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

Purpose of review Products of hepatic macrophages and lymphocytes are acknowledged regulators of liver injury and repair. Recent studies have identified inflammatory modulators from sources within and outside the liver that are critical to the pathogenesis and progression of chronic liver diseases, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. This review will focus on these developments to clarify how inflammatory mediators from adipose tissue and the liver interact to mediate the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Recent findings Hepatic steatosis and steatohepatitis are extremely prevalent in obese individuals with the metabolic syndrome. The metabolic syndrome results from abnormal production of various adipose-derived and liver-derived factors that modulate energy substrate flux to coordinate tissue anabolism and catabolism. Individuals with the metabolic syndrome produce a relative excess of proinflammatory factors. Some factors inhibit hepatic fat disposal and promote lipid accumulation within hepatocytes. The latter induces sustained hepatic generation of proinflammatory cytokines, particularly when the hepatic innate immune system becomes Th-1 polarized. Although chronic inflammation induces production of various profibrogenic factors, progression to latter stages of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is relatively unusual in individuals with the metabolic syndrome. This may reflect requirements for additional factors that become abundant only in individuals who have additional defects in hepatic innate immunity. Summary Obesity and the metabolic syndrome represent chronic inflammatory states and are associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Liver injury that ensues is dictated by metabolic and immunomodulatory factors that are produced by adipose tissue and within the liver.
Performance analysis of OFDM employing free space optical communication system

The free space optics (FSO) is considered as a suitable solution for optical fiber networks potentially solving the issues like high transmission capacity and ease of deployment of wireless links. The main aim of this paper is to analyse how far we can effectively transmit a RF signal using FSO link. This paper reports the performance of RF signal over optical FSO links for variable distances using Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) Technique.
The impact of corporate governance principles on board characteristics: an Australian study

Corporate governance has been a key focus over recent times for Australian companies, particularly following the collapse of some large organisations which resulted in losses of billions of dollars along with the jobs, investments and the livelihoods of many Australians. This thesis investigates the impact of the ASX Principles of Good Corporate Governance which were introduced in 2003 to strengthen corporate governance in Australia in response to community concerns over the causes of those corporate collapses. This study examines the characteristics of directors of Australian listed companies on the ASX 50 index, particularly in relation to the characteristics of non-executive directors, the number, gender, and qualifications of directors, and the average age of directors. This thesis applies a positivist social science approach to analyse and to examine the characteristics of non-executive directors. A representative sample of Australian companies listed on the ASX 50 index, which represents the 50 largest listed stocks on the ASX and covers all major industry sectors, was selected, and the research data was extracted from this sample. The research method of content analysis is applied to the research data to identify and determine changes to board composition and structure over the period 1999 to 2009, which covers the period of time of the introduction of the ASX Principles of Good Corporate Governance as well as the period of the initial implementation and revision of the principles. The theoretical framework of this research is based on institutional theory which explains adaptive changes which reshape an institution’s values, practices and corporate governance structures. The theoretical framework of this research
Early Onset of Increased Transcapillary Albumin Escape in Awake Diabetic Rats

Alteration in transcapillary albumin escape rate (TERa,alb) is an indicator of changes in macromolecular movement at the capillary filtering bed, which can change the balance of Starling forces for fluid movement from the vasculature to the interstitium and has an impact on volume homeostasis. TERalb can be affected by morphological changes in the capillary membrane and/or alterations in the Starling forces driving larger solutes across the capillary membrane via convection. Previous studies have demonstrated an increased TERalb in established insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM); however, whether increased TERalb is the result of morphological alterations in the microvasculature or contributes to microangiopathies could not be resolved. TERalb was examined in awake Wistar rats with untreated IDDM induced by streptozocin infusion (65 mg/kg body wt i.v.) at 24 h and 7 and 15 days and compared with control and insulin-treated 7-day IDDM rats. Increased TERalb occurred at the 24-h time point and remained elevated at 7 and 15 days of IDDM (P < 0.05). Blood volume remained unchanged; however, systemic protein concentration increased from 4.9 ± 0.1 g/dl in controls to 6.4 ± 0.4 g/dl in 15-day IDDM rats. Blood glucose was significantly increased, and glycosuria was evident at all three time points of IDDM. The observed increase in TERalb within 24 h of IDDM is indicative of a functional change in the Starling forces in the capillaries, because specific morphological capillary damage is not evident at this time point in the model. The early onset of TERalb in IDDM could indicate functional changes, such as capillary hypertension, and may contribute to future vascular complications in established IDDM.
A semantic engine for porting applications to the cloud and among clouds

In this paper, we present an engine based on semantic technologies aimed at supporting cloud applications developers, in the tasks of discovering functionalities, APIs, and resources needed for the application development through semantic based agnostic (vendor independent) representations of such application components, and representation of generic programming concepts and patterns, including application domain related ones. It handles, maintains, and exposes to the user in a graphical way the semantic descriptions of application domain concepts, application‐related concepts, general design patterns and programming functionalities, specific API implementations and cloud resources, layering the knowledge base in four layers. The semantic engine is a component of the European project mOSAICs framework. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.