Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CTWINS: improving Computational Thinking confidence in educators through paired activities

The CTwins project is a cross-border initiative targeting teachers of subjects other than Computing in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland who want to use technology in the classroom but lack the confidence to do so. It aims to develop confidence in educators' capacity to use computational thinking through a playful and supportive introduction to computer programming. This will be done through paired learning exercises with an output intended to be aesthetically pleasing and fulfilling. Learning will be supported by an online community of practice.The project will be evaluated for its effect on building the confidence in participating educators and the design and resources will be created as a open educational resource.
Identification of electric circuits: problems and methods of solution accuracy enhancement

In this paper, the problem of electric circuit identification has been studied. Topological singularities in a circuit structure are found to be the origins of ill-conditionality of a circuit model. It has been shown that it is useless to solve an ill-conditioned identification problem due to a considerable distortion of experimental data by measurement errors. No information on the exact solution can be extracted from these data except for linear relations between elements of the solution. A new circuit identification algorithm, named the repeat measurements principle, was developed based on the linear relations mentioned above. The algorithm showed a high efficiency for any degree of model ill-conditionality and allowed us to determine model parameters accurate to the measurement precision as applied to any type of reciprocal and non-reciprocal linear circuits.
Lack of increased frequency of human immunodeficiency virus infection in individuals with dengue-like illness in South India.

The WHO/UNAIDS estimates 5.1 million individuals infected with human immunodeÞ ciency virus (HIV) in India.1 It is estimated that 60-80% of the HIV infected individuals can have seroconversion illness which may mimic an acute viral infection with fever and rash.2,3 India has an ongoing HIV epidemic with seasonal outbreaks of dengue fever, one of the most common causes of fever with rash. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of HIV infection among patients clinically presenting with dengue-like illness, to determine the need for testing HIV antibodies in denguelike illness.
Exploring tourists' 'push and pull' motivations to visit Mauritius as a holiday destination.

This study examines the motivational push and pull-factors that affect tourists’ decision in their choice of a holiday destination. 200 questionnaires were completed using a face to face interview among specific groups of travellers to Mauritius (English, French, German, Italian and South African tourists) at various points on the island. The findings demonstrate that rest and relaxation are the most compelling push motivation forces followed by nostalgia, escape, novelty and social interaction. The key pull based motives were found to be the special climate and weather of Mauritius, the exquisite landscape and scenery, unique flora and fauna, exotic beaches, the exotic ambience and atmosphere, the welcoming nature of Mauritian hospitality and the authentic Mauritian culture. The Push and pull factors between first time visitors and repeat visitors are discussed in this article and the study essentially contributes to our overall understanding of why holiday makers take travel decisions to opt for longhaul destinations like Mauritius, and can therefore help destination marketers develop better marketing programmes to meet the specific needs of their customers.
Interferon regulatory factor family of transcription factors and regulation of oncogenesis

A family of transcription factors, the interferon regulatory factors (IRF), was identified originally in the context of the regulation of the type I interferon (IFN)‐α/β system. The IRF family has now expanded to nine members, and gene‐disruption studies have revealed the critical involvement of these members in multiple facets of host defense systems, such as innate and adaptive immune responses and tumor suppression. In the present review article, we aim at summarizing our current knowledge of the roles of IRF in host defense, with special emphasis on their involvement in the regulation of oncogenesis. (Cancer Sci 2008; 99: 467–478)
Astronomical systems analysis and object detection

This paper is devoted to the astronomical systems analysis and object detection in images acquired by these systems. It brings general overview of object detection methods used in digital image processing and focuses on different approach via. mathematical statistics. Astronomical systems analysis introduces statistical test for Poisson distribution and False Discovery Rate used in multiple hypothesis testing. Mentioned methods are firstly used for analysis of the dark frames. These results are then used for the purpose of object detection. Proposed methods are applied to the model data and then to the real images acquired by MAIA (Meteor Automatic Imager and Analyzer) system.
IMPACT OF RISK EVALUATION ON AUDITOR- AUDITEE NEGOTIATION OUTCOME

This study seeks to investigate the impact of auditee business risk, audit risk, and auditor business risk evaluation on auditor-auditee negotiation outcomes. A model is developed and tested that characterizes the auditor-auditee negotiation outcome as a process of risk evaluation and risk adaptation. Participants in this study were students of the University of Diponegoro accountant professional education of 60 people who represent partner and manager of Big 4 audit firms. The results show that the partners (participants) considered the relationship between audit risk and auditee business risk. Also, our results indicate that auditee business risk has a significant effect on auditor business risk evaluation and has a significant effect on auditor-auditee negotiation outcomes. So, auditors will be less likely to accept an auditee’s aggressive reporting practice when the auditee’s business risks are high. On the other hand, results show that audit risk evaluation don’t affect auditor-auditee negotiation outcome. Finally, auditor business risk has a nonsignificant effect on auditor-auditee negotiation outcome. This study provides evidence that despite the expectation of conservatism required by generally accepted auditing principles (GAAP), certain environmental factors may cause auditors to acquiesce to auditee preferences and allow more aggressive reporting. From stakeholders (investors, regulators) perspective, this is not necessarily an optimal criterion for decisions that impact the financial statements. The expectations of stakeholders are that auditors will select the most informative alternative. The implication for practice is that accounting firms may need to strengthen their internal oversight mechanisms (e.g., peer reviews, concurring partner reviews) to ensure that auditors’ decisions are aligned with the firm’s, as well as stakeholders’ expectations of audit quality. So, auditors must pay more attention to financial statements when business risk is high.
Fluorescence Microscopy Image Segmentation Using Convolutional Neural Network With Generative Adversarial Networks

Recent advance in fluorescence microscopy enables acquisition of 3D image volumes with better quality and deeper penetration into tissue. Segmentation is a required step to characterize and analyze biological structures in the images. 3D segmentation using deep learning has achieved promising results in microscopy images. One issue is that deep learning techniques require a large set of groundtruth data which is impractical to annotate manually for microscopy volumes. This paper describes a 3D nuclei segmentation method using 3D convolutional neural networks. A set of synthetic volumes and the corresponding groundtruth volumes are generated automatically using a generative adversarial network. Segmentation results demonstrate that our proposed method is capable of segmenting nuclei successfully in 3D for various data sets.
Gifted Brain and Twinning : Integrative Review of the Recent Literature

In this review, on the base of the literature data on the strong connection between high intelligence in pre/adolescents and high testosterone level in the prenatal fetus development and also on the increased concentration of testosterone in the amniotic liquid in the case of monozygotic male-twins pregnancy, the hypothesis of biologically conditioned intellectual giftedness in the monozygotic male-twins is suggested. Taking into consideration new experimental own data and results of other investigators it is assumed that the high involvement of the right frontal cortical area in the ongoing information brain processing may serve as a physiological marker of intellectual giftedness. The prenatal developmental peculiarities and unfavorable psychosocial factors during postnatal twins’ development are discussed as the reasons for the phenomenological absence of talented male-twins in human history.
The Family Self-Sufficiency Program: HUD's Best Kept Secret for Promoting Employment and Asset Growth.

This paper describes the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program, an employment and savings incentive program for low-income families that have Section 8 vouchers or live in public housing. It consists of both case management services to help participants pursue employment and other goals and escrow accounts into which the public housing agency (PHA) deposits the increased rental charges that families pay as their earnings rise. The paper analyzes the value of the FSS program for tenants (asset accumulation, employment, and earnings) and for PHAs (better public relations, improved services, and enhanced standing with HUD). It offers suggestions for overcoming perceived or actual barriers to PHA implementation or expansion of the program (lack of funding for case management, staff expertise, resident interest in FSS, and community employment opportunities and services). It discusses how the FSS program promotes welfare reform goals by encouraging work, providing funds for work expenses or emergencies, and offering case management. It also highlights how welfare agencies may advance welfare reform goals by helping PHAs expand their programs and by encouraging families that receive TANF benefits to participate in FSS. (Contains 63 endnotes.) (SM) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. THE FAMILY SELF-SUFFICIENCY PROGRAM HUD's Best Kept Secret For Promoting Employment And Asset Growth
Embryogenesis in the Reef-Building Coral Acropora spp

Abstract Embryogenesis in the reef building corals Acropora intermedia, A. solitaryensis, A. hyacinthus, A. digitifera, and A. tenuis was studied in detail at the morphological level, and the relationships among the animal pole, blastopore, and mouth were investigated for the first time in corals. These species showed essentially the same sequence of development. The embryo undergoes spiral-like holoblastic cleavage despite the presence of a dense isolecithal yolk. After the morula stage, the embryo enters the “prawn-chip” stage, which consists of an irregularly shaped cellular bilayer. The embryo begins to roll inward to form the bowl stage; the round shape observed during this stage suggests that it may be the beginning of gastrulation. However, the blastopore closes and the stomodeum (mouth and pharynx) is formed via invagination at a site near the closed blastopore. During the planula stage, a concavity forms in the aboral region in conjunction with numerous spirocysts, suggesting that spirocysts are used to attach to the substrate before the onset of metamorphosis.
Nonellipsometric Noncollinear Electrooptic Sampling of Terahertz Waves: A Comprehensive Theory

We present an analytical model that elucidates a recently proposed (Opt. Exp., vol. 21, pp. 9277, 2013) technique for nonellipsometric noncollinear electrooptic sampling of terahertz waves. In this model, an intensity modulation of the probe optical beam is consistently found as a result of noncollinear nonlinear interaction of the terahertz and probe optical beams of finite widths. The model is able to predict the output electrooptic signal for different detection conditions. We apply the model to the situation of practical interest-a LiNbO3 crystal coupled to terahertz radiation with a Si prism and probed at 800 nm wavelength.
Determinants of ICT Adoption among Hotels in Kenya: A Multiple Case Study Approach

Information communication technology is changing how hotels conduct their business in the global tourism market prompting a number of hotels to use ICTs to improve their business operations. The aim of this study was to identify factors that determine ICT adoption among hotels in Kenya. Multiple case study approach was used to collect and analyse data from hotel managers drawn from 10 hotels in Nairobi and Mombasa regions in Kenya. The interview data was thematically analysed and five factors namely organization needs and perceived benefits, organizational capacity, technology characteristics, market characteristics and organization characteristics were identified as key determinants of ICT adoption by hotels in Kenya. The study findings provide useful insights for guiding ICT adoption and application decisions at the hotel, particularly for developing countries.
Technology and applications of Low Temperature Cofired Ceramic (LTCC) based sensors and microsystems

The paper presents general information on LTCC materials, manufacturing processes and properties of fired modules. A Multichip Module package has been the main application of Low Temperature Cofired Ceramic (LTCC) technology. Recently, this technology is also used for production of sensors, actuators and microsystems. The research and development on the LTCC sensors and microsystems carried out in the Laboratory of Thick Film Microsystems at Wroclaw University of Technology are presented. LTCC microfluidic system is described in detail. Moreover, a short information is given on other LTCC applications .
The Economic Goals of Canada's Immigration Policy, Past and Present

We examine the economic goals of current immigration policy and what role immigration should play in overall economic policy. We proceed by describing the economic goals of immigration policy throughout this century. We then describe current economically targeted elements of immigration policy and relate them to historical trends. Finally, we examine a set of potential economic goals for immigration suggested by Canada's policy history. We conclude that economic goals should not form the defining orientation of immigration policy in the near future since other policies are better situated to meet those goals. Immigration should continue as a defining element in our social fabric.
The natural history of HCV infection in African Americans

Worldwide the consequences of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemic have been devastating. In the United States alone, about 4 million persons are infected with HCV. The prevalence of HCV appears to vary among racial groups. HCV infection is more prevalent in African Americans than in any other racial group. Seeff et al. (1) studied 8568 military recruit blood samples, frozen for about 45 yr, and found that the rate of HCV antibody was 1.8% among African Americans and 0.07% among whites. Moreover, in the United States Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, HCV antibody was detected in 3.2% of African Americans but in only 1.5% of whites. The rate of viremia was 86% in African Americans and 68% in whites; genotype 1 was identified in the majority of African Americans infected with HCV (91%) (2). However, in a study from Johns Hopkins University (3), 2523 patients were recruited from an inner city hospital and were tested for HCV, hepatitis B virus, and HIV. Among African American males (age 35–44), the prevalence of HCV antibody was 51%.
Rapid Assessment of Damage Potential of Earthquakes in Taiwan from the Beginning of P Waves

To rapidly assess the potential for damage of an earthquake for purposes of earthquake early warning in Taiwan, we used the peak displacement and velocity amplitudes of the first 3 sec of the P wave. The vertical-component records, high-pass filtered at 0.075 Hz, are used. We found that the peak initial-displacement amplitude (Pd) correlates well with the peak ground-motion displacement (PGD) and the peak ground-motion velocity (PGV) at the same site. When Pd > 0.5 cm, the event is most likely damaging. If Pd is combined with the period parameter τ_c, determined in an earlier study, then τ_c × Pd provides an even more robust parameter for assessing the potential for damage.
Effect of Phenoxybenzamine on Luteinizing Hormone Release in the Female Rat 1

Summary The present experiments were carried out to determine the effects of phenoxybenzamine (an alpha adrenergic blocking agent) upon ovulation and the concentration of LH in the blood of ovariectomized and proestrus rats. Ovulation was blocked when phenoxybenzamine (20 mg/kg) was administered prior to the assumed critical period of LH release. This effect could be overcome by treatment with HCG (20 IU) during the critical period. Treatment with propranolol or MJ 1999 (beta adrenergic blocking agents) had no effect on ovulation. Phenoxybenzamine injections for 2 days (20 mg/kg/day) or for 8 days (10 mg/kg/day) was shown to be ineffective in preventing the rise in plasma LH levels that occurs in ovariectomized controls. A single injection of phenoxybenzamine before the critical period in cycling rats also was shown to have no significant effect on the level of LH present in the blood during the afternoon of proestrus. These results suggest that phenoxybenzamine may be acting directly on the ovary to prevent ovulation and that alpha adrenergic receptors located in the ovary may play an important role in the ovulatory process.
A quadrifilar helix antenna using low cost planar feeding circuit

A wideband printed quadrifilar helical antenna (PQHA) using a novel single layer compact feeding circuit is proposed in this paper. A low cost single layer feeding circuit is consists of a 180° compact rat race coupler and two 3 dB hybrid commercial couplers to be incorporated at the bottom of the quadrifilar antenna. The operating frequency band ranges from 2 to 2.3 GHz which represent the proposed antenna a good candidate for various application such as mobile satellite communication or broadcasting satellite systems. The proposed antenna with compact feeding circuit has a good axial ratio over a wide beamwidth, with a 20% frequency bandwidth. The measured half-power beamwidth is 160°, with an axial ratio below 3 dB over this beamwidth.
The Relationship between TQM Practices and Quality Performance and the Role of Formal TQM Programs: An Australian Empirical Study

This article presents the findings from an empirical study examining the relationship between total quality management (TQM) practices and quality performance in Australian organizations. A comparison is made between organizations that have adopted formal TQM programs and organizations without a formal program in place. It was recognized that the lack of a formal program did not necessarily mean TQM principles were not being practiced. The findings show that the firms adopting formal TQM programs implement several TQM practices at a higher level than those that do not have TQM programs. This difference, however, is not apparent in the case of quality performance. Furthermore, the findings show the strong links between TQM practices and quality performance, and there is no significant difference between organizations implementing formal TQM programs and those organizations simply adopting TQM practices. This suggests that it is the adoption of quality practices that matters rather than formal programs per se.
Clinical and Environmental Distributions of Legionella Strains in France Are Different

ABSTRACT In France, the clinical distribution of Legionella species and serogroups does not correspond to their environmental distribution. Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 is more prevalent among clinical isolates (95.4%) than in the environment (28.2%), whereas L. anisa is more frequent in the environment (13.8%) than in the clinical setting (0.8%).
Comparison of the in vitro effects of the anti‐CD20 antibodies rituximab and GA101 on chronic lymphocytic leukaemia cells

The effects of two CD20 antibodies, namely rituximab, the current standard for treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) in combination with chemotherapy, and GA101, a glyco‐engineered type II antibody were compared on CLL cells ex vivo. Antibody‐induced phosphatidylserine exposure was examined in isolated CLL cells. For a more comprehensive assessment of antibody‐mediated cell killing including Fc‐mediated mechanisms, B cell depletion from whole blood samples was monitored. Treatment with rituximab or GA101 reduced the average viability of isolated CLL cells by 6% or 11%, and the ratio of B to T cells in whole blood samples by 12% or 33%, respectively. Combination with GA101 enhanced the cytotoxicity of the chemotherapeutic agent chlorambucil on isolated CLL cells. CD20 surface expression on CLL cells correlated with GA101‐induced B cell depletion, but not with direct cell death induction. Treatment of whole blood samples from CLL patients with a CpG‐containing oligonucleotide increased CD20 expression on CLL cells and GA101‐dependent B cell depletion. Despite the variable responses of individual CLL samples, the CLL cell depletion from whole blood by GA101 was consistently much stronger than by rituximab, which argues for clinical investigation of GA101 in CLL patients.
Sequence Polymorphism in Polyploid Wheat and Their D-Genome Diploid Ancestor

Sequencing was used to investigate the origin of the D genome of the allopolyploid species Triticum aestivum and Aegilops cylindrica. A 247-bp region of the wheat D-genome Xwye838 locus, encoding ADP-glucopyrophosphorylase, and a 326-bp region of the wheat D-genome Gss locus, encoding granule-bound starch synthase, were sequenced in a total 564 lines of hexaploid wheat (T. aestivum, genome AABBDD) involving all its subspecies and 203 lines of Aegilops tauschii, the diploid source of the wheat D genome. In Ae. tauschii, two SNP variants were detected at the Xwye838 locus and 11 haplotypes at the Gss locus. Two haplotypes with contrasting frequencies were found at each locus in wheat. Both wheat Xwye838 variants, but only one of the Gss haplotypes seen in wheat, were found among the Ae. tauschii lines. The other wheat Gss haplotype was not found in either Ae. tauschii or 70 lines of tetraploid Ae. cylindrica (genomes CCDD), which is known to hybridize with wheat. It is concluded that both T. aestivum and Ae. cylindrica originated recurrently, with at least two genetically distinct progenitors contributing to the formation of the D genome in both species.
The Impact of High-Frequency Trading on Stock Market Liquidity Measures

For the highly traded S&P 500 exchange traded fund SPY, we find that, over time, transaction size has been decreasing while the number of consecutive buy or sell transactions has been increasing due to the increased prevalence of high frequency trading and order splitting. Collapsing sequences of buy or sell transactions into single transactions produces a time series that has a time-stationary distribution and is more tractable for empirical market microstructure models. If sequences are not collapsed, measures of illiquidity are underestimated, implying that increased high-frequency trading may not necessarily be associated with improved liquidity.