Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Efficient mode scheduling for airborne E-scan radars

Using Electronic scanning (E-scan) radars it is possible to employ multichannel processing algorithms such as STAP to suppress clutter. A further significant advantage of E-Scan radars is the rapid look-back capability for simultaneous Search and Track operation. A great deal of experience and know-how on radar mode scheduling exists for Mechanical scanning (M-scan) radars. This should be used in combination with the new range of capabilities for E-scan radars. For both Air-to-Air and Air-to-Ground operation, E-scan radar multichannel processing can greatly improve present mode performance. Currently, for Air-to-Air operational modes, HPRF waveforms are used to detect targets in nose-on aspect. Tangential or rear aspect targets often disappear in the mainlobe or sidelobe clutter echoes. In these circumstances, airborne radars usually switch to MPRF modes to exploit the all-aspect capability of these modes. However, one disadvantage of MPRF modes is their reduced detection range as well as the requirement for a guard antenna. For E-scan radars it is also possible to use STAP processing algorithms for clutter suppression. For Air-to-Ground operational modes, LPRF waveforms can detect ground targets with velocities in antenna boresight direction exceeding a minimum detectable velocity that depends on the clutter Doppler extension. Using E-scan radars, the antenna beamwidth is dependent on the beam look direction. For off-boresight angles, this has the effect that the Doppler width of the mainlobe clutter is wider compared to that for M-scan radars. In this case too, STAP processing with E-scan radars can help to suppress clutter and to detect ground targets below the minimum detectable velocity given by conventional processing. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the possibility of detecting both Air-to-Air and Air-to-Ground targets with the most suitable waveform. For example, for closing Air-to-Air targets, the use of HPRF waveforms provides the greatest detection range and obviates the need for a guard antenna, while the use of STAP with multi channel processing provides better performance when the air target is in tangential or rear aspect. First, when an E-scan instead of a M-Scan radar is used, the differences in clutter returns for HPRF waveforms are highlighted. Then, depending on targets velocity and aspect angle, conditions are defined for which the radar can use a HPRF or MPRF waveform or for when STAP processing is necessary so as not to lose the target.
Energy and Development in Emerging Countries

Energy is an important component of the economy and is a fundamental factor of production. In general we expect its use to grow with some relationship to growth in economic activity. Empirically we see a closer relationship (higher E/GDP elasticity) in emerging economies where the energy-intensive stage of development is still in progress. Traditional fossil energy sources remain the least cost source of providing many or most energy services but present an environmental challenge. Managing the growth in energy use and its impact on the environment is a central challenge of “green growth. ” Examples of the interactions of energy development in China are used to provide a deeper understanding of these links.JEL Classification: D58, O13, Q53, Q54.
Interruptions to the physician-patient encounter: an intervention program.

BACKGROUND Israeli physicians are very familiar with the problem of interruptions during encounters with patients. However, a thorough search of the medical literature revealed only one report of this problem from Israel, and none from other countries. OBJECTIVES To characterize the phenomenon of interruptions to the patient-physician encounter in a clinic in Dimona and to assess the effect of an intervention program designed to reduce the magnitude of this problem. METHODS During an 8 day work period in March 1997 all patient-physician encounters were recorded and characterized. An intervention program was then designed and implemented to reduce the number of interruptions. Data were again collected a year after the initial data collection. RESULTS During the 8 day study period prior to the intervention program there were 528 interruptions to 379 encounters (mean of 1.39 per encounter). The main causes of interruptions were entrance of uninvited patients to the examination room (31%) and telephone calls (27%). Most of the interruptions occurred during the morning hours between 8 and 10 a.m. (45%) and at the beginning of the week (Sunday 30%). After the intervention program there were 402 interruptions to 355 encounters (mean of 1.13 per appointment, P = 0.21). CONCLUSIONS There was no statistically significant improvement in the number of interruptions following the intervention program. This finding is either the result of a local cultural phenomenon, or it indicates a national primary care health system problem that may require a long-term educational program to resolve it. Further research is needed on the magnitude, causes and consequences of interruptions in family practice and, if warranted, methods will have to devised to cope with this serious problem.
Multiple Intelligences for Global Leadership Development

Globalization has led to cultural change and convergence, due to the rise of multinational organizations and a need for leaders to work effectively across nations (Cohen, 2010). Today’s global leaders face increased complexity due to the need for cultural sensitivity, knowledge of other countries, and organizational boundaries (House et al., 2004). Conducting international business requires global leaders to be equipped with effective leadership skills to navigate through cross-cultural boundaries (Osland, 2008a). Flexibility and adaptability are key characteristics for global leaders who must oversee processes aligned with cultural demands (Walumbwa, Lawler, and Avolio, 2007). Understanding how things are done in other cultures and why differences exist is also important. “Corporations need a new and different breed of global leaders who can take decisions and actions that facilitate the development of a complex network of internal and external connections with individuals, teams, and organizations from many different political, social, and cultural systems” (Beechler & Javidan, 2007, p. 134). It has become quite common for leaders in multinational organizations to manage and influence teams that are geographically dispersed (Gentry et. al, 2008). Technological advances, increased communication, and lower costs of travel have made physical distances less relevant while enabling global leadership to emerge without expatriation (Caligiuri, 2006). These global leaders must be effective at cross-cultural work and possessing knowledge of international business, yet rely on technology to work across temporal and relational boundaries to motivate and influence others to accomplish organizational goals (Marquardt & Berger, 2003). Competent global leaders are more vital to the success of multinational organizations than in previous decades (Ang & Inkpen, 2008). However, organizations continue to struggle with determining what knowledge, skills, and abilities are needed to develop competent global leaders (Caligiuri, 2006; Brownell, 2006) for the 21st century. Many organizations recognize that competent global leadership confer a competitive business advantage and have begun focusing leadership programs on developing competencies of global leadership (Bird, 2008) and/or a global mindset (Beechler & Javidan, 2007).
Elevated levels of platelet derived growth factor and transforming growth factor-beta 1 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from patients with scleroderma.

OBJECTIVE Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma, SSc) frequently affects the lungs, and interstitial pulmonary fibrosis is one of its major complications. The pathophysiology of SSc lung disease s poorly understood, but recent studies document an inflammatory process resembling that of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis with increased numbers of activated alveolar macrophages and granulocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid). We determined levels of 2 potentially important mediators of fibroproliferative repair in BAL fluid from patients with SSc. METHODS Using Western blot and ELISA techniques we measured levels of platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta in BAL fluid from patients with SSc and healthy controls. The mitogenic effect of these cytokines on SSc lung myofibroblasts was determined by [3H]thymidine incorporation. RESULTS SSc BAL fluid contains significantly elevated levels of PDGF-AA and PDGF-BB. Where TGF-beta 1 was significantly elevated in SSc lavage fluid, the amount of TGF-beta 2 was significantly less than that observed in normal lavage fluid. Myofibroblasts cultured from SSc lavage fluid exhibited enhanced [3H]thymidine incorporation upon exposure to the growth factors present in SSc BAL fluid: PDGF and TGF-beta 1. SSc lung myofibroblasts pretreated with TGF-beta 1 exhibited an enhanced mitogenic effect upon stimulation by PDGF, due in part to the induction of the PDGF alpha receptor. CONCLUSION Our studies support a role for PDGF and TGF-beta 1 in the pathogenesis of SSc lung disease.
On using prefiltration in HMM-based bird species recognition

Automatic bird species recognition method using their voices is presented in this paper. The selected bird species have been detected by hidden Markov models (HMM) classifier using Mel-frequency cepstral coefficients (MFCC). In order to support recognition process, analysed signals have been appropriately filtered before classification in the so called prefiltration process. The prefiltration strategy assumed using n-th order IIR Butterworth filter bank. Each filter from the filter bank was applied for band pass filtration in the bird species-specific and signal type band. Increase of recognition accuracy has been observed in case of prefiltration with properly chosen filter order. Experiments have been carried out on the set of bird voices containing 30 bird species, one of which is endangered with extinction.
Protein expression and genetic structure of the coral Porites lobata in an environmentally extreme Samoan back reef: does host genotype limit phenotypic plasticity?

The degree to which coral reef ecosystems will be impacted by global climate change depends on regional and local differences in corals’ susceptibility and resilience to environmental stressors. Here, we present data from a reciprocal transplant experiment using the common reef building coral Porites lobata between a highly fluctuating back reef environment that reaches stressful daily extremes, and a more stable, neighbouring forereef. Protein biomarker analyses assessing physiological contributions to stress resistance showed evidence for both fixed and environmental influence on biomarker response. Fixed influences were strongest for ubiquitin‐conjugated proteins with consistently higher levels found in back reef source colonies both pre and post‐transplant when compared with their forereef conspecifics. Additionally, genetic comparisons of back reef and forereef populations revealed significant population structure of both the nuclear ribosomal and mitochondrial genomes of the coral host (FST = 0.146 P < 0.0001, FST = 0.335 P < 0.0001 for rDNA and mtDNA, respectively), whereas algal endosymbiont populations were genetically indistinguishable between the two sites. We propose that the genotype of the coral host may drive limitations to the physiological responses of these corals when faced with new environmental conditions. This result is important in understanding genotypic and environmental interactions in the coral algal symbiosis and how corals may respond to future environmental changes.
The Indonesian Government Debt Transformation

In terms of the sources of funds, Indonesia's sovereign debt has been transformed significantly from the East European debt crisis and the policy of printing money to finance the government budget deficit during the Soekamo era, to bilateral and multilateral schemes during the Soeharto era. Subsequently Indonesia has been actively looking for loan in the capital markets in Indonesia and the international capital markets. Yet the purpose for getting loans basically is still the same, namely to finance the government budget deficits. The debt crisis happened due to the Asian financial crisis in 1997-1998 which provided painful lesson tliat forced the government to turn to the second Paris Club for debt rescheduling. The establishment of a debt management office within the Ministry of Finance lias become urgent needed. Since 2000 a debt management office has been established under the Ministry of Finance. This new body is not only responsible for managing the debt portfolio properly but also to raise new debts especially debt with a rupiah denomination. Greece's debt crisis is a reminder tliat domestic currency denomination has not made the country immune from debt solvency and sustainability problems, in particular when the debt is mostly owned by foreign investors, which is then considered as foreign debt. It could also provide a temptation for a country to raise debt in a similar fashion with the Ponzigame trap.
The complex oral microflora of high-risk individuals and groups and its role in the caries process.

The involvement of the oral biofilm in the caries process requires re-evaluation. The essential role of mutans streptococci (Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus) in the caries process is not proven. Acid production by dental plaque is not dependent upon the presence of mutans streptococci; caries occurs in the absence of these species and their presence does not necessarily indicate caries activity. Other oral bacteria, non-mutans streptococci, Actinomyces spp. and Bifidobacterium spp. , are acidogenic and aciduric. They outnumber mutans streptococci in dental plaque, and there are data which support a role for these bacteria in the initiation and progression of caries. Molecular studies demonstrate the great diversity and complexity of the flora associated with caries. Many taxa identified have not been cultured and the role of these taxa is not known. We have, in mutans streptococci, good markers of disease but not necessarily the aetiological agents of the disease. Considerably more research is required to investigate the transition of tooth surfaces from being intact and sound to the white spot lesion stage. A combination of conventional and molecular approaches are required to elucidate the involvement of an individual taxon and of microbial populations with particular traits in the caries process.
Cerebral microembolism and the risk of ischemia in asymptomatic high-grade internal carotid artery stenosis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Previous work has shown that cerebral microembolism detected with transcranial Doppler sonography distal to internal carotid artery stenosis occurs more frequently in recently symptomatic compared with asymptomatic patients. It has remained unclear whether cerebral microembolism also indicates a higher risk of future cerebral or retinal ischemia. SUMMARY OF REPORT Sixty-four asymptomatic patients with unilateral 70% to 90% internal carotid artery stenosis were investigated prospectively (mean follow-up, 72 weeks). Five patients developed ischemic symptoms attributable to the stenosis (transient ischemic attack, 2 patients; stroke, 3 patients). A microembolic rate of > or = 2 per hour in the ipsilateral middle cerebral artery was associated with a substantially increased risk of developing ischemia of the corresponding carotid territory (odds ratio, 31; 95% confidence interval, 3 to 302; P = .005). CONCLUSIONS This prospective pilot study suggests that cerebral microembolism detected with transcranial Doppler sonography may define a high-risk subgroup among patients with asymptomatic high-grade internal carotid artery stenosis.
Genetic testing for the susceptibility to alcohol dependence: interest and concerns in an African American population.

BACKGROUND The search to identify genes for the susceptibility to alcohol dependence (AD) is generating interest for genetic risk assessment. The purpose of this study is to examine the level of interest and concerns for genetic testing for susceptibility to AD. METHODS Three hundred four African American adults were recruited through public advertisement. All participants were administered the Genetic Psycho-Social Implication (GPSI) questionnaire, which surveyed their interests in hypothetical genetic testing for AD, as well as their perception of ethical and legal concerns. RESULTS Over 85% of participants were interested in susceptibility genetic testing; however, persons with higher education (p=0.002) and income (p=0.008) were less willing to receive testing. Perception of AD as a deadly disease (48.60%) and wanting to know for their children (47.90%) were the strongest reasons for interest in testing. Among those not interested in testing, the belief that they were currently acting to lower their risk was the most prevalent. The most widely expressed concern in the entire sample was the accuracy of testing (35.50%). Other notable concerns, such as issues with the method of testing, side effects of venipuncture, falsely reassuring results, and lack of guidelines on "what to do next" following test results, were significantly associated with willingness to receive testing. CONCLUSION Although an overwhelming majority of participants expressed an interest in genetic testing for AD, there is an understandable high level of methodological and ethical concerns. Such information should form the basis of policies to guide future genetic testing of AD.
Implant-free high-mobility flatband MOSFET: principles of operation

Principles of operation of implant-free enhancement-mode MOSFETs (flatband MOSFET) are discussed. Epitaxial-layer structures designed for use in implant-free enhancement-mode devices and employing a high-kappa dielectric (kappacong20) and a strained InGaAs channel layer with a thickness of 10 nm have been manufactured on GaAs substrate. Proceeding from measured electron mobility mu as a function of the sheet-carrier concentration, enhancement-mode design considerations, saturation current IDss, and mobility requirements are discussed using two-dimensional device simulations. For the flatband MOSFET to compete successfully with other device designs, certain minimum channel mobilities are required. For RF applications, mu should exceed 5000 cm2/Vs while high-performance MOSFETs for digital applications may require even higher mobility for optimum operation. Finally, measured data of first 1-mum-GaAs-flatband enhancement-mode MOSFETs are presented; the saturation velocity of the InGaAs channel layer is derived; and measured IDss data are compared to the results obtained by simulations
Formulation and Characterization of Anthocyanins-Loaded Nanoparticles.

BACKGROUND Açaí berry, from the Euterpe oleracea Mart. Palm, has been described as the most important fruit in the Brazilian Amazon. Several studies have reported that anthocyanins (ACNs), one of the components of the açaí, have enormous potential for pharmaceuticals applications. However, the bioavailability of anthocyanins is relatively low compared to that of other flavonoids. Then, in the present work, anthocyanins-loaded nanoparticles have been developed to overcome their poor bioavailability. METHODS A two-level factorial design with three factors was considered to evaluate the effect of EUDRAGIT ® L100, polyethylene glycol 2000 (PEG 2000) and polysorbate 80 on encapsulation efficiency (EE) of anthocyanins. Also, major parameters of nanoparticles were assessed by using mainly SEM microscopy and Dynamic light scattering. RESULTS PEG 2000 was the only individual factor that has statistical significance (95% confidence level). The process yields (PY) were found in between 67% and 92%; the particle size and morphology analysis showed two distribution size, one for NPs and another for the agglomerates. CONCLUSION The pH-sensitive polymer together with the hydrophilic polymer showed to be suitable as ACNs delivery system. The delayed release profile of ACNs, observed for all formulations, can enhance their poor bioavailability. Nevertheless, ACNs bioavailability in vivo remains to be studied.
Comparison of higher education student and teacher perceptions of e-learning

Currently e-learning is considered an essential part of the everyday learning processes for both teachers and students in higher education. However, the learning results of e-learning are under debate and there is a growing critique on the efficiency and actual results of e-learning. In this paper we present our on-going work for exploring higher education students’ and teachers’ recent perceptions of their e-learning experiences. Two surveys were conducted in order to investigate and compare the perceived advantages, challenges and needs for support among the students and teachers in higher education. The results indicate that the perceived advantages of e-learning for both teachers and students were fairly similar. Flexibility in use of time and place were found as the most important benefit of e-learning. The main challenges in e-learning for both students and teachers dealt with technical issues and teacher-student interaction. Both students and teachers also experienced problems in directing the learning situation. Based on the studies we suggest that in order to ensure high-quality learning results in e-learning, continuous and relevant training and peer support for educators and students are needed. Additionally it is important to enhance the user experience and to carefully design the content and materials of the courses. Finally, we suggest that in e-learning the interaction between teachers and peer students should be improved.
Unravelling the role of innovation intermediaries in smallholder agricultural development: case studies from Kenya

Understanding agricultural innovation processes and recognizing the potential for catalysing them is crucial for many countries in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), including Kenya. This is because the smallholder dominated agricultural sector remains critical to realizing economic growth and poverty reduction goals. There is a growing focus in agricultural innovation studies on understanding how innovation processes are orchestrated and particularly the role of innovation intermediaries that have emerged as specialised actors that support such processes.
Mouse Fetal Hydantoin Syndrome: Effects of Maternal Seizures

Summary: To test the effect of maternal seizure disorders on prenatal structural development, the mouse neurological mutant quaking (qk) was used. Administering phenytoin in the drinking water of females homozygous for the quaking allele reduced the frequency of tonic‐clonic seizures typical for this mutant from a background rate of 2.06 to 0.34 seizures per mouse day. As the seizure frequency decreased, the percentage of fetuses exhibiting abnormalities associated with the mouse fetal hydantoin syndrome increased from 0 to 77. As in previous studies with the mouse syndrome, the increase in malformations was associated with increased maternal serum phenytoin levels. The results of this study indicate that the maternal serum phenytoin level, and not the maternal seizure disorder, is the etiologic agent responsible for the malformations observed in this syndrome.