Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of Folic Acid Supplementation in Autistic Children Participating in Structured Teaching: An Open-Label Trial

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are recognized as a major public health issue. Here, we evaluated the effects of folic acid intervention on methylation cycles and oxidative stress in autistic children enrolled in structured teaching. Sixty-six autistic children enrolled in this open-label trial and participated in three months of structured teaching. Forty-four children were treated with 400 μg folic acid (two times/daily) for a period of three months during their structured teaching (intervention group), while the remaining 22 children were not given any supplement for the duration of the study (control group). The Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) and Psychoeducational Profile-third edition (PEP-3) were measured at the beginning and end of the treatment period. Folic acid, homocysteine, and glutathione metabolism in plasma were measured before and after treatment in 29 autistic children randomly selected from the intervention group and were compared with 29 age-matched unaffected children (typical developmental group). The results illustrated folic acid intervention improved autism symptoms towards sociability, cognitive verbal/preverbal, receptive language, and affective expression and communication. Furthermore, this treatment also improved the concentrations of folic acid, homocysteine, and normalized glutathione redox metabolism. Folic acid supplementation may have a certain role in the treatment of children with autism.
Voicing the academy

The development of an appropriate authorial voice is considered to be fundamental to successful academic writing in the target language. Voice research in second language writing, therefore, seeks to delineate voice salience in L2 academic texts, the relationship between voice and high quality academic writing, the second language (L2) writerâ€™s development of an appropriate authorial voice, and how voice research might inform second language writing pedagogy. However, while voice research addresses a range of concerns in second language writing, there are a limited number of methods available for analysing authorial voice in texts. The following article investigates Ivanic and Campâ€™s (2001) typology, which indexes voice as a series of ideational, interpersonal, and textual voice types, as a possible method for measuring voice. The typology was applied to two long argument essays written by postgraduate international students studying at an Australian university. The results of the application of the typology underscored a range of both normative and non-normative voices in the studentsâ€™ texts. The article concludes that Ivanic and Campâ€™s (2001) typology has the potential to contribute to present understandings apropos of the language resources that correlate to normative and non-normative voice types. The article also provides some recommendations for future research.
Pitch Estimation of Singing Voice From Monaural Popular Music Recordings

A singing voice separation system is a hard yet popular task in the field of music information retrieval (MIR). If successfully separated, a number of algorithms can be applied to vocal melody for any possible application. In this study, we applied a pitch estimation algorithm after separating a singing voice from background music based on the implementation of REPET [1]. Then we evaluated our algorithms on MIR1K dataset using different combinations of parameters and compared the results with ones found on literatures. We found out that although comparable, our implementation of music/voice separation was not as good as the ones found in [1], and the pitch estimation algorithm returned about 67% accuracy.
How Has the Global Financial Crisis Affected Syndicated Loan Terms in Emerging Markets? Evidence from China

This paper examines the impact of the recent global financial crisis on the cost of debt capital (syndicated loans) in a leading emerging market, namely China, using difference-in-differences and GARCH approaches. Before the crisis China adopted banking reforms allowing entry of foreign banks and more domestic participation in the syndicated loan market. As a result, during the crisis the volume of syndicated loans grew steadily, in contrast to other countries. In addition, the amount of foreign syndicated loans decreased and average maturity increased compared to the pre-crisis period. Our findings provide useful information to policy makers to devise effective responses to financial crises.
A study of molybdenum influxes and transport in Alcator C-Mod

A characterization is presented of Mo sources ΓMo, core Mo content NMo and their dependences on the Alcator C-Mod operational regimes. The primary impurity source locations are the divertor, the inner wall and the ICRF antenna limiters. Boronization is used to coat the first wall surfaces with a thin layer of B, which greatly reduces the Mo sources for a period of time, eroding away with an e folding period of 15-50 discharges. The penetration of Mo into the core plasma under different conditions is analysed using the concept of penetration factor, PF = NMo/ΓMo (s). In general, the inner wall Mo source is large (~1018s-1), but is found to be relatively uncorrelated with the core Mo content in diverted plasmas. The outer divertor source is of a similar order to that of the inner wall and has a penetration factor in the range 10-5 - 2 × 10-3 s depending on density and confinement mode. The antenna limiter Mo sources are typically smaller, but with higher penetration factors of 10-3 - 2 × 10-2 s. The behaviour of the antenna limiter sources is consistent with physical sputtering due to the influence of RF sheath rectification. The measurements of the plasma potential on field lines connected to the antenna are very high when the antennas are energized, often reaching hundreds of volts.
Dissociation between affective and cognitive empathy in alcoholism: a specific deficit for the emotional dimension.

BACKGROUND Emotional impairments constitute a crucial and widely described dimension of alcoholism, but several affective abilities are still to be thoroughly explored among alcohol-dependent patients. This is particularly true for empathy, which constitutes an essential emotional competence for interpersonal relations and has been shown to be highly impaired in various psychiatric states. The present study aimed at exploring empathic abilities in alcoholism, and notably the hypothesis of a differential deficit between emotional and cognitive empathy. METHODS Empathy abilities were evaluated among 30 recently detoxified inpatients diagnosed with alcohol dependence and 30 paired healthy controls, using highly validated questionnaires (Interpersonal Reactivity Index [J Pers Soc Psychol44:113] and Empathy Quotient [J Autism Dev Disord34:163]). Correlational analyses were performed to evaluate the links between empathy scores and psychopathological measures (i.e., depression, anxiety, interpersonal problems, and alexithymia). RESULTS When psychiatric comorbities are controlled for, alcoholism is not associated with a general empathy deficit, but rather with a dissociated pattern combining impaired emotional empathy and preserved cognitive one. Moreover, this emotional empathy deficit is not associated with depression or anxiety scores, but is negatively correlated with alexithymia and the severity of interpersonal problems. CONCLUSIONS At the theoretical level, this first observation of a specific deficit for emotional empathy in alcoholism, combined with the exact inverse pattern observed in other psychiatric populations, leads to a double-dissociation, which supports the notion that emotional and cognitive empathy are 2 distinct abilities. At the clinical level, this deficit calls for considering emotional empathy rehabilitation as a crucial concern in psychotherapy.
Gains from Migration in a New-Keynesian Framework

This paper presents a simple New-Keynesian small open economy model allowing for labour to be supplied both domestically and abroad with a locational preference to work at home rather than abroad. From this small change in the otherwise standard setup follows an important implication for the Phillips-curve: The opening of the "labour account" reduces the output-in‡ation trade-o¤, i.e. the Phillips-curve becomes ‡atter. The theoretic intuition is simple: Any given boost to output is followed by increasing real wages, marginal costs and thereby in‡ation if labour is the only input to production because workers need to be compensated for a reduction in leisure. However, to the extent to which this additional labour is mobilized from a substitution away from labour formerly sup
The effect of Edmodo social learning network on Iranian EFL learners writing skill

Abstract The primary purpose of this study was to explore the effect of Edmodo social learning network on Iranian learners’ writing skill. It also attempted to find out students’ attitudes toward Edmodo. Forty participants were randomly divided into two experimental and control groups. For both groups, at first a test of writing as a pre-test was run to check homogeneity and for later comparisons. Participants in the control group had a normal class of writing compositions. In the experimental group, the learners practiced using Edmodo application. The treatment for each group lasted for 10 sessions. In the final session, the teacher gave the same topic to learners of two groups and asked them to write sentences and short paragraphs. Finally, participants were assessed for their attitudes toward application of Edmodo using a Likert-type questionnaire. The collected data from pre-tests, post-tests and questionnaire were analyzed using SPSS. It was found out that application of Edmodo social learning network had significant effects on Iranian intermediate English as a foreign language (EFL) learners’ writing skill. The findings also indicated that students had positive attitudes toward the application of Edmodo social network in classroom. Results can bring about pedagogical implications for Iranian English language teachers.
Evaluation of the impact of serogroup C meningococcal disease vaccination program in Brazil and its regions: a population-based study, 2001-2013

BACKGROUND Meningococcal C conjugate (MenC) vaccine was introduced as part of the Brazilian National Immunisation Program in 2010 for children < 1 year of age. OBJECTIVES The study objective was to evaluate the impact of this vaccination strategy. METHODS An observational, mixed ecological and analytical study was conducted, based on time series panel data from surveillance records (2001-2013). FINDINGS A total of 37,538 of meningococcal disease cases were recorded during the study period. Of these, 19,997 were attributed to serogroup C. A decrease in meningococcal disease serogroup C (MDC) incidence among children aged < 1 year [65.2%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 20.5-84.7%] and 1-4 years (46.9%; 95%CI: 14.6-79.1%) were found in the three years following vaccination introduction. Vaccination impact on the reduction of MDC incidence varied from 83.7% (95%CI: 51.1-100.0%) in the Midwest region to 56.7% (95%CI: 37.4-76.0%) in the Northeast region. MAIN CONCLUSIONS Vaccination against MDC in Brazil had a positive impact on the population of children aged < 1 year, across all regions, and on the 1-4 year-old cohort. Nevertheless, in our view there is scope for improving the vaccination strategy adopted in Brazil.
Learning experience reigns – Taiwanese learners’ motivation in learning eight additional languages as compared to English

ABSTRACT Informed by Dörnyei’s L2 Motivational Self System and intended to fill a gap in learning motivation research on languages other than English (LOTEs), this study investigated learners’ motivation for three language clusters – Southeast Asian (Vietnamese, Thai and Malay), Northeast Asian (Japanese and Korean) and European (German, Spanish and French) – and compared the results against the same learners’ English learning motivation. Regression analyses revealed that for all three language groups, the strongest predictors of intended effort were learning experience, followed by ideal self and culture/community interest. Ought-to self and instrumentality, both promotional and preventive, were ruled out in all three LOTE regression models. The significance of learning experience as a motivational predictor was comparatively new in LOTE-related findings. These learners’ English learning motivation presented a similar but more complicated picture, with predictive variables being, in descending order, learning attitude, culture/community interest, learning experience, ideal self and instrumentality. While externally imposed motivators played a role in English, they did not do so for the same learners in LOTE situations. Discrepancies with earlier results concerning LOTE motivation as well as with similar learner populations are discussed. Implications for both pedagogical practice and the theoretical development of foreign language motivation are suggested.
Block of T-type Ca channels in guinea pig atrial cells by antiarrhythmic agents and Ca channel antagonists

Myocardial cells have two types of Ca channels commonly called T-type and L-type. Whole cell Ca channel currents in guinea pig atrial myocytes can be separated and quantitated by analyzing channel closing kinetics after a brief depolarization (tail current analysis). L-type Ca channels deactivate rapidly when the membrane is repolarized and T- type Ca channels deactivate relatively slowly. Ca channel block by the therapeutically useful Ca channel antagonists is voltage dependent, so it is desirable to study block of both channel types over an extended voltage range. Tail current analysis allows this and was used to study block of both types of Ca channels under identical conditions. Amiodarone, bepridil, and cinnarizine block T-type Ca channels more potently than L-type Ca channels when binding equilibrates at normal diastolic potentials (approximately -90 mV). None of these drugs is a selective blocker of T-type Ca channels because block of L-type Ca channels is enhanced when cells are almost completely depolarized. Although weak block of T-type Ca channels by 1,4-dihydropyridines has usually been reported, we found that felodipine blocks these channels with high affinity. When most T-type Ca channels are inactivated, the apparent dissociation constant (KI) is 13 nM. Felodipine also blocks T- type Ca channels in GH3 cells (a cell line derived from rat anterior pituitary), but KI = 700 nM. Thus, T-type Ca channels in different cell types are pharmacologically distinct. Felodipine can block L-type Ca channels in atrial cells more potently than T-type Ca channels, but block of L-type Ca channels is potent only at depolarized potentials; block of both channel types is comparable at normal diastolic membrane potentials. Felodipine and the 1,4-dihydropyridines isradipine and (-)- 202-791 are approximately equipotent at blocking T-type Ca channels, but differ substantially in potency for block of L-type Ca channels. Block of T-type Ca channels may account for some of the pharmacological effects of 1,4-dihydropyridines and for the antiarrhythmic activity of amiodarone and bepridil.
Stafne bone cavity with ectopic salivary gland tissue in the anterior of mandible

Stafne bone cavities (SBCs) are uncommon well-demarcated defects of the mandible, which often occur in the posterior portion of the jaw bone and are usually asymptomatic. Furthermore, SBC is found in men aged 50-70-year-old. Anterior mandibular variants of SBC are very rare. This article describes a case of anterior SBC in a 45-year-old man that resembled endodontic periapical lesions. Upon histopathological examination, it turned out to be a normal salivary gland tissue.
ACOUSTIC CUES FOR ENGLISH LEXICAL STRESS PERCEPTION BY MANDARIN NATIVE SPEAKERS : A CRITICAL REVIEW

Previous studies have suggested that Mandarin and English speakers use different phonetic cues in speech perception. In particular, there are many differences between English and Mandarin in terms of lexical stress patterns. Different tones are used to change lexical meanings in Mandarin, whereas such phenomena do not exist in English, which indicates potential inter-language interferences in the perception of English lexical stress by Mandarin English-as-an-Additional-Language (EAL) learners. The current paper discusses Mandarin EAL learners’ perception of English lexical stress by critically reviewing previous studies. In general, findings have suggested that Mandarin EAL learners use various phonetic cues in English lexical stress perception, though which phonetic cues are primarily used is still under debate. The paper further identifies several variables that may account for the contrastive findings in previous studies and discusses their potential implications for EAL pedagogy development.
A weak multiplicity-one theorem for Siegel modular forms

Using the explicit action of the Hecke operators T(p) acting on the Fourier coefficients of Siegel modular forms of arbitrary degree and level, a short and elementary proof and a generalization of a result by Breulmann and Kohnen is obtained, which says that cuspidal eigenforms are determined by their coefficients on matrices of square-free content.
Female Sexual Polymorphism and Fecundity Consequences of Male Mating Harassment in the Wild

Genetic and phenotypic variation in female response towards male mating attempts has been found in several laboratory studies, demonstrating sexually antagonistic co-evolution driven by mating costs on female fitness. Theoretical models suggest that the type and degree of genetic variation in female resistance could affect the evolutionary outcome of sexually antagonistic mating interactions, resulting in either rapid development of reproductive isolation and speciation or genetic clustering and female sexual polymorphisms. However, evidence for genetic variation of this kind in natural populations of non-model organisms is very limited. Likewise, we lack knowledge on female fecundity-consequences of matings and the degree of male mating harassment in natural settings. Here we present such data from natural populations of a colour polymorphic damselfly. Using a novel experimental technique of colour dusting males in the field, we show that heritable female colour morphs differ in their propensity to accept male mating attempts. These morphs also differ in their degree of resistance towards male mating attempts, the number of realized matings and in their fecundity-tolerance to matings and mating attempts. These results show that there may be genetic variation in both resistance and tolerance to male mating attempts (fitness consequences of matings) in natural populations, similar to the situation in plant-pathogen resistance systems. Male mating harassment could promote the maintenance of a sexual mating polymorphism in females, one of few empirical examples of sympatric genetic clusters maintained by sexual conflict.
Creative Knowledge Environments

The extent to which an individual's (or a group's) creative potential is expressed depends considerably on the environment in which that individual (or group) works. To understand scientific and technological creativity, one needs to analyze the interactions between individuals or groups and their environment. We put forward the concept of a creative knowledge environment (CKE) to examine the environmental influences on individual and group creativity. After reviewing the research literature relevant to creativity using the CKE framework, we identify the main influences promoting creativity at different levels of organization. The framework provides suggestions as to how best to stimulate CKEs to be more creative. The article concludes by identifying issues where further research is needed.
The PSIPRED Protein Analysis Workbench: 20 years on

Abstract The PSIPRED Workbench is a web server offering a range of predictive methods to the bioscience community for 20 years. Here, we present the work we have completed to update the PSIPRED Protein Analysis Workbench and make it ready for the next 20 years. The main focus of our recent website upgrade work has been the acceleration of analyses in the face of increasing protein sequence database size. We additionally discuss any new software, the new hardware infrastructure, our webservices and web site. Lastly we survey updates to some of the key predictive algorithms available through our website.
Mathematics Anxiety, Perceived Mathematics Self-efficacy and Learned Helplessness in Mathematics in Faculty of Education Students

Article History: Received 19.02. 2018 Received in revised form 23.04. 2018 Accepted 27.05. 2018 Available online 06.06. 2018 There are various factors influencing learning and academic achievement of individuals. These may be external factors which do not arise from the individual, or affective factors which are closely related with the individual. In this study, affective factors such as anxiety, self-efficacy, and learned helplessness which influence learning performance of prospective teachers in mathematics were investigated with respect to their various characteristics, the mediating effect of self-efficacy in the relationship between mathematics anxiety and learned helplessness was examined. A quantitative pattern was employed in the study and it was found that there were significant differences between prospective teachers from different departments in terms of mathematics anxiety, perceived selfefficacy, and learned helplessness, there was a positive and significant correlation between anxiety and learned helplessness, which had a negative and significant correlation with self-efficacy and anxiety, whereas perceived mathematics self-efficacy had a full mediating effect in the relationship between mathematics anxiety and learned helplessness.
How does Cultural Norms Influence Entrepreneurial Intention? A Cross Cultural Study

Entrepreneurial Intention is commonly attributed to the interaction of cultural values and attitude; however, cultural values vary according to the context in which they are developed. The following study intends to show how Subjective Norms affect intentions of self-employment, as both, a direct factor and mediated through attitudinal values: Perceived Behavioral Control and Desirability, within a cross-cultural framework. A sample of 736 students from four different countries: Spain, Portugal, Mexico and India were used. Results yielded a direct relationship between Subjective Norm and Intention in all countries, except India. When mediated through attitude, the relation becomes stronger, even more when it’s through Desirability, except in Portugal, which the relationship is stronger directly through Social Norms. India does not show a relationship between Perceived Behavioral Control and Intention. Conclusions show that the influence of culture on intention, effectively, varies by context.
Effects of the Authentic Leadership Style on Job Satisfaction in Subordinate Employees

Effects of the Authentic Leadership Style on Job Satisfaction in Subordinate Employees by Theodosia Yvette Pope BS, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1991 BS, Virginia Commonwealth University, 2001 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy College of Social and Behavioral Sciences/Psychology Walden University May 2018