Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Degree Thesis

: This study examines the perception of Mandarin lexical tones by native speakers of Greek who are naïve to Mandarin. Being able to discriminate between Mandarin lexical tones is essential for effective and accurate communication in the language. While there is an increasing number of research studying the perception of Mandarin tone by speakers from various backgrounds, the Greek language has not received much attention. By employing an AXB discrimination task, this study tested the perception of Mandarin tone pairs T1-T2, T1-T4, and T2-T3 by native speakers of Greek. Due to their acoustic similarity, these three pairs are often found to be the most confusing tone contrasts for non-native listeners of Mandarin. Greek speakers (NG) had the highest accuracy for T1-T2 (0.88), and similar accuracy rates for T1-T4 (0.83) and T2-T3 (0.82). Subsequently, the Greek speakers were divided into two groups based on their experience with learning or playing a musical instrument, as this is a factor that has been shown to affect tone perception. Compared to non-musicians (NG1), the group of musicians (NG2) had higher accuracy rates for T1-T2 and T1-T4, and a similar accuracy rate for T2-T3. For NG1, from easiest to hardest, the accuracy rates were: T1-T2(0.93)>T1-T4(0.92)>T2-T3(0.82). For NG2, the accuracy rates were: T2-T3(0.82) ≥ T1-T2(0.82)>T1-T4(0.74). These findings could improve our understanding in regard to the factors that can affect the perception of Mandarin lexical tone by native Greek speakers, which might contribute to language pedagogy.
Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the Cognitive Science Society

Explicit similarity judgments tend to emphasize relational information more than do difference judgments. We propose and test the hypothesis that this asymmetry arises because human reasoners represent the relation different as the negation of the relation same , so that processing difference is more cognitively demanding than processing similarity. For both verbal comparisons between word pairs, and visual comparisons between sets of geometric shapes, we asked participants to select which of two options was either more similar to or more different from a standard. On unambiguous trials, one option was unambiguously more similar to the standard; on ambiguous trials, one option was more featurally similar to the standard, whereas the other was more relationally similar. Given the higher cognitive complexity of assessing relational similarity, we predicted that detecting relational difference would be particularly demanding. We found that participants (1) had more difficulty accurately detecting relational difference than they did relational similarity on unambiguous trials, and (2) tended to emphasize relational information more when judging similarity than when judging difference on ambiguous trials. The latter finding was captured by a computational model of comparison that weights relational information more heavily for similarity than for difference judgments. Our results provide convergent evidence for a representational asymmetry between the relations same and different.
Identification of Immunogenic and Serum Binding Proteins of Staphylococcus epidermidis

ABSTRACT Staphylococcus epidermidis is a commensal of human skin and a leading cause of nosocomial bloodstream infections. Limited information is available about S. epidermidis proteins that are expressed upon transition to the bloodstream or those involved in host-pathogen interactions. A cell surface fraction from S. epidermidis 0-47 grown in rabbit serum to mimic environmental signals encountered during a bloodstream infection was separated by two-dimensional (2D) gel electrophoresis. Following 2D separation, the proteins were transferred to nitrocellulose and detected with either pooled sera generated in rabbits immunized with live S. epidermidis 0-47 or with biotin-labeled serum proteins eluted from the surface of bacteria grown in rabbit serum. Twenty-nine immunoreactive or serum binding proteins of S. epidermidis were identified by mass spectrometry. Twenty-seven of the corresponding genes were expressed in Escherichia coli, and the purified recombinant proteins were used to immunize mice. In a preliminary screen, 12 of the 27 recombinant proteins induced a response that reduced the number of bacteria recovered from the spleen or bloodstream of infected mice. In subsequent vaccination studies, 5 of the 12 proteins resulted in a statistically significant reduction in the number of bacteria. The identification of five candidate vaccine antigens from the initial screen of only 29 proteins demonstrates the utility of this approach.
[Influence of post-core on the strength of endodontically treated and crowned teeth].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the influence of post-core structure on the strength of endodontically treated and crowned teeth with or without a 2.0 mm dentine ferrule. METHODS A total of 60 recently extracted human maxillary central incisors were endodontically treated and randomly divided into five groups of 12. They were given following treatments: Group A, endodontically treated; Group B, endodontically treated and crowned (PFM); Group C, cast metal post-core with 2.0 mm dentine ferrule and crowned (PFM); Group D, cast metal post-core with no dentine ferrule and crowned (PFM); Group E, prefabricated post and composite core with 2.0 mm dentine ferrule and crowned (PFM). All specimens were stored at 100% humidity at room temperature for 30 days before testing. Each specimen was in a special jig on the MTS 810 universal material testing machine and subjected to a load at a 135-degree angle to the long axis until failure, with crosshead speed of 0.02 cm/minute. Analysis of variance followed by the Newman-Keuls pairwise multiple comparison tests was used to compare the results. RESULTS There was a statistically significant difference between different restorative methods. The cast metal post-core with 2.0 mm dentine ferrule and crowned teeth had the highest fracture strength (1793.59 +/- 387.93N), followed by endodontically treated intact teeth (1466.68 +/- 240.11N). No significant difference in the fracture strength was found among the other three groups (958.49 +/- 286.02N; 992.98 +/- 291.00N; 994.94 +/- 285.04 N). There was a statistically significant difference in the fracture resistance between crowned teeth with and without 2.0 mm dentine ferrule (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Not all post-core structure could improve the strength of endodontically treated teeth. The dentine ferrule can effectively improve the fracture resistance of endodontically treated and crowned teeth.
Trends in Management of Phlegmasia Cerulea Dolens

Phlegmasia cerulea dolens (PCD) is a fulminant condition of acute massive venous thrombosis that may result in major amputation or death unless treated in an early phase. Guidelines for treatment are still not clearly documented. As a consequence, physicians might have limited knowledge of this potential life-threatening condition and its clinical course. Therefore, the purpose of this review was to analyze and summarize clinical manifestations and proposed diagnostic approach, factors that affect the outcome of PCD, and the evolution of management and therapeutic options. Underlying malignancy, pulmonary embolism, and PCD severity are the vital factors that predict the outcome of PCD. In the last decades, treatment options have remained largely unchanged. Published evidence shows that advances in minimally invasive techniques have not yet resulted in outcome improvements compared with traditional surgical thrombectomy. Treatment seems to depend on grading the severity of this condition and experience of the surgeon.
Brazilian Savanna Fruits Contain Higher Bioactive Compounds Content and Higher Antioxidant Activity Relative to the Conventional Red Delicious Apple

The bioactive compounds content and the antioxidant activity (AA) of twelve fruits native to the Cerrado were compared with the Red Delicious apple by means of the antiradical efficiency (using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazil assay/DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and the β-carotene/linoleic system. The antiradical efficiency (AE) and the kinetic parameters (Efficient concentration/EC50 and time needed to reach the steady state to EC50 concentration/TEC50) of the DPPH curve were also evaluated for comparison with the Trolox equivalent (TE) values. A strong, significant and positive correlation was observed between the TE and AE values, whereas a weak and negative correlation was observed between TE and EC50, suggesting that the values of AE and TE are more useful for the determination of antiradical activity in fruits than the widely used EC50. The total phenolic content found in the fruits corresponded positively to their antioxidant activity. The high content of bioactive compounds (flavanols, anthocyanins or vitamin C) relative to the apple values found in araticum, cagaita, cajuzinho, jurubeba, lobeira, magaba and tucum corresponded to the high antioxidant activity of these fruits. Flavanols and anthocyanins may be the main bioactive components in these Cerrado fruits. The daily consumption of at least seven of the twelve Cerrado fruits studied, particularly, araticum, cagaita, lobeira and tucum, may confer protection against oxidative stress, and thus, they may prevent chronic diseases and premature aging. The findings of this study should stimulate demand, consumption and cultivation of Cerrado fruits and result in sustainable development of the region where this biome dominates.
Detection of atrial fibrillation with seismocardiography

In this paper we study the feasibility of seismocardiography (SCG) for the detection of Atrial Fibrillation (AF). In this preclinical study, data acquired from one patient having paroxysmal AF (no other heart diseases) is used to introduce specific changes in SCG signal due to AF. Observed changes and phenomena create a foundation for the development of SCG-based AF detection algorithms. SCG data was recorded from the sternum of an AF patient in dorso-ventral direction while at rest in a supine position using a three-axis high precision MEMS accelerometer simultaneously with a one-lead ECG. In contrast to ECG, the magnitude of beats registered with SCG varies considerably from beat to beat during AF. We show that the magnitude of the beats is not random but is in relation to beat intervals. It is shown that extra indicators for detecting AF become available when SCG data is combined with electrocardiographical (ECG) data; there is a certain behavior in the electromechanical delay characteristic of the AF. It is discussed how all this information can be taken advantage of in the detection of AF. Today electrocardiography (ECG) is the primary method for diagnosing arrhythmias, but there is a growing need for simpler and more convenient method for detecting asymptomatic AF. Given the very small dimensions of modern MEMS accelerometers (2mm×2mm), a reliable MEMS based measurement may provide totally new venues for arrhythmia detection.
Intermittent hypoxia increases kidney tumor vascularization in a murine model of sleep apnea

We investigate the effects of intermittent hypoxia (IH), a characteristic feature of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), on renal cancer progression in an animal and cell model. An in vivo mouse model (Balb/c, n = 50) of kidney cancer was used to assess the effect of IH on tumor growth, metastatic capacity, angiogenesis and tumor immune response. An in vitro model tested the effect of IH on RENCA cells, macrophages and endothelial cells. Tumor growth, metastatic capacity, circulating vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and content of endothelial cells, tumor associated macrophages and their phenotype were assessed in the tumor. In vitro, VEGF cell expression was quantified.Although IH did not boost tumor growth, it significantly increased endothelial cells (p = 0.001) and circulating VEGF (p<0.001) in the in vivo model. Macrophages exposed to IH in vitro increased VEGF expression, whereas RENCA cells and endothelial cells did not. These findings are in keeping with previous clinical data suggesting that OSA has no effect on kidney cancer size and that the association observed between OSA and higher Fuhrman grade of renal cell carcinoma may be mediated though a proangiogenic process, with a key role of macrophages.
Toric Degenerations of Weight Varieties and Applications

We show that a weight variety, which is a quotient of a flag variety by the maximal torus, admits a flat degeneration to a toric variety. In particular, we show that the moduli spaces of spatial polygons degenerate to polarized toric varieties with the moment polytopes defined by the lengths of their diagonals. We extend these results to more general Flaschka-Millson hamiltonians on the quotients of products of projective spaces. We also study boundary toric divisors and certain real loci.
On the Severity of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Diabetes or Metabolic Syndrome

Background and Purpose Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common entrapment neuropathy. Although its etiology is unknown, certain conditions are commonly associated with CTS, such as obesity, arthritis, hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, trauma, mass lesions, amyloidosis, and sarcoidosis. We aimed to determine the association between metabolic syndrome and CTS, and we compared the severity of CTS between patients with diabetes (and no concomitant metabolic syndrome) and patients with metabolic syndrome. Methods Two hundred patients with a clinically and electrophysiological confirmed diagnosis of CTS were included in the study. Their demographic characteristics and severity of CTS were analyzed according to the presence or the absence of metabolic syndrome. Differences in the electrophysiological findings were evaluated between the following four groups: 1) metabolic syndrome alone (n=52), 2) diabetes alone (n=20), 3) combined metabolic syndrome and diabetes (n=44), and 4) no metabolic syndrome or diabetes (n=84). Results CTS was more severe in the patients with metabolic syndrome than those without this syndrome. The electrophysiological findings were worse in patients with metabolic syndrome alone than in those with diabetes alone and those without diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Conclusions CTS appears to be more severe in patients with metabolic syndrome than patients with diabetes. Diabetes is one of the well-known risk factors for CTS, but other components of metabolic syndrome may have a greater effect on the severity of CTS.
The influence of islamic banking digital service quality on intention to continue using islamic banking: a case of Indonesia

Research aims: Technological advances impact every aspect of daily life, including in Islamic banking. To keep its customers, the Islamic banking industry continues improving the quality of its digital services. Using the DBSQual model, this research aims to examine the quality of Islamic banking digital services, which encompasses seven dimensions: application architecture, application efficiency, responsiveness, user-friendliness, security, reliability, and personalization, towards the intention to continue using Islamic banking.Design/Methodology/Approach: The population of this research was Islamic bank customers in Indonesia. The sample was then selected based on the criteria of Islamic bank customers using mobile banking services. Data collection was carried out by distributing questionnaires developed from previous research. To validate the questionnaire, consultations were conducted with four survey accounting experts. Also, a pilot study was performed. Hypothesis testing was then done using the Structural Equation Modelling technique based on Partial Least Square (PLS-SEM). Research findings: The results demonstrated that three dimensions of digital service quality significantly influenced the intention to continue using Islamic banks, namely application efficiency, security, and reliability. Meanwhile, the dimensions of application architecture and responsiveness had no effect.Theoretical contribution/Originality: This study covers the gap related to empirical studies that examine the role of digital service quality development on intentions to continue using Islamic banking services.
There’s No Comparison: Reference-less Evaluation Metrics in Grammatical Error Correction

Current methods for automatically evaluating grammatical error correction (GEC) systems rely on gold-standard references. However, these methods suffer from penalizing grammatical edits that are correct but not in the gold standard. We show that reference-less grammaticality metrics correlate very strongly with human judgments and are competitive with the leading reference-based evaluation metrics. By interpolating both methods, we achieve state-of-the-art correlation with human judgments. Finally, we show that GEC metrics are much more reliable when they are calculated at the sentence level instead of the corpus level. We have set up a CodaLab site for benchmarking GEC output using a common dataset and different evaluation metrics.
Defragmenting the Module Layout of a Partially Reconfigurable Device

Modern generations of field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) allow for partial reconfiguration. In an online context, where the sequence of modules to be loaded on the FPGA is unknown beforehand, repeated insertion and deletion of modules leads to progressive fragmentation of the available space, making defragmentation an important issue. We address this problem by propose an online and an offline component for the defragmentation of the available space. We consider defragmenting the module layout on a reconfigurable device. This corresponds to solving a twodimensional strip packing problem. Problems of this type are NP-hard in the strong sense, and previous algorithmic results are rather limited. Based on a graph-theoretic characterization of feasible packings, we develop a method that can solve two-dimensional defragmentation instances of practical size to optimality. Our approach is validated for a set of benchmark instances.
Spatial Attention, Precision, and Bayesian Inference: A Study of Saccadic Response Speed

Inferring the environment's statistical structure and adapting behavior accordingly is a fundamental modus operandi of the brain. A simple form of this faculty based on spatial attentional orienting can be studied with Posner's location-cueing paradigm in which a cue indicates the target location with a known probability. The present study focuses on a more complex version of this task, where probabilistic context (percentage of cue validity) changes unpredictably over time, thereby creating a volatile environment. Saccadic response speed (RS) was recorded in 15 subjects and used to estimate subject-specific parameters of a Bayesian learning scheme modeling the subjects' trial-by-trial updates of beliefs. Different response models—specifying how computational states translate into observable behavior—were compared using Bayesian model selection. Saccadic RS was most plausibly explained as a function of the precision of the belief about the causes of sensory input. This finding is in accordance with current Bayesian theories of brain function, and specifically with the proposal that spatial attention is mediated by a precision-dependent gain modulation of sensory input. Our results provide empirical support for precision-dependent changes in beliefs about saccade target locations and motivate future neuroimaging and neuropharmacological studies of how Bayesian inference may determine spatial attention.
Application of nanoparticles for oral delivery of acid-labile lansoprazole in the treatment of gastric ulcer: in vitro and in vivo evaluations

The aim of this study was to develop nanoparticles for oral delivery of an acid-labile drug, lansoprazole (LPZ), for gastric ulcer therapy. LPZ-loaded positively charged Eudragit® RS100 nanoparticles (ERSNPs-LPZ) and negatively charged poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles (PLGANPs-LPZ) were prepared. The effect of charge on nanoparticle deposition in ulcerated and non-ulcerated regions of the stomach was investigated. The cellular uptake of nanoparticles in the intestine was evaluated in a Caco-2 cell model. The pharmacokinetic performance and ulcer healing response of LPZ-loaded nanoparticles following oral administration were evaluated in Wistar rats with induced ulcers. The prepared drug-loaded ERSNPs-LPZ and PLGANPs-LPZ possessed opposite surface charge (+38.5±0.3 mV versus −27.3±0.3 mV, respectively) and the particle size was around 200 nm with a narrow size distribution. The negatively charged PLGANPs adhered more readily to the ulcerated region (7.22%±1.21% per cm2), whereas the positively charged ERSNPs preferentially distributed in the non-ulcerated region (8.29%±0.35% per cm2). Both ERSNPs and PLGANPs were prominent uptake in Caco-2 cells, too. The nanoparticles sustained and prolonged LPZ concentrations up to 24 hours, and the half-life and mean residence time of LPZ were prolonged by 3.5-fold and 4.5-fold, respectively, as compared with LPZ solution. Oral administration of LPZ-loaded nanoparticles healed 92.6%–95.7% of gastric ulcers in Wistar rats within 7 days.
Exploring youth’s satisfaction with Bicol Police Programs and activities in the Philippines

Filipino youths are considered the most valuable resource of the country comprising more than 40 percent of the total Philippine population. This descriptive-correlational study determined the satisfaction level of the 141 samples of young Bicolanos (81 were males and 60 were females) with the Philippine National Police (PNP)’s programs and activities. The multi-stage sampling designs were used to ensure representative samples from each of the six provinces in the Bicol region, Philippines. The gathered quantitative and qualitative data from a validated questionnaire revealed that Bicol youth respondents are generally satisfied with the PNP’s programs and activities in the campaign against criminality, the campaign against illegal drugs, public safety, and public security. The youth respondents in the region felt that they were publicly safe and secure when they observed the PNP’s visible campaigns against criminality and illegal drugs. The paper recommends promoting and enhancing programs and partnerships with the community involving the youth sector such as the out-of-school youth, students, and young professionals.
Prediction of trapping efficiency of vortex tube ejector

Abstract Vortex tube ejector is employed to extract sediments from canal. It consists of a duct laid across whole bed of the canal with a slit along its top edge and compared to the other alternative sediment-extraction devices, it is very efficient and economical. In this study, adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS), artificial neural network (ANN) approaches were employed to predict the trapping efficiency of vortex tube ejector. Data-set as many as 144 was obtained by conducting experiments on vortex ejector. Out of 144 data-set, 100 data selected randomly were used for training whereas remaining 44 were used for testing the models. Input data-set consists of sediment size (mm), concentration of sediment (ppm), ratio of slit thickness and diameter of tube, (t/d) and extraction ratio (%) whereas trapping efficiency (%) was considered as output. Three membership’s functions, i.e. triangular, generalized bell-shaped, and Gaussian were used with ANFIS. A comparison of results suggests that Gaussian membership function-based ANFIS model performs well in comparison to other membership functions-based ANFIS models, ANN and predictive equations proposed by previous researchers. Sensitivity analyses suggest that extraction ratio is the most important parameter in estimating trapping efficiency of vortex ejector.