Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Using linguistic performance to measure problem-solving

The Accounting Education Change Commission (AECC) and the large international accounting firms have all emphasized that accountants must be able to work with unstructured problems to be successful in today's business environment. Measures of this ability are essential if accounting educators are to assist students in improving their abilities to work with unstructured problems. However, there appears to be no measure that has been widely accepted as being the ‘best’ measure. This study considers whether two linguistic performance measures might be usable by accounting educators for this purpose. We use data obtained from a student assessment centre to consider two measures of linguistic performance, idea density and grammatical complexity. We incorporate five criteria in deciding whether these measures could be usable: (1) whether the measures are related to students' performance when solving unstructured problems; (2) whether the measures distinguish between the ability to work with unstructured compared to structured problems; (3) ease of obtaining necessary information from students; (4) ease of scoring, and (5) robustness of the findings after considering other variables that may have an effect. Our results indicate that subjects' linguistic performance as measured by idea density meets these five criteria. However, grammatical complexity is not related to performance for either type of problem. These results were found even after controlling for the effects of other variables such as grade point average (GPA), experience, and personality variables. Because the measures can be obtained from virtually any written work produced by students, the information to be scored is relatively easy to obtain. Scoring is also relatively straightforward.
Investigation of Historical Egyptian Textile using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) - a case study

This paper evaluates the use of Laser Induced Breakdown Spectrosopy (LIBS) for the analysis of Egyptian historical textiles. The chemical information provided by LIBS, as well as the detrimental effects of laser-induced damages were studied as a function of laser energy and the number of laser pulses used for analysis. The main elements in the metal fibers were Cu, Au, Ag, Cr, Mn, Zn and Ca. The results obtained through LIBS were confirmed by Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled to Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX). The damage of the metal threads after LIBS application was monitored by SEM and Optical Microscopy. The textile samples used were obtained from the museum of the Faculty of Applied Arts, Helwan University, Egypt.
Students' evaluations of teaching effectiveness: a structural modelling approach

Background. While studies of students' evaluations of teaching effectiveness (SETEs) have a long history in the United States, few studies have been carried out with United Kingdom students. Aims. This paper examines the utility of using a questionnaire approach to assess teaching effectiveness with United Kingdom students. Structural modelling was used to examine perceived relationships between teacher, course and student characteristics. Sample. A total of 1708 full-time undergraduate students undertaking degrees in health and social science courses at the University of Ulster participated in the study. Method. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses and structural modelling techniques (LISREL 8) were employed to investigate participants' responses to the Teaching Effectiveness Survey, a measure of students' evaluations of teaching effectiveness. Results. Perceived Teaching Quality was found to be related to course characteristics. Teacher, course and student characteristics together explained 88 per cent of the variance in students' Overall Evaluations with Teaching Quality, course and student characteristics explaining 42 per cent, 18 per cent and 28 per cent respectively. Conclusion. The results suggest that questionnaire items derived from American studies can be used effectively with United Kingdom students. Students' perceptions of overall course effectiveness were found to be dependent on student and course characteristics as well as teacher inputs.
Determination of pelvic limb alignment in the large-breed dog: a cadaveric radiographic study in the frontal plane.

OBJECTIVES To report a method for radiographic determination of the mechanical axis of the canine pelvic limb and its relationship to the joints and bone axes. To report reference ranges for the relationships between the axes of the pelvic limb and for joint position relative to the pelvic limb axis. STUDY DESIGN Cadaveric radiographic anatomic study. ANIMALS Pelvic limbs (n=101) from normal midsized to large breed dogs; tibiae (n=105) from dogs with cranial cruciate ligament disease (previous study). METHODS Extended full-limb radiography was performed and images analyzed to determine: mechanical joint reference angles (femur, tibia), pelvic limb axis, tibiofemoral and metatarsotibial angle, mechanical axis-femur/metatarsus angle, and mechanical axis deviation (MAD) of the stifle/tarsus. RESULTS Mean mechanical angles were: lateral proximal femoral (103.7 degrees +/-5.4 degrees ), lateral distal femoral (98.6 degrees +/-2.5 degrees ), medial proximal tibial (92.2 degrees +/-1.8 degrees ), medial distal tibial (95.9 degrees +/-2.2 degrees ), tibiofemoral (9.1 degrees varus +/-2.8 degrees ), metatarsotibial (0.6 degrees valgus +/-2.1 degrees ). Mean mechanical axis-femur and-metatarsus angles were 5.6 degrees (+/-1.7 degrees ) and 2.9 degrees (+/-1.5 degrees ), respectively. Mean MAD of the stifle and tarsus were 3.6% (+/-1.1%) and 1.2% (+/-0.6%), respectively. Tibial angles were not different between dogs with and without cranial cruciate ligament disease. CONCLUSIONS Mechanical axes of the canine pelvic limb and their relationship to the joints can be determined by full-limb radiography. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Techniques and reference ranges may be useful for diagnosis, surgical planning, and postoperative assessment of pelvic limb deformities.
Newborn Infants' Visual Responses to Square Wave Gratings.

vironment. Using the visual preference method, with paired stimulus presentation, 3 major conclusions result from the 4 experiments: (1) When the subjects are shown horizontal stripes, checkerboard patterns, and vertical stripes, with the stimuli equated for the amount of contour they contain, a strong ordering of preference is found such that H > Ch > V; (2) newborns will prefer horizontal to vertical square wave gratings over a range of spatial frequencies; (3) when presented with gratings of the same orientation, a preference for an intermediate range of spatial frequencies is found. It seems likely that these findings are determined by the activation of cells that respond optimally to a fairly narrow range of spatial frequencies, and by an orienting response associated with eye movement tendencies; these 2 effects act additively in determining the preferences found. The results show further that newborn babies are able to select among visual stimuli with great consistency. The implications of the present findings for developing visual function are discussed.
Immunophenotyping of mast cells: a sensitive and specific diagnostic tool for systemic mastocytosis.

INTRODUCTION The diagnosis of systemic mastocytosis (SM) is based on a combination of major and minor criteria. Flow cytometric detection of aberrant expression of CD2 and/or CD25 on CD117-positive mast cells is one of the minor criteria used. In the present study we examined the sensitivity and specificity of mast cell immunophenotyping in the diagnosis of SM. MATERIAL AND METHODS Patients were 36 persons with SM diagnosed according to WHO criteria. Controls were 31 patients without SM. Immunophenotyping was performed according to published guidelines. RESULTS All patients with SM were positive for CD2 and/or CD25. All patients without SM , except one, were negative for these markers. The sensitivity for immunophenotyping was 100%, the specificity 91%. The positive and negative predictive values were 97% and 100% respectively. CONCLUSION Immunophenotyping of bone marrow derived mast cells is not only a very sensitive but also a very specific method to diagnose SM with high positive and negative predictive value.
Resistance to fracture of restored endodontically treated teeth.

Abstract Endodontically treated teeth were restored by 8 different methods. Copper rings were filled with commercial hard setting cement and the teeth were placed into the cement to the level of the cemento-enamel junction. The teeth were grouped according to restorative methods, mounted in an Instron T.T. machine and subjected to a slowly increasing compressive force until fracture occurred. The force of fracture for each tooth was recorded and the results in the various groups compared. All teeth fractured in a similar manner, irrespective of restorative method used. Preparation of a post space in the roots significantly weakened the teeth. Cementation of a steel parapost with zinc oxyphosphate cement did not significantly strengthen the teeth. Filling the post space and the access cavity with a composite resin following acid etching of the root canal and cavity walls strengthened the teeth more than other methods used to restore them. This finding may be of clinical importance, for instance in the restoration of endodontically treated young teeth with incomplete root formation and wide root canals.
An Assessment of Chronic Regulatory Focus Measures

Prior consumer research has demonstrated the ability of promotion and prevention regulatory orientations to moderate a variety of consumer and marketing phenomena but also has used several different methods to measure chronic regulatory focus. This article assesses five chronic regulatory focus measures using the criteria of theoretical coverage, internal consistency, homogeneity, stability, and predictive ability. The results reveal a lack of convergence among the measures and variation in their performance along these criteria. The authors provide specific guidance for choosing a particular measure in regulatory focus research and suggest a composite measure.
Superhero Toys and Boys' Physically Active and Imaginative Play

Abstract The influence of superhero versus nonsuperhero toys on boys' physically active and imaginative play was studied in 29 dyads (n = 58 middle-class preschool boys; M age = 54.95 mos, SD = 5.28 mos). Each dyad participated in two play sessions: 1) superhero toys (media related) and 2) nonsuperhero (nonmedia related) toys. Dyads were observed for the frequency and quality of roles, themes, level of physical activity in their play, and aggression. Parents reported on their children's favorite television shows. Results indicated that dyads engaged in more character/fictive (media related) roles in the superhero condition and more frequent familial, occupational, exploration, and no roles in the nonsuperhero condition. Dyads were more physically active in the nonsuperhero than superhero condition, and no aggression or violence was observed in either play session. Findings are discussed in light of children's development and implications for educators and parents.
The economic crisis and its implications on same-culture identities and the therapeutic relationship

Although the need for multicultural competencies has been well documented, very few studies show the effect of the economic crisis or other socio-political events on the therapeutic relationship. Furthermore, usually studies focus on the need to be aware of ‘the other’ and research on the implications of same-culture dyads is scant. The case of Greece is particularly interesting because of the peculiarities of the Greek national identity and its connection to the country’s socio-political past. Furthermore, the economic crisis together with the social and political upheaval has had a significant impact on the Greek identity. We argue that practitioners in Greece are products of a mono-cultural society and they should be empowered to develop awareness of their personal and cultural identity in order to be able to freely interact with the identities of others. This paper makes specific suggestions about increasing awareness and reflexivity in psychotherapeutic practice and training programmes. The authors highlight the need for research to investigate the multifaceted impact of the economic crisis on the identity of the practitioner and the therapeutic relationship in Greece. We hope that this paper invites further discussions among Greek and international practitioners.
Myofibrillar and collagen protein synthesis in human skeletal muscle in young men after maximal shortening and lengthening contractions.

We aimed to determine whether there were differences in the extent and time course of skeletal muscle myofibrillar protein synthesis (MPS) and muscle collagen protein synthesis (CPS) in human skeletal muscle in an 8.5-h period after bouts of maximal muscle shortening (SC; average peak torque = 225 +/- 7 N.m, means +/- SE) or lengthening contractions (LC; average peak torque = 299 +/- 18 N.m) with equivalent work performed in each mode. Eight healthy young men (21.9 +/- 0.6 yr, body mass index 24.9 +/- 1.3 kg/m2) performed 6 sets of 10 maximal unilateral LC of the knee extensors on an isokinetic dynamometer. With the contralateral leg, they then performed 6 sets of maximal unilateral SC with work matched to the total work performed during LC (10.9 +/- 0.7 vs. 10.9 +/- 0.8 kJ, P = 0.83). After exercise, the participants consumed small intermittent meals to provide 0.1 g.kg(-1). h(-1) of protein and carbohydrate. Prior exercise elevated MPS above rest in both conditions, but there was a more rapid rise after LC (P < 0.01). The increases (P < 0.001) in CPS above rest were identical for both SC and LC and likely represent a remodeling of the myofibrillar basement membrane. Therefore, a more rapid rise in MPS after maximal LC could translate into greater protein accretion and muscle hypertrophy during chronic resistance training utilizing maximal LC.
Information value of Multiple Response questions

Answers to Multiple Response (MR) questions carry more information than we usually utilize. Simple idea that all options of MR questions should be scored as independent test items has two major difficulties: 1) false options have item-response characteristics that are hard to model and use with other items; and 2) responses to individual options within the same MR question could be too dependent on each other. These difficulties lead to an overestimation of item discrimination and test information function. A few scoring methods that could increase information value obtained from MR questions are proposed and evaluated in this paper.
[Ginsenoside Rh2 inhibits proliferation and promotes apoptosis of leukemia KG1-α cells].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of ginsenoside Rh2 on leukemia KG1-α cells. METHODS KG1-α cells were cultured in 96-well plate and harvested in the exponential phase. The cells were induced in the presence of different concentrations of Rg1, Rb1, Rh2 respectively for 24, 48, 72 hours. The conventional culture was performed in blank control group, and cytarabine hydrochloride as the positive control. The inhibitory effects of ginsenoside Rb1, Rg1, Rh2 on the growth of KG1-α cells were tested by CCK-8 assay. Then the most efficient ginsenoside was chosen for the further study by IC50. The effects of the ginsenoside Rh2 on cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry (FCM) combined with PI staining and annexin V-FITC/PI, respectively. The expressions of P53, P21, cyclin D1 and cleaved-caspase-3 were examined by Western blotting. RESULTS CCK-8 assay results showed that IC50 of ginsenoside Rh2, ginsenoside Rb1, ginsenoside Rg1 and cytarabine were 75, 207, 268, 1058 μmol/L, respectively. Compared with those in blank control group, the KG1-α cells after treated with 75 μmol/L ginsenoside Rh2 showed up-regulated apoptosis rates from (5.37±0.02)% to (8.37±0.015)% at 24 hours and to (33.22±1.67)% at 48 hours (P<0.05). In addition, the percentage of cells in G0/G1 phase increased significantly from (26.78±3.14)% to (29.26±2.31)% at 24 hours and to (44.77±2.26)% at 48 hours, and the percentage in S phase decreased significantly from (65.43±2.22)% to (51.46±0.57)% and (48.29±1.80)%, respectively. The expression levels of cleaved-caspase 3, P53 and P21 proteins went up significantly when the cells were treated with 75 μmol/L Rh2(P<0.05), meanwhile cyclin D1 protein dropped significantly (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Ginsenoside Rh2 could inhibit the proliferation of KG1-α cell and prompt its apoptosis.
Apparent digestibility and retention of nutrients bound to phytate complexes as influenced by microbial phytase and feeding regimen in pigs.

Five barrows of approximately 45 kg BW, fitted with post-valvular T-cecum cannulas at the ileo-cecal junction, were assigned randomly to five treatments (5 x 5 Latin square design) to assess the effect of microbial phytase and feeding regimen (frequency and level) on the apparent digestibilities (total tract [ATTD] and ileal [AID]) and retention of nutrients. A corn-tapioca-soybean meal diet of low intrinsic phytase activity, containing no added inorganic P, was fed either without or with microbial phytase from Aspergillus niger var. Van Tieghem (800 phytase units/kg of diet) at different feeding frequencies (once, twice, or seven times per day) and feeding levels (2.3 vs 2.8 times the maintenance requirement for ME, i.e., 418 kJ ME/BW.75). Microbial phytase enhanced significantly the ATTD of DM, OM, CP, Ca, total P, and amino acids (except for cystine and proline). Also, the AID of total P, phytic acid, methionine, and arginine was increased (P < .05 or .01). As a consequence of adding this enzyme, the retention (grams/day) of N, Ca, and P was greater (P < .01) and their daily excretion was diminished by 5.5, 2.2, and 1.9 g/d, respectively. The feeding level exerted a minor effect on the ATTD and AID (except for methionine and cystine), although the retention (grams/day) of N, Ca, and P was greater (P < .01) at the higher level of feeding. The feeding frequency influenced significantly the ATTD of Ca, tryptophan, and isoleucine and the AID of phytic acid, cystine, arginine, isoleucine, and phenylalanine. Also, N retention (grams/day) was reduced in pigs fed once daily (P < .01).
Moral motivation in defending classmates victimized by bullying

The study addresses factors that relate to defending of classmates victimized by bullying in early adolescence. Specifically, it examines whether moral motivation—measured as a combination of emotion attributions and their justifications in response to a hypothetical transgression—predicts defending in context of gender, social preference, perceived popularity and teacher support. We gathered single-time-point data on a sample of 512 sixth-graders (aged 11–13 years). A three-step hierarchical regression analysis showed that defending was positively predicted by: (1) moral motivation, when gender, social preference, perceived popularity and teacher support were accounted for; (2) interaction between moral motivation and social preference, when all other independent variables were accounted for. Simple slopes indicated that increased social preference strengthened the link between moral motivation and defending. The full model explained 40.5% of the variance in defending. The findings underscore the relevance of morality and its interplay with social preference in understanding defending.
Elastic fracture in random materials.

We analyze a simple model of elastic failure in randomly inhomogeneous materials such as minerals and ceramics. We study a two-dimensional triangular lattice with nearest-neighbor harmonic springs. The springs are present with probability p. The springs can only withstand a small strain before they fail completely and irreversibly. The applied breakdown stress in a large, but finite, sample tends to zero as the fraction of springs in the material approaches the rigidity percolation threshold. The average initial breakdown stress, sigma/sub b/, behaves as sigma/sup . mu. //sub b/approx. =(A(p)+B(p)ln(L))/sup -1/, where L is the linear dimension of the system and the exponent . mu. is between 1 and 2. The coefficient B(p) diverges as p approaches the rigidity percolation threshold. The breakdown-stress distribution function F/sub L/(sigma) has the form F/sub L/(sigma)approx. =1-exp(-cL/sup 2/exp(-k/sigma/sup .mu./)). The parameters c and k are constants characteristic of the microscopic properties of the system. The parameter k tends to zero at the rigidity percolation threshold. These predictions are verified by computer simulations of random lattices. The breakdown process can continue until a macroscopic elastic failure occurs in the system. The failure occurs in two steps. First, a number of springs fail at approximately the strain which causes themore » initial failure. This results in a system which has zero elastic modulus. Finally, at a considerably larger strain a macroscopic crack forms across the entire sample. « less
Apoptosis restores cellular density by eliminating a physiologically or genetically induced excess of enterocytes in the Drosophila midgut

Using pathogens or high levels of opportunistic bacteria to damage the gut, studies in Drosophila have identified many signaling pathways involved in gut regeneration. Dying cells emit signaling molecules that accelerate intestinal stem cell proliferation and progenitor differentiation to replace the dying cells quickly. This process has been named ‘regenerative cell death’. Here, mimicking environmental conditions, we show that the ingestion of low levels of opportunistic bacteria was sufficient to launch an accelerated cellular renewal program despite the brief passage of bacteria in the gut and the absence of cell death and this is is due to the moderate induction of the JNK pathway that stimulates stem cell proliferation. Consequently, the addition of new differentiated cells to the gut epithelium, without preceding cell loss, leads to enterocyte overcrowding. Finally, we show that a couple of days later, the correct density of enterocytes is promptly restored by means of a wave of apoptosis involving Hippo signaling and preferential removal of old enterocytes. Highlighted article: Ingestion of low amounts of bacteria induces a mild early stress response that triggers the proliferation of Drosophila midgut stem cells, with excess cells then eliminated by apoptosis.