Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exploring the Structure of Science Self-efficacy: A Model Built on High School Students’ Conceptions of Learning and Approaches to Learning in Science

This study aimed to investigate the structure of science self-efficacy and proposed a structural model to delineate its relationships with students’ conceptions of learning and approaches to learning in science. Three questionnaires, Conceptions of Learning Science (CLS), Approaches to Learning Science (ALS) and Science Self-Efficacy (SSE), were administered to 321 Taiwan high school students to investigate their self-reports of the three corresponding constructs. The results of structural equation modeling (SEM) confirmed our hypothesis that students’ conceptions of learning science had a direct effect on their approaches to learning science, which in turn contributed to their science self-efficacy. More specifically, the students’ lower-level conceptions of learning science, memorizing, testing and calculating and practicing, exerted positive effects on their surface approaches to learning science, but had negative effects on their deep approaches to learning science. In contrast, students’ higher-level conceptions of learning science, increasing one’s knowledge, applying, understanding and seeing in a new way, could positively induce the deep motive, deep strategy and surface motive to learn science, but prohibited the surface strategy. The students’ deep motive, deep strategy and surface motive, in sequence, were likely to make direct contributions to their science self-efficacy.
Ankle and Foot Kinematics Associated with Stage II PTTD During Stance

Background: Subjects with stage II posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) exhibit abnormal foot kinematics; however, how individual segment kinematics (hindfoot (HF) or first metatarsal (first MET) segments) influence global foot kinematics is unclear. The purpose of this study was to compare foot and ankle kinematics and sagittal plane HF and first MET segment kinematics between stage II PTTD and controls. Materials and Methods: Thirty patients with stage II PTTD and 15 healthy controls were evaluated. Kinematic data from the tibia, calcaneus, and first MET were collected during walking using three dimensional motion analysis techniques. A three-segment foot model (HF, calcaneus; first MET, first metatarsal, and tibia) was used to calculate relative angles (ankle, HF relative to tibia; midfoot, first MET relative to HF) and segment angles (HF and first MET relative to the global). A mixed effect ANOVA model was utilized to compare angles between groups for each variable. Results: Patients with PTTD showed greater ankle plantarflexion (p = 0.02) by 6.8 degrees to 8.4 degrees prior to or at 74% of stance; greater HF eversion (p < 0.01) across stance (mean difference = 4.5 degrees); and greater first MET dorsiflexion (p < 0.01) across stance (mean difference = 8.8 degrees). HF and first MET segment angles revealed greater HF dorsiflexion (p = 0.01) during early stance and greater first MET dorsiflexion (p = 0.001) across stance. Conclusion: Abnormal HF and first MET segment kinematics separately influence both ankle and midfoot movement during walking in subjects with stage II PTTD. Clinical Relevance: These abnormal kinematics may serve as another measure of response to clinical treatment and/or guide for clinical strategies (exercise, orthotics, and surgery) seeking to improve foot kinematics.
Inquiry Based Teaching in Turkey: A Content Analysis of Research Reports.

Inquiry-based learning [IBL] enhances students’ critical thinking abilities and help students to act as a scientist through using scientific method while learning. Specifically, inquiry as a teaching approach has been defined in many ways, the most important one is referred to nature of constructing knowledge while the individuals possess a question about natural worlds and explore the answers for the questions. The aim of this content analysis study was to analyze research related to inquiry based teaching through published research reports in the form of full papers and theses by Turkish researchers. For these purpose national and international journals and data bases were searched and totally 40 studies including 23 papers and 17 theses published in the last ten years were analyzed in terms of methodological approaches used and the subjects studied. Each paper and theses selected for analysis is subjected to a content analysis by using “Paper Classification Form [PCF]” developed by the researchers. The results indicated that studies focused on teaching are most frequent with 77.5%. Regarding the research methods, quantitative approaches were the most common with 72.5 % and 62.5% quasi-experimental research method used widely. Commonly used data collection tools were achievement, aptitude, attitude, perception and personality tests together with alternative assessment tests. Most widely studied samples were selected from the primary level in national papers while undergraduates were most commonly studied groups in the international studies. The findings of this study indicated that inquiry based teaching is a new research area in Turkey and mostly practiced in science and technology education at primary level. This study may help researchers in other areas realizing practicability of inquiry in teaching and apply it into their disciplines.
A quality-based review of randomized controlled trials of cognitive-behavioral therapy for depression: an assessment and metaregression.

OBJECTIVE The authors assessed the methodological quality of randomized controlled trials of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for depression using the Randomized Controlled Trial Psychotherapy Quality Rating Scale (RCT-PQRS). They then compared the quality of CBT trials with that of psychodynamic therapy trials, predicting that CBT trials would have higher quality. The authors also sought to examine the relationship between quality and outcome in the CBT trials. METHOD An independent-samples t test was used to compare CBT and psychodynamic therapy trials for average total quality score. Metaregression was used to examine the relationship between quality score and effect size in the CBT trials. RESULTS A total of 120 trials of CBT for depression met inclusion criteria. Their mean total quality score on the RCT-PQRS was 25.7 (SD=8.90), which falls into the lower range of adequate quality. In contrast to our prediction, no significant difference was observed in overall quality between CBT and psychodynamic therapy trials. Lower quality was related to both larger effect sizes and greater variability of effect sizes when analyzed across all available comparisons to CBT. CONCLUSIONS On average, randomized controlled trials of CBT and of psychodynamic therapy did not differ significantly in quality. In CBT trials, low quality appeared to reduce the reliability and validity of trial results. These findings highlight the importance of discerning quality in individual psychotherapy trials and also point toward specific methodological standards for the future.
Factors Affecting Length of Hospital Stay and Mortality in Infected Diabetic Foot Ulcers Undergoing Surgical Drainage without Major Amputation

This study aimed to investigate factors affecting length of hospital stay and mortality of a specific group of patients with infected diabetic foot ulcer who underwent surgical drainage without major amputation, which is frequently encountered by orthopedic surgeons. Data on length of hospital stay, mortality, demographics, and other medical information were collected for 79 consecutive patients (60 men, 19 women; mean age, 66.1 [SD, 12.3] yr) with infected diabetic foot ulcer who underwent surgical drainage while retaining the heel between October 2003 and May 2013. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to determine factors affecting length of hospital stay, while multiple Cox regression analysis was conducted to assess factors contributing to mortality. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR, P=0.034), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level (P=0.021), body mass index (BMI, P=0.001), and major vascular disease (cerebrovascular accident or coronary artery disease, P=0.004) were significant factors affecting length of hospital stay, whereas age (P=0.005) and serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level (P=0.024) were significant factors contributing to mortality. In conclusion, as prognostic factors, the length of hospital stay was affected by the severity of inflammation, the recent control of blood glucose level, BMI, and major vascular disease, whereas patient mortality was affected by age and renal function in patients with infected diabetic foot ulcer undergoing surgical drainage and antibiotic treatment.
It ’ s What You Don ’ t Like That ’ s Important : Improving Conjoint Analysis by Incorporating Uncertainty

This study provides evidence that the out-of-sample predictive performance of conjoint analysis can be improved by measuring and modeling the uncertainty of preference statements. Preferences are measured in terms of rating scores for products, while uncertainty is considered as an indicator of the stability of preferences. Uncertainty is measured in six different ways and for each of these measures a Hierarchical Bayes model was developed. The models were empirically tested and the results indicate that including uncertainty measures leads to an improvement in out-of-sample predictive performance and the precision of the predictions. The best performance was found for a combination of two implicit uncertainty measures, location and test-retest, using a weighted regression model. The estimated weights suggest that preferences with a low score, relative to all of the scores from an individual, should have a smaller weight or be given a higher impact. In addition, we found some evidence that preferences change over time. While there appears to be evolution, we found that valuable information could be extracted from the initial data when the low preference scores were allowed to have a higher impact relative to the other preference scores, supporting the idea that preference about products that a consumer does not like is more informative and more stable over time.
Using pressure input and thermal feedback to broaden haptic interaction with mobile devices

Pressure input and thermal feedback are two under-researched aspects of touch in mobile human-computer interfaces. Pressure input could provide a wide, expressive range of continuous input for mobile devices. Thermal stimulation could provide an alternative means of conveying information non-visually. This thesis research investigated 1) how accurate pressure-based input on mobile devices could be when the user was walking and provided with only audio feedback and 2) what forms of thermal stimulation are both salient and comfortable and so could be used to design structured thermal feedback for conveying multi-dimensional information. The first experiment tested control of pressure on a mobile device when sitting and using audio feedback. Targeting accuracy was >= 85% when maintaining 4-6 levels of pressure across 3.5 Newtons, using only audio feedback and a Dwell selection technique. Two further experiments tested control of pressure-based input when walking and found accuracy was very high (>= 97%) even when walking and using only audio feedback, when using a rate-based input method. A fourth experiment tested how well each digit of one hand could apply pressure to a mobile phone individually and in combination with others. Each digit could apply pressure highly accurately, but not equally so, while some performed better in combination than alone. 2- or 3-digit combinations were more precise than 4- or 5-digit combinations. Experiment 5 compared one-handed, multi-digit pressure input using all 5 digits to traditional two-handed multitouch gestures for a combined zooming and rotating map task. Results showed comparable performance, with multitouch being ~1% more accurate but pressure input being ~0.5sec faster, overall. Two experiments, one when sitting indoors and one when walking indoors tested how salient and subjectively comfortable/intense various forms of thermal stimulation were. Faster or larger changes were more salient, faster to detect and less comfortable and cold changes were more salient and faster to detect than warm changes. The two final studies designed two-dimensional structured ‘thermal icons’ that could convey two pieces of information. When indoors, icons were correctly identified with 83% accuracy. When outdoors, accuracy dropped to 69% when sitting and 61% when walking. This thesis provides the first detailed study of how precisely pressure can be applied to mobile devices when walking and provided with audio feedback and the first systematic study of how to design thermal feedback for interaction with mobile devices in mobile environments.
Intraindividual Variability of Self-Evaluations in the Physical Domain: Prevalence, Consequences, and Antecedents

This study examined: (a) the prevalence of intraindividual variability (i.e., the degree to which individuals exhibit short-term fluctuations in their self-evaluations) of global self-worth, physical self-worth, and perceived physical competence; (b) the independent and combined influence of level and intraindividual variability of self-evaluations on students’ motivation; and (c) the relationship between social sources of evaluative information and intraindividual variability. Students (N = 167) ranging from 12 to 15 years of age (M = 13.48 yrs, SD = .56) completed questionnaires each day that they were in physical education class for 3 weeks (i.e., 6 occasions). Results revealed that most of the students exhibited fluctuations in their self-evaluations over the 3 weeks. Level of self-evaluations was the critical predictor of motivation; however, an interaction with intraindividual variability was also significant. Nonsignificant relationships were found between intraindividual variability and the import.
Normative Systems: Logic, Probability, and Rational Choice

Book synopsis: Provides a comprehensive treatment of thinking and reasoning, authored by top researchers in each field Includes in-depth analysis of inductive, deductive and abductive reasoning; variable aspects of thinking and reasoning across the human lifespan; and methods of teaching people to think more effectively Thinking and reasoning, long the academic province of philosophy, have over the past century emerged as core topics of empirical investigation and theoretical analysis in the modern fields of cognitive psychology, cognitive science, and cognitive neuroscience. Formerly seen as too complicated and amorphous to be included in early textbooks on the science of cognition, the study of thinking and reasoning has since taken off, brancing off in a distinct direction from the field from which it originated. The Oxford Handbook of Thinking and Reasoning is a comprehensive and authoritative handbook covering all the core topics of the field of thinking and reasoning. Written by the foremost experts from cognitive psychology, cognitive science, and cognitive neuroscience, individual chapters summarize basic concepts and findings for a major topic, sketch its history, and give a sense of the directions in which research is currently heading. Chapters include introductions to foundational issues and methods of study in the field, as well as treatment of specific types of thinking and reasoning and their application in a broad range of fields including business, education, law, medicine, music, and science. The volume will be of interest to scholars and students working in developmental, social and clinical psychology, philosophy, economics, artificial intelligence, education, and linguistics. Readership: Readership for this volume includes advanced undergraduates, graduate students, professors and researchers in the fields of cognitive psychology, cognitive science, cognitive neuroscience, education, developmental psychology, linguistics, experimental psychology, computer science, artificial intelligence, and philosophy.
Inclusion of Hermetia illucens larvae meal on rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) feed: effect on sensory profile according to static and dynamic evaluations.

BACKGROUND Diet implementation with insect meal has aroused increased attention in aquaculture considering the advantages of this new protein source. The effect of Hermetia illucens meal (HI) inclusion in diets on rainbow trout physical-chemical and sensory properties was evaluated. Three diets were prepared: HI0, HI25, HI50, with 0, 25 and 50% of HI replacing fish meal, respectively. Fillet sensory profiles were described by descriptive analysis and temporal dominance of sensation methods. Cooking loss, Warner-Bratzler shear force, proximate analysis, and fatty acid composition were also determined. RESULTS Diets significantly affected fillets sensory profile. Descriptive analysis indicated significant changes in perceived intensity of aroma, flavour and texture descriptors as a function of diet composition. Temporal dominance of sensation evaluations provided information on dominance and evolution of sensations perceived in fillets from different diets. The first sensations perceived as dominant were related to texture attributes, followed by flavours. Dominance of fibrousnesses decreased with the increase of HI in the diet. Boiled fish, algae flavours and umami taste clearly dominated the HI0 dynamic profile. The onset of metallic flavour dominance characterised HI25 and HI50. No differences in physical parameters were detected. Principal component analysis highlighted the relationship between sensory attributes and physico-chemical parameters. CONCLUSION The sensory description of fillets indicated that HI inclusion induces significant differences in the perceived profile. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.
Impaired beta-cell function in lean normotolerant former gestational diabetic women.

BACKGROUND Former gestational diabetes (fGDM) constitutes a risk condition for the development of Type 2 diabetes. Former gestational diabetes is often characterized by obesity and hyperglycaemia, which may be concomitant and independent risk factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS To assess insulin sensitivity and beta-cell function in fGDM uncomplicated by obesity and hyperglycaemia, we studied 24 lean fGDM women and 23 control women matched for age (30.7 +/- 0.7 years, whole cohort), body mass index (22.2 +/- 0.3 kg m(-2)), and indistinguishable for plasma glucose both at fasting and at 120 min. Several insulin sensitivity and beta-cell function indices were computed: homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance index (HOMA-R), insulin sensitivity index derived from an oral glucose tolerance test (OGIS), insulinogenic index, other empirical indices of insulin secretion and beta-cell function, and indices obtained using a beta-cell model. RESULTS Though the majority of indices, and in particular insulin sensitivity (HOMA-R: 1.35 +/- 0.13 vs. 1.65 +/- 0.14; OGIS: 492.7 +/- 6.3 vs. 496.4 +/- 9.4 mL min(-1) m(-2)), were not significantly different in the two groups, the beta-cell glucose sensitivity obtained by modelling analysis was lower in fGDM (108 +/- 14 vs. 165 +/- 22 pmol min(-1) m(-2) mM(-1), P = 0.031). CONCLUSIONS Impairment of beta-cell glucose sensitivity may be an intrinsic risk factor in fGDM independently of obesity and hyperglycaemia. Furthermore, we have shown that modelling analysis, in contrast to the empirical parameters, may be able to detect early beta-cell alterations in fGDM women.
The LUT-SR Family of Uniform Random Number Generators for FPGA Architectures

Field-programmable gate array (FPGA) optimized random number generators (RNGs) are more resource-efficient than software-optimized RNGs because they can take advantage of bitwise operations and FPGA-specific features. However, it is difficult to concisely describe FPGA-optimized RNGs, so they are not commonly used in real-world designs. This paper describes a type of FPGA RNG called a LUT-SR RNG, which takes advantage of bitwise xor operations and the ability to turn lookup tables (LUTs) into shift registers of varying lengths. This provides a good resource-quality balance compared to previous FPGA-optimized generators, between the previous high-resource high-period LUT-FIFO RNGs and low-resource low-quality LUT-OPT RNGs, with quality comparable to the best software generators. The LUT-SR generators can also be expressed using a simple C++ algorithm contained within this paper, allowing 60 fully-specified LUT-SR RNGs with different characteristics to be embedded in this paper, backed up by an online set of very high speed integrated circuit hardware description language (VHDL) generators and test benches.
Self-assessment of teaching effectiveness of chemistry teachers in secondary schools

The study investigated self-assessment of teaching effectiveness of Chemistry teachers in secondary schools. Participants were 103 teachers (male=47, female=56) selected from 86 out of 184 public secondary schools in Ekiti State using stratified random sampling technique. The instrument for collecting data was a self-constructed Teaching Effectiveness Questionnaire, divided into two parts. Part 1 dealt with biodata including gender (male/female) and teaching experience in years defined as Low (0-5), Average (6-15) and High (16+). Part II contained 30 items clustered into seven categories ranging from teacher's personality to teacher's evaluation skills, each item rated on a five-point scale: Excellent=5, Very Good=4, Good=3, Fair=2 and Poor=1, with reliability coefficient=0.813 using Cronbach-α. Data were analysed using means, standard deviations, t-test and One-way ANOVA tested at 0.05 level of significance. Results showed that teachers' self-assessment of teaching effectiveness in Chemistry was very good, female teachers rated their teaching effectiveness in Chemistry higher than the males while experience had no significant influence on self-assessment of teaching effectiveness. It was recommended that teachers should justify their self-assessment of teaching effectiveness by transforming their pedagogical and evaluation skills into reality for the optimum benefits of students in Chemistry.
“They do what I do”: Positive Correlation in Ex-Post Beliefs

After playing the Chicken game, players report their beliefs about their opponent’s strategy in different frames. It is found that the framing of the belief elicitation question influences the degree of positive correlation between a player’s reported belief and his action. It is also found that players believe there is positive correlation in the actions of two randomly selected players. The results are consistent with the existence of two forces influencing ex-post belief formation: strategic justification (i.e. a player wishes to rationalize his action in the game) and self-similarity (i.e. a player thinks that his opponent behaves the same way he does). Implications for belief elicitation techniques and equilibrium concepts are discussed. The first author acknowledges financial support from ERC grant 269143. We thank Hadar Binsky for his assistance in analyzing the data, and Eli Zvuluny for constructing and maintaining the web platform on which the research is conducted. We also thank Karl Schlag, Andy Schotter, Jörg Spenkuch, and James Tremewan for their feedback.