Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Contrastive Analysis of ESL and EFL Learning Strategies

This study examined language context effect on selecting language learning strategies. The participants were 150 English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students, and 150 English as a Second Language (ESL) students. Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (SILL) was used for data collection. The data were analyzed quantitively using Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS). At the individual strategy level, ESL and EFL students differed significantly in the use of 18 (36%) out of 50 strategies. There was also some agreement between them as both ESL and EFL students used 12 (24%) of individual strategies most often, 18 (36%) to a medium degree and 2 (4%) least often. At the category level both groups used the metacognitive strategy category “organizing and evaluating your learning” most frequently, and used both the affective category “managing your emotions”, and the memory category “remembering more effectively”, least frequently, with no significant differences. The overall strategy use for both groups was medium.
5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) Production from Hexoses: Limits of Heterogeneous Catalysis in Hydrothermal Conditions and Potential of Concentrated Aqueous Organic Acids as Reactive Solvent System

5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) is an important bio-sourced intermediate, formed from carbohydrates such as glucose or fructose. The treatment at 150–250 °C of glucose or fructose in pure water and batch conditions, with catalytic amounts of most of the usual acid-basic solid catalysts, gave limited yields in 5-HMF, due mainly to the fast formation of soluble oligomers. Niobic acid, which possesses both Lewis and Bronsted acid sites, gave the highest 5-HMF yield, 28%, when high catalyst/glucose ratio is used. By contrast, we disclose in this work that the reaction of fructose in concentrated aqueous solutions of carboxylic acids, formic, acetic or lactic acids, used as reactive solvent media, leads to the selective dehydration of fructose in 5-HMF with yields up to 64% after 2 hours at 150 °C. This shows the potential of such solvent systems for the clean and easy production of 5-HMF from carbohydrates. The influence of adding solid catalysts to the carboxylic acid media was also reported, starting from glucose.
Human GM3 Synthase Attenuates Taxol-Triggered Apoptosis Associated with Downregulation of Caspase-3 in Ovarian Cancer Cells.

BACKGROUND Taxol (paclitaxel) inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in a variety of cancer cells, but it also upregulates cytoprotective proteins and/or pathways that compromise its therapeutic efficacy. MATERIALS AND METHOD The roles of GM3 synthase (α2,3-sialyltransferase, ST3Gal V) in attenuating Taxol-induced apoptosis and triggering drug resistance were determined by cloning and overexpressing this enzyme in the SKOV3 human ovarian cancer cell line, treating SKOV3 and the transfectants (SKOV3/GS) with Taxol and determining apoptosis, cell survival, clonogenic ability, and caspase-3 activation. RESULTS In this report, we demonstrated that Taxol treatment resulted in apoptosis which was associated with caspase-3 activation. Taxol treatment upregulated the expression of human GM3 synthase, an enzyme that transfers a sialic acid to lactosylceramide. Moreover, we cloned the full-length GM3 synthase gene and showed for the first time that forced expression of GM3 synthase attenuated Taxol-induced apoptosis and increased resistance to Taxol in SKOV3 cells. CONCLUSIONS GM3 synthase overexpression inhibited Taxol-triggered caspase-3 activation, revealing that upregulation of GM3 synthase prevents apoptosis and hence reduces the efficacy of Taxol therapy.
Critical Thinking-Based Teaching (CTBT) To Promote Students’ Comprehension Of Literary Text

Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk (1)menemukan pengaruh CTBT di dalam pemahaman membaca siswa terhadap teks literature, (2)pengaruh berpikir kritis terhadap pemahaman membaca siswa, dan (3)proses dari CTBT di dalam kelas. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kuantitaif dan kualitatif. Subjek dari penilitian ini adalah siswa kelas sebelas MAN 2 Bandar Lampung. Terdapat tiga instrumen: tes pemahaman membaca, kuesioner berpikir kritis, dan observasi. Hasil penelitian menunjukan bahwa terdapat perbedaan yang signifikan pada pemahaman membaca siswa sebelum dan sesudah diajarkan menggunakan teks literatur. Terdapat pengaruh yang signifikan pada kategori berpikir kritis siswa terhadap pencapaian pemahaman membaca mereka. Terdapat empat langkah dalam pembelajaran berbasis berpikir kritis, antara lain merangkum, menganalisis, mensintesis, dan menilai. Lebih lanjut, pengajaran berpikir kritis siswa menggunakan teks literatur efektif dan cara yang baik untuk meningkatkan berpikir kritis siswa dalam pemahaman membaca. The objectives of the research are to (1)find out the effect CTBT in students’ reading comprehension of literary text, (2)explore the effect of students’ CT category in their reading comprehension, and (3)explore the process of CTBT in the classroom. This research used quantitative and qualitative approaches. The subjects are the students of eleventh grade of MAN 2 Bandar Lampung. There are three instruments: reading comprehension test, CT’s questionnaire, and observation. The result showed that there was a significant difference on the students’ reading comprehension before and after being taught through literary text. There was a significant effect of students’ critical thinking category on their reading comprehension achievement. There are four steps of CTBT, those are summary, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. Furthermore, CTBT is an effective and good way to increase student’ critical thinking in reading comprehension. Keywords : Critical thinking, literary texts, reading comprehension.
BQPS: A Broadcast Mechanism for Asynchronous Quorum-based Power Saving Protocols in Ad-Hoc Networks

Quorum-based power saving (QPS) protocols allow “asynchronous” wireless hosts, operating in a multi-hop ad-hoc network, to tune to the low power mode conceived in IEEE 802.11 MAC standard. QPS schemes guarantee that the wake-up schedule for every two neighboring hosts would ultimately overlap within a bounded latency so as to be able to accomplish their reciprocal “unicast” communications. A major drawback in quorum-based rendezvous schemes, however, lies in the absence of an efficient mechanism for enabling the simultaneous reactivation of all PS neighbors to receive “broadcast” messages. In this paper, a novel asynchronous wake-up scheduling mechanism is proposed, which specifically tackles the broadcast transmission problem in QPS systems. We introduce a special control packet at the MAC layer through which a sending host notifies its neighbors of forthcoming broadcast traffic, allowing the receivers to estimate the approximate re-activation time for ensuring the successful delivery of the messages. We will investigate, analytically, the optimum frequency with which to emit notifications so that the energy overhead induced is minimized in both single-hop broadcasting as well as network-wide flooding scenarios. Evaluation results derived from our simulation experiments reveal that the proposed mechanism can effectively improve the performance of an asynchronous QPS system in terms of both throughput as well as energy saving ratio; for instance, when operating with a wake-up ratio of 16%, network throughput will be enhanced by at least 60% in comparison with the existing schemes.
Is the Radio Core of BL Lacertae Precessing?

Stirling et al. recently reported the discovery of a 2.3 yr periodic variation in the structural position angle of the parsec-scale radio core in the blazar BL Lac. We searched for independent confirmation of this periodic behavior using 43 GHz images of the radio core during 10 epochs overlapping those of Stirling et al. Our maps are consistent with several periodicities, including one near the period reported by Stirling et al. By comparing our position angle measurements with those of Stirling et al., we find strong, consistent evidence for position angle variations of the inner core during the observed epochs. However, the claim of periodic variation is not convincing, especially when the most recent epochs (2000.60-2003.78) are included. A definitive resolution will require continued monitoring of the core structure over several periods.
The Role of Social Influence in Security Feature Adoption

Social influence is key in technology adoption, but its role in security-feature adoption is unique and remains unclear. Here, we analyzed how three Facebook security features' Login Approvals, Login Notifications, and Trusted Contacts-diffused through the social networks of 1.5 million people. Our results suggest that social influence affects one's likelihood to adopt a security feature, but its effect varies based on the observability of the feature, the current feature adoption rate among a potential adopter's friends, and the number of distinct social circles from which those feature-adopting friends originate. Curiously, there may be a threshold higher than which having more security feature adopting friends predicts for higher adoption likelihood, but below which having more feature-adopting friends predicts for lower adoption likelihood. Furthermore, the magnitude of this threshold is modulated by the attributes of a feature-features that are more noticeable (Login Approvals, Trusted Contacts) have lower thresholds.
Antibacterial Activity and Action Mechanism of the Essential Oil from Enteromorpha linza L. against Foodborne Pathogenic Bacteria

Foodborne illness and disease caused by foodborne pathogenic bacteria is continuing to increase day by day and it has become an important topic of concern among various food industries. Many types of synthetic antibacterial agents have been used in food processing and food preservation; however, they are not safe and have resulted in various health-related issues. Therefore, in the present study, essential oil from an edible seaweed, Enteromorpha linza (AEO), was evaluated for its antibacterial activity against foodborne pathogens, along with the mechanism of its antibacterial action. AEO at 25 mg/disc was highly active against Bacillus cereus (12.3–12.7 mm inhibition zone) and Staphylococcus aureus (12.7–13.3 mm inhibition zone). The minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration values of AEO ranged from 12.5–25 mg/mL. Further investigation of the mechanism of action of AEO revealed its strong impairing effect on the viability of bacterial cells and membrane permeability, as indicated by a significant increase in leakage of 260 nm absorbing materials and K+ ions from the cell membrane and loss of high salt tolerance. Taken together, these data suggest that AEO has the potential for use as an effective antibacterial agent that functions by impairing cell membrane permeability via morphological alternations, resulting in cellular lysis and cell death.
The structure of the Galactic bar

We present a deep near-infrared wide-angle photometric analysis of the structure of the inner Galactic bar and central disc. The presence of a triaxial structure at the centre of the Galaxy is confirmed, consistent with a bar inclined at 22 ◦ ± 5. ◦ 5 from the Sun—Galactic Centre line, extending to approximately 2.5 kpc from the Galactic Centre and with a rather small axis ratio. A feature at � =− 9. ◦ 8 not aligned with this triaxiality suggests the existence of a second structure in the inner Galaxy, a double triaxiality or an inner ring. We argue that this is likely to be the signature of the end of the Galactic bar, at approximately 2.5‐3 kpc, which is circumscribed by an inner pseudo-ring. No thick dust lane preceding the bar is detected and a hole in the dust distribution of the disc inside the bar radius is inferred. Ke yw ords: dust, extinction ‐ Galaxy: bulge ‐ Galaxy: stellar content ‐ Galaxy: structure ‐ infrared: stars.
PENGEMBANGAN MODUL MATA KULIAH METODOLOGI PENELITIAN PENDIDIKAN BERBASIS HIGH ORDER THINKING SKILL (HOTS)

The purpose of this study is to find out (1) the design of learning modules based on High Order Thinking Skill (HOTS) courses in educational research methodology. (2) to develop a module of education research methodology courses based on High Order Thinking Skill (HOTS. The method used is the R & D method. This development procedure consists of 4-D (Four D Models). The results of research and development can be summarized as follows: (1) Development of research methodology modules based on high order thinking skills using the Four-D model. Define obtained that students need modules that can help students learn independently. Design, get the results of teaching materials that are in accordance with the needs of students in the form of a research methodology module based on high order thinking skills. Develop, validated by experts with a mean total score of 3.99 with appropriate categories and revised according to material expert advice, and trials limited to some students in class A of the fifth semester of economic education study program at Medan State University with a mean total score of 3.92 with good category. Disseminate, module dissemination for class A students in the fifth semester of the economic education study program from the experimental results revealed that learning outcomes after using modules were higher than before using modules with an average value of 72.98 pretests. Whereas for the posttest value obtained the average learning outcomes of 83.70. The number of students sampled was 43 people.
Effects of an Environmental Education Program on the Environmental Orientations of Children from Different Gender, Age, and Ethnic Groups

Concerns regarding the profound physical, social, and psychological problems associated with childhood nature deprivation have catalyzed extensive growth in nature-based education programs. Recent environmental education (EE) initiatives and legislative measures, such as the proposed No Child Left Inside Act, have stressed the importance of EE in the formal education sector. However, out-of-school EE programs remain an appealing alternative to in-class science education. Non-formal programs provide children with a unique opportunity to experience substantial outdoor immersion and often influence affective development. These benefits suggest that an expansion of the depth and scope of non-formal outdoor programs is necessary to achieve the long-term goal of an environmentally literate population. Efforts to develop strategies for implementing and evaluating affective changes associated with EE programs could place a greater emphasis on the environmental orientations of children from different backgrounds. This exploratory study employed a new instrument, the Children’s Environmental Perceptions Scale, to investigate baseline differences in the environmental orientations of 133 six to thirteen-year old children from different gender, age, and racial/ethnic groups in Athens-Clarke County, Georgia. This study used a mixed-method, pre-test, post-test approach to examine the effects of a one-week EE summer program sponsored by the State Botanical Garden of Georgia on children’s eco-affinity, eco-awareness, and environmental knowledge. Responses of EE program participants were compared to a control group of students enrolled in local after-school programs. Brief personal interviews and open-ended evaluations supplemented quantitative survey data. Results did not reveal gender differences in baseline environmental orientations. However, eco-affinity levels were significantly lower in participants age ten or older. African American children also displayed significantly lower eco-awareness and environmental knowledge scores than white children prior to the EE program. Interviews detailing children’s unique interactions with nature yielded several possible explanations for these discrepancies. The EE program produced significantly higher adjusted mean eco-affinity and environmental knowledge post-test scores than the control group, regardless of gender, age, or race/ethnicity. The summer camp’s influence on eco-affinity, an affective component of environmental orientations that is difficult to alter, was especially encouraging. Fun and exciting concepts expressed through physical activity appeared to be a key component of effective EE programming. Overall, results suggested that non-formal EE programs in public parks and other recreation areas provide an ideal forum for stimulating positive environmental orientations in a diverse group of children and may generate future support for outreach efforts in underserved communities.
Phase I trial of intratumoral liposome E1A gene therapy in patients with recurrent breast and head and neck cancer.

PURPOSE We conducted a Phase 1 study to determine the maximal tolerated dose and maximum biologically active dose of the E1A gene delivered by intratumoral injection as a lipid complex with 3 beta[N-(n',n'-dimethylaminoethane)-carbamoyl] cholesterol/dioleoylphosphatidyl-ethanolamine (tgDCC-E1A). The E1A adenovirus gene functions as a tumor inhibitor gene by repressing oncogene transcription; modulating gene expression, resulting in cellular differentiation; and inducing apoptosis of cancer cells. E1A also sensitizes cancer cells to chemotherapeutic drugs such as etoposide, cisplatin, and taxol. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Nine patients with recurrent and unresectable breast cancer and nine patients with head and neck cancer were enrolled. One tumor nodule in each patient was injected with tgDCC-E1A. Safety, tumor response, E1A gene transfer, and down-regulation of HER-2/neu were evaluated. RESULTS No dose-limiting toxicity was observed in the four dose groups (15, 30, 60, and 120 microg DNA/cm of tumor). All patients tolerated the injections, although several experienced pain and bleeding at the injection site. A maximally tolerated dose was not reached in this study. E1A gene transfer was demonstrated in 14 of 15 tumor samples tested, and down-regulation of HER-2/neu was demonstrated in two of the five patients who overexpressed HER-2/neu at baseline. HER-2/neu could not be assessed in other posttreatment tumor samples because of extensive necrosis. In one breast cancer patient, no pathological evidence of tumor was found on biopsy of the treated tumor site at week 12. In 16 patients evaluable for tumor response, 2 had minor responses, 8 had stable disease, and 6 had progressive disease. CONCLUSIONS Gene therapy with an E1A gene:lipid complex appears to be safe and warrants further testing.
Privacy vs. Reward in Indoor Location-Based Services

Abstract With the advance of indoor localization technology, indoor location-based services (ILBS) are gaining popularity. They, however, accompany privacy concerns. ILBS providers track the users’ mobility to learn more about their behavior, and then provide them with improved and personalized services. Our survey of 200 individuals highlighted their concerns about this tracking for potential leakage of their personal/private traits, but also showed their willingness to accept reduced tracking for improved service. In this paper, we propose PR-LBS (Privacy vs. Reward for Location-Based Service), a system that addresses these seemingly conflicting requirements by balancing the users’ privacy concerns and the benefits of sharing location information in indoor location tracking environments. PR-LBS relies on a novel location-privacy criterion to quantify the privacy risks pertaining to sharing indoor location information. It also employs a repeated play model to ensure that the received service is proportionate to the privacy risk. We implement and evaluate PR-LBS extensively with various real-world user mobility traces. Results show that PR-LBS has low overhead, protects the users’ privacy, and makes a good tradeoff between the quality of service for the users and the utility of shared location data for service providers.
Bubble, Bubble Toil and Trouble? An Assessment of the Current State of the Irish Housing Market

Following the substantial pre-2007 housing bubble experienced in the domestic economy, Irish house prices continued to fall for almost seven years up to the mid-point of 2013. Since 2013 the rate of price increases observed, particularly in the Dublin area, has prompted concerns of another price bubble emerging. In this paper, the results from an earlier analysis of Irish house prices are updated and supplemented with cross-country indicators of housing market conditions. The results suggest that Irish house prices, as of December 2013, were still somewhat undervalued and, in the absence of a significant housing supply response, are likely to continue to increase in the coming years. Introduction Assessing the current state of the Irish property market in terms of price developments has arguably never been more important. For example, Central Bank estimates, following on work by Duffy (2010), suggest that between 40 to 50 per cent of the total stock of Irish mortgages was, at end-2012, in negative equity (McCarthy and McQuinn (2014)). Understanding future developments in the equity position of these households is essential in estimating the implications of housing developments for general economic growth. Recent research (McCarthy and McQuinn (2013)) demonstrates the presence of a relatively strong wealth effect out of housing in an Irish context. Therefore, house price movements have a particular relevance for Irish economic performance through the consumption channel. The future path of Irish house prices is also of considerable importance from a financial stability perspective. In late 2014 Irish financial institutions will be the subject of a European wide stress-test conducted jointly by the European Banking Authority (EBA) and the Single Supervisory Mechanism (SSM) of the European 1 With apologies to Mr. William Shakespeare. 2 Thanks to Frances Ruane, John FitzGerald, David Duffy (ESRI), Trevor Fitzpatrick (University of Southampton) and Diarmaid Smyth (Irish Fiscal Council) for comments on an earlier draft. Any errors are the responsibility of the author.
Positive Effects of a Weighted Blanket on Insomnia

Insomnia is a common occurrence and can have a negative impact on physiological, psychological and social well-being. There is a need for simple, effective solutions to increase sleep quality. It has been suggested that weighted blankets and vests can provide a beneficial calming effect, especially in clinical disorders. Hence, we aimed to investigate the effects of a chain weighted blanket on insomnia, using objective and subjective measures. Objectively, we found that sleep bout time increased, as well as a decrease in movements of the participants, during weighted blanket use. Subjectively, the participants liked sleeping with the blanket, found it easier to settle down to sleep and had an improved sleep, where they felt more refreshed in the morning. Overall, we found that when the participants used the weighted blanket, they had a calmer night's sleep. A weighted blanket may aid in reducing insomnia through altered tactile inputs, thus may provide an innovative, non-pharmacological approach and complementary tool to improve sleep quality.