Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effective instructional design for web-based English vocabulary learning: Under the light of theories

There has been exciting and serious progress in the field of computers for teaching English. Identification of the most effective methods is essential to make teaching and learning more efficient. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of using multiple content forms in web-based instruction on students’ English vocabulary learning. The study was conducted at the Compulsory Preparatory Program of a state university located in the Black Sea region of Turkey with 106 students. The factorial research design was used to conduct the study. Thus, the effect of using multiple content forms in web-based instruction on students’ English vocabulary learning was analyzed. The vocabulary level of students was measured with a web-based multiple choice English vocabulary achievement test. The measure of internal consistency of the English vocabulary achievement test was 0.966. The findings of this study indicate that, in vocabulary teaching, providing definitions in an audio format in English is more effective in teaching English vocabulary than providing the same definitions in an audio format in English accompanied with pictures. Mobile devices which eliminate the time and distance limitations can be used in further studies with developmental applications to investigate the effects on students’ English vocabulary learning.
Evaluating a scheme for dialogue annotation

This paper describes the evaluation of a coding scheme for the segmentation and annotation of transliterated spoken dialogues with dialogue act information. Using the kappa method for measuring the reliability of this coding scheme we find that both for segmentation and labeling we receive reliable results. It is shown that this observation holds both for an evaluation of intercoder reliability and for the stability of coding by one coder over time. Our studies also suggest some improvements of our coding scheme which will be incorporated into the scheme for future use.
Missing Cases of Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Infection of the Central Nervous System When the Reller Criteria Are Applied for HSV PCR Testing: a Multicenter Study

Previous studies suggested that herpes simplex virus (HSV) PCR testing can be safely deferred in patients with normal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) white blood cell (WBC) counts and protein levels as long as they are older than 2 years of age and are not immunocompromised, the so-called Reller criteria. In this multicenter study, we retrospectively assessed the validity of these screening criteria in our setting. ABSTRACT Previous studies suggested that herpes simplex virus (HSV) PCR testing can be safely deferred in patients with normal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) white blood cell (WBC) counts and protein levels as long as they are older than 2 years of age and are not immunocompromised, the so-called Reller criteria. In this multicenter study, we retrospectively assessed the validity of these screening criteria in our setting. A total of 4,404 CSF specimens submitted for HSV PCR testing to the respective microbiology laboratories at the participating hospitals between 2012 and 2018 were included. Six commercially available HSV PCR assays were used across the participating centers. Ninety-one of the 4,404 CSF specimens (2.1%) tested were positive for HSV DNA (75 samples for HSV-1 and 16 for HSV-2). Nine patients failed to meet the Reller criteria, of whom seven were deemed to truly have HSV encephalitis. Overall, no significant correlation between HSV PCR cycle threshold (CT) values and WBC counts or total protein levels was found. In addition, median HSV PCR CTs were comparable between patients who met the Reller criteria and those who did not (P = 0.531). In summary, we show that HSV DNA may be detected in CSF specimens with normal WBC and protein levels collected from immunocompetent individuals older than 2 years with HSV encephalitis. Nevertheless, the data also indicate that the number of cases detected could be lowered at least by half if CSF specimens with borderline WBC counts (4 cells/mm3) as well as children of any age are systematically tested.
Predicting Intraserotypic Recombination in Enterovirus 71

Recombination is a mechanism that contributes to genetic diversity. We describe the first assay to study EV-A71 recombination. Results from this assay mimic what is observed in nature and can be used by others to predict future recombination events within the enterovirus species A group. In addition, our results highlight the central role played by the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) in the recombination process. Further, our results show that changes to a conserved residue in the RdRp from different species groups have a similar impact on viable recombinant virus yields, which is indicative of conservation in mechanism. ABSTRACT Enteroviruses are well known for their ability to cause neurological damage and paralysis. The model enterovirus is poliovirus (PV), the causative agent of poliomyelitis, a condition characterized by acute flaccid paralysis. A related virus, enterovirus 71 (EV-A71), causes similar clinical outcomes in recurrent outbreaks throughout Asia. Retrospective phylogenetic analysis has shown that recombination between circulating strains of EV-A71 produces the outbreak-associated strains which exhibit increased virulence and/or transmissibility. While studies on the mechanism(s) of recombination in PV are ongoing in several laboratories, little is known about factors that influence recombination in EV-A71. We have developed a cell-based assay to study recombination of EV-A71 based upon previously reported assays for poliovirus recombination. Our results show that (i) EV-A71 strain type and RNA sequence diversity impacts recombination frequency in a predictable manner that mimics the observations found in nature; (ii) recombination is primarily a replicative process mediated by the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase; (iii) a mutation shown to reduce recombination in PV (L420A) similarly reduces EV-A71 recombination, suggesting conservation in mechanism(s); and (iv) sequencing of intraserotypic recombinant genomes indicates that template switching occurs by a mechanism that may require some sequence homology at the recombination junction and that the triggers for template switching may be sequence independent. The development of this recombination assay will permit further investigation on the interplay between replication, recombination and disease. IMPORTANCE Recombination is a mechanism that contributes to genetic diversity. We describe the first assay to study EV-A71 recombination. Results from this assay mimic what is observed in nature and can be used by others to predict future recombination events within the enterovirus species A group. In addition, our results highlight the central role played by the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) in the recombination process. Further, our results show that changes to a conserved residue in the RdRp from different species groups have a similar impact on viable recombinant virus yields, which is indicative of conservation in mechanism.
Newcomer Integration Strategies in Blogger Online Knowledge Building Communities: A Dialog Analysis

Online knowledge building communities (OKBCs) are sustainable over longer periods of time only if they constantly integrate newcomers. Previous research, based on selfreported data, suggest that OKBC members intentionally use strategies such as advertising, positive or negative welcoming, knowledge assessment, mentoring, or consistent newcomer training. Based on dialog analysis of approx. 143,000 comments produced by 2085 participants during one year in twelve blogger OKBCs, this study confirms the use of newcomer integration strategies. Moreover, it refines and structures the analysis instrument, describing three categories of strategies (recruiting activities, practice-oriented interaction, and socializing) with further sub-categories, thus contributing to a deeper understanding of socio-cognitive processes in OKBCs, and potentially to extending Social Knowledge Analytics applications in CSCL.
Prognostic factors and outcome of surgically treated patients with brain metastases of non‐small cell lung cancer

Brain metastases (BM) are a common consequence of lung cancer and surgery is effective; however, the factors affecting survival after surgery are unclear. The aim of this study was to identify the outcomes and prognoses of post‐metastasectomy patients with BM from non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) at a single institution over a 15‐year period.
A longitudinal case study of students’ perceptions of academic writing and of themselves as academic writers : the writing experiences of five students who spoke English as an additional language

This thesis explores how students who spoke English as an additional language (EAL) learned to write in a new discourse community, the difficulties they encountered and the changes that occurred in their perceptions of academic writing and of themselves as academic writers. The existing literature reported that learning to write disciplinary assignments is an interactional and dynamic process, encompassing not only writing and reading but also social interactions occurring among novice and more experienced members of the discourse community. Nevertheless, previous studies suggested that HE institutions still tend to hold narrow views on academic writing and to provide little attention to its teaching. Essentially, many studies are limited because they have examined how isolated factors (i.e. tutor written feedback or use of guidelines) impacted on student writing, overlooking the complexity of interactions that can come into play and influence student writing. This research adopted a longitudinal case study to investigate in-depth the writing experiences of five EAL students. To conduct this exploratory project, I employed constructivist and interpretivist approaches and multiple methods such as selfcompletion questionnaire, semi-structured interviews and analysis of tutors‘ feedback sheets and handbooks. This project suggests that indeed learning to write in HE was an active and dynamic process, encompassing interactions with members of the discourse community (tutors, peers and teacher-assistants), with the training system (taught module courses, writing assignments, academic writing class, CELTE support) and with institutional artefacts (samples of previously written work, published guidelines and assessment criteria). Despite a number of literacy practices designed to make the departmental conventions and expectations transparent, there was a level of invisibility of the conventions students were expected to adopt in their writing. As a result, students‘ writing experiences were fraught with tensions and conflicts that influenced their perceptions of academic writing and of themselves as academic writers.
Input factors, language experiences and metalinguistic awareness in bilingual children

Previous studies have examined either the input factors predicting language proficiency in bilingual children or the relationship between bilingualism and metalinguistic awareness. This thesis takes a novel approach exploring the two areas simultaneously. A study was conducted to investigate, first, the input factors that may cause variation in bilingual language proficiency and, secondly, the effects of differing levels of bilingualism on metalinguistic awareness. The participants were 38 French-English bilingual children aged six to eight, of middle to high socio-economic status, attending an international school in France. Data on the children’s language experiences and family background were collected through questionnaires given to parents and children. Language proficiency was measured using the standardised French and English versions of the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test. Metalinguistic awareness was assessed through seven metalinguistic tasks each given in both languages. The findings are discussed in relation to Bialystok’s (1986a) analysis and control framework and Cummins’ (1976) threshold hypothesis. The results indicated a strong association between language exposure estimates and language proficiency measures for each language. Furthermore, the child’s stronger language was shown to be a reliable predictor of variables related to language use, including the language used with peers and the language the child finds easier to speak. The results for metalinguistic awareness were generally consistent with Bialystok’s and Cummins’ predictions. High level balanced bilinguals outperformed dominant bilinguals on high control tasks and on certain analysis tasks, but only when the child’s best score, sometimes coming from the weaker language, was considered. A strong relationship was found between the language proficiency measures and the analysis tasks. Likewise, children scoring above the median on each of the Peabody tests generally outperformed those scoring below on analysis tasks. Overall, the results indicate that proficiency in each language, as well as degree of bilingualism, impact on metalinguistic awareness.
Peer Assessment in the Classroom

The focus of this chapter is on the use of peer assessment (PA) in rating oral and written language skills. The chapter commences with an overview of PA, outlining the various theoretical stances that have been cited in support of PA. The potential benefits and drawbacks of PA are then discussed. The chapter then examines the use of PA in language classrooms, specifically in relation to modes of PA such as face to face, online, and pen and paper; and forms of the assessment task itself, such as the use of rubrics and open-ended questions. The chapter also examines the reliability and validity of PA. It concludes with a discussion of how to successfully implement PA activities in the language classroom and how to train both teachers and students for the PA activity. Keywords: Assessment evaluation; Assessment methods; Language teaching; Second language acquisition; Writing
Practical multiple scattering for rough surfaces

Microfacet theory concisely models light transport over rough surfaces. Specular reflection is the result of single mirror reflections on each facet, while exact computation of multiple scattering is either neglected, or modeled using costly importance sampling techniques. Practical but accurate simulation of multiple scattering in microfacet theory thus remains an open challenge. In this work, we revisit the traditional V-groove cavity model and derive an analytical, cost-effective solution for multiple scattering in rough surfaces. Our kaleidoscopic model is made up of both real and virtual V-grooves, and allows us to calculate higher-order scattering in the microfacets in an analytical fashion. We then extend our model to include nonsymmetric grooves, allowing for additional degrees of freedom on the surface geometry, improving multiple reflections at grazing angles with backward compatibility to traditional normal distribution functions. We validate the accuracy of our model against ground-truth Monte Carlo simulations, and demonstrate its flexibility on anisotropic and textured materials. Our model is analytical, does not introduce significant cost and variance, can be seamless integrated in any rendering engine, preserves reciprocity and energy conservation, and is suitable for bidirectional methods.
Comparison of genetic algorithms with conjugate gradient methods

Genetic algorithms for mathematical function optimization are modeled on search strategies employed in natural adaptation. Comparisons of genetic algorithms with conjugate gradient methods, which were made on an IBM 1800 digital computer, show that genetic algorithms display superior performance over gradient methods for functions which are poorly behaved mathematically, for multimodal functions, and for functions obscured by additive random noise. Genetic methods offer performance comparable to gradient methods for many of the standard functions.
Heart Rate Variability During Nocturnal Sleep and Daytime Naps in Patients With Narcolepsy Type 1 and Type 2

Purpose: Heart rate variability is a noninvasive measure of autonomic function. The aim of this study was to determine the risk of cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction during sleep in patients with narcolepsy. The effect of daytime napping was also examined in patients with narcolepsy type 1 and type 2. Methods: Polysomnography recordings and multiple sleep latency tests from 11 patients with narcolepsy type 1 (N1) and 20 patients with narcolepsy type 2 (N2) were included and compared with 12 healthy controls. Heart rate variability values (measured by time- and frequency-domain parameters) were calculated using electrocardiography data from the polysomnography–multiple sleep latency test recordings. Results: As an indicator of increasing sympathovagal imbalance, the low-frequency/high-frequency ratio was higher in all patients than in controls during non–rapid eye movement (NREM)-2 stage sleep (P ⩽ 0.01). The root mean square of successive RR interval differences was lower (indicating parasympathetic tone) in N1 patients compared with N2 patients during REM sleep (P ⩽ 0.04). In addition, decreased heart rate variability values were observed during sleep-onset REM–negative multiple sleep latency test periods compared with sleep-onset REM–positive periods. Conclusions: Heart rate variability abnormalities during sleep and the role of these changes on the development of cardiovascular diseases must be investigated in prospective follow-up studies of patients with narcolepsy. Heart rate variability changes during night sleep, daytime napping, and presence of sleep-onset REM periods may affect the life-threatening events.
Regeneration-associated cells improve recovery from myocardial infarction through enhanced vasculogenesis, anti-inflammation, and cardiomyogenesis

Background Considering the impaired function of regenerative cells in patients with comorbidities and associated risk factors, cell therapy to enhance the regenerative microenvironment was designed using regeneration-associated cells (RACs), including endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and anti-inflammatory cells. Methods RACs were prepared by quality and quantity control culture of blood mononuclear cells (QQMNCs). The peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) were isolated from Lewis rats and conditioned for 5 days using a medium containing stem cell factors, thrombopoietin, Flt-3 ligand, vascular endothelial growth factor, and interleukin-6 to generate QQMNCs. Results In vitro EPC colony forming assays demonstrated a 5.3-fold increase in the definitive colony-forming EPCs and vasculogenic EPCs, in comparison to naïve PBMNCs. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that QQMNCs were enriched with RACs, such as EPCs (28.9-fold, P<0.0019) and M2 macrophages (160.3-fold, P<0.0002). Cell transcriptome analysis revealed that angiogenesis (angpt1, angpt2, and vegfb), stem/progenitor (c-kit and sca-1) and anti-inflammation related (arg-1, erg-2, tgfb, and foxp3) genes were highly expressed in QQMNCs. For in vivo cell transplantation experiments, 1×105 cells were administered via the tail vein into syngeneic rat models of myocardial infarction (MI). Echocardiographic data showed that QQMNCs-transplanted group (QQ-Tx) preserved cardiac function and fraction shortening (45.5±4.6%) at 28-days post-MI in comparison with PBMNCs-transplanted (PB-Tx) (30.9±6.4%, P<0.0001) and Control (32.2±7.7%, P<0.0008) groups. Histological analysis revealed that QQ-Tx showed enhanced angiogenesis and reduced interstitial left ventricular fibrosis, along with a decrease in neutrophils and an increase in M2 macrophages in the acute phase of MI. Cell tracing studies revealed that intravenously administered QQMNCs preferentially homed to ischemic tissues via blood circulation, while PBMNCs did not. QQ-Tx showed markedly upregulated early cardiac transcriptional cofactors (Nkx2-5, 29.8-fold, and Gata-4, 5.2- fold) as well as c-kit (4.5-fold) while these markers were downregulated in PB-Tx. In QQ-Tx animals, de novo blood vessels formed a “Biological Bypass” as observed macroscopically and microscopically, while PB-Tx and Control-Tx groups never developed epicardial blood vessels but showed severe fibrotic adhesion to the surrounding tissues. Conclusion QQMNCs, as RACs derived from rat PBMNCs, conferred potent angiogenic and anti-inflammatory properties to the regenerative microenvironment, enhancing myocardiogenesis and functional recovery of rat MI hearts.
A Physical Introduction to Suspension Dynamics: MICROHYDRODYNAMICS

Preface Prologue Part I. Microhydrodynamics: 1. Basic concepts in viscous flow 2. One sphere in Stokes flow 3. Sophisticated techniques 4. Particle pair interactions Interlude: from the microscopic to the macroscopic 5. Statistical and stochastic concepts Part II. Toward a Description of Macroscopic Phenomena in Suspensions: 6. Sedimentation 7. Shear flow 8. Beyond Stokes flow: finite inertia Epilogue References Index.
Analisis Kemampuan Komunikasi Matematis Siswa SMP pada Materi Segitiga dan Segiempat

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis kemampuan komunikasi matematis siswa SMP pada materi segitiga dan segiempat. Dengan sampel penelitian adalah 5 orang siswa kelas VII yang diambil secara acak di salah satu SMP di kota Cimahi. Jenis penelitian yang digunakan adalah penelitian deskriptif kualitatif. Adapun instrumen yang digunakan adalah soal tes kemampuan komunikasi matematis berupa 5 butir soal berbentuk essay. Adapun hasil tes yang telah dilakukan pada beberapa soal kemampuan komunikasi matematis masih menunjukkan hasil dibawah rata-rata. Maka dapat disimpulkan bahwa tingkat kemampuan komunikasi matematis siswa masih tergolong rendah
‘You just have to grin and bear’ – emotional suppression among women in polygyny in Cameroon

Abstract Polygyny is a matrimonial union in which a single man is simultaneously married to multiple wives. On a daily basis, women in polygynous unions suffer from financial, emotional and physical burdens. This study explores women's perceptions of this matrimonial regime and the factors influencing their sexual health decision-making in Cameroon. Drawing on interviews with twenty-three women aged 23 to 80 years living in polygynous unions, we explore women’s daily life and perceptions on polygyny. Using content analysis, meaning units relating to respondents’ experiences and perceptions were identified and condensed into codes and categories that were later grouped into themes. Five themes emerged – refusal and tolerance; heavy workload and responsibility; lack of power in sexual health decision-making; discrimination and unequal treatment of spouses; and emotional suppression. Women reported emotional suppression, limited rights, discrimination and poor living conditions as being the most significant problems that they encountered. Addressing the discrimination faced by women in polygynous unions will entail adopting and implementing laws to protect women’s rights and promote their empowerment.