Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the Testing Effect in the Classroom: An Effective Way to Retrieve Learned Information

Problem statement: Evaluation, an important step in educational settings, is usually understood as a process to measure what students know or what they have learned. A variety of methods can be used for assessment and tests are one of the most important and widely-used. While being tested, one may learn or retrieve previously learned information via some mental processes that work on the memory. This phenomenon is called the “testing effect. ” Despite some disadvantages, tests can also be used as learning materials. So, we will present our study on the testing effect in the classroom setting. Purpose of study: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the testing effect occurs in a classroom setting while using a test consisting of multiple choice and matching questions and a worksheet that summarizes the topic, and also to examine the effects of feedback and time. Methods: In this study, the testing effect was investigated in a college chemistry course, and 98 pre-service science teachers participated. A pretest, post-test, control group research design was followed to investigate the testing effect. A pre-test that has 100 short-answer questions was performed and students were grouped according to scores from that test. Seven groups (six experimental and one control) were constituted with the requirement that each group had the same average score on the pre-test. An intervening test was applied to four groups (two of them received feedback immediately after the test), a worksheet that summarizes the topic was studied by two groups and one group (control group) had no additional activity. The same pre-test was applied as a post-test to determine final retention. Three groups received this post-test a day later,
A Prospective Study on Antibiotics-associated Spontaneous Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring and Reporting in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Background: The aim of the present prospective study was to determine the causality, preventability, and severity of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) occurring in various departments of the tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: This prospective, interventional study was undertaken in general medicine, surgery, respiratory medicine, intensive care unit care unit, and nephrology units in a tertiary care hospital, Coimbatore, and to assess preventability, severity, and causality assessment in antibiotics which caused ADRs, and to determine most commonly affected organ system. Results: A total of 143 ADRs were identified in 1138 patients, out of which 74 (51.75%) male patients were identified with ADRs, whereas 69 (48.25%) were female. The age wise distribution revealed that middle-aged patients showed more incidence of ADR 60 (41.96%), followed by geriatrics 41 (28.67%), adult 35 (24.47%), and pediatrics 7 (4.89%). Gastrointestinal tract 66 (46.15%) was the most affected organ system by ADR followed by others 21 (14.7%) skin and appendages disorder 15 (10.48%), central and peripheral system disorder 13 (9.09%), respiratory system disorder 13(9.09%), hematopoietic disorder 4 (2.8%), urinary system disorder 3 (2.09), and CVS 2 (14.7%). Maximum ADRs were reported with beta-lactams class 103 (72.04%) followed by miscellaneous 12 (8.4%), macrolides 10 (6.99%), quinolones 6 (4.99%), and aminoglycosides 5 (4.20%). Conclusion: Antibiotics comprise the major volume of the drug family and in prescriptions of hospitalized patients. Implementation of antibiotic guideline policy in hospitals and strict adherence to it should be ensured for safe and rational use of antibiotics. Furthermore, health system should promote spontaneous reporting of ADRs to regional pharmacovigilance centers which is detected in clinical practice.
New dynamics of upgrading in global value chains: Shifting terrain for suppliers and workers in the global south

The rise of global value chains (GVCs) has been associated with the rapid expansion of outsourcing by lead firms in the global North to interlinked networks of cross-border suppliers in developing countries. Outsourcing was facilitated by trade and financial liberalization initiated in the 1970s and 1980s, and driven by intense competitive pressures for cost reduction. GVC and global production network (GPN) analysis provide crucial insights into inter-firm coordination and governance, with diverse and uneven embeddedness across an expanding range of countries (Coe and Yeung, 2015; Dicken et al., 2001; Gereffi et al., 2001, 2005). The consequences for suppliers and workers have been mixed. The search for cost reduction went hand in hand with entry into relatively unregulated environments leading to what Appelbaum et al. (2005) have called ‘the race to the bottom’ in many industries. At the same time, buyer pressure for product quality and consistency has increased the demands on suppliers to comply with private standards and monitoring (Nadvi, 2008). For some the outcome has led to a combination of economic upgrading (suppliers moving to higher value activities) and social upgrading (better terms and conditions for workers), while others have experienced economic and social downgrading (Barrientos et al., 2011a; Lee and Gereffi, 2015). Global outsourcing has led to the creation of new architectures for the organization of production, trade and consumption in the global economy. Today multilateral organizations (including the WTO, World Bank and OECD) have acknowledged that GVCs have reshaped traditional trading patterns between nations. UNCTAD (2013) estimates that 80% of world trade now passes through GVCs. Furthermore the developing country share in global value-added trade increased from 20% in 1990 to over 40% today, and GVC participation contributes 28% to their GDP on average. Global production has opened up new opportunities for employment to millions of workers in developing countries. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) estimates that in 2013, 453 million jobs were GVC
Morphological variation in Bolitoglossa vallecula (Amphibia: Caudata: Plethodontidae) in the Cordillera Central of Colombia

Cuantificamos la variacion en el tamano y forma del cuerpo y cabeza de Bolitoglossa vallecula en cuatro poblaciones de la Cordillera Central de Colombia. Dos de estas cuatro poblaciones ocurren en simpatria con B. ramosi una especie de salamandra ecologicamente similar que podria potencialmente competir con B. vallecula por recursos alimenticios. En ninguna de las poblaciones encontramos evidencias de dimorfismo sexual en el tamano o forma de la cabeza, por lo tanto los datos de hembras y machos fueron agrupados. Las poblaciones di rieron significativamente en el tamano promedio del cuerpo, pero esta variacion no estuvo asociada con la elevacion. Cuantificamos seis caracteristicas de la forma de la cabeza asociadas con la morfologia de la misma y las analizamos utilizando las proporciones de cada variable sobre la media geometrica, debido a que esta metodologia es la mas utilizada en la literatura para describir conformacion mientras se controla por el efecto del tamano. Una de las poblaciones simpatricas con B. ramosi (Bello) presento diferencias significativas en la conformacion de la morfologia de la cabeza cuando se comparo con las poblaciones alopatricas, mientras que la otra poblacion simpatrica no. Aunque en este trabajo la evidencia de desplazamiento de caracteres en respuesta a la competencia ecologica no es concluyente, este analisis destaca areas de investigacion que vale la pena adelantar en el futuro.
Financial Development and Innovation Activity: Evidence from Selected East Asian Countries

This paper examines the role of financial development in promoting innovation-related activity using panel data for seven East Asian countries for the period from 1998-2009. On overall financial development, we find that, financial sector size and the overall activity of banks and stock market exert positive influences on patent applications. In particular, our results show that all measures of banking development are positively and significantly related to the number of patent applications after controlling for variables known to affect innovative activities. Interestingly, we find no evidence that variation in patent applications is affected by a country's stock market development. The findings suggest that banking sector plays important roles in supporting innovation activity in East Asian countries.
Control of Modular Multilevel Converter Based on Stationary Frame under Unbalanced AC System

The equivalent circuit of modular multilevel converter (MMC) is divided into ac-loop and dc-loop. The ac-loop is used to regulate the power exchanged between AC system and MMC, whereas the dc-loop can be used to regulate the internal performance of MMC. In order to fulfill the power control a controller based on proportional resonant (PR) scheme in stationary αβ-frame is designed. A controller based on PR scheme in stationary abc-frame is designed to improve the internal performance of MMC. The proposed controller works well under both balanced and unbalanced AC system. Finally, a simulation model with 71 levels is built to verify the proposed controller.
Comparison of the temporal and taxonomic patterns of ichthyofauna captured with a fyke net in two sheltered environments in southern Brazil

We use two taxonomic indexes to assess the variability of the taxonomic structure and diversity of the ichthyofauna of two low-energy environments in southern Brazil and to compare the temporal patterns of these two ichthyofaunas. Sampling was conducted in the infralittoral zones of Maciel (Paranagua Bay, PR) and Indio Beach (Norte Bay of Florianopolis, SC). A fyke net was set up at a depth of 0.5 to 2.0 m and left in place for 48 h for each of the samplings. A total of two diurnal and two nocturnal samplings were conducted monthly per one year. The ichthyofaunas at the two sites exhibited similar temporal dynamics, with their abundance and biomass presenting a tendency to increase with increasing temperature during the spring and summer months. A total of 113 species were captured, of which 47 were present at both sites. Harengula clupeola, Sphoeroides testudineus and S. greeleyi were especially abundant at both sites. The co-occurring species displayed similar day and night occupancy trends. In all seasons, the obtained values for the average taxonomic distinctness and variation in taxonomic distinctness were within the confidence intervals. The seasonal reproduction and recruitment patterns led to slight changes in taxonomic distinctness during the year, which were within the expected intervals.
Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene promoter hypermethylation in semen samples of infertile couples correlates with recurrent spontaneous abortion.

STUDY QUESTION Is the methylation status of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) promoter region in semen samples associated with 'recurrent spontaneous abortion' (RSA)? SUMMARY ANSWER MTHFR promoter hypermethylation is more frequent in semen samples from RSA couples than in semen samples from infertile couples with no history of RSA (NRSA) and affects the whole sperm population significantly more often. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Modifications to the MTHFR gene such as polymorphisms and promoter methylations are associated with male infertility. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE AND DURATION Retrospective cohort study of semen samples from 20 RSA couples, 147 NRSA couples and 20 fertile men between 2011 and 2012. MATERIALS, SETTING AND METHODS DNA from the semen samples of RSA, NRSA and fertile men were analyzed by methylation-specific PCR amplification using primers which anneal to the methylated or unmethylated cytosine-phosphodiester bond guanine (CpG) islands within the promoter region of MTHFR. The specificity of the PCR products was assessed by DNA sequencing. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE The methylated MTHFR epigenotype (including samples where it co-existed with unmethylated MTHFR epigenotypes) was detected in 75% of RSA men, 54% of NRSA men and 15% of fertile men. MTHFR methylation was observed in the whole sperm population in semen samples from 55% of RSA men compared with 8% in NRSA men (P < 0.05) and 0% in fertile men (P < 0.05). DNA sequencing analysis was fully concordant with the PCR results and revealed that when MTHFR methylation occurred, CpG islands within the promoter region were 100% methylated (hypermethylation of MTHFR promoter). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION The relatively small sample size of RSA infertile couples. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS The hypermethylation of the MTHFR gene promoter should be taken into consideration as a novel putative risk factor in RSA etiology. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) Our institution has received an FAR research grant from the University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy. No competing interests declared.
Prescription Pattern of Corticosteroids in Zanjan, Iran

The aim of the present study was to provide a clear picture of the prescribing pattern of corticosteroids in Zanjan, Iran. A retrospective and cross-sectional study was conducted to describe the pattern of corticosteroids prescription at Beheshti pharmacy (Zanjan, Iran) over a period of six months between March 21 and September 22 of 2013. Descriptive analyses were stratiﬁed by gender, age, type of prescribed corticosteroid and rout of administration. Separate analyses were performed to determine the most common indications leading to the prescription of injection dexamethasone. Corticosteroids were prescribed mostly (74.56%) as injection. The overall corticosteroid prescribing rate was 25.73%; 55.86% and 44.14% in females and males, respectively. Corticosteroids were prescribed frequently for adults in both males and females. In young and middle-aged women, corticosteroids were prescribed substantially higher than in men of the same age. Dexamethasone as the most prescribed corticosteroid in both male and females was mostly prescribed for respiratory bacterial infections. The current study grows the knowledge about the use of corticosteroids in Iran and suggests more attempts to reduce corticosteroids prescription. Educational interventions to promote hygiene in the society could improve rational use of corticosteroids.
Tobacco company campaign contributions and congressional support of the cigar bill

Although it is widely held that campaign contributions influence support for legislation, the impact of contributions is unclear. Despite lack of a tobacco growing or manufacturing constituency, many members of Congress (MOC) in the Southwest support the pro-tobacco Traditional Cigar Manufacturing and Small Business Jobs Preservation Act of 2015 (HR 662/S 441), aka the "Cigar Bill". The association between campaign contributions from tobacco companies (2006-16) with cosponsor for the Cigar Bill were examined. There was a highly significant correlation with 92% of Southwest MOC who cosponsored the Cigar Bill having received campaign contributions. In contrast, 31% of those who did not cosponsoring the bill had received tobacco company campaign contributions (p<0.001 by Fisher's Exact Test). These data demonstrates a highly significant correlation between campaign contributions and legislative support for the "Cigar Bill".
Characteristics of Bilayer Molybdenum Films Deposited Using RF Sputtering for Back Contact of Thin Film Solar Cells

Mo films prepared under a single deposition condition seldom simultaneously obtain a low resistivity and a good adhesion necessary for use in solar cells. In order to surmount the obstacle, bilayer Mo films using DC sputtering at a higher working pressure and a lower working pressure have been attempted as reported in the literature. In this study, RF sputtering with different powers in conjunction with different working pressures was explored to prepare bilayer Mo film. The first bottom layer was grown at a RF sputtering power of 30 W and a working pressure of 12 mTorr, and the second top layer was deposited at 100 W and 4.5 mTorr. The films revealed a columnar growth with a preferred orientation along the (110) plane. The bilayer Mo films reported an electrical resistivity of 6.35 × 10−5 Ω-cm and passed the Scotch tape test for adhesion to the soda-lime glass substrate, thereby qualifying the bilayer Mo films for use as back metal contacts for CIGS substrates.
Classical vibrational modes in phononic lattices: theory and experiment

Abstract We present a review, through selected illustrative examples, of the physics of classical vibrational modes in phononic lattices, which elaborates on the theory, the formalism, the methods, and mainly on the numerical and experimental results related to phononic crystals. Most of the topics addressed here, are written in a self-consistent way and they can be read as independent individual parts.
Marketing Mix Effect and Quality Product Purchase Decision on Rice Pandaraman in South Tapanuli Region

One of the factors that influence purchasing decisions by consumers is the marketing mix and product quality. The rice producers Pandaraman doing marketing mix for their products that lead to purchase decisions by consumers and always look at the quality of product to production. The result is a combination of marketing and product quality simultaneously powerful and significant influence on purchasing decisions Pandaraman rice employees in South Tapanuli region. Marketing mix variables most dominant in improving employee purchasing decisions Pandaraman rice in South Tapanuli region. Partially each variable marketing mix and product quality and significant positive influence on purchasing decisions Pandaraman rice employees in South Tapanuli region. The coefficient of determination (R2) of the marketing mix variables and product quality able to explain the purchase decision Pandaraman rice employees in South Tapanuli region amounted to 66.8% while the independent variables explain the remaining 33.2% were not examined Keyword: Marketing Mix, Product Quality, and Purchasing Decisions
Certified Reduced Basis Model Characterization: a Frequentistic Uncertainty Framework

Abstract : We introduce a frequentistic validation framework for assessment - acceptance or rejection - of the consistency of a proposed parametrized partial differential equation model with respect to (noisy) experimental data from a physical system. Our method builds upon the Hotelling T2 statistical hypothesis test for bias first introduced by Balci & Sargent in 1984 and subsequently extended by McFarland & Mahadevan 2008. Our approach introduces two new elements: a spectral representation of the misfit which reduces the dimensionality and variance of the underlying multivariate Gaussian but without introduction of the usual regression assumptions; a certified (verified) reduced basis approximation - reduced order model - which greatly accelerates computational performance but without any loss of rigor relative to the full (finite element) discretization. We illustrate our approach with examples from heat transfer and acoustics, both based on synthetic data. We demonstrate that we can efficiently identify possibility regions that characterize parameter uncertainty; furthermore, in the case that the possibility region is empty, we can deduce the presence of unmodeled physics such as cracks or heterogeneities.
A Time/Space Efficient XML Filtering System for Mobile Environment

Existing XML filtering approaches suffer from excessive overheads incurred in matching time and the storage/memory space needed during the matching process. This makes them unsuitable in mobile computing environment, where computing resources are extremely scarce. Hence there is a need to formulate a filtering mechanism that optimizes the computation and space constraints in performing XML filtering across a distributed environment. In our experiments, we found that the time imposed on parsing is a dominant factor of the total matching time cost, and the space needed is largely dependent on the structural representation. Motivated by these insights, we developed a highly compact structure representation using bloom filter, which also provides an easy solution for separation of the parsing process from the matching process so as to relief the burden of parsing from the matching. In general, our proposed method includes a preprocessing component, where the incoming documents/subscriptions are parsed and fed into the bloom-filter creator, and a matching component, where the bloom-filter will be used for evaluation. Experiments show that, by our approach, the matching time is significantly reduced due to the separation of parsing and matching, and the space for indexing structure is tremendously reduced due to the compactness of bloom filter. Although the bloom filter introduced false positive errors in the matching results, it can be controlled to a selectable and reasonable range. Importantly, considering the significant speedup and performance gain, our approach represents a viable solution when time/space efficiency is paramount.
Capital Valuation Adjustment and Funding Valuation Adjustment

In the aftermath of the 2007 global financial crisis, banks started reflecting into derivative pricing the cost of capital and collateral funding through XVA metrics. Here XVA is a catch-all acronym whereby X is replaced by a letter such as C for credit, D for debt, F for funding, K for capital and so on, and VA stands for valuation adjustment. This behaviour is at odds with economies where markets for contingent claims are complete, whereby trades clear at fair valuations and the costs for capital and collateral are both irrelevant to investment decisions. In this paper, we set forth a mathematical formalism for derivative portfolio management in incomplete markets for banks. A particular emphasis is given to the problem of finding optimal strategies for retained earnings which ensure a sustainable dividend policy.
Temporal Graph Kernels for Classifying Dissemination Processes

Many real-world graphs or networks are temporal, e.g., in a social network persons only interact at specific points in time. This information directs dissemination processes on the network, such as the spread of rumors, fake news, or diseases. However, the current state-of-the-art methods for supervised graph classification are designed mainly for static graphs and may not be able to capture temporal information. Hence, they are not powerful enough to distinguish between graphs modeling different dissemination processes. To address this, we introduce a framework to lift standard graph kernels to the temporal domain. Specifically, we explore three different approaches and investigate the trade-offs between loss of temporal information and efficiency. Moreover, to handle large-scale graphs, we propose stochastic variants of our kernels with provable approximation guarantees. We evaluate our methods on a wide range of real-world social networks. Our methods beat static kernels by a large margin in terms of accuracy while still being scalable to large graphs and data sets. Hence, we confirm that taking temporal information into account is crucial for the successful classification of dissemination processes.