Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Visual attention based evaluation for multiple-choice tests in e-learning applications

Multiple-choice (MC) question is an important form of test to assess the students' academic achievement, especially in the e-learning applications. However, the classical evaluation metrics on MC questions (such as the correctness ratio) only consider the correctness of the final selection but ignore the solving progress of the testee. In the existing literature, the eye-tracking based visual attention was studied to infer the testee's cognitive progress towards a specific MC question. However, there is little work on the visual attention based evaluation of one complete MC test. In this paper, we measure the eye movement data of a group of students in an online test, which consists of forty more MC questions. We divide the screen area into five AOIs (area of interests), including one for the question and four for the candidate options. The fixation duration as well as the gaze sequence on these AOIs are recorded and studied. In the case study on the most difficult question, we observe the great differences among the eye movement of the testees in different academic levels. A new metric, namely Visual-Attention-assisted Score (VAS), is proposed to assess the student's performance with the bias of his fixations on the correct options. Experiment results show that, this metric can reflect the difference of gaze movement of testees, and thus it is helpful for the teachers to infer the real level of the students' academic achievement.
The Effects of Motivation on Job Performance A Case Study of KCB Coast Region

The study investigates the effect of Employee Motivation on Organizational Performance of selected 7 KCB branches Mombasa county. KCB is making numerous efforts towards the motivation of its workers but the challenge facing the implementation of these measures continues to persist. The motivated employees under no circumstance will churn out decreased performance. The study therefore concluded that great strides be made to motivate all staff to enhance performance. The researcher recommends that management attaches more importance to issues of employee motivation to make the institution survive amongst its competitors.
Mediating Community Participation: Practice of Support Workers in Initiating, Facilitating or Disrupting Encounters between People with and without Intellectual Disability.

Promoting community participation for people with intellectual disability through encounter with strangers is an integral part of the mission of disability support workers. This paper offers detailed micro-level analysis of the practices of support workers when they accompany a person with intellectual disability outside their home and explores the subtle differences which make some staff practices more effective than others in promoting more convivial encounters with strangers. Based on 160 h of observations of twenty-six adults with intellectual disability in a variety of public places, and interviews and focus groups with their support workers, the paper points to some of the critical judgements support workers need to make when considering whether, when and how to initiate or intervene in such encounters.
Attendance and Achievement in Economics: Investigating the Impact of Attendance Policies and Absentee Rates on Student Performance

This paper investigates the impact of a mandatory attendance policy and absentee rates on student grades. Data collected from four sections of microeconomic principles classes taught by the same instructor are used to estimate performance. Results are found to be robust to corrections for survival bias and endogeneity, and indicate that the attendance policy did not impact grades. GPA prior to taking the course and SAT scores are found to be consistent predictors of performance and have a stronger impact on grades as compared to absentee rates. It is suggested that instructors encourage, but not mandate attendance in both small and large lecture settings.
A model for TID effects on floating Gate Memory cells

Four different technologies of floating gate (FG) memory arrays were subjected to /sup 60/Co gamma-rays and 10 keV X-rays irradiation to evaluate their response to the total ionizing dose. The effect of irradiation was a uniform charge loss across the whole array. Irradiation effects can be modeled as the result of two phenomena, namely, the generation of charge in the dielectric layers surrounding the floating gate and its subsequent recombination and drift, and the photoemission of carriers from the charged FG. The second phenomenon is effective at high doses. As a consequence of these two phenomena, devices featuring a smaller FG are less prone to total ionizing dose effects than devices featuring a larger FG, proper of older technological generations. We propose a model that accurately fits experimental data over a broad series of experimental conditions.
Results of an outpatient‐based stem cell allotransplant program using nonmyeloablative conditioning regimens

Using non‐myeloablative, immunosuppressive, fludarabine (FLU)‐based conditioning regimens, we have performed allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplants in 26 patients (8 with chronic myelogenous leukemia, 6 with acute myelogenous leukemia, 10 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, 1 with myelodysplasia, and 1 with thalassemia major). Conditioning consisted of FLU/busulphan/cyclophosphamide/cyclosporin‐A (CyA)/methotrexate, or FLU/melphalan/CyA/methotrexate. The median granulocyte recovery time to 0.5 × 109/l was 11 days, whereas the median platelet recovery time to 20 × 109/l was 12 days. Twelve patients did not need red blood cell transfusions, and 8 did not need platelet transfusions. In 21 individuals (81%), the procedure could be completed fully on an outpatient basis. Follow‐up times range between 30 and 600 days: one patient failed to engraft and recovered endogenous hemopoiesis; six out of 26 patients developed acute graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) whereas 7/22 developed chronic GVHD. Twelve patients (46%) have died, nine of them with a relapsing disease and three with GVHD; median post‐transplant survival (SV) was 300 days, whereas the 12‐month SV was 42%. The 100‐day mortality was 3.8% and the transplant‐related mortality was 11.5%. This procedure is substantially less costly than its counterpart, using in‐hospital myeloablative conditioning regimens, and it may represent another approach in the management of patients requiring an allogeneic stem cell transplant. Am. J. Hematol. 66:241–244, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Microfinance: A Comprehensive Review of the Existing Literature

Although the word finance is in the term microfinance, and the core elements of microfinance are those of the finance discipline, microfinance has yet to break into the mainstream or entrepreneurial finance literature. The purpose of this article is to introduce the finance academic community to the discipline of microfinance and microfinance institutions (MFIs). We provide a comprehensive review of over 350 articles and address the issues of MFI sustainability, products and services, management practices, clientele targeting, regulation and policy, and impact assessment.
ASH CONSTITUENTS OF PASTURE GRASSES, THEIR STANDARD ELECTRODE POTENTIALS AND ECOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE.

Since there is a wide variation in the ash constituents of a species of plant grown under various conditions, it was decided to determine the ash constituents of several pasture grasses grown on soils differing widely in productivity. An examination of some available data on ash analyses of pasture plants suggested that the only way to secure definite information on this important topic was to attempt to determine, by correlating the existing data, the order of absorption and the condition necessary for optimum assimilation of the various nutrient ions. The lack of a close correlation between the H-ion concentration of the soil and plant growth suggested a consideration of the potential relations which might result from the presence in the soil complexes of electropositive elements above and below hydrogen in the electromotive series. Such a consideration soon made it evident that the electromotive series could be used very effectively in correlating much of the data in the field of nutrition. It wTas observed that there is a direct relation between the order of removal of ions from soil colloids by electrodialysis, and the order of atomic ions in the electromotive series (19, 20). It was also observed that many organisms selectively absorb atomic nutrient ions in the same order as they appear in the electromotive series. Observations on the selective absorption of the strong ions led to a consideration of the radiant energy necessary for the optimum assimilation of the various nutrient compounds. A consideration of thermo-dynamical data clearly showed that the physiological effects of radiant energy are definitely related to the decompositional voltages, or processes in which a change of valence takes place, of nutrient materials. Since so much of the data on physiological problems can be correlated with the electromotive series it is very probable that this series
The role of peripheral nerves in urodele limb regeneration

Nerve axons and the apical epidermal cap (AEC) are both essential for the formation of an accumulation blastema by amputated limbs of urodele salamanders. The AEC forms in the absence of axons, but is not maintained, and blastema formation fails. Growth stages of the blastema become nerve‐independent for morphogenesis, but remain dependent on the nerve for blastema growth. Denervated growth stage blastemas form smaller than normal skeletal parts, owing to diminished mitosis, but form the full proximodistal array of skeletal elements. This difference in nerve dependency of morphogenesis and proliferation is hypothesized to be the result of a dependence of the AEC on nerves for blastema cell proliferation but not for blastema morphogenesis. Regenerating axons induce the synthesis and secretion of the anterior gradient protein (AGP) by distal Schwann cells during dedifferentiation and by the gland cells of the AEC during blastema growth stages. AGP promotes the regeneration of a denervated limb to digit stages when electroporated into the limb during dedifferentiation. Once a critical mass of blastema cells has been attained, the blastema can undergo morphogenesis in the absence of the nerve, but the regenerate will be a miniature, because the nerve is no longer inducing the AEC to carry out its AGP‐mediated proliferative function. AGP expression by both Schwann cells and the AEC is induced by axons, but the nature of the inductive agent is unclear.
Citrate Synthase Gene Sequence: a New Tool for Phylogenetic Analysis and Identification ofEhrlichia

ABSTRACT The sequence of the citrate synthase gene (gltA) of 13 ehrlichial species (Ehrlichia chaffeensis,Ehrlichia canis, Ehrlichia muris, anEhrlichia species recently detected from Ixodes ovatus, Cowdria ruminantium, Ehrlichia phagocytophila, Ehrlichia equi, the human granulocytic ehrlichiosis [HGE] agent, Anaplasma marginale, Anaplasma centrale, Ehrlichia sennetsu, Ehrlichia risticii, andNeorickettsia helminthoeca) have been determined by degenerate PCR and the Genome Walker method. The ehrlichialgltA genes are 1,197 bp (E. sennetsu andE. risticii) to 1,254 bp (A. marginaleand A. centrale) long, and GC contents of the gene vary from 30.5% (Ehrlichia sp. detected from I. ovatus) to 51.0% (A. centrale). The percent identities of the gltA nucleotide sequences among ehrlichial species were 49.7% (E. risticii versusA. centrale) to 99.8% (HGE agent versus E. equi). The percent identities of deduced amino acid sequences were 44.4% (E. sennetsu versus E. muris) to 99.5% (HGE agent versus E. equi), whereas the homology range of 16S rRNA genes was 83.5% (E. risticiiversus the Ehrlichia sp. detected from I. ovatus) to 99.9% (HGE agent, E. equi, andE. phagocytophila). The architecture of the phylogenetic trees constructed by gltA nucleotide sequences or amino acid sequences was similar to that derived from the 16S rRNA gene sequences but showed more-significant bootstrap values. Based upon the alignment analysis of the ehrlichial gltA sequences, two sets of primers were designed to amplify tick-borneEhrlichia and Neorickettsia genogroupEhrlichia (N. helminthoeca, E. sennetsu, and E. risticii), respectively. Tick-borne Ehrlichia species were specifically identified by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) patterns of AcsI and XhoI with the exception ofE. muris and the very closely related ehrlichia derived from I. ovatus for which sequence analysis of the PCR product is needed. Similarly, Neorickettsia genogroupEhrlichia species were specifically identified by RFLP patterns of RcaI digestion. If confirmed this technique will be useful in rapidly identifying Ehrlichia spp.
Increased mortality associated with growth hormone treatment in critically ill adults.

BACKGROUND The administration of growth hormone can attenuate the catabolic response to injury, surgery, and sepsis. However, the effect of high doses of growth hormone on the length of stay in intensive care and in the hospital, the duration of mechanical ventilation, and the outcome in critically ill adults who are hospitalized for long periods is not known. METHODS We carried out two prospective, multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trials in parallel involving 247 Finnish patients and 285 patients in other European countries who had been in an intensive care unit for 5 to 7 days and who were expected to require intensive care for at least 10 days. The patients had had cardiac surgery, abdominal surgery, multiple trauma, or acute respiratory failure. The patients received either growth hormone (mean [+/-SD] daily dose, 0.10 +/- 0.02 mg per kilogram of body weight) or placebo until discharge from intensive care or for a maximum of 21 days. RESULTS The in-hospital mortality rate was higher in the patients who received growth hormone than in those who did not (P<0.001 for both studies). In the Finnish study, the mortality rate was 39 percent in the growth hormone group, as compared with 20 percent in the placebo group. The respective rates in the multinational study were 44 percent and 18 percent. The relative risk of death for patients receiving growth hormone was 1.9 (95 percent confidence interval, 1.3 to 2.9) in the Finnish study and 2.4 (95 percent confidence interval, 1.6 to 3.5) in the multinational study. Among the survivors, the length of stay in intensive care and in the hospital and the duration of mechanical ventilation were prolonged in the growth hormone group. CONCLUSIONS In patients with prolonged critical illness, high doses of growth hormone are associated with increased morbidity and mortality.
The Mental Health Status of Taxi Drivers in Lagos State , Nigeria

Mental health disorders have been found to cause impairments in attention/vigilance, executive function, memory and psychomotor coordination, which are of obvious importance to driving. Taxi Drivers are center in the commercial functioning of Lagos State and an indelible factor in human and general road safety. In a U.S.A. study, truck drivers were found to have significant issues affecting their mental health, such as loneliness (27.9%), depression (26.9%), chronic sleep disturbances (20.6%), anxiety (14.5%), and other emotional problems (13%). Empirical information on the psychological health of Lagos taxi drivers is yet to be adequately represented in literature. The present study was set to fill this gap. 206 Taxi Drivers purposely selected in Lagos responded to Awaritefe Psychological Index (API) Form X and a structured questionnaire. The results depict a high prevalence of mental health symptoms with Insomnia being the highest at 59%. General psychopathology, mood disorder and general somatic disorder followed with 45.6%, 43.6% and 39.9% respectively. Marital Status and job tenure were found to play a significant role in influencing mental health among the taxi drivers. Finding may be useful in helping researchers develop intervention programs to improve the interpersonal relationship, emotional, occupational and general mental health of taxi drivers in Nigeria. Findings were discussed in line with the existing literature and the current socio-economic realities of the country. Appropriate recommendations were put forward.
Soy and Your Health : Dispelling the Myths

Soyfoods have been a part of Asian diets for centur ies. Today, there is a growing interest in these foods among westerners because of their proposed he alth benefits and also because their versatility makes them valuable for replacing meat and dairy foods in the diet. Nevertheless, the role of soyfoods in a healthy diet has become somew hat of a confusing issue in recent years because of concerns that these foods may exert adve rse effects in some individuals. However, concerns about soyfoods are based almost entirely o n the results from studies involving rodents. Results from rodent studies often don’t predict eff ects in humans. Furthermore, because rodents metabolize soy much differently than humans, they a r n’t particularly useful models for learning about the effects of soyfoods [1].
Some Bacteriological and Immunological Studies on Camel’s Milk -

The aim of the present study was to investigate the correlation between the isolated bacteria from camel's milk with special milk constituents that have immunogenic and therapeutic importance to human consumers. Milk samples were obtained from 90 she-camels from 3 Egyptian governorates. The result showed that coagulase negative staphylococci (CNS) were the most frequently isolated bacteria either as a single isolate (20%) or as mixed infections (27.8%). Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) was isolated either as single (3.33%) and mixed infection (27.8%). E. coli, Yersinia enterocolotica (Y. enterocolotica), Proteus vulgaris and environmental streptococci were also isolated in single and/or mixed forms. Total protein, albumin and globulin levels were not significantly affected by different isolates. Nitric oxide (NO) and lysozyme were significantly stimulated by presence of S. aureus, CNS and E.coli. Insulin level was significantly reduced by S. aureus and CNS. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) was not significantly affected, while glutathione peroxidase (GPx) level was significantly stimulated by S. aureus and CNS contamination. Control camel whey samples without phytohemagglutinin (PHA) had the higher stimulant effect on lymphocytes proliferation as compared with control samples with PHA. Conclusively, the isolated bacteria not only constitute health hazards for consumers but also they made changes in the bioactive ingredients of camel milk that may deteriorate the therapeutic and immunogenic benefits of camel milk. So, there is a great need for strict hygienic measures during the production and handling of camel milk.
Psychotropic Drug Use in Physically Restrained, Critically Ill Adults Receiving Mechanical Ventilation

Background Restraining therapies (physical or pharmacological) are used to promote the safety of both patients and health care workers. Some guidelines recommend nonpharmacological or pharmacological interventions be used before physical restraints in critically ill patients. Objectives To characterize psychotropic drug interventions before and after use of physical restraints in critically ill adults receiving mechanical ventilation. Methods A single‐center, prospective, observational study documenting psychotropic drug use and Sedation‐Agitation Scale (SAS) scores in the 2 hours before and the 6 hours after application of physical restraints. Results Ninety‐three patients were restrained for a median of 21 hours (interquartile range, 9‐70 hours). Thirty percent of patients did not receive a psychotropic drug or had a drug stopped or decreased before physical restraints were applied. More patients received a psychotropic drug intervention after use of physical restraints than before (86% vs 56%, P = .001). Administration of opioids was more common after the use of physical restraints (54% vs 20% of patients, P = .001) and accounted for more drug interventions (45% vs 29%, P = .001). Fifty patients had SAS scores from both time periods; 16% remained oversedated, 24% were appropriately sedated, and 16% remained agitated in both time periods. Patients became oversedated (20%), more agitated (10%), less agitated (8%), and less sedated (6%) after restraint use. Conclusions Psychotropic drug interventions (mostly using opioids) were more common after use of physical restraints. Some patients may be physically restrained for anticipated treatment interference without consideration of pharmacological options and without documented agitation. (American Journal of Critical Care. 2017;26:380‐387)
Incipient subsurface heterogeneity and its effect on overland flow generation – insight from a modeling study of the first experiment at the Biosphere 2 Landscape Evolution Observatory

Evolution of landscape heterogeneity is controlled by coupled Earth system dynamics, and the resulting pro- cess complexity is a major hurdle to cross towards a unified theory of catchment hydrology. The Biosphere 2 Landscape Evolution Observatory (LEO), a 334.5 m 2 artificial hillslope built with homogeneous soil, may have evolved into hetero- geneous soil during the first experiment driven by an intense rainfall event. The experiment produced predominantly seep- age face water outflow, but also generated overland flow, causing superficial erosion and the formation of a small chan- nel. In this paper, we explore the hypothesis of incipient het- erogeneity development in LEO and its effect on overland flow generation by comparing the modeling results from a three-dimensional physically based hydrological model with measurements of total mass change and seepage face flow. Our null hypothesis is that the soil is hydraulically homoge- neous, while the alternative hypothesis is that LEO developed downstream heterogeneity from transport of fine sediments driven by saturated subsurface flow. The heterogeneous case is modeled by assigning saturated hydraulic conductivity at the LEO seepage face (Ksat,sf) different from that of the rest (Ksat). A range of values for Ksat, Ksat,sf, soil porosity, and pore size distribution is used to account for uncertainties in estimating these parameters, resulting in more than 20 000 simulations. It is found that the best runs under the hetero- geneous soil hypothesis produce smaller errors than those under the null hypothesis, and that the heterogeneous runs yield a higher probability of best model performance than the homogeneous runs. These results support the alternative hy- pothesis of localized incipient heterogeneity of the LEO soil, which facilitated generation of overland flow. This model- ing study of the first LEO experiment suggests an important role of coupled water and sediment transport processes in the evolution of subsurface heterogeneity and on overland flow generation, highlighting the need of a coupled modeling sys- tem that integrates across disciplinary processes.