Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effectiveness of Using Group Story-Mapping Strategy to Improve Reading Comprehension of Students with Learning Disabilities.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of using group story-mapping of English as a second language (ESL) on students with learning disability while reading comprehension. The researcher focused on a specific graphic organizer in this study, called group story-mapping. This strategy required students with learning disabilities involving reading comprehension to identify the five main areas for recording a narrative story: setting, characters, problem, solution, and opinion. This strategy can also help students to visualize the connection between the ideas, and the teachers can have the advantages from the Group Story-Mapping Strategy to determine the strengths and weaknesses of their students' while reading comprehensions. Four participants from sixth grade class were selected to participate in this study. This research used a post-test-only design implementing a control group and an experimental group. Three data collection devises were used to determine the effectiveness of using group story-mapping to improve reading comprehension of students with learning disabilities. The result of this study showed that using the Group Story-Mapping Strategy helped students with learning disabilities to comprehend the text more easily. Key words: Intervention, identification, reading comprehension, reading improvement, learning disabilities, teaching methods, concept mapping.
Synthesis, Characterization and Ionic Conductive Properties of Phosphorylated Chitosan Membranes

Phosphorylated chitosan membranes were prepared from the reaction of orthophosphoric acid and urea on the surface of chitosan membranes in N,N-dimethylformamide. Their ionic conductivity in the wet state was investigated. Chemical modifications contributed to improved ionic conductivities of the chitosan membranes. Compared to the unmodified chitosan membranes, it was found that hydrated phosphorylated chitosan membranes with an appropriate phosphorus content showed an increasing ionic conductivity of about one order of magnitude. The phosphorylation reaction mechanism was explained based on 13C and 31P NMR measurements. It was also observed that the crystallinity of the phosphorylated chitosan membranes and the corresponding swelling indices were changed pronouncedly, but these membranes did not lose either their tensile strength or thermal stability to a significant degree in comparison with the unmodified chitosan membranes. Possible reaction mechanism for preparation of phosphorylated chitosan membranes.
Community‐acquired Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia in previously healthy patients

Introduction: Pseudomonas aeruginosa community‐acquired pneumonia is an extremely rare clinical presentation but has been recognized in anecdotal reports, even in previously healthy patients. Case presentation: We describe a previously healthy man who developed P. aeruginosa community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP). He died of septic shock with rapidly progressive pulmonary consolidation in the right upper lobe (RUL). We reviewed the literature for P. aeruginosa CAP and identified 19 patients of whom 85 % (n = 17) had cavitations and/or consolidations in the RUL. We found that the odds ratio for death of shock at initial presentation was 8.333 (P = 0.046, 95 % confidence interval 1.034–67.142). We also found that P. aeruginosa CAP should be considered when individuals present with rapidly expanding cavitary pneumonia and/or consolidations in the RUL accompanied by septic shock, even if they have no known severe underlying disease and were previously healthy. Conclusion: We showed here that radiological findings of P. aeruginosa CAP, such as cavitary pneumonia and/or consolidation in the RUL, might be a clinical clue to a diagnosis of CAP as well as the presence of septic shock.
Isoflavone and triterpenoid isolated from an endemic plant Genista microcephala Coss et Dur (Isoflavona y triterpenoide aislados de una planta endémica Genista microcephala Coss et Dur)

Resumen Context: Genista microcephala Coss et Dur is a plant that grows in northern of Algeria. The Genista species show interesting biological properties. Aims: To study phytochemically of the aerial parts of G. microcephala and search new compounds with pharmacological interest. Methods: Aerial parts of G. microcephala were extracted using chloroform. The extract was purified by several chromatography processes. Isolated compounds were analyzed by the usual spectroscopic methods and 2D NMR technics. Results: From the chloroformic extract of the air parts of Genista microcephala (Leguminosae) two known components were obtained. The structures of these compounds were oleanolic acid (1), alpinum isoflavone (2) elucidated by the usual spectroscopic methods and 2D NMR technics and by comparison with literature data. Conclusions: Two known components were obtained from the chloroformic extract of the air parts of Genista microcephala but they have not previously been reported from this species. Contexto: Genista microcephala Coss et Dur. es una planta que crece en el norte de Argelia. Las especies de Genista muestran propiedades biologicas interesantes.
Climate-sensitive self-thinning trajectories of Chinese fir plantations in south China

The self-thinning rule is fundamental in regulating maximum stocking and constructing stand density management diagrams. Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook. ) is the most important tree species and widely distributed across subtropical China. Yet, our understanding of how the self-thinning line of Chinese fir relates to climate is limited. Longitudinal data from 48 plots distributed in Fujian, Jiangxi, Guangxi, and Sichuan provinces were used to describe self-thinning for Chinese fir in relation to climate through first-order autoregressive (AR(1)) and nonlinear mixed effects (NLME) models. Results showed that self-thinning lines had steeper slopes for Chinese fir growing in areas with larger annual precipitation and summer mean maximum temperature but flatter slopes with higher mean annual temperature, degree-days below 0 °C, and winter mean minimum temperature. Winter mean minimum temperature was the dominant climatic factor in shaping self-thinning lines, which suggests that temperature was the key climate driver that affects self-thinning of Chinese fir. In addition, differences of slopes for any two of the four sites were significant, except between the Guangxi and Sichuan sites. Our results will be useful for both the silvicultural practices and mitigation strategies of Chinese fir under climate change in south China.
MusicXML parser Tension model Optimization algorithm Pattern detection algorithm MIDI converter Yes MusicXML file : Template piece MusicXML file : output piece Manual tension profile input Manual tension input ?

Automatic music generation systems have gained in popularity and sophistication as advances in cloud computing have enabled large-scale complex computations such as deep models and optimization algorithms on personal devices. Yet, they still face an important challenge, that of long-term structure, which is key to conveying a sense of musical coherence. We present the MorpheuS music generation system designed to tackle this problem. MorpheuS’ novel framework has the ability to generate polyphonic pieces with a given tension profile and longand short-term repeated pattern structures. A mathematical model for tonal tension quantifies the tension profile and state-of-the-art pattern detection algorithms extract repeated patterns in a template piece. An efficient optimization metaheuristic, variable neighborhood search, generates music by assigning pitches that best fit the prescribed tension profile to the template rhythm while hard constraining long-term structure through the detected patterns. This ability to generate affective music with specific tension profile and long-term structure is particularly useful in a game or film music context. Music generated by the MorpheuS system has been performed live in concerts.
Income Effects on Doctoral Programs in Pharmacy: Estimation and Prediction Using U.S. Data

The objective of this study was to quantitatively determine the effects of per capita income on pharmacy education in the U.S. Data on enrollments in Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) and Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences (Ph.D.) programs for forty-five regions in the U.S. were examined. To account for the dynamic effects, lagged values of all variables were included in the regressions, including lagged dependent variables. Hence, the System GMM procedures were employed. Wage income did not seem to affect the enrollments in a PharmD program whereas it positively affected enrollments in a Ph.D. program. In contrast, it appears that the proprietor income and property income affected a PharmD program positively whereas they affected a Ph.D. program negatively. The aggregate effects seemed to be positive on both programs. Growth implications and predictions were included. In conclusion, PharmD enrollments in pharmacy may be significantly impacted by all the variables of per capita income except wage income, whereas, all impacted Ph.D. enrollments. Disclosure: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper.
Attitude of Students Toward the Study of Mathematics in Odoben Senior High School, Ghana: Implications for Curriculum Implementation

The purpose of the study was to investigate the poor attitude of students of Odoben Senior High School toward the study of mathematics and its implications for curriculum implementation. Specifically, the study investigated the factors that influenced students’ poor attitude toward the study of mathematics, its effects on students’ academic performance in mathematics. The study adopted the descriptive design with a population of 500 students and six teachers. The simple random sampling technique was used to select 10 students while six mathematics teachers were purposively sampled. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data which was analysed thematically. The findings revealed that most students of the school had poor attitudes toward the study of mathematics because of teachers’ failure to break mathematical concepts into their simplest forms for easy understanding, absenteeism of students in mathematics lessons, behavioural characteristic acquired through socialization in the school environment and lack of both qualified mathematics teachers and teaching and learning resources for the smooth implementation of the mathematics curriculum. The major effect was poor academic performance of students in mathematics. Based on the findings of the study, recommendations are made for teachers, parents and GES on how best to ensure that students adopt positive attitudes toward the study of mathematics. Keywords: Attitude, Mathematics, Implications, Curriculum Implementation
The declining significance of homohysteria for male students in three sixth forms in the south of England

English schools have traditionally been institutions with high levels of homophobia. This is attributed to the need that heterosexual boys have to maintain a heteromasculine identity. However, by drawing on 44 in-depth interviews and 12 months of participant observation across three sixth forms, I detail the ways in which homophobia holds little cultural sway with the heterosexual male students in these settings. Here, the majority of students intellectualise pro-gay attitudes, maintain friendships with openly gay students and are physically tactile with each other. Homophobic discourse is rarely heard and it is even stigmatised in two of the settings. Homosexually-themed language that I call ‘gay discourse’ replaces it. This discourse maintains socio-negative effect, but it is also used by openly gay students to bond with their heterosexual peers. Accordingly, this research shows that cultural homophobia maintains less significance than has been documented in previous studies.
An Analysis of the Relationship between High School Students' Self-Efficacy, Metacognitive Strategy Use and Their Academic Motivation for Learn Biology.

This study aimed to analyze the relationship between high school students’ self-efficacy perceptions regarding biology, the metacognitive strategies they use in this course and their academic motivation for learn biology. The sample of the study included 286 high school students enrolled in three high schools who attended a biology course in Kars, Turkey. Survey method was employed in the study. The author administered ‘Self Efficacy for Learning and Performance’ and ‘Metacognitive Self-Regulation’ subscales of Motivational Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ) and Academic Motivation Scale for Learning Biology. According to the study results, the use of metacognitive strategies and self-efficacy made a positive and significant prediction of students' intrisic motivation to learn biology. Moreover, self-efficacy made a negative prediction of amotivation, and it did not predict extrinsic motivation. The use of metacognitive strategies did not predict amotivation, and it positively and significantly predicted extrinsic motivation. In addition, it was found that amotivation had a negative correlation with other variables.
OVARIAN RESPONSE OF DAIRY COWS TO PROGESTERONE COMBINED ON

The objective of this study was to evaluate the response of ovaries in estrus synchronizationprotocol using GnRH-PGF2α based protocol combined progestin in a herd with tie-stall housing system.A total of 20 Holstein Friesian cows at different stages of estrus cycle in a dairy herd were enrolled inthe present study. The cows were randomly allocated into two treatment groups; with and without CIDR(Controlled internal drug release) insertion. All cows received 100 μg of GnRH I.M. at the beginning ofthe treatment (d 0) without regard to the stages of the estrus cycle followed by 25 mg PGF2α IM 7dayslater. Cows in CIDR group were inserted CIDR into the vagina at the time of GnRH administration andwere removed on the day of PGF2α administration. estrus signs were checked twice daily starting onday-2 after initiation of the protocol, except cows in CIDR group the estrus signs were checked startingon day-8 of the protocol. The animals showing estrus signs were noted. Blood samples were collectedfrom all animals on the days of GnRH and PGF2α treatments and on day-10 after initiation of protocolfor progesterone concentration. The results of this study showed that 30% animals in cows withoutCIDR insertion showed estrus signs prior to PGF2α injection. Involving CIDR to synchronized estruswith GnRH-PGF2α based protocol avoided the occurrence of premature estrus and maintained highprogesterone concentration on the day of PGF2α administration. It is concluded that ovarian responseafter involving CIDR in the protocol for estrus synchronization especially using combination of GnRHand PGF2α were much effective to synchronize the initiation of estrus in dairy cows. Likewise, the useof progesterone avoided premature estrus.
DEVELOPMENT OF LABORATORY TESTS FOR ASSESSING VITAMIN STATUS

ii Publications arising from this thesis iv Acknowlegements v Table of contents vii Table of illustrations xii List of abbreviations xvii 1 AN OVERVIEW OF VITAMIN DEFICIENCIES AND METHODS FOR THE DETERMINATION OF VITAMIN STATUS 2 1.1 History and significance of vitamins 2 1.1.1 The history of vitamins 4 1.2 Causes of vitamin deficiency 7 1.3 Functional vitamin deficiencies and the consequences 9 1.3. 1 Vitamins and the risk of cardiovascular disease 9 1.3. 2 Vitamins concentrations and cancer risk 12 1.3. 3 Vitamin status and the connection with pregnancy complications 13 1.3. 4 The influence of vitamins status on neurological disorders 14 1.3. 5 Vitamins and the risk of hip fracture 15 1.4 Determining vitamin status 16 1.4. 1 Determining thiamine status 20 1.4. 2 Measuring biotin concentrations in biological samples 23 1.4. 3 Measuring folate concentrations in biological samples 26 1.4. 4 Determining vitamin B12 concentrations 29 1.4. 5 Correcting vitamin deficiencies 33 1.5 Aims of this work 34 1.6 References for chapter one 35
Attention and Social Cognition in Virtual Reality: The effect of engagement mode and character eye-gaze

Technical developments in virtual humans are manifest in modern character design. Specifically, eye gaze offers a significant aspect of such design. There is need to consider the contribution of participant control of engagement. In the current study, we manipulated participants' engagement with an interactive virtual reality narrative called Coffee without Words. Participants sat over coffee opposite a character in a virtual cafe, where they waited for their bus to be repaired. We manipulated character eye-contact with the participant. For half the participants in each condition, the character made no eye-contact for the duration of the story. For the other half, the character responded to participant eye-gaze by making and holding eye contact in return. To explore how participant engagement interacted with this manipulation, half the participants in each condition were instructed to appraise their experience as an artefact (i.e., drawing attention to technical features), while the other half were introduced to the fictional character, the narrative, and the setting as though they were real. This study allowed us to explore the contributions of character features (interactivity through eye-gaze) and cognition (attention/engagement) to the participants' perception of realism, feelings of presence, time duration, and the extent to which they engaged with the character and represented their mental states (Theory of Mind). Importantly it does so using a highly controlled yet ecologically valid virtual experience.
Do wages reflect labor productivity? The case of Belgian regions

We simultaneously estimate a wage and a labor productivity equation where we include regional dummies as explanatory variables. We find that the wage-productivity gap reached 11% for Brussels and 4.2% for Wallonia in the years 2005-2012. This was driven by the negative performance in labor productivity of firms in these regions relative to Flanders, which more than compensated for the advantage in average salary cost they enjoyed. These results are coherent with the existence at the regional level of institutional barriers to the firm-level adjustment of wages to labor productivity.JEL codesJ24; J31; J5; R23
Fast determination of carrot quality by spectroscopy methods in the UV-VIS,NIR and IR range

Some optical spectroscopic methods are able to determine the main quality parameters of fresh carrots in a fast and nondestructive manner. Reflection measurements in the visible range and the use of colorimetric calculations supply characteristic colour coordinates and evaluation of the colour homogeneity of a specific variety. Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in combination with multivariate regression, e.g. the method of partial least squares (PLS), provide a fast and nondestructive method to predict the contents of a-carotene, s-carotene and dry matter content. Measurements of carrot juice samples in the mid-infrared range (MIR) applying a diamond-ATRequipment and PLS-algorithm for chemometric interpretation supply reliable predictions of sugar contents. The application of Raman spectroscopy on carrot slices and the method of Raman mapping reveals the relative carotenoid distribution in cross sections of various carrot roots.
Role of Prostate Specific Antigen, Digital Rectal Examination and Trans Rectal Ultrasonography in the Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer in Patients with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms -

Objectives: The aim of this study is to compare the roles of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), digital rectal examination (DRE) and transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) in the detection of prostate cancer among patients presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and having an International Prostate Symptoms Score (IPSS) of not less than 7. Material and Methods: This study was carried out in I.P.G.M. E.R and S.S. K.M Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, India, from March 2011 to March 2012. Sixty patients presenting with LUTS and with an IPSS not less than 7 had been screened for prostate cancer using PSA estimation, DRE and TRUS. Transrectal sextant prostate biopsy was performed in all patients. Results: The PSA estimation revealed 85% sensitivity and 72.5% specificity for the patients with a serum total PSA level >10 ng/ml. The positive predictive value (PPV) was 60.7%. If 4 ng/ml is taken as a lower cutoff value for serum total PSA, the sensitivity increases to 95%, whereas specificity reduces to 46.66% and PPV becomes 50%. DRE alone showed 60% sensitivity, 92.5% specificity and 80% PPV for the diagnosis of carcinoma prostate. TRUS has the highest sensitivity (75%) and highest specificity (85%). However, the PPV was 71.43%. When DRE and serum PSA >10 ng/ml were combined, the sensitivity and specificity were raised to 90% and 70% respectively. The PPV was 60%. This was almost comparable with the combination of DRE, serum PSA >10 ng/ml, and TRUS, which has a 90% sensitivity and 85% specificity. The PPV was 75%. Conclusion: None of the single screening tools had that much efficacy in differentiating carcinoma of prostate from benign prostatic hyperplasia in patients with LUTS. Combining PSA, DRE and TRUS increases sensitivity, specificity and PPV of PC detection.
Tidal migration of nematodes on an estuarine tidal flat (the Molenplaat, Schelde Estuary, SW Netherlands)

The vertical distribution patterns of the nema- tode community and of the 10 most dominant nematode spe- cies on an intertidal flat in the Schelde Estuary (the Molen- plaat, The Netherlands) are described at specific time intervals over a tidal cycle. The observed distribution profiles indicate that vertical migrations occur and are species-spe- cific. The predatory Enoploides longispiculosus and the deposit-feeding Daptonema normandicum migrated upwards at incoming tide and downwards when the flat became exposed, while another deposit feeder, Daptonema setosum, did the opposite. Several abiotic and biotic factors may con- tribute to the observed patterns. Hydrodynamics, pore water drainage and episodic steep increases in temperature upon low tide exposure as well as vertical movements of prey organisms may have been of particular relevance at the time and site of sampling. However, the impact of each of these factors needs further investigation. The present study corrob- orates the dynamic nature of vertical distribution profiles of nematodes in intertidal sediments, highlighting the impor- tance of sampling time with respect to the tide, as well as a species approach.
Effects of salicylic acid on sucrose synthase activity during seed development and germination in pea (Pisum sativum L.)

Effects of 0, 0.1 and 0.01 mM salicylic acid (SA) on activities of sucrose synthase (Sus) in four varieties of pea ( Pisum sativum L.) viz., Meteor, Climax, Green feast and Rondo during seed development and germination were studied. Sus activity was highest in the variety Meteor and for the varieties treated with SA (0.1 mM), while the varieties treated twice i.e. seed treated plus foliar spray revealed maximum Sus activity. During germination, the maximum Sus activity was observed for the variety Green feast. Seeds treated with SA 0.1 mM revealed maximum Sus activity, while the seeds raised from the varieties and whose seeds were treated plus foliar sprayed exhibited maximum Sus activity. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3329/bjb.v42i1. 15868 Bangladesh J. Bot. 42 (1): 83-90, 2013 (June)