Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Corequisite Model: An Effective Strategy for Remediation in Freshmen Level Quantitative Reasoning Course.

The purpose of this study was to compare students’ performance in a freshmen level quantitative reasoning course (QR) under three different course sequence models. A cohort of 155 freshman students was placed in one of the three models: needing a prerequisite course, corequisite (students enroll simultaneously in QR course and a course that provides remediation) or ready to take the QR course alone. A chi-square test revealed a statistically significant relationship between the students’ final course grades and course models. Furthermore, an ANOVA test indicated that students’ grades in the QR course were higher when they completed the course under the corequisite model compared to the prerequisite model. Our study concludes that students’ performance and perceptions were significantly higher when they completed the QR course under the corequisite model compared to the prerequisite model.
Construction of an Amperometric Pyruvate Biosensor Based on Enzyme Bound to A Nanocomposite and Its Comparison with Enzyme Nanoparticles Bound to Electrode

An improved amperometric pyruvate biosensor was fabricated by immobilizing covalently commercial pyruvate oxidase (POx) from Aerococcus sps. onto nanocomposite of c-MWCNT (carboxylated multi- walled carbon nanotubes), copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) and polyaniline (PANI) electrodeposited onto gold (Au) electrode. The copper nanoparticles were prepared by chemical reduction method and characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV- visible spectroscopy and X- ray diffraction (XRD). The working electrode (POx/c-MWCNT/CuNPs/PANI/AuE was studied via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) at different stages of its construction. The biosensor showed optimum activity at a pH of 5.0 and 35°C and a linearity for pyruvate in the concentration range, 0.1 µM to 2000 µM. The analytical recovery of added pyruvate was 99.6% and 99.2%. The within and between batch coefficients of variation (CV) were 0.052% and as 0.022% respectively. There was a commendable correlation between sera pyruvate values as measured by standard spectrophotometric method and the present method. The biosensor was applied to measure sera pyruvate level and compared with that biosensor based on pyruvate oxidase nanoparticles covalently bound to Au electrode. Malik et al. (2019) Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 7(2): xxx-xxx Graphic Abstract Schematic representation of fabrication of POx/c-MWCNTs/CuNPs/PANI/AuE and electrochemical reactions involved in its response measurement (POx- Pyruvate oxidase; c-MWCNTs- Carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes; CuNPs- Copper nanoparticles; PANI- Polyaniline; AuE- Gold electrode).
Physicochemical properties and sensory evaluation of yogurt nutritionally
enriched with papaya

Yogurts are one of the most consumed dairy products, especially in Western and Middle East countries. Papaya is an abundant tropical fruit that contains much higher levels of vitamins and minerals than other tropical fruits. The aim of this work was to develop a protein-rich papaya-flavored yogurt as an inexpensive, nutritionally balanced, healthy snack. The influenced of adding papaya puree at different percentages (5, 10, 15, 20, 25%) on physicochemical and rheological have been explored. This work also investigated consumer preferences in relation to these yogurts, using ratings made by thirty Malaysian participants on a five-point hedonic scale. The addition of papaya to the pure yogurt (up to 25% by weight) increased the product’s crude protein content by up to 46% and reduced its fat content by up to 27%. Nevertheless, the addition of 20% of papaya puree to the yogurt was the most preferred according to sensory evaluation. On most of the attributes tested, participants gave higher ratings for the yogurt nutritionally enriched with papaya than for the pure yogurt. The enrichment of natural yogurt with papaya puree showed to be effective with higher nutritional characteristics.
Recovery of Copper and Nickel from Polymetallic Sulphate Leach Solution of Printed Circuit Boards using Dowex M 4195

Sulphuric acid leach solution of waste printed circuit boards (PCBs) contains predominantly copper and iron with later remain problematic during electrowinning of the formal. In this study, performance of Dowex M 4195 resin for recovery of copper and nickel from polymetallic sulphate leach solution of waste PCBs was investigated by batch experiments. It was observed that at pH 0.5, about 45.2 and 3.6 % Cu2+ and Ni2+ was selectively recovered respectively. Recovery efficiency of Ni2+ increased with increase in pH from 0.5 -5.0 while pH2 was optimum for the recovery of Cu2+. Sharp increase in co-recovery of Fe3+/Fe2+ was observed at pH above 2 with that of Zn2+ and Co2+ became low due to hindrance from binding site by high concentration of Cu2+. Adsorption data obtained for Cu2+ and Ni2+ were tested with adsorption isotherms as well as kinetics. It is shown that adsorption of Cu2+ and Ni2+ was well fitted to both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm. Kinetics of Cu2+ and Ni2+ fitted into Pseudo-first and well fitted to second order. Reuse studies shows that the resin strong affinities for Cu2+ and Ni2+ remain unchanged.
COMBINED EFFECTS OF VANILLIC AND SYRINGIC ACIDS ON HEPATIC MARKERS, LIPID PEROXIDES AND ANTIOXIDANTS IN ACETAMINOPHEN INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY IN WISTAR RATS: BIOCHEMICAL AND HISTOPATHOLOGICAL EVIDENCES

Summary The aim of this study was to compare the possible protective effects of vanillic acid (VA) and syringic acid (SA) on acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Toxicity was induced in adult male Wistar albino rats, weighing between 140-160 g, by administration of APAP 750 mg/kg of body weight i.p. Rats were treated with VA and SA (50 mg/kg body weight) by oral administration. APAP-induced rats exhibited elevation in the activities of plasma hepatic markers aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and the level of lipid peroxidative markers (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and lipid hydroperoxides). The toxic effect of APAP was also assessed by means of determining the activity of enzymatic antioxidants superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and the nonenzymatic antioxidants (vitamin C, vitamin E and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels) decreased significantly in APAP rats. Increase in the levels of total cholesterol, phospholipids, triglycerides and free fatty acids in the plasma were observed in APAPtreated rats. Liver histology also showed convincing evidence regarding their protective nature against fatty changes induced during APAP intoxication. Among the two phenolic compounds, SA showed higher activity than VA. Thus, VA and SA have the ability to reverse APAP-induced hepatotoxicity rats.
TWO NOVEL FLAVONE C-GLYCOSIDES ISOLATED FROM AFROCARPUS GRACILIOR: POM ANALYSES AND IN VITRO CYTOTOXIC ACTIVITY AGANIST HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA

Objective: Cancer is considered as one of the top reasons of death and the number of cases increasing gradually. Cancer is severe clinical difficulty to the health caution system. This study explored two novel polyphenols of Afrocarpus gracilior Pilger growing in Egypt and evaluated their cytotoxic activity. Methods: Methanolic (80%) extract of the leaves of A. gracilior was subjected to column chromatography; the chemical structures of the isolated compounds were established by advanced spectral techniques: UV, 1H, 13C NMR, two dimensional NMR (2D NMR) and electron spray ionization mass spectroscopy (ESI-MS). Compounds 1 and 2 were studied for their cytotoxic activity against hepatocellular carcinoma (Hep-G2) using sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay. Furthermore the pharmacokinetics profiles of these molecules were accessed by employing Petra/Osiris/Molinspiration (POM) analyses. Results: Two novel C-flavonoid glycosides were isolated [1: Apigenin 8-C-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1```→4``)-O-β-D-glucopyranoside] and [2: 7-O methyl-luteolin 8-C-β-glucopyranosyl-(1```→4``)-O-β-D-glucopyranoside]. They exhibited significant cytotoxic activity (IC50 = 9.02 and 15.61 µg/ml, respectively) against Hep-G2 cells. The POM analyses revealed that the activity of these two compounds depends on the presence of glucosyl and alkyl groups at the internal and terminal atmosphere of the compounds. Conclusion: These findings demonstrated that the leaves of A. gracilior contain a series of bioactive polyphenolic compounds with significant cytotoxic properties against hepatocellular carcinoma and may be used as alternative anticancer agents for doxorubicin. On the basis of POM calculations, it will be interesting to develop some alternative flavones because the deglucosylated derivatives have a better drug score than parent molecules. This preliminary study will be extended to other strains of cancer.
Kemampuan Komunikasi Matematis Siswa Sesuai Dengan Gender Dalam Pemecahan Masalah Pada Materi Balok Dan Kubus (Studi Kasus Pada Siswa SMP Kelas VIII SMP Islam Al-azhar 29 Semarang)

Abstract : The aim of this research was to analyze the ability of mathematical communication in solving the problem of cube and cuboid material among male and female students in grade VIII of Islam Junior High School 29 Al-Azhar Semarang. This research was a qualitative research using case studies approach and used purposive sampling techniques to select the subjects of the study. The subjects were 4 students namely 2 male and 2 female students. The technique of data collection was conducted by reviewing documents and archives, conducting written tests and interviews. This study used triangulation time to validate the data. The data analysis techniques used in this research were data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion. The results showed that: (1) male students: (a) could express, demonstrate, and deliver their mathematical ideas visually, understand and interpret their mathematical ideas in writen or other visual forms, were able to convey the matemathical terms, notations, and its structures, were able to make connections between their ideas and the problem situation in writen form, (b) were able to express, demonstrate, convey, understand, interpret, and evaluate mathematical ideas; able to use the mathematical terms, notations and its structures; were able to convey their ideas using mathematical terms, notations of mathematics and its structures; were able to convey ideas and the relation between models of the situation in spoken form. (2) female students: had the same ability with male students, but they could evaluate their mathematical ideas in writing or in visual forms in the mathematical written communication. Key words: Mathematical Communication, Problem Solving, Gender
Deep learning for road area semantic segmentation in multispectral lidar data

Robust scene understanding is one of the main keys for safe autonomous vehicles and for competent advanced driver assistance systems. Deep neural networks are powerful tools for scene understanding, but they do not provide high-quality predictions in challenging illumination conditions with camera data. We implement three deep learning models that are able to predict the driveable road area in real-time with low latency (10.4 ms inference) from color image data (90.5 IoU) and from illumination invariant lidar data (86.2 IoU) achieving almost comparable accuracies with both modalities. We experiment with virtual multispectral solid state lidar data, that has been generated from real-world georeferenced point clouds, and show that the spectral information helps in the road area semantic segmentation task. We implement a modification to the SqueezeSeg architecture by substituting the middle layers with the Atrous Spatial Pyramid Pooling module from the DeepLabv3+ architecture, resulting in over 3× reduce in the amount of parameters and the amount of computation, but still achieving higher accuracy than the original architecture.
The Internet-Based Cognitive Assessment Tool: System Design and Feasibility Study

Background Persistent cognitive impairment is prevalent in unipolar and bipolar disorders and is associated with decreased quality of life and psychosocial dysfunction. The screen for cognitive impairment in psychiatry (SCIP) test is a validated paper-and-pencil instrument for the assessment of cognition in affective disorders. However, there is no digital cognitive screening tool for the brief and accurate assessment of cognitive impairments in this patient group. Objective In this paper, we present the design process and feasibility study of the internet-based cognitive assessment tool (ICAT) that is designed based on the cognitive tasks of the SCIP. The aims of this feasibility study were to perform the following tasks among healthy individuals: (1) evaluate the usability of the ICAT, (2) investigate the feasibility of the ICAT as a patient-administered cognitive assessment tool, and (3) examine the performance of automatic speech recognition (ASR) for the assessment of verbal recall. Methods The ICAT was developed in a user-centered design process. The cognitive measures of the ICAT were immediate and delayed recall, working memory, and psychomotor speed. Usability and feasibility studies were conducted separately with 2 groups of healthy individuals (N=21 and N=19, respectively). ICAT tests were available in the English and Danish languages. The participants were asked to fill in the post study system usability questionnaire (PSSUQ) upon completing the ICAT test. Verbal recall in the ICAT was assessed using ASR, and the performance evaluation criterion was word error rate (WER). A Pearson 2-tailed correlation analysis significant at the . 05 level was applied to investigate the association between the SCIP and ICAT scores. Results The overall psychometric factors of PSSUQ for both studies gave scores above 4 (out of 5). The analysis of the feasibility study revealed a moderate to strong correlation between the total scores of the SCIP and ICAT (r=0.63; P=.009). There were also moderate to strong correlations between the SCIP and ICAT subtests for immediate verbal recall (r=0.67; P=.002) and psychomotor speed (r=0.71; P=.001). The associations between the respective subtests for working memory, executive function, and delayed recall, however, were not statistically significant. The corresponding WER for English and Danish responses were 17.8% and 6.3%, respectively. Conclusions The ICAT is the first digital screening instrument modified from the SCIP using Web-based technology and ASR. There was good accuracy of the ASR for verbal memory assessment. The moderate correlation between the ICAT and SCIP scores suggests that the ICAT is a valid tool for assessing cognition, although this should be confirmed in a larger study with greater statistical power. Taken together, the ICAT seems to be a valid Web-based cognitive assessment tool that, after some minor modifications and further validation, may be used to screen for cognitive impairment in clinical settings.
PENGETAHUAN PASIEN TUBERCULOSIS BERIMPLIKASI TERHADAP KEPATUHAN BEROBAT

TBC terus menjadi masalah kesehatan di dunia, terutama di negara-negara berkembang. WHO melaporkan pada tahun 2009 mencatat Indonesia di posisi kelima di dunia. Pada kenyataannya ada banyak orang dengan TB paru dan ekstra-paru yang gagal menyelesaikan pengobatan dan teratur. Kepatuhan terhadap pengobatan adalah kunci penting dalam keberhasilan pengobatan TB. Desain penelitian adalah pendekatan sectional korelasional dan lintas deskriptif dengan jumlah responden 20 orang. Teknik pengambilan sampel menggunakan total sampling (sampel jenuh), teknik pengumpulan data menggunakan kuesioner dan checklist, dan analisis data menggunakan uji Chi Square. Hasil penelitian yang diperoleh dari 8 (40%) responden yang memiliki pengetahuan tentang, ada 6 (30%) dari responden diklasifikasikan sebagai non-compliant dalam pengobatan TB dan 2 (10%) responden tergolong patuh dalam pengobatan TB. Hasil uji Chi Square diperoleh nilai x2 pada 12.857 dan nilai signifikansi (p) = 0,002, di mana (0002 <0,05), yang berarti H0 ditolak dan diterima H1. Pasien TB dengan pengetahuan yang baik dari proporsi total 12.857 kali kepatuhan lebih patuh terhadap pengobatan TB.
A Framework for Object Characterization and Matching in Multi--and Hyperspectral Imaging Systems

RAMANATH, RAJEEV. A Framework for Object Characterization and Matching in Multi– and Hyperspectral Imaging Systems. (under the supervision of Dr. Wesley Snyder) The idea of shape has been a field of scientific study since the time of Galileo. Most shapes that have been studied until now have been those that are “conceivable” by the human mind. This has restricted the study of shape by the image processing community to the visible range of the spectrum (an otherwise very small range). Perception of shape in the realm of the spectrum outside of the visible range has not received much attention. However with the recent advancement in imaging systems (multi–and hyperspectral) that can capture images over a wide spectral range, it is only natural to expect this field to receive notice by the imaging community. In this work, the idea of “shape” in the multi–and hyperspectral imaging scenarios is studied and its paradigms explored. Notions of the hyperspectral cube are borrowed from the remote sensing community as a means of representation of this high dimensional data. In this work, edges of two types are used, one that makes use of the vector valued data in the image and another that treats each spectral band individually. The edge-sets are used to extract spatio-spectral shape signatures of objects which are in turn used for extracting canonical views of objects and also to perform classification using three dimensionality reduction techniques, Principal Component Analysis, Independent Component Analysis and Non-negative Matrix Factorization. As an extension to edge-based decompositions, we also use view-based techniques for classification. The results obtained by using a combination of spatial and spectral information are compared with those resulting from conventional single-band techniques, showing considerable improvement. Issues regarding noisy data have been addressed using two approaches – increasing the dimensionality of the eigensystem and estimating the new eigensystem under noisy conditions using approximations of results using perturbation theory. The former approach gives a measure of the number of basis vectors that need to be included additionally based upon the strength of the noise. It develops a system that adds dimensions (Noise Equivalent Dimensions) to the original eigensystem that compensates for the energy contributed by the noise. The latter approach determines the manner in which the eigenviews of an eigensystem change in the presence of noise by using first-order approximations from perturbation theory. Both approaches are compared using reconstruction error in the original and noisy data. A FRAMEWORK FOR OBJECT CHARACTERIZATION AND MATCHING IN MULTI–AND HYPERSPECTRAL IMAGING SYSTEMS
Persea americana Leaf Ethyl Acetate Extract Phytochemical, In-vitro Antioxidant and In-vivo Potentials to Mitigate Oxidative Stress in Alloxan-induced Hyperglycaemic Rats

The purpose of this study was to investigate the in-vivo and in-vitro potentials of ethyl acetate extract of P. americana leaf in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Quantitative phytochemicals analyzed includes; flavonoids, saponins, tannins, alkaloids and phenolics. Measurement of antioxidant activity using 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, total antioxidant capacity, hydroxyl radical, hydrogen peroxide, superoxide radical and ferric reducing activity of the extract was carried out. Hyperglycemia was induced by intraperitoneal injection of alloxan monohydrate to albino rats. In-vivo anti-oxidant potentials of the extract were evaluated by measuring liver homogenate activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase and malondyaldehyde in alloxan-induced diabetic rats administered with the extract. A total of 30 Albino rats were used for this experiment and they were divided into six groups of 5 rats each. Group A; normal control, Group B; diabetic control, Groups C-E; experimental groups administered with different doses (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight respectively); of the extract and Group F; glucophage (84 mg/kg body weight, standard drug) for 4 weeks. This study was conducted in the Department of Biochemistry, Bayero University, Kano, in August, 2018. Data was analyzed using one-way ANOVA with P=. 05 value considered as significant. Results of the quantitative phytochemical investigation shows that the extract is rich in phenolics (184.1±0.6), flavonoids (115.8±2.1), alkaloids (41.5±1.8), with least concentration of tannis (21.2±0.8) and saponins (15.2±2.3). The extract exhibited high radical scavenging activity against synthetic free radicals (DPPH), reactive oxygen species (peroxide, superoxide and hydroxyl acid) and high ability to reduce Fe3+ to Fe2+ (FRAP). The activities of antioxidant enzymes of the treated rats were increased significantly (P=.05) while the level malondyaldehyde was significantly decreased (P=.05) in the treated groups. Ethyl acetate leaf extract of Persea americana contains phytochemical substances which improved antioxidant status and can be use as herbal therapy for the management of oxidative stress induced by diabetes mellitus and associated complications.
Students’ Use of Intuitive Reasoning to Decide on the Validity of Mathematical Statements

This study explored students’ approaches to mathematical statements with unknown truth values. Task-based interviews utilizing the think-aloud method revealed students’ reasoning processes in depth. The students in this study used three distinct types of intuitive reasoning to decide the truth value of mathematical statements. The results of this study indicate that in each intuitive response there seems to be an underlying logical schema, or a mental model intuitively accepted by the students, which interacts with the specific restrictions of the presented mathematical statement.
Biomass‐Derived Carbon Dots and Their Applications

Carbon dots (CDs) have received much attention due to their superior properties including water solubility, low toxicity, biocompatibility, small size, fluorescence, and ease of modification. The use of a more environmentally friendly method to prepare high‐quality CDs is still an urgent question waiting for solve. The use of renewable, inexpensive, and green biomass resources not only meets the urgent need for large‐scale synthesis biomass CDs (BCDs), but also promotes the development of sustainable applications. In this article, we summarize the representative methods for synthesizing BCDs in green and simple ways using biomass as a carbon source, including hydrothermal carbonization, and microwave, pyrolysis. The prepared BCDs have a uniform particle size distribution and a relatively high throughput, which provide a method to scale up industrial production. Moreover, the integration of specific optical properties, that is, tunable photoluminescence and up‐photoluminescence, has led to remarkable use in bioimaging, sensing, and drug delivery. But the current review is not particularly comprehensive for BCDs. Therefore, we now provide a review focusing on the synthesis, properties, and recent advances in BCDs in biosensing, bioimaging, optoelectronics, and catalytic applications.