Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
THE EFFECT OF METACOGNITIVE STRATEGY INSTRUCTION ON LISTENING PERFORMANCE PRE-INTERMEDIATE IRANIAN EFL LEARNERS *

The present study aimed at exploring the effectiveness of using Metacognitive strategy in developing preintermediate university students' EFL listening comprehension skills. It was hypothesized that using metacognitive strategy based instruction would develop students' EFL listening comprehension skill and its sub-skills. The participants were 58 female, Iranian beginner EFL students, studying English translation and teaching in University of Tonekabon branch, Tonekabon, Iran. After selecting the participants through the TOEFL’s listening section as the pre-test, 49 of them were selected and randomly divided into experimental (N=24) and control (N=25) groups. Besides the Nelson’s listening section, the Metacognitive Awareness Listening Questionnaire (MALQ) adapted from Vandergrift, Goh, Mareschal and Tafaghodtari (2006) was also administered to both groups. After a period of 10-session strategy instruction to the experimental group based on Vandergrift and Tafaghodtari (2010) model of strategy instruction, the experimental and control group’s listening performance were compared using the Nelson’s listening section as the post-test. Moreover the MALQ was also administered to the experimental group at the end of the treatment in order to investigate the effectiveness of the treatment. Findings of the study were statistically dealt with the Statistical Package for the Social Science software (SPSS) version 17. T-value, mean scores, standard deviation, and degree of freedom were calculated. It was found out that the experimental group achieved more gains in their EFL listening comprehension skill and each sub-skill due to using the explicit language learning strategy instruction.
The utilization of energy waste in Polish underground coalmines *

The world mining as well as the Polish mining industry has used wastes to support the ceiling since the half of the 19 century. Waste rock was used for this purpose, which was rarely brought to the surface. It was applied in backfilling technologies, namely dry, hydraulic and pneumatic backfills. Particularly the hydraulic backfill, which underwent rapid development in the 1960s and 1970s, took advantage of large amounts of mining waste. The waste was an additive to backfilling sand, because it itself did not meet the standard requirements. “Fat” fraction waste were used, i.e. pebble, gravel and sand ones. The finest fraction (<0.1 mm) was inadequate, as it did not meet the standard requirements [4], even being used as a little additive caused pollution to surface and underground sediment traps. For that reason energy wastes, particularly fly ashes, were not used, millions of tons of which were directed to the surface sites. Attempts of using them for hydraulic backfills failed every time. Granulates made of fly ashes were appeared too expensive. The turning point happened as late as the beginning of the 1980s. These were the times when so called suspension technology, mixing fly ashes with water in new proportions, was introduced in hardcoal mines. The hydraulic backfill required the use of a few mass parts of water and one part of backfilling material. Similar and sometimes even larger amounts of water were used in power plants while hydraulic transporting of fly ash to the tailing ponds. The suspension technology reversed the proportions. From 0.5 to 3.0 parts of fly ash are added to one part of water, 1.5 to 2.0 parts on average. This technology was developed by a group of AGH scientific workers and power engineers [6]. First successful attempts took place in 1983; consequently the technology was introduced in KWK “Paryz” (“Paryz” hardcoal mine = KWK “General Zawadzki” then) [1]. The suspension was transported by a specially built pipeline linking the mine and the “Lagisza” power plant. A part of gallery was liquidated, after a month dams were dismantled and this allowed for research. Basic properties of suspensions were confirmed and, what is the most important, numerous opponents in those days could indirectly acquaint themselves with the technology.
WHO WILL BEAT THE CRISIS? SEARCHING FOR FACTORS THAT DEFINE SUCCESSFUL COPING WITH JOB LOSS AMONG WORKING PEOPLE IN CROATIA

The study deals with individual factors that are related to more or less adaptive behavior in the situation of job loss. Problem- and emotion-oriented coping strategies, their antecedents and consequences were in the focus. The data were obtained through a two-wave longitudinal study on a sample of 462 persons of various demographic and work characteristics who had recently lost their jobs. In the first wave, data on their demographic and work characteristics, experienced resources (financial situation, core self-evaluation, social support, job involvement and job-search self-efficacy) and strategies of proactive job search, occasional work, job-loss distancing and job devaluation were collected. In a follow-up study, conducted after six months, employment status and perceived work uncertainty were in the focus. The results can be summarized in several general findings: (1) Different patterns of individual characteristics were related to the tendency to use the individual strategy more or less intensively, and the strategies showed different adaptive roles in terms of their relations to measured outcomes; (2) The availability of coping resources is a significant predictor of the most adaptive, problem-oriented, strategy of proactive job search; (3) Some measured resources were not related to emotion-oriented strategies, and some of them stood in negative relations; (4) Proactive job search, but not the measured resources, was a significant independent predictor of reemployment six months later, in addition to age and education level; (5) Employment status, measured after six months, was a significant independent predictor of the concurrent experience of work uncertainty – reemployed individuals experienced less anxiety regarding their future work; (6) Demographic variables and measured resources served alongside current employment status as significant predictors of work uncertainty, but strategies did not. Key words: coping resources, coping strategies, job loss, unemployment, work uncertainty.
Quantification of a Methadone Metabolite (EDDP) in Urine: Assessment of Compliance

Objective: To investigate the possibility of utilizing the ratio of the methadone metabolite, 2-ethylidene-1,5-dimethyl-3,3-diphenylpyrrolidine (EDDP), to urine creatinine to develop a regression model that would predict drug adherence in patients prescribed methadone for either pain management or drug addiction. Design: Retrospective study. Setting: Marshfield Clinic-Lakeland Center, one of 41 regional centers that make up Marshfield Clinic, a large, private, multi-specialty healthcare institution in central Wisconsin. Participants: Patients receiving methadone treatment for substance abuse or chronic pain. Group 1 was an initial pilot group consisting of 7 patients who were followed for a 4-month period. Group 2 consisted of 33 patients who were followed over a 28-month period. Methods: Age, gender, weight, height, methadone dosage, quantitative urine creatinine and EDDP levels, reported compliance/non-compliance, and relevant clinical cofactors were retrospectively abstracted from the patients’ medical records. Log-log regression analyses were used to model EDDP and the EDDP/creatinine ratio from urine screening results as functions of methadone dose, and in the larger cohort (group 2), body size, gender and age. The coefficient of determination adjusted for the number of predictor terms (Radj2) was reported as a measure of model fit. Results: For group 1 data, there was a significant positive relation (P<0.001) but also substantial variability (Radj2 = 0.49). Adjustment for creatinine through the EDDP/creatinine ratio provided a tighter relation (Radj2 = 0.95). Similarly, for group 2 data, there was a significant positive relation (P=0.001) and substantial variability (Radj2 = 0.53). Adjustment for creatinine through EDDP/creatinine ratios provided a substantially stronger relation (Radj2 = 0.73). Gender and age showed no evidence of association with the EDDP/creatinine ratio (P=0.60 and P=0.51, respectively). Body size was significant in the model, both when measured by body surface area and by lean body weight, and improved the prediction when added to our model (Radj2 = 0.80). Conclusion: For the first time, urine analyses may be used to monitor methadone over- or under-use in a clinical setting, regardless of the state of patient hydration or the manipulation of a sample by addition of another substance, such as bleach, soap, or even methadone, which could render an appropriate sample inappropriate or an inappropriate sample appropriate. A similar approach may prove useful for other drug treatments, allowing for more accurate monitoring of commonly abused prescription medications.
Evaluating for long‐term impact of an environmental education program at the Kalinzu Forest Reserve, Uganda

Although the importance of evaluating the effectiveness of conservation education programs cannot be underestimated, few evaluations of these programs and their resulting impact on the environment have been conducted. A partnership between scientists, educators, and local administrators on an evaluation program has been developed to evaluate a model of education program evaluation that includes short‐ and long‐term evaluation of (1) knowledge and attitude change, (2) behavior change, and (3) positive biological impact. Previous work has shown short‐term knowledge retention from this education program. In the current study follow‐up evaluations were collected from students at 14 schools outside the Kalinzu Forest Reserve, Uganda. By comparing performance 30 days, 1 year and 2 years after the initial program we demonstrate that knowledge gain from this program is not transient. However, although knowledge is a prerequisite for appropriate conservation actions it does not guarantee appropriate behaviors will be performed. Anecdotal evidence of behavior change and positive biological impact is discussed within the context of the challenges with changing behavior and evaluating the true biological impacts of those behaviors. Ultimately, conservation professionals will need to partner with educators and social scientists to effectively measure the impact of conservation education and human‐based conservation programs on primate populations and their habitat. Am. J. Primatol. 72:407–413, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Characterizing Exploratory Visual Analysis: A Literature Review and Evaluation of Analytic Provenance in Tableau

Supporting exploratory visual analysis (EVA) is a central goal of visualization research, and yet our understanding of the process is arguably vague and piecemeal. We contribute a consistent definition of EVA through review of the relevant literature, and an empirical evaluation of existing assumptions regarding how analysts perform EVA using Tableau, a popular visual analysis tool. We present the results of a study where 27 Tableau users answered various analysis questions across 3 datasets. We measure task performance, identify recurring patterns across participants' analyses, and assess variance from task specificity and dataset. We find striking differences between existing assumptions and the collected data. Participants successfully completed a variety of tasks, with over 80% accuracy across focused tasks with measurably correct answers. The observed cadence of analyses is surprisingly slow compared to popular assumptions from the database community. We find significant overlap in analyses across participants, showing that EVA behaviors can be predictable. Furthermore, we find few structural differences between behavior graphs for open‐ended and more focused exploration tasks.
Reinforced variability decreases with approach to reinforcers.

Anticipation of rewards had different effects on operant variability than on operant repetition. We reinforced variable (VAR) response sequences in groups of rats and pigeons and repetitive (REP) response sequences in separate groups. A fixed number of variations or repetitions was required per food reinforcer (e.g., fixed-ratio 4). Although VAR contingencies resulted in high levels of variability and REP contingencies in high repetition, opposite patterns of performance accuracy were observed as rewards were approached. Likelihood of satisfying REP contingencies increased within the fixed ratio, whereas likelihood of satisfying VAR contingencies decreased. These opposite patterns of accuracy were also generated by conditioned reinforcing stimuli correlated with food. Constraints on variability by proximity to reinforcers may explain some detrimental effects of reward.
Kinetic Analysis of the Oxidative Conversion of the [4Fe-4S]2+ Cluster of FNR to a [2Fe-2S]2+ Cluster

ABSTRACT The ability of FNR to sense and respond to cellular O2 levels depends on its [4Fe-4S]2+ cluster. In the presence of O2, the [4Fe-4S]2+ cluster is converted to a [2Fe-2S]2+ cluster, which inactivates FNR as a transcriptional regulator. In this study, we demonstrate that ∼2 Fe2+ ions are released from the reaction of O2 with the [4Fe-4S]2+ cluster. Fe2+ release was then used as an assay of reaction progress to investigate the rate of [4Fe-4S]2+ to [2Fe-2S]2+ cluster conversion in vitro. We also found that there was no detectable difference in the rate of O2-induced cluster conversion for FNR free in solution compared to its DNA-bound form. In addition, the rate of FNR inactivation was monitored in vivo by measuring the rate at which transcriptional regulation by FNR is lost upon the exposure of cells to O2; a comparison of the in vitro and in vivo rates of conversion suggests that O2-induced cluster conversion is sufficient to explain FNR inactivation in cells. FNR protein levels were also compared for cells grown under aerobic and anaerobic conditions.
Increasing protein stability: Importance of ΔCp and the denatured state

Increasing the conformational stability of proteins is an important goal for both basic research and industrial applications. In vitro selection has been used successfully to increase protein stability, but more often site‐directed mutagenesis is used to optimize the various forces that contribute to protein stability. In previous studies, we showed that improving electrostatic interactions on the protein surface and improving the β‐turn sequences were good general strategies for increasing protein stability, and used them to increase the stability of RNase Sa. By incorporating seven of these mutations in RNase Sa, we increased the stability by 5.3 kcal/mol. Adding one more mutation, D79F, gave a total increase in stability of 7.7 kcal/mol, and a melting temperature 28°C higher than the wild‐type enzyme. Surprisingly, the D79F mutation lowers the change in heat capacity for folding, ΔCp, by 0.6 kcal/mol/K. This suggests that this mutation stabilizes structure in the denatured state ensemble. We made other mutants that give some insight into the structure present in the denatured state. Finally, the thermodynamics of folding of these stabilized variants of RNase Sa are compared with those observed for proteins from thermophiles.
Adjunct modafinil for the short-term treatment of fatigue and sleepiness in patients with major depressive disorder: a preliminary double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

BACKGROUND Fatigue and sleepiness are primary symptoms of depression that may not resolve with antidepressant therapy. Modafinil is a novel agent that has been shown to improve wakefulness and lessen fatigue in a variety of conditions. In this study, we examined the utility of modafinil as an adjunct therapy to treat fatigue and sleepiness in patients with major depression who are partial responders to antidepressants. METHOD Patients with partial response to anti-depressant therapy given for at least a 6-week period for a current major depressive episode (DSM-IV criteria) were enrolled in this 6-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, multicenter study. Patients received once-daily doses (100-400 mg) of modafinil or matching placebo as adjunct treatment to ongoing antidepressant therapy. The effects of modafinil were evaluated using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D), the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), the Clinical Global Impression of Change (CGI-C), and the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). Adverse events were monitored throughout the study. RESULTS One hundred thirty-six patients were randomized to treatment, with 118 patients (87%) completing the study. Most patients (82%) were fatigued, and one half of patients (51%) were sleepy. Modafinil rapidly improved fatigue and daytime wakefulness, with significantly greater mean improvements from baseline than placebo in fatigue (FSS) scores at week 2 (p < .05) and sleepiness (ESS) scores at week 1 (p < .01); the differences between modafinil and placebo at week 6 were not statistically significant. Assessment of the augmentation effects of modafinil (HAM-D, CGI-C, and SF-36) did not significantly distinguish modafinil from placebo. Modafinil was well tolerated in combination with a variety of antidepressants. CONCLUSION Modafinil may be a useful adjunct therapy for the short-term management of residual fatigue and sleepiness in patients who are partial responders to antidepressant therapy.
Correlation of diffusion tensor imaging parameters with neural status in Pott’s spine

Introduction: Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) has been used in cervical trauma and spondylotic myelopathy, and it has been found to correlate with neural deficit and prognosticate neural recovery. Such a correlation has not been studied in Pott’s spine with paraplegia. Hence, this prospective study has been used to find correlation of DTI parameters with neural deficit in these patients. Methods: Thirty-four patients of spinal TB were enrolled and DTI was performed before the start of treatment and after six months. Fractional anisotropy (FA), Mean diffusivity (MD), and Tractography were studied. Neurological deficit was graded by the Jain and Sinha scoring. Changes in FA and MD at and below the site of lesion (SOL) were compared to above the SOL (control) using the unpaired t-test. Pre-treatment and post-treatment values were also compared using the paired t-test. Correlation of DTI parameters with neurological score was done by Pearson’s correlation. Subjective assessment of Tractography images was done. Results: Mean average FA was not significantly decreased at the SOL in patients with paraplegia as compared to control. After six months of treatment, a significant decrease (p = 0.02) in mean average FA at the SOL compared to pre-treatment was seen. Moderate positive correlation (r = 0.49) between mean average FA and neural score after six months of treatment was found. Tractography images were not consistent with severity of paraplegia. Conclusion: Unlike spondylotic myelopathy and trauma, epidural collection and its organized inflammatory tissue in Pott’s spine precludes accurate assessment of diffusion characteristics of the compressed cord.
Vocabulary Acquisition in L 2 Elia Saneleuterio

We focus on how linguistic attitudes influence in the increase of lexical competence depending on two constructs: the sex of the student and the link between the affective component and lexical learning. Using a mixed research approach, we investigated the effect of two instructional approaches on lexical learning among 12-13 year old students, learning Catalan as a L2. Specifically, a quasi-experiment involving three groups was implemented: two treatment groups that received vocabulary instruction with active creation of a lexical corpus along with a strategic use of music as a boost for positive attitudes towards Catalan (group A), or as just an additional recreational resource, peripheral to the instruction (group B). The third group, which studied decontextualized vocabulary without any attitudinal encouragement, served as a comparison group. The results show group differences in vocabulary learning, indicating the potential effect of instructional strategies designed to increase positive linguistic attitudes. Additionally, gender difference was found in this effect: compared to male students, female students in the attitudinal support condition had slightly learning outcome rather than those in the non-attitudinal support group.
Development of Teacher Candidates’ Text-Making Skills in Multimodal Literacy Framework

The aim of this research is to improve multimodal literacy skills of Turkish language teacher candidates. For this purpose, first of all ; the existing conditions of teacher candidates about multimodal literacy have been determined. An implementation process is designed based upon the identified shortcomings. In this study, which is designed with mixed method, semi- structured interview form, semi- structured observation form, diary and teacher candidates' products are collecting data collection tools. Participants have been constituted among Turkish language teacher caditates. Descriptive analysis and content analysis techniques were utilized in the analysis of the data. At the beginning of the research period, multimodal literacy skills of teacher candidates were found low degree. Teacher candidates are determined to have significant deficiencies in integrating technological, pedagogical and field knowledge. On the other hand, as a result of the research, it has been seen that the Turkish language teacher candidates show the development which can produce multimodal texts. Keywords: Turkish language teaching, multimodal literacy, web 2.0 tools, teacher education, 21st century literacy.
Assessing Psychosocial Adjustment of Children with Chronic Illnesses: A Review of the Technical Properties of PARS III

Four groups of investigators in the Research Consortium on Chronic Illness in Childhood have used the Personal Adjustment and Role Skills Scale (PARS) III to assess the psychosocial adjustment of children with chronic physical illnesses and no mental impairment. The PARS III consists of 28 items that measure psychosocial functioning in six areas: peer relations, dependency, hostility, productivity, anxiety-depression, and withdrawal. Analyses of the measure's reliability and validity, using a total combined sample of 450 school-age children (ages 5–18 years) with a variety of chronic illnesses and three comparison samples of healthy children, provide evidence that the PARS III can be used successfully to assess psychosocial adjustment of children with chronic illnesses and no cognitive impairments. J Dev Behav Pediatr 11:116–121, 1990. Index terms: chronic illness, psychological development, social skills, behavior, measurement.