Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Addressing sleep disorder of autistic children with Qur'anic sound therapy

Autism is a neural development disorder characterized by the deterioration in social interacttion, abnormal language expression, repetitive actions, imaginative game tendencies, and limited and/or obsessiveness in certain activities/ interests. Lack of sleep is one of the factors contributing to the worsening of overall negative symptoms of autistic children. From the Islamic perspective, sleep is a necessity and could function as a treatment for health problems, in addition to influencing behavior patterns. Sound therapy has been used in dealing with various health problems, including sleep problems and mental ill health. Possibly, it can also address sleep problems of the autistic children. Listening to the melodious Qur’anic recitation is known to have therapeutic effects even on individuals who do not understand the meaning of the verses being read; it could function as sound therapy. However, no established work has been done to study the effect of Qur’anic verses recitation on autistic children and their sleep problems. Similar to the use of music therapy, Qur’anic recitation is also expected to have a positive impact on speech, learning and interpersonal relationship. As a healing medium, Qur’anic therapy is also expected to have a better result as compared to other conventional sound therapy since its content could be psychotherapeutic.
Assessment of Local Influence

SUMMARY Statistical models usually involve some degree of approximation and therefore are nearly always wrong. Because of this inexactness, an assessment of the influence of minor perturbations of the model is important. We discuss a method for carrying out such an assessment. The method is not restricted to linear regression models, and it seems to provide a relatively simple, unified approach for handling a variety of problems.
Wastewater Treatment and Biogas Recovery Using Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactors (AnMBRs): Strategies and Achievements

Anaerobic digestion is one of the most essential treatment technologies applied to industrial and municipal wastewater treatment. Membrane-coupled anaerobic bioreactors have been used as one alternative to the conventional anaerobic digestion process. They are presumed to offer the advantage of completely reducing or minimizing the volume of sludge and increasing biogas production. However, researchers have consistently reported different kinds of fouling that resulted in the reduction of membrane life span. Depending on the strength of the effluent, factors such as high suspended and dissolved solids, fats, oil and grease, transmembrane pressure (TMP) and flux were reported as major contributors to the membrane fouling. Moreover, extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) are an important biological substance that defines the properties of sludge flocs, including adhesion, hydrophobicity and settling and have been found to accelerate membrane fouling as well. Extensive studies of AnMBR have been done at laboratory while little is reported at the pilot scale. The significance of factors such as organic loading rates (OLRs), hydraulic retention time (HRT), pH and temperature on the operations of AnMBRs have been discussed. Microbial environmental conditions also played the most important role in the production of biogas and the chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal, but adverse effects of volatile fatty acids formation were reported as the main inhibitory effect. Generally, evaluating the potential parameters and most cost effective technology involved in the production of biogas and its inhibitory effects as well as the effluent quality after treatment is technically challenging, thus future research perspectives relating to food to microorganism F/M ratio interaction, sufficient biofilm within the reactor for microbial attachment was recommended. For the purpose of energy savings and meeting water quality discharge limit, the use of micro filtration was also proposed.
Evaluation of the hydration of portland cement containing various carbonates by means of thermal analysis

Portland cement containing a fixed amount of mineral admixtures (calcium carbonate or dolomite or magnesite) was hydrated at 60 °C for 7- and 28 days. Phase compositions were evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis and by powder X-ray diffraction. Measurements of surface area indicated the development of the hydrated microstructure. Detailed analysis of DTG decomposition profiles of portlandite and carbonate enabled the evaluation of certain admixture-related parameters concerning portlandite formation and also indicated the behavior of specific carbonates during the hydration process.
Therapy-Related Long-Term Effects in Childhood Posterior Fossa Tumors

Background: Posterior fossa tumors constitute 60-70% of central nerve system tumors in children. These are localized in the cerebellum and the brain stem. The most common tumor types are medulloblastoma, astrocytoma and ependymoma. Treatment for these life-threatening neoplasms is established mainly according to the tumor type and can consist of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Since survival rates have significantly increased during the last decades, long-term therapyrelated effects have become more and more important. This study aims to give an extensive review of all treatment-related long-term sequelae in posterior fossa tumor survivors. Method: The PubMed/Medline database was screened for articles published in 1990-2017 using the following search algorithm: ("Infratentorial Neoplasms"(Mesh) OR cerebellar tumor OR brain stem tumor) AND ("Child"(Mesh) OR "Infant"(Mesh) OR "Adolescent"(Mesh)) AND treatment AND (long term sequelae OR outcome). Studies including only adult patients or patients currently in treatment, studies not covering long-term effects and non-original research articles were excluded. Findings: The search algorithm returned 1367 articles. After a full screening procedure, 66 studies were retained for the qualitative analysis. The most frequent long-term sequelae were neurological complications, endocrine deficits, speech problems and intellectual impairment. Medulloblastoma patients suffered the greatest therapyrelated morbidity. Other important risk factors for worse long-term outcome were radiation dose, radiation volume, preoperative hydrocephalus and younger age at diagnosis. Conclusion: Therapy-related long-term effects are very frequent in all posterior fossa tumor survivors and comprise a broad spectrum of somatic, neuropsychological and psychosocial issues. Therefore, allcaregivers involved should be aware of these sequelae, to maximally support vulnerable children who survived their cancer.
The Effect of Sulfuric Acid, Temperature, seed production locations and Agronomic Factors on Hard Seed Breakdown in Annual Medic (Medicago scutellata cv. Robinson)

This study was carried out at the agricultural research farm of Lorestan University in Khoramabad in 2010-2011 to evaluate the effect of sulfuric acid, temperature, seed origin and agronomic factors on hard seed breakdown of annual medic (Medicago scutellata cv. Robinson). Two pot experiments were conducted in a split-factorial design arranged in randomized complete blocks with four replications. In the first pot experiment, planting with pod at four levels of planting depth (0, 4, 8, and 12 cm) formed the main plot and a combination of two levels of seed origin (Khoramabad and Karaj) and two levels of soil texture (silt-clay loam and sand) formed the split treatments in a factorial manner. In the second pot experiment, planting without pod at four levels of planting depth (0, 2, 4, and 6 cm) formed the main plot and a combination of two levels of seed origin (Khoramabad and Karaj) and two levels of soil texture (silt-clay loam and sand) formed the split treatments in a factorial manner. A laboratory experiment was also conducted in a factorial design arranged in randomized complete blocks with four replications. The factors involved two levels of sulfuric acid (applied and not applied), two levels of seed origin (Khoramabad and Karaj) and four levels of temperature (5, 15, 30, and 45°C). Results showed that washing the seeds with sulfuric acid had beneficial effects on hard seed breakdown. Constant temperature did not affect hard seed breakdown but germination percentage and seed vigor decreased at 45°C. The temperature in which the seeds were kept before germination increased the length of radicles when approached the biological zero. According to the pot experiments, the highest and lowest germination percentage was observed respectively at the depth of 4 cm and 12 cm in planting with pod and 2 cm and 6 cm in planting without pod. Seed origin and soil texture also affected hard sees breakdown and seeds with Khoramabad origin and the soil with lighter texture produced a higher germination percentage. Annual medics is more noteworthy than other annual legumes in this type of cropping system due to its specific self-regeneration resulting from the gradual softening of its hard seed coat. Seed coat hardening is the main reason for seed dormancy in leguminous plants. Hardseededness of more than 90% prevents seeds from germination at the cropping stage in cereal-legume rotation systems. In the conditions and system status that the purpose cultivation is necessary that the seed with pods can be used without such rotational system of annual medic and wheat or barley (ley- farming) or similar cases and in a condition that can or should be compulsorily placed in the soil seed with pods like the end of first year rotational system of annual medics - wheat or barley (ley- farming) should be that of wheat, seed with pods in the soil should be deferred
Lumbar mechanics from ultrasound imaging

The feasibility of estimating lumbar mechanics in-vivo was evaluated using ultrasound imaging. Images were obtained while subjects were seated, with the pelvis fixed, and pulled on an anchored cable by isometrically contracting trunk muscles at different force levels. Linear regression analysis was used to identify ultrasound measurements which were correlated with trunk force. Results suggest that ultrasound is more suitable for estimating lumbar mechanics during lateral flexion than extension of the trunk. A linear trend was found between changes in thickness of some muscles and trunk force, which could provide an alternative to invasive intramuscular electrodes for measuring the activity of non-superficial muscles. A significant limitation, however, is that the magnitude of the changes were frequently very close to the ultrasound resolution.
The effects of vermicompost tea on the growth and yield of lettuce and tomato in a non-circulating hydroponics system

Abstract The use of vermicompost water extracts (teas) in horticulture to increase plant growth and yield and suppress pests and diseases, is well documented. However, its utilization and effects in hydroponics systems are unknown. Low concentrations of vermicompost teas, produced from food wastes, at rates of 1.6% and 3.2% for lettuce and 0.14%, 0.28% and 0.56% for tomatoes were investigated as additive and supplement in static hydroponic systems. Vermicompost teas significantly increased lettuce yields when concentrations of nutrient solutions were reduced to 25% and 50% of the recommended full rate for nutrient solutions compared to treatments without vermicompost teas. Even lower concentrations of vermicompost teas increased tomato yields significantly as a supplement in reduced nutrient solutions of 50%. The presence of a combination of trace amounts of plant hormones such as auxins, cytokinins, gibberellins and humic acids in vermicomposts teas are likely the responsible factor that increased yields of lettuce and tomato in static hydroponics systems with lower concentrations of nutrient solutions.
The Effect of Participation in a Music Mentorship Program on the Self Esteem and Attitudes of At-Risk Students.

The purpose of the paper was to examine the effect of participation in a music mentorship program on the self-esteem and attitudes of at-risk students. Participants (N = 24) were adolescent girls enrolled in a special program for secondary students who are at risk for academic failure and who are experiencing conflict in school and at home. Participants were assigned to a music mentorship group, music participation only group (no mentorship component), or control group (no participation in music). Interventions were at-risk students' participation in either a 16-week music mentorship program, or a 16-week music only program. Mentees for the mentorship program were secondary students enrolled a self-contained public school for students with developmental disabilities. Experimental group participants were involved in a special chorus, step and movement group, and instrumental ensemble. Results from dependent measures indicated that participants' self-esteem scores in the music and music mentorship groups improved similarly from pre- to posttest, and improved more so than the control group, though not significantly. Participants' journals revealed positive and affirming statements about what the mentors had learned about people with disabilities, helping others, and teaching music. These data indicate that music participation in any form may assist in improving students' self-esteem, although specific interventions may need to be longer in duration, targeted toward a specific self-esteem domain, and/or more intense in order to show significant improvement in standardized measures of self-esteem. Additional pre-post data revealed that at the conclusion of the music mentorship intervention, at-risk students were more interested in teaching as a possible career, and were more comfortable with persons who have disabilities than they were before the intervention.
Somatic embryogenesis of Neoglaziovia variegata (Arruda) Mez, an important source of fiber from native Brazilian bromeliads

Neoglaziovia variegata (Arruda) Mez, a Bromeliad endemic to the Brazilian Caatinga and source of fiber for many different products, is considered an endangered species. Leaf and stem segments were cultivated on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with combinations of 2,4- dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) (0, 9, 18 and 27 µM) and glutamine (0, 50, 100, 150, 200 mg L-1) for the induction of embryogenic calli. Leaf segments did not present a favorable response for the combinations analyzed. The best response for embryogenic calli frequency with the best distribution of somatic embryos on the surface and better conversion rate was obtained using the stems explants in the medium containing 18 µM 2,4-D and 100 mg L-1 glutamine. The embryogenic calli obtained from the different induction media were transferred to MS medium supplemented with 30 g.L-1 sucrose, 2.4 g.L-1 Phytagel®, 0.53 µM α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and 0.88 µM of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP). The regenerated plants presented normal growth; however, many embryos did not fully develop.
Contract Law and the Governance of Inter-Firm Technology Partnerships - An Analysis of Different Modes of Partnering and Their Contractual Implications

This paper studies some major legal implications of inter-firm technology partnering through equity joint ventures, non-equity partnerships, and licensing contracts. These different partnerships are placed within the classical and relational contracting perspectives, while also considering intellectual property rights issues. Samples of contracts of partnerships in bioscience, fine chemicals, biotechnology and biopharmaceuticals are analysed, in detail, with reference to the distribution of property rights, major contractual clauses, and measures for conflict resolution. Equity joint ventures and non-equity partnerships are found to largely follow a relational contracting perspective, while licensing contracts are governed by a classical contracting perspective.
The Effectiveness of Limited Dynamic Wrist Splints on the Symptoms, Function, and Strength of Women with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Controlled Trial Study

Background: Splinting is the most common conservative method of treating patients with mild and moderate Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of the limited dynamic wrist splint on the symptoms, function, and strength of women with CTS. In this controlled trial study, the subjects wore a splint of a new design called the “limited dynamic wrist splint”, which allowed the wrist motion in the range (between 15-degree flexion and 15-degree extension) that exerts minimum pressure on the median nerve and prevents extra pressure on the nerve by limiting the range of motions out of the allowed range. Methods: In this study, 24 women diagnosed with mild to moderate CTS were initially evaluated on the basis of the Boston questionnaire, the dexterity test of the Purdue pegboard, grip and pinch strength, distal sensory latency, and sensory nerve conduction velocity. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups, control and treatment. Both groups received routine rehabilitation treatment for six weeks. The treatment group received the limited dynamic wrist splint for about six to eight hours a day. After six weeks, the initial examinations were repeated. The SPSS-16, independent t, and paired t-tests were used for data analysis. Results: All the variables in the treatment and the control groups showed improvement. The function test of the Boston questionnaire, the Purdue pegboard test, and the pinch strength were significantly improved in the treatment group. The “severity of the symptoms” test of the Boston questionnaire and the pinch strength in the control group showed a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). In a comparison of the two groups, the function test of the Boston questionnaire showed a significant difference. Conclusion: This study showed that the use of the limited dynamic wrist splint for about six weeks for six to eight hours a day could have a significant effect on the function, dexterity, and the pinch strength of patients with CTS. Not only can the patients receive treatment by this method, but they can also perform their daily activities to some extent.
Effect of the dry matter intake level on the sanguine profile of glucose, insulin, urea, estrogen and progesterone and concentration of IGF-I in the follicular liquid of crossbred heifers

O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar o efeito do nivel de ingestao de materia seca (IMS/% do PV) sobre as concentracoes sanguineas de glicose, insulina, urea, estrogeno e progesterona e o nivel de IGF-I no liquido folicular de novilhas. Vinte e sete novilhas cruzadas foram utilizadas, distribuidas em tres tratamentos: 1,2%; 1,6% e 2,6% do peso vivo de ingestao de materia seca por dia. As concentracoes no plasma da veia jugular de glicose e estrogeno foram maiores nos animais com 1,6% de IMS e os niveis de insulina foram maiores nos animais com 2,6% de IMS. Houve um aumento dos niveis plasmaticos de ureia com aumento dos niveis de IMS. Nao houve efeito da IMS sobre os niveis de progesterona no plasma sanguineo coletado da jugular. No plasma sanguineo coletado da veia cada caudal, os niveis de progesterona foram maiores (P<0,05) nos animais com 2,6% de IMS. Nao houve efeito da IMS sobre os niveis foliculares de IGF-I.
EXPLORING ADOLESCENT RESILIENCY DURING RECENT PARENTAL DEPLOYMENT

Background: Military adolescents experience more behavioral risk factors, such as depression and suicidal ideation than civilian adolescents and often have difficulty adjusting to the many changes inherent in the lives of military-connected children. Eighty percent of militaryconnected children attend civilian public-schools and often have difficulty adjusting to new school environments. Furthermore, military culture is often misunderstood by non-military school personnel.
Sex‐specific density‐dependent secretion of glucocorticoids in lizards: insights from laboratory and field experiments

Negative density feedbacks have been extensively described in animal species and involve both consumptive (i.e. trophic interactions) and non-consumptive (i.e. social interactions) mechanisms. Glucocorticoids are a major component of the physiological stress response and homeostasis, and therefore make a good candidate for proximate determinants of negative density feedbacks. Here, we combined laboratory and field experiments with enclosed populations to investigate the relationship between density, social stress and plasma corticosterone levels in the common lizard Zootoca vivipara. This species exhibits strong negative density feedbacks that affect females more than males, and its life history is sensitive to experimentally-induced chronic elevation of corticosterone plasma levels. We found that prolonged crowding in the laboratory can trigger a chronic secretion of corticosterone independent from food restriction. In the field experiments, corticosterone levels of females were not affected by population density. Corticosterone levels of males increased with population density but only during the late activity season in a first field experiment where we manipulated density. They also increased with density during the mating season but only in populations with a female-biased sex ratio in a second field experiment where we crossed manipulated density and adult sex ratio. Altogether, our results provide limited evidence for a role of basal corticosterone secretion in density feedbacks in this species. Context and density-dependent effects in males may arise from changes in behavior caused by competition for resources, male–male competition, and mating.
Image and Video Restoration with TV / L 2-Norm Constraint

There is a high demand for generating high-quality video and images, which are used for the wide range of applications, such as biometric authentication, medical imaging, and so on. In this paper, we present a video restoration method for generating a high-quality video from a deteriorated or blurred video. Recent researches independently investigate how to estimate the proper kernel from single blurred image and other researchers developed the unique algorithm, which includes time variation of data for restoring a blurred video. Therefore, in this paper we proposed a high-quality video or image restoration method, which combined with these two researches' methods for enhancing restoration performance. Our strategy can be divided into two steps. The first step is kernel estimation from each image frame of blurred video with using Total Variation (TV)/L2-norm as a regularization term. Then, the second step is to recover a high-quality video with algorithm, which considering time variation of adjacent frames. Experimental results show that the recovered high-resolution video and images with our proposed approach can achieve comparable performance than the conventional methods. In addition, our method can visualize how the blurry degree changes in the video. Keywords-image restoration; deblurring; kernel estimation; total variation
Negotiated Interaction in Teacher-Led versus Peer Group Adult ESL Discussions.

This study investigated how teachers and learners negotiated meaning in three teacher-led whole-class and nine peer group pre-writing discussions in a pre-university ESL program. By analyzing various interaction features such as comprehension and confirmation checks, clarification and feedback requests, self- and other-corrections, and self- and other-completion, the study found that although peer discussions had high frequencies of negotiation, these negotiations were restricted compared with the extended negotiations in teacher-led discussions. Also, peer groups, where students showed more initiation to modify syntax, lexis, and meaning were limited compared with the target like forms in teacher-led error corrections. Students' feedback suggested that they perceived peer and teacher talk to complement each other to meet various needs of the learners as useful language learning experiences.