Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Towards Describing Student Learning of Abstract Algebra: Insights into Learners’ Cognitive Processes from an Acceptance Survey

In an earlier contribution to Mathematics, we presented a new teaching concept for abstract algebra in secondary school mathematics, and we discussed findings from mathematics education research indicating that our concept could be used as a promising resource to foster students’ algebraic thinking. In accordance with the Design-Based Research framework, the developed teaching concept is now being revised in several iteration steps and optimised towards student learning. This article reports on the results of the formative assessment of our new teaching concept in the laboratory setting with N=9 individual learners leveraging a research method from science education: The acceptance survey. The results of our study indicate that the instructional elements within our new teaching concept were well accepted by the students, but potential learning difficulties were also revealed. On the one hand, we discuss how the insights gained in learners’ cognitive processes when learning about abstract algebra with our new teaching concept can help to refine our teaching–learning sequence in the sense of Design-Based Research. On the other hand, our results may serve as a fruitful starting point for more in-depth theoretical characterization of secondary school students’ learning progression in abstract algebra.
Evaluation of The Effect of Diode Laser on Root Canal Disinfection, Canal Cleanliness, Fracture Resistance of Tooth Structure and Bond Strength to Root Canal Dentin An in Vitro Study

Evaluation of The Effect of Diode Laser on Root Canal Disinfection Canal Cleanliness Fracture Resistance of Tooth Structure and Bond Strength to Root Canal Dentin An in Vitro Study Dina Ahmed Fouad Barakat 1, Ehab El Sayed Hassanein 2 ,Kariem Mostafa Elbatouty 3 Abstract Aim The aim of this study was to assess and investigate the effect of diode laser on root canal disinfection, and root canal cleanliness, as well as its effect on the fracture resistance of tooth structure, and on the bond strength of resin sealer to the root canal wall. Materials and Methods A total of 160 single rooted teeth were selected, and separated into two experimental groups (n=80), Group A were finally irrigated using 980 nm diode laser. Group B were finally irrigated using NaOCl/EDTA. Samples were evaluated for canal disinfection using the colony forming unit count, and Polymerase chain reaction. Samples were placed under scanning electron microscopic to evaluate the smear layer removal. A universal testing machine was used to test the resistance of teeth to fracture, and the bond strength of sealer to the root canal walls. Results Group A showed higher bacterial reduction and better results in smear layer score than Group B. Also Group A presented higher fracture resistance than Group B, as well as better value of push out bond strength than Group B. Conclusion Diode laser is an efficient tool in bacterial reduction and smear layer removal when used as a final irrigation procedure, compared to NaOCl/EDTA.
Integrating Reanalysis and Satellite Cloud Information to Estimate Surface Downward Long-Wave Radiation

The estimation of downward long-wave radiation (DLR) at the surface is very important for the understanding of the Earth’s radiative budget with implications in surface–atmosphere exchanges, climate variability, and global warming. Theoretical radiative transfer and observationally based studies identify the crucial role of clouds in modulating the temporal and spatial variability of DLR. In this study, a new machine learning algorithm that uses multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS) and the combination of near-surface meteorological data with satellite cloud information is proposed. The new algorithm is compared with the current operational formulation used by the European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) Satellite Application Facility on Land Surface Analysis (LSA-SAF). Both algorithms use near-surface temperature and dewpoint temperature along with total column water vapor from the latest European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) reanalysis ERA5 and satellite cloud information from the Meteosat Second Generation. The algorithms are trained and validated using both ECMWF-ERA5 and DLR acquired from 23 ground stations as part of the Baseline Surface Radiation Network (BSRN) and the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) user facility. Results show that the MARS algorithm generally improves DLR estimation in comparison with other model estimates, particularly when trained with observations. When considering all the validation data, root mean square errors (RMSEs) of 18.76, 23.55, and 22.08 W·m−2 are obtained for MARS, operational LSA-SAF, and ERA5, respectively. The added value of using the satellite cloud information is accessed by comparing with estimates driven by ERA5 total cloud cover, showing an increase of 17% of the RMSE. The consistency of MARS estimate is also tested against an independent dataset of 52 ground stations (from FLUXNET2015), further supporting the good performance of the proposed model.
Is Rajan’s Hypothesis Confirmed by Empirical Evidence? A Critical Review

Based on experience in the United States in recent decades, Rajan (2010) argues that there is an inequality-debt-crisis nexus, that is, income inequality may contribute to banking crises by stimulating the accumulation of household debt. Whether and to what extent Rajan’s hypothesis has been confirmed (or refuted) by the literature is investigated in this study. It is shown that the validity of Rajan’s theory depends on the level of strictness of the standards that are established to estimate the extent of agreement between theory and evidence. This conditional validity can be attributed to the multidimensional nature of the inequality-debt-crisis nexus, which is overlooked by Rajan. JEL Classification: D31, E51, G21, G51
Household Portfolio Allocations: Evidence on Risk Preferences from the Household, Income, and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey Using Tobit Models

This study investigates intrahousehold risk preferences in household portfolio decision-making. Most household finance data are collected at the household level, and it is challenging to come up with an explanation of risk-taking decisions and have a direction on the within-household bargaining mechanisms. We provide these challenging pieces of evidence by applying a Tobit model on panel data taken from waves 2 to 6 of HILDA surveys. Overall, the results indicate that the risk-taking attitude of partners matters in household portfolio allocations. Risk-averse males and their female counterparts invest less in risky assets. Compared with the no-conflict (identical risk preferences) group, male partners with risk-loving behaviour tend to invest more in risky assets. Further, individual risk preferences are sensitive to fluctuations in equity and housing markets in Australia. Taken together, one of the crucial implications of our findings for future research is that household-bargaining models should, perhaps, give more bargaining power to risk-loving males, offering an additional explanation for the determinants of risk-taking behaviour of households. Understanding the risk-taking attitudes of households is important for future work to understand the fraction of households that end up with a negative net worth in recessions or crisis conditions, such as financial crises, pandemics, and wars.
Pose2Sim: An End-to-End Workflow for 3D Markerless Sports Kinematics—Part 2: Accuracy

Two-dimensional deep-learning pose estimation algorithms can suffer from biases in joint pose localizations, which are reflected in triangulated coordinates, and then in 3D joint angle estimation. Pose2Sim, our robust markerless kinematics workflow, comes with a physically consistent OpenSim skeletal model, meant to mitigate these errors. Its accuracy was concurrently validated against a reference marker-based method. Lower-limb joint angles were estimated over three tasks (walking, running, and cycling) performed multiple times by one participant. When averaged over all joint angles, the coefficient of multiple correlation (CMC) remained above 0.9 in the sagittal plane, except for the hip in running, which suffered from a systematic 15° offset (CMC = 0.65), and for the ankle in cycling, which was partially occluded (CMC = 0.75). When averaged over all joint angles and all degrees of freedom, mean errors were 3.0°, 4.1°, and 4.0°, in walking, running, and cycling, respectively; and range of motion errors were 2.7°, 2.3°, and 4.3°, respectively. Given the magnitude of error traditionally reported in joint angles computed from a marker-based optoelectronic system, Pose2Sim is deemed accurate enough for the analysis of lower-body kinematics in walking, cycling, and running.
Recent Advances in the Extraction of Pittosporum angustifolium Lodd. Used in Traditional Aboriginal Medicine: A Mini Review

Numerous native Australian plants are widely used as traditional medicines by the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Among the native plants, Pittosporum angustifolium Lodd. (Gumby Gumby) is claimed to be a promising medicinal plant in the treatment of a wide range of diseases that includes viral symptoms (colds and coughs), eczema, cancer, muscle aches, varicose veins, and many more. Various extraction techniques are used to extract the bioactive compounds of P. angustifolium, which are formulated into nutraceuticals. The present paper will provide an overview of the recent development in the extraction of bioactive ingredients from P. angustifolium, as well as the findings on the phytochemicals and antimicrobial activity of P. angustifolium extracts.
Unit non-response in household wealth surveys

The Household Finance and Consumption Survey (HFCS) is a recent initiative from the Eurosystem to collect comparable micro-data on household wealth and indebtedness in the euro area countries. The Household Finance and Consumption Network (HFCN), which comprises the European Central Bank (ECB), national central banks (NCBs), and national statistical institutes (NSIs), is in charge of the development and implementation of the HFCS. The first round of the survey was successfully conducted between 2008 and 2011, and the results were published in April 2013. The second round is now under way and will cover all the euro area countries. This paper is a joint effort by several members of the HFCN to further investigate the issue of unit non-response in the HFCS, better describe and understand its patterns, measure its effects on the overall quality of the survey and, ultimately, propose strategies to mitigate them. The paper is divided into sections, the first section being the introduction. The second section draws up a list of the main possible sources of auxiliary information that can be relied on in order to analyse non-response patterns in the HFCS. It also presents summary indicators that can be used to quantify unit non-response. In the third section, based on the experience from the first wave of the HFCS, the report elaborates on good survey practices (e.g. interviewer training and compensation, use of incentives, persuasive contact strategies, etc.) to prevent unit non-response from occurring. The fourth section compares several reweighting strategies for coping with unit non-response a posteriori, in particular simple and generalised calibration methods. These methods are assessed with respect to their impact on the main HFCS-based estimates. Finally, based on the outcome of this empirical analysis, recommendations are made with regard to post-survey weighting adjustment in the HFCS. JEL Classification: C83
Effect of Reflexology Foot Massage on Pain intensity and Physical Functional Abilities Among Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis

Introduction: Knee Osteoarthritis is the eighth leading cause of disability and a degenerative disease that deteriorates over time. It is the chief contributor to impaired mobility and occurrence of chronic pain. Hence, early diagnosis and treatment remains the key in the management of Osteoarthritis. Non-pharmacological methods such as reflexology have been used to alleviate symptoms and to improve patients’ functional ability. Aim: Evaluate the effectiveness of Reflexology Foot Massage on pain intensity and physical functional abilities among patients with Knee Osteoarthritis. Research hypothesis: Patients with knee osteoarthritis, who receive Reflexology Foot Massage experience less pain intensity, improvement in health status and physical functional abilities than those who do not receive such intervention. Methods: A quasi experimental research design was utilized to conduct this study on 60 patients with Knee Osteoarthritis at the Rheumatology and Rehabilitation clinic of El-Hadra Orthopedic and Traumatology University Hospital, Alexandria. Tools: Three tools were used in this study for data collection. Tool I: Patient's Socio-demographic and Clinical Data Structured Interview Schedule, Tool II:Western Ontario and MCMaster Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) questionnaire structured interview schedule, and Tool III: Range of Motion Exercise of the knee joint assessment. Results: Patients’ pain intensity, knee joint stiffness, and function abilities were improved significantly in the study group immediately after second, third and fourth foot reflexology sessions, moreover, the mean difference for knee R.O. M between the patients in the study group including, knee flexion and extension were improved significantly immediately after second, third and fourth foot reflexology sessions than those in the control group. Conclusion: The therapeutic effects of Reflexology massage sessions on the study group were much better than that of control group in relation to decrease patients’ pain intensity, improvement in their health status and physical functional abilities. Recommendations: Illustrated self-administered Reflexology massage intervention booklets distributed to patients with knee osteoarthritis, could be of help, and development and implementation of Reflexology training program for nurses, health care personnel and caregivers should be applied. non-pharmacologic therapies Non-pharmacologic modalities for KOA generally divided into educational, and physical approaches. Educational approaches are based on lifestyle pattern changes including; diet, exercise, and joint protection techniques by using different walking aids ( Cutolo et al., 2015) . Physical exercises include aerobic activity, muscle strengthening and range-of-motion exercises. Physiotherapy strategies such as Electrotherapy, thermal modalities and manual therapy are recommended according to each patient condition
QUANTIFICATION OF THE MYCOTOXIN PATULIN AND HYDROXYMETHYLFURFURAL IN SOME JUICE IN THE EGYPTIAN MARKETS

A rapid and simple method is described to determine patulin (PAT) and 5- hydroxy methyl furfural (5-HMF) in some fruit juices in the Egyptian market. The target compounds were extracted with ethyl acetate using vortex followed by high-performance liquid chromatographic separation. It was found that the 5-HMF concentration in the tested samples was ranged between 0.53 and 477 mg/L, and no patulin was detected.
Fungi Associated within Human Otomycosis

Some diseases are so tightly correlated to allergic reactions to specific fungi. Several fungi are the causative agents of otomycosis. The knowledge of fungal otitis in Egypt is still quite poor. The main aims of this study are to isolate and identify fungal species involved in ear infection, examine their abilities to produce proteolytic and lipolytic enzymes as well as their sensitivity to some antifungal therapeutic agents. A total of 80 clinical otitis samples were recruited from the Ear, Nose and Throat Department, Minia University Hospital, Minia University, Minia during the period from January 2017- December 2018. The obtained results showed isolation of 152 fungal isolates related to 15 species representing 10 genera from the collected samples and were tested for their capabilities to synthesize protease and lipase enzymes. Aspergillus and Candida were the most prevalent identified species from different isolates. All the tested fungal isolates were very sensitive to Nystatine and Itraconazole and resistant to Muconazole. Moderate resistance to Turbinafine and Fluconazole was obtained by most of these fungi. However, Griseofulvin did not show any antifungal activity against the tested fungal strains. Aspergillus, Alternaria and Fusarium species showed the highest producer fungi for both enzymes.
Constraints Faced by the Farmers in Adoption of Recommended Practices of Rice (Oryza sativa) Cultivation in Nagaland State

Agriculture serves as a backbone for Nagaland’s economy where more than one-third of the population depends on agriculture for their livelihood. About 85 per cent of the cultivable land is occupied by cereals where rice, maize and millet are the major variants produced in the state. There are two methods of cultivation mostly practiced in the state i.e., jhum (shifting cultivation) and terrace which makes about 86 per cent of the total cultivable area. With the soar in population and the growing demands for food, there is a need to improve the farming systems so as to increase the production and productivity of agriculture to meet the growing demands, which can only be achieved by adopting improved and radical farming practices by the farmers. With a sample size of 300 rice farmers, a study was conducted in six districts of Nagaland to identify the constraints faced by the farmers while adopting recommended cultivation practices of rice (irrigated and upland). An open-ended questionnaire was administered to the respondents where ranking was done for each of the constraints based on the frequency and percentage. Findings revealed that the major constraints faced by the farmers while adopting recommended cultivation practices of irrigated rice were non-availability of quality seeds, lack of proper financial assistance/subsidies and non-availability of timely farm inputs and machineries whereas major constraints for upland rice were non-availability of quality seeds, lack of proper financial assistance/subsidies and lack of marketing facilities and channels.
GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY-MASS SPECTROMETRY ANALYSIS AND GROWTH RETARD NATURE OF Barbula lambarenensis ON BACTERIA

Research studies have shown that mosses contain bioactive substances and are of significant economic importance. The aim of this study was to analyze the composition of Barbula lambarenensis and screen for its bioactivity. The moss collected from its natural habitat was air- dried at room temperature in the laboratory, extracted with methanol and the crude extract was utilized for gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis, antibacterial sensitivity testing and generation time elongation assay. The antimicrobial activity was tested using 12 bacterial strains. The result of the analysis showed the presence of 35 compounds with n-Hexadecanoic acid (22.59%), cis-Vaccenic acid (18.52%), 1,2,4-Cyclopentanetrione, 3-butyl- (13.84%) and 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (10.24%) as the most abundant compounds. Extract of Barbula lambarenensis did not inhibit growth of test organisms in the antibacterial sensitivity test. Generation time elongation assay showed a reduction in the growth rate of Bacillus cereus and Morganella morganii. The study indicated that Barbula lambarenensis contain numerous compounds with varying bioactivities which can be exploited by the pharmaceutical industry especially in the production of novel medicine.
Emotional intelligence and team performance lessons for project management researchers: A critical review

The work conducted by Sy, et al. (2006) on emotional intelligence in the context of a restaurant business is a very interesting piece since it talks not only about the restaurant managers’ emotional intelligence (EI), but also about their employees’ EI. Most of the articles in this subject tend to ignore the employees’ EI (e.g. Clarke, 2009, Sunindijo, Hadikusumo, & Ogunlana, 2007, and Leban & Zulauf, 2004). What makes the article more interesting is the fact that Sy, et al. (2006) analyze the relationship between the employees’ EI, their managers’ EI, the employees’ job satisfaction and performance. Therefore, it does not only discover new things in the theory of EI, but it also connects them. This paper argues that the findings and limitations in the “restaurant” research conducted by Sy, et al. (2006) provides an important EI lesson for project management researchers. The author then suggests a new approach to measure the effect of emotional intelligence on team performance, and how this “new approach” might change the direction of future research in this subject. As to the Emotional intelligence and team performance lessons for project management researchers: A critical review INDUSTRIAL MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE
Effect of Peer Victimization on the Long-Term Mental Health Status among Adults Users of Intellectual Disability Services: A Longitudinal Follow-Up Study

Caregiving for mental health among people with intellectual disabilities (IDs) in the ID services was reported as insufficient. The purposes of this study were to investigate five types of peer victimization (PV) experiences among adults with ID using ID services, and to gain a deeper understanding of the influence of PV experience on adults with ID’s long-term mental health status. A one-year longitudinal follow-up study was conducted from eight long-term care ID services (n = 176). Logistic regression analysis was applied to variables comprising personal characteristics, various types of PV experience and polyvictimization to predict period prevalence of psychiatric symptoms. The data indicated that nearly one-third of individuals with ID experienced at least one psychiatric symptom. The three most common psychiatric symptoms prevalent after one year were adjustment disorder, anxiety disorder, and somatoform disorder. Over the 1-year study period, approximately 40% of adults with ID reported experiencing PV. The most frequently reported types of PV were physical force (26%) and verbal victimization (22%). Polyvictimization was experienced by approximately a quarter of adults with ID. The findings suggest that PV is a common experience among adults in ID services. Thus, for a clearer understanding of mental health risks, caregivers should pay attention to adults with ID who experienced PV.