Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Electroacupuncture Treatment for Women with Primary Obesity: A Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

The purpose of this review was to evaluate the effectiveness of electroacupuncture treatment for women with “primary obesity. ” Primary obesity is caused by an imbalance in energy intake and consumption due to abnormal eating and living habits in the absence of specific diseases causing the obesity. A literature review (up to December 2019) of randomized controlled trials (RCT) of electroacupuncture treatment for women with “primary obesity” was performed. Relevant clinical studies were retrieved from several databases, and interventions and results were analyzed. There were 6 RCT that fitted the inclusion criteria for this review. The intervention for the treatment group of the selected 6 RCT was electrical stimulation applied to acupoints. Interventions for the control groups included non-treatment, general acupuncture, and so on. Indicators for assessing treatment effects varied from study to study. Four out of 5 studies used body mass index (BMI) as an assessment tool and showed a significant decrease in BMI following electroacupuncture treatment. There were 4 studies using waist circumference as an indicator of abdominal obesity and these studies showed a significant decrease in waist circumference following electroacupuncture treatment. Electroacupuncture treatment used in primary obese women had a clinically significant effect, however, further RCT are needed.
The Use of Reinforcement in Writing and Speaking Skill for Adult Learners in Mahasaraswati University

-The purpose of the study was to find out the use of the use of reinforcement in writing and speaking skill for adult learners in Mahasaraswati University. The study employed qualitative method which qualitative data was collected. The subject of the study was the lecturers of Mahasaraswati University who taught Basic Writing and Speaking Skill. The data was collected by using questionnaires and interviews. The findings of the study were show that the teachers used positive reinforcement in teaching writing skill to adult learners and it affected the learners’ motivations. In addition, the teachers also use positive reinforcement to teach speaking skill. The students’ motivations enriched after implementing reinforcement and they can perform better in speaking performance.
Qualitative role of heterogeneous catalysts in biodiesel production from Jatropha curcas oil

Biodiesel properties are in general attributed to the composition and properties of the oil feedstock used, overlooking the possible impacts of the catalyst preparation details. In light of that, the impacts of different catalyst preparation techniques alongside those of different support materials on the yield, composition, and fuel properties of biodiesels produced from the same oil feedstock were investigated. More specifically, tri-metallic (Fe-Co-Ni) catalyst was synthesized through two different techniques (green synthesis and wet impregnation) using MgO or ZnO as support material. The generated catalyst pairs, i.e., Fe-Co-Ni/MgO and Fe-Co-Ni/ZnO prepared by wet impregnation and Fe-Co-Ni-MgO and Fe-Co-Ni-ZnO prepared by green synthesis (using leaf extracts) were used in the transesterification process of Jatropha curcas oil. Detailed morphological properties, composition, thermal stability, crystalline nature, and functional groups characterization of the catalysts were also carried out. Using Box-Behnken Design response surface methodology, it was found that the green-synthesized Fe-Co-Ni-MgO catalyst resulted in the highest biodiesel yield of 97.9%. More importantly, the fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) profiles of the biodiesels produced using the four catalysts as well as their respective fuel properties were different in spite of using the same oil feedstock.
Quantum fluctuations in the BCS-BEC crossover of two-dimensional Fermi gases

We present a theoretical study of the ground state of the BCS-BEC crossover in dilute two-dimensional Fermi gases. While the mean-field theory provides a simple and analytical equation of state, the pressure is equal to that of a noninteracting Fermi gas in the entire BCS-BEC crossover, which is not consistent with the features of a weakly interacting Bose condensate in the BEC limit and a weakly interacting Fermi liquid in the BCS limit. The inadequacy of the two-dimensional mean-field theory indicates that the quantum fluctuations are much more pronounced than those in three dimensions. In this work, we show that the inclusion of the Gaussian quantum fluctuations naturally recovers the above features in both the BEC and the BCS limits. In the BEC limit, the missing logarithmic dependence on the boson chemical potential is recovered by the quantum fluctuations. Near the quantum phase transition from the vacuum to the BEC phase, we compare our equation of state with the known grand canonical equation of state of two-dimensional Bose gases and determine the ratio of the composite boson scattering length ${a}_{B}$ to the fermion scattering length ${a}_{2\mathrm{D}}$. We find ${a}_{B}\ensuremath{\simeq}0.56{a}_{2\mathrm{D}}$, in good agreement with the exact four-body calculation. We compare our equation of state in the BCS-BEC crossover with recent results from the quantum Monte Carlo simulations and the experimental measurements and find good agreements.
A Comprehensive Microstructural and Compositional Characterization of Allogenic and Xenogenic Bone: Application to Bone Grafts and Nanostructured Biomimetic Coatings

Bone grafts and bone-based materials are widely used in orthopedic surgery. However, the selection of the bone type to be used is more focused on the biological properties of bone sources than physico-chemical ones. Moreover, although biogenic sources are increasingly used for deposition of biomimetic nanostructured coatings, the influence of specific precursors used on coating’s morphology and composition has not yet been explored. Therefore, in order to fill this gap, we provided a detailed characterization of the properties of the mineral phase of the most used bone sources for allografts, xenografts and coating deposition protocols, not currently available. To this aim, several bone apatite precursors are compared in terms of composition and morphology. Significant differences are assessed for the magnesium content between female and male human donors, and in terms of Ca/P ratio, magnesium content and carbonate substitution between human bone and different animal bone sources. Prospectively, based on these data, bone from different sources can be used to obtain bone grafts having slightly different properties, depending on the clinical need. Likewise, the suitability of coating-based biomimetic films for specific clinical musculoskeletal application may depend on the type of apatite precursor used, being differently able to tune surface morphology and nanostructuration, as shown in the proof of concepts of thin film manufacturing here presented.
Running head: BIDIRECTIONAL RELATIONS BETWEEN VICTIMIZATION AND ODD

Peer victimization has repeatedly been shown to negatively affect children’s physical and mental health. Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is among the most common childhood psychiatric disorders and research shows that there is an association between victimization and symptoms of ODD. However, because of the cross-sectional design of these studies the direction of influence is unknown: Does victimization cause an increase in ODD symptoms and/or does ODD symptoms increase the risk of victimization? Identifying factors that can increase the risk for ODD or constitute consequences of ODD is important in order to inform prevention and treatment. The purpose of this study was therefore to test if there is a bidirectional relation between victimization and children’s symptoms of ODD in a large sample of 6 year olds (N=790) who were followed up two years later. Children’s ODD symptoms were assessed by the Preschool Age Psychiatric Assessment interview (PAPA) when children were 6 and 8 years old respectively. Six items from the teacher reported questionnaire “The Revised Olweus Victimization Scale” measured victimization. The data were analysed using structural equation model in Mplus. The results showed that symptoms of ODD at age 6 predicted neither direct (e.g. “He/she was ignored by other children”) nor indirect (e.g. “He/she was ignored by other children”) victimization two years later. With regard to the opposite direction of influence, I found that victimization at age 6 predicted ODD symptoms at age 8, over and above children’s initial level of ODD symptoms. Subgroup analyses revealed that indirect victimization prospectively predicted ODD symptoms in boys, whereas this path was not significant for girls. Direct victimization did not predict ODD symptoms two years later neither for boys nor girls. In the current study the prospective relation between ODD symptoms and victimization was not gender dependent.
Breaking seed dormancy and micropropagation of perennial vulneraria milkvetch (Astragalus vulnerariae DC.)

In this study, an efficient system to break seed dormancy and plant regeneration was established for perennial vulneraria milkvetch (Astragalus vulnerariae DC.). The seed coat dormancy could be easily released using 40% sulphuric acid treatment for 15 minutes, which made the seed coat permeable without damaging zygotic embryos. The tissue culture studies reported regeneration on 5 explants, which had variable effects on shoot regeneration, using MS medium containing variable concentrations of Kin–NAA and BAP–NAA. Maximum shoot regeneration of 86.67% with 4.47 shoots per explant was noted on MS medium containing 0.5 mg·l –1 Kin – 0.5 mg·l –1 NAA on hypocotyl explants. No shoot regeneration was noted on cotyledon leaf and shoot nodes using MS medium containing any concentration of BAP–NAA. Maximum shoot regeneration of 50% with 3 shoots per explant was also observed on 1 mg·l –1 BAP – 0.5 mg·l –1 NAA on epicotyl explants. MS medium containing Kin–NAA induced hypocotyl explant shoots had rooting percentage of 36.67% on 0.5 mg·l –1 IBA, whereas, MS medium containing BAP–NAA induced hypocotyl shoots had rooting percentage of 46.67%. The in vitro cultured plants had an acclimatization rate of 78%. Aesthetically attractive, economical, easy to maintain and water efficient vulneraria milkvetch is currently not available in landscaping. The system of plant regeneration and adaptation suggested by this paper may help to dissipate it to a broad range of water scarce environments as a sustainable and inexpensive choice.
Application of augmented finite element and cohesive zone modelling to predict damage evolution in metal matrix composites and aircraft coatings

This paper reports on the application of a special purpose finite element analysis tool that combines augmented finite element methodologies (AFEM) and cohesive zone model (CZM) methods to simulate initiation and propagation of both cohesive and adhesive cracks. The constitutive behaviour of an aluminium/silicon carbide metal matrix composite was predicted and compared with experimental data as an example of a material system controlled by cohesive cracks. The simulation allowed to determine the strain level, at which particle fracture was initiated and illustrates how the overall material response is dominated by particle fracture beyond that strain level. The effects of silica filler particles on the lifetime of polyurethane matrix aircraft coating systems were investigated in a second example in which adhesive cracks at the filler/matrix interface are a dominant failure mechanism. The influence of particle volume fraction and particle/matrix interface adhesion strength on coating lifetime predictions were investigated and the results show that low filler particle volume fraction and high interface adhesion strength improve coating durability. In general, the paper demonstrates the potential of combined AFEM and CZM micromechanical damage simulation to gain improved understanding of damage mechanisms in heterogeneous materials and to support analysis and design of advanced material systems. Key words: Augmented finite element method, phantom node method, cohesive zone modelling, metal matrix composite, aircraft coatings.
Optical Bound States in the Radiation Continuum : From Topological Charges to Light-Em Applications

Bound states in the continuum (BICs) are unusal solutions of wave equations describing light or matter: they are discrete and spatially bounded, but exist at the same energy as a continuum of states which propagate to infinity. In this thesis, we will explore optical BICs from different perspectives, including physical intuitions, fundamental theories, sample fabrications, experimental setups, and real-life applications. First, we demonstrate the existence of such exceptions realized in macroscopic twodimensional periodic photonic crystals slab. The reason for these special modes to completely decouple from the continuum of free-space modes is through mismatching their symmetries. Further, we distinguish these special non-degenerate states with quality factors as high as 10' that extend over 108 unit cells from other existing modes in the system. Then, we show BICs have profound implications in light-emission applications. When coupling these special states to emitters, we demonstrate greatly enhanced and strongly modulated spontaneous emission from organic molecules, due to the unique properties of BICs. Furthermore, these BICs enable lasing of organic molecules with threshold at least one order of magnitude lower than previous reported results. Third, we demonstrate a different kind of BICs: those are not protected by symmetry incompatibility. We experimentally demonstrate that light can be perfectly confined in a patterned dielectric slab, even though outgoing waves (symmetrycompatible) are allowed in the surrounding medium. Such states exist stably in a general class of geometries where all of its radiation amplitudes vanish simultaneously due to destructive interference. Finally, we provide a fundamental understanding about the nature of BICs that unify both types of BICs. We also explain the robustness of them through their topological nature. We show that both types of BICs are vortex centers in the polarization direction of far-field radiation. The robustness of these BICs is due to the existence of conserved and quantized topological charges, defined by the winding number of the polarization vectors. Such charges can only be generated or annihilated by making large changes in the system parameters, and then only according to strict rules, which
Demotivators for Japanese Teenagers.

These two decades have seen a surge in interest in the study of motivation throughout the field of language acquisition. Several distinguished motivational theories have been established: self-determination theory (Deci & Ryan, 1985), goal-setting theories (Locke & Latham, 1990), attribution theory (Weiner, 1992), self-worth theory (Covington, 1992) and self-efficacy theory (Bandura, 1993). In response to the negative trend that some learners lose interest in foreign langue learning despite the best efforts by teachers, researchers have started to explore a different category of motivation, demotivation. Dornyei (2001) defines a demotivated learner as “someone who was once motivated but has lost his or her commitment/interest for some reason” (p. 142). Demotivation has been researched in Japan, at primarily in the university and high school level. To overcome limitations of the previous studies, the current study explores the following three questions. (1) How do Japanese high school learners change their state of demotivation through? (2) How does each demotivator contribute to learners’ demotivation? (3) When does demotivation start and what factors contribute to junior high school demotivation? The participants are 54 second year high school learners and 36 third year junior high students from a school in Japan. A 26 itemquestionnaire and an in-house test were used to examine the high school learners. A 9 item-open ended questionnaire with two 5 Likert type questions was used to examine the high school learners. The data was analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. High school learners’ state of demotivation changed in the intensity toward communicative method and several variables are considered to contribute to demotivated learners. For junior high school learners, grammar and confidence issue are the stronger demotivator. Implications for practical classroom instructions, and recommendations for further research are given based on the results.
Reply to Comment by Heilbron and Valeriano on “Tectono Metamorphic Evolution of the Central Ribeira Belt, Brazil: A Case of Late Neoproterozoic Intracontinental Orogeny and Flow of Partially Molten Deep Crust During the Assembly of West Gondwana”

The exercise of paleogeographic/tectonic reconstruction of past orogenic belts is a complex task that includes the interpretation and integration of multi‐technique approaches such as basin tectonics, structural geology, petrology, geochemistry, geochronology, and geodynamics. Proterozoic geologic records are fragmented and incomplete, which make efforts to reconstruct paleogeography and orogenic processes even more challenging. Therefore, for our understanding of the tectonic evolution of past orogenic systems to advance, it is essential that any existing model, including the ones proposed by Heilbron and Valeriano (2020, https://doi.org/10.1029/2019tc005897 ), are repeatedly exposed to debate and testing. In this reply we address the points raised by Heilbron and Valeriano in order to clarify the scientific foundations of our tectonic interpretation for one of the Neoproterozoic Brasiliano/Pan‐African orogens in South America (the Central Ribeira Belt), presented in Meira, Garcia‐Casco, Hyppolito, et al. (2019, https://doi.org/10.1029/2018TC004959 ). We also evaluate the proposed paleogeographic reconstructions for this part of West Gondwana and conclude that an intracontinental model better explains the currently available data and observations, including the space problem pointed out in recent publications, and that existing geochemical and geochronologic data by themselves are not conclusive with respect to an unequivocal tectonic environment.
LY Testosterone and aggressiveness

Aggressiveness is an ancestral behavior common to all animal species. Its neurophysiological mechanisms are similar in all vertebrates. Males are generally more aggressive than females. In this review, aggressive behavior in rodents, monkeys, and man and the role of testosterone and brain serotonin levels have been considered. Interspecifi c aggressiveness in rats has been studied considering the mouse-killing behavior; the neonatal androgenization of females increases adult mousekilling as does the administration of testosterone in adults. Intraspecifi c aggressiveness was studied by putting two or more male rats (or mice) in the same cage; the condition of subjection or dominance is infl uenced by testosterone.
Chapter 8 Anemia and Cancer

This chapter explores the management of anemia in older cancer patients. Cancer is a disease of aging: more than 50% of all malignancies currently occur in the 12% of the population aged 65 and over; by the year 2030 older individuals are expected to account for 20% of the population and 70% of all cancer cases (1). Though not unique of older individuals, anemia is a common manifestation of cancer, especially of advanced cancer (2). The elderly are expected to suffer disproportionately of cancer-related anemia, because cancer becomes more common with age and because age itself is a risk factor for anemia (1–3). Anemia is detrimental to cancer patients, because it compromises patient well-being, and it may increase the complications and reduce the benefits of antineoplastic treatment (2). Anemia of chronic inflammation (ACI) and of chemotherapy are the most common forms of anemia in cancer patients and both respond to pharmacological doses of erythropoietin (2, 4). The availability of a number of synthetic erythropoiesis-stimulating factors (ESF) that mimic the action of erythropoietin has allowed the correction of anemia in the majority of cancer patients. After reviewing the pathogenesis of anemia we will examine the consequences of anemia for the older cancer patients and the benefits and potential risks of treatment with ESF.
Public-private partnership : a framework for private sector involvement in public infrastructure projects

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Identifying Creativity During Problem Solving Using Linguistic Features

Creativity is commonly assessed using divergent thinking tasks, which measure the fluency, flexibility, originality, and elaboration of participant output on a variety of different tasks. This study assesses the degree to which creativity can be identified based on linguistic features of participants’ language while completing collaborative divergent thinking tasks. To this end, 78 participants’ conversational dialogs (i.e., 39 dyads) within a chat environment were collected while completing three open-ended problem-solving tasks. Expert raters scored the dialogs in terms of fluency, flexibility, elaboration, and originality, as well as three types of creative language (metaphor and simile, humor, and word play). Factor analyses indicated that these scores captured two main constructs (creativity and elaboration). The linguistic features of the participants’ language (captured computationally using natural language processing tools) accounted for significant amounts of variation in both the creativity (R2 = .640) and elaboration (R2 = .550) scores within linear mixed effect (LME) models. These results highlight specific linguistic features that can be used to explain large amounts of variance in constructs related to creativity.
HYPERNETWORKS AND SUPPLY-DEMAND EQUILIBRIUM OBTAINED WITH DISAGGREGATE DEMAND MODELS

This paper presents a framework for discussing many transportation demand and supply-demand equilibrium problems. It regards the sequence of choices an individual faces when he or she is about to make a travel (or not-to-travel) decision as a case choice of a route on an abstract network (hypernetwork). Hypernetworks are intimately related to the multinomial probit (MNP) model of travel choice. For instance, the multivariate normal distribution underlying this model enables one to represent processes of travel choice as route choices on networks and to use the networks as visual aids in conceptualizing the specification of covariance matrices for MNP choice models. Hypernetworks enable us to carry out supply-demand equilibrium analyses with disaggregate demand models on a mathematically consistent basis (heuristic equilibration techniques based on feedback loops do not necessarily converge, as shown with a simple counterexample). This greatly enhances the potential of probabilistic discrete-choice disaggregate demand models, since it is now possible to avoid their mispredictions when applied to congested transportation systems. /Authors/