Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Development and Use of Anchoring Vignettes: Psychometric Investigations and Recommendations for a Nonparametric Approach

ABSTRACT The aim of the current research was to provide recommendations to facilitate the development and use of anchoring vignettes (AVs) for cross-cultural comparisons in education. Study 1 identified six factors leading to order violations and ties in AV responses based on cognitive interviews with 15-year-old students. The factors were categorized into three domains: varying levels of AV format familiarity, differential interpretations of content, and individual differences in processing information. To inform the most appropriate approach to treat order violations and re-scaling method, Study 2 conducted Monte Carlo simulations with the manipulation of three factors and incorporation of five responses styles. Study 2 found that the AV approach improved accuracy in score estimation by successfully controlling for response styles. The results also revealed the reordering approach to treat order violations produced the most accurate estimation combined with the re-scaling method assigning the middle value among possible scores. Along with strategies to develop AVs, strengths and limitations of the implemented nonparametric AV approach were discussed in comparison to item response theory modeling for response styles.
K-factor value of SF6 gas gap under non-homogeneous electric field for UHV-class gas-insulated switchgear

The lightning impulse voltage test waveform of power equipment is prescribed in the IEC 60060-1 "High-voltage test techniques" revised in 2010. This revision introduced an evaluation method by k-factor function (test voltage function), which converts an overshoot waveform to a test voltage waveform. At present, the test standard for UHV-class equipment is being studied and the authors have experimentally acquired k-factor values for gas-insulated switchgears, oil-immersed transformers and air insulation using the largest possible model assuming an actual UHV-class equipment to date. This paper reports the experimental result on the breakdown characteristics of lightning impulse voltage test waveforms for the SF6 gas insulation model under a nonhomogeneous electric field. The k-factor value was calculated by measuring the breakdown voltage and time using the superimposed oscillation frequency and the overshoot rate as parameters. The change with respect to the superimposed frequency of this experiment was similar to that of the existing k-factor function, and the effectiveness of evaluation by the k-factor function was confirmed.
PRODUCTION AND PARTIAL CHARACTERIZATION OF PIGMENTS PRODUCED BY KOCURIA SP BRI 36: INFLUENCE OF HEAVY METALS

Objective: To study the production of pigments by Kocuria sp. BRI 36, their characteristics and influence of heavy metals on pigments. Methods: The effects of various physical and chemical parameters on pigments production by Kocuria sp. BRI 36 were examined. Pigments were extracted and partially characterised by Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The effects of heavy metals such as Pb 2+ , Cd 2+ , Ni 2+ and Cr 3+ were studied on pigment production. Antimicrobial activity and stability studies of crude pigment were also conducted. Results: Kocuria sp . BRI 36 isolated from cold oceanic region maximally produced red-orange pigment in presence of glucose (5% w/v) and protease peptone (0.2% w/v) at pH 7.5, 10±1 °C. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) analysis revealed the occurrence of three different compounds in the crude pigment belonging to carotenoid and xanthophyll group. Metals like Ni 2+ and Cr 3+ adversely affected pigment production while Pb 2+ and Cd 2+ enhanced the yield. The significant features of Kocuria sp . BRI 36 pigment are i) antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, ii) maximum stability at pH 7.5 and 10±1 °C and iii) ~38% color loss at 50±1 °C in 5 h. Conclusion: Our results suggest application potential of Kocuria sp. BRI 36 pigments in various biotechnological fields.
Why cluster headache is also called "suicide headache"?

Introduction: The cluster headache (CH) is characterized by attacks of excruciating unilateral headache, affecting mainly the fronto-orbital region associated with autonomic signs like lacrimation and conjunctival injection, eventually leading the patient to suicide. Objective: To report a case in which a patient committed self-harm during the crises of CH. Case report: An 85-year-old man was evaluated at the ambulatory of the Getulio Vargas Hospital, Pernambuco. The patient was also subjected to a neurological examination and a cerebral computed tomography. The patient presented intense pain, with crises that last around three hours, in the right frontoorbital region with spread to the ipsilateral hemicranium. A relevant fact is that during one of the painful episodes the patient threw boiling water on the side of the pain, causing a second-degree burn on part of the head. Comment: The pain intensity in some cases may lead the patient to self-harm, so it is necessary that there be an early specialized approach with the objective of avoiding severe physical and psychological damages like the one that was described in this report.
Needs analysis for a developmental reading, writing, and grammar course at a private language school in Cambodia

Needs analysis has long been the cornerstone of English for Specific Purposes (ESP). Without it, ESP could not exist (Brown, 2016). The current needs analysis was conducted to find the specific purpose in a general English course aimed at helping students who had fallen behind in the areas of reading, writing, and grammar. It was conducted at a private language school in Phnom Penh, Cambodia using interviews, questionnaires, observations, materials analysis, and utilization-focused evaluation. The needs analysis was divided into two phases: the first was conducted using the interviews, questionnaires, observations, and materials analysis; and the second was dedicated to conducting utilization-focused evaluation wherein I worked with two full-time teachers to pilot and assess the findings of the first phase. The findings of the needs analysis suggested that a literatureand text-based approach was an appropriate fit for the course and that including utilization-focused evaluation as part of the needs analysis was of great value.
The Benefits of Using Blog in EFL Writing Classes

In line with the development of information technology, the use of blog has become a trend in writing. The study was done to explore students’ experiences in using blog in writing classes to find out the benefits of using blog. To do this, a questionnaire had been distributed to 100 respondents. The study revealed there are 8 benefits of using blog. They are: blog increased quality of writing, facilitated critical thinking skill, provided useful aids, saved time used, encouraged a sense of ownership and unique online identity, provided meaningful learning, built self-confidence, and offered examples for students to model and to learn. The findings are expected to promote awareness of the importance of blog in writing. Therefore, teachers can consider utilizing the use of blog in writing classes.
EFFECT OF FERMENTATION OF FABA BEAN (Vicia faba) ON ITS NUTRITIVE AND SENSORY PROPERTIES

Evaluation the effect of using different microbial strains in the fermentation of Faba Bean on its nutritive value and consumer acceptance was performed. Fermentation of processed Faba Bean (autoclaved and non autoclaved) with lactobacillus acidophilus (LAB ), Bacillus Subtilis ( B.subtilis ) and Saccharomyces cerevisiea (Yeast) were performed for 44 hrs after which analysis of chemical composition and anti-nutritional factors were performed to estimate the major differences before and after fermentation process. The result showed marked decrease in the pH of the fermented product accompanied by slight changes in the amino acids pattern. Marked reduction of antinutritional factors was obtained after fermentation especially in phytic acid. Estimation of True Digestibility (T.D), Biological Value (B.V) and Net Protein Utilization (N.P.U) were performed in a biology trial using Albino rats. Results revealed that, soaked and cooked Faba Bean fermented with B. Subtilis showed the greatest T.D, B.V and N.P.U. By applying panel test to estimate the palatability of the fermented Faba Bean, results showed that, there was no significant difference between all fermented products .
Spectral and Basic Properties of Flavones in the Ground and Excited States

Dependence between structures of R-oxyflavones and their spectral and basic properties has been investigated. It was found that pKa of flavones, depending on positions of hydroxy and methoxy groups, increase by 6-8 orders of magnitude upon excitation and reaches 3.7-6.6 units. Due to high pKa* value carbonyl group can serve as a proton acceptor in the excited-state intramolecular proton transfer as far as in the formation of phototautomers of 7- and 4'-hydroxyflavones in protic solvents.
EFFECT OF METFORMIN ON THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE IN EUTHYROID TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS PATIENTS

: BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE: Metformin use is reported to be associated with reduction in serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels. However, recent reports suggest that the effect of metformin on TSH is seen only in those who have hypothyroidism and not in those who are euthyroid. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to compare the difference in TSH levels between euthyroid type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients on metformin versus those not on metformin. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Using a cross sectional study design subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (N=150) were recruited from a rural community using simple random sampling. Individuals with known thyroid dysfunction were excluded. Data on socio-demographic variables, medications being used and duration of use were collected using structured questionnaire. Laboratory measurements included thyroid function tests, complete blood count, hepatic function tests, renal function tests and HbA1c estimation. RESULTS: The median TSH levels in patients with T2DM on metformin was 1.98 mIU/L (Q1=1.24mIU/L, Q3=2.76 mIU/L), whereas in patients with T2DM not on metformin the median TSH levels was 2.12mIU/L (Q1=1.30mIU/L, Q3=2.87mIU/L.)There was no statistically significant difference in the median TSH levels between patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus on metformin and those not on metformin (p=0.23). Further, there was no correlation between metformin dose and serum TSH levels (p=0.36). CONCLUSIONS: Metformin use did not affect serum TSH levels in euthyroid patients with T2DM.
MICROBIOLOGICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL STUDIES ON HIGH MORTALITY RATE IN SUCKLING CALVES WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO EPIDEMIOLOGICAL IMPACT

The current study aims to investigate the causes of high mortality rate in suckling calves due to bacterial and viral infection in relation to locality, seasons and age as well as through a high light on the histopathological effect of isolated organisms on tissues of dead suckling calves using both light and electron microscope. This work was performed on a total number of 144(25.1%) dead calves from total reported diseased 573 suckling calves. Samples collected from Al Sharquia, Al Behaira and Al Giza Governorates of Egypt during May 2016 to February, 2017. The mortality rate recorded in Al Sharquia, Al Behaira and Al Giza in percentage of 31.2%, 22.4% and 18.6 % respectively. Mortality rate was more prevalence in winter 69.4% than summer 30.6%. Enteritis cases were reported in 13.2 %, Pneumonia represented 21.5% while pneumoentritis was 65.3%. Isolated bacteria and viruses from out of 144 suckling dead calves suffering from enteritis were Escherichia coli (E. coli) 2.08 %, Salmonella typhimurium (S. typhimurium) 2.7% mixed infection of BVDV with E. coli 4.1%, and mixed of Rota virus with S. typhimurium in 4.1 % of cases. In Pneumonic Calves, the most prevalence isolates were Pasteurella multocida (P. multocida) 6.9% followed by Bovine Viral Diarrhea virus (BVDV), as a single infection, 6.2%, meanwhile mixed infection of both microorganesms were 15.2%. On the other hand, mixed isolates, bacteria and viruses, from 144 suckling dead calves suffering from pnemoentritis wererepresented in 84(58.4%) cases of dead examined calf, Isolated organisms were mixed infection of BVDV with S. typhimurium and E. coli 13.8 %, other cases showed mixed infection of BVD with S. typhimurium 13.8 %, other cases showed mixed of P.multocida with S. typhimurium 13.1 % finally cases of mixed infection of BVD with E.coli and P.multocida 18.7%. Pathological examination of Pneumonic calves revealed marked changes represented by two types of pneumonia which observed as Acute fibrinosuppurative bronchopneumonia (6.9%), and Interstitial pleuropneumonia (21.5%),entric calves revealed Hemorrhagic enteritis (13.2) %. In addition, in pneumoentric calves which represented 58.4%of dead calves andshowed, Fibrino-necrotizing bronchopneumonia, Necrotizing ulcerative enteritis, lymphocytic hepatitis with congestive cirrhosis, Interstitial nephritis, Acute hemorrhagic myocarditis and Splenic lymphoid depletion.
Effect of convective drying assisted by ultrasound on drying time and aroma of tamarillo and mango fruits

Healthy food consumption has increased the production of fruit based value-added products as a result of the awareness of their high contents of bio-active compounds like vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber and antioxidants. High moisture content in fruits can generate losses in post-harvest storage. The dehydration process based on water activity reduction, is an option for overcoming such losses. Regular hot air drying could affect negatively the quality properties of the fruit due to the long times at high temperature. Power ultrasound (US) application during the convective drying has been used as a new method to decrease drying time. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of the convective drying assisted by ultrasound on drying time and aroma losses of tamarillo (TS) and mango slices (MS). An experimental design was developed, showing the positive effect of ultrasound during convective drying process. Power ultrasound (20 kHz, 45 W) was applied during drying test at 50°C, applying 5 and 10 min.
Assessment of Soybean (Glycine max Merill L.) Based Cropping Systems through Organic and Inorganic inputs in Bundelkhand Region

A ield experiment was conducted at Tulsi Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Chitrakoot, Uttar Pradesh during 201213 to 2015-16 to study the effect of organic and inorganic inputs on productivity of soybean (Glycine max L. Merill) based cropping systems. Two cropping systems viz., soybean-wheat and soybeanchick pea along with three crop management practices viz., organic, inorganic and integrated were evaluated in strip plot design with four replications. In kharif season, soybean seed yield in soybeanwheat system (2718 kg/ha) was at par with soybean-chickpea (2662 kg/ha) cropping system. Amongst the management practices, organic practice gave signiicantly higher soybean seed yield (2850 kg/ha) than inorganic (2592 kg/ha) and integrated (2629 kg/ha) practice of crop management. However in rabi season, wheat (4017 kg/ha) recorded signiicantly higher yield than chickpea (1065 kg/ha). Inorganic management (2829 kg/ha) recorded signiicantly highest yield followed by integrated (2698 kg/ha) and organic practice (2097 kg/ha) during season. Soybean equivalent yield (SEY) was signiicantly higher in soybean-wheat cropping system (2595 kg/ha) than soybean-chickpea (1304 kg/ha). Inorganic practice showed signiicantly higher SEY (2129 kg/ha) than other two management practices. System net returns were higher in soybean-wheat system (Rs. 86964/-ha) and in inorganic practice (Rs. 97176/-ha) than in soybean-chickpea cropping system (Rs. 57872/-ha) and rest of the two management practices. Soybeanwheat cropping system with inorganic practice recorded higher system productivity (5573 kg/ha).
CHARACTERIZATION OF RED PIGMENTS EXTRACTED FROM RED BEET (BETA VULGARIS, L.) AND ITS POTENTIAL USES AS ANTIOXIDANT AND NATURAL FOOD COLORANTS

Red pigments extracted from red beet (Beta vulgaris,L.) were identified for major constituents by using HPLC, these pigments were used as alternative natural red colorants in some processed foods, i.e. jelly and ice sherbets. Also, the effect of using red beet extract as natural antioxidant on corn oil was studied. The results showed that red beet had 380 mg betalain /100g on fresh weight. The major constituents’ of red beet pigments were betalain and isobetalain by analyzing with HPLC. The best carriers for red beet pigments were dextrin followed by soluble starch, lactose and glucose, respectively. On the other hand, color and higher pigment stability of betalain pigments extracted from red beet were at pH ranged between 3.0 to 7.0 and temperature ranged between 40.0 to 50.0C. Meanwhile, the degradation of red pigments were 82.0% of the total pigments after 180 min at 90C. Antioxidant activity of red beet extracts were assessed by measuring peroxide value in corn oil during 7 days at 60C corn oil contained 1000 ppm was able to lower the peroxide value than using 200 ppm synthetiantioxidant butylated hydroxyl toluene (BHT). Analysis of variance for sensory evaluation of prepared jelly and ice sherbets indicated that, jelly samples containing 0.30% and ice sherbets containing 0.20% red beet pigments were given the highest scores of color, taste and overall acceptability similar with synthetic color carmine.
Influence of Papillomavirus Early Proteins on the Expression of Tumor-Progression Promoting Genes

Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are the known cause for cancers of the cervix and are associated with a variety of other human malignancies including head and neck, and skin. The cottontail-rabbit papillomavirus (CRPV) serves as a suitable animal model to study the development and progression of these cancers in-vivo. Our group has previously demonstrated that CRPV-induced skin lesions express elevated levels of metalloproteinase-9, a protease contributing to cancer progression by extracellular matrix remodelling. Based on our previous findings that the CRPV early protein 2 (E2) can activate a truncated human MMP-9 promoter fragment, we hypothesized that enhanced MMP-9 expression in the rabbit lesions is a consequence of activation of the rabbit MMP-9 promoter by CRPV E2. In order to elucidate the mechanism involved in MMP-9 promoter activation a library of genomic DNA isolated from rabbit skin was constructed, and the sequence of the MMP-9 promoter was identified. Promoter deletion mutants were cloned and the minimum required fragment for E2-mediated MMP-9 promoter activation was determined to be -717 bp in length. Selective mutation of transcription factor binding sites within the promoter sequence revealed a high importance of both of the two identified AP-1 binding sites in the rabbit MMP-9 promoter. Using the transactivation-deficient c-Jun mutant TAM67, a strong inhibitory effect on promoter activation after challenge with E2 could be observed, suggesting an important role of c-Jun in the activating AP-1 transcription-factor complex. The same mechanism could be shown in the human system during this study. Furthermore, it could be determined that in both, the rabbit and the human system, the activation of the MMP-9 promoter by E2 requires the phosphorylation of the MAP-kinase ERK, as inhibition of the cascade by the chemical inhibitor PD098059 resulted in a significant decrease of promoter activation. Co-transfection of E2 and siRNA directed against ERK or a dominant-negative mutant of the latter led to similar results. It has been described previously that the high-risk HPV E2 is located within both nucleus and cytoplasm. Mutations in the domains responsible for protein localization allowed for investigation of the role of E2 localization in the activation of the MMP-9 promoter. It was observed that MMP-9 activation was strikingly decreased when the protein was mainly cytoplasmic. Additionally, HPV6bE2 which has been described to be solely nuclear did also induce MMP-9 promoter activation. It can hence be concluded that CRPV E2 and HPV16 E2 both activate the respective MMP-9 promoters via an AP-1 and ERK dependent mechanism. As direct binding of the E2 proteins to the promoter can be roled out, this mechanism has to be further investigated. It can, however, be hypothezised that the interaction of E2 with its potential interation partner is taking place within the nucleus.
High-speed polarization-resolved coherent Raman scattering imaging

Polarization-resolved coherent Raman scattering (polar-CRS) provides rich information on molecular orientational organization, with the strong advantages of being a label-free and chemically specific imaging method. Its implementation, however, strongly reduces the imaging acquisition rate, due to limits imposed by polarization tuning. Here we demonstrate fast-polar-CRS imaging based on combined electro-optic polarization and acousto-optic amplitude modulations, applicable to both stimulated Raman scattering and coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering imaging. The proposed scheme adds polarization information without compromising the capacities of regular CRS intensity imaging; increases the speed of orientational imaging by two orders of magnitude as compared with previous approaches; and does not require post-processing analyses. We show that this method permits sub-second time-scale imaging of lipid order packing and local lipid membrane deformations in artificial lipid multilayers, but also in red blood cell ghosts, demonstrating its high sensitivity down to a single lipid bilayer membrane.
Investigation into the relationship between PARPs in DNA repair and synthetic lethality with homologous recombination deficiency

The genome of each cell is under constant threat from various forms of DNA damage. In order to protect themselves from this danger, cells possess a number of pathways able to resolve DNA lesions. The addition of poly(ADPribose) is a post-translational modification produced by attaching successive ADP-ribose moieties to a protein acceptor, forming long chains. Enzymes called poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs) catalyse the production of these modifications, and a number of different PARPs have been linked to the process of DNA repair, including PARP1, PARP2 and PARP3. How these enzymes might function together to facilitate the repair of different lesions is unclear. Furthermore, inhibitors that target these enzymes are in clinical use for their ability to kill homologous recombination deficient tumour cells, through a mechanism of synthetic lethality. Which subset of PARPs is necessary to inhibit to achieve maximum efficacy of these agents has not been assessed. I use genome editing to generate cells disrupted for these PARPs in different combinations. Whilst loss of PARP1 compromises cellular tolerance to homologous recombination deficiency, this is independent of the status of PARP2 and PARP3, indicating the development of PARP1-specific inhibitors may hold therapeutic potential. In contrast to these observations, I uncover strong redundancy between PARP1 and PARP2 in the repair of damaged DNA bases through the base excision repair (BER) pathway. I also identify BER independent roles of both PARP1 and PARP2 in resolving replication forks that have collided with BER-intermediates, through promoting the stability of Rad51 nucleofilaments via an Fbh1-dependent mechanism. Thus PARP1 and PARP2 perform two closely-linked functions in response to cellular base damage promoting resolution of these lesions directly through BER, and stabilising replication forks which have encountered BER intermediates.