Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Teammate Familiarity in Distributed Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning: The Mediating Role of Social Presence

Owing to the limitations of computer-mediated communication (CMC), distributed CSCL (Computer-supported collaborative learning) has not always been as effective as desired. Despite recognizing the significance of group composition, the exploration of the function of teammate familiarity in distributed educational settings is restricted. This study explored the influence of teammate familiarity and social presence in a distributed CSCL setting by conducting an online survey of 288 Korean university students with experience in distributed CSCL. The results indicate that teammate familiarity increased the social presence experienced by students among their peers. Social presence subsequently enhanced teamwork satisfaction and, ultimately, increased self-assessed knowledge gain. More importantly, the relationship between teammate familiarity and teamwork satisfaction was mediated by social presence. Social media platforms and class webpages were the most widely used channels for students to get to know their teammates. Our study provided insights for improving the effectiveness of distributed CSCL and a framework for investigating social presence in satisfaction building in various contexts, including online education.
Effect of Nitrogen Fertilizer on Yield, Fruit Quality and Oil Content in Manzanillo Olive Trees

A field trial was conducted to determine the effect of nitrogen fertilizer rates and dates of added on the yield, fruit quality and oil of “Manzanillo” olive trees in a private orchard at Cairo-Alexandria desert road (about 50 Km from Cairo), Egypt. The application of ammonium sulphate at the rate of 1 kg /tree in each of February, May, June and August increased significantly yield, fruit quality (weight, size, diameter and pulp/seed ratio) and oil content in fruit.
Cephalometric evaluation of Age-dependent Craniofacial Skeleton Changes in children of 7-17 years age group: Assessment of Gender Impact

: This study was conducted at Faculty of Public Health & Health Informatics, Um-El Qurra University, Mekkah and Faculty of Medicine, Northern Border University, ArAr, KSA. The study aimed to evaluate the age and sex dependent changes of the craniofacial skeleton during the age period of 7-17 years old. Two hundred 200 children and adolescents (100 males and 100 females) were categorized according to age into 5 equal groups and underwent postero-anterior (PA) cephalograms using a high resolution (600 dpi), after digitizing the PA landmarks. The landmark co-ordinates were used to calculate the cranial, bifrontotemporal, bizygomatic, mid-facial, maxillary skeletal base, bigonial, biantegonial and nasal widths. Measurements of the maxillary and mandibular intermolar widths were made directly on plaster models with a dial caliper. There was a progressive age-dependent increase of cranial width with a significant increase in males compared to females and the difference was highly significant in age group 9-11 years. Bifrontotemporal width despite showed progressive increase with age in both sexes, which was significant only in older male children compared to females. Bizygomatic width showed a progressive significant difference with advance of age to peak at 15-17 years old children. Both mid-facial width and maxillary skeletal base width showed progressive increase with age, which was significant in all age strata being most significant in older age groups for both variables. Bigonial and biantegonial widths showed non-significant differences between males and females in all age groups, whereas, nasal width showed progressive significant difference, between males and females. Both maxillary and mandibular intermolar widths showed progressive significant difference, between males and females with age. Conclusion: there was a significant change in the transverse craniofacial skeleton with age that was significantly evident in male measurements compared to female ones. [
Climate change scenarios of convective and large‐scale precipitation in the Czech Republic based on EURO‐CORDEX data

There is growing evidence that the hydrological cycle is affected by climate change. Many studies have dealt with evaluation of precipitation characteristics in regional climate models (RCMs) and their projected changes. However, little attention has been given to possible differences between scenarios of convective and stratiform precipitation and changes in their proportions on total amounts, although climate models simulate convective (subgrid) and stratiform (large‐scale) precipitation separately through deep (precipitating) convection and large‐scale precipitation parameterizations. In this study, we analyse outputs of four RCMs (CCLM, HIRHAM, RACMO2, and RCA4) from the EURO‐CORDEX project. The RCM simulations for 1989–2008 driven by ERA‐Interim reanalysis with two horizontal resolutions (0.44° and 0.11°) are evaluated against observed data in Central Europe, and projected changes of precipitation characteristics (2071–2100 vs 1971–2000) simulated by the RCMs with 0.11° horizontal resolution driven by the EC‐EARTH global climate model are then examined. We find that mean convective and large‐scale precipitation amounts tend to increase in all seasons except summer when large‐scale precipitation amounts decrease. Extreme precipitation is projected to increase in the late 21st century time slice for both convective and large‐scale precipitation. The changes of precipitation characteristics are more pronounced in simulations driven by the RCP8.5 scenario, with a larger increase of temperature, and these changes are larger for precipitation with higher intensity. Increasing proportion of convective precipitation in summer and generally increasing intensity of precipitation may have important consequences, e.g. for soil erosion, replenishment of soil moisture, and occurrence of flash floods and droughts.
Correlations between landscape features and crop type and the occurrence of the Ortolan Bunting Emberiza hortulana in farmlands of Central Italy

The occurrence of Ortolan Bunting, a declining species in Europe, was investigated in relation to environmental characteristics of agricultural landscapes in Central Italy. The present work evaluated the significance of landscape features, land-use composition and crop type at the 7-ha scale, in predicting the presence of the Ortolan Bunting. The presence of the species was not strongly linked with measures of habitat heterogeneity, but was related to certain crop types: sunflower, oats and alfalfa, and also to the availability of bare soil. Patches of bare soil may be characteristic for important foraging sites of the focal species. These results may help to predict Ortolan Bunting responses to changes in farming practices, and improve farmland management for the maintenance of the Ortolan Bunting populations in Italy.
Assessing Chilling Conditions by Sites and Years for Perennial Fruit Production in Kentucky

Temperate regions of the world are characterized by seasonal warm and cool temperature. Cool temperature enables the plant to undergo physiological processes essential for flowering and fruit bearing in the following season. Failure of environments to provide chilling conditions required for the fruit cultivar results in deformed leaves, fruits, or barren trees. The present study was conducted to assess production and distribution of chilling hours in Kentucky environments. Weather data were provided by Kentucky Mesonet system for 50 counties over a 5-year period. A chilling unit is defined as a clock hour in which air temperature is between 0°C and 7.2°C. Temperature readings in this range were recorded from September through April. Average number of chilling hours observed in the study was 1556 overall, and ranged from 1463-1680 for sites, and 1473-1842 for years. Estimated chilling hours were more variable for years than for sites. Consistency of chilling results was high when measured by linear correlation and relative standard deviation statistical procedures. Accumulated chilling hours at the sites reached approximately 1000 by mid-January thereby meeting the requirements for many fruit crops. At that point, plants would be ready for bud break and become subject to freezing damage. The results indicated that chilling exceeded requirements for most Kentucky crops. This margin of excess has both negative and positive value. First, the plants become more vulnerable to freezing damage before winter weather is completed. The higher risk could be mitigated by growing cultivars with longer chilling requirements. Second, since warming has been shown to decrease chilling production, the margin of chilling hours could provide time for adjusting horticultural enterprises in Kentucky to global warming. Additional understanding of relationships between environments and chilling will contribute to perennial fruit production in temperate regions of the world.
Investigating ‘Presence in teaching’: explicating the transition from qualitative studies to a survey instrument

This paper provides a detailed account of the development of an instrument to investigate the emerging concept of presence in teaching (PiT) on a larger scale, explaining how the transition from data and ﬁ ndings from qualitative studies to a survey instrument was accomplished. In order to ensure relevance for teachers, the instrument needed to do justice to the unique and varied character of the qualitative data and be closely related to educational practice. Therefore, we adopted an interpretivist approach and a procedure involving di ﬀ erent types of interactions: between outsiders (researchers, experts) and the instrument, between insiders (teachers) and the instrument, and between outsiders and insiders. Often, instruments are developed from an outsider perspective, in which respondents serve as informants for the researchers. Our development process occurred in a dialectical relationship between the ‘ scienti ﬁ c ’ concept and the ‘ everyday ’ concept (in the intuitive understanding of teachers) of PiT, which allowed us to capture PiT within a survey by means of narrative vignettes using the language and classroom practices of teachers. Re ﬂ ections on the quality criteria and methods used, the challenges encountered and solutions found, may serve educational researchers planning to investigate emerging concepts such as PiT on a large scale.
An In-vitro Screening for Biogenic Amines Producing Microorganisms from Fermented Foods and its Degradation by Bacteria from Canine Saliva

Biogenic amines (BAs) have attracted increasing attention due to their significance in food safety and quality. The present study aimed at isolation of BAs producing microorganisms from different fermented products, namely kanji, sauerkraut, fish pickle and meat pickle and isolation of BAs degrading bacteria from canine saliva. A total of 63 BAs producing organisms identified among 356 organisms. Initial screening of BAs producing strains was carried out using Moller’s decarboxylase media and 2 BAs degrading organisms identified among 28 organisms. BAs presence is qualitative and quantitative confirmation by TLC and HPLC, respectively, using dansyl derivatized. They were characterized biochemically and identifying using 16S rDNA gene sequencing as Enterobacter hormaechei (18), Enterobacter cloacae (12), Bacillus licheniformis (14), Morganella morganii (11), Lactobacillus sakei (08) and Lactobacillus plantarum (2). Among all isolates, member of the Enterobacteriaceae family yielded the highest amount of putrescine (61.0-244 mg/100 gm), cadaverine (15.8-154 mg/100 gm), histamine (50-210 mg/100 gm) and least amount of tyramine (3-17.2) followed by Bacillus licheniformis which produced putrescine (58.3 mg/100 gm), cadaverine (83.3 mg/100 gm) and histamine (31.7 mg/100 gm). Lactobacillus sakei produced the highest amount of tyramine (21.2 mg/100 gm) and Lactobacillus plantarum from canine saliva degrade all important BAs histamine (100%), tyramine (100%), cadaverine (28%) and putrescine (67.8%). The result of the present study suggests that the BAs producing organisms are frequently present in fermented products, therefore, may pose a potential risk to human health and Lactobacillus plantarum from canine saliva applied as a potential BAs degradation bacterium in foods.
ANALYSIS OF PROFITABILITY, WORKING CAPITAL, INVENTORY BEFORE AND AFTER THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: EMPIRICAL STUDY FROM THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY

This study intends to investigate the impact of working capital turnover and inventory turnover on profitability, as well as to demonstrate the differences in working capital turnover and inventory turnover before and after Covid-19. The study was carried out at pharmaceutical sub-sector companies that are listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange. The causality effect is estimated using panel data regression estimation in the EViews 10 program, while the comparative objective is analyzed using various tests in the SPSS 26 program. The research variable causality test results show that partial working capital turnover affects profitability while inventory turnover does not. Working capital turnover and inventory turnover, on the other hand, have a positive and significant effect on the profitability of pharmaceutical sub-sector companies. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in working capital turnover and inventory turnover before and after the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the comparative test results.
Dealing with highly kurtotic count data with excess zeroes: comparing different treatments in the control of dairy cattle gastrointestinal parasites

In this paper we provide a flexible statistical framework to compare different treatments, conventional and selective strategical (ST), in the gastrointestinal parasites (G. duodenalis) control of dairy cattle through the count of Giardia cysts. Distributional regression models are considered, allowing the modelling of not only the average of these counts, but also the extra probability that calves do not present any cysts. Our findings show a positive relationship between the count of cysts with the animal body temperature and in animals until the age 150 days (and then, the count decreases). Higher responses are observed during summertime. Animals submitted to the ST present a lower count of cysts than the ones submitted to the conventional option. Further, there is a smaller chance that the sample does not present any cyst during wintertime. Conversely, this chance increases if the animal is submitted to the ST and in the earliest ages. Finally, the probability that no cysts are observed in the sample is roughly constant up to 40 o C and then rapidly increases. Hence, distributional regression models provide a great alternative to explicitly select features to model different aspects (average and extra probability of zero) of the count of Giardia cysts.
Outcomes of orthotopic heart transplantation and left ventricular assist device in patients aged 65 years or more with end-stage heart failure

Abstract Age has traditionally been a limiting factor for advanced heart failure (HF) therapies. Orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) age guidelines have become less restrictive, and left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are increasingly utilized as destination therapy for patients ≥65 years. Although indications differ, we assessed outcomes for both modalities in this older population. We reviewed charts of consecutive advanced HF therapy recipients aged ≥65 years at our center from 2012 to 2016. Of 118 patients evaluated, 46 (39%) received an LVAD and 72 (61%) received OHT. Gender, body mass index, and rate of prior sternotomy were similar between groups; OHT recipients were younger, less likely to have diabetes mellitus, and more likely to have HF due to ischemic etiology. Forty-six percent of patients receiving LVADs were urgent need (Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support [INTERMACS] profile 1–2), compared to 29% of patients receiving OHT (United Network for Organ Sharing 1A criteria; P = 0.068). OHT recipients had shorter lengths of stay and better 1-year survival compared to LVAD recipients. Although many centers do not offer advanced HF therapy to patients aged ≥65 years, our results indicate that age alone should not be prohibitive for advanced HF therapy, particularly OHT.
Binaural advantages in sound temporal information processing by neurons in the rat inferior colliculus

Previous studies on the advantages of binaural hearing have long been focused on sound localization and spatial stream segregation. The binaural advantages have also been observed in speech perception in reverberation. Both human speech and animal vocalizations contain temporal features that are critical for speech perception and animal communication. However, whether there are binaural advantages for sound temporal information processing in the central auditory system has not been elucidated. Gap detection threshold (GDT), the ability to detect the shortest silent interval in a sound, has been widely used to measure the auditory temporal resolution. In the present study, we determined GDTs of rat inferior collicular neurons under both monaural and binaural hearing conditions. We found that the majority of the inferior collicular neurons in adult rats exhibited binaural advantages in gap detection, i.e., better neural gap detection ability in binaural hearing conditions compared to monaural hearing condition. However, this binaural advantage in sound temporal information processing was not significant in the inferior collicular neurons of P14-21 and P22-30 rats. Additionally, we also observed age-related changes in neural temporal acuity in the rat inferior colliculus. These results demonstrate a new advantage of binaural hearing (i.e., binaural advantage in temporal processing) in the central auditory system in addition to sound localization and spatial stream segregation.
Spectrographic Analysis of Second Language Speech: Investigating the Effects of L1

An abstract of the thesis of Troy D. Bailey for the Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, Department of Applied Linguistics, presented October 28, 1994. Title: Spectrographic Analysis of Second Language Speech: Investigating the Effects of Ll Technological advances in Digital Signal Processing over the last decade have provided applied linguists with a number of computerized applications for speech analysis which can be of benefit to both the researcher and the instructor. This research project explores the techniques of speech spectrography and implements methods of acoustic phonetics to current issues in Second Language Acquisition theory. Specifically, the effects of vowel production in one's native language on the targets in a second language are investigated. Acoustic measurements of English vowels spoken by Japanese students were compared with measurements of native Japanese vowels and American English vowels. In addition, these data were compared with measurements of learner speech from a variety of native language backgrounds. Vowels from both groups of non-native English speakers showed tendencies toward the center of the vowel space. The less-experienced group showed greater token-to-token variability across height parameters than across frontedness parameters while the more experienced group showed no difference for parameters. Both groups exhibited greater frontedness than heigth variability between speakers which can be explained in part by differences in vocal tract size. In addition, Flege's Speech Learning Model was tested. Data did not support the hypothesis that similar vowels are more difficult to produce than different vowels. ANOV A tests showed that large LI vowel inventories do not advantage learners of languages with many vowels. The results suggest that the unique qualities of L2 speech may have more to do with developmental processes than L 1 interference. SPECTROGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF SECOND LANGUAGE SPEECH: INVESTIGATING THE EFFECTS OF Ll by TROY D. BAILEY Adviser: Beatrice Oshika, Ph.D. Department of Applied Linguistics A thesis submitted in paitial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS in TEACHING ENGLISH TO SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES Portland State University 1994
Effect of Different Zero Tillage on the Crop Yield and Soil Property

The effect of different zero tillage on the crop yield and soil properties has been studied by long term fixed test during eight year. The researched results shows: The continuous double zero tillage raised the crop yield, reduced invest of labor force and increased the economic benefit. Meanwhile it obviously improved the soil physical and chemical properties. The organic matter content and total nitrogen content of the soil reached 50 8g/kg and 3 1g/kg individually. The effective P and effective K of the soil were increased 95 8% and 61 0% individually. It was also beneficial to the formation of aggregate of the soil and increased the porosity of the soil. Getting high yield, saving energy sources and improving soil fertility could be reached by the double zero tillage.
Tectonic inversion in the Wandel Sea Basin: A new structural model of Kilen (eastern North Greenland)

The seminunatak Kilen in eastern North Greenland, with its complexly deformed Carboniferous‐Cretaceous strata, is a key area to understand the tectonic history of the transform plate boundary between eastern North Greenland and Svalbard. Detailed 3‐D geological mapping from oblique photogrammetry along with limited ground fieldwork and interpretation of previously published data forms the basis for a new structural model of Kilen. Previous structural models interpreted rhombic‐shaped fault patterns as the evidence for strike‐slip tectonics. These structures are here interpreted to be the result of a post‐Coniacian NE‐SW extension with NW‐SE trending normal faults followed by later, N‐S compression of presumable Paleocene‐Eocene age, folding the faults passively and suggesting the presence of a basal detachment. Furthermore, two thrust sheets have been distinguished on Kilen: a lower Kilen Thrust Sheet and an upper Hondal Elv Thrust Sheet separated by a subhorizontal fault: the Central Detachment. The style of deformation and the structures described are interpreted as the result of Paleocene‐Eocene N‐S directed compression resulting in basin inversion with strike‐slip faults only having minor status. This indicates that the Greenland margin as exposed on Kilen and the conjugate Svalbard margin in the West Spitsbergen fold‐and‐thrust belt are more similar than previously anticipated.
Means Grouping based on Studentized Midrange

The purpose of this paper was to develop two procedures of multiple comparisons based on methods of clustering means, that is, MGM and MGR tests. The first is based on the studentized midrange distribution, and the second based on the studentized range distribution. The tests showed performance equivalent to the performance of the compared tests. Like the tests presented that were based on methods of grouping averages, the MGM and MGR tests did not control the experimentwise error rate for almost all evaluated scenarios. However, under the complete $H_1$ hypothesis, these tests showed high power, with emphasis on the MGM test. Thus, what we propose is yet another test alternative without ambiguity in its results, and not a substitution of the traditional tests already present in the literature.