Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Visual Literacy in English Language Teaching

Communication requires attending to diverse kinds of meanings, whether through words or visual images as language and literacy are multimodal. This leads to the notion of multiliteracies, an important distinction suggesting that there are different types of literacy. However, print media and text-based approaches had been dominant in education and training. Similarly, as a matter of fact, in the practice of EFL teaching and learning, while words are too much focused, visual aspects are still too often ignored. Visuals, if used, are no more than decorations which usually convey little meaning. Recently the notion of literacy has been reassessed. With the publication of Howard Gardner’s Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences in 1983 and New London Group researchers’ Pedagogy of multimodal literacy in 1996, and especially the rapid development of digital media, visuals images and their relationship to the written words are much more vivid. As a result, teaching visual literacy has become inescapable in literacy education and in English language teaching (Mills & Unsworth, 2017, Goldstein, 2016). This paper aims to review the literature on the significance of visual literacy in learners’ cognitive development as well as English language learning, and thereafter, proposes that literacy pedagogy in English language education should support learners to develop understanding and control of representational forms. In doing this, it is also to suggest some practical ways to enhance English language learners’ visual literacy in the context of Vietnam EFL teaching and learning.
Genotyping by sequencing and a newly developed mRNA-GBS approach to link population genetic and transcriptome analyses reveal pattern differences between sites and treatments in red clover (Trifolium pratense L.)

The important worldwide forage crop red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) is widely cultivated as cattle feed and for soil improvement. Wild populations and landraces have great natural diversity that could be used to improve cultivated red clover. However, to date, there is still insufficient knowledge about the natural genetic and phenotypic diversity of the species. Here, we developed a low-cost complexity reduced mRNA analysis (mRNA-GBS) and compared the results with population genetic (GBS) and previously published mRNA-Seq data, to assess whether analysis of intraspecific variation within and between populations and transcriptome responses is possible simultaneously. The mRNA-GBS approach was successful. SNP analyses from the mRNA-GBS approach revealed comparable patterns to the GBS results, but due to site-specific multifactorial influences of environmental responses as well as conceptual and methodological limitations of mRNA-GBS, it was not possible to link transcriptome analyses with reduced complexity and sequencing depth to previously published greenhouse and field expression studies. Nevertheless, the use of short sequences upstream of the poly(A) tail of mRNA to reduce complexity are promising approaches that combine population genetics and expression profiling to analyze many individuals with trait differences simultaneously and cost-effectively, even in non-model species. Nevertheless, our study design across different regions in Germany was also challenging. The use of reduced complexity differential expression analyses most likely overlays site-specific patterns due to highly complex plant responses under natural conditions.
Traffic Demand Prediction Based on Dynamic Transition Convolutional Neural Network

Precise traffic demand prediction could help government and enterprises make better management and operation decisions by providing them with data-driven insights. However, it is a nontrivial effort to design an effective traffic demand prediction method due to the spatial and temporal characteristics of traffic demand distributions, dynamics of human mobility, and impacts of multiple environmental factors. To handle these problems, a Dynamic Transition Convolutional Neural Network (DTCNN) is proposed for the purpose of precise traffic demand prediction. Particularly, a transition network is first constructed according to the citiwide historical departure and arrival records, where the nodes are virtual stations discovered by a density-peak based clustering algorithm and the edges of two nodes correspond to transition flows of two stations. Then, a dynamic transition convolution unit is designed to model the spatial distributions of the traffic demands, and to capture the evolution of the demand dynamics. Last, a unifying learning framework is provided to incorporate the spatiotemporal states of the traffic demands with environmental factors. Experiments have been conducted on NYC taxi and bike-sharing data, and the results validate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Estimation and Analysis of Food Demand Patterns in Vietnam

The paper analyzes food consumption patterns of Vietnamese households, using a complete demand system and socio-demographic information. Demand elasticities are estimated applying a modified Almost Ideal Demand System (AIDS) model on the Vietnamese household survey data in 2006. The results indicate that food consumption patterns in Vietnam are affected by income, price, as well as socio-economic and geographic factors. All food has positive expenditure elasticities and negative own-price elasticities. Rice has mean expenditure elasticity of 0.36 and mean own-price elasticity of −0.80. Using the estimated elasticities, the study finds that when rice prices increase by 20 percent, average household welfare rises by 1.3 percent, yet it is important to note that the benefits and costs are not spread evenly across the population. Overall, middle-income households gain the most, while the poorest households gain the least from higher rice prices. This indicates that support programs should target the poorest quintile, especially the poor in the regions hit hardest by higher prices. More generally, our study points out that targeted food policies should be formulated based on specific food demand patterns in the groups.
Generation of multi-layered protein bodies in N. benthamiana for the encapsulation of vaccine antigens

The ability of plants to assemble particulate structures such as virus-like particles and protein storage organelles allows the direct bioencapsulation of recombinant proteins during the manufacturing process, which holds promise for the development of new drug delivery vehicles. Storage organelles found in plants such as protein bodies (PBs) have been successfully used as tools for accumulation and encapsulation of recombinant proteins. The fusion of sequences derived from 27-kDa-γ-zein, a major storage protein of maize, with a protein of interest leads to the incorporation of the chimeric protein into the stable and protected environment inside newly induced PBs. While this procedure has proven successful for several, but not all recombinant proteins, the aim of this study was to refine the technology by using a combination of PB-forming proteins, thereby generating multi-layered protein assemblies in N. benthamiana. We used fluorescent proteins to demonstrate that up to three proteinaceous components can be incorporated into different layers. In addition to 27-kDa-γ-zein, which is essential for PB initiation, 16-kDa-γ-zein was identified as a key element to promote the incorporation of a third zein-component into the core of the PBs. We show that a vaccine antigen could be incorporated into the matrix of multi-layered PBs, and the protein microparticles were characterized by confocal and electron microscopy as well as flow cytometry. In future, this approach will enable the generation of designer PBs that serve as drug carriers and integrate multiple components that can be functionalized in different ways.
A novel prognostic model for predicting the risk of first variceal hemorrhage in patients with HBV-related cirrhosis

Background Variceal hemorrhage (VH) is a life-threatening complication of cirrhosis. An accurate VH risk evaluation is critical to determine appropriate prevention strategies. We aimed to develop an individualized prediction model to predict the risk of first VH in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related cirrhotic patients. Methods A nomogram was developed based on a retrospective analysis of 527 consecutive HBV-related cirrhotic patients with gastroesophageal varices (GEVs). The nomogram evaluation was performed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), concordance index (C-index), calibration plot, and decision curve analysis (DCA). The results were verified using an external cohort (n = 187). Results We developed a nomogram based on clinical and endoscopic features, including the size of varices, red wale marks, ascites, spleen thickness, γ‐glutamyltransferase, and hematocrit. The C-index of the nomogram in the derivation and validation cohort was 0.806 and 0.820, respectively, and the calibration plot fitted well. Compared with those of the North Italian Endoscopic Club (NIEC) and revised NIEC indexes, the AUC (derivation cohort: 0.822 vs. 0.653 vs. 0.713; validation cohort: 0.846 vs. 0.685 vs. 0.747) and DCA curves of this nomogram were better. Further, based on the risk scores, patients were classified into low-, medium-, and high-risk groups, and significant differences were noted in VH incidence among the three risk groups (P <0.001 for each cohort). Conclusions An effective individualized nomogram to predict the risk of first VH in HBV-related GEV patients was established, which can assist clinicians in developing more appropriate prevention strategies.
PCSK9 deficiency alters brain lipid composition without affecting brain development and function

PCSK9 induces lysosomal degradation of the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor (LDLR) in the liver, hereby preventing removal of LDL cholesterol from the circulation. Accordingly, PCSK9 inhibitory antibodies and siRNA potently reduce LDL cholesterol to unprecedented low levels and are approved for treatment of hypercholesterolemia. In addition, PCSK9 inactivation alters the levels of several other circulating lipid classes and species. Brain function is critically influenced by cholesterol and lipid composition. However, it remains unclear how the brain is affected long-term by the reduction in circulating lipids as achieved with potent lipid lowering therapeutics such as PCSK9 inhibitors. Furthermore, it is unknown if locally expressed PCSK9 affects neuronal circuits through regulation of receptor levels. We have studied the effect of lifelong low peripheral cholesterol levels on brain lipid composition and behavior in adult PCSK9 KO mice. In addition, we studied the effect of PCSK9 on neurons in culture and in vivo in the developing cerebral cortex. We found that PCSK9 reduced LDLR and neurite complexity in cultured neurons, but neither PCSK9 KO nor overexpression affected cortical development in vivo. Interestingly, PCSK9 deficiency resulted in changes of several lipid classes in the adult cortex and cerebellum. Despite the observed changes, PCSK9 KO mice had unchanged behavior compared to WT controls. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that altered PCSK9 levels do not compromise brain development or function in mice, and are in line with clinical trials showing that PCSK9 inhibitors have no adverse effects on cognitive function.
Reflections on the 2018 Decade Award The Meaning and Dynamics of Corporate Social Responsibility

We reflect on our 2008 article, “‘ Implicit ’ and ‘ Explicit ’ CSR: A Conceptual Framework for a Comparative Understanding of Corporate Social Responsibility, ” first recalling its origins. We contextualize this reflection piece with a stylized interpretation of CSR “ then ” (the turn of the twenty-first century) and “ now ” (2019). We then focus on two themes: CSR ’ s meaning and its dynamics. Regarding the meaning of CSR, we indicate the advantages of our capacious CSR definition and elaborate on the underlying theo- rization of our CSR framework regarding corporations ’ need for legitimacy with their core stakeholders, societies they operate in, and regulators they are subject to. We propose that the configuration of these legitimacy relationships informs the nature and balance of implicit and explicit CSR. Turning to CSR dynamics, we build on research on the hybridization of implicit and explicit CSR and explore two underlying phenomena — explicitization and implicitization of CSR. We conceptualize explicitization as the process by which norms and rules associated with implicit CSR are adopted in explicit CSR policies, practices, and strategies. We conceptualize implicitization of CSR as the process by which norms and rules of business responsibility are informed by what were hitherto explicit CSR policies, practices, and strategies of corporations, and are built into general obligations of business.
Evaluate the Efficiency of Liquidity Management in Russian Banks

The purpose of this study is to measure the impact of liquidity on the performance of Russian banks (2008-17) to assess the efficiency of Russian banks in liquidity management to determine whether liquidity risk is reasonably priced. This study uses multiple regression analysis and DEA analysis to assess liquidity management efficiency. The study found that the effect of liquidity on the net interest margin (NIM) and the return on assets (ROA) is greater than the impact of liquidity on the return on equity (ROE), The study concluded that Medium banks were the most effective in liquidity managing, while small banks were more efficient than large banks. The study also further concluded that the Russian banks have a surplus of untapped liquidity and the efficiency of liquidity management in Russian banks is weak, Many banks could have achieved higher returns at the same liquidity levels or could have achieved the same returns at higher liquidity levels (Less liquidity risk).
Intention to adopt mobile payment in physical stores

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop a theoretical model based on Push–Pull–Mooring (PPM) framework consisting of direct, indirect and moderating effects, derived from technology acceptance model, unified theory of acceptance and use of technology and other extended theory, to address the main factor influencing an individual in adopting mobile payment (MP) in physical stores. The research, therefore, utilized individual switching behavior as an underpinning to explain MP adoption in an offline context. Design/methodology/approach The theoretical model was tested by collecting data from 459 respondents in Indonesia through online self-administered questionnaires. Findings The finding indicated consumer innovativeness has the most influential direct effect on MP adoption, followed by deal proneness, perceived convenience and perceived herd behavior. Meanwhile, perceived enjoyment and subjective norms were found to have an indirect effect on the adaptation of MP through mediator convenience. Furthermore, age, gender, occupation and income did not have any moderating effect for all the direct influence of MP adoption. Originality/value Previous literature only focused on direct intention. However, this study observed the adoption of MP in a physical store by involving the switching behavior. It specifically puts concern and objective as the factors that influence user intention to switch from their old payment system to the MP system in bricks and mortar store using PPM framework.
α‐Amino‐3‐Hydroxy‐5‐Methyl‐4‐Isoxazolepropionic Acid Receptor Plasticity Sustains Severe, Fatal Status Epilepticus

Generalized convulsive status epilepticus is associated with high mortality. We tested whether α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor plasticity plays a role in sustaining seizures, seizure generalization, and mortality observed during focal onset status epilepticus. We also determined whether modified AMPA receptors generated during status epilepticus could be targeted with a drug.
Does Independent Advice to the Board Affect CEO Compensation?

Abstract This article investigates the role external advice plays in the board’s determination of chief executive officer (CEO) compensation. We show that CEO incentive pay increases with the degree of compensation consultant independence using a quasi-natural experiment provided by the creation of an independent consultant after separation from an affiliated consultant. Specifically, switching to an independent consultant significantly increases the pay–performance sensitivity and relative performance evaluation of CEO contracts. Despite the benefits of independent advice, independent consultants may not be hired due to the influence of powerful CEOs or because boards already possess adequate expertise.
Propofol Improves Sensitivity of Lung Cancer Cells to Cisplatin and Its Mechanism

Background Cisplatin (cis-diamminedichloroplatinum, DDP) resistance is identified as the primary obstacle during lung cancer treatment, while DDP resistance is exist extensively. This report was to investigate the roles of propofol in lung cancer cells tolerance to DDP and the potential mechanisms. Material/Methods A549 and A549/DDP cells were treated with DDP for 48 hours, and cell proliferation suppression rate was detected by MTT (thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide) assay and half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of DDP to lung cancer cells was calculated. Besides, cell proliferation and apoptosis were determined by MTT assay and flow cytometry assay respectively in propofol-treated A549/DDP and A549 cells. Furthermore, we performed MTT assay to determine the influence of propofol on the sensitivity of lung cancer cells to DDP. Results The results demonstrated that the IC50 of DDP to A549 cells was lower than that in A549/DDP cells. Propofol dramatically inhibited cell proliferation and promoted cell apoptosis of A549/DDP and A549 cells. In addition, propofol significantly improved the anti-proliferative impact of DDP in A549/DDP and A549 cells, and the value of IC50 for DDP in the A549/DDP and A549 cells were decreased after propofol treatment compare to the control group. Moreover, propofol inhibited the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in a dose-dependent manner in both A549/DDP and A549 cells. Conclusions Our report indicated that propofol could control lung cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis, and stimulated the suppression function of DDP on lung cancer cell multiplication via the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, and also provided a new treatment for DDP tolerance to cure lung cancer in clinical.
Using Verbal Irony to Move on with Controversial Issues

Irony is an effective means of dealing with controversy in organizations, but there is a paucity of knowledge of the various ways in which irony helps managers to do so without necessarily ‘solving’ those issues. By drawing on discursive incongruity theory, we examine the use of irony when managers are confronted with controversial issues in a multinational company. As a result, we identify and elaborate on four distinctively different pathways of how irony helps participants to move on: ‘acquiescing’ (framing understanding as having no alternative because of environmental constraints), ‘empowering’ (synthesizing a view through broad inputs from different individuals), ‘channelling’ (subsuming other interpretations under a single and often dominant view) and ‘dismissing’ (rejecting alternative interpretations and often reinforcing the status quo). On this basis, we develop a theoretical model that elucidates the process dynamics in dealing with and moving on with controversial issues and elaborates the specific characteristics of each of these four pathways. Our analysis also leads to a fuller understanding of the discursive underpinnings and intersubjective dynamics in irony use in organizations.
Stock Selling During Takeovers

Abstract Stock sales during takeover negotiations weaken the target board's ability to recommend against the takeover, i.e., to resist. Sophisticated shareholders therefore face a coordination problem when deciding whether to sell-out early; and their actions generate a feedback loop between trading volumes and takeover outcomes. Bidding firms, anticipating the pressurising effect of future share sales on the target board, may reduce their bids. We study these tensions theoretically. We find that increasing the influence of shareholders during the bidding process lowers equilibrium bids; elongates the bidding process; but raises the overall probability of bid acceptance; and raises expected premia for unsophisticated shareholders.
Good practice case studies in the advancement of women in policing

Research shows that increasing the number of female officers is beneficial to policing. However, women remain a minority in police departments throughout the world, and the better performing departments have, on the whole, achieved female representation at only 25%, with senior women at 10%. There is also very little research on effective strategies for making large improvements. Consequently, this study aimed to identify and explain above average achievements in the status of women in policing. Following a worldwide search, five cases were identified: one involved female recruits (North Wales), two involved officer numbers (Cumbria and Surrey), and two involved women in senior ranks (Hertfordshire and South Africa). Efforts to identify possible influences were limited by a lack of information about strategies, including in response to requests for information. However, there were indicators that outcomes were related to senior management commitment, explicit targets, monitoring, flexible employment and a range of support mechanisms such as mentoring and leadership programmes. The findings emphasize the need for more research on what works in optimizing women’s participation in police work.
Emerging Adults' Lived Experience of Perinatally Acquired Human Immunodeficiency Virus

s were reviewed for inclusion criteria. In the second step, the first author read and vetted the remaining articles and then coded for country of origin, research design, components of the DPM assessed, population, and types of confidants examined. Five main antecedent factors were assessed across this literature: disclosure motivations,
Investigation of Consistency Between the Students’ Scores Using Bayesian Intraclass Correlation Coefficient in Postgraduate Students of Kerman University of Medical Sciences in 2013 - 2015

Background Evaluation of students’ scores helps us indirectly examine the status of education system in university departments. Objectives In this study, in order to assess the education system, consistency between the students’ scores was evaluated by measuring the Bayesian intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) in postgraduate students of School of Public Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences during 2013 - 2015. Methods This cross sectional study was conducted on all postgraduate students of the School of Public Health of Kerman University of Medical Sciences during 2013 - 2015. The students’ scores were collected from the Office of Postgraduate Studies. First, the Bayesian ICC of students’ scores was calculated for all fields. Next, cluster analysis was performed on Master’s fields of study, and the Bayesian ICC was recalculated for each cluster. Data were analyzed using R 3.3.2 and OpenBUGS 3.2. 3. Results Out of 117 postgraduate students, 102 (87.2%) were MSc students, and 15 (12.8%) were PhD students. The highest ICC was attributed to health education (ICC = 0.345) and the lowest to environmental health engineering (ICC = 0.023). Clustering was effective in most fields, and ICC of the clusters increased. Conclusions According to the results, consistency between the students’ scores was low in the majority of fields; therefore, it is necessary to modify and improve teaching and evaluation methods.