Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Eighth Grade Textbook Reading Comprehension Questions and Barrett's Taxonomy: Teachers' Perspectives at Hebron District, Palestine

The aim of this quantitative study is to examine the teachers' perspectives towards the reading comprehension questions in the 8 th grade English student's textbook. The study also addresses the extent of comprehension questions based on Barrett's Taxonomy. The researchers used a questionnaire to collect their data and answer the research questions. The sample of the study included 92 teachers (males & females) from the government, private, and UNRWA schools in Hebron District. SPSS (Statitical Package for Social Science) has been used to analyse the data. The results regarding the general attitudes of the 8 th grade teachers towards the textbook and the comprehension questions revealed that the teachers' views towards the textbook shape, objective, content, and teaching aids are positive and highly acceptable. However, the results regarding the extent of the availability of the reading comprehension questions in reference to Barrett's Taxonomy clearly show that the questions in English for Palestine-Eighth Grade, generally test literal comprehension, which means that students were frequently asked to recognize and recall ideas, and facts clearly identified in the texts. The researchers concluded that the higher order thinking skills in Barrett Taxonomy 1 Farrah and ? : Eighth Grade Textbook Reading Comprehension Questions and Barrett Published by Arab Journals Platform, 2020 Maram Aqeel, Mohammed Farrah, Eighth Grade Textbook . , H.U. R.J., Vol.(14), No.(1):,2019 230 are not adequately represented in the 8th grade textbook. They recommended incorporating these findings in the students' textbook and advised English language teachers to prepare and ask questions including high-level comprehension questions based on Barrett' Taxonomy.
Characterizing and inferring quantitative cell cycle phase in single-cell RNA-seq data analysis

Cellular heterogeneity in gene expression is driven by cellular processes such as cell cycle and cell-type identity, and cellular environment such as spatial location. The cell cycle, in particular, is thought to be a key driver of cell-to-cell heterogeneity in gene expression, even in otherwise homogeneous cell populations. Recent advances in single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) facilitate detailed characterization of gene expression heterogeneity, and can thus shed new light on the processes driving heterogeneity. Here, we combined fluorescence imaging with scRNA-seq to measure cell cycle phase and gene expression levels in human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Using these data, we developed a novel approach to characterize cell cycle progression. While standard methods assign cells to discrete cell cycle stages, our method goes beyond this, and quantifies cell cycle progression on a continuum. We found that, on average, scRNA-seq data from only five genes predicted a cell’s position on the cell cycle continuum to within 14% of the entire cycle, and that using more genes did not improve this accuracy. Our data and predictor of cell cycle phase can directly help future studies to account for cell-cycle-related heterogeneity in iPSCs. Our results and methods also provide a foundation for future work to characterize the effects of the cell cycle on expression heterogeneity in other cell types.
Spatial distribution and size structure of the squat lobster Agononida longipes (A. Milne Edwards, 1880) (Crustacea: Decapoda: Galatheoidea: Munididae) in the Colombian Caribbean

Squat lobsters are distributed worldwide and are ecologically important in deep-sea bottoms. Agononida longipes is reported as the most abundant squat lobster in the southern Gulf of Mexico, and also occurs along the coast of Brazil and in the Colombian Caribbean. This study aimed to describe the spatial and bathymetric distribution of biomass and size structure of the squat lobster A. longipes in the Colombian Caribbean. Specimens were collected in the Colombian Caribbean between 100 and 550 m of depth. A total of 826 deep-sea squat lobsters was caught and analyzed. The size of A. longipes females and males ranged from 21.17 to 57.43 mm TL (mean 45.07 ± 5.51 mm) and from 23.59 to 54.85 mm TL (mean 42.96 ± 5.60 mm), respectively, revealing smaller mean sizes for males than for females. The length-weight relationship showed negative allometric growth for both sexes. Agononida longipes presented the highest abundance in the depth strata 300-400 m with the highest biomass in front of Riohacha in the northern zone and front of Cartagena in the southern zone. The highest abundance of this species in the northern zone of the Colombian Caribbean coincided with a high diversity of other potential deep-sea fishing resources. The knowledge about the distribution, abundance and life cycle of A. longipes is imperative for proper management under an ecosystem approach.
Facial Biometric for Securing Hardware Accelerators

This article presents a novel facial biometrics-based hardware security methodology to secure hardware accelerators [such as digital signal processing (DSP) and multimedia intellectual property (IP) cores] against ownership threats/IP piracy. In this approach, an IP vendor’s facial biometrics is first converted into a corresponding facial signature representing digital template, followed by embedding facial signature’s digital template into the design in the form of secret biometric constraints, thereby generating a secured hardware accelerator design. The results report the following qualitative and quantitative analysis of the proposed biometric fingerprint approach: 1) impact of five different facial biometrics constraints on probability of coincidence (Pc) metric (indicating strength of digital evidence). The proposed approach achieves a very low Pc value in the range of 1.54E–5 to 2.01E–5; 2) impact of different facial feature set of a facial biometric image on total number of generated secret constraints and Pc. As evident, for all facial feature sets implemented, Pc ranges between 3.31E–4 and 2.01E–5; and 3) comparative analysis of proposed approach with recent work, for different DSP applications and five different facial biometric images, in terms of Pc. As evident, the proposed approach achieves significantly lower Pc, compared with recent work.
Rent or Buy? The Role of Lifetime Experiences on Homeownership within and Across Countries

What explains the vast differences in homeownership rates across and within countries? We argue that individual lifetime exposure to inflation play a significant role in the decision to become homeowner. First, we show that immigrants' country-of-origin inflation experiences predict their homeownership rates in the US. Second, using household data from 20 European countries, we estimate that a one log-point increase in personally experienced inflation predicts a 19pp increase in the average individual's likelihood of homeownership. The relationship between homeownership and experienced inflation is robust to other determinants of homeownership as well as any differences across countries and over time.
Frequent fires do not affect sexual expression and reproduction inVachellia caven

In environments with high fire frequency the impoverishment of abiotic resources may favour male sexual expression in plants as it is less costly than female expression. Also, fire can modify pollinator communities and thus affect plant reproduction. Here we evaluate the effect of frequent fires on sexual expression, pollination and reproductive success of Vachellia caven (Leguminosae), an andromonoecious tree that is highly dependent on animal pollination and is abundant in burned sites. We expect that increased fire frequency will favour maleness but it will decrease reproductive success due to abiotic resource depletion in repeated burned sites. To test this, we selected focal plants in three unburned sites and three frequently burned sites and measured their sexual expression, basal diameter, pollination and fruit set. The proportion of male inflorescences per plant was not affected by fire and it was negatively related with the diameter of the plant. The proportion of pollinated flowers was not affected by fire, and fruit set increased with maleness only in frequently burned sites. These results indicate that V. caven is adapted to regimes of high fire frequency: not only was there similar fruit set in both burned and unburned sites, but more male plants had higher fruit set in burned sites. Despite the soil impoverishment triggered by repeated fires, V. caven is able to maintain its sexual and reproductive functions, allowing it to persist and maintain viable populations in fire-prone environments. Abstract in Spanish is available with online material.in Spanish is available with online material.
Male-Male Combat in Pseudopus apodus (Reptilia: Anguidae)

Despite its interesting diversity, life history and evolution, the family Anguidae is one of the least-explored group of lizards in the world. The same is true for the largest member of the family, Pseudopus apodus . Life history data on this species are still very scarce. Here, I present the observation of ritualized male-male combat based on two records from Kyrgyzstan and Greece. Male-male combat is an interesting phenomenon in different aspects of P. apodus life history including mating behavior, sexual size dimorphism or intra-sexual competition. Therefore, in this article I present the first description of male-male combat for P. apodus and make comparisons with this phenomenon in the closely related genus Anguis .
A 28-GHz Stacked Power Amplifier with 20.7-dBm Output P1dB in 28-nm Bulk CMOS

A fully integrated power amplifier (PA) for 5G communication systems is realized in a 28-nm bulk CMOS technology. Power combining and stacking techniques are used to achieve a fairly high output power level. The realized PA shows a measured power gain of 20.4 dB and a 20.7-dBm output-referred 1-dB compression point, <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$P_{\mathrm {1dB}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>. The saturated power, <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$P_{\mathrm {SAT}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, and the peak PAE are 21.5 dBm and 26%, respectively. The results of tests carried out with a 64-QAM-modulated input signal with 100-MHz bandwidth and 10-dB PAPR without using any digital predistortion are also reported. In these conditions, the PA shows a −25-dB EVM for a 13.4-dBm average output power and 7.3% average PAE. To the best of our knowledge, the presented PA shows the highest <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$P_{\mathrm {SAT}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$P_{\mathrm {1dB}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> among bulk CMOS PAs at mm-wave frequencies.
Mapping VTA neural circuits: periaqueductal inputs and mesohippocampal outputs

Understanding how the ventral tegmental area (VTA) shapes behaviour to avoid aversive stimuli and seek reward requires knowledge of its input and output connectivity within the network of brain structures collectively known as the reward system. In this work we employed tracing techniques and optogenetics to electrophysiologically map periaqueductal afferents to - and mesohippocampal efferents from - the VTA. We show that periaqueductal afferents are mostly excitatory and primarily supplied by the ventral subdivisions of the periaqueductal gray (PAG), implicated in opioid analgesia and threat responses, targeting both VTA dopamine and GABA neurons equally. We additionally provide the first evidence for a direct mesohippocampal projection mediated by non-dopaminergic neurons co-releasing glutamate and GABA in the dentate gyrus (DG), crucially involved in memory formation. Altogether, this work expands on the existing circuit understanding of the VTA and provides fundamental insights into how its PAG and DG connections might serve motivationally-relevant functions.
Evaluation of Persian Shallot (Allium hirtifolium) Ecotypes for Phytochemical Components and Antioxidant Activity

Phytochemical constituents, such as total phenol, allicin and pyrovic acid as well as antioxidant activity of thirteen ecotypes of Allium hirtifolium Boiss. from different regions of Iran were evaluated. Average contents of total phenol, allicin and pyrovic acid of bulbs extracts per g fresh weight were 0.647 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE), 2.127 mg and 84.412 µmol, respectively and antioxidant activity was 63.717%. The ecotypes that exhibited greater contents of studied phytochemicals consequently possessed higher antioxidant activities. Among the analyzed antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase activity was present in the greatest quantity (61.501 U mg-1 protein), followed by ascorbate peroxidase (54.182 U mg-1 protein), polyphenol oxidase (46.219 U mg-1 protein), peroxidase (1.972 U mg-1 protein) and catalase (0.49 U mg-1 protein). Correlation analysis showed the accumulation of A. hirtifolium phytochemicals was associated with mean annual temperatures and precipitation. Cluster analysis on phytomedical characters arranged the ecotypes in five groups. The ecotypes of group D presented by Isfahan ecotypes showed the highest pharmaceutical potential which could be considered in future breeding programs. The ecotype groups were not strictly concordant with their bioclimatic or geographic location, so it can be concluded that the genetic factors as well as environmental factors affected the antioxidant capacity of A. hirtifolium ecotypes.
Evaluation of morphology, growth performance and sensory attributes of four Red Hybrid Tilapia (Oreochromis Sp.) strains.

Deterioration of good characteristics in tilapia stocks causes the decline in its production yield. Current research investigated red hybrid tilapia strains by emphasising on physical, growth and taste characteristics which have the potential to be improved. Four red hybrid tilapia strains were produced by four different combinations; (i) ♂O.niloticus x ♀O.niloticus (A), (ii) ♂O.mossambicus x ♀O.mossambicus (B), (iii) ♂O.niloticus x ♀O.mossambicus (C) and (iv) ♂O.mossambicus x ♀O. niloticus (D). Fries were reared in 12 hapas (3.0 m x 2.0 m x 1.2 m) in earthen pond, fed 5% of their body weight with commercial feed (35- 40%Crude Protein) at stocking density of 10 individuals/m3 for 70 days. Twenty-three morphometric characteristics and 6 parameters of growth performance were evaluated concurrently. Meanwhile, sensory analysis of the fish was carried out after 4 months of being raised in the earthen pond. The morphometric data were analysed in allometric ratio followed by hierarchical cluster analysis. Morphometric and growth performance characteristics were analysed by analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results showed 9 characteristics which are body width (Bw1), distance from end of dorsal ray to 1st anal fin (D1daL), distance from caudal to anal fin (DcaL), body height (BH), pre-pectoral length (PCL), pre-pelvic length (PPL), pre-anal length (PAL), pre-orbital length (POL), pelvic fin length (PlvL) were found to be significantly different (p 90%) in all strains with no statistical difference (p 0.05) between attributes (taste, odour and juiciness) except for texture. These findings showed that unique characteristics distinguished between strains and combination of breeding effectively produced strains with good characteristics. Utilisation of ♀ O.niloticus is the key element for characteristics improvements in red hybrid tilapia strains.
Assessment of per se performance, combining ability, hybrid vigour and reaction to major diseases in pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.]

An experiment was carried out using seven cytoplasmic-genetic male sterile (CGMS) lines as females and seven diversified testers as males in a line A— tester design. The analysis of variance for parents, females x males, hybrids and parents vs hybrids showed significant differences for almost all characters studied indicating the presence of sufficient variability among parents. Analysis of variance for combining ability revealed that mean squares due to females and line x tester interaction were significant for most of the characters. Thereby it is suggested that the variation in hybrids in respect of seed yield may be strongly influenced by the female lines. Analysis of variance revealed that the ratio of variance due to GCA to SCA was less than unity for all the characters indicating that these traits may be under the influence of non additive gene action and these characters are more likely to be improved through heterosis breeding. The gca effects of parents revealed that ICPA-2043, ICPA-2047, ICPA-2078, AKT-9913, BDN-2 and GRG-811 were good general combiners for seed yield and itâ€™s direct compo-nents. The top three crosses exhibiting high specific combing ability effects along with their Per se performance, standard heterosis and gca status of the parents indicated that the cross combinations ICPA-2092 x GRG-811, ICPA-2043 x ICP-7035 and ICPA-2047 x RVKP-261 were good specific combiners for seed yield. These parental combinations are being used for exploitation of hybrid vigour. The good general combiners (ICPA-2043, ICPA-2047, ICPA-2078, AKT-9913, BDN-2 and GRG-811) and promising crosses viz. ICPA-2047 x GRG-811 and ICPA-2047 x BDN-2 were resistant for SMD and Fusarium wilt diseases, having high mean performance, positive sca effects for seed yield were identified from the present investigation and these may be useful in future breeding program.
Role of Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension Diet in Risk of Metabolic Syndrome: Evidence from Observational and Interventional Studies

Background: This systematic review was conducted to review the studies investigating the role of dietary approach to stop hypertension (DASH) diet in prevalence and progression of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) in children, adolescents, and adults. Methods: Electronic searches for included studies were performed in MEDLINE, SCOPUS, EMBASE, Cochrane Trial Register, and ISI Web of Science until 30 March 2020. Study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment were fulfilled independently by two reviewers using predefined criteria. Studies were included if they assessed the role of adherence to DASH diet in risk of incidence, prevalence, and development of MetS. Results: Twelve eligible studies (eight observational studies and four clinical trials) were identified. Despite methodological heterogeneity, limited statistical power, and the cross-sectional nature of most of observational studies, greater adherence to DASH diet was associated with reduced risk of MetS. However, results for change in metabolic characteristics based on dietary intervention with DASH diet in some interventional studies were somewhat controversial. Conclusions: The current study demonstrates that, based on observational studies, greater adherence to a DASH diet is inversely associated with MetS presence and progression. However, more interventional studies are needed in this regard to clarify the exact effect of DASH diet on MetS.
Organic synthesis of endohedral fullerenes encapsulating molecular hydrogen

A thermal liquid-phase reaction of fullerene C60 with 4,6-dimethyl-1,2,3-triazine was investigated at 180 °C in o-dichlorobenzene. An aza-cyclohexadiene-fused C60 derivative and a new open-cage fullerene derivative with a carbonyl group on the rim of the eight-membered-ring opening were obtained in the yield of 10% and 7%, respectively. The former product is supposed to have been produced by the reaction of C60 with in situ generated azete (2,4-dimethylazacyclobutadiene). The latter is considered to have been formed through multistep rearrangements followed by hydrolysis on silica gel. The open-cage fullerene 13 underwent facile ring-enlargement under photochemical conditions by the reaction with singlet oxygen leading to the formation of open-cage fullerene 25 with a 12-membered-ring orifice as a single product. The experimental results are supported by theoretical calculations.
A Soft-Switching Bidirectional DC–DC Converter With High Voltage Gain and Low Voltage Stress for Energy Storage Systems

In this article, an interleaved soft-switching bidirectional dc–dc converter (BDC) with high voltage conversion ratio (VCR) and low voltage stress is proposed for battery charging/discharging applications. A built-in transformer (BT) is integrated into conventional half-bridge BDC and three-level structure to achieve high VCR and reduced voltage stresses simultaneously. The feature of BT is that the balanced magnetic flux exists in the magnetic core, which allows for small size of the magnetic core. The current ripple in the battery side is reduced by adopting the interleaved structure. Moreover, the voltage-matching on both sides of the BT is realized by the adjustment of the duty cycle. As a result, even if the battery voltage changes, the BT always operates under the highest efficiency condition. Besides, by employing phase-shift control, power flow can be regulated monotonously. Soft-switching of all the switches within a wide range of battery voltage is obtained by employing the optimal design. The operational principles, characteristics, and design considerations are analyzed in detail. Experimental results from the BT-BDC prototype of 1-kW, 40–60 to 400 V verify the effectiveness.
SELF-REPORTED EATING BEHAVIOR AND NUTRITION KNOWLEDGE IN WOMEN STARTING DIETARY TREATMENT COMPARED TO WOMEN WHO ACHIEVE TREATMENT GOALS FOR SIMPLE OBESITY

The goal of the study was to compare self-reported eating behavior and knowledge of nutrition in cohorts of women with simple obesity, who begin nutritional intervention to treat obesity, and in women who achieved the goal of obesity treatment, i.e. reduction of initial body mass by a minimum of 10%. Material and methods. The study was conducted in a group of 38 women with simple obesity who were starting dietary treatment (aged 18-72, mean 41, SD 14.95) and 49 women with simple obesity, who, as a result of dietary treatment for obesity, achieved a body mass reduction by at least 10% (aged 18-67, mean 41, SD 13.44). The survey also included a control group of 100 women with normal body mass (aged 19-59, mean 33, SD 13.29). The study used the Questionnaire of Eating Behavior. Results. Women with simple obesity starting dietary treatment were characterized by a paradoxically higher intensity of characteristics of a pro-health diet as well as a higher intensity of unhealthy diet characteristics, compared to women with normal body mass. Women starting treatment compared to women who achieved successfully completed treatment, exhibited a significantly lower intensity of pro-health diet characteristics and higher intensity of unhealthy diet characteristics. The level of nutrition knowledge among healthy women was significantly higher compared to obese women starting treatment. The women who achieved the goal of treatment were characterized by a higher level of nutrition knowledge compared to those starting treatment. Conclusions. There are significant differences between the studied cohorts of women in terms of level of nutrition knowledge and eating behaviors associated with dietary treatment for obesity.