Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Entering a Community of Writers: The Writing Center, Doctoral Students, and Going Public with Scholarly Writing

In addition to taking advanced courses, graduate students navigate a potentially challenging transition of learning to write for publication. We, the authors, explored solutions to this transition with a study designed to explore the research questions: How does a systematic effort to help doctoral students enter a community of writers via writing center collaboration influence doctoral students’: (1) proficiency with academic writing, (2) writing apprehension, (3) self-efficacy as writers, and (4) comfort with “going public” with their writing? We used a collaborative, multi-layered self-study research approach because it allowed us to focus on critical examination of teaching practices that are of interest to the practitioner/researcher and to the greater educational community. Authors/participants include the co-director of a university Writing Center; two professors of a doctoral-level qualitative research methods course; four doctoral students who participated in a series of writing center collaborations; and one master’s student who served as a writing center consultant. These four perspectives provide unique insights into how writing center collaborations supported graduate students in developing their writing proficiency and efficacy, helping to initiate them into a community of writers who “go public” with their scholarship.
Standing on the Feet of Giants - Reproducibility in AI

A recent study implies that research presented at top artificial intelligence conferences is not documented well enough for the research to be reproduced. My objective was to investigate whether the quality of the documentation is the same for industry and academic research or if differences actually exist. My hypothesis is that industry and academic research presented at top artificial intelligence conferences is equally well documented. A total of 325 International Joint Conferences on Artificial Intelligence and Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence research papers reporting empirical studies have been surveyed. Of these, 268 were conducted by academia, 47 were collaborations, and 10 were conducted by the industry. A set of 16 variables, which specifies how well the research is documented, was reviewed for each paper and each variable was analyzed individually. Three reproducibility metrics were used for assessing the documentation quality of each paper. The findings indicate that academic research does score higher than industry and collaborations on all three reproducibility metrics. Academic research also scores highest on 15 out of the 16 surveyed variables. The result is statistically significant for 3 out of the 16 variables, but none of the reproducibility metrics. The conclusion is that the results are not statistically significant, but still indicate that my hypothesis probably should be refuted. This is surprising, as the conferences use double-blind peer review and all research is judged according to the same standards.
Determinants of contraceptive use among married teenage women and newlywed couples.

This study examines the sociodemographic and programmatic determinants of contraceptive use and nonuse among married teenage women and newly wed couples in Bangladesh. Data collected from surveys were conducted from September to December 1993 and from October 1994 to June 1995 among 13515 rural married women of reproductive age in six rural thanas of Bangladesh. The association between contraceptive use and the demographic socioeconomic and programmatic variables with emphasis on contraceptive use behavior of the newlyweds (couples married less than 3 years) and married teenage women less than 20 years old were assessed using cross-tabulations and logistic regression. Findings revealed that fieldworker contact rates were substantially lower for teenage married women and newlyweds compared to other age groups. Most of the teenage and newlywed women who have yet to give birth are highly unlikely to use contraception because most of them would want to have children immediately. Furthermore current nonusers intention to use modern contraceptives in the future was significantly higher among teenage married women than older nonusing women. Moreover once teenage women and newlyweds have a child contraceptive use prevalence increases to a level comparable to women in their 20s. This study recommends that family planning workers should pay more attention to newlyweds and teenage married women. Teenage and newlywed women need counseling on appropriate contraceptive methods and on the social and health advantages of delayed childbearing.
Consumer Preference Analysis of New Complementary Food Product Concept: An Exploratory Study

NABILA RATNA KUSUMANINGRUM. Consumer Preference Analysis of New Complementary Food Product Concept: An Exploratory Study. Supervised by ELISA ANGGRAENI and BUDI AGUS PRANOTO. XYZ Fruit Puree is one of complementary food products developed by Company X. A marketing plan to expand the market of the product is considered by developing new product variants, namely XYZ Organic Fruit Puree. The plan is done by providing new price offers and changing the target market from upper Social Economic Status (SES) into middle to upper. This study aims to evaluate consumer’s acceptance, purchase intention, and preference toward XYZ Fruit Puree and XYZ Organic Fruit Puree product concepts. Non-parametric test of Wilcoxon signed-rank test and Mann-Whitney test is used for data analysis in this study to compare the preference of total samples and each sample groups (SES AB, SES C, users, and non-users). The result showed that XYZ Organic Fruit Puree concept were more preferred by SES AB, SES C, users, and non-users in aspects of overall liking, uniqueness, transactional intention, and preferential intention. However, if price is taken into consideration, transactional intention for XYZ Fruit Puree concept is significantly greater than the XYZ Organic Fruit Puree concept. The recommendations given were the price of XYZ Organic Fruit Puree can be adjusted to be more acceptable to consumers as well as increasing consumer trust in product safety.
Antioxidant Properties of Fermented Green Coffee Beans with Wickerhamomyces anomalus (Strain KNU18Y3)

A few yeast species have been tested frequently to improve the tastes, flavors, and other important quality parameters of coffee. However, continuing evaluations of different yeast species for fermenting green coffee beans will have a significant positive contribution to the coffee industry. This experiment was conducted to evaluate the antioxidant properties, total phenol content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), total tannin content (TTC), and the consumer acceptability of fermented green coffee beans with Wickerhamomyces anomalu. The coffee beans were roasted at different roasting conditions (light, medium, and dark). There was no significant (p > 0.05) difference between the yeast-fermented and non-fermented coffee with regard to the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) values in medium and dark roasted coffee. Similarly, the superoxide dismutase-like (SOD)-like activity did not significantly differ in all roasting conditions. However, the SOD-like activity was significantly different (p < 0.05), particularly within light roasted and medium roasted, and between light roasted and dark roasted in both the control and fermented coffee extracts. The 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were improved in fermented coffee beans. There was a significant (p ≤ 0.05) difference between the yeast-fermented and non-fermented coffee with respect to the TPC and TFC in all roasting types and the TTC in the light and dark roasting conditions. The fermentation of green coffee beans with W. anomalus increased the TPC and TFC. However, the TTC was lower in the fermented coffee beans compared to the non-fermented coffee beans in medium and dark roasted coffee. In general, fermentation of green coffee beans with W. anomalus has the potential to improve the functionality of coffee beans.
Translation and validation of the Spanish version of the Chronic Illness Anticipated Stigma Scale (CIASS) in Colombian patients diagnosed with chronic illnesses

ABSTRACT Objective: Determine the psychometric properties of the CIASS scale for Colombian patients living with chronic diseases. Method: A Spanish version of the scale was distributed to a sample of 230 patients (33.2% male, aged 18–98 years) diagnosed with chronic diseases. A confirmatory factor analysis was performed using unweighted least squares to determine the scale’s structural validity, Cronbach’s alpha was calculated to determine the scale’s reliability, and correlations with related constructs were calculated to determine the scale’s convergent validity. Results: Confirmatory factor analysis suggested that the factor structure of the scale was a satisfactory fit to the proposed theoretical model (χ 2 = 3133.26, df = 526, root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA] = 0.082, P-Value = 0.00, CFI = 1.00, root mean square residual [RMR] = 0.11). The internal consistency of the scale was strong (Cronbach’s α = .815), indicating that the scale was reliable. We found that the discrimination index of CIASS scale items were high (r = .647–.870). Convergent validity was also supported, associations observed with lower coping and greater negative emotion scores. Conclusion: The CIASS scale is a valid and reliable instrument for the assessment of anticipated stigma in Colombian patients with chronic illnesses.
Morphometric and molecular characterization of root-knot nematodes infecting Malabar spinach (Basella alba L.) in the Philippines

Abstract Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) are one of the most damaging plant parasites hence, accurate identification of these pests is essential for the formulation of an efficient disease management program. In the present study, Meloidogyne sp. infecting Malabar spinach in Los Banos, Laguna, Philippines was characterized based on morphology and molecular data. The perineal patterns of adult females showed a distinct arrangement typical of M. incognita. Morphometric analysis of some of the females and second-stage juveniles matched well to the reference M. incognita isolates from selected studies. In terms of molecular characterization, amplification based on the COII/16SrRNA intervening regions of the mtDNA and M. incognita-specific SCAR marker followed by sequencing revealed that the Malabar spinach isolate is indeed M. incognita. Although there are certain differences observed in some characters and morphometrics intraspecifically, both the overall morphological and molecular findings assert the species identity of the isolate.
Dual RNA-seq in an aphid parasitoid reveals plastic and evolved adaptation to symbiont-conferred resistance

Coevolving taxa offer the opportunity to study the genetic basis of rapid reciprocal adaptation. We have used experimental evolution to examine adaptation in the parasitoid wasp Lysiphlebus fabarum to resistance conferred by the protective endosymbiont Hamiltonella defensa in its aphid host Aphis fabae. To examine a key stage in parasitoid infection, we have used RNA-seq to study gene expression in 4-5 day old parasitoid larvae contained in still living aphids. With this dual RNA-seq we can simultaneously view expression in individual experimentally evolved parasitoids and the aphids that house them. This gives a view of the sweeping changes in both taxa accompanying successful or unsuccessful infections. Among successful larvae, we find that experimentally evolved populations adapted to H. defensa-protected hosts differ in the expression of genes that include putative toxins and genes to cope with stress. These differences remain even when the larvae are developing in aphids possessing no defensive endosymbionts, suggesting that they are genetically based. In contrast, plastic responses between parasitoids reared in hosts with and without H. defensa are relatively small. Although aphids rely largely on their secondary endosymbionts for defense against parasitoids, we identify expression differences in aphids housing different parasitoid phenotypes. Together, these results demonstrate that wild parasitoid populations possess the genetic variation for rapid adaptation to host resistance, resulting in genetically based differences in gene expression that increase their success in parasitizing symbiont-protected host aphids.
Optimal Advance Angle for Aided Maximum-Speed-Node Design of Switched Reluctance Machines

In the design processes of Switched Reluctance (SR) Machines that operate in wide constant power speed ranges, the maximum power available at maximum speed must be evaluated for every machine candidate. This is critical to ensure compliance with the power requirement. Important parameters to include in the design routine are the duration of the energizing period and the advance of the turn-on instant, i.e., advance angle. The latter is highly related to the machine geometry and is usually evaluated through time-consuming finite-element-based iterative methods. In this article, a simple, yet novel analytical model is proposed to cater for the torque-maximising advance angle in a closed-form analytical expression, directly from the machine geometry. The goal is to provide a non-iterative design tool that speeds up the design process. Successful validations against finite element analyses and experimental results on an SR machine prototype are reported. The main outcome of this article is shown by the improvement in computation time, without any significant loss of accuracy.
Giant scrotal lymphatic filariasis

Wuchereria bancrofti, transmitted by mosquito, is endemic in Ghana and scrotal elephantiasis is a rare manifestation. Scrotal elephantiasis can assume a large size impacting negatively on the quality of life of patients. We present a case of a 47-year-old male, living in lymphatic filariasis endemic area of Ghana, with a 10-year history of giant scrotal swelling. The patient had subtotal scrotectomy done with preservation of both testes and penis. Surgery had satisfactory outcome, marking the end of the patient’s 10-year ordeal with the huge scrotal mass.
Low awareness about breast self-examination and risk factors of breast cancer in Benghazi, Libya

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the Eastern Mediterranean region and the leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Objectives: The study aimed to ascertain the level of awareness about the breast self-examination (BSE) and early detection of breast cancer and risks of breast cancer in the women of Benghazi, the second capital city of Libya. Subjects and Methods: A community-based survey was carried out in Benghazi to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of women at Benghazi about BSE and risk and protective factors of breast cancer. Cluster sampling technique was used. 30 clusters were selected during the year 2013. Results: Three thousand women were targeted; 2601 women were interviewed. Their mean age was 36.4 ± 10.9 years; more than half of them were married. The respondents' knowledge about BSE was poor with less than half of them (48.1%) having ever heard about BSE. Less than one-fifth of them (16.9%) knew what is BSE and less than one-quarter (25.7%) had satisfactory knowledge about the recommended frequency of BSE. About 39.0% of the respondents knew how to perform BSE, less than one-quarter of them (22.5%) knew when to start it. However, about three quarters (74.4%) of women considered BSE practice very important based on information from television programs as their source of knowledge (23.8). Less than half (43%) thought that high-fat diet and 42% stated that that physical inactivity are recognized risk factors for developing breast cancer. Conclusions: There is a poor knowledge about BSE and about risk and protective factors of breast cancer even among educated women in Benghazi. Primary prevention and early detection awareness should be the first step for prevention of breast cancer in Benghazi, Libya.
Intra‐annual variation of phytoplankton community responses to factorial N, P, and CO
 2
 enrichment in a temperate mesotrophic lake

Across primary producer communities in different lakes, nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) can exhibit many different patterns of limitation. Here, we look at the intra‐annual variability of these patterns in a single lake. Furthermore, we investigate whether a third resource, carbon dioxide (CO₂) can have significant effects on phytoplankton biomass and community composition. We performed five in situ lacustrine mesocosm experiments at different times of the year. In each experiment, we had a factorial design with two levels of N, P and CO₂ enrichment (no enrichment or double lake concentrations for N and P and atmospheric (400 ppm) and c. 1,000 ppm for CO₂) resulting in a total of eight treatments. Mesocosms of c. 1,600 L were suspended in a temperate, mesotrophic lake (Lac Hertel, Canada). Each experiment lasted 2 weeks and chlorophyll a biomass, coarse chemotaxonomic community composition (measured using fluorometry), and several environmental variables were recorded at a minimum of four time points. We found that the limiting, synergistic, and community composition effects of N and P varied between experiments. TN:TP ratios explained, in part, some of this variability, along with insolation and water temperature. Despite relatively high levels of CO₂ in the control mesocosms, we found a constant synergistic effect of CO₂ with N. In combination with the synergistic effect of P with N found in some experiments, this provides support for CO₂ as one of the multiple limiting resources in nutrient‐enriched systems. This finding could have implications for eutrophic lakes exposed to increasing concentrations of CO₂. We also found that the effects of CO₂ on community composition varied intra‐annually. Thus, we conclude that generalised predictions about the effect of CO₂ on community composition at a coarse chemotaxonomic scale are unlikely to hold, but predictions specific to season and system are likely to be reliable.
Immunohistochemical expression of Bmi-1, S100A4, and claudin-1 in breast cancer

Background Breast cancer is a systemic disease that usually metastasizes before the diagnosis of the primary tumor. To develop novel treatment strategies, it is essential to identify the factors underlying tumorigenesis, invasion, and metastasis. This study aimed to assess the expression of Bmi-1, S100A4, and claudin-1 in immunostained specimens of breast cancer and correlate their immunohistochemical expression with the clinicopathological parameters to identify their impact on tumor behavior and carcinogenesis. Materials and methods Bmi-1, S100A4, and claudin-1 immunohistochemical expressions were evaluated and analyzed in 50 paraffin-embedded specimens of breast cancer. Results Bmi-1, S100A4, and claudin-1 expression was found in 58, 44, and 34%, respectively, of the studied cases. There was a significant positive association between Bmi-1 expression and tumor grade (P<0.001), lymphovascular invasion (LVI) (P<0.001), nodal involvement (pN) (P<0.001), distant metastasis (P=0.017), and tumor stage (P<0.001). There was a significant positive association between S100A4 expression and tumor size (P<0.001), tumor grade (P=0.007), LVI (P<0.001), nodal involvement (P=0.002), and tumor stage (P<0.001). There was a significant inverse association between claudin-1 expression with tumor size (P=0.04), grade (P<0.001), LVI (P<0.001), nodal involvement (P<0.001), and tumor stage (P<0.001). There was a positive association between Bmi-1 and S100A4, whereas claudin-1 was inversely associated with both markers. Conclusion The loss of tight junctions represented by decreased claudin-1 expression and the acquisition of mesenchymal properties represented by Bmi-1 and S100A4 overexpression are considered adverse prognostic markers of breast cancer that denote an aggressive course. In addition, they are important for breast cancer progression, invasion, and metastasis.
International Journal of Engineering

Object tracking through multiple cameras is a popular research topic in security and surveillance systems especially when human objects are the target. However, occlusion is one of the challenging problems for the tracking process. This paper proposes a multiple-camera-based cooperative tracking method to overcome the occlusion problem. The paper presents a new model for combining convolutional neural networks (CNNs), which allows the proposed method to learn the features with high discriminative power and geometrical independence. In the training phase, the CNNs are first pre-trained in each of the camera views, and a convolutional gating network (CGN) is simultaneously pre-trained to produce a weight for each CNN output. The CNNs are then transferred to the tracking task where the pre-trained parameters of the CNNs are re-trained by using the data from the tracking phase. The weights obtained from the CGN are used in order to fuse the features learnt by the CNNs and the resulting weighted combination of the features is employed to represent the objects. Finally, the particle filter is used in order to track objects. The experimental results showed the efficiency of the proposed method in this paper.
Common aeroallergens among children with allergies in the United Arab Emirates

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the most common allergens that cause sensitization in skin prick tests (SPTs). Subjects and Methods: The data for this retrospective cross-sectional study were collected from results in 180 patients referred to our clinic with allergic rhinitis (AR), asthma, or atopic dermatitis (AD). All participants underwent SPT during 2013–2015 in our clinic at University Hospital Sharjah. SPT was performed with 15 aeroallergens selected based on the most common identifiable allergens in the region. A mean wheal diameter of at least 3 mm greater than the negative control was considered positive. Statistical analysis was done through SPSS 21. Results: The patients' ages ranged from 12 months to 16 years. About 69.4% had AR, 52.2% had asthma, and 21.1% had AD. Among positive patients, 89.4% were polysensitized and 10.6% were single sensitized. House dust mites (HDMs) yielded the highest prevalence of sensitization, followed by cat dander and feather mix (both 17.2%). The least common of all indoor aeroallergens was cockroach (8.9%). Molds yielded the following sensitization rates: Alternaria alternata 26.1%, Cladosporium mix 20.00%, and Aspergillus mixture 17.8%. Among outdoor allergens, sensitization rates were 21.1% for Phleum pratense, 17.2% for Russian thistle, 14.4% for Chenopodium album, and 10.0% for date palm. The least common outdoor allergen was Bermuda grass with a percentage sensitization of 5.6%. Conclusions: The most common aeroallergens identified by SPT in our allergy clinic were HDMs in all allergic diseases, which is consistent with results from similar studies in our region. The most common allergic disease in our population was AR.