Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Barriers and Enablers of Emergency Remote Education amid COVID-19 Pandemic: Perspectives of English Language Teachers

The aim of this paper is to describe the barriers and enablers in emergency remote education from the views of language teachers amid COVID-19 pandemic. It involved eleven purposively sampled high school English language teachers in the Philippines during the school year 2021-2022. The qualitative data were processed using thematic analysis technique. The results revealed two superordinate themes: 1. ) barriers of emergency remote English language education and 2. ) enablers of emergency remote English language education. Under the first superordinate theme, barriers of remote emergency education, three subordinate themes emerged: 1.1. ) problems in internet connection and materials; 1.2. ) unfamiliarity with remote instructional design; and 1.3. ) lack of skills in using remote technologies. Furthermore, under the second superordinate theme, enablers of remote emergency education, three subordinate themes were revealed: 2.1. ) self-learning in using technology; 2.2. ) instructional accommodations; and 2.3. ) school and community support. These study outcomes provide practical insights that shape emergency remote education amid the current novel crisis. The barriers should be addressed, and the enablers should be cultivated, so that a successful remote English language education can be attained.
Detection-tracking performance with combined waveforms

It is commonly understood that in radar or active sonar detection systems constant-frequency (CF) pulses correspond to good Doppler but poor delay resolution capability; and that linearly swept frequency (FM) pulses have the opposite behavior. Many systems are capable of both types of operation, and hence in this paper the fusion of such pulses is examined from a system point of view (i.e., tracking performance) via hybrid conditional averaging (HYCA), a new but increasingly accepted technique for evaluating tracking performance in the presence of missed detections. It is shown that tracking errors are highly dependent on the waveform used, and in many situations tracking performance using a good heterogeneous waveform is improved by an order of magnitude when compared with a scheme using a homogeneous pulse (CF or FM) with the same energy. Between the two types of FM considered (upsweep and downsweep), it is shown that the upsweep is always superior. Also investigated is an alternating-pulse system, which, while suboptimal, appears to offer robust performance.
HPLC/MSn Profiling and Healing Activity of a Muco-Adhesive Formula of Salvadora persica against Acetic Acid-Induced Oral Ulcer in Rats

Salvadora persica L. (S. persica, Siwak) is an ethnic plant that is widely used for improving oral hygiene. This study aimed to provide a phytochemical profiling of S. persica ethyl acetate fraction (SPEAF) and to evaluate the healing activity of a muco-adhesive formula of the fraction against acetic acid-induced oral ulcers in rats. HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS-MS analysis of SPEAF resulted in the tentative identification of 56 metabolites containing fatty acids (23%), urea derivatives (10.5%) and sulphur compounds (10%), in addition to several amides, polyphenols and organic acids (6.5%, 5% and 2%, respectively). For the first time, 19 compounds were identified from S. persica. In vitro and in vivo experiments indicated that the extract is non-toxic. SPEAF exhibited superior healing activities compared to both the negative and positive control groups on days 7 and 14 of tongue ulcer induction. This was confirmed by histopathological examinations of haematoxylin and eosin-stained (H&E) and Masson’s trichrome-stained tongue sections. Moreover, SPEAF showed potent anti-inflammatory activities, as evidenced by the inhibited expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis alpha (TNF-α). Moreover, SPEAF exhibited potent antioxidant activity, as it prevented malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation, reduced glutathione (GSH) depletion and superoxide dismutase (SOD) exhaustion. SPEAF significantly enhanced hydroxyproline tongue content and upregulated collagen type I alpha 1 (Col1A1) mRNA expression. SPEAF also improved angiogenesis, as shown by the increased mRNA expression of the angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1). In conclusion, S. persica has a wide range of secondary metabolites and ameliorates acetic acid-induced tongue ulcers in rats. This can be attributed, at least partly, to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, procollagen and angiogenic activities. These findings provide support and validity for the use of S. persica as a traditional and conventional treatment for oral disorders.
IoT Cloud Computing Middleware for Crowd Monitoring and Evacuation

Map-Reduce is a programming model and an associated implementation for processing and generating large data sets. This model has a single point of failure: the master, who coordinates the work in a cluster. On the contrary, wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are distributed systems that scale and feature large numbers of small, computationally limited, low-power, unreliable nodes. In this article, we provide a top-down approach explaining the architecture, implementation and rationale of a distributed fault-tolerant IoT middleware. Specifically, this middleware consists of multiple mini-computing devices (Raspberry Pi) connected in a WSN which implement the Map-Reduce algorithm. First, we explain the tools used to develop this system. Second, we focus on the Map-Reduce algorithm implemented to overcome common network connectivity issues, as well as to enhance operation availability and reliability. Lastly, we provide benchmarks for our middleware as a crowd tracking application for a preserved building in Greece (i.e., M. Hatzidakis’ residence). The results of this study show that IoT middleware with low-power and low-cost components are viable solutions for medium-sized cloud computing distributed and parallel computing centres. Potential uses of this middleware apply for monitoring buildings and indoor structures, in addition to crowd tracking to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Effect of masseter muscle activity during wakefulness and sleep on tooth wear.

PURPOSE To investigate the effect of masseter muscle activity during wakefulness and sleep on tooth wear. METHODS Sixteen participants with no or mild tooth wear (NMTW group) and sixteen participants with moderate-to-severe tooth wear (MSTW group) were enrolled. The severity of tooth wear was evaluated using the occlusal and incisal indices of the tooth wear index. Surface electromyography was performed to record the electrical activity of the left masseter muscle during wakefulness and sleep. Electromyographic activity was detected using an electromyographic threshold of 5% and 20% of maximal voluntary clenching (MVC). The total duration of electromyographic activity and bruxism episodes were calculated. RESULTS The mean ages of the NMTW and MSTW groups were 71.75 ± 7.61 years and 71.69 ± 7.49 years, respectively. The mean cumulative duration of electromyographic activity during wakefulness using a threshold of >5% MVC was 6.44 ± 4.52 min/h and 13.62 ± 10.08 min/h for the NMTW and MSTW groups, respectively (p=0.048). The mean total durations of electromyographic activity during wakefulness and sleep using a threshold of >20% MVC were 1.08 ± 1.70 min/h and 1.05 ± 3.02 min/h, respectively, in the NMTW group and 4.78 ± 6.37 min/h and 1.61 ± 1.79 min/h, respectively, in the MSTW group (p=0.048 and p=0.003, respectively). CONCLUSION These results suggest that masseter electromyographic activity during wakefulness and sleep may be related to the severity of tooth wear.
Transmission Matrix of a Linear Double Taper in Rectangular Waveguides

This paper presents a method of finding the transmission matrix parameters of a linear double taper in rectangular waveguides. The taper is divided into a number of sections of uniform length. The transmission matrix of each section is found out and they are multiplied to get the final transmission matrix. The matrix is used to find the complex reflection coefficient when the other end is terminated by a known load. The theoretical results are compared with the experimental results of Matsumaru and Johnson and they are found to be in good agreement.
Influence of Maternal Microbiome and Inflammatory Response in Preterm Birth: Recent Aspects of the Prevention of Preterm Birth

Preterm birth (PTB) is a global health issue and one of the most challenging problems affecting 12.9 million births worldwide. PTB is a multi-etiological disease and remains incompletely understood. The major cause of PTB is infection or inflammation and disruption of the vaginal microbiome, which affects the maternal immunologic response leading to PTB. The vaginal microbiome composition changes by a shift in the community are typically dominated by Lactobacillus during pregnancy. There are complex interactions between the maternal microbiome in pregnancy and the development of PTB, therefore, researchers have struggled to connect the maternal microbiome with the dysregulation of the maternal immune response in cases of PTB. The host microbiome affects alterations of the microorganisms with external stimuli such as disease, nutrition, immunity, and behavior. In this review, we discuss the complex association between the maternal microbiome and the risk of PTB and also focus on recent aspects of the prevention of PTB.
Einfluss von Inhomogenitäten im Kernwerkstoff von Sandwichelementen auf die Tragfähigkeit

Der Einfluss typischer struktureller Imperfektionen und Inhomogenitäten im Schaumkern auf die elastische Bettung der Deckschichten eines Sandwichelementes wird vorgestellt und diskutiert. Hierzu wurden sowohl theoretische als auch numerische Untersuchungen herangezogen bzw. durchgeführt. Darauf basierend werden Erweiterungen für ein Bemessungsmodell für die Tragfähigkeitsermittlung abgeleitet. Das Bemessungsmodell sowie ein abschließendes Fazit werden präsentiert.
Trajectory Design for UAV-Based Data Collection Using Clustering Model in Smart Farming

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) play an important role in facilitating data collection in remote areas due to their remote mobility. The collected data require processing close to the end-user to support delay-sensitive applications. In this paper, we proposed a data collection scheme and scheduling framework for smart farms. We categorized the proposed model into two phases: data collection and data scheduling. In the data collection phase, the IoT sensors are deployed randomly to form a cluster based on their RSSI. The UAV calculates an optimum trajectory in order to gather data from all clusters. The UAV offloads the data to the nearest base station. In the second phase, the BS finds the optimally available fog node based on efficiency, response rate, and availability to send workload for processing. The proposed framework is implemented in OMNeT++ and compared with existing work in terms of energy and network delay.
Staffing Levels and COVID-19 Infections and Deaths in Korean Nursing Homes

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spread rapidly worldwide. Nursing home (NH) residents are the most vulnerable high-risk population to infection. Professional registered nurses’ (RNs’) infection control is irreplaceable. We used a secondary data analysis method using the government's senior citizen welfare department large data set about all NHs (N = 3,389) across Korea between January 20 and October 20, 2020. Bed size positively associated with the mortality rate (No. of COVID-19 resident deaths / No. of total residents) (p = .048). When the proportion of RNs to total nursing staff was higher, the infection rate was 0.626% lower (p = .049), the mortality rate was 0.088% lower (p = .076), the proportion of confirmed COVID-19 cases per resident out of the total number of NHs was 44.472% lower (p = .041), and the proportion of confirmed COVID-19 deaths per resident out of the total number of NHs was 6.456% lower (p = .055). This study highlighted nurse staffing criteria and suggests that increasing RNs in NHs will reduce infection and mortality rates during the COVID-19 pandemic. We strongly suggest NHs hire at least one RN per day to properly function, and a minimum of four RNs to provide a fully competent RN workforce in long-term care settings in Korean NHs.
The Effect of the Shift in Professional Development Models on a Saudi Arabian University Context

This article discusses the shift in professional development models from inspectional to collegial systems and the effect of this trend in a Saudi Arabian university context. Members of the professional development unit responsible for the supervision of over 200 teachers in a Saudi Arabian university were interviewed. After qualitative analysis, three themes emerged: (1) Teacher Resistance (2) Willingness to listen to teachers (3) Standardization. The themes are discussed with the focus on how they help us determine which models of supervision influence the participant supervisors the most.
Comparison of the mean of the first two blood pressure readings with the overall mean of three readings on a single occasion

Objective: Guidelines differed on the required number of blood pressure (BP) readings for accurate BP assessment. We, therefore, compared the mean of the first two BP readings with the overall mean of three readings in the diagnosis of hypertension. Methods: BP was measured three times consecutively with a 1 min interval using a validated automated electronic BP monitor in volunteers aged at least 18 years. The mean of the first and second BP readings was compared with the mean of the three blood pressure readings for the diagnostic accuracy of hypertension. Results: Of the 77 520 study participants, 65.2 and 25.2% had a SBP or DBP difference at least 5 mmHg and at least 10 mmHg between the first and second BP readings, respectively. Regardless whether the BP difference between the first two BP readings was at least 5 mmHg or at least 10 mmHg for systolic and diastolic alone or both, significant (P < 0.0001) SBP/DBP differences between the mean of the first two BP readings and the overall mean of three readings were observed with an absolute value up to 1.28/1.11 mmHg. However, the mean of the first two BP readings exhibited good reliability and sufficient agreement in the diagnosis of hypertension with a kappa statistic at least 0.88, except that the difference between the first and second BP readings was at least 10 mmHg for both systolic and diastolic (κ=0.79). The diagnostic accuracy was similar across age quartile, sex, and BP category. Conclusion: Two BP readings may be sufficient, unless the BP difference between the two readings was at least 10 mmHg for both systolic and diastolic.
Relationship between Depressive Symptoms, Personality, and Binge Drinking among University Students in Spain

Binge drinking (BD) is a common practice among college students. Alcohol consumption has been related to depressive symptoms and certain personality factors, although less is known about the relationship of these variables with BD. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship of BD with depressive symptoms and personality in university students. We performed a cross-sectional study among students (aged 18–30 years) enrolled in the academic year 2018–2019 at the Faculty of Nursing of the University of Cantabria (Spain). Sociodemographic, academic, and alcohol and other drug use information was collected by means of a semi-structured questionnaire. The Beck Depression Inventory-II was used to measure depressive symptomatology and the Neo Five-Factor Inventory was used for personality. A total of 142 participants were included, 88.03% of which were women. Up to 38.03% were classified as BD. Concerning depressive symptoms, 7.41% of BD were at the moderate-severe level compared to 3.41% of non-BD (p = 0.7096). Regarding personality, the median score for extraversion of BD was 35 (Q1 = 29, Q3 = 40), 32 (Q1 = 28, Q3 = 36) in non-BD (p = 0.0062), conscientiousness scored 34 (Q1 = 30.5, Q3 = 38) points in non-BD, 31.50 (Q1 = 27, Q3 = 37) in BD (p = 0.0224). In conclusion, BD students have higher levels of extraversion and lower levels of responsibility than non-BD students. No significant differences were found between the level of depressive symptomatology between BD and non-BD students.
Mastitis detection based on electric conductivity of milk

Purpose: If measurements of the increased total count of somatic cells in the individual udder quarter or in the whole udder could be determined with electric conductivity by means of the microprocessor-controlled device Mastitron LF 3000 enough precisely to predict the presence of subclinical mastitis. Design/methodology/approach: The occurrence of increased count of somatic cells in milk was found out group by group by the method of measuring the electric conductivity of milk. For the milk conductivity the average measurement from all four udder quarters was taken into account. The population of 102 lactating cows (Black and white, Simmental and Brown Swiss breed) on seven farms fore three summer months was observed. Findings: It was established that higher average electric conductivity than 6.5 mS/cm confirmed in 80% also the increased count of somatic cells in milk. When evaluating the differences between the quarters exceeding 1 mS/cm also a higher total count of somatic cells was confirmed in 73.7%. Moreover, statistically significant relation (P<0.01) between the CMT test and the ECM was found out so it can be claimed that the two methods do not exclude themselves mutually. Research limitations/implications: It was found that the reliability of the ECM in our case was 80% depending to a large extent on the milk composition which changed depending on the stage of lactation, type of feed and general health condition of animals. For a more reliable, accurate and faster implementation of the ECM method further researches will be necessary. Practical implications: Though the ECM method of determination of the subclinical mastitis of the milchcows is well established in the world, it is not yet known well enough in the Slovene practice as a method of diagnosing the subclinical mastitis. Originality/value: It was found that the results of our research in production circumstances were comparable with the indications of the maker and foreign researchers.
A Photoplethysmograph Experiment for Microcontroller Labs

An easy-to-build photoplethysmograph experiment for microcontroller labs is presented. Students learn about direct sensor interfacing to modern mixed-signal microcontrollers and signal processing during an exciting biomedical measurement which is general and important enough to be included in various engineering courses. The full development is open source and the low-cost hardware is available worldwide. The experiment is highly transparent and scalable, and accessible to beginners while providing many challenges to even the most qualified students. It can also be used as a demonstration tool in oral lecturing.
Wellbeing in local areas: how trust, happiness, social distance and experience of discrimination differ in the perceived ethnic enclave

ABSTRACT Using data from the 2002 and 2014 waves of the European Social Survey, enriched with contextual data, we examine the impact of perceived ethnic enclaves upon several social outcomes of their residents. Diversity studies usually find a strong negative relationship between social trust and increasing ethnic heterogeneity for majority members. What happens however in residential areas such as ethnic enclaves that offer more opportunities for bridging contacts for majority members and for bonding among migrants and minorities? Our results show that majority, 1st and 2nd generation residents of enclaves have on average poorer social outcomes than non-residents. Nevertheless, residential sorting forms a large part of the enclave penalty story when it comes to the well-being of all groups in the study and the levels of trust and perceived discrimination of the 2nd generation. Importantly, our study suggests that enclaves are not necessarily areas in which people are doomed to chronic unhappiness, and we do not find conclusive evidence that lack of exposure to outgroupers is to blame for lack of trust across ethnic boundaries. Poorer personal and regional economic conditions exacerbate the negative association of the enclave residents with trust, happiness and social distance.
The value of intraoperative nerve monitoring against recurrent laryngeal nerve injury in thyroid reoperations

Abstract Reoperative thyroidectomy is challenging for surgeons because of the higher incidence of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy. RLN identification is the gold standard during thyroidectomy; however, it is sometimes difficult to perform thyroid reoperations. In recent years, intraoperative nerve monitoring (IONM) has gained increased acceptance, and the use of IONM can be a valuable adjunct to visual identification. The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of IONM during thyroid reoperation. A total of 109 patients who met our criteria at the Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University from January 2010 to June 2020 were retrospectively analyzed and divided into the IONM group and the visualization-alone group (VA group) according to whether neuromonitoring was used during the operation. The patients’ characteristics, perioperative data, and intraoperative information including the RLN identification, time of RLNs confirmation, operative time, intraoperative blood loss, and the rate of RLN injury were collected. Sixty-five procedures (94 RLNs at risk) were performed in the IONM group, whereas 44 (65 RLNs at risk) were in the VA group. The rate of RLN identification was 96.8% in the IONM group and 75.4% in the VA group (P < .05). The incidence of RLN injury was 5.3% in the IONM group and 13.8% in the VA group (P > .05). The incidence of surgeon-related RLN injury rate was 0% in the IONM group compared to 7.7% in the VA group (P < .05), but the tumor-related or scar-related RLN injury rate between the 2 groups were not significantly different (4.3% vs 3.1%, 1.1% vs 3.1%, P > .05). IONM in thyroid reoperation was helpful in improving the RLN identification rate and reducing the surgeon-related RLN injury rate, but was ineffective in reducing the tumor-related and scar-related RLN injury rate. In the future, multicenter prospective studies with large sample sizes may be needed to further assess the role of IONM in thyroid reoperations.