Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Could State-Controlled Media Stabilize the Market during the U.S.-China Trade Frictions?

The China-US trade frictions brought about many uncertainties to the Chinese economy. This research investigates whether China's state-controlled media played a role in stabilizing investors' expectations by examining the relations between media tone and Chinese stock market reactions in the context of China-US trade frictions. Firstly, even though the media tone of news on trade frictions did not elicit significant reactions at the market level, those firms heavily exposed to export business with the U.S. produced significant positive reactions to a high media tone of the state media. Secondly, investors, especially SME investors, perceived more uncertainties to the high tones of Chinese media in the early days of Trump's presidency and reacted negatively to the media's high stance, as shown in the volatility. Thirdly, after the war was waged, higher-tone news released from the state-controlled press eased people's anxieties and stabilized the market, especially for the large caps, leading to lower volatilities in most subsequent stages. Generally, the official media's tone manipulation is partially effective in preventing a market meltdown and easing investors' worries.
Multicultural quality of life predictive effects on wellbeing: a cross-sectional study of a Muslim community in South Australia

ABSTRACT Muslim women (n = 39) and men (n = 59) in Adelaide, South Australia were surveyed using the ONS-UK Personal Wellbeing questions (PWB) and Multicultural Quality of Life Index (MQLI). Pearson product-moment correlational analysis, multiple regression analyses, and Hayes’s PROCESS modeling showed spiritual fulfillment-MQLI as the strongest predictor of life satisfaction-PWB, and of PWB overall. Physical wellbeing-MQLI was the greatest predictor of worthiness-PWB. For Muslim women, low spiritual fulfillment-MQLI was positively correlated with high anxiety-PWB. Muslim religiosity is not often integrated into policy and practice frameworks in Australia, which has implications for social work practice with Muslim minority communities, more so with Muslim women.
The Analysis of Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTs) in the Test Questions Constructed by English Teachers

The curriculum 2013 encourages the students’ Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTs). In this case, the teachers should try to meet the demands to achieve the curriculum 2013 goals. One of the effective ways to help the students to attain these thinking skills is teachers’ questions. The teachers’ questions, to some extent, can stimulate the students’ thinking process. The purpose of this study was to analyze HOTs in the test questions constructed by the English teachers. This study used a qualitative content analysis design. The data resources of this study were the test questions designed by two different junior high school teachers. The data were collected from the question items in the teacher-made tests and were analyzed following revised Bloom’s taxonomy framework. The results of this study show that the test questions made by the teachers require more HOTs-type questions because the tests are mainly LOTs-type questions. The majority of the test questions cover understanding questions (50%), followed by remembering (42.5%), analysing (3.75%), evaluating (2.5%), and creating (1.25%). Unfortunately, no test item is classified as applying question. Based on the results, it shows that the test questions made by the teacher lack HOTs-type questions.
Bioinformatics analysis of the prognostic and immunotherapeutic significance of NPRL2 in stomach adenocarcinoma

Background Stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD) is a major type of gastric cancer with high morbidity and mortality. NPRL2, a candidate cancer suppressor gene, has been shown to have anti-cancer effects in various types of cancers. Therefore, comprehensive analyses of NPRL2 in STAD may provide a potential prognostic marker and clinical target for the management of gastric cancer. Methods Genomic expression and methylation were analysed based on data from the Human Protein Atlas, Gene Expression Omnibus and Oncomine database. Survival analyses were conducted with the Kaplan-Meier method, using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. Immune correlation analyses and prediction of response to immunotherapy were performed using the online Immune Cell Abundance Identifier. Co-expression analyses, functional clustering analyses and construction of a prognostic risk model were conducted in R, with the clinical covariates balanced by the inverse probability treatment weighting method. Results NPRL2 was abnormally downregulated in STAD (P<0.05). Survival analysis highlighted a positive association between the expression of NPRL2 and clinical outcomes for patients (P<0.05). Based on co-expression analyses, we found that NPRL2 may be involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition, gastric cancer stem cells, and responsiveness to chemotherapeutic agents in STAD (P<0.05). Furthermore, functional clustering analysis revealed that NPRL2 was involved in the mTOR signalling pathway, autophagy, and the amino acid starvation response (adjust P<0.05). In addition, NPRL2 was negatively associated with tumour-infiltrating immune cells while positively associated with immunotherapeutic biomarkers in STAD (P<0.05). Meanwhile, patients with high NPRL2 expression were predicted to have a better response to immunotherapy (P<0.05). Finally, a prognostic model constructed based on NPRL2-related genes could predict the prognosis of STAD patients (AUC =0.641), and the risk score was an independent prognostic factor for STAD patients (HR =4.855, 95% CI: 2.683–8.785, P<0.001). Conclusions The present study provided a comprehensive analysis of the role and potential mechanisms of NPRL2 in STAD, suggesting that NPRL2 is a potential biomarker for the survival and prediction of immunotherapy response in STAD.
Approximate Optimal Trajectory Tracking With Sparse Bellman Error Extrapolation

This article provides an approximate online adaptive solution to the infinite-horizon optimal tracking problem for control-affine continuous-time nonlinear systems with uncertain drift dynamics. A model-based approximate dynamic programming (ADP) approach, which is facilitated using a concurrent learning-based system identifier, approximates the optimal value function. To reduce the computational complexity of model-based ADP, the state space is segmented into user-defined segments (i.e., regions). Off-policy trajectories are selected within each segment to facilitate learning of the value function weight estimates; this process is called Bellman error (BE) extrapolation. Within certain segments of the state space, sparse neural networks are used to reduce the computational expense of BE extrapolation. Discontinuities occur in the weight update laws since different groupings of extrapolated BE trajectories are active in certain regions of the state space. A Lyapunov-like stability analysis is presented to prove boundedness of the overall system in the presence of discontinuities. Simulation results are included to demonstrate the performance and validity of the developed method. The simulation results demonstrate that using the sparse, switched BE extrapolation method developed in this article reduces the computation time by 85.6% when compared to the traditional BE extrapolation method.
Association between socioeconomic status and motor development in early childhood

Background: Motor development in early childhood undergoes great maturation and refinements due to the huge contact and interaction with the environment. Socioeconomic status (SES) as an environmental factor can affect motor development in this age period. The aim of this study was to assess the relation between SES and motor development. Study Design: This study was an observational cross-sectional study and it conducted in nurseries and elementary schools at Cairo governorate, Egypt. Subjects & methods: Two hundreds and seventy six normal children from both sexes aged 4-7 years old participated in this study. Motor development was assessed by the short form of Bruininks-Oseretsky Test 2 of Motor Proficiency (BOT-2 SF). The SES scale was used to measure SES of children's families. IBM SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Science; IBM Corp, Armonk, NY, USA) release 22 for Microsoft Windows was used for all statistical analyses. Results: The results of this study revealed non-significant association of SES and motor development (r = 0.106, p = 0.078).
Comment on `Nanoconfinement-enhanced conformational response of single DNA molecules to changes in ionic environment'

In the present Comment we show that, contrary to the recent findings of Reisner et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 99, 058302 (2007)], the excluded volume effect does not play an important role in determining DNA behavior in nanochannels at low ionic strength. We argue that the DNA extension data are described very well without the notion of an effective polymer width using the entropic depletion theory due to Odijk.
State Ratings of Educator Preparation Programs: Connecting Program Review to Teacher Effectiveness

States are responsible for evaluating teacher preparation programs (TPPs) through program reviews. We use data from Massachusetts to describe the first analysis of program review ratings and their relationship to in-service outcomes for TPP graduates. When comparisons are made across all schools and districts in the state, a TPP’s review scores positively predict in-service teacher evaluations and value added for TPP graduates. These relationships, however, become more modest for teacher evaluations and statistically insignificant for value added when relationships are identified based on comparisons between TPP graduates who are teaching in the same schools and districts.
Observed and modeled thermosphere and ionosphere response to superstorms

Observations and numerical simulations of the response of the thermosphere and ionosphere to “superstorms” illustrate that multiple processes are operating. The initial response at high latitude is thermospheric heating, thermal expansion, high‐velocity winds, wave surges, the initiation of a new global circulation, and the start of neutral composition changes. At low latitude, the initial response is driven by the penetration of magnetospheric electric fields, moving the equatorial ionization anomaly poleward, and enhancing both F region plasma densities and the total electron content at midlatitudes and low latitudes. Electron content also increases dramatically at the higher altitudes. In the later stages of the response, plasma densities begin to respond to the changing circulation; the transport of composition changes to midlatitudes and low latitudes; and the generation of disturbance dynamo effects, which either compete or combine with penetration fields. The observations and modeling indicate that all the processes have a significant impact at some time and place during the storm.
A Literature Review of Privatization Models, Theoretical Framework for Nigerian Railway Corporation Privatization

Privatization is the transfer of ownership from the state to the private sector. The main idea behind this economic strategy is to relieve government from the saddle of management of state enterprises that can be seen to be best managed by the private sector for maximum performance. The main method and critical choices for the privatization of the Nigerian Railway Corporation are management-buyout, concession, management contract, leases, share option and franchises. In addition, the research paper discusses the main performance indicators, such as effectiveness, efficiency, productivity, infrastructural investment, and profitability. These are the parameters set to measure the performance of privatized state enterprises after privatization discussed in the research study.
Elucidation of efficient photosynthesis in plants with limited iron

ABSTRACT Plants allocate large proportions of nitrogen (N) and iron (Fe) – principal elements in the photosynthetic electron transport system – to leaf chloroplasts. Although the molecular mechanisms to overcome N deficiency have been intensively studied, the acclimation of photosynthetic apparatus to Fe deficiency in higher plants remains to be further investigated. We previously reported about effective strategies in the chloroplasts of an Fe-deficiency-tolerant crop, barley, which allow photosynthesis under Fe-deficient conditions, not relying solely on Fe acquisition via the roots. The Fe-deficient barley leaves employ at least two strategies, viz., induction of thermal dissipation of absorbed light energy via Lhcb1 phosphorylation, which is maintained stably over Fe-deficiency periods regardless of light conditions, and improved electron flow in or around photosystem I through protein complexes with unknown composition. Previous studies have focused on healthy leaves from which chloroplasts can easily be isolated or on model organisms, such as Arabidopsis and cyanobacteria, to demonstrate typical photosystem structures and photochemical reactions. By contrast, in non-model plants, atypical photosystem structures and compositions have been reported. These structures are generally important to adapt to stress conditions or specific niches. In this review, we elucidate the mechanisms of acclimation of barley photosystems to Fe deficiency and provide an overview of the modulations in the photosystems of other plants under various stress conditions.
Factors Influencing Employee Retention in 3-Star Hotels: Evidence from New Juaben North Municipality, Ghana

Purpose: Hotels spend millions of dollars every year on recruitment processes. Nevertheless, employee retention rate has not been encouraging among hotels in Ghana. This paper therefore assessed the factors influencing employee retention in 3-star hotels in New Juaben North Municipality of Ghana. Methodology: The explanatory research design was employed, and a representative sample of 102 employees were randomly selected and included in this study. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data for the analysis. Multiple regression models were used to estimate hypothesised unadjusted and adjusted relationships between employee retention and potential retention factors – training and development, wages and compensation, performance appraisal, work-life balance, job satisfaction and job security. Findings: First, adjustment with the factors showed significant effects of training and development, wages and compensation, performance appraisal, work-life balance, job satisfaction and job security on employee retention. Next, control for employees’ characteristics revealed significant relationships of training and development, wages and compensation, performance appraisal, work-life balance, job satisfaction and job security with employee retention. Recommendation: The findings suggested that improvement in these explanatory factors would result in high employee retention rate in 3-star hotels in the New Juaben North Municipality. Thus, managements of these hotels should channel efforts into improving work conditions of their employees.
Transmembrane Phosphatase with TEnsin Homologue (TPTE) Expression in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

Background: TPTE is a ‘Cancer Testis’ antigen that could be a candidate for targeted immunotherapy of epithelial ovarian cancer. Objective: To determine the prevalence of expression and the impact of TPTE on clinical and survival outcomes in epithelial ovarian cancer. Methods: Relevant medical information of 173 ovarian cancer patients (including Fallopian and primary peritoneal) managed at a Cancer Centre were retrieved. Reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of TPTE in the tumours. TPTE expression was correlated with the clinicopathologic and survival outcomes of the patients. Results: TPTE was expressed by 45.1% (78/173) of the tested tumours. There was no significant difference in age between TPTE-positive and negative women (p = 0.93). TPTE expression was not significantly associated with the stage of the disease (p = 1.00), grade of disease (p = 0.71) and histology of the tumour (p = 0.17). There was no significant association between TPTE expression and the ease of optimum debulking (44.5% vs 44.3%, p = 0.54). TPTE expression was also not associated with a better response to therapy (p = 0.05). However, it was associated with slightly longer but not statistically significant progression-free survival (27.5 vs 20.6-months, p = 0.14) and overall survival (49.2 vs 28.0 months, p = 0.11). Conclusion: This study shows that TPTE is expressed at a moderate frequency in epithelial ovarian cancers, and its expression is associated with marginally better survival outcomes.
Optimization, characterization and adsorption properties of natural calcite for toxic As(III) removal from aqueous solutions

The potential of natural (N) and magnetized (M) forms of different rocks (calcite and dolomite) and clays (bentonite, kaolinite, and hematite) were evaluated for the removal of As(III) from aqueous solutions, in order to optimize and scrutinize the most suitable adsorbent. The order observed for efficiency of As(III) removal was N-calcite > N-dolomite > M-calcite > M-dolomite > N-bentonite > M-bentonite > M-kaolinite > N-kaolinite > M-hematite > N-hematite. On the basis of this analysis, natural calcite was further selected for in-depth analysis of various adsorption parameters such as time, pH, temperature, dosage, and concentration of As(III) ions. An excellent adsorption capacity of 19.05 mg‧g−1 was displayed by calcite for As(III), which was significantly higher than that previously reported for other studies. The characterization of adsorbent calcite was performed by various analytical techniques:XRD, XRF, FTIR, SEM-EDS, TG/DTA and PZC. The kinetic investigation revealed that the adsorbent successfully removed over 98% of As(III) from aqueous solution after 160 minutes of equilibration time. The adsorption data was well fitted to the Freundlich isotherm model and fairly described by the pseudo-second-order mechanism. The mean energy of adsorption (E) determined from the Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) model was less than 8 kJ‧mol-1 , which indicates a physical adsorption process. The calculated thermodynamic parameters revealed that the adsorption of As(III) by calcite is endothermic, favourable and spontaneous.
Asymmetric local velocity distribution in a driven granular gas

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the local feature of driven granular gases in event-driven molecular dynamic simulation, in order to achieve spatial profiles of local velocity distribution and granular temperature, and the local state with various coefficients of restitution. Design/methodology/approach – Event-driven molecular dynamic simulation is performed to study a vibro-fluidized granular gas system. Triangular-wave vibration is adopted in the simulation. The authors focus on the steady state of a driven granular gas. Findings – The simulation finds the local velocity distribution is asymmetric along vibration direction in this driven granular gas system, which agrees with the experimental results obtained in micro-gravity. A nonlinear spatial profile of the skewness of local velocity distribution in vibration direction is found in the simulation. Furthermore, it is found that the value of skewness increases with the system dissipation. It is also found that the two temperature.
Beliefs About Body Weight and Practices of Regulating Food and Physical Exercise Patterns of Children Among Parents in Southern Ethiopia

Background The problem of childhood obesity is often associated with cultural values of body weight which includes the belief that voluptuous body size is a sign of good health status and better parental care. We examined the beliefs and behaviors of parents pertaining to preferred body weight of children, including practices of management of feeding and physical exercise patterns of children in southern Ethiopia. Methods Using cross-sectional survey study design, a structured questionnaire was distributed to randomly selected parents. Quantitative data were collected from 215 respondents, inserted into SPSS software, and analyzed by frequency and percentage distributions, charts, and multinomial logistic regression techniques. Results Most (59.1%) respondents want their child’s body weight to be normal/neither fat nor thin. In addition, 58.2% of the study participants held the opinion that average body size is an indication of good health status. Furthermore, 72.6% of respondents revealed that they control the amount of food their child consumes with the aim of preventing obesity/overweight. Moreover, 79.5% of respondents encourage their children to sometimes walk on foot, instead of always relying on vehicles while 87% of them replied that they regulate the amount of time their children spend watching TV. Above all, parents’ preference of voluptuous body size of children is significantly associated with age (OR=61.52.448, P < 0.001, 95%C.I: 57–66.14), educational status (OR = 35.605, P < 0.001; 95%C.I: 6.050–209.524), sex (OR = 0.237, P < 0.05; 95%C.I: 0.078-0.724) and grownup area (OR = 2.869, P < 0.05; 95%C.I: 1.062–7.749). Conclusion Parents not only have adequate level of awareness regarding the health risks of children’s heavy body weight but also engage in the body weight management practices of their children such as by regulating the food consumption patterns of children, encouraging them to undertake physical exercises, and by being role models while doing physical exercises for themselves.
Consistent, Continuous, and Customizable Mid-Air Gesture Interaction for Browsing Multimedia Objects on Large Displays

Abstract Browsing multimedia objects, such as photos, videos, documents, and maps represents a frequent activity in a context of use where an end-user interacts on a large vertical display close to bystanders, such as a meeting in a corporate environment or a family display at home. In these contexts, mid-air gesture interaction is suitable for a large variety of end-users, provided that gestures are consistently mapped to similar functions across media types. We present Lui (Large User Interface), a ready-to-deploy and to-use application for browsing multimedia objects by consistent mid-air gesture interaction on a large display that is customizable by mapping new gesture classes to functions in real-time. The method followed to design the gesture interaction and to develop the application consists of four stages: (1) a contextual gesture elicitation study (23 participants × 18 referents = 414 proposed gestures) is conducted with the various media types to determine a consensus set satisfying consistency, (2) the continuous integration of this consensus set with gesture recognizers into a pipeline software architecture, (3) a comparative testing of these recognizers on the consensus set to configure the pipeline with the most efficient ones, and (4) an evaluation of the interface regarding its global quality and specific to the implemented gestures.