Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CULTURAL FACTORS IN LEARNING MATHEMATICS: THE CASE ON ACHIEVEMENT LEVEL AMONG BADJAO STUDENTS

This study focused mainly on the cultural factors such as beliefs, value practices and exposure to technology-related instructional materials in learning mathematics in regards to their level of achievement among Badjao students. At present, there are limited studies on the learning factors in regards to the level of achievement in mathematics among Badjao students in Bato, Leyte, Philippines. The study employed 71 Badjao elementary and high school students in four selected schools in the municipality of Bato, Leyte using a complete enumeration. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square Contingency Coefficient were used to characterize the variables of interest and to capture its relationships, respectively. Result reveals that the belief of Badjao students is high which indicates that mathematics is important to their daily lives and well-being. However, when it comes to their value practices, Badjao students rated average, which implies that they have mediocre study habits towards mathematics. Findings revealed that almost all of the Badjao students are beginners in their proficiency level in learning mathematics. Result shows that there is a significant relationship between mathematics achievement of the Badjao students and their beliefs about mathematics as well as their value practices in learning mathematics. Furthermore, their level of achievement in mathematics and level of exposure to technology-related instructional materials has no relationships.
Nanoengineering of Gold Nanoparticles: Green Synthesis, Characterization, and Applications

The fundamental aspects of the manufacturing of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are discussed in this review. In particular, attention is devoted to the development of a simple and versatile method for the preparation of these nanoparticles. Eco-friendly synthetic routes, such as wet chemistry and biosynthesis with the aid of polymers, are of particular interest. Polymers can act as reducing and/or capping agents, or as soft templates leading to hybrid nanomaterials. This methodology allows control of the synthesis and stability of nanomaterials with novel properties. Thus, this review focus on a fundamental study of AuNPs properties and different techniques to characterize them, e.g., Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), UV-Visible spectroscopy, Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy, Small-angle X-Ray Scattering (SAXS), and rheology. Recently, AuNPs obtained by “green” synthesis have been applied in catalysis, in medicine, and as antibacterials, sensors, among others.
Cumulative Stressors and Traumas and Suicide: A Non-Linear Cusp Dynamic Systems Model

The unpredictability of suicide is one of the mental health challenges. Based on the threshold model cumulative stressors and traumas interact with a person’s characteristics to produce non-linearly suicidality. The current study tests this non-linear relationship using Catastrophe cusp theory. We used cumulative stressors and traumas (CST) as bifurcation control factor and age as asymmetry control factor and suicide as outcome Cusp factor. We utilized three combined previously collected data sets (N = 967) from Western (the UK, N = 177) and non-Western countries (Egypt: N = 490, and Kuwait: N = 300). The combined dataset included 22% adolescents, 40.2% males. Age ranged from 14 - 75. The measures included cumulative stressors and traumas, interfaith spirituality, religiosity, and identity salience and suicidality. Further, we used measures of interfaith spirituality, religiosity, and identity salience to explore some of the protective factors. We used correlation, curve estimation regression and Cusp catastrophe statistical method to test the hypothesis of the non-linear threshold cusp (sudden shift) model. The explained variance by Cusp catastrophe model non-linear model was highly superior (R2 = 0.762) to the linear model (R2 = 0.045) in predicting suicidality. Further, results found that interfaith spirituality, religiosity, and identity salience were powerful protective factors from the sudden emergence of suicidality. We discussed the implications of the results to the conceptualization, prevention, and interventions with suicidal behavior.
Cross-linguistic similarity in L2 speech learning: Evidence from the acquisition of Russian stop contrasts by Mandarin speakers

This study investigated the role of cross-linguistic similarity in the acquisition of Russian initial stop contrasts by Chinese learners, addressing two specific research questions: (1) How similar are Russian voiced stops to Mandarin stops for Chinese learners? (2) How can the speech learning model (SLM) be applied to account for the acquisition of Russian initial stop contrasts by Chinese learners? Regarding the first question, a hypothesis was proposed that Russian voiced stops could be regarded as dissimilar ‘new’ sounds by Chinese learners, as judged by three commonly adopted methods: IPA comparison, acoustic difference, and feature redeployment. The results of the perceptual assimilation task, however, disconfirmed this hypothesis, as Russian voiced stops were perceived as being highly similar to the sounds of Mandarin voiceless unaspirated stops. According to SLM, perceptually similar second language (L2) sounds are difficult to acquire; hence, a corresponding hypothesis was advanced in relation to the second question; namely, that the acquisition of Russian initial stop contrasts could be challenging for Chinese learners. This hypothesis was supported by the results of the perceptual discrimination and the production tests. These findings corroborated SLM regarding the difficulty in acquiring L2 sounds that are perceptually similar to their first language (L1) counterparts, while posing challenges to the hypothesis that Russian voiced stops could be dissimilar ‘new’ sounds for Chinese learners, as predicted by the three methods. The results indicated that perceived cross-linguistic similarity plays a key role in L2 phonetic acquisition. However, the degree of perceived similarity cannot always be accurately deduced solely through the three methods, at least not in the case of stops.
Gender Equality in the Inheritance Debate in Tunisia and the Formation of Non-Authoritarian Reasoning

This article discusses the debate on gender-equal inheritance in Tunisia. In it, Maeve Cooke’s conception of authoritarian versus non-authoritarian practical reasoning is applied to see whether binaries, like religious versus secular, are existent in the public debate on equal inheritance in Tunisia. The mapping of the debate shows the existence of three sets of arguments: jurisprudential/textual, sociological, and legal. Proponents of equal inheritance base their arguments primarily on legal, then sociological, then textual grounds, whereas law opponents base their arguments on textual, then legal, then sociological grounds. The weakness of the sociological arguments of law opponents is evident when stating that a gendered division of labor within the family still exists without providing statistics or empirical evidence to back up that claim. Through shared categories and grounds, the discussions in Tunisia share a common language in the public sphere, allowing for the reduction of authoritarian tendencies and longstanding polarization through public deliberation.
REVIEW ARTICLE - Scientific research and training in biotechnology in Latin America and the Caribbean: the UNU/BIOLAC experience

It is well known that the number of researchers in Biotechnology in Latin America and the Caribbean is too small to cope with the needs of research and to successfully confront the number of short and long-term problems. The United Nations University created its Biotechnology Program for Latin America and the Caribbean, UNU/BIOLAC, and the results of the efforts aiming to the promotion of a shared sense of direction within the region´s scientific community are presented and discussed herein.
Dietary intake of fruit in relation to body weight management among adults

Objective: The main purpose of the study was to investigate the feasibility of using workplaces to increase the fruit consumption of participants by increasing fruit availability and accessibility by a minimal fruit programme. Furthermore, it was investigated whether a potential increase in fruit intake would affect vegetable, total energy and nutrient intake. Design: A 5-month, controlled, workplace study where workplaces were divided into an intervention group (IG) and a control group (CG). At least one piece of free fruit was available per person per day in the IG. Total fruit and dietary intake was assessed, using two 24 h dietary recalls at baseline and at endpoint. Setting: Eight Danish workplaces were enrolled in the study. Five workplaces were in the IG and three were in the CG. Subjects: One hundred and twenty-four (IG, n 68; CG, n 56) healthy, mainly normal-weight participants were recruited. Results: Mean daily fruit intake increased significantly from baseline to endpoint only in the IG by 112 (SE 35) g. In the IG, mean daily intake of added sugar decreased significantly by 10? 7 (SE 4? 4) g, whereas mean daily intake of dietary fibre increased significantly by 3? 0 (SE 1? 1) g. Vegetable, total energy and macronutrient intake remained unchanged through the intervention period for both groups. Conclusions: The present study showed that it is feasible to increase the average fruit intake at workplaces by simply increasing fruit availability and accessibility. Increased fruit intake possibly substituted intake of foods containing added sugar. In this study population the increased fruit intake did not affect total energy intake.
Human Papillomavirus and Vaccination of Males: Knowledge, Beliefs, and Perceptions of Registered Nurses

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are the most common sexually transmitted infections in the world today. HPV has been identified as the cause of both cancer and genital warts. A vaccine to prevent select types of HPV infection was developed and approved for males and females ages 9 to 26. This vaccine has not been universally accepted by healthcare providers, parents, or the public and has lower vaccination coverage rates than other recommended vaccines for the same age group. Multiple studies addressing the knowledge, perceptions, and beliefs of providers and parents regarding the vaccine have taken place. Only a few studies with the nursing profession are found in the literature and they do not look at the vaccine in regards to males. Nurses are seen as one of the most trustworthy of professions. What nurses know, perceive and believe can impact both patients and those they come in contact with on an informal basis. Objective: The purpose of this study is to determine knowledge, beliefs, and perceptions of registered nurses about the human papillomavirus and associated vaccination for males. Methodology: This study took place in February of 2013 and used a descriptive correlational design with a cross-sectional survey. The survey was administered online to alumni of the University of Central Florida (UCF) College of Nursing, members of the Theta Epsilon chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society, and current graduate nursing students and faculty of UCF College of Nursing. There were one hundred and twelve Registered Nurses that participated in the study. Findings: Knowledge of HPV varied among respondents. The vast majority knew that HPV was a common sexually transmitted infection however less were knowledgeable on specific
Cross-Border Currency Exposures. New Evidence Based on an Enhanced and Updated Dataset

This paper provides a dataset on the currency composition of the international investment position for a group of 50 countries for the period 1990-2017. It improves available data based on estimates by incorporating actual data reported by statistical authorities and refining estimation methods. The paper illustrates current and new uses of these data, with particular focus on the evolution of currency exposures of cross-border positions.
Performance of Opportunistic Receiver Beam Selection in Multiaperture OWC Systems Over Foggy Channels

The atmospheric foggy condition is a major bottleneck for the deployment of optical wireless communication (OWC) systems in outdoor environments. Although the attenuation coefficient in the foggy channel follows the simple Gamma distribution, the distribution of its channel state is quite complicated similar to the well-studied Gamma–Gamma turbulence channel. Furthermore, existing literature suggested schemes that require feedback of the channel state information (CSI) to improve the outage performance of the OWC system under foggy conditions. In this article, we study the average signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), ergodic rate, and energy consumption performance of OWC systems under foggy conditions. First, we show that a single-aperture OWC system suffers significantly from the fog attenuation by deriving analytical expressions on the ergodic rate and energy consumption. Then, we consider a multiaperture OWC system equipped with an opportunistic receiver beam selection (RBS) scheme. The RBS scheme is based on the simple selection combining diversity algorithm, which does not require the knowledge of CSI. We analyze the proposed scheme by deriving computable bounds on the average SNR, ergodic rate, and energy consumption using system parameters and show the performance improvement of the RBS scheme comparing the single-aperture system. We demonstrate the performance of the considered scheme and validate derived expressions using computer simulations.
EFFECT OF A 12-WEEK HOME-BASED NEUROMUSCULAR ELECTRICAL STIMULATION TREATMENT ON CLINICAL OUTCOMES FOLLOWING ARTICULAR CARTILAGE KNEE SURGERY

OF DISSERTATION EFFECT OF A 12-WEEK HOME-BASED NEUROMUSCULAR ELECTRICAL STIMULATION TREATMENT ON CLINICAL OUTCOMES FOLLOWING ARTICULAR CARTILAGE KNEE SURGERY Articular cartilage defects in the knee are common, and can result in pain, decreased function and decreased quality of life. Untreated defects are considered to be a risk factor for developing osteoarthritis, a progressive degenerative joint disease with minimal treatment options. To address these issues, various surgical procedures are available to treat articular cartilage defects in the knee. While these procedures overall have positive results, after surgery patients experience large and persistent deficits in quadriceps strength. A contributing factor to this post-surgical weakness is believed to be the extended post-operative non-weight bearing period, with full weight bearing not initiated until approximately 4 – 6 weeks after surgery. During this non-weight bearing period a minimal amount of demand is placed upon the muscle. Subsequently, the quadriceps muscle undergoes a large degree of atrophy with a significant decrease in muscle strength. Muscular strength deficits reduce the knee joint stability, also increasing the risk of osteoarthritis development. Interventions that can be used to facilitate quadriceps strength while protecting the articular cartilage repair are needed. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is an effective post-knee surgery rehabilitation technique to regain quadriceps musculature. In recent years manufactures have been developing knee sleeve garments integrated with NMES allowing for portability of the NMES treatment. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a 12-week home-based neuromuscular electrical stimulation treatment on post-surgical clinical outcomes (quadriceps strength, lower extremity function, and patient reported outcomes) after articular cartilage knee surgery. Patients were randomized between a standard of care home-treatment group and a NMES home-treatment group. Patients completed isometric quadriceps strength testing, the Y-balance test, and the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) before surgery and at 3-months after surgery. The secondary aims of this study were to determine the most effective NMES parameters for post-surgical quadriceps strength; and to develop a framework to identify factors that may influence a patient’s adherence to a prescribed therapy program.
Developing digital multimedia of human anatomy and physiology material based on STEM education

The development of multimedia based on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to empower students critical thinking skills has not been optimally carried out. The purpose of this research was to develop multimedia of human anatomy and physiology material based on STEM which improve students’ critical thinking skills. This research and development (R&D) used 4D Thiagarajan development model which consisted of define, design, develop, and disseminate. The instruments used were interview guidelines, observation sheets, questionnaires, and test. The data obtained consisted of quantitative and qualitative data. The quantitative data was obtained from the test results and the assessments of respondents using a Likert scale, while the qualitative data in the form of experts recommendations. The results showed that the media developed were classified as valid with the scores were 96.89% (media aspects), 97.53% (usefulness), and 85.22% (readability). Furthermore, the prerequisite test results showed that the data are spread normally ( p >0.05) and homogeneously ( p >0.05) so that the ANACOVA test is continued. The ANACOVA test results showed that students' critical thinking skills taught with multimedia were significantly difference (sig <0.05). This study recommends the use of multimedia in learning human anatomy and physiology.
Kinetics of Enzymatic Browning of Minimally Processed Iceberg Salad

Iceberg lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is a highly perishable product and it is considered one of the most popular minimally processed vegetables. Commercially available iceberg lettuce has a short shelf-life of 7 days at 7°C. Enzymatic browning is one of the main factors affecting product shelf life when oxygen is present in the packaging system. For this purpose, the aim of this work was (i) to investigate the decay kinetics of minimally processed iceberg salad following polyphenols and browning index evolution at different temperature (4°C, 8°C, 12°C); (ii) to evaluate the effect of salicylic acid on enzymatic browning. Minimally processed iceberg samples were stored at 4°C, 8°C, 12°C in air for 14 days. Samples treated with salicylic acid were stored at 8°C for 14 days. Polyphenols and browning index were evaluated by spectrophotometric analysis. The kinetics constant and activation energy (Ea) has been calculated by non-linear regression. The enzymatic browning was well described by a pseudo first order kinetic. The kinetic constant at reference temperature (8°C) was 0.00948 h-1 for polyphenols decay and 0.0184 h-1 for browning index. Ea for polyphenols and browning index were 83.21 kJ/mol and 63.49 kJ/mol, respectively. Salicylic acid showed a significant effect on enzymatic browning kinetic by delaying the evolution of the reaction during the first days of storage.Keywords: lettuce; oxidation kinetics; salicylic acid; storage temperature; polyphenols; quality
Exploring the motivations and practices of parents home educating their children with ASD

This thesis focuses on the experiences of eight families who chose to home educate their children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Each child had previously attended pre-school or primary school and their parents withdrew them due to a concern that their full range of needs were not being met. The thesis adds to the existing research on home education which is underresearched globally and in the UK, especially in connection with children who have a special educational need and disabilities (SEN/D), specifically autism. The fieldwork for this two-phase qualitative design took place during 2013-2015. The findings are based upon parental questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with 15 parents and eight of the children, and four informal observations in four different family homes. This thesis examined four research questions. Firstly, the characteristics of the parents and their children with ASD; secondly, parents' motivations for home educating and the processes that were involved; thirdly, how parents organised their home education, the approaches and practices applied and what resources they used; and finally, their views on the perceived advantages and disadvantages of home education are discussed. The thesis draws upon theories of child-centred education and Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD). Findings demonstrate that multiple factors influenced parents' decision to home educate such as their child's dislike of school, and educational professionals' lack of knowledge and understanding regarding their children's needs. The eight mothers, who were the main educators, used different pedagogic approaches that were informed by their children's holistic needs. These generally involved the use of first hand experiences and kinaesthetic learning; similar features are found in the theories and practices of child-centred approaches. The thesis concludes by discussing its contribution to knowledge about home education and autism, especially in relation to highlighting inflexible and inconsistent practices at school, and a lack of understanding about the individual needs of children with ASD by educational professionals.
Reduced annealing temperature for ferroelectric HZO on InAs with enhanced polarization

Deposition, annealing, and integration of ferroelectric Hf x Zr 1 - x O 2 (HZO) thin films on the high-mobility semiconductor InAs using atomic layer deposition are investigated. Electrical characterization reveals that the HZO films on InAs exhibit an enhanced remanent polarization compared to films formed on a reference TiN substrate, exceeding 20 μ C / cm 2 even down to an annealing temperature of 370 °C. For device applications, the thermal processes required to form the ferroelectric HZO phase must not degrade the high-κ/InAs interface. We find by evaluation of the capacitance-voltage characteristics that the electrical properties of the high-κ/InAs are not significantly degraded by the annealing process, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy verifies a maintained sharp high-κ/InAs interface. (Less)