Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Running head : CANCELLATION , NEGATION , AND REJECTION 1 Cancellation , Negation , and Rejection

In this paper, new evidence is presented for the assumption that the reason-relation reading of indicative conditionals ('if A, then C') reflects a conventional implicature. In four experiments, it is investigated whether relevance effects found for the probability assessment of indicative conditionals (Skovgaard-Olsen, Singmann, and Klauer, 2016a) can be classified as being produced by a) a conversational implicature, b) a (probabilistic) presupposition failure, or c) a conventional implicature. After considering several alternative hypotheses and the accumulating evidence from other studies as well, we conclude that the evidence is most consistent with the Relevance Effect being the outcome of a conventional implicature. This finding indicates that the reason-relation reading is part of the semantic content of indicative conditionals, albeit not part of their primary truth-conditional content.
AN INVESTIGATION OF EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHERS' TECHNOLOGICAL PEDAGOGICAL CONTENT KNOWLEDGE(TPACK) IN TAIWAN FULLTEXT PDF

This study aimed to investigate technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK) of early childhood teachers in Taiwan. Quantitative Data was collected from a sample of 335 in-service early childhood teachers in Taiwan. The instrument was translated and adapted from Schmidt et al. (2009) TPACK survey instrument with added items to fit the early educational context in Taiwan. Data analysis methods included descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and MANOVA. Findings from the study were summarized as follows: (a) The development of early childhood teachers‘ pedagogical knowledge (PK), content knowledge (CK) and pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) were the best among the seven knowledge sub domains in TPACK. (b)The number of years of teaching experience was significantly positively correlated with early childhood teachers‘ pedagogical knowledge (PK), content knowledge (CK) and pedagogical content knowledge (PCK). Besides, early childhood teachers with over ten years of teaching experience had better self-assessed pedagogical knowledge (PK), content knowledge (CK) and pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) than those teachers with less than ten years of teaching experience. (c) A significant positive correlation was found between pedagogical knowledge (PK), and pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) and age; however, a significant negative correlation existed with technology knowledge (TK) and age. Older early childhood teachers‘ self-assessed pedagogical knowledge (PK) was better than younger teachers while the young early childhood teachers had a better self-assessed technology knowledge (TK) (d) Early childhood teachers with a frequency of using information technology above 20 hours a week had better self-assessed technology knowledge (TK) and technological content knowledge (TCK) than those with a frequency under 5 hours a week Recommendations were also provided based on the findings from this study.
Measuring the return of quality investments

Until recently, methodologies allowing the identification of financial returns of improvements in quality have been unavailable. Therefore, the benefits of the investment in products or services quality have been questioned by many companies. In addition, it has been difficult or impossible, in most business contexts, to choose in an objective way between different types or levels of quality investment. We propose an integrated methodology for estimating the return of quality investments, allowing a cost–benefit analysis. The approach uses a chain of causality that assumes that quality investments potentially affect customer satisfaction and loyalty, which in turn influence customer behaviours, generating financial returns to the firm. An application for the mobile telecommunications industry is presented. We conclude that it is possible to estimate financial returns for different types and levels of quality investment, given sufficient knowledge of the critical paths in the value chain. By producing measures of profitability, it becomes possible to compare investments in quality with other competing investments, enabling a rational allocation of available resources, and allowing managers to approach the investment in quality as any other type of investment in a competitive environment.
Comparative Evaluation of Impact and Flexural Strength of 3D Printed, CAD/CAM Milled and Heat Activated Poylmethyl Methacrylate Resins-An In-Vitro Study

Purpose: To evaluate the impact and flexural strength of 3D printed, CAD/CAM milled and heat activated polymethyl methacrylate denture base resins. Materials & methods: Sixty specimens were used in this in vitro study and divided into two main groups. Thirty specimens were used to test flexural strength and thirty specimens were used to test impact strength. For flexural strength, all the thirty specimens were divided into three subgroupsGroup A, Group B and Group C. Each subgroup consists of ten specimens. Each specimen is of dimension 64 mm x 10 mm x 3.3 mm and were fabricated using 3D milling, CAD/CAM milled and conventional methods respectively. For impact strength, all the thirty specimens were divided into three subgroupsGroup A, Group B and Group C. Each subgroup consists of 10 specimens. Each specimen is of dimension50 mm x 6 mm x 4 mm with 1.2mm V shaped notch along its thickness and were fabricated using 3D milling, CAD/CAM milled and conventional methods respectively. Results: For flexural strength: Flexural strength of GROUP IB (CAD/CAM milled) was higher than GROUP IA (3D printing) and GROUP IC (Heat activated). The 3D printing group (GROUP IA) exhibited higher flexural strength than heat activated group (GROUP IC). For impact strength: Impact strength of GROUP II A (3D printing) was higher than GROUP II B (CAD/CAM milled) and GROUP II C (Heat activated). The CAD/CAM milled group (GROUP II B) exhibited higher Impact strength than heat activated group (GROUP II C). Conclusion: The method of fabrication or the process of polymerisation of polymethyl methacrylate denture base resin have an effect on flexural and impact strength of the PMMA resin denture bases. All the tested specimens had flexural strength higher than the values recommended by ISO. (ISO 20795-165 Mpa). Similarly, the impact strength of all the specimens had values higher than the minimum recommended by the ADA specification (ADA specification no. 12 – 15J/m).
Surface plasmon excitation in fiber-optics sensors: a novel theoretical approach

A theoretical method for the study of surface plasmon excitation in metallic layers, as used in fiber-optics sensors, is presented. It is based in the calculation of the propagated fields in the waveguide structure and allows us to compute the loss of optical power in the fiber (which is the measured parameter) from energy conservation considerations. The agreement with experimental data obtained with real sensors is good. The method is conceptually simple and can be adapted to different configurations of the sensors.
Overall and progression‐free survival of Afro‐Caribbean men with metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC)

Several studies in the Caucasian population have shown the benefit of using docetaxel, abiraterone, or enzalutamide for patients with metastatic prostate cancer at the castration‐resistant stage (mCRPC). However, there are no strong data for men of African ancestry. The objective of this study was to estimate the overall and progression‐free survival of patients according to these treatments at the mCRPC stage.
Optical orthogonal codes with large crosscorrelation and their performance bound for asynchronous optical CDMA systems

Optical orthogonal codes (OOCs) are commonly used as signature codes for optical code-division multiple-access (OCDMA) communication systems. Many OOCs have been proposed and investigated. Asynchronous OCDMA systems using conventional OOCs have a very limited number of subscribers and few simultaneous users. Recently, we reported a new code family with large code size by relaxing the crosscorrelation constraint to 2. In this paper, by further loosening the crosscorrelation constraint, we adopt the random greedy algorithm to construct a code family which has larger code size and more simultaneous users. We also derive an upper bound of the number of simultaneous users for a given code length, code weight, and bit error rate. The study shows that it is possible to have codes approaching this bound.
A novel high-efficient DC-DC converter with 1V/20A DC output

A novel highly-efficient BHB (boost half-bridge) type DC-DC converter with 1V/20A DC output is proposed. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the mechanism of occurring the power losses in BHB type converters, and indicate the design method how to realize the high power efficient DC-DC converter with low output voltage such as 1V or lower than 1V. As a result, the authors realize the superior DC-DC converter as an on-board power supply with very high efficiency of 88.2% at 48V DC input and 1V/20A DC output.
The anatomy and histology of the reproductive system of Aplysia oculifera (Mollusca: Heterobranchia: Aplsiida) from the Red Sea coastal waters

ABSTRACT Aplysia oculifera is an endemic sea hare that inhabits the Egyptian coast of the Red Sea. We describe the reproductive system of this species for the first time. It is composed of an ovotestis, small hermaphroditic duct, nidamental glandular complex, large hermaphroditic duct, gametolytic gland, external seminal groove and cephalic penis. The follicles within the ovotestis contain spermatogenic and oogenic cells. A pre-ampulla, ampulla, and post-ampulla constitute the different regions of the small hermaphroditic duct. The nidamental complex consists of albumen, mucus, and membrane glands all confluent with the fertilization chamber. The nidamental glands consist of glandular cells alternating with supporting cells. The glandular cells have different histochemical characters concerning the production of acid and neutral mucopolysaccharides. The large hermaphroditic duct is attached to a seminal receptacle. The duct has two components; red and white hemiducts the secretory epithelia of which are distinguished internally. An atrial gland is present near the visceral genital opening. The gametolytic gland has four types of columnar cells. A seminal groove arises from the genital opening and extends anteriorly to the apex of an ear-like flap penis. The results suggest that some differences in certain reproductive characters may be of phylogenetic importance.
Are Uropathogenic Bacteria Living in Multispecies Biofilm Susceptible to Active Plant Ingredient—Asiatic Acid?

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a serious health problem in the human population due to their chronic and recurrent nature. Bacteria causing UTIs form multispecies biofilms being resistant to the activity of the conventionally used antibiotics. Therefore, compounds of plant origin are currently being searched for, which could constitute an alternative strategy to antibiotic therapy. Our study aimed to determine the activity of asiatic acid (AA) against biofilms formed by uropathogenic Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The influence of AA on the survival, biofilm mass formation by bacteria living in mono-, dual-, and triple-species consortia as well as the metabolic activity and bacterial cell morphology were determined. The spectrophotometric methods were used for biofilm mass synthesis and metabolic activity determination. The survival of bacteria was established using the serial dilution assay. The decrease in survival and a weakening of the ability to create biofilms, both single and multi-species, as well as changes in the morphology of bacterial cells were noticed. As AA works best against young biofilms, the use of AA-containing formulations, especially during the initial stages of infection, seems to be reasonable. However, there is a need for further research concerning AA especially regarding its antibacterial mechanisms of action.
UvA-DARE (Digital Turkish Dutch Youths’ Attitude Toward the Use of Violence to Defend the InGroup. What Role Does Perceived Parenting Play?

This study examines a factor that has thus far received little attention in research on attitudes toward violent in-group defense, namely, the role of perceived parental ethnic socialization. We hypothesized that perceived parental ethnic socialization (i.e., cultural socialization, egalitarianism, bias/mistrust) affects attitudes toward violence in defense of the in-group by others as well as willingness to use such violence oneself via its influence on collective identity factors (in-group connectedness, collective deprivation, religious superiority, connectedness with mainstream society). We analyzed a sample of children of Turkish Muslim migrants in the Netherlands. The data came from a survey conducted among pupils at seven secondary schools (age 14–18, N = 133). Results show that perceived parental ethnic socialization has an indirect effect on attitudes toward and willingness to use a violent in-group defense that runs via the collective identity factors. Perceived parental socialization that emphasizes equality is related to less willingness to use violent in-group defense. Perceived parental messages of mistrust of the other and preparation for bias were associated with a more positive attitude toward violent ingroup defense by others and toward willingness to use such violence. Perceived cultural socialization correlates positively with attitude toward violent in-group defense by others and willingness to use violent in-group defense. The total size of the indirect effects of perceived parental ethnic socialization was modest. We did not find a direct effect of perceived parental socialization.
University Students’ Persistence With Technology-Mediated Distance Education: A Response to COVID-19 and Beyond in Zimbabwe

Technology-mediated distance education (TDE) has become part of the new normal in the range of teaching strategies used in universities in Zimbabwe. Contemporary literature abounds with studies that highlight challenges associated with access to education in universities, yet very little is highlighted about how TDE can be used to enhance access to education in Zimbabwean universities during the COVID-19 era and beyond. The purpose of this study was therefore to investigate determinants of students’ behavioural intentions to persist with TDE in universities in Zimbabwe during COVID-19 and beyond. The study employed a quantitative approach that used a self-constructed structured questionnaire for data collection from a sample of 1,300 distance learning students selected from five universities using a stratified random sampling strategy. Structural equation modelling using IBM SPSS Amos 22 was used for data analysis. Results of the study show that cultural and norms issues (β = .325; p < .001) and characteristics of the students (β = .329; p < .001), the lecturer (β = .362; p < .001), the institution (β = .427; p < .001), and external stakeholders (β = .279; p < .001) were all significantly associated with the behavioural intentions of university students to persist with TDE. Results of this study have implications for both policy and practice with regard to implementing TDE in universities.
Investigating Pedestrian Kinematics with the Polar-II Finite Element Model

This paper is from the SAE World Congress & Exhibition, held in April 2007 in Detroit, Michigan, USA. Part of the Pedestrian Safety session, this paper reports on a study of pedestrian kinematics with the Polar-II Finite Element Model. The authors describe how earlier studies on pedestrian-vehicle impact kinematics used post-mortem human surrogates (PMHS) and determined that vehicle shape may influence pedestrian kinematics and injury mechanisms. The authors describe finite element (FE) modeling as a more feasible approach, since numerous experiments can be conducted with a significantly lower cost. The authors report on their study which used an FE model of the Polar-II pedestrian dummy to evaluate the influence of shifting body contact points with respect to vehicle geometry on impact kinematics. Multiple simulations were performed by moving the pedestrian vertically with respect to the vehicle reference frame. Another component of the study was undertaken to evaluate the contribution of the mass distribution with respect to vehicle geometry. In this part, simulations were performed where the center of gravity of the dummy was shifted around the baseline location. The authors discuss the results of this study which suggest a nonlinear sensitivity of response to changes in the body contact points with respect to vehicle structures, as well as a linear variation of upper body trajectories when the dummy center of gravity height was adjusted.
Using Expert Systems and Artificial Intelligence For Real Estate Forecasting

This paper examines the use of expert systems and artificial intelligence, (in particular the application of neural networks) to real estate forecasting. While there is a great deal of literature about the use of artificial intelligence for mass appraisal, there is relatively little work on how it can be applied in real estate forecasting. This paper examines the current uses of artificial intelligence, particularly neural networks, in the business-forecasting field and considers suitable applications in real estate. The paper also considers the broader issue of expert systems and how a better system can lead to better results. Some real estate data are used as simple case studies to demonstrate their use.
Long-Term Effects of Ionizing Radiation on the Hippocampus: Linking Effects of the Sonic Hedgehog Pathway Activation with Radiation Response

Radiation therapy represents one of the primary treatment modalities for primary and metastatic brain tumors. Although recent advances in radiation techniques, that allow the delivery of higher radiation doses to the target volume, reduce the toxicity to normal tissues, long-term neurocognitive decline is still a detrimental factor significantly affecting quality of life, particularly in pediatric patients. This imposes the need for the development of prevention strategies. Based on recent evidence, showing that manipulation of the Shh pathway carries therapeutic potential for brain repair and functional recovery after injury, here we evaluate how radiation-induced hippocampal alterations are modulated by the constitutive activation of the Shh signaling pathway in Patched 1 heterozygous mice (Ptch1+/−). Our results show, for the first time, an overall protective effect of constitutive Shh pathway activation on hippocampal radiation injury. This activation, through modulation of the proneural gene network, leads to a long-term reduction of hippocampal deficits in the stem cell and new neuron compartments and to the mitigation of radio-induced astrogliosis, despite some behavioral alterations still being detected in Ptch1+/− mice. A better understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms responsible for the neural decline following irradiation is essential for identifying prevention measures to contain the harmful consequences of irradiation. Our data have important translational implications as they suggest a role for Shh pathway manipulation to provide the therapeutic possibility of improving brain repair and functional recovery after radio-induced injury.
Sophocarpine Alleviates Injury-Induced Intima Hyperplasia of Carotid Arteries by Suppressing Inflammation in a Rat Model

Introduction: Balloon angioplasty is a commonly applied procedure for treating atherosclerotic vascular diseases. However, the maintenance of long-term lumen patency is relatively difficult due to the occurrence of restenosis. Previous research has shown that the occurrence of vascular wall inflammation is associated with higher rates of restenosis. Sophocarpine (SPC) can exert various therapeutic effects such as anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation, anti-tumor, antivirus and immune regulation. This study aimed to investigate whether SPC can alleviate intimal hyperplasia following balloon injury in a rat carotid artery model. Methods: Twenty Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four groups: (i) control, (ii) balloon injury, (iii) balloon injury followed by saline injection, and (iv) balloon injury followed by SPC administration. Each group contained five rats. A high-pressure balloon of 3 mm × 20 mm was placed in the carotid artery. The balloon was inflated to a pressure of 8 atmospheres to carry out rat carotid artery balloon injury model. The areas of neointimal and media were determined by Verhoeff_Van Gieson staining, and the intima-to-media (I:M) ratios were subsequently evaluated. After that, the protein levels of IL-6, IL-1β, MCP-1, NF-κB, TNF-α, VCAM-1, ICAM-1 and eNOS were measured. Results: The ratio of I:M was remarkably higher in the balloon injury group than in the control group (p < 0.01). SPC could significantly decrease the ratio of I:M compared with the balloon injury group (p < 0.01). Besides, the protein levels of IL-6, IL-1β, MCP-1, NF-κB, TNF-α, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were increased in rat carotid arteries exposed to balloon injury (p < 0.01), and treatment with SPC could attenuate these effects (p < 0.05). Furthermore, balloon injury inhibited the protein expression of eNOS (p < 0.01), and SPC could elevate its level (p < 0.05). Conclusions: SPC could alleviate an intimal hyperplasia in balloon-injured carotid artery, and the mechanisms underlying this protective effect might be due to its inhibitory potency against inflammation signals. Our study also implies the potential applicability of SPC in treating restenosis after balloon angioplasty.
ERAS reduces postoperative hospital stay and complications after bariatric surgery

Abstract Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) is a multimodal, multidisciplinary approach for caring surgical patients. The present study aimed to compare the perioperative outcomes of laparoscopic bariatric surgery between patients with ERAS and those with conventional care. The clinical data of all patients undergoing primary laparoscopic bariatric surgery between January 2014 and June 2017 were retrospectively collected and reviewed. Patients were managed with conventional care during 2014 to 2015 (conventional care group) and with ERAS protocols during 2016 to 2017 (ERAS group). The 2 groups were compared in terms of postoperative length of hospital stay (LOS) and postoperative day 1 discharge rate. A total of 435 consecutive patients were included with 198 patients in the conventional care group and 237 patients in the ERAS group. The ERAS group had significantly shorter LOS (2.2 ± 0.9 vs 4.0 ± 2.6 days, P < .01) and significantly higher day 1 discharge rate (15.2% vs 1%, P < .01) compared with the conventional care group. During postoperative 30 days, the ERAS group had significantly less complications (2.1% vs 8.6%, P < .01) and readmissions (1.3% vs 4.5%, P = .02) compared with the conventional care group. Compared with conventional care, ERAS significantly reduces postoperative LOS, complications, and readmissions in patients undergoing laparoscopic bariatric surgery.