Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ON SOME FEATURES OF THE BIOLOGY OF THE RED SNAIL-NESTING BEE , RHODANTHIDIUM STICTICUM ( FABRICIUS , 1787 ) : PHENOLOGY , FLOWER PREFERENCE , USE OF SHELLS , FLIGHT ABILITY AND TERRITORIAL BEHAVIOUR

The ecological and behavioural aspects of most Mediterranean bees (phenology, solitary or social behaviour, mating, territoriality, nesting and plant specialization) are still poorly known or have not been described in depth, besides a few species. That is the case of the red snail-nesting bee, Rhodanthidium sticticum (Hymenoptera, Megachilidae), a Mediterranean, solitary and territorial species whose biology has been described very superficially. Here, we deal with its phenology, use of snail shells other than for nesting, plant visitation and polylecty, flight ability, territoriality and mating. These results are based on our own field observations. The biology of R. sticticum is similar to that of other Anthidiini. It is a spring species, univoltine, active during sunny days, in the central hours. During adverse weather conditions it can be found sheltering inside snail shells, several individual sharing the same shell. Despite its polylecty, it shows preference for melittophilous plants, especially from the genus Antirrhinum. Males defend their territories against other conspecific males and individuals of other species, as a way of ensuring their own reproductive success.
Self-Directed Professional Development: EFL Teachers' Understanding

Self-directed professional development is the process to develop professionally with the help of self-motivation, self-initiation, and strong willpower. Teacher development through self-direction is the concern these days in Nepal. The study explores the experiences of secondary-level English language teachers in the practice of self-directed professional development strategies within the theoretical framework of adult learning theory, more specifically, a key component of self-directed learning. Based on the telephone interviews with five English teachers teaching English at the secondary level of Dadeldhura district, the practice of the experience of practicing self-directed learning strategies was explored. The study reveals that the teacher teaching in secondary level challenges like large class, less or no effective teacher training, improper use of CAS, and lack of teaching material in the teaching profession. To tackle these challenges, they adopt different strategies themselves. Mainly this study showed that strategies like reading printed materials, use of internet and ICT tools, action research, reflection, and collaboration among teachers are some common among them. These strategies are very often and easy for their professional development. These strategies are adopted for solving mainly everyday problems. Despite being in remote areas of Nepal secondary level English teachers are self-motivated to adopt different strategies for their professional development.
Predictors of left ventricular systolic dysfunction after primary percutaneous coronary intervention for patients with left anterior descending artery occlusion

Background Depressed left ventricular (LV) systolic function after acute coronary syndrome is the most important predictor affecting morbidity and mortality. The primary objective of reperfusion therapy is to restore epicardial flow and to reperfuse the myocardial tissue. However, not all the patients show improvement, and a group of patients may experience depression in heart function. Aim To determine the factors affecting impairment of LV function assessed by echocardiography following successful primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with acute coronary syndrome involving the left anterior descending (LAD) artery. Patients and methods A total of 50 patients were included in this study, who underwent primary PCI and stenting to LAD artery, as a culprit artery, and applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, patients treated with the 1-stent technique were selected. Results The results of the current study showed that 34 patients had diabetes mellitus, 29 patients had hypertension, 31 patients had dyslipidemia, and 25 patients were smokers. Female percentage was 48% and male 52%, and the mean age was 57.2 ± 12.7 years. The factors that showed significant difference to predict LV systolic dysfunction were previous systolic dysfunction, multivessel disease, and thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow after PCI. Conclusion We concluded that patient with myocardial infarction, preprocedural depressed LV systolic function, patient with multivessel disease, and those with postprocedural TIMI flow less than III were all predictive of depressed LV systolic function after primary PCI to LAD.
A study of the fields associated with horizontal dipole sources in stripline circuits

In this paper, we formulate closed-form expressions for the fields excited by an x-directed dipole source in both homogeneously-filled and inhomogeneously-filled stripline structures. These expressions are obtained by first employing spectral domain techniques, which yields a spectral-domain Green's function that involves simple algebraic and trigonometric functions. Then we take the inverse two-dimensional Fourier transform of that expression and represent it as a Sommerfield-type integral in the space domain. This Sommerfield integral has a highly oscillatory and slowly convergent nature. Therefore, we analytically evaluate this Sommerfield integral by applying residue theory. Summing over the residues evaluated at the pole locations in the complex plane yields a rapidly computable modal series expansion that is free from any numerical integration. The special functions that occur in the modal series expansions are rapidly computable Bessel functions. This method greatly improves the computational efficiency as compared with numerical integration. The field study carried out in this paper will help to extend the capabilities of a recently developed full-wave layered interconnect simulator (UA-FWLIS).
Vibration Damping of Stabilized Steam-Generator Tubes

The integrity of steam-generator tubes is an important aspect of the long-term reliable operation of nuclear power plants. In situations where a tube is judged to be at risk, it must be either plugged, or removed, or reliably stabilized in some manner to avoid excessive motion of the tube due to flow-induced vibration. The present work describes measurements of the effect of an internal cable-type stabilizer on the structural damping of steam-generator tubes. The free-vibration response of unstabilized and stabilized tubes was analyzed to provide damping ratios from frequency-domain spectral responses, time-domain logarithmic decrement ratios and time-domain vibration decay-curves. The structural damping ratios typically increased from approximately 1.6% to approximately 4.3% with the addition of the stabilizer. This last value is somewhat less than recently published values for stabilized tubes from a different type of steam generator, suggesting that tube stabilization, while effective, has limitations that need to be conservatively assessed.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Short term load forecasting using fuzzy neural networks

This paper presents the development of a fuzzy system for short term load forecasting. The fuzzy system has the network structure and the training procedure of a neural network and is called a fuzzy neural network (FNN). An FNN initially creates a rule base from existing historical load data. The parameters of the rule base are then tuned through a training process, so that the output of the FNN adequately matches the available historical load data. Once trained, the FNN can be used to forecast future loads. Test results show that the FNN can forecast future loads with an accuracy comparable to that of neural networks, while its training is much faster than that of neural networks. >
The Bulletproof Glass Effect: Unintended Consequences of Privacy Notices

Drawing from a content analysis of publicly traded companies’ privacy notices, a survey of managers, a field study, and five online experiments, this research investigates how consumers respond to privacy notices. A privacy notice, by placing legally enforceable limits on a firm's data practices, communicating safeguards, and signaling transparency, might be expected to promote confidence that personal data will not be misused. Indeed, most managers expected a privacy notice to make customers feel more secure (Study 1). Yet, consistent with the analogy that bulletproof glass can increase feelings of vulnerability despite the protection offered, formal privacy notices undermined consumer trust and decreased purchase interest even when they emphasized objective protection (Studies 2, 3, and 5) or omitted any mention of potentially concerning data practices (Study 6). These unintended consequences did not occur, however, when consumers had an a priori reason to be distrustful (Study 4) or when benevolence cues were added to privacy notices (Studies 5 and 6). Finally, Study 7 showed that both the presence and conspicuous absence of privacy information are sufficient to trigger decreased purchase intent. Together, these results provide actionable guidance to managers on how to effectively convey privacy information (without hurting purchase interest).
New Insight of Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR) C677T Gene Polymorphisms, and Serum Electrolytes in Cardiac Syndrome X Patients

Background: Cardiac Syndrome X (CSX) is a condition affecting the cardiovascular system with a significant degree of morbidity. Diagnosis and treatment are challenging when the cause is unclear. Subsequently, a molecular marker for screening of people with CSX is highly recommended. The present study evaluated the association between MTHFR C677T gene polymorphism among Sudanese patients with CSX. Materials and Methods: A total of 100 subjects were enrolled. Venous blood sample was collected from each participant in Ethylene Diamine Tetracetic Acid (EDTA) containers. DNA was extracted from blood samples using guanidine chloride method and MTHFR mutation was detected by PCR-restriction fragment polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze data. Results: Most patients 30(60%) were females, their age ranged between 30-60 with mean age 44.98±7.34 SD. MTHFR 677CT genotype frequency was statistically significant (P≤0.014), where 10(20%) had 677CT and 1(2%) had 677TT among patients group respectively compared to control individuals who had only 2(4%) 677CT. T alleles were significantly more frequent among our participant than C alleles. There is insignificant slightly decreased (2.4 ±2.8, and 2.5±3.2) in serum magnesium levels among patients compared to control respectively, as well as random blood glucose. Elevated mean levels of total cholesterol, and HDL among patients (182 ±18.1, and 49.7±7.1) vs (180 ±20.3, and 46.6 ±11.3) among control group, all findings were statistically non-significant. Slightly decrease in magnesium level (2.2 ±2.1, vs 2.9 ±0.8) among heterozygous CT genotypes compared to homozygous genotypes. Conclusion: MTHFR C677T is linked to CSX in the Sudanese population, and serum magnesium level was slightly decreased among heterozygous MTHFR C677T. Furthermore, the mutation could be used as a disease molecular screening technique.
Meteorological radiosonde interface for atmospheric ion production rate measurements

A disposable balloon-carried instrument, interfaced to a commercial meteorological radiosonde for measuring the atmospheric ion production rate, is described. The sensor used is a gamma-sensitive Geiger tube, operated at 550V bias, produced from a lightweight transformerless supply. The supply requires 15Vat10mA, and precision regulation is used to minimize the Geiger tube’s response to bias voltage changes. The supply was stable to 0.1% for supply voltage variations between 15 and 25V, and varied by less than 1% over temperatures from −53to25°C during an atmospheric ascent. A digital counter incremented with each Geiger tube event, and the instantaneous count value was telemetered over a radiolink, time-stamped on reception to obtain the count rate. The derived ion production rate profile agrees with a standard parametrization to 5%.
The Implementation of STIFIn Intelligence Test for Students’ Career Planning : An Introduction and Impact of STIFIn Approach

This study aims to map students’ intelligence in accordance with the human brain which consists of the sense of thinking, intuiting, feeling, and instinct, through the implementation of the STIFIn approach. This method was also used to help them determine their career path for optimal productivity, because in this era of 4.0 industrial revolution, students are required to upgrade their skills according to their talents and intelligence. This study therefore uses critical analysis studies in literature review and practical data to expose the importance of STIFIn approach to education counseling for students. The result showed that from students attending to STIFIn test which uncovers that students has a uncover and understanding their potential within their sense such thinking, intuiting, feeling and instinct, thereby, making it easier to explore and decision of their behavior and career choice. Also with this finding, it is potential to develop a counseling approach to facilitate this potential.
Serum Glycoproteomics and Identification of Potential Mechanisms Underlying Alzheimer's Disease

Objectives This study compares glycoproteomes in Thai Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients with those of cognitively normal individuals. Methods Study participants included outpatients with clinically diagnosed AD (N = 136) and healthy controls without cognitive impairment (N = 183). Blood samples were collected from all participants for biochemical analysis and for Apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotyping by real-time TaqMan PCR assays. Comparative serum glycoproteomic profiling by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was then performed to identify differentially abundant proteins with functional relevance. Results Statistical differences in age, educational level, and APOE ɛ3/ɛ4 and ɛ4/ɛ4 haplotype frequencies were found between the AD and control groups. The frequency of the APOE ɛ4 allele was significantly higher in the AD group than in the control group. In total, 871 glycoproteins were identified, including 266 and 259 unique proteins in control and AD groups, respectively. There were 49 and 297 upregulated and downregulated glycoproteins, respectively, in AD samples compared with the controls. Unique AD glycoproteins were associated with numerous pathways, including Alzheimer's disease-presenilin pathway (16.6%), inflammation pathway mediated by chemokine and cytokine signaling (9.2%), Wnt signaling pathway (8.2%), and apoptosis signaling pathway (6.7%). Conclusion Functions and pathways associated with protein-protein interactions were identified in AD. Significant changes in these proteins can indicate the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of AD, and they have the potential to serve as AD biomarkers. Such findings could allow us to better understand AD pathology.
Cytochrome b-245 Alpha Chain Gene Variants and Arterial Function in Indonesian Short Stature Children

Background The association between short stature, undernutrition and the risk to cardiovascular disease has been clinically established. Genetic factor, particularly the variants in cytochrome b-245 alpha chain (CYBA) gene, which alter the formation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase level, might affect arterial function. This study aimed to observe the association between single nucleotide variants (SNVs) of the CYBA gene and the arterial function of short stature children to understand the reason why some people with short stature develop cardiovascular disease. Methods A total of 142 genomic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) samples have been collected from short stature children in Brebes, Central Java, Indonesia. Four common single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs): C242T (rs4673), A640G (rs1049255), -930A>G (rs9932581) and *49A>G (rs7195830) in the CYBA gene were examined using TaqMan allelic discrimination assay. The arterial function was measured using transthoracic echocardiography and described as aortic stiffness and distensibility index. Statistical analysis was done to find a significant difference in arterial function between genotypes of each SNV. Results A P-value of < 0.05 was considered significant. In rs9932581 (-930A>G) of CYBA gene, the subjects with GG genotype were found to have significantly lower arterial stiffness and higher distensibility compared to AA and AG genotypes. No significant difference was found in the other SNVs. Conclusion The GG genotype in rs9932581 of the CYBA gene might have a protective effect on cardiovascular disease in short stature children.
Influence of friction drive lift gears construction on the length of braking distance

The friction drive elevators the influence of the braking distance has very high significance to meet certain safety regulations and comfort. During the emergency braking the delay for the system a frame and a cabin should be within the range from 0.2 to 9.81 m/s2. However, there are no specialist literatures regarding the issues connected with emergency braking of elevating devices either. The results of the own empirical research work are presented regarding the influence of design changes on the working parameters of the friction drive elevator gears. ASG100, KB160, PP16, PR2000UD and CHP2000 types of safety progressive gears are analyzed. ASG100, KB160, PP16, PR2000UD type progressive gears are already produced by European manufacturers. CHP2000 type gears are established as the alternative option for the already existing solutions. The unique cam system has been used in the CHP 2000 gears. The cam leverage gives the chance to unblock, in a very easy way, the clamed gears after braking. Thus, it is a key aspect to perform laboratory tests over the braking process of a newly created solution. The proper value of the braking distance has a significant influence on the value of delay in terms of binding standards. The influence of loading on the effective braking distance and the value of the falling elevator cabin speed are analyzed and the results are presented. The results presented are interesting from lift devices operation and a new model of CHP 2000 progressive gear point of view.
Analysis and design of isolated high power boost topologies and simulations with quasi-static and quasi-stationary transformer models

Isolated boost full bridge topologies for single phase power factor corrected front ends are introduced allowing one-stage conversion with a simple control and gating scheme. An analysis of the hard switching circuit is summarized for different levels of approximation to account for effects of parasitics on the circuit behavior. Soft switching measures are introduced in order to reduce charge-down losses, high voltage stress on power transistors and HF-oscillations, evaluated by simulations using enhanced MOSFET and diode models and by measurements on 1 kW battery chargers. The deficiency of common static transformer models in commercial simulators are pointed out by comparing simulated results with measurements. They can partly be avoided by application of new transformer models based on quasi-stationary fields implemented in SABER. <<ETX>>
Charge sensitive preamplifier with continuous reset by means of the gate-to-drain current of the JFET integrated on the detector

In this paper we present a charge sensitive preamplifier for a Si drift detector where both the input n-JFET and feedback capacitor are integrated directly on the detector chip. This solution allows to minimize the stray capacitances of the connections and to obtain a capacitive matching between detector and front-end transistor. A continuous discharging mechanism for the leakage current and for the signal charge is obtained by exploiting the gate-to-drain current of the front-end JFET. The suitable value of gate current is reached by means of a "weak" avalanche breakdown mechanism which occurs in a high-field region of the transistor channel. The advantage of this solution is that the discharge is obtained directly by means of the front-end transistor without the need of any additional integrated device. A feedback loop in the charge preamplifier sets the suitable value of drain-gate voltage in order to compensate for variations of the leakage current to be discharged. The results of the experimental characterization of the detector+preamplifier system are presented.
Millimeter-wave FET modeling using on-wafer measurements and EM simulation

Electron device modeling is a challenging task at millimeter-wave frequencies. In particular, conventional approaches based on lumped equivalent circuits become inappropriate to describe complex distributed and coupling effects, which may strongly affect the transistor performance. In this paper, an empirical distributed FET model is adopted that can be identified on the basis of conventional S-parameter measurements and electromagnetic simulations of the device layout. The consistency of the proposed approach is confirmed by robust scaling properties, which enable millimeter-wave small-signal S-parameters to be predicted as a function of the device periphery and number of gate fingers. Moreover, it is shown how the model identified on the basis of standard S-parameter measurements up to 50 GHz can be efficiently exploited in order to obtain reasonably accurate small-signal prediction up to 110 GHz. Extensive experimental validation is presented for 0.2-/spl mu/m pseudomorphic high electron-mobility transistors devices.
Understanding students’ participation of intelligent teaching: an empirical study considering artificial intelligence usefulness, interactive reward, satisfaction, university support and enjoyment

ABSTRACT The new era of technologies represented by artificial intelligence is profoundly reconstructing the field of education. The integration of emerging technologies in intelligent teaching provides new approaches for improving teaching effectiveness and enriching learning experiences. Today, we know little about students’ participation in intelligent teaching with the help of artificial intelligence. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of students’ involvement in intelligent teaching. We designed a questionnaire for the confirmatory model of the participation of intelligent teaching through literature research and content analysis. After modeling and empirical analysis with the help of partial least structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) software (SmartPLS 3.0), we found that: satisfaction, university support, perceived enjoyment, and interactive rewards all indirectly affect intelligent teaching participation through mediating variables (i.e., participation intention and interactivity); participation intention and interactivity directly and positively affect intelligent teaching participation; artificial intelligence usefulness positively moderates the relationships between the two mediating variables (participation intention, interactivity) and intelligent teaching participation. Based on the results of the data analysis, this study offered corresponding optimization strategies: improving students’ participation experience in intelligent teaching through using the new technology “artificial intelligence”; implementing the teaching philosophy of “teaching for learning, teaching for fun”; applying “student-oriented” approaches to improve the participation intention. The aim is to make education in the future more diverse, equitable, and high-quality.