Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparative study of effects of language instruction program using intelligence robot and multimedia on linguistic ability of young children

This research explores feasibility of using intellectual robots as a language instruction tool for young children. Since the intellectual robots have several sensors which can recognize status of the other parties, it can perform various bi-directional interaction strategies. This study verified how such bi-directional interaction using intellectual robots affects the improvement of linguistic ability. The subjects were 34 4-year-old children, 17 of whom were in the traditional media-assisted reading program, and 17 of whom were in the Robot-assisted reading program. The results indicated that the children in the robot-assisted groups improved significantly compared with media-assisted groups in linguistic ability (story making, understanding, word recognition, PPVT (Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test)). Furthermore, the benefits and limitations of using Intelligent Robot in linguistic education are discussed.
Wide-Stopband Microstrip Bandpass Filters Using Quarter-Wavelength Stepped-Impedance Resonators and Bandstop Embedded Resonators

Novel compact microstrip bandpass filters (BPFs) with extended stopband are proposed using both quarter-wavelength (lambda/4) stepped-impedance resonators and bandstop embedded resonators. First, by properly designing the impedance and length ratios of the stepped-impedance resonators, the developed filter may be made compact and its spurious harmonics may be pushed to the higher frequency region. Next, by suitably designing the bandstop structure so as to suppress the lower spurious harmonics of stepped-impedance resonators and then embedding the bandstop structure into the lambda/4 resonators, one may realize the BPFs with wideband spurious suppression. In particular, by connecting the bandstop embedded resonators to the input/output ports, a compact fourth-order BPF of dimension 0.089 lambdag times 0.27 lambdag is implemented and its stopband is extended up to 8.25 f 0 with an adequate rejection of greater than 32.49 dB, where f 0 is the passband center frequency and lambdag is the microstrip guided wavelength at f 0.
Reduction of conjunctival bacterial flora by povidone-iodine, ofloxacin and chlorhexidine in an outpatient setting.

PURPOSE To compare the reduction of conjunctival bacterial flora by povidone-iodine 4%, ofloxacin 0.3%, and chlorhexidine 0.05% for endophthalmitis prophylaxis before corneal suture removal in an outpatient setting. METHODS In each group of 25 consecutive subjects who presented for outpatient ophthalmic evaluation, one eye was treated with either povidone-iodine 4% (PI), ofloxacin 0.3% (Oflox) or chlorhexidine 0.05% (Chex). The other eye served as a control. Three minutes after treatment, cultures were taken from the inferior conjunctival sac in both eyes. Following incubation at 35 degrees for 48 hours, the numbers of colonies were counted and compared. The difference in the numbers of colonies in each pair of treated and control eyes was assessed for each drug and compared. RESULTS The reduction in colony-forming units was highly significant for each of the three drugs tested (Wilcoxon signed-ranks test; p < 0.0001). There was no significant difference between percent reduction by the three drugs (Kruskal-Wallis test; p = 0.68). Sterile cultures following preparation by PI, Oflox and Chex were obtained in 52%, 68% and 52%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The regimens tested were similarly effective in reducing conjunctival commensals. They may all be considered as options for a quick prophylaxis against infection following suture removal in an outpatient setting.
Place satisfaction and perceived recovery after Hurricane Sandy on Staten Island’s East Shore

ABSTRACT Individuals’ relationships to place play an important role in their interactions with their residential environments. Prior research has suggested that neighbourhood satisfaction is closely related to neighbourhood attachment, and that attachment is linked to disaster recovery. This study uses data from a survey of residents of the East Shore neighbourhoods of Staten Island, New York, an area that experienced severe storm surge flooding during Hurricane Sandy, to test the association between neighbourhood satisfaction and self-reported recovery from the storm. Perceived recovery from Sandy is treated as the dependent variable in several ordinal logistic regression models. The key independent variable measure tested is neighbourhood satisfaction rating. A statistically significant direct positive relationship is found between neighbourhood satisfaction and perceived recovery from Sandy. This finding is robust across multiple models with various controls and other covariates. These results suggest that place satisfaction may contribute to disaster recovery.
Fungal cellulase is an elicitor but its enzymatic activity is not required for its elicitor activity.

Plant-pathogenic fungi produce cellulases. However, little information is available on cellulase as an elicitor in plant-pathogen interactions. Here, an endocellulase (EG1) was isolated from Rhizoctonia solani. It contains a putative protein of 227 amino acids with a signal peptide and a family-45 glycosyl hydrolase domain. Its aspartic acid (Asp) residue at position 32 was changed to alanine (Ala), resulting in full loss of its catalytic activity. Wild-type and mutated forms of the endoglucanase were expressed in yeast and purified to homogeneity. The purified wild-type and mutant forms induced cell death in maize, tobacco and Arabidopsis leaves, and the transcription of three defence marker genes in maize and tobacco and 10 genes related to defence responses in maize. Moreover, they also induced the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), medium alkalinization, Ca(2+) accumulation and ethylene biosynthesis of suspension-cultured tobacco cells. Similarly, production of the EG1 wild-type and mutated forms in tobacco induced cell death using the Potato virus X (PVX) expression system. In vivo, expression of EG1 was also related to cell death during infection of maize by R. solani. These results provide direct evidence that the endoglucanase is an elicitor, but its enzymatic activity is not required for its elicitor activity.
Isolation of New 40 Microsatellite Markers in Mandarin Fish (Siniperca chuatsi)

In this study, 23 genomic microsatellite DNA markers and 17 express sequence tag (EST)-derived microsatellites were developed and characterized using the fast isolation by AFLP of sequences containing repeats (FIASCO) method and data mining from public EST databases of mandarin fish (Siniperca chuatsi). These polymorphic microsatellite markers were then tested for polymorphism in a wild S. chuatsi population. The number of alleles at 23 genomic SSRs varied from 2 to 19 with an average of 8.0 alleles per locus. The average observed and expected heterozygosities were 0.746 and 0.711, respectively. Of 5361 EST sequences examined, 3.9% (209) contain microsatellites, and di-nucleotide repeats are the most abundant (67.0%), followed by tri-nucleotide (29.7%) and tetra-nucleotide repeats (3.3%). The number of alleles at 17 EST-SSRs varied from 2 to 17 with an average of 8.4 alleles per locus. The average observed and expected heterozygosities were 0.789 and 0.685, respectively. No significant difference of loci polymorphism was found between genomic SSRs and EST-SSRs in terms of number of alleles and heterozygosities. Results of cross-species utility indicated that 13 (52.2%) of the genomic-SSRs and 13 (76.5%) of the EST-SSRs were successfully cross-amplified in a related species, the golden mandarin fish (Siniperca scherzeri).
Visual function in Huntington's disease patients and presymptomatic gene carriers

Disturbances of visual cognition, visuomotor performance, and visual memory have been described frequently in Huntington's disease (HD). Early stage visual abnormalities could contribute to these deficits. We evaluated visual processing in 20 control subjects who were non‐gene carriers at risk for HD, nine presymptomatic gene‐positive subjects, and eight subjects with a recent diagnosis of Huntington's disease. Visual perceptual tests of contrast sensitivity and motion discrimination were used to probe early stage visual processing. Extraocular movements were evaluated in a neurologic examination, and the Digit Symbol test was used to test visual motor performance. Contrast sensitivity did not differ among the three groups. Motion discrimination was impaired in HD subjects but not in the presymptomatic gene carriers when compared to gene noncarriers. Among gene carriers, impaired motion discrimination performance was associated with poorer Digit Symbol performance and extraocular abnormalities. These findings suggest that the early stages of HD are associated with disturbances of motion perception as well as disruptions of visual motor and ocular motor performance. © 2003 Movement Disorder Society
Damage Morphologies in Targets Exposed to a New Plasma Deflagration Accelerator for ELM Simulation

Transient events in fusion power plants such as DEMO and ITER are known to pose a severe threat to plasma facing components (PFCs) due to melting and erosion after repeated edge localized mode (ELM) loads. In situ experimental testing of potential PFC materials at fusion relevant conditions is difficult and expensive, and as a result plasma devices capable of replicating the desired transient conditions are of increasing interest. At Stanford University, an experimental facility designed to mimic the heat flux, particle fluence, and other key characteristics of ELMs and disruption events in a controlled setting has been developed. A pulsed plasma accelerator operating in the deflagration mode is used to generate high-velocity (40-100 km/s) directed plasma jets that are stagnated on target material samples. In this paper, we present probe data characterizing the plasma parameters of the accelerated plume using hydrogen as the working gas, as well as preliminary target studies of silicon and copper witness plates exposed to pulses at various total and peak shot energies. Results from the probe analysis indicate achieved energy fluxes and heat flux parameters that are ELM-like, and the observed linearly correlated damage morphologies on the witness plates indicate that initial surface roughness plays a significant role in the growth characteristics of surface damage patterns. These results lay the groundwork for future studies of ELM-like loading on reactor-relevant materials using the Stanford plasma accelerator facility.
Antisymmetric-mode lamb wave methanol sensor with edge reflectors for fuel cell applications

A Lamb wave sensor to measure the concentration of methanol solution in direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) systems was designed, fabricated and evaluated. The sensor piezoelectrically generates the lowest antisymmetric mode (A0-mode) Lamb wave on a suspended thin AlN/SiO2/Si composite membrane, and confines a standing wave with edge reflectors. The fabricated sensor showed an almost constant sensitivity of 510 ppm/% in methanol concentration from 0 % to 100 %. The temperature coefficient of frequency (TCF) was found to be −31 ppm/K, which might approach zero by using a 1 µm thick buried oxide (BOX) layer.
A MAP kinase cascade composed of cell type specific and non‐specific elements controls mating and differentiation of the fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans

Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen with a defined sexual cycle in which the α allele of the mating type locus is linked to virulence and haploid differentiation. Here we analysed a conserved MAP kinase cascade composed of mating‐type specific (Ste11α, Ste12α) and non‐specific (Ste7, Cpk1) elements. Gene disruption experiments demonstrate that this specialized MAP kinase pathway is required for both mating and cell type‐specific differentiation but not for virulence. The Ste11α, Ste7 and Cpk1 kinases were found to act as a co‐ordinate signalling module, whereas the Ste12α transcription factor functions with a redundant partner or in a branched or parallel signalling pathway. Our studies illustrate how MAP kinase cascades can be constructed from cell type‐specific and non‐specific components, yielding pathways that contribute to cell type‐specific patterns of signalling and differentiation.
An Exploratory Study on Nonlinear Causality Among the MILA Markets

ABSTRACT According to conventional portfolio theory, an increase in the interconnectedness of international financial markets may reduce the potential for constructing diversified portfolios. This article explores the implications of the creation of the Latin American Integrated Market (MILA)1 over the dependence structure of its members using correlation and cointegration analysis as well as linear and nonlinear Granger causality tests. The creation of MILA aimed to enhance the integration process that Latin American financial markets “naturally” present while still providing diversification opportunities to investors. The results of our empirical analysis suggest that such objective is being achieved. Evidence of a rise in cross-country linear correlations and their linear causal relationship supports the idea of an increasing financial integration process in the region, while the absence of cointegration and the weakening of the nonlinear causal relationship favors the creation of diversified regional portfolios. These findings provide valuable insights for investment portfolio designers, regulators, and supervisors.
Anti-biofouling Sulfobetaine Polymer Thin Films on Silicon and Silicon Nanopore Membranes

Silicon nanopore membranes (SNM) with monodisperse pore size distributions have potential applications in bioartificial kidneys. A protein resistant thin film coating on the SNM is required to minimize biofouling and, hence, enhance the performance efficiency of SNM. In this work, a zwitterionic polymer, poly(sulfobetaine methacrylate) (polySBMA), was used to coat silicon and SNM substrates via a surface initiated atom transfer radical polymerization method. The polySBMA-coated surfaces were characterized using contact angle goniometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), ellipsometry and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Resistance of the coatings to protein fouling was examined by measurement of fibrinogen adsorption from fibrinogen solution and human plasma on coated silicon surfaces. Results showed that the polySBMA coating suppresses non-specific adsorption of fibrinogen. The protein-repellent property of polySBMA thin film coating is comparable to that of PEG-based coatings. Analysis of the surfaces by XPS indicated that the films remained stable when stored under physiologic conditions over a 4-week period.
Countering counterfeit, fraudulent and sub-standard materials in construction: Countermeasures to avoid the use of counterfeit, fraudulent and sub-standard steel materials in the Norwegian construction industry

The distribution of counterfeit, fraudulent and sub-standard (CFS) materials is a global phenomenon that also exists in the Norwegian construction industry. CFS materials are materials that are not in accordance with the expected characteristics and performance stated in the CE marking and/or the declaration of performance. Previous research has revealed the presence of CFS steel materials in Norway, but no countermeasures specifically for steel materials have been suggested. This study has examined possible countermeasures against these materials. A survey showed that specific countermeasures against CFS materials are not common, even though the respondents did state that they have routines to ensure material quality. To investigate which countermeasures could be undertaken to avoid CFS steel products, eight semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with a total of twelve interviewees. The interviewees believed that more regulations, more on-site inspections from the government and more testing of the materials themselves could be effective countermeasures to mitigate CFS steel materials. However, the findings showed that many of these countermeasures already exist in current rules and regulations, they are just not always taken into use by the actors. The countermeasures provide different degrees of security, occurring in different phases of the projects, and thereby offering the industry shields of protection against these materials. Thus, this paper recommends that the industry and the government to a larger degree utilize the already existing tools, rather than implementing new regulations.
Extracellular DNA and histones: double‐edged swords in immunothrombosis

The existence of extracellular DNA in human plasma, also known as cell‐free DNA (cfDNA), was first described in the 1940s. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in the functional significance of cfDNA, particularly in the context of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). cfDNA and histones are key components of NETs that aid in the host response to infection and inflammation. However, cfDNA and histones may also exert harmful effects by triggering coagulation, inflammation, and cell death and by impairing fibrinolysis. In this article, we will review the pathologic nature of cfDNA and histones in macrovascular and microvascular thrombosis, including venous thromboembolism, cancer, sepsis, and trauma. We will also discuss the prognostic value of cfDNA and histones in these disease states. Understanding the molecular and cellular pathways regulated by cfDNA and histones may provide novel insights to prevent pathological thrombus formation and vascular occlusion.
Commodity Return Predictability

The futures curve of an aggregate commodity portfolio is time-varying and changes from upward (contango) to downward sloping (backwardation) which implies negative or positive expected returns. The basis arises as a natural fundamental to predict commodity returns. However, the empirical evidence on the aggregate portfolio level is very weak. I construct a factor based on different forward rates along the futures curve and find that commodity returns are predictable. Economic fundamentals, such as industrial production or global trade, positively predict aggregate commodity returns and used jointly with this forward rates factor significantly improve overall predictability in- and out-of-sample. I find evidence that expected aggregate commodity returns are procyclical. When economic activity is high, the commodity yield curve tends to be inverted and expected returns are high.
The anti‐epileptic actions of neuropeptide Y in the hippocampus are mediated by Y2 and not Y5 receptors

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) potently inhibits glutamate release and seizure activity in rodent hippocampus in vitro and in vivo, but the nature of the receptor(s) mediating this action is controversial. In hippocampal slices from rats and several wild‐type mice, a Y2‐preferring agonist mimicked, and the Y2‐specific antagonist BIIE0246 blocked, the NPY‐mediated inhibition both of glutamatergic transmission and of epileptiform discharges in two different slice models of temporal lobe epilepsy, stimulus train‐induced bursting (STIB) and 0‐Mg2+ bursting. Whereas Y5 receptor‐preferring agonists had small but significant effects in vitro, they were blocked by BIIE0246, and a Y5 receptor‐specific antagonist did not affect responses to any agonist tested in any preparation. In slices from mice, NPY was without effect on evoked potentials or in either of the two slice seizure models. In vivo, intrahippocampal injections of Y2‐ or Y5‐preferring agonists inhibited seizures caused by intrahippocampal kainate, but again the Y5 agonist effects were insensitive to a Y5 antagonist. Neither Y2‐ nor Y5‐preferring agonists affected kainate seizures in mice. A Y5‐specific antagonist did not displace the binding of two different NPY ligands in WT or mice, whereas all NPY binding was eliminated in the mouse. Thus, we show that Y2 receptors alone mediate all the anti‐excitatory actions of NPY seen in the hippocampus, whereas our findings do not support a role for Y5 receptors either in vitro or in vivo. The results suggest that agonists targeting the Y2 receptor may be useful anticonvulsants.
Failure isolation for advanced packages using time-domain reflectometry

Failure analysis (FA) of integrated circuit (IC) packages is critical to deliver IC products with good quality. With IC packages being increasingly complex, FA becomes much more challenging than early days. This paper presents failure isolation for advanced packaging using time-domain reflectometry (TDR). One case of ball grid array (BGA) is introduced to demonstrate the utilization of TDR FA in UTAC. Flip-chip BGA (fcBGA) is the other focus of this paper, especially the package with small body size and short signal transmission path. TDR results that could give engineers misleading information are discussed. Software simulation is utilized to assist the fault isolation. It's shown to be an excellent way to locate the failure spot accurately.
Unexpected Antibiotic Susceptibility of a Chronic Isolate of Coxiella burnetii a

Evidence is mounting in support of the idea that different isolates of Coxiella burnetii, the etiologic agent of Q fever, are responsible for the distinct disease syndromes observed clinically. Recent studies have shown distinct antibiotic susceptibilities of different isolates of C. burnetii implicated in distinct clinical Q fever syndromes. With this in mind, we performed antibiotic susceptibility testing of the "S" isolate, a chronic-type isolate retrieved from a human patient with chronic disease. Antibiotics with differing efficacies upon the Nine Mile and Priscilla isolates were tested for their abilities to control acute and persistent "S" isolate infection of L-929 cells in vitro. The efficacies of doxycycline, rifampin, and three fluoroquinolone drugs--ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, and norfloxacin--were tested. Compared to the chronic Q fever-implicated Priscilla isolate, which has been shown to exhibit a significant resistance to these antibiotics, the "S" isolate was much more susceptible. In persistently infected cells (greater than 300 d), the "S" isolate proved to be significantly more resistant to doxycycline, slightly more resistant to ciprofloxacin, slightly more susceptible to rifampin, and equally sensitive to ofloxacin and norfloxacin compared to the acute Q fever-implicated Nine Mile isolate. As with both the Nine Mile and Priscilla isolates, the "S" isolate was more susceptible to doxycycline, rifampin, and ofloxacin in recently infected cells (22 d) compared to cells having been persistently infected. With respect to the resistant nature of the chronic Q fever-implicated Priscilla isolate, as well as the lack of success in treating the "S" isolate in vivo, these results were unexpected. Such data supports an evolving hypothesis that the distinct C. burnetii isolates which may be responsible for the clearly different Q fever syndromes exhibit a spectrum of antibiotic susceptibility ranging from very susceptible (acute-implicate), Nine Mile isolate), to moderately susceptible (chronic-implicated "S" isolate), to moderately resistant (chronic-implicated Priscilla isolate).
Multimodal recognition of emotions using a formal computational model

In this paper, we present a multimodal approach for the emotion recognition that takes into account more sources of information (physiological signals, facial expressions, speech, etc). This approach is based on an algebraic representation of emotional states using multidimensional vectors. This multidimensional model provides a powerful mathematical tools for the analysis and the processing of emotions. It permits to integrate information from different modalities (speech, facial expressions, gestures) in order to allow more reliable estimation of emotional states. Indeed, our proposal aims at efficient recognition of emotional state even when it appear to be superposed or masked.