Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Integrating Kano’s model into E-learning satisfaction

This study uses Kano two-way quality model to measure e-learning system satisfaction of users and categorize their attribute. Through the four dimensions of the 15 questionnaire to measure user satisfaction with their classification and quality attributes. The research results show that all the 15 service quality elements can be classified to 10 one-dimensional quality elements, 3 attractive quality elements, and 2 indifferent quality elements. Through better index and worse index, this research also provides the best increase satisfaction elements and the worse decrease satisfaction elements to e-learning planners, and this result can be used as a reference for their resources deployment.
Robust Centroid-Based Clustering using Derivatives of Pearson Correlation

Modern high-throughput facilities provide the basis of -omics research by delivering extensive biomedical data sets. Mass spectra, multi-channel chromatograms, or cDNA arrays are such data sources of interest for which accurate analysis is desired. Centroid-based clustering provides helpful data abstraction by representing sets of similar data vectors by characteristic prototypes, placed in high-density regions of the data space. This way, specific modes can be detected, for example, in gene expression profiles or in lists containing protein and metabolite abundances. Despite their widespread use, k-means and self-organizing maps (SOM) often only produce suboptimum results in centroid computation: the final clusters are strongly dependent on the initialization and they do not quantize data as accurately as possible, particularly, if other than the Euclidean distance is chosen for data comparison. Neural gas (NG) is a mathematically rigorous clustering method that optimizes the centroid positions by minimizing their quantization errors. Originally formulated for Euclidean distance, in this work NG is mathematically generalized to give accurate and robust results for the Pearson correlation similarity measure. The benefits of the new NG for correlation (NG-C) are demonstrated for sets of gene expression data and mass spectra.
Protective effects of N-acetylcysteine on peroxidative changes of the fetal rat lungs whose mothers were exposed to cigarette smoke

Background: This experimental study investigated the protective effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on peroxidative changes in fetal lungs in the offspring of rats exposed to cigarette smoke. Methods: Thirty fetal rats used for analysis, were divided into three groups as follows: control group (n = 10), whose mothers were exposed to fresh air; group I (n=10), whose mothers were exposed to cigarette smoke; and group II (n=10), whose mothers were exposed to cigarette smoke and given 10 mg/kg per day NAC. In groups I and II, smoke exposure was started 4 weeks before the pregnancy, and continued to the 14th day of pregnancy, and in Group II, NAC was administered intraperitoneally for 14 days. The mothers and their fetuses were decapitated on the 14th day of pregnancy. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels were determined in the lung tissues of fetuses to determine the oxidant-antioxidant balance. Results: While tissue MDA levels in Group I were found significantly higher than the control group (129.7±65.4 versus 63.4±15.4 nmol/100 mg protein, P <0.05), GSH levels were significantly lower (17.1±7.3 versus 45.4±8.1 nmol/mg protein, P <0.01). Furthermore, in Group II, MDA levels were significantly lower (56.9± 20.6 versus 129.7±65.4 nmol/100 mg protein, P <0.05), and GSH levels were significantly higher (34.57±10.7 versus 17.1±7.3 nmol/mg protein, P <0.0001) when compared with Group I. No statistically significant difference was found in tissue MDA and GSH levels between Group II and the control group (P >0.05). Conclusions: These results suggest that smoke exposure during pregnancy causes oxidative damage in fetal lungs. This smoke-induced damage might be prevented by NAC. Human & Experimental Toxicology (2007) 26, 99-103
Sarbanes-Oxley Links IT to Corporate Compliance

In the wake of financial frauds and related audit issues, the US Congress passed the Sarbanes-Oxley (SARBOX) Act of 2002. Key to becoming SARBOX compliant are information systems (IS) that satisfy the mandates regarding internal controls, corporate governance, and fraud detection. These legal developments focusing senior management's attention on (1) internal controls are present and functioning i and (2) the adequacy of the internal audit (IA) and information technology (IT) departments to help management satisfy its SARBOX requirements This tutorial identifies the requirements ("sections") of SARBOX that affect IS , including auditing, security, business intelligence, customer relationship management, supply chain management, and electronic records (e-records) management. By explaining the three major compliance and corporate governance mandates, this article suggests important research areas, which include IS assurance methods for evaluating and documenting internal controls for reporting purposes, IT infrastructure and data warehousing, and best practices in auditing for evidence of fraud.
Early Intervention Improves Cognitive Outcomes for Preterm Infants: Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE: The goal was to examine the effectiveness of an early intervention on cognitive and motor outcomes at corrected ages of 3 and 5 years for children with birth weights (BWs) of <2000 g. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial of a modified version of the Mother-Infant Transaction Program was performed. Outcomes were assessed with the Bayley Scales of Infant Development II and the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-Revised at 3 and 5 years, respectively. McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities and the grooved pegboard test were used to test motor outcomes at 5 years. RESULTS: A total of 146 infants were assigned randomly (intervention group: 72 infants; control group: 74 infants). The mean BWs were 1396 ± 429 g for the intervention group and 1381 ± 436 g for the control group. After adjustment for maternal education, a nonsignificant difference in Mental Developmental Index scores at 3 years of 4.5 points (95% confidence interval: −0.3 to 9.3 points) in favor of the intervention group was found, whereas the intervention effect on full-scale IQ scores at 5 years was 6.4 points (95% confidence interval: 0.6–12.2 points). Significantly more children in the intervention group had IQ scores of ≥85 at 3 and 5 years. There were no differences between the groups with respect to motor outcomes. CONCLUSION: This modified version of the Mother-Infant Transaction Program improved cognitive outcomes at corrected age of 5 years for children with BWs of <2000 g.
Preclinical Determination of the Anticancer Activity of Rohituka ( Aphanamixis polystachya ) in Ehrlich Ascites Tumor-Bearing Mice

Anticancer activity of various doses of alcoholic extract of rohituka, Aphanamixis polystachya (APE) was studied in mice transplanted with Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC). Administration of 0, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.25 or 1.5 g/Kg body weight APE once daily for consecutive 9 days resulted in a dose dependent regression in the tumor mass and increase in tumor-free survivors. The greatest anticancer activity was observed for 1 g/Kg APE as is evident by a maximum number of tumor-free survivors by 120 days post APE administration. Administrations of split dose of 0.5 g/Kg APE twice daily for nine consecutive days resulted in a greater number of tumor free-survivors than the single administration of 1 g/Kg APE concomitantly or 1 mg/Kg doxorubicin (positive control). The stage specific evaluation revealed that APE treatment was effective in regressing the tumors at all the stages and the most pronounced effect was observed up to stage III that lessened when the APE was administered during late stages of tumor development. Biochemical estimation revealed that APE administration increased lipid peroxidation by two folds accompanied by a two-fold decline in the glutathione contents at 8 h postAPE treatment. Similarly, APE treatment reduced the activities of glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase at 8 h by 2.1, 2.3, 2, and 3.5 folds, respectively. Our study indicates that APE treatment caused a dose dependent retardation in the tumor mass and regressed tumors even in the late stages of tumor development, which may be due to increased lipid peroxidation and reduction in the activities of antioxidant enzymes. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Parameterised algorithms of the individual haplotyping problem with gaps

The individual haplotyping problem is the computational problem of constructing two haplotypes from one's DNA fragments. We proposed parameterised algorithms for computational models Minimum SNP Removal (MSR) and Minimum Fragment Removal (MFR) of the problem. For m DNA fragments and n SNPs, our algorithms solve MSR and MFR in O(2knk1k2+m1ogm+nk2+mk1) and O(mk1k22k+23kmk22+m1ogm+nk2+mk1 time respectively, where k1 is the maximum fragment length, k2 is the maximum number of fragments covering a SNP site and k is the maximum number of holes in a fragment. Since k1 and k2 are both small in practice, our algorithms are efficient and applicable.
The Gorge Approach - Digital Game Control and Play for Playfully Developing Technology Competence

Playful learning is an old dream of mankind since Comenius’ early work on didactics (Comenius, 1628). But playful learning should not be oversimplified and thoughtlessly identified with effortless fun. In contrast, playful learning may be some fun, although being demanding requiring concentration, devotion and stamina. GORGE is the name of a digital game designed for the purpose of developing certain technology competence. It is in use with students of an age ranging from about 12 to 24. This poster surveys the concepts and the game. Was wir uber unsere Gesellschaft, ja uber die Welt, in der wir leben, wissen, wissen wir durch die Massenmedien. [Niklas Luhmann, 08.12. 1927– 06.11. 1998 ]
Recursive identification of gesture inputs using hidden Markov models

Human-machine interfaces play a role of growing importance as computer technology continues to evolve. Motivated by the desire to provide users with an intuitive gesture input system, we describe the design of a recursive filter applied to the vision-based gesture interpretation problem. The gestures are modeled as a hidden Markov model with the state representing the gesture sequences, and the observations being the current static hand pose. At each time step the recursive filter updates its estimate of what gesture is occurring based on the current extracted pose information. The result is a robust system which provides the user with continual feedback during compound gestures. <<ETX>>
Editing Strategies for Bézier-modeled continuous expression Curves

PICACS (Pitch Curve Analysis and Composition System) is a software prototype inspired in part by study of Indian classical music. The primary motivation of the system is to facilitate analysis, composition, and convincing computer rendering of music that is characterized by detailed, expressive shaping of the continuum between scale steps. The system creates models of pitch, amplitude, and spectral-centroid expression envelopes by utilizing nonlinear leastsquares fitting of constrained Bezier spline curves. Details of the modeling system have been published elsewhere [2]; this paper focuses on the unique challenges that arise in designing an editing system for such models to support compositional purposes. While some of the challenges are specific to the Bezier model, it is clear that many of the challenges would apply to any system that seeks to support modelling and editing of continuous expression using sets of linked curves and multiple layers of expression data.
A new index of prognostic severity for chronic asthma.

OBJECTIVE To develop a prognostic clinical index for adults with chronic stable asthma. DESIGN Analysis of data from a 48-week randomized, crossover trial of regular vs as-needed inhaled beta-agonist therapy. PATIENTS Eligible patients included 70 men and women between the ages of 15 and 64 years with asthma for > 1 year. OUTCOME MEASURE Asthma deterioration within 20 weeks, defined as either a marked decline in FEV1 (> or = 1.0 L or > or = 30% from baseline) or initiation of systemic corticosteroid therapy for asthma exacerbation. RESULTS Three baseline factors independently predicted asthma deterioration: frequent symptoms on waking in the 4 weeks before baseline, past hospitalization for asthma, and age 35 years or older. Based on cross-stratification and consolidation of these prognostic factors, an index was developed that stratified subjects into four risk groups with distinctive deterioration rates of 9%, 21%, 39%, and 67% (p<0.001). CONCLUSION For adults with chronic stable asthma, three simple clinical factors can be combined to stratify effectively for risk of subsequent asthma deterioration.
The chemical shift index: a fast and simple method for the assignment of protein secondary structure through NMR spectroscopy.

Previous studies by Wishart et al. [Wishart, D. S. , Sykes, B. D. , & Richards, F. M. (1991) J. Mol. Biol. (in press)] have demonstrated that 1H NMR chemical shifts are strongly dependent on the character and nature of protein secondary structure. In particular, it has been found that the 1H NMR chemical shift of the alpha-CH proton of all 20 naturally occurring amino acids experiences an upfield shift (with respect to the random coil value) when in a helical configuration and a comparable downfield shift when in a beta-strand extended configuration. On the basis of these observations, a technique is described for rapidly and quantitatively determining the identity, extent, and location of secondary structural elements in proteins based on the simple inspection of the alpha-CH 1H resonance assignments. A number of examples are provided to demonstrate both the simplicity and the accuracy of the technique. This new method is found to be almost as accurate as the more traditional NOE-based methods of determining secondary structure and could prove to be particularly useful in light of the recent development of sequential assignment techniques which are now almost NOE-independent [Ikura, M. , Kay, L. E. , & Bax, A. (1990) Biochemistry 29, 4659-4667]. We suggest that this new procedure should not necessarily be seen as a substitute to existing rigorous methods for secondary structure determination but, rather, should be viewed as a complement to these approaches.
Effects of Androgens and Estrogens on Sexual Differentiation of Sex Behavior, Scent Marking, and the Sexually Dimorphic Area of the Gerbil Hypothalamus

Mating, marking and the sexually dimorphic area (SDA) were studied in male gerbils that were castrated or sham-operated on the day of birth and in females given testosterone (T) propionate or oil 1 day later. Other females received dihydrotestosterone (DHT), R1881, estradiol benzoate (EB), R2858, DHT and EB, or DHT and R2858. Females and control males were castrated as adults. Then half of each group was given T and tested for marking and male sex behavior. They were still exposed to T at perfusion. The rest were given EB and progesterone and were tested for marking and lordosis. They were perfused 1 month after hormone treatment ended. Neonatal castration eliminated mounting, decreased T-induced marking and increased lordosis in males. Neonatal exposure to TP decreased lordosis and increased mounting, intromission patterns and T-induced marking in females. DHT and R1881 did not affect marking or mating when given alone. EB and R2858 decreased lordosis and increased mounting. DHT enhanced the former effect but not the latter. Only combined treatments increased T-induced marking. Total SDA volume was not affected by neonatal treatments, but "dark volume" was largest in control males. The SDA pars compacta (SDApc) was seldom seen in females unless they received steroid neonatally but was present in males that were castrated neonatally. SDApcs of neonatal castrates and steroid-treated females differed, though, from SDApcs of control males in that they were smaller in the absence of T and did not enlarge when exposed to T. Another cell group, the cmSDApc, was affected by T neonatally but was not seen consistently in either sex. SDApc volume correlated positively with T-induced marking and an index of male sex behavior. Both SDApc and cmSDApc volumes correlated negatively with lordosis. The correlations with marking and male sex behavior probably reflect constraints on sexual differentiation rather than causal relationships since these behaviors persist when the SDApc is gone. The effects of direct manipulations of the SDApc on lordosis have not been studied.
Finnish resources for evaluating language model semantics

Distributional language models have consistently been demonstrated to capture semantic properties of words. However, research into the methods for evaluating the accuracy of the modeled semantics has been limited, particularly for less-resourced languages. This research presents three resources for evaluating the semantic quality of Finnish language distributional models: (1) semantic similarity judgment resource, as well as (2) a word analogy and (3) a word intrusion test set. The use of evaluation resources is demonstrated in practice by presenting them with different language models built from varied corpora.
Human feasibility study of hemodynamic monitoring via continuous intrathoracic impedance monitoring

The ultimate hemodynamic sensor for an implantable device would provide information about cardiovascular performance including systolic function, diastolic function, preload, and afterload. We examined the potential clinical utility of simultaneous measurement of left ventricular pressure and continuous intrathoracic impedance in a group of 20 patients undergoing acute intravenous ablation for atrial fibrillation. Following baseline measurements of traditional left ventricular (LV) conductance volume (control), LV pressure and conductance measurement were repeated using alternate impedance stimulation and sensing vectors that encompassed combinations of the lung, left ventricle, right ventricle and left atrium, respectively. Various relative indices of LV function, including end systolic pressure to volume (conductance) ratio, end diastolic pressure to volume (conductance) ratio, and preload recruitable stroke work (analog) were derived by combining real-time pressure and conductance. The raw morphometry of the LV vector seemed to most closely resemble the gold standard LV conductance volume. For this vector, strong linear correlations between LV pressure and end systolic conductance (r = 3D0.84±0.14), end diastolic conductance (r = 3D0.78±0.10) and preload recruitable stroke work analog (r = 3D0.93±0.05) were observed. The LV vector provides a robust continuous intracardiac hemodynamic signal that may be useful for quantifying cardiovascular function.
Electrochemical Polishing of Titanium Alloys with Ionic Liquids

The purpose of this study is to propose the best input parameters for electrochemical polishing of Ti-6Al-4V with 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate (ionic liquid) with an experimental method. The effect of voltage, rotation speed and polishing time on the surface roughness were investigated. A Polishing time of 6-7 minutes is recommended for good surface finish. In addition, high voltages are not recommended for the process. The surface morphology was measured using AFM and SEM. SEM analysis show that the input parameter settings of 45V and 200 rpm are recommended for electrochemical polishing.
Chemical composition and in vitro antioxidant potential of essential oil and rhizome extracts of Curcuma amada Roxb

Abstract The chemical composition of hydro-distilled essential oil from rhizomes of Curcuma amada was analysed. Nineteen compounds representing 77.31% of the total essential oil were identified by GC and GC-MS. Rhizomes were extracted by various solvents with different polarities using various antioxidant assay systems. The petroleum ether extract showed potent DPPH radical scavenging activities (IC50 = 18.98 ± 0.05) and reducing power (A700 = 0.861 ± 0.001). Ethyl acetate extract exhibited remarkable nitric oxide radical scavenging activity (IC 50 = 5.97 ± 0.09) higher than that of ascorbic acid (IC50 = 6.05 ± 0.02). The essential oil showed promising superoxide radical scavenging activities (IC50 = 15.30 ± 0.03 μg/ml) as compared with ascorbic acid (IC50 = 15.28 ± 0.01). The results indicate that the oil and organic extracts from rhizomes of C. amada could serve as an important bioresource of antioxidants for food and pharmaceutical industries.
The Rapid Dementia Screening Test (RDST): A New Economical Tool for Detecting Possible Patients with Dementia

The Rapid Dementia Screening Test (RDST) is a new psychometric screening tool to support the diagnosis of dementia. It includes two parts – a word generation task and a number transcoding task; it is short (taking approximately 3 min) and easy to administer, and it is well accepted by patients. After transformation of the raw scores in two age groups (under and over 60 years), the assessed cognitive abilities can be interpreted as age-appropriate or below average with good sensitivity and specificity, and subsequent diagnostic measures can be determined accordingly. The RDST is thus an economical tool for detecting demented patients by general practitioners.
Molecular analysis of fusidic acid resistance in Staphylococcus aureus

Fusidic acid is a potent antibiotic against severe Gram‐positive infections that interferes with the function of elongation factor G (EF‐G), thereby leading to the inhibition of bacterial protein synthesis. In this study, we demonstrate that fusidic acid resistance in Staphylococcus aureus results from point mutations within the chromosomal fusA gene encoding EF‐G. Sequence analysis of fusA revealed mutational changes that cause amino acid substitutions in 10 fusidic acid‐resistant clinical S. aureus strains as well as in 10 fusidic acid‐resistant S. aureus mutants isolated under fusidic acid selective pressure in vitro. Fourteen different amino acid exchanges were identified that were restricted to 13 amino acid residues within EF‐G. To confirm the importance of observed amino acid exchanges in EF‐G for the generation of fusidic acid resistance in S. aureus, three mutant fusA alleles encoding EF‐G derivatives with the exchanges P406L, H457Y and L461K were constructed by site‐directed mutagenesis. In each case, introduction of the mutant fusA alleles on plasmids into the fusidic acid‐susceptible S. aureus strain RN4220 caused a fusidic acid‐resistant phenotype. The elevated minimal inhibitory concentrations of fusidic acid determined for the recombinant bacteria were analogous to those observed for the fusidic acid‐resistant clinical S. aureus isolates and the in vitro mutants containing the same chromosomal mutations. Thus, the data presented provide evidence for the crucial importance of individual amino acid exchanges within EF‐G for the generation of fusidic acid resistance in S. aureus.