Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Making Sense of Complexity of the World Today : why Finland is Introducing Multiliteracy in Teaching and Learning

The article focuses on the Finnish basic education curriculum reform between the years 2012 and 2016 and the role of multiliteracy in it. It helps readers understand the main reasons and aims of the reform as well as the collaborative working approach in the reform process. It describes the endeavour towards a holistic educational approach including an integration of school subjects which is more extensive than before. The aim is to promote pupils’ ability to understand the relationships between various phenomena, to connect knowledge and skills gathered from diff erent school subjects and to utilise them in exploring diff erent phenomena and topics. The main tools in this approach are the seven cross-curricular, transversal competences described in the national core curriculum as well as the so-called multidisciplinary learning modules to be formed at the local and school level. The concept of transversal competence refers to an entity consisting of knowledge, skills, values, attitudes and will. Multiliteracy is one of the seven transversal competences. The article analyses the importance and objectives of multiliteracy in a world of change. The role of literacy has been changing rapidly, parallel to the development of other means of communication. More and more information is mediated in visual, numerical, audio, kinaesthetic and digital form, and through combinations of these. Multiliteracy is needed for interpreting, producing and assessing various kinds and forms of text. At school, multiliteracy is developed through studies in all school subjects and with the help of their specifi c language. The objectives of multiliteracy at diff erent levels of pre-primary and basic education are examined and examples of multiliteracy in diff erent school subjects are given in the article. The need for multiliteracy is connected to the paradigm shift concerning language teaching and learning as well as the role of languages and language awareness in learning, in school community an in a culturally diverse society.
Session 19-Forages in Cropping Systems INTEGRATION OF FORAGE IN FARMING SYSTEMS

Forage is often produced and used in an integrated farming system along with other crops and animals. The system is very complex including soil, crop, machinery, and animal components that interact with each other and the environment to enable the production of feed and animal products. Research has quantified and modeled many of the individual components and interactions. Comprehensive computer models that integrate the many processes provide useful research tools for evaluating the performance and economics of alternative technologies and management strategies in forage production. Opportunities for further development of research models include 1) integration of forages in cropping system models that evaluate production benefits along with externality costs to society, 2) integration of more crop options along with forages in animal production system models, and 3) integration of grazing and conserved forage systems in a more comprehensive animal production model. Research models can provide useful teaching aids when an extensive yet intuitive user interface is included. Although models are often promoted for use in farm management, most have not become useful management aids. Model complexity and lack of training often prevent users from relying on model results for decision making. More sophisticated user interfaces are needed to assist in setting model parameters and verifying and interpreting model results to encourage wider use of farming system models as management aids.
THERMO-MECHANICAL INTERACTIONS DUE TO ULTRA THERMAL LASER SOURCE IN MICROPOLAR THERMOELASTIC DIFFUSIVE HALF SPACE

The present investigation deals with the deformation in micro polar generalized thermo elastic medium with mass diffusion subjected to thermo mechanical loading due to thermal laser pulse. Laplace and Fourier transform technique is used to solve the problem. Concentrated normal force and thermal source are taken to illustrate the utility of approach. The closed form expressions of normal stress, tangential stress, tangential couple stress, mass concentration and temperature distribution are obtained in the transformed domain. Numerical inversion technique of Laplace transform and Fourier transform has been applied to obtain the resulting quantities in the physical domain after developing a computer program. The normal stress, tangential stress, tangential coupled stress, temperature distribution and mass concentration are depicted graphically to show the effect of relaxation times. Some particular cases of interest are deduced from the present investigation. Keywords—Laser Pulse, Micro polar, Mass diffusion, uniformly and linearly distributed source.
The Effects of a Cooperative Learning Field Experience on Views of Inquiry-Based Science and Science Teaching Self-Efficacy : A Pre-service Teacher ’ s Action Research

This study reports the effects of a cooperative lea rning field experience on a pre-service teacher’s views of inqu iry-based science and her science teaching self-efficacy. Fr amed by an action research model, this study examined (a) the pre-service teacher’s developing understanding of inquiry-based science teaching and learning throughout the planning and implementation phases of the field experience and ( b) the preservice teacher’s inquiry-based science teaching se lf-efficacy beliefs prior to and after the field experience. The pre-service teacher’s self-reflections before and after the fie ld experience, video reflections and results from the Science Teac hing Efficacy Beliefs Inventory (STEBI-B) form were anal yzed in this study. The findings revealed that (a) the pre -service teacher’s understandings of inquiry-based science t eaching and learning were developed and enhanced through the pl anning and teaching phases of the field experience, and (b ) the preservice teacher’s science teaching self-efficacy be liefs were improved as a result of a stronger appreciation and understanding of inquiry based science teaching and learning. Further implications for scholarly significance and professional development are discussed.
Succinic Acid Synthesis by Ethanol-Grown Yeasts

Summary The synthesis of succinic acid in ethanol-containing media has been tested in 32 yeasts of different genera (Debaryomyces, Candida, Pichia, Saccharomyces, Torulopsis). The capability of succinic acid synthesis was revealed in 29 strains, from which two most effective producers were selected. When grown in a fermentor under high aeration in mineral medium with pulsed addition of ethanol, the strain Candida catenulata VKM Y-5 produced succinic acid up to 5.2 g/L with mass yield of 32.6 % and energy yield of 14.8 %; the other strain, Candida zeylanoides VKM Y-2324, excreted 9.4 g/L of succinic acid with mass and energy yields of 39 and 17.8 %, respectively. It was indicated that succinic acid formation in the yeasts was accompanied by the synthesis of considerable amounts of malic acid, which was apparently due to a high activity of the glyoxylate cycle. Growth characteristics of both strains were studied in dependence on the concentrations of ethanol, zinc ions and nitrogen in the medium.
Performance of Serological Tests for Trypanosoma evansi in Experimentally Inoculated Goats

Abstract: Natural Trypanosoma evansi infection in the Canary Islands has only been diagnosed in the camel population, but dissemination of the disease in other hosts has not been excluded. The objective of this work was to assess the performance of serological antibody tests in experimentally inoculated goats. Five Canarian goats were inoculated intravenously with at least 1 × 105T. evansi. The animals were kept for 8 months and checked monthly for the presence of the parasite and specific antibodies. The serological tests investigated were the direct card agglutination test CATT/T. evansi and the indirect card agglutination test LATEX/T. evansi. All animals became positive in the CATT/T. evansi 1 month post‐infection and remained positive with a minimum end‐titer of 1/4. Similar results were obtained with the LATEX/T. evansi, although at lower end‐titers (1/2). We conclude that CATT/T. evansi is adequate for assessing infection of Canarian goats by T. evansi.
Virtual reality intervention in postoperative rehabilitation after total knee arthroplasty : a prospective and randomized controlled clinical trial

Objective: Our aim was to evaluate clinical benefits of virtual reality (VR) intervention for postoperative rehabilitation in osteoarthritis (OA) patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods: A total of 66 OA patients undergoing unilateral TKA were recruited and randomly assigned to experimental (VR rehabilitation) and control (conventional rehabilitation) groups. Comparison of WOMAC osteoarthritis index, HSS knee score, and VAS scale for pain and knee range of motion (ROM) before and after TKA was performed. Results: No significant differences were found in preoperative WOMAC index, HSS score, and knee ROM between control and experimental groups (P>0.05). WOMAC indexes were significantly lower and HSS scores were significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group at 1, 3, and 6 months after TKA, respectively (P<0.05). No significant difference was found in VAS scale for pain at 1 day after TKA, between the two groups (P>0.05). VAS scales were significantly lower in experimental group than the control group at 3, 5, and 7 days after TKA (P<0.05). Knee ROMs were significantly higher in the experimental group than control group at 3, 7, and 14 days after TKA (P<0.05). It took 2.45 ± 0.71 and 13.48 ± 2.48 days for knee ROM to reach 60° and 90° in the experimental group, significantly lower than the 3.09 ± 0.77 and 15.24 ± 2.82 days in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Clinical application of VR intervention can aid rehabilitation, reduce postoperative pain, and improve functional recovery in OA patients undergoing TKA.
Adaptable load balancing using network transferable computer associated with mobile IP

"Network Transferable Computer (NTC)" is a system, which transports a running image of OS to other computers using Virtual Machine. We propose a new load balancing method that uses NTC system associated with Mobile IP for building a server. In this method, the system analyzes the information gathered from the local network to which the target server is attached and it moves the server itself to an another network so that considerable access traffics do not pass the particular path. As soon as analysis of the local information is done, the system can decide whether the server moves or not, and, if it does, where the server will move. After moving to another network, it is possible to get more information from the network and to modify the decision criteria. Thus this method realizes an adaptable load balancing on network traffic.
ECTOPIC EXPRESSION OF MPF 2-LIKE PROTEIN WSA 206 LEADS TO ARREST IN SILIQUE AND SEED DEVELOPMENT IN HETEROLOGOUS HOST

MPF2-like genes belonging to STMADS11 clade of MADS-box transcription factors are mostly involved in calyx inflation, floral reversion and fertility. However their role in fertility remained enigmatic. In this study we transformed WSA206 gene paralog originated through genome duplication in a Solanaceous plant Withaniasomnifera ectopically in a heterologous host Arabidopsis thaliana. Interesting phenotypes in floral organs and fruits were observed. Overexpression of WSA206 leads to arrest in silique development. The siliques were compressed and size was drastically reduced from 34mm to 3mm. Along with siliques, the seed development was also suppressed as revealed by shriveling of seeds and reduction in seed number. In extreme cases the siliques were devoid of any seeds. In cases where seeds developed, these were impaired in viability. Besides, the transgenic Arabidopsis also exhibited exorbitant growth of calyx to an extent that it resembled inflated calyx in Solanaceae. The calyx remained persistent and encapsulated the under-developed siliques containing nonviable seeds inside. Thus, fertility and sepal development are tightly coupled traits that are controlled by WSA206paralog in heterologous system.
Study of the Infectivity of Saline-StoredCampylobacter jejuni for Day-Old Chicks

ABSTRACT The culturability of three Campylobacter jejunistrains and their infectivity for day-old chicks were assessed following storage of the strains in saline. The potential for colonization of chicks was weakened during the storage period and terminated 3 to 4 weeks before the strains became nonculturable. The results from this study suggest that the role of starved and aged but still culturable campylobacters may be diminutive, but even more, that the role of viable but nonculturable stages in campylobacter epidemiology may be negligible. Even high levels of maternally derived anti-campylobacter outer membrane protein serum antibodies in day-old chicks did not protect the chicks from campylobacter colonization.
Characterization of two post-translationally processed forms of human serum retinol-binding protein: altered ratios in chronic renal failure.

Retinol-binding protein (RBP) is the specific blood carrier for the transport of retinol (vitamin A) to target tissues. As the kidney is involved in RBP metabolism, the analysis of RBP species in the serum of patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) was used as a model to study possible RBP alterations. SDS-PAGE-immunoblotting analysis of normal and CRF sera shows a doublet of RBP bands (band A and band B) near 21 kDa. Mass spectrometric analysis of purified RBPs from CRF and normal sera revealed the presence not only of full-length RBP (183 residues, migrating in band A) but also two forms of RBP differing from the native form by the loss of C-terminal Leu (i.e., RBP1 (residues 1-182), migrating in band A also) and the loss of C-terminal Leu-Leu (i.e., RBP2 (residues 1-181), migrating in band B). Interestingly, RBP2 was considerably increased in the serum of CRF, whereas it was low in normal sera. In healthy retinol target-tissues and in cultured HepG2 cells, RBP2 levels were significantly and variably present compared to RBP and RBP1. We propose that these post-translationally modified forms of RBP occur in cells and that after their release into the blood circulation RBP2 is cleared by the kidney in healthy individuals but accumulates in the serum of CRF patients. RBP2 may have an important physiological role in retinol transport and/or recycling.
Reducing perceived deceptiveness of e-commerce product recommendation agents: An empirical examination of the relative impact of transparency and verifiability and the moderating role of gender

Product Recommendations Agents (PRAs) are software applications that augment consumers’ purchasing decisions by offering product recommendations based on consumers’ preferences that are elicited either explicitly or implicitly. The underlying premise of PRAs is often grounded on the assumption that PRAs seek to optimize consumers’ utility with the recommendations provided. However, since a majority of commercial PRAs are implemented by parties with vested interests in product sales, it is highly probable that recommendations are biased in favor of their providers and do not reflect consumers’ interests. This in turn may possibly induce a deceptiveness perception among consumers. As such, this study theorizes and empirically demonstrates that the induction of IT-mediated components in PRAs, which induce high levels of perceived transparency and perceived verifiability, could be useful in mitigating consumers’ perceived deceptiveness of PRAs. This study also explores the moderating role of gender in the relationship between transparency/verifiability perception and deceptiveness perception.
CT, MR Imaging and Angiography in Pancreatic Apudomas

Findings at CT, MR imaging and angiography in 29 patients with pancreatic apudomas are presented. CT and angiography were performed in all the patients, MR imaging in 10. Twenty-five patients underwent laparotomy. The ability of the different imaging methods to localize the primary tumor and detect hepatic metastases was compared. CT and MR imaging depicted the primary tumor in 79% and 88% of the cases respectively, angiography in 72%. Enhancement patterns at CT and signal intensity variations at MR imaging were unspecific parameters regarding different types of tumors. CT and MR imaging were considerably more accurate than angiography in evaluating local tumor resectability. Angiography revealed more numerous small hepatic metastases (<0.5 cm) than CT or MR imaging, but missed metastases in the left lobe in 5 patients. MR imaging seems promising in localizing and characterizing pancreatic apudomas, but further evaluation is needed before any conclusion can be drawn. At present dynamic incremental CT seems mandatory in the evaluation of pancreatic apudomas. Angiography is of value for preoperative and preembolization vascular mapping, and in localizing small pancreatic apudomas not shown at CT or MR imaging. Faster dynamic thin slice CT scanning and fast-sequence MR imaging may increase the sensitivity of detecting small primary pancreatic apudomas.
Bivariate Beta LSTM

Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) infers the long term dependency through a cell state maintained by the input and the forget gate structures, which models a gate output as a value in [0,1] through a sigmoid function. However, due to the graduality of the sigmoid function, the sigmoid gate is not flexible in representing multi-modality or skewness. Besides, the previous models lack modeling on the correlation between the gates, which would be a new method to adopt inductive bias for a relationship between previous and current input. This paper proposes a new gate structure with the bivariate Beta distribution. The proposed gate structure enables probabilistic modeling on the gates within the LSTM cell so that the modelers can customize the cell state flow with priors and distributions. Moreover, we theoretically show the higher upper bound of the gradient compared to the sigmoid function, and we empirically observed that the bivariate Beta distribution gate structure provides higher gradient values in training. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the bivariate Beta gate structure on the sentence classification, image classification, polyphonic music modeling, and image caption generation.
Local Asymptotic Equivalence of the Bai and Ng (2004) and Moon and Perron (2004) Frameworks for Panel Unit Root Testing

This paper considers unit-root tests in large n and large T heterogeneous panels with cross-sectional dependence generated by unobserved factors. We reconsider the two prevalent approaches in the literature, that of Moon and Perron (2004) and the PANIC setup proposed in Bai and Ng (2004). While these have been considered as completely different setups, we show that, in case of Gaussian innovations, the frameworks are asymptotically equivalent in the sense that both experiments are locally asymptotically normal (LAN) with the same central sequence. Using Le Cam's theory of statistical experiments we determine the local asymptotic power envelope and derive an optimal test jointly in both setups. We show that the popular Moon and Perron (2004) and Bai and Ng (2010) tests only attain the power envelope in case there is no heterogeneity in the long-run variance of the idiosyncratic components. The new test is asymptotically uniformly most powerful irrespective of possible heterogeneity. Moreover, it turns out that for any test, satisfying a mild regularity condition, the size and local asymptotic power are the same under both data generating processes. Thus, applied researchers do not need to decide on one of the two frameworks to conduct unit root tests. Monte-Carlo simulations corroborate our asymptotic results and document significant gains in finite-sample power if the variances of the idiosyncratic shocks differ substantially among the cross sectional units.
Fast Convergence of Natural Gradient Descent for Overparameterized Neural Networks

Natural gradient descent has proven effective at mitigating the effects of pathological curvature in neural network optimization, but little is known theoretically about its convergence properties, especially for \emph{nonlinear} networks. In this work, we analyze for the first time the speed of convergence of natural gradient descent on nonlinear neural networks with squared-error loss. We identify two conditions which guarantee efficient convergence from random initializations: (1) the Jacobian matrix (of network's output for all training cases with respect to the parameters) has full row rank, and (2) the Jacobian matrix is stable for small perturbations around the initialization. For two-layer ReLU neural networks, we prove that these two conditions do in fact hold throughout the training, under the assumptions of nondegenerate inputs and overparameterization. We further extend our analysis to more general loss functions. Lastly, we show that K-FAC, an approximate natural gradient descent method, also converges to global minima under the same assumptions, and we give a bound on the rate of this convergence.
Locally Differentially Private Minimum Finding

We investigate a problem of finding the minimum, in which each user has a real value and we want to estimate the minimum of these values under the local differential privacy constraint. We reveal that this problem is fundamentally difficult, and we cannot construct a mechanism that is consistent in the worst case. Instead of considering the worst case, we aim to construct a private mechanism whose error rate is adaptive to the easiness of estimation of the minimum. As a measure of easiness, we introduce a parameter $\alpha$ that characterizes the fatness of the minimum-side tail of the user data distribution. As a result, we reveal that the mechanism can achieve $O((\ln^6N/\epsilon^2N)^{1/2\alpha})$ error without knowledge of $\alpha$ and the error rate is near-optimal in the sense that any mechanism incurs $\Omega((1/\epsilon^2N)^{1/2\alpha})$ error. Furthermore, we demonstrate that our mechanism outperforms a naive mechanism by empirical evaluations on synthetic datasets. Also, we conducted experiments on the MovieLens dataset and a purchase history dataset and demonstrate that our algorithm achieves $\tilde{O}((1/N)^{1/2\alpha})$ error adaptively to $\alpha$.
Computer-aided Detection of Squamous Carcinoma of the Cervix in Whole Slide Images

Goal: Squamous cell carcinoma of cervix is one of the most prevalent cancer worldwide in females. Traditionally, the most indispensable diagnosis of cervix squamous carcinoma is histopathological assessment which is achieved under microscope by pathologist. However, human evaluation of pathology slide is highly depending on the experience of pathologist, thus big inter- and intra-observer variability exists. Digital pathology, in combination with deep learning provides an opportunity to improve the objectivity and efficiency of histopathologic slide analysis. Methods: In this study, we obtained 800 haematoxylin and eosin stained slides from 300 patients suffered from cervix squamous carcinoma. Based on information from morphological heterogeneity in the tumor and its adjacent area, we established deep learning models using popular convolution neural network architectures (inception-v3, InceptionResnet-v2 and Resnet50). Then random forest was introduced to feature extractions and slide-based classification. Results: The overall performance of our proposed models on slide-based tumor discrimination were outstanding with an AUC scores > 0.94. While, location identifications of lesions in whole slide images were mediocre (FROC scores > 0.52) duo to the extreme complexity of tumor tissues. Conclusion: For the first time, our analysis workflow highlighted a quantitative visual-based slide analysis of cervix squamous carcinoma. Significance: This study demonstrates a pathway to assist pathologist and accelerate the diagnosis of patients by utilizing new computational approaches.