Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Utility of Equivalence and Cognition Models in Enhancing Validity of Translated Questionnaires: A Methodological Example Using the Heart Quality-of-Life Questionnaire

ABSTRACT Background The cross-cultural adaptation of questionnaires has tenuous theoretical underpinnings that limit the rigor of data collection and the meaningful analysis of cognitive interview data. An adaptation of existing models of equivalence and cognition provides structure to the comprehensive investigation of various equivalence types in enhancing the validity of translated questionnaires. Purpose In this study, a framework comprising equivalence and cognition models was used to assess and finalize the Heart Quality-of-Life (HeartQoL)-Bahasa Malaysia (BM) questionnaire, which was derived from both forward–backward (FB) and dual-panel (DP) translation methods. Methods Investigation and finalization of two initial versions of the questionnaire were conducted based on findings from an expert assessment (n = 3 sociolinguists blinded to translation methods) and cognitive interviews with purposively sampled patients (FB: n = 11; DP: n = 11). The equivalence model of Herdman et al. and the question-and-answer model of Collins were adapted to form a “cognition-and-equivalence” model to guide data collection and analysis through modified cognitive interviews. The final HeartQoL-BM was completed by 373 patients with ischemic heart disease from two medical centers, and the data were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis to assess the evidence of equivalence. Results Findings from the expert assessment and cognitive interview showed the existence of semantic and item equivalence on almost all of the FB and DP items, identified some subtle potential equivalence gaps, and guided the process of item finalization. Confirmatory factor analysis, including tests of factorial invariance on the final two-factor model of HeartQoL-BM, confirmed conceptual, item, measurement, and operational equivalence, which supports functional equivalence. Conclusions The potential use of the cognition-and-equivalence model for modified cognitive interviewing and the application of the six equivalence types of Herdman et al. were supported by the HeartQoL-BM showing functional equivalence with its source. HeartQoL-BM is a potentially valid measure of health-related quality of life for patients with ischemic heart disease independent of conditions such as angina, myocardial infarction, and heart failure.
ICT and gamified learning in tourism education: a case of South African secondary schools

Diffusion of digital games and the trend of gamification in various fields have increased scholars’ attention on how digital games or their elements can be introduced into formal and informal learning practices. Majority of the research in this field has been conducted in economically developed regions and not so much in emerging economies. With this study the researchers focused on developing region of Southern African Development Community (SADC). World Heritage Awareness Campaign for Youth (WHACY) in SADC is a campaign dedicated to raise awareness and foster informal learning among Southern African youth about the heritage and sustainable tourism in the region. The campaign employed an online and offline gamified learning platform, which was supported by a dedicated website, Facebook page, wiki and offline materials. In one year of operation the campaign reached more than 100K audience. The purpose of this paper is to present the development, implementation, and evaluation of the campaign. The goals of the evaluation were dedicated to assess user experience in terms of engagement and conduciveness to learning as well as exploring the possibility of a gamified application to be integrated into the regular high school tourism curriculum. South African tourism students’ and tourism teachers’ perspectives were taken into consideration.
A Device for the Removal of Sulfur Dioxide from Exhaust Gas by Pulsed Energization of Free Electrons

The performance of a new device using pulsed streamer corona for the removal of sulfur dioxide from humid air has been evaluated. The pulsed streamer corona produces free electrons which enhance gas-phase chemical reactions, and convert SO2 to sulfuric acid mist. The SO2 removal efficiency was compared with that of the electron-beam flue-gas treatment process. The comparison demonstrates the advantage of the novel device.
The EM Algorithm: An Optimization View

Finding the maximum likelihood estimate for θ analytically is difficult because of the summation inside of the logarithm, so we are forced to use some sort of numerical algorithm. The EM algorithm [1] is one such optimization algorithm for solving for maximum-likelihood estimates. This note will briefly introduce one particular way of deriving and thinking about the EM algorithm by looking at it from an coordinate-ascent optimization (maximization-maximization) perspective. We first will give a general derivation of the EM algorithm, and then will investigate a few specific examples where we might leverage the EM algorithm for parameter learning.
Related Work to Neural Natural-Language Template Matching

In writing programs that operate on natural language input, a common task is to recognize a speciﬁc utterance and extract speciﬁc portions of that utterance. We describe different methods for performing this task, focusing on training data requirements and ease of use. To address a shortcomings in the easiest to use method, we propose a novel method which learns how to match a natural language template to the utterance, extracting information from the utterance in the process. We high-light how this approach differs from existing work in neural semantic parsing and sentence matching.
QUALITY AND IN VITRO ESTIMATED GLYCEMIC INDEX OF COOKIES FROM UNRIPE PLANTAIN-CRAYFISH-WHEAT COMPOSITE FLOUR

The behaviour of composite flour obtained from unripe plantain (PF), crayfish (CF) and wheat (WF) flours in the production of cookies was investigated. The physicochemical, estimated glycemic index and sensory parameters of the produced cookies were used to identify the potentiality of the plantain-crayfish-wheat composite flour. Proximate composition of the composite cookies ranged from 15-18% protein, ~2% fibre, 23-25% fat and ~50% carbohydrate while 100% WF-cookies had 12.60% protein, 3.28% fibre, 7.70% fat and 71% carbohydrate, respectively. On the contrary, all the experimental composite cookies had very high (≤86) estimated glycemic index as compared to the control (what's the GI of the control, should be placed in this parenthesis). Notably, potassium was the abundant mineral (2-52 mg/100 g) present in the composite cookies while calcium (6 mg/100 g) was abundant in the 100% WF-cookies. The physical properties (thickness, bulk density, breaking strength, diameter) and sensory parameters (colour, taste, crispiness, aroma) of the experimental cookies were comparable and significantly (p>0.05) similar to the commercial cookies. The improved physicochemical and nutritional properties of the resultant composite cookies may indicate the potential of the composite for production of acceptable cookies.
Ab initio quantum transport study of metal-molecule-metal structures

We perform first-principles quantum mechanical calculation for investigating electron transport characteristics through single molecules addressed by two metallic electrodes. The calculation is based on density functional theory (DFT) using norm conserving nonlocal pseudopotentials to define the atomic core and nonequilibrium Green's functions (NEGF's) to calculate the charge distribution for open metal-molecule-metal structures. An Au-S-B/sub 3/N/sub 3/H/sub 4/-S-Au system is built and investigated. The electron transport characteristics of the borazine ring are analyzed through the transmission spectra and current-voltage (I-V) curve. Calculation results show that the borazine ring has good negative differential resistance (NDR) behavior within large bias range of 1.6 V-3.0 V.
Poisson-Gamma Latent Dirichlet Allocation Model for Topics with Word Dependencies

This paper introduces the Poisson-Gamma Latent Dirichlet Allocation (PGLDA) model for modeling word dependencies in topics modeling. The Poisson document length distribution has been used extensively in the past for modeling topics with the expectation that its effect will fizzle out at the end of the model definition. This procedure often leads to downplaying the effect of word correlation with topics and thus reducing the precision or accuracy of retrieved documents in such a situation. Therefore, we propose a new class of model that relaxes the words independence assumption in the existing Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) model by introducing the Gamma distribution that can capture the correlation between adjacent words in a document. The Poisson document length distribution and Gamma correlation distribution are then convoluted to form a new mixture distribution for modeling word dependencies. Model parameter estimation was achieved via Laplacian approximation of the log-likelihood. The new model was then evaluated using the 20 Newsgroups and AG's News datasets. The applicability of the model was assessed using the F1 score. The results of the evaluation showed appreciable supremacy of PGLDA over LDA.
Unobtrusive, Through-Clothing ECG and Bioimpedance Monitoring in Sleep Apnea Patients

A real-life validation of a system for simultaneous acquisition of capacitively-coupled ECG (ccECG) and capacitively-coupled bioimpedance (ccBioz) is presented. The heart rate (HR) and respiration rate (RR) estimation performance was evaluated using polysomnography (PSG) signals as ground-truth, in recordings from 28 patients with suspected obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). A ccECG beat detection sensitivity of 98.4% and an R-R interval mean absolute error (MAE) of 17.1 ms were achieved when applying quality-based algorithms. RR MAE values of 3.48 and 6.37 breaths per minute were also achieved when using two different RR extraction methods. High similarity between unobtrusive signals and PSG ground-truth was observed, with a correlation between ccECG and psgECG of 91.5% and a correlation between ccBioz and PSG thoracic belt (TB) of 89.5%. Even in episodes containing OSA events, the characteristic respiration behavior of TB signals was also observed in the ccBioz signals. This shows the potential of ccECG and ccBioz for use in long-term monitoring without adding discomfort to the patient or user. Sleep-related applications as well as more generic cardiorespiratory monitoring in (patient) beds are obvious applications, but also other daily life monitoring can be done using a similar approach (e.g. in seats).
Investigation of conductive and transparent Al-doped ZnO/metal dual-layer films by magnetron sputtering

Transparent conductive Al-doped ZnO (AZO)/metal (Ag or Cu) dual-layer films were deposited on glass substrates by direct current magnetron sputtering at room temperature. AZO layer thickness was about 30 nm. The thickness of Ag layer changed from 4.0 to 12.0 nm, and the thickness of Cu layer varied from 2.7 to 8.1 nm. The influence of metallic layer thickness on the structure, optical and electrical properties of dual-layer films was analyzed. Ag (111) crystalline peak was clearly observed in X-ray diffraction pattern as Ag layer thickness increases to 12.0 nm. For AZO/Cu films, besides the Cu crystalline peaks, there are copper oxide crystalline peaks. As Ag layer thickness increases from 4.0 to 12.0 nm, sheet resistance decreases from 6.37 to 3.91 Ω/sq and the average transmittance in the visible spectral region decreases from 83.7% to 72.6%, respectively. The average transmittance of AZO/Cu films with different Cu layer thicknesses is between 70.7% and 75.5%. The lowest sheet resistance is 19.2 Ω/sq when Cu layer thickness is 8.1 nm. The performance of the dual-layer films was also compared using a figure of merit. The results show that the high quality transparent and conductive films can be achieved by using AZO/metal dual-layer films.
EVALUATION OF PSEUDOMONAS FLUORESCENS FROM RHIZOSPHERE SOIL AGAINST FRUIT ROT OF CHILLI CAUSED BY COLLETOTRICHUM CAPSICI (SYD) BUTLER AND BISBY

The present study aimed to screen Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) of Pseudomonas fluorescens for its effect on induction of resistance in chilli (Capsicum annum L.) against anthracnose disease under in vitro conditions. A total of 20 isolates were evaluated for their antagonistic activity against Colletotrichum capsici where Pf 1 native isolate was able to inhibit mycelial growth of the pathogen followed by Pf 11 and Pf 2. In dual culture assay, Pf 1 showed 93.41% inhibition whereas Pf 11 produced 76.81% inhibition of C. capsici. The mycelial dry weight of C. capsici decreased with an increasing concentration of culture filtrates of P. fluorscens and among them, Pf 1 showed a greatest inhibition compared to the other isolates. Seed treatment with Pseudomonas fluorescens resulted in a maximum enhancement of seed germination (97.60%) and seedling vigor (1287.34) with an increase in vegetative growth parameters.
OPTICAL PUMPING OF LASERS.

Abstract : The emission spectra of 40 amp-2.5 atm xenon and krypton arc discharges are calculated. The spectral overlap of these spectra and the measured emission spectra of tungsten and potassium-mercury arc discharges with the measured absorption spectra of Nd:YAG are calculated. Relative system efficiencies are calculated and agree very well with measured values. It is found that the K-Hg lamp is four times more efficient in pumping Nd:YAG than the studied W, Kr and Xe lamps. Five trial power series expansions and a numerical iterative technique have been selected for the parameter-fitting method of determining electronic radial wave functions of heavy atoms. (Author)
Design, Development & Evaluation of a Poly herbal Syrup from some herbs used as Energy booster

Ayurvedic formulations are preferentially administered by oral route, and most of the orally administered Ayurvedic formulations belong to liquid form of drug or drug combination. However herbal medicinal products have to fulfill the legal requirements with regard to quality including stability testing. Designing as well as shelf-life determination of oral herbal formulations is till date a challenge in modern pharmaceutics. A locally used polyherbal formulation from Withania somnifera Dunal, Asparagus racemosos Wild, Bombax malabaricum , Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn. Elettaria cardamomum Maton Var. , Cinnamomum zelylanicum Nees, is used as energy booster. In present study the formulation was selected for designing developing and evaluation of a polyherbal syrup from it. The prepared poly herbal syrup was evaluated immediately after preparation and all the tested parameter along with turbidity/homogeneity were compared with the changes in accelerated stability testing. The final syrup was found to have pH 4.25 and specific gravity 1.2054 g/ml. The results of stability study of the final syrup reveal that no changes were noticed in all the tested physicochemical parameter as well as turbidity/homogeneity during 24 hr, 48 hr and 72 hr.
Select the Weights of the Key Factors for Personality Traits and Leadership-Ability on Organizational Performance: A Case Study of Taiwan Publicly-Listed Construction Companies

This study aims to select the weights of the key factors regarding Personality Traits and Leadership-Ability on Organizational Performance of the publicly-listed construction companies in Taiwan. So, Taiwan publiclylisted construction company’s directors are used as the research objective. The Analytic Network Process (ANP) to analyze the correlation of each criterion, and find out the important factors of each criterion and the sequence of dominance of weights. This research findings show that the weights of key factors as for personality traits and leadership-ability upon organizational performance is found. Regardless of scholars or practitioners' perspectives, the CI values of the main target constructs and subconstructs meet the criteria less than 0.1proposed by Satty; Both scholars and practitioners' opinions on organizational performance constructs have the weights greater than 0.2. This shows that personality traits and leadership-ability can indeed affect the organizational performance of the publicly-listed construction companies in Taiwan, and the weights of the two are similar. These results can be also used as the reference for the top managing decision makers /operators of Taiwan publiclylisted construction companies as employee-training and retention decisions.
Studies on the Constituents of Asclepiadaceae Plants. XXXIX. Component of Marsdenia tomentosa DECNE : Structure of Deacetyldehydrotomentodin, 20-O-Acetylpenupogenin, Deacetylkidjoladinin, and Kidjoladinin

Four new polyoxypregnane derivatives, deacetyldehydrotomentodin (12β-O-cinnamoylutendin) (III), 20-O-acetylpenupogenin (12β-O-cinnamoyl-20-O-acetylsarcostin) (V), deacetylkidjoladinin (12β-O-tigloylsarcostin) (VIII), and kidjoladinin (12β-O-tigloyl-20-O-acetylsarcostin) (IX), were isolated from the stem of Marsdenia tomentosa DECNE. Deacetyldehydrotomentodin is the first example of a monoester possessing the utendin skeleton to be isolated from the Asclepiadaceae plants.
Analysis of magnetic point-defect relaxations in electron-irradiated magnetite

Pronounced relaxation peaks occurring in the magnetic after-effect (MAE) spectra of low-temperature electron-irradiated single-crystalline magnetite (Fe3O4) are numerically analyzed and associated with anisotropic point defect configurations. As basic defects, cation interstitials and octahedral vacancies have been identified to exist, each in two closely related configurations, giving rise to reorientation-type double peaks at 230 K (interstitials) and 300 K (vacancies). The analysis of these relaxations yields reorientation (migration) enthalpies of 0.69 eV and 0.73 eV for the interstitials and of 0.86 eV and 0.93 eV for the vacancies. The role of radiation damage for the relaxation mechanisms below the Verwey temperature (Tv = 125 K), i.e. tunnelling (4 K < T < 35 K) and hopping (45 K < T < 125 K) of electrons is discussed and a consistent recovery model, comprising all types of radiation-induced lattice defects, developed. Die ausgepragten Maxima der magnetischen Nachwirkungsspektren von einkristallinem, tieftemperatur-elektronenbestrahltem Magnetit (Fe3O4) werden numerisch ausgewertet und anisotropen Punkt-fehlerkonfigurationen zugeordnet. Als elementare Fehlstellen werden Kation-Zwischengitteratome und Leerstellen auf Oktaederplatzen, jeweils in zwei geringfugig modifizierten Konfigurationen identifiziert, die Debye-artige Doppelmaxima bei 230 K (Zwischengitteratome) und 300 K (Leerstellen) hervorrufen. Die Reorientierungs- (Wanderungs-) Enthalpien dieser Prozesse wurden zu 0,69 eV und 0,73 eV fur die Zwischengitteratome und zu 0,86 eV und 0,93 eV fur die Leerstellen bestimmt. Die Auswirkung der Strahlenschadigung auf die Relaxationsmechanismen unterhalb der Verwey-Temperatur (Tv = 125 K) - z. B. Tunneln (4 K < T < 35 K) und Hupfen (45 K < T < 125 K) von Elektronen - wird diskutiert und ein einheitliches Erholungsmodell fur alle strahlungsinduzierten Gitterfehler entwickelt.
Ability of Puccinellia ciliata to grow in a waterlogged saline environment

Potential for saline waterlogging tolerance in Puccinellia (Puccinellia ciliata Bor.) was evaluated at salinity levels of EC 0 (control), 5, 10, 20, 25 and 30 dS m'1. Fresh and dry matter, relative growth rates and root/shoot ratios of P. ciliata significantly decreased under saline waterlogged conditions. A 50% reduction occurred at the EC level of 20-25 dS nr 1, which is comparable to a range of tolerant forage crops and grasses. Tissue water content of shoots and roots of P. ciliata remained unaffected along with a low accumulation of Na+ in shoots with the increase in the root zone of salinity, which could be the main the contributing factors for its high salt tolerance. However, at the highest level of stress, salt exclusion was less effective in salt tolerance. Lower ash contents (5.2-7.3%) in the leaves of Puccinellia compared to those of salt accumulators (34-60%) suggest that Puccinellia can be grown for grazing livestock on saline waterlogged soil.
MRI atlas of human white matter

We may not be able to make you love reading, but mri atlas of human white matter will lead you to love reading starting from now. Book is the window to open the new world. The world that you want is in the better stage and level. World will always guide you to even the prestige stage of the life. You know, this is some of how reading will give you the kindness. In this case, more books you read more knowledge you know, but it can mean also the bore is full.
Relationship between viscosity change and specificity in protein binding reaction studied by high-frequency wireless and electrodeless MEMS biosensor

This study proposes a methodology for evaluating specific binding behavior between proteins using a resonance acoustic microbalance with a naked-embedded quartz (RAMNE-Q) biosensor. We simultaneously measured the frequency responses of fundamental (58 MHz) and third-order (174 MHz) modes during multi step injections of proteins and deduced the thickness and viscosity evolutions of the protein layer. The viscosity increases with the progress of the binding reaction in nonspecific binding, but it markedly decreases in specific-binding cases. Thus, the high-frequency RAMNE-Q biosensor can be a powerful tool for evaluating specificity between proteins without measuring dissipation.
MOLECULAR DOCKING STUDIES OF PHYTOCHEMICALS OF BASIL AGAINST SIRT2 AS AN ANTI-BREAST CANCER

Breast cancer is one of the most prominent types of cancer found in women, reported to have second highest number of deaths after lung cancer. One of the causes reported are improper regulation of epigenetic modifications. Sirtuin2 (SIRT2, a class3 histone deacetylase) regulates many types of diseases, including breast cancer, cellular stress, survival and damage responses. Basil is known to possess anticancer properties; however, the role of its phytochemicals against different epigenetic targets is still not very clear. We have screened various phytochemicals (mostly enriched in essential oil) of basil to define their role in breast cancer using molecular docking studies. These studies were against epigenetic target SIRT2. The results helped us to find out best candidates Methyl Cinnamate and Eucalyptol having binding energies -5.98 Kcal/Mol and -6.06 Kcal/Mol respectively for binding in the active pocket of SIRT2. The results of these studies help to understand the underlying mechanism for protective effects of basil phytochemicals against breast cancer.
Reducing cancer risks by improving organic carbon removal

A computer simulation methodology is described that examines on a case-specific basis the effect of water quality on the formation of trihalomethanes (THMs) and their associated theoretical cancer risks. The strategy of controlling organic carbon concentrations at the point of chlorination was evaluated for its ability to reduce predicted cancer incidence. In waters containing bromide, the absolute concentrations of the more brominated THMs can increase as organic carbon concentration is reduced at the point of chlorination ; total theoretical cancer risks induced by THMs, however, decreased for all water qualities considered. Reduction of THM-induced cancer risks by enhanced coagulation, granular activated carbon adsorption, and membrane filtration increased as the source water bromide concentration increased. When risks induced by haloacetic acids are considered, these technologies may achieve significantly greater levels of risk reduction than are estimated by considering THM risks only.