Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
HUMAN CENTRED TECHNOLOGY WORKSHOP 2003

This paper reports on a study of individual differences in the external representation (ER) selection behavior of participants on a range of database query tasks like comparing, ranking and clustering. Participants were provided with a choice of information-equivalent data representations and selected one of these for use in answering an individual database query task, having previously been divided into two groups on the basis of a pre-experimental task (card sort) designed to assess knowledge of external ERs. The results show that the groups differ most in terms of representation selection on difficult tasks like clustering. Participants in the low group tended to change from more ‘graphical’ to less complex representations. In contrast, high ER knowledge group were able to successfully use a wider range of ER types. Introduction External representations (ERs) such as diagrams (graphs), text (notes, lists) and hybrid forms (tables, concept maps) are powerful aids to reasoning and problem solving. This has been established in various domains including analogical reasoning, vector arithmetic, algebra, word problems, and logical and analytical reasoning (e.g. Blackwell (2001), Cox & Brna (1995), Cox (1997), Glasgow et al. (1995), Larkin (1987), Stenning (2002)). Successful use of ERs depends upon skillful matching of a particular representation with the demands of the task. Day (1988) and Norman (1993) provide numerous examples of how a good fit between a task’s demands and particular representations can facilitate search and read-off of information. Vessey (1991) provides a review of studies that show that tasks involve perceiving relationships in data or making associations are best supported by graphs whereas ‘point value’ read-off is better facilitated by tabular representations. This paper is based on a study of participants’ ability to select appropriate ERs, in the form of digital data displays, for use in answering database query tasks. The tasks were based on a database of information about cars including fuel efficiency, engine size, CO2 emissions, etc. Participants were presented with a range of different task types, for example identify a single entity, spot clusters, compare entities on one or dimensions, etc., over 25 trials. Each trial consisted of one task type from the set associate, cluster, compare, correlate, distinguish, identify, locate, rank. On each trial, subjects were asked to choose the particular data display they felt would be most useful for answering the query. The options were presented as an array of display-type icons (table, scatter plot, bar chart, etc.). When a choice was made, an automated information visualization engine (AIVE) then instantiated the chosen representational form with the data needed to answer the task. Each query (task) could potentially be answered with any of the display options offered, but each task type had an 'optimal' display type. Figure 1 shows the different types of representations that AIVE generates.
Improving Student Geometry Problem-Solving Skills Through Spatial Training

Problem-solving is an integral part of learning mathematics, and geometry is one of the basic subjects of mathematics. However, students' geometric problem -solving skills are relatively lacking due to some factors, including spatial skills. There is a significant relationship between spatial skills and problem -solving. Therefore, spatial training needs to be implemented in schools to improve students' geometric problem -solving skills. This study aimed to determine the improvement of students' geometric problem -solving skills through spatial training. The research employed a quantitative method. The participants were 8th -grade students from one of the junior high schools which consisted of 30 students. The research instrument was a test of geometry problem -solving skills. Data on students' geometry problem-solving skills were analysed using paired t-test and normalised N-gain. The results showed that there was an increase in students' geometric problem-solving skills through spatial training. It can be said that spatial training can improve students' geometry problem -solving skills. This research implies that spatial training can be carried out ongoingly to achieve better learning outcomes.
A Review on Syphilis: Clinical Manifestation and Epidemiology

Syphilis is a persistent infection caused by the bacteria Treponema pallidum prevalent in low-income countries but rare in middle- and high-income countries. T. pallidum is known for its invasiveness and immune evasion; its clinical symptoms are produced by local inflammatory responses to replicating spirochetes and are often confused with other diseases. The spirochete has a prolonged latent phase in which people might be infected even if they don't display any symptoms. Individuals, as well as the entire population, are affected by the sickness. Only one drug, penicillin, is recommended for the treatment of syphilis, and response to therapy is evaluated by changes in serological test titers over months. Despite the availability of simple diagnostic tests and the effectiveness of treatment with a single dose of long-acting penicillin, syphilis is emerging as a global public health problem. This is especially true among guys in high- and middle-income countries who have sex with men. Even though syphilis is a long-standing disease with well-established treatment ideas, diagnosis and therapy can be difficult due to the wide variety of symptoms and the difficulty of interpreting serological tests. The World Health Organization (WHO) has set a target of lowering syphilis incidence by 90% by 2030, but progress is slow. Countries can reduce the prevalence of syphilis by ensuring detection, treatment, and referral of infections by partners.
Callus Formation and Regeneration Tendency of Justicia vasica Nees under Saline Conditions

Salinity is one of the major environmental threats to plants because a large number of plants are intolerant to NaCl stress. One such plant, Justicia vasica, which is the subject of our study, is said to have great medicinal properties. However, the natural occurrence and cultivation of this species has been constrained due to various factors including its poor seed germination rate under its normal conditions of habitat, and a low availability of seeds. This study was undertaken to examine the efficiency of callus formation and regenerative tendencies of Justicia vasica under saline conditions. The leaf, shoot tips and inter nodal cuttings were employed for this study using MS media formulated with several concentrations of different kinds of hormonal combinations. This study also tested the effects of different concentrations of NaCl on callus induction and growth. Each experiment was conducted thrice with 12 replicates. A superior level of callus formation was achieved by treating shoot tips with 2.0 mg/l α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and 0.5 mg/l 6-benzyladenine purine (BAP) in combination. From this study, it was concluded that there was no inhibitory action from the medium supplemented with 0.05 mg/l NaCl. The optimal hormonal combination also exhibited highest rate of callus induction and growth with 0.05 mg/l NaCl added. There was no callus necrosis at this saline concentration after 60 days of inoculation. Furthermore, some somatic embryogenic callus displayed the organogenesis of leaf like structures after 75 days of inoculation. The development of salinity tolerance of plants by genetic application has been a vital area on modern agriculture as well as medicinal plant research because more land has been salinized through poor local irrigation practices. The present investigation assumed that the NaCl tolerance of this plant could be effectively obtained in vitro.
Comparison of vertical and extended vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous flaps. An anatomical study

Abstract The extended vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous (eVRAM) flap has been proposed for reconstruction of large pelviperineal defects where traditional VRAM flap could be insufficient. To compare the dimensions of VRAM and eVRAM flaps an anatomical study was performed. Ten VRAM and ten eVRAM flaps were dissected in ten fresh adult cadavers. Length, width and volume of all the flaps were measured. Length and volume were significantly larger in eVRAM flap compared to VRAM flap (36.55 cm vs. 30.15, p=.005; and 315.5 vs. 244 mL, p=.012, respectively). No differences were observed in flap width. The eVRAM flap could be a better option than traditional VRAM for reconstruction of big pelviperineal defects when bulkier tissue, larger skin paddle and/or longer arch of rotation are needed for reconstruction.
Microservices Bad Smells and Automated Detection Tools

Microservice architectural style is becoming popular in the development of modern applications, but symptoms of good software quality still remain. Code smells and architectural smells (called Bad smells) are identifiable characteristics in software indicating a poor design which might affect the maintainability and understandability. The goal of this master thesis proposal is to present the plan of a review of the literature on the subject of Microservice BadSmells (MBS) and related MBS detection tools (MBSDT), consolidating the knowledge by compiling a full characterized data set of current identified MBS and evaluate the effectiveness of related existing detection tools.
Estimation of the Young’s Modulus of Nanometer-Thick Films Using Residual Stress-Driven Bilayer Cantilevers

Precise prediction of mechanical behavior of thin films at the nanoscale requires techniques that consider size effects and fabrication-related issues. Here, we propose a test methodology to estimate the Young’s modulus of nanometer-thick films using micromachined bilayer cantilevers. The bilayer cantilevers which comprise a well-known reference layer and a tested film deflect due to the relief of the residual stresses generated during the fabrication process. The mechanical relationship between the measured residual stresses and the corresponding deflections was used to characterize the tested film. Residual stresses and deflections were related using analytical and finite element models that consider intrinsic stress gradients and the use of adherence layers. The proposed methodology was applied to low pressure chemical vapor deposited silicon nitride tested films with thicknesses ranging from 46 nm to 288 nm. The estimated Young’s modulus values varying between 213.9 GPa and 288.3 GPa were consistent with nanoindentation and alternative residual stress-driven techniques. In addition, the dependence of the results on the thickness and the intrinsic stress gradient of the materials was confirmed. The proposed methodology is simple and can be used to characterize diverse materials deposited under different fabrication conditions.
MiR‐3017b contributes to metamorphosis by targeting sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase in Tribolium castaneum

In recent years, increasing numbers of microRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported to regulate insect metamorphosis. One thousand, one hundred fifty‐four miRNAs have been previously identified from Tribolium castaneum by high‐throughput sequencing; however, little is known about which miRNAs can participate in metamorphosis, leaving the role of miRNAs in regulating the underlying mechanism elusive. Here, we report the participation of miR‐3017b in the metamorphosis of T. castaneum. Temporal profiles revealed that miR‐3017b was highly expressed at the late larval stage, but significantly decreased at the early pupal stage. Overexpression of miR‐3017b caused larval to pupal to adult metamorphosis arrested. Dual‐luciferase reporter assay and miRNA–mRNA interaction assay illustrated that miR‐3017b interacts with the coding sequence of sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA) and suppresses its expression. Knockdown of SERCA caused metamorphosis arrested, similar to that observed in miR‐3017b overexpression beetles. Further functional mechanism analyses revealed that 20‐hydroxyecdysone application downregulates miR‐3017b and up‐regulates SERCA expression. The expression level of downstream genes in the 20E pathway was disrupted after overexpressing miR‐3017 and the knockdown of SERCA. These results provided evidence miR‐3017b‐SERCA contributes to metamorphosis by regulating the 20E pathway in T. castaneum. It could advance our understanding of the coordination of 20E and miRNA regulation in insect metamorphosis.
The Study on Digital Marketing Influences on Sales for B2B Start-Ups in South Asia

South Asia has seen a digital revolution in recent years. The number of persons who use the internet has risen drastically. They use it for shopping, social media and online sales. However, there exists a literature gap as far as the effect of outbound digital marketing in B2B markets is concerned. The research builds a model based on brand and consumer interactions in Indian B2B markets using a vector autoregressive model to systemically analyze the cost and outcome of digital marketing efforts by the start-ups operating in South Asia. The multivariate time series analyzed in identifying simultaneous and consistent impacts by the start-ups. We use Vector autoregressive model as it allows us to analyse the relationship among the factors as it changes over time. The research finds evidence for the conceptual framework in South Asian markets. The results prove that sales are greatly influenced by digital media, and outbound marketing efforts, predominantly word of mouth, has a huge impact in building a brand image as it spread over in the social media platforms. It is observed that the digital marketing strategies and consumer interaction are the same across South Asia, but its effect varies from country to country within South Asia thus suggesting a need of developing a new strategy in digital marketing for B2B markets.
Turbulence structure of a model seagrass meadow

A laboratory study of the hydrodynamics of a seagrass meadow was conducted to investigate the effect of water depth and velocity variations during a tidal cycle on the mean and turbulent velocity fields in and above the vegetation layer. The principal goal was to characterize the turbulence structure of a depth-limited canopy, a gap that presently exists in the knowledge concerning the interaction of a unidirectional flow with an assemblage of plants. The experiments were carried out in an open channel flume with a model seagrass canopy. Proper modeling of the system for both the geometric and dynamic behavior of natural Zostera marina communities allows the results to be e~1rapolated to the conditions in a coastal, tidal meadow. The results also serve as an important comparative case to the characterization of turbulence within atmospheric plant canopies. The laboratory study included the measurement of the mean and turbulent velocity fields with the use of an acoustic Doppler velocimeter and a laser Doppler velocimeter. Standard turbulence parameters were evaluated including the velocity moments, the turbulence spectra. the turbulent kinetic energy budget and the quadrant distribution of the Reynolds stress. Each of these provided a means of describing the effect of submergence depth and the degree of canopy waving (monami) on the transport of momentum and mass between the canopy and its surrounding fluid environment. In addition. surface slope measurements were made with surface displacement gauges. the plant motion was quantified using video and camera images. and the canopy morphology was recorded from measurements taken from a random sampling of the model plants. The investigation showed a clear link between the shear generated eddies arising at the interface of the canopy and the surface layer and the vertical exchange of momentum. the plant motion characteristics and the turbulence time and length scales. The turbulence field within the seagrass meadow was composed of a shear-generated turbulence zone near the canopy height and a wake-generated zone near the bed In addition. a mean flow due to the pressure gradient from the water surface slope created a region of secondary maxima in the mean velocity profile near the bed. The parameter determining the seagrass turbulence structure was found to be the characteristic depth (H}l). defined such that the effective canopy height h. reflects the plant deflection. Across the range of values considered for H/h. the flow characteristics showed a clear transition from a confined to an unbounded canopy flow. This transition was observed in all the principal turbulence parameters. From this analysis. a critical surface layer depth governing the transition between the two extreme canopy flow conditions was identified as half the effective canopy height. H'h = 1.50. Thesis Supervisor: Heidi M. Nepf Title: Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering
An Innovative EHD Conduction Pumping Design for Swirl Flow Generation

Electrohydrodynamics (EHD) offers a variety of methods for enhancing heat transfer, including dielectric fluid pumping and vapor extraction. EHD is characterized by the interaction between fluid flows and electric fields. One such method of pumping is EHD conduction pumping, which takes advantage of the accumulation of heterocharge layers near the electrodes to create a coulomb force which drives the liquid. Existing EHD conduction pump designs have utilized a perforated electrode, a single channel with multiple electrode pairs, or various in-plane designs. A new EHD conduction pump design with helical electrodes inside a circular tube is proposed. A 3D numerical model of the design is developed and used to explore the performance of the pump. Results for static pressure generation, flow generation, and resultant rotational flow are presented. This design is of particular interest, for its potential enhancement of heat and mass transfer and for applications of mixing. It also has potential benefits for manufacturability due to continuous wrapped electrodes rather than multiple electrode pairs.
Safe control of nonlinear systems in LPV framework using model-based reinforcement learning

This paper presents a safe model-based reinforcement learning (MBRL) approach to control nonlinear systems described by linear parameter-varying (LPV) models. A variational Bayesian inference Neural Network (BNN) approach is first employed to learn a state-space model with uncertainty quantification from input-output data collected from the system; the model is then utilised for training MBRL to learn control actions for the system with safety guarantees. Specifically, MBRL employs the BNN model to generate simulation environments for training, which avoids safety violations in the exploration stage. To adapt to dynamically varying environments, knowledge on the evolution of LPV model scheduling variables is incorporated in simulation to reduce the discrepancy between the transition distributions of simulation and real environments. Experiments on a parameter-varying double integrator system and a control moment gyroscope (CMG) simulation model demonstrate that the proposed approach can safely achieve desired control performance.
eHealth Literacy Among Health Sciences Students in Greece

eÎŮealth literacy is a necessary skill to find and make good use of online health information. However, the general public lacks this skill; it is essential for future health professionals to be able to guide and facilitate the public. The study aimed to examine the perceived eHealth literacy level of health sciences students in Greece. A cross-sectional, online survey was conducted (N=113 students). The questionnaire included socio-demographic data and the eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS). Participants' mean eHEALS score was 31.9 with medicine and dentistry students having the highest score (33.7) and other health and caring sciences students the lowest (29.8). There was no statistically significant difference at eHEALS score among participants of different academic year. However, there was a statistically significant difference at eHEALS score among University Departments (p=0.009). Further research in representative samples is required to assess specific needs and improve current educational curricula.
Fractional Vegetation Cover Derived from UAV and Sentinel-2 Imagery as a Proxy for In Situ FAPAR in a Dense Mixed-Coniferous Forest?

The fraction of absorbed photosynthetic active radiation (FAPAR) is an essential climate variable for assessing the productivity of ecosystems. Satellite remote sensing provides spatially distributed FAPAR products, but their accurate and efficient validation is challenging in forest environments. As the FAPAR is linked to the canopy structure, it may be approximated by the fractional vegetation cover (FCOVER) under the assumption that incoming radiation is either absorbed or passed through gaps in the canopy. With FCOVER being easier to retrieve, FAPAR validation activities could benefit from a priori information on FCOVER. Spatially distributed FCOVER is available from satellite remote sensing or can be retrieved from imagery of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) at a centimetric resolution. We investigated remote sensing-derived FCOVER as a proxy for in situ FAPAR in a dense mixed-coniferous forest, considering both absolute values and spatiotemporal variability. Therefore, direct FAPAR measurements, acquired with a Wireless Sensor Network, were related to FCOVER derived from UAV and Sentinel-2 (S2) imagery at different seasons. The results indicated that spatially aggregated UAV-derived FCOVER was close (RMSE = 0.02) to in situ FAPAR during the peak vegetation period when the canopy was almost closed. The S2 FCOVER product underestimated both the in situ FAPAR and UAV-derived FCOVER (RMSE > 0.3), which we attributed to the generic nature of the retrieval algorithm and the coarser resolution of the product. We concluded that UAV-derived FCOVER may be used as a proxy for direct FAPAR measurements in dense canopies. As another key finding, the spatial variability of the FCOVER consistently surpassed that of the in situ FAPAR, which was also well-reflected in the S2 FAPAR and FCOVER products. We recommend integrating this experimental finding as consistency criteria in the context of ECV quality assessments. To facilitate the FAPAR sampling activities, we further suggest assessing the spatial variability of UAV-derived FCOVER to benchmark sampling sizes for in situ FAPAR measurements. Finally, our study contributes to refining the FAPAR sampling protocols needed for the validation and improvement of FAPAR estimates in forest environments.
The Dynamic Linkage Among Bitcoin, Clean Energy and Stock Market: Evidence by TVP-VAR

This paper analyses the return and realized volatility spillovers among Bitcoin, wilder hill clean energy index (ECO), S&P 500 as conventional stocks and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) from 11/11/2013 to 30/09/2021. We investigate the transmission mechanism with Time-Varying Parameter Vector Auto regression (TVP-VAR). Our findings indicate that stock markets such as clean energy and conventional transmit return shocks to Bitcoin and oil and receive volatility shocks from Bitcoin and oil. In addition, during non-crisis periods, Bitcoin and other financial markets are weakly related; but, during crisis periods, such as the great cryptocurrency crash in 2018 and the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, their connection increases significantly.