Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Acquisition of Prosodic Focus-Identification: The Role of Variation in Focus-Marking

A key discourse function that mediates between communicative context and sentence prosody in a regular — and to a large extent grammaticalized — manner is focus. The acquisition of the comprehension of prosodic focus-marking has typically been described as a protracted developmental process (esp. compared to production) (see Hornby 1971, Cruttenden 1985, Wells et al. 2004), despite children’s well-known early sensitivity to prosody. The picture, however, is far from uniform. A careful scrutiny of the literature reveals that children’s performance in comprehension experiments exhibits substantial variation depending on the task and method being used. Some recent studies suggest that if the experimental task is sufficiently simple, the ability to accurately identify focus based on its prosodic marking is in place already at an early age (Speer & Ito 2009, Höhle et al. 2009, Sekerina & Trueswell 2012, Szendrői et al. 2018). Another possible source of the variance in research outcomes may be cross-linguistic variation in the system of focus-marking across the languages that have been studied. While this factor has been explicitly addressed in the investigation of focus production (for a recent overview, see Chen 2018), it has, for the most part, been neglected in the study of focus comprehension. The goal of the present study is to explore whether and how the development of the comprehension of prosodic focus-marking may be affected by the variation found in the marking of focus across different languages. We investigate focusidentification in Hungarian, a language that not only has prosodic focus-marking, but mandatorily uses syntactic focus-marking as well. In pursuit of comparability, the experiment this paper reports on employed a task that was recently applied by Szendrői et al. (2018) in a study of English, German, and French pre-school children. Our hypothesis was that the systematic syntactic marking of focus in Hungarian diminishes the disambiguating role of prosodic marking for the child. Therefore we expected that in sentences in which syntactic focus-marking fails to
Impact of anxiety associated with COVID 19 on tinnitus

Background We investigated how the anxiety associated with COVID 19 impacts the severity of tinnitus and the outcomes of tinnitus therapy. Methods and Findings A retrospective research design was used to compare the clinical characteristics of tinnitus between patients from March to April 2020 under pandemic pressure and those from the matching period in 2019. Tinnitus severity was evaluated using the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) questionnaire and the minimum masking level (MML) measure while anxiety was quantified using the Zung Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS). The assessments were repeated after a 2-month interval, in which sound therapy was applied to a subgroup of patients. In all, 94 and 70 cases were reported in the 2020 and 2019 groups, respectively. The effects of the pandemic on emotional status were evident from a higher incidence of anxiety and much higher SAS scores in the 2020 group. There was also an increase in the THI scores in the 2020 group, but the between-year difference was smaller than that of the SAS score. Moreover, there was no between-year difference in MML or the treatment effect, as measured via both THI and MML. Furthermore, the reduction in SAS score in the second assessment was significantly smaller in the 2020 group. However, a positive correlation between the initial SAS score and the improvement was seen within the 2020 group. Conclusions Anxiety increased greatly in tinnitus subjects due to the COVID 19 pandemic. However, this was not associated with an increase in tinnitus severity in 2020. Instead, there was no between-year difference in the THI score or MML or in the improvement of either measure after treatment. The smaller improvement in SAS score and the positive correlation with the initial SAS score in the 2020 group suggests that the SAS score change in this group might largely be due to the natural relief of pressure as the pandemic decelerated in China. Therefore, the anxiety change induced by the COVID 19 pandemic is not likely to have a strong impact on tinnitus.
Mass-User Satisfaction for NFV-Based Application Specific Network

Summary By virtue of advanced virtualization approaches such as network function virtualization (NFV) or software defined network (SDN), it has been recently possible to provide valuable network services dedicated to specific applications or users. In order to support those value-added services suitably, the network must be operated and managed according to not conventional per-flow-based QoS policy but service-oriented policy. This paper discusses typical application specific networks in terms of service-oriented metrics and then proposes mass-user satisfaction as one of application-oriented metrics. The proposed mass-user satisfaction can be transparently translated into physical resource management and can be optimized suitably according to service-oriented policy specific to applications or users. This advantageous feature is revealed through simulation results of a typical network configuration.
Towards an Improved Health Service Quality Delivery and Patient Loyalty: Does Satisfaction Really Matter?

The healthcare industry in developing nations has chronicled high development rate in our current dispensation. This study sought to identify the most critical factors in hospitals related service delivery quality that will drive loyalty and hence ensure the survival and success of the hospital in the future; it ideally tested if the satisfaction of a patient had any role to play in such relationship. This study was conducted using data from (562) patients who received services from (4) four major but different private hospitals in Ghana. The five Service Quality dimensions; Tangibility, reliability, responsiveness, assurance and empathy, patient satisfaction and loyalty to the hospital were the variables well-thought-out for this study. A path analysis was done utilizing SmartPLS V3.2. 8; a second-generation multivariate data analysis method (PLSSEM) in order to compute path coefficients, direct and indirect effects of the variables on patient's satisfaction and also loyalty to the hospital. The study prompted that empathy, responsiveness and tangibility (not assurance and reliability) impact patients’ satisfaction and patient's satisfaction is directly related to patients’ loyalty to the hospital/clinic.
Activity of serine proteases from Fasciola hepatica eggs in relation to pH and temperature

This study was conducted to analyse the serine protease of Fasciola hepatica eggs by specific substrates and inhibitors, and investigation of the effects of pH and temperature on proteases’ activity and stability. Adult worms were isolated from infected livers. After homogenisation, their protein levels were measured with the Bradford method. Total proteolytic activity of the Fasciola hepatica extract was evaluated with azocasein substrate at pH values from 2 to 12. N-benzoyl–arginine–pnitroanilide (BApNA) trypsin and N-succinyl-alanine-alanine-prolin-phenylalanine-p-nitroanilide (SAAPFpNA) chymotrypsin substrates were used to measure specific protease activities. The effect of protease inhibitors phenylmethane sulfonyl fluoride (PMSF), pepsin, and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) on these enzymes was evaluated. Estimation of optimum temperature and pH was performed in the temperature range of 10–90 °C and pH values from 2–12. The optimum pH activities for trypsin and chymotrypsin were at alkaline pH and for total proteolytic activity at acidic pH. The results using protease inhibitors showed that the eggs had serine protease activity. The optimum temperature activity of trypsin and chymotrypsin was 50 °C. These proteases were stable up to 40 °C. Due to the importance of pH and temperature in life cycle of Fasciola hepatica, these findings can be used for induction of some modifications in pH and preventing the activity of the enzyme for decrement of the efficacy of embryonic development and egg hatching of this zoonotic parasite.
Corpus Augmentation for Neural Machine Translation with English-Punjabi Parallel Corpora

: Earlier research on machine translation showed that phrase -based sentence alignment approach was a robust approach for noisy text. As the data increased for low resource languages corpus-based machine translation approaches were used for aligning sentences in two different languages. The quality of a Neural Machine Translation system and Statistical Systems depends largely on the size of corpora being build. As the amount of data increased, an end to end system was used having less dependencies and low latency. This system was called as neural network machine translation system. The study described below uses different sentences and dataset’s for sentence alignment in machine translation. Comparing all the models on corpus is a long and tedious process hence we try to identify a common parameter for development of a good corpus for low resource languages and improving the accuracy of the proposed algorithm. For low resource languages, it is not the situation here, so we use a data augmentation technique that targets least occurring words in the corpus and apply statistical and neural based models on the corpus.
First-Principles Study on Electronic Structure, Elasticity, Debye Temperature and Anisotropy of Cubic KCaF3

As a potential functional material in the perovskite family, the KCaF3 on electronic structure, elasticity, Debye temperature and anisotropy are studied based on density functional theory (DFT). Above all, the structural parameters of KCaF3 crystal are optimized. Then the elastic constants and Debye temperature are calculated. The results show that: (1) KCaF3 is composed of covalent bonds, in which the Ca-F bond is stronger than K-F. (2) Ca atom mainly contributes for the electronic properties of KCaF3. (3) The structural parameters of KCaF3 is in fair agreement with the experimental data. (4) The anisotropy of KCaF3 was analyzed from the pure and quasi waves, of which the longitudinal wave velocity in the direction of [100] is the larger than the others two directions ([110] and [111]). Finally, The homogenized elastic moduli (bulk modulus B, shear modulus G, Young's modulus E), Pugh and Poisson ratio, are obtained. This research is meaningful and thus to provides a good theoretical guidance for the design the new ABX3-type material with better performance.
Synthesis and Characterization of Graphene Prepared from Rice Husk by a Simple Microwave Process

Graphene can be prepared by many methods; a simple microwave process is used in this study. The objective of this research paper is to find the best root for preparing the graphene from rice husk with the help of microwave process. In this work the Carbon source catalyst and microwave oven is used to prepare graphene. Zeta Sizer, FTIR, UV-Vis, XRD, FESEM and EDX were utilized to characterize the prepared graphene. To find the best combination of input variables that effect the crystallite size of the particle as an output variable Taguchi L9 array used. The average crystallite size 58. 01nm comes from characterization. The presence of graphene in the prepare particles is confirmed by XRD and from EDX, and FTIR.
Integration of Reduced Graphene Oxide in Platinum-Free Counter Electrode of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) is a part of the third-generation family which have been developed under substantial research for almost three decades due to their low-cost fabrication, low toxicity, and can be manufactured on the flexible substrate. However, the challenge for the improvement of current DSSC is still opened, especially in the scope of efficiency, stability, and platinum (Pt)-free counter electrode. In this work, the incorporation of solution-processed rGO as a replacement for the Pt counter electrode DSSC is demonstrated. The rGO solutions with three different concentrations (1, 3, and 5 wt%) are utilized. The highest power conversion efficiency (PCE) of about 0.1 % is displayed by 5 wt% rGO solution based devices. The results reported in this work exhibited the high potential of solution-processed rGO as an efficient alternative material in the counter electrode of DSSC.
Population characteristics of southern sea garfish (Hyporhamphus melanochir, Hemiramphidae) in South Australia

Population dynamics, demography and spatial distribution of an important species of ‘halfbeak’, the southern sea garfish (Hyporhamphus melanochir), were studied in South Australia, which accounts for most of the national catch. Commercial catch and effort data were used to indicate spatial and temporal abundance. Catch sampling provided fish measurements and estimates of age, sex and reproductive maturity. Catches were from throughout South Australia’s gulf region, but three areas separated by hundreds of kilometres produced the highest catches. These relatively protected areas support extensive beds of intertidal and subtidal seagrasses. Statewide commercial fishery catches demonstrated considerable inter-annual variation of 240–320 t year–1. Catches were dominated by 1+ and 2+ fish, with few individuals from the 3+ to 5+ age classes. Females dominated the sex ratios, were the largest individuals, and the largest from each age class. No running ripe fish were sampled. Seasonal variation in the catch and in the lack of spawning fish suggested that adults might move from fishing areas during the spawning season. Length/weight and length/age relationships did not differ between areas separated by hundreds of kilometres, suggesting large-scale movement. Possible population truncation related to fishery exploitation has prompted a stock rebuilding program for the South Australian stock.
Antioxidant Properties of Carotenoids In Vitro and In Vivo

Abstract Carotenoids are a class of natural pigments familiar to all through the orange–red to yellow colors of many fruits, vegetables, and flowers, as well as for the provitamin A activity that some of them possess. A body of scientific evidence suggests that carotenoids may scavenge and deactivate free radicals, acting thereby as antioxidants both in food systems (in vitro) and in the human organism (in vivo). Overall, epidemiological evidence links higher carotenoid intakes and tissue concentrations with reduced cancer and cardiovascular disease risk. However, research has also shown that the antioxidant activity of carotenoids may shift to a prooxidant character depending mainly on the biological environment in which they act. A summary of the antioxidant potential of natural carotenoids both in oil model systems and in vivo is presented in this article.
Potential Application of Sago Pulp Briquette for Electricity Generation Using Gasification Technology in Papua Province, Indonesia

Indonesia is a tropical country which become one of the largest producer country of biomass especially from agricultural and forestry sector. One of the biomass source that has not been widely utilized is sago. Sago is an alternative source of carbohydrates besides rice, especially in the eastern region such as Papua. The potential of sago in Papua was 66,593 tons in 2018. This potential produces sago waste from processing sago starch, which can pollute the environment. Utilization of sago waste in the form of sago production waste as a source of biomass for electricity generation is an alternative solution. The result shows that sago pulp can be processed into briquettes with the calorific value of 6,327.4 kcal/kg – 6,946.7 kcal/kg. Sago production waste generated from the processing of sago starch is 14% so that the daily waste potential is 25.54 tons/day. Based on this potential, OWRS technology using pyrolysis-gasification obtained 6.6 tons/day of sago charcoal briquettes. The potential of heat energy was 42.03 Gcal/day. The potential of electricity that can be produced with updraft-fixed bed gasification from sago charcoal briquettes was 5.18 MWh. The theoretical power is 2.03 MW with an output power of 215.83 kW at 11% efficiency.
Genetic Characterization and Dollar Spot Fungus Susceptibility in Accessions of Festuca rubra from Northern Spain

The objective of the present study was to characterize the diversity of 15 Festuca rubra accessions collected from northern Spain on the basis of amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and flow cytometry variation. Additionally, all accessions along with the cultivar Wilma (Festuca nigresceus ssp. nigrescens) were evaluated for susceptibility to one isolate of dollar spot fungus (Sclerotinia homoeocarpa F.T. Bennett) collected in Asturias. Five AFLP primer combinations of EcoRI and MseI produced 980 bands; 82.3% were polymorphic and used for analysis. The best combination of primers was EcoRI-AGC+MseI-CAG, because these displayed the highest degree of polymorphism. Jaccard's similarity coefficients between accessions varied from 0.30 to 0.63 and revealed low genetic similarity. Both the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean dendrogram and principal coordinate analysis distinguished two groups of accessions. Genetic variability in these accessions was not related to the geographic origin or to the agronomic data. Three accessions exhibited moderate resistance to dollar spot disease and may be valuable parent material for introducing this resistance in other susceptible cultivars.
Nanoparticles for human liver-specific drug and gene delivery systems: in vitro and in vivo advances

A wide variety of nanoparticles (NPs) that can deliver incorporated therapeutic materials such as compounds, proteins, genes and siRNAs to the human liver have been developed to treat liver-related diseases. This review describes NP-based drug and gene delivery systems such as liposomes (including lipoplex), polymer micelles, polymers (including polyplex) and viral vectors. It focuses upon the modification of these NPs to enhance liver specificity or delivery efficiency in vitro and in vivo. We discuss recent advances in drug and gene delivery systems specific to the human liver utilizing bio-nanocapsules comprising hepatitis B virus (HBV) envelope L protein, which has a pivotal role in HBV infection. These NP-based medicines may offer novel strategies for the treatment of liver-related diseases and contribute to the development of nanomedicines targeting other tissues.
The Background to Superplastic Forming and Opportunities Arising from New Developments

The occurrence of superplastic flow in metals has a long history but it is only over the last three or four decades that it was recognized that this process provides an opportunity for fabricating complex parts, especially curved panels, that may be used in a wide range of industrial applications. In practice, this use is dependent upon the high strain rate sensitivity of ~0.5 which is an inherent feature of true superplastic flow but in practice excellent forming may be achieved also through the use of metals deforming within the range of dislocation glide where the strain rate sensitivity is close to 0.3. New possibilities have arisen over the last two decades with the demonstrations that exceptionally refined microstructures, usually within the submicrometer or even the nanometer range, may be prepared from a wide range of commercial alloys through the application of severe plastic deformation in which the material is subjected to a very high strain without any significant changes in the overall dimensions of the sample. This presentation examines these historical developments and describes the new processing procedures that provide new opportunities within the field of superplastic forming.
The developing pattern of damage in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) due to the combined stresses of salinity and hypoxia : experiments under controlled conditions suggest a methodology for plant selection

The response of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Gamenya) to the interaction of salinity and hypoxia was examined by growing plants under glasshouse conditions in salinised nutrient solutions bubbled with air or N2 gas. Expts 1 and 2 examined the effects of 7 days of salinity and hypoxia on young (13n20-day-old) plants. These exper- iments showed that (a) hypoxia substantially increased net rates of Na + and Cl n uptake to the shoots, (b) hypoxia increased Na + and Cl n concentrations in the expanded leaves but not in the expanding leaf, and (c) these changes preceded adverse effects on shoot growth. Expt 3 considered the effects of longer term hypoxia and salinity on growth (production of leaves on the main culm, shoot ethanol-insoluble dry weight). Plants were grown for 33 days in aerated or hypoxic solutions contain- ing up to 60 mol/m 3 of NaCl (at which time Harvest 1 was taken). Some plants were then transferred back into aerated solutions for a further 13 days to assess recovery from hypoxia (at which time Harvest 2 was taken). For plants grown in aerated solutions, rates of leaf production exceeded rates of leaf senescence at all salt concentra- tions tested. In contrast, with plants grown in hypoxic solutions, rates of leaf production only exceeded rates of senescence with 0 and 15 mol/m 3 of NaCl. The plants grown in aerated solutions had 1.4n2. 8-fold increases in ethanol-insoluble dry weight over the 13 days between Harvests 1 and 2 at all salt concentrations tested. In contrast, with the plants grown in hypoxic solutions, increases only occurred in shoot ethanol-insoluble dry weight for plants grown with 0 and 15 mol/m 3 of NaCl. At higher salt concentrations, the shoots were moribund. The results are discussed in terms of the sequence of damage that occurs in wheat following the onset of salinity and hypoxia, and the implications of these observations for the selection of cereals with tolerance to salt and water- logging in the field.
Preparation of Functionalized Graphene Multilayer Composite Films Supported Pt Catalyst and its Electro-Oxidation for Methanol

The multilayer composite films consisting of poly (diallyldimethylammonium chloride) functionalized graphene (PDDA-rGO) and phosphomolybdic acid functionalized graphene (PMo12-rGO) were prepared by layer-by-layer self-assembly method. The {PDDA-rGO/PMo12-rGO}n multilayer composite films were used as a support for electro-deposition of Pt particles in situ. Cyclic voltammetry (CV), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy were employed for examining the composition, structure, and morphology of the catalyst. Results revealed that the Pt/{PDDA-rGO/PMo12-rGO}n catalyst is successfully prepared and that the multilayer composite films support improves the dispersion of the Pt particles. CV and chronoamperometry were employed to evaluate the electrocatalytic performance for methanol oxidation. Results revealed that the electrocatalytic activity and stability of the Pt/{PDDA-rGO/PMo12-rGO}3 catalyst for methanol oxidation are considerably improved in comparison with that of the Pt/GCE catalyst. The current density for the oxidation of methanol increased from 0.66 mA/cm2 to 1.21 mA/cm2. In addition, the ratio of the forward current density to the backward current density (If/Ib) was 1.92 for Pt/{PDDA-rGO/PMo12-rGO}3 catalyst, corresponding to 1.3 times that of the Pt/GCE catalyst. This result indicated that the multilayer composite films remarkably enhanced the electrocatalytic activity regarding methanol oxidation.