Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Absurdism and Generation Z Humor: the Effects of Absurdist Content on Perceived Humor Levels in Generation Z Students

This study investigated the relationship between absurd humor in meme stills and the perceived humor among Generation Z students. Students of a high school in Northeast Ohio were given one of two seemingly identical surveys, each with a selection of six memes and individual Likert scales corresponding to the presented memes. A rubric was created with guidelines for visual components that was used to assign the presented memes an absurdity score with categories of “minimal absurdism,” “semi-absurd,” and “absurd. ” Participants (n=298) were asked to rank the memes on the Likert scale ranging from a value of 1—not at all funny to a maximum value of 5—extremely funny. Following a chi-squared test, we can be over 99% confident that there is a present relationship between absurdist humor content in meme stills and how humorous they are rated by Generation Z students. These findings can be applied to the usage of memes in marketing, an ever-increasing function of meme humor, to make advertisements and communication more effective.
A Practical Approach for Dynamic Taint Tracking with Control-flow Relationships

Dynamic taint tracking, a technique that traces relationships between values as a program executes, has been used to support a variety of software engineering tasks. Some taint tracking systems only consider data flows and ignore control flows. As a result, relationships between some values are not reflected by the analysis. Many applications of taint tracking either benefit from or rely on these relationships being traced, but past works have found that tracking control flows resulted in over-tainting, dramatically reducing the precision of the taint tracking system. In this article, we introduce Conflux, alternative semantics for propagating taint tags along control flows. Conflux aims to reduce over-tainting by decreasing the scope of control flows and providing a heuristic for reducing loop-related over-tainting. We created a Java implementation of Conflux and performed a case study exploring the effect of Conflux on a concrete application of taint tracking, automated debugging. In addition to this case study, we evaluated Conflux’s accuracy using a novel benchmark consisting of popular, real-world programs. We compared Conflux against existing taint propagation policies, including a state-of-the-art approach for reducing control-flow-related over-tainting, finding that Conflux had the highest F1 score on 43 out of the 48 total tests.
Increased Anxiety and Depression Symptoms in Post-Acute Care Patients with Stroke during the COVID-19 Pandemic

This study aimed to explore the quality and stability of post-acute care for patients with stroke, including their functional outcomes, mental health and medical care in Taiwan during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this retrospective case–control study—based on propensity score matching—we assessed 11 patients admitted during the pandemic period (in 2021) and 11 patients admitted during the non-pandemic period (in 2020). Functional outcomes, including the scores of the modified Rankin Scale, Barthel Index, EuroQoL-5 Dimension, Lawton–Brody instrumental activities of daily living, Berg Balance Scale, 5-metre walking speed and 6-min walking distance, were determined. Data on the length of acute care, length of post-acute care, destination after discharge and 14-days readmission were used to evaluate the quality of medical care. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare functional performance before and after rehabilitation. The pandemic group showed no significant improvement in the scores of EuroQoL-5 Dimension, a self-reported health status assessment (p = 0.13), with the anxiety or depression dimension showing a negative effect (r = 0.21). Post-acute care programmes can efficiently improve the functional performance of patients with stroke during the COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan. Mental health should therefore be simultaneously maintained while rehabilitating physical function.
HEK293T Cells with TFAM Disruption by CRISPR-Cas9 as a Model for Mitochondrial Regulation

The mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) is considered a key factor in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number. Given that the regulation of active copies of mtDNA is still not fully understood, we investigated the effects of CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing of TFAM in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293T cells on mtDNA copy number. The aim of this study was to generate a new in vitro model by CRISPR-Cas9 system by editing the TFAM locus in HEK293T cells. Among the resulting single-cell clones, seven had high mutation rates (67–96%) and showed a decrease in mtDNA copy number compared to control. Cell staining with Mitotracker Red showed a reduction in fluorescence in the edited cells compared to the non-edited cells. Our findings suggest that the mtDNA copy number is directly related to TFAM control and its disruption results in interference with mitochondrial stability and maintenance.
Dietary Intake in the Lifelines Cohort Study: Baseline Results from the Flower Food Frequency Questionnaire among 59,982 Participants

The role of nutrition in health and disease is well established. However, more research on this topic is needed to fill gaps in our current knowledge. The Lifelines cohort study, a large Dutch prospective cohort study, was established as a resource for international researchers, aiming to obtain insight into the aetiology of healthy ageing. The study started with 167,729 participants, covering three generations, aiming to follow them for thirty years. This article describes the habitual dietary intake, assessed using the Flower Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), among Lifelines cohort study participants at baseline, stratified by sex and different categories of age, socioeconomic status (SES) and body mass index (BMI). A total of 59,982 adults (23,703 men and 36,279 women), who completed the Flower FFQ and reported plausible habitual dietary intake, were included in the analyses. Median daily energy intake was higher in men (2368 kcal) than in women (1848 kcal), as well as macronutrient intake. Energy and macronutrient intake decreased with increasing age and BMI categories; no differences were observed between SES categories. Intake of most micronutrients was higher in men than in women. Differences were observed between age categories, but not between SES and BMI categories. Food groups were consumed in different amounts by men and women; differences between age, SES and BMI categories were observed as well. The Lifelines cohort study provides extensive dietary intake data, which are generalisable to the general Dutch population. As such, highly valuable dietary intake data are available to study associations between dietary intake and the development of chronic diseases and healthy aging.
Forest-themed learning games as a context for learning via collaborative designing of crafts

This case study describes the types of learning games produced and the learning experiences of students who engaged in a project implementing the principles of learning by collaborative designing via forest-themed contextualization of crafts. The ultimate aim of this report is to describe how the project succeeded in changing the traditional instructional strategies used in craft education. This unique project was part of a craft course delivered as a component of primary school teacher education in the University of Eastern Finland. The students’ task was to design and produce a textilebased and forest-themed learning game for primary school children. The outputs of the study were the learning games produced (36 in number) and student portfolios (215 pages). The games were illustrated and the written data analyzed using the inductive content approach and a hermeneutic viewpoint as the methodological basis. The results show that the design task guided learning in a multidisciplinary manner and increased the number of tools students could use to learn crafts and produce the games. Collaboration and working in teams changed the learning process from teacherand subject-centered to process-based. Forest-themed learning games may serve as a framework for collaborative designing; the approach offers a rich and non-traditional context for learning of crafts by university students. In terms of craft education, the approach highlights the importance of collaboration, the use of process-based crafts, and the possibilities afforded to shift the focus to more participatory activities to learn generic skills.Keywords: collaborative designing, crafts, craft education, learning by designing, learning game
Intelligent Classification Model for Cashew Kernel Grades Based on Colour, Texture, and Morphological Features

In this paper, the method for building a supervised intelligent classification model for white wholes (WW) grades of cashew kernel using different images was discussed. The morphological, colour, and texture features were used to train or test different classifiers for recognition and classification. In order to achieve the best prediction accuracy, the subsets of features from feature sets were selected using a correlation-based feature selection (CFS) algorithm. In this study, the best prediction accuracy was obtained using multilayer perceptron, simple logistic, support vector machines, sequential minimal optimization, and logistic classifiers. The percentage of classification models that were correctly classified for the training/test set of WW grades ranged from 70% to 90%, and the validation set was as high as 86%. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) were used to present the studied classifier performances in recognition and classification of WW grade cashew kernels
Impact of Population Age Structure on Food Consumption Structure of Residents in Beijing

Based on the Beijing panel data from 1990 to 2019, this paper expands the traditional Almost Ideal Demand System (AIDS) model by introducing the nutritional needs indicators by age structure and quantitatively analyzes the structure and characteristics of household food consumption in Beijing. The study estimates and compares the income elasticity, price elasticity, nutritional demand elasticity of food consumption structure, and the per capita food consumption in Beijing is predicted. The results show that commodity prices and income are still the key factors affecting consumer demand. The change in the population's age structure also has a corresponding impact on the consumption structure. The consumption structure of Beijing is in the stage of optimization, and relevant departments should formulate relevant policies to increase farmers' income and stabilize prices.
MIMO CPW-Fed Bent Antenna Based USB Dongle for ECMA-368 WPANs

A multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) ultra-wideband (UWB ) printed bent antenna, suitable for MB-OFDM ECMA-368 system integration with the wireless universal serial-bus (WUSB) dongle is proposed. The antenna consists of two antenna elements with an overall area of 18 X 53 mm2. Each antenna element is a simple modified folded-monopole fed by a coplanar waveguide (CPW). The design process of proposed MIMO UWB CPW-fed bent antenna configuration is presented in four simple steps. Experimental results show that the proposed design has a good impedance bandwidth in the range of 2.95–18.55 GHz with 147.2% fractional bandwidth (FBW). Moreover, the proposed antenna enjoys, low envelope correlation coefficient (ECC), good diversity gain (DG), low total active reflection coefficient (TARC) and omnidirectional radiation patterns. The bit error rate (BER) of the overall MB-OFDM ECMA-368 system with the existence of the proposed MIMO UWB CPW-fed bent antenna is evaluated in more realistic transmission channel scenario by using the extracted transmitting and receiving UWB antennas transfer functions.
Physical effects of consciousness: the law of reproducibility

Are there really parapsychological phenomena? What forms do they take, how are they related to the well-known problem of mind and body, and to what extent is their scientific study possible? How do these questions relate to fundamental philosophical and natural-scientific principles and modern scientific data? What is the boundary between scientific and unscientific, and is it possible, without violating scientific principles, to "look" into the area where science is losing its power? It will be useful to anyone who is interested in such issues; it assumes a preliminary acquaintance of the reader with physics and philosophy in the scope of university courses.
The assessment of environmental sustainability: The role of research and development in ASEAN countries

Considering the set targets of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to increase research and development (R&D) expenditures, this study probes the long‐term and causal association between renewable energy (RE), nonrenewable energy (NRE), economic growth (GDP), and ecological footprints (EFs) in the context of the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC). Empirical evidence is based on the panel data throughout the period 1990–2016 for the selected six ASEAN economies. The Westerlund co‐integration test confirms the long‐run association between R&D, RE, NRE, GDP, and EF. The results of Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS) and Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares (DOLS) confirm the presence of EKC and show that R&D expenditures lower EF significantly. A 1% increase in R&D and RE decreases EF by 0.01% and 0.27%, respectively. Moreover, a 1% increase in GDP and NRE increases EF by 5.52% and 0.17%, respectively. This means that investment in R&D will enhance air quality by lowering EF in estimated panel countries. Moreover, NRE consumption and GDP increase EF. The panel causality results confirm the bidirectional association between GDP, RE use, R&D expenditures, and EF. To achieve a desirable goal of a clean environment, R&D expenditures hold a strong position for ASEAN countries. This finding should encourage governments to involve public and private investments in R&D programs for energy efficiency. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2022;18:1313–1320. © 2021 SETAC
Dynamics of Electrical Activity in Epileptic Brain and Induced Changes Due to Interictal Epileptiform Discharges

Background: Understanding functional connectivity (FC) patterns of epileptic brain networks as they relate to the presence or absence of interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) can enhance machine learning (ML) algorithms identifying them. Methods: Changes in brain dynamics induced by the presence of IEDs are demonstrated by constructing FC maps from scalp electroencephalography (EEG) data. The intent is to demonstrate how unique IED characteristics present in the FC maps could be useful in training ML algorithms to yield an effective IED detection process. Results: a) The active frontal-temporal (FT) region as predetermined by the neurologists during an IED segment is found to be characterized by a statistically significant increase in the average local FC over the other FT region and over FT regions with the highest average local FC when using non-IED (NIED) segments of the same patient. This statistical significance is found for the theta, alpha, and beta sub-bands. b) Distant connections coupling one region to another also show a statistically significant difference between IED and NIED segments. Depending on the IED morphology, the significant sub-band matching those findings differs from patient to patient. Hence, while the theta sub-band results in the highest area under receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC-AUC) among the rest, it is still important to include features of other sub-bands since together they yield even higher ROC-AUC. Conclusions: FC maps intrinsically reflect the significant changes occurring in the dynamics of the epileptic brain. The obtained results provide added confidence in utilizing FC maps as biomarkers for detecting IEDs.
Enhancing MEMS design using statistical process information

Micro electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) and devices are taking an increasingly active role in products ranging from automotive airbag sensors to micromirrors used in projectors. Even with the increasing use of MEMS devices, they are still largely overshadowed by their VLSI cousins. MEMS designers typically use VLSI-tuned processes to develop and even produce MEMS devices. This practice leads to a number of manufacturing tolerance related issues because the design rules used for VLSI are not always appropriate for MEMS devices. Both VLSI and MEMS devices are susceptible to mechanical variation but they have different trade-offs between dimensional control and performance. This thesis focuses on identifying and developing a methodology to tune MEMS devices to be robust to process variation and hence increase manufacturability. This goal is addressed on two fronts. First, a flexible, object oriented, process representation called the Semiconductor Process Representation (SPR) has been implemented which provides process and device designers a single representation to share fabrication process information. The use of views enables each user to see the data in a domain-specific fashion. A prototype editor has been developed to browse and modify the SPR data structure, with particular emphasis here on process variation information. SPR provides a single unified data model for design, simulation, and fabrication of MEMS and VLSI devices. Next, a methodology has been developed which reduces the sensitivity of devices to process variation. The sensitivity of minimum geometry structures to process variation has been identified as a key starting point for device enhancement. By identifying and optimizing critical geometries, a device can be efficiently optimized to be much more robust to geometric process variation. A parameterized resonator synthesis tool has been enhanced to include and test these geometric optimizations. Finally, a complete distributed system including an SPR server, editor and resonator synthesis tool has been demonstrated. This prototype system enables designers to create and fabricate robust devices based on actual process statistics. Thesis Supervisor: Duane S. Boning Title: Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. Thesis Supervisor: Donald E. Troxel Title: Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.
SI-ATRP Decoration of Magnetic Nanoparticles with PHEMA and Post-Polymerization Modification with Folic Acid for Tumor Cells’ Specific Targeting

Targeted nanocarriers could reach new levels of drug delivery, bringing new tools for personalized medicine. It is known that cancer cells overexpress folate receptors on the cell surface compared to healthy cells, which could be used to create new nanocarriers with specific targeting moiety. In addition, magnetic nanoparticles can be guided under the influence of an external magnetic field in different areas of the body, allowing their precise localization. The main purpose of this paper was to decorate the surface of magnetic nanoparticles with poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) by surface-initiated atomic transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP) followed by covalent bonding of folic acid to side groups of the polymer to create a high specificity magnetic nanocarrier with increased internalization capacity in tumor cells. The biocompatibility of the nanocarriers was demonstrated by testing them on the NHDF cell line and folate-dependent internalization capacity was tested on three tumor cell lines: MCF-7, HeLa and HepG2. It has also been shown that a higher concentration of folic acid covalently bound to the polymer leads to a higher internalization in tumor cells compared to healthy cells. Last but not least, magnetic resonance imaging was used to highlight the magnetic properties of the functionalized nanoparticles obtained.
Improving Acquisition Through Innovation in Workforce Incentives

Abstract : The DoD spends approximately $200 billion annually to develop, acquire, and sustain weapon systems. It relies on regulations, statutes, and business processes to ensure these systems are delivered cost-effectively while meeting system performance and schedule requirements. The acquisition system has delivered superior weapon systems with leading edge capabilities, providing a military advantage, but has a less-than-impressive track record for cost-effectiveness and on-schedule performance. Several approaches have been proposed, discussed, and debated to improve defense acquisition. Incentives for the workforce are chief among them. This paper proposes a model for altering the compensation structure of the workforce, tying it to the cost, performance, and schedule achievement of the programs to which the workforce is assigned. The underlying premise is that introducing an economic incentive and thereby a sense of ownership in acquisition outcomes to the workforce sector setting is critical to achieving efficiencies. This paper examines current research on financial incentives and performance improvements at the individual and organizational level as a basis for a performance-based compensation model.
Preservice Teacher Perceptions of Virtual Reading Fieldwork During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background/purpose – The COVID-19 pandemic created barriers for teacher preparation programs. Preservice teachers are typically assigned a host school and mentor where on-site, face-to-face classroom observation and teaching opportunities earn credit needed for graduation and to meet certain institutional accreditation requirements. Due to the potential for community spread of the COVID-19 virus, limited visitor numbers have been allowed into schools, and preservice teachers have largely been denied access. Materials/methods – During the COVID-19 pandemic, the pressures to master in-class teaching assessments have been unprecedented. Using an exploratory model, preservice teacher perceptions of virtual reading assessments were collected during this unusual time in order to explore gaps in the literature. The study’s participants were from the southern United States, and were seeking a degree in Elementary Education during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. The researcher created a survey which was shared across course sections. The collected data were then analyzed and sorted according to thematic findings. Results – The findings revealed that unique challenges were faced by preservice teachers during participation in a semester long virtual fieldwork requirement as part of a course in “reading assessment. ” Conclusion – Building upon international research, the study shares challenges faced during virtual reading fieldwork unique to teacher preparation during a pandemic. A need was identified for a more streamlined process addressing technology pedagogy to prepare preservice teachers during times when face-to-face, in-person K-12 classroom meetings are restricted or unavailable.
Variance and Entropy Assignment for Continuous-Time Stochastic Nonlinear Systems

This paper investigates the randomness assignment problem for a class of continuous-time stochastic nonlinear systems, where variance and entropy are employed to describe the investigated systems. In particular, the system model is formulated by a stochastic differential equation. Due to the nonlinearities of the systems, the probability density functions of the system state and system output cannot be characterised as Gaussian even if the system is subjected to Brownian motion. To deal with the non-Gaussian randomness, we present a novel backstepping-based design approach to convert the stochastic nonlinear system to a linear stochastic process, thus the variance and entropy of the system variables can be formulated analytically by the solving Fokker–Planck–Kolmogorov equation. In this way, the design parameter of the backstepping procedure can be then obtained to achieve the variance and entropy assignment. In addition, the stability of the proposed design scheme can be guaranteed and the multi-variate case is also discussed. In order to validate the design approach, the simulation results are provided to show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.