Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Development Of A Concept Inventory To Assess Students’ Understanding And Reasoning Difficulties About The Properties And Formation Of Stars

"Stars are one of the most frequently covered topics in introductory astronomy classes. From a constructivist framework, one must know what conceptions students bring with them to the classroom in order to effectively facilitate deep conceptual learning about stars. This study investigated the beliefs about stars that students hold when they enter an introductory astronomy course and used that information to develop a concept inventory that can be used to assess those beliefs pre- and post-instruction. First, students’ pre-instructional beliefs were investigated through the use of student-supplied-response (SSR) surveys, which asked students to describe their ideas about topics such as what is a star, how is starlight created, how are stars formed, are all stars the same, and more. More than 2,200 students participated in this portion of the study over four semesters. Responses were inductively analyzed in an iterative process and coded for themes. Calculated frequencies show that although many students (80%) know that stars are made of gas, a third to half of the participants (32-44%, depending upon the question) believe that starlight is created (or energy otherwise emitted) as a result of the star burning. Nuclear fusion, the true energy source in stars, is identified by fewer than 10% of the students. Interviews with seven volunteers confirmed that the responses seen on the SSR surveys were consistent with verbal explanations. The second portion of the study involved the design and testing of the Star Properties Concept Inventory. After item development and testing on Versions 1 and 2, interviews with 18 participants about their responses to Version 1, and an expert review by 26 volunteer astronomy instructors, Version 3 was created and tested during the Fall 2005 semester. Results from approximately 500 students who took Version 3 show that those students in an introductory astronomy course for nonscience majors increased their scores significantly over the semester, whereas a control group (students in an introductory earth science course for nonscience majors) showed no increase. These results support the purpose of this concept inventory to investigate the effectiveness of instruction on the topic of star properties and formation. "
Fast Chromatographic Determination of Free Amino Acids in Bee Pollen

The consumption of bee pollen has increased in the last few years due to its nutritional and health-promoting properties, which are directly related to its bioactive constituents, such as amino acids. Currently, there is great interest in understanding the role of these in bee products as it provides relevant information, e.g., regarding nutritional value or geographical and botanical origins. In the present study, two fast chromatographic methods were adapted based on commercial EZ:faast™ kits for gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry for determining free amino acids in bee pollen. Both methods involved the extraction of amino acids with water, followed by a solid phase extraction to eliminate interfering compounds, and a derivatization of the amino acids prior to their chromatographic separation. The best results in terms of run time (<7 min), matrix effect, and limits of quantification (3–75 mg/kg) were obtained when gas chromatography–mass spectrometry was employed. This latter methodology was applied to analyze several bee pollen samples obtained from local markets and experimental apiaries. The findings obtained from a statistical examination based on principal component analysis showed that bee pollen samples from commercial or experimental apiaries were different in their amino acid composition.
High-speed videomicroscopy of sheared carbonyl iron suspensions

The postyield rheological regime is investigated in sheared magnetic field-responsive composites (i.e. carbonyl iron based magnetorheological fluids). When subjected to uniaxial DC fields, high-speed videomicroscopy techniques and dedicated image analysis tools demonstrate that dispersed magnetic microparticles self-assemble to form concentric layered patterns above a particular shear rate ( γ˙R,c ). This critical shear rate for layer formation is dictated by a critical Mason number Mnc∼ 1 that is associated to the destruction of the last doublet in the chain-like aggregates. The number of layers, mean width, percentage of occupation and mean period are found to be very weakly dependent on the shear rate in start-up shearing flow tests. Experimental data for the mean period are in good agreement with an energy minimization theory.
The Boundaries of Affectivity (and a Coda on Extended Consciousness)

In this contribution I will offer a rough guide through “situated affectivity”, a small galaxy of theories, ideas, intuitions which are recently growing at the boundaries between philosophy of emotion, philosophy of mind, philosophy of cognitive science. In the last years, we are witnessing a real “affective turn” in the domain of analytic philosophy of mind and cognitive science, and situated affectivity is an excellent example of what is going on in the field. In the first part, I will present the main versions of situated affectivity, distinguishing between the ideas of situated or scaffolded emotions (Griffi-ths, Scarantino 2009; Colombetti, Krueger 2015) and properly extended emotions (Carter et al. 2016; Colombetti, Roberts 2015), and showing their link to the corresponding idea of the mind: scaffolded, extended or otherwise. In the second part, I will further explore the connection between situated affectivity and the domain of extended mind: I will argue that, even if situated affectivity could be in principle evaluated independently from any particular theory about the mind, dealing with situated affectivity is, beside its independent interest, also a good way to tackle an unsettled problem in the literature on extended mind, namely extended consciousness.
Quality Assurance Practices in Continuous Delivery - an implementation in Big Data Domain

This paper provides the details about the Quality Assurance practices and techniques to be followed by the QA professional (also called SQA-Software Quality Assurance) in continuous delivery mode of software development. QA professionals are responsible for the process definition, audit, training and other assurance activites in the project. The paper provides a QA model named 'ACID-QA' model which comprises of key practices which can be used by the QA professional in continuous delivery mode of software development. The objective of the 'ACID-QA' model is to provide a working model for the SQA which can be used during the planning, requirement, design, coding, testing, continuous integration, audit and release activities of the project. The paper provides an overview of each of the practice areas of the model in the further sections. This model is implemented in Big Data Hadoop File system and Map Reduce and it is found that the product quality issues found by SQA Professionals are improved by 100%. The audit findings are further detailed down in the paper.
Project-based learning as a tool for bullying prevention (Aprendizaje basado en proyectos como herramienta para prevenir el acoso escolar)

ABSTRACT Bullying is one of the biggest problems faced by schools. Approaching this problem is complex, due to the multiplicity of factors that influence it. Anti-bullying programmes show moderate levels of effectiveness, and their application generates economic and time costs that are sometimes difficult to assume. The Project Based Learning (PBL) methodology, in addition to improving academic performance, could have a positive impact on the improvement of interpersonal relationships. School mediation and PBL owe their success to common factors such as cooperation, negotiation, emotion management, self-knowledge and knowledge of peers, among others. That is why we believe that PBL methodology could contribute to the improvement of school climate and prevent bullying, being a potential ally of traditional mediation programmes.
Role of Branched-Chain Amino Acids and Their Derivative β-Hydroxy-β-Methylbutyrate in Liver Cirrhosis

Branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) supplementation is used to promote protein synthesis in different clinical conditions in which proteolysis is increased. In addition, lower plasma BCAA levels have been related to an increased risk of hepatic encephalopathy in liver cirrhosis. In this article we will review the role of supplementation with BCAAs and BCAA derivative β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) in liver cirrhosis, focusing on nutritional and clinical effects. Evidence shows that BCAA supplementation slightly increases muscle mass and body mass index, with an upward trend in muscular strength and no change in fat mass. Moreover, BCAA supplementation improves symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy, and is indicated as second-line therapy. The evidence is more limited for BCAA derivatives. HMB supplementation appears to increase muscle mass in chronic diseases associated with cachexia, although this effect has not yet been clearly demonstrated in liver cirrhosis studies. To date, HMB supplementation has no clinical indication in liver cirrhosis.
A Novel Continuum Robot With Stiffness Variation Capability Using Layer Jamming: Design, Modeling, and Validation

This paper presents a novel continuum robot (OctRobot-I) that has controllable stiffness variation capability in both the transverse and axial directions. Robot design, stiffness variation analysis and experimental testing are discussed in detail. Stiffness models based on the Euler-Bernoulli beam theory are developed, and then four static deflection cases are analysed. Experiments are conducted with two types of layer jamming sheaths (overlap numbers <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$n =3$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, 5) and four different vacuum pressures (0kPa, 25kPa, 50kPa, 75kPa) at three different bending angles (0°, 90°, 180°). The results demonstrate that the stiffness changing tendency is in compliance with the derived models and show that the robot has a good stiffness variable capability. With the jamming sheath of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$n =3$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, the stiffness ranges (ratios) are 36.4 to 241.7 N/m (6.6) and 92.9 to <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$19.3\times 10^{3}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> N/m (207.8) in the transverse and axial directions, respectively. With the jamming sheath of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$n =5$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, the stiffness ranges (ratios) are 65.7 to 398.3 N/m (6.1) and 106.7 to <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$20.8\times 10^{3}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> N/m (194.9) in the transverse and axial directions, respectively. Additionally, the actuating and gripping experiments demonstrate that this robot has good performance in real-world applications.
Hodgkin-Huxley Verilog-A Electrical Neuron Membrane Model

This paper presents the complete design and electrical characterization of a SPICE model emulating the neuron membrane electrochemical behaviour. This constitutes an easy-to-use and compact tool that predicts action potential time-domain evolution, identifying the minimum input charge/second threshold that induces neuron electrical firing. Specifically, the cell membrane ionic channels are described by custom components in the Verilog-A Hardware Description Language. By stimulating the model using fast electrical charge pulses, it is possible to obtain action potentials signals perfectly consistent with the mathematical model based on Hodgkin-Huxley equations (or with electrochemical behaviour of the neuron cell membrane). The neuron circuit was validated by extensive transient simulations in Cadence. This tool, therefore, allows developing custom hardware for Neuroscience and Artificial Intelligence by easily integrating and simulating the biological environment in Electronic Design Automation (EDA) software.
EXISTENCE RESULT FOR THE BOUNDARY LAYER OF TRIPLE DECK TYPE WITH KNOWN DISPLACEMENT

We give the formulation of the boundary layer problem of triple deck type with a known displacement in von Mises variables. The condition associated with the displacement is transformed into a nonlocal condition. We introduce an appropriate method to prove the existence of a solution. It relies on a semi-discrete problem in which the pressure gradients are considered as a parameter. We prove the existence of a solution of the von Mises problem for Lipschitzian nondecreasing displacements. We can apply the inverse von Mises transform using an original expression of y and we prove that the functions u, v, p satisfy the system in physical variables except v(x, 0) = 0 because of a lack of regularity. We obtain all the asymptotic behaviors when y → +∞.
A broadband silicon electro-absorption modulator (EAM) using a Schottky diode

A silicon optical modulator operating at high speed and low voltage is proposed by using a Schottky diode. The optical modulation is achieved by the intensity change of guiding light due to free-carrier absorption, not conventional interference effects. The rib waveguide structure of the modulator has a height of 340 nm, a etch depth of 150 nm, a width of 4.8 μm, and a modulation length of 500 μm. It was designed to maximize the free carrier injection by a Schottky contact on the rib waveguide center. The center of the rib waveguide is lightly doped with phosphorus of 1016 cm−3, and the sides are heavily doped with phosphorus of 1020 cm−3 to improve modulation depth by injecting free carriers into the center of the rib waveguide. This design allowed a high overlap between the optical mode and carrier density variations in the center of the waveguide. To achieve high speed operation, travelling-wave type electrodes were designed to allow co-propagation of electrical and optical signals along the waveguide. The device simulated results demonstrate a 3.3 dB modulation depth for a 500 μm modulation length with 3 Vpp driving voltages. We demonstrated a Schottky modulator operating Si EAM at 3 Vpp with a 3 dB bandwidth of 7 GHz.
Medical Experts’ Agreement on Risk Assessment Based on All Possible Combinations of the COVID-19 Predictors—A Novel Approach for Public Health Screening and Surveillance

During the initial phase of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there was a critical need to create a valid and reliable screening and surveillance for university staff and students. Consequently, 11 medical experts participated in this cross-sectional study to judge three risk categories of either low, medium, or high, for all 1536 possible combinations of 11 key COVID-19 predictors. The independent experts’ judgement on each combination was recorded via a novel dashboard-based rating method which presented combinations of these predictors in a dynamic display within Microsoft Excel. The validated instrument also incorporated an innovative algorithm-derived deduction for efficient rating tasks. The results of the study revealed an ordinal-weighted agreement coefficient of 0.81 (0.79 to 0.82, p-value < 0.001) that reached a substantial class of inferential benchmarking. Meanwhile, on average, the novel algorithm eliminated 76.0% of rating tasks by deducing risk categories based on experts’ ratings for prior combinations. As a result, this study reported a valid, complete, practical, and efficient method for COVID-19 health screening via a reliable combinatorial-based experts’ judgement. The new method to risk assessment may also prove applicable for wider fields of practice whenever a high-stakes decision-making relies on experts’ agreement on combinations of important criteria.
Inter- and Intra-Observer Agreement When Using a Diagnostic Labeling Scheme for Annotating Findings on Chest X-rays—An Early Step in the Development of a Deep Learning-Based Decision Support System

Consistent annotation of data is a prerequisite for the successful training and testing of artificial intelligence-based decision support systems in radiology. This can be obtained by standardizing terminology when annotating diagnostic images. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the annotation consistency among radiologists when using a novel diagnostic labeling scheme for chest X-rays. Six radiologists with experience ranging from one to sixteen years, annotated a set of 100 fully anonymized chest X-rays. The blinded radiologists annotated on two separate occasions. Statistical analyses were done using Randolph’s kappa and PABAK, and the proportions of specific agreements were calculated. Fair-to-excellent agreement was found for all labels among the annotators (Randolph’s Kappa, 0.40–0.99). The PABAK ranged from 0.12 to 1 for the two-reader inter-rater agreement and 0.26 to 1 for the intra-rater agreement. Descriptive and broad labels achieved the highest proportion of positive agreement in both the inter- and intra-reader analyses. Annotating findings with specific, interpretive labels were found to be difficult for less experienced radiologists. Annotating images with descriptive labels may increase agreement between radiologists with different experience levels compared to annotation with interpretive labels.
Cellular and Molecular Effects of Eribulin in Preclinical Models of Hematologic Neoplasms

Simple Summary Hematologic neoplasms comprise a heterogeneous group of diseases that interfere with normal blood production. Treating patients who fail available therapies for these diseases is an ongoing challenge. Thus, the search for new treatment options is urgent, and drug repositioning is emerging as an attractive strategy for finding new effective drugs. Eribulin is a drug that acts on microtubules, and it is used in solid tumors, and its safety is known. In the present study, we provide evidence of the effects of eribulin on hematologic cancers and identify the potential biomarkers of responsiveness. Our study indicates that eribulin is a candidate blood cancer drug for repositioning. Abstract Despite the advances in understanding the biology of hematologic neoplasms which has resulted in the approval of new drugs, the therapeutic options are still scarce for relapsed/refractory patients. Eribulin is a unique microtubule inhibitor that is currently being used in the therapy for metastatic breast cancer and soft tissue tumors. Here, we uncover eribulin’s cellular and molecular effects in a molecularly heterogeneous panel of hematologic neoplasms. Eribulin reduced cell viability and clonogenicity and promoted apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. The minimal effects of eribulin observed in the normal leukocytes suggested selectivity for malignant blood cells. In the molecular scenario, eribulin induces DNA damage and apoptosis markers. The ABCB1, ABCC1, p-AKT, p-NFκB, and NFκB levels were associated with responsiveness to eribulin in blood cancer cells, and a resistance eribulin-related target score was constructed. Combining eribulin with elacridar (a P-glycoprotein inhibitor), but not with PDTC (an NFkB inhibitor), increases eribulin-induced apoptosis in leukemia cells. In conclusion, our data indicate that eribulin leads to mitotic catastrophe and cell death in blood cancer cells. The expression and activation of MDR1, PI3K/AKT, and the NFκB-related targets may be biomarkers of the eribulin response, and the combined treatment of eribulin and elacridar may overcome drug resistance in these diseases.
Magnetic Field Analysis of Surface-Mounted Permanent Magnet Motors Based on an Improved Conformal Mapping Method

In this article, an improved conformal mapping (ICM) method based on a complex potential function is proposed. It can improve the calculation speed and accuracy of magnetic fields for surface-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motors (SPMSMs). The eccentric-shaped poles are replaced by equivalent currents, and the improved conformal mapping method is adopted to transform an actual slotted motor air gap to an equivalent rectangular regular slotless air gap. The ICM method improves the speed of calculation because its number of mapping times is less than the traditional conformal mapping (TCM) method. By solving the complex potential generated by the equivalent current in the rectangular regular air-gap region, the air-gap magnetic field of the SPMSM under no-load, armature reaction and loaded conditions can be solved. Then, the no-load back-EMF and loaded torque performance under different load conditions are calculated. The accuracy of the ICM method is verified by finite-element simulation. In addition, the fast speed and high accuracy of the proposed ICM method incorporating the complex potential function for solving the air-gap magnetic field has been demonstrated in comparison to the TCM method with the Hague equation. An eccentric-shaped-pole permanent magnet motor prototype is also built and tested in experiment and the results agree with those calculated by the proposed ICM method.
From an Hsp90 - binding protein to a peptide drug

Abstract The Lpl proteins represent a class of lipoproteins that was first described in the opportunistic bacterial pathogen Staphylococcus aureus, where they contribute to pathogenicity by enhancing F-actin levels of host epithelial cells and thereby increasing S. aureus internalization. The model Lpl protein, Lpl1 was shown to interact with the human heat shock proteins Hsp90α and Hsp90ß, suggesting that this interaction may trigger all observed activities. Here we synthesized Lpl1-derived peptides of different lengths and identified two overlapping peptides, namely, L13 and L15, which interacted with Hsp90α. Unlike Lpl1, the two peptides not only decreased F-actin levels and S. aureus internalization in epithelial cells but they also decreased phagocytosis by human CD14+ monocytes. The well-known Hsp90 inhibitor, geldanamycin, showed a similar effect. The peptides not only interacted directly with Hsp90α, but also with the mother protein Lpl1. While L15 and L13 significantly decreased lethality of S. aureus bacteremia in an insect model, geldanamycin did not. In a mouse bacteremia model L15 was found to significantly decreased weight loss and lethality. Although the molecular bases of the L15 effect is still elusive, in vitro data indicate that simultaneous treatment of host immune cells with L15 or L13 and S. aureus significantly increase IL-6 production. L15 and L13 represent not antibiotics but they cause a significant reduction in virulence of multidrug-resistant S. aureus strains in in vivo models. In this capacity, they can be an important drug alone or additive with other agents.