Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Técnicas de prototipação para smartphones no apoio à avaliação de interfaces com o usuário

O uso de dispositivos moveis, como os smartphones, esta em crescente expansao. Porem, ha uma grande variedade desses dispositivos que propoe novas e diferentes formas de interacao. A prototipacao e uma das tecnicas mais utilizadas para o projeto, simulacao e avaliacao da usabilidade de interfaces, inclusive dispositivos moveis, podendo tambem apoiar a inspecao das funcionalidades, sem considerar a temporizacao. O objetivo deste tutorial e fornecer um "primeiro contato" com a prototipacao de interfaces para smartphones e avaliacao com moderacao de testes de usabilidade. Pretende-se, para esse primeiro contato, apresentar conceitos basicos referentes a usabilidade, caracteristicas de prototipos de interface e metodologia para moderacao de testes, aplicados a uma atividade pratica. Prototipacao, usabilidade, moderacao de testes, dispositivos moveis.
Estimating the Market Effect of a Food Scare: The Case of Genetically Modified StarLink Corn

In 2000, a genetically modified corn variety called StarLink that was not approved for human consumption was discovered in the food-corn supply. To estimate the price impact of this event on the U.S. corn market, we develop the relative price of a substitute method. This method applies not only to the StarLink event but also to rare events in other markets. We find that the contamination led to a 6.8 discount in corn prices and that the suppression of prices lasted for at least a year.
Transient osteoporosis: transient bone marrow edema?

Ten patients with debilitating hip or knee pain were examined with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. All had conventional radiographs that were either normal or showed nonspecific osteopenia. Nine patients had bone scintigrams that showed focal increased radionuclide uptake in the region of the painful joint. In each case, MR images of the affected joint showed regional decreased signal intensity of the bone marrow on T1-weighted images and increased signal intensity on T2-weighted images. Biopsy results of four patients excluded ischemic necrosis and metastases. The symptoms resolved spontaneously in all cases. The ten patients were followed up for 12-36 months, and there were no recurrences. The authors believe that the findings on MR images represent a transient increase in bone marrow water content. The focal findings on scintigrams confirmed the periarticular distribution of the process and provided evidence of accompanying hyperemia and increased bone mineral metabolism. For lack of a better term and to emphasize the generic character of the condition, the authors termed this condition "the transient marrow edema syndrome. "
Speech description through MINERS: Model Invariant to Noise and Environment Robust for Speech

This paper presents a new speech descriptor called MINERS. It uses image analysis, Mel-Frequency Cepstrum Coefficients (MFCC), and a combination of Wavelet denoising and Power Normalized Cepstral Coefficients (PNCC) Temporal Masking. The purpose of this descriptor is to make easier feature extraction for speech. The descriptor is invariant to noise, environment, and speaker. For evaluation, NOIZEUS database was used for speech recognition through two classifiers: Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Hidden Markov Model (HMM). MINERS has better results among all other evaluated descriptors. The most successful approach was obtained using MINERS with a SVM classifier.
Workplace empowerment and nurses' job satisfaction: a systematic literature review.

AIMS This systematic review aimed to synthesize and analyse the studies that examined the relationship between nurse empowerment and job satisfaction in the nursing work environment. BACKGROUND Job dissatisfaction in the nursing work environment is the primary cause of nursing turnover. Job satisfaction has been linked to a high level of empowerment in nurses. EVALUATION We reviewed 596 articles, written in English, that examined the relationship between structural empowerment, psychological empowerment and nurses' job satisfaction. Twelve articles were included in the final analysis. KEY ISSUE A significant positive relation was found between empowerment and nurses' job satisfaction. Structural empowerment and psychological empowerment affect job satisfaction differently. CONCLUSION A satisfying work environment for nurses is related to structural and psychological empowerment in the workplace. Structural empowerment is an antecedent of psychological empowerment and this relationship culminates in positive retention outcomes such as job satisfaction. IMPLICATION FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT This review could be useful for guiding leaders' strategies to develop and maintain an empowering work environment that enhances job satisfaction. This could lead to nurse retention and positive organisational and patient outcomes.
Non-Monotonic Reasoning on Board a Sony AIBO

Robots are today a reality. Moreover, robots have moved from assembly lines to being around human beings. Mobile autonomous robots are now a common sight in Korean airports. Other notable examples are LEGO’s Mindstorms and Spybotics, who not only have a massive penetration in the toy market, but have penetrated the research and academic environment (Wallich, 2001). Robots are also being sold commercially as companions, or used as museum guides (Thrun et al., 1999), and even as the long awaited vacuum cleaner (Kahney, 2003). The expectation that robots would be around us inspired Isaac Asimov to write “I Robot” as part of a series of books and to develop the character Susan Calvin who enunciated the Three Laws of Robotics:
Is Object-Orientation Optimal for Modeling Information Systems?

In recent years, object-oriented (OO) systems development models, methods, and techniques have become pervasive. Via innovations including integration of data and behavior, encapsulation, polymorphism, and inheritance, OO continues to promise significant improvements over structured methods. However, research into OO’s effectiveness has produced equivocal results. Further, research suggests that the standard OO grammar, the Unified Modeling Language (UML), is flawed, potentially explaining why UML use is relatively low and inconsistent. Given these findings, we propose a theory that OO itself may be sub-optimal for the analysis and design of broad classes of information systems (IS), including transaction-processing and decision support. This is based on the insight that many information systems entities inherently include either behavior or data, but not both, thus bringing into question the OO assumption that everything in a problem domain should be modeled as a domain object. From this, we propose implications for practice and research.
Assessment of Mitochondrial Dysfunction Arising from Treatment with Hepatotoxicants

Mitochondrial dysfunction from toxicants is recognized as a causative factor in the development of numerous liver diseases including steatohepatitis, cirrhosis, and cancer. Toxicant‐mediated damage to mitochondria result in depressed ATP production, inability to maintain proper cellular calcium homeostasis, and increased reactive oxygen species production. These disruptions contribute to hepatocellular death and lead to liver pathology. Herein, we describe a series of basic and advanced methodologies that can be incorporated into research projects aimed to understand the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in toxicant‐induced hepatotoxicity. Protocols are provided for isolation of liver mitochondria, assessment of respiratory function, measurement of mitochondrial calcium uptake, and reactive oxygen species production, as well as characterization of the mitochondrial protein thiol proteome using 2D gel electrophoresis. Data obtained from these methods can be integrated into a logical and mechanistic framework to advance understanding of the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of toxicant‐induced liver diseases. Curr. Protoc. Toxicol. 44:14.8. 1‐14.8. 29. © 2010 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Fluid mobility in reservoir rocks from integrated VSP and openhole data

In this study, we first estimate seismic velocity and attenuation dispersion from a comprehensive zero-offset vertical seismic profile (VSP) data acquired in China. These results, combined with openhole data acquired at the same location, provide experimental evidence that the seismic attenuation in rocks is dominated by a fluid-flow mechanism. The loss mechanism due to multiple scattering is found to be negligible. This implies that extraction of fluid mobility (permeability to viscosity ratio) in reservoir rocks using low frequency (10 to 150 Hz) seismic data should be possible. We present a methodology, based on poroelastic inversion using a rotated coordinate system and simulated annealing, to extract fluid mobility from combined VSP and openhole data. Finally, we compare layer-specific fluid mobility values, obtained using this approach, with independent fluid mobility measurements and estimates based on wireline openhole data.
DEMAND SYSTEM ANALYSIS OF THE SOUTH KOREAN BEEF MARKET WITH THE FREE TRADE DEMAND MODEL

In this study a demand system analysis for beef in South Korea is constructed. A free trade demand system was used in which the economic welfare of market participants are maximized. Recognizing implicit discrimination about non-locally sourced beef products, this study deduces market demand equations with respect to consumer preference in order to identify the marginal effect of change consumer preference has on market demand.
Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) Perceptions and Dietary Iron Intake Among Young Women and Pregnant Women in Jordan

To determine Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) perceptions and iron dietary practices of Jordanian female students and pregnant women, a descriptive quantitative questionnaire was administered to 271 participants: 206 female students and 65 pregnant women. This pilot study found that most participants can identify foods containing iron, but lack appropriate iron intake, because of eating habits and finances; more than 50% report daily symptoms of IDA, including dizziness, fatigue, depression, headaches, and loss of concentration and memory. There are no statistically significant differences in IDA perceptions and iron-related dietary practices based on education, and relatively few based on where participants live, their available financial resources, or their position (pregnant women or young women). Culturally sensitive intervention research, which addresses application of IDA education principles, temporary supplementation, and adequate income for dietary modification and long-term iron supplementation to prevent IDA is warranted.
Awareness in early-stage Alzheimer's disease: a review of methods and evidence.

PURPOSE This review has three main aims: (1) To illustrate the strengths and limitations of current approaches to assessing awareness of difficulties and impairments in people with early-stage Alzheimer's disease (AD). (2) To consider the evidence regarding factors associated with level of awareness. (3) To highlight the implications for assessment and intervention. METHODS A comprehensive range of literature on awareness in AD published in the past 20 years is critically reviewed. RESULTS Four main approaches to the assessment of awareness can be discerned, each with significant conceptual and methodological limitations. These limitations affect the quality of the available evidence regarding factors associated with level of awareness, which is contradictory, with few clear findings emerging. Awareness does, however, appear to be related to the outcome of rehabilitation, and this has important implications for the selection of appropriate and sensitive interventions. CONCLUSIONS The review highlights the need for a broad conceptualization of awareness. Greater clarity about theoretical frameworks, and improved assessment methods, are required in order to enhance understanding of variations in awareness in early-stage AD. Awareness is an important variable for clinicians to consider.
Multiclass Support Vector Machines for Environmental Sounds Classification Using log-Gabor Filters

— In this paper we propose a robust environmental sound classification approach, based on spectrograms features driven from log-Gabor filters. This approach includes two methods. In the first methods, the spectrograms are passed through an appropriate log-Gabor filter banks and the outputs are averaged and underwent an optimal feature selection procedure based on a mutual information criteria. The second method uses the same steps but applied only to three patches extracted from each spectrogram. To investigate the accuracy of the proposed methods, we conduct experiments using a large database containing 10 environmental sound classes. The classification results based on Multiclass Support Vector Machines show that the second method is the most efficient with an average classification accuracy of 89.62 %.
An Examination of the Impact of Grading Policies on Students'Achievement

ABSTRACT: The strategy of evaluating students’ achievement using a marking system is a common practice in higher education institutions. The result of a student’s effort is usually communicated in the form of a letter grade or percentage correct on an exam or on the course as a whole. Although a vast majority of instructors use various grading policies and the impact of different grading policies on learning is a basis of considerable debate among academics, the empirical work regarding the impact of different grading policies on students’ performance does not include applications to accounting, a discipline for which student learning is directly tied to success in passing professional examinations. Theoretically, one of the functions of a grading system is to motivate students to work harder and perform better. This study provides insight into the impact of a lenient grading scale versus a strict grading scale on students’ achievement, where the level of “average” mastery in the latter category (the grad.
A low power consumption, low phase noise, and wide tuning range LC VCO with ACC

A 4.8GHz LC voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) for WSN Applications is designed based on TSMC 0.18 µm RF CMOS process. The VCO adopts complementary differential negative resistance structure with switch resistor biasing which achieves good phase noise performance and realizing low power consumption. The 3-bit switch capacitor array provides wide tuning range and the 6-bit switch resistors array provides varied biasing current by auto current calibration (ACC) circuit. With a 1.8V supply voltage, the post-simulated result achieves 27.7% tuning range that can compensate the frequency deviation due to process corners. The post simulated phase noise is −119dBc/Hz@1MHz at frequency of 2.44GHz. The operating current of the VCO core is from 0.4mA to 3.3mA. Finally, the chip size of the VCO core is 0.3mm2 and the whole chip size is 0.8×1.2mm2 with testing buffer and pads.
Dynamic Links Between Emerging Cognitive Skills and Brain Processes

The goal of the present study was to investigate whether advanced cognitive skills in one domain impact the neural processing of unrelated skills in a different cognitive domain. This question is related to the broader issue of how cognitive-neurodevelopment proceeds as different skills are mastered. To address this goal, event-related brain potentials (ERPs) were used to assess linkages between cognitive skills of preschool children as reflected in their performance on a pre-reading screening test (Get Ready To Read) and their neural responses while engaged in a geometric shape matching task. Sixteen children (10 males) participated in this study. The children ranged from 46 to 60 months (SD = 4.36 months). ERPs were recorded using a 128-electrode high-density array while children attended to presentations of matched and mismatched shapes (triangles, circles, or squares). ERPs indicated that children with more advanced pre-reading skills discriminated between matched and mismatched shapes earlier than children with poorer pre-readings skills. The earlier discrimination effect observed in the advanced group was localized over the occipital electrode sites whereas in the Low Group such effects were present over frontal, parietal, and occipital sites. Modeled magnetic resonance images (MRIs) of the ERP component sources identified differences in neural generators between the two groups. Both sets of findings support the hypothesis that processing in a poorer-performing group is more distributed temporally and spatially across the scalp, and reflects the engagement of more distributed brain regions. These findings are seen as support for a theory of neural-cognitive development that is advanced in the present article.
Mainstream teachers ’ instructional adaptations : implications for inclusive responses

The aim of the study was to examine Greek mainstream teachers’ views concerning the feasibility and desirability of routine instructional adaptations and to explore the reasoning underpinning their responses. Data were collected by using interviews, which included both highly-and semi-structured questions. A modified version of the Teaching Adaptation Scale (TAS, Cardona-Molto, 2003) was used for the interview process. The scale allowed for the evaluation of teachers’ perceptions of instructional adaptations and their feasibility and desirability in five out of the six original categories including: a) Classroom Management, b) Grouping Strategies, c) Additional Teaching, d) Activity Adjustment and e) Formative Assessment. The majority of participants reported that they use frequently most of the adaptations included while those used rarely or never used by teachers were: between class grouping, activities at various levels of difficulty, diverse activities, specific resources and computers. These were also the adaptationswith the exception of using specific resourcesthat deemed to be more desirable than feasible. At the same time, some adaptations were not desirable by a minority of teachers including between-class grouping, grouping all students in pairs, providing additional teaching to certain subgroups in the class, implementing activities at various levels of difficulty, forwarding diverse activities, and using alternative material, specific resources and computers. The most salient recurring finding was that all of the participants were strongly bounded by pace, curriculum and the implementation of the text-book. Lack of time and the overloaded syllabuses were reported as some of the main barriers prohibiting the implementation of adaptations. Further, academic area seemed to influence the pattern of teachers’ responses while a number of misconceptions were revealed in teachers’ understanding and knowledge of particular adaptations. Implications in terms of teachers’ training, inclusive responses and policy practices are discussed and analyzed.
A new fibrinogenase from Echis multisquamatis venom is a perspective agent for limited proteolysis and defibrinogenation

A serine proteinase with a fibrinogenase activity was isolated from the venom of viper Echis multisquamatis. Isolation was performed by the combination of Q-sepharose and Heparine-agarose chromatography. The enzyme has apparent molecular weight 35 ± 1 kDа. It posesses strong fibrinogen β-chain, moderate αchain proteolytic activity, arginine-amidase activity as the majority of serine fibrinogenases. The Km value was determined for β-chain fibrinogenolytic activity: Km = 8.3 µM. Kinetic parameters for amidase activity were also determined. Amino-acid composition was revealed. Limited hydrolysis of fibrinogen by the obtained fibrinogenase allowed us to detemine stable hydrolytic subproducts with definite molecular weights. The manner of the proteolytic processes suggests possible use of this fibrinogenase in probing fibrinogen structure dinamics by limited proteolysis. Applicability of the obtained fibrinogenase in therapeutic practice is speculative, but presented data about its nature are encouraging and require additional investigation.
Genomic instabilities in squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck from the Indian population

Intrinsic genomic instability of an incipient tumor cell drives the development of cancer. In colorectal cancer, an inverse relationship between microsatellite instability (MIN) and chromosomal instability (CIN) has been reported. The relationship between MIN and CIN in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is uncertain. In the present study, we examined these two types of instabilities in HNSCC using microsatellite markers and arbitrary primed PCR (APPCR) technique. HNSCC tumors showed high frequency of MIN and loss of heterozygosity (LOH). We observed that, in contrast to colorectal tumors, the frequency of LOH increased with the increase in MIN. There was no significant difference between MIN− and MIN+ groups of HNSCC tumors in the extent of overall genomic alterations; rather higher MIN+ tumors exhibited higher incidence of deletion. Thus, in sporadic HNSCC, both MIN and CIN pathways operate simultaneously to drive tumor formation. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nutrient composition of the marine snail (Hexaplex trunculus) from the Tunisian Mediterranean coasts.

BACKGROUND Marine snail (Hexaplex trunculus) presents increasing nutritional, commercial and economical importance, being widely consumed in northern Africa, particularly in Mediterranean countries. From a nutritional point of view there is still limited information on the chemical composition of edible tissues (meat and hepatopancreas) of this species. Therefore, the aims of the present work were to study the proximate chemical composition, fatty acid and amino acid profiles of H. trunculus from the Tunisian Mediterranean coasts. RESULTS Fatty acid profiles showed that the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) content is higher than the saturated fatty acids (SFA). The yields of PUFA and SFA present in the meat fat were 68.2% and 33.4% of the total fatty acids, respectively. Similar values were obtained in the hepatopancreatic lipidic fraction. Snail tissues contain valuable concentrations of PUFA, especially n-6 and n-3 with chain lengths of 20 and 22 carbons. All edible tissues were valuable sources of essential amino acids. Aspartic acid is the major amino acids present in the meat and hepatopancreas. The concentrations of nutrients were also determined in the hepatopancreas and meat of H. trunculus. Significantly high concentrations of minerals and trace elements were found in these tissues. CONCLUSION This study suggests that H. trunculus is an important source of protein and essential amino acids. Furthermore, the snail lipidic fraction contains high proportions of polyunsaturated fatty acids benefical for human health.