Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Learning Analytics to evaluate and confirm Pedagogic Choices

This chapter will describe, evidence and critically evaluate a pedagogical journey which takes the reader from a traditional position of the “academic as a domain expert” to what turns out to be a far more effective position as the “academic as a Learning to Learn expert”. The evidence used to confirm the value and effectiveness of this changed approach by the author over a period of 5 years or so is based on Learning Analytics which demonstrate significantly improved academic results and achievements. The confirmatory evidence derived from the Learning Analytics is now being used to make informed choices by other colleagues to change their own pedagogical choices to also develop excellent achievement in their own modules and programmes. It is also being used to guide the design of new learning spaces in a new STEM facility that is in development at the University.
Ultraviolet reflectance in fruits, ambient light composition and fruit removal in a tropical forest

Ultraviolet (UV) reflectance patterns in fruits and UV perception ability in frugivores were linked through a fruit survey and with a field experiment that examined fruit removal under varying light conditions. The reflectance spectra were measured for fruits from 57 tropical plant species on Barro Colorado Island, Panama. Relationships among UV reflectance in fruits, colour vision of the dispersal agents, light regime and fruit ripening were examined using both non-phylogenetic tests and the concentrated changes test to analyse the phylogenetic distributions of these traits. Ultraviolet-reflecting fruits occurred in both open and closed light habitats and were strongly associated with dispersal by birds and rodents, both of which perceive UV radiation. In addition, only mature fruits reflected UV. Natural rates of fruit removal were studied experimentally over 3 months in the understorey shrub Psychotria emetica (Rubiaceae). Ambient light was manipulated by placing a UV-absorbing filter over fruiting plants, with control treatments of plants under clear filters (UV-transmitting) and plants without filters. Fewer fruits were removed when ambient UV was filtered out, establishing that ultraviolet reflectance can be an important attractant for some fruit dispersers. The results indicate a prominent role for UV reflectance in plant–frugivore relations and demonstrate a link between the perceptual abilities of animals and the colour of the fruits they consume.
Estimation of the proportion of a sensitive attribute based on a two-stage randomized response model with stratified unequal probability sampling

To estimate the proportion of a sensitive attribute of the population that is composed of the number of different sized clusters, we suggest a two-stage randomized response model with unequal probability sampling by using Abdelfatah et al.’s procedure [Braz. J. Probab. Stat. 27 (2013) 608– 617]. We compute the estimate of the sensitive parameter, its variance, and the variance estimator for both pps sampling and two-stage equal probability sampling. We extend our model to the case of stratified unequal probability sampling and compute them. Finally, we compare the efficiency of the two estimators, one obtained by unequal probability sampling and the other by stratified unequal probability sampling.
Immigration and local competition in herbaceous plant communities: a three-year seed-sowing experiment

Understanding the relative roles of local and regional processes in determining local species diversity is now of strong relevance in basic ecology. To address this question, we have tested the influence of immigration on species diversity dynamics in a three-year experiment using herbaceous plant communities. We manipulated the intensity of seed rain (i.e., immigration) and the relative contribution of each species to the seed rain. For each of three levels of intensity of immigration (seed rain), we considered three cases, in which immigration was either negatively correlated, positively correlated, or uncorrelated with local competitive ability. Our experiment illustrates how both immigration and local competition contribute to explaining species diversity in herbaceous plant communities. Communities were more diverse when they received more seeds and when immigration was inversely correlated or uncorrelated with local competitive ability. Only species of intermediate or low competitive ability responded positively to the seed-addition treatment. Community-level functional properties were not strongly modified by immigration: immigration treatments did not differ in total above-ground biomass and plant cover, soil surface occupation was higher at high immigration intensities. A comparison of our results with theoretical models of plant community structure suggests that the mechanisms underlying the species dynamics in our communities were probably a mixture of colonization-extinction and competitive weighted lottery.
Correlation between Pulmonary Vascular Resistance and Some Cardiac Indices

Background: The Pulmonary Vascular Resistance (PVR) index is an important hemodynamic variable in making determinations regarding cardiopulmonary diseases and can be measured echocardiographically. The objective of this report is to examine the relationship between echocardiographic parameters of ventricular function using PVR measurements. Materials and Methods: This study included 40 patients. PVR and left ventricular function indexes (left ventricle diastolic function and Systolic Pulmonary Arterial Pressure (SPAP)) were measured echocardiographically and analyzed using a linear regression test. The relationship between the right ventricular Tricuspid Annular Plane Systolic Excursion (TAPSE) index and the mean PVR index was assessed with the Mann–Whitney test using SPSS Ver. 15. Results: A comparison between PVR and TAPSE showed that the mean PVR was significantly reduced when TAPSE increased, with a cut-off point of 1.8 (P= 0.026). Examination of the relationship between SPAP and PVR made it clear that increased SPAP (mean PAP>25 mmHg) caused PVR to significantly increase (P<0.0001). Analysis of the relationship between LVEF and PVR showed that PVR decreased significantly in parallel with an increasing ejection fraction (P= 0.004). Determination of the mean PVR in the LV Diastolic dysfunction group showed that the mean difference between the PVR indexes of the LV diastolic dysfunction group and the restrictive pattern group was significantly higher than the mean difference between the PVR indexes of the LV diastolic dysfunction group and the normal group(P<0.0001). Conclusion: Considering the significance of PVR measurement in treating cardiovascular diseases, we recommend echocardiography as a simple, accessible and noninvasive method for determining this metric. In this study, we demonstrated that the strongest relationship between echocardiographically determined measurements exists for the correlation between PVR and diastolic dysfunction and the grades thereof. This method can be used as an accessible method for determining PVR and as an index for assessing prognosis.
The Keystone Perforator Flap Concept – A Useful Tool in the Armamentarium of Plastic Surgery

Summary Closure of skins and soft tissue defects is a mainstream procedure in the field of reconstructive plastic surgery. Nowadays plenty of reconstructive options exists in the armamentarium of the specialty. The “keystone island perforator flap” is a relatively new conception which consists of taking skin and superficial fascia in a keystone pattern adjacent to the defect that needs to be covered. This technique is based on the most contemporary knowledge of the vascularization and three-dimensional vascular architecture of the skin and soft tissue overlying the bones - the so called angiosomes and perforasomes concepts. In the present article a brief review of the main keystone fl ap types and on their predecessor - the Bezier flap, was made. Two clinical cases with difficult defects on the limbs are presented and discussed in order to illustrate the application of that approach. The keystone perforator island flaps is a sophisticated and relatively easy option for defect closure. However, this surgical concept still remains unpopular in the Bulgarian practice and science of plastic surgery. To the best of our knowledge this paper is the first one focused on the topic.
Combining Interactive Large Displays and Smartphones to Enable Data Analysis from Varying Distances

Permission to make digital or hard copies of part or all of this work for personal or classroom use is granted without fee provided that copies are not made or distributed for profit or commercial advantage and that copies bear this notice and the full citation on the first page. Copyrights for third-party components of this work must be honored. For all other uses, contact the owner/author(s). MultimodalVis ’18 Workshop at AVI 2018, May 29, 2018, Grosseto, Italy. https://multimodalvis.github. io/ A
Comparative Studies of Coastal Pelagic Fish Reproductive Habitats: The Anchovy, Engraulis Anchoita, of the Southwestern Atlantic

A framework of comparative climatology of reproductive habitats of coastal pelagic fishes is extended to the anchovy inhabiting the shelf-sea ecosystem off Argentina, Uruguay, and southern Brazil. Maritime weather reports are summarized to yield distributions of wind stress, cloud cover, insolation, sea-surface temperature, wind mixing index, and Ekman transport. These distributions are considered together with other known aspects of the oceanography of the region and with seasonal and geographical aspects of reproductive activity. Over its extensive range, Engruulis anchoita spawns successfully within three different configurations of environmental processes affecting transport, water column stability, and trophic enrichment. One of these, incorporating a coastal indentation downstream from a coastal upwelling center, is very similar to the most common configuration characterizing spawning grounds of eastern ocean anchovy populations. The second, featuring interleaving water masses and upwelling at the continental shelf break, exhibits similarities to the reproductive habitat of the South African anchovy. The third, involving tidal mixing fronts, has been previously noted primarily in connection with herring of higher-latitude, shallow shelf-sea systems. The study adds support to the idea that similar fish populations in different regions must solve similar basic environmental problems and that various experiences of environmental effects in different populations, when viewed from a properly posed conceptual framework, can add up to a useful accumulation of insight.
The comprehensive physics laboratory work with model - based reasoning to improve 21st century competence

There are five types of physical laboratory work, namely deductive, inductive, science process skills, technical skills, and problem-solving where those have different goals. Currently, the laboratory work was more dominant on deductive, which does not optimally accommodate the students’ required competencies for the 21st century. Related to the issue, this research is important to find the best laboratory work with model-based reasoning by engaging laboratory work of deductive, problem solving and technical skills into comprehensive laboratory work. We explore model-based reasoning by undergraduate students and design a comprehensive laboratory work to the improvement of critical attitude and teamwork as a part of 21st-century competency. This study used a mixed method with a sequential exploratory design. Qualitative data were collected with theoretical studies. Quantitative data are collected with a scale scientific attitude. Increased critical attitude and teamwork are analyzed with n-gain. These research results were comprehensive laboratory work with reasoning components, such as theoretical guide, technical formulation, experimentation, problem description, problem analysis, repair and revision, and evaluation. The application of comprehensive laboratory work could improve critical attitude and teamwork with the high category. This study has succeeded in finding alternative concepts in laboratory work physics with reasoning based on models.
Pharmacokinetics of routinely administered compounds during pregnancy reflect pregnancy related physiological changes

The general pharmacokinetic principles of disposition and elimination of exogenous compounds apply, irrespective of population specific characteristics. However, pregnancy and delivery warrant a focussed approach because important alterations in physiology (e.g. renal, hepatic, metabolism, body composition) affect drug disposition in a clinical relevant way. During pregnancy, there are changes in distribution volume due to changes in body composition, in metabolic activity affecting drug metabolism and in renal elimination (GFR, tubular) capacity. The link between pregnancy related changes in medical physiology and changes in drug disposition will be illustrated based on aspects of cefazolin and paracetamol disposition during pregnancy and after delivery. Beyond these anecdotal observations, patterns related to medical physiology are unveiled. Key-Words: pregnancy – drug disposition – medical physiology – paracetamol – cefazolin
Facilitating the Flow of Capital to Niche Agricultural Producers in Rural Markets

Availability of capital has historically been a challenge in rural markets. Niche agricultural producers face a daunting task when trying to raise capital because they commonly have business models that are not well understood by providers of capital and, thus, they are considered high risk. As a consequence, traditional lenders are often apprehensive about providing financing because of this perceived risk. The successful flow of capital is a common challenge both for small firms seeking to acquire capital and for providers of capital. The ability to obtain funding is predicated on a matching of applicant’s characteristics, as documented according to the funder’s requirements. Niche agricultural producers may be representative of a group of potential capital users who view the loan application process is a barrier, rather than an opportunity, to growth of their business. Technical assistance can help overcome these barriers by educating the applicant about the process and requirements associated with capital acquisition. Government programs attempt to fill the financing gap by providing technical assistance that lowers perceived risk and expanding the borrowers’ business networks. Understanding the alternatives in the capital acquisition process can help niche agricultural producers in their search for capital and assist governments and communities in developing policies that can facilitate the flow of capital.
Putting Spanish steel on the map : The location of Spanish integrated steel , –

By contrasting the optimal with the actual location of Spain’s main production centre in Bilbao, we have tried to resolve the enigma that mislocation introduced an important welfare loss in Spain’s industrialisation. This analysis considers the optimal location for integrated steel mills in Spain from their origins (s) until the Spanish Civil War (–). The first part of this article introduces the relevant aspects for formalising a model, while Section  applies the methodology. The numerical results show how the major technical change – the reduction of coal consumption – affected each of the alternative sites. They also allow us to identify ‘the overall optimum site’, which was not Bilbao. Our final conclusions confirm that the actual centre of iron and steel production during the period considered was a second-best location. The cost in terms of direct welfare loss, in terms of captive markets and rent-seeking used to maintain this second-best solution, and the ultimate consequences of mislocation, point to an inefficiency which has changed the course of modern Spanish industrialisation.
REGULATION OF DROSOPHILA INTESTINAL STEM CELL MAINTENANCE AND PROLIFERATION

To maintain gut homeostasis intestinal stem cells (ISCs) constantly replace damaged ones. This process is conservative from Drosophila to human. Proliferation and differentiation of ISCs in adult Drosophila midgut are regulated by growth factors which are secreted in the surrounding cells collectively forming ISCs niche. Here I discuss an interaction between ISCs with its niche through conservative signaling pathways. Several evidences on significance of cooperation between multiple signaling pathways including Notch, Wingless, JAK/STAT, EGFR, Hippo, and insulin signaling for regulation of stem cell maintenance and activity are provided. Further investigation in this area will allow us to understand how proper regulation of ISCs maintenance and differentiation can assist to ensure intestinal integrity.
The Knowledge Graph as the Default Data Model for Machine Learning

Abstract. In modern machine learning, raw data is the preferred input for our models. Where a decade ago data scientists were still engineering features, manually picking out the details they thought salient, they now prefer the data in their raw form. As long as we can assume that all relevant and irrelevant information is present in the input data, we can design deep models that build up intermediate representations to sift out relevant features. However, these models are often domain specific and tailored to the task at hand, and therefore unsuited for learning on heterogeneous knowledge: information of different types and from different domains. If we can develop methods that operate on this form of knowledge, we can dispense with a great deal of ad-hoc feature engineering and train deep models end-to-end in many more domains. To accomplish this, we first need a data model capable of expressing heterogeneous knowledge naturally in various domains, in as usable a form as possible, and satisfying as many use cases as possible. In this position paper, we argue that the knowledge graph is a suitable candidate for this data model. This paper describes current research and discusses some of the promises and challenges of this approach.
The role of vascular endothelial growth factor and mesenchymal stem cells during angiogenesis

Objective: Angiogenesis is essential for bone remodeling and regeneration. We previously showed that 3 months after transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into a bone defect area, significantly more regenerated bone was present on the MSC side than on the control side. On the side transplanted with MSCs, the number of blood vessels was significantly higher. Therefore, during the remodeling process, MSCs, which are necessary for regenerating bone, were involved in bone regeneration through angiogenesis in the transplanted area. In addition, MSCs produce Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF). Therefore, we investigated the influence of differentiation of MSCs on the expression of VEGF. Methods: We investigated how changes in osteogenic differentiation of MSCs affect VEGF gene and protein expression and how co-culture with Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVECs) affects gene expression in MSCs. We also determined the role MSCs play in the transplanted area, and the effects on HUVEC morphology when co-cultured with MSCs. Results: VEGF gene and protein expression in undifferentiated MSCs was higher than in differentiated MSCs. VEGF gene expression in MSCs co-cultured with HUVECs was higher than when MSCs were cultured alone. In co-cultures of MSCs and HUVECs, a lumen-like structure was observed on the 3rd day of culture, and then several luminal structures were observed later. Conclusion: MSC transplantation may contribute to angiogenesis via production of VEGF.
Comparison of the NDVI, ARVI and AFRI Vegetation Index, Along with Their Relations with the AOD Using SPOT 4 Vegetation Data

For decades, the satellite images acquired in visible and infrared bands have been used for environmental monitoring. In this purpose, the normal­ ized difference vegetation index (NDVI) is the commonly used vegetation index model for canopy monitoring and biomass assessment. However, due to the fact that the NDVI index is susceptible to various outside influences most notably the atmospheric disturbance and currently more bands are provided by satellite platforms additional indexes have been developed to counter these effects. This paper explores two such indexes the Aerosol Free Vegetation Index (AFRI) and the Atmospherically Resistant Vegeta­ tion Index (ARVI). Comparisons were made with the NDVI index to see if they indeed performed better. The relationship of the different outcomes exhibited· between the indexes with the aerosol optical depth (AOD) was analyzed and exploited to see if this scattering effect was more reduced than with NDVI. In general, the results showed that the AFRI and ARVI (with gamma= 1) indeed did perform better than their NDVI counterpart study with the related channels were employed. (
Metamaterial with negative index due to chirality

Recently it has been predicted that materials with exceptionally strong optical activity may also possess a negative refractive index, allowing the realization of superlenses for super-resolution imaging and data storage applications. Here we demonstrate experimentally and numerically that a chirality-induced negative index of refraction is possible. A negative index of refraction due to three-dimensional chirality is demonstrated for a bilayered metamaterial based on pairs of mutually twisted planar metal patterns in parallel planes, which also shows negative electric and magnetic responses and exceptionally strong optical activity and circular dichroism. Multilayered forms of the metamaterial are found to be suitable for use as ultrathin polarization rotators and circular polarizers for practical applications.
4 x 4 Compact Array with One Transistor One Memristor Memory Element

Customary memories are facing acute design problems due to gradual scaling of CMOS technology. There is a great need of superseding the conventional memories by a device that could fulfil the emerging need of high density device and low power consuming memory designs (array) that are capable of delivering the prerequisite of any memory design to store data and instructions. Memristor is a device that can supersede the conventional CMOS based cell. It is a two terminal non-volatile multi-purpose device. Memristor can store input/output value, perform logic operations, can act as a switch, latch or flip flop. This paper concentrates on the working of Memristor and designing 4x4 Memristor based array (1T1M) and thus highlights the advantages of using Memristor and 1T1M(one transistor one memristor) array. Memristor used in this paper has been implemented with Verilog–A model in cadence virtuoso tool at 45nm technology. The average transient power was found to be 8.148 nW at 0.3V which shows that by employing Memristors, minimum voltage at which array is capable of retaining data is 0.3V.