Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Stiles-Crawford Function in an Aphakic Subject with Retinitis Pigmentosa

The Stiles-Crawford function (Stiles, 1937) is a psychophysical measure of photo receptor orientation and directional sensitivity. It is found that the Stiles-Crawford functions are affected in various pathologies. Birch and his group (Birch, Sandberg, and Berson, 1982) found in patients with different genetic types of retinitis pigmentosa (RP; visual acuity of 20/40 or better, no visible opacities in the media) that parafoveal Stiles-Crawford Effect of the first kind (SCE I) functions were either significantly flattened or have displaced peak positions. Morphological changes have been found in photoreceptors of RP patients (post-mortem). These morphological changes could lead to an increase in the numerical aperture of the cones (acceptance angle hypothesis) and result in reduced directional sensitivity. Alternatively, patients with RP may show increased variation in the alignment of photoreceptors (with normal acceptance angles) due to fractional forces on the retina, loss of supporting structures, and/or alterational forces maintaining alignment (splaying hypothesis). If the peak of the SCE I remains near center in the pupillary aperture, one assumes that photoreceptor alignment mechanism(s), perse, are still functional even if affected. Of course, both options, changes in optical properties, and splaying can occur concurrently.
Estimating hotspots using a Gaussian mixture model from large-scale taxi GPS trace data

The data collected from taxi vehicles using the global positioning system (GPS) traces provides abundant temporal-spatial information, as well as information on the activity of drivers. Using taxi vehicles as mobile sensors in road networks to collect traffic information is an important emerging approach in efforts to relieve congestion. In this paper, we present a hybrid model for estimating driving paths using a density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise (DBSCAN) algorithm and a Gaussian mixture model (GMM). The first step in our approach is to extract the locations from pick-up and drop-off records (PDR) in taxi GPS equipment. Second, the locations are classified into different clusters using DBSCAN. Two parameters (density threshold and radius) are optimized using real trace data recorded from 1100 drivers. A GMM is also utilized to estimate a significant number of locations; the parameters of the GMM are optimized using an expectation-maximum (EM) likelihood algorithm. Finally, applications are used to test the effectiveness of the proposed model. In these applications, locations distributed in two regions (a residential district and a railway station) are clustered and estimated automatically.
It Is A Satisfaction To Take Care Of My Grandchildren: Informal Care Of Cucu Amongmalay Grandmothers In Kuching

Despite the relatively high degree of research in formal care settings or licensed services, there remains lack of research on issues faced by the informal care providers. Grandparents are by far the greatest providers of informal child care, yet little is known about their experiences or factor associated with this type of care and its implications. The rise in the number of maternal employment is seen as being among the most significant changes to have affected family organisation. There are several popular assumptions that may be held by general public: that grandmothers are overburden and stress looking after their cucu. This study sought to determine the profile and the prevalence of grandmothers providing extensive care for grandchildren. Using a sample of three grandmothers aged 58, 62 and 65 years old, this paper explores the voices of grandmothers in taking care of their grandchildren. This paper thus highlights some of the experiences of the grandmothers including the thoughts of the descendents, the rewarding side and the roles and expectations. As the informal care by grandparents is increasingly popular, the research outcomes will have important implications to the extant literature on grandparents taking care of their grandchildren.
Incorporating immediate feedback in formative learning checks using H5P

Feedback is regularly used in summative assessment to “. reduce the gap between what is now and what should or could be” (Hattie & Timperley, 2007). However, its use in online learning tools, such as H5P, is somewhat limited to responses such as ‘correct’ and ‘incorrect’ which does not inform the learner of how they could improve (Boud and Molloy, 2013). This demonstration presents a framework for designing scaffolded tasks in H5P (http://h5p.org) which provide opportunities for educators to include feedback to guide the learner towards the expected outcome. The case study uses the H5P object ‘Drag and Drop’ object and with the ‘tip’ feature, creates a way for the learner to self-assess and direct their learning, fostering recall and knowledge production. Prompt types include ‘recall reminders’ and ‘eliciting reasoning behind the answer to identify knowledge gaps’ (Walsh and Sattes, 2005). It is suggested that by doing so, the learner is guided towards identifying the correct response and eventually narrowing their knowledge gap (Vygotsky, 1978). In this demonstration, two such H5P activities will be presented and participants will be guided through the stages of Learning Design and pedagogical rationale used in the task creation. This presentation will test the ability of the H5P tool to encompass pedagogical practices such as feedback into its environment. It is expected that future enhancements to the application account for this consideration. References Boud, D. and Molloy, E. (2013). Feedback in Higher and Professional Education, London: Routledge, 1-10. Hattie, J., & Timperley, H. (2007). The Power of Feedback. Review of Educational Research, 77(1), 81–112. (https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.3102/003465430298487) Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. (Edited by M. Cole, J. Scribner, V. John-Steiner, & E. Souberman). Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. Walsh, J. A. , & Sattes, B. D. (2005). Quality questioning: Research-based practices to engage every learner. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin.
Relearning to think: Toward a biological conception of rationality

Abstract In this article, I first problematize the concept of rationality as educational ideal through the use of feminist philosophy. I then offer an alternative concept of rationality as educational ideal based on my reading of Catherine Malabou’s work on plasticity, epigenesis, and rationality. In a last part, I explore the ontological and normative dimensions of this new concept of rationality through Maurice Merleau-Ponty’s concept of “hyper-dialectics. ”
Sodium butyrate enhances growth performance and intestinal development in broilers

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of sodium butyrate (SB) on growth performance and development of digestive and immune organs in broilers. Dietary treatments had similar compositions but with 0%, 0.03%, 0.06%, and 0.12% SB substituted (weight/weight) for identical amounts of the basal diet. SB supplementation linearly increased (P < 0.05) average daily gain for each period, except for days 15–21. SB supplementation linearly increased (P < 0.05) the relative weight of proventriculus (day 7), gizzard (days 7 and 14), duodenum (days 21 and 28), jejunum (day 21), ileum (day 21), small intestine (day 21), rectum (day 14), pancreas (days 7 and 21), liver (days 21 and 28), and thymus (days 7, 14, and 21). SB supplementation linearly increased (P < 0.05) the relative length of duodenum (day 21), jejunum (days 14 and 21), ileum (days 14 and 21) and small intestine (days 14 and 21), caeca (day 21) and rectum (day 21), as well as it improved intestinal structure by increasing the villus height in jejunum and ileum, and increasing goblet cell counts in duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. Collectively, dietary SB supplementation improved the growth performance of broilers by improving the development and morphological structure of the broilers’ intestinal organs.
Glycemic Index Score of the USANA Peanut Butter Nutrition Bar

lycemic index (GI) was developed to rank different foods according to the extent to which they increase blood glucose following ingestion. Foods with high GI scores contain rapidly digested carbohydrates and produce large rises and falls in blood glucose. Foods with low GI scores contain slowly digested carbohydrates and produce gradual and relatively low rises in blood glucose. GI scores are currently used in scientific research to examine the role of glycemic impact in defining risk of certain diseases. For example, a growing body of research has shown that long-term consumption of a high-glycemicimpact diet increases the risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, and colon cancer. GI scores are also useful in designing weightand eating-management programs. Low-GI foods improve glucose control in people with diabetes and reduce high blood fat levels. Furthermore, less refined low-GI foods are relatively more filling and therefore useful for weight loss. The objective of this study was to evaluate the GI score for USANA’s Peanut Butter Nutrition Bar.
DATA ANALYTICS MEASURE FOR REPORTING DISEASE OUTBREAK IN A REGION

Big data analytics is the process of evaluating large and varied data sets to uncover information that includes hidden patterns, unknown correlations, market trends and preferences of the customers which could be helpful for the organizations to make informed business decisions. With the use of Analytic system and software, the Big data analytics offers various business benefits which includes new revenue opportunities, more effective marketing ,best customer services, better operational efficiency and competitive advantages. It is a new era of modern technology. This project deals with mosquito borne diseases that rises seasonally and regionally. Nearly 700 million people get affected due to mosquito born illness each year resulting in over one million deaths. Numerous patients lost their lives because of unhygienic conditions in their surroundings that lead to mosquito-borne and diseases that are caused due to unhygienic conditions. To overcome this problem, the data of patients from numerous hospitals from various localities is been collected and then the following data is been processed on the data analytics platform and resultant information is used to identify the disease outbreak in a particular region. The NGO and the higher officials of that particular region uses the output to take necessary steps to prevent the spread of diseases.
Commensuration of the globalised higher education sector: how university rankings act as a credential for world-class status in China

ABSTRACT The concept of the world-class university has proliferated throughout the world, yet there is no universal consensus on how to define these elite institutions. Without a unified definition, rankings have become a direct proxy for sense-making in the sector and a commensurate indicator that decision-makers have used to understand the world-class concept. Through interviews with 48 informants from the Chinese higher education sector, I explore how institutions in China conceptualise world-class status through university rankings. First, I show that the sector in China has intently focused on league table positioning, with the top-100 as a popular cut-off point for guaranteed world-class status. Next, I explore which global rankings have been the most influential – QS, THE, ARWU, and US News. Finally, I discuss how actors living in this competitive higher education environment have altered research agendas and institutional partnerships to align with global ranking metrics.
Cataract Surgery: Improving Overall Quality of Life

ataract surgery improves vision and therefore quality of life. As critical as good vision is to maintaining independence, cataract extraction serves an equally valuable purpose: it increases the light available to retinal ganglion photoreceptors (RGPs). Bright, properly timed light exposure profoundly influences human health and psychology.1-5 Bright morning light enhances the early cortisol surge, facilitating the transition from sleep to daytime physiology. Bright daytime light improves mood, reduces depression and increases that evening’s sleep quality. These processes are all guided by information on environmental light levels provided by RGPs.2-4 Cataract and age-related crystalline lens yellowing reduce retinal illuminance, especially in the short wavelength (violet and blue) end of the spectrum needed by RGPs.1-5 Thus, it’s no surprise that cataract surgery has many potential benefits beyond improving vision.1-5 Here’s why.2, 3
Insights into brain metastasis: Recent advances in circulating tumor cell research

How tumor cells disseminate to brain and establish brain metastasis remains partly an unsolved problem. This devastating complication of many cancers is initiated by a rare subset of the circulating tumor cells (CTCs) shed into the blood stream. Thus, the profiling of the molecular properties in these brain metastasis‐initiating CTCs is essential to uncover the mechanisms underlying brain metastasis.
Using a blended approach to support calculation skills of pharmacy students

Background: Pharmacy students are expected to demonstrate proficiency in pharmaceutical calculations and must achieve 70% in calculations in the General Pharmaceutical Council registration exam. Students value the flexibility, convenience and usability of technology enhanced learning. Aims: To develop and evaluate a flexible resource to aid teaching and improve confidence and competence in performing pharmaceutical calculations Method: A calculations e-package was designed. Evaluation of the e-package was completed via questionnaires and quizzes pre and post e-package release. Results: The majority of students were very positive about the design aspects 74% (n=338) and impact of the e-package on future calculation competency (79% n=352). Results from 189 eligible students show significant improvement in scores after release of the e-package ( p -value <0.001). Conclusion: Significant improvement in students’ performance along with positive feedback regarding confidence and design of the package indicate the effectiveness of the e-package as an additional supporting strategy for calculation training.
Surveys of waterbirds in the Darkhad Depression, Mongolia, during summer and autumn

The Darkhad Depression provides one of the most extensive concentrations of waterbird breeding, moulting, and migration stopover site habitat in Mongolia. To our knowledge, this is the first large-spatial scale survey completed for waterbirds in the region. Surveys were conducted at 60 wetlands and a portion of a river (total area = 5,873 ha) in summer (15−19 July), and at 36 wetlands (5,285 ha, including 27 wetlands from the summer) in autumn 2018 (6−10 October). Thirty-seven species were detected (13 with juveniles) during the summer and 23 species in autumn. The frequency of occurrence of species among wetlands and densities of waterbirds among occupied wetlands (birds/ha) were calculated for summer. These estimates were scaled to the total wetland area in the region, for estimating the proportion of the flyway population occurring in the Darkhad Depression for each species. Six species were on the IUCN Red List (IUCN 2018) or in the Mongolian Red Book (Shiirevdamba et al . 2016): Falcated Duck Anas falcata , Common Pochard Aythya ferina , Common Crane Grus grus, Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus , Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata , and Horned Grebe Podiceps auritus . In summer, Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula used the greatest percentage of wetlands included in the survey (57.4%) and Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula had the greatest mean density among occupied wetlands (6.66 ± 5.69 s.e. birds/ha). Most individuals appeared to be moulting adults. Greatest juvenile:adult ratios were for Eared Grebes Podiceps nigricollis (1.3), Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea (1.4), and Whooper Swans Cygnus cygnus (1.1). In autumn, Common Goldeneye ( n = 1,375), dabbling ducks (Anas sp.; n = 2,206), and Whooper Swans ( n = 1,065) were the most common waterbirds observed, and 88% of all waterbirds counted occurred on just three wetlands. The Darkhad Depression appears to be important for waterbirds from the Central and East Asian Flyways, and our surveys suggest it likely supports > 1% of Common Goldeneye, Tufted Duck, Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus, and Ruddy Shelduck populations of these Flyways. To develop a greater understanding of waterbird reproduction and seasonal use, as well as threats to waterbirds in the region, we suggest that standardised surveys should be undertaken during spring through to autumn in future years.
Improvement in Symptomatic Gastroparesis With Increased Vagal Nerve Stimulation.

Vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) is established as an effective therapy for medically refractory epilepsy. Occasional side effects include hoarseness, paresthesias, headache, and shortness of breath. The antiseizure mechanism of VNS likely involves altered vagal afferent signals, but stimulation of vagal efferent activity has been suggested as a mechanism of some of the reported adverse effects. In a 2002 case report, Sanossian and Haut described a case of VNS causing intractable diarrhea. There was a gradual increase in diarrhea as the current was increased, resolution when the current was turned off, and recurrent diarrhea when the current was turned back on. This report suggests the possibility of increased gastrointestinal motility as a side effect of VNS. Here, we report a case of improvement in gastroparesis symptoms after increasing the VNS current.
Gentamicin and amikacin adversely affect male infertility indicated by pharmacological, andrological and pathological evidence

Background: Many drugs are implicated in male infertility and screening for medication history is an important for diagnosis and treatment of the problem. The aim is to study amikacin effect on male reproductive system in comparison to gentamicin. Methods: Twenty-five male wister rats weighted 220±20 gm and aged 8 weeks were randomly divided into five groups of five. The first group received gentamicin in dose 18.25 mg/kg/day once daily (OD) (therapeutic dose). The second group received gentamicin with double dose of the first group. The third group received amikacin in dose 54.75 mg/kg/day OD (therapeutic dose). The Fourth group received amikacin with double dose of the third group. However, the fifth group served as a control and received normal saline (NS) OD. All treatments were administered intraperitoneally (IP) for 14 days. On the 15th day, blood samples and reproductive organs were obtained from all animals. Testicular tissues were prepared for genetic testing and chemical and microscopical examination. Results: Amikacin and gentamicin negatively affected reproductive organs weights, sperm parameters, serum follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone (LH) level relative to control (p<0.05). However, serum testosterone level was only affected with gentamicin (p<0.05). A significant difference between gentamicin and amikacin was found in sperm count, testis and epididymis weights and serum testosterone and LH level (p<0.05). Testicular histopathological changes were also found with the two drugs with different degrees. Effects of both gentamicin and amikacin were dose-dependent. Conclusions: Both gentamicin and amikacin adversely affect andrological function that should be monitored and controlled during application of these drugs.
Análise de efeito idade-período-coorte na mortalidade por doenças cerebrovasculares em Maceió e Florianópolis

Resumo Introdução A doença cerebrovascular (DCBV) é a segunda principal causa de morte no mundo e no Brasil. Objetivo Avaliar as tendências da mortalidade por DCBV em duas cidades brasileiras (Maceió e Florianópolis) com diferenças socioeconômicas extremas, entre 1981 e 2015, estimando os efeitos idade, período e coorte. Método Estudo de séries temporais da mortalidade por DCBV em indivíduos com ≥ 40 anos, empregando a ferramenta Web tool. Resultados A mortalidade por DCBV diminuiu com o tempo, aumentou com a idade e foi menor para gerações mais novas. O efeito foi igual para ambos os sexos. Houve diminuição da mortalidade nas duas cidades, mas a diferença foi grande e a mortalidade continua alta em Maceió. Com base na amplitude dos efeitos estimados, foi possível verificar que o efeito de coorte foi o termo mais significativo para explicar a variabilidade temporal das taxas de mortalidade por DCBV no período. Conclusão A comparação da tendência temporal nas duas cidades mostrou a importância da melhora das condições de vida, do acesso a serviços de saúde para prevenção e controle dos fatores de risco, assim como assistência hospitalar aos casos para diminuirmos a mortalidade por DCBV em todo o território nacional.
Traditional and New Types of Passive Flow Control Techniques to Pave the Way for High Maneuverability and Low Structural Weight for UAVs and MAVs

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter Abstract Prevailing utilization of airfoils in the design of micro air vehicles and wind turbines causes to gain attention in terms of determination of flow characterization on these flight vehicles operating at low Reynolds numbers. Thus, these vehicles require flow control techniques to reduce flow phenomena such as boundary layer separation or laminar separation bubble (LSB) affecting aerodynamic performance negatively. This chapter presents a detailed review of traditional passive control techniques for flight vehicle applications operating at low Reynolds numbers. In addition to the traditional methods, a new concept of the pre-stall controller by means of roughness material , flexibility and partial flexibility is highlighted with experimental and numerical results. Results indicate that passive flow control methods can dramatically increase the aerodynamic performance of the aforementioned vehicles by controlling the LSB occurring in the pre-stall region. The control of the LSB with new concept pre-stall control techniques provides lift increment and drag reduction by utilizing significantly less matter consumption and low energy. In particular, new types of these methods presented for the first time by the chapter’s authors have enormously influenced the progress of separation and LSB, resulting in postponing of the stall and enhancing the aerodynamic performance of wind turbine applications.
Simulation of nanodielectrics: nanoparticle and interphase effects on electric field distributions

Nanodielectrics have been regarded as a class of material system that can provide significantly improved chemical, mechanical and dielectric properties over conventional microcomposites. This is due to the presence of a high volume fraction of the interphase between nanoparticles and polymers. However, precise effects of nanodielectrics are not well understood, leading to difficulties in interpreting the dielectric behaviours of nanodielectrics. In the current work, effects of nanoparticle distributions, interparticle distances, nanoparticle sizes, interphase permittivities and interphase thicknesses on the possible electric field variations within a nanodielectric model have been simulated using Finite Element Method Magnetics (FEMM) 4.2. The results demonstrate that different nanoparticle and interphase configurations lead to different effects on the electric field intensity within the nanodielectric model. Mechanisms leading to changes in dielectric properties based on the observed electric field variations are discussed.