Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lecturers' Experiences with English-Medium Instruction in a State University in Turkey: Practices and Challenges.

The current paper is a phenomenological study of faculty members’ perception of English-medium instruction (EMI) undergraduate programs. An open-ended questionnaire covering teaching practices, challenges encountered and training preferences was developed. Through a thematic analysis of the data collected from 102 lecturers, this study aims to shed light on the needs of content lecturers in EMI undergraduate programs in a state university in Turkey. The findings show that most of the participants aspired to see an EMI support system set up in the institution. The major themes which emerged from the inquiry are ‘teaching practices among content lecturers’, ‘challenges and constraints which content lecturers face’ and ‘training courses for content lecturers’. Based on university-wide teaching practices and the views of EMI lecturers, it is concluded that lecturers are more in favour than against the university’s EMI policy, but they also would like the university administration to be responsible for monitoring the language provision and providing training. Findings also indicate lecturers’ endeavour to use English as much as possible, regardless of their agreement with the institutional language policy.
Recommandations du Réseau des laboratoires de santé publique du Canada (RLSPC) pour la détection en laboratoire d’Escherichia coli producteurs de Shiga‑toxines (O157 et non‑O157)

Les Escherichia coli producteurs de Shiga-toxines (STEC) sont d’importants agents pathogènes entériques qui sont à l’origine de cas sporadiques et d’éclosions de gastro-entérite. Les souches E. coli O157:H7/NM (STEC O157) sont les sérotypes de STEC les plus connus, mais il devient de plus en plus évident que les sérotypes de STEC non-O157 ont été sous-déclarés par le passé, car ils n’étaient pas ciblés par les analyses de dépistages courantes de la plupart des laboratoires de première ligne. Le Réseau des laboratoires de santé publique du Canada (RLSPC) estime que la détection et la surveillance des sérotypes de STEC non-O157 doivent être améliorées, et a donc élaboré les recommandations suivantes afin de faciliter le processus décisionnel des laboratoires de microbiologie cliniques et de référence. Ces recommandations devraient être suivies par les laboratoires, au mieux de leurs capacités, en fonction de la technologie et des ressources dont ils disposent.
Improving speech emotion recognition based on acoustic words emotion dictionary

Abstract To improve speech emotion recognition, a U-acoustic words emotion dictionary (AWED) features model is proposed based on an AWED. The method models emotional information from acoustic words level in different emotion classes. The top-list words in each emotion are selected to generate the AWED vector. Then, the U-AWED model is constructed by combining utterance-level acoustic features with the AWED features. Support vector machine and convolutional neural network are employed as the classifiers in our experiment. The results show that our proposed method in four tasks of emotion classification all provides significant improvement in unweighted average recall.
Design and analysis of compact dual resonance patch antenna

In this work a high gain dual resonance patch antenna is designed and simulated. Analysis is done while changing geometry and dielectric thickness. Main advantage of this type of antenna is its compact structure. Due to its dual characteristics it is very demanding in the communication industry which makes designing and analyzing of this type of antenna more alluring. Values for S11 parameters are: -10.97dB and –30dB for 4.94GHz and 7.38GHz, respectively. Gain exceeds 8.85dB and 6.59dB for 4.94GHz and 7.38GHz, respectively. Characteristic impedance of the feed line is 50Ω.
Compositional, Structural, Surface Characterizations of Natural Magnetite from Air Massif (Niger) in Relation to Its Catalytic Activity

Ferrimagnetic materials such as natural magnetite are used for practical applications because of their electronic, magnetic and catalytic properties in the degradation of organic compounds. In order to determine its physicochemical properties in relation to its catalytic activity, the natural magnetite of Ofoud Mount (Niger) is characterized by X-ray florescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (DRX), specific surface area (BET) and Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR). The result shows an iron content of 97.09% and a specific surface area of 69.742 m2/g. The crystal structure of magnetite is cubic with lattice parameters α = β = γ = 90°, a (A) = b (A) = c (A) = 8.3740. The results of this study suggest that the natural magnetite of Ofoud Mount can be used as iron source in various fields of science despite the presence of a few impurities that can improve its catalytic activity.
Urban Congestion Charging Acceptability: An International Comparative Study

The congestion charging scheme is regarded as a successful measure to reduce traffic-related problems. However, low general acceptability of the public for implementing such a scheme is a barrier against its success. In this research, an online pre-designed survey was conducted in five capitals (Budapest, Tunis, Amman, Ulaanbaatar, and Damascus) to define the factors that affect congestion charging acceptability the most. The results of relationships between the studied factors like travel behavior and acceptance of the congestion charging scheme show an irregular pattern in each city. It indicates that the identity of each city and its general policy implications determine which factors significantly affect the public acceptability of congestion charging scheme. In Amman and Budapest, most of the predictors have no statistical effect on the schemes’ public acceptability. Consistent with previous researches, on the other hand, the results demonstrate that the schemes’ effectiveness is crucial and affects the acceptability significantly in all cities. At the same time, it shows that the “prior scheme knowledge” factor has a significant direct effect on the acceptability level in three cities (Damascus, Tunis, and Ulaanbaatar).
Reconstruction of 3D Retina from Multi-viewed Stereo Fundus Images via Dynamic Registration

The human retinal surface resembles to a sphere while it is captured by two-dimensional (2D) planar imaging to have a stereo sequence in clinical practice. Reconstructing its three-dimensional (3D) structure from the 2D planar retinal images is crucial for analyzing the relationship between the topological morphology and clinical implication. In this regard, we propose to reconstruct the 3D retina structure from 2D stereo fundus images via dynamic registration. The fundus images from different viewpoints are first co-registrated by using multi-scale deep convolutional feature and geometric structure feature by building their transformation function. The aligned images are then mosaicked together and a 3D reconstruction is obtained by a learned weighted smoothing project the registered images onto 3D coordinates. We compare the proposed registration method with five state-of-the-art methods. Extensive experimental results demonstrate that the proposed framework achieves superior performances, even with challenging scenarios in which the tested images are severely degraded by illness, large eyeball rotation and low resolutions.
Composition and consistence of the bacterial microbiome in upper, middle and lower esophagus before and after Lugol’s iodine staining

Esophageal bacteria, as the integral composition of human ecosystem, have been reported to be associated with esophageal lesions. However, few studies focus on microbial compositions in different esophageal segments, especially after Lugol’s iodine staining (LIS) in the endoscopic examination for the screening of esophageal cancer. To investigate the composition of the bacterial microbiome in upper, middle and lower esophagus and if LIS would affect the detection of bacteria, 141 fasting samples including the upper, middle and lower esophagus from 27 participants were collected by brushing the mucosal surface of the esophagus before (Eso) and after (Lug) LIS. Bacterial V3-V4 region of 16S rRNA gene was amplified and sequenced by Illumina’s sequencing platform and analyzed using LEfSe system to identify specific microbiota. The top six abundant bacterial phyla taxa among three locations from both Eso and Lug groups were Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, Fusobacteria and TM7. In terms of genera, the bacterium in three locations from two groups was all characterized by a highest relative abundance of Streptococcus. Bacteria diversity and the relative abundance between Eso and Lug were comparable (P > 0.05). Bacteria diversity was consistent in different esophageal locations for an individual, but it was significantly distinguishing in different subjects (P < 0.05). In Conclusion, the bacterial microbiome in healthy esophagus are highly diverse and consistent even among three physiological stenosis at all clades. Lugol’s iodine staining would not change local microenvironment in term of microbial composition. These finding provide an essential baseline for future studies investigating local and systemic bacterial microbiome and esophageal diseases.
Simulating precipitation in the Northeast United States using a climate‐informed K‐nearest neighbour algorithm

Decadal prediction using climate models faces long‐standing challenges. While global climate models may reproduce long‐term shifts in climate due to external forcing, in the near term, they often fail to accurately simulate interannual climate variability, as well as seasonal variability, wet and dry spells, and persistence, which are essential for water resources management. We developed a new climate‐informed K‐nearest neighbour (K‐NN)‐based stochastic modelling approach to capture the long‐term trend and variability while replicating intra‐annual statistics. The climate‐informed K‐NN stochastic model utilizes historical data along with climate state information to provide improved simulations of weather for near‐term regional projections. Daily precipitation and temperature simulations are based on analogue weather days that belong to years similar to the current year's climate state. The climate‐informed K‐NN stochastic model is tested using 53 weather stations in the Northeast United States with an evident monotonic trend in annual precipitation. The model is also compared to the original K‐NN weather generator and ISIMIP‐2b GFDL general circulation model bias‐corrected output in a cross‐validation mode. Results indicate that the climate‐informed K‐NN model provides improved simulations for dry and wet regimes, and better uncertainty bounds for annual average precipitation. The model also replicates the within‐year rainfall statistics. For the 1961–1970 dry regime, the model captures annual average precipitation and the intra‐annual coefficient of variation. For the 2005–2014 wet regime, the model replicates the monotonic trend and daily persistence in precipitation. These improved modelled precipitation time series can be used for accurately simulating near‐term streamflow, which in turn can be used for short‐term water resources planning and management.
Implementation of Soft-Switching Auxiliary Current Control for Faster Load Transient Response

A control circuit for the auxiliary buck/boost converter was designed and implemented to improve the load transient response of the buck converter. The circuit shapes the auxiliary inductor current in the critical conduction mode through peak current mode control. The soft-switching operation of the auxiliary switches minimizes the power loss and thus increases the efficiency of the auxiliary converter. Along with the design guidelines and estimated power loss to improve the performance of the proposed control technique, the implementation of the control circuit is explained in detail. Simple analog ICs such as operational amplifiers and comparators, and a couple of logic gates suffices the realization of the proposed control. A prototype buck converter whose input voltage, output voltage, and switching frequency were 15 V, 3.3 V, and 200 kHz, respectively were tested with the implemented control circuit to verify the performance of the proposed control technique.
The Addition of lJamuLempuyangr (Zingiber Zerumbet Herbs) in Chicken Feed toward the Condition of the Nutrition Digestibility of Free-Range Chicken

The purpose of this research was to analyze the effect of adding jamu lempuyang into the chicken feed toward crude fiber digestibility, fat digestibility, protein biological value and nitrogen retention of free-range chicken. This research used experimental method. The design used in this study was completely randomized design (CRD) with 4 treatments and 5 replications. The treatment in this study consisted of P0 without Zingiber (as a control), P1 Zingiber 0.15%, P2 Zingiber 0.30% , and P3 Zingiber 0.45%. The variables measured were crude fiber digestibility, fat digestibility, protein biological value and nitrogen retention of free-range chicken. The data were analyzed by using analysis of variance (ANOVA). When there was a significant effect, it was further tested by using Least Significant Difference (LSD). Based on the research, the effect of adding jamu lempuyang into the feed was not significant (P>0.05) on crude fiber digestibility, protein biological value and nitrogen retention of free-range chicken. On the other hand, the effect of adding jamu lempuyang into the feed had significant effect (P<0.05) on fat digestibility. Jamu lempuyang on free-range chicken was less effective in increasing crude digestibility protein biological value and nitrogen retention but more effective to increase fat digestibility of free-
New insights on assessing cancer risk of exposure to carcinogens from tobacco smoke inhalation

Tobacco products is still the leading cause of deaths worldwide. 80% of lung cancer is attributed to tobacco smoking [1-3]. It has been found that the exposure to tobacco smoke is the primary etiologic factor responsible for lung cancer; and that the decline in the incidence and the mortality of lung cancer is associated with the decline in smoking [3,4]. At the same time, the use of e-cigarette (e-cig) starts to arise rapidly; almost all major tobacco manufacturers are now marketing e-cigarette [2].
The development of authentic scientific inquiry assessment to measure the laboratory skills

Assessment in learning is an important aspect to analyze the learning progress. Nowadays, the assessment runs a shifted paradigm from measuring in higher-order thinking aspects to performance assessment. This study aims to develop an assessment instrument based Authentic Scienti_c Inquiry Assessment (ASIA) in measuring the laboratory skills. The laboratory skills consist of_ve skills categories, they are safety skills in the laboratory, experiment management, measuring skills, collecting data, and interpreting skills. From those skills, we derive 20 aspects. We used 4D methods in developing the instruments, define, design, develop, and disseminate. The results of construct validation and content show that the instrument is valid and reliable. We perform the effectivity test and gain the tcount = 25281; ttable = 1,708 with significance level less than 0,05. We also perform a questionnaire for the lecturers and laboratory assistant that shows 85% positive response, 11% of negative response, and 4% of abstance. We can conclude that our instrument is effective to measure the laboratory skills.
High spatial resolution remote sensing models for landscape-scale CO₂ exchange in the Canadian Arctic

ABSTRACT Climate warming is affecting terrestrial ecosystems in the Canadian Arctic, potentially altering the carbon balance of the landscape and contributing additional CO2 to the atmosphere. High spatial resolution remote sensing data can enhance models of net ecosystem exchange (NEE) and its component fluxes, gross ecosystem exchange (GEE), and ecosystem respiration (ER) by quantifying vegetation structure and function over time. In this study, we explored the variability of daytime CO2 exchange rates for three vegetation types along a natural moisture gradient at ecologically distinct mid- and high Arctic sites. We demonstrated that for the two sites studied, there was no statistically significant variation in CO2 exchange rates for the vegetation types through the peak growing season. Hence, the capacity to model these rates with a limited number of satellite data acquisitions is feasible. Simple bivariate models relating the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) to CO2 exchange processes (GEE, ER, and NEE) were developed independent of vegetation type and geographic location and validated using independent data. The spectral models explain between 33 and 94 percent of the variation in CO2 exchange rates at each site, indicating a high level of functional convergence in ecosystem-level structure and function within Arctic landscapes.
Acid Hydrolysis Lignin as a Sorbent for Naphthalene

Lignin, a major polymeric constituent of woody plant tissue, is an abundant source of natural organic matter available as a waste product from the pulp and paper and the fuel ethanol industries. In this study, the sorptive capacity of acid hydrolysis lignin for naphthalene, a representative nonpolar hydrophobic organic compound (HOC), was investigated. When powdered lignin is mixed with distilled water, dissolved and/or colloidal organic matter leaches into the aqueous phase imparting a cloudy yellowish colour. A washing and filtering protocol was developed for pretreating the lignin employed in the sorption studies. Results from batch sorption experiments showed that acid hydrolysis lignin has a strong affinity for naphthalene. The Freundlich isotherm coefficients obtained indicate that the sorption isotherm for naphthalene on hydrolysis lignin is nearly linear. A modified Freundlich equation was employed in order to compare sorption data for HOCs on lignin and activated carbon through the use of unit equivalent coefficients. The results presented in this research and in the literature suggest that the two sorbents are comparable in terms of sorption coefficients. It was determined that acid hydrolysis lignin is unsuitable for use in a packed bed since pumping a naphthalene solution through a column packed with lignin caused the wet lignin to become significantly hardened over time, resulting in a large pressure drop across the system.
Augmenting cognitive load during split-belt walking increases the generalization of motor memories across walking contexts

Cognitive load plays a role on the movement recalibration induced by sensorimotor adaptation, but little is known about its impact on the generalization of movements from trained to untrained situations. We hypothesized that altering cognitive load by distracting subjects during sensorimotor adaptation would facilitate the generalization of recalibrated movements beyond the training condition. We reasoned that awareness of the novel condition inducing adaptation could be used to consciously contextualize movements to that particular situation. To test this hypothesis, young adults adapted their gait on a split-belt treadmill (moving their legs at different speeds) while they observed visual information that either distracted them or made them aware of the speed difference between their feet. We assessed the adaptation and aftereffects of spatial and temporal gait features known to adapt and generalize differently when walking on the treadmill or overground. We found similar adaptation and aftereffects on the treadmill across all groups. In contrast, both groups with altered cognitive load (i.e., distraction and awareness groups) generalized their movements from the treadmill to overground more than controls, who walked without altered cognitive load. Of note, this effect was only observed in temporal gait features, which are less susceptible to online motor adjustments, and were eliminated upon experiencing large errors by briefly removing the split perturbation during adaptation (i.e., catch trial). Taken together, increasing cognitive demands during sensorimotor adaptation facilitates the generalization of movement recalibration, but this cognitive-mediated effect cannot eliminate the specificity of actions due to context-specific errors. New and Noteworthy Little is known about how cognition affects the generalization of motor recalibration induced by sensorimotor adaptation paradigms. We showed that augmenting cognitive load during adaptation on a split-belt treadmill led to greater recalibration of movements without the training device. However, this effect was eliminated when unusual motor errors were experienced on the treadmill. Thus, cognition can influence the generalization of sensorimotor adaptation, but it cannot suppress the context-specificity originated by the errors that one feels.
Lipid Genotypes, Phenotypes, and Colorectal Polyps

Lipid Genotypes, Phenotypes, and Colorectal Polyps Michael N. Passarelli Chair of the Supervisory Committee: Polly A. Newcomb, PhD, MPH Department of Epidemiology Studies linking cholesterol levels to colorectal neoplasia have been inconsistent. This dissertation aimed to clarify whether dyslipidemia is a risk factor for adenomatous or non-adenomatous colorectal polyps using newly-identified information on cholesterol genetics. We utilized epidemiologic data and biospecimens from a colonoscopy study conducted from 1998 to 2007 among enrollees of Group Health, a large healthcare system in Washington State. Participants were 518 non-advanced adenoma cases, 139 advanced adenoma cases, 380 non-adenomatous polyp cases, and 754 polyp-free controls. New data collected for this research included: 1) genotypes of 96 single-nucleotide polymorphisms identified from genome-wide association studies of lowand high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL, HDL), triglycerides, and total cholesterol; 2) clinical cholesterol measurements from Group Health’s laboratory records; and 3) information on lipid-controlling prescription drug use from Group Health’s pharmacy records. Chapter 1 provides introductory results. Compared to those who reported no physician-diagnosis of hypercholesterolemia, those who reported untreated hypercholesterolemia had increased prevalence of advanced adenomas. This association was not observed for those who reported treated hypercholesterolemia. Statin use was more likely to be associated with a decreased prevalence of advanced adenomas at the highest observed pre-colonoscopy LDL levels. Chapter 2 describes a systematic review and meta-analysis of 18 studies that assessed cholesterol from blood at the time of endoscopy, including 6,645 adenoma cases and 21,335 polyp-free controls. Individuals with colorectal adenoma were more likely than controls to have higher total cholesterol, higher triglycerides, and lower HDL. Chapter 3 describes a validation study to assess the accuracy of self-reported hypercholesterolemia, which we found to be accurate with higher specificity than sensitivity. Chapter 4 compares phenotype-polyp associations to genotype-polyp associations estimated from Mendelian randomization analyses. Given that colorectal neoplasia shares many risk factors with cardiovascular disease, including obesity, physical inactivity, and smoking, Mendelian randomization is an attractive approach to help avoid problems with confounding and reverse causation. Dyslipidemia may be a marker of the type of adiposity and dietary exposures that promote neoplasia, but there was insufficient evidence to conclude that genetic susceptibility to dyslipidemia is associated with colorectal polyps. Chapter 5 summarizes primary study limitations and recommendations for future studies.