Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Monitoring and Evaluation of Teacher Professional Development for Resourceful Classroom Practices

This study aimed at assessing teachers' in-service professional development activities based on teachers' perspectives of monitoring and evaluation for the programmes in South Africa. Teachers attend various scheduled professional development activities on a yearly basis to improve their classroom practices; however, the effectiveness of these activities depends on the monitoring and evaluation of teachers on the quality and nature of what they receive as professional development activities. This qualitative research study used the interpretive paradigm to collect data from three Heads of Departments in semi-structured interviews and five teachers in a focus group interview. Theory of andragogy was used as a theoretical framework to underpin teachers' views on workshops, clusters' meetings, conferences and other professional development activities they attended. Findings revealed that South African teachers were not adequately monitored and evaluated on their attendance at various professional development activities for enhanced classroom practices and seemingly, teachers do not attend professional development activities frequently every year. Findings also revealed that the contents of the professional development activities are not satisfactory to the teachers. The study, therefore, recommends that teachers should be assessed to determine their professional needs and the frequencies for these professional development activities should be increased to enhance their classroom practices.
Content-based image retrieval: A review of recent trends

Abstract With the availability of internet technology and the low-cost of digital image sensor, enormous amount of image databases have been created in different kind of applications. These image databases increase the demand to develop efficient image retrieval search methods that meet user requirements. Great attention and efforts have been devoted to improve content-based image retrieval method with a particular focus on reducing the semantic gap between low-level features and human visual perceptions. Due to the increasing research in this field, this paper surveys, analyses and compares the current state-of-the-art methodologies over the last six years in the CBIR field. This paper also provides an overview of CBIR framework, recent low-level feature extraction methods, machine learning algorithms, similarity measures, and a performance evaluation to inspire further research efforts.
DESENVOLVIMENTO DE PRODUTO: UMA APLICAÇÃO NA ELABORAÇÃO DE UM APLICATIVO PARA CÁLCULO DE MATERIAL NA PRODUÇÃO DE CONCRETO

No Brasil, uma solucao construtiva largamente empregada e o concreto armado, devido sua versatilidade, adaptabilidade, facilidade e tecnica disseminada ha muito tempo por todo pais, porem uma dificuldade encontrada nas pequenas e medias obras e a quantificacao de materiais para produzi-lo. Infelizmente, devido a falta de informacao tecnica e comum o desperdicio ou falta dos materiais necessarios (areia, brita e cimento). Surgiu, entao, a ideia de criar uma ferramenta para calcular a quantidade dos materiais, proporcionando a reducao de custo e impacto ambiental. O trabalho apresenta o processo de desenvolvimento de produto, no caso, um aplicativo para celulares com sistema operacional Android, desenvolvido a partir das tres macro etapas e suas subdivisoes: pre-desenvolvimento, desenvolvimento (a qual abrange o projeto informacional, projeto detalhado e lancamento do produto) e pos-desenvolvimento (processo de monitorizacao do produto). Tambem foi empregada a ferramenta para qualidade: Desdobramento da funcao qualidade (QFD), metodo de traducao dos requisitos do consumidor em caracteristicas de qualidade para o produto, afetando diretamente a qualidade total do produto. Como resultado, o desenvolvimento do aplicativo obteve respostas positivas por parte dos usuarios, por ser uma ferramenta facil e rapida para mensuracao de materiais necessarios para obtencao de concreto.
An Efficient 3-D Positioning Approach to Minimize Required UAVs for IoT Network Coverage

Using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to cover users in wireless networks has increased in recent years. Deploying UAVs in appropriate positions is important to cover users and nodes properly. In this article, we propose an efficient approach to determine the minimum number of required UAVs and their optimal positions. To this end, we use an iterative algorithm that updates the number of required UAVs at each iteration. To determine the optimal position for the UAVs, we present a mathematical model and solve it accurately after linearizing. One of the inputs of the mathematical model is a set of candidate points for UAV deployments in 2-D space. The mathematical model selects a set of points among candidate points and determines the altitude of each UAV. To provide a suitable set of candidate points, we also propose a candidate point selection method: the MergeCells method. The simulation results show that the proposed approach performs better than the 3-D P-median approach introduced in the literature. We also compare different candidate point selection approaches, and we show that the MergeCells method outperforms other methods in terms of the number of UAVs, user data rates, and simulation time.
Using GIS approach to map soil fertility in Hyderabad district of Pakistan

A study was conducted in district Hyderabad of Pakistan to map the soil fertility using GIS software under different agricultural practices. Cotton, wheat and sugarcane are the major crops cultivated in the region. Due to arid climate, irrigated agriculture in the region depends largely on water withdrawal from Indus River while some farmers use tube-wells. Key characteristics of the region are intensive cropping, imbalanced use of fertilizers, unreliable and poor quality of the irrigation water which resulted in less fertile soils. However, there is yet no detailed spatial information with respect to the status of the micro and macro nutrients in the soils. The objective of this study was thus to prepare detailed maps using GIS for the soil fertility of the region and to link the status of fertility with agricultural practices. The soil samples were taken from 80 spatially distributed locations from a depth of 0-60 cm. Soil samples were analyzed for texture, electrical conductivity, pH, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, potassium and micro nutrients (Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn and B). The data regarding fertilizer application, cropping pattern, crop rotation and irrigation practices were also collected from the farmers. The interpolated maps for the status of micro and macro nutrients show a clear deficiency of nutrients across the district. Nitrogen is deficient in 96 %, potassium and phosphorus are below the critical levels in 95 and 76 % of the soils of the irrigated area, respectively. Organic matter is below recommended levels in 95 % of the cropping area. More than 50 % of the area has sandy loam to sandy clay loam soil texture. The cotton-wheat rotation does not provide any time for soil recovery and therefore intensive cropping followed by mismanaged heavy irrigation and insufficient and unbalanced fertilization caused nutrient deficiencies in the soils of this region.
Health Literacy Knowledge Level of Chinese Registered Nurses and Associated Practices: A Cross-sectional Survey

BackgroundHealth literacy is recognized as a social determinant of health based on its impact on health outcomes. Nurses play a vital role in the promotion of health literacy, health literacy practices enable nurses to offer understandable health information to all people and contribute to health equity. The aims of this study were to investigate health literacy knowledge level and associated practices among Chinese registered nurses and identify related factors.MethodsA cross-sectional study design was used. The Chinese version of the Health Literacy Knowledge and Experience Survey was adapted among registered nurses (N=768) from six hospitals in Zhejiang Province of China. Descriptive statistics, one-way analysis of variance and multiple linear regression were used to analyze the data of demographic characteristics, knowledge and associated practices.ResultsThe health literacy knowledge level of 768 nurses was 12.78±3.54, of the five content areas, basic facts about health literacy had the lowest correct answer rate 43.2%. Educational background (P=0.000), position (P=0.010), professional title (P=0.030), department (P=0.009), and whether they had heard about health literacy (P=0.022) were significantly correlated with health literacy knowledge level. The multiple linear regression analysis found that educational background and whether they had heard about health literacy were positively associated with health literacy knowledge level. In the aspect of health literacy education practice, using written materials to provide healthcare information (P=0.000), using computer software to provide healthcare information (P=0.003) and using teach-back to examine the effect of health education (P=0.000) were positively correlated with health literacy knowledge level.ConclusionThis study indicated that registered nurses in Zhejiang Province of China had low health literacy knowledge level and applied health literacy-associated practices inadequately. It is urgent to improve the knowledge level of nurses' health literacy. Educational background, position, professional title, department, and whether they had heard about health literacy were significantly correlated with health literacy knowledge level. In the continuous training, it is very important to design corresponding health literacy courses according to different departments and different levels of nurses.
Revealing the role of past and current climate in shaping the distribution of two parapatric European bats, Myotis daubentonii and M. capaccinii

Abstract In this contribution, we aim at determining the role of climate in shaping the current and historical (Last Glacial Maximum and Middle Holocene) distributions of two parapatric bat species (Myotis daubentonii and Myotis capaccinii) in Europe, using ensemble Habitat Suitability Modelling (HSM). Model projection to current climatic conditions predicted distributions largely coherent with the ones observed for the two species in the study area. Temperature- and precipitation-linked variables well accounted for the observed parapatry of the two target species. Moreover, areas of co-occurrence turned out to be those where the main ecological needs concerning the most important range-limiting variables are met for both species. Model projections to past scenarios allowed us to hypothesize the effects of climatic oscillations over the distribution of the two species during the Late Pleistocene and Holocene. Extreme range contractions during the Last Glacial Maximum and the subsequent expansions during Middle Holocene were predicted, consistently with general patterns of post-glacial recolonization routes of many temperate bat species in Europe. Our findings are largely coherent with recent phylogeographic studies investigating the two target species, thus corroborating the validity of potential distribution scenarios obtained from the models and, more importantly, confirming the great influence that glacial cycles had in shaping the biogeography of the European fauna.
Calcium balance in laboratory rabbits.

: Calcium balance was measured and the renal handling of calcium was investigated in female New Zealand White rabbits. The rabbits were studied in metabolism cages while they were consuming tap water and a laboratory feed. The rabbits were growing and were in positive calcium balance. Of the excreted calcium 47 +/- 3% (mean +/- SD) was in the urine and 53 +/- 3% was in the feces. The mean plasma total calcium concentration was 3.32 +/- 0.09 mM, of which the ultrafiltrable fraction was 0.679. The percentage of calcium filtered at the glomeruli that was excreted in the urine was 44.9 +/- 0.9%. We conclude that under standard laboratory conditions these rabbits have higher plasma calcium concentrations and urinary fractional excretions of calcium than other mammalian species.
Nanocellulose characterization challenges

Despite the extraordinary properties of nanocellulose (NC), as confirmed through two decades of exhaustive research, addressing an array of potential applications, the NC market is still far from reaching its full potential. Among the main causes is the lack of process-adapted measuring tools capable of characterizing NC, at acceptable speed and reliability, to meet the industrial demands in a cost-effective way. Therefore, reliable characterization methodologies of NC and new standards are of paramount importance in ensuring reproducible research results and quality control specifications for present and future NC products and applications. Furthermore, the successful industrial use of NC products depends on critical parameters that are still being identified and studied. This review paper aims to identify some of the current drawbacks and limitations in NC characterization that hinder their commercial deployment. Moreover, important challenges related to characterization and new opportunities for future research in this field are addressed.
Predicting Kidney Graft Survival Using Machine Learning Methods: Prediction Model Development and Feature Significance Analysis Study

Background Kidney transplantation is the optimal treatment for patients with end-stage renal disease. Short- and long-term kidney graft survival is influenced by a number of donor and recipient factors. Predicting the success of kidney transplantation is important for optimizing kidney allocation. Objective The aim of this study was to predict the risk of kidney graft failure across three temporal cohorts (within 1 year, within 5 years, and after 5 years following a transplant) based on donor and recipient characteristics. We analyzed a large data set comprising over 50,000 kidney transplants covering an approximate 20-year period. Methods We applied machine learning–based classification algorithms to develop prediction models for the risk of graft failure for three different temporal cohorts. Deep learning–based autoencoders were applied for data dimensionality reduction, which improved the prediction performance. The influence of features on graft survival for each cohort was studied by investigating a new nonoverlapping patient stratification approach. Results Our models predicted graft survival with area under the curve scores of 82% within 1 year, 69% within 5 years, and 81% within 17 years. The feature importance analysis elucidated the varying influence of clinical features on graft survival across the three different temporal cohorts. Conclusions In this study, we applied machine learning to develop risk prediction models for graft failure that demonstrated a high level of prediction performance. Acknowledging that these models performed better than those reported in the literature for existing risk prediction tools, future studies will focus on how best to incorporate these prediction models into clinical care algorithms to optimize the long-term health of kidney recipients.
DFT studies of Ni cluster on graphene surface: effect of CO2 activation

CO2 capture, storage, sequestration (CCS), and utilization (CCU) are regarded as the most effective way to slow the pace of global warming. In our present work, the structural stability and catalytic properties for adsorbing CO2 on the surface of isolated Ni clusters and 5–8–5 monovacancy graphene (MGr) supported Ni clusters have been investigated using density functional theory. The results show that, with the increasing of atomic number, the structure of isolated Ni clusters tended to be stable and the structural parameters approached to that of metal crystal. In addition, when Ni clusters deposited on the MGr surface, the Ni–Ni bond generally elongated, indicating activation of the isolated metal clusters by graphene. Adsorption energies of CO2 onto Ni4 cluster and MGr were −1.80 and −1.35 eV, respectively, while the value reached −2.72 eV when CO2 adsorbed on Ni4 cluster modified with MGr (Nix/MGr). The phenomenon indicates that the adsorption capacity of CO2 were significantly improved by depositing Ni clusters onto MGr surface and the system tended to be more stable. According to the analyses of Mulliken charge, electrostatic potential (EP) and partial density of states (PDOS), more electrons transferred from Nix cluster to the region of CO2 and MGr when CO2 adsorbed on Nix/MGr. The mechanism was proposed for CO2 adsorption on Nix/MGr at the molecular level. It is of great significance to devise high activity catalyst of CO2 storage and hydrocarbon production from CO2.
APRESENTAÇÃO DE CONTEÚDOS DIDÁTICOS PERSONALIZADOS POR GENERALIZADOR NEURAL

The article presents a model that enables the use of computational systems to realize the automation of content presentation diáticos custom. An artificial neural network classifies the student profile and associated with a proximal pattern of learning that will be the base element for customization. The use of multilevel educational content offers possible combinations allow for different ways of presenting the same content. An experiment was organized to obtain data that proved the efficiency of the system presented. 1
in-vitro stability and aggregatory effect of ethanol extract leaves of Sida acuta Burm F. on human erythrocyte. -

Abstract Aim: This study aims to evaluate the membrane stability, Phospholipase A2 activity, prostaglandin synthase activity and aggregatory effect of ethanol leaves extract of Sida acuta Burm F. using an in-vitro heamolytic assay. Materials and methods: Two milliliters of blood collected from a healthy volunteer who has not taken drugs for last two weeks and ethanol extracts leaves of Sida acuta were used in the assay. Results: Apparently there was platelet aggregation at all but there was no minimal aggregation to denote in samples 1 and 2. There was a decrease in the supernatants of sample 1 of hypotonicity-induced haemolysis of human red blood cells incubated in normal saline but there was a high increase in the supernatants of sample 2 incubated with hypotonic solution. Inclusion of the extract concentrations 2, 4 and 8 mg/ml in the incubation medium (hypotonic solution) in samples 3, 4 and 5 decreased in a concentration dependent fashion. The absorption of haemolysed human red blood cells in isotonic solution showed the OD of 540nm:630nm to 2.15 for methaemoglobin while the OD of 540nm:570nm was 0.97 for deoxyhaemoglobin. In hypotonic solution where haemoglobin was released, the ratio of 540nm:630nm was 4.41 and 540nm:570nm was 1.20. The inclusion of the extract concentrations 2, 4 and 8 mg/ml in samples 3, 4 and 5 caused the ratio to decreased from1.69, 1.58 and 0.41 for methaemoglobin and 1.08, 0.86 and 0.41 for deoxyhaemoglobin. There was a decrease in activity of phospholipase A2 in samples 3, 4, 5 and 9 with the extract concentrations 2, 6, 12 and 16 mg/ml respectively but no decrease was observed in samples 6,7, 8 and 10, though no human red blood cells was included in samples 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10. There was a significant reduction (p  0.05) in prostaglandin synthase activity in sample 4 with extract concentration 25 mg/ml but a non-significant decrease (p  0.05) was observed in samples 3 and 5. Conclusion: The extract showed a significant inhibition of in-vitro haemolysis and could have a potential therapeutic effect on disease processes causing destabilization of biological membranes.
Aromatic profiles of young wines from berries at different heights on grapevines

The differences among young wines from berries at 3 heights (fruit-zone 1 (FZ1): 140-200 cm above the ground; FZ2: 80-140 cm; FZ3: 20-80 cm) on Vitis vinifera L.cv Merlot and Chardonnay were assessed to evaluate the influence of berry-heights on the final wine quality. Stir bar sorptive extraction coupled with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (SBSE-GC/MS) was used to analyse the characteristics of wine aromas. The results revealed that berry-heights exert significant influence on ethyl octanoate, isoamyl acetate, ethyl hexanoate, and ethyl butanoate in various- FZ Merlot wines and beta-damascenone in the Chardonnay -FZ wines. As a result, FZ1 wines of Merlot are more aromatic than the other FZ wines and had the highest floral and fruity series intensity. For the Chardonnay wines, fruity and sweet series were highly intense in the FZ1 wines. The PCA results demonstrated a high degree of differences in the aroma of various- FZ wines of the 2 grape cultivars, especially the Merlot variety, which indicates a need to separate the berries from the different- FZs. These results suggest that wineries should consider the possibility of separating berries from different-heights to produce wines of distinctive quality. Furthermore, this knowledge about the volatile composition of young wines offers a means of evaluating the aroma potential of wines from berries taking into account their position along the vines.
Groundwater assessment in the Mediterranean region: Regional modelling and in-situ data across scales

<p>Groundwater is a valuable resource throughout the world. It supplies the needs of many sectors everywhere. Providing high spatial resolution groundwater data is important for climatic, hydrological and agricultural applications, to ensure sustainable groundwater management. The scarcity of high-resolution groundwater data over large scales at the required accuracy is a significant limitation for such applications. This study was undertaken in the Mediterranean region, which is recognized as one of the world's most sensitive regions to water scarcity due to both climate change and consistently increasing anthropogenic pressures. Groundwater is considered a strategic freshwater reserve in the Mediterranean region; however, its status remains poorly characterized. This study investigates the feasibility of downscaling outputs of three global groundwater models (Reinecke et al. (2019), de Graaf et al. (2017) and Fan et al. (2013)) to higher resolution. </p><p>Steady-state results of the three models were compared with in-situ groundwater level observations, and an aggregation method was developed for downscaling. Observations from a long-term groundwater monitoring network over different regional studies around the Mediterranean were employed. Results showed that there is a significant discrepancy between the three compared model outputs. More specifically, the de Graaf et al. (2017) model presents a deeper water table than Reinecke et al. (2019) and Fan et al. (2013), while de Graaf et al. (2017) generally shows more significant variability in simulated water table depth. A detailed comparison between simulated and measured water table depth of different Mediterranean aquifers having different climatic, geologic and anthropogenic conditions will be presented. </p><p>The results of this work will contribute to advance the understanding of how to combine large-scale groundwater modelling with local in-situ data as a crucial tool to improve groundwater management in data-scarce regions. </p><p>This work was supported by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF, Germany, Grant 01DH19015) under the Project Sustain-COAST, co-funded by EU PRIMA 2018 programme. </p><p>&#160;</p><p><strong>References</strong></p><ul><li>&#173; Reinecke, R. et al. Challenges in developing a global gradient-based groundwater model (G<sup>3</sup>M v1.0) for the integration into a global hydrological model. Model Dev 12, 2401-2418 (2019). </li> <li>&#173; de Graaf, I. et al. A global-scale two-layer transient groundwater model: Development and application to groundwater depletion. Water Resour 102, 53-67 (2017). </li> <li>&#173; Fan, Y. et al. Global patterns of groundwater table depth. Science 339, 940-943 (2013). </li> </ul>