bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clustering Count-based RNA Methylation Data Using a Nonparametric Generative Model
Authors: Zhang Lin , He Yanling , Wang Huaizhi , Liu Hui , Huang Yufei , Wang Xuesong , Meng Jia 
Published: June 2018

Background:RNA methylome has been discovered as an important layer of gene regulation and can be profiled directly with count-based measurements from high-throughput sequencing data. Although the detailed regulatory circuit of the epitranscriptome remains uncharted, clustering effect in methylation status among different RNA methylation sites can be identified from transcriptome-wide RNA methylation profiles and may reflect the epitranscriptomic regulation. Count-based RNA methylation sequencing data has unique features, such as low reads coverage, which calls for novel clustering approaches. <P><P> Objective: Besides the low reads coverage, it is also necessary to keep the integer property to approach clustering analysis of count-based RNA methylation sequencing data. <P><P> Method: We proposed a nonparametric generative model together with its Gibbs sampling solution for clustering analysis. The proposed approach implements a beta-binomial mixture model to capture the clustering effect in methylation level with the original count-based measurements rather than an estimated continuous methylation level. Besides, it adopts a nonparametric Dirichlet process to automatically determine an optimal number of clusters so as to avoid the common model selection problem in clustering analysis. <P><P> Results: When tested on the simulated system, the method demonstrated improved clustering performance over hierarchical clustering, K-means, MClust, NMF and EMclust. It also revealed on real dataset two novel RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) co-methylation patterns that may be induced directly by METTL14 and WTAP, which are two known regulatory components of the RNA m6A methyltransferase complex. <P><P> Conclusion: Our proposed DPBBM method not only properly handles the count-based measurements of RNA methylation data from sites of very low reads coverage, but also learns an optimal number of clusters adaptively from the data analyzed. <P><P> Availability: The source code and documents of DPBBM R package are freely available through the Comprehensive R Archive Network (CRAN): https://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/DPBBM/.
Gray-Level Co-occurrence Matrix and Random Forest Based Off-line Odia Handwritten Character Recognition
Authors: Sethy Abhisek , Patra Prashanta Kumar , Nayak Deepak Ranjan 
Published: June 2018

Background:
In the past decades, handwritten character recognition has received considerable
attention from researchers across the globe because of its wide range of applications in daily life.
From the literature, it has been observed that there is limited study on various handwritten Indian scripts
and Odia is one of them. We revised some of the patents relating to handwritten character recognition.

Methods:
This paper deals with the development of an automatic recognition system for offline handwritten
Odia character recognition. In this case, prior to feature extraction from images, preprocessing
has been done on the character images. For feature extraction, first the gray level co-occurrence matrix
(GLCM) is computed from all the sub-bands of two-dimensional discrete wavelet transform (2D DWT)
and thereafter, feature descriptors such as energy, entropy, correlation, homogeneity, and contrast are
calculated from GLCMs which are termed as the primary feature vector. In order to further reduce the
feature space and generate more relevant features, principal component analysis (PCA) has been employed.
Because of the several salient features of random forest (RF) and K- nearest neighbor (K-NN),
they have become a significant choice in pattern classification tasks and therefore, both RF and K-NN
are separately applied in this study for segregation of character images.

Results:
All the experiments were performed on a system having specification as windows 8, 64-bit operating
system, and Intel (R) i7 – 4770 CPU @ 3.40 GHz. Simulations were conducted through
Matlab2014a on a standard database named as NIT Rourkela Odia Database.

Conclusion:
The proposed system has been validated on a standard database. The simulation results
based on 10-fold cross-validation scenario demonstrate that the proposed system earns better accuracy
than the existing methods while requiring least number of features. The recognition rate using RF and
K-NN classifier is found to be 94.6% and 96.4% respectively.
One-pot Preparation of Cu2(OH)3NO3 Nanosheets and Cu(OH)2 Nanowires
Authors: Zhang Wenzhe , Yang Ailing , Bao Xichang 
Published: June 2018

Introduction:
By using Cu(NO3)2 as precursor and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as surfactant,
nanosheets of Cu2(OH)3NO3, nanowires of Cu(OH)2 or the mixture of the two were prepared under
different molar ratios of OH− to Cu2+.

Materials and Methods:
The crystal structures and morphologies of the products were characterized by
X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM).

Results:
When the molar ratio of OH− to Cu2+ in reaction solution is lower than 1.28, pure Cu2(OH)3NO3
nanosheets were obtained. The thickness of one piece of nanosheet is about 167 nm. The Cu2(OH)3NO3
nanosheets consists of two types of crystal structures, monoclinic phase and orthorhombic phase. With
increase of the molar ratio of OH− to Cu2+, the monoclinic phase of Cu2(OH)3NO3 was transferred to
the orthorhombic phase of Cu2(OH)3NO3. When the molar ratio of OH− to Cu2+ is within 1.28-2.24, the
product is the mixture of Cu2(OH)3NO3 nanosheets and Cu(OH)2 nanowires. And when this molar ratio is
higher than 2.24, only Cu(OH)2 nanowires were produced. The lengths and the diameters of the Cu(OH)2
nanowires are in the region of 50-250 nm and 10 nm, respectively.

Conclusion:
The reason of the Cu2(OH)3NO3 nanosheets changing into the Cu(OH)2 nanowires is that the
OH− anions replace the NO3
− anions in the layered Cu2(OH)3NO3 nanosheets, which causes the rupture of
hydrogen bonds connecting the adjacent layers. The Cu(OH)2 nanowires were not stable and found to become
spindled CuO nanosheets in air at room temperature.
Perceção dos professores sobre a avaliação do desempenho docente
Authors: Alves Maria Piedade , Cunha Pedro Fernando , Lourenço Abílio Afonso , Monteiro Ana Paula 
Published: June 2018

Existe um consenso de que o desenvolvimento de um país depende da qualidade da sua educação. Assim, a Avaliação de Desempenho Docente (ADD) surgiu porque o Ministério da Tutela acredita que esta pode contribuir para a qualidade da educação, bem como para a valorização e o desenvolvimento pessoal e profissional dos professores. Todavia, o tema é complexo, tendo dado origem a intensa contestação docente e sindical em Portugal. Este estudo pretendeu conhecer como os professores percecionam a avaliação de desempenho. Para tal, procedeu-se a uma investigação quantitativa numa amostra constituída por 240 professores a exercerem funções em Portugal Continental, aos quais administrámos um inquérito por questionário. Os dados recolhidos foram tratados e analisados utilizando a técnica de modelação de equações estruturais. As principais conclusões apontam, quanto ao género, habilitações académicas e tempo de serviço, para a existência de algumas associações com a perceção que os professores possuem sobre a adequação da avaliação de desempenho. Os resultados revelam ainda que os professores que apresentam um melhor entendimento sobre a avaliação de desempenho consideram cumprir mais os objetivos e manifestam ter melhor prática científica e pedagógica, sendo também aqueles que manifestam menor perceção da adequação do processo de avaliação docente.Palavras-chave: Avaliação; Desempenho; Professores ABSTRACTThere is a consensus about the idea that the development of a country depends on the quality of its education. The Teaching Performance Assessment arises because the Ministry of Education believes that it can contribute to the quality of education, as well as to the personal and professional development of the teachers. However, the issue is complex and it gave origin to intense teaching and union´s contestation in Portugal. This research aimed to know how teachers perceive teaching performance assessment. We carried out a quantitative research study with a sample of 240 teachers, to whom we applied a questionnaire. The data were treated and analyzed using the structural equation modeling technique. The main conclusions point to, concerning gender, academic abilities and time of service, the existence of some associations with the perception that teachers have about the adequacy of the performance assessment. Results reveal that the teachers who present a better understanding about the performance evaluation consider to better attain its objectives; they also demonstrate a better scientific and pedagogical practice, and show less appreciation of the adequacy of the teacher evaluation process. Keywords: Assessment; Performance; Teachers
NEPHROPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF THE ETHNOMEDICINAL PLANTS CAESALPINIA BONDUC AND MOMORDICA DIOICA FROM NE INDIA AGAINST CISPLATIN INDUCED CHEMOTHERAPEUTIC TOXICITY
Authors: Talukdar Anindita , Kalita Ranjan Dutta , Gohain Nilakshi , Saikia Kandarpa Kr. , Kalita Mohan Chandra 
Published: June 2018

Objective: Cisplatin a potent anticancer drug is used for treatment against different forms of cancer. However a major limitation of cisplatin is its nephrotoxicity and severe side effects. The main objective of the present study was to investigate the nephroprotective activity of the medicinal plants Caesalpinia bonduc and Momordica dioica against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. Methods: In the present study wistar rat models were intraperitoneally injected with cisplatin for eight consecutive days Plant extracts of different compositions were administered for eight days after injection of cisplatin. The polyphenolic content of the crude extracts was investigated using the Folin Ciocalteau method while the flavonoid estimation was carried out using the aluminium chloride method. The antioxidant activities of the extracts were assayed using the DPPH radical scavenging method. Plant extracts were tested for their nephroprotective ability using modified Berthelot method, uricase method, alkaline picrate method.Results: In the present study it was found that the level of creatinine, urea, uric acid and blood urea nitrogen was lowered by the crude hexane extract of Momordica dioica and ethyl acetate extract of Caesalpinia bonduc as compared to the control group. The total phenolic content and the total flavonoid content was found to be highest in the hexane extract of Momordica dioica with 110.51±1.0 μg/GAE and 1.92±0.15 μg/QE. The methanol extract of Caesalpinia bonduc was found to be the highest in inhibition of the DPPH free radicals with nearly 80% inhibition.Conclusion: The present study revealed the nephroprotective ability of the hexane extract of Momordica dioica and ethyl acetate extract Caeselpinia bonduc. The extracts were also found to have higher antioxidant activity and therefore their nephroprotective activity might be due to attenuation of oxidative stress.
Development of a veteran engagement toolkit for researchers
Authors: Brys Nicole A , Whittle Jeff , Safdar Nasia 
Published: June 2018

Aim:
Engaging patients in the planning, implementation and dissemination of research can increase the credibility and relevance of results and lead to higher quality, more patient-centered care. Veterans have unique experiences and healthcare needs, making their input on research related to their care particularly important. However, existing veteran engagement resources primarily focus on veterans who receive care through the Veterans Health Administration (VA). This excludes those veterans – the majority – who do not use the VA for healthcare.
Methods:
To address this gap, we developed a veteran engagement toolkit that was informed by the work of both VA and non-VA researchers across the USA.
Results:
The resulting toolkit provides guidance on essential engagement activities relevant to researchers in a variety of settings.
Conclusion:
Investigators wishing to engage the veteran community may benefit from the experience and lessons summarized in this veteran-informed toolkit, in addition to resources directed at informing community engagement more generally.
Out-of-School Reading and Literature Discussion: An Exploration of Adolescents’ Participation in Digital Book Clubs
Authors: Colwell Jamie , Woodward Lindsay , Hutchison Amy 
Published: June 2018

This research used an inductive qualitative method to examine how adolescents participate in online literature discussion, with limited guidance from adults, through a summer reading program. Using a New Literacy framework, the authors considered that literacy is social and collaborative and that adolescents often engage in such literacy practices on the Internet outside of school. This study considered these literacy practices to examine an eight-week voluntary online summer reading program at a public library and how such a program might inform such activities in school settings to promote more authentic opportunities for literacy engagement. In this program, twelve adolescents (ages 13-17) read print-based young adult novels and responded to their reading in threaded discussion boards, called book clubs, in a closed, online social network. Results indicated two overlapping themes related to students’ formality in writing to promote shared learning and personalizing digital discussions to make connections. Researchers found adolescents spontaneously adopted online discussion techniques that hybridized formal discussion practices with more personal practices to encourage emotive transaction with text. These results raised implications for integrating such activities in classroom settings to support all learners and to promote academic literacies.
The Impact of Program-Wide Discussion Board Grading Rubric on Student and Faculty Satisfaction
Authors: McKinney Brinda Kay 
Published: June 2018

Abstract:In addition to learning more about a topic, online discussion activities may be used to develop skills in reflective practice, critical evaluation, and leadership. Faculty often spends a great amount of time and energy developing discussion assignments that will improve these skills and align with course learning outcomes. Facilitating and evaluating online discussion assignments can seem overwhelming and time-consuming for instructors. Students may feel the online discussion forum assignments lacks clarity and be at a loss on how to proceed. Incongruity about the assignment occurs when the instructor’s expectations about the discussion activity and the students' understanding about the assignment’s expectations do not align. This article will review a collaborative process used to align instructor expectations and student understanding for the express purpose of evaluating online discussion board assignments in a fair and objective manner.
Losartan versus enalapril in dogs asymptomatic carriers of myxomatous degeneration of mitral valve
Authors: GOMEZ ORTIZ EDNA , ZACCHÉ EVANDRO , GAVA, FABIO N , CAMACHO APARECIDO 
Published: June 2018

The myxomatous mitral valve degeneration (DMVM) is the most common heart disease in dogs. The treatment of congestive heart failure (CHF) from DMVM is based on the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitor) Receptor antagonists of angiotensin II (ARBs) promote complete blockade of angiotensin II, and are used in the treatment of CHF in humans, but is not common in dogs. The objective of this research was to compare the clinical responses of dogs carriers DMVM treated with enalapril-ACE inhibitors, losartan-ARBs. Thirteen dogs with DMVM and ICC class Ib were randomized into two groups as follows: G1-enalapril and G2-losartan. On physical examination, electrocardiogram and blood pressure were measured on days 0, 14, 28 and 56 after the begging of treatment. Radiographic measure, Vertebral Heart Size-VHS and ecodopplercardiográficas variables were obtained on days 0 and 56. Data were subjected to analysis of variance with repeated measures. There was no difference (P>0.05) for ecodopplercardiográficas, electrocardiographic and radiographic variables between the groups studied. In relation to time, there was a decrease (P <0.05) of the VHS, duration of the P wave and the QRS complex variables. We conclude that losartan acts similarly to enalapril in the initial treatment (first 56 days) of dogs with DMVM class Ib and II of the CHF.
Optimization of 6-Gingerol Extraction Assisted by Microwave From Fresh Ginger Using Response Surface Methodology
Authors: M Vedashree , Naidu Madeneni Madhava 
Published: June 2018

The present study investigates optimum conditions for Microwave assisted extraction (MAE) of 6-gingerol. Ginger was dried using a cross flow dryer at 55 ± 2 0C for eight hours. Ginger powder was extracted at three different watts (400 W, 500 W, and 600 W), temperatures (50 0C, 60 0C, 70 0C) and time (10, 20, 30 min) for optimum yield. 6-gingerol content was found to be 21.15 ± 0.13 and 18.81 ± 0.15 mg/g in fresh ginger and dried ginger, respectively. Optimized condition obtained by RSM for 6-gingerol was 400 W, 70 0C at 10 min extraction time. The results of MAE are expressed by 2-D contour plot and response surface curve by keeping one variable constant which showed highest yield at 600 W, 70 0C for 30 min extraction time. Microwave assisted extracts exhibited higher antioxidant activity in comparison with conventional extracts.
The Role and Value of Symptom-Modification Approaches in Musculoskeletal Practice
Authors: Lehman Gregory J. 
Published: June 2018

The diversity of models of care in contemporary musculoskeletal physical therapy can be confusing for patients and practicing clinicians. There is, however, a common theme to many of these seemingly disparate models of care: symptom modification. Symptom modification aims at reducing symptoms and improving function with a variety of clinical approaches. This Viewpoint explores the role of symptom modification in rehabilitation and specifically addresses (1) symptom modification within the kinesiopathological model of pain, (2) symptom modification in clinical practice, and (3) potential commonality in seemingly divergent models of clinical practice. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2018;48(6):430–435. doi:10.2519/jospt.2018.0608
Engaging With Research: Linking Evidence With Practice
Authors: Kamper Steven J. 
Published: June 2018

This is the first in a series of brief overviews covering discrete aspects of clinical research. The aim is to help clinicians become more proficient consumers of research and encourage appropriate incorporation of evidence into practice. Well-executed evidence-based practice (EBP) does not dismiss clinical experience. However, it is important to understand the potential limitations and relevant biases when appraising and applying information recalled from clinical experience. EBP challenges clinicians to accept flaws in their reasoning and recognize their own biases, and demands that they develop the skills to find, appraise, and integrate research evidence into their practice. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2018;48(6):512–513. doi:10.2519/jospt.2018.0701
TÜRKİYE’DE VE AVRUPA BİRLİĞİ’NDE TARIMSAL DESTEKLERİN DEĞERLENDİRİLMESİ
Authors: ÖZKAN Gökçen , KARAKÖY Fırat 
Published: June 2018

Bu çalışmanın amacı,
Avrupa Birliği ve Türkiye’de uygulanan tarımsal destekleme politikalarını
değerlendirmektir. Avrupa Birliği ülkeleri ile Türkiye’nin karşılaştırmalı
analizinin yapıldığı bu çalışmada, 2006-2016 yılları arası tarım sektörünün
GSYH ve istihdamdaki payı, tarımsal desteklerin ise bütçedeki payı esas
alınmıştır. Elde edilen verilere göre, Türkiye ekonomisindeki payı giderek
azalmış olmasına karşın hala toplam istihdamın beşte birine sahip olan tarım
sektörüne ciddi destekler verildiği ancak son yıllarda tarımsal desteklerin
bütçedeki tutarı artmasına rağmen payının azaldığı gözlemlenmektedir. İlk ortak
politikasını tarım sektöründe oluşturan Avrupa Birliği’nde ise tarımsal
desteklere önemli kaynaklar ayrılmaktadır. Avrupa Birliği bütçesindeki payı
azalmasına karşın Ortak Tarım Politikası harcamalarının AB harcamaları içindeki
payı %40 seviyelerindedir. Türkiye
bütçesinde %2 paya sahip olan tarımsal desteklerin artırılması oldukça gerekli
görülmektedir. Bu sayede tarım sektörünün rekabet edebilirlik düzeyinin
yükseltilmesi ve dışa bağımlılığın azaltılması mümkün olacaktır.
GREEN SYNTHESIS OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES USING SAGO (METROXYLON SAGU) VIA AUTOCLAVING METHOD
Authors: Jamaludin Aliyah , Mohammad Faizal Che Ku 
Published: June 2018

Sago (metroxylon sagu) is a polysaccharide bio resource, which is biodegradable and low in toxicity that can be found in large scale in Mukah, Sarawak.Â A simple green method of synthesizing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has been developed using sago dissolved in water as the reducing agent. The mixture of dissolved sago and silver nitrate (AgNO3) were autoclaved at 121 Â°C for 20 minutes. The size, morphology and structures of the AgNPs formed in the sago solution were investigated through UV-Vis spectrophotemeter, XRD and FESEM analysis. The synthesized AgNPs were spherical in shape and well distributed with average particle sizes of 19.3 Â± 2.7 nm.ABSTRAK: Sago (Pokok Rumbia) adalah sumber bio polisakarida yang bioterurai dan rendah ketoksikan yang boleh didapati dalam skala yang besar di Mukah, Sarawak. Satu kaedah hijau yang mudah untuk mensintesis nanopartikel perak telah dihasilkan dengan menggunakan sagu yang larut dalam air sebagai ejen penurunan. Campuran sagu yang dilarutkan dan perak nitrat (AgNO3) telah autoklaf pada suhu 121Â°C selama 20 minit. Saiz, morfologi dan struktur nanopartikel perak yang terhasil di dalam larutan sago telah disiasat melalui analisis spektrofotometer UV-Vis, XRD dan FESEM. Nanopartikel perak yang dihasilkan adalah berbentuk bulat dengan purata saiz partikel 19.3 Â± 2.7 nm.