nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
The importance of vocabulary at tertiary level

This study investigated first year students' vocabulary knowledge using a test of 'controlled productive ability' used by Laufer and Nation (1995) in their study of lexical richness in writing. This test, and its later versions, is based on the view that vocabulary consists of various levels according to frequency of occurrence (Laufer and Nation, 1999: 35) The study explored the relationship between students' productive vocabulary knowledge and their course of study and gender, and the relationship between their productive vocabulary knowledge and their academic performance. Findings revealed that course of study and gender were indicators of vocabulary knowledge, with Literature students performing better on the Vocabulary Levels Test (VLT) than their Law counterparts, and women outperforming men at all levels. Correlations revealed a robust relationship between overall knowledge of vocabulary and academic performance. Multiple regressions showed that Level 3 (5000 word level) and Level 4 (University Word List [UWL] were predictor variables for Literature and Law students respectively. These levels are significant in illuminating the link between vocabulary knowledge and academic performance, as measured by examination scores.  Vocabulary size; Productive vocabulary knowledge; Measurement of vocabulary; Vocabulary Levels Test; South African university students; Gender;
The Illustrated Guide To World Religions

Thank you for reading the illustrated guide to world religions. Maybe you have knowledge that, people have look numerous times for their chosen books like this the illustrated guide to world religions, but end up in harmful downloads. Rather than enjoying a good book with a cup of tea in the afternoon, instead they juggled with some infectious bugs inside their computer. the illustrated guide to world religions is available in our book collection an online access to it is set as public so you can download it instantly. Our digital library saves in multiple countries, allowing you to get the most less latency time to download any of our books like this one. Merely said, the the illustrated guide to world religions is universally compatible with any devices to read.
Isolation and Molecular Identification of New Benzene Degrading Lysinibacillus Strains from Gasoline Contaminated Soil

The aim of this study was to isolate and identify aerobic benzene degrading bacteria from soil sample contaminated with gasoline. Soil samples were collected from gasoline contaminated sites located around gas stations in the Al Mafraq city of Jordan. Ten grams of soil were transferred to Stanier's medium supplemented with 1% benzene and aerobically incubate at 30degC for 72 h. Five morphologically different bacterial isolates were recovered from soil samples and designated as 1J1, 2J2, DJ2, 3J4 and 1J1 2. These isolates were subjected to analyses for identification and characterization. All isolates were Gram positive, endospore forming, motile, mesophilic and rod shaped aerobic bacteria. Biochemically, all were catalase and oxidase positive except DJ2, which was negative for oxidase. Based on their 16S rDNA sequences, they appear to be closely related to the genus Lysinibacillus (L) Isolate 1J1 revealed 91% homology with L. fusiformis, suggesting a member of a new genus with some similarity to the genus Lysinibacillus. Isolates 2J2, DJ2, 3J4 and 1J1 2 exhibited more than 97% sequence identity to L. xylanilyticus, L. odeysseyi, L. macrolides and L. boronitolerans, respectively. The 16S rDNA sequences of these isolates were deposited in GenBank database. All isolates grew best in Stanier's medium when the optimal growth conditions were 1% benzene, 30degC and pH 6.8. In conclusion, five novel bacterial isolates with similarity to the genus Lysinibacillus that utilize benzene as the sole carbon and energy source were isolated and characterized from soil samples contaminated by gasoline. These five isolates can be considered as ideal candidates for bioremediation of benzene from soils.
Isolation and Identification of Protease Producing Pseudomonas sp. PD14 in the Gut of Rabbitfish Siganus guttatus (Bloch 1787)

Bacterial enzymes associated with the gut of fish are known to aid in digestion and nutrition of the host. Isolation, identification and characterisation of protease producing bacteria from the gut of rabbitfish Siganus guttatus (Bloch 1787) were carried out in the present study. Protease producing bacteria were isolated in peptone gelatin agar (PGA) plates and the isolated strains were qualitatively and quantitatively screened for enzyme production. Highest protease activity, 25.32+ 1.06 U mg 1 protein, was observed in bacterial isolate PD14. Biochemical and molecular analysis revealed that the isolate is 99% homologous to Pseudomonas sp. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of the isolate was deposited in GenBank with accession number KR779515. Qualitative tests on enzyme production through measurement of the zone of hydrolysis further suggest that optimum protease production was 36 h at 40 o C, pH 7 8 in a peptone gelatin agar with 2% NaCl. The data gathered from this study could contribute to the utilisation of such bacteria in fish nutrition or other biotechnological applications.
Assessing human mirror activity with EEG mu rhythm: A meta analysis.
Venue: Psychological bulletin

A fundamental issue in cognitive neuroscience is how the brain encodes others' actions and intentions. In recent years, a potential advance in our knowledge on this issue is the discovery of mirror neurons in the motor cortex of the nonhuman primate. These neurons fire to both execution and observation of specific types of actions. Researchers use this evidence to fuel investigations of a human mirror system, suggesting a common neural code for perceptual and motor processes. Among the methods used for inferring mirror system activity in humans are changes in a particular frequency band in the electroencephalogram (EEG) called the mu rhythm. Mu frequency appears to decrease in amplitude (reflecting cortical activity) during both action execution and action observation. The current meta analysis reviewed 85 studies (1,707 participants) of mu that infer human mirror system activity. Results demonstrated significant effect sizes for mu during execution (Cohen's d 0.46, N 701) as well as observation of action (Cohen's d 0.31, N 1,508) confirming a mirroring property in the EEG. A number of moderators were examined to determine the specificity of these effects. We frame these meta analytic findings within the current discussion about the development and functions of a human mirror system, and conclude that changes in EEG mu activity provide a valid means for the study of human neural mirroring. Suggestions for improving the experimental and methodological approaches in using mu to study the human mirror system are offered.
Role of Antimicrobial Peptides in Amphibian Defense Against Trematode Infection
Venue: EcoHealth

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) contribute to the immune defenses of many vertebrates, including amphibians. As larvae, amphibians are often exposed to the infectious stages of trematode parasites, many of which must penetrate the host's skin, potentially interacting with host AMPs. We tested the effects of the natural AMPs repertoires on both the survival of trematode infectious stages as well as their ability to infect larval amphibians. All five trematode species exhibited decreased survival of cercariae in response to higher concentrations of adult bullfrog AMPs, but no effect when exposed to AMPs from larval bullfrogs. Similarly, the use of norepinephrine to remove AMPs from larval bullfrogs, Pacific chorus frogs, and gray treefrogs had only weak (gray treefrogs) or non significant (other tested species) effects on infection success by Ribeiroia ondatrae. We nonetheless observed strong differences in parasite infection as a function of both host stage (first versus second year bullfrogs) and host species (Pacific chorus frogs versus gray treefrogs) that were apparently unrelated to AMPs. Taken together, our results suggest that AMPs do not play a significant role in defending larval amphibians against trematode cercariae, but that they could be one mechanism helping to prevent infection of post metamorphic amphibians, particularly for highly aquatic species.
Handbook of Data Visualization

Visualizing the data is an essential part of any data analysis. Modern computing developments have led to big improvements in graphic capabilities and there are many new possibilities for data displays. This book gives an overview of modern data visualization methods, both in theory and practice. It details modern graphical tools such as mosaic plots, parallel coordinate plots, and linked views. Coverage also examines graphical methodology for particular areas of statistics, for example Bayesian analysis, genomic data and cluster analysis, as well software for graphics.
Inflation Dynamics During the Financial Crisis

Using confidential product level price data underlying the U.S. Producer Price Index (PPI) this paper analyzes the effect of changes in firms' financial conditions on their price setting behavior during the "Great Recession" that surrounds the financial crisis. The evidence indicates that during the height of the crisis in late 2008, firms with "weak" balance sheets increased prices significantly relative to industry averages, whereas firms with "strong" balance sheets lowered prices, a response consistent with an adverse demand shock. These stark differences in price setting behavior are consistent with the notion that financial frictions may significantly influence the response of aggregate inflation to macroeconomic shocks. We explore the implications of these empirical findings within a general equilibrium framework that allows for customer markets and departures from the frictionless financial markets. In the model, firms have an incentive to set a low price to invest in market share, though when financial distortions are severe, firms forgo these investment opportunities and maintain high prices in an effort to preserve their balance sheet capacity. Consistent with our empirical findings, the model with financial distortions relative to the baseline model without such distortions implies a substantial attenuation of price dynamics in response to contractionary demand shocks.
Pan Cancer Analyses Reveal Long Intergenic Non Coding RNAs Relevant to Tumor Diagnosis, Subtyping and Prognosis
Venue: EBioMedicine

Long intergenic noncoding RNAs (lincRNAs) are a relatively new class of non coding RNAs that have the potential as cancer biomarkers. To seek a panel of lincRNAs as pan cancer biomarkers, we have analyzed transcriptomes from over 3300 cancer samples with clinical information. Compared to mRNA, lincRNAs exhibit significantly higher tissue specificities that are then diminished in cancer tissues. Moreover, lincRNA clustering results accurately classify tumor subtypes. Using RNA Seq data from thousands of paired tumor and adjacent normal samples in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) we identify six lincRNAs as potential pan cancer diagnostic biomarkers (PCAN 1 to PCAN 6) These lincRNAs are robustly validated using cancer samples from four independent RNA Seq data sets, and are verified by qPCR in both primary breast cancers and MCF 7 cell line. Interestingly, the expression levels of these six lincRNAs are also associated with prognosis in various cancers. We further experimentally explored the growth and migration dependence of breast and colon cancer cell lines on two of the identified lncRNAs. In summary, our study highlights the emerging role of lincRNAs as potentially powerful and biologically functional pan cancer biomarkers and represents a significant leap forward in understanding the biological and clinical functions of lincRNAs in cancers.
A Novel 4 DOF Origami Grasper With an SMA Actuation System for Minimally Invasive Surgery
Venue: IEEE Transactions on Robotics

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is one of the most challenging techniques for robot designers due to the limited size of access points, the high miniaturization level, and the dexterity needed for performing surgical tasks. Conversely, only a few microfabrication technologies are currently available for developing such small sized systems, which allow safe operations in human bodies. In order to match these challenges in MIS, both design and integration of actuation systems should proceed in parallel with an identification of most effective transmission mechanisms and kinematics. In this paper, an origami parallel module that generates two rotations and one translation is integrated with a twisting module and a compliant gripper to form a novel four degree of freedom grasper. The rotational motion leads to the pitch and yaw motion of the gripper, while the translational motion is converted to a roll motion of the gripper via the twisting module that is stacked on top of the parallel module. In light of plane symmetric properties of the origami structure in the parallel module, both inverse and forward kinematics are resolved with a geometric approach, revealing a unique joint space and a kinematic mapping of the parallel module, leading to the design of two sets of on board actuation systems. During the analysis, bending motion of a central spring and static properties of the compliant gripper are modeled using finite element methods. The structure of the twisting module for motion transmission of the grasper is designed and fabricated using origami folding techniques. Gripping forces of the compliant gripper are evaluated in experimental tests. Further analyses of the system performance are addressed in accordance with the scaling ratio of miniaturization and the scalability of the system is demonstrated by a millimeter sized origami parallel module produced by the smart composite microstructure fabrication process.
Mapping the Digital Terrain: Towards Indigenous Geographic Information and Spatial Data Quality Indicators for Indigenous Knowledge and Traditional Land Use Data Collection

Mapping spatial information to represent indigenous knowledge (IK) and rights has been taking place since the early 1970s in various parts of Canada. These mapping initiatives continue to be primarily associated with traditional land use (TLU) studies and have deep roots in participatory methods that include aspects of participatory geographic information systems (PGIS) In the current context of encroaching industrial developments into indigenous homelands and the strengthening of Indigenous rights within Canadian Supreme Court rulings, the role of mapping TLU information is central. Who is conducting the research, what tools are used, and how this information is shared are all key questions being asked in the Indigenous context. As a result, the quality of spatial data has become a critical part of these engagement processes. This paper focuses on the intersections of new methods of TLU/IK data collection, namely a direct to digital approach that seeks to minimize misrepresentation and mistranslations of IK. From these intersections, the authors recognize the need to establish Indigenous led quality indicators that directly address the introduction of new methods into the TLU/IK field. Indigenous geographic information and spatial data quality indicators will better address the current needs of Indigenous communities in the negotiation of resource developments in their territories, and provide a new path forward for enhancing the use of geospatial technologies in Indigenous communities.
Shear wave elastography of the placenta in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus
Venue: Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology the journal of the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

To evaluate placental elasticty in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and non diabetic controls. Thirty three pregnant women with GDM according to the current criteria of the American Diabetes Association and 43 healthy pregnant women who were admitted to the antenatal clinic were recruited for this case control study. Elasticity values of both the peripheral and the central parts of the placentas of the patients in both groups were determined by shear wave elastography (SWE) imaging. Mean elasticity values of both the central and the peripheral part of the placentas were significantly higher in GDM pregnancies (p 0.001) No difference was observed in the mean elasticity values of the central and the peripheral part of the placentas in two groups (p 0.05) SWE imaging technology might provide a quantitative assessment of the morphological pathologies of placentas in pregnant women with GDM.
Scope of Bacteriocins as a Viable Alternative to the Traditional Antibiotics

Microbes produce an extradinary array of microbial defense systems. These include broad spectrum low molecular weight classical antibiotics, metabolic by products, lytic agents, numerous types of protein exotoxins, defense bacteriophages and bacteriocins. Bacteriocins are defined as biologically active protein moieties with a bactericidal mode of action, which are ribosomally synthesized. They can alter cell membrane integrity and interfere with transcription, translocation or DNA replication. They differ from traditional antibiotics in one critical way that they have relatively narrow killing spectrum and are mostly toxic to bacteria, which are closely related strains. The intrinsic property of bacterial strains has led to studies for their potential use as bio preservatives, therapeutic agents and biocontrol organisms. In this review, some of the aspects of bacteiocinogeny particularly their prevalence in microbial world have been discussed.
Cost sensitive modeling of credit card fraud using neural network strategy
Venue: 2016 2nd International Conference of Signal Processing and Intelligent Systems (ICSPIS)

Due to the rapid growth in e business and electronic payment systems, Fraud is rising in banking transactions associated with credit cards. This paper intends to develop a credit card fraud detection (CCFD) model based on Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) and Meta Cost procedure to reduce risk reputation and risk of loss. ANN strategy have been used for credit card fraud prevention and detection. Because of the unbalanced nature of the data (Fraud and Non Fraud cases) the detection of fraudulent transactions is difficult to achieve. To deal with the problem of imbalanced data, Meta Cost procedure is added. The proposed model, which is called Cost Sensitive Neural Network (CSNN) is based on misuse detection approach. Compared to the model based on Artificial Immune System (AIS) this model showed cost saving and increased detection rate. Data of this study is taken from real transactional data provided by a big Brazilian credit card issuer.
Navigating the tensions in collaborative watershed governance: Water governance and Indigenous communities in British Columbia, Canada

First Nations in British Columbia (BC) Canada, have historically been and largely continue to be excluded from colonial governments' decision making and management frameworks for fresh water. However, in light of recent legal and legislative changes, and also changes in water governance and policy, there is growing emphasis in scholarship and among legal, policy and advocacy communities on shifting water governance away from a centralized single authority towards an approach that is watershed based, collaborative, and involves First Nations as central to decision making processes. Drawing on community based research, interviews with First Nations natural resource staff and community members, and document review, the paper analyzes the tensions in collaborative water governance, by identifying First Nations' concerns within the current water governance system and exploring how a move towards collaborative watershed governance may serve to either address, or further entrench, these concerns. This paper concludes with recommendations for collaborative water governance frameworks which are specifically focused on British Columbia, but which have relevance to broader debates over Indigenous water governance.
Night shift work and other determinants of estradiol, testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate among middle aged nurses and midwives.
Venue: Scandinavian journal of work, environment health

The aims of our study were to (i) investigate the association between rotating night shift work and blood concentrations of estradiol, testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and (2) evaluate the role of their non occupational determinants.  A cross sectional study was conducted on 345 premenopausal and 187 postmenopausal nurses and midwives (263 women working rotating night shifts and 269 women working during days) Data from in person interviews were used, anthropometric measurements were performed, and body mass index (BMI) and waist to hip ratio were calculated. Morning blood and spot urine samples were collected. Multiple linear regression models were fitted with hormone concentrations as dependent variables, and night shift work characteristics and demographic, reproductive, lifestyle and anthropometric determinants as independent variables. Modification of the effect by chronotype was examined.  Among postmenopausal women, we observed a statistically significant positive association between the total duration of night shift work >15 years and estradiol level (P<0.05 when compared to night work duration <5 years) Night shift work characteristics were significantly associated with estradiol among morning type postmenopausal women. The well established associations between hormones and their major determinants, such as age and BMI, were confirmed.  The findings of our study imply that prolonged night shift work may be associated with increased estradiol levels among postmenopausal women, especially among the morning type postmenopausal women.
The impact of shift work on sexual satisfaction perceived by nurses

The aim of the study was the analysis of the impact of 12 hour shift work system on sexual satisfaction perceived by 200 nurses. The subjects in a partnership. Method used was Davis Sexual Satisfaction Scale.  The mean age of the subjects was 40.47 years, the average work experience in shift work was 12.59 years. The overall level of sexual satisfaction was quite good, the highest results were in the physical realm. The overall indicator of perceived sexual satisfaction decreased with age and years of work experience.  Shift work significantly reduces the quality of sexual life in nurses, which in turn can lead to decrease in global quality of life. Therefore, further research are necessary to help understand better the mutual correlation between the work of nurses and factors that may have a positive impact on eliminating the negative consequences of shift work.
A New Class of Laguerre based Generalized Apostol Polynomials

In this paper, we introduce a unified family of Laguerre based Apostol Bernoulli, Euler and Genocchi polynomials and derive some implicit summation formulae and general symmetry identities arising from different analytical means and applying generating functions. The result extend some known summations and identities of generalized Bernoulli, Euler and Genocchi numbers and polynomials.