nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
BEYOND "TALKING DIFFERENT" WHITE PRE SERVICE TEACHERS' CRITICALRACE TALK ABOUT TEACHING DIALECT DIVERSITY
Year: 2019

This dissertation documents 214 White pre service English Language Arts teachers' engagement in explicit discussions of race and racism in online class discussions about teaching about dialect diversity. Participants were recruited from eight geographically distinct teacher education programs in the United States that implemented Godley and Reaser's (2018) dialect diversity mini course. Informed by scholarship on White teachers' talk about racism, I analyzed participants' engagement in what I call "critical race talk" talk about race that acknowledges systemic racism and White privilege. I used qualitative research methods to identify themes within the subset of White teachers' comments that included critical race talk. Even when prompted to discuss race and dialects in critical ways, only 3% of the 2,900 discussion board posts authored by White teachers included critical race talk. Twenty nine percent of White teachers voiced critical race talk at least once. Teachers avoided critical race talk through implementing discourse strategies like silence, changing the topic, denial of White privilege, color blindness, and abstract liberal discourse strategies. Four themes emerged within the discussion board posts that included critical race talk: descriptions of how systemic racism operates, explicit discussions of Whiteness, admissions of the prevalence of deficit thinking about people of color, and genuine questions about teaching about racism and linguistic profiling. Additionally, more diverse teacher education classes and discussion prompts that directly addressed issues of racism and discrimination elicited more critical race talk. When teachers responded to each other's critical race talk, 83% of their responses challenged their classmates to be even more critical. Finally, White teachers who voiced critical race talk identified a three step approach to teaching about linguistic discrimination: knowing your individual students' linguistic and racial identities, choosing classroom resources and materials to suit their needs, and creating a dialogue about linguistic profiling and racism focused on social justice. Implications of this study include the need for future studies to frame White teachers as capable of critical race talk and to include larger and more diverse groups of teachers, and the need for more a more diverse teaching force and teacher education curricula that explicitly engages White teachers in critical race talk.
Micro/nanocellulose from waste Pili (Canarium ovatum) pulp as a potential anti ageing ingredient for cosmetic formulations
Year: 2020

The potential of nanocellulose synthesized from waste pili pulp to replace mineral based ingredients in cosmetics has been determined. Waste Pili pulp is biomass that comes from the extraction process, in the production of Pili essential oils. Conventional methods of cellulose extraction: boiling, alkalization and bleaching methods were employed to isolate cellulose from lignocellulosic and hemicellulosic materials. Sulfuric acid hydrolysis at 64 wt has been used to synthesize nanocellulose at varying reaction times (30, 45 and 60 minutes) Infrared spectrum of the isolated cellulose has an 85% match with a cellulose. The conditions for acid hydrolysis produced micro sized cellulose with an average particle size of 3.4x105 nm or 34 um and exhibited broad particle size distribution due to rapid agglomeration of some of its particles. Surface morphology analysis showed the nanostructures of the synthesized micro/nanocellulose at different time regimes. The optical properties of the cellulose suspensions were found almost parallel to that of the conventional mineral based nanoparticles used in cosmetics; verifying nanocellulose as a promising alternative to mineral based ingredients for cosmetics
Simultaneous Determination of Dopamine and Uric Acid In The Presence Of Ascorbic Acid by Using Indole Derivative Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode
Year: 2014

Dopamine (DA) the most significant among the class of catecholamines, plays an important role in the function of the central nervous, cardiovascular, renal and hormonal systems  On the other hand, uric acid (UA) is the principal final product of purine metabolism in the human body [2] It has been shown that extreme abnormalities of UA levels are symptoms of several diseases. Simultaneous determination of UA and neurotransmitters, especially DA is a problem of critical importance for biomedical chemistry, neurochemistry, diagnostic and pathological research. At traditional solid electrodes, electroactive UA can be irreversibly oxidized in aqueous solution and DA can be reversibly oxidized at potentials close to that of UA. Therefore, simultaneous electrochemical detection of dopamine (DA) and uric acid (UA) is generally difficult at unmodified carbon electrode because of the interference with one another and with ascorbic acid (AA) so far, many chemically modified electrodes have been reported for this task  In this study, the simultaneous determination of DA and UA were investigated in the presence of AA at indole derivative modified glassy carbon electrode by using differential pulse voltammetric method. While these three biomolecules were not distinguished at bare glassy carbon electrode, interferences were eliminated by using indole derivative modified electrode. Because, at the modified electrode, any peak current was not detected for AA and the peak potential of UA was shifted toward more positive values, so that the peak of DA could be separated from that of UA and AA peaks. Thus, in addition to the removal of interferences, a simple analytical method was also improved for their determination in routine analysis. The optimisation of the entire analytical method, its validation and the application of the developed method to physiological samples will be presented.
Oral Candida colonization in oral cancer patients and its relationship with traditional risk factors of oral cancer: a matched case control study.
Venue: Oral oncology
Year: 2015

Candida, an opportunistic fungal pathogen, has been implicated in oral and oesophageal cancers. This study aimed to examine oral Candida carriage in 52 oral cancer patients and 104 age gender and denture status matched oral cancer free subjects.  We assessed general health, smoking and alcohol drinking habits, use of alcohol containing mouthwash and periodontal status (community periodontal index of treatment needs) Yeasts were isolated using oral rinse technique and genetically identified via Real Time PCR High resolution melting curve analysis of conserved ribosomal DNA. Conditional and binary logistic regressions were used to identify explanatory variables that are risk factors for oral cancer.  The frequencies of oral yeasts' presence and high oral colonization were significantly higher in oral cancer than non oral cancer patients (p=001; p=0.033, respectively) No significant difference in the isolation profile of Candida species was found between the two groups, except C. parapsilosis was more frequent in non oral cancer group. Differences were noticed in the incidence of C. albicans strains where significantly more C. albicans genotype A was isolated from cancer patients and significantly more C. albicans genotype B isolated from non cancer patients. Multiple regression analyses showed significant association with cancer observed for alcohol drinking (OR=4.253; 95% CI=1.351, 13.386) Candida presence (OR=3.242; 95% CI=1.505, 6.984) and high oral colonization (OR=3.587; 95% CI=1.153, 11.162) These results indicate that there is a significant association between oral cancer occurrence and Candida oral colonization and that the observed genotypic diversity of C. albicans strains may play a role in oral carcinogenesis.
It's No Accident: Evaluating the Effectiveness of Vehicle Safety Inspections
Year: 2018

An increase in technology means that vehicles are more reliable than in the past. Accordingly, states have begun to discontinue their requirements for vehicle safety inspections. To gauge the effect of such changes, we examine traffic fatality data from 2000 to 2015, with emphasis on New Jersey, which ended safety inspection requirements in 2010. Utilizing a synthetic controls approach, we conclude that ending these requirements did not result in a significant increase in the frequency or intensity of accidents due to car failure, implying that the consumer and government expenditures used for inspections could be reallocated to other areas of travel safety.
Folate engineered mesoporous silica encapsulated copper (II) complex [Cu(L)(dppz) An active targeting cell specific platform for breast cancer therapy
Year: 2020

Aspects of inorganic medicinal chemistry aim at developing metal coordinated complexes that are efficient therapeutic agents for cancer. However, intrinsic toxicity of these complexes impedes their effective clinical use. In order to reduce the toxicity and improve the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution, we developed a nanovector candidate and encapsulated in it a metal complex (mononuclear copper(II) complex [Cu(L)(dppz) (LH 2 (2 dimethylaminoethylimino)methyl]phenol, coordinated ligand, dppz dipyrido[3,2 a:2',3' c]phenazine) which is an efficient targeted delivery platform based on folate receptor. The in vitro cytotoxicity of (FA@MSNPs [Cu(L)(dppz) to the breast cancer cells MCF 7 and MDA MB 231, and normal breast epithelial cell HBL 100 have been evaluated. The complex (FA@MSNPs [Cu(L)(dppz) compared to free [Cu(L)(dppz) is highly cytotoxic to the breast cancer cells, in view of its efficient cellular uptake, and the delivery is mediated by FA receptor which produced only negligible cytotoxicity to the normal breast epithelial cell, HBL 100. Also, the mechanism of breast cancer cell death brought about by [Cu(L)(dppz) loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNPs) is primarily apoptosis whereas they are not toxic to normal breast epithelial cells. Hence, folate conjugated MSNPs encapsulated with [Cu(L)(dppz) has potential to be developed as a target specific drug for breast cancer. This metal complex loaded platform opens up newer opportunities to accommodate multiple metal based drugs for cell specific cancer therapy.
Healthy lifestyle promotion in primary schools through the board game Kaledo: a pilot cluster randomized trial
Venue: European Journal of Pediatrics
Year: 2018

AbstractThe board game Kaledo was proven to be effective in improving nutrition knowledge and in modifying dietary behavior in students attending middle and high school. The present pilot study aims to reproduce these results in younger students (7 11 years old) attending primary school. A total of 1313 children from ten schools were recruited to participate in the present study. Participants were randomized into two groups: (1) the treatment group which consisted of playing Kaledo over 20 sessions and (2) the no intervention group. Anthropometric measures were carried out for both groups at baseline (prior to any treatment) and at two follow up post assessments (8 and 18 months) All the participants completed a questionnaire concerning physical activity and a 1 week food diary at each assessment. The primary outcomes were (i) BMI z score, (ii) scores on physical activity, and (iii) scores on a dietary questionnaire. BMI z score was significantly lower in the treated group compared to the control group at 8 months. Frequency and duration of self reported physical activity were also significantly augmented in the treated group compared to the control group at both post assessments. Moreover, a significant increase in the consumption of healthy food and a significant decrease in junk food intake were observed in the treated group. The present results confirm the efficacy of Kaledo in younger students in primary schools, and it can be used as a useful nutritional tool for obesity prevention programs in children.  Kaledo is a new educational board game to improve nutrition knowledge and to promote a healthy lifestyle. In two cluster randomized trials conducted in Campania region (Italy) we showed that Kaledo could improve nutrition knowledge and dietary behavior and have a positive effect on the BMI z score in children with age ranging from 9 to 14 years old attending school. Kaledo may be used as an effective tool for obesity prevention programs in middle and high school students. Investigating the effects of Kaledo on younger primary school children (7 11 year olds) Kaledo could be an effective tool in obesity prevention programs for children as young as 7 years old.
Integrating outlier filtering in large margin training
Venue: Journal of Zhejiang University SCIENCE C
Year: 2011

Large margin classifiers such as support vector machines (SVM) have been applied successfully in various classification tasks. However, their performance may be significantly degraded in the presence of outliers. In this paper, we propose a robust SVM formulation which is shown to be less sensitive to outliers. The key idea is to employ an adaptively weighted hinge loss that explicitly incorporates outlier filtering in the SVM training, thus performing outlier filtering and classification simultaneously. The resulting robust SVM formulation is non convex. We first relax it into a semi definite programming which admits a global solution. To improve the efficiency, an iterative approach is developed. We have performed experiments using both synthetic and real world data. Results show that the performance of the standard SVM degrades rapidly when more outliers are included, while the proposed robust SVM training is more stable in the presence of outliers.
Application of the binary decision diagram (BDD) in the analysis of the reliability of the inverters
Venue: 4th International Conference on Power Engineering, Energy and Electrical Drives
Year: 2013

Electric power is of increasing importance in all domains. As a consequence, static converters have become widespread, and power electronics is crucial for improving performance, reliability and competitiveness. Indeed, almost all the systems use static inverters to treat electrical energy. For this, we developed a global methodology allowing to model and to evaluate reliability, crucial factor of the reliability, is controlled relatively little in the development of the systems. It is a tool of decision making aid by developing the qualitative and quantitative evaluation of reliability. Initially we present the concepts and the methods of the reliability; a comparison of these various methods is presented. Thus, measurements and the laws associated with reliability will be discussed. Then the study of the defect in the cell of commutation is carried out by applying two methods of analysis (FTA and FMECA) For better analysis of reliability, we introduced new methods of modeling such as the binary trees of decision, and this while starting of the logical formula interpreting the corresponding tree of failure.
Conjoint treatment for intimate partner violence: A systematic review and implications.
Year: 2016

Gender specific men only interventions for intimate partner violence (IPV) have had limited success beyond the effects of arrest alone. This review outlines current U.S. state mandated treatments for IPV, acknowledges how conjoint treatment may better address a subtype of IPV that is not motivated by power and control, examines and reviews previously conducted couples based treatments, and highlights policy implications and future directions. Empirical findings and theoretical support for the Duluth model, cognitive behavioral approaches, and IPV typologies are presented, followed by a systematic review of selected quasi and true experimental studies on couples based approaches for IPV. U.S. state guidelines that absolutely exclude conjoint approaches are overly restrictive, considering the poor evidence of effectiveness for current gender specific groups. Further, the theoretical foundations of most men only groups assume unilateral, male to female violence, which does not fit at least one third of court involved cases and leaves treatment needs of couples experiencing problematic relationship dynamics unmet. For a carefully screened subset of couples that experience predominantly "situational violence," conjoint communication and relationship skills training groups may be a viable alternative to the Duluth model and cognitive behavioral men only groups.
Task based learning challenges in high schools: What makes students accept or reject tasks?
Year: 2013

This paper takes an original approach to investigating why high school students in Japan may decide to undertake or reject tasks in task based learning (TBL) Issues with nonparticipation, noise, and a lack of involvement are common experiences for high school teachers using tasks where students are left alone to work in pairs or groups. Such problems can be attributed to low motivation and discovering what it is about tasks that students find most motivating is very fruitful for task design purposes. A post task motivation related survey was distributed to 196 junior and senior high school students twice after different tasks. Specifically, grabbing the attention of and creating a feeling of satisfaction for the students were found to be of the most significance for motivation to occur. Suggested directions for teachers of TBL with regards to motivational task design are offered in conclusion.
Alien species in the Mediterranean Sea by 2012. A contribution to the application of European Union's Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) Part 2. Introduction trends and pathways
Year: 2012

More than 60 marine non indigenous species (NIS) have been removed from previous lists and 84 species have been added, bringing the total to 986 alien species in the Mediterranean [775 in the eastern Mediterranean (EMED) 249 in the central Mediterranean (CMED) 190 in the Adriatic Sea (ADRIA) and 308 in the western Mediterranean (WMED) There were 48 new entries since 2011 which can be interpreted as approximately one new entry every two weeks. The number of alien species continues to increase, by 2 3 species per year for macrophytes, molluscs and polychaetes, 3 4 species per year for crustaceans, and 6 species per year for fish. The dominant group among alien species is molluscs (with 215 species) followed by crustaceans (159) and polychaetes (132) Macrophytes are the leading group of NIS in the ADRIA and the WMED, reaching 26 30% of all aliens, whereas in the EMED they barely constitute 10% of the introductions. In the EMED, molluscs are the most species rich group, followed by crustaceans, fish and polychaetes. More than half (54% of the marine alien species in the Mediterranean were probably introduced by corridors (mainly Suez) Shipping is blamed directly for the introduction of only 12 species, whereas it is assumed to be the most likely pathway of introduction (via ballasts or fouling) of another 300 species. For approximately 100 species shipping is a probable pathway along with the Suez Canal and/or aquaculture. Approximately 20 species have been introduced with certainty via aquaculture, while >50 species (mostly macroalgae) occurring in the vicinity of oyster farms, are assumed to be introduced accidentally as contaminants of imported species. A total of 18 species are assumed to have been introduced by the aquarium trade. Lessepsian species decline westwards, while the reverse pattern is evident for ship mediated species and for those introduced with aquaculture. There is an increasing trend in new introductions via the Suez Canal and via shipping.
Current and future targets and therapies in metastatic colorectal cancer.
Venue: Journal of B.U.ON. official journal of the Balkan Union of Oncology
Year: 2019

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer and the second cause of cancer related deaths worldwide. Despite early diagnosis and treatment improvement, the majority of patients will still suffer from metastatic disease (mCRC) which has a poor prognosis. Molecular diversity of CRC requires personalized targeted approach for improving patient outcomes. Antiangiogenic agents proved to be beneficial in the continuum of mCRC treatment. For efficient epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) directed therapy, subtle molecular selection and better strategies to overcome resistance are needed. BRAF mutant and HER 2 positive mCRC will soon be provided with approved targeted treatments and check point inhibitors demonstrated effectiveness in microsatellite instability (MSI) high mCRC. Moreover, numeorous promising agents are entering clinical trial arena. This review summarizes actual and possible targets and current and promising agents for mCRC treatment. With broader accessibility of liquid biopsy we could track molecular evolution of CRC and target genetic alterations as they emerge.
Notice of RetractionA novel BEZier curve with multiple shape parameters
Venue: 2010 3rd International Conference on Computer Science and Information Technology
Year: 2010

The construction of Bezier curves with shape control parameters is one of the most popular areas in computer aided geometric design. A class of polynomial basis functions of n degrees with n 1 shape parameters are presented which are the extension of the Bernstein basis functions of n degrees. Based on the presented functions the polynomial curves are constructed. The properties of the generated curves are similar with the n degree Bezier curves. The relationship between fixed point on the curve and shape parameters is given, by changing the shape parameter value, the shape of the generated curve can adjust, the presented method is very useful for the curve design.
Adherence to antibiotic treatment guidelines and outcomes in the hospitalized elderly with different types of pneumonia.
Venue: European journal of internal medicine
Year: 2015

Few studies evaluated the clinical outcomes of Community Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) Hospital Acquired Pneumonia (HAP) and Health Care Associated Pneumonia (HCAP) in relation to the adherence of antibiotic treatment to the guidelines of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and the American Thoracic Society (ATS) in hospitalized elderly people (65 years or older) METHODS Data were obtained from REPOSI, a prospective registry held in 87 Italian internal medicine and geriatric wards. Patients with a diagnosis of pneumonia (ICD 9 480 487) or prescribed with an antibiotic for pneumonia as indication were selected. The empirical antibiotic regimen was defined to be adherent to guidelines if concordant with the treatment regimens recommended by IDSA/ATS for CAP, HAP, and HCAP. Outcomes were assessed by logistic regression models.  A diagnosis of pneumonia was made in 317 patients. Only 38.8% of them received an empirical antibiotic regimen that was adherent to guidelines. However, no significant association was found between adherence to guidelines and outcomes. Having HAP, older age, and higher CIRS severity index were the main factors associated with in hospital mortality.  The adherence to antibiotic treatment guidelines was poor, particularly for HAP and HCAP, suggesting the need for more adherence to the optimal management of antibiotics in the elderly with pneumonia.