Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Polen Private Speech in the Classroom : Effects of Number Facts Training in a Private Speech Internalization Perspective

1 The overall purpose of the present study was to test whether an (50 weeks) intervention program, modelled as training in accordance with the developmental course of private speech (from audible private speech to silent inner speech), itself would add positively to the development of mathematical competence. The sample comprised two comparable groups of 82 third-grade children. One followed the intervention program, the other a traditional teaching program. The result indicated successful influence of the intervention program reflected in more internalized private speech and more internalized task-specific strategy use. Given the results of the study, classroom teachers should be encouraged to utilize private speech internalization as a valuable and potentially powerful tool for efficiently retrieving number fact information. Key-words: private speech, private speech internalization, strategy use, number facts learning, multiplication learning Private speech Vygotsky (1934/1986) hypothesized that the phenomenon of private speech (self-talk used by children in various situations that is not addressed to others) reflects children‟s potential for self-direction to plan, guide, and monitor their goal-directed activity. In short, from the Vygotskian developmental perspective children‟s private speech comes to be used by the children as an important intrapsychological tool for regulating thought and behaviour (Berk & Winsler, 1995; Winsler & Naglieri, 2003). In terms of the developmental course for private speech, referred in the present study to the private speech internalization perspective, researchers have shown an overall ontogenetic pattern of children‟s overt private speech being replaced by partially internalized whispers and inaudible muttering, and silent inner speech or covert verbal thoughts, as children progress through elementary school (Berk, 1992; Winsler & Naglieri, 2003). Linkage to mathematical competence 1 For more details, see Snorre A. Ostad & Margit Askeland (2008). Sound-based Number Facts Training in a Private Speech Internalization Perspective. Journal of Research in Childhood Education, 23(1), 109-124.
A giant frog with South American affinities from the Late Cretaceous of Madagascar

Madagascar has a diverse but mainly endemic frog fauna, the biogeographic history of which has generated intense debate, fueled by recent molecular phylogenetic analyses and the near absence of a fossil record. Here, we describe a recently discovered Late Cretaceous anuran that differs strikingly in size and morphology from extant Malagasy taxa and is unrelated either to them or to the predicted occupants of the Madagascar–Seychelles–India landmass when it separated from Africa 160 million years ago (Mya). Instead, the previously undescribed anuran is attributed to the Ceratophryinae, a clade previously considered endemic to South America. The discovery offers a rare glimpse of the anuran assemblage that occupied Madagascar before the Tertiary radiation of mantellids and microhylids that now dominate the anuran fauna. In addition, the presence of a ceratophryine provides support for a controversial paleobiogeographical model that posits physical and biotic links among Madagascar, the Indian subcontinent, and South America that persisted well into the Late Cretaceous. It also suggests that the initial radiation of hyloid anurans began earlier than proposed by some recent estimates.
Cardiopulmonary complications leading to premature deaths in adult patients with sickle cell disease

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is associated with early mortality. We sought to determine the incidence, cause, and risk factors for death in an adult population of patients with SCD. All patients aged ≥18 years seen at the Adult Sickle Cell Center at Duke University Medical Center between January 2000 and April 2005 were enrolled. Forty‐three patients (21 males and 22 females) died during the study period. The median age of survival was 39 years for females (95% CI: 34–56), 40 years for males (95% CI: 34–48), and 40 years overall (95% CI: 35–48). Cardiac causes of death accounted for 25.6% (11/43 patients); pulmonary, 14.0% (six patients); other SCD related, 32.6% (14 patients); unknown, 14.0% (six patients); and others, 14.0% (six patients). Pulseless electrical activity arrest, pulmonary emboli, multiorgan failure, and stroke were the most frequent causes of death. Among the deceased patients, the most common premorbid conditions were cardiopulmonary: acute chest syndrome/pneumonia (58.1%), Pulmonary hypertension (pHTN; 41.9%), systemic HTN (25.6%), congestive heart failure (25.6%), myocardial infarction (20.9%), and arrhythmias (14.0%). Tricuspid regurgitant jet velocity was significantly higher (3.1 m/sec vs. 2.6 m/sec, P < 0.001) and hemoglobin significantly lower (8.3 g/dL vs. 9.2 g/dL, P < 0.05) in deceased patients when compared with patients who lived, respectively. With improved preventive and therapeutic advances, including hydroxyurea therapy, acute complications such as infection are no longer the leading cause of death; instead, causes of death and premorbid conditions are shifting to chronic cardiopulmonary complications. Further, arrhythmia leading to premature death is under‐recognized in SCD and warrants further investigation. Am. J. Hematol. , 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Multi-phase CFD analysis of natural and ventilated cavitation about submerged bodies

A multi-phase CFD method has been developed and is applied here to model the flow about submerged bodies subject to natural and ventilated cavitation. The method employs an implicit, dual-time, pre-conditioned, multi-phase Navier-Stokes algorithm and is three-dimensional, multi-block and parallel. It incorporates mixture volume and constituent volume fraction transport/generation for liquid, condensable vapor and non-condensable gas fields. Mixture momentum and turbulence scalar equations are also solved. Mass transfer modeling provides exchange between liquid and vapor phases. The model accounts for buoyancy effects and the presence/interaction of condensable and non-condensable fields. In this paper, the theoretical formulation of the method is summarized. Results are presented for steady-state and transient axisymmetric flows with natural and ventilated cavitation about several bodies. Comparisons are made with available measurements of surface pressure distribution, cavitation bubble geometry and drag coefficient. Three-dimensional results are presented for a submerged body running at several angles of attack. The underlying three-species formulation and the specific models employed for mass transfer and momentum diffusion are demonstrated to provide good correspondence with measurements; however, several weaknesses in the current modeling are identified and discussed.
Psychological type functions and biblical scholarship: an empirical enquiry among members of the Society of Biblical Literature

Psychological type theory would suggest that the two perceiving functions (sensing and intuition) and the two judging functions (thinking and feeling) shape the way that readers engage with biblical texts. Previous studies of churchgoers have demonstrated associations between psychological function preferences and preferences for interpretation. Building on this work, the current study examines whether biblical scholars engage with texts in ways that are predicted by their psychological function preferences. A sample of 338 members of the Society of Biblical Literature completed an online survey that measured their subject disciplines and methods of study, four psychological functions and four corresponding text-handling styles. Scholars who used “postmodern” methods such as reader response, ideological criticism or cultural studies were more likely to prefer intuition to sensing and feeling to thinking. There were significant correlations between text-handling styles and psychological type preferences, suggesting that psychological function has some influence on how biblical scholars perceive and evaluate texts.
The Effect of Treatment Position on Rectal and Bladder Dose-Volume Histograms for Prostate Radiotherapy Planned with 3-Dimensional Conformal Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy and Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy

Purpose: To compare target coverage and organ at risk (OAR) sparing in the supine and prone positions with 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT), intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) in low- and high-risk prostate radiotherapy cases. Materials and Methods: Using magnetic resonance images of five healthy volunteers, six treatment plans (supine 3DCRT, prone 3DCRT, supine IMRT, prone IMRT, supine VMAT and prone VMAT) were generated. Planning target volume 1 (PTV1) was defined as the prostate gland plus the seminal vesicles with adequate margins in a high-risk setting, while PTV2 was defined as prostate only with margins in a low-risk setting. The mean dose for both PTV1 and PTV2 was set at 78 Gy. Plans generated by each of the 3 techniques were compared between the supine and prone positions using dose-volume histograms (DVHs). Results: For PTV1, prone 3DCRT provided a significantly higher D98% than did supine 3DCRT, and its homogeneity index (HI) was significantly better. IMRT and VMAT values did not differ significantly between the prone and supine positions. For PTV2, no values differed significantly between the supine and prone positions under any treatment plan. With respect to OAR, the rectal D mean, D2%, V50, and V60 values of PTV1 were statistically higher in supine 3DCRT than in prone 3DCRT, while there were no significant differences in rectal values between the supine and prone positions with IMRT or VMAT. The rectal Dmean, V50, V60, V70, and V75 values of prone 3DCRT were significantly higher than those of supine IMRT or supine VMAT. There were no significant differences in any values for the rectum and bladder for PTV2. Conclusion: Although prone 3DCRT was found to be superior to supine 3DCRT in terms of rectal sparing in high-risk prostate cancer, IMRT and VMAT techniques could possibly cover this disadvantage.
Women, Gender and the evolving tactics of Boko Haram

This article addresses an under-researched aspect of Boko Haram’s activities: gender-based violence (GBV) and its targeting of women. It argues that 2013 marked a significant evolution in Boko Haram’s tactics, with a series of kidnappings, in which one of the main features was the instrumental use of women. This was in response to corresponding tactics by the Nigerian security forces. Additionally the analysis provides evidence of a shift by Boko Haram to include women in its operations, in response to increased pressure on male operatives. It also considers the gendered rationale for instrumentalizing women within the framework of Boko Haram’s ideology and culture, arguing for a greater appreciation of how gender factors in the group’s violence.
Motivating the Insider to Protect Organizational Information Assets: Evidence from Protection Motivation Theory and Rival Explanations

This research investigates the factors that motivate employees to protect their organizations from information security threats via protection-motivated behaviors (PMBs). A model founded on Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) and several rival explanations is assessed using data from 380 employees from a wide variety of industries in the U.S. Several important findings for behavioral information security research emerged. First, the basic assumptions of PMT hold in an organizational security context whereby employees weigh the potential benefits and risks associated with threats before engaging in PMBs. Intrinsic maladaptive rewards, response efficacy, and response costs effectively influence employees’ protection motivation levels; however, extrinsic maladaptive rewards and threat vulnerability and severity do not. Moreover, fear does not play a significant role in motivating insiders to engage in PMBs. The rival explanations for protection motivation of job satisfaction and management support significantly influence employees’ protection motivation, whereas sanctions and financial incentives do not.
Potential of Selected Canadian Plant Species for Phytoextraction of Trace Elements From Selenium-Rich Soil Contaminated by Industrial Activity

In this preliminary screening study, we tested the phytoextraction potential of nine Canadian native/well-adapted plant species on a soil highly polluted by trace elements (TE) from a copper refinery. Plant physiological parameters and soil cover index were monitored for a 12-week period. At the end of the trial, biomass yield, bioconcentration (BFC) and translocation (TF) factors for the main TE as well as phytoextraction potential were determined. Most plants were severely injured by the high pollution levels, showing symptoms of toxicity including chlorosis, mortality and very low biomass yield. However, Indian mustard showed the highest selenium extraction potential (65 mg m−2), even under harsh growing conditions. Based on our results, tall fescue and ryegrass, which mainly stored As, Cu, Pb and Zn within roots, could be used effectively for phytostabilization.
Effect of green tea extract on cardiac hypertrophy following 5/6 nephrectomy in the rat.

BACKGROUND Left ventricular hypertrophy commonly complicates chronic renal failure. We have observed that at least one pathway of left ventricular hypertrophy appears to involve signaling through reactive oxygen species (ROS). Green tea is a substance that appears to have substantial antioxidant activity, yet is safe and is currently widely used. We, therefore, studied whether green tea supplementation could attenuate the development of left ventricular hypertrophy in an animal model of chronic renal failure. METHODS Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to sham or remnant kidney surgery and given green tea extract (0.1% and 0.25%) or plain drinking water for the next 4 weeks. Heart weight, body weight, and cardiac Na-K-ATPase activity were measured at the end of this period. To further test our hypothesis, we performed studies in cardiac myocytes isolated from adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. We measured the generation of ROS using the oxidant sensitive dye dichlorofluorescein (DCF) as well as (3H)phenylalanine incorporation following exposure to cardiac glycosides with and without green tea extract. RESULTS Administration of green tea extract at 0.25% resulted in attenuation of left ventricular hypertrophy, hypertension, and preserved cardiac Na-K-ATPase activity in rats subjected to remnant kidney surgery (all P < 0.01). In subsequent studies performed in isolated cardiac myocytes, both ouabain and marinobufagenin (MBG) were both found to increase ROS production and (3H)phenylalanine incorporation at concentrations substantially below their inhibitor concentration (IC) 50 for the sodium pump. Addition of green tea extract prevented increases in ROS production as well as (3H)phenylalanine incorporation in these isolated cardiac myocytes. CONCLUSION Green tea extract appears to block the development of cardiac hypertrophy in experimental renal failure. Some of this effect may be related to the attenuation of hypertension, but a direct effect on cardiac myocyte ROS production and growth was also identified. Clinical studies of green tea extract in chronic renal failure patients may be warranted.
Murine models of chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infection

The animal model of chronic bronchopulmonary infection using agarose beads laden with Pseudomonas aeruginosa is frequently utilized in cystic fibrosis research, though it is challenging to perform it in mice. This paper reports the most successful methods for the creation of this model. Transtracheal insertion of a 22 G 1" over-the-needle intravenous catheter to preferentially inoculate the right mainstem bronchus using tribromoethanol anaesthesia administered i.p. was better for a successful surgical outcome compared, respectively, to the use of a 27 G ½" needle, bilateral inoculation or an anaesthetic cocktail of xylazine, acepromazine and ketamine administered i.p. Bilateral infection was associated with higher mortality, greater weight loss and higher levels of bronchoalveolar cytokine concentration, compared to mice infected primarily in the right lung. Mucoid clinical strain PA M57-15 was preferred since mucoid clinical strain PA 2192 led to comparatively more severe lesions and higher mortality. Using the same operator for a given task reduced the variability inherent in this model, illustrated using outcome measures such as gross lung pathology. The response of mice inoculated with P. aeruginosa-laden agarose beads was characterized by bronchopulmonary inflammation, high production of cytokines, and significant weight loss; whereas the response to infection with free-living bacteria was characterized by pneumonia, lower production of cytokines and weight loss. The use of free P. aeruginosa pre-mixed with sterile agarose beads may be considered as an alternative to the use of P. aeruginosa-laden agarose beads, since the histopathological features were similar, though further characterization is needed to evaluate its utility as an adequate model of cystic fibrosis.
Understanding the experience of high school sport captains.

The purpose of this study was to gain a thorough understanding of the high school sport captaincy experience. Thirteen university freshmen (7 males, 6 females) who were high school sport captains the previous year participated in 60—90 min semistructured interviews. Hierarchical content analysis of the data revealed that the majority of participants believed that their captainship experience was positive, but also cited difficult aspects such as having responsibility/being held accountable, being scrutinized/meeting expectations, and staying neutral in conflict situations. The majority of captains also reported receiving little to no training from coaches for their captaincy role and indicated that they learned to lead largely from previous life experiences, such as by observing significant others and learning through trial and error. Results on perceived roles and duties, perceived effectiveness, attitudes toward formal leadership training, and recommendations for future captains are also provided. Impli.
Cost analysis of bariatric surgery in Denmark made with a decision-analytic model.

INTRODUCTION Bariatric surgery offers effective obesity treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of bariatric surgery in Denmark from a third-party payer perspective in the mid- (ten years) and long-term (lifetime). METHODS A state-transition Markov model was developed in which patients may experience surgery, post-surgery complications, diabetes mellitus type 2, cardiovascular diseases or die. Transition probabilities, costs and utilities were informed by the literature. Three types of surgery were included: gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy and adjustable gastric banding. The impact of different surgical methods on BMI level was informed by the Danish Obesity Surgery Registry (Dansk Fedmekirurgiregister). RESULTS In the ten-year base-case analysis, bariatric surgery led to a cost increment of 19,332 DKK and generated an additional 1.1 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). In the course of a lifetime, surgery leads to savings of 36,403 DKK, an additional 0.7 life years and 2.9 QALYs. Bariatric surgery was cost-effective at ten years with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of 17,818 DKK per QALY and was dominant over conservative management in the course of a lifetime. Up to three years of delay in the provision of surgery resulted in a reduction of life years, a lower QALY gain and a minor decrease in healthcare costs. CONCLUSIONS In Denmark, bariatric surgery is cost-effective at ten years and may produce a significant reduction in healthcare costs over the course of a lifetime in persons with severe obesity. FUNDING Synergus AB received support for economic model development from Covidien AG (now part of Medtronic). TRIAL REGISTRATION not relevant.
Investigating the Use of Integrated Instructions to Reduce the Cognitive Load Associated with Doing Practical Work in Secondary School Science

This study investigated the effects of integrated illustrations on understanding instructions for practical work in science. Ninety‐six secondary school students who were unfamiliar with the target content knowledge and practical equipment took part. The students were divided into two conditions: (1) modified instructions containing integrated text and illustrations, and (2) conventional instructions containing text only. Modified instructions produced significantly higher levels of performance on task, lower time to completion and perceived cognitive load and task difficulty, higher relative efficiency score, and higher post‐test scores than the conventional instructions. When learners are inexperienced and the information is complex, the results suggest that physically integrating mutually referring sources of information reduces cognitive load, and therefore makes practical work instructions easier to understand.
72-hour epidural infusion of 0.125% levobupivacaine following total knee replacement: a prospective, randomized, controlled, multicenter evaluation.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE WORK To evaluate the efficacy in terms of pain relief and degree of motor impairment of a continuous epidural infusion of 0.125% levobupivacaine in patients undergoing total knee replacement surgery. METHODS 186 patients receiving effective epidural analgesia with 0.125% levobupivacaine during the first 24 hours after surgery were randomly allocated to receive postoperative analgesia for the following 48 hours consisting in either a continued epidural infusion of 0.125% levobupivacaine (Levobupivacaine group, n = 96), or IV PCA morphine only (Morphine PCA group, n = 90). An independent observer recorded the average amount of morphine required per hour following randomisation, pain intensity, degree of motor blockade and occurrence of side effects. RESULTS Median (range) hourly morphine consumption during the study period was 0.21 (0.00-4.65) mg/hr in the Levobupivacaine group and 0.43 (0.04-4.65) mg/hr in the Morphine PCA group (P = 0.005). The quality of pain relief was adequate (VAS < 30 mm) in both groups, but patients in the Levobupivacaine group showed lower VAS values during motion than patients in the Morphine PCA group (P = 0.001). No differences in the proportion of patients with clinically relevant motor block (Bromage's score > or = 1) were reported between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS Continuing the epidural infusion of a concentration of levobupivacaine as low as 0.125% improves pain relief with a 50% reduction of hourly morphine consumption after total knee replacement even during the second and third postoperative days, and does not result in a gross impairment of motor function.