Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The web’s potential for language learning: the student’s perspective

This paper reports on a large-scale study carried out in four settings that investigates the potential of the Web as a medium of language instruction, both to complement face-to-face teaching and as a stand-alone course. Data was collected by questionnaires and observational procedures to ascertain student perceptions of the usefulness of Web-based learning, their views on its advantages and disadvantages, their personal comfort and enjoyment when working with the Web, their preferred mode of delivery, their evaluation of the quality of resources used, and their learning strategies and study preference. Results showed that students were on the whole positively inclined to working with the Web and found it useful, with the majority preferring to use the Web as an add-on to face-to-face teaching. Reported advantages fell into the broad categories of time flexibility, reinforced learning, privacy and wealth of information; disadvantages into distraction, absence of teacher and personal interaction and lack of speaking practice. Significant differences for age and gender were found relating to clarity of objectives, number of hours worked, mode of delivery, perception of comfort and appreciation of graphics. Very few significant findings relating to strategy strength emerged.
Thresholds for Hypoxic Cerebral Vasodilation in Volunteers

The effects of hypoxemia on the cerebral vasculature have been described in animal models, but data from human studies are limited and have often relied on invasive methodology.The ability to detect a threshold for hypoxic vasodilatation in humans may be clinically useful, particularly in patients with impaired intracranial compliance. Because physiology may differ among subjects, it would be advantageous to measure such thresholds using noninvasive bedside techniques that could be readily applied to individual patients. We have attempted to identify thresholds of hypoxic vasodilatation in volunteers using noninvasive methods of measurement. Thirteen healthy volunteers were studied using transcranial Doppler sonography. Time-averaged middle cerebral artery maximal flow velocity (MCA FVx), mean arterial blood pressure, peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), and partial pressure of endtidal CO2 were measured at baseline and during graded reduction in arterial SpO2 to 85%, at normocapnia. Flow velocity and estimated cerebrovascular resistance (CVRe) were indexed and plotted against SpO2. There was no significant change in mean arterial pressure during desaturation to 85%, although the mean heart rate increased from 65 to 82 bpm. An increase in MCA FVx and reciprocal decrease in CVRe were observed when SpO2 decreased to below 90%. These results suggest that hypoxemic cerebral vasodilatation may be measured noninvasively and that in normal human volunteers, the threshold is at an SpO2 of 90%, which is greater than that previously reported. Implications: The ability to detect the point at which cerebral blood vessels dilate using noninvasive techniques is clinically advantageous. We have attempted to do this using transcranial Doppler sonography in volunteers whose inspired oxygen concentrations were gradually decreased. Thresholds of cerebral vasodilatation were found to be higher than those previously reported. These thresholds are important with regard to adequate perfusion in various pathologic states. (Anesth Analg 1997;85:817-20)
Infrequent loss of heterozygosity of APC/MCC and DCC genes in gastric cancer showing DNA microsatellite instability.

AIM: To investigate the role of DNA microsatellite instability (MSI) in gastric carcinogenesis by studying associations between MSI status, clinicopathological features, and loss of genetic loci. METHODS: Six microsatellite loci and loss of heterozygosity at APC, DCC, and MCC were analysed by polymerase chain reaction based methods in 53 cases of advanced gastric cancer. RESULTS: MSI was observed in 32.1% of gastric carcinomas (17/53) and 20% of foci of intestinal metaplasia (3/15). Seven gastric carcinomas (13.7%) were MSI-high (MSI-H) (three loci or more) and 10 (18.9%) were MSI-low (MSI-L) (one or two loci). The frequency of MSI-H was higher in intestinal (25.0%) than in diffuse carcinomas (3.7%) (p < 0.05). None of the MSI-H tumours showed loss of heterozygosity at APC, MCC, or DCC loci. CONCLUSIONS: MSI may have an important and early role in a subset of gastric cancers, particularly the intestinal type. The MSI-H subset of gastric cancer has features in common with its colorectal counterpart, whereas MSI-L and microsatellite stable cancers appear to develop through the loss of heterozygosity pathway.
Teacher Influences on Students' Attachment to School

Research has shown that students who like school have higher academic achievement and a lower incidence of disciplinary problems, absenteeism, truancy, and dropping out of school than do those who dislike school. Thus, one way to improve academic outcomes is to increase students' attraction to school. This study focused on the role of teachers in shaping students' feelings about school. The unique role that teachers play relative to students and the kinds of experiences that teachers create for students suggest that teachers may exert a powerful influence on whether students like school. Since attachment to school has been shown to affect students' academic performance, identifying the characteristics of teachers that have a positive effect on students' feelings about school is one way to increase students' academic achievement. The study estimated cross-sectional and longitudinal models of teachers' influences on students' feelings about school on data from 6th-, 8th- and 10th-grade students in public and Catholic schools in Chicago. It found that students who perceive that their teachers care about them, respect them, and praise them are more apt to like school than are those who do not, but that teachers' expectations for students' achievement have a negligible effect on whether students like school.
Confronting History’s Interpretive Paradox While Teaching Fifth Graders to Investigate the Past

This article reports on one facet of a researcher–practitioner project undertaken with class of 23 diverse fifth graders. The project was rooted in taking recent history education reforms seriously. It was premised principally on reforms dealing with teaching practices found in the history standards and the research literature. As the researcher–practitioner, the author engaged the students in historical investigations to help them learn to think historically and better understand the past. He operated from a theoretical framework based on how he believed historical thinking and understanding occur for such novice learners. During the first three lessons, on Jamestown’s “Starving Time,” the author and class encountered history’s interpretive paradox. The article begins with an analogy drawn from the discipline of history. It then describes classroom events. The analysis focuses on a teaching dilemma that the encounter with the paradox provoked and conveys how the author’s pedagogical thinking and decision making were influenced by that encounter. The discussion of the dilemma suggests how research and reform in history education and the theories that underpin them mingle, in promising but unpredictable ways.
La construction des politiques d'action sociale au sein des départements

Quelles sont les logiques qui animent les departements en matiere d’action sociale ? Si l’encadrement legislatif semble jouer en faveur d’une homogeneite des pratiques, cet article vise a identifier les marges de manœuvre des departements. Il s’appuie sur une enquete monographique menee dans trois departements. Pour adapter au mieux leurs ressources en fonction des besoins, les departements investigues font etat d’une necessite de connaissances sur leurs administres, d’une part, et d’evaluer leurs actions, d’autre part. Chefs de file de l’action sociale, les departements ne peuvent assurer leurs missions sans le soutien d’autres acteurs associatifs et institutionnels, bien que les difficultes soient importantes pour animer un reseau partenarial. Dans cet article sont identifies deux poles entre lesquels oscillent les departements : la premiere est une posture dite « proactive », laquelle permet de trouver dans la contrainte une source d’inspiration pour parvenir a des solutions innovantes ; la deuxieme est une posture plutot « legaliste » qui consiste a se conformer, de la maniere la plus efficace possible, aux nombreuses injonctions qui entourent l’activite des departements.
Accuracy of Bathymetric Assessment by Locally Analyzing Radar Ocean Wave Imagery (February 2008)

In this paper, the error source in assessing the bathymetry by a recently presented method, the dispersive surface classificator, is discussed. This method is based on the analysis of X-band radar image sequences of sea-surface waves to determine spatial maps of hydrographic parameters. To implement this objective, the radar-deduced bathymetry is validating by multibeam echosounder data. The accuracy of the method is high in homogeneous areas and reduced at the areas of bathymetric gradient and lower but comparable with multibeam echosounder data, under the assumption of the spatial resolution. The identification of systematic correlation of the absolute value of the error with the slope is significant and insignificant with the actual depth itself. The spatial correlation of the error illustrates that the direction of the wave field influences the neighboring grid cell in the same direction. The application of the method during crucial weather conditions is the main advantage and permits the accurate operational nearshore monitoring for several applications.
Reconstruction of a Spherically Symmetric Speed of Sound

Consider the inverse acoustic scattering problem for a spherically symmetric inhomogeneity of compact support that arises, among other places, in nondestructive testing. Define the corresponding homogeneous and inhomogeneous interior transmission problems, see, e.g., [D. Colton and P. Monk, Quart. J. Mech. Math., 41 (1988), pp. 97–125]. Here the authors study the subset of transmission' eigenvalues corresponding to spherically symmetric eigenfunctions of the homogeneous interior transmission problem. It is shown in McLaughlin and Polyakov [J. Differential Equations, to appear] that these eigenvalues are the zeros of an average of the scattering amplitude, and a uniqueness theorem for the inverse acoustic scattering problem is presented where these eigenvalues are the given data. In the present paper an algorithm for finding the solution of the inverse acoustic scattering problem from this subset of transmission eigenvalues is developed and implemented. The method given here completely determines the sound.
Physical education, youth sport and lifelong participation: the importance of early learning experiences

The PESSCLS strategy for physical education and youth sport in England has received an unprecedented level of funding from the Blair government during its term in office. In this article, it is proposed that there are structural problems with the delivery of physical education and school sport in England that the PESSCLS strategy and associated policies such as Game Plan may not have accounted for. It is argued these problems become evident through a review of research on the importance of early learning experiences for lifelong participation in physical activity. In addition, the impact of perceptions of competency on young people's motivation to participate is discussed, prior to exploring the influence of gender, socio-economic status and sociodemographic factors on participation. Further evidence is reviewed that suggests secondary school physical education programmes have in their traditional form been ineffective in promoting lifelong physical activities. The article concludes with the identification of some alternatives to the traditional approach to PE and youth sport that could enrich some of the PESSCLS initiatives.
Badges of Wisdom, Spaces for Being: A Study of Contemporary Women's Book Clubs

This study explores the social contours and the talk within contemporary women's book clubs. The approach is interdisciplinary, drawing on theories of interpretive community, feminist epistemology, and cultural studies to illustrate the social relations of the groups as more than a sum of its readers. Ethnographic and survey methods are blended in an original interpretation of the reading motivations, practices, pleasures of five Canadian reading groups and more than 252 readers found on line. An account of the descriptive, normative and ideological concepts of book club community, the work supplies an important gap in studies of women's reading experiences in Canada. This dissertation argues: (1) that book clubs are social structures in which women are able to articulate and valorise their experiences thereby demonstrating social agency, and (2) that there is an interpretive community dimension to a reading group that unfolds
Assessing the General Equilibrium Effect of Social Grants in South Africa

South Africa has one of the largest cash transfer systems in Africa, which benefited about 16 million people in 2012/13. Social grants have significantly expanded since 1998 - with 2.5 million beneficiaries - and are considered important instruments with which to fight poverty in South Africa. Previous studies on the impact of social grants in South Africa made a strong assumption of the absence of a general equilibrium effect. Social grants investment growth increased by more than 9 per cent in 2012, reaching a total amount of R158 billion over the same period. Because of their huge budget and their contribution to the lives of the poor, the main contribution of this study is to attempt to quantify the overall direct and indirect effect of the major social grants. This paper is one in a series of papers attempting to quantify the impact of these grants. The novelty in these studies is in the methodology used to quantify the impact. The papers use an estimation system with a micro and a macro analysis working together. A recursive micro-macro modelling is developed to quantify the impact of the social grant on the South African economy. The framework is used to simulate a hypothetical South African economy without social grantees. The aggregate changes in labour supply and employment status, and total consumption expenditure and consumption by products are simulated at the macro level along with alternative government revenue adjustment (Macro-Modelling). Then the induced prices, unemployment, income and output affect households’ consumption patterns. At this stage, a sample re-weighting technique (nonparametric) is used to assess the second order effects of the social grant shock (Micro-Modelling). The current paper contributes to the literature on the effects of a combination of grants on households and the economy in a general equilibrium framework. The paper thus has two distinct contributions.
Molecular Profiling of Computed Tomography Screen-Detected Lung Nodules Shows Multiple Malignant Features

Rationale and Purpose: Low-dose spiral computerized axial tomography (spiral CT) is effective for the detection of small early lung cancers. Although published data seem promising, there has been a significant degree of discussion concerning the potential of overdiagnosis in the context of spiral CT–based screening. The objective of the current study was to analyze the phenotypic and genetic alterations in the small pulmonary malignancies resected after detection in the University of Navarra/International Early Lung Cancer Action Project spiral CT screening trial and to determine whether their malignant molecular features are similar to those of resected lung tumors diagnosed conventionally. Experimental Design: We analyzed 17 biomarkers of lung epithelial malignancy in a series of 11 tumors resected at our institution during the last 4 years (1,004 high-risk individuals screened), using immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). A parallel series of 11 gender-, stage-, and histology-matched lung cancers diagnosed by other means except screening was used as control. Results: The molecular alterations and the frequency of phenotypic or genetic aberrations were very similar when screen-detected and nonscreen-detected lung cancers were compared. Furthermore, most of the alterations found in the screen-detected cancers from this study were concordant with what has been described previously for stage I-II lung cancer. Conclusions: Small early-stage lung cancers resected after detection in a spiral CT-based screening trial reveal malignant molecular features similar to those found in conventionally diagnosed lung cancers, suggesting that the screen-detected cancers are not overdiagnosed. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15(2):373–80)
Hemocyte differentiation mediates the mosquito late-phase immune response against Plasmodium in Anopheles gambiae

Significance The innate immune response is a major determinant of malaria parasite success in its mosquito host. Previous experiments have implicated LPS-induced TNFα transcription factor (LITAF)-like 3 (LL3) as an integral component of the mosquito immune response to the malaria parasite. This study reports that LL3 influences oocyst survival and demonstrates its role in mosquito blood cell (hemocyte) differentiation in response to parasite infection. Integrating previous data, we provide evidence that hemocytes are critical modulators of the mosquito late-phase immune response. Our findings provide new insight into how parasites are killed in the mosquito host and define major roles for LL3 and the STAT pathways in Plasmodium oocyst survival. Plasmodium parasites must complete development in the mosquito vector for transmission to occur. The mosquito innate immune response is remarkably efficient in limiting parasite numbers. Previous work has identified a LPS-induced TNFα transcription factor (LITAF)-like transcription factor, LITAF-like 3 (LL3), which significantly influences parasite numbers. Here, we demonstrate that LL3 does not influence invasion of the mosquito midgut epithelium or ookinete-to-oocyst differentiation but mediates a late-phase immune response that decreases oocyst survival. LL3 expression in the midgut and hemocytes is activated by ookinete midgut invasion and is independent of the mosquito microbiota, suggesting that LL3 may be a component of a wound-healing response. LL3 silencing abrogates the ability of mosquito hemocytes to differentiate and respond to parasite infection, implicating hemocytes as critical modulators of the late-phase immune response.
The salience of occluding vehicles to child pedestrians

Young children have a disproportionate number of pedestrian accidents whilst trying to cross roads near parked vehicles. Three competing hypotheses as to the basis of this problem were tested under controlled conditions. Children aged 6 (N = 32), 8 (N = 30) and 10 years (N = 36) were presented with a two-choice road crossing task, comprising a crossing point bounded by occluding vehicles and a crossing point providing n clear view of oncoming traffic. At 6 years, choices were random, whereas at 8 years, and especially at 10 years, the clear view crossing choice predominated. There was also a strong association between preference for the clear view crossing point and experience as an independent road user
Monocytopenia; Induction by Vinorelbine, Cisplatin and Doxorubicin in Breast, Non-Small Cell Lung and Cervix Cancer Patients.

BACKGROUND The neoplasm is still a potential threat for breast, Non-Small Cell Lung (NSCL) and cervix cancer patients. Those gradually invade into other body organs, inducing complex pathological complications. Whereas, the anticancer drugs suppress the bone marrow, resulting serious hematological toxicities. Thus, the monocytic toxicity may the chance of infections, particularly in AID's patients. OBJECTIVE We aimed this retrospective study to investigate the monocytopenia induced by vinorelbine following chemotherapy in cancer patients. PATIENTS AND METHOD A total 60 adult cancer patients were divided into two groups; Group-1 patients received the treatment of Vinorelbine alone while group 2 patients received Vinorelbine based combination chemotherapy. RESULT The overall comparison of mean monocyte count (×103 per μl) with time showed a significant statistical difference (p value <0.001) for G-I and no significant difference for G-II (p value <0.08). The independent comparison of mean values for two groups at every week confirms the non-significant statistical difference during all of the five weeks (p values 0.551, 0.112, 0.559, 0.372, 0.468 respectively). In addition of that, the comparison of mean values observed before therapy with that of week 4 (after therapy) showed significant difference in G-I (p value <0.001) and non-significant in G-II (p value 0.053). CONCLUSION Monocytopenia is induced in both of the chemotherapy protocols allows the clinical oncologists and consultant physicians to select either of the chemotherapy protocol. The therapeutic efficacy should constitute the intervening consideration to treat the breast, cervix and NSCL (Non-Small Cell Lung's) cancers.
Co-occurrence of conduct problems and depressive symptoms in early adolescent boys: II. A 2-year follow-up at Grade 8

Abstract The current study examines outcomes at Grade 8 for boys who, at Grade 6, displayed elevated, though not necessarily clinical, levels of conduct problems and depressive symptoms. An at-risk community sample of 203 early adolescent boys in the Oregon Youth Study, a multimethod/multiagent study, was divided into the following groups at Grade 6: (a) co-occurring conduct problems and depressed mood, (b) conduct problems only, (c) depressed mood only, and (d) neither problem. The four groups were compared at Grade 8 on family management and boy's adjustment, using multivariate analyses of variance. The groups were compared also on relationships with parents, delinquency, and suicidal ideation. As hypothesized, conduct problems showed higher stability than depressive symptoms from Grade 6 to Grade 8. The conduct-problem-only boys and boys with co-occurring conduct problems and depressive symptoms continued to show considerable adjustment deficits at Grade 8, whereas boys with only depressive symptoms showed some improvement. The co-occurring group showed elevated levels of suicidal ideation. As hypothesized, conduct problems at Grade 6 were predictive of increases in depressed mood by Grade 8, but depressed mood was not predictive of an increase in the conduct problems measure. Results are consistent with a failure model whereby lack of skill and noxious behavior lead to pervasive failures and vulnerability to depressed mood.
Student Estimates of Public Speaking Competency: The Meaning Extraction Helper and Video Self-evaluation

Video continues to be used in many basic communication courses as a way for students to self-evaluate speechmaking. In this study, students (N = 71) presented speeches, viewed the video recordings, and produced self-generated feedback. Comparing student's self-estimated grades from the self-evaluation against earned grades resulted in composite scores that were organized in three estimator categorizations: under-, accurate-, or overestimators. The estimators' feedback was analyzed by new software, the Meaning Extraction Helper, to identify specific themes. The common content words that emerged provided themes that were then inductively categorized. Results indicated unique categories/subcategories for each estimator type and minor subcategory similarities across estimators. Findings discuss estimator perceptions influencing student understanding of their speaking skills.