Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessing School Council Contribution to the Enabling Conditions for Instructional Capacity Building

This study identified the enabling conditions related to building instructional capacity created by the councils in three high-performance schools in an urban district. The authors collected the data through observation, interview, and document mining. School-level data were sorted inductively into themes through constant comparative analysis. These school-level data then were analyzed cross-case. Four enabling conditions generalized across the three councils:(a) principal facilitation of decision making through sharing power with council members,(b) schoolwide networking facilitating “bottom-up” problem solving with staff and parents,(c) a focus on student achievement through use of assessment data, and (d) promotion of staff collective accountability for student achievement. The authors extended these findings to those of other studies and discussed why other enabling conditions identified in the literature were not found in this study: financial resources, systematic professional development, program coherence, and “constructive” conflict.
Minimum-noise-variance beamformer with an electromagnetic vector sensor

We develop a minimum-noise-variance beamformer employing one electromagnetic vector sensor, capable of measuring the complete electric and magnetic fields induced by electromagnetic signals at one point. Two types of signals are considered: one carries a single message, and the other carries two independent messages simultaneously. The state of polarization of the interference under consideration ranges from completely polarized to unpolarized. To analyze the performance, we first obtain explicit expressions for the signal to interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) in terms of the parameters of the desired signal, interference and noise. Then we discuss some physical implications associated with the SINR expressions. Our SINR expressions provide a basis for effective interference suppression, as well as generation of dual-message signals of which the two message signals have minimum interference effect on one another.
Economic benefit of a polyacrylate-based hydrogel compared to an amorphous hydrogel in wound bed preparation of venous leg ulcers

License. The full terms of the License are available at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further permission from Dove Medical Press Limited, provided the work is properly attributed. Permissions beyond the scope of the License are administered by Dove Medical Press Limited. Information on how to request permission may be found at: http://www.dovepress. com/permissions.php Chronic Wound Care Management and Research 2015:2 63–70 Chronic Wound Care Management and Research Dovepress
INFLUENCE OF SOIL MOISTURE ON LONGEVITY OF COTTON ROOT-ROT SCLEROTIA »

The fungus Phymatotrichum omnivorum (Shear) Duggar, the cause of cotton root rot, has three known stages in its life history, namely, (i) a vegetative or Ozonium stage (^),^ (2) a conidial or Phymatotrichum stage {! ), and {S) a sclerotial stage (4). Several investigators have shown that the sclerotia, or hold-over bodies, are usually present in the soil wherever the disease is found, and play an important part in the persistence and overwintering of the fungus. Dana {2) found viable sclerotia that had survived a fallow treatment of more than 2 years, and King and Hope {3) found that a large proportion of sclerotia were viable after being maintained for 2}^ years in soil cultures in the laboratory, Neal {2), King, Loomis, and Hope (5), and Dana {2) reported that the viability of sclerotia of ordinary size was destroyed when they were exposed to drying for a very short time. King, Loomis, and Hope {5) found that a large proportion of sclerotia were viable after immersion for 120 days in water, and Taubenhaus, Ezekiel, and Lusk (7) found that flooding field plots for 120 days failed to eradicate the disease, although they observed that the vegetative stage of the fungus was no longer viable after submergence in saturated soil for 3 days. Additional information concerning the influence of soil moisture on the germinating powers of sclerotia seemed desirable. An experiment was conducted, therefore, in which the sclerotia were buried for varying periods in soils maintained at different definite moisture contents. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
Decoding Face Information in Time, Frequency and Space from Direct Intracranial Recordings of the Human Brain

Faces are processed by a neural system with distributed anatomical components, but the roles of these components remain unclear. A dominant theory of face perception postulates independent representations of invariant aspects of faces (e.g., identity) in ventral temporal cortex including the fusiform gyrus, and changeable aspects of faces (e.g., emotion) in lateral temporal cortex including the superior temporal sulcus. Here we recorded neuronal activity directly from the cortical surface in 9 neurosurgical subjects undergoing epilepsy monitoring while they viewed static and dynamic facial expressions. Applying novel decoding analyses to the power spectrogram of electrocorticograms (ECoG) from over 100 contacts in ventral and lateral temporal cortex, we found better representation of both invariant and changeable aspects of faces in ventral than lateral temporal cortex. Critical information for discriminating faces from geometric patterns was carried by power modulations between 50 to 150 Hz. For both static and dynamic face stimuli, we obtained a higher decoding performance in ventral than lateral temporal cortex. For discriminating fearful from happy expressions, critical information was carried by power modulation between 60–150 Hz and below 30 Hz, and again better decoded in ventral than lateral temporal cortex. Task-relevant attention improved decoding accuracy more than10% across a wide frequency range in ventral but not at all in lateral temporal cortex. Spatial searchlight decoding showed that decoding performance was highest around the middle fusiform gyrus. Finally, we found that the right hemisphere, in general, showed superior decoding to the left hemisphere. Taken together, our results challenge the dominant model for independent face representation of invariant and changeable aspects: information about both face attributes was better decoded from a single region in the middle fusiform gyrus.
Modified Chaotic Key-Based Algorithm for Image Encryption and its VLSI Realization

Chaos based encryption may offer new quality in secure data transmission. A recently proposed chaotic-key based algorithm (CKBA) has been shown to be unavoidably susceptible to chosen/known-plaintext attacks and ciphertext-only attacks. In this paper, modified chaotic-key based algorithm (MCKBA) is proposed to enhance the security of CKBA. The enhanced security of the proposed algorithm is analyzed through cryptanalysis. Further, VLSI architecture of the proposed algorithm is designed. The VLSI architecture is implemented on an image using XILINX's ModelSim to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
Working Memory Functioning In Children With Predominantly Inattentive Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Versus Children With Predominantly Hyperactive ADHD

Working memory has been identified as an area in which children diagnosed with ADHD experience difficulty (Carnoldi, Marzocchi, Belotti, Caroli, De Meo & Braga, 2001). However, there are conflicting findings regarding the nature of working memory deficits in children diagnosed with ADHD and some researchers believe that working memory deficits may differ between the two ADHD subtypes (Diamond, 2005; Douglas, 2005; Knouse 2007; Milich , Balentine & Lynam, 2001). In addition, it is also thought that working memory may be one of the main contributing factors of this disorder (Rapport, Chung, Shore & Isaacs, 2001). Thus, there is clearly a need for additional and more detailed investigation into the way individuals with ADHD test with regard to their working memory functioning. This study attempted to examine the working memory functioning in children diagnosed with ADHD, in particular, the Predominantly Inattentive subtype and Predominantly Hyperactive/impulsive subtype in comparison to a control group. A sample of seventy-two participants was tested using the Ravens Progressive Coloured Matrices (RPCM) and the Automated Working Memory Assessment (AMWA) to assess their nonverbal intelligence and working memory. The primary motivating factor for the choice of participants was that they had to have been diagnosed by a professional as having ADHD (either subtype) and they had to be in Grades one or two. None of the children in the control group met the DSM-IV-TR (APA, 2000) criteria for ADHD. Repeated measures of Mann-Whitney and post-hoc analysis revealed that there were significant differences in the verbal short term memory, verbal working memory and visuospatial working memory between the three groups. Test results revealed no significant differences between the test scores of the Inattentive group and the control group in these areas. However, scores obtained by the Hyperactive/impulsive group differed significantly from those of the control and Inattentive groups. Score differences related specifically to verbal short term memory, verbal working memory and visuospatial working memory. This implies that children diagnosed with ADHD, (the Hyperactive/impulsive subtype) may need specific strategies in the classroom to enable them to encode, access and retrieve information
Deficiency in the Transcription Factor Interferon Regulatory Factor (Irf)-2 Leads to Severely Compromised Development of Natural Killer and T Helper Type 1 Cells

Interferon (IFN) regulatory factor (IRF)-2 was originally described as an antagonist of IRF-1–mediated transcriptional regulation of IFN-inducible genes. IRF-1−/− mice exhibit defective T helper type 1 (Th1) cell differentiation. We have used experimental leishmaniasis to show that, like IRF-1−/− mice, IRF-2−/− mice are susceptible to Leishmania major infection due to a defect in Th1 differentiation. Natural killer (NK) cell development is compromised in both IRF-1−/− and IRF-2−/− mice, but the underlying mechanism differs. NK (but not NK+ T) cell numbers are decreased in IRF-2−/− mice, and the NK cells that are present are immature in phenotype. Therefore, like IRF-1, IRF-2 is required for normal generation of Th1 responses and for NK cell development in vivo. In this particular circumstance the absence of IRF-2 cannot be compensated for by the presence of IRF-1 alone. Mechanistically, IRF-2 may act as a functional agonist rather than antagonist of IRF-1 for some, but not all, IFN-stimulated regulatory element (ISRE)-responsive genes.
Novice-Service Language Teacher Development: Bridging the Gap Between Preservice and In-Service Education and Development

One reason for teacher attrition is that a gap exists between pre-service teacher preparation and in-service teacher development, in that most novice teachers suddenly have no further contact with their teacher educators, and from the very first day on the job, must face the same challenges as their more experienced colleagues, often without much guidance from the new school/institution. These challenges include lesson planning, lesson delivery, classroom management, and identity development. In this introductory paper to introduce the special issue on Novice Professionals in TESOL, I also outline practical suggestions that can help bridge the gap between pre-service and in-service education, with the idea that novice teachers can experience the transition from teacher preparation to the first years of teaching, less like “hazing” and more like professional development. I call this bridging period novice-service language teacher development.
Gradually Releasing Responsibility to Students Writing Persuasive Text

The emphasis on improving writing instruction, especially the writing of non-narrative texts, may lead some teachers to seek effective ways to teach students. The IMSCI model, a scaffolded model for writing instruction, is useful for planning effective instruction. This article describes a research project conducted in a 4th grade classroom emphasizing the combined benefits of scaffolded instruction and genre study and testing scaffolded persuasive writing lessons based on the IMSCI model. Researchers wrote lesson plans using the IMSCI model as the underlying structure and tied the lessons to science objectives for fourth grade. Teachers implemented the lessons in their classrooms and student essays were collected as data. Results from this study suggest there are positive outcomes in student writing as a result of a focus on genre in a scaffolded instructional setting.
Competition and boundary formation in heterogeneous media: Application to neuronal differentiation

We analyze an inhomogeneous system of coupled reaction–diffusion equations representing the dynamics of gene expression during differentiation of nerve cells. The outcome of this developmental phase is the formation of distinct functional areas separated by sharp and smooth boundaries. It proceeds through the competition between the expression of two genes whose expression is driven by monotonic gradients of chemicals, and the products of gene expression undergo local diffusion and drive gene expression in neighboring cells. The problem therefore falls in a more general setting of species in competition within a nonhomogeneous medium. We show that in the limit of arbitrarily small diffusion, there exists a unique monotonic stationary solution, which splits the neural tissue into two winner-takes-all parts at a precise boundary point: on both sides of the boundary, different neuronal types are present. In order to further characterize the location of this boundary, we use a blow-up of the system and define a traveling wave problem parametrized by the position within the monotonic gradient: the precise boundary location is given by the unique point in space at which the speed of the wave vanishes.
Smoking cessation for patients on clozapine

The prevalence rates for tobacco dependence are two to four times higher in patients with severe mental illness (SMI) compared with the general population (1). Smoking has a strong, negative influence on the life expectancy and quality of life of mental health patients, and tobacco use is one of the leading preventable causes of death in this group. Smoking cessation for people with SMI is still a neglected topic. A recent systematic review of physical health monitoring guideline shows that only half of these mention helping patients to quit smoking (2). This is in contrast with the evidence that interventions that work in the general population are also effective in people with SMI (3). The contribution by Brown et al. in this issue highlights a potentially negative effect of smoking cessation for people treated with clozapine. They describe five cases of new-onset diabetes, onset after a smoking ban on the ward. An increased risk of diabetes onset after smoking cessation has also been described in general population samples (4). The increased risk could be in part attributable to weight gain but could in the case of clozapine-treated patients also be attributable to important increases in clozapine serum levels (5). For most antipsychotics, there is no clear relationship between dose and the induction of metabolic abnormalities, but there is some data that clozapine might be an exception (6). From the data presented by Brown et al., it is however unclear whether patients were screened for metabolic abnormalities prior to the smoking ban nor whether they had additional risk factors for diabetes. The message from this report is that not only all patients should be regularly screened for physical and metabolic sideeffects but the period after smoking cessation the screening and monitoring efforts should be more frequent and rigorous. M. de Hert Professor, University Psychiatric Centre Catholic University Leuven, Campus Kortenberg, Kortenberg, Belgium E-mail: marc.de. hert@uc-kortenberg.be
Mindfulness and positive affect: Cross-sectional, prospective intervention, and real-time relations

This study tested trait- and state-mindfulness and trait- and state-positive affect (PA) relations within a cross-sectional study (Study 1; N = 174, 76% women, Mean (SD)age = 24 (2.7) years) and a randomized controlled 4-session mindfulness intervention study (Study 2; N = 51, 65.4% women, Mean (SD)age = 25 (4.3) years). Study 1 : levels of trait-mindfulness and trait-like PA were related, as theorized, only among participants with meditation experience. Study 2 : Study 2 is a secondary analysis of a mindfulness intervention study [Tanay, Lotan, & Bernstein (2012). Salutary proximal processes and distal mood and anxiety vulnerability outcomes of mindfulness training: A Pilot preventive intervention. Behavior Therapy, 43, 492–505]. Unexpectedly, reduced levels of trait-like PA were observed pre- to post-intervention across conditions. No significant between-group mean differences were observed post-intervention. However, as expected, change in trait-mindfulness from pre- to post-intervention predicted change in trait-like PA among the intervention but not control condition. Second, levels of state-mindfulness during mindfulness meditation were positively related to levels of state-PA. The theoretical and applied implications of these findings for mindfulness and PA are discussed.
Informal collaborations between social sciences and humanities researchers and non-academic partners

The analysis of how research contributes to society typically focuses on the study of those transactions that are mediated through formal legal instruments (research contracts, patent licensing and the creation of companies). Research has shown, however, that informal means of technology transfer are also important. This paper explores the importance of informal collaborations and provides evidence of the extent to which informal collaborations between researchers and non-academic partners take place informally in the social sciences and humanities (SSH). Data is obtained from two studies on knowledge exchange involving researchers working in the SSH area of the Spanish Council for Scientific Research. We show that informal collaborations not officially recorded by the organisation are much more common than formal agreements and that many collaborations remain informal over time. We explore the causes of such prevalence of informality and discuss its policy implications.
Vulnerable relations: lifecourse, wellbeing and social exclusion in Buenos Aires, Argentina

ABSTRACT Many have presumed that in developing countries, contact with children is beneficial to older people's wellbeing, and particularly that women receive more support from children than men because of their lifelong commitment to family responsibilities. This study questions these stylised notions through an analysis of 22 life histories of older women and men living in a district with high rates of social exclusion in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It focuses on the subjective accounts of relationships with children and grandchildren and their influence on current wellbeing. The life histories reveal complex lived experiences and the significance of key events. The informants speak of the anxiety and harm caused by struggling children, about problems of remote relations with successful children, and of the insecurity of the neighbourhood. The analysis contrasts a materialistic interpretation of the influence of children on older people's wellbeing with the informants' more holistic evaluation of family relationships. By applying a life-course framework, we demonstrate that children may be a key source of vulnerability for older people, that the gendering of parent-child relations and later-life wellbeing is nuanced, that both local and national conditions influence relationships with specific children, with implications for the intergenerational transmission of wellbeing.
Character displacement from the receiver's perspective: species and mate recognition despite convergent signals in suboscine birds

Many social animals use long-distance signals to attract mates and defend territories. They face the twin challenges of discriminating between species to identify conspecific mates, and between individuals to recognize collaborators and competitors. It is therefore often assumed that long-distance signals are under strong selection for species-specificity and individual distinctiveness, and that this will drive character displacement when closely related species meet, particularly in noisy environments. However, the occurrence of signal stereotypy and convergence in rainforest species seems to contradict these ideas, and raises the question of whether receivers in these systems can recognize species or individuals by long-distance signals alone. Here, we test for acoustically mediated recognition in two sympatric antbird species that are known to have convergent songs. We show that male songs are stereotyped yet individually distinctive, and we use playback experiments to demonstrate that females can discriminate not only between conspecific and heterospecific males, but between mates and strangers. These findings provide clear evidence that stereotypy and convergence in male signals can be accommodated by fine tuning of perceptual abilities in female receivers, suggesting that the evolutionary forces driving divergent character displacement in animal signals are weaker than is typically assumed.
Increased Urinary Excretion of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme in Patients with Renal Diseases

We measured the activity of angiotensin converting enzyme (ED 3.4.15.1) in urine samples from normal subjects and patients with nephrotic syndrome and chronic glomerulonephritis. Urinary excretion of angiotensin converting enzyme in patients with nephrotic syndrome (1.58 +/- 0.50 (SD) units/day; n = 15) and chronic glomerulonephritis (1.01 +/- 0.45 units/day; n = 12) was significantly increased compared with normal subjects (0.38 +/- 0.10 units/day; n = 18). It was demonstrated that a high molecular weight form of the enzyme (more than 400000) was mainly excreted in urines from patients with nephrotic syndrome. After trypsin treatment, this form was altered to a low molecular weight form (290000). These two different forms of urinary angiotensin converting enzyme were compared with the enzyme purified from human kidney, and found to be identical with respect to Km values (2 mmol/l), pH optimum (pH 8.3), chloride ion dependency (0.8 mol/l), inhibitory effect of captopril (I50, 21 nmol/l), and behavior towards antiserum to human kidney angiotensin converting enzyme.