Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Possible selves, vision, and dynamic systems theory in second language learning and teaching

The key purpose of this thesis was to study how vision and possible selves motivate second language (L2) learners in their learning, and the way non-linear and dynamic patterns are exhibited in motivated L2 behaviours. The thesis consists of four studies that investigated the motivation of different target populations (secondary and university learners, and Christian Language Professionals) by using a variety of research methodologies, including retrodictive qualitative modelling (RQM), mixed methods approach, qualitative in-depth interviews and intervention. In Studies I and IV, the motivational trajectories of secondary school students and Christian Language Professionals were explored through the lens of dynamic systems theory (DST). In Study I, using retrodictive qualitative modelling (RQM), in which the conventional research data collection methodology was reversed, the results showed that seven learner archetypes exist in the teachers’ minds, and different unique motivational trajectories known as signature dynamics (with different combinations of attractor states) are present in the learners’ systems. The strength and weaknesses in applying the RQM model were identified. Study IV explored the developments of vision in four CLP through in-depth interviews and three different vision integration patterns were revealed: ‘fully integrated as a person’, ‘fully integrated Ideal CLP Self’, and ‘partially integrated CLP Self’. Study II examined the interrelationships among various sensory capacities (visual and auditory), imagery capacities, future self-guides and criterion measures in two target languages (English and Mandarin) in 172 Year-8 secondary school students in Hong Kong. Using both questionnaires and post-survey focus group interviews, it was found that learners’ future self-guides are endowed with visual, auditory and imagery capacities as the main components. Study III investigated the effects of an imagery-training intervention on the quantitative and qualitative change of possible L2 self-guides in 80 second-year science university students. A significant increase in the Ideal L2 Self and a significant decrease in the Feared L2 Self were shown, which suggested that the intervention has positive effects on learners’ future self-guides. In summary, the results from the collection of studies showed the different characteristics, effects, and motivational forces of vision and possible selves in the complex world of L2 learning and teaching. Along with the insights of the complex dynamic interplay between the factors in L2 learning and teaching, I have built a strong case for vision and possible selves as key motivational tools in the L2 classroom.
Dendritic calcium mechanisms and long‐term potentiation in cortical inhibitory interneurons

Calcium (Ca2+) is a major second messenger in the regulation of different forms of synaptic and intrinsic plasticity. Tightly organized in space and time, postsynaptic Ca2+ transients trigger the activation of many distinct Ca2+ signaling cascades, providing a means for a highly specific signal transduction and plasticity induction. High‐resolution two‐photon microscopy combined with highly sensitive synthetic Ca2+ indicators in brain slices allowed for the quantification and analysis of postsynaptic Ca2+ dynamics in great detail. Much of our current knowledge about postsynaptic Ca2+ mechanisms is derived from studying Ca2+ transients in the dendrites and spines of pyramidal neurons. However, postsynaptic Ca2+ dynamics differ considerably among different cell types. In particular, distinct rules of postsynaptic Ca2+ signaling and, accordingly, of Ca2+‐dependent plasticity operate in GABAergic interneurons. Here, I review recent progress in understanding the complex organization of postsynaptic Ca2+ signaling and its relevance to several forms of long‐term potentiation at excitatory synapses in cortical GABAergic interneurons.
Patterns of atrophy differ among specific subtypes of mild cognitive impairment.

BACKGROUND In most patients, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) represents the clinically evident prodromal phase of dementia. This is most well established in amnestic MCI, which is most commonly a precursor to Alzheimer disease (AD). It follows, however, that subjects with MCI who have impairment in nonmemory domains may progress to non-AD degenerative dementias. OBJECTIVE To investigate patterns of cerebral atrophy associated with specific subtypes of MCI. DESIGN Case-control study. SETTING Community-based sample at a tertiary referral center. PATIENTS One hundred forty-five subjects with MCI and 145 age- and sex-matched cognitively normal control subjects. Mild cognitive impairment was classified as amnestic, single cognitive domain; amnestic, multiple domain; nonamnestic, single domain; and nonamnestic, multiple domain. Subjects with nonamnestic single-domain MCI were classified into language, attention/executive, and visuospatial subgroups on the basis of specific cognitive impairment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Patterns of gray matter loss in the MCI groups compared with control subjects, assessed using voxel-based morphometry. RESULTS Subjects in the amnestic single- and multiple-domain groups showed loss in the medial and inferior temporal lobes compared with control subjects, and those in the multiple-domain group also had involvement of the posterior temporal lobe, parietal association cortex, and posterior cingulate. Subjects in the nonamnestic single-domain group with language impairment showed loss in the left anterior inferior temporal lobe. The group with attention/executive deficits showed loss in the basal forebrain and hypothalamus. No coherent patterns of loss were observed in the other subgroups. CONCLUSIONS The pattern of atrophy in the amnestic MCI groups is consistent with the concept that MCI in most of these subjects represents prodromal AD. However, the varying patterns in the language and attention/executive subgroups suggest that these subjects may have a different underlying disorder.
Late-phase expression of a murine cytomegalovirus immediate-early antigen recognized by cytolytic T lymphocytes

The cloned murine cytolytic T-lymphocyte line IE1-IL and several sublines detect a murine cytomegalovirus immediate-early (IE) membrane determinant in conjunction with Ld class I major histocompatibility glycoprotein. The lines retained cytolytic activity, strict antigen specificity, and self-restriction even when adapted to long-term, antigen-independent growth in the presence of interleukin-2 only (M. J. Reddehase, H.-J. Bühring, and U. H. Koszinowski, J. Virol. 57:408-412). These attributes allowed us to use IE1-IL as a stable, monospecific probe for tracing the expression of the IE membrane antigen throughout the viral replication cycle. Presentation of the antigen at the cell membrane proved to be most effective when expression of IE genes in infected mouse embryo fibroblasts was selectively enhanced by consecutive cycloheximide-actinomycin D treatment, whereas without enhancement high numbers of IE1-IL cytolytic T lymphocytes were required to demonstrate the antigen in the IE phase. In the early phase of infection when IE genes were no longer transcribed, cytolysis was not observed, although IE proteins were detectable in the nuclei of the infected cells. Without application of inhibitors IE membrane antigen expression was most prominent during the late phase of infection. Reinitiation of transcription from the genomic region encoding the major IE protein (pp89) and de novo synthesis of pp89 correlated with this reexpression of the IE membrane antigen.
Proteinuria and Perinatal Lethality in Mice Lacking NEPH1, a Novel Protein with Homology to NEPHRIN

ABSTRACT A high-throughput, retrovirus-mediated mutagenesis method based on gene trapping in embryonic stem cells was used to identify a novel mouse gene. The human ortholog encodes a transmembrane protein containing five extracellular immunoglobulin-like domains that is structurally related to human NEPHRIN, a protein associated with congenital nephrotic syndrome. Northern analysis revealed wide expression in humans and mice, with highest expression in kidney. Based on similarity to NEPHRIN and abundant expression in kidney, this protein was designated NEPH1 and embryonic stem cells containing the retroviral insertion in the Neph1 locus were used to generate mutant mice. Analysis of kidney RNA fromNeph1 −/− mice showed that the retroviral insertion disrupted expression of Neph1 transcripts.Neph1 −/− pups were represented at the expected normal Mendelian ratios at 1 to 3 days of age but at only 10% of the expected frequency at 10 to 12 days after birth, suggesting an early postnatal lethality. The Neph1 −/−animals that survived beyond the first week of life were sickly and small but without edema, and all died between 3 and 8 weeks of age. Proteinuria ranging from 300 to 2,000 mg/dl was present in allNeph1 −/− mice. Electron microscopy demonstrated NEPH1 expression in glomerular podocytes and revealed effacement of podocyte foot processes inNeph1 −/− mice. These findings suggest that NEPH1, like NEPHRIN, may play an important role in maintaining the structure of the filtration barrier that prevents proteins from freely entering the glomerular urinary space.
Joint admission/congestion control for wireless CDMA systems supporting integrated services

A new data traffic control scheme is developed for maintaining the packet error rate (PER) of real-time voice traffic while allowing nonreal-time data traffic to utilize the residual channel capacity of the multi-access link in an integrated service wireless CDMA network. Due to the delay constraint of the voice service, voice users transmit their packets without incurring further delay once they are admitted to the system according to the admission control policy. Data traffic, however, is regulated at both the call level (i.e., admission control) and at the burst level (i.e., congestion control). The admission control rejects the data calls that will otherwise experience unduly long delay, whereas the congestion control ensures the PER of voice traffic being lower than a specified quality of service (QoS) requirement (e.g., 10/sup -2/). System performance such as voice PER, voice-blocking probability, data throughput, delay, and blocking probability is evaluated by a Markovian model. Numerical results for a system with a Rician fading channel and DPSK modulation are presented to show the interplay between admission and congestion control, as well as how one can engineer the control parameters. The tradeoff of using multiple CDMA codes to reduce the transmission time of data messages is also investigated.
Functioning at 6 months post stroke following discharge from inpatient rehabilitation.

OBJECTIVES To determine activity limitations, participation restrictions, health-related quality of life and caregiver strain in community-dwelling stroke survivors discharged from an intensive inpatient rehabilitation programme at 6 months post stroke. METHODS Fifty-one consecutive stroke patients admitted to a Western Cape rehabilitation centre were included. Community-dwelling participants (N=46) at 6 months post stroke were assessed using the Modified Rankin Scale (MRS), Barthel index (BI), Nottingham extended activities of daily living (NEADL) scale, Euroqol (EQ-5D) instrument and caregiver strain index (CSI). RESULTS Most participants (73.9%) were independent in activities of daily living or had minimal disability (BI 75 - 100). However, according to the NEADL, many participants were not independent in housework (60.9%), food preparation (52.2%), shopping (80.4%) and public transport use (65.2%), implying the need for caregiver assistance. According to the MRS, 29% of participants were severely disabled, requiring caregiver assistance for basic needs, and 20% could not be left alone. Feelings of anxiety or depression were felt in 50% of participants and 59% reported pain or discomfort, according to the EQ-5D. High levels of caregiver strain were reported in 56% of caregivers (CSI). Follow-up after discharge was reported in few participants. CONCLUSIONS Consideration should be given to support for stroke survivors and caregivers after discharge and whether targeted programmes can improve specific aspects of functioning, such as community mobility.
Neutrino Astronomy and Cosmic Rays Spectroscopy at Horizons

A new air-showering physics may rise in next years at horizon, offering at different angles and altitudes a fine tuned filtered Cosmic Rays astrophysics and an upward Neutrino induced air-showering astronomy. Most of this opportunity arises because of neutrino masses, their mixing and the consequent replenishment of rarest tau flavor during its flight in Space. Horizontal air atmosphere act as a filter for High energy Cosmic Rays (CR) and as a beam dump for Ultra High Energy (UHE) neutrinos and a powerfull amplifier for its tau decay in air by its wide showering areas. Earth sharp shadows plays the role of a huge detector volume for UHE neutrino and a noise-free screen for upcoming EeVs tau air-showers (as well PeVs anti-neutrino electron air interactions). Projects for Tau Airshowers are growing at the top of a mountains or at the edge of a cliff. ASHRA in Hawaii and CRNTN in Utah are tracking fluorescence lights, while other novel projects on Crown array detectors on mountains, on balloons and satellites are elaborated for Cherenkov lights. AUGER, facing the Ande edges, ARGO located within a deep valley are testing inclined showers; MILAGRO (and MILAGRITO) may be triggered by horizontal up-going muon bundles from the Earth edges; HIRES and AUGER UHECR detectors, linking twin array telescopes along their axis may test horizontal Cerenkov blazing photons. MAGIC (Hess, Veritas) and Shalon Telescopes may act already like a detector for few PeVs and Glashow resonance neutrino events; MAGIC pointing downward to terrestrial ground acts as a massive tens of km^3 detector, making it the most sensitive dedicated neutrino telescope. MAGIC facing the sea edges must reveal mirrored downward UHECR Air-showers Cherenkov flashes. Magic-crown systems may lead to tens km^3, neutrino detectors.
Role of lung injury in the pathogenesis of hyaline membrane disease in premature baboons.

To test the hypothesis that hyaline membrane disease (HMD) has a multifactorial etiology in which barotrauma plays a major role, we compared the immediate institution of high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV; 15 Hz, n = 5) with positive-pressure ventilation with positive end-expiratory pressure (PPV; n = 7) in premature baboons (140-days gestation) with HMD. Measurements of ventilation settings and physiological parameters were obtained and arterial-to-alveolar O2 (PaO2-to-PAO2) ratio and oxygenation index [(PaO2/PAO2)-to-mean airway pressure ratio (IO2)] were calculated. At death (24 h), static pressure-volume (PV) curves were performed, and phospholipids (PL) and platelet-activating factor (PAF) were measured in lung lavage fluid. Morphological inflation patterns were analyzed using a panel of standards. By design, mean airway pressure was initially higher (19 vs. 13 cmH2O) in the HFOV animals. PaO2-to-PAO2 ratio and IO2 progressively deteriorated in the PPV animals and then stabilized at significantly lower levels than with HFOV. PV curves from HFOV animals had significant increases in lung volume at maximum distending pressure, deflation volume at 10 cmH2O, and hysteresis area compared with PPV, which showed no hysteresis. Seven of seven PPV and only one of five HFOV animals had morphological findings of HMD. PL amount and composition in both groups were consistent with immaturity, even though the quantity was significantly greater in the PPV group. PAF was present (greater than or equal to 0.10 pmol) in six of seven PPV and in the only HFOV animal with HMD. We conclude that HFOV protected PL-deficient premature baboons from changes in gas exchange, lung mechanics, and morphology typical of HMD in this model. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Reflections on the role of the business school dean

Users may access full items free of charge; copies of full text items generally can be reproduced, displayed or performed and given to third parties in any format or medium for personal research or study, educational or not­for­profit purposes without prior permission or charge, provided: • The authors, title and full bibliographic details is credited in any copy; • A hyperlink and/or URL is included for the original metadata page; and • The content is not changed in any way. We are grateful to Dr Julie Davies for her work in producing this report whilst working for the Association in her position as Deputy Chief Executive. Business schools in the UK represent an influential and dynamic sector. They transform the wellbeing of individuals and large, medium and small-sized organisations. With our significant export value, continuous professional development activities and external relations work, we are able to complement high-income projects that big science and other academic units may be better positioned to attract. Moreover, with the densest number of triple accredited business schools in the world, we communicate a powerful message in the UK and beyond that we take the business of business schools seriously. Through my international involvement with professional and accrediting bodies, links with industry, students and boards, I recognise that the benefits associated with working in business schools are legion. I fully support the Chartered Association of Business Schools which has always been active in policy work, capacity building, and networking. Additionally, I gain enormous pleasure from mentoring colleagues who have subsequently become deans or taken on other leadership roles in business schools. As I step down in October from being dean for the past 20 years in two business schools, I am heartened by the talented people I meet in UK business schools. Many of my colleagues have a genuine drive to support students and organisations for local and national growth agendas, underpinned by high quality professional management education and research. I very much welcome this new report that brings together insights from a range of business school deans. These reflections are intended to enhance learning about our own practices. I hope this report will encourage aspiring and incumbent deans and leaders at all levels in the sector to enjoy the tremendous opportunities open to us. I hope it will support colleagues to be confident and thoughtful about ways to stimulate debate and innovation and to be …
Value of red targets and pattern deviation plots in visual field screening for hydroxychloroquine retinopathy.

OBJECTIVE To compare the value of red vs white 10-2 visual field testing in patients with different levels of hydroxychloroquine exposure and retinopathy in reference to recent American Academy of Ophthalmology recommendations on screening for hydroxychloroquine retinopathy that advised the use of 10-2 visual field testing with a white test object. METHODS We studied retrospectively 13 patients using hydroxychloroquine who had undergone both red (FASTPAC) and white (SITA) 10-2 automated visual field testing in the course of their management. On clinical grounds, they were judged to have no retinopathy, early retinopathy, or moderate or severe hydroxychloroquine retinopathy. RESULTS White visual field diagrams were difficult to interpret, but pattern deviation plots consistently showed parafoveal sensitivity losses in early retinopathy. Red fields often showed more prominent scotomas in early retinopathy but sometimes showed irregular losses that were hard to evaluate. Either modality showed clear losses in moderate retinopathy. On repeated testing, the pattern deviation plots were somewhat more consistent than red fields in showing parafoveal damage. CONCLUSIONS With white 10-2 visual field hydroxychloroquine screening, the use of pattern deviation plots should be standard practice. Red testing appears to be more sensitive for early retinopathy but may be slightly less specific or consistent. We believe the main application for red testing is in screening for the earliest signs of retinopathy. Either red or white fields should be acceptable for hydroxychloroquine screening, as long as the clinician is sensitive to the characteristic patterns of early parafoveal damage and is prepared to retest fields and add objective tests.
Outer membrane protein and biotype analysis of pathogenic nontypable Haemophilus influenzae

The techniques of biotype determination and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of outer membrane protein preparations were applied to 35 epidemiologically unrelated isolates of pathogenic nontypable Haemophilus influenzae. Three of five isolates obtained from the blood of unrelated newborns with sepsis had concordant major outer membrane from the blood of unrelated older children or adults with bacteremia had concordant major outer membrane protein profiles, distinct from the common profile of neonatal strains, and were biotype II. The outer membrane protein profiles of the remaining 5 isolates from blood, 2 isolated from cerebrospinal fluid, and 23 isolated from middle ear aspirates of children with otitis media were unique, although each isolate had peptides with apparent molecular weights of 16,000 and 31,500. These results suggest that a subset of nontypable isolates associated with bacteremia has distinctive strain markers. Their pathogenicity may relate to a prediction for colonizing the female genital tract in the case of the common neonatal strain or an increased ability to evade host defenses.
5-HT(1A) and 5-HT(2A) receptors in the rat dorsal periaqueductal gray mediate the antipanic-like effect induced by the stimulation of serotonergic neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus.

RATIONALE It has been proposed that the serotonergic pathway that connects the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) to the dorsal periaqueductal gray (DPAG) is implicated in the regulation of escape, a behavior that has been related to panic. OBJECTIVES We further evaluated this hypothesis by investigating whether intra-DRN injection of the 5-HT(1A) receptor antagonist WAY-100635 changes the escape response of rats submitted to the elevated T-maze. This test also measures inhibitory avoidance, which has been associated with generalized anxiety disorder. We also investigated whether the 5-HT(1A) and 5-HT(2A) receptors in the DPAG mediate the behavioral consequences induced by the injection of WAY-100635 into the DRN. RESULTS Intra-DRN injection of WAY-100635 facilitated inhibitory avoidance, while impairing escape. The same effect was obtained after intra-DRN injection of the glutamate receptor agonist kainic acid. Preadministration of WAY-100635 into the DPAG counteracted the effect induced by intra-DRN injection of WAY-100635 and of kainic acid on escape, but not on inhibitory avoidance. Preadministration of the preferential 5-HT(2A) receptor antagonist ketanserin into the DPAG abolished the effects of intra-DRN injection of WAY-100635 on both elevated T-maze tasks. CONCLUSION The results are indicative that 5-HT(1A) autoreceptors in the DRN are under tonic inhibitory influence by endogenous 5-HT. The effects of 5-HT release in the DPAG after intra-DRN injection of WAY-100635 and kainic acid on inhibitory avoidance and escape involve different 5-HT receptor subtypes. Whereas 5-HT(2A) receptors in the DPAG seem to mediate the effect of 5-HT on both behaviors, 5-HT(1A) receptors are only involved in the regulation of escape.