Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Authenticity is in the eye of the beholder: student and teacher perceptions of assessment authenticity

In vocational education and training (VET) in the Netherlands, learning and working are integrated from the start. Authentic assessments are used during competence‐based VET curricula to achieve correspondence between learning and working. The premise behind this study is that authenticity is subjective and that perceptions of assessment authenticity influence student learning for the assessments. It examines whether students and teachers differ in their perceptions of the authenticity of various assessment characteristics. Subsequently this study investigates whether freshman and senior students, who differ in their amount of practical experience, differ in their perceptions of assessment authenticity. The main findings were that teachers rated most assessment characteristics as more authentic than students did, while freshman and senior students did not differ in their perception of authenticity. Implications deal with communicating about and developing authentic assessment in the eyes of both students and teachers to stimulate students’ professional skills development during a VET curriculum
Roflumilast Increases Clara Cell Secretory Protein in Cigarette Smoke-Exposed Mice

Decreased Clara cell secretory protein (CCSP) levels have been found in smokers and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, which may be related to the development of COPD. A phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitor, roflumilast, appears to have therapeutic value for COPD. However, its effect on CCSP in cigarette smoke (CS)-exposed lungs has not been investigated. AKR/J mice were treated as follows: air control, CS, roflumilast plus CS, and roflumilast. Mice underwent four weeks of air or CS exposure. Roflumilast was administrated at 5mg/kg via gavage once daily for the duration of the study. CCSP levels in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and ERK1/2 activation in lungs were examined. CS exposure tended to decrease CCSP levels in BAL fluid compared to air controls. Treatment with roflumilast significantly reversed CS-induced downward trend of CCSP in BAL fluid. Roflumilast significantly inhibited CS-induced upward trend of ERK1/2 activation in lungs, and the levels of activated ERK1/2 in lungs negatively correlated with CCSP levels of BAL fluid in CS, and CS plus roflumilast groups. Our results demonstrate that one of the therapeutic mechanisms of roflumilast is to reverse CS-induced downward trend in CCSP levels of BAL fluid, which may be mediated by down-regulating ERK1/2 activity.
PilC of Neisseria meningitidis is involved in class II pilus formation and restores pilus assembly, natural transformation competence and adherence to epithelial cells in PilC‐deficient gonococci

Type 4 pili produced by the pathogenic Neisseria species constitute primary determinants for the adherence to host tissues. In addition to the major pilin subunit (PilE), neisserial pili contain the variable PilC proteins represented by two variant gene copies in most pathogenic Neisseria isolates. Based upon structural differences in the conserved regions of PilE, two pilus classes can be distinguished in Neisseria meningitidis. For class I pili found in both Neisseria gonorrhoeae and N. meningitidis, PilC proteins have been implicated in pilus assembly, natural transformation competence and adherence to epithelial cells. In this study, we used primers specific for the pilC2 gene of N. gonorrhoeae strain MS11 to amplify, by the polymerase chain reaction, and clone a homologous pilC gene from N. meningitidis strain A1493 which produces class II pili. This gene was sequenced and the deduced amino acid sequence showed 75.4% and 73.8% identity with the gonococcal PilC1 and PilC2, respectively. These values match the identity value of 74.1% calculated for the two N. gonorrhoeae MS11 PilC proteins, indicating a horizontal relationship between the N. gonorrhoeae and N. meningitidispilC genes. We provide evidence that PilC functions in meningococcal class II pilus assembly and adherence. Furthermore, expression of the cloned N. meningitidis pilC gene in a gonococcal pilC1,2 mutant restores pilus assembly, adherence to ME‐180 epithelial cells, and transformation competence to the wild‐type level. Thus, PilC proteins exhibit indistinguishable functions in the context of class I and class II pili.
Ghrelin – A Pleiotropic Hormone Secreted from Endocrine X/A-Like Cells of the Stomach

The gastric X/A-like endocrine cell receives growing attention due to its peptide products with ghrelin being the best characterized. This peptide hormone was identified a decade ago as a stimulator of food intake and to date remains the only known peripherally produced and centrally acting orexigenic hormone. In addition, subsequent studies identified numerous other functions of this peptide including the stimulation of gastrointestinal motility, the maintenance of energy homeostasis and an impact on reproduction. Moreover, ghrelin is also involved in the response to stress and assumed to play a role in coping functions and exert a modulatory action on immune pathways. Our knowledge on the regulation of ghrelin has markedly advanced during the past years by the identification of the ghrelin acylating enzyme, ghrelin-O-acyltransferase, and by the description of changes in expression, activation, and release under different metabolic as well as physically and psychically challenging conditions. However, our insight on regulatory processes of ghrelin at the cellular and subcellular levels is still very limited and warrants further investigation.
Agent placement in wireless embedded systems: Memory space and energy optimizations

Embedded applications can be structured in terms of mobile agents that are flexibly installed on available nodes. In wireless systems, such nodes typically have limited battery and memory resources; therefore it is important to place agents judiciously. In this paper we tackle the problem of placing a newcomer agent in such a system. The problem has two main components. First, enough memory space must be found or created at some node to place the agent. Second, the placement should be energy efficient. We present heuristics for tackling these two goals in a stepwise fashion, as well as a branch and bound method for achieving both goals at the same time. Our algorithms are centralized assuming a single entry point through which agents are injected into the system, with adequate knowledge of the system state and enough resources to run the proposed algorithms. The algorithms are evaluated under different simulated scenarios, and the tradeoffs across the two metrics (space, energy) are identified.
Do Clinical Results and Return-to-Sport Rates After Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction Differ Based on Graft Choice and Surgical Technique?

Background: Ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction (UCLR) has become a common procedure performed in overhead-throwing athletes of many athletic levels. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to determine whether clinical outcomes and return-to-sport (RTS) rates differ among patients undergoing UCLR based on graft choice, surgical technique, athletic competition level, handedness, and treatment of the ulnar nerve. We hypothesized that no differences would exist in clinical outcomes or RTS rates between technique, graft choice, or other variables. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: All patients who underwent UCLR from January 1, 2004 through December 31, 2014 at a single institution were identified. Charts were reviewed to determine patient age, sex, date of surgery, sport played, handedness, athletic level, surgical technique, graft type, and complications. Patients were contacted via telephone to obtain the RTS rate, Conway-Jobe score, Timmerman-Andrews score, and Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic (KJOC) Shoulder and Elbow score. Results: Eighty-five patients (mean age at surgery, 19.3 ± 4.7 years; 92% male; 78% right hand–dominant) underwent UCLR between 2004 and 2014 and were available for follow-up. Overall, 87% were baseball pitchers, 49.4% were college athletes, and 41.2% were high school athletes. No significant difference existed between the docking and double-docking techniques, graft choice, handedness, sex, activity level, and treatment of the ulnar nerve with regard to clinical outcomes, RTS, or subsequent surgeries (all P > .05). More complications were seen in the docking technique compared with the double-docking technique (P = .036). Hamstring autograft was used more commonly with the docking technique (P = .023) while allograft was used more commonly with the double-docking technique (P = .0006). Conclusion: Both the docking and double-docking techniques produce excellent clinical outcomes in patients undergoing UCLR. No difference in outcome scores was seen between surgical technique or graft type. The double-docking technique had fewer complications than the docking technique.
Prevalence of Premenstrual Syndrome ( PMS ) Among Adolescent Girls

Statement of the problem: A study to assess the prevalence of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) among adolescent girls in selected college, Thrissur, with a view to prepare an information pamphlet. Research approach and tool: A non experimental descriptive survey design was used in this study as research approach and tool adopted for this study was a modified standardized premenstrual syndrome scale. Sampling technique: Cluster sampling technique was adopted for this study. Findings: The results showed that, out of 60 samples, 10% has PMS, 75% were having mild PMS, 15% were having moderate PMS and no one is experiencing severe PMS. According to the ranking of the common symptoms associated with PMS are, 73% were experiencing back ache, 65% were having tiredness and 60% were having irritability. In addition, 48% having tension, 42% having mood swings and 22% suffering from muscle stiffness before the appearance of menstruation. About the other symptoms, 20% had sleeping problems and finally 18% having dizziness, painful breast, feeling of suffocation and nausea or vomiting. Conclusion: In conclusion, the incidence of PMS is increasing rapidly among girls due to various factors and lifestyle changes.
The praxis of ethnic studies: transforming second sight into critical consciousness

This article focuses on a youth participatory action research (YPAR) program called the Social Justice Education Project (SJEP) that fostered young people of color’s critical consciousness. Their critical consciousness emerged through praxis (reflection/action) while focusing on preserving ethnic studies in Tucson, Arizona. Because the SJEP home was in ethnic studies, the youth also struggled to keep their program alive. The Arizona Department of Education claimed the program bred ‘radicals’ who wanted to overthrow the government and therefore lobbied the state legislature to ban K-12 ethnic studies in public schools. In January 2012, the ban went into effect, shutting down ethnic studies classes as well as the SJEP. Young people’s qualitative research on their struggle led to action to save the education that gave them hope for a more equitable and just world. The article addresses the praxis of YPAR, which sparks a thought process leading to the drive to take action. Observing and documenting educational injustices inspire the need to seek radical change of Self and schools. Through the reflection and action facilitated by YPAR, young people of color construct a message about the importance of ethnic studies for individual as well as social transformation.
Predicting low-frequency radio fluxes of known extrasolar planets

Context: Close-in giant extrasolar planets (``Hot Jupiters'') are believed to be strong emitters in the decametric radio range. Aims: We present the expected characteristics of the low-frequency magnetospheric radio emission of all currently known extrasolar planets, including the maximum emission frequency and the expected radio flux. We also discuss the escape of exoplanetary radio emission from the vicinity of its source, which imposes additional constraints on detectability. Methods: We compare the different predictions obtained with all four existing analytical models for all currently known exoplanets. We also take care to use realistic values for all input parameters. Results: The four different models for planetary radio emission lead to very different results. The largest fluxes are found for the magnetic energy model, followed by the CME model and the kinetic energy model (for which our results are found to be much less optimistic than those of previous studies). The unipolar interaction model does not predict any observable emission for the present exoplanet census. We also give estimates for the planetary magnetic dipole moment of all currently known extrasolar planets, which will be useful for other studies. Conclusions: Our results show that observations of exoplanetary radio emission are feasible, but that the number of promising targets is not very high. The catalog of targets will be particularly useful for current and future radio observation campaigns (e.g. with the VLA, GMRT, UTR-2 and with LOFAR). Appendices A and B are only available in electronic form at http://www.aanda. org Table 1 is only available in electronic form at the CDS via anonymous ftp to cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5) or via http://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/cgi-bin/qcat? J/A+A/475/359
Rest-frame optical and far-infrared observations of extremely bright Lyman-break galaxy candidates at z~2.5

We have investigated the rest-frame optical and far-infrar ed properties of a sample of extremely bright candidate Lyman-break galaxies (LBG) identified in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. Their high ultraviolet luminosities and lack of str ong ultraviolet emission lines are suggestive of massive starbursts, although it is possible t hat they are more typical luminosity LBGs which have been highly magnified by strong gravitationa l lensing. Alternatively, they may be an unusual class of weak-lined quasars. If the ultraviolet and submillimetre properties of these objects mirror those of less luminous, starbur st LBGs, then they should have detectable rest-frame far-infrared emission. However, our submm photometry fails to detect such emission, indicating that these systems are not merely scaled-up (either intrinsically or as a result of lensing) examples of typical LBGs. In addition we have searched for the morphological signatures of strong lensing, using high-resol ution, near-infrared imaging, but we find none. Instead, near-infrared spectroscopy reveals tha t these systems are, in fact, a rare class of broad absorption-line (BAL) quasars.
Barriers to accurate diagnosis and effective management of heart failure have not changed in the past 10 years: a qualitative study and national survey

Objectives To explore changes in healthcare professionals’ views about the diagnosis and management of heart failure since a study in 2003. Design Focus groups and a national online cross-sectional survey. Setting and participants Focus groups (n=8 with a total of 56 participants) were conducted in the North East of England using a phenomenological framework and purposive sampling, informing a UK online survey (n=514). Results 4 categories were identified as contributing to variations in the diagnosis and management of heart failure. Three previously known categories included: uncertainty about clinical practice, the value of clinical guidelines and tensions between individual and organisational practice. A new category concerned uncertainty about end-of-life care. Survey responses found that confidence varied among professional groups in diagnosing left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD): 95% of cardiologists, 93% of general physicians, 66% of general practitioners (GPs) and 32% of heart failure nurses. For heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), confidence levels were much lower: 58% of cardiologists, 43% of general physicians, 7% of GPs and 6% of heart failure nurses. Only 5–35% of respondents used natriuretic peptides for LVSD or HFpEF. Confidence in interpreting test findings was fundamental to the use of all diagnostic tests. Clinical guidelines were reported to be helpful when diagnosing LVSD by 33% of nurses and 50–56% of other groups, but fell to 5–28% for HFpEF. Some GPs did not routinely initiate diuretics (23%), ACE-inhibitors (22%) or β-blockers (38%) for LVSD for reasons including historical teaching, perceived side effects and burden of monitoring. For end-of-life care, there was no consensus about responsibility for heart failure management. Conclusions Reported differences in the way heart failure is diagnosed and managed have changed little in the past decade. Variable access to diagnostic tests, modes of care delivery and non-uniform management approaches persist. The current National Health Service (NHS) context may not be conducive to addressing these issues.
Auctions, Matching and the Law of Aggregate Demand

We develop a model of matching with contracts which incorporates, as special cases, the college admissions problem, the Kelso-Crawford labor market matching model, and ascending package auctions. We introduce a new “law of aggregate demand” for the case of discrete heterogeneous workers and show that, when workers are substitutes, the law is satisfied by the demands of profit maximizing firms. When workers are substitutes and the law is satisfied, truthful reporting is a dominant strategy for workers in a worker-offering auction/matching algorithm. We also parameterize a large class of preferences satisfying the two conditions.
Spectral image estimation for coded aperture snapshot spectral imagers

This paper describes numerical estimation techniques for coded aperture snapshot spectral imagers (CASSI). In a snapshot, a CASSI captures a two-dimensional (2D) array of measurements that is an encoded representation of both spectral information and 2D spatial information of a scene. The spatial information is modulated by a coded aperture and the spectral information is modulated by a dispersive element. The estimation process decodes the 2D measurements to render a three-dimensional spatio-spectral estimate of the scene, and is therefore an indispensable component of the spectral imager. Numerical estimation results are presented.
Explaining subjective well-being: the role of victimization, trust, health and social norms

This paper extends research on the relation between crime and happiness by investigating the impact of serious and less serious crime (i.e. incorrect behavior) on subjective well-being using a representative survey of the Dutch adult population in 2008. We also control for variables reflecting trust, health and social norms, in addition to standard demographic and socio-economic characteristics. We find that people who feel healthy, have more trust in others and have higher social norms are in general happier. We find evidence of an indirect effect of victimization on well-being via trust, health and social norms. The remaining effect of victimization on well-being, keeping trust, social norms, and health constant, is quite weak.
A LABORATORY FRAMEWORK FOR SYNCHRONOUS NEAR/FAR-FIELD ACOUSTICS AND MHZ PIV IN HIGH-TEMPERATURE, SHOCK-CONTAINING, JETS

This paper describes the experimental study of the noise generating characteristics of high-temperature, shock-containing jets emanating from conic-section, converging-diverging (C-D) nozzles. Conic C-D nozzles consist of two conic sections, one contracting and the other expanding, joined to form a supersonic nozzle with a very sharp radius of curvature at the nozzle throat. An experiment is conducted in which temporally resolved flowfield measurements are acquired simultaneously with near-field and far-field acoustics to allow investigation of the turbulence associated with noise generation. The MHz rate PIV system and its synchronization with acoustic measurements is described along with methods for data analysis. General acoustic results are presented to characterize the spectral content present, and preliminary results on the measured turbulence structures are discussed.
La competencia mediática de la ciudadanía española: dificultades y retos

espanolMientras el Parlamento Europeo instaba a la incorporacion de la educacion mediatica en los curricula, un equipo de investigadores espanoles trataba de averiguar el grado de competencia mediatica de la ciudadania. Los resultados son preocupan-tes. Se ponen de manifiesto grandes carencias en la mayor parte de las dimensiones que componen la competencia mediatica: la de los lenguajes, la de la ideologia y los valores, la de los procesos de produccion y difusion, la de los procesos de recepcion e interaccion y la dimension estetica. Solo en las cuestiones relativas a la tecnologia se obtienen unos resultados aceptables. Se detectan tambien caren-cias en la comprension de los procesos mentales que se producen en la interaccion con las pantallas, sobre todo en lo relativo a los mecanismos emocionales e in-conscientes. Y se observan, en fin, unos niveles crecientes de participacion, pero muy alejados todavia, en cantidad y en calidad, de las posibilidades que ofrece el nuevo entorno comunicativo. Estos resultados deberian constituir un reto para las instancias educativas, que han de comprometerse a garantizar una formacion que potencie la competencia mediatica de la ciudadania EnglishAs the European Parliament has been urging the inclusion of media literacy in the curricula, a team of Spanish researchers have worked to find out the degree of media competence of the citizens. The results are disturbing. They highlight a great deficiency of this knowledge: of media languages, ideology and values, production distribution, reception and interac-tion processes, and finally, in the aesthetic dimension. Outstanding results are only found in the technological matters. A lack of understanding of the mental processes that take part in the emotional and unconscious mechanisms are also found. On the other hand, even if the level of participation in this field has been growing , it�s still far from the optimum feedback required in the contemporary digital context. These findings should encourage the educational institutions to guarantee citizens an education on media competence.
The Structure And Personality Correlates Of Affect In Mexico

The structure and personality correlates of affect were studied in a sample of 351 predominantly Mexican university students using a large and representative list of 271 Spanish affect terms and a Spanish translation of the Big Five personality dimensions. Results were compared with those obtained previously in the United States, the Philippines, and Estonia. We found (a) good support for the cross-cultural comparability of global Positive Affect (PA) and Negative Affect (NA) dimensions and the hierarchical structure of affect; (b) cross-cultural similarities, but also differences, in the configuration of more specific positive and negative affects; and (c) fairly comparable patterns of relationships across cultures between the Big Five dimensions of personality and the Big Two dimensions of affect (PA, NA). Most of these results were more consistent with evolutionary biological perspectives on personality and affect than strong social constructivist perspectives.