Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Perspectives on the Cultural Appropriacy of Assessment for Learning in Chinese Context

Assessment for learning (AfL) has been advocated by the government and educational agencies in Mainland China since the very beginning of the 21st century. However, its practice in Chinese classrooms is quite weak. Most teachers think that the practice of AfL is unrealistic in the present educational context, where Chinese examination-oriented culture is firmly embedded. The principal focus of this paper is on the cultural appropriateness of the implementation of AfL in Mainland China. The authors first elaborate the features of Chinese examination culture and its impact on teaching and learning and then link Chinese examination culture with AfL to identify the tensions between them. The tensions between AfL and Chinese examination culture include personal development versus competition with others, learning to learn versus rote learning and learning needs versus examination requirements. Finally the authors suggested some appropriate ways to promote the culture of AfL in Mainland China.
Numerical Simulation of Chemical Engineering Processes

1 Intoduction The numerical simulation of chemical engineering processes constitutes one of the most challenging problem addressed by the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) community. Indeed, chemical processing requires careful consideration of modelling aspects, some of these still being open questions. It is by nature an interdisciplinary eld, where chemistry, materials processing, control theory, as well as other areas can be evoked. Furthermore, chemical engineering problems are often very stii problems from geometrical and temporal points of view. In space, chemical reactions arise at the molecular level while the uid mechanics deals with complex uid ow phenomena at the macroscopic scale. Even the Kolmogorov scales which are connected to the dissipation rate of the turbulent kinetic energy by viscous damping are still two to three orders of magnitude above the molecular scale. In time, chemical reactions evolve on short characteristic times close to the microsecond while the uid ow involves dynamics covering several seconds to a few minutes. Both space and time stiiness render any numerical simulation a complex and almost untractable problem. Returning to the uid mechanics viewpoint, multi-phase ows are very often present and non-Newtonian and viscoelastic eeects aaect deeply the physical behaviour of such processes. of improved technologies, quality requirements for the products, and constraints in a global economy call for a design cycle avoiding whenever possible all empirical concepts and building upon enhanced advanced tools originating from the computational sciences. In this paper, we will concentrate on single phase ows avoiding any attempt to handle chemical reactions, giving some examples that indicate the state-of-the-art capabilities of CFD applied to particular relevant chemical engineering applications. The paper is organized as follows. In Section 2, the modelling of glass ow in large melting furnaces is surveyed. New links to control theory are mentioned, sheddding some light on interdisciplinary design approaches. Section 3 reports on new developments about three-dimensional transient simulation of viscoelastic uids. Finally, Section 4 presents the results obtained by parallel computation of an incompressible uid in an in-line static mixer.
When does insider selling support a “strong inference” of fraud?

Abstract Plaintiffs in securities fraud class action lawsuits often allege that sales by insiders support a “strong inference” of fraudulent intent. This study examines insider transaction activity for a sample of 842 companies sued in lawsuits alleging a violation of Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to ascertain whether net insider selling during the litigation class period is unusual in amount and timing relative to net insider selling at other times and at other firms. We find that class period net insider selling for the litigation sample significantly exceeds net insider selling before and after the class period and exceeds net insider selling around the same dates for a sample matched on industry. The more pronounced differences are for firms with a greater asymmetry of information between insiders and outsiders, namely, smaller firms and firms with lower analyst coverage. We also document a significant, positive association between net insider sales and short interest, particularly for smaller firms and for firms with lower analyst coverage and find that the level of insider transaction activity immediately prior to a corrective disclosure is not elevated to a statistically significant degree once we control for short interest and other information variables. These results augment the financial literature by providing evidence of information-based selling by insiders around a disclosure event that leads to securities litigation. From a legal perspective, these results support the view that plaintiffs self select issuers whose patterns of class period insider selling diverge from historical or industry norms. The study is unable to distinguish whether the elevated class period insider selling is the result of insiders' use of material non-public information or insiders' (and short traders') legal use of costly public information. © City University of Hong Kong.
Multiple Structural Elements Determine Subunit Specificity of Mg2+ Block in NMDA Receptor Channels

In NMDA receptor channels, subtype-specific differences of Mg2+ block are determined by the NR2 subunits. Channels assembled from the NR1-NR2A or NR1-NR2B subunits are blocked more strongly than channels formed by the NR1-NR2C or NR1-NR2D subunits, predominantly reflecting a difference in voltage dependence. A determinant of Mg2+ block common to the NR2 subunits is located in the M2 domain (N-site orQ/R/N-site). However, subunit-specific differences of block suggested that additional structural elements exist. Chimeric NR2 subunits were constructed by replacing segments of the least sensitive NR2C subunit with homologous segments of the most sensitive NR2B subunit. Mutant NR2 subunits were coexpressed with wild-type NR1 inXenopus oocytes, and Mg2+ block was quantified. Replacement of the entire M1–M4 region resulted in a chimera with a sensitivity of Mg2+ block similar to that of the NR2B wild type. Replacing smaller segments or introducing point mutations did not generate channels with Mg2+ block characteristic of NR2B wild type. However, combining in a single chimera three small segments (M1, M2–M3 linker, M4), each independently mediating an increase in Mg2+ block, produced channels close to NR2B wild type. Thus, differences in Mg2+ block as controlled by the NR2 subunits cannot be explained by a single structural determinant in addition to the N-site. Moreover, three elements of the NR2 subunit are the major determinants of subtype-specific differences of Mg2+ block in heteromeric NMDA receptor channels.
Tibial and femoral cartilage changes in knee osteoarthritis

BACKGROUND Despite the increasing interest in using knee cartilage volume as an outcome measure in studies of osteoarthritis (OA), it is unclear what components of knee cartilage will be most useful as markers of structure in the tibiofemoral (TF) joint. OBJECTIVE To compare the changes that occur in femoral and tibial cartilage volume in normal and osteoarthritic knees and how they relate to radiological grade. METHODS 82 subjects (44 female, 38 male, age range 35–69 years) with a spectrum of radiological knee OA were examined. Each subject had femoral and tibial cartilage volume in the medial and lateral TF joint determined from T1 weighted fat saturated magnetic resonance images of the knee. Radiological grade of OA was determined from standing knee radiographs. RESULTS There was strong correlation between femoral and tibial cartilage volume measured in both the medial (R=0.75, p<0.001) and lateral TF joint (R=0.77, p<0.001). Similar correlations persisted when those with normal and those with OA joints were examined separately at both the medial and lateral TF joint. For each increase in radiological grade of joint space narrowing (0–3), there was a mean (SD) reduction in tibial cartilage volume of 1.00 (0.32) ml in the medial compartment and 0.53 (0.25) ml in the lateral compartment, after adjusting for differences in bone size. Similar changes were seen in the femoral cartilage. CONCLUSIONS The amounts of tibial and femoral cartilage are strongly related. It may be that for TF joint disease, measuring tibial cartilage alone may be adequate, given that measurements of the total femoral cartilage are less reproducible and the difficulties inherent in identifying the most appropriate component of femoral cartilage to measure.
Multimodality imaging in preoperative assessment of left atrial appendage transcatheter occlusion with the Amplatzer Cardiac Plug.

AIMS Percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) with the Amplatzer Cardiac Plug (ACP) emerged as a valid alternative in patients with a formal contraindication to oral anticoagulant therapy. Transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE), cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA), intracardiac echocardiography (ICE), and conventional cardiac angiography (CCA) are used to evaluate LAA diameters. The aim of our study was to compare pre- and intraprocedural imaging techniques in determining the correct selection of the device size, with a retrospective evaluation of the results obtained at post-procedural CCTA follow-up. METHODS AND RESULTS Between September 2009 and July 2013, 66 consecutive patients underwent to LAAO with the ACP at our institution. Preoperative LAA evaluation was realized with TEE, CCTA, ICE, and CCA. Fifty-eight (58) patients underwent to post-procedural CCTA to confirm the LAA complete exclusion, the number and extent of the residual leaks, and the positioning of the device. LAA diameters measured by CCTA correlate with the diameters obtained with CCA and ICE, but they are sized slightly larger than the others. TEE has a lower correlation with every other imaging method and a likely tendency to underestimate. The distribution of the leaks and the positioning of the device in post-procedural CCTA show no substantial differences between the devices used greater or equal to the one selected with CCTA in terms of LAA exclusion. CONCLUSION The sizing of the device decided using CCTA in the phase of maximum LAA expansion reduces the risk of high-flow leaks and device malposition due to undersizing.
Linear analysis of three-dimensional instability of non-Newtonian liquid jets

The instability behaviour of non-Newtonian liquid jets moving in an inviscid gaseous environment is investigated theoretically for three-dimensional disturbances. The corresponding dispersion relation between the wave growth rate and the wavenumber is derived. Results for axisymmetrical non-Newtonian jets, the Newtonian jets, and the inviscid jets are recovered, and it is shown that two-dimensional disturbances are the most dangerous for the considered set of parameters.
Spiral structure of the third galactic quadrant and the solution to the Canis Major debate

ABSTRACT With the discovery of the Sagittarius dwarf spheroidal (Ibata et al. 1994), a galaxycaught in the process of merging with the Milky Way, the hunt for other such ac-cretion events has become a very active ﬁeld of astrophysical research. The identiﬁ-cation of a stellar ring-like structure in Monoceros, spanning more than 100 degrees(Newberg et al. 2002), and the detection of an overdensity of stars in the directionof the constellation of Canis Major (CMa; Martin et al. 2004), apparently associatedto the ring, has led to the widespread belief that a second galaxy being cannibalisedby the Milky Way had been found. In this scenario, the overdensity would be theremaining core of the disrupted galaxy and the ring would be the tidal debris leftbehind. However, unlike the Sagittarius dwarf, which is well below the Galactic planeand whose orbit, and thus tidal tail, is nearly perpendicular to the plane of the MilkyWay, the putative CMa galaxy and ring are nearly co-planar with the Galactic disk.This severely complicates the interpretation of observations. In this letter, we showthat our new description of the Milky Way leads to a completely diﬀerent picture. Weargue that the Norma-Cygnus spiral arm deﬁnes a distant stellar ring crossing Mono-ceros and the overdensity is simply a projection eﬀect of looking along the nearbylocal arm. Our perspective sheds new light on a very poorly known region, the thirdGalactic quadrant (3GQ), where CMa is located.Key words: Galaxy: structure — open clusters and associations: general — Galaxy:stellar content — galaxies: dwarf
Crisis and the Reform of International Financial Regulation

What began in the summer of 2007 as a problem in a relatively unknown segment of the US housing finance market has very quickly turned into the most severe global financial crisis since the 1930s. The impact of this crisis has escalated far beyond its point of origin, affecting countries around the world, and spilling over from the financial system into the real economy. The implications of this shock are wide-ranging and still difficult to fully understand. In this volume, we explore one of the most important consequences so far: the influence of the crisis on the international regulation of financial markets.
Sverigedemokraterna : Framgångsrikt enfrågefokus

The Sweden Democrats: Single-Issue Focus and Electoral Success. In the 2014 election, the Sweden Democrats (SD) established itself as the third big- gest party in Sweden. With the aim of explaining this unexpected electoral breakthrough, I argue that stigmatised parties like the SD ultimately shape their own fates by choosing how to exploit political opportunities that face them in different arenas. Drawing on a variety of data sources, I support this argument by presenting evidence indicating that the vast mobilisation SD-voters in 2014 largely is a prod- uct of strategies by the SD-leadership to exploit a perceived political vacuum in the wake of convergence between mainstream parties. The article suggests, moreover, that the very high degree of stigmatisation surrounding the SD, in fact, has facilitated internal strategies to normalise the ideological appeal of the party. In light of these findings, the article concludes by arguing that the current actions of Swedish mainstream parties are bound to further strengthen the SD.
description of quasiparticle band structures and optical near edge absorption of transparent conducting oxides

André Schleife and Friedhelm Bechstedt Journal of Materials Research / Volume 27 / Issue 17 / 2012, pp 2180 ­ 2189 DOI: 10.1557/jmr.2012. 147 Link to this article: http://journals.cambridge. org/abstract_S0884291412001471 How to cite this article: André Schleife and Friedhelm Bechstedt (2012). Ab initio description of quasiparticle band structures and optical near­ edge absorption of transparent conducting oxides. Journal of Materials Research,27, pp 2180­2189 doi:10.1557/ jmr.2012. 147 Request Permissions : Click here
Introducing system contradiction to effect change in the public sector

The purpose of this paper is twofold. The first part introduces a theoretical argument from Giddens to help explain the way in which accounting systems and systems of accountability have changed abruptly in New Zealand’s health care sector. The changes are proceeding, surrounded by controversy and the second part used Habermas’s theory of communicative action to assess the benefits or otherwise of reform and restructuring of the public health of New Zealanders. What counts as valid evidence is contentious. The reforms have been socially divisive, and surrounded by ideology and rhetoric. There appears to be little evidence to demonstrate that the reforms have improved or will ever improve access to health care by those without personal wealth.
Technology decentralization and knowledge‐related competitiveness for Asia Pacific MNEs

Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to advance understanding for the nature and essence of Asia Pacific multinational enterprises' (MNEs) knowledge‐related competitiveness in the Balkans.Design/methodology/approach – A questionnaire‐based survey was carried out in 56 Asia Pacific MNEs located in the Balkans. By using descriptive statistics the extent of technology centralization is identified, the sources of technology MNEs use in their operations and the essence and roles of decentralized research and development (R&D) departments are evaluated.Findings – Technological demand‐side influences and the traditional centripetal forces in Asia Pacific MNEs are still quite strong. Among all countries under investigation, only in Greece and Slovenia are signs found of some original product development work and creative activities.Research limitations/implications – In order to have a better understanding for knowledge‐related competitiveness of Asia Pacific MNEs in the Balkans regional economic and labor condi.
Information Lifecycle Management in Evolving Healthcare Databases

Information Lifecycle Management is a must for ever growing healthcare databases. In practice, this problem is further compounded due to the evolving nature of these databases, where the schema itself evolves over time. In this paper, we describe PRLM (Patient Record Lifecycle Management), a tool developed to manage lifecycle of patient visit records of Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama Hospitals at Vrindaban, and Kankhal. The key features of the PRLM tool are: i) a customizable scheme for information lifecycle management of healthcare databases ii) tool works on evolving databases, and iii) incurs minimal downtime by leveraging underlying RDBMS utilities for data movement.
Maintaining Price Stability Under Free-Floating: A Fearless Way Out of the Corner?

The behaviour of the exchange rate under a floating exchange rate regime for a small open economy with perfect capital mobility may appear like a managed float or even a firmer peg. We present a canonical new neo-classical synthesis open economy model where the central bank follows a strategy directed at maintaining price stability. It is shown that the behaviour of the exchange rate depends on the structure of the economy and on the nature of the relevant shocks. In the case of very open economies the exchange rate will look quasi-fixed in response to shocks stemming from the international capital markets. It is also shown that the joined endogeneity of the interest rate and the exchange rate has important implications for the empirical testing of uncovered interest rate parity. JEL Classification: E58, E63, F41
Impact of hypoglycemia on patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and their quality of life, work productivity, and medication adherence

Background The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics of adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) that correlate with greater risk of hypoglycemia and determine the impact of hypoglycemia on health-related quality of life, work productivity, and medication adherence from a patient perspective. Methods Data from a large web-based survey were retrospectively analyzed. Adults with a diagnosis of T2DM taking antihyperglycemic agents were included in the analysis. Participants with knowledge of their hypoglycemic history were divided into three groups: those experiencing recent hypoglycemia (previous 3 months), those experiencing nonrecent hypoglycemia, and those never experiencing hypoglycemia. Results Of the participants with T2DM taking antihyperglycemic agents who were knowledgeable of their hypoglycemia history, 55.7% had ever experienced hypoglycemia. Of those, 52.7% had recent hypoglycemia. Compared with those who never experienced hypoglycemia, those who experienced hypoglycemia tended to: be younger; be more aware of their glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels; have higher HbA1c levels; have a higher body mass index; have higher Charlson Comorbidity Index scores; be on insulin, sulfonylureas, and/or glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists; and be less adherent to their antihyperglycemic agents. Hypoglycemia interfered with social activities, caused more missed work (absenteeism), more impairment while at work (presenteeism), and decreased overall work productivity compared with patients who had never experienced hypoglycemia. Overall health-related quality of life, as determined by the Short Form-36 health questionnaire, was negatively impacted by hypoglycemia. Both Physical and Mental Summary scores were significantly lower for the recent hypoglycemia and nonrecent hypoglycemia groups compared with the never hypoglycemia group. Conclusion Hypoglycemia can negatively impact many aspects of life. Greater awareness of those who are at risk for developing hypoglycemia can lead to the development of measures (eg, patient and physician education) to prevent future hypoglycemia episodes.
Link Prediction in the Yelp Social and Review Networks

In this project, we apply two predictive network algorithms to the Yelp academic challenge dataset. The first algorithm is adapted from Leskovec, Huttenlocher and Kleinberg (2010) to predict the rating that a user will assign to a business [1]. We adapt the notion of signed edges in the network to account for both useruser edges (friendships) as well as user-business edges (reviews). A logistic regression model is trained from features in the social and review network data, and experiments are carried out using ten-fold cross validation. We find that the ability to predict a user’s rating of a business depends highly on the prior ratings given by the user and the prior ratings received by the business. While a user’s rating is impacted by the ratings given by his or her friends, this influence appears to be a second-order effect. In addition, the logistic regression classifier achieves a moderate improvement over a baseline classifier. The second algorithm is adapted from Backstrom and Leskovec (2011) to predict the friends that a user will link to in the future [2]. We extract eleven features from the Yelp dataset and separate friendships into training and testing sets. The training edges remain in the social network; the testing edges are removed. We then optimize a personalized weight vector for each user with gradient descent using a supervised random walk. We find that 56% of the testing edges are ranked in the top 20 recommendations for 300 randomly selected users. Because the candidate set can contain thousands of possible edges, this result is moderately significant. The applications of these predictive models in the Yelp data are twofold: the first algorithm enables a user to predict their future evaluation of a business; equivalently a business can search for potential new clients. The second algorithm enables a friendship recommendation engine, which improves the user experience of the Yelp service, which benefits both users and businesses.
Event statistics and criticality-aware bitrate allocation to minimize energy consumption of memory-constrained wireless surveillance system

An event criticality-aware wireless surveillance system tries to minimize the energy consumption by adjusting the image distortion (or quality) requirement according to event criticality. In this paper, we present a novel video encoding method which scales bitrate so as to minimize the energy consumption of the wireless surveillance system while satisfying the given memory constraint. Given event statistics, memory size, and distortion requirement, the presented method gives an energy-optimal bitrate based on an analytic formulation of energy-rate-distortion (E-R-D) relationship for the target system consisting of H.264 video encoder, event detector, transceiver and memory. Experimental results show that the proposed method offers up to 59.6% (29.1% on average) energy savings compared to an existing bitrate allocation method which does not consider event statistics [14].