Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Accelerating convergence of iterative processes

A technique is discussed which, when applied to an iterative procedure for the solution of an equation, accelerates the rate of convergence if the iteration converges and induces convergence if the iteration diverges. An illustrative example is given. 1. Introduction This paper discusses a technique for accelerating the convergence of iterative procedures employed in the solution of non-linear algebraic and transcendental equations. Iterative procedures in problems of this kind are of considerable importance since, with the aid of high speed computers, they very often provide the only effective means of solving such equations. The methods described here are of interest because they are capable of producing solutions even in those cases where the iteration algorithm may be divergent.
Between the Millstones: A Narrative Account of the Vulnerability of Middle Managers’ Storying

This article seeks to illuminate our understanding of the lives of middle managers by considering the special pressures on them to tell stories about their organization that make sense to three different audiences; their superiors, their subordinates and themselves. Each of those audiences will demand to hear a convincing account, but the senior audience may trample unaware on middle managers’ stories, the junior audience may view them with scepticism or hostility, and the self audience may be fearful of losing the plot. Illustrated by four middle management storytelling situations, the article offers a narrative understanding of the peculiar loneliness, precariousness and vulnerability that characterize middle management, and suggests why these characteristics may be debilitating for middle management practice.
Strategy-Monitoring Training Enables Young Learners to Select Effective Strategies

This article reviews evidence bearing on the relationship between strategy knowledge and strategy use. It is particularly concerned with efforts to overcome metacognitive deficiencies in young learners. One promising line of research focuses on strategy-monitoring training that enables young children to acquire: and utilize knowledge about strategy effectiveness. The research evidence indicates that: (a) strategy knowledge that results in effective strategy maintenance incorporates strong linkages between performance, strategies, and goals; (b) in contrast to the approach of providing children with explicit information about instructed strategies, strategy-monitoring training results in metacagnitive acquisition strategies that can subsequently be activated to enable children to derive metacognitive benefits from experiences with new strategies.
Using Television to Change Stereotypes

Stereotypes of illness and health play a role in mental health. Can television be used to alter stereotypes? An evaluation of a PBS children's series (Freeslyle) designed to change sex-role stereotypes provides evidence that it can under certain conditions. When 26 quarter-hour programs were viewed and discussed in a classroom setting, 9-12 year old males and females made large changes in their beliefs and attitudes regarding sex-appropriate behavior of children and adults. Many of these effects were still in evidence nine months later. When the programs were viewed in a classroom with no follow-up discussion, there were many fewer significant effects. For those who viewed the shows at home, effects were fewer yet and limited to the heaviest viewers. However, both types of mere viewing were associated with change in the desired direction, even when the movement was not statistically significant. The Freestyle experiment is instructive to those interested in funding or designing a TV series to change stere.
Differences Between Teaching Adults and Pre-Adults: A Closer Look

There is a considerable body of prescriptive literature in adult education which defines a learner-centered, responsive approach for teaching adults. Little research, however, has attempted to describe the similarities and differences in the ways teachers actually teach adults and pre-adults. This study analyzed the reported and actual (observed) teaching practices of a population of university, community college, and public school teachers who taught in both adult and pre-adult programs. While teachers reported teaching differences that were very much in line with the prescriptive literature, there was, in actual practice, little evidence of the more student-centered approach with adults that was reported. Comparative analysis was used to examine factors which appeared to influence interaction patterns in adult education classrooms. The value of interaction analysis was supported in providing an objective description of teaching behavior from which grounded instructional theory and prescriptions for training adult education practitioners might subsequently be developed.
Public Service Motivation Measurement

This article proposes and tests a three-dimension, shortened instrument for public service motivation based on Perry's (1996) exploratory 24-item scale. A confirmatory factor analysis is used with both a diagonally weighted least squares and a modified version of maximum likelihood estimation that are more appropriate for ordinal indicators. Data from the National Administrative Studies Project, consisting of mail surveys of managers engaged in information management activities working in state-level primary health and human service agencies, is used (n = 274; response rate = 53%). Results indicate good support for the shortened scale compared to Perry's original work. Findings corroborate Perry's theorized dimensions and items in the exploratory instrument. An exploratory analysis evaluating modifications to the tested model suggests possible improvements in two dimensions but does not undermine the overall, supportive results and suggests the importance of continued item and scale development.
SOLUBILITY ENHANCEMENT OF IBUPROFEN IN THE PRESENCE OF HYDROPHILIC POLYMER AND SURFACTANT

Solid dispersions of ibuprofen (IBU) were prepared by solvent evaporation method using polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) and/or sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS). Physicochemical properties of the various solid dispersion systems were determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The results from dissolution studies indicated that ternary solid dispersion systems were more efficacious than the corresponding binary ones. The increase in the dissolution rate of ibuprofen from its solid dispersions with the PVP and/or SLS used in this study could be attributed to several factors such as improved wettability, local solubilisation, and drug particle size reduction. The most effective solid dispersion was the 20:180:10 w/w IBU- PVP-SLS ternary system, which allowed dissolution of 85 % drug after only 9.15 minutes (in comparison with 94.61 minutes for drug alone and 17.92 minutes for the binary system).
Growth as affected by general hormonal factors and hormonal balances, and the limitations of such studies.

Summary. Many elements are implicated in fetal and postnatal growth ; the hormonal factors are discussed in this review. In the first section, general hormonal effects on the growth of domestic animals are reviewed with special emphasis on the role of the pituitary and its hormones (growth hormone, prolactin, ACTH) ; somatomedin action is considered in this perspective. The effects of the thyroid and its hormones, the adrenal cortex and corti- costeroids, gonads and sex steroids and insulin are discussed. In the second part of this review, the problem of hormonal balance and growth during fetal and postnatal life is analyzed. The complementarity of the « growth activities » of the growth hormone (GH) and the placental somatotropic or lactogenic hormone (CS or PL) during fetal life is emphasized. The relations between these hormones, somatomedins and fetal development are reviewed in detail : thyroid hormones and estrogens as well as insulin may also play a role in fetal development. In neonatal life the correlations between plasma hormone concentrations and growth are more or less strict. These levels depend on the kinetic factors of hormone metabolism whose correlation to growth has been studied. The mode ot action of some hormonal treatments and the effect of selection on some hormonal balances are also discussed. In the third part of this report, a critical study indicates the limitations in investigations on growth endocrinology. Special attention has been given to the problem of hormone level fluctuations in relation to plane of nutrition, stress, light/dark cycle, as well as to the paucity of data on growth peptides and the limitations of assay methods. for first postnatal weeks in newborn
Coronary heart disease mortality among young adults in Scotland in relation to social inequalities: time trend study

We have received a correction to this research paper by Martin O’Flaherty and colleagues (BMJ 2009;339:b2613, doi:10.1136/ bmj.b2613). Incorrect versions of figures 1 and 3 were submitted, and the errors were not picked up during the proof stage. To ensure that correct data are available, we have redrawn these two figures and linked them to the article on bmj.com as “extra” material (see “Corrected figures”). These figures did not appear in the print version of the article.
An Investigation of Interpersonal Ties in Interorganizational Exchanges in Emerging Markets

This study examines personal ties between boundary-spanning personnel in interorganizational exchanges in emerging markets. Drawing on social embeddedness theory and boundary spanning theory, we propose that strong ties between boundary spanners may benefit exchange parties in their interorganizational relationships through two heightened boundary-spanning behaviors—information processing and external representation. The results from 225 manufacturer–distributor dyads in China indicate that interpersonal ties at the higher levels (between top executives) and at the lower levels (between salespersons and individual buyers) are both positively associated with relationship quality of the buyer–supplier relationship through dyadic boundary-spanning behaviors. Between two levels of interpersonal ties, ties at the lower levels exhibit a stronger association with relationship quality than do ties at the higher levels. Furthermore, the positive effects of interpersonal ties on conflict resolution and cooperation are amplified when both levels of ties are strong in the focal relationship.
Left-Handedness

The left-handed child or adult lives in a right-handed world. The entire structure of our society assumes right-handedness and by assumption we punish. When a left-handed person writes, his very posture looks awkward and oftentimes will make a watcher uncomfortable. The writing product of a left-handed person is sometimes totally illegible to the right-handed person. One wonders what would occur if we had two distinct methods for teaching writing—a technique for the right-handed and a technique for the left-handed. The following is a technique for the left-handed. —C.C. E.
BRIDGING THE GAP: A COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND AREA HIGH SCHOOLS COLLABORATE TO IMPROVE STUDENT SUCCESS IN COLLEGE

The Institutional Research Officer and Vice President of Student Services from North Arkansas College, and the Mathematics Facilitator at the local educational cooperative have initiated a tracking study to determine (1) if area students who take college preparatory math courses in high school place into, and succeed in, subsequent college-level math courses at North Arkansas College and (2) if area students who come to college for a degree have taken sufficient college preparatory coursework in high school. The study disclosed that (1) students who take a high school course more rigorous than Algebra 2 place into, and succeed in, College Algebra at a high rate, and (2) most students have not taken sufficient college preparatory coursework in math. The second, and more important part of the project, has been to bring college and high school personnel together to work on solutions.
Societal rule evaluations: Adolescent offenders' reasoning about moral, conventional, and personal rules

This study investigated adolescent offenders' (81 felons and 83 misdemeanants) evaluations of three types of societal rules (moral, conventional, and personal) on dimensions pertaining to importance, sanctions, authority, and individual choice. In addition, participants selected the acts which should be under personal jurisdiction. Participants provided reasons (i.e., justifications) to support their evaluations. The judgment evidence suggests that the moral rules were considered the most important, the transgressions the most wrong, the violators the most deserving of punishment, and the acts the least acceptable when permitted by an authority. With regard to these same dimensions, conventional rules and violations were ranked second; whereas, the personal rules were ranked third. Offender status differences were obtained for importance ratings and for deservedness of punishment. Justifications for moral events reflected reasoning from both the moral (e.g., other's welfare) and conventional (e.g., social order) domains. Reasoning about conventions involved both conventional and personal concerns; whereas, justifications about personal issues focused on individual prerogatives. The implications of these data are discussed.
Maurice Rotival: French planning on a world-scale (Part I)

This paper analyses the life and work of the French planner Maurice Rotival through his practical and theoretical work as well as his teachings in cities and regions in Europe, Africa and the Americas. Rotival's plans and projects reflect the influence of major events and changes of the twentieth century - two world wars and the advances in technology and research they promoted, the advent of the automobile, the subsequent urban transformations and large-scale demolitions - and influenced the development of planning in the twentieth century. Through five major steps of Rotival's international career, this article analyses the development of Rotival's pragmatic organic planning doctrine and his regional approach from his experience and training in France at the eve of the First World War, to his subsequent regional and urban planning work in Caracas, New Haven, Europe, Reims and other French cities until the 1980s. By considering Rotival's career as a part of economic globalization at a time when the colonial context was dismantled, the present article highlights the planner's role in societal transformation in collaboration with the e´lite and demonstrates the growing international exchange of planning ideas in the twentieth century.
Peptide Microarray Analysis of In Silico-Predicted Epitopes for Serological Diagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Humans

ABSTRACT Toxoplasma gondii infections occur worldwide in humans and animals. In immunocompromised or prenatally infected humans, T. gondii can cause severe clinical symptoms. The identification of specific epitopes on T. gondii antigens is essential for the improvement and standardization of the serological diagnosis of toxoplasmosis. We selected 20 peptides mimicking linear epitopes on GRA1, GRA2, GRA4, and MIC3 antigenic T. gondii proteins in silico using the software ABCpred. A further 18 peptides representing previously published epitopes derived from GRA1, SAG1, NTPase1, and NTPase2 antigens were added to the panel. A peptide microarray assay was established to prove the diagnostic performance of the selected peptides with human serum samples. Seropositive human serum samples (n = 184) were collected from patients presenting with acute toxoplasmosis (n = 21), latent T. gondii infection (n = 53), and inactive ocular toxoplasmosis (n = 10) and from seropositive forest workers (n = 100). To adjust the cutoff values for each peptide, sera from seronegative forest workers (n = 75) and patients (n = 65) were used. Univariate logistic regression suggested the significant diagnostic potential of eight novel and two previously published peptides. A test based on these peptides had an overall diagnostic sensitivity of 69% (100% in ocular toxoplasmosis patients, 86% in acutely infected patients, 81% in latently infected patients, and 57% in seropositive forest workers). The analysis of seronegative sera performed with these peptides revealed a diagnostic specificity of 84%. The results of our study suggest that the use of a bioinformatic approach for epitope prediction in combination with peptide microarray testing is a powerful method for the selection of T. gondii epitopes as candidate antigens for serological diagnosis.
Expression of B Cell and Immunoglobulin Transcripts Is a Feature of Inflammation in Late Allografts

To assess the significance of B‐cell and plasma cell infiltrates in renal allografts, we compared expression of B‐cell‐associated transcripts (BATs) and immunoglobulin transcripts (IGTs) to histopathology and function in 177 renal allograft biopsies for clinical indications. BAT and IGT expression correlated with immunostaining for B cells and plasma cells and with expression of B‐cell and plasma cell transcription factors. BATs and IGTs were increased in both T‐cell‐mediated and antibody‐mediated rejection. BAT and IGT scores were strongly related to time posttransplant: biopsies <5 months expressed less BATs and did not express increased IGTs. In contrast, T‐cell‐associated transcripts were independent of time posttransplant. In biopsies ≥5 months, BAT and IGT scores correlated with interstitial inflammation, tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis. By regression tree analysis, the only variables independently correlated with BATs and IGTs were time and inflammation. Expression of BATs and IGTs correlated with renal function, but this relationship was due to differences in early versus late biopsies: BATs and IGTs were not related to function or future function after correcting for time.
Adolescents’ physical activity profile according to parental physical activity participation

Marques, A. , Martins, J., Sarmento, H. , Diniz, J., & Carreiro, F. (2014). Adolescents’ physical activity profile according to parental physical activity participation. J. Hum. Sport Exerc. , 9(1), pp.81-90. This study aimed to characterize adolescents' physical activity according to parental physical activity participation, in families where one or both of the parents were active or inactive. A total of 1037 adolescents aged 12-18 years, 1037 fathers and 1037 mothers participated in the study. Questionnaires were used to assess child and parents physical activity. Cluster analysis was used for data processing. Adolescents from families where both parents were inactive were characterized by physical inactivity. Adolescents of active parents practiced physical activity in several contexts. Adolescents with an active father and an inactive mother were characterized by the practice of unorganized physical activity. Finally, adolescents from active mothers and inactive fathers were characterized by the practice of organized physical activity. Two active parents enhance the potential influence on the child's adoption of physical activity as a spontaneous behaviour in leisure-time. Having one active parent (active role model) is better than two less active or
Electively mute children: An analysis of 37 Danish cases

The aim of this study is to describe sociodemographic and clinical aspects of a large treated group of children referred with elective mutism. This case-control study includes 37 children, all of whom fulfilled ICD-10 criteria for elective mutism (EM) and a comparison group of 37 children, who were referred to the same hospital. The study is a retrospective sociodemographic and clinical analysis of records of patients with EM. In the group of EM children there was a slight preponderance of boys. The children came from two-parent families, most from the lower social classes. Almost 50% of the children had speech difficulties, and in addition to this enuresis, encopresis, and eating disturbances were more frequent than in the comparison group. With regard to other comorbid symptoms the EM children did not differ from the comparison group. A traumatic experience during the development of speech, severe enough to be noted in the case-record, was present in more than one-third of the files. In most of the pare.
Intelligence-led policing and forces of organisational change in the USA

The intent of this study is to explore organisational factors that, both conceptually and operationally, facilitate or inhibit a police agency from adopting intelligence-led policing (ILP). Research to date is yet to explore organisational factors related to ILP among American law enforcement agencies. Drawing from original survey data of national law enforcement agencies as part of a 2009 US Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice-funded project, the present study incorporates force field analysis to explore factors of ILP adoption in the USA. Findings suggest state and local agencies' familiarity with the intelligence-led concept and utilisation of open source and received information appear to be driving adoption. Conversely, formal policies, lack of sufficient personnel, training and a lack of intelligence-led decision-making appear to be inhibiting change towards the ILP paradigm. It appears agency size has minimal influence on an agency's shift towards ILP. Access to necessary resources and training appear to pose a significant challenge to law enforcement. Limited resources to develop an intelligence-led approach may result in the capability going underdeveloped or taking the form of other policing practices related to available resources – such as homeland security preparedness. This research is one of the first empirical explorations of ILP adoption, especially with a national sample of state and local agencies. Further conceptual clarity of the ILP paradigm is provided and organisational factors are discussed.
A deletion in the simian virus 40 large T antigen impairs lytic replication in monkey cells in vivo but enhances DNA replication in vitro: new complementation function of T antigen

We describe a new complementation function within the simian virus 40 (SV40) A gene. This function is required for viral DNA replication and virus production in vivo but, surprisingly, does not affect any of the intrinsic enzymatic functions of T antigen directly required for in vitro DNA replication. Other well-characterized SV40 T-antigen mutants, whether expressed stably from integrated genomes or in cotransfection experiments, complement these mutants for in vivo DNA replication and plaque formation. These new SV40 mutants were isolated and cloned from human cells which stably carry the viral DNA. The alteration in the large-T-antigen gene was shown by marker rescue and nucleotide sequence analysis to be a deletion of 322 bp spanning the splice-donor site of the first exon, creating a 14-amino-acid deletion in the large T antigen. The mutant gene was expressed in H293 human cells from an adenovirus vector, and the protein was purified by immunoaffinity chromatography. The mutant protein directs greater levels of DNA replication in vitro than does the wild-type protein. Moreover, the mutant protein reduces the lag time for in vitro DNA synthesis and can be diluted to lower levels than wild-type T antigen and still promote good replication, which is in clear contrast to the in vivo situation. These biochemical features of the protein are independent of the source of the cellular replication factors (i.e., HeLa, H293, COS 7, or CV1 cells) and the cells from which the T antigens were purified. The mutant T antigen does not transform Rat-2 cells. Several different models which might reconcile the differences observed in vivo and in vitro are outlined. We propose that the function of T antigen affected prepares cells for SV40 replication by activation of a limiting cellular replication factor. Furthermore, a link between the induction of a cellular replication factor and transformation by SV40 is discussed.