Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Philosophy as Disability & Exclusion: The Development of Theories on Blindness, Touch and the Arts in England, 1688-2010

Philosophy as Disability and Exclusion examines the history of ideas on arts in the education of people who are blind in England, from 1688 to 2010. This book also examines a number of the earlier influences on the enlightenment, and the international context of this topic. The two hypotheses on which this study is based are: (1) Our understanding of blindness in English intellectual culture is less to do with homologous physical characteristics. Instead it is more to do with an ethical philosophy of human capacity. (2) The arts education of people who are blind through touch tells us much about our psychology of mythologies and the intellectual construction of human thought. Furthermore, the myth that people who are blind are incapable of visual arts and have an enhanced capacity for the musical arts is one of the most engrained modern folklores. It is part of our cultural, intellectual and philosophical conscience. In the process of investigating these hypotheses, this book argues that philosophies have linked immorality, intelligence and physical ability. These have become connected in ways that are unrelated to eyesight in order to fulfill broader cultural processes of developing social theory. In this book, the process of knowledge creation is termed passive exclusion and is analyzed through an epistemological model of examining disability and exclusion.
What Is New In The Understanding Of Acute Asthma ?

For many years, asthma has been considered an allergic disease. This has been based on the close association between allergy and asthma. This association is relatively weak in infants and in the pre-school years, but is well established by around five or six years of age and remains so for the rest of childhood. The close relationship between allergy and asthma has been responsible for a strong focus on allergy or atopy in studies attempting to find out why some children develop asthma and others do not. It may also have been responsible for the majority of studies that aim to investigate asthma being carried out in children who are well at the time they are studied. These studies have provided a great deal of important information on the underlying status of the immune system in asthmatics. In particular, the bias in asthmatics towards producing T helper 2 (Th2) responses to allergens has been well established. In addition, the factors associated with asthma have been defined in hundreds of epidemiological studies performed in dozens of countries. In recent years, a great number of epidemiological studies have added an investigation into genetic factors predisposing to asthma to their methodologies. Despite this, a clear understanding of why some individuals are predisposed to asthma and others are not has not been obtained.
Simulated Evaluation of Drug-Impaired Psychomotor Performance

The purpose of this placebo-controlled, randomized-crossover study was to evaluate a computer-based divided-attention task as a method for measure impaired human psychomotor performance. The ability of the divided-attention task to detect and differentiate was evaluated using single oral doses of placebo, caffeine and diphenhydramine. Ten healthy men were the subjects of the study. Sub- ject performance on divided-attention was compared with tests of short-term memory and a set of visual analogue scales. The study also assessed potential learning and boredom effects associated with the testing procedures. The results indicate a divided-attention task can detect and differentiate effects of diphenhydramine from those of caffeine and placebo; however, it cannot differentiate effects of caffeine at the doses utilized from that of placebo. Visual analogue scale results corroborated these findings. Observations show that the short-term memory test was not sensitive to the effects of study medication. While the results observed with this convenient, computer-based divided-attention task are promising, additional studies need to be conducted with other classes of CNS-active drugs and over a range of doses.
UvA-DARE (Digital Academic Repository) Inclusiveness of ICT in secondary education: students' appreciation of ICT tools Heemskerk,

Disclaimer/Complaints regulations If you believe that digital publication of certain material infringes any of your rights or (privacy) interests, please let the Library know, stating your reasons. In case of a legitimate complaint, the Library will make the material inaccessible and/or remove it from the website. Please Ask the Library: https://uba.uva. nl/en/contact, or a letter to: Library of the University of Amsterdam, Secretariat, Singel 425, 1012 WP Amsterdam, The Netherlands. You will be contacted as soon as possible.
Mediating Mental Models of Metals: Acknowledging the Priority of the Learner's Prior Learning.

This paper describes the conceptualizations, or mental models, of the nature of the bonding and structure of metals of a group of U.K. college students. It is suggested that these mental models may be understood in terms of the students' prior learning about covalent and ionic bonding, and the prevalence of a common alternative conceptual framework for chemical bonding labeled “the octet framework. ” This study illustrates the prominence of prior learning in channeling the interpretation of subsequent teaching, and highlights the significance of the decisions made by curriculum planners, textbook authors, and teachers on the order of presenting subject content, the degree of simplification of scientific models, and the selection and presentation of metaphors. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Sci Ed87:732–758, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/sce.10079
Characterization of human cytochrome P450 isoforms involved in the metabolism of 7-epi-paclitaxel

The C-7 chiral centre in paclitaxel is subject to epimerization under physiological conditions, thus making 7-epi-paclitaxel as the principal degradant. This study was designed to characterize the cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes involved in 7-epi-paclitaxel metabolism, and to examine possible metabolic interactions that this C-7 epimer may have with paclitaxel. In human liver microsomes, 7-epi-paclitaxel was oxidized to two monohydroxylated metabolites while the metabolic sites occurred at the C-13 side-chain for M-1 and taxane core ring for M-2. A combination of correlation analysis, chemical inhibition studies, assays with recombinant CYPs, and enzyme kinetics indicated that M-1 was generated predominantly by CYP3A4 and M-2 by CYP2C8. Co-incubation of 7-epi-paclitaxel with paclitaxel in human liver microsomes resulted in potent inhibition of 6α-hydroxypaclitaxel formation (IC50 = 2.1 ± 0.2 μM), thus decreasing the metabolic elimination of paclitaxel. In conclusion, both CYP3A4 and CYP2C8 play a major role in biotransformation of 7-epi-paclitaxel in human liver microsomes. The existence of epimeric interactions between paclitaxel and its degradant might be a noteworthy factor resulting in the complex pharmacokinetic profile of paclitaxel.
A new approach towards climate monitoring in Rocky Mountain alpine plant communities: A case study using herb-chronology and Penstemon whippleanus

ABSTRACT The alpine ecosystem of the Rocky Mountains is experiencing significant increases in growing season length, summer maximum temperatures, and shifting patterns in precipitation. Alpine herbs are specifically sensitive to these changes. Biomass accumulation and reproductive effort are often negatively affected by elevated temperatures and earlier snowmelt. Here, we assess the use of herb-chronology, the study of annual growth rings in the woody underground organs, to retroactively monitor effects of monthly to seasonal climate on growth of the alpine forb species Penstemon whippleanus. We explored methods for building the strongest growth chronology possible by comparing the mean interseries correlations (MICs) of the whole population to that of groupings by cohorts, spatial locations, and random groupings using a permutation procedure. MIC for the whole population was low (0.034). Our permutation grouping performed best, producing a maximum MIC of 0.263. Using the permutation-derived chronology (2008–2015), we found significant decrease in growth with increased maximum temperatures in July, decreased May rainfall, increased drought between April and August, and lower minimum temperatures in September. Herb-chronology proved useful for understanding growth dynamics with climate in this alpine system; expanding this practice to similar systems could elucidate unknown effects of shifting climate on annual growth of alpine herbaceous species.
MORPHOLOGICAL COMPOSITION OF z ∼ 0.4 GROUPS: THE SITE OF S0 FORMATION

The low-redshift universe (z ≲ 0.5) is not a dull place. Processes leading to the suppression of star formation and morphological transformation are prevalent: this is particularly evident in the dramatic upturn in the fraction of S0-type galaxies in clusters. However, until now, the process and environment of formation remained unidentified. We present a morphological analysis of galaxies in the optically-selected (spectroscopic friends-of-friends) group and field environments at z ∼ 0.4. Groups contain a much higher fraction of S0s at fixed luminosity than the lower density field, with >99.999% confidence. Indeed, the S0 fraction in groups is at least as high as in z ∼ 0.4 clusters and X-ray-selected groups, which have more luminous intragroup medium (IGM). An excess of S0s at ⩾0.3h−175 Mpc from the group center with respect to the inner regions, existing with 97% confidence at fixed luminosity, tells us that formation is not restricted to, and possibly even avoids, the group cores. Interactions with a bright X-ray-emitting IGM cannot be important for the formation of the majority of S0s in the universe. In contrast to S0s, the fraction of elliptical galaxies in groups at fixed luminosity is similar to the field, while the brightest ellipticals are strongly enhanced toward the group centers (greater than 99.999% confidence within 0.3h−175 Mpc). Interestingly, while spirals are altogether less common in groups than in the field, there is also an excess of faint, Sc+ type spirals within 0.3h−175 Mpc of the group centers (99.953% confidence). We conclude that the group and subgroup environments must be dominant for the formation of S0 galaxies, and that minor mergers, galaxy harassment, and tidal interactions are the most likely responsible mechanisms. This has implications not only for the inferred preprocessing of cluster galaxies, but also for the global morphological and star formation budget of galaxies: as hierarchical clustering progresses, more galaxies will be subject to these transformations as they enter the group environment.
The Protective Effects of 5-Methoxytryptamine-α-lipoic Acid on Ionizing Radiation-Induced Hematopoietic Injury

Antioxidants are prospective radioprotectors because of their ability to scavenge radiation-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS). The hematopoietic system is widely studied in radiation research because of its high radiosensitivity. In the present study, we describe the beneficial effects of 5-methoxytryptamine-α-lipoic acid (MLA), which was synthesized from melatonin and α-lipoic acid, against radiation-induced hematopoietic injury. MLA administration significantly enhanced the survival rate of mice after 7.2 Gy total body irradiation. The results showed that MLA not only markedly increased the numbers and clonogenic potential of hematopoietic cells but also decreased DNA damage, as determined by flow cytometric analysis of histone H2AX phosphorylation. In addition, MLA decreased the levels of ROS in hematopoietic cells by inhibiting NOX4 expression. These data demonstrate that MLA prevents radiation-induced hematopoietic syndrome by increasing the number and function of and by inhibiting DNA damage and ROS production in hematopoietic cells. These data suggest MLA is beneficial for the protection of radiation injuries.
Starting Well: Connecting Research With Practice in Preschool Learning

So much happens at the start of a life! And so much of what happens shapes the growing person. This is one of the main conclusions of research in early childhood, and it captures important truths about how people become who they are. The editors of this special issue of Early Education & Development (Sandra Twardosz and Martha Ann Bell) have put together a comprehensive set of papers skillfully laying out the major findings and issues in early childhood education, ranging from brain plasticity and vulnerability to executive function to the effects of stress to young children’s fascination with their own brains. An important issue to raise at the start, however, is that researchers do not typically address the practical questions that are most useful for educators and parents. To understand how children develop and learn, researchers and educators (and parents! ) need to work together to formulate key questions and to design research to answer them. Cognitive science done in the laboratory may be useful, but to be applied in learning environments (homes, day care centers, preschools, classrooms) the research must address those environments. Context has been demonstrated repeatedly to have huge effects on behavior, with different contexts evoking different activities (Fischer & Bidell, 2006). Human beings and human brains are exquisitely sensitive to context (Rose, Daley, & Rose, in press), and plasticity means that the brain adapts readily to different situations and tasks (Twardosz, this issue). Neuroscience research confirms how quickly our brains adapt to different contexts, especially when we are young but continuing even when we are mature (Diamond & Hopson, 1998; Diamond, Weidner, Schow, Grell, & Everett, 2001; Greenough, Black, & Wallace, 1987; Greenough, Cohen, & Juraska, 1999).
Dimensions of brand purchasing behaviour: consumers in the 18–24 age group

This paper reports the results of a study of brand selection and loyalty within the 18–24 age group. The study explores brand loyalty behaviour across different product categories, and investigates the dimensions that drive loyalty behaviour within this age group. First, the construct of brand loyalty is defined, followed by an overview of key research in the area. Finally, the study itself is detailed. The study concludes that there is a significant difference in the degree of brand loyalty exhibited by the 18–24-year-old respondents across product categories. The dimensions of brand selection also vary by product type. Brand heritage in terms of parental influence was evident in coffee and toothpaste purchase, with brand as a reflection of self-image being something that is important to clothing brands. Value and variety are important attributes of cereal brand selection. Copyright © 2004 Henry Stewart Publications Ltd.
Beneficial effect of statins on total mortality in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair

In this single center, retrospective cohort study we wished to compare early and total mortality for all patients treated for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) with open surgery who were taking statins compared to those who were not. A cohort of 640 patients with AAA was treated with open surgery between 1999 and 2012. Patients were consecutively recruited from a source population of 390,000; 21.3% were female, and the median age was 73 years. The median follow-up was 3.93 years, with an interquartile range of 1.79–6.58 years. The total follow-up was 2855 patient-years. An explanatory strategy was used. The propensity score (PS) was implemented to control for selection bias and confounders. The crude effect of statin use showed a 78% reduction of the 30-day mortality. A stratified analysis using the Mantel–Haenszel method on quintiles of the PS gave an adjusted effect of the odds ratio equal to 0.43 (95% CI: 0.18–0.96), indicating a 57% reduction of the 30-day mortality for statin users. The adjusted rate ratio was 0.62 (95% CI: 0.45–0.83), indicating a reduction of long-term mortality of 38% for statin users compared to non-users for a median follow-up of 3.93 years. This retrospective cohort study showed a significant beneficial effect of statin use on early and long-term survival for patients treated with open surgery. To be conclusive, our results need to be replicated by a randomized clinical trial.
Inhibitory control and delay aversion in unaffected preschoolers with a positive family history of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

BACKGROUND From current theories on the etiology of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), it can be inferred that delay aversion (DA) and deficits in inhibitory control (IC) constitute basic deficits or endophenotypes of the disorder that already occur in the preschool period. This implies an occurrence of the characteristics in unaffected preschoolers with a positive family history of ADHD. Thus, it is hypothesized that preschoolers who are not affected by ADHD but who have first-degree relatives who suffer, or have suffered, from ADHD show deficits in IC and heightened DA in comparison to preschoolers from the general population. METHODS Thirty unaffected preschoolers with a positive family history of ADHD were compared with 30 control children matched with respect to age in months, gender, intelligence, and maternal education level. The groups also did not differ in terms of maternal depressive symptoms and the number of psychosocial family risks. A set of age-appropriate neuropsychological tasks on executive IC (e.g. Puppet Says, Day-Night, relying on Go-NoGo and interference paradigms) and DA (e.g. Snack Delay, Gift Wrap, relying on delay of gratification paradigm) was conducted. RESULTS Unaffected preschoolers showed significantly higher DA than control children (t(29) = -2.57, p < . 008). The result did not change when subclinical ADHD symptoms and symptoms of oppositional defiant disorder were controlled for (F(1,29) = 5.21, p < . 031). Differences in IC did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION The results are compatible with the assumption that DA constitutes a familial vulnerability marker that can be validly assessed in the preschool period. As this is the first study to address this issue in preschoolers, more research is needed to confirm and further analyze the significance of DA assessments specifically at this developmental stage.
College Students' Goal Orientations and Achievement

Theorists in the area of academic motivation have distinguished between mastery goals (develop understanding) and performance goals (demonstrate ability). Numerous research studies have empirically examined the implications these “constructs” have for understanding students’ performance in the classroom. Traditionally, mastery goals have been associated with adaptive learning outcomes while performance goals have been associated with maladaptive learning outcomes. Recently, however, theorists have suggested that students might hold both mastery and performance goals and that both goals can be beneficial. This study compared the achievement patterns of students who held both goals simultaneously to students who held either mastery or performance goals only. Data was collected within a foundational teacher education course from 143 students, a portion of whom were found to hold high mastery goals (mastery oriented), high performance-approach goals (performance-approach oriented), and high mastery and high performance goals (multiple goal orientation). Using course grades as an indicator of achievement, a one-way ANOVA showed no significant difference between the multiple goal group and the single goal groups. However, a significant difference was found between the high mastery group and the high performance group.
Virtual structure based target-enclosing strategies for nonholonomic agents

In this paper, we discuss a target-enclosing problem for a group of multiple nonholonomic agents in a plane. The proposed strategies guarantee that multiple agentspsila coordination finally results in a circular formation enclosing the target-object which moves in the plane. Firstly, virtual agents for the feedback linearization of the real nonholonomic agents are introduced. Secondly, we propose the target-enclosing control laws based on the consensus algorithm to the virtual agents. Algebraic graph theory and consensus algorithm are employed to prove convergence and stability of the enclosing problem. Finally, experiments are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control laws.
Taylor Vortices in Wide Spherical Shells.

It was believed that no Taylor vortices would exist in wide spherical shells with an aspect ratio of $\ensuremath{\beta}g0.24$. In contrast, we have experimentally generated Taylor vortices in a relatively wide spherical shell with $\ensuremath{\beta}\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}0.33$ using some special initial conditions. It is found that the Taylor vortices remain very stable in a range of the Reynolds number $467l\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}\mathrm{Re}l2100$, once they are established, in which, normally, the axisymmetric basic state (spherical Couette flow) is preferred. Furthermore, it is interesting that with increasing Reynolds number the Taylor vortices become asymmetric with respect to the equatorial plane.
Horizontal gene transfer in the acquisition of novel traits by metazoans

Horizontal gene transfer is accepted as an important evolutionary force modulating the evolution of prokaryote genomes. However, it is thought that horizontal gene transfer plays only a minor role in metazoan evolution. In this paper, I critically review the rising evidence on horizontally transferred genes and on the acquisition of novel traits in metazoans. In particular, I discuss suspected examples in sponges, cnidarians, rotifers, nematodes, molluscs and arthropods which suggest that horizontal gene transfer in metazoans is not simply a curiosity. In addition, I stress the scarcity of studies in vertebrates and other animal groups and the importance of forthcoming studies to understand the importance and extent of horizontal gene transfer in animals.
Mid-Infrared Spectra of High-Redshift (z > 2) Radio Galaxies

We present the first mid-infrared Spitzer/Infrared Spectrograph (IRS) observations of powerful radio galaxies at z > 2. These radio galaxies, 4C +23.56 (z = 2.48) and 6C J1908+7220 (z = 3.53), both show strong mid-infrared continua, but with 6C J1908+7220 also showing strong PAH emission at rest-frame 6.2 and 7.7 μm. In 4C +23.56 we see no obvious PAH features above the continuum. The PAH emission in 6C J1908+7220 is the among the most distant observed to date and implies that there is a large instantaneous star formation rate (SFR). This is consistent with the strong detection of 6C J1908+7220 at far-IR and sub-mm wavelengths, indicative of large amounts of cold dust, ~109 M☉. Powerful radio galaxies at lower redshifts tend to have weak or undetectable PAH features and typically have lower far-IR luminosities. In addition, 4C +23.56 shows moderate silicate absorption as seen in less luminous radio galaxies, indicating τ9. 7 μ m = 0.3 ± 0.05. This feature is shifted out of the observed wavelength range for 6C J1908+7220. The correlation of strong PAH features with large amounts of cold dust, despite the presence of a powerful AGN, is in agreement with other recent results and implies that star formation at high redshift is, in some cases at least, associated with powerful, obscured AGN.