Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Problem based Learning with Cooperative Learning on Performance in Solving Moral Dilemmas among Form Four Students That Different Gender , Birth Order , and Family Size

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the moderator variables namely gender, birth order, and family size. The independent variable was the method of instruction while the dependent variables were the student performance in solving moral dilemmas according to Kohlbergs’ Moral Development Stages. The instrument comprised preand post-tests that contain moral dilemmas adapted from Kohlbergs’ Development Skills (1975). The sample comprised 60 Form Four students from two intact classes. Equivalence in achievement between the classes was established using the Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) examination results. However, there were no significant differences between Problem-Based Learning with cooperative learning and Problem-Based Learning with Individual learning in preferences for giving punishment, giving warnings, giving benefit of the doubt, and apathy by gender, birth order and family size. The findings showed that Problem-Based Learning with Individual learning is more effective in increasing positive moral values and is recommended for use in the classroom.
A Computer-Based Game that Promotes Mathematics Learning More than a Conventional Approach

Excitement about learning from computer-based games has been papable in recent years and has led to the development of many educational games. However, there are relatively few sound empirical studes in the scientific literature that have shown the benefits of learning mathematics from games as opposed to more traditional approaches. The empirical study reported in this paper provides evidence that a mathematics educational game can provide superior learning opportunities, as well as be more engaging. In a study involving 153 students from two middle schools, 70 students learned about decimals from playing an educational game-Decimal Point-whereas 83 students learned the same content by a more conventional, computer-based approach. The game led to significantly better gain scores in solving decimal problems, on both an immediate d =. 43 and delayed d =. 37 posttest and was rated as significantly more enjoyable d =. 95. Low prior knowledge students especially benefitted from the game. This paper also summarizes the game's design characteristics.
Tracking Changing Environments: Innovators Are Fast, but Not Flexible Learners

Behavioural innovations are increasingly thought to provide a rich source of phenotypic plasticity and evolutionary change. Innovation propensity shows substantial variation across avian taxa and provides an adaptive mechanism by which behaviour is flexibly adjusted to changing environmental conditions. Here, we tested for the first time the prediction that inter-individual variation in innovation propensity is equally a measure of behavioural flexibility. We used Indian mynas, Sturnus tristis, a highly successful worldwide invader. Results revealed that mynas that solved an extractive foraging task more quickly learnt to discriminate between a cue that predicted food, and one that did not more quickly. However, fast innovators were slower to change their behaviour when the significance of the food cues changed. This unexpected finding appears at odds with the well-established view that avian taxa with larger brains relative to their body size, and therefore greater neural processing power, are both faster, and more flexible learners. We speculate that the existence of this relationship across taxa can be reconciled with its absence within species by assuming that fast, innovative learners and non innovative, slow, flexible learners constitute two separate individual strategies, which are both underpinned by enhanced neural processing power. This idea is consistent with the recent proposal that individuals may differ consistently in ‘cognitive style’, differentially trading off speed against accuracy in cognitive tasks.
Quantifying Aesthetic Preference for Chaotic Patterns

Art and nature provide much of their aesthetic appeal from a balance of simplicity and complexity, and order and unpredictability. Recently, complex natural patterns have been produced by simple mathematical equations whose solutions appear unpredictable (chaotic). Yet the simplicity and determinism of the equations ensure a degree of order in the resulting patterns. The first experiment shows how aesthetic preferences correlate with the fractal dimension (F) and the Lyapunov exponent (L) of the patterns. F reflects the extent that space is filled and L represents the unpredictability of the dynamical process that produced the pattern. Results showed that preferred patterns had an average F = 1.26 and an average L = 0.37 bits per iteration, corresponding to many natural objects. The second experiment is a preliminary test of individual differences in preferences. Results suggest that self-reported creative individuals have a marginally greater preference for high F patterns and self-reported scientific individuals preferred high L patterns. Objective tests suggest that creative individuals had a slightly greater preference for patterns with a low F.
The effects of bilingualism on theory of mind development

This research examines whether an individual's linguistic knowledge, either as a speaker of a particular language or as a bilingual, influences theory of mind development. Three- and four-year-old English monolinguals, Mandarin Chinese monolinguals, and Mandarin-English bilinguals were given appearance-reality, level 2 perspective-taking, and false-belief tasks. All children were tested twice, a week apart; the bilinguals were tested in each of their languages. The 4-year-olds in each group performed significantly better than the corresponding 3-year-olds. Both monolingual groups performed similarly on the tasks, and the bilinguals performed significantly better than the monolingual groups, although when the two testing times were examined separately, they had only a near-significant tendency to perform better at the second testing time. Possible explanations for this evidence of a bilingual advantage are greater inhibitory control, greater metalinguistic understanding, and a greater sensitivity to sociolinguistic interactions with interlocutors.
Is bare-metal stenting superior to balloon angioplasty for small vessel coronary artery disease? Evidence from a meta-analysis of randomized trials.

AIMS To compare, by meta-analytical techniques, the clinical impact of bare-metal stenting vs. balloon angioplasty for the treatment of lesions in small coronary arteries. METHODS AND RESULTS We included trials with random allocation and prospective comparison of angioplasty vs. stenting, reference vessel diameter<3 mm, and follow-up>or=6 months. Random effect odds ratios (OR) for death, myocardial infarction (MI), repeat revascularization (RR), and major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) were computed. In a pre-specified subgroup analysis, we compared stenting with optimal (post-procedural stenosis<20%) and suboptimal (>20%) angioplasty. Thirteen studies (4383 patients) were selected. No differences were found in terms of death and MI, while MACEs, mainly driven by RR, were significantly less common after stenting (17.6%) than after angioplasty (22.7%), OR 0.71 (0.57-0.90). Heterogeneity among trials was present. When considering only optimal angioplasty, MACE rates were homogeneously similar, 17.9 vs. 21.1%, OR 0.86 (0.66-1.11). If angioplasty were suboptimal, MACEs were significantly more common after angioplasty (24%) than after stenting (17.3%), OR 0.62 (0.44-0.88). CONCLUSION Stenting is superior to balloon angioplasty for the treatment of small vessels, in particular after suboptimal angioplasty. However, MACE and RR rates remain high after stenting, and the advantage of stent over angioplasty is moderate. An optimal balloon angioplasty strategy (with provisional stenting) may achieve results not inferior to routine stenting.
Translating Videos to Commands for Robotic Manipulation with Deep Recurrent Neural Networks

We present a new method to translate videos to commands for robotic manipulation using Deep Recurrent Neural Networks (RNN). Our framework first extracts deep features from the input video frames with a deep Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN). Two RNN layers with an encoder-decoder architecture are then used to encode the visual features and sequentially generate the output words as the command. We demonstrate that the translation accuracy can be improved by allowing a smooth transaction between two RNN layers and using the state-of-the-art feature extractor. The experimental results on our new challenging dataset show that our approach outperforms recent methods by a fair margin. Furthermore, we combine the proposed translation module with the vision and planning system to let a robot perform various manipulation tasks. Finally, we demonstrate the effectiveness of our framework on a full-size humanoid robot WALK-MAN.
Optimization-Based Approaches for Maximizing Aggregate Recommendation Diversity

Recommender systems are being used to help users find relevant items from a large set of alternatives in many online applications. Most existing recommendation techniques have focused on improving recommendation accuracy; however, diversity of recommendations has also been increasingly recognized in research literature as an important aspect of recommendation quality. This paper proposes several optimization-based approaches for improving aggregate diversity of top- N recommendations, including a greedy maximization heuristic, a graph-theoretic approach based on maximum flow or maximum bipartite matching computations, and an integer programming approach. The proposed approaches are evaluated using real-world movie rating data sets and demonstrate substantial improvements in both diversity and accuracy as compared to the recommendation reranking approaches, which have been introduced in prior literature for the purposes of diversity improvement and were used for baseline comparisons in our study. The paper also discusses the computational complexity and the scalability of the proposed approaches, as well as the potential directions for future work.
Critical perspectives on testing teaching: reframing teacher education for English medium instruction

The investigation reported here provides a basis for considering the role of corrective and transformative critiques in producing knowledge through testing teaching for reframing teacher education in response to, and as an expression of, the globalisation of English. This knowledge-producing approach to critique begins with a literature review of prior testing models of content and language integrated learning through English medium instruction (EMI) programmes. Delphi procedures were employed with a panel of 30 experts from three focus groups, namely teachers, testing experts, and teacher evaluation administrators. A comparison of relative importance of the indicators generated through this study via the analytic hierarchy process yielded practical implications for reframing the internationalisation of education using EMI. The analysis of interviews with teachers was used to critically rework or otherwise correct the testing model. Through adopting the practice of critique as a knowledge-producing venture, this study offers a model of EMI testing that can contribute to improvements in the organisation of professional learning and change, as well as certification procedures.
Weekend Effect and Holiday Effect of Temperature Variation

Study is performed of the weekly cycle of temperature indices (its diurnal range, mean, maximum and minimum) based on 1996-2005 surface observations from four big cities over the Yangtze River Delta of China. Results suggest that these temperature variations are featured by significant weekend effect (WE) in that these temperatures are higher at weekends than on workdays in summer as opposed to those in other seasons; the WE of diurnal maximum and minimum temperatures is much bigger at weekends and can be utilized as the WE index; during the long spell of holidays or festivities in China WE is remarkable, and especially in the Spring Festival and National Day holidays these temperatures are smaller compared to those 7 day before and after as opposed to the values during the May Day holidays and 7 days before/after.
New host and geographical records and morphological details for Echinuria skrjabiniensis (Nematoda, Acuariidae) from shorebirds in Argentina

The acuarioid nematode Echinuria skrjabiniensis Efimov in Skryabin, Sobolev et Ivashkin, 1965 was found in Calidris bairdii and C. fuscicollis (Aves, Scolopacidae) examined from several locations from Patagonia, Argentina. These constitute new host records as well as the first record of this parasite species in South America. Using both light and scanning electron microscopies, new morphological details are provided, including the description of the left spicule and the number and the arrangement of male caudal papillae. The taxonomic history of the species is summarized, corroborating its correct spelling and valid name.
Immunogenicity and Protective Immunity Induced by Synthetic Peptides Associated with Putative Immunodominant Regions of Streptococcus mutans Glucan-Binding Protein B

ABSTRACT Glucan-binding protein B (GbpB) from Streptococcus mutans has been shown to induce protective immunity to dental caries in experimental models. Having recently sequenced the gbpB gene, our objective in this study was to identify immunogenic regions within the GbpB sequence for use in subunit vaccines. Potential regions of immunogenicity were sought by use of a matrix-based algorithm (EpiMatrix) to estimate the binding characteristics of peptides derived from the GbpB sequence by using a database of known major histocompatibility complex class II binding alleles. Screening the entire sequence revealed several peptides with estimated high binding probabilities. Two N-terminal 20-mer peptides (SYI and QGQ) subtending two of these regions were synthesized. A preliminary experiment, in which these peptides were synthesized in the multiple antigenic peptide format and were used to subcutaneously immunize Sprague-Dawley rats twice at a 21-day interval, revealed that the SYI peptide induced a higher percentage of responses to the inciting peptide as well as to intact GbpB, as measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The effect of immunization with the SYI peptide construct on the cariogenicity of S. mutans was then investigated by immunizing weanling Sprague-Dawley rats twice at a 9-day interval with SYI or with phosphate-buffered saline. All rats were then orally infected with S. mutans strain SJ. After a 78-day infection period, the SYI-immunized groups had significant reductions in dental caries on both smooth and occlusal surfaces compared with the sham-immunized group. Thus, these experiments indicated that at least one linear sequence, derived from the N-terminal third of GbpB, was sufficiently immunogenic to induce a protective immune response in this experimental rat model for dental caries.
An Epidemic of Education Policy: (what) can we learn from each other?

Education policy is in a state of change across the industralized countries. Governments everywhere are re-examining many aspects of the provision of schooling. This paper examines the extent to which countries and their subjurisdictions (such as states in the US or provinces in Canada) are learning from each other about the nature of change and reform in education. It draws on formal policy documents and published policy literature in Canada, the US and Britain and on my experience as a government official in education as well as through visits to and extensive contact with colleagues in the other two countries. I conclude that mutual learning is not necessarily a good description of the movement of policies and suggest that analogies to disease and epidemics may be a useful way of thinking about what is happening.
A 0.014mm2 10-bit 2GS/s time-interleaved SAR ADC with low-complexity background timing skew calibration

A 10-bit 2GS/s time-interleaved SAR ADC with low-complexity background timing skew calibration is presented. 10% of the area is utilized for the interleaving mismatch estimation and correction. The ADC achieves −64dB mismatch spur and 50.1dB SNDR at Nyquist rate, with 10.4mW power consumption and 0.014mm2 area in 16nm.
Pharmacological and Toxicological Effects of Chronic Porcine Growth Hormone Administration in Dogs

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the pharmacological and toxicological effects of exogenous GH administration in normal adult dogs. Because porcine GH (pGH) is structurally identical to canine GH, pGH was selected for a 14-wk study in dogs. Thirty-two dogs (<2 yr) were randomized to 4 groups (4 dogs/sex/group); 1 group was treated with the vehicle and 3 groups received pGH at 0.025. 0.1, or 1.0 IU/kg/day subcutaneously. Daily clinical signs and weekly body weights were recorded. Hematology, serum biochemistry, urinalyses, electrocardiograms, and ophthalmoscopic examinations were done. Serum GH, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), insulin, thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), and Cortisol levels were determined. Necropsies were performed, organs weighed, and tissues were fixed and processed for light microscopic examination. Porcine GH caused increased body weight gain (p ≤ 0.05) through the mid dose; the mean weight gains at study termination in mid- and high-dose groups were 2.8 kg and 4.7 kg, respectively, compared to 0.4 kg and 0.8 kg in control and low-dose groups, respectively. Dose-related increased weights of liver, kidney, thyroid, pituitary gland, skeletal muscle, and adrenal gland were noted. In pGH-treated dogs, increased skin thickness seen grossly correlated histologically with increased dermal collagen. There was no gross or histomorphological evidence of edema. There were dose-related increased serum IGF-1 levels (≈2–10-fold; p ≤ 0.05) that correlated with the elevated serum GH levels in pGH-treated dogs. Also, increased serum insulin levels (p ≤ 0.05) through the mid dose were seen throughout the study. In high-dose dogs, the insulin levels remained elevated over 24 hr postdose. The serum glucose levels in fasted dogs remained within the control range and there was no chronic hyperglycemia based on glycosylated hemoglobin levels. Renal glomerular changes, significant polyuria with decreased urine specific gravity, and increased serum insulin levels suggested that the dogs had early insulin-resistant diabetes. There was minimal or no biologically significant effect of pGH on serum T3, T4, and Cortisol levels in dogs. Other serum biochemical changes in pGH-treated dogs included decreased urea nitrogen and creatinine, and increased potassium, cholesterol, and triglycerides. Significant increases in serum calcium and phosphorous levels and alkaline phosphatase activity (bone isozyme) correlated with the histological changes in bone. In pGH-treated dogs, there was a dose-related normochromic, normocytic, nonregenerative anemia. The changes described above, except for the anemia, are related to either anabolic or catabolic effects of high doses of GH. Based on this study, it is concluded that the dog is a good model in which to evaluate the safety of GH secretagogues as well as compounds with GH-like activity.
Religiosity, Homogamy, and Marital Adjustment

This article explores the relationship between religiosity, denominational homogamy, religiosity homogamy, and marital adjustment. Using a statewide sample of spouses in first marriages (N = 1,394) and remarriages (N = 601), the authors find that within-group differences in religiosity, denominational homogamy, and religiosity homogamy are not as prevalent for spouses in remarriages. Overall, husbands and wives in first marriages who are very religious have significantly higher marital adjustment scores than spouses who are less religious. Similarly, husbands and wives in first marriages who share the same religious denomination report higher marital adjustment scores than spouses who report different denominations. For spouses in both first marriages and remarriages, those who report that they are “both religious” have higher marital adjustment scores than spouses where both partners are not religious, or where only the wife is religious. Possible reasons for the within-group similarities and differences are explored, particularly for spouses in remarriages.
Growing the leadership talent pool: perceptions of heads, middle leaders and classroom teachers about professional development and leadership succession planning within their own schools

This article reports on outcomes from a study funded by the National College for School Leadership designed to explore the factors that assist in the leadership development of teachers at a number of stages of their career development. More specifically, the study sought to identify issues associated with leadership talent identification, development, succession and retention in contextually different primary and secondary schools in England. In the face of school leadership shortages in the United Kingdom and internationally, it has been suggested that leadership succession planning in individual schools can contribute to increasing the supply of successors as incumbent leaders leave their posts. Focus groups and a questionnaire were used to secure perceptions of heads, middle leaders and classroom teachers about leadership succession planning within their own schools. The study secures a better understanding of factors perceived either to aid or to hinder leadership succession planning across a sample of 70 schools. A variety of contextual, cultural and developmental influences on talent pool development and leadership succession planning are identified. The findings strongly indicate that a coherent and coordinated approach to leadership learning and development in individual schools, supported by incumbent senior leaders, is essential if succession planning is to be effective and the supply of able leaders entering the talent pool is to be increased.
ATM promotes apoptosis and suppresses tumorigenesis in response to Myc

Overexpression of the c-myc oncogene contributes to the development of a significant number of human cancers. In response to deregulated Myc activity, the p53 tumor suppressor is activated to promote apoptosis and inhibit tumor formation. Here we demonstrate that p53 induction in response to Myc overexpression requires the ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) kinase, a major regulator of the cellular response to DNA double-strand breaks. In a transgenic mouse model overexpressing Myc in squamous epithelial tissues, inactivation of Atm suppresses apoptosis and accelerates tumorigenesis. Deregulated Myc expression induces DNA damage in primary transgenic keratinocytes and the formation of γH2AX and phospho-SMC1 foci in transgenic tissue. These findings suggest that Myc overexpression causes DNA damage in vivo and that the ATM-dependent response to this damage is critical for p53 activation, apoptosis, and the suppression of tumor development.
ANATOMY OF A METROPOLIS. THE CHANGING DISTRIBUTION OF PEOPLE AND JOBS WITHIN THE NEW YORK METROPOLITAN REGION

CONTENTS: CITIES AND SUBURBS THE JOBS LOCATIONAL PRESSURES ON MANUFACTURING THE SPECIAL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES THE WHITE-COLLAR CORPS THE PURSUIT OF CONSUMERS THE PEOPLE SPACIOUS LIVING VS. EASY ACCESS WHO LIVES WHERE AND WHY SPREAD OF THE PEOPLE THE JOBS, THE PEOPLE, AND THE FUTURE APPENDICES EMPLOYMENT ESTIMATES POPULATION ESTIMATES FACTORY CONSTRUCTION COSTS VARIABILITY IN CONSTRUCTION COSTS COST OF CONSTRUCTING A LOFT BUILDING COMPUTATION OF TAX LEVELS LISTS OF SPECIAL INDUSTRIES COMPARATIVE COST OF OFFICE SPACE EMPLOYMENT EQUATIONS IN CONSUMER TRADE LAND-USE MEASUREMENTS JOURNEY-TO-WORK SURVEY INDICES OF OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALIZATION RELATIVE INCOME LEVELS OF COMMUNITIES.