Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Seeing disadvantage in schools: exploring student teachers’ perceptions of poverty and disadvantage using visual pedagogy

Abstract This paper describes exploratory research into the development of innovative visual pedagogies for investigating how pre-service student-teachers articulate their views about the effects of poverty on educational attainment. Social class emerges as the strongest factor in poverty and educational disadvantage in the UK. The resulting issues are often awkward for students to discuss and conventional pedagogies may not have effective ‘reach’ here. Findings from this study showed that the visual methods deployed gave students pedagogically well-structured spaces for the expression and exchange of a diversity of views about poverty and social class, engaging them in both heated discussions and prolonged ‘silences’. However, the pedagogies did not challenge the stereotypical deficit models of ‘the poor’ which some students expressed. Nevertheless, we argue that reconfigured versions of these visual pedagogies have considerable potential for innovative social justice work in teacher education.
The design and performance of MedJava. Experience of developing performance-sensitive distributed applications with Java

The Java programming language has gained substantial popularity in the past two years. Java's networking features, along with the growing number of Web browsers that execute Java applets, facilitate Internet programming. Despite the popularity of Java, however, there are many concerns about its efficiency. In particular, networking and computation performance are key concerns when considering the use of Java to develop performance-sensitive distributed applications. This paper makes three contributions to the study of Java for performance-sensitive distributed applications. First, we describe an architecture using Java and the Web to develop MedJava, which is a distributed electronic medical imaging system with stringent networking and computation requirements. Second, we present benchmarks of MedJava image processing and compare the results with the performance of xv , which is an equivalent image processing application written in C. Finally, we present performance benchmarks using Java as a transport interface to exchange large medical images over high-speed ATM networks. For computationally-intensive algorithms like image filtering, Java code that is optimized both manually and with JIT compilers can sometimes compensate for the lack of compile-time optimizations and yield a performance commensurate with equivalently compiled C code. With rigorous compile-time optimizations, however, C compilers still generally generate more efficient code. The advent of highly optimizing Java compilers should make it feasible to use Java for performance-sensitive distributed applications where C and C++ are currently used.
Mexico City Aerosol Analysis during MILAGRO using High Resolution Aerosol Mass Spectrometry

Submicron aerosol was analyzed during the MI- LAGRO field campaign in March 2006 at the T0 urban su- persite in Mexico City with a High-Resolution Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (AMS) and complementary instrumentation. Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) of high resolution AMS spectra identified a biomass burning organic aerosol (BBOA) component, which includes several large plumes that appear to be from forest fires within the region. Here, we show
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Chronic Kidney Disease in Koreans Aged 50 Years or Older

Background Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) share common pathogenic mechanisms and many risk factors, and both are linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the association between NAFLD and CKD according to the presence of hypertension and diabetes mellitus in Koreans aged 50 years or older. Methods A cross-sectional study of 1,706 subjects who received their routine health examination was conducted between May 2008 and April 2010 at Konkuk University medical center. Biochemical tests for liver and abdominal ultrasonography were performed. CKD was defined as either proteinuria or glomerular filtration rate ≤60 mL/min per 1.73 m2. Results Among the 1,706 subjects, There were 545 (31.9%) with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and 424 (24.9%) with chronic kidney disease. In univariate logistic regression analysis, NAFLD was significantly associated with CKD (odds ratio [OR], 1.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.34 to 2.12). In multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, current smoking, abdominal obesity, aspartate aminotransferases, alanine aminotransferases, γ-glutamyltransferase, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypertriglyceridemia, and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, NAFLD was associated with CKD (adjusted OR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.27 to 2.24). This relationship remained significant after classification according to the presence of hypertension or diabetes mellitus. Conclusion NAFLD diagnosed by ultrasonography was significantly associated with CKD in Koreans aged 50 years or older.
Round-robin based load balancing in Software Defined Networking

These days our networks have to handle large amount of traffic, serve thousands of clients. It is very difficult for a single server to handle such huge load. The solution is to use multiple servers with load balancer acting as a front end. The clients will send the requests to the load balancer. The load balancer will forward the client requests to different servers depending upon load balancing strategy. Load balancer use dedicated hardware. That hardware is expensive and inflexible. Currently available load balancers contain few algorithms that can be used. Network administrators can not create their own algorithms since traditional load balancer are vendor locked, non programmable. On the other hand SDN load balancers are programmable and allow you to design and implement your own load balancing strategy. Other advantages of SDN load balancer is we do not need dedicated hardware. The dumb silicon device can be converted to a powerful load balancer by using SDN controllers. In this paper we are implementing and comparing Round-Robin load balancing strategy with already implemented random strategy using an OpenFlow switch connected to a POX controller.
Equipment Design for Breeding Flocks 1

1 The use of trade names in this publication does not imply endorsement by the North Carolina Agricultural Research Service of the products mentioned, nor criticism of similar products not mentioned. ABSTRACT Breeding stocks require specialized equipment and facilities that accommodate both sexes and their mating behaviors. Divergence in male and female requirements has occurred due to genetic selection, particularly in heavy meat stocks. Proper equipment design requires specific knowledge about the nutritional requirements, genetics, and behavior of the particular stock within the environment intended. Attention must be paid to the relationship between the rearing and breeding environments, because preferences and behavioral patterns develop at an early age. The " correct " breeding environment is highly dependent upon the growing environment. There is evidence that some undesirable behaviors and poor fertility may arise from inadequate rearing nutrition and that nutrition can influence the development of certain behaviors.
Does employment uncertainty particularly impact fertility of children of North African immigrants in France? A gender perspective

ABSTRACT This paper investigates whether unemployment and insecure employment lead to delaying first childbearing in France, and whether these impacts are likely to differ between children of immigrants from North Africa and natives across genders. Data come from pooling two cohorts of French school-leavers followed over 7–10 years. Findings show that women of North African descent have a first child later than native women, whereas results for men are not significantly ethnic origin-differentiated. Unemployment and non-permanent employment are related to postponement of fertility for both men and women. Current unemployment affects the children of immigrants from North Africa more than their counterparts with no direct migration background. Persistent unemployment does not have any significant effect on childbearing for the women of North African immigrant descent, while it strongly reduces that of the men. While employment uncertainty thus tends to delay first parenthood, its impact seems to occur more through the timing of couple formation than through the timing of conception among children of immigrants from North Africa.
Auxilin facilitates membrane traffic in the early secretory pathway

In this study, a proteomic approach links the J-domain chaperone auxilin, which uncoats clathrin-coated vesicles, to the other major coat complexes in the cell (COPII and COPI). Genetic and biochemical studies support the proposal that auxilin facilitates vesicle traffic in the early secretory pathway.
Artificial Life 13: Proceedings of the 13th International Conference on the Simulation and Synthesis of Living Systems, ALIFE 2012

Behaviors evolved in simulation are often not robust to variations of their original training environment. Thus often researchers must train explicitly to encourage such robustness. Traditional methods of training for robustness typically apply multiple non-deterministic evaluations with carefully modeled noisy distributions for sensors and effectors. In practice, such training is often computationally expensive and requires crafting accurate models. Taking inspiration from nature, where animals react appropriately to encountered stimuli, this paper introduces a measure called reactivity, i.e. the tendency to seek and react to changes in environmental input, that is applicable in single deterministic trials and can encourage robustness without exposure to noise. The measure is tested in four different maze navigation tasks, where training with reactivity proves more robust than training without noise, and equally or more robust than training with noise when testing with moderate noise levels. In this way, the results demonstrate the counterintuitive fact that sometimes training with no exposure to noise at all can evolve individuals significantly more robust to noise than by explicitly training with noise. The conclusion is that training for reactivity may often be a computationally more efficient means to encouraging robustness in evolved behaviors.
Application of isothermal calorimetry to the study of phosphorus sorption onto soils in a flow-through system

Abstract. The degree, mechanisms, and kinetics of phosphorus (P) sorption onto soils can have a significant influence on leaching losses of P from soil. The objectives of this study were to measure the impact of retention time (RT) on P sorption in a flow-through system intended to simulate downward movement of a P solution through two different riparian soils, and determine if isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) can provide useful information reflective of flow-through results. Topsoil from two riparian/alluvial soils was sampled and characterized for P concentrations and parameters related to P sorption. Flow-through P sorption experiments were conducted in order to examine the effect of RT and inflow P concentration on P sorption; this was compared to results of ITC experiments where the heat of reaction was measured with the addition of P to soils. Results of ITC experiments were reflective of both soil characterization and flow-through sorption in that the Barren Fork soil sorbed less P, but at a faster rate, compared to Clear Creek. Based on thermograms, the dominant P sorption reaction was ligand exchange onto Al/Fe oxides/hydroxides, with a lesser degree of precipitation. Phosphorus removal for both soils was limited by physical nonequilibrium instead of chemical nonequilibrium (sorption kinetics). For the Clear Creek soil, the ITC analysis illustrated that P sorption was limited more by physical diffusion of P through micropores to sorption sites rather than chemical kinetics. For the Barren Fork soil, results indicated that the limiting process was pore scale transport from bulk flow to sorption sites, which was a function of flow rate. The calorimetry approach presented can help provide soil-specific information on the risk of P inputs to leaching (degree of P sorption) under different conditions (flow rate or RT), and potential for desorption (P sorption mechanisms).
Physical Activity into Socialization: A Movement-based Social Skills Program for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often exhibit deficits in social-communicative behaviors. Given the increased prevalence of children with ASD, programs designed to teach social-communicative behaviors are necessary. This article introduces a movement-based program that embeds social-skill components to improve the motor skills and social skills of children with ASD. A description of social-communicative behaviors and motor skills is provided, along with a sample lesson for targeting each of the skill areas.
Review of Current Laser Therapies for the Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

The gold standard for symptomatic relief of bladder outlet obstruction secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia has traditionally been a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Over the past decade, however, novel laser technologies that rival the conventional TURP have multiplied. As part of the ongoing quest to minimize complications, shorten hospitalization, improve resection time, and most importantly reduce mortality, laser prostatectomy has continually evolved. Today, there are more variations of laser prostatectomy, each with several differing surgical techniques. Although abundant data are available confirming the safety and feasibility of the various laser systems, future randomized-controlled trials will be necessary to verify which technique is superior. In this review, we describe the most common modalities used to perform a laser prostatectomy, mainly, the holmium laser and the potassium-titanyl-phosphate lasers. We also highlight the physical and clinical characteristics of each technology with a review of the most current and highest-quality literature.
Overview of theoretical perspectives.

The paper reviewed some theories that explain higher education financing. Some aspect of these theories is compared in terms of the theoretical perspective on financing higher education. The historical viewpoint and the tenant of the theories give an insight and possible solution to higher education financing. The purpose of the paper is to illuminate an important policy issues on financing higher education the world over and to contribute to the general debate on the contribution of theories in explaining the main issue of financing higher education. The paper is presented in three sections; the first section identify the various theories that explain higher education financing, the second parts Discuss the tenet or principles of the identified theories and the third part Explain how these theories explain higher education financing. The paper uses the content analyses to review secondary data collected from published articles. The findings reveals that there a lots of theories that explain higher education financing. Hence recommend human capital theory for effective and efficient theory to be use in explaining higher education financing in Nigeria and the world over.
Prediabetes Is Associated with HNF-4α P2 Promoter Polymorphism rs1884613: A Case-Control Study in Han Chinese Population and an Updated Meta-Analysis

Background. Controversy remains for the association between hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF-4α) P2 promoter polymorphism rs1884613 and type 2 diabetes (T2D). There was no association test of this polymorphism with prediabetes and T2D in the Chinese population. Moreover, an updated meta-analysis in various ethnic groups is needed to establish the contribution of rs1884613 to T2D risk. Methods. Using the Sequenom MassARRAY platform approach, we genotyped rs1884613 of HNF-4α in the P2 promoter region among 490 T2D patients, 471 individuals with prediabetes, and 575 healthy controls. All the individuals were recruited from 16 community health service centers in Nanshan district in Shenzhen province. Using STATA 11.0 software, meta-analysis was performed to summarize the overall contribution of rs1884613 to T2D risk. Results. Polymorphism rs1884613 was associated with genetic susceptibility to prediabetes in the whole samples (OR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.16–1.68, P = 0.0001) and the female subgrouped samples (OR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.14–1.92, P = 0.003) after adjusting for age and body mass index (BMI). In contrast, there was no association of rs1884613 with T2D in the whole samples and male in our case-control study and meta-analysis. Conclusions. Our results suggest that rs1884613 contributes to susceptibility to prediabetes, whereas this polymorphism may not play an important role in the development of T2D.
Scale-Adaptive Low-Resolution Person Re-Identification via Learning a Discriminating Surface

Person re-identification, as an important task in video surveillance and forensics applications, has been widely studied. But most of previous approaches are based on the key assumption that images for comparison have the same resolution and a uniform scale. Some recent works investigate how to match low resolution query images against high resolution gallery images, but still assume that the low-resolution query images have the same scale. In real scenarios, person images may not only be with low-resolution but also have different scales. Through investigating the distance variation behavior by changing image scales, we observe that scale-distance functions, generated by image pairs under different scales from the same person or different persons, are distinguishable and can be classified as feasible (for a pair of images from the same person) or infeasible (for a pair of images from different persons). The scale-distance functions are further represented by parameter vectors in the scale-distance function space. On this basis, we propose to learn a discriminating surface separating these feasible and infeasible functions in the scale-distance function space, and use it for reidentifying persons. Experimental results on two simulated datasets and one public dataset demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed framework.
A tapping micropositioning cell

Describes the use of tapping actuators in a "micropositioning cell. " Tapping actuators are fixed (both in position and orientation) about the perimeter of the cell. A part in the cell can be precisely positioned by firing a sequence of tapping actuators (sensing the position of the object after each tap for feedback control). Such a system could be used for micropositioning tasks or in parts feeding applications. We show the controllability of this system for circular parts, describe an algorithm to position these objects, and present the results of simulated experiments. We conclude with some future directions and address the issues in extending this work to more efficient algorithms that work on a broader class of parts.
TGF-β-Induced Apoptosis of Cerebellar Granule Neurons Is Prevented by Depolarization

The regulation of programmed cell death in the developing nervous system involves target-derived survival factors, afferent synaptic activity, and hormone- and cytokine-dependent signaling. Cultured immature cerebellar granule neurons die by apoptosis within several days in vitro unless maintained in depolarizing (high) concentrations of potassium (25 mmK+). Here we report that transforming growth factors (TGF)-β1, -β2, and -β3 accelerate apoptosis of these neurons when maintained in physiological (low) K+ medium (5 mm K+) as assessed by measures of viability, quantitative DNA fragmentation, and nuclear morphology. TGF-β-induced apoptosis of these neurons is not blocked by CNTF and LIF, cytokines that enhance neuronal survival when applied alone, or by IGF-I, which prevents apoptosis upon potassium withdrawal. In contrast, neurons that differentiate in high K+ medium for several days in vitroacquire resistance to TGF-β-mediated cell death. Granule neurons maintained in either low or high K+ medium produce latent, but not bioactive, TGF-β1 and -β2. Because neutralizing TGF-β antibodies fail to augment survival of low K+ neurons, the cerebellar neurons are apparently unable to activate latent TGF-β. Thus, apoptosis of low K+ neurons is not attributable to endogenous production of TGF-β. Taken together, our data suggest that TGF-β may limit the expansion of postmitotic neuronal precursor populations by promoting their apoptosis but may support survival of those neurons that have maturated, differentiated, and established supportive synaptic connectivity.
Biotech Innovation in Europe's Food and Drink Processing Industry: Promise, Barriers and Exploitation

Early optimism about the potential of biotechnology to contribute to "the production of food with improved quality and nutritional content" (ACOST, 1990) has waned in the face of consumer resistance to the use of genetically modified organisms in food. The European food and drink sector has not abandoned biotechnology, however, but it is being very selective in its use. Some of the current applications of biotechnology were not recognized in early predictions about the application of biotechnology to the food and drink sector.
Global Patterns from Local Interactions: a Dynamical Systems Approach

In this paper the global patterns that result from local interactions between players on a twodimensional lattice are studied. The assumptions on interaction between players are based on the Prisoner’s Dilemma game that has been used extensively in game theory and in the study of biological systems. Each player is located on a square lattice, and is assumed to cooperate or defect, based on mimicking the neighbor with the highest cumulative score from the preceding round of play. The edges of the lattice are glued to form a torus. Computer simulations are conducted for dieren t sized lattices, dieren t payo values, and dieren t initial conditions. Though the paper is primarily concerned with player behavior without self-interaction, some results with self-interaction are also included. The inuence of \ideal" cooperators on the evolution of the system dynamics is also studied. Three generic regimes of behavior are identied. Complex global patterns with complicated dynamics and sometimes unpredictable results occur. Steady-state solutions, simple and complex periodic solutions, and traveling waves are observed depending on the initial conditions and the payo values.
Management of Professionals in School Practices

This article investigates organizational reform changes as they are constructed in the interaction between managers and teachers in a school context. The empirical basis is comprised of case studies carried out in Danish upper secondary schools. An ethnographic approach and a concept of paradox related to an understanding of professionals are used to investigate the practices involved in the change processes. The article argues that the ambiguity of a primus inter pares management position among professionals leads to several paradoxes, deadlocks, and detours, all of which affect the work for change in the schools. Significant paradoxes are identified on the basis of the empirical material, and methodological advantages of a proposed paradox perspective, are demonstrated.