Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Grammar teaching in secondary school foreign language learning in England: teachers’ reported beliefs and observed practices

This study investigates teachers’ beliefs relating to grammar teaching in modern foreign language (MFL) learning in England. Focus on grammatical form has been consistently supported by linguistic research and teacher practice, and has progressively been reinstated in England’s National Curriculum. However, MFL learning assessment in England has remained focused on generic communicative, skill-focused criteria, leaving teachers caught in the conflicting discourses of policy, linguistic research, teacher education and teaching practice. This exploratory–interpretive enquiry explored how eight MFL teachers translated grammar teaching policy and theoretical guidelines into their teaching practices. Data from interviews, observations and think-alouds were collected and analysed using an inductive approach. The findings revealed disparate interpretations of the concept of grammar and grammar teaching. In this period of ongoing reform of MFL examinations at age 16 in England, critical exploration of what happens in the range of MFL classrooms should inform clearer theoretical and methodological guidelines for MFL teaching and learning, leading to a more consistent pedagogic rationale and more consistent strategies for teacher education and MFL provision.
Analisis Kemampuan Komunikasi Matematika Dalam Menyelesaikan Masalah Pada Pokok Bahasan Sistem Persamaan Linier Dua Variabel Siswa Kelas VIII-C SMP Nuris Jember

Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian deskriptif yang bertujuan untuk menganalisis tingkat kemampuan komunikasi matematika siswa kelas VIII-C SMP Nuris Jember. Pengambilan data dilakukan menggunakan tes tulis dan lisan kepada 9 siswa. Pengambilan subjek diperoleh dari nilai ulangan harian matematika pokok bahasan sistem persamaan linier dua variabel. Dari nilai ulangan harian pokok bahasan sistem persamaan linier dikelompokan menjadi 3 tingkatan yaitu tingkat kemampuan matematika tinggi, sedang, dan rendah. Dari hasil analisis, diperoleh kesimpulan bahwa t erdapat 2 siswa mampu memenuhi indikator pertama yaitu menuliskan penyelesaian masalah, 5 siswa mampu memenuhi indikator yang kedua yaitu mengubah masalah ke kalimat matematika, 4 siswa mampu memenuhi indikator yang ketiga yaitu perhitungan matematika, dan 5 siswa mampu memenuhi indikator yang keempat yaitu penggunaan simbol matematika. Siswa yang memiliki kemampuan komunikasi matematika sangat baik sudah mampu memenuhi keempat indikator, siswa yang memiliki kemampuan komunikasi matematika baik mampu memenuhi tiga indikator, sedangkan siswa yang memiliki kemampuan komunikasi matematika cukup hanya mampu memenuhi dua indikator meskipun masih ada kesalahan, siswa yang memiliki kemampuan komunikasi matematika kurang tidak mampu memenuhi keempat indikator kemampuan komunikasi matematika. Sehingga dari 3 siswa yang berkemampuan matematika tinggi terdapat 2 siswa berada pada tingkat kemampuan komunikasi matematika sangat baik dan 1 siswa berada pada kemampuan komunikasi matematika cukup, sedangkan untuk 3 siswa yang berkemampuan matematika sedang, ketiga siswa berada pada kemampuan komunikasi matematika baik, dan 3 siswa yang berkemampuan matematika rendah terdapat 2 siswa berada pada tingkat kemampuan komunikasi matematika cukup dan 1 siswa berada pada kemampuan komunikasi matematika kurang . Kata Kunci: komunikasi matematika, kemampuan matematika .
Investigating Childhood Emotional Maltreatment, Adult Attachment, and Mindfulness as Predictors of Internalizing Symptoms and Emotional Processing

INVESTIGATING CHILDHOOD EMOTIONAL MALTREATMENT, ADULT ATTACHMENT, AND MINDFULNESS AS PREDICTORS OF INTERNALIZING SYMPTOMS AND EMOTIONAL PROCESSING Lianne English Advisor: University of Guelph, 2012 Dr. Heidi Bailey Childhood emotional maltreatment is associated with damaging consequences, although relatively little is known about the mechanisms underlying its effects. This dissertation investigated the concurrent influences of adult attachment and mindfulness on internalizing symptoms and emotional processing in young adults with and without a history of emotional maltreatment. Study 1 revealed that a sequential mediation model, with adult attachment orientations as first-step mediators and mindfulness as a second-step mediator, fit the data better than a simultaneous mediation model. In addition, moderation analyses revealed that high selfreported levels of mindfulness protected against the development of internalizing symptoms, even in at-risk individuals. Study 2 replicated these findings in a new sample, while also extending the results beyond a self-report outcome, using behavioural measures of emotional processing. Emotional maltreatment, adult attachment, and mindfulness predicted the amount of perceptual information required to correctly identify fearful faces and the amount of interference demonstrated in response to positive and negative emotional words. Cumulatively, these findings suggest that childhood emotional maltreatment can disrupt attachment relationships and encumber the development of mindfulness, contributing to internalizing symptoms and the biased processing of emotional information. However, alternative outcomes are possible, given the presence of high levels of mindfulness and secure attachment representations. This has implications for clarifying developmental theories and evaluating clinical interventions that may mitigate the negative effects of childhood emotional maltreatment.
Cross-Country Empirical Studies of Systemic Bank Distress: A Survey

A rapidly growing empirical literature is studying the causes and consequences of bank fragility in contemporary economies. The paper reviews the two basic methodologies adopted in cross-country empirical studies, the signals approach and the multivariate probability model, and their application to study the determinants of banking crises. The use of these models to provide early warnings for crises is also reviewed, as are studies of the economic effects of banking crises and of the policies to forestall them. The paper concludes by identifying directions for future research.
Effect of age, gestation and lactation on faecal IgA and calprotectin concentrations in dogs*

Faecal calprotectin and IgA have been suggested as non-invasive markers of gut health. Faecal calprotectin is a marker of intestinal inflammation in adults, whereas IgA has been suggested as a marker of intestinal immunity. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of gestation, lactation and age on faecal concentrations of these biomarkers. Thirty puppies, nineteen pregnant or lactating bitches and eighty-nine healthy control adult dogs were included in the study. Faeces were collected from the fourth week of gestation until the eighth week of lactation in pregnant and lactating bitches, and between 4 and 9 weeks of age in puppies. Faeces from the eighty-nine healthy control adult dogs were also collected. Faecal calprotectin and IgA concentrations were measured. Faecal calprotectin concentrations in control dogs were significantly lower than faecal calprotectin concentrations in puppies between 4 and 6 weeks of age (P < 0·001) or between 7 and 9 weeks of age (P = 0·004). Puppies between 4 and 6 weeks of age had significantly higher faecal IgA concentrations compared with puppies between 7 and 9 weeks of age (P = 0·001). Bitches during their second month of lactation had significantly lower faecal IgA concentrations compared with their first month of lactation (P = 0·049). Faecal calprotectin and IgA have been suggested as non-invasive and easily measured biomarkers of gut health in adults. However, the present study underlines that faecal IgA and calprotectin concentrations vary markedly depending of physiologic factors such as gestation, lactation and age. These factors need to be considered when these faecal biomarkers are used for evaluation of intestinal immunity or inflammation.
Causal discovery for linear cyclic models with latent variables

Remark. At the end of section 2 we mention the existence of special circumstances when it is possible to identify some direct effects b(• → x j) even when it is not the case that all pair conditions of the form (•, x j) are satisfied. Here is an example. Consider a model for V = {x1, x2, x3}where a single experiment with Jm = {x1} has been performed. The pair condition is satisfied by this experiment for the pairs (x1, x2) and (x1, x3). One of the equations the experiment yields is t(x1 x3||Jm) = t(x1 x2||Jm) b(x2 → x3) + b(x1 → x3). If it now turns out that the measured experimental effect t(x1 x2||Jm) = 0, then the direct effect b(x1 → x3) is determined although the pair condition for the pair (x2, x3) is not satisfied. Lemma 1. Let the true model generating the data be (B,Σe). For each of the experiments (Em)m=1,. ,M the obtained data covariance matrix is Σx . If there is a direct effects matrix B̂ , B such that for all (Em)m=1,. ,M and all xi ∈ Jm and x j ∈ Um it produces the same experimental effects t(xi x j || Jm), then the model (B̂, Σ̂e) with Σ̂e = (I − B̂)(I − B)−1Σe(I − B)−T (I − B̂)T has data covariance matrices Σ̂x = Σx for all m = 1, . ,M.
Gastrointestinal bleeding in high risk survivors of myocardial infarction: the VALIANT Trial.

AIMS The risk of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding limits the use of antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs. Risk factors for GI bleeding in post- myocardial infarction (MI) patients have not been well defined. We sought to identify risk factors for GI bleeding in patients following MI. METHODS AND RESULTS The VALsartan In Acute myocardial iNfarcTion trial (VALIANT) enrolled 14 703 post-MI patients with left ventricular dysfunction and/or heart failure and followed them for a median of 24.7 months. In the present secondary analysis, times from baseline to first GI bleeding were identified from the VALIANT serious adverse event database. Potential risk factors were explored from medical history, demographics, clinical profile, and medications, both at baseline and during follow-up. We also explored the relationship between the occurrence of GI bleeding and subsequent mortality. During follow-up, 98 (0.7%) patients had a serious GI bleeding event. These patients were older, had more comorbidities, were more likely to be taking additional antiplatelet drugs, and had worse left ventricular systolic and renal function. The Kaplan-Meier estimated rate of GI bleeding at 6 months was 0.37% (95% CI 0.27-0.47). In a multivariable Cox model, dual antiplatelet therapy was the most powerful predictor of GI bleeding, with an adjusted hazard ratio of 3.18 (95% CI 1.91-5.29). Other predictors were non-white race, history of alcohol abuse, increasing age, worse New York Heart Association class, anticoagulant therapy, diabetes, lower estimated glomerular filtration rate, and male sex. Gastrointestinal bleeding was associated with increased risk of death [adjusted hazard ratio 2.54 (95% CI 1.66-3.89)]. CONCLUSION Following MI, clinical characteristics can identify patients with increased risk of GI bleeding. The use of dual antiplatelet agents appears to be the most profound risk factor. Whether these patients would benefit from GI prophylaxis therapy remains unknown.
Dietary protein and amino acids — Consideration of the undigestible fraction 1

A case is made for the application of true ileal amino acid digestibility and true ileal reactive lysine digestibility (lysine availability) in poultry nutrition. Technical aspects of the true ileal digestibility assays are reviewed, as are factors influencing amino acid digestibility in the broiler. There is considerable variation in amino acid digestibility and lysine availability both within and among diverse feedstuffs. Differences in mean amino acid digestibility among feedstuffs, and the variability in the digestibility of an amino acid within a feedstuff should both be taken into account during least-cost dietary formulation.
CPT-Based Probabilistic and Deterministic Assessment of In Situ Seismic Soil Liquefaction Potential - eScholarship

This paper presents a complete methodology for both probabilistic and deterministic assessment of seismic soil liquefaction triggering potential based on the cone penetration test (CPT). A comprehensive worldwide set of CPT-based liquefaction field case histories were compiled and back analyzed, and the data then used to develop probabilistic triggering correlations. Issues investigated in this study include improved normalization of CPT resistance measurements for the influence of effective overburden stress, and adjustment to CPT tip resistance for the potential influence of "thin" liquefiable layers. The effects of soil type and soil character (i.e., "fines" adjustment) for the new correlations are based on a combination of CPT tip and sleeve resistance. To quantify probability for performance-based engineering applications, Bayesian "regression" methods were used, and the uncertainties of all variables comprising both the seismic demand and the liquefaction resistance were estimated and included in the analysis. The resulting correlations were developed using a Bayesian framework and are presented in both probabilistic and deterministic formats. The results are compared to previous probabilistic and deterministic correlations.
TRADE CREDIT TERMS IN A BANK THE CASE OF A SUB OMENGUEL

The purpose of this paper is to address the determinants of trade credit in the Cameroonian context. Based on a sample of 85 Cameroonian companies observed in 2006, the econometric investigations highlight a genuine financial intermediation business close to productive activity. We used a general model incorporating both financial variables, transactional and sociocultural in order to estimate the joint effect of all explanatory variables on the trade credit which is a kind of investment in business relationship. Logistic regression results confirmed the positive and significant correlation between rationing and trade credit. There is also apparent influence of contingency factors on sociocultural commercial time through social capital and ethnicity of trade and investment partners. Moreover the manager share of capital positively influences the duration of the trade credit where as the financial motive is one that mostly influences to the companies’ behavior.
Nonparametric Snakes

Active contours, or so-called snakes, require some parameters to determine the form of the external force or to adjust the tradeoff between the internal forces and the external forces acting on the active contour. However, the optimal values of these parameters cannot be easily identified in a general sense. The usual way to find these required parameters is to run the algorithm several times for a different set of parameters, until a satisfactory performance is obtained. Our nonparametric formulation translates the problem of seeking these unknown parameters into the problem of seeking a good edge probability density estimate. Density estimation is a well-researched field, and our nonparametric formulation allows using well-known concepts of density estimation to get rid of the exhaustive parameter search. Indeed, with the use of kernel density estimation these parameters can be defined locally, whereas, in the original snake approach, all the shape parameters are defined globally. We tested the proposed method on synthetic and real images and obtained comparatively better results.
Black holes in astrophysics

This paper reviews the current status of black hole (BH) astrophysics, focusing on topics of interest to a physics audience. Astronomers have discovered dozens of compact objects with masses greater than 3M⊙, the likely maximum mass of a neutron star. These objects are identified as BH candidates. Some of the candidates have masses ∼5M⊙–20M⊙ and are found in x-ray binaries, while the rest have masses ∼106M⊙–109.5M⊙ and are found in galactic nuclei. A variety of methods are being tried to estimate the spin parameters of the candidate BHs. There is strong circumstantial evidence that many of the objects have event horizons, so there is good reason to believe that the candidates are true BHs. Recent MHD simulations of magnetized plasma accreting on rotating BHs seem to hint that relativistic jets may be produced by a magnetic analogue of the Penrose process.
dTULP, the Drosophila melanogaster Homolog of Tubby, Regulates Transient Receptor Potential Channel Localization in Cilia

Mechanically gated ion channels convert sound into an electrical signal for the sense of hearing. In Drosophila melanogaster, several transient receptor potential (TRP) channels have been implicated to be involved in this process. TRPN (NompC) and TRPV (Inactive) channels are localized in the distal and proximal ciliary zones of auditory receptor neurons, respectively. This segregated ciliary localization suggests distinct roles in auditory transduction. However, the regulation of this localization is not fully understood. Here we show that the Drosophila Tubby homolog, King tubby (hereafter called dTULP) regulates ciliary localization of TRPs. dTULP-deficient flies show uncoordinated movement and complete loss of sound-evoked action potentials. Inactive and NompC are mislocalized in the cilia of auditory receptor neurons in the dTulp mutants, indicating that dTULP is required for proper cilia membrane protein localization. This is the first demonstration that dTULP regulates TRP channel localization in cilia, and suggests that dTULP is a protein that regulates ciliary neurosensory functions.
A STUDY OF SEXUAL FUNCTIONING AND MARITAL SATISFACTION IN WOMEN WITH AND WITHOUT HISTORY OF LABOR

Introduction: Sexual relationship is a natural attraction in a fitting family environment and its acceptance and satisfaction is necessary in maintaining the family system. Following the birth of a child, sexual behavior changes due to the certain circumstances of this period. Due to the prevalence of sexual problems and its relationship with the birth of the first child in women who experience motherhood for the first time first, this study aimed to assess the sexual functioning and marital satisfaction in primipar women and women without history of labor. Â Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study,120 married women (60 women with children and 60 women without children); ages ranging between 20-30 years were selected through simple-randomized convenience sampling among who referred the health centers and obstetrics and gynecologists offices in Mashhad, 2009. The participants fulfilled the Enrich Marital Satisfaction, sexual satisfaction and demographic form. Data were analyzed by SPSS software, through descriptive statistics, chi-square and ANOVA tests. Â Results: Findings showed that women who had not yet experienced pregnancy and childbirth, had better sexual function (P=0.017) and higher marital satisfaction (P=0.005). Mean sexual function score in women without children was 3.6 and for women with children was 3.3. Â Conclusion: The results suggest that married women without children have higher mean scores of sexual satisfaction and higher marital satisfaction than women who have experienced childbirth. This shows the key-role of sexual functioning in marital satisfaction and necessity of sexual problems in women after childbirth.
Mapping and modulating spatial attention asymmetries in young and older adults

Healthy young adults demonstrate a group-level, systematic preference for stimuli presented in the left side of space relative to the right (‘pseudoneglect’) (Bowers & Heilman, 1980). This results in an overestimation of features such as size, brightness, numerosity and spatial frequency in the left hemispace, probably as a result of right cerebral hemisphere dominance for visuospatial attention. This spatial attention asymmetry is reduced in the healthy older population, and can be shifted entirely into right hemispace under certain conditions. Although this rightward shift has been consistently documented in behavioural experiments, there is very little neuroimaging evidence to explain this effect at a neuroanatomical level. In this thesis, I used behavioural methodology and electroencephalography (EEG) to map spatial attention asymmetries in young and older adults. I then use transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to modulate these spatial biases, with the aim of assessing age-related differences in response to tDCS. In the first of three experiments presented in this thesis, I report in Chapter Two that five different spatial attention tasks provide consistent intra-task measures of spatial bias in young adults across two testing days. There were, however, no inter-task correlations between the five tasks, indicating that pseudoneglect is at least partially driven by task-dependent patterns of neural activity. In Chapter Three, anodal tDCS was applied separately to the left (P5) and right (P6) posterior parietal cortex (PPC) in young and older adults, with an aim to improve the detection of stimuli appearing in the contralateral visual field. There were no age differences in response to tDCS, but there were significant differences depending on baseline performance. Relative to a sham tDCS protocol, tDCS applied to the right PPC resulted in maintained visual detection across both visual fields in adults who were good at the task at baseline. In contrast, left PPC tDCS resulted in reduced detection sensitivity across both visual fields in poor performers. Finally, in Chapter Four, I report a right-hemisphere lateralisation of EEG activity in young adults that was present for long (but not short) landmark task lines. In contrast, older adults demonstrated no lateralised activity for either line length, thus providing novel evidence of an age-related reduction of hemispheric asymmetry in older adults. The results of this thesis provide evidence of a highly complex set of factors that underlie spatial attention asymmetries in healthy young and older adults.
Some strategies for sustaining a walking routine: insights from experienced walkers.

BACKGROUND This study explores the strategies that experienced walkers felt were most useful for sustaining outdoor walking routines. To investigate this issue, a survey-based instrument was used in combination with a Conceptual Content Cognitive Mapping (3CM) exercise. METHODS Seventy-one experienced walkers were asked to complete the 3CM exercise to explore the strategies that have helped them regularly walk outdoors. After 1 week these same individuals received a survey investigating these same issues as well as demographics and physical activity participation. RESULTS There was general agreement between 3CM and survey data with respect to the strategies used by experienced walkers. The most highly endorsed strategies involved using health goals and supportive walking environments. Survey results also revealed that those more likely to endorse the use of social support took fewer walks per week, but engaged in more nonwalking related physical activity. CONCLUSIONS Overall, the findings suggest that experienced walkers use a variety of strategies. Strategies such as focusing of the positive health outcomes, using attractive natural settings, and developing realistic action plans appeared to be the most useful. These results also indicate the 3CM technique may be an effective way to explore beliefs and motivations regarding physical activity.