Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modularisation of vocational training in Germany, Austria and Switzerland: parallels and disparities in a modernisation process

This article considers the modularisation of initial vocational training (including apprenticeships) as a modernisation strategy in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Training systems are similarly structured in these three countries with the apprenticeship system at their heart, and the three national philosophies of education and training are largely comparable. The approach in each country will be outlined and the three will then be compared in terms of the background to modularisation, key drivers and decision-making procedures, and forms and intensity of modularisation. The article concludes that in all three countries, technical and organisational change and greater labour market flexibility are driving the pressure to modularise. While the educational policy players and modalities differ, all three countries have adopted a form of modularisation that is limited in terms of its scope and how radical it is. The article proposes a concept that enables training to be modularised while leaving intact a country’s existing training philosophy and Berufskonzept, a German concept that embodies the extent to which workers internalise an occupational identity.
Festivals and Social Change: Intersections of Pleasure and Politics at a Community Music Festival

This paper considers how pleasure and politics intersect in the context of a community music festival. Described is Hillside Festival, a music festival with political aims. This paper focuses on how the leisure context of the event shaped the approach, style, and efficacy of the attempt to foster social change. Overall, the festival followed a prefigurative political approach, which allowed the leisure qualities of the event to flourish. While questions remain concerning the potential for social change within voluntarily chosen leisure events, the notion of “pleasure-politics” reveals new possibilities for both leisure and political action.
Suicide in Greece 1992–2012: A time-series analysis

Background and aims: Since 2008, Greece has entered a long period of economic crisis with adverse effects on various aspects of daily life. In this frame, it is quite important to examine the suicide trends in Greece. Method: Our analysis covered the period 1992–2012. 2012 was the last year for which official suicide data were available. The inclusion of data for pre-crisis period enabled us to assess trends in suicide preceding the economic crisis, starting in 2008. Trends in sex- and age-adjusted standardized suicide rates (SSR) were analyzed using joinpoint regression. Results: Total SSR presented statistically significant annual decrease of 0.89% (95% confidence interval (CI): −1.7, −0.1) during the period 1992–2008. After 2009, the trend in total SSR increased statistically significant annual increase (12.48%; 95% CI: 0.3%, 26.1%). SSR in males presented an initial period of modest annual decrease (−0.84%; 95% CI: −1.6%, −0.1%), during the period 1992–2008. After 2009, an annual increase by 9.25% (95% CI: 2.7%, 16.3%) was revealed. No change in female SSR trend was observed during the studied period. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, there is clear evidence of an increase in the overall SSR and male SSR in Greece during the period of the current financial crisis.
The intersecting paradigms of naturopathic medicine and public health: opportunities for naturopathic medicine.

Complementary medicine research, including naturopathic medicine research, is plagued with many methodological challenges. Many of these challenges have also been experienced in public health research. Public health research has met these challenges with a long history of multidisciplinary, multimethod, and whole systems approaches to research that may better resonate with the ? real world? clinical settings of naturopathic medicine. Additionally, many of the underlying principles of naturopathic medicine are analogous to the underlying principles and activities of public health, specifically in such areas as health promotion, prevention, patient education, and proactive rather than reactive approaches to disease management and treatment. Future research in the field of naturopathic medicine may benefit from adopting public health research models rather than focusing exclusively on biomedical models. A complementary and collaborative relationship between these fields may provide an opportunity to deliver research that more accurately reflects naturopathic medicine practice, as well as providing the opportunity to improve health outcomes more generally.
Clinical Interventions in Aging Dovepress the Effects of Tai Ji Quan Training on Limits of Stability in Older Adults

Background: Limits of stability, defined as the ability to maintain the center of gravity within the boundary of the base of support, is critically important for older adults in performing their activities of daily living. However, few exercise programs specifically tailored to enhance limits of stability exist. The primary purpose of this study was to determine whether a therapeutically designed intervention, Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance (TJQMBB), could improve limits of stability in older adults. A secondary purpose was to examine concomitant change in limits of stability and physical performance as a result of the intervention. Methods: A single-group design was used in which 145 community-dwelling older adults (average age: 75 years) were enrolled in TJQMBB classes, participating twice weekly for 48 weeks. Primary outcome measures were three indicators of limits of stability (LOS) (endpoint excursion, movement velocity, and directional control), with secondary measures of physical performance being Timed Up and Go and 50-foot speed walk (in seconds), which were assessed at baseline, 24 weeks, and 48 weeks. Changes in the repeated measures of outcome variables were analyzed via latent curve analysis. Results: At 48 weeks, a significant rate of change (improvement) over time was observed in the three limits of stability indicators (endpoint execution: 8.30% LOS, P0.001; movement velocity: 0.86 degrees/second, P0.001; directional control: 6.79% of 100, P0.001); all reached a threshold of real change as judged by the minimal detectable change values. Improvements in the three limits of stability measures were concomitantly correlated with improved (reduced times) performance scores in the Conclusion: In this single-group study, community-dwelling older adults trained through TJQMBB significantly improved their limits of stability, providing preliminary support for the use of TJQMBB as a therapeutic modality for enhancing functional activities in older adults.
Family relations in early childhood and reproductive development

Abstract Belsky, Steinberg and Draper [(1991) Childhood experience, interpersonal development, and reproductive strategy: an evolutionary theory of socialization, Child Development, 62, 647–670] predicted that early childhood stress or conflict in the family environment would be associated with childhood behavioural symptoms, early puberty, and early, less discriminate reproductive behaviour. A cross-sectional self-report survey of childhood family life and adolescent development was carried out with 509 students aged 16–23 from Sheffield, north England. In women, earlier menarche was associated with more parental marital conflict throughout childhood (birth to age 11); more independence from parents in late childhood (age 8–11); earlier age at dating men; more boyfriends; younger age at first sexual intercourse; older age of first intercourse partner relative to own age at first intercourse; and more intercourse partners. In men, earlier spermarche was associated with less emotional closeness to mother t.
The Immunoreactive Exo-1,3-β-Glucanase from the Pathogenic Oomycete Pythium insidiosum Is Temperature Regulated and Exhibits Glycoside Hydrolase Activity

The oomycete organism, Pythium insidiosum, is the etiologic agent of the life-threatening infectious disease called “pythiosis”. Diagnosis and treatment of pythiosis is difficult and challenging. Novel methods for early diagnosis and effective treatment are urgently needed. Recently, we reported a 74-kDa immunodominant protein of P. insidiosum, which could be a diagnostic target, vaccine candidate, and virulence factor. The protein was identified as a putative exo-1,3-ß-glucanase (Exo1). This study reports on genetic, immunological, and biochemical characteristics of Exo1. The full-length exo1 coding sequence (2,229 bases) was cloned. Phylogenetic analysis showed that exo1 is grouped with glucanase-encoding genes of other oomycetes, and is far different from glucanase-encoding genes of fungi. exo1 was up-regulated upon exposure to body temperature, and its gene product is predicted to contain BglC and X8 domains, which are involved in carbohydrate transport, binding, and metabolism. Based on its sequence, Exo1 belongs to the Glycoside Hydrolase family 5 (GH5). Exo1, expressed in E. coli, exhibited ß-glucanase and cellulase activities. Exo1 is a major intracellular immunoreactive protein that can trigger host immune responses during infection. Since GH5 enzyme-encoding genes are not present in human genomes, Exo1 could be a useful target for drug and vaccine development against this pathogen.
Assessment of the electrocardiogram in dogs with visceral leishmaniasis 1

Sousa M.G. , Carareto R. , Silva J.G. & Oliveira J. 2013. Assessment of the electrocardiogram in dogs with visceral leishmaniasis. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 33(5):643647. Escola de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal do Tocantins, Rodov. BR-153 Km 112, Araguaína, TO, 77800-970, Brazil, E-mail: marlos@uft.edu. br As myocarditis and arrhythmias have been shown to occur in both human beings and dogs with leishmaniasis, electrocardiograms of 105 dogs serologically positive for this disease were assessed for rhythm disturbances and changes in ECG waves. A few expressive alterations were seen, including sinus arrest, right bundle branch block, and atrial premature beats in 14.3%, 4.8%, and 4.8% of the studied subjects, respectively. Also, the analysis of ECG waves showed changes suggestive of left atrium and ventricle enlargements, and myocardial hypoxia in some animals. Although cardiac compromise has been previously reported in dogs with leishmaniasis, only a small subset of dogs showed any alteration in the electrocardiogram, which cannot support the occurrence of myocarditis in this investigation.
Long-term memory span

Cowan assumes that chunk-based capacity limits are synonymous with the essence of a “specialized STM mechanism. ” In a single experiment, we measured the capacity, or span, of long-term memory and found that it, too, corresponds roughly to the magical number 4. The results imply that a chunk-based capacity limit is not a signature characteristic of remembering over the short-term.
Quantum genetic algorithm based homing trajectory planning of parafoil system

Homing Trajectory planning is a core task of autonomous homing of parafoil system. This paper analyzes and establishes a mathematical model, and then proposes a homing trajectory planning method of parafoil system based on quantum genetic algorithm. By using the quantum bit with superposition state to encode the control law and introducing the quantum rotation gate to realize evolution of chromosomes, the proposed method guides and realizes homing trajectory optimization design. Simulation results under different initial states indicate that this method is effective for homing trajectory optimization of parafoil system. Compared with the chaos particle swarm optimization algorithm, the homing precision is even better.
Timed Maternal Melatonin Treatment Reverses Circadian Disruption of the Fetal Adrenal Clock Imposed by Exposure to Constant Light

Surprisingly, in our modern 24/7 society, there is scant information on the impact of developmental chronodisruption like the one experienced by shift worker pregnant women on fetal and postnatal physiology. There are important differences between the maternal and fetal circadian systems; for instance, the suprachiasmatic nucleus is the master clock in the mother but not in the fetus. Despite this, several tissues/organs display circadian oscillations in the fetus. Our hypothesis is that the maternal plasma melatonin rhythm drives the fetal circadian system, which in turn relies this information to other fetal tissues through corticosterone rhythmic signaling. The present data show that suppression of the maternal plasma melatonin circadian rhythm, secondary to exposure of pregnant rats to constant light along the second half of gestation, had several effects on fetal development. First, it induced intrauterine growth retardation. Second, in the fetal adrenal in vivo it markedly affected the mRNA expression level of clock genes and clock-controlled genes as well as it lowered the content and precluded the rhythm of corticosterone. Third, an altered in vitro fetal adrenal response to ACTH of both, corticosterone production and relative expression of clock genes and steroidogenic genes was observed. All these changes were reversed when the mother received a daily dose of melatonin during the subjective night; supporting a role of melatonin on overall fetal development and pointing to it as a ‘time giver’ for the fetal adrenal gland. Thus, the present results collectively support that the maternal circadian rhythm of melatonin is a key signal for the generation and/or synchronization of the circadian rhythms in the fetal adrenal gland. In turn, low levels and lack of a circadian rhythm of fetal corticosterone may be responsible of fetal growth restriction; potentially inducing long term effects in the offspring, possibility that warrants further research.
Elite Values Versus Organizational Structure in Predicting Innovation

Jerald Hage and Robert Dewar This paper compares the predictive power of the concept of elite values with leader values, member values, and the three structural variables of complexity, centralization, and formalization. Elite values proved to be slightly better predictors than either leader values or complexity. When elite values and complexity were combined, there was a considerable increase in the amount of variance explained indicating that these variables are independent. Three contrasting definitions of the elite were considered but one proved a better predictor than the other two.
Differential expression of fibroblast growth factor receptors during rat lens morphogenesis and growth.

PURPOSE Fibroblast growth factors (FGF) play important roles in the developmental biology of the lens. Recently, it was shown that the expression of one of the FGF receptors, FGFR1 (flg; fibroblast growth factor receptor 1), was closely associated with the onset of lens fiber differentiation. In this study, the expression patterns of three other members of the FGF receptor family were analyzed and compared. METHODS The expression patterns of FGFR2 (bek and keratinocyte growth factor receptor [KGFR] variants) and FGFR3 were analyzed by in situ hybridization during embryonic and postnatal lens development. RESULTS In the ocular primordia, both FGFR2 variants were detected on embryonic day 12 (E12) and FGFR3 was detected on E14. From E16 to E20, distinct spatial expression patterns became evident within the lens; FGFR3 showed an anteroposterior increase in expression, with strongest expression in the outer cortical fibers. In contrast, bek showed uniform expression throughout the lens epithelium (including the central and germinative zones) and the transitional zone, with a subsequent decline in maturing fibers. The KGFR variant of FGFR2 showed strongest expression in the early fibers of the transitional zone; its expression in the epithelium was weaker in the germinative zone of embryonic and neonatal rats. There was an age-related decline in expression of FGFRs after birth-an effect that was more marked for FGFR3 than for the FGFR2 variants. CONCLUSIONS Combined with those in a previous study, these results indicate that the FGFR1, bek, KGFR, and FGFR3 genes exhibit different, yet overlapping, patterns of expression throughout lens development and differentiation. The distinct spatiotemporal patterns of expression of FGF receptors may play an important role in regulating anteroposterior patterns of lens cell behavior.
Human growth hormone and human prolactin function as autocrine/paracrine promoters of progression of hepatocellular carcinoma

The death rates of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are extremely high due to the paucity of therapeutic options. Animal models and anecdotal clinical evidence indicate a potential role of hGH and hPRL in HCC. However, the prognostic relevance and the functional role of tumor expression of these hormones in human HCC are not defined. Herein, we analyzed the mRNA and protein expression of hGH and hPRL in histopathological samples of non-neoplastic liver and HCC by in situ hybridization, PCR and immunohistochemistry techniques. Increased mRNA and protein expression of both hormones was observed in HCC compared with non-neoplastic liver tissues. hGH expression was significantly associated with tumor size and tumor grade. No significant association was observed between the expression of hPRL and any histopathological features. Amplification of both hGH and hPRL genes in HCC was observed when compared to non-neoplastic tissue. Expression of both hGH and hPRL was associated with worse relapse-free and overall survival in HCC patients. In vitro and in vivo functional assays performed with HCC cell lines demonstrated that autocrine expression of hGH or hPRL in HCC cells increased STAT3 activation, oncogenicity and tumor growth while functional antagonism with hGH-G120R significantly reduced these parameters. Hence, tumor expression of hGH/hPRL is associated with a worse survival outcome for patients with HCC and hGH/hPRL function as autocrine/paracrine promoters of HCC progression.
Song as an honest signal of past developmental stress in the European starling (Sturnus vulgaris)

Bird song is a sexually selected male trait where females select males on the basis of song quality. It has recently been suggested that the quality of the adult male song may be determined by nutritional stress during early development. Here, we test the 'nutritional–stress hypothesis' using the complex song of the European starling. Fledgling starlings were kept under experimental treatment (unpredictable short–term food deprivations) or control conditions (ad libitum food supply), for three months immediately after independence. We measured their physiological and immune responses during the treatment and recorded song production during the following spring. Birds in the experimental group showed increased mass during the treatment and also a significantly suppressed humoral response compared with birds in the control group. There was no difference between the groups in the cell–mediated response. Next spring, males in the experimental group spent less time singing, sang fewer song bouts, took longer to start singing and also sang significantly shorter song bouts. These data support the hypothesis that both the quality and quantity of song produced by individual birds reflect past developmental stress. The results also suggest the 'nutritional–stress hypothesis' is best considered as a more general 'developmental–stress hypothesis'.
Creating a Continuum: Considering Induction Programs for Secondary Social Studies Teachers

Abstract The call for support of beginning teachers has ebbed and flowed over the years with the tide of educational reform. Recently, the call has taken on a more urgent and distinct tenor, focusing on specialized support for secondary teachers. This paper reviews social studies education literature in view of making the case for specialized support programs for beginning secondary social studies teachers. The authors argue that creating a teacher education continuum that includes induction programs would strengthen both teaching and research in social studies education. In addition, the authors discuss one pilot program for beginning secondary social studies teachers, including program elements and participant responses.
Integrating development of task and object models

integration process can be contrasted to the notion of scenarios used in other design methods. They are similar to instances of use-cases [5], in that they capture a single thread of execution in a given usage context. However, they are more elaborate than usecase instances because they narrate not only the interaction events but also the experience of the user(s)—the usage goals, expectations, and reactions that convey information about the system’s usefulness and usability [3]. User interaction scenarios are also similar to the task descriptions developed and analyzed in cooperative design [7], but focus less on organizational relationships and workflow, and more on users’ cognitive activities. Our approach offers a specific technique for
The Effect of Neural Noise on Spike Time Precision in a Detailed CA3 Neuron Model

Experimental and computational studies emphasize the role of the millisecond precision of neuronal spike times as an important coding mechanism for transmitting and representing information in the central nervous system. We investigate the spike time precision of a multicompartmental pyramidal neuron model of the CA3 region of the hippocampus under the influence of various sources of neuronal noise. We describe differences in the contribution to noise originating from voltage-gated ion channels, synaptic vesicle release, and vesicle quantal size. We analyze the effect of interspike intervals and the voltage course preceding the firing of spikes on the spike-timing jitter. The main finding of this study is the ranking of different noise sources according to their contribution to spike time precision. The most influential is synaptic vesicle release noise, causing the spike jitter to vary from 1 ms to 7 ms of a mean value 2.5 ms. Of second importance was the noise incurred by vesicle quantal size variation causing the spike time jitter to vary from 0.03 ms to 0.6 ms. Least influential was the voltage-gated channel noise generating spike jitter from 0.02 ms to 0.15 ms.
The marginalisation of children by the legal process

A major study carried out in the Melbourne Children's Court, Victoria, Australia, during 1993–1995, of the factors that influence magistrates' decision-making in child abuse cases, found that magistrates relied more on their legal training and individual discretion than on information from the child protection service when making these decisions. Magistrates' emphasis on adversarial procedures meant that the need to establish the facts in a case was the court's primary consideration and that children's interests, and welfare concerns about them, were marginalised in the hearing of child abuse matters. The article reports on this aspect of the larger study: how the adversarial process ill serves the rights, and best interests, of children in the hearing of child abuse matters and provides case examples to illustrate this. The information is drawn from the qualitative and quantitative data gathered for the major study; data collected from the observation of court hearings, interviews with magistrates and court record analysis.
Camera pose estimation using Visual Servoing for aerial video change detection

Aerial image change detection is highly dependent on the accuracy of camera pose and may be subject to false alarms caused by misregistrations. In this paper, we present a novel pose estimation approach based on Visual Servoing that combines aerial videos with 3D models. Firstly, we introduce a formulation that relates image registration with the poses of a moving camera observing a 3D plane. Then, we combine this formulation with Newton's algorithm in order to estimate camera poses in a given aerial video. Finally, we present and discuss experimental results which demonstrate the robustness and the accuracy of our method.