Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Toward an Interactive Analogy Model of Reading Development: Decoding Vowel Graphemes in Beginning Reading

Abstract Three experiments on beginning readers′ ability to decode vowel graphemes are presented and are used to test an interactive analogy model of reading development. According to this model, children come to school with phonological knowledge about onsets and rimes, and this phonological knowledge plays an important role in setting up orthographic recognition units for words when they begin learning to read. So these orthographic recognition units are linked to phonological segments of the words as well as to their corresponding entries in the mental lexicon. One way of testing this model is to study vowel decoding, as according to the model pronunciations for vowel graphemes should originally be coded as part of the rime. For example, the pronunciation of the vowel grapheme u in the word bug should be initially coded as the rime ug . The nature of this coding can be studied by looking at transfer. Children who have set up an orthographic recognition unit for bug should show transfer to new words that share entire rimes with bug (e.g., rug ), but not to words that share vowel graphemes only (e.g., cup ). Three experiments examined such contrasts with progressively more complex single-syllable words and progressively older readers. Experiment 1 found that beginning readers only transferred pronunciations corresponding to rimes in words (e.g., bug - rug ). Experiment 2 found that as reading progressed, pronunciations for vowel graphemes and onset-vowel units were also transferred (e.g., beak - heap , beak - bean ). Experiment 3 supported this finding, but showed that vowel grapheme transfer was restricted to vowel digraphs for 7-year-old readers.
Surgery is not indicated for the treatment of premature ejaculation

Premature ejaculation (PE) is considered the most common male sexual disorder, affecting up to 75% of men at some point in their lives. While medical management is the mainstay of therapy, surgical options such as dorsal nerve neurectomy (DNN), hyaluronic acid (HA) gel glans penis augmentation, and circumcision have been studied as alternative forms of treatment. Preliminary studies have suggested that DNN and HA gel glans penis augmentation are relatively safe and effective, but due to a lack of large, multicenter, randomized-control trials with long-term follow-up, the International Society of Sexual Medicine (ISSM) has been unable to endorse DNN or HA gel glans penis augmentation as options in the treatment of PE. Conflicting data regarding the efficacy and safety of circumcision has similarly led to its exclusion from ISSM recommendations for the treatment of PE. Ethical concerns, particularly the fundamental concept of non-maleficence, are also barriers to the implementation of surgery for PE.
Sudden disturbance suppression control considering constraints for high-precision stage using Reference Governor

Reference Governor (RG) is a control method used in add-on control schemes in closed-loop systems to supervise reference signals and enforce constraints. Although previous studies of RG have mainly discussed a command tracking performance, a disturbance suppression performance has been rarely discussed. This paper proposes a novel control method based on RG to suppress the effect of sudden disturbance. Simulations and experiments are performed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Children's play narrative responses to hypothetical dilemmas and their awareness of moral emotions

Five-year-old children's moral development was assessed using a projective doll-play technique (the MacArthur Story Stem Battery; MSSB), an emotion-understanding task, concurrent maternal reports of behaviour problems and child performance in a cheating task. Three narrative scales were derived from the children's MSSB play themes: a non-physical punishment scale, a prosocial scale and an antisocial scale. Thechildren's use of non-physical discipliningthemes was related to their awareness of moral emotions. The antisocial and prosocial narrative scales were related to concurrent maternal ratings of externalizing and internalizing problems, respectively. Although the emotions children anticipated in the emotion-understanding task did not predict behaviour in the cheating task, their justifications for the different emotions tended to do so, as did the prosocial play narrative scale. The findings suggest a degree of coherence across the assessments of moral development, and are discussed with reference to children's script-based understanding.
Working area, safety zones, and angles of approach for posterior C-1 lateral mass screw placement: a quantitative anatomical and morphometric evaluation.

OBJECT The authors measured relevant quantitative anatomical parameters to define safety zones for the placement of C-1 posterior screws. METHODS Nineteen linear, two angular, and four surface parameters of 20 dried atlantal specimens were evaluated. The Optotrak 3020 system was used to define the working area. Ideal angles for screw positioning were measured using digital radiographs and a free image-processing program. Six silicone-injected cadaveric heads were dissected bilaterally to study related neurovascular anatomy. The depth (range 5.2-9.4 mm, mean 7.2 +/- 1.1 mm) and width (range 5.2-8.1 mm, mean 6.5 +/- 0.9 mm) of the transverse foramen varied considerably among specimens. The mean posterior working area was 43.3 mm2. All specimens accommodated 3.5-mm-diameter screws, and 93% accepted 4-mm-diameter screws. In 10 specimens (50%), partial removal of the posterior arch was necessary to accommodate a 4-mm screw. The mean maximum angle of medialization was 16.7 +/- 1.3 degrees; the mean maximum superior angulation was 21.7 +/- 4.7 degrees. CONCLUSIONS The anatomical configuration of the atlas and vertebral artery (VA) varied considerably among the cadaveric specimens. The heights of the C-1 pedicle, posterior arch, and posterior lamina determine the posterior working area available for screw placement. The inferior insertion of the posterior arch may have to be drilled to increase this working area, but doing so risks injury to the VA. A dense venous plexus with multiple anastomoses may cover the screw entry site, potentially obscuring the operative view and increasing the risk of hemorrhage.
A Structural Equation Modeling Evaluation of the General Model of Instructional Communication

The General Model of Instructional Communication introduced by McCroskey, Valencic, and Richmond (2004) is supported in its original conception by canonical data. This study, however, uses structural equation modeling (SEM) to provide a more detailed analysis. Although the model as originally hypothesized fits the data poorly, analysis of the SEM results suggests adjustments to the original model that substantially improve the model's fit. The revised model accounts for significant portions of the variance in the outcome variables, provides a more detailed explanation of the relationships involved, and has implications for future research. Bootstrapped parameter estimates suggest that the results are replicable.
The ideal neighbourhood for ageing in place as perceived by frail and non-frail community-dwelling older people

ABSTRACT Due to demographic changes and a widely supported policy of ageing in place, the number of community-dwelling older people will increase immensely. Thus, supportive neighbourhoods enabling older people to age in place successfully are required. Using Q-methodology, we examined older people's perceptions of the comparative importance of neighbourhood characteristics for ageing in place. Based on the World Health Organization's Global Age-friendly Cities guide, we developed 26 statements about physical and social neighbourhood characteristics. Thirty-two older people in Rotterdam, half of whom were frail, rank-ordered these statements. Q-factor analysis revealed three distinct viewpoints each among frail and non-frail older people. Comparisons within and between groups are discussed. Although both frail and non-frail older people strongly desired a neighbourhood enabling them to age in place, they have divergent views on such a neighbourhood. Older people's dependence on the neighbourhood seems to be dynamic, affected by changing social and physical conditions and levels of frailty.
Yes, No, Visibility, and Variation in ASL and Tactile ASL

In American Sign Language (ASL), a receiver watches the signer and receives language visually. In contrast, when using tactile ASL, a variety of ASL, the deaf-blind receiver receives language by placing a hand on top of the signerâs hand. In the study described in this article we compared the functions and frequency of the signs YES and #NO in tactile ASL and visual ASL. We found that YES and/or #NO were used for twelve functions in both. There was, however, some variation. In one environment YES occurred in tactile ASL but not in visual ASL. With regard to frequency, the two signs occurred far more often in tactile ASL. Unexpectedly, significant variation was also found within visual ASL, depending on the number of interviewees in a session. YES and #NO were used more frequently with two or more interviewees and less often when only one interviewee was present. These findings led us to the concept of a "visibility continuum" to account for the variation between visual and tactile ASL, as well as for the variation within visual ASL. The data also reveal variation in tactile ASL that correlates with role and gender, as well as the age at which a participant started using tactile ASL (i.e., similar to age-of-acquisition effects).
Perception of Social Change and Psychological Well‐Being: A Study Focusing on Social Change in Korea Between 1997 and 2000

Focusing on the subjective perception of scope, pace, and evaluation of social change, this study investigated how social change is related to psychological well-being. A theoretical model based on the transactional model of stress was built and tested with the data drawn from Korea using structural equation modeling. The results illustrate that the perceived scope and pace of social change were negatively related to psychological well-being through the mediation of the evaluation of social change, which also mediated the relationship between coping resources and psychological well-being. Coping resources also buffered the influence of perceived social change on psychological well-being. The findings suggest that the subjective perception of social change is a crucial stress factor in understanding psychological well-being.
Unusual photoemission spectral function of quasi-one-dimensional metals.

We have carried out high-resolution photoemission experiments on two quasi-one-dimensional compounds: K0.3MoO3 and (TaSe4)2I. In both systems, a metal-insulator transition associated with a lattice distortion is reported. We show that the Fermi-step characteristic of a metallic phase is not observed above the Peierls temperature. As this Fermi step is always observed in higher-dimensional metals, we propose that this behavior results from the singular properties of one-dimensional systems and we suggest different mechanisms in order to explain this striking result.
Children's Perceptions of Brazilian Cerrado Landscapes and Biodiversity

In this study, the author evaluated Brazilian students' environmental perceptions of Cerrado (savanna-like vegetation). The author administered tests of knowledge and perception of the Cerrado biome's wildlife to students of different social classes. The students (age range: 11-17 years) generally exhibited low identification with the region, and few differences were observed among the appraised groups. Students who had more contact with the region's natural landscapes showed greater affection for it. The results are discussed in context of the focus on the Cerrado in schools and in textbooks and of the students' perceptions of the region. The author also discusses the role of schools in efforts to conserve the Cerrado.
Functional effect of point mutations in the α‐folate receptor gene of CABA I ovarian carcinoma cells

The α‐folate receptor (αFR) is overexpressed in 90% of nonmucinous ovarian carcinomas. In addition to the known role of αFR binding and mediating the internalization of folates, functional interaction of αFR with signaling molecules was recently shown. To identify a model to study the role of αFR in ovarian carcinoma, we characterized the αFR gene in the ovarian carcinoma cell line CABA I in comparison to a reference line, IGROV1. In CABA I cells, Northern blot analysis revealed an αFR transcript of the expected length and FACS analysis indicated receptor expression on the cell membrane; however, RNase protection assay revealed no specific signals. Southern blot and genomic PCR analysis suggested the presence of a rearrangement(s) involving the 5′ region of the gene in CABA I cells as compared to IGROV1 cells. Cloning and sequencing of CABA I αFR cDNA revealed several point mutations. The partitioning of αFR in membrane microdomains from CABA I cells and its association with regulatory molecules was comparable to that of IGROV1 cells. By contrast, the αFR expressed on the CABA I cell membrane bound folic acid with lower affinity, and ectopic expression of the corresponding cDNA in CHO cells confirmed impaired folic acid binding. Thus, CABA I cells may provide a tool to delineate functional domains of the αFR. J. Cell. Biochem. 81:488–498, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Characteristics of Schools Successful in STEM: Evidence from Two States’ Longitudinal Data

ABSTRACT Present federal education policies promote learning in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and the participation of minority students in these fields. Using longitudinal data on students in Florida and North Carolina, value-added estimates in mathematics and science are generated to categorize schools into performance levels and identify differences in school STEM measures by performance levels. Several STEM-relevant variables show a significant association with effectiveness in mathematics and science, including STEM teacher turnover, calculus and early algebra participation, and mathematics and science instructional indices created from survey items in the data. Surprisingly, a negative association between students’ STEM course participation and success in STEM is consistently documented across both states, in addition to low participation of underrepresented minority students in successful schools in STEM.
Investigating the role of bilingual teaching assistants in Hong Kong: an exploratory study

Background: Recent government initiatives in Hong Kong have focused on raising the participation of students from South Asian backgrounds in mainstream schools, to encourage their further integration into Hong Kong's educational system and society. These students' learning in mainstream schools takes place within the context of the central curriculum and, thus, students face the challenge of learning Chinese as an additional language. Mainstream schools sometimes provide additional support, including the provision of bilingual teaching assistants to address the specific needs of the students from South Asian backgrounds. Purpose: This exploratory study aims to investigate the roles of bilingual teaching assistants in Hong Kong. Method: Interviews were held with two bilingual teaching assistants from the South Asian community in Hong Kong who were working in a mainstream secondary school. Teachers from the school were also interviewed. Open-ended interview questions focused on perceptions of the roles and responsibilities of bilingual teaching assistants in Chinese-language-medium classes. The data were analysed to identify any emergent patterns and themes. Findings: The research findings indicate that the bilingual teaching assistants from the South Asian community not only took on the role of helping the learners from South Asian backgrounds in Chinese language acquisition, but also acted as cultural mediators between mainstream school culture and the culture of the South Asian community in Hong Kong. Conclusions: This small-scale exploratory research study suggests the importance of the role of bilingual teaching assistants in promoting equal access to quality education for ethnic minorities in Hong Kong.
Metrics of Arterial Hyperoxia and Associated Outcomes in Critical Care*

Objective: Emerging evidence has shown the potential risks of arterial hyperoxia, but the lack of a clinical definition and methodologic limitations hamper the interpretation and clinical relevance of previous studies. Our purpose was to evaluate previously used and newly constructed metrics of arterial hyperoxia and systematically assess their association with clinical outcomes in different subgroups in the ICU. Design: Observational cohort study. Setting: Three large tertiary care ICUs in the Netherlands. Patients: A total of 14,441 eligible ICU patients. Interventions: None. Measurements and Main Results: In total, 295,079 arterial blood gas analyses, including the PaO2, between July 2011 and July 2014 were extracted from the patient data management system database. Data from all admissions with more than one PaO2 measurement were supplemented with anonymous demographic and admission and discharge data from the Dutch National Intensive Care Evaluation registry. Mild hyperoxia was defined as PaO2 between 120 and 200 mm Hg; severe hyperoxia as PaO2 greater than 200 mm Hg. Characteristics of existing and newly constructed metrics for arterial hyperoxia were examined, and the associations with hospital mortality (primary outcome), ICU mortality, and ventilator-free days and alive at day 28 were retrospectively analyzed using regression models in different subgroups of patients. Severe hyperoxia was associated with higher mortality rates and fewer ventilator-free days in comparison to both mild hyperoxia and normoxia for all metrics except for the worst PaO2. Adjusted effect estimates for conditional mortality were larger for severe hyperoxia than for mild hyperoxia. This association was found both within and beyond the first 24 hours of admission and was consistent for large subgroups. The largest point estimates were found for the exposure identified by the average PaO2, closely followed by the median PaO2, and these estimates differed substantially between subsets. Time spent in hyperoxia showed a linear and positive relationship with hospital mortality. Conclusions: Our results suggest that we should limit the PaO2 levels of critically ill patients within a safe range, as we do with other physiologic variables. Analytical metrics of arterial hyperoxia should be judiciously considered when interpreting and comparing study results and future studies are needed to validate our findings in a randomized fashion design.
Predicting Smartphone Battery Life based on Comprehensive and Real-time Usage Data

Smartphones and smartphone apps have undergone an explosive growth in the past decade. However, smartphone battery technology hasn't been able to keep pace with the rapid growth of the capacity and the functionality of smartphones and apps. As a result, battery has always been a bottleneck of a user's daily experience of smartphones. An accurate estimation of the remaining battery life could tremendously help the user to schedule their activities and use their smartphones more efficiently. Existing studies on battery life prediction have been primitive due to the lack of real-world smartphone usage data at scale. This paper presents a novel method that uses the state-of-the-art machine learning models for battery life prediction, based on comprehensive and real-time usage traces collected from smartphones. The proposed method is the first that identifies and addresses the severe data missing problem in this context, using a principled statistical metric called the concordance index. The method is evaluated using a dataset collected from 51 users for 21 months, which covers comprehensive and fine-grained smartphone usage traces including system status, sensor indicators, system events, and app status. We find that the remaining battery life of a smartphone can be accurately predicted based on how the user uses the device at the real-time, in the current session, and in history. The machine learning models successfully identify predictive features for battery life and their applicable scenarios.
Confocal microscopy for astrocyte in vivo imaging: Recycle and reuse in microscopy

In vivo imaging is one of the ultimate and fundamental approaches for the study of the brain. Two-photon laser scanning microscopy (2PLSM) constitutes the state-of-the-art technique in current neuroscience to address questions regarding brain cell structure, development and function, blood flow regulation and metabolism. This technique evolved from laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM), which impacted the field with a major improvement in image resolution of live tissues in the 1980s compared to widefield microscopy. While nowadays some of the unparalleled features of 2PLSM make it the tool of choice for brain studies in vivo, such as the possibility to image deep within a tissue, LSCM can still be useful in this matter. Here we discuss the validity and limitations of LSCM and provide a guide to perform high-resolution in vivo imaging of the brain of live rodents with minimal mechanical disruption employing LSCM. We describe the surgical procedure and experimental setup that allowed us to record intracellular calcium variations in astrocytes evoked by sensory stimulation, and to monitor intact neuronal dendritic spines and astrocytic processes as well as blood vessel dynamics. Therefore, in spite of certain limitations that need to be carefully considered, LSCM constitutes a useful, convenient, and affordable tool for brain studies in vivo.
The Impact of Participating in a Poetry Workshop

Poetry writing is a creative activity and, as such, may contribute to intervention. The aim of this study was to explore the impact of poetry writing on individuals who had experienced mental health problems in the past. A qualitative approach, that of grounded theory, was used, including observations of a poetry writing group and in-depth semi-structured interviews with two group participants who had a previous history of mental health problems. The main categories that emerged during data analysis were creation, communication, connection and awareness; these categories were unified by a central concept of personal meaning. The findings suggest that poetry writing creates and communicates meaning. In addition, internal connection (with self) and external connection (with others) may be facilitated through the communication of poetry. Communication and experiences of connection can lead to a greater awareness of self and others. Personal meaning is central to human life in symbolisation processes, which contribute to identity building. The positive and negative impacts on mental health through the writing of poetry and participating in a group were identified. This is a small study and the findings are valid only in the immediate context of the study, but it provides a basis for further research.