Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Beyond the books: case study of a collaborative and holistic support model for university students with Asperger syndrome

This article reflects on the experience of one UK higher education institution in its efforts to develop more effective support mechanisms for the growing numbers of students with Asperger syndrome and autism, in collaboration with a specialist support organisation. Case studies are used to illustrate the complex needs of this group of students. The authors found that this collaborative model was useful in enabling a very stretched student support service to offer an individualised and holistic model of support, in keeping with the needs associated with Asperger syndrome and autism. It is proposed that the model described here, although not without its own limitations, follows the best practice guidance laid down by the UK Disability Discrimination Act, and could be beneficial to students with other disabilities. Of particular note is the need for student support services to view pastoral, non‐academic support as being central to the support that they offer.
Evidence That the Presence of a Half‐Sibling Negatively Impacts a Child's Personal Development

This paper examines the relationship between a child's family structure and his or her development. While most prior research in this area has defined a child's family structure according to his or her relationship to adults in the household, this study examines the relationship of the child to not only adults but also other children in the household. We provide evidence that half-siblings brought into the household from previous relationships affect the well-being of children born into a subsequent marriage who live with both of their biological parents. Stepchildren and children living with both biological parents exhibited more behavior problems and scored worse on reading achievement tests when half-siblings were present. In contrast, stepchildren living without half-siblings in the home fared no worse than biological children without half-siblings. These results not only highlight a previously overlooked at-risk group (children living with half-siblings brought into the household from a parent's prior relationship), but they also illustrate the potential ramifications of classifying children into family structures based on their individual relationship with the householders, rather than based on the family types. The authors illustrate the relevance of these findings to current policy-making decisions regarding marriage promotion policies and child support legislation. Copyright © 2008 American Journal of Economics and Sociology, Inc.
Effect of nifedipine on cardiovascular responses to laryngoscopy and intubation.

The efficacy of sublingual nifedipine in attenuating the pressor responses to laryngoscopy and intubation was studied in 40 patients undergoing elective surgery. Anaesthesia was induced with thiopentone 5.5 mg kg-1 i.v. and tracheal intubation was facilitated with suxamethonium 1.5 mg kg-1 i.v. Patients were allocated randomly to receive sublingual nifedipine 10 mg or placebo capsules 10 min before induction. Patients receiving placebo capsule showed significant increases in heart rate and arterial pressure associated with tracheal intubation (P less than 0.001). The increases in arterial pressure and rate-pressure product were reduced in nifedipine treated patients (P less than 0.001). Heart rate increased significantly in both groups immediately after intubation.
Temperament and the self-organization of personality

Abstract This paper explores the development of cortical plasticity and cognitive representations in light of temperamental differences in basic motivational systems. Motivational systems related to reward/approach and punishment/avoidance begin to function early in life. By controlling the child's behavioral and emotional reactions, these systems provide exteroceptive and interoceptive information capable of stabilizing cortical synapses through use-dependent processes. By controlling attention, the motivational systems further contribute to synaptic stabilization through modulatory processes. As a result, children with strong reward/approach systems are likely to develop representations that emphasize potential rewards and frustrations and may become vulnerable to impulsive disorders. Children with strong punishment/avoidance systems may develop representations emphasizing punishment and relief, along with a vulnerability to anxiety disorders. These motivationally constructed representations differentiate in varied ways across domains involving the physical world, moral rules, and the self and, thus, contribute to the various forms of impulsive and anxious psychopathology.
Mapping the Super‐Whale: Towards a Mobile Ethnography of Situated Globalities

Abstract In empirical discussion on global connections, frequent allusions are made to Michael Burawoy’s ‘global’ and George Marcus’ ‘multi‐sited’ ethnographies. While both have inspired transnational fieldwork, neither methodological approach has sufficiently analysed the local‐global dichotomy embedded at their core. Drawing on actor‐network theory (ANT), this article suggests an alternative framework for mobile ethnography, better suited to a social world conceived in network‐relational terms. Employing metaphors of mobility, scale‐making, and cartography, an empirically driven approach to situated and plural ‘globalities’ is outlined. These claims are developed drawing on the author’s inquiries into Japanese whaling practices, showing how ‘ethno‐socio‐cartography’ can contribute to the mapping of global‐scale micro‐cosmoses.
Two-factor conceptualization of psychopathy: construct validity and assessment implications

Two correlated factors have been identified in the Psychopathy Checklist (PCL), a valide and reliable instrument for the assessment of psychopathy in male prison populations. Factor 1 measures a selfish, remorseless, and exploitative use of others, and Factor 2 measures a chronically unstable and antisocial life-style. We examined the psychometric properties of the factor solutions and a variety of correlates of the two factors
A Telerobotic System for Transnasal Surgery

Mechanics-based models of concentric tube continuum robots have recently achieved a level of sophistication that makes it possible to begin to apply these robots to a variety of real-world clinical scenarios. Endonasal skull base surgery is one such application, where their small diameter and tentacle-like dexterity are particularly advantageous. In this paper, we provide the medical motivation for an endonasal surgical robot featuring concentric tube manipulators, and describe our model-based design and teleoperation methods, as well as a complete system incorporating image guidance. Experimental demonstrations using a laparoscopic training task, a cadaver reachability study, and a phantom tumor resection experiment illustrate that both novice and expert users can effectively teleoperate the system, and that skull base surgeons can use the robot to achieve their objectives in a realistic surgical scenario.
The Career Plans of Science-Talented Rural Adolescent Girls

Relations between parent attitudes, intrinsic value of science, peer support, available activities, and preference for future science careers were examined for science-talented, rural, adolescent females. Two hundred and twenty 9th-12th-grade girls and their mothers responded to questionnaires about science courses, plans for future courses and college majors, perceptions of the girls’ abilities in science, and numerous supports and deterrents for continued interest in science areas. Current intrinsic interest in science was most strongly related to preferring a science career, but previous experiences with science (measured by grade in school, science GPA, friends’ support for science, and extracurricular science activities) and socializers’ attitudes (measured by mothers’ perceptions of the value of science for women and of their daughters’ abilities) were also related. The discussion highlights the importance of providing activities and other supports to maintain girls’ interests in science in a rural environment.
Automatic segmentation of Optic Pathway Gliomas in MRI

This paper presents an automatic method for the segmentation of Optic Pathway Gliomas (OPGs) from multi-spectral MRI datasets. The method starts with the automatic localization of the OPG and its core with an anatomical tumor atlas followed by a binary voxel classification with a probabilistic tissue model whose parameters are estimated from MR images. The method effectively incorporates prior location, shape, and intensity information to accurately identify the sharp OPG boundaries and to delineate in a consistent and repeatable manner the OPG contours that cannot be clearly distinguished on conventional MR images. Our experimental study on 15 datasets yield a mean surface distance error of 0.67mm and mean volume overlap difference of 28.6% as compared to manual segmentation by an expert radiologist. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first method that addresses automatic OPG segmentation.
Effect of coupling agent on PD resistivity of unsaturated polyester - alumina nano-composites

Partial discharges occur in medium and high voltage insulation systems which result in the degradation of the system and lowers performance life. Research on methods to lower partial discharges or contain harmful effects of this phenomenon is of utmost importance. The use of coupling agents has shown to increase the performance of composite systems with respect to the erosion resistance in the case of epoxy composites as well as increase overall performance of composites. The present study focuses on a nano-alumina unsaturated polyester composite system with respect to the effect of particle and coupling agent concentration on the erosion resistance, mechanical and thermal properties. It was observed that an optimum nano-alumina concentration was observed below 1.0 parts per hundred resin (phr) and concentration of coupling agent at 100 parts per hundred of nano-particle. It was observed that along with an increase in the erosion resistance of the composites the overall mechanical and thermal properties were seen to increase. The decrease in performance of composites at higher concentrations of coupling agent and particles was caused due to a lowering of crosslink density of the resultant composites.
Using Computerised Observation as a Tool for Capturing Classroom Interaction

Over the past few years, the authors have developed a computerised system that records interaction between teachers and pupils in the primary classroom. Our Classroom Interaction System (CIS) is able to log the frequency and duration of several different types of discourse. The CIS represents a move away from the paper and pencil techniques, and labour-intensive video transcription traditionally used in this field. The system is mobile, easy to internalise, adaptable, and allows the researcher to capture interaction between teachers and pupils real-time. This paper will outline these advantages. Along with these benefits, however, there are complexities and dilemmas. This paper will discuss a number of methodological issues that represent real obstacles in the quest for a valid and reliable tool for quantifying interaction in the classroom. We will also discuss the potential for this system in a wider range of educational contexts.
Spoken language samples of New Zealand children in conversation and narration

A New Zealand (NZ) database has been created comprising conversational and narrative spoken language samples from 268 children aged between 4;5 and 7;6 years. This paper addresses several questions related to the development and validation of the database and provides a comparison of this NZ database with an American database of language samples. Analyses of the spoken language samples contained in the database revealed a clear developmental trend of increasing syntactic complexity, semantic diversity and verbal productivity with increasing age of the participants. In addition, elicitation context for the language samples had a significant impact on language production measures obtained. The narrative language sampling contexts elicited more syntactically complex language samples. To ascertain if the New Zealand database is useful in identifying children with language impairment, oral narrative transcripts from 21 children with identified reading comprehension difficulties and mild spoken language impairment were compared to the database. The results indicated that the database was sensitive to language impairment. These children showed a much higher incidence of errors at word-level and generally produced shorter sentences compared to the language samples in the database. Comparisons between the NZ and American databases of language samples revealed that six-year-old NZ children showed stronger expressive language skills than the American children.
Purification and characterization of gibberellic Acid-induced cysteine endoproteases in barley aleurone layers.

Using in series ammonium sulfate precipitation, gel filtration, and DEAE anion exchange high performance liquid chromatography, we have purified to homogeneity a protease of M(r) 37,000 secreted from barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv Himalaya) embryoless half-seeds. This protease exists in three isozymic forms whose synthesis and secretion from barley aleurone layers was shown to be a gibberellic acid (GA(3))-dependent process (R Hammerton, T-HD Ho 1986 Plant Physiol 80: 692-697). This protease constitutes a major portion of the protease activity secreted from half-seeds between 72 to 96 hours of incubation in the presence of GA(3) as detected on activity gels containing hemoglobin as the substrate. Analysis of digestion products by urea/sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and gel filtration indicated that this protease is an endoprotease, therefore it is designated as barley endoprotease-A (EP-A). Inhibitor studies demonstrated that EP-A belongs to the cysteine class of endoproteases. The optimum pH for EP-A activity was 5.0, and the temperature optimum was 45 degrees C. Comparison of cyanogen bromide generated peptide fragments and NH(2)-terminal sequence analyses of the three individual EP-A isozymes demonstrates that they are very similar to each other. The NH(2)-terminal sequence shows extensive sequence homology to the NH(2)-terminal sequence of papain and several other cysteine proteinases. We also provide evidence that EP-A is not ;aleurain,' a putative cysteine proteinase encoded by a GA(3)-induced barley cDNA clone (JC Rogers, D Dean, GR Heck 1985 Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 82:6512-6516).
Echographic examination with new generation contrast agent of choroidal malignant melanomas.

PURPOSE To determine the efficacy of echography with new generation contrast agents in visualizing vascularization of choroidal malignant melanomas. METHODS An echographic contrast medium consisting of phospholipidic microbubbles filled with sulphur hexafluoride (Sonovue) was used to visualize microcirculation in 25 cases of choroidal lesions already diagnosed with standardized echography (21 choroidal malignant melanomas, four disciform lesions). RESULTS In untreated malignant melanomas contrast agent echography revealed the presence of a dense microcirculation inside the mass. In one case vitreal seeding of the contrast agent was detectable before enucleation and histological examination revealed the presence of tumoral cells. In 12 cases treated with transpupillary thermotherapy, contrast agent echographic evaluation showed heavy regression of microcirculation after 1 week, confirmed in one case by histology, and a reduction of 70-80% in dimensions after 6 months (which appeared to have stabilized at subsequent examinations). In four cases treated with proton beam brachytherapy 2 years prior to our examination, contrast agent echography showed the absence of a microvascular network and the presence of large vessels and blood lakes. In four cases of disciform lesion, deep and superficial retina-associated vascularization was observed, with a weak spread of contrast agent inside the lesion. CONCLUSION Live representation with good resolution of choroidal malignant melanoma microcirculation was obtained.
Direction- and distance-dependent interareal connectivity of pyramidal cell subpopulations in the rat frontal cortex

The frontal cortex plays an important role in the initiation and execution of movements via widespread projections to various cortical and subcortical areas. Layer 2/3 (L2/3) pyramidal cells in the frontal cortex send axons mainly to other ipsilateral/contralateral cortical areas. Subpopulations of layer 5 (L5) pyramidal cells that selectively project to the pontine nuclei or to the contralateral cortex [commissural (COM) cells] also target diverse and sometimes overlapping ipsilateral cortical areas. However, little is known about target area-dependent participation in ipsilateral corticocortical (iCC) connections by subclasses of L2/3 and L5 projection neurons. To better understand the functional hierarchy between cortical areas, we compared iCC connectivity between the secondary motor cortex (M2) and adjacent areas, such as the orbitofrontal and primary motor cortices, and distant non-frontal areas, such as the perirhinal and posterior parietal cortices. We particularly assessed the laminar distribution of iCC cells and fibers, and identified the subtypes of pyramidal cells participating in those projections. For connections between M2 and frontal areas, L2/3 and L5 cells in both areas contributed to reciprocal projections, which can be viewed as “bottom-up” or “top-down” on the basis of their differential targeting of cortical lamina. In connections between M2 and non-frontal areas, neurons participating in bottom-up and top-down projections were segregated into the different layers: bottom-up projections arose primarily from L2/3 cells, while top-down projections were dominated by L5 COM cells. These findings suggest that selective participation in iCC connections by pyramidal cell subtypes lead to directional connectivity between M2 and other cortical areas. Based on these findings, we propose a provisional unified framework of interareal hierarchy within the frontal cortex, and discuss the interaction of local circuits with long-range interareal connections.
Assessing and Improving Accessibility of Public Accommodations in an Urban Latino Community

This study was designed to assess and promote compliance with the public accommodations provisions (Title III) of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in an urban Latino community. Title III of the ADA requires the removal of physical barriers that prohibit people with disabilities from entering public establishments and accessing their goods and services. An educational intervention was used, whereby the physical accessibility of 38 establishments was assessed. Following this baseline assessment, culturally competent ADA information and feedback were either mailed or personally presented to the owners and managers of these establishments. After at least 4 months, the physical accessibility of these establishments was reassessed. Results indicated that from baseline to reassessment, the establishments averaged one accessibility improvement per site. Presenting ADA information and feedback in person was more likely to lead to accessibility improvements than was mailing these materials. When establishments were assessed by a person with a visible disability, owners and managers were not significantly more likely to make accessibility improvements than when the assessor had no visible disability. However, prior contact with people with disabilities was positively related to improving accessibility. Reasons for not making accessibility improvements included misconceptions and misinformation about the ADA and people with disabilities. Overall results indicate the usefulness of face- to-face feedback and prior contact with people with disabilities in efforts to increase the physical accessibility of public accommodations.
Applying Theories of Person-Environment Fit to the Transition From School to Work

This article describes potential contributions of theories of person-environment fit to understanding of the transition from school to work. The authors review basic assumptions of person-environment fit theories and how the theories can be applied to the school-to-work transition. An earlier version of this article was presented by the senior author at the 1997 annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, Chicago, Illinois.
Timing synchronization of low power wireless sensor nodes with largely differing clock frequencies and variable synchronization intervals

In this paper a novel synchronization method for wireless sensor networks with star topology is presented. We address timing synchronization using low frequency real-time clocks in all nodes. A beacon-driven TDMA-protocol for bidirectional node/base communication is used. Between the beacons, which are sent by the base station, lie the superframe time intervals to handle data transmission from node to base. We discuss the protocol and its energy saving advantages including the challenges of synchronization. We reduce the required communication for synchronization based on long term synchronicity of the node to save energy. Due to the individual node clock, the accurate superframe time interval usually will consist of a rational number of clock ticks. We propose to use a ΔΣ-converter to generate a sequence of superframes with different time durations, but each consisting of integer multiples of clock ticks, which - on average - achieve the accurate superframe duration for any rational number of clock ticks. We show by theory and measurements that our novel approach leads to a variance of the synchronization error which is constant at a value of 0.25 clock cycles. The variance is independent of the rate at which the nodes listen to the beacon of the base station.
Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and apolipoprotein E gene polymorphisms and diabetic angiopathy.

BACKGROUND A point mutation in the plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) gene and a three-allelic variation in the apolipoprotein-E (ApoE) gene have been suggested as risk factors for the development of diabetic micro- and macrovascular complications. METHODS We studied 198 type 1 diabetic patients with diabetic nephropathy [121 men, age (mean+/-SD) 41+/-10 years, diabetes duration 28+/-8 years] and 192 patients with persistent normoalbuminuria (118 men, age 43+/-10 years, diabetes duration 27+/-9 years). RESULTS Male patients with nephropathy had elevated plasma PAI-1 levels [geometric mean (95% CI)], 70 (62-79) ng/ml, compared with normoalbuminuric men, 43 (38-47) ng/ml, P<0.001. Even though nephropathic patients with the 4G4G genotype tended to have higher plasma PAI-1 levels, P=0.06, no difference in allele frequency (4G/5G) was seen between patients with and without nephropathy: 0.538/0.462 vs 0.539/0.461, respectively. Nor did ApoE allele frequencies (epsilon2/epsilon3/epsilon4) differ between nephropathic and normoalbuminuric patients: 0.099/0.749/0. 152 vs 0.081/0.745/0.174, respectively. Genotype distributions were also similar, n.s. Coronary heart disease was more prevalent (36%) among nephropathic patients carrying the atherogenic epsilon4-allele compared with 12% in patients with the epsilon3,epsilon3 genotype, P<0.001. No associations between diabetic retinopathy and PAI-1 or ApoE polymorphisms were observed, n.s. CONCLUSIONS The ApoE polymorphism may accelerate the development of coronary heart disease often seen in Caucasian patients with type 1 diabetes and diabetic nephropathy, a condition characterized by elevated plasma PAI-1 in men. Neither the PAI-1 nor the ApoE gene polymorphism contributes to the genetic susceptibility to diabetic nephropathy or retinopathy.