Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Using BDS SNR Observations to Measure Near-Surface Soil Moisture Fluctuations: Results From Low Vegetated Surface

The feasibility of using China’s Beidou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) data for estimating soil moisture is demonstrated in this letter. Previous studies for the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) multipath for estimating soil moisture have concentrated on the Global Positioning System (GPS) SNR data. The SNR data recorded by BDS receivers can also be strongly impacted by the relative permittivity, which however, has not been comprehensively investigated. This letter used a commercially available geodetic-quality BDS/GPS receiver to collect BDS SNR data on both B1 and B2 frequencies. Two methods were investigated to demonstrate the relationship between BDS SNR metrics and soil moisture. One was the phase method proposed by Larson et al., and the other was an interference model proposed by Peng et al. The results show that both B1 and B2 frequencies perform well to reflect the moisture fluctuations, particularly for reflecting big precipitation events. Comparisons between BDS B1 and B2 with GPS L2C and L5 demonstrate the results from these two constellations are comparable. BDS could be a new data source for producing global high-temporal soil moisture products using GNSS-based approaches.
An innovative model of professional development to enhance the teaching and learning of primary science in Irish schools

This study investigates the influence of a two-year professional development programme on primary teachers’ attitudes towards primary science, their confidence and competence in teaching science, and pupils’ attitudes towards school science. Unlike the traditional ‘one-size-fits all’ model of professional development, the model developed for this study, carried out in Ireland, is ongoing and gives teachers opportunities to collaborate with their colleagues, sharing practices and knowledge, to reflect on their pedagogic practice, to focus on pupil learning and to be involved in decision-making. This article explores the relationship, if any, between teacher involvement in a sustained, collaborative professional development programme, their confidence and competence in teaching science and their classroom practice. Findings from this study have shown that the participants become substantially more confident and competent in teaching primary science. Most significantly, teachers have made dramatic changes to the way they teach science, resulting in their pupils becoming more positive and motivated to learn science.
Active site binding and sequence requirements for inhibition of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase by the RT1 family of single-stranded DNA aptamers

Nucleic acid aptamers can potentially be developed as broad-spectrum antiviral agents. Single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) aptamer RT1t49 inhibits reverse transcriptases (RT) from HIV-1 and diverse lentiviral subtypes with low nanomolar values of Kd and IC50. To dissect the structural requirements for inhibition, RT-catalyzed DNA polymerization was measured in the presence of RT1t49 variants. Three structural domains were found to be essential for RT inhibition by RT1t49: a 5′ stem (stem I), a connector and a 3′ stem (stem II) capable of forming multiple secondary structures. Stem I tolerates considerable sequence plasticity, suggesting that it is recognized by RT more by structure than by sequence-specific contacts. Truncating five nucleotides from the 3′ end prevents formation of the most stable stem II structure, yet has little effect on IC50 across diverse HIV-1, HIV-2 and SIVCPZ RT. When bound to wild-type RT or an RNase H active site mutant, site-specifically generated hydroxyl radicals cleave after nucleotide A32. Cleavage is eliminated by either of two polymerase (pol)-active site mutants, strongly suggesting that A32 lies within the RT pol-active site. These data suggest a model of ssDNA aptamer–RT interactions and provide an improved molecular understanding of a potent, broad-spectrum ssDNA aptamer.
Promoting Emotional Health through a Parenting Support Programme: What Motivates Parents to Enrol?

Parenting support programmes have the potential to make valuable contributions to the emotional well-being of parents, children and families. While evaluation of parenting support initiatives has provided steady evidence of their effectiveness, there is as yet little information available about the factors that motivate parents to enrol in parenting support programmes. The present study sought to provide insights into this issue by interviewing 20 parents who had taken part in a parenting support programme at least 12 months previously. Thematic analysis of their comments yielded insights into four key areas: parents' initial interest in seeking support, making the decision to join a group, initial concerns about joining, and parents' expectations of parenting groups. The authors offer recommendations for those interested in establishing parent support groups.
MPOWER: An Observation System for Assessing Coach Autonomy Support in High School Varsity Boys' Soccer Practices

Substantial focus in coaching science has turned to the construct of autonomy support, given mounting evidence of its positive role in athlete motivation and performance. However, existing research is mostly limited to perceptions data, which problematizes its translation to coach education, training, and development. This paper describes the development of an observation system (MPOWER) for coding coach autonomy support. MPOWER was designed for use within high school varsity boys' soccer practices as part of a larger study. Grounded in self-determination theory literature and guided by recommendations for developing contextually valid observation systems, the instrument includes six behavior concepts: moves decision-making (M), prompts for questions and feelings (P), opts to use player idea (O), withholds information to guide response (W), empathizes with negative affect (E), and rationalizes (R). MPOWER yields descriptive information for research on autonomy supportive coaching, as well as coach education and development.
Extrasyntactic Factors Affecting Passive Sentence Comprehension by Young Children.

LEMPERT, HENRIETTA. Extrasyntactic Factors Affecting Passive Sentence Comprehension by Young Children. CHILD DEVELOPMENT, 1978, 49, 694-699. 40 preschool children ranging in age from 3 to 5 years were required to illustrate the meaning of reversible passive sentences in which noun animacy was systematically varied. There were 2 main outcomes. First, contrary to expectations, 3and 4-year-olds consistently attributed the agent role to the inanimate rather than the animate object. This finding suggests that passives in which the agent role is assigned to the inanimate noun may express a different semantic function from those in which an animate noun is selected as agent. Second, understanding of the passive occurred earlier for certain verbs, suggesting that comprehension of this structure is a gradual evolution beginning as young as 3 years.
‘I'd Feel Ashamed’: Girls' Bodies and Sports Participation

This article is concerned with the links between space, gender and adolescents' bodies. Drawing on data from both qualitative and quantitative research carried out with adolescents aged 13–16 in Liverpool, UK in 2001 the article examines girls' low participation rates in physical education (PE). Framed within theoretical work relating to the performance of corporeal femininities and ‘inhibited intentionality’ in reference to sporting confidence, girls' experiences of single-sex PE are compared with their perceptions of mixed PE in order to explore how the presence of boys may impact on girls' perceptions of their bodies and willingness to participate in sport. The results suggest that while girls still feel pressure from a male gaze to present their bodies to boys as passively beautiful, they also feel pressure to be competent at sport and thus present their bodies as active. However, single-sex PE does not provide a space where the male gaze is absent, suggesting this gaze has been internalized. This article explores the nature of school space in explaining differential participation rates, highlighting how sports within the space of the school, with an emphasis on competition and under the evaluative gaze of teachers, intensify some girls' fears of inadequacy in sports. The findings illustrate the complexities and contradictions present within and between girls' experiences of their bodies and sports and the relationship between school space and adolescents' bodies. ‘Siento Verguüenza’: Cuerpos de jovenas Y participación endeportes Este artículo se ocupa de los enlaces entre espacio, género, y los cuerpos de adolescentes. Utilizando datos de una investigación cualitativo y cuantitativo que se llevó a caber con adolescentes de 13 hasta 16 años en Liverpool en 2001, examino el nivel bajo de la participación de jovenas en educación física. Las experiencias de jovenas de la educación física sólo para niñas se comparan con sus percepciones de la educación física mixta para explorar como la presencia de jóvenes (niños) influye la percepción de jovenas de sus cuerpos y sus buenas disposiciones para participar en deportes. Los resultados sugieren que mientras las jovenas sienten presión de las miradas masculinas para presentar sus cuerpos a ellos como pasivamente hermosos, sienten también la presión para estar capaz en los deportes y así presentar sus cuerpos como activos. Sin embargo, la educación física sólo para niñas no provee un espacio donde no hay una mirada masculina por que ésta mirada se ha sido interiorizado. Deportes en el espacio de la escuela tienen un énfasis en la competición y una mirada evaluativa de maestros y como consecuencia se intensifica el miedo de jovenas de ser inadecuado en deportes. Las conclusiones ilustran las complejidades y contradicciones en y entre las experiencias de jovenas de sus cuerpos y deportes, y la relación entre el espacio de la escuela y los cuerpos de adolescentes.
‘It’s complicated’

•Media debates after the invasion of Iraq suggested that there was a growing anti-Americanism in Europe and that this contributed to an increasing sense of European identity as representing values that differed from that of the USA. But what if this anti-Americanism was really anti-Bushism, and how shared are the shared values on the European side when it comes to representation of the USA as Other? The articles in this Special Issue focus on the discursive image of the USA in the elite media of five European countries at points in time from a particularly frosty Cold War period under President Reagan until six months after the installation of President Obama. Taken together, there are broad similarities in the paradigms and characteristics used to depict the USA from the post-Cold War period, especially in French, Finnish, Swedish and German media. Below the surface, however, the narratives reveal that each country’s commentators are mainly interested in the USA in relation to domestic concerns or as a prism for its relationships with other countries on the world stage. There is a stark focus on the US presidents as symbols through which the USA as a whole is seen. Both Democratic and Republican presidents are likened to Rambo, the ‘space cowboy’, the ‘trade and cultural warrior’, or Hollywood ‘stars’, which could be interpreted as a measure of cultural disdain towards American popular culture and militarism. •
Ethical managers in ethical organisations? The leadership‐culture connection among Finnish managers

Purpose – The main aim of the present study is to discover whether the managers’ self‐evaluations of their ethical leadership style are associated with their assessments of the ethical organisational culture (measured with an eight‐dimensional Corporate Ethical Virtues‐model). It aims to hypothesise that the more ethical the managers evaluate their own leadership style to be, the higher evaluations they give on the ethical culture of their organisation. The underlying assumption is that ethical managers can enhance the ethical culture by behaving in accordance with their own values.Design/methodology/approach – This quantitative research was based on a questionnaire study with 902 respondents throughout Finland. A linear regression analysis was conducted to examine how ethical leadership was related to ethical organisational culture.Findings – Managers who appraised their own leadership style as ethical also evaluated the ethical culture of their organisations more positively. The result implies that an e.
A conceptualisation of task dimensions affecting escalation of commitment

People frequently continue an investment despite a negative outcome or sunk cost. Such irrational persistence in a losing course of action has been termed escalation of commitment. Although several explanations of escalation of commitment have been proposed, none of them accounts for all determinants that have been empirically demonstrated. Based on a review of previous research, a conceptualisation is introduced of how escalation of commitment is affected by 4 task dimensions: type and nontransparency of decision goal, nontransparency of sunk costs, time course of sunk costs, and accountability. A more inclusive theory that subsumes escalation of commitment is offered as an alternative that may be developed to account for the effects of the task dimensions.
Star2 Validation Working Group: Cochlear Implant Users' Everyday-life Performance Assessed in Clinical Practice

Abstract The STAR2 (Sentence Test with Adaptive Randomised Roving levels) aims to make an assessment of speech perception that more closely relates to real-life listening situations. Sentences are each delivered by either a male or a female speaker, at one of three different presentation levels, with adaptively varying background noise. The presentation order is randomized, for both the level and the speaker in order to better mimic group. Sound processor functionality is thus more fully challenged than in traditional speech tests. The objective of this work is to conduct a validation process for STAR2. STAR2 data are being collected from adult CI users in seven UK centres. Global analysis will investigate: normative data, list equivalence, learning effects and test-retest variation. STAR2 scores will also be compared with other routine clinical tests as well as with other measures of everyday-life performance. A data set from 25 normal hearing individuals has been collected. Analysis showed a mean Speech Reception Threshold (SRT) of –5.92 dB with less than 0.5 dB variation between speakers. Inter-list variability was also low, less than 1 dB for 24 of the 25 sentence lists. These observations confirm the usefulness of the methodology behind STAR2, both for clinical studies as well as for clinical application.
The Effects of Notetaking Pretraining and the Recording of Notes on the Retention of Aural Instruction.

AbstractThe effects of instruction in notetaking, the recording of notes, and sex of the notetaker on the retention of aurally presented information were examined. Subjects were 43 male and 61 female sixth grade students, randomly assigned to four experimental conditions: instructed note- takers, uninstructed notetakers, instructed non-notetakers, and uninstructed non-notetakers. Notetaking instruction consisted of a videotaped presentation designed to train students in paying attention, selecting main ideas, maintaining pace with the rate of instruction, and personalizing presented information. All students then heard a brief prose passage, while either taking or not taking notes in accordance with their experimental group assignments. Notes were collected from notetaking groups, and were not returned for review. Assessments of recall of key information were conducted immediately, 5 days, and 30 days after the presentation of the instructional passage. Significant interactions were found between instruct.
Der Open-access-publikationsserver Der Zbw – Leibniz-informationszentrum Wirtschaft the Open Access Publication Server of the Zbw – Leibniz Information Centre for Economics a Socio-technical Framework for Internet-of-things Design a Socio-technical Framework for Internet-of-things Design

Terms of use: The ZBW grants you, the user, the non-exclusive right to use the selected work free of charge, territorially unrestricted and within the time limit of the term of the property rights according to the terms specified at → http://www.econstor. eu/dspace/Nutzungsbedingungen By the first use of the selected work the user agrees and declares to comply with these terms of use. Abstract This study presents a case application of a socio-technical framework to assess and predict the development of the Internet of Things (IoT) in Korea. Applying a socio-technical system approach to the IoT, this paper seeks a clear understanding of how the IoT will evolve and stabilize in a smart environment. It investigates the complex interaction between social and technical aspects of the IoT, by highlighting the co-evolution, interaction, and interface, which constitute the next generation network environment. It describes the challenges in designing, deploying, and sustaining the diverse components of the IoT, and provides a snapshot of Korea's current approach to meeting this challenge. Finally, the findings of this study provide insights into these challenges and opportunities, by offering a socio-technical analysis of IoT development. The insights help to conceptualize how the IoT can be designed and situated within human-centered contexts.
Evaluating Bug Finders -- Test and Measurement of Static Code Analyzers

Software static analysis is one of many options for finding bugs in software. Like compilers, static analyzers take a program as input. This paper covers tools that examine source code - without executing it - and output bug reports. Static analysis is a complex and generally undecidable problem. Most tools resort to approximation to overcome these obstacles and it sometimes leads to incorrect results. Therefore, tool effectiveness needs to be evaluated. Several characteristics of the tools should be examined. First, what types of bugs can they find? Second, what proportion of bugs do they report? Third, what percentage of findings is correct? These questions can be answered by one or more metrics. But to calculate these, we need test cases having certain characteristics: statistical significance, ground truth, and relevance. Test cases with all three attributes are out of reach, but we can use combinations of only two to calculate the metrics. The results in this paper were collected during Static Analysis Tool Exposition (SATE) V, where participants ran 14 static analyzers on the test sets we provided and submitted their reports to us for analysis. Tools had considerably different support for most bug classes. Some tools discovered significantly more bugs than others or generated mostly accurate warnings, while others reported wrong findings more frequently. Using the metrics, an evaluator can compare candidates and select the tool that aligns best with his or her objectives. In addition, our results confirm that the bugs most commonly found by tools are among the most common and important bugs in software. We also observed that code complexity is a major hindrance for static analyzers and detailed which code constructs tools handle well and which impede their analysis.
Trypanosoma rhodesiense infection in B-cell-deficient mice

B-cell-deficient C57B1/6J mice (suppressed from birth with goat anti-mu) and controls (treated from birth with normal goat serum) were infected with Trypanosoma rhodesiense. There was a significant (P less than 0.01) decrease in duration of survival of the mu-suppressed mice compared with that of controls. Whereas both mu-suppressed and control mice had an initial rise in parasitemia of similar magnitude, only the control mice exhibited a subsequent period during which the parasitemia fell to undetectable levels. In control mice, immunization with irradiated organisms prevented the development of detectable parasitemia after challenge with viable trypanosomes. However, immunization did not alter the course of infection in B-cell-deficient mice. These results indicate that immunity to T. rhodesiense infection in mice is dependent on B-cell immunocompetence.
Ambulant vacuum-assisted closure of skin-graft dressing in the lower limbs using a portable mini-VAC device.

A skin graft may fail to adhere to the recipient site because of fluid collecting between the graft and the area being treated. We have devised a simple procedure, consisting of a vacuum-sealed dressing, to fix skin grafts on the lower limbs. A fully portable, battery-operated aspirator continuously draws secretions through a vacuum-sealed dressing, preventing accumulation of fluid underneath the graft. Patients are not confined to bed, thus reducing nursing time. The procedure was applied successfully in seven out of nine patients treated for ulcers of the lower limbs.
SAR target recognition based on deep learning

Deep learning algorithms such as convolutional neural networks (CNN) have been successfully applied in computer vision. This paper attempts to adapt the optical camera-oriented CNN to its microwave counterpart, i.e. synthetic aperture radar (SAR). As a preliminary study, a single layer of convolutional neural network is used to automatically learn features from SAR images. Instead of using the classical backpropagation algorithm, the convolution kernel is trained on randomly sampled image patches using unsupervised sparse auto-encoder. After convolution and pooling, an input SAR image is then transformed into a series of feature maps. These feature maps are then used to train a final softmax classifier. Initial experiments on MSTAR public data set show that an accuracy of 90.1% can be achieved on three types of targets classification task, and an accuracy of 84.7% is achievable on ten types of targets classification task.
Sibship reconstruction demonstrates the extremely low effective population size of striped bass Morone saxatilis in the Santee–Cooper system, South Carolina, USA

For organisms with great fecundity and high mortality in early life stages, such as shellfish or fishes, the need to match reproductive activity with environmental conditions conducive to spawning, fertilization, larval development and recruitment may result in extreme variance in reproductive success among individuals. The main objective of this study was to investigate evidence of large variance in the reproductive success of the striped bass Morone saxatilis in the Santee–Cooper system, South Carolina, USA. Seven microsatellite loci were analysed in 603 recruits representing three yearly cohorts from 1992 to 1994, and a group analysis was performed to identify full‐sib families. Large variance in reproductive success was detected, with a few large, full‐sib families contributing disproportionately to each of the cohorts. The severity of sweepstakes reproductive success varied among cohorts depending on environmentally imposed mortality. Estimations of the effective number of breeders in these long‐lived fish ranged from 24 in 1992 to 44 in 1994. Furthermore, the estimated genetic effective population size (Ne = 93) is approximately four orders of magnitude lower than estimates of adult census size (N = 362 000). Furthermore, the presence of large full‐sib families indicates that striped bass engage in pair mating in the wild. Heterogeneity in genetic composition was also observed among cohorts, suggesting that genetically different adults contribute to different cohorts and that chance rather than fitness variation determines reproductive success.