Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Challenging perspectives on learning and teaching in the disciplines: the academic voice

This article reports on a study of academic staff perspectives on disciplinary communities and skill development in disciplinary contexts. Fifty-five academic staff were interviewed across eight disciplines in four Australian universities. Responses of historians and mathematicians are the focus of this article. A socio-constructivist framework informed analysis of academics' views about disciplinary cultures and skill development in disciplinary settings. Findings highlight discipline-based patterns in staff views about the value of generic skills in the curriculum. However, there was no apparent disciplinary effect in academics' views about belonging to a teaching community. Rather, sociocultural forces, particularly at the department level, appear to play the strongest role in this regard. The article argues for the influence of sociocultural factors on academics' perceptions of disciplinary tribes and territories in a changing policy environment. It has implications for institutional leaders and academic practitioners, highlighting challenges for supporting academic staff in disciplinary teaching communities.
Lymph node‐derived lymphatic endothelial cells express functional costimulatory molecules and impair dendritic cell‐induced allogenic T‐cell proliferation

Lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) interact with different immune cells, including T cells within lymph nodes (LNs). However, direct interactions of LECs with immune cells have yet to be investigated. In vitro studies were performed to characterize primary cultures of human LECs derived from LNs in their capacity of interacting with T cells. The results show that LECs express HLA molecules and functional costimulatory molecules needed for T‐cell activation. A direct binding of LECs and T cells was detected in cell cultures connected with a clustering of costimulatory molecules on the contact phase. LECs were also able to take up and process antigens. However, major histocompatibility complex class II+ LECs fail to induce allogeneic T‐cell proliferation. Interestingly, supernatants of IFN‐γ activated LECs impair proliferation of T cells cocultured with allogeneic dendritic cells, suggesting an inhibitory role of LECs. Indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase was identified as one inhibitory molecule, which may be responsible for the impaired CD4+ T‐cell proliferation. Our observations suggest a regulatory function for activated LECs on CD4+ T cells, which may play a role in vivo in the maintenance of the critical balance between tolerance and recall responses. —Nörder, M. , Gutierrez, M. G. , Zicari, S. , Cervi, E. , Caruso, A. , Guzmán, C. A. Lymph node‐derived lymphatic endothelial cells express functional costimulatory molecules and impair dendritic cell‐induced allogenic T‐cell proliferation. FASEB J. 26, 2835–2846 (2012). www.fasebj. org
Authentic and conventional assessment in Singapore schools: an empirical study of teacher assignments and student work

This is an empirical examination of the quality of teacher assignments and student work in Singapore schools. Using a theoretical framework based on principles of authentic assessment and intellectual quality, two sets of criteria and scoring rubrics were developed for the training of expert teachers to judge the quality of assignments and student work. Following rigorous training, the inter‐rater reliability of expert teacher scoring was high. Samples of teacher assignments and student work were collected in English, social studies, mathematics, and science subject areas from a random stratified sample of 30 elementary schools and 29 high schools. For both grade levels, there were significant differences for the authentic intellectual quality of teachers’ assignments by subject area. Likewise, the differences of authentic intellectual quality for student work were significant and varied by subject area. Subject area effect was large. The correlations between the quality of teachers’ assignment tasks and student work were strong and significant at both grade levels. Where teachers set more intellectually demanding tasks, students were more likely to generate work or artefacts judged to be of higher quality. The findings suggest that teacher professional development in authentic intellectual assessment task design can contribute to the improvement of student learning and performance. It is argued that this will be a key requisite of educational systems like Singapore that are seeking to expand pedagogy and student outcomes beyond a focus on factual and rote knowledge.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Profile of Blood–Brain Barrier Injury in Patients With Acute Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Background Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is associated with blood–brain barrier (BBB) injury, which is a poorly understood factor in ICH pathogenesis, potentially contributing to edema formation and perihematomal tissue injury. We aimed to assess and quantify BBB permeability following human spontaneous ICH using dynamic contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE MRI). We also investigated whether hematoma size or location affected the amount of BBB leakage. Methods and Results Twenty‐five prospectively enrolled patients from the Diagnostic Accuracy of MRI in Spontaneous intracerebral Hemorrhage (DASH) study were examined using DCE MRI at 1 week after symptom onset. Contrast agent dynamics in the brain tissue and general tracer kinetic modeling were used to estimate the forward leakage rate (Ktrans) in regions of interest (ROI) in and surrounding the hematoma and in contralateral mirror–image locations (control ROI). In all patients BBB permeability was significantly increased in the brain tissue immediately adjacent to the hematoma, that is, the hematoma rim, compared to the contralateral mirror ROI (P<0.0001). Large hematomas (>30 mL) had higher Ktrans values than small hematomas (P<0.005). Ktrans values of lobar hemorrhages were significantly higher than the Ktrans values of deep hemorrhages (P<0.005), independent of hematoma volume. Higher Ktrans values were associated with larger edema volumes. Conclusions BBB leakage in the brain tissue immediately bordering the hematoma can be measured and quantified by DCE MRI in human ICH. BBB leakage at 1 week is greater in larger hematomas as well as in hematomas in lobar locations and is associated with larger edema volumes.
Empowering Leadership and Effective Collaboration in Geographically Dispersed Teams

Our research integrates theoretical perspectives related to distributed leadership in geographically dispersed teams with empowering leadership theory to build a multilevel model of virtual collaboration and performance in dispersed teams. We test the model with procurement teams in a major multinational corporation. Our results show a significant cross-level effect of empowering team leadership, such that under conditions of high empowering team leadership, a team member's virtual teamwork situational judgment (VT-SJ) is positively and significantly associated with his or her virtual collaboration behaviors and also indirectly with his or her individual performance in the team. At the team level, our findings also suggest that the impact of empowering leadership on team members’ aggregate virtual collaboration, and indirectly on team performance, increases at higher levels of team dispersion. These findings shed important light on the role of team leadership in fostering effective collaboration and performance of geographically dispersed virtual teams.
Buridan's Solution to the Liar Paradox

Jean Buridan has offered a solution to the Liar Paradox, i.e. to the problem of assigning a truth-value to the sentence ‘What I am saying is false’. It has been argued that either (1) this solution is ad hoc since it would only apply to self-referencing sentences [Read, S. 2002. ‘The Liar Paradox from John Buridan back to Thomas Bradwardine’, Vivarium, 40 (2), 189–218] or else (2) it weakens his theory of truth, making his ‘a logic without truth’ [Klima, G. 2008. ‘Logic without truth: Buridan on the Liar’, in S. Rahman, T. Tulenheimo and E. Genot, Unity, Truth and the Liar: The Modern Relevance of Medieval Solutions to the Liar Paradox, Berlin: Springer, 87–112 (Chapter 5); Dutilh Novaes, C. 2011. ‘Lessons on truth from mediaeval solutions to the Liar Paradox’, The Philosophical Quarterly, 61 (242), 58–78]. Against (1), I will argue that Buridan's solution by means of truth by supposition does not involve new principles. Self-referential sentences force us to handle supposition more carefully, which does not warrant the accusation of adhoccery. I will also argue, against (2), that it is exaggerated to assert that this solution leads to a ‘weakened’ theory of truth, since it is consistent with other passages of the Sophismata, which only gives necessary conditions for the truth of affirmative propositions, but sufficient conditions for falsity.
Determinants of Depression Severity and Duration in Canadian Adults: The Moderating Effects of Gender and Social Support

This study examined the effects of 4 subtypes of social support (tangible, affective, positive social interaction, and emotional/informational) and gender on the severity and duration of depressive symptoms within the general adult Canadian population. Data were collected from the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS; Statistics Canada, 2002). Upon meeting predetermined criteria, 6,316 participants were included in the study. The findings suggest that, overall, positive social interaction was significantly associated with decreases in depression severity; while emotional/informational support was significantly associated with increases in depression severity. Positive social interaction and emotional/informational support appeared to significantly decrease the duration of depression. Interesting gender differences also emerged among the 4 subtypes of social support. Implications of the findings are discussed.
Vintage Capital Growth Theory: Three Breakthroughs

Vintage capital growth models have been at the heart of growth theory in the 60s. This research line collapsed in the late 60s with the so-called embodiment controversy and the technical sophisitication of the vintage models. This paper analyzes the astonishing revival of this literature in the 90s. In particular, it outlines three methodological breakthroughs explaining this resurgence: a growth accounting revolution, taking advantage of the availability of new time series, an optimal control revolution allowing to safely study vintage capital optimal growth models, and a vintage human capital revolution, along with the rise of economic demography, accounting for the vintage structure of human capital similarly to physical capital age structuring. The related literature is surveyed.
WOMEN'S EXCHANGE IN THE U.S. GARAGE SALE

Transactions in the U.S. garage sale range from the commercial to the giftlike, in a Maussian sense. As two-thirds of the participants, women create a sense of community through garage sale exchange. This article explores how women, partly differentiated along lines of race and class, solidify their personal relationships, transmit something of themselves with their possessions, transform their own lives in the process, and contribute to a broader spirit of community through the generalized reciprocity and even moral economy that manifests in giftlike exchange. There is an important link, both material and symbolic, between women's relational skills, their association with the home and the moral, and the creation of community in the garage sale.
Family and School Socialization and Adolescent Academic Achievement

Abstract This study investigates the socialization conditions of connection, regulation, and respect for psychological autonomy within the family and school contexts as predictors of adolescent academic achievement across 10 national/ethnic groups. We assess the extent to which these socialization dimensions in the family and school can be similarly measured within these samples. The correlations are evaluated for unique contributions, and the relative importance of these predictors is examined for adolescent achievement in each sample, separately by gender of youth. Results suggest a consistent association of maternal knowledge, paternal support, and teacher support with academic achievement in these national/ethnic groups. However, some variability across gender and sample in regard to the unique contributions and relative importance of these predictors was indicated
Endogenous Covert Spatial Orienting in Audition Cost-Benefit Analyses of Reaction Times and Event related Potentials

The present study examines mechanisms of endogenous covert spatial orienting in audition as revealed by event-related brain potentials (ERPs) and reaction times (RTs). In one experimental condition, subjects were instructed to respond to any target tone irrespective of whether it was presented in a valid (spatially predictive cue), neutral (uninformative cue), or invalid (misleading cue) trial. In another experimental condition, only target tones presented at a cued position required a response—that is, subjects could completely ignore tones presented at the uncued ear. Cue validity had an effect on RT, which consisted in benefits for valid trials and in costs for invalid trials relative to the RTs in neutral trials. There were also distinct ERP effects of cue validity in the 100–300 msec time range. These ERP effects were enlarged in the condition in which uncued tones could be ignored. The effects of cue validity on RTs and ERPs demonstrated covert orienting in audition both for stimuli requiring an overt response and also for stimuli that did not require a behavioural response. It is argued that this attentional selection is located at intermediate stages of information processing, rather than at peripheral stages such as basic sensory-specific processing or response selection.
Value of technetium 99m sestamibi iodine 123 imaging in reoperative parathyroid surgery.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to assess the contribution of technetium 99m sestamibi iodine 123 (T/S) imaging to preoperative and intraoperative management of patients with persistent hyperparathyroidism. METHODS During a period of 10 months, all patients being prepared for reoperative parathyroid surgery (n = 10), two patients deemed significant operative risks (one patient with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and one patient with severe cervical spine ankylosing spondylitis), and two patients who had undergone prior thyroid operation were studied with T/S imaging. Six patients undergoing reoperative surgery had undergone one, three had undergone two, and one had undergone three prior procedures. RESULTS T/S imaging correctly localized 14 of 16 parathyroid tumors. By comparison, only 1 of 6 thallium technetium and 3 of 12 computed tomography (CT) scans (in seven patients) were positive. T/S imaging guided the reoperative surgical approach accurately in 12 of 14 patients, including one case of an undescended left lower gland at the level of the mandible and identification of a third gland on the left in another case. Sternal split was required to remove three lesions localized by T/S imaging, two beneath the aortic arch and one nestled in the aortopulmonary window in a patient who had undergone two prior procedures including a sternal split. In these three cases T/S imaging was particularly useful, because CT scans, thallium technetium scans, magnetic resonance imaging, and arteriography were not diagnostic. The outcome after operation was favorable in all 14 cases, with correction of hypercalcemia and no permanent laryngeal nerve injuries or hypocalcemia. CONCLUSIONS We concluded that T/S imaging is more accurate than thallium technetium and CT scans in evaluation of patients with persistent hyperparathyroidism.
First Coitus for Adolescents: Understanding Why and When

Background: Correlates of initiation of coitus for teenagers were examined, and participants were asked their reasons for initiating or postponing the onset of coitus. Methods: Questionnaires were completed privately by 218 patients aged 13 to 18 years. Questions explored the reasons adolescents cite for their sexual decisions and the role of peer influence in these decisions. Results: Correlation was noted in young teenagers between perception of peer sexual behavior and participant's initiation of coitus. Reasons stated for engaging in first intercourse reflect both active choices and loss of control. Reasons for refraining included fear of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, lack of developmental readiness and opportunity, and social sanctions. Morality was cited infrequently as a reason for postponing sexual behavior. Conclusions: Results suggest that sexuality education should address the direct and curious questions of younger teenagers about sexuality, help youth define strategies that they can use to evaluate and resist peer pressure, and give more generalized attention to ways of helping youth feel competent. Physicians and other health educators might focus on helping older youth define how and when they know they are ready to have intercourse, consider ways of expressing sexuality that do not jeopardize health, and improve communication skills when talking with friends and potential partners about sexual issues.
Potential implications for expansion of freeze-tolerant eucalyptus plantations on water resources in the southern United States

The potential expansion of freeze-tolerant (FT) Eucalyptus plantations in the United States has raised concerns about the implications for water resources. Modeling was used to examine the potential effects of expanding the distribution of FT Eucalyptus plantations in US Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zones 8b and greater on water yield (Q). Analyses focused on two scales: the stand scale and the regional scale at the 12-digit Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC) watershed. Results suggested that the stand-level implications of planting FT Eucalyptus on Q could vary by location, the land cover type before Eucalyptus establishment, and the hydrologic conditions of the planting site and surrounding area. Compared with that for some pine plantations, Q at the stand level could be equal to or reduced by as much as to 130 mm year 1 (a reduction of 9 –16% of precipitation) near the end of the rotation or on sites when leaf area index (LAI) is 4 m m 2 and reduced by as much as 500 mm year 1 (a reduction of 33– 63% of precipitation) when LAI is 5 m m . In contrast, at the scale of conversion indicated by an economic analysis as most likely (e.g., 20% conversion of conifer to FT eucalyptus), reductions on Q at the 12-digit HUC scale will be negligible.
Investigation on localized surface plasmon resonance of different nano-particles for biosensor applications

This paper proposes a novel sinusoidal shape nano-particle employed in localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) devices. Numerical modeling demonstrates advantages offered by the proposed nano-sinusoid on LSPR enhancement against other nano-particles including noble nano-triangles and nano-diamonds. Although nano-triangles exhibit high concentration of the electric field near their tips, when illuminated with a light polarized along the tip axis, they present only one hot spot at the vertex along the polarization direction. To create a structure with two hot spots, which is desired in bio-sensing applications, two nano-triangles can be put back-to-back. Therefore, a nano-diamond particle is obtained which exhibits two hot spots and presents higher enhancements than nano-triangles for the same resonant wavelength. The main drawback of the nano-diamonds is the fluctuation in their physical size-plasmon spectrum relationships, due to a high level of singularity as the result for their four sharp tip points. The proposed nano-sinusoid overcomes this disadvantage while maintaining the benefits of having two hot spots and high enhancements.
Modulation of embryo-forming capacity in culture through the expression of Brassica genes involved in the regulation of the shoot apical meristem

Somatic embryogenesis in Arabidopsis is achieved by culturing bending-cotyledon embryos on a 2,4-D-containing induction medium for 14 d followed by a transfer on to a hormone-free development medium. Several genes orthologous to Arabidopsis SHOOTMERISTEMLESS (STM), CLAVATA 1 (CLV1), and ZWILLE (ZLL) were isolated from Brassica oleracea (Bo), B. rapa (Br), and B. napus (Bn), and ectopically expressed in Arabidopsis to assess their effects on somatic embryogenesis. Ectopic expression of BoSTM, BrSTM, and BnSTM increased the number of somatic embryos, whereas a different effect was observed in lines overexpressing BnCLV1 in which somatic embryo formation was severely repressed. The introduction of BnZLL did not have any effects on Arabidopsis somatic embryogenesis. The increased embryo-forming capacity observed in lines overexpressing Brassica STM was associated with a lower requirement for the inductive signal 2,4-D, and a higher expression of WUSCHEL (WUS) which demarcates the formation of embryogenic cells. This was in contrast to the 35S::BnCLV1 lines which showed the highest requirement for exogenous 2,4-D and a reduced WUS expression. Microarray studies were conducted to monitor global changes in transcript levels during Arabidopsis somatic embryogenesis between the wild-type (WT) line and a BoSTM-overexpressing line, which showed the most pronounced enhancement of somatic embryo yield. The introduction of BoSTM affected the expression of many genes involved in hormone perception and signalling, as well as genes encoding DNA methyltransferases and enzymes of glutathione metabolism. Pharmacological experiments performed to confirm some of the microarray results showed that Arabidopsis somatic embryogenesis is encouraged by a global hypomethylation of the DNA during the induction phase and by a switch of the glutathione pool towards an oxidized state during the subsequent development phase. Both events occurred in the 35S::BoSTM line, but not in the WT line. Altered expression of Brassica STM also had profound effects on B. napus microspore-derived embryogenesis. The yield of microspore-derived embryos increased in lines overexpressing BnSTM and significantly decreased in antisense lines down-regulating BnSTM.