Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Classroom Debate as a Systematic Teaching/Learning Approach

Research studies show that students learn through different ways and approaches. For that reason, instructors need to employ various instructional techniques to accommodate students with differing learning styles. Studies also suggest that learners make improvements when teachers make use of techniques that get students involved actively in learning. Classroom debate is a systematic instructional approach which has the potential to nurture the active engagement of students. Using classroom debate as a teaching/learning approach brings many advantages to learners, which include promotion of critical thinking skills, mastering the course content and improving the speaking abilities. However, classroom debate carries its own limitations, challenges and even opponents, too. This article makes an attempt to introduce classroom debate as an instructional strategy, review earlier research studies on it and discuss its limitations and challenges as well as its benefits to students in general and ESL/EFL learners in particular.
Transnational academic capitalism in the Arab Gulf: balancing global and local, and public and private, capitals

This article contributes to the emerging theoretical construct of what has been called ‘transnational academic capitalism’, characterised by the blurring of traditional boundaries between public, private, local, regional and international, and between market-driven and critically transformative higher education visions. Here we examine how these issues are reflected in higher education policy in the Arab Gulf, asking: what kinds of capital are being constructed and traded? By and for whom? What is the relationship between higher education competition, governance and the public good? We find contradictory trends, which we see as strategic ambivalence pointing to country-specific readings of similar regional markets and attempts to hedge bets between rival forms of apparent capital. The exploration offers a counterpoint to more widely cited examples, hereby helping to shape new paradigmatic ‘glocalised’ understandings of this field.
Self-Concept Predicts Academic Achievement Across Levels of the Achievement Distribution: Domain Specificity for Math and Reading.

This study examines whether self-concept of ability in math and reading predicts later math and reading attainment across different levels of achievement. Data from three large-scale longitudinal data sets, the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development-Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development, and Panel Study of Income Dynamics-Child Development Supplement, were used to answer this question by employing quantile regression analyses. After controlling for demographic variables, child characteristics, and early ability, the findings indicate that self-concept of ability in math and reading predicts later achievement in each respective domain across all quantile levels of achievement. These results were replicated across the three data sets representing different populations and provide robust evidence for the role of self-concept of ability in understanding achievement from early childhood to adolescence across the spectrum of performance (low to high).
Point-of-care diagnostics for noncommunicable diseases using synthetic urinary biomarkers and paper microfluidics

Significance Noncommunicable diseases, including cardiovascular disease and cancer, are growing worldwide but are challenging to diagnose because biomarkers that can accurately detect them in patients are lacking. Here, we designed nanoscale agents that are administered to reveal the presence of diseased tissues by producing a biomarker in the urine that can be detected using paper strips similar to a home pregnancy test. Using mouse models, we show that we can detect diseases as diverse as solid cancer and blood clots using only a single injection of our diagnostic followed by urine analysis on paper. This platform does not require expensive instruments, invasive procedures, or trained medical personnel, and may allow low-cost diagnosis of diseases at the point of care in resource-limited settings. With noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) now constituting the majority of global mortality, there is a growing need for low-cost, noninvasive methods to diagnose and treat this class of diseases, especially in resource-limited settings. Molecular biomarkers combined with low-cost point-of-care assays constitute a potential solution for diagnosing NCDs, but the dearth of naturally occurring, predictive markers limits this approach. Here, we describe the design of exogenous agents that serve as synthetic biomarkers for NCDs by producing urinary signals that can be quantified by a companion paper test. These synthetic biomarkers are composed of nanoparticles conjugated to ligand-encoded reporters via protease-sensitive peptide substrates. Upon delivery, the nanoparticles passively target diseased sites, such as solid tumors or blood clots, where up-regulated proteases cleave the peptide substrates and release reporters that are cleared into urine. The reporters are engineered for detection by sandwich immunoassays, and we demonstrate their quantification directly from unmodified urine; furthermore, capture antibody specificity allows the probes to be multiplexed in vivo and quantified simultaneously by ELISA or paper lateral flow assay (LFA). We tailor synthetic biomarkers specific to colorectal cancer, a representative solid tumor, and thrombosis, a common cardiovascular disorder, and demonstrate urinary detection of these diseases in mouse models by paper diagnostic. Together, the LFA and injectable synthetic biomarkers, which could be tailored for multiple diseases, form a generalized diagnostic platform for NCDs that can be applied in almost any setting without expensive equipment or trained medical personnel.
The psychology of goals

G.B. Moskowitz, H. Grant, Introduction: Four Themes in the Study of Goals. Part 1. What (and Where) are Goals? A.W. Kruglanski, C. Kopetz, What Is So Special (and Nonspecial) about Goals? A View from the Cognitive Perspective. A.J. Elliot, D. Niesta, Goals in the Context of the Hierarchical Model of Approach-avoidance Motivation. H. Grant, L. Gelety, Goal-content Theories: Why Differences in What We Are Striving for Matter. E.T. Berkman, M.D. Lieberman, The Neuroscience of Goal Pursuit: Bridging Gaps between Theory and Data. J.A. Bargh, J.Y. Huang, The Selfish Goal. Part 2. How Are Goals Selected? G. Oettingen, E.J. Stephens, Fantasies and Motivationally Intelligent Goal Setting. R. Custers, How Does Our Unconscious Know What We Want? The Role of Affect in Goal Representations. G.B. Moskowitz, Y. Gesundheit, Goal Priming. J.Y. Shah, D. Hall, N.P. Leander, Moments of Motivation: Margins of Opportunity in Managing the Efficacy, Need, and Transitions of Striving. Part 3. How Are Goals Pursued? L.L. Martin, A. Tesser, Five Markers of Motivated Behavior. N. Liberman, R. Dar, Normal and Pathological Consequences of Encountering Difficulties in Monitoring Progress toward Goals. G.B. Moskowitz, The Compensatory Nature of Goal Pursuit: From Explicit Action to Implicit Cognition. N.B. Jostmann, S.L. Koole, When Persistence is Futile: A Functional Analysis of Action Orientation and Goal Disengagement. E.J. Parks-Stamm, P.M. Gollwitzer, Goal Implementation: The Benefits and Costs of If-then Planning. J. Forster, L. Werth, Regulatory Focus: Classic Findings and New Directions. Part 4. Consequences of Goal Pursuit. K.D. Vohs, A.M. Kaikati, P. Kerkhof, B.J. Schmeichel, Self-Regulatory Resource Depletion: A Model for Understanding the Limited Nature of Goal Pursuit. M.J. Ferguson, S.C. Porter, Goals and (Implicit) Attitudes: A Social-cognitive Perspective. N.P. Leander, S.G. Moore, T.L. Chartrand, Mystery Moods: Their Origins and Consequences. E.T. Higgins, Regulatory Fit in the Goal-Pursuit Process.
Induced brain activity as indicator of cognitive processes : experimental-methodical analyses and algorithms for online-applications

Die Signalverarbeitung von elektroenzephalographischen (EEG) Signalen ist ein entscheidendes Werkzeug, um die kognitiven Prozessen verstehen zu konnen. Beispielweise wird induzierte Hirnaktivitat in mehreren Untersuchungen mit kognitiver Leistung assoziiert. Deshalb ist die Gewinnung von elektrophysiologischen Parametern grundlegend fur die Charakterisierung von kognitiven Prozessen sowie von kognitiven Dysfunktionen in neurologischen Erkrankungen. Besonders bei Epilepsie treten haufig Storungen wie Gedachtnis-, oder Aufmerksamkeitsprobleme auf, zusatzlich zu Anfallen. Neurofeedback (bzw. EEG-Biofeedback) ist eine Therapiemethode, die zusatzlich zu medikamentosen- und chirurgischen Therapien bei der Behandlung vieler neurologischer Krankheiten, einschlieslich Epilepsie, erfolgreich praktiziert wird. Neurofeedback wird jedoch meist dafur angewendet, eine Anfallsreduzierung zu erzielen. Dagegen wird eine Verbesserung kognitiver Fahigkeiten auf der Basis elektrophysiologischer Anderungen selten vorgesehen. Daruber hinaus sind die aktuellen Neurofeedbackstrategien fur diesen Zweck ungeeignet. Der Grund dafur sind unter anderem nicht adaquate Verfahren fur die Gewinnung und Quantifizierung induzierter Hirnaktivitat. Unter Berucksichtigung der oben genannten Punkten wurden die kognitiven Leistungen von einer Patientengruppe (Epilepsie) und einer Probandengruppe anhand der ereignisbezogenen De-/Synchronisation (ERD/ERS) Methode untersucht. Signifikante Unterschiede wurden im Theta bzw. Alpha Band festgestellt. Diese Ergebnisse unterstutzen die Verwertung von auf ERD/ERS basierten kognitiven Parametern bei Epilepsie. Anhand einer methodischen Untersuchung von dynamischen Eigenschaften wurde ein onlinefahiger ERD/ERS Algorithmus fur zukunftige Neurofeedback Applikationen ausgewahlt. Basierend auf dem ausgewahlten Parameter wurde eine Methodik fur die online Gewinnung und Quantifizierung von kognitionsbezogener induzierter Hirnaktivitat entwickelt. Die dazugehorigen Prozeduren sind in Module organisiert, um die Prozessapplikabilitat zu erhohen. Mehrere Bestandteile der Methodik, einschlieslich der Rolle von Elektrodenmontagen sowie die Eliminierung bzw. Reduktion der evozierten Aktivitat, wurden anhand kognitiver Aufgaben evaluiert und optimiert. Die Entwicklung einer geeigneten Neurofeedback Strategie sowie die Bestatigung der psychophysiologischen Hypothese anhand einer Pilotstudie sollen Gegenstand der zukunftigen Arbeitschritte sein.
Design of Approximate Radix-4 Booth Multipliers for Error-Tolerant Computing

Approximate computing is an attractive design methodology to achieve low power, high performance (low delay) and reduced circuit complexity by relaxing the requirement of accuracy. In this paper, approximate Booth multipliers are designed based on approximate radix-4 modified Booth encoding (MBE) algorithms and a regular partial product array that employs an approximate Wallace tree. Two approximate Booth encoders are proposed and analyzed for error-tolerant computing. The error characteristics are analyzed with respect to the so-called approximation factor that is related to the inexact bit width of the Booth multipliers. Simulation results at 45 nm feature size in CMOS for delay, area and power consumption are also provided. The results show that the proposed 16-bit approximate radix-4 Booth multipliers with approximate factors of 12 and 14 are more accurate than existing approximate Booth multipliers with moderate power consumption. The proposed R4ABM2 multiplier with an approximation factor of 14 is the most efficient design when considering both power-delay product and the error metric NMED. Case studies for image processing show the validity of the proposed approximate radix-4 Booth multipliers.
Spontaneous Breathing Patterns of Very Preterm Infants Treated With Continuous Positive Airway Pressure at Birth

There are no data describing how very preterm infants breathe spontaneously immediately after birth. We studied a convenience sample of spontaneously breathing infants ≤32 wk' gestation treated with facemask continuous positive airway pressure at birth. Airway pressure and flow were measured and each breath analyzed. Twelve infants had 792 breaths suitable for analysis. Results are given as mean (SD). Gestational age and birth weight were 29 (1.9) wk and 1220 (412) g. Recordings were started 159 (77) s after birth. The inspiratory pattern and duration was similar in all breaths at 0.36 (0.11) s. There were five expiratory patterns; most infants had more than one. In 79% of breaths expiratory duration (1.6 (1.1) s) was slowed or held by interruption or braking of expiratory flow. It was braked in 47% to a complete expiratory hold, in 22% by grunting or crying, and in 10% by slow or interrupted expiration. In 21% of the breaths, expiration was not interrupted and lasted 0.53 (0.13) s. Half of these breaths represented a panting pattern (rate >60 /min). Immediately after birth, most very preterm infants, treated with continuous positive airway pressure, frequently prolong their expiration by braking the expiratory flow.
Evaluation of serologic and viral detection methods for diagnosing feline herpesvirus-1 infection in cats with acute respiratory tract or chronic ocular disease.

OBJECTIVE To determine the value of virus isolation (VI), immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) assay, serum neutralization (SN), and ELISA for the diagnosis of clinical feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1) infection in cats. ANIMALS 46 clinically normal cats, 17 cats with signs of acute respiratory tract disease, and 38 cats with signs of chronic ocular disease. PROCEDURE Conjunctival swabs for VI, conjunctival scrapings for IFA testing, and venous blood samples for SN or ELISA testing were obtained from all cats. RESULTS FHV-1 was detected in 10.9 and 28.3% of clinically normal cats and in 18.2 and 33.3% of cats with FHV-1-associated disease by VI and the IFA assay, respectively. There were no significant differences in the viral detection rate between cats with acute respiratory tract disease and cats with chronic ocular disease or between diseased cats and clinically normal cats; however, FHV-1 was never detected by both methods in clinically normal cats. Overall FHV-1 seroprevalence was 97% when tested by ELISA and 66% when tested by SN. Seroprevalence did not vary significantly among the 3 groups for either serologic test. Magnitude of SN and ELISA titers varied greatly but independently of presence or absence of clinical signs of FHV-1-associated disease. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were assessed for VI and the IFA assay--jointly and individually--and for each SN and ELISA titer magnitude. Values never all exceeded 50%. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Because FHV-1 can be detected commonly in clinically normal cats by the IFA assay or VI, neither test appears to aid in the clinical diagnosis of FHV-1 infection. Seroprevalence does not appear to vary between affected and clinically normal cats. SN, ELISA, VI, and the IFA assay appear to be of limited value in the diagnosis of FHV-1-associated disease in cats. Concurrent assessment of the IFA assay and VI results may permit exclusion of FHV-1 as an etiologic agent if results of both tests are negative.
Do Perceptions of Costs and Benefits of Post-secondary Education Influence Participation?

Despite the continuing accumulation of knowledge of the factors in- ﬂ uencing participation in post-secondary education, there are still gaps in our understanding. For example, very little is known regarding how perceptions of costs and beneﬁ ts are implicated in an individual’s decision to pursue college or university studies, and whether certain perceptions hamper access among students from disadvantaged back- grounds. This paper presents results from a research programme de- signed to develop and evaluate an operationalization of “perceived return on investment” (PRoI) in post-secondary education, based on students’ subjective considerations of costs and beneﬁ ts. These results are derived from two key research questions: is it possible to reliably measure high school students’ perceived return on investment in a post-secondary education, and does the measurement of these perceptions predict actual post-secondary participation? Results show that PRoI can be measured satisfactorily and is predictive of university attendance, net of other factors currently known to inﬂ uence participation. The “perceptual horizon effect” model is proposed to account for both positive and negative perceptions of returns on investment. Malgre l’accumulation des connaissances a propos des facteurs qui inﬂ uencent la participation aux etudes postsecondaires, des lacunes demeurent dans notre comprehension du phenomene. Par exemple, nous en savons peu sur le mecanisme par lequel les perceptions des couts et des beneﬁ ces jouent un role dans la decision de poursuivre des etudes collegiales ou universitaires. De meme, on ne sait pas dans quelle mesure certaines perceptions limitent l’acces aux etudes des jeunes provenant de milieux desavantages. Cet article presente les resultats d’un programme de recherche ayant pour objectif de developper et d’evaluer l’operationnalisation des rendements percus en education postsecondaire en se basant sur l’evaluation subjective des couts et des beneﬁ ces par les etudiantes et etudiants. Le projet de recherche est issu de deux questions cles: est-il possible de mesurer de facon ﬁ able les rendements de l’education postsecondaire tels que percus par les eleves du secondaire et est-ce que cette mesure des perceptions peut predire une eventuelle participation postsecondaire? Les resultats demontrent que les perceptions peuvent etre mesurees de facon satisfaisante et peuvent predire la participation aux etudes universitaires, et ce en controlant pour les autres facteurs connus comme ayant une inﬂ uence sur la participation. Un modele d’ « horizon perceptuel » est propose pour expliquer tant les perceptions positives que negatives du retour sur investissement.
Establishing the structure of reality for an industry: model and anti-model arguments as advocacy in Nike's crisis communication

This study illustrates the potential role of model and anti-model arguments in organizational crisis communication. Specifically, model and anti-model arguments are described as a strategy for moving the focus of a crisis from an organization to its industry. Model arguments enable organizations to establish their corrective action as industry standards that merit imitation. Conversely, organizations can set minimum standards for their industries with anti-model arguments. Phil Knight's May 12, 1998, speech announcing Nike's new initiatives in global manufacturing is analyzed as a case study. The essay concludes that model and anti-model arguments can suspend criticism of the organization, create the foundation for a return to industry prominence by the organization, and establish proposed new industry standards that are favorable to the organization.
Detection of invalid routing announcement in the Internet

Network measurement has shown that a specific IP address prefix may be announced by more than one autonomous system (AS), a phenomenon commonly referred to as Multiple Origin AS, or MOAS. MOAS can be due to either operational need to support multi-homing, or false route announcements due to configuration or implementation errors, or even by intentional attacks. Packets following such bogus routes will be either dropped or in the case of an intentional attack, delivered to a machine of the attacker's choosing. The paper presents a protocol enhancement to BGP which enables BGP to detect bogus route announcements from false origins. Rather than imposing cryptography-based authentication and encryption to secure routing message exchanges, our solution makes use of the rich connectivity among ASs that exists in the Internet. Simulation results show that this simple solution can effectively detect false routing announcements even in the presence of multiple compromised routers, become more robust in larger topologies, and can substantially reduce the impact of false routing announcements even with a partial deployment.
Adolescent Worry Induction: An Experimental Laboratory Evaluation

Available research indicates that worry is an important process in need of further investigation, particularly among adolescents. While a sizable body of literature has examined the nature, prevalence, and correlates of worry in both adults and youth, laboratory investigations of this variable using a real-time worry induction paradigm have been completed almost exclusively with adults. The current study aimed to extend the literature by experimentally examining the validity of a worry induction in a sample of adolescents. Fifty adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 years were randomly assigned to either a worry or a neutral thought condition. Results provided initial support for the validity of using an ideographic worry induction procedure with adolescents, suggesting the induction produces elevated generalized negative affectivity and future-oriented mentation relative to a control group. Unexpectedly, predictions regarding the effects of the induction on verbal-linguistic thoughts were not supported. Results are discussed in terms of their convergence and divergence with the adult literature as well as relevant developmental factors to consider in future utilization of worry induction procedures in order to better understand the phenomenology and consequences of worry among youth.