Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Seventeen Japanese Historical English-asa-Foreign-Language Textbooks

The present paper aims to quantitatively analyze the features of seventeen Japanese historical EFL (English as a Foreign Language) textbooks, Book 1, and their current counterpart, by using a correspondence analysis (henceforth CA), focusing on their similarities / differences. The following are the obtained results. First, the CA results proved capable of differentiating the features of the seventeen historical textbooks and their current counterpart quantitatively, specifying their similarities and differences. In particular, the CA map comprised of the two major dimensions specified indicated that both of the two dimensions, Dim 1 (difficult vs. easy texts) and Dim 2 (natural-sounding vs. artificial-sounding discourse) contributed to differentiating their inter-relationships. The locations of the eighteen textbooks on the CA map indicated that, while the feature of difficulty / easiness and that of naturalness / artificiality were closely related to each other with the seventeen historical textbooks, only the current one has the feature of easiness and that of naturalness at the same time. Second, the explaining categories (dimensions, axes) proved to be difficult vs. easy texts (Dim 1), natural-sounding vs. artificial-sounding discourse (Dim 2), passage-based vs. dialogue-based texts (Dim 3), teacher dominance vs. non teacher dominance (Dim 4), strictly-controlled vs. loosely-controlled texts (Dim 5), concise vs. redundant texts (Dim 6) and connected vs. disconnected contents (Dim 7). Third, the whole pictures of the relationships of the eighteen textbooks were described by a dendrogram, which visually summarized all of the features (similarities and differences) among the eighteen nominal variants in the present analysis. Finally, it was concluded that the results of the present study suggest that CA is a useful tool for describing, interpreting and diagnosing the features of Japanese EFL textbooks.
Title Monitoring ATP dynamics in electrically active white mattertracts

In several neurodegenerative diseases and myelin disorders, the degeneration profiles of myelinated axons are compatible with underlying energy deficits. However, it is presently impossible to measure selectively axonal ATP levels in the electrically active nervous system. We combined transgenic expression of an ATP-sensor in neurons of mice with confocal FRET imaging and electrophysiological recordings of acutely isolated optic nerves. This allowed us to monitor dynamic changes and activity-dependent axonal ATP homeostasis at the cellular level and in real time. We find that changes in ATP levels correlate well with compound action potentials. However, this correlation is disrupted when metabolism of lactate is inhibited, suggesting that axonal glycolysis products are not sufficient to maintain mitochondrial energy metabolism of electrically active axons. The combined monitoring of cellular ATP and electrical activity is a novel tool to study neuronal and glial energy metabolism in normal physiology and in models of neurodegenerative disorders. DOI: 10.7554/eLife.24241. 001
You may also be interested in : Optical to microwave clock frequency ratios with a nearly continuous strontium optical lattice clock

In this paperwe report the evaluation of an optical lattice clock based on neutralmercurywith a relative uncertainty of ́ 1.7 10 16. Comparing this characterized frequency standard to a Cs atomic fountainwe determine the absolute frequency of the  S P 1 0 3 0 transition of Hg as n =   ( ) 1128 575 290 808 154.62 Hz 0.19 Hz statistical 0.38 Hz Hg (systematic), limited solely by the realization of the SI second. Furthermore, by comparing themercury optical lattice clock to a Rb atomic fountain, we determine for the first time to our knowledge the ratio between the Hg clock transition and the Rb ground state hyperfine transition. Finally we present a direct optical to optical measurement of the Hg/Sr frequency ratio. The obtained value of n n = Hg Sr 2.629 314 209 898 909 15with a fractional uncertainty of ́ 1.8 10 16 is in excellent agreementwith a similar measurement obtained by Yamanaka et al (2015Phys. Rev. Lett. 114 230801). Thismakes this frequency ratio one of the fewphysical quantities agreed upon by different laboratories to this level of uncertainty. Frequency ratiomeasurements of the kind reported in this paper have a strong impact for frequencymetrology and fundamental physics as they can be used tomonitor putative variations of fundamental constants.
Enhancing Scientific Comprehension Through Content Acquisition Podcasts

Enhancing Scientific Comprehension Through Content Acquisition Podcasts Caroline Elizabeth Williams Department of Counseling Psychology and Special Education, BYU Educational Specialist This study sought to determine the effectiveness of using Content Acquisition Podcasts (CAPs) to teach children with learning disabilities scientific vocabulary. CAPs are multimedia instructional podcasts that combine images and sound to teach supplemental vocabulary. Four children ages 9 to 10 with learning disabilities were taught vocabulary words to prepare them for end-of-year testing. Words were taken from units about rocks, soil and fossils. This study used a multiple probe multiple baseline across units design. Data analysis showed that three of four participants experienced significant improvement in at least one of three units. Social validity questionnaires showed that all four participants enjoyed being a part of the study and felt like they had learned important information. These results indicated that CAPs can be another method for delivering science instruction. They are easy to make, have an impact on learning and incorporate a modality of learning that is appealing to children.
RESEA CH Kit ligand and c-Kit are expressed during early human ovarian follicular development and their interaction is required for the survival of follicles in long-term culture

The receptor tyrosine c-Kit and its cognate ligand, c-Kit ligand (KL, stem cell factor, SCF), are involved in ovarian follicular development in several animal species. We studied the expression of KL and c-Kit using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry in donated human ovarian cortical tissue. The KL transcripts were expressed in granulosa cells of primary follicles, whereas the expression of c-Kit was confined to the oocyte and granulosa cells in primary and secondary follicles. We employed an ovarian organ culture using firstly serum-containing and then serum-free medium to study the effects of KL and an anti-c-Kit antibody, ACK2, on the development and survival of ovarian follicles in vitro. Culture of ovarian cortical slices for 7 days resulted in a 37% increase in the number of primary follicles and a 6% increase in secondary follicles. The proportion of viable follicles decreased in all cultures. The addition of KL (1, 10 and 100ng/ml) into the culture media did not affect the developmental stages of the follicles or the proportion of atretic follicles. Inclusion of ACK2 (800ng/ml) in the culture medium significantly increased the proportion of atretic follicles on days 7 (49 vs 28% in control cultures) and 14 (62 vs 38%) of culture. In conclusion, c-Kit and KL are expressed in human ovaries during follicular development. Blocking the c-Kit receptor induces follicular atresia. The KL/c-Kit signaling system is likely to control the survival of human ovarian follicles during early follicular development. Reproduction (2006) 131 641–649
Syddansk Universitet Drug permeability profiling using cell-free permeation tools Overview and applications

Cell-free permeation systems are gaining interest in drug discovery and development as tools to obtain a reliable prediction of passive intestinal absorption without the disadvantages associated with cellor tissue-based permeability profiling. Depending on the composition of the barrier, cell-free permeation systems are classified into two classes including (i) biomimetic barriers which are constructed from (phospho)lipids and (ii) non-biomimetic barriers containing dialysis membranes. This review provides an overview of the currently available cellfree permeation systems including Parallel Artificial Membrane Permeability Assay (PAMPA), Phospholipid Vesicle-based Permeation Assay (PVPA), Permeapad®, and artificial membrane based systems (e.g. the artificial membrane insert system (AMI-system)) in terms of their barrier composition as well as their predictive capacity in relation to well-characterized intestinal permeation systems. Given the potential loss of integrity of cell-based permeation barriers in the presence of food components or pharmaceutical excipients, the superior robustness of cell-free barriers makes them suitable for the combined dissolution/permeation evaluation of formulations. While cell-free permeation systems are mostly applied for exploring intestinal absorption, they can also be used to evaluate non-oral drug delivery by adjusting the composition of the membrane.
Title Protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type R is required for Purkinje cell responsiveness in cerebellar long-term depression

Background: Regulation of synaptic connectivity, including long-term depression (LTD), allows proper tuning of cellular signalling processes within brain circuitry. In the cerebellum, a key centre for motor coordination, a positive feedback loop that includes mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) is required for proper temporal control of LTD at cerebellar Purkinje cell synapses. Here we report that the tyrosine-specific MAPK-phosphatase PTPRR plays a role in coordinating the activity of this regulatory loop. Results: LTD in the cerebellum of Ptprr mice is strongly impeded, in vitro and in vivo. Comparison of basal phospho-MAPK levels between wild-type and PTPRR deficient cerebellar slices revealed increased levels in mutants. This high basal phospho-MAPK level attenuated further increases in phospho-MAPK during chemical induction of LTD, essentially disrupting the positive feedback loop and preventing α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor (AMPAR) phosphorylation and endocytosis. Conclusions: Our findings indicate an important role for PTPRR in maintaining low basal MAPK activity in Purkinje cells. This creates an optimal ‘window’ to boost MAPK activity following signals that induce LTD, which can then propagate through feed-forward signals to cause AMPAR internalization and LTD.
Effect of Spraying Organic Fertilizer and Grapes Fruiting Eyes Number on some of the Characteristics of Growth and Yield of the Local Cultivar, White Intensity, Yitis vinifera L.

This study has been carried out in Iraq, in Erbil province, for the season 2015/2016 to study the effect of spraying organic fertilizer and the number of eyes on the fruiting canes of the local cultivar (white intensity, vitis vinifera) on the characteristics of the vegetative growth and the yield. The results exceed the treatment of spraying organic fertilizer (B2) for the characteristics of the vegetative growth length, the leaves' number, the leaf area, the number and the length of the grapes clusters and the grape berries quantity giving 78.87 cm, 24.73 leaves, 130.41 cm, 4.00 clusters, 21.72 cm and 85.33 grape berries.cluster, respectively. Concerning the number of the eyes, treatment (T) has preceded respecting the characteristics of the vegetative growth, the leaves' number, the clusters' number, the clusters' length and the grape berries' number which are 75.87 cm. 22.59 leaves, 117.26 cm, 3.89 clusters, 20.58 cm and 74.11 grape berries.cluster , respectively. For the treatments' interference, treatment (B2T3) recorded 87.07 cm, 29.80 leaves, 146.67 cm, 4.67 clusters, 24.73 cm, 104,33 grape berries.clusters, respectively regarding the characteristics of the vegetative growth length, the leaves' number, the leaf area, the clusters' quantity, the clusters' length, the berries quantity.
Mitigation of plant drought stress in a changing climate

This review paper addresses possible adaptation strategies to mitigate drought effects on plants that will increase under climate change. The focus will be on two approaches: use of water-saving deficit irrigation methods (partial root-zone drying-PRD and regulated deficit irrigation-RDI) and breeding of genotypes with increased drought resistance. Both approaches are based on knowledge of plant stress physiology.
Effect of Gibberellic Acid on Growth, Yield, and Quality of Leaf Lettuce and Rocket Grown in a Floating System

Gibberellins (GAs) are growth hormones strongly involved in a wide variety of physiological activities. Currently, gibberellins are commercially used to enhance phenotypic characteristics, earliness, and productivity of many vegetable and ornamental crops. In this work, the efficacy of supplementation of low levels of gibberellic acid (0, 10−8, 10−6, and 10−4 M GA3) through the mineral nutrient solution of a floating system on yield and quality of leaf lettuce and rocket plants was tested. The marketability of plants was lost when 10−4 M GA3 was added to the mineral nutrient solution. This study demonstrated that the addition of 10−4 M GA3 exceeded the acceptable threshold for use in hydroponics production systems. Below the concentration of 10−4 M, the presence of GA3 in the mineral nutrient solutions (MNS), especially at 10−6 M GA3, stimulated plant growth and enhanced the yield. Various morphological and physiological traits were enhanced by GA3 treatments (biomass accumulation, leaf expansion, stomatal conductance, water use efficiency (WUE), Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), etc.), with superimposable trends in both lettuce and rocket. The addition of 10−6 M GA3 to the nutrient solution of a hydroponic floating system can promote growth and quality of lettuce and rocket plants.
Wing myology of Caracaras ( Aves , Falconiformes ) : muscular features associated with flight behavior

Caracaras (Aves, Falconiformes, Falconidae) are Neotropical diurnal raptors that belong to the subfamily Polyborinae. The forelimb myo­ logy of this group has not been comprehensively studied or compared with that of other Falconidae. Thus, the aims of this study were i) to describe the forelimb muscles of two species of Polyborinae (Caracara plancus and Milvago chimango), ii) to explore the possible relationship between muscular features and their function in flight behavior and iii) to compare the muscular features of these species with those of species of the subfamily Falconinae. To this end, the forelimb muscles of C. plancus (n = 4) and M. chimango (n = 4) were dissect­ ed. Additonally, to complement this data set, two specimens of M. chimachima were dissected. The mass of each muscle of one wing and its percentage with respect to the body mass were obtained. A total of 45 muscles were identified, and differences with respect to Falconinae were related to the presence of single or additional bellies. The total forelimb muscle mass represented between 7.68 and 10.26 % of the body mass. The muscle pectoralis represented ̴ 5% of the body mass, followed by the muscles scapulohumeralis caudalis (0.64 – 0.79%), deltoideus major (0.43 – 0.53%), supracoracoideus (0.34 – 0.38%) and biceps brachii (0.26 – 0.39%). The high values of these muscles are in agreement with their important function: they are involved in the downstroke and upstroke phases of the flapping flight. On the other hand, the muscles that seemed to contribute little to the mechanical power for flight presented low values that ranged between 0.01 and 0.25%. Comparison of the forelimb muscles of caracaras with published data on Falconinae species suggests that their muscular features might be associated with their type of flight, which is more erratic and less powerful than that of Falconinae.
Maximizing Resection of Diffused Low-Grade Glioma Functional Outcome

Background: most of adults with Diffuse Low Grade Gliomas (DLGGs) are diagnosed with an average age of 39 years and the diagnosis is often made around fully functioning individuals. Currently extent of resection (EOR) is a generally known variable that impacts overall survival (OS), progression free survival and malignant transformation in these gliomas. Aim of the study: this study aimed to evaluate the risks and benefits of maximizing the extent of resection of DLGGS, while preserving neurological function. Methodology and Materials: this was a prospective observational study of group of consecutive 20 patients with initial imaging diagnosis of supratentorial DLGGs. Preoperatively planned for maximal resection even if presuming the proximity of these lesions to eloquent cortex and their relative diffuse nature on imaging. Results: 40 % were near eloquent area and 30 % at eloquent areas. GTR achieved in 10% and STR in 65%. Pre-operative Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) was 100 in 10%, 90 in 65%, 72 hours post-operative 70 in 60%. During the first 6 months of follow-up KPS was 100 in 60% of the study cohort while only one patient (5%) died. After 6 months KPS was 100 and represented 95% of the whole study. LOS was the longest (4-16 days) in near eloquent and shortest in eloquent (5-8 days). 30% had pre-operative uncontrolled seizures, which cured post-operative, 50% stopped AED within a year. Average back to work period was 2.5 for eloquent, near eloquent 2.8 and non-eloquent 2.6 months. Conclusion: careful pre-surgical planning based on proper reviewed history, recent imaging techniques and utilizing up-to-date intra-operative technology is helping to maximize safe surgical resection, while saving patient function and quality of life.
Morphological reconsideration of the araphid genus Pseudostaurosira (Bacillariophyceae), a revision of Gedaniella, Popovskayella and Serratifera, and a description of a new Nanofrustulum species

Background and aims – As a result of the description of many new species, reanalyses of type material, and information becoming available on valve morphogenesis in small araphid diatoms lacking a rimoportulae, the existing classification scheme at the genus level needs revision. Because morphological information has increased manyfold since the system provided by Williams & Round (1987), it may now be possible to find distinguishing characters in order to produce a more stable and useful framework, encompassing a morphogenetic perspective, which could then guide the placement of newly discovered taxa. This new framework could also be used to help assess the molecular information generated for the group, based on which many new genera are being erected, but perhaps without proper pondering of morphological data. Methods – A thorough review was made of available published information on the ultrastructure of small-celled araphid diatoms lacking rimoportulae. In addition, image databases were searched, and new light and scanning electron microscopical observations made of some hitherto undescribed species. Key results and conclusions – We provide a table of putative distinguishing features for nine genera (Nanofrustulum, Opephora, Pseudostaurosira, Pseudostaurosiropsis, Punctastriata, Sarcophagodes, Stauroforma, Staurosira and Staurosirella), together with a discussion on their value for discriminating these small diatoms using a morphogenetic perspective. Based on our findings, we amend the genus Pseudostaurosira, establishing wide and short vimines as its most characteristic feature. We use our system in describing a new species from Bolivia, which we place in Nanofrustulum based on its quasifract copulae, the distinguishing trait of the genus. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by its heteropolar valves, apical pore field features, and the multiseriate areolae. We also examine the three genera Popovskayella, Gedaniella, and Serratifera, the latter two recently erected based on molecular information. Since none of these latter genera pass the morphogenetic evaluation we think is essential, we place them in synonymy with other genera and provide the consequent nomenclatural changes. Finally, we make several new combinations in Nanofrustulum, Pseudostaurosira, Sarcophagodes and Staurosirella.
Working Title :-The Beta Anomaly : The Conditional and Unconditional Value Premium in the Norwegian Stock Market –

In this Master thesis we investigate the relation between systematic risk and returns in the Norwegian Stock Market between 1985-2016. In an efficient market, market participants realize above average returns only by taking on above average risks. However, prior studies find that strategies that buy low-beta stocks and sell high-beta stocks have significantly positive unconditional capital asset pricing model (CAPM) alpha. We will first examine whether this relationship is present in Norway. Second, if present, by utilizing the methodology in Cederburg & O’Doherty (2016) we will try to resolve the anomaly by using the conditional CAPM. GRA 19002 – Preliminary Master Thesis
Tilburg University Perfect and Imperfect Strangers in Social Dilemmas

This paper focuses on social dilemma games where players may or may not meet the same partner again in the future. In line with the notion that contagion of cooperation is more likely the higher the likelihood of being re-matched with the same partner in the future, both a novel experiment and a meta-study document higher cooperation rates if this likelihood is sufficiently high. JEL Codes: C70, C90, D70
WP / 18 / 142 The Macroeconomic Effects of Fiscal Consolidation in Emerging Economies : Evidence from Latin America

We estimate the short-term effects of fiscal consolidation on economic activity in 14 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. We examine contemporaneous policy documents to identify changes in fiscal policy motivated by a desire to reduce the budget deficit and not by responding to prospective economic conditions. Based on this narrative dataset, our estimates suggest that fiscal consolidation has contractionary effects on GDP, consistent with a multiplier of 0.9. We find these effects to be close to those in OECD countries based on a similarly constructed dataset (Devries and others, 2011). We also find similar estimation results for the two groups of economies for the effect of fiscal consolidation on the external current account balance, providing support for the twin deficits hypothesis. JEL Classification Numbers: E62, H20, H5, H6
Cyberbullying on social network sites : an experimental study into bystanders ' behavioral intentions to help the victim or reinforce the bully Reference :

Cyberbullying on social network sites poses a significant threat to the mental and physical health of victimized adolescents. Although the role of bystanders in solving bullying instances has been demonstrated repeatedly in research on traditional bullying, their role in cyberbullying remains relatively understudied. Therefore, we set up an experimental scenario study in order to examine the influence of contextual factors (severity of the incident, identity and behaviour of other bystanders) on bystanders’ behavioural intentions to help the victim or reinforce the bully in cases of harassment on Facebook. Four hundred and fifty-three second year students of Flemish secondary schools participated in the study. The results on the one hand showed that bystanders had higher behavioural intentions to help the victim when they witnessed a more severe incident. Incident severity also interacted with other bystanders’ identity in influencing behavioural intentions to help the victim. On the other hand, bystanders had higher behavioural intentions to join in the bullying when other bystanders were good friends rather than acquaintances. In addition, an interaction effect was found between other bystanders’ identity and behaviour on behavioural intentions to join in the bullying. Furthermore, both helping and reinforcing behavioural intentions differed according to gender.