Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cultural diversity in the early childhood classroom in Australia: Educators' perspectives and practices

The steady change in demographics in a multicultural Australia has had significant implications for early childhood educators. This study, set in a multicultural early childhood setting in Australia, explored the different perceptions about cultural diversity and the pedagogic practices of a small staff of early childhood educators. Information was gathered via interview and participant observation and data was interpreted using a Miles and Huberman (1994) approach to data analysis. Findings suggested that (a) teachers viewed the cultural backgrounds that students brought with them as a burden (b) were preoccupied with achieving student conformity into the dominant culture and (c) lived very much in fear of their students falling below curriculum standards. Recommendations arising from the study focus on raising metacultural sensitivity (the ability to understand and assess one’s own culture and that of others at a deep level), incorporating more critical reflection upon pedagogy into teacher education courses, injecting more resources into schools dealing with cultural diversity and providing more formalised dialogue between teachers and parents from different cultural backgrounds.
Glycoproteomics Reveals Decorin Peptides With Anti-Myostatin Activity in Human Atrial Fibrillation

Background: Myocardial fibrosis is a feature of many cardiac diseases. We used proteomics to profile glycoproteins in the human cardiac extracellular matrix (ECM). Methods: Atrial specimens were analyzed by mass spectrometry after extraction of ECM proteins and enrichment for glycoproteins or glycopeptides. Results: ECM-related glycoproteins were identified in left and right atrial appendages from the same patients. Several known glycosylation sites were confirmed. In addition, putative and novel glycosylation sites were detected. On enrichment for glycoproteins, peptides of the small leucine-rich proteoglycan decorin were identified consistently in the flowthrough. Of all ECM proteins identified, decorin was found to be the most fragmented. Within its protein core, 18 different cleavage sites were identified. In contrast, less cleavage was observed for biglycan, the most closely related proteoglycan. Decorin processing differed between human ventricles and atria and was altered in disease. The C-terminus of decorin, important for the interaction with connective tissue growth factor, was detected predominantly in ventricles in comparison with atria. In contrast, atrial appendages from patients in persistent atrial fibrillation had greater levels of full-length decorin but also harbored a cleavage site that was not found in atrial appendages from patients in sinus rhythm. This cleavage site preceded the N-terminal domain of decorin that controls muscle growth by altering the binding capacity for myostatin. Myostatin expression was decreased in atrial appendages of patients with persistent atrial fibrillation and hearts of decorin null mice. A synthetic peptide corresponding to this decorin region dose-dependently inhibited the response to myostatin in cardiomyocytes and in perfused mouse hearts. Conclusions: This proteomics study is the first to analyze the human cardiac ECM. Novel processed forms of decorin protein core, uncovered in human atrial appendages, can regulate the local bioavailability of antihypertrophic and profibrotic growth factors.
Computational Structural Analysis: Multiple Proteins Bound to DNA

Background With increasing numbers of crystal structures of protein∶DNA and protein∶protein∶DNA complexes publically available, it is now possible to extract sufficient structural, physical-chemical and thermodynamic parameters to make general observations and predictions about their interactions. In particular, the properties of macromolecular assemblies of multiple proteins bound to DNA have not previously been investigated in detail. Methodology/Principal Findings We have performed computational structural analyses on macromolecular assemblies of multiple proteins bound to DNA using a variety of different computational tools: PISA; PROMOTIF; X3DNA; ReadOut; DDNA and DCOMPLEX. Additionally, we have developed and employed an algorithm for approximate collision detection and overlapping volume estimation of two macromolecules. An implementation of this algorithm is available at http://promoterplot.fmi. ch/Collision1/. The results obtained are compared with structural, physical-chemical and thermodynamic parameters from protein∶protein and single protein∶DNA complexes. Many of interface properties of multiple protein∶DNA complexes were found to be very similar to those observed in binary protein∶DNA and protein∶protein complexes. However, the conformational change of the DNA upon protein binding is significantly higher when multiple proteins bind to it than is observed when single proteins bind. The water mediated contacts are less important (found in less quantity) between the interfaces of components in ternary (protein∶protein∶DNA) complexes than in those of binary complexes (protein∶protein and protein∶DNA). The thermodynamic stability of ternary complexes is also higher than in the binary interactions. Greater specificity and affinity of multiple proteins binding to DNA in comparison with binary protein-DNA interactions were observed. However, protein-protein binding affinities are stronger in complexes without the presence of DNA. Conclusions/Significance Our results indicate that the interface properties: interface area; number of interface residues/atoms and hydrogen bonds; and the distribution of interface residues, hydrogen bonds, van der Walls contacts and secondary structure motifs are independent of whether or not a protein is in a binary or ternary complex with DNA. However, changes in the shape of the DNA reduce the off-rate of the proteins which greatly enhances the stability and specificity of ternary complexes compared to binary ones.
The effects of α-synuclein on phospholipid vesicle integrity: a study using 31P NMR and electron microscopy

Associations between the 140 amino acid protein α-synuclein (asyn) and presynaptic vesicles may play a role in maintaining synaptic plasticity and neurotransmitter release. These physiological processes may involve disruption and fusion of vesicles, arising from interactions between specific regions of asyn, including the highly basic N-terminal domain, and the surface of vesicles. This work investigates whether asyn affects the integrity of model unilamellar vesicles of varying size and phospholipid composition, by monitoring paramagnetic Mn2+-induced broadening of peaks in the 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum of the lipid head groups. It is shown that asyn increases the permeability to Mn2+ of both large (200nm diameter) and small (50nm diameter) vesicles composed of zwitterionic phosphatidylcholine and anionic phosphatidylglycerol at protein/lipid molar ratios as low as 1:2000. Further experiments on peptides corresponding to sequences in the N-terminal (10–48), C-terminal (120–140) and central hydrophobic (71–82) regions of asyn suggest that single regions of the protein are capable of permeabilizing the vesicles to varying extents. Electron micrographs of the vesicles after addition of asyn indicate that the enhanced permeability is coupled to large-scale disruption or fusion of the vesicles. These results indicate that asyn is able to permeabilize phospholipid vesicles at low relative concentrations, dependent upon the properties of the vesicles. This could have implications for asyn playing a role in vesicle synthesis, maintenance and fusion within synapses.
Effect of ex vivo culture density on CXCR 7 expression in human mesenchymal stem cells

The ability of Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to migrate into host tissues is crucial to their potential use in cell therapies. Here, we evaluated whether ex vivo culture conditions affect the expression of C-X-C chemokine receptor type 7 (CXCR7), which plays pivotal roles in the survival and migration of MSCs to injured tissues, in MSCs. CXCR7 was up-regulated in BM-MSCs harvested at a high density (~90% confluent) in comparison to BM-MSCs harvested at a low density (~50% confluent). Furthermore, following their injection, high-density MSCs expressing CXCR7 were found in small intestinal tissues of graft-versus-host disease mice. In addition, MSCs derived from three different umbilical cord blood samples highly expressed CXCR7 in high-density culture. Collectively, culture conditions such as cell confluency at harvest are important for CXCR7 expression in MSCs; therefore, the results of this study may provide useful guidelines for the harvest of MSCs that can migrate to injured tissues.
Novel measurement method for air-data system based on strip sensors: experimental results

We report the first experiments performed in a wind tunnel to validate a novel measurement equipment, meant to be used in the air-data system of small aircrafts. The apparatus does not rely on conventional probes, but takes advantage of capacitive, strip pressure sensors that enable a survey of the pressure gradients on portions of the aircraft surfaces. Sensors are built by printed circuit board (PCB) technologies as conformable film-like structures that can be directly applied on the aircraft skin. They can read gradients thanks to the many elementary units present in each strip. The measurement equipment employs pressure-gradient information to indirectly infer the aircraft air speed and angle of attack. In the experiments, measurements are taken in a wind tunnel using a NACAOO15 model airfoil hosting a single sensor and results confirm the ability of the system to correctly detect the target quantities
An Echo State Neural Network for QRST Cancellation During Atrial Fibrillation

A novel method for QRST cancellation during atrial fibrillation (AF) is introduced for use in recordings with two or more leads. The method is based on an echo state neural network which estimates the time-varying, nonlinear transfer function between two leads, one lead with atrial activity and another lead without, for the purpose of canceling ventricular activity. The network has different sets of weights that define the input, hidden, and output layers, of which only the output set is adapted for every new sample to be processed. The performance is evaluated on ECG signals, with simulated f-waves added, by determining the root mean square error between the true f-wave signal and the estimated signal, as well as by evaluating the dominant AF frequency. When compared to average beat subtraction (ABS), being the most widely used method for QRST cancellation, the performance is found to be significantly better with an error reduction factor of 0.24-0.43, depending on f-wave amplitude. The estimates of dominant AF frequency are considerably more accurate for all f-wave amplitudes than the AF estimates based on ABS. The novel method is particularly well suited for implementation in mobile health systems where monitoring of AF during extended time periods is of interest.
Iron localization in superficial siderosis of the central nervous system

Originally conceived as an uncommon disorder, with the advent of MRI, CNS superficial siderosis has been observed more frequently. We present histologic, histochemical, immunohistochemical, immunofluorescent and ultrastructural evaluation of a 56‐year‐old woman with superficial siderosis. Iron was concentrated in macrophages, superficial astrocytes and gray matter oligodendroglia deep within the cord. While spatially associated with dystrophic glial and neuronal spheroids, iron did not colocalize with mitochondria. Neurotoxic effects were observed despite selective iron localization only within a variety of non‐neuronal cell types.
Hospitalisation charges for fibromyalgia in the United States, 1999-2007.

OBJECTIVES To estimate fibromyalgia (FM) hospitalisation costs (i.e. charges) for patients in the United States from 1999 to 2007; to determine factors associated with variation in costs of FM and non-FM hospitalisations; and to investigate hospital procedures associated with FM hospitalisations. METHODS Data were from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, a large database of hospitalisations in the U.S. Over the study period, an estimated 63,772 patients - two-thirds women, one-third men - had been hospitalised for FM (FM criterion was the International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis code 729.1, Myositis and Myalgia, unspecified). Demographics and hospital characteristics were described with frequencies and mean inflation-adjusted charges. Two multivariable linear regressions (one for FM and a second for non-FM patients), with Consumer Price Index (CPI)-adjusted charges (hospital and related services category) in thousands of dollars as the dependent variable, were performed, excluding cases with masked or missing data. Procedures were categorised with a standard classification scheme. RESULTS Survey-adjusted total CPI-adjusted charges over the study period were estimated to be approximately $1.0 billion. Hospital procedures and Charlson-Deyo Index (co-morbidity severity) scores were the strongest predictors of charges in bivariate and multivariate analyses (for both FM and non-FM patients). The majority of procedures for FM patients were related to musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, or cardiovascular systems. Most FM patients, however, did not have any procedure or a life-threatening co-morbid illness. CONCLUSIONS Over the nine-year period, hospital charges for FM were substantial. Studies of how to reduce or avoid these costs in the treatment of FM need to be undertaken.
Rehabilitative online education versus internet discussion group for hearing aid users: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND By using the Internet in the audiological rehabilitation process, it might be possible in a cost-effective way to include additional rehabilitation components by informing and guiding hearing aid users about such topics as communication strategies, hearing tactics, and how to handle hearing aids. PURPOSE To evaluate the effectiveness of an online education program for adult experienced hearing aid users including professional guidance by an audiologist and compare it with the effects of participation in an online discussion forum without any professional contact. RESEARCH DESIGN A randomized controlled study with two groups of participants. Repeated measures at prestudy, immediate follow-up, and a 6 mo follow-up. STUDY SAMPLE Fifty-nine experienced hearing aid users participated in the study, ranging in age from 24 to 84 yr (mean 63.5 yr). INTERVENTION The intervention group (N = 29) underwent a five-week rehabilitative online education in which activities for each week included information, tasks, and assignments, and contact with a professional audiologist was included. The participants in the control group (N = 30) were referred to an online discussion forum without any audiologist contact. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS A set of questionnaires administered online were used as outcome measures: (1) Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly, (2) International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids, (3) Satisfaction with Amplification in Daily Life, and (4) Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. RESULTS Significant improvements measured by the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly were found in both groups of participants, and the effects were maintained at the 6 mo follow-up. The results on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale showed that the participants in the intervention group showed reduced symptoms of depression immediately/6 mo after the intervention. At the 6 mo follow-up participants in the control group reported fewer symptoms of anxiety than they did before the intervention started. CONCLUSIONS This study provides preliminary evidence that the Internet can be used to deliver education to experienced hearing aid users who report residual hearing problems such that their problems are reduced by the intervention. The study also suggests that online discussion forums could be used in rehabilitation. A combination of online professional supervised education and online informal discussions could be a promising rehabilitation tool.
The State of the Child

~ dren’s needs, along with methods to respond to those needs, with a celebration of Dr. Gerold Schiebler’s involvement with Florida’s Children’s Medical Services can only be described as a &dquo;natural. &dquo; His lifelong concern for building a statewide system of care for children with special health-care needs responsive to child, family, and community factors demonstrates a futuristic approach that is now being emulated throughout the nation. He has worked toward
Microwave measurements Part I: Linear Measurements

By convention, radio frequency (RF) and microwave frequencies range between 30 MHz and 300 GHz. Conversely, this means their wavelengths range between 10 m and 1 mm. Intense research in radar development during World War II extended the RF spectrum beyond the usual applications in radio communications. The use of shorter wavelengths resulted in laboratory equipment with proportionally smaller dimensions to generate, convey, transmit, and detect higher-frequency signals. Wavelengths shorter than 1 mm require equipment too small to be realized. Voltage, current, and impedance concepts lose their conventional meanings when the operating wavelength is approximately equal to the dimensions of the structures under test. The behavior of propagating electromagnetic waves must then be analyzed in terms of electric and magnetic field. Unfortunately, no simple and direct way exists to measure these quantities, so we must resort to indirect methods. In the following sections, we briefly review the concept and need for measurements of scattering parameters. We also describe the two key instruments for microwave measurements: VNAs and spectrum analyzers.
Isolation and characterization of motile Escherichia coli mutants resistant to bacteriophage chi

Four mutants of Escherichia coli that are resistant to the flagellotropic phage chi, but are motile, were isolated. When they were observed in liquid culture bylight microscopy, one mutant exhibited circular movement and another tumbled at high frequency on the surface of a glass slide. The remaining two mutants moved normally. None of these mutants adsorbed the wild-type strain of chi. P1 transduction revealed that the mutation sites of these four mutants were more than 97% contransducible with a site in hag, the structural gene for flagellin. When flagellins of these mutants were chromatographed on a diethylaminoethyl-cellulose column, two eluted slower and one eluted slightly faster than the flagellin of the parental strain. The other flagellin eluted at the same position as that of the parent. Host range mutants of phage chi, which could infect these bacterial mutants, were isolated.
Analytical MPPT solution using Thevenin approach for solar panels

Modeling a photovoltaic source is a necessary operation in order to track the maximum power point of the solar panels for a specific condition. Generally, solar panels are modeled as nonlinear elements because of their nonlinear characteristics. Thus, maximum power point is tracked by numerical algorithms. As a different approach, this paper proposes an analytical maximum power point tracking (MPPT) technique using a dynamic Thevenin model dependent on ambient conditions. The analytical MPPT controller includes the non-idealities of MPPT circuit for the duty cycle calculations. Moreover, this technique is suitable for any power source that can be modeled as Thevenin equivalent circuit. Theoretically calculated duty cycle equations for maximum power point are verified with experimental results and it is observed that they are in good agreement. Proposed analytical solution provides a faster performance comparing to numerical controllers.
Array Organization and Data Management Exploration in Racetrack Memory

As the descendant of spin-transfer random access memory (STT-RAM), racetrack memory technology saves data in magnetic domains along nanoscopic wires. Such a unique structure can achieve unprecedentedly high storage density meanwhile inheriting the promising features of STT-RAM, such as fast access speed, non-volatility, zero standby power, hardness to soft errors, and compatibility with CMOS technology. Moreover, the recent success in planar racetrack nanowire promised its fabrication feasibility and continuous scalability. In this paper, we investigate the design and optimization of racetrack memory as last-level cache by embracing design considerations across multiple abstraction layers, including the cell design, the array structure, the architecture organization, and the data management. The cross-layer optimization makes racetrack memory based last-level cache achieve 6.4 × reduction in area, 25 percent enhancement in system performance, and 62 percent saving in energy consumption, compared to STT-RAM cache design. Its benefit over SRAM technology is even more significant.
The Implementation Steps of Activity-Based Costing and the Impact of Contextual and Organizational Factors

Anderson (1995) suggests that the critical success factors change at different stages of implementation for information innovations such as ABC. Using mostly contextual and organizational factors found to be associated with ABC success in prior studies, this study tests how these factors affect ten stages of the ABC implementation process. Based on a survey of U.S. manufacturing firms, different factors become important as higher stages of ABC implementation are reached. Evidence is also found that the direction and level of importance for many factors varies by stage. For instance, a high quality information system may lead to rejecting ABC before adoption or abandoning it after implementation has started, but it also appears to enable reaching the highest implementation stage. Studies that combine ABC firms from several implementation stages to test certain success factors may distort their significance levels or reject other factors that are only important for certain stages.
Intimate Partner Violence and Women's Depression Before and During Pregnancy

Depressive symptoms of 95 prenatal care patients were examined relative to thewomen's experiences of intimate partner violence. Women who were victims of psychological aggression during the year before pregnancy were not at elevated risk for depression except when the psychological aggression was very frequent. However, during pregnancy, psychological aggression was more closely tied to women's depression levels, regardless of its frequency. In addition, women who experienced any level of physical assault or sexual coercion by their intimate partners (before or during pregnancy) had higher levels of depressive symptoms compared to nonvictims.