Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Search for a Series of Small Successes: Frontiers of Settlement in Eastern Bolivia

Few thinly populated regions of the world represent genuine frontiers of settlement. The tendency to describe almost any area of sparse population as a settlement ‘frontier’ is not uncommon, especially in studies of Latin America. What matters, however, is what is going on within such sparsely populated zones, or indeed within more densely populated zones which are in an active frontier stage.
Activity-based blended learning

As part of the trend towards blended learning, the Open University of Shell International Exploration and Production is shifting from predefined content-based learning to activity-based learning grounded in learners' actual workplace problems. This article acts as a case study by describing key design principles adopted by the organization and also describes how the shift addressed courses that served multinational participants. Data are provided on the learning activities in thirty-seven courses redesigned in 2002 (covering nearly 300 separate learning activities). The article concludes with some comments on work that still needs to be done as well as key implications for practitioners in other organizations.
Changes in Cystic Fibrosis Airway Microbial Community Associated with a Severe Decline in Lung Function

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease resulting in chronic polymicrobial infections of the airways and progressive decline in lung function. To gain insight into the underlying causes of severe lung diseases, we aimed at comparing the airway microbiota detected in sputum of CF patients with stable lung function (S) versus those with a substantial decline in lung function (SD). Microbiota composition was investigated by using culture-based and culture-independent methods, and by performing multivariate and statistical analyses. Culture-based methods identified some microbial species associated with a worse lung function, i.e. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Rothia mucilaginosa, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Candida albicans, but only the presence of S. pneumoniae and R. mucilaginosa was found to be associated with increased severe decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1). Terminal-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis revealed a higher bacterial diversity than that detected by culture-based methods. Molecular signatures with a statistically significant odds ratio for SD status were detected, and classified as Pseudomonas, Burkholderia and Shewanella, while for other Terminal Restriction Fragments (T-RFs) no species assignation was achieved. The analysis of T-RFLP data using ecological biodiversity indices showed reduced Evenness in SD patients compared to S ones, suggesting an impaired ecology of the bacterial community in SD patients. Statistically significant differences of the ecological biodiversity indices among the three sub-groups of FEV1 (normal/mild vs moderate vs severe) were also found, suggesting that the patients with moderate lung disease experienced changes in the airway assembly of taxa. Overall, changes in CF airway microbial community associated with a severe lung function decline were detected, allowing us to define some discriminatory species as well as some discriminatory T-RFs that represent good candidates for the development of predictive biomarkers of substantial decline in lung function.
On Shortcomings of the ns-2 Random Number Generator

The ns-2 is a widely used network simulation tool which implements a fairly old and weak random number generator (RNG). As the RNG component is used by a variety of other components, it can be seen as one of the most important core components of the ns-2. In this paper we explore weaknesses of this RNG and demonstrate its shortcomings in context with a simple simulation example (M/D/1) which produces severely wrong simulation results when this RNG is used in combination with specific seeds. We incorporate the modern Mersenne Twister RNG into the ns-2 and show how the insensitivity of this RNG regarding to the initial seeds leads to significant improvements in the simulation outputs. Topics: random number generation, correlated random numbers, Mersenne Twister, network simulation, ns-2, M/D/1 Contact: Bernhard Hechenleitner Salzburg Research Jakob-Haringer-Strase 5/III A-5020 Salzburg, Austria email: bernhard.hechenleitner@salzburgresearch.at phone: +43.662. 2288-445 fax: +43.662. 2288-222 This work is partly funded by the EU IST project AQUILA.
Improving sightreading accuracy: A meta-analysis

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to determine whether experimentally tested sightreading interventions positively influenced sightreading ability. A meta-analysis was conducted with 92 quasi-experimental research studies on sightreading (124 individual analyses) to determine the overall effect size of treatment and to examine how the effect size was influenced by treatment type, sightreading mode (sightreading/sightsinging), age and experience of sight reader, type of sightreading test, and other study design elements. The analysis revealed a small overall effect size for treatment (d = −0.18, 95% CI [−0.24, −0.11]). Of the moderator variables, only treatment-type was significant, with treatments categorized as “Aural Training,” “Controlled Reading,” “Creative Activities,” and “Singing/Solfege” significantly and positively affecting sightreading. There was a moderately strong within-group effect size (d = −0.48, 95% CI [−0.56, −0.40]), indicating that sightreading generally improved pre- to posttest for both control and treatment groups.
FRAMES OF REFERENCE AND TRADITIONS OF INTERPRETATION: SOME ISSUES IN THE IDENTIFICATION OF ‘UNDER-ACHIEVING’ SCHOOLS

ABSTRACT: Using various official sources (such as Ofsted reports), the article explores competing conceptions of the ‘under-achieving’ school which have been operationalised in recent years. It suggests that there have been multiple, potentially conflicting definitions in policy discourse to which recent innovations have merely added a further layer of complexity. Using a simple conceptual framework comparing judgements made within ‘standards’ and ‘progress’ frameworks for evaluating schools’ performance, it highlights the very limited range of conditions where judgements made within one tradition would complement those made within the other. As the educational system begins to turn increasingly to use of so-called ‘value-added’ approaches as a way forward, the implications of these analyses for policy development, particularly in relation to the alleviation of social and educational disadvantage, are considered.
Exploring the language of learning within further education

Researchers claim that a rise in the language of learning has led to education being seen as a commodity and the learner as a customer, leading to a market model in FE. To ascertain the impact the language of learning has had upon practitioners’ understanding of education, their practice and their professional identities, semi-structured interviews were carried out. A total of 12 practitioners with differing levels of experience in the FE sector across the north of England were interviewed. Thematic analysis and coding of responses revealed the presence of two additional languages, one related to a therapeutic ethos and the other connected to aspects of the market model. Both these and the language of learning were inter-relational in nature, apparently legitimising and reinforcing each other and defining and valuing what can be done. The languages appeared to be creating a blinkered view of life, one stripped of complexity, leading to a simplistic, reductionist and instrumental perspective. This perspective is in conflict with the complex concepts and theories used in teacher training, so much so that it appeared such concepts quickly became forgotten as they had no apparent purpose or relevance within the actual practice – a practice that is defined by these languages.
A Survey on Gossip-based Energy Conservation for Wireless Ad Hoc Network Routing

This paper presents a survey of gossip based sleep protocol (GSP) and extensions of GSP for energy conservation for wireless ad hoc networks and sensor networks. In GSP, each node randomly goes to sleep for some time with gossip sleep probability p. When the value of p is small enough, the network stays connected. GSP does not require a wireless node to maintain the states of other nodes. Three extensions of GSP that are A-GSP, TGSP, and B-GSP described in this paper.
Malignant hyperthermia in dogs.

It's not surprisingly when entering this site to get the book. One of the popular books now is the malignant hyperthermia in dogs. You may be confused because you can't find the book in the book store around your city. Commonly, the popular book will be sold quickly. And when you have found the store to buy the book, it will be so hurt when you run out of it. This is why, searching for this popular book in this website will give you benefit. You will not run out of this book.
Isosurface extraction techniques for Web-based volume visualization

The reconstruction of isosurfaces from scalar volume data has positioned itself as a fundamental visualization technique in many different applications. But the dramatically increasing size of volumetric data sets often prohibits the handling of these models on affordable low-end single processor architectures. Distributed client-server systems integrating high-bandwidth transmission channels and Web based visualization tools are one alternative to attack this particular problem, but therefore new approaches to reduce the load of numerical processing and the number of generated primitives are required. We outline different scenarios for distributed isosurface reconstruction from large scale volumetric data sets. We demonstrate how to directly generate stripped surface representations and we introduce adaptive and hierarchical concepts to minimize the number of vertices that have to be reconstructed, transmitted and rendered. Furthermore, we propose a novel computation scheme, which allows the user to flexibly exploit locally available resources. The proposed algorithms have been merged together in order to build a platform-independent Web based application. Extensive use of VRML and Java OpenGL bindings allows for the exploration of large scale volume data quite efficiently.
Data flow analysis of concurrent systems that use the rendezvous model of synchronization

Because of the complex communication patterns supported in concurrent systems, it is extremely difficult for developers to understand and reason about these systems. Thus, it is important that automated analysis techniques be developed to help detect problems and assist in software understanding for these systems. There has been considerable research on various analysis techniques for concurrent systems, including static analysis techniques [ADW89, MR90, McD89, SC88, T080, Tay83b], dynamic analysis techniques [CT91, HL85, RL89, Tai86], and hybrid techniques [Di188, HK88, YT88, YTFB89]. Data flow analysis is a well-recognized, static analysis technique that has been successfully used on sequential systems to support program optimization, static type checking, and anomaly detection. In addition, there has been considerable research on efficient algorithms for implementing intraprocedural and interprocedural data flow analysis techniques. In this paper we describe a technique for applying data flow analysis to concurrent programs that use the rendezvous model of inter-task communication. Such languages include Ada [Ref83], Distributed Processes [BH78] and CSP [Hoa78]. We also show how the resulting information can be employed to detect anomalies in concurrent programs. One of the major benefits of applying data flow analysis for anomaly detection is that it can discover in-
Transforming What They Read: Helping Eleven-Year-Olds Engage with Internet Information.

This article explores an issue of great current concern: how do we help primary aged children to engage with, and to benefit from, information from the Internet? The notion of ‘engagement’ is considered in the context of constructivist learning theory. A short case study based on a small-scale research project in a primary school classroom in England is presented in order to illustrate the difficulties that arise when children undertake information handling work involving access to vast amounts of information. The end products from two groups of children are found to be far from what might have been expected from children of their ability, background and experience. Engagement with the ideas contained in non-fiction texts is isolated as a crucial factor. Approaches, including the EXIT model, are presented and considered as ways in which engagement might be encouraged.
Trypanosome characterization by polymerase chain reaction in Glossina palpalis gambiensisand G.tachinoidesfrom Burkina Faso

Abstract. Following the discovery of four cases of African human trypanosomiasis, an entomological survey was conducted along the Mouhoun river in southwest Burkina Faso to collect Glossina palpalis gambiensisand G.tachinoides. Among 226 flies dissected, 4.87% (eleven individuals) were infected in midgut or proboscis, but never in the salivary glands. Polymerase chain reaction analysis was undertaken, and was able to characterize all the proboscis infections, and half of the midgut infections. Only Trypanosoma simiaeand T. vivaxwere found in the organs of infected flies, in single or mixed‐species infections. Ten more flies, negative with parasitological examination, were tested with Trypanozoonprimers and remained negative. The epidemiological significance of the absence of T.bruceigroup infections in wild tsetse populations and the presence of T.simiaein G.p.gambiensisare discussed.
Sex, desire and pleasure: considering the experiences of older Australian women

Older age is often associated with asexuality. That is, older individuals are not viewed as desiring of sex, nor as sexually desirable to others. Broader social and cultural norms that downplay women's sexual desire and agency further compound these phenomena. Whether this popular image accurately reflects older women's sexual desires, behaviour and capacity to experience pleasure is unclear. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with 43 partnered Australian women aged 55–81, this article considers women's sexual experiences and desires in older age. The findings of our research confirm that older women's experiences of sex and sexual desire are diverse and fluid. Some of the factors that influenced participants’ sexual behaviour and desire will be considered in this article, as will their understandings of what “counts” as sexual satisfaction and “successful sex”. The factors affecting sexual behaviour and desire also influence the way in which women are able to negotiate sexual interaction with their partners. Participants expressed a need for education and resources in order to gain greater control and to make autonomous choices over their sexual experiences, desire and ability to give and receive pleasure. The implications of these findings for practitioners are also considered.
Dream Imagery and Emotion.

The relationship between prominent visual imagery and emotion within dreams was investigated in relation to E. Hartmann's (1996) contextualizing image (CI) theory and M. Seligman and A. Yellen's (1987) dual imagery theory. Fifty-nine students recorded dreams over a 2-week period and submitted 115 dreams for analysis. Participants recorded ratings of emotion type and emotion intensity in each scene. Prominent visual images were identified and scored for intensity and detail by independent judges. As hypothesized from Hartmann's theory, there was a significant positive relationship between CI intensity and emotion intensity in the CI scene, emotion intensity generally peaked in the CI scene, and dreams containing a CI had higher overall ratings of emotion intensity than non-CI dreams. The result for the correlation of detail of prominent imagery with emotion was inconclusive, with a low positive correlation across CI scenes. This raises the possibility that the CI is not a unitary construct. Copyright 2005 by the Educational Publishing Foundation.
Characterization of Cholylglycine Hydrolase from a Bile-Adapted Strain of Xanthomonas maltophilia and Its Application for Quantitative Hydrolysis of Conjugated Bile Salts

ABSTRACT Purified bile salt hydrolase from bile-adapted Xanthomonas maltophilia displays Michaelis-Menten kinetics on cholylglycine and cholyltaurine and hydrolyzes bile salts also in crude bovine bile. The protein is a dimer and is resistant to proteinases and to heating at 55 to 60°C for up to 60 min, in agreement with calorimetric data.
Gradient-based variable forgetting factor RLS algorithm in time-varying environments

In this paper, a new control mechanism for the variable forgetting factor (VFF) of the recursive least square (RLS) adaptive algorithm is presented. The control algorithm is basically a gradient-based method of which the gradient is derived from an improved mean square error analysis of RLS. The new mean square error analysis exploits the correlation of the inverse of the correlation matrix with itself that yields improved theoretical results, especially in the transient and steady-state mean square error. It is shown that the theoretical analysis is close to simulation results for different forgetting factors and different model orders. The analysis yields a dynamic equation of mean square error that can be used to derive a dynamic equation of the gradient of mean square error to control the forgetting factor. The dynamic equation can produce a positive gradient when the error is large and a negative gradient when the error is in the steady state. Compared with other variable forgetting factor algorithms, the new control algorithm gives fast tracking and small mean square model error for different signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs).
Technical Report : Learning to Rank using High-Order Information

The problem of ranking a set of visual samples according to their relevance to a query plays an important role in computer vision. The traditional approach for ranking is to train a binary classifier such as a support vector machine (svm). Binary classifiers suffer from two main deficiencies: (i) they do not optimize a ranking-based loss function, for example, the average precision (ap) loss; and (ii) they cannot incorporate high-order information such as the a priori correlation between the relevance of two visual samples (for example, two persons in the same image tend to perform the same action). We propose two novel learning formulations that allow us to incorporate high-order information for ranking. The first framework, called high-order binary svm (hob-svm), allows for a structured input. The parameters of hob-svm are learned by minimizing a convex upper bound on a surrogate 0-1 loss function. In order to obtain the ranking of the samples that form the structured input, hobsvm sorts the samples according to their max-marginals. The second framework, called high-order average precision svm (hoap-svm), also allows for a structured input and uses the same ranking criterion. However, in contrast to hob-svm, the parameters of hoap-svm are learned by minimizing a difference-of-convex upper bound on the ap loss. Using a standard, publicly available dataset for the challenging problem of action classification, we show that both hob-svm and hoap-svm outperform the baselines that ignore high-order information.
Unscented Particle Filter algorithm based on artificial fish swarm algorithm

Aiming at the problem of Unscented Particle Filter (UPF) algorithm such as particles degeneracy and particles impoverishment, by use of the behaviors of preying, swarming and following in the artificial fish swarm algorithm, an artificial fish swarm algorithm is used to make the particles of UKF move toward the global optimum, which optimalizes the resampling process and relieves the problem of particles degeneracy and impoverishment. Experiments show that this algorithm improves the estimation accuracy of UPF algorithm.
Relaxation gating of the acetylcholine‐activated inward rectifier K+ current is mediated by intrinsic voltage sensitivity of the muscarinic receptor

Non‐technical summary Normal heart rate variability is critically dependent upon the G‐protein‐coupled, acetylcholine (ACh)‐activated inward rectifier K+ current, IKACh. A unique feature of IKACh is the so‐called ‘relaxation’ gating property that contributes to increased current at hyperpolarized membrane potentials. Here, we consider a novel explanation for IKACh relaxation based upon the recent finding that G‐protein‐coupled receptors are intrinsically voltage sensitive and that the muscarinic agonists acetylcholine and pilocarpine manifest opposite voltage‐dependent IKACh modulation. Based on experimental and computational findings, we propose that IKACh relaxation represents a voltage‐dependent change in agonist affinity as a consequence of a voltage‐dependent conformational change in the muscarinic receptor.
Implicit and explicit memory in young children and adults

This study investigates implicit and explicit memory in normal subjects over two retention intervals, one hour and two weeks. Four age groups were used: 3 years, 5 years, 7 years and adults. In all conditions subjects were initially shown 15 fragmented pictures where each consisted of eight stages ranging from very incomplete to complete. Subjects were shown increasingly complete versions of each stimulus until it was successfully identified. After the retention interval the 15 target pictures were re-presented using the same procedure as the original learning phase. Fifteen new fragmented pictures were also presented. After identifying each picture during the test phase subjects were asked whether or not they had seen it before. Savings on picture completion were taken as a measure of implicit memory and recognition accuracy as a measure of explicit memory. All age groups showed significant savings and, when performance was calculated as a proportion of the initial score, no developmental trend was evident. Savings were greater after one hour than two weeks. After one hour all age groups could reliably distinguish pictures they had seen in the learning phase from those presented for the first time after the retention interval. Similar results were found after two weeks with the exception of the 3−year-olds who were very poor at remembering which pictures they had seen before. Where analysis was possible it was found that savings scores were not correlated significantly with recognition accuracy. This, combined with the differential effects of age on the implicit and explicit components of the task, suggests that different memory systems may underlie performance on the two tasks.
Visualizing historical data using spectrographs

Studying the evolution of long lived processes such as the development history of a software system or the publication history of a research community, requires the analysis of a vast amount of data. Aggregation techniques and data specific techniques are usually used to cope with the large amount of data. In this paper, we introduce a general technique to study historical data derived from tracking the evolution of long lived processes. We present a visualization approach (evolution spectrographs) to assist in identifying interesting patterns and events during evolutionary analysis of such historical data. We demonstrate the usefulness of spectrographs through several case studies. The data for the case studies are derived from the publication history of conferences in the area of software engineering and from the source control of several large open source projects. Our case studies reveal interesting patterns such as the increase of collaboration over time in the area of software engineering, and the emergence of new research topics. The spectrographs give an overview of the change activities for the subsystems in large software projects