Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Encouraging secondary students’ deep reflection-on-learning: a case for a reflective approach to evaluating students’ learning

The aim of this action research study was to ascertain the usefulness of a modified version of the reflective approach to teaching practice debriefing (RATPD) strategy in encouraging secondary music students’ deep reflection-on-learning. While the original RATPD strategy is a useful approach for encouraging adult students’ deep reflection-on-learning in higher education contexts, what was unknown, was its usefulness in encouraging secondary school students’ deep reflection-on-learning. Therefore, a study was launched. The study utilised students at a private secondary school in London, England. A grade 8 class (n=15) participated. The class contained male and female students who were 13–14 years old. Examples of the usefulness of the modified approach include the fact that it encouraged students to reveal cognitive, musical and attitudinal skills developed, think affectively by targeting their emotional state and to internalise the unit of lessons by identifying and taking ownership of positive attitudes and behaviours as part of their nature.
Is a Neutral Head Position Safer than 45-Degree Neck Rotation During Ultrasound-Guided Internal Jugular Vein Cannulation? Results of a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND: The optimal degree of neck rotation during internal jugular vein (IJV) cannulation remains undetermined because previous studies suggested using sonography, but without puncturing the vein. We assessed whether a neutral position (NP) of the head (0 degrees) during ultrasound-guided cannulation of the IJV was safer than rotating the neck to 45 degrees head turned. The effect of these 2 positions during ultrasound-guided cannulation on major complications was the primary outcome. Overall complications, venous access time, and perception of difficulty during the procedure were also evaluated. METHODS: A prospective, randomized, controlled, nonblinded study was conducted in a tertiary neurosurgical hospital. Patients undergoing major elective neurosurgical procedures requiring a central venous line were randomly allocated to 2 groups; ultrasound-guided cannulation of the IJV was then performed using an out-of-plane orientation. RESULTS: One thousand four hundred twenty-four patients were evaluated, but 92 were excluded; 670 were allocated to the head turned group and 662 to the NP group. Cannulation was 100% successful. Demographic data were similar in the 2 groups except for IJV positions. There were only 10 major complications: 6 in the 0-degree NP group and 4 in the 45-degree head turned group. The frequency of these complications was not different between the 2 groups. The overall complication rate was 13%, and was higher in women, in patients with ASA physical status ≥II, and in patients with a smaller diameter vein, or when the vein was located deeper and lateral or in the anterolateral position. An increased venous access time was associated with an increased rate of overall complications. The perception of difficulty performing the procedure with the head placed in the 2 positions was not statistically different in either group. CONCLUSION: A head NP was as safe as a 45-degree neck rotation during ultrasound-guided IJV cannulation with regard to both major and minor complications, and venous access time was similar. Ultrasound guidance helps determine optimal head rotation for IJV cannulation.
P-glycoprotein efflux pump expression and activity in Calu-3 cells.

The purpose of this work was to determine if the sub-bronchial epithelial cell model, Calu-3, expresses the functionally active P-glycoprotein (Pgp) efflux pump. Calu-3 cells express lower levels of Pgp than both Caco-2 and A549 cells as determined by Western Blot analysis. In Calu-3 cells, accumulation of the Pgp substrates rhodamine 123 (Rh123) and calcein acetoxymethyl ester (calcein-AM) was increased in the presence of the specific Pgp inhibitors cyclosporin A (CsA), vinblastine, and taxol. Significant inhibition of Pgp activity was not observed until after 2 h in both cell lines. The organic anion/multidrug resistance associated protein-1 (MRP1) inhibitors, probenecid and indomethacin, did not affect Rh123 accumulation, whereas an increase in calcein accumulation was observed by both agents. The metabolic inhibitor sodium azide decreased the efflux of Rh123 out of Calu-3 cells to the same degree as CsA, supporting inhibition of an active, efflux pathway. The basolateral-to-apical transport of Rh123 was significantly higher than that in the reverse direction, indicating a secretory pathway of efflux that was inhibited 25-fold by CsA. Basolateral-to-apical transport of Rh123 was inhibited slightly with both MRP1 inhibitors; however, no significant effect of Rh123 net secretion was observed. Mixed inhibitor studies demonstrated that Rh123 efflux was mainly Pgp mediated. These results support an energy-dependent Pgp efflux pump pathway that is sensitive to inhibition with CsA in Calu-3 cells.
An unconditionally stable nonstandard finite difference method applied to a mathematical model of HIV infection

We formulate and analyze an unconditionally stable nonstandard finite difference method for a mathematical model of HIV transmission dynamics. The dynamics of this model are studied using the qualitative theory of dynamical systems. These qualitative features of the continuous model are preserved by the numerical method that we propose in this paper. This method also preserves the positivity of the solution, which is one of the essential requirements when modeling epidemic diseases. Robust numerical results confirming theoretical investigations are provided. Comparisons are also made with the other conventional approaches that are routinely used for such problems.
A system for extracting structural information from Social Network accounts

The social network phenomenon involves hundreds of millions of people every day. This enormous volume of activity results in a huge source of information that can be valuable in many fields, for both research and application purposes. The relevance of this information strongly depends on the evolution occurring in the social Web, in which interaction among different social networks and their cross‐relationships are becoming progressively more important. This, in fact, represents the basis of an emergent scenario called Social Internetworking Scenario. However, efficiently accessing and fruitfully querying this huge information source is not easy, because no tool to support applications needing a massive utilization of cross‐social‐network data exists. In this paper, we fill this gap by proposing Social Network Account Knowledge Extractor (SNAKE), a system supporting the extraction of structural data from a social network account. SNAKE is implemented in such a way as to be easily integrated in any social‐network‐based application. To show the practical relevance of our proposal, we present our experience gained in three possible real‐life applications strongly relying on information provided by SNAKE. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multiscale Fiber Kinking: Computational Micromechanics and a Mesoscale Continuum Damage Mechanics Models

In this work, the fiber kinking phenomenon, which is known as the failure mechanism that takes place when a fiber reinforced polymer is loaded under longitudinal compression, is studied. A computational micromechanics model is employed to interrogate the assumptions of a recently developed mesoscale continuum damage mechanics (CDM) model for fiber kinking based on the deformation gradient decomposition (DGD) and the LaRC04 failure criteria.
Trust: From Socrates to Spin

The author moves between great philosophers and sociologists and the impact of this trust crisis in our daily lives, animating theory with in depth case studies, helping us to make sense of the daily scares in our newspapers. Is trust declining? Should we be worried? What can we do? The author provides the answers.
Communicating certainty and uncertainty in everyday life: An introduction

This introduction focuses on the relevance of certainty and uncertainty in social life. We will firstly underscore the structuring role of certainties as it was outlined by the phenomenological approach to the life-world in the first half of the XX century. Drawing on the bottom-up perspective advanced by the interactionist turn in social sciences, we then consider how people routinely (re)construct these certainties in ordinary life through their everyday mundane practices. To empirically illustrate how certainties are - at the same time - presupposed and constituted in everyday communication, we analyze two examples of child/adult interaction. By illuminating some consequences of building upon unquestionable certainties, we raise the issue of uncertainty as a relevant modality in and for everyday life. In the discussion we contend that far from being proper to the philosopher’s attitude as former phenomenology put it, uncertainty and doubt are – or at least may be - the tools for everyday rational and ethical thinking. Finally we present the articles collected in this issue that represents a collective effort to explore the territories of certainty and uncertainty and the relevance the management of epistemics has in social interaction.
Fact-Orientation and Conceptual Logic

Fact-orientation is a conceptual approach to modeling information systems that captures the facts of interest in natural sentence structures without forcing some aspects to be modeled as attributes of other structures. Its graphical notation for data modeling enables a vast variety of business constraints to be depicted visually, while its formal basis in logic enables models to be transformed into implementation targets for execution. This paper provides a state-of-the-art overview of fact-orientation in general and second-generation Object-Role Modeling (ORM) in particular, highlighting its conceptual and visual support for logic-based modeling, and contrasting it with other data modeling approaches.
Semi-supervised Discovery of Time-series Templates for Gesture Spotting in Activity Recognition

In human activity recognition, gesture spotting can be achieved by comparing the data from on-body sensors with a set of known gesture templates. This work presents a semi-supervised approach to template discovery in which the Dynamic Time Warping distance measure has been embedded in a classic clustering technique. Clustering is used to find a set of template candidates in an unsupervised manner, which are then evaluated by means of a supervised assessment of their classification performance. A cross-validation test over a benchmark dataset showed that our approach yields good results with the advantage of using a single sensor.
Efficiency of gripping mechanism using buckling phenomenon of long column

In the development of miniature opening and closing mechanism, piezoelectric element has been used as its actuator. This mechanism, however, tends to become larger and complicated as it needs a mechanism for displacement enlargement because of the infinitesimal output displacement. Therefore, an attempt applying buckling phenomenon of long column to the opening and closing mechanism has been made. An elastic member with a long strip shape was bent in the shape of M character, both ends fixed and the V-shaped common portion at the centre constituted to do reciprocating and translational drive. As a result, a simple miniature gripper with large rate of bending displacement at the finger tip to a translational displacement at the centre, namely the enlargement rate of the displacement G, has been developed. In this study, in addition to the development of element technologies for product, increasing of the rate of gripping force F to driving tensile force P on the finger, that is, gripping efficiency Z was aimed. The results obtained are as follows. (1) Hinge joints on supporting portions at both ends or the mid common portion of the fingers decrease initial load P0 beginning to grip. They, however, little contribute to the improvement of Z. Reduction of P0 is advantageous in energy. (2) Crossing an operating member at the centre in the shape of X character so as to enlarge an angle of the operating members to the finger increases Z. G, however, decreases, so that the angle should be decided based on the object. (3) Free support of an intermediate portion on a lateral surface of the finger allows the change of Z. When bending deformation outside at the centre in length of the finger is restrained, Z increases by about 2 times.
Signal detection analyses of repetition blindness.

Three experiments used a signal detection model to demonstrate that repetition blindness (N. Kanwisher, 1987) reflects a reduction in sensitivity (d') for the detection of repeated compared with unrepeated visual targets. In experiment 1, repetition blindness (RB) was found for rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP) letter sequences, whether the visual targets were specified by category membership (vowels) or as 1 of 2 prespecified letters (e.g., A or O). In Experiment 2, RB was found to a similar degree even when the Ist critical item was displayed for twice as long as the other list items, although overall performance was considerably improved. Experiment 3 found RB for displays containing just 2 simultaneously presented letters. These results support Kanwisher's (1987) account of RB as a genuine perceptual effect, and rule out alternative accounts of RB as the result of response bias, output interference, or guessing biases.
Comparing grammar-based and robust approaches to speech understanding: a case study

Previous work has demonstrated the success of statistical language models when enough training data is available [1], but despite that, grammar-based systems are proving the preferred choice in successful commercial systems such as HeyAnita [2], BeVocal [3] and Tellme [4], largely due to the difficulty involved in obtaining a corpus of training data. Here we trained an SLM on data obtained using a grammar-based system and compared the performance of the two systems with regards to recognition. We also parsed the output of the SLM using a robust parser and compared the accuracy of the semantic output of the systems. The SLM/robust parser showed considerable improvement on unconstrained input, and similar precision/recall (per slot value) on utterances provided by trained users.
Salivary gland ultrasonography in the evaluation of primary Sjögren's syndrome. Comparison with minor salivary gland biopsy.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography (US) of the salivary glands versus histologic examination in detection of salivary gland involvement in primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS). METHODS Thirty female patients with primary SS diagnosed according to the European criteria and 30 female subjects of similar age with dry mouth (symptomatic controls) due to other selected disorders were studied. Evaluation of salivary involvement was by 2 independent observers for both the parotid and submandibular glands using US score (range 0 to 4) that assigns points to the different degree of glandular inhomogeneity. Lip salivary gland (LSG) biopsies were graded according to the Chisholm and Mason classification system and by morphometric analysis. The area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was employed to evaluate the screening method's performance. RESULTS Through ROC curves salivary gland US arose as the best performer, followed by the volume percentage of inflammatory cells and by the semiquantitative focus score. The difference between area under ROC curve of salivary gland US and lymphocytic focus score was significant (p = 0.044), reflecting the accuracy of the imaging diagnostic assessment. No differences arise between areas under the ROC curve of salivary gland US and volume percentage of inflammatory cells (p = 0.610) and between volume percentage of inflammatory cells and semiquantitative focus score (p = 0.081). Attempts to assess the independent contribution of the fractional composition of the LSG biopsy as the predictor of US score showed a significant contribution of both the fractional composition of inflammatory infiltrate (p = 0.01) and intralobular ducts (p = 0.02). These findings indirectly suggest that the US abnormalities we found were strongly related to SS. CONCLUSION These results conclusively indicate that quantitative assessment of salivary gland ultrasonography is a very useful method fdr evaluating salivary gland involvement in SS and can replace other diagnostic techniques, such as sialography or salivary scintigraphy.
Small P-Groups with Full-Rank Factorization

The problem of determining which abelian groups admit a full-rank normalized factorization is settled for the orders 64 = 26, 81 = 34, and 128 = 27. By a computer-aided approach, it is shown that such groups of these orders are exactly those of type (22,22,22), (22,22,2,2), (23,22,22), (23,22,2,2), (22,22,22,2), and (22,22,2,2,2).
Fibrin in human tumors.

Summary Sections of human tumors have been stained for fibrin deposits by the fluorescein label technic. Large clots of extravascular fibrin were demonstrated in most of the tumors tested. No such large clots were found in the several normal tissues investigated. However, there was some staining of certain areas of connective tissue in both normal and tumor tissues. The fibrin deposition observed in the spontaneous human tumors was very similar to that of the several transplanted rat tumors. This observation of the presence of fibrin does not give information about the rate of fibrin deposition.
SOX9 specifies the pyloric sphincter epithelium through mesenchymal-epithelial signals

Gastrointestinal (GI) development is highly conserved across vertebrates. Although several transcription factors and morphogenic proteins are involved in the molecular controls of GI development, the interplay between these factors is not fully understood. We report herein the expression pattern of Sox9 during GI development, and provide evidence that it functions, in part, to define the pyloric sphincter epithelium. SOX9 is expressed in the endoderm of the GI tract (with the exclusion of the gizzard) and its derivate organs, the lung and pancreas. Moreover, SOX9 is also expressed at the mesoderm of the pyloric sphincter, a structure that demarcates the gizzard from the duodenum. Using retroviral misexpression technique, we show that Sox9 expression in the pyloric sphincter is under the control of the BMP signaling pathway, known to play a key role in the development of this structure. By misexpressing SOX9 in the mesoderm of the gizzard, we show that SOX9 is able to transdifferentiate the adjacent gizzard epithelium into pyloric sphincter-like epithelium through the control of mesodermal-epithelial signals mediated in part by Gremlin (a modulator of the BMP pathway). Our results suggest that SOX9 is necessary and sufficient to specify the pyloric sphincter epithelial properties.
Effectiveness of a Multidisciplinary Worksite Stress Reduction Programme for Women

It has been well established that a high level of stress is associated with medical problems, mental health difficulties and absenteeism at the workplace. The aim of this single-arm study design was to examine the potential effectiveness of a 12-session multidisciplinary stress reduction programme on reducing perceived stress and improving health behaviours and quality of life. One hundred and four women participated in a programme that incorporated group support, skill building and cognitive behavioural and relaxation techniques. A series of Bonferroni corrected t-tests found that the participants reported having significantly (p < 0.001) lower levels of perceived stress, improved health behaviours (sleep, nutrition, physical activity) improved overall health and improved quality of life at the end of the 12 week programme and at 1-month follow-up. Although the effect sizes for improvement were all large, there was no control group, so regression to the mean or selection bias may have impacted the results. Therefore, these results provide initial support for the implementation of gender-based worksite stress reduction programmes and provide guidance in designing an effective worksite stress reduction programme. Further research using randomized controlled trials is warranted. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Wireless Capsule Endoscopy Detects Meckel's Diverticulum in a Child with Unexplained Intestinal Blood Loss

Meckel’s diverticulum (MD) is the most common congenital anomaly of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, affecting about 2% of the population. Most cases of Meckel’s diverticula are asymptomatic. The diagnosis of symptomatic MD is often difficult to make. We report the case of an 8-year-old boy who presented with GI bleeding due to MD. The diagnostic difficulties after an initial negative endoscopic evaluation and the diagnostic value of the various endoscopic procedures are discussed. The patient had suffered from bright red stools for 20 h before hospital admission. GI scintigraphy with 99mTc-Na-pertechnetate was negative for heterotopic gastric tissue in the small bowel area. Colonoscopy performed in order to exclude Crohn’s disease was also negative. He was placed on ranitidine at a dose of 6 mg/kg body weight twice daily. The patient remained asymptomatic over a period of 6 months before he was readmitted due to macroscopic rectal bleeding. Upper endoscopy and colonoscopy used to investigate the source of bleeding showed normal macroscopic findings. Radiolabeling of blood constituents with 99mTc on delayed imaging showed radionucleotide concentration in the ascending and transverse colon suggestive of a lesion in the ileocecal area. Further investigation with the use of wireless capsule endoscopy revealed a MD. Wireless capsule endoscopy may thus be indicated for patients with GI blood loss when other diagnostic methods, such as upper and lower endoscopy and colonoscopy, have failed to identify the source of bleeding.
Performance Analysis for a QoS-Aware Hybrid Token-CDMA MAC Protocol

This paper presents the performance analysis of a hybrid token-CDMA MAC protocol. The protocol is based on a token passing scheme with the incorporation of code division multiple access (CDMA). The protocol provides both QoS guarantee and high network resource utilization. The performance of the MAC scheme is analyzed by event-driven simulations. Markov-modulated Poisson process (MMPP) is modeled for the traffic input sources and the issue on the channel link error caused by the wireless link has been taken into consideration by implementing multi-layered Gilbert-Elliot model which takes into account the number of interfering codes for simulating bit errors on a wireless link. Various performance metrics are used to demonstrate effectiveness of the hybrid protocol.
Remote Sensing Image Registration With Modified SIFT and Enhanced Feature Matching

The scale-invariant feature transform algorithm and its many variants are widely used in feature-based remote sensing image registration. However, it may be difficult to find enough correct correspondences for remote image pairs in some cases that exhibit a significant difference in intensity mapping. In this letter, a new gradient definition is introduced to overcome the difference of image intensity between the remote image pairs. Then, an enhanced feature matching method by combining the position, scale, and orientation of each keypoint is introduced to increase the number of correct correspondences. The proposed algorithm is tested on multispectral and multisensor remote sensing images. The experimental results show that the proposed method improves the matching performance compared with several state-of-the-art methods in terms of the number of correct correspondences and aligning accuracy.