Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Practitioners' beliefs and children's experiences of literacy in four early years settings

This paper considers practitioners' beliefs about the literacy curriculum in four early years settings in England and the impact on the literacy experiences of the children in these settings. All four settings were working with the Curriculum Guidance for the Foundation Stage (QCA/DfEE, 2000) and represent the range of provision in England. One week was spent in each setting and narrative observations were undertaken on 20 target children. Key adults were interviewed about their early years practice, their views of the Foundation Stage guidance, their perceived role as practitioners, parental involvement and their general beliefs about literacy learning and teaching. The practice was studied using child observations and a literacy checklist. Interviews were analyzed and related to the literacy curriculum and literacy practices and provision. The findings have been related to current policy issues in the early years.
Visual speech recognition using active shape models and hidden Markov models

This paper describes a novel approach for visual speech recognition. The shape of the mouth is modelled by an active shape model which is derived from the statistics of a training set and used to locate, track and parameterise the speaker's lip movements. The extracted parameters representing the lip shape are modelled as continuous probability distributions and their temporal dependencies are modelled by hidden Markov models. We present recognition tests performed on a database of a broad variety of speakers and illumination conditions. The system achieved an accuracy of 85.42% for a speaker independent recognition task of the first four digits using lip shape information only.
Application of micro-tomography and UV spectroscopy in structural analysis of pharmaceutical granules

Aims The X-ray micro-tomography (micro-CT) technique has been used to visualize the microstructure of pharmaceutical granules produced by high shear wet granulation and the dynamic evolution of porosity during granule dissolution. The combination of time-resolved micro-CT imaging with UV/VIS detection of the quantity dissolved made it possible to evaluate the effective diffusion coefficient of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) through the granule structure, and thus establish a quantitative structure–property relationship for dissolution.
GUARANTEED MINIMUM WITHDRAWAL BENEFIT IN VARIABLE ANNUITIES

We develop a singular stochastic control model for pricing variable annuities with the guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit. This benefit promises to return the entire initial investment, with withdrawals spread over the term of the contract, irrespective of the market performance of the underlying asset portfolio. A contractual withdrawal rate is set and no penalty is imposed when the policyholder chooses to withdraw at or below this rate. Subject to a penalty fee, the policyholder is allowed to withdraw at a rate higher than the contractual withdrawal rate or surrender the policy instantaneously. We explore the optimal withdrawal strategy adopted by the rational policyholder that maximizes the expected discounted value of the cash flows generated from holding this variable annuity policy. An efficient finite difference algorithm using the penalty approximation approach is proposed for solving the singular stochastic control model. Optimal withdrawal policies of the holders of the variable annuities with the guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit are explored. We also construct discrete pricing formulation that models withdrawals on discrete dates. Our numerical tests show that the solution values from the discrete model converge to those of the continuous model.
Rose: generating sequence families

MOTIVATION We present a new probabilistic model of the evolution of RNA-, DNA-, or protein-like sequences and a software tool, Rose, that implements this model. Guided by an evolutionary tree, a family of related sequences is created from a common ancestor sequence by insertion, deletion and substitution of characters. During this artificial evolutionary process, the 'true' history is logged and the 'correct' multiple sequence alignment is created simultaneously. The model also allows for varying rates of mutation within the sequences, making it possible to establish so-called sequence motifs. RESULTS The data created by Rose are suitable for the evaluation of methods in multiple sequence alignment computation and the prediction of phylogenetic relationships. It can also be useful when teaching courses in or developing models of sequence evolution and in the study of evolutionary processes. AVAILABILITY Rose is available on the Bielefeld Bioinformatics WebServer under the following URL: http://bibiserv.TechFak.Uni-Bielefeld.DE/rose/ The source code is available upon request. CONTACT folker@TechFak.Uni-Bielefeld.DE
Derivation and Validation of a Clinical System for Predicting Pneumonia in Acute Stroke

Aims: We derived and validated a clinical prediction rule that can be used to predict post-stroke pneumonia. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients admitted to hospital with a stroke. The cohort was subdivided into a derivation group and a validation group. Within the derivation group, a point scoring system was developed to predict pneumonia based on a logistic regression model. The point scoring system was then tested within the validation group. Results: Of the 1,363 patients with stroke, 10.5% of patients experienced new pneumonia. The most points were assigned for abnormal swallowing result and history of pneumonia (4 points), followed by greater NIHSS score (3 points), patient being ‘found down’ at symptom onset (3 points), and age >70 years (2 points). A 3-level classification system was created denoting low, medium and high risks of pneumonia, which accurately predicted pneumonia in the validation group. The discriminatory accuracy of the 3-level clinical prediction rule exceeded the acceptable range in both the derivation group (c statistic: 0.78) and validation group (c statistic: 0.76). Conclusion: A simple scoring system was derived and validated. This clinical scoring system may better identify stroke patients who are at high risk of developing new pneumonia.
The Importance of Getting Started Right

This study examined the facility-to-community transition of 531 incarcerated youth following their release from Oregon's juvenile correctional system, for a period of 12 months. Data on the sample were gathered through phone interviews, while they were still in custody and then every 6 months after their parole. The interviewees were asked to describe their work, educational, and living and social experiences in the community. For this sample, (a) being engaged in work and/or school within 6 months after parole and (b) receiving services from mental health and other social service agencies within 6 months in the community were associated with being engaged in work and/or school 12 months after exit. Participants with disabilities were less likely to be engaged and were more likely to return to the juvenile correctional system than participants without disabilities.
Consequences of Parental Divorce for Child Development

In this article, I propose a three-stage estimation model to examine the effect of parental divorce on the development of children’s cognitive skills and noncognitive traits. Using a framework that includes pre-, in-, and post-divorce time periods, I disentangle the complex factors affecting children of divorce. I use the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Kindergarten Class 1998 to 1999 (ECLS-K), a multiwave longitudinal dataset, to assess the three-stage model. To evaluate the parameters of interest more rigorously, I employ a stage-specific ordinary least squares (OLS) model, a counterfactual matching estimator, and a piece-wise growth curve model. Within some combinations of developmental domains and stages, in particular from the in-divorce stage onward, I find negative effects of divorce even after accounting for selection factors that influence children’s skills and traits at or before the beginning of the dissolution process. These negative outcomes do not appear to intensify or abate in the ensuing study period.
Activity, Specificity, and Probe Design for the Smallpox Virus Protease K7L*

Background: The K7L protease is required for smallpox virus assembly. Results: K7L requires specific substrate recognition elements, dimerization, and nucleic acid cofactors for maximum activity. Conclusion: We have identified contributors to optimal K7L protease activity and specificity. Significance: This first characterization of a poxvirus processing protease demonstrates the importance of dimerization and extended substrate recognition in the control of activity and specificity. The K7L gene product of the smallpox virus is a protease implicated in the maturation of viral proteins. K7L belongs to protease Clan CE, which includes distantly related cysteine proteases from eukaryotes, pathogenic bacteria, and viruses. Here, we describe its recombinant high level expression, biochemical mechanism, substrate preference, and regulation. Earlier studies inferred that the orthologous I7L vaccinia protease cleaves at an AG-X motif in six viral proteins. Our data for K7L suggest that the AG-X motif is necessary but not sufficient for optimal cleavage activity. Thus, K7L requires peptides extended into the P7 and P8 positions for efficient substrate cleavage. Catalytic activity of K7L is substantially enhanced by homodimerization, by the substrate protein P25K as well as by glycerol. RNA and DNA also enhance cleavage of the P25K protein but not of synthetic peptides, suggesting that nucleic acids augment the interaction of K7L with its protein substrate. Library-based peptide preference analyses enabled us to design an activity-based probe that covalently and selectively labels K7L in lysates of transfected and infected cells. Our study thus provides proof-of-concept for the design of inhibitors and probes that may contribute both to a better understanding of the role of K7L in the virus life cycle and the design of novel anti-virals.
Comparative Chromosome Maps of Neotropical Rodents Necromys lasiurus and Thaptomys nigrita (Cricetidae) Established by ZOO-FISH

This work presents chromosome homology maps between Mus musculus (MMU) and 2 South American rodent species from the Cricetidae group: Necromys lasiurus (NLA, 2n = 34) and Thaptomys nigrita (TNI, 2n = 52), established by ZOO-FISH using mouse chromosome-specific painting probes. Extending previous molecular cytogenetic studies in Neotropical rodents, the purpose of this work was to delineate evolutionary chromosomal rearrangements in Cricetidae rodents and to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships among the Akodontini species. Our phylogenetic reconstruction by maximum parsimony analysis of chromosomal characters confirmed one consistent clade of all Neotropical rodents studied so far. In both species analyzed here, we observed the syntenic association of chromosome segments homologous to MMU 8/13, suggesting that this chromosome form is a synapomorphic trait exclusive to Neotropical rodents. Further, the previously described Akodontini-specific syntenic associations MMU 3/18 and MMU 6/12 were observed in N.lasiurus but not in T. nigrita, although the latter species is considered a member of the Akodontini tribe by some authors. Finally, and in agreement with this finding, N.lasiurus and Akodon serrensis share the derived fission of MMU 13, which places them as basal sister clades within Akodontini.
The threat of an avian influenza pandemic.

At the 23rd International Council of Nursing (ICN) congress held in Taiwan last week, the one resounding message that came out of the conference proceedings was that of ‘preparedness’. Nurses, along with all healthcare professionals, need to be prepared to deliver their healthcare skills wherever and whenever it is necessary to provide effective treatment and care for patients.
Bayes factors based on robust TDT-type tests for family trio design

Abstract Adaptive transmission disequilibrium test (aTDT) and MAX3 test are two robust-efficient association tests for case-parent family trio data. Both tests incorporate information of common genetic models including recessive, additive and dominant models and are efficient in power and robust to genetic model specifications. The aTDT uses information of departure from Hardy-Weinberg disequilibrium to identify the potential genetic model underlying the data and then applies the corresponding TDT-type test, and the MAX3 test is defined as the maximum of the absolute value of three TDT-type tests under the three common genetic models. In this article, we propose three robust Bayes procedures, the aTDT based Bayes factor, MAX3 based Bayes factor and Bayes model averaging (BMA), for association analysis with case-parent trio design. The asymptotic distributions of aTDT under the null and alternative hypothesis are derived in order to calculate its Bayes factor. Extensive simulations show that the Bayes factors and the p-values of the corresponding tests are generally consistent and these Bayes factors are robust to genetic model specifications, especially so when the priors on the genetic models are equal. When equal priors are used for the underlying genetic models, the Bayes factor method based on aTDT is more powerful than those based on MAX3 and Bayes model averaging. When the prior placed a small (large) probability on the true model, the Bayes factor based on aTDT (BMA) is more powerful. Analysis of a simulation data about RA from GAW15 is presented to illustrate applications of the proposed methods.
Classification of self-paced finger movements with EEG signals using neural network and evolutionary approaches

The dependable operation of brain-computer interfaces (BCI) based on electro electroencephalogram (EEG) signals requires precise classification of multi-channel EEG signals. The design of EEG interpretation and classifiers for BCI are open research questions whose difficulty stems from the need to extract complex spatial and temporal patterns from noisy multidimensional time series obtained from EEG measurements. In this paper we attempt to classify EEG data used in the BCI competition by the combination of pattern classification methods. We use Common Spatial Pattern (CSP) to extract features. A Genetic Algorithm (GA) was applied first to evolve an artificial neural network (ANN) to find the optimum structure of ANN. A Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) was also attempted to determine the optimal number of hidden neurons complementary to the GA approach. Then the GA was used to evolve the connection weights of the ANN.
Rates of Beginning Teachers: Examining One Indicator of School Quality in an Equity Context

ABSTRACT The authors use national data to examine variation in the proportion of beginning teachers in school districts across the United States by poverty, race, and urbanicity. In addition to being a proxy for teacher quality, the proportion of beginning teachers in a district also speaks to teacher turnover and therefore broader school quality issues. Findings suggest that districts with high-poverty levels; greater proportions of Black, Hispanic, and American Indian populations; and located in rural areas tend to have high percentages of novice teachers. This research provides insight into the persistent disparities in opportunity that confront children of poverty, color, and rural environments.
Relationship between impacts of complete denture treatment on daily living, satisfaction and personality profiles.

OBJECTIVES To investigate the association between satisfaction with conventional complete denture prostheses (CDs), impacts of CDs on daily living and personality profiles. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifty-six patients (28 males and 28 females; mean age 53.79 ± 7.762 years) with fitted upper and lower removable CDs were recruited for this study. Clinical success of CDs was assessed according to specific clinical criteria. The dental impact on daily living questionnaire (DIDL) was used to measure satisfaction with CDs and their impacts on daily living. NEO five factor inventory (NEO - FFI) was used to measure patients' personality profiles. Pearson correlation test and regression models were used to analyze the collected data. RESULTS Females were more satisfied with appearance and less satisfied with eating and scored higher on neuroticism, and lower on extraversion and openness personality domains (p < 0.05). Older patients were more satisfied with appearance and less satisfied with oral comfort and general performance (p < 0.05). Neuroticism, extraversion, openness and agreeableness personality profiles could predict and had significant relationship with CDs impacts on daily living and satisfaction with CDs. CONCLUSION Psychological profiles (e.g. neuroticism, extraversion, openness and agreeableness) might play a role and explain CDs impacts on daily living and patients' satisfaction with their oral status and CD treatment, therefore, might be used to predict satisfactory outcomes of CD treatment. In this regard, technical aspects of CDs are less essential when the prosthesis is clinically successful. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Psychological factors may play a role and also provide valuable information for the prediction of satisfactory outcomes of complete denture treatment.
Causes of Success and Failure and Their Dimensions as a Function of SES and Gender: A Phenomenological Analysis.

Summary. The present study utilises a phenomenological approach to investigating individuals' attribution of success or failure. On the basis of the assumption that individuals use various causes to explain their successes or failures and attach to them different meaning, the present study collected a list of causes used by males and females of low and middle-upper socio-economic class. Subjects from these four demographic groups were later asked to rate the identified causes on the dimensions of locus of casuality, stability and controllability. In addition, the subjects were asked to use the same causes while making attributions to their grade achieved at the end of a trimester. The comparisons among the four groups showed that the two SES groups were similar with regard to their rating of the causes on the three dimensions. The meaning of the results for further research of casual perception of success and failure is discussed.
General Equilibrium with Free Entry: A Synthetic Approach to the Theory of Perfect Competition*

The purpose of this essay is to explain a new theory of perfect competition that synthesizes the Arrow-Debreu-McKenzie and Marshallian theories and summarizes the recent work of a large number of researchers. The synthetic theory provides a logically precise general equilibrium framework that can be used both for positive analysis as well as to form a basis for the classical theorems of welfare economics; in these aspects it follows the ADM theory. However, as in the Marshallian theory, there is free-entry in the form of an unbounded pool of firms which have access to the existing technology. Also as in the Marshallian theory, the average cost curves available to each firm are U-shaped. In contrast to both the Marshallian and the ADM theories, we do not take price taking as a hypothesis. We use the term "perfect competition" to describe a situation in which firms are arbitrarily small relative to the markets in which they are involved. The firms in our model correctly perceive the effect of the amount that they place on the market on prices and they act to maximize profit with this in mind. "Perfectly competitive equilibria" are defined as the limit points of equilibria as firms become small relative to the market, and following Cournot, we observe that as firms become small their ability to influence price disappears. A new condition is identified which is important for the viability of competitive markets. Loosely speaking, this condition requires that prices provide the proper entry signals for firms. If one thinks of each firm as associated with the use of an unpriced and nondivisible resource, sometimes referred to as entrepreneurship, then in equilibrium the returns to that factor must fall with entry and rise with exit. Not only the stability theorems of the synthetic theory but also the existence theorem reject the application of the competitive model to a regime in which entry drives up (and exit reduces} the profit of similar firms.
Documentation of Focal Neurology on Patients with Suspected Cauda Equina Syndrome and the Development of an Assessment Proforma

Objective : Cauda equina syndrome is a relatively rare condition with a disproportionately high medico legal profile. Definitive management involves prompt surgical decompression with outcome dependent on timing of surgery. Documentation of a comprehensive clinical and neurological assessment including examination of anal tone and perianal sensation is essential in reducing litigation and identifying patients requiring urgent surgical decompression. The aim of this study was to evaluate the documentation of focal neurology in patients with suspected cauda equina syndrome and devise an assessment proforma to use in the accident and emergency departments. Methods : A retrospective case note review was performed in all patients presenting to A&E with suspected cauda equina syndrome from January 2013 to March 2014. A full neurological examination was defined as having all modalities documented such as: MRC grade power, reflexes, sensory exam, vibration proprioception, anal tone & perianal sensation. Results : Sixty-nine patients with suspected cauda equina syndrome were identified with a median age of 44 (35-55) and a male to female ratio of 1:1.6. 4 patients (6%) had confirmed cauda equina syndrome and were transferred to a tertiary neurosurgical centre for further management. Only 2 patients (3%) had a complete neurological examination documented. 11 (16%) patients did not have any documentation of perianal sensation and 8 patients (12%) did not have documentation of anal tone Conclusion : Documentation of neurological was poor across our department. The introduction of an assessment proforma is proposed to increase documentation and optimise emergency department evaluation in these patients.
A Guided Reflection Intervention for High Performance Basketball Coaches

The purpose of this study was to conduct a guided reflection intervention for high performance basketball coaches. The study participants included two head basketball coaches and 10 of their players who were part of elite youth teams in Singapore. The coaches were highly experienced, each with 17 and 20 years of coaching experience respectively, and the players from both teams (one male and one female) reported on average three years of playing experience at the national youth level. The Singapore coaching behavior scale for sport (CBS-S basketball), on-site observations, and interviews were used to gather data from the coaches and players. Coaches also kept a reflective journal throughout the intervention. The results showed how the coaches responded differently to the guided reflection intervention (implemented by the first author) in terms of their willingness to adapt and integrate new perspectives into their coaching practice. The coaches’ level of reflection was found to be contingent upon a) their .