Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reviewing the National Curriculum for science: opportunities and challenges

This article considers the extent to which the English National Curriculum for science has influenced practice and learning outcomes, and briefly reviews the mechanisms through which this influence is exerted. It identifies and discusses three central issues for the review that is now in progress: the structure of the science curriculum; the purpose of science within the school curriculum; and the way in which curriculum content is specified and communicated. It argues that the conflicting demands of breadth and depth need to be more authoritatively resolved, so that students beginning upper secondary school courses in the sciences do so on a more equal footing. It explores the curriculum consequences of the tension between the role of school science in improving the ‘scientific literacy’ of all young people and in providing a sound foundation for more advanced study for the important minority who so choose. Finally it explores the aspirations of the current review for a clear and succinct statement of curriculum content, arguing that clear communication of intended curriculum content requires that examples be provided showing how these might be operationalised, and for recognition of both the value and the limitations of evidence and theory to underpin decisions on sequencing of science curriculum content.
Isolation of Enterococcus mundtii from normally sterile body sites in two patients

Enterococcus mundtii, a recently described nonmotile, yellow-pigmented enterococcal species, was isolated from a chronic thigh abscess and from operatively obtained sinus mucosa. It is emphasized that this species may be encountered in clinical specimens and that the correct species identification may be missed when commercially available identification systems are relied on.
The Mex67p‐mediated nuclear mRNA export pathway is conserved from yeast to human

Human TAP is an orthologue of the yeast mRNA export factor Mex67p. In mammalian cells, TAP has a preferential intranuclear localization, but can also be detected at the nuclear pores and shuttles between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. TAP directly associates with mRNA in vivo, as it can be UV‐crosslinked to poly(A)+ RNA in HeLa cells. Both the FG‐repeat domain of nucleoporin CAN/Nup214 and a novel human 15 kDa protein (p15) with homology to NTF2 (a nuclear transport factor which associates with RanGDP), directly bind to TAP. When green fluorescent protein (GFP)‐tagged TAP and p15 are expressed in yeast, they localize to the nuclear pores. Strikingly, co‐expression of human TAP and p15 restores growth of the otherwise lethal mex67::HIS3/mtr2::HIS3 double knockout strain. Thus, the human TAP–p15 complex can functionally replace the Mex67p–Mtr2p complex in yeast and thus performs a conserved role in nuclear mRNA export.
Genome-Wide SNP and Population Divergence of Finless Porpoises

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are rapidly becoming the population genomic markers in addressing ecology, evolution, and conservation issues for their high capacity to access variability across the genome. We isolated a total of 140 ideal SNPs from the finless porpoise and used 78 (under Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium) of them to conduct those issues especially for addressing population genetic differentiation. Bayesian clustering and principal component analyses all suggested that finless porpoises in Chinese waters could be divided into three distinct genetic groupings. Low levels of within-population genetic variation (mean HE = 0.3405, standard deviation = 0.1188) and significant differentiation among populations (FST = 0.1050–0.1628, P < 0.01) were confirmed. Limited gene flow was found especially between the freshwater Yangtze River porpoise and the oceanic Yellow Sea and South China Sea populations, which strongly suggested that some barriers might have restricted their genetic exchange. These evidences not only support a recent subdivision of the finless porpoise into two species but also suggest a full species status for the Yangtze finless porpoise, especially considering the significant genetic divergence between freshwater and marine porpoises, in combination with the unique distribution of Yangtze finless porpoises in freshwater and their distinctness in physiological and morphological features.
Role of HDAC3 on p53 Expression and Apoptosis in T Cells of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Background Histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) belongs to a family of proteins which plays an important role in protein acetylation, chromatin remodeling and transcription of genes, including those that are involved in cell proliferation and cell death. While increased expression of HDAC3 is seen in neoplastic cells, the role of HDAC3 in T cells and their role in autoimmune disease is not known. Methodology/Principal Findings Applying Affymetrix GeneChip Human Gene 1.0 ST Array and the mixed effects model for gene set analysis, we compared gene expression profiles between multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and healthy controls (HC). Within the Apoptosis_GO gene set, the constitutive expression level of HDAC3 in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) was significantly increased in MS patients when compared to controls. Following addition of trichostatin A (TSA), an inhibitor of HDAC3, we examined the expression of p53 by flow cytometry and p53 targeted genes by real time RT-PCR in MS and HC. Culture of PBMC with TSA resulted in increased expression of p53 in HC but not in MS patients. TSA treated T cells from MS patients also showed reduced sensitivity to apoptosis when compared to HC, which was independent of activation of p53 targeted pro-apoptotic genes. Conclusion/Significance MS patients, when compared to controls, show an increased expression of HDAC3 and relative resistance to TSA induced apoptosis in T cells. Increased expression of HDAC3 in PBMC of MS patients may render putative autoreactive lymphocytes resistance to apoptosis and thereby contribute to autoimmunity.
Gene Expression Profiling for Cardiac Rejection Surveillance is not Predictive of Post‐Transplantation Skin Cancer

BACKGROUND The risk of skin cancer in solid organ transplant recipients (SOTR) is 50 to 100 times as great as in those without a transplant. Multiple factors, including immunosuppression, influence the development of post‐transplantation skin cancer. Individuals with cardiac transplant are serially screened for organ rejection and immunosuppressive regimen effectiveness. Gene expression profiling of peripheral blood mononuclear cells has been established as a noninvasive test for monitoring cardiac rejection. OBJECTIVE We examined individuals with cardiac transplant monitored using peripheral gene expression profiling to determine whether the profile of peripheral blood mononuclear cell activity could correlate with the development of post‐transplantation skin cancer. METHODS AND MATERIALS Sixty‐one patient records were examined for initial endomyocardial biopsy results, gene expression profiling data, immunosuppressive regimens, and post‐transplantation skin cancer. RESULTS There was no relationship between acute rejection and the development of skin cancer. No relationship between peripheral gene expression profiling and the development of post‐transplantation skin cancer was observed. The most common skin cancer in the population was squamous cell carcinoma. SOTR suppressed with azathioprine had a significantly higher incidence of squamous cell carcinoma. CONCLUSION Although gene expression tests have advanced transplant surveillance, they were not associated with post‐transplantation skin cancer.
Extrahepatic metastasis risk of hepatocellular carcinoma based on α-fetoprotein and tumor staging parameters at cross-sectional imaging

Background Extrahepatic metastases have important implications in the clinical management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The purpose of this study was to validate tumor staging parameters and serum AFP as risk factors of HCC metastasis. Patients and methods In this retrospective case–control study, patients with a new diagnosis of HCC (N=236), median age 57 years (range 28–89 years), and male-to-female ratio of 183/53 were divided into a “no-met” group (N=101) without extrahepatic metastasis or a “met” group with extrahepatic metastases (N=135). Metastasis risk factors based on tumor staging parameters (size, number, infiltration, and vascular invasion) and serum AFP level were calculated as odds ratio (OR). Sensitivities of the risk factors as metastasis screening tests were also calculated. Results AFP >400 μg/mL, index tumor size >5 cm, and vascular invasion individually had strong association with metastasis, with OR (95% confidence interval) of 11.5 (5.9–22.1), 17.7 (9.0–34.8), and 18.9 (8.2–43.9), respectively, but with moderate sensitivities as metastasis screening tests, with 71.9% (65.7–77.3), 75.6% (69.6–80.7), and 58.5% (52.1–64.7), respectively. Composite multiparametric criteria, eg, a logical union of 1) tumor size outside of Milan criteria, 2) AFP threshold >35 μg/mL, and 3) vascular invasion, had excellent OR up to 55.6 (13.0–237.1) with screening sensitivity 98.5% (95.8–99.6). Conclusion Serum AFP, tumor size, and vascular invasion are strongly associated with extrahepatic metastasis of HCC, especially when combined into a multiparametric metastasis prediction criterion.
A Modified Slotted Random Anti-collision Algorithm for the EPCglobal UHF Class-1 Generation-2 Standard

This paper proposes a modified slotted random anti-collision algorithm to improve the read efficiency of anti-collision algorithm for the EPC global UHF Class-1 Generation-2 RFID standard. In this standard, the slotted random anti-collision algorithm which is a dynamic frame slotted ALOHA algorithm is specified to solve this problem. Also, the Q-algorithm with a key parameter C is adopted to dynamically adjust the frame sizes. In this paper, we reduce the total number of frames in the recognition process to reduce the total time by calculating the optimal Q value and setting the lowest reasonable throughput. In the simulation, our method outperforms the original slotted random anti-collision algorithm by reducing total time about 30%.
A Lightweight Implementation of Trusted Domain Enforcement for Secure Embedded Web Server

Deployment of open source software for embedded system is increasing while ubiquitous devices have become widely used. System designer need to cope with malicious input which is made from exposed vulnerability. Lightweight verification and sandbox approach is effective for embedded system,because embedded system is specified, has less generic purpose than PC and servers. In this paper we apply TDE (Trusted Domain Enforcement) for embedded Linux 2.6 series in order to achieve dynamic sandboxing. TDE is a concept showed in TCSEC (Trusted Computer System Evaluation Criteria) for input validation and sandbox for protecting system. TDE is a kind of extension of TE (Type Enforcement) for dynamic sandboxing although its implementation could be reasonably simple. Our system is based on LIDS (Linux Intrusion System) for Linux 2.4 series. We implement our system as small kernel patch. We also discuss the application of our method for embedded web server. We have coped with thttpd in implementing our TDE system.
Storage System Optimization in Data-Intensive Environment

With the repaid development of multi-media and network, information are generated and spread quickly than before. New application such as search engine, video share depends on the scale and access speed of huge data set. Data-intensive computing became a hot point of computer science. In Data-intensive environments, data access ability is the bottleneck instead of computing ability.In this paper, we present a framework to manage data distribute and recent research results to accelerate data access in data-intensive environment.
SURE-LET Image Denoising with Directional LOTs

This paper proposes to adopt hierarchical tree construction of directional lapped orthogonal transforms (DirLOTs) to image denoising. The DirLOTs are 2-D non-separable lapped orthogonal transforms with directional characteristics. The bases are allowed to be anisotropic with the fixed-criticallysubsampling, overlapping, orthogonal, symmetric, real-valued and compact-support property. As well, it is possible to introduce the trend vanishing moments (TVMs), which force wavelet filters to annihilate trend surface components. So far, the orthonormal wavelet image denoising techniques, such as the SURE-LET approach by Luisier et al., have shown a disadvantage in the restoration of diagonal textures and edges because of the separability of the adopted transforms. This work shows through some experimental results that the SURE-LET approach with DirLOTs overcomes the geometric problem.
Caching and writeback policies in parallel file systems

Improvements in the processing speed of multiprocessors are outpacing improvements in the speed of disk hardware. Parallel disk I/O subsystems have been proposed as one way to close the gap between processor and disk speeds. Such parallel disk systems require parallel file system software to avoid performance-limiting bottlenecks. The authors discuss cache management techniques that can be used in a parallel file system implementation. The authors examine several writeback policies, and give results of experiments that test their performance. <<ETX>>
Phonics and No Phonics

3. Foreign children, children with impediments of speech, and children who had previously formed bad habits of pronunciation were much helped by phonetic drills. 4. Expressionless, hesitant, or habitually slow readers were greatly helped by quick perception and sense-content methods. 5. There was little difference between the average ability of those having phonetic training and those not having it when attacking sight work. Experiments and observations along this line have been continued in the fourth and fifth grades, a report of which may prove of interest and of help to those engaged in teaching primary reading. The year following the publication of the article "Phonics or No Phonics ? " the same experiment was again tried, the grade
Short Note Estimating phase velocity and attenuation of guided waves in acoustic logging data

In acoustic logging, the guided waves which propagate along the borehole are affected by the properties of the formation. For acoustic logging tools with many receivers, array processing methods can be used to calculate the phase velocity and attenuation of these waves. This information is crucial in estimating formation properties like permeability, transverse isotropy, and S-wave velocity.
An Empirical Study of the Simplest Causal Prediction Algorithm

We study one of the simplest causal prediction algorithms that uses only conditional indepen-dences estimated from purely observational data. A specific pattern of four conditional independence relations amongst a quadruple of random variables already implies that one of these variables causes another one without any confounding. As a consequence, it is possible to predict what would happen under an intervention on that variable without actually performing the intervention. Although the method is asymptotically consistent and works well in settings with only few (latent) variables, we find that its prediction accuracy can be worse than simple (inconsistent) baselines when many (latent) variables are present. Our findings illustrate that violations of strong faithfulness become increasingly likely in the presence of many latent variables, and this can significantly deterioriate the accuracy of constraint-based causal prediction algorithms that assume faithfulness.
Partners in research: what's in it for you?

Abstract This article explores school–university partnerships in educational research and is written from the perspective of the university partner. It explores three main questions: Why engage in teacher research? Why do it in a partnership? What are the benefits, limits and difficulties? The author draws on her experience of two collaborations, where the university and teachers were co-researchers, to inform the exploration of these three questions. She also explores and reflects on current research and policy initiatives in the United Kingdom.
3D visual SLAM for an assistive robot in indoor environments using RGB-D cameras

With a growing global aging population, assistive robots are becoming increasingly important. This paper presents an integrated hardware and software architecture for assistive robots. This modular and reusable software framework incorporates capabilities of perception and navigation. The paper presents as well a system for three-dimensional (3D) vision-based simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) using a Red-Green-Blue and Depth (RGB-D) camera, and illustrates its application on an assistive robot. The ORB features and depth information are extracted for ego-motion estimation. Random Sample Consensus algorithm (RANSAC) is adopted for outlier removal, while the integration of RGB-D and iterated closest point (ICP) is used for alignment. Pose-graph optimization is completed by g2o. Finally, a 3D volumetric map is generated for further navigation.
Completion of Hepatitis C Virus Replication Cycle in Heterokaryons Excludes Dominant Restrictions in Human Non-liver and Mouse Liver Cell Lines

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is hepatotropic and only infects humans and chimpanzees. Consequently, an immunocompetent small animal model is lacking. The restricted tropism of HCV likely reflects specific host factor requirements. We investigated if dominant restriction factors expressed in non-liver or non-human cell lines inhibit HCV propagation thus rendering these cells non-permissive. To this end we explored if HCV completes its replication cycle in heterokaryons between human liver cell lines and non-permissive cell lines from human non-liver or mouse liver origin. Despite functional viral pattern recognition pathways and responsiveness to interferon, virus production was observed in all fused cells and was only ablated when cells were treated with exogenous interferon. These results exclude that constitutive or virus-induced expression of dominant restriction factors prevents propagation of HCV in these cell types, which has important implications for HCV tissue and species tropism. In turn, these data strongly advocate transgenic approaches of crucial human HCV cofactors to establish an immunocompetent small animal model.
Deprivation‐induced dendritic shrinkage might be oppositely affected by the expression of wild‐type and mutated human amyloid precursor protein

The physiological role of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) and its proteolytic fragments in the brain is associated with neuronal survival, neurite outgrowth, synaptic formation, and neuronal plasticity. However, malregulation of APP processing leads to disordered balance of fragments, which may results in opposite, degenerative neuronal effects. In the present study, we analyzed in vivo effects of the expression of wild‐type or mutated human APP on afferent deprivation‐induced changes of dendritic morphology. After vibrissectomy, expression of wild‐type human APP prevented diameter shrinkage of dendritic segments as well as dendritic rarefaction of apical arbors. In contrast, mutant human APP expression exacerbated degenerative changes of deprived barrel neurons. Degradation of apical arbors was especially pronounced. Results demonstrate for the first time opposite effects of the expression of wild‐type and mutated human APP on deprivation‐induced dendritic restructuring in vivo. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A Linear-Time Approach for Graph-Cut Object Detection

Image segmentation using graph cuts have become very popular in the last years. These methods are usually computationally expensive, even with hard constraints (seed pixels). We present a solution that requires only internal seeds and runs in time proportional to the number of pixels. Our method computes an ordered region growing where the propagation order of each pixel is proportional to the cost of an optimum path from the seed set to that pixel. Each pixel defines a region which includes it and all pixels with lower propagation order. The boundary of each region is a possible cut boundary, whose cut measure is also computed and assigned to the corresponding pixel on-the-fly. The object is obtained by selecting the pixel with minimum-cut measure and all pixels within its respective cut boundary. The method works with various cut measures and is evaluated using several experiments.
Dietary intake of trace elements by the population of Catalonia (Spain): results from a total diet study

This study aimed to analyse the concentrations of Al, Ba, Bi, Cu, Cr, Ge, Mn, Mo, Ni, Sb, Se, Sr and Zn in food samples collected in 2008 in Catalonia (Spain). The dietary intake of these 13 trace elements was subsequently estimated by different age–gender groups of the population: children, adolescents, adults and seniors. In general terms, fish and shellfish, cereals, and pulses were the food groups showing the highest levels for most elements. Higher dietary intakes were associated with male groups (adolescents, adults and seniors). However, none exceeded the tolerable levels. When exposure was estimated based on body weight, children were the group with the highest dietary intake. Notwithstanding, only the weekly intake of Al by children exceeded the recommendations of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). It is a consequence of the higher intake of cereals in relation to their respective body weights. In addition to the periodical food surveillance of toxic metals (As, Cd, Hg and Pb), it is also important to determine the levels of other trace elements in order to ensure that the dietary exposure by the Catalan population is under control.
Phylogenetic analyses reveal HIV-1 infections between men misclassified as heterosexual transmissions

Objective:HIV-1 subtype B infections are associated with MSM in the UK. Yet, around 13% of subtype B infections are found in those reporting heterosexual contact as transmission route. Using phylogenetics, we explored possible misclassification of sexual exposure among men diagnosed with HIV in the UK. Design:Viral gene sequences linked to patient-derived information were used to identify phylogenetic transmission chains. Methods:A total of 22 481 HIV-1 subtype B pol gene sequences sampled between 1996 and 2008 were analysed. Dated phylogenies were reconstructed and transmission clusters identified as clades of at least two sequences with a maximum genetic distance of 4.5%, a branch support of at least 95% and spanning 5 years. The characteristics of clusters containing at least one heterosexually acquired infection were analysed. Results:Twenty-nine percent of the linked heterosexuals clustered exclusively with MSM. These were more likely to be men than women. Estimated misclassification of homosexually acquired infections ranged between 1 and 11% of the reported male heterosexuals diagnosed with HIV. Black African heterosexual men were more often phylogenetically linked to MSM than other ethnic group, with an estimated misclassification range between 1 and 21%. Conclusion:Overall, a small proportion of self-reported heterosexual men diagnosed with HIV could have been infected homosexually. However, up to one in five black African heterosexual men chose not to disclose sex with men at HIV diagnosis and preferred to be identified as heterosexual. Phylogenetic analyses can enhance surveillance-based risk information and inform national programmes for monitoring and preventing HIV infections.