Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of student learning about diffusion and osmosis in constructivist and traditional classrooms

Student learning about diffusion and osmosis was measured at three different universities using a newly developed instrument [Odom and Barrow (1995) Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 32, 45-61] which tests the underlying knowledge of students in addition to their ability to answer factual questions correctly. Instructors at two of the universities taught utilizing the very common large lecture/small laboratory approach. The instructor at the third university taught using a small discussion/laboratory approach which was informed by constructivist theory. Results of pre- and post-testing indicate that students learned about and understood diffusion and osmosis most deeply in the small discussion/ laboratory course. Reasons why this may be are discussed and suggestions are presented to help improve student learning in other settings.
Extraction of product evolution tree from source code of product variants

A large number of software products may be derived from an original single product. Although software product line engineering is advocated as an effective approach to maintaining such a family of products, re-engineering existing products requires developers to understand the evolution history of the products. This can be challenging because developers typically only have access to product source code. In this research, we propose to extract a Product Evolution Tree that approximates the evolution history from source code of products. Our key idea is that two successive products are the most similar to one another in the evolution history. We construct a Product Evolution Tree as a minimum spanning tree whose cost function is defined by the number of similar files between products. As an experiment, we extracted Product Evolution Trees from 6 datasets of open-source projects. The result showed that 53% to 92% of edges in the extracted trees were consistent with the actual evolution history of the projects.
Differential susceptibility to striatal neurodegeneration induced by quinolinic acid and kainate in inbred, outbred and hybrid mouse strains

In mice, the genetic background determines susceptibility to hippocampal neurodegeneration induced by the excitotoxin kainic acid (KA). If genetic background plays as significant a role in the striatum, the area most affected in Huntington's disease (HD), it is important to characterize intrinsic differences in neuronal susceptibility in mouse strains used in HD models. This study was performed to investigate whether strain differences of different HD mouse models are determinants of striatal resistance to excitotoxicity. We conducted a survey of the susceptibility of striatal neurons to neurodegeneration induced by quinolinic acid and KA in six inbred, two outbred and two F1 hybrid (resistant*vulnerable) strains. These are the same strains in which we have assessed vulnerability to KA‐induced hippocampal neurodegeneration. We found significant strain differences in response to both excitotoxins and, for the most part, the strain‐dependent patterns of susceptibility to quinolinic acid and KA were similar and comparable to those previously found with KA‐induced hippocampal neurodegeneration. There were some incongruities, suggesting that the genetic determinants may be different for the two forms of excitotoxicity or that there are important interacting factors. For example, the F1 hybrid strains exhibited neurodegeneration similar to their vulnerable parent, indicating that the vulnerable phenotype is dominant. This is in contrast to KA‐induced hippocampal neurodegeneration, where F1 hybrids exhibit the resistant phenotype. These results are also of significance with regard to the issue of region‐specific vulnerability in the context of different diseases in which genetic modifiers affect age of onset and/or disease progression.
Elucidation of complexity and prediction of interactions in microbial communities

Microorganisms engage in complex interactions with other members of the microbial community, higher organisms as well as their environment. However, determining the exact nature of these interactions can be challenging due to the large number of members in these communities and the manifold of interactions they can engage in. Various omic data, such as 16S rRNA gene sequencing, shotgun metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, metaproteomics and metabolomics, have been deployed to unravel the community structure, interactions and resulting community dynamics in situ. Interpretation of these multi‐omic data often requires advanced computational methods. Modelling approaches are powerful tools to integrate, contextualize and interpret experimental data, thus shedding light on the underlying processes shaping the microbiome. Here, we review current methods and approaches, both experimental and computational, to elucidate interactions in microbial communities and to predict their responses to perturbations.
The enabling role of education in the lives of young people with disabilities in India: achieved and desired outcomes

In India, the last few years have seen an increase in the school enrolment rates of children with disabilities; however, there are continuing concerns about the outcomes of these efforts, especially in terms of employment. This paper presents the findings of a qualitative enquiry into how young people (aged 15–30 years) with various impairments (namely, hearing, seeing and mobility) understand the role played by education in their lives. The research, carried out in urban and rural Madhya Pradesh, India, contrasts the poor outcomes for these young people in terms of employment with young people’s own sense of the value of schooling in enhancing their social skills and opportunities, and their cultural capital, particularly in terms of how they are able to confront stigmatising attitudes. Whereas the ‘significant others’ (primarily, parents) regard schooling as a failure if it does not lead to jobs, the young people themselves focus on education’s enabling roles. The paper concludes with policy proposals with respect to the nature and content of schooling and improvements in how government benefits are accessed by these young people.
Hyperpyrexia Among Infants Younger Than 3 Months

Objective: To determine the prevalence of serious bacterial infection in infants younger than 3 months with fever ≥40°C. Methods: We retrospectively identified all infants younger than 3 months with fever who presented to a pediatric emergency department. The medical records were reviewed. The prevalence of serious bacterial infection (SBI) among those patients with hyperpyrexia was compared with febrile infants with lower fever. Results: 5279 infants younger than 3 months with fever were reviewed. Ninety-eight patients (1.7%) had triage temperature ≥40°C rectally. Median age, temperature, and white blood count for those with hyperpyrexia were 58 days (interquartile range [IQR] 36-78 days), 40.2°C (IQR, 40.0-40.4°C), and 10,800/mm3 (IQR, 7900-14,600/mm3), respectively. Diagnostic studies included blood culture (100%), urine culture (100%), lumbar puncture (100%), chest radiographs (34%), and stool cultures (11%). SBI was found in 38% infants with hyperpyrexia: urinary tract infection was the most common SBI (71%). Among patients with hyperpyrexia, patients with SBI had similar mean white blood cell counts (14,000 vs. 10,200 cells/mm3) and age (54 vs. 53 days) as those with hyperpyrexia but no SBI. The prevalence of SBI among febrile infants with temperatures ≥40.0°C was 38% (95% CI 27-48%) compared with those with fever ≤40°C: 8.8% (95% CI 8.1-9.5%). Conclusion: Hyperpyrexia is rare among febrile infants younger than 3 months. One-third of infants with temperature ≥40.0°C had SBI. Future management algorithms might include hyperpyrexia as a risk factor for serious infection.
FILTER‐PAPER ELECTROPHORESIS OF MOUSE HAEMOGLOBIN: PRELIMINARY NOTE

Studies of the electrophoretic haemoglobin patterns in inbred strains of mice have shown two different types of patterns. In three strains, all mice tested had one type of pattern; in five, another type of pattern was found in all animals tested; and in three strains, individual mice showed either one or the other haemoglobin pattern. These data strongly indicate a genetic basis of haemoglobin differences in mice. Further work is needed to determine the exact nature of this genetic basis.
Depressive mixed state: Evidence for a new form of depressive state in type I and II bipolar patients

Background A high proportion of unipolar and bipolar type II patients can present a depressive mixed state (DMX). This state is defined by an association of a major depressive episode with at least two specific hypomanic symptoms. This state seems underdiagnosed and this could have treatment implications. The aims of our study were: (i) to investigate the frequency of DMX in type I and II bipolar patients hospitalized for a severe or resistant depressive episode and (ii) to assess the therapeutic response in naturalistic conditions. Methods Forty-two consecutive bipolar patients referred by psychiatrists for a severe or resistant depressive episode were assessed using the French version of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview 5.0 (MINI 5.0), which assesses the suicide risk and provides DSM-IV diagnosis. The intensity of mood episodes was evaluated using the MADRS and Bech-Rafaelsen Mania Scale. One group of patients included patients presenting only depressive symptoms (ie, pure major depressive episode (MDE)), and the second group included patients with a major depressive episode and at least two specific hypomanic symptoms (DMX). Results Twenty-one patients (50%) had a pure MDE and 21 patients (50%) had a DMX. The treatment leading to recovery was very different in the two groups. Antidepressants were effective (77%) in MDE patients, whereas antipsychotics were effective (81%) in DMX. 38% of patients with a MDE also received a mood stabilizer versus 86% in the group of DMX. Five MDE patients (24%) and one DMX patient required electroconvulsive therapy. The suicidal ideations did not differ between the two groups (p = 0.7). Conclusions Some mood episodes in bipolar patients (type I and II) are characterised by depressive and hypomanic symptoms but do not meet criteria for mixed episode as defined by DSM-IV. These episodes are often diagnosed as depressive states, but are worsened by antidepressants and often considered as resistant depression. They rapidly respond to antimanic treatment. New categories of mood disorders should take into account this particular mixed state.
Accurate Determination of a Joint Rotation Center Based on the Minimal Amplitude Point Method

In many computer-assisted surgery procedures in the field of joint replacement a joint rotation center must be located. To this end, joints such as the hip or the shoulder are approximated as spherical joints, and the most commonly used numerical method is the sphere-fitting algorithm. However, this method has a numerical instability where there is a limited range of motion caused by, for example, joint impingement. The aim of the present study was to develop an alternative kinematic method called the minimal amplitude point method. This method estimates the localization of the rotation center and can easily be integrated into program codes of computer-assisted surgery modules. It mainly consists of identifying the point of a mobile segment that moves least in the reference coordinate system of an immobile segment using an optimization procedure (genetic algorithm). The point determined can then be assumed to be the rotation center of the joint. To compare results of the two methods, an experimental set-up of two rigid solids linked by a spherical joint with known geometry was used to compute the rotation center. In contrast to the sphere-fitting method, the minimal amplitude point method permits the evaluation of the rotation center with an error of less than 4.1 mm, having a range of motion (ROM) of 5°. An equivalent accuracy for the sphere-fitting method requires an ROM of 45°.
Context-induced Contrast and Assimilation in Judging Supportiveness

Abstract Social support research increasingly draws from research on social cognition. Most of this research has studied assimilation and chronically accessible (i.e., frequently activated) social support constructs. This article presents three studies, in both laboratory and treatment settings, on context-induced contrast and assimilation in support judgments. In each study, participants exposed to positive social contexts subsequently rated supportive stimuli more negatively than participants exposed to negative social contexts. These effects were observed in ratings of participants' own social networks, the social climate of a residential treatment environment, and a videotaped supportive interaction. In two studies, negative contexts also were associated with increased negative affect and affect-related assimilation. That is, participants with more negative affect rated social environments more negatively than participants with less negative emotion. In some circumstances, context-induced contrast and.
A Case study of Edutainment Robot: Applying Voice Question Answering to Intelligent Robot

This paper presents a case study of edutainment robot, which is an intelligent robot for educational use with a voice-QA model applied. The emphatic functions of our robot are: analyzing spoken question from a student, finding an appropriate answer in Korean encyclopedia, and then serving the answer with speech synthesis. We develop the ESTk, which is an Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) system based on Finite State Network (FSN) for processing Korean spoken questions. For answer extraction, we utilize machine learning techniques and pattern extraction method. With our live-update interaction method, our robot can be extended with new knowledge in real-time. By conducting a quiz game, we show a possibility of our robot as an edutainment robot.
CRITICAL RACE THEORY: A TRANSFORMATIONAL MODEL FOR TEACHING DIVERSITY

Rapidly changing demographics in the United States, the 2008 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards, and recent developments in the literature that question the effectiveness of multiculturalism and cultural competence suggest social work education, research, and practice are in need of a new approach to diversity. In conceptualizing diversity, social workers need to address a broad social context that includes institutional/structural arrangements, recognize the intersection of multiple identities, and integrate an explicit social justice orientation. This article presents critical race theory as a paradigmatic framework that focuses on both institutions and the pain they create for marginalized people. The critique is multidimensional, addressing root causes and personal distress while pursuing transformational change.
Custom‐Tailored Hemodilution With Albumin and Crystalloids in Acute Ischemic Stroke

Hemodilution in the acute phase of ischemic stroke is still controversial. Multicenter studies have failed to demonstrate any benefit. The present study focuses attention on analysis of circulation in stroke and on individual restabilization of circulation. Methods The Amsterdam Stroke Study is a prospective, single-center, randomized clinical trial (n=300). Normovolemic hemodilution is accomplished in a customized procedure by administration of 20% albumin plus crystalloids under hemodynamic and rheological monitoring in the acute phase of stroke. All patients receive general intensive care treatment and monitoring with a pulmonary artery catheter. This custom-tailored fluid therapy is guided on the basis of a target pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (12±3 mm Hg) and hematocrit (0.32±0.02). The control group receives only customized rehydration by infusion of crystalloids. Results We obtained significant (p<0.05) reduction in mortality at 3 months (from 27% to 16%) and an increase in independence at home (from 35% to 48%) after viscosity reduction by means of hemodilution with albumin in the subgroup with a hematocrit <0.45 (n=201) (specific viscosity effect). We also obtained a significant (p<0.005) reduction in mortality at 3 months (from 27% to 8%) and an increase in independence (from 35% to 59%) after only rehydration with crystalloids in the subgroup with overt dehydration (hematocrit ≥0.45; n=51) as compared with the normal-hematocrit group without signs of dehydration (hematocrit <0.45; n=103) (specific rehydration effect). Conclusions This study may provide an explanation for the failures in former hemodilution trials and may re-establish proper hemodilution and rehydration as a valuable therapy in the acute phase of stroke, thus reducing mortality and improving independence after 3 months.
An Energy Efficient Distributed Scheduling Scheme for Wireless Mesh Networks

The usefulness of wireless mesh networks (WMNs) highly depends on the effective usage of frequency spectrum, scalability and energy efficiency of the underlying technologies [1]. While maximizing network throughput for given frequency spectrum, and scalability have been extensively studied in multi-hop environments, energy efficiency has not received due attention. In this paper, we propose an enhanced pseudo random access (EPRA) scheme based on the IEEE 802.16-2004 distributed mesh framework to improve energy efficiency. Our proposal addresses issues that we identify with the existing election based transmission timing (EBTT) mechanism of IEEE 802.16-2004. Our extensive simulation results show a very significant improvement in the reception energy efficiency by up to 85%. Moreover, notable improvements are also obtained in the transmission energy efficiency. While we focus mainly on the aspect of energy efficiency, the proposed enhancement also helps to improve the spatial reuse of the frequency spectrum.
Play and Social Interaction of Children With Disabilities at Learning/Activity Centers in an Inclusive Preschool

Abstract This study of nine preschool children with disabilities in an inclusive program with typical peers examined the types of play and social interactions in which they engaged in their chosen learning/activity centers. The following learning centers were used in this study: art (paints and drawing materials); creative expression (making teacher-directed products using cutting); writing (typewriter, letter writing, and printing materials); housekeeping/dress-up (kitchen setup, various apparel); computer (softwareprograms); woodworking (hammers, wood blocks, and foam blocks); Lego® (multi-colored blocks); and science (nature materials). Findings indicated differences among the children in the amount of time they spent in various centers, the number of different types of play in which they engaged, and in the amount of time spent in play of various types. The children also differed in the number of observed segments in which peers (typical and atypical) were present, number/type of peer interaction events, number of segments in which teachers were present, and number/type of teacher interaction events. Children with various types of disabilities had different patterns of play, and case study examples describe some of these differences. Implications for practice include the effects of teacher presence in centers as catalysts for involvement of children with disabilities, and the importance of teacher awareness about the influence of individual child preferences, and type and extent of disability, on their play experiences. Suggestions for teacher facilitation of peer interactions to extend their length and social complexity are given.
Adapting Scientific Applications to Cloud by Using Distributed Computing Frameworks

Scientific computing is a field that applies computer science to solve scientific problems from domains like genetics, biology, material science, chemistry etc. It is strongly associated with high performance computing (HPC) and parallel programming fields as scientific computing typically utilizes large scale computer modeling and simulation and thus requires large amounts of computer resources. Public clouds seem to be very suitable for solving scientific computing problems, but they are often built on commodity hardware and it's not simple to design applications that can efficiently utilize large amounts of computing resources. This paper gives an overview of a study that researches the use of distributed computing frameworks like MapReduce to greatly simplify solving scientific computing problems in the cloud and compares how well the results measure up to the current de facto standard practices of the distributed computing field.
Oxygenation of Hypoxic Coastal Baltic Sea Sediments Impacts on Chemistry, Microbial Community Composition, and Metabolism

The Baltic Sea has undergone severe eutrophication during the last century, resulting in increased algal blooms and the development of hypoxic bottom waters. In this study, we sampled oxygen deficient sediment cores from a Baltic Sea coastal bay and exposed the bottom water including the sediment surface to oxygen shifts via artificial addition of air during laboratory incubation. Surface sediment (top 1 cm) from the replicate cores were sliced in the field as well as throughout the laboratory incubations and chemical parameters were analyzed along with high throughput sequencing of community DNA and RNA. After oxygenation, dissolved iron decreased in the water overlying the sediment while inorganic sulfur compounds (thiosulfate and tetrathionate) increased when the water was kept anoxic. Oxygenation of the sediment also maintained RNA transcripts attributed to sulfide and sulfur oxidation as well as nitrogen fixation in the sediment surface. Based on 16S rRNA gene and metatranscriptomic analyses it was found that oxygenation of the sediment surface caused a bloom of the Epsilonproteobacteria genus Arcobacter. In addition, the formation of a thick white film was observed that was likely filamentous zero-valent sulfur produced by the Arcobacter spp. Based on these results, sulfur cycling and nitrogen fixation that were evident in the field samples were ongoing during re-oxygenation of the sediment. These processes potentially added organic nitrogen to the system and facilitated the re-establishment of micro- and macroorganism communities in the benthic zone.
Signalling-embedded training sequence design for block transmission systems

In order to accommodate the different applications in wireless transmission environment, communication systems usually provide several configurable transmission modes. Therefore, transmission parameter signalling (TPS) is critical for the receiver to recognize the signal transmission modes. In this paper, the pseudo-noise (PN) training sequence with embedded signalling in the time domain synchronous block transmission (TDS-BT) system is investigated, where the TPS could be conveyed through the transformation of the PN sequences in the frame head. The proposed signalling-embedded PN sequences could provide precise synchronization as well as robust signalling performance without extra transmission resource consumption. Computer simulations are also presented to verify the effectiveness of our proposed methods.