Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Is Workplace ‘Skills for Life’ Provision Sustainable in the UK?

Since the launch of the national ‘Skills for Life’ strategy in 2001, the UK government has invested heavily in a drive to improve literacy, numeracy and ESOL provision, an important dimension of which has been the funding (largely through the former Learning and Skills Council) of ‘Skills for Life’ courses in the workplace. Drawing on longitudinal data from the ESRC-funded ‘Adult Basic Skills and Workplace learning’ project (2003-2008), together with findings from Project 2 in LLAKES Strand 3, this paper seeks to explore the key factors that facilitate and inhibit sustainable ‘Skills for Life’ workplace provision. We draw on the metaphor of a social ecology of learning to explore the inter-relationships between individuals and groups at policy and organisational level and combine this with Michael de Certeau’s theoretical work on quotidian social practices in order to cast light on the diverse ways in which ‘Skills for Life’ provision has been put to use by learners. The paper argues that the ‘Skills for Life’ national strategy has generated a complex ‘ecology of learning’ at policy level, whereby a byzantine and shifting funding landscape, with its concomitant bureaucracy and strong emphasis on credentialism has militated against longterm sustainable provision. Those organisations that have managed to sustain provision have generally succeeded in integrating ‘Skills for Life’ courses within a broader ‘ecology of learning’ whereby there is both support and formal recognition for such provision within the organisation as a whole. The development of literacy, numeracy and ESOL courses within these organisations approximates (rather than complies fully with) the ‘Whole Organisation’ approaches advocated by ‘Skills for Life’ development agencies. Although these recommendations represent an optimum strategy for developing the capacity of organisations to deliver long-term ‘Skills for Life’ provision, the ‘third-order’ priority of learning within the workplace means that it is difficult in practice to establish sustainability in most organisations.
Minimizing patients' exposure to uncured components in a dental sealant.

BACKGROUND The authors conducted research to examine the effectiveness of six surface treatments in reducing the oxygen-inhibited layer of a commercially available, freshly polymerized, light-cured unfilled dental sealant. METHODS Surface treatments of a light-cured sealant (Delton Light Curing Pit & Fissure Sealant, Dentsply Ash) included no treatment (the control treatment), a 20-second exposure to an air/water syringe spray, 20 seconds' manual application of a wet or dry cotton roll, 20 seconds' manual application of pumice with a cotton pellet, and 20 seconds' application of a water/pumice slurry using a prophy cup on a slow-speed handpiece. The authors used high-pressure liquid chromatography to analyze the amount of monomers--bisphenol A glycidyl dimethacrylate, or Bis-GMA; triethylene glycol dimethacrylate, or TEGDMA; and bisphenol A dimethacrylate, or Bis-DMA--remaining after each treatment. RESULTS A one-way analysis of variance indicated that use of only an air/water spray removed the least (P = .0001) amount of all monomers (only 68.3 percent of the control value). Application of wet or dry cotton reduced equivalent amounts of monomers (86.1 to 88.9 percent of the control value), and the amount of monomer remaining was less than that for the air/water syringe treatment (P = .0001). The use of pumice on either a cotton ball or in a prophy cup achieved the greatest reduction (P = .0001) in total amount of residual monomer (92.9 to 95.3 percent of the control value). CONCLUSIONS Treatment that used pumice eliminated the greatest amount (from 93 percent to 95 percent of the untreated control values) of any type of residual monomer. A slurry of pumice is significantly more effective in removing the oxygen-inhibited layer from freshly cured sealants than either an air/water spray or wet or dry cotton alone. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Clinicians can most effectively reduce patients' exposure to the uncured components in the oxygen-inhibited layer of sealants by using a mild abrasive, such as pumice, either on a cotton applicator or in a prophy cup.
From Square Pieces to Brick Walls: The Next Challenge in Solving Jigsaw Puzzles

Research into computational jigsaw puzzle solving, an emerging theoretical problem with numerous applications, has focused in recent years on puzzles that constitute square pieces only. In this paper we wish to extend the scientific scope of appearance-based puzzle solving and consider ’’brick wall” jigsaw puzzles – rectangular pieces who may have different sizes, and could be placed next to each other at arbitrary offset along their abutting edge – a more explicit configuration with properties of real world puzzles. We present the new challenges that arise in brick wall puzzles and address them in two stages. First we concentrate on the reconstruction of the puzzle (with or without missing pieces) assuming an oracle for offset assignments. We show that despite the increased complexity of the problem, under these conditions performance can be made comparable to the state-of-the-art in solving the simpler square piece puzzles, and thereby argue that solving brick wall puzzles may be reduced to finding the correct offset between two neighboring pieces. We then move on to focus on implementing the oracle computationally using a mixture of dissimilarity metrics and correlation matching. We show results on various brick wall puzzles and discuss how our work may start a new research path for the puzzle solving community.
Energy-Efficient and Timely Event Reporting Using Wireless Sensor Networks

This thesis investigates the suitability of state-of-the-art protocols for large-scale and longterm environmental event monitoring using wireless sensor networks based on the application scenario of early forest fire detection. By suitable combination of energy-efficient protocol mechanisms a novel communication protocol, referred to as cross-layer message-merging protocol (XLMMP), is developed. Qualitative and quantitative protocol analyses are carried out to confirm that XLMMP is particularly suitable for this application area. The quantitative analysis is mainly based on finite-source retrial queues with multiple unreliable servers. While this queueing model is widely applicable in various research areas even beyond communication networks, this thesis is the first to determine the distribution of the response time in this model. The model evaluation is mainly carried out using Markovian analysis and the method of phases. The obtained quantitative results show that XLMMP is a feasible basis to design scalable wireless sensor networks that (1) may comprise hundreds of thousands of tiny sensor nodes with reduced node complexity, (2) are suitable to monitor an area of tens of square kilometers, (3) achieve a lifetime of several years. The deduced quantifiable relationships between key network parameters—e.g., node size, node density, size of the monitored area, aspired lifetime, and the maximum end-to-end communication delay—enable application-specific optimization of the protocol.
Isobaric protein and peptide quantification: perspectives and issues

An important challenge for proteomics is the ability to compare protein levels across biological samples. Since their introduction, isotopic and isobaric peptide labeling have played an important role in relative quantitative comparisons of proteomes. One important drawback of most of the isotopic-labeling techniques is an increase in sample complexity. This problem was successfully addressed with the construction of isobaric labeling strategies, such as isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ), tandem mass tagging, the cleavable isobaric affinity tag, dimethylated leucines and isobaric peptide termini labeling. Furthermore, numerous applications for multiplexing using iTRAQ and tandem mass tagging have been reported.
Development of a Broadband Picosecond Infrared Spectrometer and its Incorporation into an Existing Ultrafast Time-Resolved Resonance Raman, UV/Visible, and Fluorescence Spectroscopic Apparatus

We have constructed a broadband ultrafast time-resolved infrared (TRIR) spectrometer and incorporated it into our existing time-resolved spectroscopy apparatus, thus creating a single instrument capable of performing the complementary techniques of femto-/picosecond time-resolved resonance Raman (TR3), fluorescence, and UV/visible/infrared transient absorption spectroscopy. The TRIR spectrometer employs broadband (150 fs, ∼150 cm−1 FWHM) mid-infrared probe and reference pulses (generated by difference frequency mixing of near-infrared pulses in type I AgGaS2), which are dispersed over two 64-element linear infrared array detectors (HgCdTe). These are coupled via custom-built data acquisition electronics to a personal computer for data processing. This data acquisition system performs signal handling on a shot-by-shot basis at the 1 kHz repetition rate of the pulsed laser system. The combination of real-time signal processing and the ability to normalize each probe and reference pulse has enabled us to achieve a high sensitivity on the order of ΔOD ∼ 10−4–10−5 with 1 min of acquisition time. We present preliminary picosecond TRIR studies using this spectrometer and also demonstrate how a combination of TRIR and TR3 spectroscopy can provide key information for the full elucidation of a photochemical process.
Director Characteristics and Firm Performance

The traditional methodology examining optimal boards relates a simple board variable (e.g. independence or board demography) to firm performance, however, ig- noring other board characteristics. This paper investigates how the education and business experience of directors affect firm performance. The sample consists of 1,574 directorships from 224 listed firms in Switzerland. Using OLS and including control variables, the results show that graduates of minor Swiss universities are negatively related to Tobin’s Q, and industrial knowledge and Tobin’s Q are nega- tively correlated if the firm has more divisions. In addition, director fixed effects (or unobserved characteristics) are significant, but improve the explanatory power of the models only by 5 percent.
Newspapers' Representations of Corporate Mass Layoffs

of a thesis at the University of Miami Thesis supervised by Dr. Don W. Stacks No. of pages in text. (67) Due to rising unemployment levels, researchers have begun to investigate how corporations handle layoffs and how they could manage them better in the future. Public relations practitioners can use this type of research to help organizations learn how to best maintain their images, reputations and productivity amid mass layoffs. When an organization conducts mass layoffs, its actions become both a current event and a public issue that is frequently discussed in newspaper articles. In order for downsizing organizations to be aware of the public’s perceptions of their layoff procedures, they should be aware of how the news media represents them. This study used a content analysis of different newspaper articles to determine how three downsizing organizations (General Motors, Caterpillar, and Boeing) were portrayed in the midst of
Technology Acquisition: Buying the Future of Your Business

Acknowledgments. Reference Map. Introduction. 1. Initiation. The Initiation Process. The Project Sponsor. The Project Manager. The Project Stakeholders. 2. Planning. The Planning Process. The Project Team. 3. Research. The Research Process. The Vendor Sales Team. 4. Evaluation. The Evaluation Process. 5. Negotiations. The Negotiation Process. The Negotiation Team. 6. Implementation. The Implementation Process. The Internal Implementation Team. The Vendor Implementation Team. 7. Operations. The Operations Process. The Internal Support Team. The Vendor Support Team. The End User. Resources. Index. 020173804XT05242001
Wavelet Transform Based on the Optimal Wavelet Pairs for Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy Signal Processing

This paper presents a novel methodology-based discrete wavelet transform (DWT) and the choice of the optimal wavelet pairs to adaptively process tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS) spectra for quantitative analysis, such as molecular spectroscopy and trace gas detection. The proposed methodology aims to construct an optimal calibration model for a TDLAS spectrum, regardless of its background structural characteristics, thus facilitating the application of TDLAS as a powerful tool for analytical chemistry. The performance of the proposed method is verified using analysis of both synthetic and observed signals, characterized with different noise levels and baseline drift. In terms of fitting precision and signal-to-noise ratio, both have been improved significantly using the proposed method.
Does Corporate Governance Matter? New Evidence from the United Kingdom

Using a governance index derived explicitly from the main recommendations of the London Stock Exchange Combined Code, we find that stronger and more explicit corporate governance systems are associated with increased firm value and performance, as well as lower levels of capital expenditure and institutional shareholdings. While overall corporate governance is important, not all governance characteristics of the firm have the same effect. Whereas ownership and remuneration policies improve corporate performance, the quality of disclosure and audit is a more important driver of corporate value and capital expenditure. Board structure, which is the most frequent topic of research in corporate governance, is shown to have no impact on performance, value, investment or institutional ownership.
SAR Image Segmentation Based on Level Set With Stationary Global Minimum

In this letter, we propose a new level-set-based energy functional for the purpose of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) image segmentation into Gamma homogeneous regions. The segmentation of SAR images is a difficult problem due to the presence of speckles, which can be modeled as strong multiplicative noise. Our proposed energy functional is designed to get a stationary global minimum. As a result, the level set function that evolves by the Euler-Lagrange equation of the energy functional has a unique stationary convergence state. Moreover, it is easy to set a termination criterion on the curve evolution via a level set by using our energy functional. The experimental results on both synthetic and real SAR images demonstrate the effectiveness of our method.
Choosing Factors in a Multifactor Asset Pricing Model When Returns are Nonnormal

We use Bayesian techniques to select the factors in a multifactor asset pricing model when the assumption of normally distributed returns is relaxed. More precisely, we assume that asset returns are multivariate t-distributed. This setup allows us to capture the well known fat tail property of asset returns. Interest rates, premiums, returns on broadbased portfolios and macroeconomic variables are included in the set of factors. Data from both the US market and the Swedish market are investigated.
Genetic algorithms and simulated annealing for gene mapping

Ordering genes on a chromosome is similar to the traveling salesman problem (TSP), but with some extra information. This extra information prompted us to investigate the genetic algorithms (GA) and simulated annealing (SA) methods to solve the gene ordering problem, even though they are not the best methods available to solve the TSP. Comparing the two heuristics on the gene mapping problem, we find that the GA method always converges to a good solution more quickly than the SA method. The best solution produced by the GA method is always superior to the best solution produced by the SA method. The GA method is able to do well on this problem since it is able to take advantage of the extra information mentioned above to construct good local maps that can then be used to construct good global maps. <<ETX>>
Redefining tissue engineering for nanomedicine in ophthalmology

Working at the nanoscale means to completely rethink how to approach engineering in the body in general and in the eye in particular. In nanomedicine, tissue engineering is the ability to influence an environment either by adding, subtracting or manipulating that environment to allow it to be more conducive for its purpose. The goal is to function at the optimum state, or to return to that optimum state. Additive tissue engineering replaces cells or tissue, or tries to get something to grow that is no longer there. Arrestive tissue engineering tries to stop aberrant growth which, if left uncontrolled, would result in a decrease in function. Nano delivery of therapeutics can perform both additive and arrestive functions influencing the environment either way, depending on the targeting. By manipulating the environment at the nanoscale, the rate and distribution of healing can be controlled. It infers that potential applications of nanomedicine in ophthalmology include procedures, such as corneal endothelial cell transplantation, single retinal ganglion cell repair, check of retinal ganglion cell viability, building of nanofibre scaffolds, such as self‐assembling peptides, to create a scaffold‐like tissue‐bridging structure to provide a framework for axonal regeneration in the case of optic nerve reconnection or eye transplantation, and ocular drug delivery. Examples of potential arrestive therapies include gene‐related treatment modalities to inhibit intraocular neovascularization and to block retinal cell apoptosis. Looking towards the future, this review focuses on how nanoscale tissue engineering can be and is being used to influence that local environment.
Legal Regulation of China's Securities Markets: Recent Improvements and Competing Advantages

Does private enforcement of securities law work in China? Does it have any advantages, when it is compared with other regulatory mechanisms, e.g. public enforcement and self-regulation? This article critically discusses these questions. Firstly, by some case studies, it exploits recent development of private enforcement of securities law in three different dimensions: enhanced judicial independence, enhanced professional and discretionary abilities, and technological enhancement of judicial practice. Secondly, by comparing with self-regulation regime, it generates the competing advantages of the private enforcement of securities law in the Chinese context.
Fas ligand expressed in colon cancer is not associated with increased apoptosis of tumor cells in vivo

Expression of Fas ligand (FasL/CD95L) may help to maintain colon cancers in a state of immune privilege by inducing apoptosis of antitumor immune effector cells. Colon tumor‐derived cell lines appear to be relatively insensitive to apoptosis mediated by their own or exogenous FasL in vitro, despite expression of cell surface Fas. In our present study, we sought to investigate if FasL upregulated in human colon cancers leads to any increase in apoptosis of the tumor cells in vivo. FasL and Fas receptor (APO‐1/CD95) expression by tumor cells were detected immunohistochemically. Apoptotic tumor cell death was detected by immunohistochemistry for caspase‐cleaved cytokeratin‐18. FasL expression did not correlate with the extent of apoptosis of tumor cells. There was no significant local difference in the frequency of apoptosis of tumor cells between tumor nests that expressed FasL (mean = 2.4%) relative to those that did not (mean = 2.6%) (p = 0.625, n = 10; Wilcoxon signed rank). FasL expressed by the tumor cells appeared to be functional, since FasL expression in tumor nests correlated with diminished infiltration of tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). TILs were detected using immunohistochemistry for CD45. Expression of FasL by tumor nests was associated with a mean 4‐fold fewer TILs relative to FasL‐negative nests (range 2.4–33‐fold, n = 10, p < 0.003). Together, our results indicate that colon tumors are insensitive to FasL‐mediated apoptosis in vivo. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Accommodation dynamics as a function of age

Abstract Experiments are described in which the dynamic accommodation response to a stimulus whose vergence was varying sinusoidally with time between 1.33 and 2.38 D was measured as a function of frequency for 19 subjects, with ages distributed between 18 and 49 years. Response to abrupt stimulus change between the same levels was also measured. The results showed that at any age, for the sinusoidal stimuli, gain fell with frequency and phase lag increased: at fixed frequency, gain fell with age and phase lag increased. Neither reaction nor response times for step stimuli changed with age. Analysis of the sinusoidal data suggests the possible existence of a cut‐off frequency of about 2 Hz, which varies little with age and above which the system cannot respond. The phase data is compatible with the existence of a frequency‐independent time delay, which increases with age from about 0.17 s at 20 years to 0.48 s at 40 years. The results are discussed in terms of current knowledge of the factors contributing to the development of presbyopia.
Transvaginal Doppler of uteroplacental circulation in early prediction of pre-eclampsia by observing bilateral uterine artery notch and resistance index at 12-16 weeks of gestation

Objectives: To study the role of bilateral uterine artery (UA) diastolic notch and resistance index at 12-16 weeks of gestation for early prediction of pre-eclampsia using transvaginal color Doppler imaging. Methods: Hundred antenatal women with singleton pregnancy at 12-16 weeks of gestation were considered for the study. Transvaginal Doppler study of uterine circulation was performed, diastolic notch and various velocimetry indices were noted and compared for significant, difference between normal and abnormal outcome group. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were calculated for diastolic notch and notch with resistance index (RI) Results: Pre-eclampsia developed in 31.42% of the women with bilateral (UA) diastolic notch at 12-16 weeks. Detection rate increased upto 56% when RI > 0.65 was also included in abnormal uterine artery waveform. Specificity increased from 66.4% to 84.7% and sensitivity from 68.75 to 87.5%. Conclusions: Uterine artery Doppler study between 12-16 weeks is a good screening method for identification of women at high risk of developing complication related to utero-placental insufficiency.
Breakdown of an Ant-Plant Mutualism Follows the Loss of Large Herbivores from an African Savanna

Mutualisms are key components of biodiversity and ecosystem function, yet the forces maintaining them are poorly understood. We investigated the effects of removing large mammals on an ant-Acacia mutualism in an African savanna. Ten years of large-herbivore exclusion reduced the nectar and housing provided by plants to ants, increasing antagonistic behavior by a mutualistic ant associate and shifting competitive dominance within the plant-ant community from this nectar-dependent mutualist to an antagonistic species that does not depend on plant rewards. Trees occupied by this antagonist suffered increased attack by stem-boring beetles, grew more slowly, and experienced doubled mortality relative to trees occupied by the mutualistic ant. These results show that large mammals maintain cooperation within a widespread symbiosis and suggest complex cascading effects of megafaunal extinction.