Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inscriptional Practices in Two Inquiry-Based Classrooms: A Case Study of Seventh Graders' Use of Data Tables and Graphs.

This case study characterizes the inscriptional practices demonstrated by seventh graders, particularly their use of data tables and graphs, in an inquiry-based learning environment. Using a naturalistic approach, we collected multiple sources of data during an 8-month instructional unit that emphasized water quality and relevant concepts. The analyses show that constructing and interpreting graphs and tables provided students with opportunities to discuss, review, and clarify questions about concepts and the inquiry process. At the end of the unit on water quality, students were capable of fully participating in designing a more complicated inscription and interpreting new inscriptions. The findings suggest that four features of the learning environment promoted the development of inscriptional practices: (1) embedding the use of inscriptions in students' science inquiry; (2) providing scaffolds to support students' inquiry process; (3) sequencing tasks and the inquiry process; and (4) engaging students in science inquiry in an iterated manner. This study provides insight into the design of a learning environment in which students can develop competent scientific practices. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 43: 63–95, 2006
Survivability analysis of network specifications

Survivability is the ability of a system to maintain a set of essential services despite the presence of abnormal events, such as faults and intrusions. Ensuring system survivability has increased in importance as critical infrastructures have become heavily dependent on computers. In this paper, we present a systematic method for performing survivability analysis of networks. A system architect injects fault and intrusion events into a given specification of a network and then visualizes the effects of the injected events in the form of scenario graphs. In our method, we automatically generate scenario graphs using model checking. Out method enables further global analysis, such as reliability analysis, where mathematical techniques used in different domains are combined in a systematic manner. We illustrate our ideas on an abstract model of the United States Payment System.
Towards a minimal interaction scheme: Initial observations on gesture repertoire and communication strategies

This paper investigates a prototype of an interaction design for a flexible natural language user interface with a minimal set of gestures and natural language commands. The prototype is evaluated using a Hi-Fi simulation approach that allows the enactment of an interfaces that accommodates gesture and speech input for directive commands. In the scenario users were guiding a robot equipped with a camera and microphone through a simple maze. The data from six users were collected and subsequently analysed with respect to the users' communicative behavior. In the analysis of the data special consideration was given to the gesture repertoire. It was found that users, when presented with static images of gestures, added their own dynamic patterns. Furthermore the users appeared to give precedence to the deictic component of gestures that meant left/right. Users were also opportunistic meaning that when they could they used predefined goal points and let the robot use its autonomous navigation to find its way.
Tunnelling and radiating phenomena related to coupled omega particles

In this contribution, we investigate the tunnelling and radiating phenomena associated to coupled omega particles. When properly excited, the strong resonances arising in this kind of inclusions may lead to extraordinary transmission effects through sub-wavelength apertures and to interesting probing features with high efficiency in the detection of the electromagnetic radiation.
The Political Philosophy of Biological Endowments: Some Considerations

Is a government required or permitted to redistribute the gains and losses that differences in biological endowments generate? In particular, does the fact that individuals possess different biological endowments lead to unfair advantages within a market economy? These are questions on which some people are apt to have strong intuitions and ready arguments. Egalitarians may say yes and argue that as unearned, undeserved advantages and disadvantages, biological endowments are never fair, and that the market simply exacerbates these inequities. Libertarians may say no, holding that the possession of such endowments deprives no one of an entitlement and that any system but a market would deprive agents of the rights to their endowments. Biological endowments may well lead to advantages or disadvantages on their view, but not to unfair ones. I do not have strong intuitions about answers to these questions, in part because I believe that they are questions of great difficulty. To begin, alternative answers rest on substantial assumptions in moral philosophy that seem insufficiently grounded. Moreover, the questions involve several problematical assumptions about the nature of biological endowments. Finally, I find the questions to be academic, in the pejorative sense of this term. For aside from a number of highly debilitating endowments, the overall moral significance of differences between people seems so small, so I interdependent and so hard to measure, that these differences really will 1 not enter into practical redistributive calculations, even if it is theoretically i permissible that they do so. Before turning to a detailed discussion of biological endowments and their moral significance, I sketch my doubts about the fundamental moral theories that dictate either the impermissibility or the obligation to compensate for different biological endowments.
Up-regulation of the Cell Integrity Pathway in Saccharomyces cerevisiae Suppresses Temperature Sensitivity of the pgs1Δ Mutant*

We have previously shown that mutants in the cardiolipin (CL) pathway exhibit temperature-sensitive growth defects that are not associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. The pgs1Δ mutant, lacking the first enzyme of the CL pathway, phosphatidylglycerolphosphate synthase (Pgs1p), has a defective cell wall due to decreased β-1,3-glucan (Zhong, Q., Gvozdenovic-Jeremic, J., Webster, P., Zhou, J., and Greenberg, M. L. (2005) Mol. Biol. Cell 16, 665–675). Disruption of KRE5, a gene involved in cell wall biogenesis, restores β-1,3-glucan synthesis and suppresses pgs1Δ temperature sensitivity. To gain insight into the mechanisms underlying the cell wall defect in pgs1Δ, we show in the current report that pgs1Δ cells have reduced glucan synthase activity and diminished levels of Fks1p, the glucan synthase catalytic subunit. In addition, activation of Slt2p, the downstream effector of the protein kinase C (PKC)-activated cell integrity pathway, was defective in pgs1Δ. The kre5W1166X suppressor restored Slt2p activation and dramatically increased (>10-fold) mRNA levels of FKS2, the alternate catalytic subunit of glucan synthase, partially restoring glucan synthase activity. Consistent with these results, up-regulation of PKC-Slt2 signaling and overexpression of FKS1 or FKS2 alleviated sensitivity of pgs1Δ to cell wall-perturbing agents and restored growth at elevated temperature. These findings demonstrate that functional Pgs1p is essential for cell wall biogenesis and activation of the PKC-Slt2 signaling pathway.
Predictors of Sexual Functioning in a Sample of U.S. Marines: An 11-Year Follow-Up Study

ABSTRACT We examined predictors of sexual functioning in male and female U.S. Marines (n = 589) assessed longitudinally for approximately 11 years. Multiple domains of sexual functioning (dysfunctional sexual behaviors, sexual frequency, sexual problems, and sexual satisfaction) were assessed at the 11-year follow-up assessment (T5). T5 depressive symptoms emerged as the most robust predictor of all domains of sexual functioning. Different patterns of correlates were associated with the different domains of sexual functioning—a finding that highlights the importance of considering the multidimensional nature of human sexuality. In addition, several significant gender × predictor interactions indicated differential relationships between predictors and sexual functioning outcomes for men and women. In particular, concurrent physical health and mental health were more strongly related to sexual functioning for women compared with men. We discuss how findings of the current study can contribute to the development of theories that can better capture the complexity of human sexuality, and we suggest ways that the current findings can inform mental health practitioners working with veterans and military personnel.
Quadrotor aerial manipulator based on dual quaternions

This work presents the modeling and control of an aerial manipulator based on a quadrotor with a robotic arm using the dual quaternion approach. First the kinematic model of the complete system is obtained using dual quaternions to represent multiple rotations and translations, then the dynamic model is developed via the Newton-Euler formalism. A position control law is used to stabilize the vehicle around a desired position and orientation using a smooth trajectory. The closed-loop system is then numerically simulated to corroborate stability. In addition, experimental flight tests were performed for validation.
Do antioxidant enzymes and glutathione play roles in the induction of hepatic oxidative stress in mice upon subchronic exposure to mixtures of dichloroacetate and trichloroacetate?

Dichloroacetate (DCA) and trichloroacetate (TCA) are water chlorination by-products, and their mixtures were previously found to induce additive to greater than additive effects on hepatic oxidative stress (OS) induction in mice after subchronic exposure. To investigate the roles of antioxidant enzymes and glutathione (GSH) in those effects, livers of B6C3F1 mice were treated by gavage with 7.5, 15, or 30 mg DCA/kg/day, 12.5, 25, or 50 mg TCA/kg/day, and mixtures (Mix I, Mix II, and Mix III) at DCA:TCA ratios corresponding to 7.5:12.5, 15:25, and 25:50 mg/kg/day, respectively, for 13 weeks. Livers were assayed for superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), as well as for GSH levels. In general, DCA suppressed SOD and GSH-Px activities and GSH levels but caused no changes in CAT activity; TCA increased SOD and CAT activities, suppressed GSH-Px activity, but did not change GSH levels; mixtures of DCA and TCA increased SOD and CAT activities and suppressed GSH-Px activity and GSH levels. In conclusion, antioxidant enzymes contribute to DCA-, TCA-, and mixtures-induced OS, but not to changes from additive to greater than additive effects produced by different mixture compositions of the compounds. GSH on the other hand may contribute to these changes.
A MEMS-based passive hydrocephalus shunt with adaptive flow characteristics

This paper reports a novel MEMS valve with adaptive flow characteristics for improved treatment of hydrocephalus, a disease that is characterized by elevated pressure in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. In contrast to conventional valves with two ports, the valve presented here features a third port, called compensation port, which utilizes hydrostatic pressure to adapt CSF drainage based on body position. A prototype has been fabricated using standard MEMS manufacturing processes and the experimental evaluation successfully showed that the flow rate was adjustable with a varying hydrostatic pressure on the compensation port. Extracted data shows that flow rate was at near ideal values at both standing and laying body position showing an effective adaptation to body position. This is the first passive hydrocephalus valve intended for body position dependent CSF pressure regulation.
Quality standards, conventions and the governance of global value chains

Convention theory helps refine our understanding of the governance of global value chains through its analysis of ‘quality’. In this article, it is argued that global value chains are becoming increasingly ‘buyer-driven’, even though they are characterized by ‘hands-off’ forms of co-ordination between ‘lead firms’ and their immediate suppliers. This is because lead firms have been able to embed complex quality information into widely accepted standards and codification and certification procedures. As suggested by convention theory, their success in doing so has depended on defining and managing value chain-specific quality attributes that are attuned to broader narratives about quality that circulate within society more generally.
ecoding twitter : Surveillance and trends for cardiac arrest and resuscitation ommunication

Aim of the study: Twitter has over 500 million subscribers but little is known about how it is used to communicate health information. We sought to characterize how Twitter users seek and share information related to cardiac arrest, a time-sensitive cardiovascular condition where initial treatment often relies on public knowledge and response. Methods: Tweets published April–May 2011 with keywords cardiac arrest, CPR, AED, resuscitation, heart arrest, sudden death and defib were identified. Tweets were characterized by content, dissemination, and temporal trends. Tweet authors were further characterized by: self-identified background, tweet volume, and followers. Results: Of 62,163 tweets (15,324, 25%) included resuscitation/cardiac arrest-specific information. These tweets referenced specific cardiac arrest events (1130, 7%), CPR performance or AED use (6896, 44%), resuscitation-related education, research, or news media (7449, 48%), or specific questions about cardiac arrest/resuscitation (270, 2%). Regarding dissemination (1980, 13%) of messages were retweeted. Resuscitation specific tweets primarily occurred on weekdays. Most users (10,282, 93%) contributed three or fewer tweets during the study time frame. Users with more than 15 resuscitation-specific tweets in the study time frame had a mean 1787 followers and most self-identified as having a healthcare affiliation. Conclusion: Despite a large volume of tweets, Twitter can be filtered to identify public knowledge and information seeking and sharing about cardiac arrest. To better engage via social media, healthcare providers can distil tweets by user, content, temporal trends, and message dissemination. Further understanding of information shared by the public in this forum could suggest new approaches for improving cation resuscitation related edu
Ethics activities in computer science courses

I n our workshop at CQL 96 we argued that one of the most effective ways to introduce ethics to computer science stu dents is by the use of a variety of ethics activities in technical computer science courses taught by the regular computer science faculty. Following this method demonstrates to students that ethical/professional content is a fundamental component of Computer Science. Ethical/professional issues are seen in the context of computing professionals practicing their profession. The integration of ethical/professional issues into existing computer science curriculum helps to dispel the perception that ethical, social, and professional issues less important or neatly separable from computer science. It firmly establishes a link between ethical/social issues and technical content, methods, and practices of profession The knowledge that policies and/or standards (e.g. guidelines, codes of ethics and conduct) exist does positively influence behavior. The primary goal of these ethics activities should be proacfive, giving the students experiences and exercises in preventing ethical problems from arising rather than merely cataloging previous ethical disasters. Some basic requirements of preventative ethics are: an understanding professional responsibiliry, an understanding of the importance of standards, an ability to anticipate and avoid some problematic situations, and a familiarity with circumstances in engineering practice that call for ethical sensitivity and reflection. Our approach avoids several things that we consider counterproductive. We do not rely exclusively on catastrophes; while students find these interesting, they do not see them as applicable to their own circumstances. We want them to consider ethics in everyday situations. We do not rely exclusively on dilemmas; issues for which there is no solution. Doing this leads to a "why bother" attitude; that there are no answers in ethics. We do not assume students are "morally challenged; most are not. The activities are addressed to students who are interested in being honest, responsible professionals. Below are some examples of ethics activities we have used and found effective. The first set of sample of activities were used in the requked lower-division sequence: CS-1 (introduction to software development life cycle; introduction of first programming language; emphasis on implementation); and CS-2/Data Structures (emphasis on design; algorithms; data structures). The second activity was used in an upper-division Software Engineering course and is applicable to any "project-oriented" systems analysis and design course.
Eating disorder symptoms among adolescents in the United States and Spain: A comparative study

The severity of eating disorder symptoms and interest in weight reduction vary among cultures and nationalities. The present study is the first to directly compare the extent of these problems between two Western nations. Although several reports have emerged from other European countries, this is the first study of eating disorder symptoms among Spanish youth. There were more American girls with bulimia nervosa symptoms; the overall level of eating disorder symptoms was higher among the Americans; and more American girls were interested in losing weight. Bulimia was equally rare among Spanish and American boys, American boys were more interested in changing their weight, and Spanish boys had higher scores on a questionnaire of eating disorder symptoms. Although statistically different, subjects in both countries scored close to the norm on the eating disorder questionnaire.
The brain and accelerative learning

The relationship between various types of brain functions and learning has interested educators for the past 15-20 years. Memory appears to be a phenomenon widely spread among cortical regions. Both short-term and long-term memory storage are discussed. Attention is being paid to left and right hemispheric functions as well as to MacLean's concept of the triune brain. Educators have sought, in recent years, to apply brain research findings in schooling. Suggestions are offered both to students and teachers, based upon the research and theories discussed here. Opvoedkundiges hou hulle die afgelope 15-20 jaar reeds besig met die verhouding tussen leer en die verskillende soorte breinfunksies. Geheue skyn 'n fenomeen te wees wat wyd versprei is in die kortikale areas. Kort- sowel as langtermyngeheue en die retensie daarvan word bespreek. Opvattings oor die linker en die regter hemisfere kry aandag, sowel as MacLean se konsep van die brein as drie-ledig. Opvoedkundiges poog vera! in die laaste jare om die resultate van breinnavorsing toe te pas op die onderrigsituasie. Voorstelle wat gebaseer is op sodanige navorsing word hier gedoen aan studente sowel as onderwysers.
The development of social relations during residence abroad

Language students in the UK undertake their ‘year abroad’ with high hopes for a linguistic and social ‘immersion’ experience. However, past research shows that language learning success, while real, can be uneven, and that many Erasmus exchange students form social relations largely with other international students. New virtual media make it easy and cheap for the current student generation to sustain existing social networks, blurring previous clear distinctions between ‘home’ and ‘abroad’. This paper draws on data from a larger two-year study of UK students undertaking residence abroad in France, Spain and Mexico (the LANGSNAP project). The participants were involved in three different placement types: teaching assistants, exchange students and workplace interns. A series of pre-sojourn and in-sojourn interviews with 28 students spending an academic year in France are analysed, to identify both the social networking opportunities available and the actual social relationships which were developed. The analysis shows that all three placement types offered structured opportunities for interaction with French nationals which led for almost all participants to moderate degrees of social networking. However, only a minority of participants developed closer relationships or friendship with locals, from which they drew emotional support.
The Contribution of Attentional Lapses to Individual Differences in Visual Working Memory Capacity

Attentional control and working memory capacity are important cognitive abilities that substantially vary between individuals. Although much is known about how attentional control and working memory capacity relate to each other and to constructs like fluid intelligence, little is known about how trial-by-trial fluctuations in attentional engagement impact trial-by-trial working memory performance. Here, we employ a novel whole-report memory task that allowed us to distinguish between varying levels of attentional engagement in humans performing a working memory task. By characterizing low-performance trials, we can distinguish between models in which working memory performance failures are caused by either (1) complete lapses of attention or (2) variations in attentional control. We found that performance failures increase with set-size and strongly predict working memory capacity. Performance variability was best modeled by an attentional control model of attention, not a lapse model. We examined neural signatures of performance failures by measuring EEG activity while participants performed the whole-report task. The number of items correctly recalled in the memory task was predicted by frontal theta power, with decreased frontal theta power associated with poor performance on the task. In addition, we found that poor performance was not explained by failures of sensory encoding; the P1/N1 response and ocular artifact rates were equivalent for high- and low-performance trials. In all, we propose that attentional lapses alone cannot explain individual differences in working memory performance. Instead, we find that graded fluctuations in attentional control better explain the trial-by-trial differences in working memory that we observe.
Impressions of enforced disintegration and bursting in the visual perception of collision events

In 3 experiments, computer-generated visual stimuli were shown to give rise to visual impressions that 1 object smashed or was smashed by another, and that an object popped or exploded on contact from another object. These are termed the enforced disintegration and bursting impressions, respectively. Impressions of enforced disintegration were found to be strongest when speed of motion after contact was the same as or slightly less than speed before contact and when the fragments of the contacted object were widely dispersed in an arc centred on the original direction of motion. Impressions of bursting were strongest when speed of motion after contact was faster than speed before contact. These visual interaction impressions may be accounted for by innate visual mechanisms, by the use of acquired knowledge in a process akin to recognition, or by the application of primitive conceptual knowledge in perceptual processing.