Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Comprehension Abilities in Young Children

2 Assessment of Comprehension Abilities in Young Children " To grasp the meaning of a thing, and event or a situation is to see it in its relations to other things: to note how it operates or functions, what consequences follow from it; what causes it, what uses it can be put to " (Dewey, 1933/1963, p. 135) The ability to read is essential for successful functioning in society and therefore is one of the most important 'survival' skills to teach our children. In virtually all instances, the goal of reading is to identify the meaning or message of the text at hand. Doing so involves the execution and integration of many processes. These processes roughly fall into two main categories, those involved in translating the written code into meaningful language units and those involved in combining these units into a meaningful and coherent mental representation. In the context of teaching young children reading skills, the bulk of attention of researchers and educators has been on the first set of processes, those involved in decoding The second set of processes, those involved in comprehension, has received less attention. In this chapter, we focus on the development and assessment of comprehension skills in young children, from preschool into the early grades of elementary school. In the first section of the chapter, we discuss what it means to comprehend a text, drawing on research in psycholinguistics and cognitive sciences. In the second section, we summarize what is known about the development of comprehension skills in preschool and early grades. In the third section, we propose a methodology for assessing comprehension skills at these ages. In the fourth and final 3 section, we provide validation for this methodology by summarizing findings on the relations between comprehension measures as well as between comprehension measures and decoding skills and on the relation between preschool comprehension skills and later reading comprehension. Our aim in writing this chapter is to elucidate the development of comprehension skills in young children and to discuss possible ways of assessing such skills. Two recent developments make discussion of comprehension skills in young –i.e., preschool-children especially important. First, in educational and political circles there is a growing emphasis on early diagnosis and intervention, particularly at the preschool level (see, for example, No Child Left Behind – Public Law 107-110). Second, the results of recent cognitive-developmental research has shown that comprehension skills relevant …
A Closed-Loop Maximum Power Point Tracker for Subwatt Photovoltaic Panels

This paper proposes a closed-loop maximum power point tracker (MPPT) for subwatt photovoltaic (PV) panels used in wireless sensor networks. Both high power efficiency and low circuit complexity are achieved. A microcontroller (μC) driven by a fast clock was used to implement an MPPT algorithm with a low processing time. This leads to a maximum central-processing-unit duty cycle of 6% and frees the μC to be used in the remaining tasks of the autonomous sensor, such as sensing, processing, and transmitting data. In order to reduce power consumption, dynamic power management techniques were applied, which implied the use of predictive algorithms. In addition, the measurement and acquisition of the output current and voltage of the PV panel, which increase circuit complexity, was avoided. Experimental measurements showed power consumptions of the MPPT controller as low as 52 μW for a 2.7-mW PV power and up to 388 μW for a 94.4-mW PV power. Tracking efficiency was higher than 99.4%. The overall efficiency was higher than 90% for a PV panel power higher than 20 mW. Field measurements showed an energy gain 15.7% higher than that of a direct-coupled solution.
Modified Dynamic DF protocol with hybrid-am for type-2 UE relay in LTE-Advanced

To facilitate practical implementation of a dynamic decode-&-forward (DDF) for type-2 user equipment (UE) relay defined in 3GPP which is being considered for next-generation cellular standards (e.g., LTE-Advanced), we propose “Modified Dynamic DF (M-DDF)” to realize fast jump-in relaying and decoding scheme for cooperative transmission. More specifically, subframe based sequential decoding is employed to yield some combinations of energy/information/mixed combining, in conjunction with the random codeset for encoding and reencoding at source and multiple UE relays, depending on their channel conditions. These additional features existing in the M-DDF circumvent the need of directly exchanging control messages between multiple relays and end user, which is not allowed for type-2 UE relays. Further, the early termination of decoding at end user in conjuction with overhearing mechanism as an additional benefit due to the increased data rate is made available for a considerable resource saving. Finally, the hybrid-adaptive modulation (H-AM) mechanism combined with overhearing mechanism can be adopted to further improve the spectral efficiency.
Identification of Upregulated Genes in Scrapie-Infected Brain Tissue

ABSTRACT The pathogenesis of scrapie, and of neurodegenerative diseases in general, is still insufficiently understood and is therefore being intensely researched. There is abundant evidence that the activation of glial cells precedes neurodegeneration and may thus play an important role in disease development and progression. The identification of genes with altered expression patterns in the diseased brain may provide insight on the molecular level into the process which ultimately leads to neuronal loss. Differentially expressed genes in scrapie-infected brain tissue were enriched by the suppression subtractive hybridization technique, molecularly cloned, and further characterized. Northern blotting and nucleotide sequencing confirmed the identities of 19 upregulated genes, 11 of which were unknown to be affected by scrapie. A considerable number of these 19 genes, namely those encoding interferon-inducible protein 10 (IP-10), 2′,5′-oligo(A) synthetase, Mx protein, IIGP protein, major histocompatibility complex classes I and II, complement, and β2-microglobulin, were inducible by interferons (IFNs), suggesting that an IFN response is a possible mechanism of gene activation in scrapie. Among the newly found genes, that coding for 2′,5′-oligo(A) synthetase is of special interest because it could contribute to the apoptotic loss of neuronal cells via RNase L activation. In addition, upregulation of the chemokine IP-10 and B-lymphocyte chemoattractant mRNAs was seen at relatively early stages of the disease and was sustained throughout disease development.
The cellular response to chromosome breakage

DNA double‐strand breaks (DSBs) are among the most deleterious types of damage that can occur in the genome of eukaryotic cells because failure to repair them can lead to loss of genetic information and chromosome rearrangements. DSBs can arise by failures in DNA replication and by exposure to environmental factors, such as ionizing radiations and radiomimetic chemicals. Moreover, they might arise when telomeres undergo extensive erosion, leading to the activation of the DNA damage response pathways and the onset of apoptosis and/or senescence. Importantly, DSBs can also form in a programmed manner during development. For example, meiotic recombination and rearrangement of the immunoglobulin genes in lymphocytes require the generation of site‐ or region‐specific DSBs through the action of specific endonucleases. Efficient DSB repair is crucial in safeguarding genome integrity, whose maintenance in the face of DSBs involves branched signalling networks that switch on DNA damage checkpoints, activate DNA repair, induce chromatin reorganization and modulate numerous cellular processes. Not surprisingly, defects in these networks result in a variety of diseases ranging from severe genetic disorders to cancer predisposition and accelerated ageing.
Chronic kidney disease, cognitive decline, and incident dementia

Objective: To evaluate the longitudinal relationship between moderate chronic kidney disease (CKD), decline in kidney function, and microalbuminuria with subsequent cognitive decline and incident dementia. Methods: This study is based on a population-based cohort of 7,839 subjects over 65 years with 7 years of follow-up. Glomerular filtration rate was estimated (eGFR) using the CKD-EPI equation. Global cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and dementia was actively screened and diagnosed. Results: At baseline, 12% of the participants had an eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2. A total of 564 incident dementia cases were diagnosed during the follow-up. Low baseline eGFR values were not associated with an increased risk of incident dementia or cognitive decline over the 7-year follow-up, except a borderline significant association with dementia with vascular component. However, eGFR decline over the first 4-year period was associated with higher risk of dementia with vascular component (relative risk = 5.35 [1.76–16.3] in those with eGFR decline >4 mL/min/1.73 m2/y compared with those <4) and with higher cognitive decline on the MMSE (−0.12 points, p < 0.01 in those with eGFR >4 mL/min/1.73 m2/y compared with those <4) in the 3 subsequent years. Proteinuria tended to be associated with an increased risk of subsequent dementia with vascular component. Conclusions: Despite a large sample and a long follow-up, we found no increased risk of cognitive decline or dementia associated with low eGFR level. However, faster eGFR decline was associated with global cognitive decline and incident dementia with vascular component, suggesting that this association may be mediated by vascular mechanisms.
Corticotropin-releasing factor immunoreactivity is widely distributed within the central nervous system of the rat: an immunohistochemical study

The discovery of a 41-amino acid peptide with potent corticotropin- releasing factor properties has prompted a search for neurons that contain this substance and potentially utilize it in intercellular communication. The present study utilized immunohistochemical methods and an antiserum directed against a synthetic replica of ovine corticotropin-releasing factor. The rat hypothalamus was found to contain striking immunoreactive groups of neuronal perikarya within the paraventricular, periventricular, and anterior hypothalamic nuclei, some of which are likely to project to the external layer of the median eminence and thereby comprise a hypophysiotropic system. Certain other hypothalamic nuclei, as well as many other regions of the central nervous system, were found to contain corticotropin-releasing factor- immunoreactive neurons. Among the most prominent of these were neurons in the bed nucleus of stria terminalis, the central nucleus of the amygdala, the region of the dorsal raphe, locus ceruleus, the external cuneate nucleus, and the medullary reticular formation. Thus, corticotropin-releasing factor, like many other neurohormones and peptides, may participate in neuroendocrine regulation as well as play a role as a neurotransmitter-like substance in numerous extrahypothalamic circuits.
Hip muscle strength and muscle cross sectional area in men with and without hip osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE To study the hip muscle strength and cross sectional area (CSA) in men with hip osteoarthritis (OA) compared to age and sex matched healthy controls. METHODS Based on the American College of Rheumatology criteria regarding classification of hip OA, 27 men (aged 47-64 yrs) with unilateral or bilateral hip OA and 30 age matched randomly selected healthy male controls were studied. The maximal isometric hip abductor, adductor, flexor, and extensor strength (Nm) at 0 degree of hip flexion in the supine position was determined with a dynamometer. The isokinetic hip flexion and extension strength (peak torque, Nm) was determined using angular velocities of 60 degrees /s and 120 degrees /s. The subjective severity of hip pain was rated by visual analog scale prior to the muscle strength test. CSA of the pelvic and thigh muscles was measured from magnetic resonance images. RESULTS The reliability of intraclass correlation coefficients for repeated measures of muscle strength varied from 0.70 to 0.94 in controls and from 0.84 to 0.98 in subjects with OA. Hip isometric adductor and abductor strength was 25% and 31% lower (p < 0.001) in OA subjects than in controls, respectively. The hip isometric and isokinetic flexion strength was 18-22% lower (p < 0.01) in OA subjects than in controls, but extension strength did not differ between groups. In OA subjects, the hip flexion and extension isometric and isokinetic strength values were 13-22% lower (p < 0.05) on the more deteriorated side compared to the better side. CSA of the pelvic and thigh muscles did not differ between the groups. However, in OA subjects, the CSA of the pelvic and thigh muscles was 6-13% less (p < 0.05 to < 0.001) on the more severely affected hip compared to the better hip. CONCLUSION Men with hip OA have significantly lower abduction, adduction, and flexion muscle strength than controls. The decrease of muscle size and hip pain may contribute to the decrease of muscle strength in hip OA. Other possible underlying causes of the muscle weakness need to be studied.
More than harm: a critical analysis of the harm principle in Regan’s thinking

Tom Regan encapsulated his principle of harm as a prima facie direct duty not to harm those individuals who have an experiential welfare. However, his consideration of deprivational harm, the examples of which is loss of freedom or death, can easily be interpreted as harm which is not experienced by its subject. This creates a gap between Regan’s criterion for moral status and his account of what our duties are. We discuss how Regan’s understanding of harm relates to his claim that animals should be taken into consideration because it matters to them what happens to them and compare his account of harm with three basic paradigms of welfare known in animal welfare science: the feelings-based, functioning-based and natural-living-based paradigms. We argue that Regan’s account coheres with feelings-based paradigm and his account of deprivational harm does not exclude the possibility to interpret this as experiential, too. We will show a potential source for the confusion: in convincing his readers that certain cases of deprivation constitute harm to individuals even if they never experience it as such, Regan avails of the evaluative use of the term ‘harm’: something is called harm only if it is (implicitly) decided to be wrong. Due to his ambition to argue for direct duties towards animals, Regan too easily casts off the alternative and – from our perspective – better reasons for considering the alleged acts of unexperienced and unknown deprivation wrong.
Making change

It was 2:00 in the morning at the Hilton near George Mason University. A young woman from the university was working as the cashier. Whenever she needed to make change, she had to turn her back on customers and on the open doorway just beyond. That night, as she turned away from the open doorway, from nowhere she felt a tap on her shoulder: " Do you mind making change? " This setup seemed like a safety issue to 21-year-old Nancy Jaworski. Nancy was taking a human factors class and recognized several human factors issues. Maybe she should just complain to her boss about the danger. So, as many young girls Nancy's age would do, she conducted a task analysis, designed a prototype of safer, more efficient workstation, and sent the sketch to the Hilton management. She didn't hear back. (The Hiltons had just had their daughter, Paris. Maybe they had their hands full? ) During the previous years at GMU, Nancy had become more and more intrigued with people and technology. She had switched from her major in Spanish and Latin to psychology. Then, as a psych major, she took computer science and, just as the disciplines themselves were wondering, she wondered about what would happen if she combined psychology and computer science. But still something was missing. During her last year of undergrad, Nancy wrote to Mike Strub at a local human factors group. She wrote to Mike because of her recent discovery of the class on human factors. We can all resonate to the unfortunate fact that human factors is often something that has to be discovered , even today. To her surprise, Nancy came to realize that Mike had been the judge of her eighth-grade science fair project on noise pollution. The experimental group of mice was exposed to rock songs, power tools, and her brother's drums. Those mice became obese and ate their young. (YOU try listening to '80s rock.) From college, Nancy—now Nancy Cooke—went to New Mexico State University to study under Roger Schvaneveldt (priming, Pathfinder, aviation). During this transition, she had her first contact with Bill Howell, a figure who would come to influence her throughout her career. This first contact was when Bill called Nancy to tell her that going to NMSU (and not Rice) was the worst mistake of her life. Well, it wasn't too bad, because when Nancy graduated from NMSU, …
Gender Differences in Retirement Satisfaction and its Antecedents

This article examines differences between men and women in levels of self-reported satisfaction with retirement and in selected antecedents of retirement satisfaction including health, marital status, occupational status, and income. Data from a sample of 1530 retired residents of Washington State are analyzed. The analysis suggests that retirement is not a categorically different experience for women than for men, particularly as retirement satisfaction seems responsive to the same causes regardless of gender. The lower levels of retirement satisfaction among women appear to be due to their lower incomes in retirement and, to a lesser extent, their lower probabilities of being married.
Oral ketone body supplementation accelerates and enhances glycogen synthesis in human skeletal muscle following exhaustive exercise

PURPOSE: Physical endurance is limited by muscle carbohydrate stores (glyco-gen) 1. Glycogen depletion dramatically reduces external work 2. Ketone bodies (D-β-hydroxybutyrate and acetoacetate) are natural 4-carbon molecules synthe-sised in the fasted liver. Animal studies show that ketones increase glycogen synthesis in the presence of carbohydrate 3,4. The study hypothesis is that ketone supplementation augments replenishment of glycogen stores in man, beyond that achieved by optimum carbohydrate provision alone. METHODS: 12 well-trained British Forces servicemen underwent a validated interval protocol to deplete muscle glycogen. They were randomised to control drink + intravenous carbohydrate (Cont-CHO), ketone drink + intravenous carbohydrate (Ket-CHO) or control drink + intravenous saline (Cont-saline) in a randomised, blinded, crossover study. Carbohydrate was delivered by standardised 2-hour 10mM glucose-hyperglcaemic clamp. Glycogen was measured in muscle biopsies (pre and post feeding). RESULTS: Ketone supplementation achieved a D-β-hydroxybutyrate of 5.3(±0.48) vs. 0.4(±0.1) mmol/L with Cont-CHO condition. There was an associated 33% increase in whole body glucose disposal 125.8(±4.2) vs. 94.7(±3.2) g, for Ket-CHO vs Cont-CHO (p<0.001). Muscle glycogen increased significantly 246(±32.4) vs 164(±12.5) mmol glycosyl units/kg dry weight of muscle (p=0.017) and insulin levels doubled: 31.1(±5.7) vs 16.4(±2.7) mU/L (p<0.01) for Ket-CHO vs Cont-CHO. CONCLUSIONS: There is increased glucose uptake and higher muscle glycogen deposition following ketone supplementation in man, beyond levels achievable by 'gold-standard' high-dose intravenous glucose infusion alone. The additional novel finding of a doubling of endogenous insulin has significant implications for the augmentation of exercise recovery and anabolic metabolism. A study of the glycogen metabolism during exercise in man. Effect of acetoacetate on glucose metabolism in the soleus and extensor digitorum longus muscles of the rat. Nonglucose substrates increase glycogen synthesis in vivo in dog heart. Where applicable, the authors confirm that the experiments described here conform with the Physiological Society ethical requirements. Oxygen insufficiency (hypoxia) is a condition prevalent amongst a range of diseased populations. Furthering our understanding of hypoxic acclimation and of potential methods to alleviate hypoxic stress is thus highly clinically relevant. A controversial aspect of acclimation is skeletal muscle metabolic remodelling, a process that may be aided by nitrate supplementation. Mechanisms of nitrate action have been shown to involve interaction with a master regulator of fat metabolism, peroxisome prolif-erator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) [1]. In this study, the potential for nitrate to aid hypoxic acclimatisation in skeletal muscle (soleus) and the role of PPARα in this Oral Communications 34P process were investigated. Wild type (WT) …
A hybrid wavelength reservation scheme for large-scale optical networks

In wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) networks, wavelength reservation protocols are employed to establish end-to-end lightpaths between source-destination node pairs. In this paper, we propose a new reservation scheme that is targeted for application in large-scale WDM core optical networks requiring wavelength-continuity, such as the CORONET Continental US (CONUS), initiated by DARPA. The proposed scheme is a hybrid between the source-initiated reservation (SIR) and destination-initiated reservation (DIR), and is designed to reduce the backward blocking due to contentions among concurrent set-up requests. In the scheme, the protocol first tries to reserve a suggested wavelength that is associated with the chosen lightpath as the set-up request is propagated from source to destination; if this reservation fails, the node before the destination then reserves a wavelength by using a prioritized selection and echoes the request back to the source. Simulation results show that the hybrid approach can reduce the blocking probability significantly. In addition, the impact of aggressiveness, that is, the number of wavelengths a single request attempts to select in the destination initiated phase, and how it should be set, are also studied in this paper.
Sparse and Selective Odor Coding by Mitral/Tufted Neurons in the Main Olfactory Bulb

The mammalian olfactory system recognizes an enormous variety of odorants carrying a wide range of important behavioral cues. In the main olfactory bulb (MOB), odorants are ultimately represented through the action potential activity of mitral/tufted cells (M/Ts), whose selectivity and tuning to odorant molecules are therefore fundamental determinants of MOB sensory coding. However, the sheer number and diversity of discrete olfactory stimuli has been a major barrier to comprehensively evaluating M/T selectivity. To address this issue, we assessed M/T odorant responses in anesthetized mice to a 348-odorant panel widely and systematically distributed throughout chemical space, presented both individually and in mixtures at behaviorally relevant concentrations. We found that M/T activation by odorants was markedly selective, with neurons responding robustly, sensitively, and reliably to only a highly restricted subset of stimuli. Multiple odorants activating a single neuron commonly shared clear structural similarity, but M/T tuning also frequently extended beyond obviously defined chemical categories. Cells typically responded to effective compounds presented both individually and in mixtures, although firing rates evoked by mixtures typically showed partial suppression. Response selectivity was further confirmed in awake animals by chronic recordings of M/Ts. These data indicate that individual M/Ts encode specific odorant attributes shared by only a small fraction of compounds and imply that the MOB relays the collective molecular features of an odorant stimulus through a restricted set of M/Ts, each narrowly tuned to a particular stimulus characteristic.