Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Equality, inclusion and marketization of Nordic education: Introductory notes

The concept of a Nordic model of education is sometimes used to refer to the considerable similarities of education reforms and systems of the five Nordic countries (i.e. Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden) during the second half of the 20th century – reforms that aimed at social justice, equality and cohesion not least by providing schooling of high and equal quality, regardless of children’s and young people’s resources, origin and location. This article discusses to what extent one may still speak of such a ‘Nordic model of education’, considering the impact of neoliberal policies in all of the five countries. It is concluded that even if the education systems still display a number of common, inclusive traits, extensive marketization and privatization practices in Nordic countries, and particularly of Swedish education, raise serious doubts about the survival of the alleged Nordic model.
Can Tongue Acupuncture Enhance Body Acupuncture? First Results from Heart Rate Variability and Clinical Scores in Patients with Depression

Tongue acupuncture (TA) is a method which is not used in western medicine and even in China it is applied very rarely in clinical practice. This study aimed at investigating whether additional TA can improve the efficacy of body acupuncture (BA) in patients with depression. Twenty patients with a mean age of ± SD of 42.9 ± 11.2 years were randomly divided into two groups (n = 10 patients each), one group receiving BA (Zusanli, Sanyinjiao, Neiguan, Shenting, Yintang, and Baihui) and the other receiving BA and TA (Liver, Heart, and Brain). The quantitative and qualitative outcome measures were heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), and different clinical scores. We found that in both groups all scores and HR improved significantly, whereas HRV increased partly significantly. It seems that TA can enhance acute and treatment effects of BA in patients with depression. The investigation of de qi sensation in TA needs further attention.
Phenamil enhances the adipogenic differentiation of hen preadipocytes

A study was conducted to examine the effect of phenamil on adipogenic differentiation and expression of key adipogenic transcripts in hen preadipocytes. Preadipocytes were isolated from 20‐week old Single Comb White Leghorn hens (Gallas gallus, Lohman strain). The experiment lasted for 48 h and had six treatments. Non‐treated control (C) cells, cells treated with dexamethasone, 3‐isobutyl‐1‐methylxanthine, insulin, and oleic acid (DMIOA) (T1), DMIOA + 15 μM phenamil (T2), DMIOA + 30 μM phenamil (T3), 15 μM phenamil alone (T4), and 30 μM phenamil alone (T5). Neutral lipid accumulation and the mRNA expression of key adipogenic transcripts were measured in all treatments and compared. Lipid accumulation was detected in T1, T2, and T3 only. Expression of peroxisome proliferator receptor‐activator gamma 2 (PPARγ2), the core enhancer binding protein α (C/EBPα), C/EBPβ, fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4), and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) as well as ETS variant 4 (ETV4) and 5 was higher (P < 0.05) in T2, T3, T4, and T5 compared to C. Expression of these transcripts was higher (P < 0.05) in T2 and T3 compared to T4 and T5. The core enhancer binding protein α, C/EBPβ, and FABP4 were highly expressed (P < 0.05) in T1 compared to C. However, the expression of PPARγ2, LPL, and ETV4 and ETV5 was not significantly different. Expression of C/EBPα, C/EBPβ, and FABP4 was higher (P < 0.05) in T2 and T3 compared to T1. Expression of sterol regulatory element binding protein 1 (SREBP1) and leptin receptor (LEPR) was not significantly different among the treatments. In conclusion, phenamil enhances DMIOA‐induced adipogenic differentiation of hen preadipocytes but does not induce adipogenesis by itself.
Glial solute carrier transporters in drosophila and mice

Glia regulate brain physiology primarily by regulating the movement and concentration of substances in the extracellular fluid. Therefore, one approach to understanding the role of glia in brain physiology is to study what happens when glial transporters are removed or modified. The largest and most highly conserved class of transporter is solute carrier (SLC) proteins. SLC proteins are highly expressed in brain, and many are found in glia. The function of many SLC proteins in the brain—particularly in glia—is very poorly understood. SLC proteins can be relatively easily knocked out or modified in genetic model organisms to better understand glial function. Drosophila are popular genetic model organisms that offer a nice balance between genetic malleability and brain complexity. They are ideal for such an endeavor. This article lists and discusses SLC transporter family members that are expressed in both mouse and Drosophila glia, in an effort to provide a foundation for studies of glial SLC transporters using Drosophila as a model. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Thromboembolic disease involving the superior vena cava and brachiocephalic veins.

PURPOSE To evaluate the frequency of diagnosis and the characteristics of brachiocephalic vein and superior vena cava (SVC) thromboembolic disease. BACKGROUND Thromboembolic disease of the brachiocephalic veins or SVC rarely has been reported. In view of the frequent use of central venous access lines, it would seem that the percentage of hospitalized patients with thromboembolic disease of the brachiocephalic veins or SVC should be higher than is generally recognized. METHODS A retrospective search for thromboembolic disease involving the brachiocephalic veins and SVC was made of patients who were hospitalized over a 2-year period. RESULTS Thromboembolic disease of the brachiocephalic veins or SVC was diagnosed in 23 of 34,567 hospitalized adults (0.06%) who were > or = 20 years old. Two of 23 patients (8.7%) had pulmonary embolism. Cancer was present in 17 of 23 patients (74%), and 15 of 23 patients (65%) had central venous access lines. Edema of the arm, face, or neck was present in 21 of 23 patients (91%). Pain or discomfort was present 15 of 23 patients (65%). CONCLUSION Isolated brachiocephalic vein and SVC thrombosis occur in a sufficient number of hospitalized patients to merit consideration of the diagnosis in patients who have cancer, central venous access lines, or both. The signs and symptoms of brachiocephalic vein thrombosis have features in common with SVC syndrome as well as with upper extremity deep venous thrombosis. In a patient with appropriate clinical findings, venography or other imaging may be indicated.
Thematic Review: Welfare regime debate: past, present, futures?

The seminal work by Esping-Andersen (1990) has transformed and inspired social policy research over the past two decades. Various contributions have confirmed his typology, while others have challenged, and expanded, it from substantive and methodological perspectives. This article contributes to this debate in two ways. First, it provides a comprehensive analysis of the different typologies proposed in the literature, employing the concept of 'ideal types'. Second, it elaborates new directions for research along three dimensions: (1) improving measurement validity by linking macro and micro data to overcome assumptions, largely based on the average (production) worker; (2) assessing the reliability of typologies over time; (3) systematically integrating both the work– welfare as well as the care–welfare dimensions.
Cost-sensitive semi-supervised classification using CS-EM

In many real world data mining and classification tasks, we face with the problem of high cost in making training data sets. In addition, in many domains, different misclassification errors involve different costs. These two issues are often addressed by semi-supervised learning and cost-sensitive learning separately. Sometimes the two issues can happen at the same time in real world applications. However, existing semi-supervised learning algorithms never consider the misclassification costs. In this paper, we propose a simple and novel method, CS-EM for learning cost-sensitive classifier using both labeled and unlabeled training data. CS-EM modifies EM, a popular semi-supervised learning algorithm by incorporating misclassification costs into the probability estimation process. Our experiments show that CS-EM outperforms other two competing methods on three bench mark text data sets across different cost ratios.
Use of Data on Avian Demographics and Site Persistence during Overwintering to Assess Quality of Restored Riparian Habitat

Abstract: Monitoring responses by birds to restoration of riparian vegetation is relatively cost‐effective, but in most assessments species‐specific abundances, not demography, are monitored. Data on birds collected during the nonbreeding season are particularly lacking. We captured birds in mist nets and resighted banded birds to estimate species richness and diversity, abundance, demographic indexes, and site‐level persistence of permanent‐resident and overwintering migrants in remnant and restored riparian sites in California. Species richness in riparian remnants was significantly higher than in restored sites because abundances of uncommon permanent residents were greater in remnants. Species richness of overwintering migrants did not differ between remnants and restored sites. Responses among overwintering migrants (but not permanent residents) to remnant and restored riparian sites differed. Capture rates were higher in remnant or restored riparian sites for 7 of 10 overwintering migratory species. For Lincoln's Sparrows (Melospiza lincolnii) and White‐crowned Sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys) proportions of older birds were significantly higher in remnants, even though capture rates of these species were higher in restored sites. Overwinter persistence of 4 migrant species was significantly higher in remnant than in restored sites. A higher proportion of Hermit Thrushes (Catharus guttatus, 56.3%), older Fox Sparrows (Passerella iliaca, 57.1%), Lincoln's Sparrows (59.7%), and White‐crowned Sparrows (67.8%) persisted in remnants than restored sites. Our results suggest restored riparian sites provide habitat for a wide variety of species in comparable abundances and diversity as occurs in remnant riparian sites. Our demographic and persistence data showed that remnants supported some species and age classes to a greater extent than restored sites.
Interacting Effects of Soil Temperature and Type on Reproduction and Pathogenicity of Heterodera schachtii and Meloidogyne hapla on Sugarbeets.

In central Washington, Heterodera schachtii Schmidt (the sugarbeet cyst nematode) is associated with sugarbeets (Beta vulgaris L.) growing in fine-textured soils, and Meloidogyne hapla Chitwood (the nor thern root-knot nematode) is associated with sugarbeets growing in coarse-textured soils. T h e opt imum soil temperature for reproduct ion on sugarbeets is between 21 and 30 C for H. schachtii (2, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12) and between 24 and 30 C for M. hapla (unpublished). In 1975-77 temperatures 8-10 inches deep in several sugarbeet fields seldom exceeded 20 C during the growing season (March-October). Despite those relatively low soil temperatures, H. schachtii and M. hapla are important pathogens on sugarbeets in Washington. This study was undertaken to determine any relation between soil temperature and soil type on the reproduct ion and pathogenicity of H. schachtii and M. hapIa on sugarbeets. Preliminary results have been reported (10). H. schachtii was cultured on sugarbeets and M. hapla on tomato. Nematodes for inoculum were extracted by placing H. schachtii cysts and M. hapla-infected roots under mist for 24-48 hr. Inocnlations were made by pipett ing the desired number o[ nematodes into 50 ml of water and pouring the water around the plant roots. Sugarbeet seeds (U 8~ I Hybr id 8) were planted in methyl-bromide-fumigated silt loam (28.2% sand, 45.4~. coarse silt, 5.0% fine silt, 21% clay) or sandy loam (72.4% sand, 20.8% coarse silt, 1.8% fine silt, 5.0% clay) soil in l-liter plastic containers. T h e containers were placed in temperature-controlled water
Integrating pedagogical content knowledge and pedagogical/psychological knowledge in mathematics

In teacher education at universities, general pedagogical and psychological principles are often treated separately from subject matter knowledge and therefore run the risk of not being applied in the teaching subject. In an experimental study (N = 60 mathematics student teachers) we investigated the effects of providing aspects of general pedagogical/psychological knowledge (PPK) and pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) in an integrated or separated way. In both conditions (“integrated” vs. “separated”), participants individually worked on computer-based learning environments addressing the same topic: use and handling of multiple external representations, a central issue in mathematics. We experimentally varied whether PPK aspects and PCK aspects were treated integrated or apart from one another. As expected, the integrated condition led to greater application of pedagogical/psychological aspects and an increase in applying both knowledge types simultaneously compared to the separated condition. Overall, our findings indicate beneficial effects of an integrated design in teacher education.
Role of Laryngopharyngeal Reflux in the Pathogenesis of Otitis Media with Effusion.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether there is an association between otitis media with effusion and laryngopharyngeal reflux in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study included 31 children with otitis media with effusion. The pepsinogen level in the middle ear fluid of all patients was measured by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Each patient's middle ear fluid was investigated for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) using the Campylobacter-like organism (CLO) test. The middle ear pepsinogen levels were compared with those in the serum. The correlation between pepsinogen levels and H. pylori positivity in the middle ear fluid was investigated. RESULTS The mean middle ear pepsinogen level (211.69 ng/mL) was significantly higher than that in the serum (24.18 ng/mL) in patients with otitis media with effusion. The middle ear aspirates of six patients (19%) were positive for H. pylori, and the correlation between H. pylori positivity and increased pepsinogen levels in the middle ear fluid was statistically significant in patients with otitis media with effusion. CONCLUSION We detected higher pepsinogen levels and H. pylori positivity rates in the middle ear fluid than in the serum of patients with otitis media with effusion. These results support the role of laryngopharyngeal reflux in the pathogenesis of otitis media with effusion.
Three-dimensional Hippocampal Atrophy Maps Distinguish Two Common Temporal Lobe Seizure–onset Patterns Full-length Original Research

SUMMARY Purpose: Current evidence suggests that the mechanisms underlying depth electrode– recorded seizures beginning with hypersynchro-nous (HYP) onset patterns are functionally distinct from those giving rise to low-voltage fast (LVF) onset seizures. However, both groups have been associated with hippocampal atrophy (HA), indicating a need to clarify the anatomic correlates of each ictal onset type. We used three-dimensional (3D) hippocampal mapping to quantify HA and determine whether each onset group exhibited a unique distribution of atrophy consistent with the functional differences that distinguish the two onset morphologies. Methods: Sixteen nonconsecutive patients with medically refractory epilepsy were assigned to HYP or LVF groups according to ictal onset patterns recorded with intracranial depth electrodes. Using preimplant magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), levels of volumetrically defined HA were determined by comparison with matched controls, and the distribution of local atrophy was mapped onto 3D hippocampal surface models. Results: HYP and LVF groups exhibited significant and equivalent levels of HA ipsilateral to seizure onset. Patients with LVF onset seizures also showed significant contralateral volume reductions. On ipsilateral contour maps HYP patients exhibited an atrophy pattern consistent with classical hippocampal sclerosis (HS), whereas LVF atrophy was distributed more laterally and diffusely. Contralateral LVF maps also showed regions of subicular atrophy. Discussion: The HS-like distribution of atrophy and the restriction of HA to the ipsilateral hippo-campus in HYP patients are consistent with focal hippocampal onsets, and suggest a mechanism utilizing intrahippocampal circuitry. In contrast, the bilateral distribution of nonspecific atrophy in the LVF group may reflect mechanisms involving both hippocampal and extrahippocampal networks. Intracranial depth electrode recordings indicate that the majority of seizures in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) may be segregated into two groups based on electrographic ictal onset patterns (Engel, 1990). Hyper-synchronous (HYP) onsets consist of long-lasting (>5-s) trains of low-frequency (<2-Hz), high-amplitude spikes, whereas low-voltage fast (LVF) onsets are characterized
The ETAPE corpus for the evaluation of speech-based TV content processing in the French language

The paper presents a comprehensive overview of existing data for the evaluation of spoken content processing in a multimedia framework for the French language. We focus on the ETAPE corpus which will be made publicly available by ELDA mid 2012, after completion of the evaluation campaign, and recall existing resources resulting from previous evaluation campaigns. The ETAPE corpus consists of 30 hours of TV and radio broadcasts, selected to cover a wide variety of topics and speaking styles, emphasizing spontaneous speech and multiple speaker areas.
Changes in Ionic Conductance Signature of Nociceptive Neurons Underlying Fabry Disease Phenotype

The first symptom arising in many Fabry patients is neuropathic pain due to changes in small myelinated and unmyelinated fibers in the periphery, which is subsequently followed by a loss of sensory perception. Here we studied changes in the peripheral nervous system of Fabry patients and a Fabry mouse model induced by deletion of α-galactosidase A (Gla−/0). The skin innervation of Gla−/0 mice resembles that of the human Fabry patients. In Fabry diseased humans and Gla−/0 mice, we observed similar sensory abnormalities, which were also observed in nerve fiber recordings in both patients and mice. Electrophysiological recordings of cultured Gla−/0 nociceptors revealed that the conductance of voltage-gated Na+ and Ca2+ currents was decreased in Gla−/0 nociceptors, whereas the activation of voltage-gated K+ currents was at more depolarized potentials. Conclusively, we have observed that reduced sensory perception due to small-fiber degeneration coincides with altered electrophysiological properties of sensory neurons.
When Genome-Based Approach Meets the “Old but Good”: Revealing Genes Involved in the Antibacterial Activity of Pseudomonas sp. P482 against Soft Rot Pathogens

Dickeya solani and Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. brasiliense are recently established species of bacterial plant pathogens causing black leg and soft rot of many vegetables and ornamental plants. Pseudomonas sp. strain P482 inhibits the growth of these pathogens, a desired trait considering the limited measures to combat these diseases. In this study, we determined the genetic background of the antibacterial activity of P482, and established the phylogenetic position of this strain. Pseudomonas sp. P482 was classified as Pseudomonas donghuensis. Genome mining revealed that the P482 genome does not contain genes determining the synthesis of known antimicrobials. However, the ClusterFinder algorithm, designed to detect atypical or novel classes of secondary metabolite gene clusters, predicted 18 such clusters in the genome. Screening of a Tn5 mutant library yielded an antimicrobial negative transposon mutant. The transposon insertion was located in a gene encoding an HpcH/HpaI aldolase/citrate lyase family protein. This gene is located in a hypothetical cluster predicted by the ClusterFinder, together with the downstream homologs of four nfs genes, that confer production of a non-fluorescent siderophore by P. donghuensis HYST. Site-directed inactivation of the HpcH/HpaI aldolase gene, the adjacent short chain dehydrogenase gene, as well as a homolog of an essential nfs cluster gene, all abolished the antimicrobial activity of the P482, suggesting their involvement in a common biosynthesis pathway. However, none of the mutants showed a decreased siderophore yield, neither was the antimicrobial activity of the wild type P482 compromised by high iron bioavailability. A genomic region comprising the nfs cluster and three upstream genes is involved in the antibacterial activity of P. donghuensis P482 against D. solani and P. carotovorum subsp. brasiliense. The genes studied are unique to the two known P. donghuensis strains. This study illustrates that mining of microbial genomes is a powerful approach for predictingthe presence of novel secondary-metabolite encoding genes especially when coupled with transposon mutagenesis.
Exploring Female Students' Perceptions of a Tailored Physical Education Program

A substantial number of adolescent girls are insufficiently active to achieve the health benefits and wellbeing associated with physical activity (PA). Physical education (PE) classes can provide part of the solution, yet most girls opt out of PE when it is no longer mandatory. Improvements in PE course content and learning environments can motivate adolescent girls to participate. Self-determination theory (SDT) provides a framework to examine the motivational processes of girls in PE. This qualitative case study explored female students’ motivation towards physical activity in one elective PE 10-12 course tailored to meet their interests and needs. A secondary objective was to determine if the prerequisites and outcomes of their motivation were consistent with the constructs of SDT. Emerging themes reflected the elements of SDT. The students expressed that their needs were supported by the teacher through the PE course content and learning environment. Many stated that they felt motivated because they now enjoyed PE. Positive outcomes included PA participation, positive affect towards PE and PA, meaningful learning, and a sense of well-being. This study provides physical educators with insight to improve physical activity motivation and participation of female students in elective PE.