Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Grassland Bird Responses to Land Management in the Largest Remaining Tallgrass Prairie

Abstract: Extensive habitat loss and changing agricultural practices have caused widespread declines in grassland birds throughout North America. The Flint Hills of Kansas and Oklahoma—the largest remaining tallgrass prairie—is important for grassland bird conservation despite supporting a major cattle industry. In 2004 and 2005, we assessed the community, population, and demographic responses of grassland birds to the predominant management practices (grazing, burning, and haying) of the region, including grasslands restored under the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). We targeted 3 species at the core of this avian community: the Dickcissel (Spiza americana), Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum), and Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna). Bird diversity was higher in native prairie hayfields and grazed pastures than CRP fields, which were dominated by Dickcissels. Although Dickcissel density was highest in CRP, their nest success was highest and nest parasitism by Brown‐headed Cowbirds (Moluthrus ater) lowest in unburned hayfields (in 2004). Conversely, Grasshopper Sparrow density was highest in grazed pastures, but their nest success was lowest in these pastures and highest in burned hayfields, where cowbird parasitism was also lowest (in 2004). Management did not influence density and nest survival of Eastern Meadowlarks, which were uniformly low across the region. Nest success was extremely low (5–12%) for all 3 species in 2005, perhaps because of a record spring drought. Although the CRP has benefited grassland birds in agricultural landscapes, these areas may have lower habitat value in the context of native prairie. Hayfields may provide beneficial habitat for some grassland birds in the Flint Hills because they are mowed later in the breeding season than elsewhere in the Midwest. Widespread grazing and annual burning have homogenized habitat—and thus grassland‐bird responses—across the Flint Hills. Diversification of management practices could increase habitat heterogeneity and enhance the conservation potential of the Flint Hills for grassland birds.
Love in Cyberspace: Swedish Young People with Intellectual Disabilities and the Internet.

The Internet has become an increasingly common way for people to contact each other, to flirt, fall in love and start relationships. How does this development influence today's young people with intellectual disabilities? The article presents a picture of the Internet experiences of some young adults with intellectual disabilities and discusses how others view this usage. It is based on a qualitative study in Sweden where 10 young people with intellectual disabilities and 12 staff members were interviewed. The interviews show that young people with intellectual disabilities also use the Internet, mainly for social and romantic reasons. They view the Internet as a positive arena where they can be “like everybody else” and therefore generally present themselves without mentioning their disabilities. However, people around them tend to worry considerably and focus mainly on the risks involved in this usage of the Internet.
Feasibility of AmbulanCe-Based Telemedicine (FACT) Study: Safety, Feasibility and Reliability of Third Generation In-Ambulance Telemedicine

Background Telemedicine is currently mainly applied as an in-hospital service, but this technology also holds potential to improve emergency care in the prehospital arena. We report on the safety, feasibility and reliability of in-ambulance teleconsultation using a telemedicine system of the third generation. Methods A routine ambulance was equipped with a system for real-time bidirectional audio-video communication, automated transmission of vital parameters, glycemia and electronic patient identification. All patients ( ≥18 years) transported during emergency missions by a Prehospital Intervention Team of the Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel were eligible for inclusion. To guarantee mobility and to facilitate 24/7 availability, the teleconsultants used lightweight laptop computers to access a dedicated telemedicine platform, which also provided functionalities for neurological assessment, electronic reporting and prehospital notification of the in-hospital team. Key registrations included any safety issue, mobile connectivity, communication of patient information, audiovisual quality, user-friendliness and accuracy of the prehospital diagnosis. Results Prehospital teleconsultation was obtained in 41 out of 43 cases (95.3%). The success rates for communication of blood pressure, heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, glycemia, and electronic patient identification were 78.7%, 84.8%, 80.6%, 64.0%, and 84.2%. A preliminary prehospital diagnosis was formulated in 90.2%, with satisfactory agreement with final in-hospital diagnoses. Communication of a prehospital report to the in-hospital team was successful in 94.7% and prenotification of the in-hospital team via SMS in 90.2%. Failures resulted mainly from limited mobile connectivity and to a lesser extent from software, hardware or human error. The user acceptance was high. Conclusions Ambulance-based telemedicine of the third generation is safe, feasible and reliable but further research and development, especially with regard to high speed broadband access, is needed before this approach can be implemented in daily practice.
Summer School Teaching and Learning: Some Thoughts from Undergraduate Business Students.

This paper analyses summer teaching and learning from an undergraduate business student’s perception. The survey reported here was designed to investigate how undergraduate business students perceived a marketing subject - Introduction to Marketingduring summer school. At the same time, this research investigates the duration of study, the environment, student motivation and the contribution of these factorsto the effectiveness of learning. The study emphasised greater instructor/student interaction (only 49 students per lecture and not more than 25 students per tutorial), prompted peer assisted learning, and represented an integral component in the implementation of a two-way communication approach to teaching and learning the subject. This inductive primary survey study took a triangulation research approach with a response rate of 86%. The positivism and interpretative evidence from the questionnaire survey demonstrated that the majority of students:
STUDY ON THE TUBERCULOSTATIC FACTOR OF MAMMALIAN SERUM.

Studies of the effects of serum from various mammals upon the tubercle bacillus have generally been limited in the time of contact between the bacillus and the investigated serum, and in the use of diluting media which can neutralize tuberculostasis. It was shown in previous reports that the latter limitation is mainly responsible for failures to demonstrate a strong antimycobacterial activity in immune guinea pig and normal human serum (1, 2)when these sera were diluted in various citrateor phosphate-containing media, tuberculostasis was vitiated. The use of different media for the dilution of investigated serum is the principal cause of the contradictory results reported in the literature. Thus, Kirchner (3) and Boissevain (4) diluted human, guinea pig, sheep, rabbit, and horse serum in synthetic media and concluded that these sera stimulated the growth of human tubercle bacilli, and that such serummedium mixtures could serve as an excellent medium for the growth of these organisms. Raffel (5), in discussing immunity in tuberculosis, indicated that there is no specific evidence in the literature to suggest that the serum of normal animals is tuberculostatic-virulent as well as avirulent bacilli grow very well in vitro in normal serum as a medium. Contrary to these findings, Hedvall (6) reported that serum specimens from man, horse, cow, dog, cat, rabbit, and guinea pig act as inhibitors of bacillary growth. In the present work, the effects of various mammalian serum samples upon the growth of tubercle bacilli were tested and an investigation made of ways of purification of the tuberculostatic factor which is present in most of the tested serum.
Investigating Predictive Power of Stock Micro Blog Sentiment in Forecasting Future Stock Price Directional Movement

This study attempts to discover and evaluate the predictive power of stock micro blog sentiment on future stock price directional movements. We construct a set of robust models based on sentiment analysis and data mining algorithms. Using 72,221 micro blog postings for 1909 stock tickers and 3874 distinct authors, our study reveals not only that stock micro blog sentiments do have predictive power for simple and marketadjusted returns respectively, but also that this predictive accuracy is consistent with the underreaction hypothesis observed in behavioral finance. We establish that stock micro blog with its succinctness, high volume and real-time features do have predictive power over future stock price movements. Furthermore, this study provides support for the model of irrational investor sentiment, recommends a complimentary investing approach using user-generated content and validates an instrument that may contribute to the monetization schemes for Virtual Investing Communities.
The Impact of Computer-Assisted Learning on Academic Grades: An Assessment of Students' Perceptions

Abstract This study examines student perceptions of the usefulness of Computer-Assisted Learning (CAL) packages in learning accounting concepts in terms of the influence on academic performance. Various additional factors affecting academic performance [such as gender, prior studies of accounting, and computer systems, together with entry background] are incorporated in the development of a multiple regression model, together with perceptions of CAL. The study uses a sample of 280 second-year undergraduate accounting students from an Australian university to test the model. In contrast to prior studies (e.g. Lane and Porch, 2002, Accounting Education: an international journal, 11(3), pp. 217–233), this study showed that positive perceptions of the usefulness of CAL significantly influenced performance. Additionally, it was found that international students, many of whom enter university at the second year level having obtained advanced standing credits, had significantly poorer performance than local students. The findings show that gender, prior studies of accounting and computing systems were not significant influences on academic performance. Overall, the results have implications for accounting educators utilising CAL in courses as a means of improving students' understanding of accounting concepts and academic performance.
Diversity of Metabolic Patterns in Human Brain Tumors: Enzymes of Energy Metabolism and Related Metabolites and Cofactors

Abstract: Biopsies from 15 human gliomas, five meningiomas, four Schwannomas, one medulloblastoma, and four normal brain areas were analyzed for 12 enzymes of energy metabolism and 12 related metabolites and cofactors. Samples, 0.01–0.25 μg dry weight, were dissected from freeze‐dried microtome sections to permit all the assays on a given specimen to be made, as far as possible, on nonnecrotic pure tumor tissue from the same region. Great diversity was found with regard to both enzyme activities and metabolite levels among individual tumors, but the following generalities can be made. Activities of hexokinase, phosphorylase, phosphofructokinase, glycerophosphate dehydrogenase, citrate synthase, and malate dehydrogenase levels were usually lower than in brain; glycogen synthase and glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase were usually higher; and the averages for pyruvate kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, 6‐phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, and β‐hydroxyacyl coenzyme A dehydrogenase were not greatly different from brain. Levels of eight of the 12 enzymes were distinctly lower among the Schwannomas than in the other two groups. Average levels of glucose‐6‐phosphate, lactate, pyruvate, and uridine diphosphoglucose were more than twice those of brain; 6‐phosphogluconate and citrate were about 70% higher than in brain; glucose, glycogen, glycerol‐1‐phosphate, and malate averages ranged from 104% to 127% of brain; and fructose‐1,6‐bisphosphate and glucose‐1,6‐bis‐phosphate levels were on the average 50% and 70% those of brain, respectively.
Management Research Based on the Paradigm of the Design Sciences: The Quest for Field-Tested and Grounded Technological Rules

Academic management theory has a serious utilization problem. This article argues that it stands a better chance of being adopted for instrumental use if the theory is based on the paradigm of the “design sciences”, like medicine or engineering. Most academic management research is based on the paradigm of the “explanatory sciences”, like physics. The mission of these sciences is to describe, explain and predict, while the core mission of the design sciences is to develop “tested and grounded technological rules”. The paradigm of the design sciences is applied to management research and I discuss the potential of solving its utility problem by combining both types of research.
A Multifaceted Academic Self-Concept: Its Hierarchical Structure and Its Relation to Academic Achievement.

Academic self-concept, originally posited by Shavelson as a single higher-order facet, was found by Marsh and Shavelson to comprise at least two higher-order academic facets (verbal and math). Marsh developed the internal/external (I/E) frame of reference model to account for the extreme separation of math and verbal self-concepts and their relations to math and verbal achievements. In our investigation, students completed the academic self-concept scales from three different instruments that were the basis of two studies. In the first study, the two higher order academic factors posited by Marsh and Shavelson fit the data substantially better than did a single higher order facet. In subsequent discussion, the Marsh/Shavelson model is more clearly defined, and directions for further research are identified. The second study provided further support for the I/E frame of reference model in that (a) verbal and math self-concepts were nearly uncorrelated, (b) verbal achievement positively affected verbal self-concept but negatively affected math selfconcept (i.e., higher verbal skills led to lower math self-concepts), (c) math achievement positively affected math self-concept but negatively affected verbal self-concept, and (d) the results were consistent for each of three self-concept instruments. Both studies demonstrate that in further research at least verbal and math self-concepts, rather than a single general facet of academic self-concepts, should be considered.
Human SCARB2-Mediated Entry and Endocytosis of EV71

Enterovirus (EV) 71 infection is known to cause hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) and in severe cases, induces neurological disorders culminating in fatality. An outbreak of EV71 in South East Asia in 1997 affected over 120,000 people and caused neurological disorders in a few individuals. The control of EV71 infection through public health interventions remains minimal and treatments are only symptomatic. Recently, human scavenger receptor class B, member 2 (SCARB2) has been reported to be a cellular receptor of EV71. We expressed human SCARB2 gene in NIH3T3 cells (3T3-SCARB2) to study the mechanisms of EV71 entry and infection. We demonstrated that human SCARB2 serves as a cellular receptor for EV71 entry. Disruption of expression of SCARB2 using siRNAs can interfere EV71 infection and subsequent inhibit the expression of viral capsid proteins in RD and 3T3-SCARB2 but not Vero cells. SiRNAs specific to clathrin or dynamin or chemical inhibitor of clathrin-mediated endocytosis were all capable of interfering with the entry of EV71 into 3T3-SCARB2 cells. On the other hand, caveolin specific siRNA or inhibitors of caveolae-mediated endocytosis had no effect, confirming that only clathrin-mediated pathway was involved in EV71 infection. Endocytosis of EV71 was also found to be pH-dependent requiring endosomal acidification and also required intact membrane cholesterol. In summary, the mechanism of EV71 entry through SCARB2 as the receptor for attachment, and its cellular entry is through a clathrin-mediated and pH-dependent endocytic pathway. This study on the receptor and endocytic mechanisms of EV71 infection is useful for the development of effective medications and prophylactic treatment against the enterovirus.
Learning Increases the Survival of Newborn Neurons Provided That Learning Is Difficult to Achieve and Successful

Learning increases neurogenesis by increasing the survival of new cells generated in the adult hippocampal formation [Shors, T. J. Saving new brain cells. Scientific American, 300, 46–52, 2009]. However, only some types of learning are effective. Recent studies demonstrate that animals that learn the conditioned response (CR) but require more trials to do so retain more new neurons than animals that quickly acquire the CR or that fail to acquire the CR. In these studies, task parameters were altered to modify the number of trials required to learn a CR. Here, we asked whether pharmacological manipulations that prevent or facilitate learning would decrease or increase, respectively, the number of cells that remain in the hippocampus after training. To answer this question, we first prevented learning with the competitive N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist (RS)-3-(2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl) propyl-1-phosphonic acid. As a consequence, training did not increase cell survival. Second, we facilitated learning with the cognitive enhancer d-cycloserine, which increases NMDA receptor activity via its actions at the glycine binding site. Administration of d-cycloserine each day before training increased the number of learned responses and the number of cells that survived. All animals that learned the CR retained more of the new cells, but those that learned very quickly retained fewer than those that required more training trials to learn. Together, these results demonstrate that NMDA receptor activation modifies learning and as a consequence alters the number of surviving cells in the adult hippocampus.
Novel biomarkers for early diagnosis of acute kidney injury after cardiac surgery in adults

Acute kidney injury after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass is a common and serious complication and it is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Diagnosis of acute kidney injury is based on the serum creatinine levels which rise several hours to days after the initial injury. Thus, novel biomarkers that will enable faster diagnosis are needed in clinical practice. There are numerous urine and serum proteins that indicate kidney injury and are under extensive research. Despite promising basic research results and assembled data, which indicate superiority of some biomarkers to creatinine, we are still awaiting clinical application.
Prognostic Value of HIFs Expression in Head and Neck Cancer: A Systematic Review

Background Tumor hypoxia plays a fundamental role in resistance to therapy and disease progression. A number of studies have assessed the prognostic role of HIFs expression in head and neck cancer (HNC), but no consistent outcomes are reported. Methodology A systematical search was performed to search relevant literatures in PubMed, Web of Science and ISI Web of Knowledge databases. The patients’ clinical characteristics and survival outcome were extracted. The correlation between HIFs expression and prognosis was analyzed. Principal Findings A total of 28 studies assessed the association between HIFs and HNC survival, the result showed that overexpressed HIFs was significantly associated with increase of mortality risk (HR = 2.12; 95% CI: 1.52–2.94; I2 74%). Subgroup analysis on different HIF isoforms with OS indicated that both HIF-1α and HIF-2α were associated with worse prognosis. The pooled HRs were 1.72(95% CI 1.34–2.20; I2 70.7%) and 1.79(95% CI: 1.42–2.27, I2 0%). Further subgroup analysis was performed by different geographical locations, disease subtype, stage, types of variate analysis and cut-off value. The results revealed that overexpressed HIF-1α was significantly associated with poor prognosis in Asian patients (HR = 2.34; 95% CI: 1.76–3.1; I2 48.9%), but not in European patients (HR = 1.13; 95% CI: 0.77–1.66; I2 78.3%). Furthermore, HIF-1α overexpression was significantly associated with worse OS in oral carcinoma(HR = 2.1; 95% CI: 1.11–3.97; I2 81.7%), nasopharyngeal carcinoma(HR = 2.07; 95% CI:1.23–3.49; I2 22.5%) and oropharynx carcinoma(HR = 1.76; 95% CI:1.05–2.97; I2 61%), but not in laryngeal carcinoma(HR = 1.38; 95% CI: 0.87–2.19; I2 62.5%). We also found that the prognostic value of HIF-1α overexpression existed only when using staining and percentage as positive definition (HR = 1.82; 95% CI 1.42–2.33; I2 9.9%). Conclusions This study showed that overexpressed HIFs were significantly associated with increase of mortality risk. Subgroup analysis revealed that overexpressed HIF-1α was significantly associated with worse prognosis of HNC in Asian countries. Additionally, HIF-1α had different prognostic value in different HNC disease subtypes.
Aboriginal Students’ Perspectives on the Factors Influencing High School Completion

The Canadian education system is failing its Aboriginal students as evidenced by the significant proportion not completing high school. The Aboriginal population has experienced a significantly greater proportion of people living in poverty and higher rates of unemployment than has the non-Aboriginal population. These factors can be linked to the Aboriginal population's lower educational attainment. The research questions in this phenomenological study explored the influences that encourage Aboriginal middle-level students to remain engaged in school, thus promoting the likelihood of their completing high school. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with 10 Aboriginal adolescents identified as being at risk of dropping out before completing high school. Data were analyzed using semiotic phenomenology, including description, reduction, and interpretation. Study findings identified the importance of schools providing linkages to students’ Aboriginal heritages and relationship building between teachers and students. This study adds the students’ perspective to the existing body of knowledge related to Aboriginal student school engagement. Positive social change can be effected when classrooms model cultural inclusion, meaningful learning opportunities are provided for all students, and Aboriginal learners perceive they belong, resulting in a greater proportion of Aboriginal people living enriched, satisfying lives. Such activities also can lead to higher graduation rates.