Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
To appease or educate: accounting academics' conceptions of and approaches to feedback

A review of educational research reveals that feedback is critical for learning. If feedback is necessary for learners to construct knowledge, then feedback is central to pedagogy. This study aimed to investigate conceptions of, and approaches to, assessment feedback amongst accounting academics in Australia. Groups of accounting academics were interviewed on their practices, intentions and perceptions relating to feedback. Data were analysed using a phenomenographic approach to categorise conceptions of and approaches to feedback. Following our initial analysis we found conceptions of feedback ranging from didactic to dialogic. Approaches to feedback ranged from personalised and individual to generic and to the group. We also found a striking commonality in the accounting academic’s experience of feedback; that feedback is a locus of mismatch in expectations. These preliminary results are discussed with reference to the literature. As approaches to feedback are implemented in the context of high student numbers and low resources, another list of good feedback practices is unlikely to be useful. We suggest that reflecting upon one's conceptions of good feedback might help accounting academics to improve their assessment practice and thus, student learning.
Serum Iron Concentration, but Not Hemoglobin, Correlates with TIMI Risk Score and 6-Month Left Ventricular Performance after Primary Angioplasty for Acute Myocardial Infarction

Objective Anemia is associated with high mortality and poor prognosis after acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Increased red cell distribution width (RDW) is a strong independent predictor for adverse outcomes in ACS. The common underlying mechanism for anemia and increased RDW value is iron deficiency. It is not clear whether serum iron deficiency without anemia affects left ventricular (LV) performance after primary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We investigated the prognostic value of serum iron concentration on LV ejection fraction (EF) at 6 months and its relationship to thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) risk score in post MI patients. Methods We recruited 55 patients who were scheduled to undergo primary coronary balloon angioplasty after AMI and 54 age- and sex-matched volunteers. Serum iron concentration and interleukin-6 levels were measured before primary angioplasty. LVEF was measured by echocardiography at baseline and after 6 months. TIMI risk score was calculated for risk stratification. Results Serum iron concentration was significantly lower in those in whom LVEF had not improved ≥10% from baseline (52.7±24.1 versus 80.8±50.8 µg/dl, P = 0.016) regardless of hemoglobin level, and was significantly lower in the AMI group than in the control group (62.5±37.7 versus 103.0±38.1 µg/dl, P<0.001). Trend analysis revealed that serum iron concentration decreased as TIMI risk score increased (P = 0.002). In addition, lower serum iron concentrations were associated with higher levels of inflammatory markers. Multiple linear regression showed that baseline serum iron concentration can predict LV systolic function 6 months after primary angioplasty for AMI even after adjusting for traditional prognostic factors. Conclusion Hypoferremia is not only a marker of inflammation but also a potential prognostic factor for LV systolic function after revascularization therapy for AMI, and may be a novel biomarker for therapeutic intervention.
Evidences for increased expression variation of duplicate genes in budding yeast: from cis- to trans-regulation effects

Duplicate genes tend to have a more variable expression program than singleton genes, which was thought to be an important way for the organism to respond and adapt to fluctuating environment. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms driving such expression variation remain largely unexplored. In this work, we first rigorously confirmed that duplicate genes indeed have higher gene expression variation than singleton genes in several aspects, i.e. responses to environmental perturbation, between-strain divergence, and expression noise. To investigate the underlying mechanism, we further analyzed a previously published expression dataset of yeast segregants produced from genetic crosses. We dissected the observed expression divergence between segregant strains into cis- and trans-variabilities, and demonstrated that trans-regulation effect can explain larger fraction of the expression variation than cis-regulation effect. This is true for both duplicate genes and singleton genes. In contrast, we found, between a pair of sister paralogs, cis-variability explains more of the expression divergence between the paralogs than trans-variability. We next investigated the presence of cis- and trans-features that are associated with elevated expression variations. For cis-acting regulation, duplicate genes have higher genetic diversity in their promoters and coding regions than singleton genes. For trans-acting regulation, duplicate and singleton genes are differentially regulated by chromatin regulators and transcription factors, and duplicate genes are more severely affected by the deletion of histone tails. These results showed that both cis-and trans-factors have great effect in causing the increased expression variation of duplicate genes, and explained the previously observed differences in transcription regulation between duplicate genes and singleton genes.
Experts' active response selection and defenders’ delayed reactions in kendo matches

The purpose of this study was to examine differences in the response selection of collegiate kendo players (mid- and high-level skill groups, n=9 for both groups) during matches from complex viewpoints. First, the subjects reported their own skill (or waza) knowledge utilized during practices and matches, and then participated in matches with players of the same group. We analyzed their thinking processes and frequencies of utilization of skill knowledge as processing contents, as well as the consequent processing times and starting times of defenders’ appropriate reactions to the response selection. Although differences in the thinking processes and processing times of the two groups were not significant, the high-level skill group utilized their skill knowledge more frequently and delayed the defenders’ appropriate reactions. The reported thinking processes, i.e., those that could be verbalized, reflected effective thought processes such as brief thinking. The processing times, which we expected to be significantly different between the two groups, were influenced by time variabilities produced by the players themselves, as they must utilize various processing methods in different match situations. Analysis of the processing contents also showed that the high-level skill group selected actions actively and frequently by using their skill knowledge to anticipate situations and assess non-immediate environmental information. This processing mode led to tactical “active response selection”, which we believe is an important factor in the creation of 100-ms delays in the appropriate reactions made by defenders, delays that translate into points scored. Such active response selection, which differs from passive processing of environmental information, i.e., the “passive response selection” that has been reported in highly skilled players in other sports studies, indicates that the processing mode in response selection changes according to the characteristics of a sport. Also, the mid-level skill group adopted passive response selection more frequently. Consequently, we suggest that 1) kendo players should aim towards active response selection, 2) should acquire effective skill knowledge, and 3) should utilize this knowledge actively and frequently in response selection.
Prediction of Flexible Pavement Degradation : Application to Rutting in Cameroonian Highways

The present paper is a pushover for preventive maintenance activities performed on flexible pavements. It is undertaken to enhance their performance and to limit the life-cycle costs of highway facilities. Theoretical degradation models are based on the superposition method in each pavement layer and on its elasto-visco-plastic behavior resulting from the wheelpavement mechanical interaction. Flexible pavement degradation level is measured through the rut depth formulated in the transformed field domain using experimental data of in-situ conditions with specific parameters. The rutting depth is developed in a finite element program to allow the user in a simplistic manner to investigate and control effects of various parameters on the rutting process, and to better understand flexible pavements behavior. Obtained results on permanent stresses and deformations, and on their direct correlation with the accumulation of rutting and degradations in various directions, have triggered local highway authorities to contextualize modern preventive maintenance strategies in Cameroon.
Allopurinol reduces antigen-specific and polyclonal activation of human T cells

Allopurinol is the most popular commercially available xanthine oxidase inhibitor and it is widely used for treatment of symptomatic hyperuricaemia, or gout. Although, several anti-inflammatory actions of allopurinol have been demonstrated in vivo and in vitro, there have been few studies on the action of allopurinol on T cells. In the current study, we have assessed the effect of allopurinol on antigen-specific and mitogen-driven activation and cytokine production in human T cells. Allopurinol markedly decreased the frequency of IFN-γ and IL-2-producing T cells, either after polyclonal or antigen-specific stimulation with Herpes Simplex virus 1, Influenza (Flu) virus, tetanus toxoid and Trypanosoma cruzi-derived antigens. Allopurinol attenuated CD69 upregulation after CD3 and CD28 engagement and significantly reduced the levels of spontaneous and mitogen-induced intracellular reactive oxygen species in T cells. The diminished T cell activation and cytokine production in the presence of allopurinol support a direct action of allopurinol on human T cells, offering a potential pharmacological tool for the management of cell-mediated inflammatory diseases.
FIFA 11+: an effective programme to prevent football injuries in various player groups worldwide—a narrative review

In 2009, FIFA promoted and disseminated the FIFA 11+ injury prevention programme worldwide. Developed and studied by the FIFA Medical Assessment and Research Centre (F-MARC), the programme was based on a randomised controlled study and one countrywide campaign in amateur football that significantly reduced injuries and healthcare costs. Since the FIFA 11+ launch, key publications have confirmed the preventive effects of the programme and have evaluated its performance effects in female as well as male amateur football players. Furthermore, implementation strategies of this prevention programme have also been studied. The goal of this narrative review was to summarise the available scientific evidence about the FIFA 11+ programme. While FIFA continues to disseminate and implement FIFA 11+ among its Member Associations, adaptations of the injury prevention programme for children and referees have been developed and are currently being evaluated.
Simulating evolution by gene duplication.

By considering the recent finding that unequal crossing over and other molecular interactions are contributing to the evolution of multigene families, a model of the origin of repetitive genes was studied by Monte Carlo simulations. Starting from a single gene copy, how genetic systems evolve was examined under unequal crossing over, random drift and natural selection. Both beneficial and deteriorating mutations were incorporated, and the latter were assumed to occur ten times more frequently than the former. Positive natural selection favors those chromosomes with more beneficial mutations in redundant copies than others in the population, but accumulation of deteriorating mutations (pseudogenes) have no effect on fitness so long as there remains a functional gene. The results imply the following: Positive natural selection is needed in order to acquire gene families with new functions. Without it, too many pseudogenes accumulate before attaining a functional gene family. There is a large fluctuation in the outcome even if parameters are the same. When unequal crossing over occurs more frequently, the system evolves more rapidly. It was also shown, under realistic values of parameters, that the genetic load for acquiring a new gene is not as large as J.B.S. Haldane suggested, but not so small as in a model in which a system for selection started from already redundant genes.
The structure of posttraumatic stress disorder: latent class analysis in 2 community samples.

CONTEXT Latent structure analysis of DSM-IV posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can help clarify how persons who experience traumatic events might be sorted into clusters with respect to their symptom profiles. Classification of persons exposed to traumatic events into clinically homogeneous groups would facilitate further etiologic and treatment research, as well as research on the relationship of trauma and PTSD with other disorders. OBJECTIVES To examine empirically the structure underlying PTSD criterion symptoms and identify discrete classes with similar symptom profiles. DESIGN Data on PTSD symptoms from trauma-exposed subsets of 2 community samples were subjected to latent class analysis. The resultant classes were studied in associations with trauma type and indicators of impairment. SETTING The first sample is from the Detroit Area Survey of Trauma (1899 trauma-exposed respondents with complete data) and the second is from a mid-Atlantic study of young adults conducted by The Johns Hopkins University Prevention Research Center, Baltimore, Md (1377 trauma-exposed respondents with complete data). PARTICIPANTS Respondents in the 2 community samples who experienced 1 or more qualifying PTSD-level traumatic events. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Number, size, and symptom profiles of latent classes. RESULTS In both samples, analysis yielded 3 classes: no disturbance, intermediate disturbance, and pervasive disturbance. The classes also varied qualitatively, with emotional numbing distinguishing the class of pervasive disturbance, a class that approximates the subset with DSM-IV PTSD. Members of the pervasive disturbance class were far more likely to report use of medical care and disruptions in life or activities. CONCLUSIONS The 3-class structure separates trauma-exposed persons with pervasive disturbance (a class that approximates DSM-IV PTSD) from no disturbance and intermediate disturbance, a distinction that also helps identify population subgroups with low risk for any posttrauma disturbance. The results suggest that the structure of PTSD is ordinal and configurational and that emotional numbing differentiates the class with pervasive disturbance. These results should motivate prospective research of persons who have experienced trauma to trace the emergence of posttrauma symptoms and the timing of emotional numbing relative to other symptoms.
WHY HERMAPHRODITIC PLANTS PRODUCE MANY MORE FLOWERS THAN FRUITS: EXPERIMENTAL TESTS WITH AGAVE MCKELVEYANA

Five hypotheses explaining the low fruit‐to‐flower ratios in self‐incompatible hermaphroditic plants are tested for Agave mckelveyana. Results from pruning, bagging, and hand‐pollination experiments indicate that “excess” flowers (i.e., flowers that fail to produce mature fruits) do not contribute to female fitness (i.e., fruit or seed production). These flowers are aborted regardless of their pollination history. Additional data on nectar production imply that these flowers act as pollen donors and contribute to male fitness.
Correlating student interest and high school preparation with learning and performance in an introductory university physics course

As part of a larger study, we have collected data on interest, background, and performance of students in our large (900 student) 1st year university physics course, PHY131. The course was given in the Fall term of 2012, and concentrates on classical mechanics. Almost 90% of the students in this course are or are intending to major in the life sciences. We surveyed the students about their reasons for taking our course, and whether or not the students took a senior-level high school physics course. We then correlated these factors with student performance as measured by the Force Concept Inventory diagnostic instrument, and by their scores on the Final Examination in the course. PHY131 is not intended for physics majors or specialists, or for engineering science students, who have their own courses.
Screening for asymptomatic lymphogranuloma venereum co-infection in men who have sex with men newly diagnosed with HIV, hepatitis C or syphilis

Patients diagnosed with lymphogranuloma venereum have high rates of co-infection with HIV, syphilis and hepatitis C. The aim of this enhanced surveillance was to screen all men who have sex with men (MSM) newly diagnosed with HIV, syphilis or hepatitis C for co-infection with asymptomatic lymphogranuloma venereum as part of the recommended sexual health screen. Of the 145 patients screened, 21 patients were diagnosed with rectal Chlamydia trachomatis, one with both rectal and urethral chlamydia and six with urethral chlamydia. One rectal chlamydia-positive sample, when tested, was equivocal for lymphogranuloma venereum. Our data suggested that there was not a pool of asymptomatic lymphogranuloma venereum infection in MSM recently diagnosed with HIV, hepatitis C and syphilis. However, there have been recent reports of an increased incidence of asymptomatic lymphogranuloma venereum, raising the question whether lymphogranuloma venereum should be screened for in high risk asymptomatic MSM. The prevalence of asymptomatic rectal chlamydia infections was 19%.
“Flawed Vessels”

The 2008 election was a watershed year in presidential politics, with two prominent women, Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin, drawing national media attention to gendered themes during the election. This study investigates whether/how the media connected these historic female candidacies to feminism by evaluating the national news media's framing of feminism during the election. Using qualitative media discourse analysis, we analyze how discussions of these two prominent female candidates, as well as Barack Obama, were linked to framing of feminism in the news media. During the 2008 presidential election, the media recast evaluations of Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and Sarah Palin into a discussion of the status of modern feminism. The news media framed the movement as fractured, highlighting existing conflicts within the feminist movement, while legitimizing post-feminism and choice feminism through the perspectives of the Obama and Palin nominations. The news media also trivialized the movement by emphasizing style over substance in their assessments of whether candidates were (or were not) feminists. The results suggest feminist movement actors and goals may not substantially benefit from greater media attention prompted by increasing numbers of female candidates.
Risk Factors for Recurrence, Complications and Mortality in Clostridium difficile Infection: A Systematic Review

Background Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) can lead to complications, recurrence, and death. Numerous studies have assessed risk factors for these unfavourable outcomes, but systematic reviews or meta-analyses published so far were limited in scope or in quality. Methods A systematic review was completed according to PRISMA guidelines. An electronic search in five databases was performed. Studies published until October 2013 were included if risk factors for at least one CDI outcome were assessed with multivariate analyses. Results 68 studies were included: 24 assessed risk factors for recurrence, 18 for complicated CDI, 8 for treatment failure, and 30 for mortality. Most studies accounted for mortality in the definition of complicated CDI. Important variables were inconsistently reported, such as previous episodes and use of antibiotics. Substantial heterogeneity and methodological limitations were noted, mainly in the sample size, the definition of the outcomes and periods of follow-up, precluding a meta-analysis. Older age, use of antibiotics after diagnosis, use of proton pump inhibitors, and strain type were the most frequent risk factors for recurrence. Older age, leucocytosis, renal failure and co-morbidities were frequent risk factors for complicated CDI. When considered alone, mortality was associated with age, co-morbidities, hypo-albuminemia, leucocytosis, acute renal failure, and infection with ribotype 027. Conclusion Laboratory parameters currently used in European and American guidelines to define patients at risk of a complicated CDI are adequate. Strategies for the management of CDI should be tailored according to the age of the patient, biological markers of severity, and underlying co-morbidities.
Comment on Ray's "Why the F Scale Predicts Racism: A Critical Review"

Ray claims that the ability of the F scale to predict racism is a function of the "old-fashioned" wording of its items. The ability of the F scale to predict real-life and experimental situations calls this conclusion into question. Some other questions are also raised about the concept of "old-fashionedness. " Some more important questions are raised by Ray's paper concerning the politics of psychologists who are studying or teaching political psychology. These questions apply not only to Ray but to all of us. A systematic approach toward answering such questions is suggested. At least, social scientists should study themselves as well as others, in order to determine the influence of their own beliefs and attitudes upon their subjects, their results, their interpretations, and their evaluations.
The Amerindian's Genes in the Mexican Population are Associated with Development of Gallstone Disease

BACKGROUND:It has been suggested that genes related to Amerindian ancestry account for the high prevalence of gallstone disease (GD) observed in Mexican-Americans. The HLA-B39 is an allele found in higher frequency in Amerindians whereas HLA-B15 is rarely found. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that gallstone susceptibility genes are more prevalent in Mexicans with recent Amerindian ancestry.METHODS:We carried out a prospective case-controlled study. Subjects were divided into those who had stones visible on gallbladder ultrasound (cases), and those whose ultrasounds were negative for gallstones (controls). Body mass index (BMI) was calculated, and serum lipids and lipoprotein, and glucose levels were measured. Class I HLA (HLA-B) typing was performed by PCR amplification of genomic DNA.RESULTS:Of the 1,101 subjects, 146 were classified as subjects with GD (cases) and 955 as subjects without GD (controls). Mean age of the cases was 53.5 ± 12.5 yr versus 44.78 ± 12.0 yr for the controls, p = 0.001. A family history of GD was observed in 48% of the cases versus 28.4% of the controls, p = 0.001. HLA-B39 was more frequently increased in GD subjects (0.162), compared with controls (0.063), p = 0.008. The odds ratio of having HLA-B39 was 2.8 and 95% (CI 95%= 1.3-6.3) for GD; HLA-B15 was more frequently increased in controls than in cases.CONCLUSIONS:The most prevalent HLA alleles detected in these GD cases are characteristic of Amerindian populations, supporting the role of genetics in the high prevalence of the development of GD in Mexican mestizos.