Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparing Young Voters' Political Engagement in the United States and Europe

The growing reluctance among youth to participate in politics and exercise their right to vote rings alarm bells across the globe. This study adopts a comparative perspective to identify factors that might help reengage youth in the political process by documenting the scope and pervasiveness of the problem in the United States and the EU. This cross-national study shows that the antecedents of youth turnout are highly similar in the United States and in the EU member states. The authors also find a strong and consistently positive effect of news media use and interactive communication (online and interpersonal) on youth turnout.
Quantitative Electroencephalographic Amplitude Measures in Young Adults During Reading Tasks and Rest

Background. Previous studies have observed differences in the quantitative electroencephalogram (qEEG) between individuals with reading difficulties and non-clinical controls during reading tasks. However, little has been reported about the qEEG of reading tasks compared to qEEG at rest across a wide range of EEG frequencies. The present study explored the qEEG differences between resting and reading states in a group of 19 non-clinical college students. The purpose was to investigate the amplitude changes across five frequency bands: 8 to 10, 10 to 12, 12 to 21, 21 to 32, and 38 to 42 Hz. Methods. Nineteen channels of EEG were recorded at 256 samples per second during an initial resting baseline, during five different reading tasks while selectively engaging the visual, phonetic, and semantic modalities, and during a second resting baseline. Absolute EEG amplitude was measured as the dependent variable. Ninety ANOVAs (taskchannel) were computed, comparing each reading task to each baseline, for each frequency band, for each of three cortical areas, frontal, centro-coronal, and posterior. Single-channel t-tests were computed for significant ANOVAs. Results. ANOVA analyses revealed significantly less amplitude for the 10 to 12 Hz band during all three reading tasks as compared to the second baseline. Single-channel t-tests showed this phenomenon to be lateralized towards the left hemisphere. Conclusions. Results are interpreted as a manifestation of language specific processing for the 10 to 12 Hz band. The absence of amplitude changes in the 12 to 21 Hz band was interpreted as motor inhibition. It is suggested that future studies employ a post-task baseline when studying cognitive tasks.
“Stop Rape Now?”

Inspired by the themes of violence, masculinity and responsibility, this article investigates the visibility of male victims/survivors of conflict-related sexual violence in war. Despite the passing of UNSCR 1820 in 2008, the formulation of UN ACTION (United Nations Action Against Sexual Violence in Conflict), and the appointment of a United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General to lead policy and practice in this issue area, we argue here that male survivors/victims remain a marginal concern, which has, among other consequences, profound implications for the facilities that exist to support male victims/survivors during and after periods of active conflict. In the first section of the article, we provide an overview of the contemporary academic literature on rape in war, not only to act as the foundation for the analytical work that follows but also to illustrate the argument that male survivors/victims of sexualised violence in war are near-invisible in the majority of literature on this topic. Second, we turn our analytical lens to the policy environment charged with addressing sexualised violence in conflict. Through a discourse analysis focussed on the website of UN ACTION (www.stoprapenow.org), we demonstrate that this lack of vision in academic work maps directly to a lack of visibility in the policy arena. The third section of the article explores the arrangements in place within extant peacebuilding and post-conflict reconstruction programmes that aim to facilitate recovery with victims/survivors of sexualised violence in war. We conclude with reflections on the themes of violence, masculinity and responsibility in the context of sexualised violence in war and suggest that in this context all privileged actors have a responsibility to theorise violence with careful attention to gender in order to avoid perpetuating models of masculinity and war-rape that have potentially pernicious effects.
Scanning Electron Microscopy Reveals Two Distinct Classes of Erythroblastic Island Isolated from Adult Mammalian Bone Marrow

Abstract Erythroblastic islands are multicellular clusters in which a central macrophage supports the development and maturation of red blood cell (erythroid) progenitors. These clusters play crucial roles in the pathogenesis observed in animal models of hematological disorders. The precise structure and function of erythroblastic islands is poorly understood. Here, we have combined scanning electron microscopy and immuno-gold labeling of surface proteins to develop a better understanding of the ultrastructure of these multicellular clusters. The erythroid-specific surface antigen Ter-119 and the transferrin receptor CD71 exhibited distinct patterns of protein sorting during erythroid cell maturation as detected by immuno-gold labeling. During electron microscopy analysis we observed two distinct classes of erythroblastic islands. The islands varied in size and morphology, and the number and type of erythroid cells interacting with the central macrophage. Assessment of femoral marrow isolated from a cavid rodent species (guinea pig, Cavis porcellus) and a marsupial carnivore species (fat-tailed dunnarts, Sminthopsis crassicaudata) showed that while the morphology of the central macrophage varied, two different types of erythroblastic islands were consistently identifiable. Our findings suggest that these two classes of erythroblastic islands are conserved in mammalian evolution and may play distinct roles in red blood cell production.
Curiosity and Need for Cognition

The present study hypothesized that individuals' need for cognition, which describes the dispositional tendency to engage in and enjoy thinking, would be related to questionnaire measures of curiosity for 148 adults. Scores on the Need for Cognition Scale were correlated with eight commonly used measures of curiosity of adults. With one exception, all values were statisically significant (mean r, .57) and added to the convergent validity of the Need for Cognition Scale. Relationships between need for cognition and social desirability, sex, and American College Testing scores were also examined.
Racism on a South African campus: A survey of students' experiences and attitudes

Racial experiences and attitudes were examined in a sample of 433 South African university students. Two hundred and forty-two respondents (55.9%) reported that they had experienced a total of 926 racial incidents on campus in the 12-month period reviewed. The majority of these experiences (71%) involved discriminatory behaviors, with members of the university staff being the modal perpetrators (56% of all incidents). Although racial experiences elicited a range of negative reactions (becoming upset, fearful, or angry) none of the incidents had been reported to campus authorities. Respondents' racial attitudes were found to vary as a function of both gender (males being more likely to endorse racist statements) and race (white students scoring highest on a measure of old-fashioned racism, and Indian and white students scoring highest on a measure of modern racism).
Accelerated Degree Programs: Design and Policy Implications

Recent years have been witness to anincrease in accelerated courses and degree programs for adult students (Nanna, 2001; Immel, 2002). For example, Kasworm (l995a) reported that inthe mid-90s, 36%, or 307 of 851 institutions responding to a questionnaire she administered tofour-year institutions offered undergraduate accelerated degree programs. More recently, Wlodkowski, Mauldin, andGahn (2001) projected that in 10 years, upwards of 20% of adult college students will beenrolled in accelerated programs. The current frequency ofthese programs andthe promise oftheir increase mean that we must understand the administrative, curricular, andpolicy issues surrounding them. We also need to understand how these programs impact and influence adult learning. Thus far, however, few studies have been conducted on accelerated degree programs, leaving us with little evidence upon which to base our practices (Wlodkowski & Mauldin, 2001; Nanna, 2001). The purpose ofthis paper is tosuggest a setofguiding principles for continuing educators' practice related to undergraduate accelerated degree programs. We base these principles upon two major sources: a review ofliterature on accelerated degree programs anda Model of College Outcomes forAdults that we developed toaddress a variety offactors affecting adult learning in higher education (Donaldson & Graham, 1999). Taken together, these two sources suggest we need tofocus onfour types of issues related to accelerated programs:
An exploratory study of the influences that compromise the sun protection of young adults

This paper reports on an exploratory research project designed to gain a deeper understanding of the influences on ultraviolet radiation (UVR) behaviours among high-risk young adults to determine what compromises the adoption of protection measures for this group. A dual approach using focus groups and the Zaltman Metaphor Elicitation Technique was used to provide personal narratives related to UVR behaviour for tertiary education students. Results from both ‘conversations’ were content-analysed using an iterative ‘bootstrapping’ technique to identify key themes and issues. This exploratory research identified a number of key themes including effect on mood, influence of culture, the value of tans, unrealistic optimism, risk-orientation, and the role of experience. This group felt that they not been targeted effectively by public health campaigns and did not fully understand the dangers of high-risk UVR behaviours. Although a number of previous studies have investigated the relationship between knowledge and behaviour, and largely concluded that increases in knowledge do not lead to increases in adoption of protection practices, the preliminary findings of this study reveal that the knowledge and perceived self efficacy of protective practices is extremely high, what is lacking is the perceived threat and thus the motivations to adopt such behaviours. The conclusions drawn from this research indicate that there are a variety of important influencing factors that compromise UVR behaviours, in particular, the lack of perceived seriousness and severity towards long term consequences such as skin cancer. The recommendation to address the imbalance of ‘perceived threat’ and ‘outcome expectations’ is to focus on increasing knowledge of skin cancer, particularly susceptibility to skin cancer and the severity of the condition.
Is Prostate Cancer Prevention with Selenium All in the Genes?

This perspective discusses how well-conducted research by Penney et al. (beginning on page 604 in this issue of the journal) contributes to the incremental uncovering of the complex association between selenium and prostate cancer. These investigators' earlier findings and current questions, approaches, and findings regarding selenium for prostate cancer prevention are discussed. This group's work raises the following important inferences: Selenium may prevent poorer-prognosis prostate cancer and its progression to bony metastases and death, but only in men with genetic backgrounds that influence the requirement for selenium. These inferences point toward how to reconcile inconsistent prostate cancer risk results from the two randomized trials of selenium conducted to date. Cancer Prev Res; 3(5); 576–8. ©2010 AACR.
Rapid diagnostic tests compared with malaria microscopy for guiding outpatient treatment of febrile illness in Tanzania: randomised trial

Objective To compare rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) for malaria with routine microscopy in guiding treatment decisions for febrile patients. Design Randomised trial. Setting Outpatient departments in northeast Tanzania at varying levels of malaria transmission. Participants 2416 patients for whom a malaria test was requested. Intervention Staff received training on rapid diagnostic tests; patients sent for malaria tests were randomised to rapid diagnostic test or routine microscopy Main outcome measure Proportion of patients with a negative test prescribed an antimalarial drug. Results Of 7589 outpatient consultations, 2425 (32%) had a malaria test requested. Of 1204 patients randomised to microscopy, 1030 (86%) tested negative for malaria; 523 (51%) of these were treated with an antimalarial drug. Of 1193 patients randomised to rapid diagnostic test, 1005 (84%) tested negative; 540 (54%) of these were treated for malaria (odds ratio 1.13, 95% confidence interval 0.95 to 1.34; P=0.18). Children aged under 5 with negative rapid diagnostic tests were more likely to be prescribed an antimalarial drug than were those with negative slides (P=0.003). Patients with a negative test by any method were more likely to be prescribed an antibiotic (odds ratio 6.42, 4.72 to 8.75; P<0.001). More than 90% of prescriptions for antimalarial drugs in low-moderate transmission settings were for patients for whom a test requested by a clinician was negative for malaria. Conclusions Although many cases of malaria are missed outside the formal sector, within it malaria is massively over-diagnosed. This threatens the sustainability of deployment of artemisinin combination treatment, and treatable bacterial diseases are likely to be missed. Use of rapid diagnostic tests, with basic training for clinical staff, did not in itself lead to any reduction in over-treatment for malaria. Interventions to improve clinicians' management of febrile illness are essential but will not be easy. Trial registration Clinical trials NCT00146796.
Brain abscesses in children: analysis of 20 cases presenting at a medical center.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Brain abscess is an uncommon intracranial suppuration, especially in children. We reviewed the records of children with brain abscess admitted to Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, and analyzed data on presenting symptoms, predisposing factors and outcomes. METHODS Information was obtained retrospectively from medical records of children diagnosed with brain abscess. Demographic data, presenting symptoms, predisposing factors, sites of abscess, infectious organisms, treatment regimen, and prognosis were collected and analyzed. RESULTS Twenty cases of brain abscess within an 11-year period were included in this study. Fever, seizure and focal neurological deficits were the most common presenting symptoms. Cyanotic congenital heart disease (CCHD), present in 35% of patients, was the most common predisposing factor. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common pathogen. Approximately two-thirds of cases followed up had some form of seizure disorder sequelae; such sequelae were more common in patients with the initial presentation of seizure. CONCLUSION CCHD was the most common predisposing factor for brain abscess in children, and a high level of seizure disorder sequelae was noted. Children suffering from brain abscess, whose initial presentation reveals seizure, are at increased risk of further seizure disorder.
The Power of Implicit Teaching Practices: Continuities and Discontinuities in Pedagogical Approaches of Deaf and Hearing Preschools in Japan

Meisei Gakuen, a private school for the deaf in Tokyo, is the only school for the deaf in Japan that uses Japanese Sign Language (JSL) as the primary language of instruction and social interaction. We see Meisei as a useful case for bringing out core issues in Japanese deaf and early childhood education, as well as for making larger arguments about the contribution of what we call “implicit pedagogical practices. ” In this article, we make Meisei the pivot point for two comparisons: (a) between the Meisei deaf preschool program and the programs of “regular” (nondeaf) preschools and (b) between Meisei’s JSL approach and the “total communication” approach used by the public deaf preschools. The implicit pedagogical practice we track across the three types of Japanese preschool settings is mimamoru, a hesitancy of teachers to intervene in children’s disputes and other social interactions.
Implementing a new senior secondary curriculum in Hong Kong: instructional leadership practices and qualities of school principals

This paper attempts to identify the leadership practices and qualities of school principals engaged in implementing a curriculum reform in Hong Kong. Based on interview data of school principals, this paper shows that the types of instructional leadership practices that school principals adopt and the contextual conditions in which these practices occur are key factors explaining the differential effectiveness of implementation efforts. Six efficacious instructional leadership practices and two contextual conditions critical to their development were identified. This paper reconceptualises instructional leadership as a collective and transformational endeavour, functioning in communities of practice to support school development at different levels.
Girls, Boys and Computers

Abstract This article discusses the findings of a research project concerning gender differences in computing in secondary schools, funded by the Equal Opportunities Commission. The research examined the organisation and teaching of computing in secondary schools, assessing the extent and nature of gender differences in participation in computing activities and examined teacher attitudes to girls and computing. The article outlines the main findings of the research and includes a series of recommendations for action by schools.
— Use Licence — Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 1 . 0

We are currently living through an era where we can, and need to, create exciting new possibilities in the way we think about, plan, design and build new places and spaces for working and living. At the same time, two irresistible forces – change and complexity – face decision-makers charged with framing and executing future policy and practice for the built and human environment. This paper generally argues the case for employing a ‘prospective’ process through scenario thinking for strategic planning and management in the urban arena. It does not attempt to identify or explore the advances made in planning for built and human environment over recent years or the promise of those to come. Rather, it describes and promotes a methodology which helps organisations, such as those involved in the formation of the urban environment, to learn their way into the future in a complex and changing world of uncertainty and ambiguity.
Rat-inspired model of robot target learning and place recognition

We present a model designed on the basis of the rat's brain neurophysiology to provide a robot with spatial cognition and goal-oriented navigation capabilities. We describe target learning and place recognition processes in rats as basis for topological map building and exploitation by robots. We experiment with the model in different maze configurations by training a robot to find the goal starting from a fixed location, and by testing it to reach the same target from new different starting locations.
Crash reproduction via test case mutation: let existing test cases help

Developers reproduce crashes to understand root causes during software debugging. To reduce the manual effort by developers, automatic methods of crash reproduction generate new test cases for triggering crashes. However, due to the complex program structures, it is challenging to generate a test case to cover a specific program path. In this paper, we propose an approach to automatic crash reproduction via test case mutation, which updates existing test cases to trigger crashes rather than creating new test cases from scratch. This approach leverages major structures and objects in existing test cases and increases the chance of executing the specific path. Our preliminary result on 12 crashes in Apache Commons Collections shows that 7 crashes are reproduced by our approach of test case mutation.
Perceived discrimination in leisure settings in Latino urban communities

This study explored: (1) whether Latino residents of two highly segregated neighbourhoods in Chicago, IL, USA, experienced or witnessed any discriminatory incidents in leisure settings; (2) what were the most frequent places and types of discrimination they encountered; (3) who were the perpetrators of discriminatory acts and (4) how people responded to discrimination. Moreover, Latinos own interracial/interethnic attitudes toward members of other ethnic/racial groups were examined. Data were collected with the use of surveys and focus groups. The results suggest perceived discrimination is an important constraint on recreation behaviour among Latino urban residents. The findings revealed that Latinos most often experienced discrimination from African Americans and Whites visiting the parks, as well as from law enforcement officers. Verbal harassment from other recreationists, being stopped and searched by police and being denied a service or being given substandard service were named most often as the types of discrimination. Survey respondents indicated that they responded to discrimination by visiting the locations with a group of people or by notifying the police, whereas focus groups participants suggested withdrawal was the most often employed tactic. The findings also suggested a disconnect between Latinos' interracial/interethnic attitudes at the individual and group levels. Although the interviewees reported having positive to neutral interracial/interethnic attitudes, they were willing to acknowledge the existence of prejudicial attitudes among Latinos at the group level.